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Stockwell SR, Scott DE, Fischer G, Guarino E, Rooney TPC, Feng TS, Moschetti T, Srinivasan R, Alza E, Asteian A, Dagostin C, Alcaide A, Rocaboy M, Blaszczyk B, Higueruelo A, Wang X, Rossmann M, Perrior TR, Blundell TL, Spring DR, McKenzie G, Abell C, Skidmore J, Venkitaraman AR, Hyvönen M. Selective Aurora A-TPX2 Interaction Inhibitors Have In Vivo Efficacy as Targeted Antimitotic Agents. J Med Chem 2024; 67:15521-15536. [PMID: 39190548 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Aurora A kinase, a cell division regulator, is frequently overexpressed in various cancers, provoking genome instability and resistance to antimitotic chemotherapy. Localization and enzymatic activity of Aurora A are regulated by its interaction with the spindle assembly factor TPX2. We have used fragment-based, structure-guided lead discovery to develop small molecule inhibitors of the Aurora A-TPX2 protein-protein interaction (PPI). Our lead compound, CAM2602, inhibits Aurora A:TPX2 interaction, binding Aurora A with 19 nM affinity. CAM2602 exhibits oral bioavailability, causes pharmacodynamic biomarker modulation, and arrests the growth of tumor xenografts. CAM2602 acts by a novel mechanism compared to ATP-competitive inhibitors and is highly specific to Aurora A over Aurora B. Consistent with our finding that Aurora A overexpression drives taxane resistance, these inhibitors synergize with paclitaxel to suppress the outgrowth of pancreatic cancer cells. Our results provide a blueprint for targeting the Aurora A-TPX2 PPI for cancer therapy and suggest a promising clinical utility for this mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon R Stockwell
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, U.K
| | - Duncan E Scott
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Gerhard Fischer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Estrella Guarino
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, U.K
| | - Timothy P C Rooney
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Tzu-Shean Feng
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Tommaso Moschetti
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Rajavel Srinivasan
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Esther Alza
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Alice Asteian
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Claudio Dagostin
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Anna Alcaide
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Mathieu Rocaboy
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Beata Blaszczyk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Alicia Higueruelo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Xuelu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Maxim Rossmann
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | | | - Tom L Blundell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - David R Spring
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Grahame McKenzie
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, U.K
| | - Chris Abell
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - John Skidmore
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Ashok R Venkitaraman
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, U.K
| | - Marko Hyvönen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
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2
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Kovacs AH, Zhao D, Hou J. Aurora B Inhibitors as Cancer Therapeutics. Molecules 2023; 28:3385. [PMID: 37110619 PMCID: PMC10144992 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Aurora kinases (A, B, and C) are a family of three isoform serine/threonine kinases that regulate mitosis and meiosis. The Chromosomal Passenger Complex (CPC), which contains Aurora B as an enzymatic component, plays a critical role in cell division. Aurora B in the CPC ensures faithful chromosome segregation and promotes the correct biorientation of chromosomes on the mitotic spindle. Aurora B overexpression has been observed in several human cancers and has been associated with a poor prognosis for cancer patients. Targeting Aurora B with inhibitors is a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. In the past decade, Aurora B inhibitors have been extensively pursued in both academia and industry. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the preclinical and clinical candidates of Aurora B inhibitors as potential anticancer drugs. The recent advances in the field of Aurora B inhibitor development will be highlighted, and the binding interactions between Aurora B and inhibitors based on crystal structures will be presented and discussed to provide insights for the future design of more selective Aurora B inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antal H. Kovacs
- Department of Chemistry, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Dong Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Jinqiang Hou
- Department of Chemistry, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada
- Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, 980 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6V4, Canada
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Shackleford TJ, Hariharan S, Vaseva AV, Alagoa K, Espinoza M, Bid HK, Li F, Zhong H, Phelps DA, Roberts RD, Cam H, London CA, Guttridge DC, Chen Y, Rao M, Shiio Y, Houghton PJ. Redundant Signaling as the Predominant Mechanism for Resistance to Antibodies Targeting the Type-I Insulin-Like Growth Factor Receptor in Cells Derived from Childhood Sarcoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:539-550. [PMID: 36696581 PMCID: PMC10073271 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Antibodies targeting insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) induce objective responses in only 5% to 15% of children with sarcoma. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance may identify combination therapies that optimize efficacy of IGF-1R-targeted antibodies. Sensitivity to the IGF-1R-targeting antibody TZ-1 was determined in rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma cell lines. Acquired resistance to TZ-1 was developed and characterized in sensitive Rh41 cells. The BRD4 inhibitor, JQ1, was evaluated as an agent to prevent acquired TZ-1 resistance in Rh41 cells. The phosphorylation status of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) was assessed. Sensitivity to TZ-1 in vivo was determined in Rh41 parental and TZ-1-resistant xenografts. Of 20 sarcoma cell lines, only Rh41 was sensitive to TZ-1. Cells intrinsically resistant to TZ-1 expressed multiple (>10) activated RTKs or a relatively less complex set of activated RTKs (∼5). TZ-1 decreased the phosphorylation of IGF-1R but had little effect on other phosphorylated RTKs in all resistant lines. TZ-1 rapidly induced activation of RTKs in Rh41 that was partially abrogated by knockdown of SOX18 and JQ1. Rh41/TZ-1 cells selected for acquired resistance to TZ-1 constitutively expressed multiple activated RTKs. TZ-1 treatment caused complete regressions in Rh41 xenografts and was significantly less effective against the Rh41/TZ-1 xenograft. Intrinsic resistance is a consequence of redundant signaling in pediatric sarcoma cell lines. Acquired resistance in Rh41 cells is associated with rapid induction of multiple RTKs, indicating a dynamic response to IGF-1R blockade and rapid development of resistance. The TZ-1 antibody had greater antitumor activity against Rh41 xenografts compared with other IGF-1R-targeted antibodies tested against this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry J. Shackleford
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
- Saint Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX
| | | | - Angelina V. Vaseva
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | | | | | - Hemant K. Bid
- Resonant Therapeutics, Inc. Life Sciences Institute (LSI) University of Michigan
| | - Fuyang Li
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | | | - Doris A. Phelps
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | | | - Hakan Cam
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Cheryl A. London
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Boston
| | - Denis C. Guttridge
- Darby Children’s Research Institute, Medical College of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Yidong Chen
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Manjeet Rao
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Yuzuru Shiio
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Peter J. Houghton
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
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Candido MF, Medeiros M, Veronez LC, Bastos D, Oliveira KL, Pezuk JA, Valera ET, Brassesco MS. Drugging Hijacked Kinase Pathways in Pediatric Oncology: Opportunities and Current Scenario. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020664. [PMID: 36839989 PMCID: PMC9966033 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood cancer is considered rare, corresponding to ~3% of all malignant neoplasms in the human population. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a universal occurrence of more than 15 cases per 100,000 inhabitants around the globe, and despite improvements in diagnosis, treatment and supportive care, one child dies of cancer every 3 min. Consequently, more efficient, selective and affordable therapeutics are still needed in order to improve outcomes and avoid long-term sequelae. Alterations in kinases' functionality is a trademark of cancer and the concept of exploiting them as drug targets has burgeoned in academia and in the pharmaceutical industry of the 21st century. Consequently, an increasing plethora of inhibitors has emerged. In the present study, the expression patterns of a selected group of kinases (including tyrosine receptors, members of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways, coordinators of cell cycle progression, and chromosome segregation) and their correlation with clinical outcomes in pediatric solid tumors were accessed through the R2: Genomics Analysis and Visualization Platform and by a thorough search of published literature. To further illustrate the importance of kinase dysregulation in the pathophysiology of pediatric cancer, we analyzed the vulnerability of different cancer cell lines against their inhibition through the Cancer Dependency Map portal, and performed a search for kinase-targeted compounds with approval and clinical applicability through the CanSAR knowledgebase. Finally, we provide a detailed literature review of a considerable set of small molecules that mitigate kinase activity under experimental testing and clinical trials for the treatment of pediatric tumors, while discuss critical challenges that must be overcome before translation into clinical options, including the absence of compounds designed specifically for childhood tumors which often show differential mutational burdens, intrinsic and acquired resistance, lack of selectivity and adverse effects on a growing organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Ferreira Candido
- Department of Cell Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana Medeiros
- Regional Blood Center, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Chain Veronez
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - David Bastos
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Karla Laissa Oliveira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Julia Alejandra Pezuk
- Departament of Biotechnology and Innovation, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, UNIAN/SP, São Paulo 04119-001, SP, Brazil
| | - Elvis Terci Valera
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - María Sol Brassesco
- Departament of Biotechnology and Innovation, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, UNIAN/SP, São Paulo 04119-001, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-16-3315-9144; Fax: +55-16-3315-4886
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Zhou X, Mould DR, Yuan Y, Fox E, Greengard E, Faller DV, Venkatakrishnan K. Population Pharmacokinetics and Exposure-Safety Relationships of Alisertib in Children and Adolescents With Advanced Malignancies. J Clin Pharmacol 2022; 62:206-219. [PMID: 34435684 PMCID: PMC9274904 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.1958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Population pharmacokinetic (PK) and exposure-safety analyses of alisertib were performed in children enrolled in 2 clinical trials: NCT02444884 and NCT01154816. NCT02444884 was a dose-finding study in children with relapsed/refractory solid malignancies (phase 1) or neuroblastomas (phase 2). Patients received oral alisertib 45 to 100 mg/m2 as powder-in-capsule once daily or twice daily for 7 days in 21-day cycles. Serial blood samples were collected up to 24 hours after dosing on cycle 1, day 1. NCT01154816 was a phase 2 single-arm study evaluating efficacy in children with relapsed/refractory solid malignancies or acute leukemias. Patients received alisertib 80 mg/m2 as enteric-coated tablets once daily for 7 days in 21-day cycles. Sparse PK samples were collected up to 8 hours after dosing on cycle 1, day 1. Sources of alisertib PK variability were characterized and quantified using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling to support dosing recommendations in children and adolescents. A 2-compartment model with oral absorption described by 3 transit compartments was developed using data from 146 patients. Apparent oral clearance and central distribution volume were correlated with body surface area across the age range of 2 to 21 years, supporting the use of body surface area-based alisertib dosing in the pediatric population. The recommended dose of 80 mg/m2 once daily enteric-coated tablets provided similar alisertib exposures across pediatric age groups and comparable exposure to that in adults receiving 50 mg twice daily (recommended adult dose). Statistically significant relationships (P < .01) were observed between alisertib exposures and incidence of grade ≥2 stomatitis and febrile neutropenia, consistent with antiproliferative mechanism-related toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Zhou
- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USAa wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
| | | | - Ying Yuan
- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USAa wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
| | - Elizabeth Fox
- St. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | | | - Douglas V. Faller
- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USAa wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
| | - Karthik Venkatakrishnan
- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USAa wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
- Current affiliation: EMD Serono IncBillericaMassachusettsUSA
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6
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Ciaccio R, De Rosa P, Aloisi S, Viggiano M, Cimadom L, Zadran SK, Perini G, Milazzo G. Targeting Oncogenic Transcriptional Networks in Neuroblastoma: From N-Myc to Epigenetic Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12883. [PMID: 34884690 PMCID: PMC8657550 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most frequently occurring neurogenic extracranial solid cancers in childhood and infancy. Over the years, many pieces of evidence suggested that NB development is controlled by gene expression dysregulation. These unleashed programs that outline NB cancer cells make them highly dependent on specific tuning of gene expression, which can act co-operatively to define the differentiation state, cell identity, and specialized functions. The peculiar regulation is mainly caused by genetic and epigenetic alterations, resulting in the dependency on a small set of key master transcriptional regulators as the convergence point of multiple signalling pathways. In this review, we provide a comprehensive blueprint of transcriptional regulation bearing NB initiation and progression, unveiling the complexity of novel oncogenic and tumour suppressive regulatory networks of this pathology. Furthermore, we underline the significance of multi-target therapies against these hallmarks, showing how novel approaches, together with chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy, can have substantial antineoplastic effects, disrupting a wide variety of tumorigenic pathways through combinations of different treatments.
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7
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Synthetic Heterocyclic Derivatives as Kinase Inhibitors Tested for the Treatment of Neuroblastoma. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26237069. [PMID: 34885651 PMCID: PMC8658969 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, small molecules endowed with different heterocyclic scaffolds have been developed as kinase inhibitors. Some of them are being tested at preclinical or clinical levels for the potential treatment of neuroblastoma (NB). This disease is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood and is responsible for 10% to 15% of pediatric cancer deaths. Despite the availability of some treatments, including the use of very toxic cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, high-risk (HR)-NB patients still have a poor prognosis and a survival rate below 50%. For these reasons, new pharmacological options are urgently needed. This review focuses on synthetic heterocyclic compounds published in the last five years, which showed at least some activity on this severe disease and act as kinase inhibitors. The specific mechanism of action, selectivity, and biological activity of these drug candidates are described, when established. Moreover, the most remarkable clinical trials are reported. Importantly, kinase inhibitors approved for other diseases have shown to be active and endowed with lower toxicity compared to conventional cytotoxic agents. The data collected in this article can be particularly useful for the researchers working in this area.
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Pezeshki PS, Moeinafshar A, Ghaemdoust F, Razi S, Keshavarz-Fathi M, Rezaei N. Advances in pharmacotherapy for neuroblastoma. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:2383-2404. [PMID: 34254549 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1953470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuroblastoma is the most prevalent cancer type diagnosed within the first year after birth and accounts for 15% of deaths from pediatric cancer. Despite the improvements in survival rates of patients with neuroblastoma, the incidence of the disease has increased over the last decade. Neuroblastoma tumor cells harbor a vast range of variable and heterogeneous histochemical and genetic alterations which calls for the need to administer individualized and targeted therapies to induce tumor regression in each patient. AREAS COVERED This paper provides reviews the recent clinical trials which used chemotherapeutic and/or targeted agents as either monotherapies or in combination to improve the response rate in patients with neuroblastoma, and especially high-risk neuroblastoma. It also reviews some of the prominent preclinical studies which can provide the rationale for future clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION Although some distinguished advances in pharmacotherapy have been made to improve the survival rate and reduce adverse events in patients with neuroblastoma, a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of tumorigenesis, resistance to therapies or relapse, identifying biomarkers of response to each specific drug, and developing predictive preclinical models of the tumor can lead to further breakthroughs in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parmida Sadat Pezeshki
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aysan Moeinafshar
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faezeh Ghaemdoust
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Razi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Keshavarz-Fathi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Stockholm, Sweden
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9
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Ghilu S, Kurmasheva RT, Houghton PJ. Developing New Agents for Treatment of Childhood Cancer: Challenges and Opportunities for Preclinical Testing. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10071504. [PMID: 33916592 PMCID: PMC8038510 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10071504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing new therapeutics for the treatment of childhood cancer has challenges not usually associated with adult malignancies. Firstly, childhood cancer is rare, with approximately 12,500 new diagnoses annually in the U.S. in children 18 years or younger. With current multimodality treatments, the 5-year event-free survival exceeds 80%, and 70% of patients achieve long-term “cure”, hence the overall number of patients eligible for experimental drugs is small. Childhood cancer comprises many disease entities, the most frequent being acute lymphoblastic leukemias (25% of cancers) and brain tumors (21%), and each of these comprises multiple molecular subtypes. Hence, the numbers of diagnoses even for the more frequently occurring cancers of childhood are small, and undertaking clinical trials remains a significant challenge. Consequently, development of preclinical models that accurately represent each molecular entity can be valuable in identifying those agents or combinations that warrant clinical evaluation. Further, new regulations under the Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity for Children Act (RACE For Children Act) will change the way in which drugs are developed. Here, we will consider some of the limitations of preclinical models and consider approaches that may improve their ability to translate therapy to clinical trial more accurately.
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10
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Alves ALV, Gomes INF, Carloni AC, Rosa MN, da Silva LS, Evangelista AF, Reis RM, Silva VAO. Role of glioblastoma stem cells in cancer therapeutic resistance: a perspective on antineoplastic agents from natural sources and chemical derivatives. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:206. [PMID: 33762015 PMCID: PMC7992331 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02231-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the highest-grade form of glioma, as well as one of the most aggressive types of cancer, exhibiting rapid cellular growth and highly invasive behavior. Despite significant advances in diagnosis and therapy in recent decades, the outcomes for high-grade gliomas (WHO grades III-IV) remain unfavorable, with a median overall survival time of 15–18 months. The concept of cancer stem cells (CSCs) has emerged and provided new insight into GBM resistance and management. CSCs can self-renew and initiate tumor growth and are also responsible for tumor cell heterogeneity and the induction of systemic immunosuppression. The idea that GBM resistance could be dependent on innate differences in the sensitivity of clonogenic glial stem cells (GSCs) to chemotherapeutic drugs/radiation prompted the scientific community to rethink the understanding of GBM growth and therapies directed at eliminating these cells or modulating their stemness. This review aims to describe major intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that mediate chemoradioresistant GSCs and therapies based on antineoplastic agents from natural sources, derivatives, and synthetics used alone or in synergistic combination with conventional treatment. We will also address ongoing clinical trials focused on these promising targets. Although the development of effective therapy for GBM remains a major challenge in molecular oncology, GSC knowledge can offer new directions for a promising future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Laura V Alves
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Rua Antenor Duarte Villela, 1331, CEP 14784 400, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Izabela N F Gomes
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Rua Antenor Duarte Villela, 1331, CEP 14784 400, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriana C Carloni
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Rua Antenor Duarte Villela, 1331, CEP 14784 400, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcela N Rosa
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Rua Antenor Duarte Villela, 1331, CEP 14784 400, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciane S da Silva
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Rua Antenor Duarte Villela, 1331, CEP 14784 400, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriane F Evangelista
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Rua Antenor Duarte Villela, 1331, CEP 14784 400, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rui Manuel Reis
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Rua Antenor Duarte Villela, 1331, CEP 14784 400, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil.,Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909, Braga, Portugal
| | - Viviane Aline O Silva
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Rua Antenor Duarte Villela, 1331, CEP 14784 400, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil.
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11
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Du R, Huang C, Liu K, Li X, Dong Z. Targeting AURKA in Cancer: molecular mechanisms and opportunities for Cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:15. [PMID: 33451333 PMCID: PMC7809767 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01305-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aurora kinase A (AURKA) belongs to the family of serine/threonine kinases, whose activation is necessary for cell division processes via regulation of mitosis. AURKA shows significantly higher expression in cancer tissues than in normal control tissues for multiple tumor types according to the TCGA database. Activation of AURKA has been demonstrated to play an important role in a wide range of cancers, and numerous AURKA substrates have been identified. AURKA-mediated phosphorylation can regulate the functions of AURKA substrates, some of which are mitosis regulators, tumor suppressors or oncogenes. In addition, enrichment of AURKA-interacting proteins with KEGG pathway and GO analysis have demonstrated that these proteins are involved in classic oncogenic pathways. All of this evidence favors the idea of AURKA as a target for cancer therapy, and some small molecules targeting AURKA have been discovered. These AURKA inhibitors (AKIs) have been tested in preclinical studies, and some of them have been subjected to clinical trials as monotherapies or in combination with classic chemotherapy or other targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijuan Du
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China.
| | - Chuntian Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China.,The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China. .,The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Zigang Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China. .,The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. .,College of medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
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12
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Robles AJ, Kurmasheva RT, Bandyopadhyay A, Phelps DA, Erickson SW, Lai Z, Kurmashev D, Chen Y, Smith MA, Houghton PJ. Evaluation of Eribulin Combined with Irinotecan for Treatment of Pediatric Cancer Xenografts. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3012-3023. [PMID: 32184294 PMCID: PMC7299830 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-1822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Vincristine combined with camptothecin derivatives showed synergy in preclinical pediatric cancer models, and the combinations are effective in treatment of childhood solid tumors. We determined whether the synergy between vincristine and irinotecan extends to eribulin, another microtubule inhibitor. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Vincristine or eribulin, alone or combined with irinotecan, was studied in 12 xenograft models. Tumor regression and time to event were used to assess antitumor activity. Pharmacodynamic studies and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were conducted 24 and 144 hours after single-agent or combination treatment. Effects on vascular development were studied in Matrigel plugs implanted in mice. The interaction between binary combinations was examined in vitro. RESULTS Eribulin combined with irinotecan was more effective than vincristine-irinotecan in 6 of 12 models. Pharmacodynamic markers induced by eribulin (phospho-histone H3) and irinotecan (γ-H2A.X) were abrogated in combination-treated tumors. The predominant RNA-seq signature in combination-treated tumors was activation of the TP53 pathway with increased nuclear TP53. Massive apoptosis was observed 24 hours only after treatment with the eribulin combination. In vitro, neither combination showed interaction using combination index analysis. Eribulin alone and the combination caused alterations in developing vasculature. CONCLUSIONS The eribulin combination is very active in these xenograft models, but not synergistic in vitro. The combination reduced pharmacodynamic markers indicative of single-agent mechanisms but in tumors, dramatically activated the TP53 pathway. Although a mechanism for in vivo synergy requires further study, it is possible that eribulin-induced inhibition of microtubule dynamics enhances irinotecan-induced nuclear accumulation of TP53, leading to rapid cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Robles
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Raushan T Kurmasheva
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Abhik Bandyopadhyay
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Doris A Phelps
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | | | - Zhao Lai
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Dias Kurmashev
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Yidong Chen
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Malcom A Smith
- Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Peter J Houghton
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
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13
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Reaman G, Stancato L, Vassal G, Maris JM. Crossing Oceans: Preclinical Collaboration to Improve Pediatric Drug Development. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2020; 40:1-8. [PMID: 32207673 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_278893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Changes in the regulatory environment affecting pediatric cancer drug development in the United States and the European Union provide unprecedented opportunity to advance the concept of precision medicine to children with cancer. Increasing evidence suggests that new drugs and biologic products directed at molecular targets presumed to be etiologically associated with many adult cancers may well provide therapeutic options for selected subsets of children with cancer despite their histologic and biologic differences. Regulatory requirements for early evaluation of appropriate new drugs for children based on their molecular mechanism of action, rather than the specific clinical indications for which they are developed and/or approved, will shorten the unacceptable time lag between first-in-human and first-in-children studies. The relative scarcity of pediatric patients eligible for biomarker-directed studies and the ever-expanding compendium of new targeted agents mandate rational, science-based decision-making in selecting and prioritizing appropriate drugs to study early in development. A critical component of the evidence base in such decision-making includes preclinical testing of relevant drugs in pediatric tumor-specific in vitro and in vivo models. Established preclinical testing programs with academic investigator-industry collaborations are actively engaged in such activities. International collaboration is required to address the resource constraints and increasing number of potential products to be tested in a timely, efficient, nonduplicative, and cost-effective manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - John M Maris
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
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14
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Abstract
Pediatric and adolescent renal tumors account for approximately 7% of all new cancer diagnoses in the USA each year. The prognosis and treatment are varied based on factors including the underlying histology and tumor stage, with survival rates ranging from greater than 90% in favorable histology Wilms tumor to almost universally fatal in other disease types, including those patients with advanced stage malignant rhabdoid tumor and renal medullary carcinoma. In recent years, our understanding of the underlying genetic drivers of the different types of pediatric kidney cancer has dramatically increased, opening the door to utilization of new targeted biologic agents alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy to improve outcomes. Several ongoing clinical trials are investigating the use of a variety of targeted agents in pediatric patients with underlying genetic aberrations. In this manuscript, the underlying biology and early phase clinical trials relevant to pediatric renal cancers are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Walz
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | | | - James I Geller
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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15
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Houghton PJ, Kurmasheva RT. Challenges and Opportunities for Childhood Cancer Drug Development. Pharmacol Rev 2019; 71:671-697. [PMID: 31558580 PMCID: PMC6768308 DOI: 10.1124/pr.118.016972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer in children is rare with approximately 15,700 new cases diagnosed in the United States annually. Through use of multimodality therapy (surgery, radiation therapy, and aggressive chemotherapy), 70% of patients will be "cured" of their disease, and 5-year event-free survival exceeds 80%. However, for patients surviving their malignancy, therapy-related long-term adverse effects are severe, with an estimated 50% having chronic life-threatening toxicities related to therapy in their fourth or fifth decade of life. While overall intensive therapy with cytotoxic agents continues to reduce cancer-related mortality, new understanding of the molecular etiology of many childhood cancers offers an opportunity to redirect efforts to develop effective, less genotoxic therapeutic options, including agents that target oncogenic drivers directly, and the potential for use of agents that target the tumor microenvironment and immune-directed therapies. However, for many high-risk cancers, significant challenges remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Houghton
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Raushan T Kurmasheva
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas
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16
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Tomino L, Bopp E, Felgenhauer J, Selich‐Anderson J, Shah N. Combinatorial BRD4 and AURKA inhibition is synergistic against preclinical models of Ewing sarcoma. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tomino
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood DisordersNationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Ohio USA
| | - Emily Bopp
- College of Arts and SciencesThe Ohio State University Columbus Ohio USA
| | - Joshua Felgenhauer
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood DisordersNationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Ohio USA
| | - Julia Selich‐Anderson
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood DisordersNationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Ohio USA
| | - Nilay Shah
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood DisordersNationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Ohio USA
- College of Medicine, Department of PediatricsThe Ohio State University Columbus Ohio USA
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17
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Mossé YP, Fox E, Teachey DT, Reid JM, Safgren SL, Carol H, Lock RB, Houghton PJ, Smith MA, Hall D, Barkauskas DA, Krailo M, Voss SD, Berg SL, Blaney SM, Weigel BJ. A Phase II Study of Alisertib in Children with Recurrent/Refractory Solid Tumors or Leukemia: Children's Oncology Group Phase I and Pilot Consortium (ADVL0921). Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:3229-3238. [PMID: 30777875 PMCID: PMC6897379 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-2675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Aurora A kinase (AAK) plays an integral role in mitotic entry, DNA damage checkpoint recovery, and centrosome and spindle maturation. Alisertib (MLN8237) is a potent and selective AAK inhibitor. In pediatric preclinical models, antitumor activity was observed in neuroblastoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and sarcoma xenografts. We conducted a phase 2 trial of alisertib in pediatric patients with refractory or recurrent solid tumors or acute leukemias (NCT01154816). PATIENTS AND METHODS Alisertib (80 mg/m2/dose) was administered orally, daily for 7 days every 21 days. Pharmacogenomic (PG) evaluation for polymorphisms in the AURK gene and drug metabolizing enzymes (UGT1A1*28), and plasma pharmacokinetic studies (PK) were performed. Using a 2-stage design, patients were enrolled to 12 disease strata (10 solid tumor and 2 acute leukemia). Response was assessed after cycle 1, then every other cycle. RESULTS A total of 139 children and adolescents (median age, 10 years) were enrolled, 137 were evaluable for response. Five objective responses were observed (2 complete responses and 3 partial responses). The most frequent toxicity was myelosuppression. The median alisertib trough concentration on day 4 was 1.3 μmol/L, exceeding the 1 μmol/L target trough concentration in 67% of patients. No correlations between PG or PK and toxicity were observed. CONCLUSIONS Despite alisertib activity in pediatric xenograft models and cogent pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships in preclinical models and adults, the objective response rate in children and adolescents receiving single-agent alisertib was less than 5%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael P Mossé
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Elizabeth Fox
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - David T Teachey
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - Hernan Carol
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Richard B Lock
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Peter J Houghton
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | | | - David Hall
- Children's Oncology Group, Monrovia, California
| | | | - Mark Krailo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Stephan D Voss
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stacey L Berg
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Susan M Blaney
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Brenda J Weigel
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts
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18
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Tang Z, Ma Q, Wang L, Liu C, Gao H, Yang Z, Liu Z, Zhang H, Ji L, Jiang G. A brief review: some compounds targeting YAP against malignancies. Future Oncol 2019; 15:1535-1543. [PMID: 31066301 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2019-0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
YAP, acting as a crucial transcription factor in nucleus, regulates the organ size, tissue homeostasis and tumorigenesis. Dysregulation of Hippo-YAP pathway brings a significant impact on the occurrence and development of various tumor types. Moreover, regulation of YAP/TAZ far exceeds the core kinase of the Hippo pathway, and gradually opens up new therapeutic targets. For the moment, chemotherapy together with radiotherapy act as routine methods to prolong the lives of cancer patients. Seeking more effective anti-neoplastic agents seems to be the urgent problem. This brief review focuses on the research progress of YAP inhibitors as the antineoplastic targets. Small molecule inhibitors or drugs have been discovered including verteporfin, dasatinib, statins, A35, JQ1, norcantharidin, agave, MLN8237, dobutamine and peptide-based YAP inhibitors. We are trying to seek novel therapies from the relationship between known drugs and potential mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxue Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, PR China
| | - Qingxia Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, PR China
| | - Luyao Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, PR China
| | - Chaolong Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, PR China
| | - Hui Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, PR China
| | - Zhihong Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, PR China
| | - Zhantao Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, PR China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, PR China
| | - Lixia Ji
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, PR China
| | - Guohui Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, PR China
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19
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Felgenhauer J, Tomino L, Selich-Anderson J, Bopp E, Shah N. Dual BRD4 and AURKA Inhibition Is Synergistic against MYCN-Amplified and Nonamplified Neuroblastoma. Neoplasia 2018; 20:965-974. [PMID: 30153557 PMCID: PMC6111011 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A majority of cases of high-risk neuroblastoma, an embryonal childhood cancer, are driven by MYC or MYCN-driven oncogenic signaling. While considered to be directly “undruggable” therapeutically, MYC and MYCN can be repressed transcriptionally by inhibition of Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) or destabilized posttranslationally by inhibition of Aurora Kinase A (AURKA). Preclinical and early-phase clinical studies of BRD4 and AURKA inhibitors, however, show limited efficacy against neuroblastoma when used alone. We report our studies on the concomitant use of the BRD4 inhibitor I-BET151 and AURKA inhibitor alisertib. We show that, in vitro, the drugs act synergistically to inhibit viability in four models of high-risk neuroblastoma. We demonstrate that this synergy is driven, in part, by the ability of I-BET151 to mitigate reflexive upregulation of AURKA, MYC, and MYCN in response to AURKA inhibition. We then demonstrate that I-BET151 and alisertib are effective in prolonging survival in four xenograft neuroblastoma models in vivo, and this efficacy is augmented by the addition of the antitubule chemotherapeutic vincristine. These data suggest that epigenetic and posttranslational inhibition of MYC/MYCN-driven pathways may have significant clinical efficacy against neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Felgenhauer
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205
| | - Laura Tomino
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205
| | - Julia Selich-Anderson
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205
| | - Emily Bopp
- The Ohio State University, College of Arts and Sciences, 186 University Hall, Columbus, OH, 43210
| | - Nilay Shah
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205; The Ohio State University, College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, 370 W 9th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210.
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20
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Li M, Gao K, Chu L, Zheng J, Yang J. The role of Aurora-A in cancer stem cells. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2018; 98:89-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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21
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Pitts TM, Bradshaw-Pierce EL, Bagby SM, Hyatt SL, Selby HM, Spreafico A, Tentler JJ, McPhillips K, Klauck PJ, Capasso A, Diamond JR, Davis SL, Tan AC, Arcaroli JJ, Purkey A, Messersmith WA, Ecsedy JA, Eckhardt SG. Antitumor activity of the aurora a selective kinase inhibitor, alisertib, against preclinical models of colorectal cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:50290-50301. [PMID: 27385211 PMCID: PMC5226583 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Aurora kinases are a family of serine/threonine kinases comprised of Aurora A, B, and C which execute critical steps in mitotic and meiotic progression. Alisertib (MLN8237) is an investigational Aurora A selective inhibitor that has demonstrated activity against a wide variety of tumor types in vitro and in vivo, including CRC. Results CRC cell lines demonstrated varying sensitivity to alisertib with IC50 values ranging from 0.06 to > 5 umol/L. Following exposure to alisertib we observed a decrease in pAurora A, B and C in four CRC cell lines. We also observed an increase in p53 and p21 in a sensitive p53 wildtype cell line in contrast to the p53 mutant cell line or the resistant cell lines. The addition of alisertib to standard CRC treatments demonstrated improvement over single agent arms; however, the benefit was largely less than additive, but not antagonistic. Methods Forty-seven CRC cell lines were exposed to alisertib and IC50s were calculated. Twenty-one PDX models were treated with alisertib and the Tumor Growth Inhibition Index was assessed. Additionally, 5 KRAS wildtype and mutant PDX models were treated with alisertib as single agent or in combination with cetuximab or irinotecan, respectively. Conclusion Alisertib demonstrated anti-proliferative effects against CRC cell lines and PDX models. Our data suggest that the addition of alisertib to standard therapies in colorectal cancer if pursued clinically, will require further investigation of patient selection strategies and these combinations may facilitate future clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd M Pitts
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Erica L Bradshaw-Pierce
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,Takeda California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Stacey M Bagby
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Stephanie L Hyatt
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Heather M Selby
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Anna Spreafico
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John J Tentler
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kelly McPhillips
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Peter J Klauck
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Anna Capasso
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jennifer R Diamond
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - S Lindsey Davis
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Aik Choon Tan
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John J Arcaroli
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Alicia Purkey
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Wells A Messersmith
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jeffery A Ecsedy
- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - S Gail Eckhardt
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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22
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Yu H, Ge Y, Guo L, Huang L. Potential approaches to the treatment of Ewing's sarcoma. Oncotarget 2018; 8:5523-5539. [PMID: 27740934 PMCID: PMC5354928 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) is a highly aggressive and metastatic tumor in children and young adults caused by a chromosomal fusion between the Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 (EWSR1) gene and the transcription factor FLI1 gene. ES is managed with standard treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Although the 5-year survival rate for primary ES has improved, the survival rate for ES patients with metastases or recurrence remains low. Several novel molecular targets in ES have recently been identified and investigated in preclinical and clinical settings, and targeting the function of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), the fusion protein EWS-FLI1 and mTOR has shown promise. There has also been increasing interest in the immune responses of ES patients. Immunotherapies using T cells, NK cells, cancer vaccines and monoclonal antibodies have been considered for ES, especially for recurrent patients. Because understanding the pathogenesis of ES is extremely important for the development of novel treatments, this review focuses on the mechanisms and functions of targeted therapies and immunotherapies in ES. It is anticipated that integrating the knowledge obtained from basic research and translational and clinical studies will lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjiu Yu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China.,Department of VIP, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Yonggui Ge
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Lianying Guo
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Lin Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
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Dai X, Theobard R, Cheng H, Xing M, Zhang J. Fusion genes: A promising tool combating against cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2018; 1869:149-160. [PMID: 29357299 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The driving roles of fusion genes during tumorigenesis have been recognized for decades, with efficacies demonstrated in clinical diagnosis and targeted therapy. With advances in sequencing technologies and computational biology, a surge in the identification of fusion genes has been witnessed during the past decade. The discovery and presence of splicing based fusions in normal tissues have challenged our canonical conceptions on fusion genes and offered us novel medical opportunities. The specificity of fusion genes to neoplastic tissues and their diverse functionalities during carcinogenesis foster them as promising tools in the battle against cancer. It is time to re-visit and comb through our cutting-edge knowledge on fusion genes to accelerate clinical translation of these internal markers. Urged as such, we are encouraged to categorize fusion events according to mechanisms leading to their generation, oncological consequences and clinical implications, offer insights on fusion occurrence across tumors from the system level, highlight feasible practices in fusion-related pharmaceutical development, and identify understudied yet important niches that may lead future research trend in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Dai
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
| | - Rutaganda Theobard
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Hongye Cheng
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Mengtao Xing
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Jianying Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences & Henan Key Laboratory of Tumor Epidemiology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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24
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Hassan T, Badr M, Safy UE, Hesham M, Sherief L, Beshir M, Fathy M, Malky MA, Zakaria M. Target Therapy in Neuroblastoma. NEUROBLASTOMA - CURRENT STATE AND RECENT UPDATES 2017. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.70328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
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25
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Currier MA, Sprague L, Rizvi TA, Nartker B, Chen CY, Wang PY, Hutzen BJ, Franczek MR, Patel AV, Chaney KE, Streby KA, Ecsedy JA, Conner J, Ratner N, Cripe TP. Aurora A kinase inhibition enhances oncolytic herpes virotherapy through cytotoxic synergy and innate cellular immune modulation. Oncotarget 2017; 8:17412-17427. [PMID: 28147331 PMCID: PMC5392259 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) and neuroblastoma models respond to the investigational small molecule Aurora A kinase inhibitor, alisertib. We previously reported that MPNST and neuroblastomas are also susceptible to oncolytic herpes virus (oHSV) therapy. Herein, we show that combination of alisertib and HSV1716, a virus derived from HSV-1 and attenuated by deletion of RL1, exhibits significantly increased antitumor efficacy compared to either monotherapy. Alisertib and HSV1716 reduced tumor growth and increased survival in two xenograft models of MPNST and neuroblastoma. We found the enhanced antitumor effect was due to multiple mechanisms that likely each contribute to the combination effect. First, oncolytic herpes virus increased the sensitivity of uninfected cells to alisertib cytotoxicity, a process we term virus-induced therapeutic adjuvant (VITA). Second, alisertib increased peak virus production and slowed virus clearance from tumors, both likely a consequence of it preventing virus-mediated increase of intratumoral NK cells. We also found that alisertib inhibited virus-induced accumulation of intratumoral myeloid derived suppressor cells, which normally are protumorigenic. Our data suggest that clinical trials of the combination of oHSV and alisertib are warranted in patients with neuroblastoma or MPNST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Currier
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Les Sprague
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Tilat A Rizvi
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Brooke Nartker
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Chun-Yu Chen
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Pin-Yi Wang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Brian J Hutzen
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Meghan R Franczek
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Ami V Patel
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Katherine E Chaney
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Keri A Streby
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Joe Conner
- Virttu Biologics, Ltd, Biocity, Scotland, Newhouse, United Kingdom
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Timothy P Cripe
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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26
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Critical risk-benefit assessment of the novel anti-cancer aurora a kinase inhibitor alisertib (MLN8237): A comprehensive review of the clinical data. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2017; 119:59-65. [PMID: 29065986 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many current anticancer chemotherapeutics suffer from significant side effects, which have led to the exploration of more targeted therapies. This resulted in the exploration of inhibitors of Aurora A kinase as a potential anti-cancer treatment. Alisertib (MLN8237) has proven to be a potent Aurora A kinase inhibitor that had the highest safety profile among its therapeutic family. Phase I/II/III clinical trials with Alisertib have been carried out and reported promising efficacy, yet serious side effects. This article attempts to assess the clinical effect of Alisertib administration in various cancer phenotypes while describing the reported side effects. METHODS Alisertib clinical data were systematically retrieved from Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and analyzed for quality, relevance, and originality in three stages prior to inclusion. RESULTS Overall, seven studies met inclusion criteria and enrolled a total of 630 patients. The reported "potential" clinical effect of Alisertib in various tumours is promising as it improved time to disease progression, progression-free survival, and the duration of disease stability. The achieved improvement therefore rationalizes its further investigation as a novel anticancer therapy. However, the administration of the drug was associated with serious haematological disturbances in a relatively high percentage of patients. CONCLUSION The evidence of the anti-tumour effect of Alisertib administration is compelling in various types of malignancies. The reported side effects were serious but manageable in many cases. Topical or more targeted routes of administration are suggested when possible to overcome off-target events with systematic administration of the drug.
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27
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Tolbert VP, Coggins GE, Maris JM. Genetic susceptibility to neuroblastoma. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2017; 42:81-90. [PMID: 28458126 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2017.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Until recently, the genetic basis of neuroblastoma, a heterogeneous neoplasm arising from the developing sympathetic nervous system, remained undefined. The discovery of gain-of-function mutations in the ALK receptor tyrosine kinase gene as the major cause of familial neuroblastoma led to the discovery of identical somatic mutations and rapid advancement of ALK as a tractable therapeutic target. Inactivating mutations in a master regulator of neural crest development, PHOX2B, have also been identified in a subset of familial neuroblastomas. Other high penetrance susceptibility alleles likely exist, but together these heritable mutations account for less than 10% of neuroblastoma cases. A genome-wide association study of a large neuroblastoma cohort identified common and rare polymorphisms highly associated with the disease. Ongoing resequencing efforts aim to further define the genetic landscape of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa P Tolbert
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, United States
| | | | - John M Maris
- University of Pennsylvania, United States; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, United States.
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28
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Katsha A, Wang L, Arras J, Omar OM, Ecsedy J, Belkhiri A, El-Rifai W. Activation of EIF4E by Aurora Kinase A Depicts a Novel Druggable Axis in Everolimus-Resistant Cancer Cells. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:3756-3768. [PMID: 28073841 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-2141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: Aurora kinase A (AURKA) is overexpressed in several cancer types, making it an attractive druggable target in clinical trials. In this study, we investigated the role of AURKA in regulating EIF4E, cap-dependent translation, and resistance to mTOR inhibitor, RAD001 (everolimus).Experimental Design: Tumor xenografts and in vitro cell models of upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas (UGC) were used to determine the role of AURKA in the activation of EIF4E and cap-dependent translation. Overexpression, knockdown, and pharmacologic inhibition of AURKA were used in vitro and in vivoResults: Using in vitro cell models, we found that high protein levels of AURKA mediate phosphorylation of EIF4E and upregulation of c-MYC. Notably, we detected overexpression of endogenous AURKA in everolimus-resistant UGC cell models. AURKA mediated phosphorylation of EIF4E, activation of cap-dependent translation, and an increase in c-MYC protein levels. Targeting AURKA using genetic knockdown or a small-molecule inhibitor, alisertib, reversed these molecular events, leading to a decrease in cancer cell survival in acquired and intrinsic resistant cell models. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that AURKA binds to and inactivates protein phosphatase 2A, a negative regulator of EIF4E, leading to phosphorylation and activation of EIF4E in an AKT-, ERK1/2-, and mTOR-independent manner. Data from tumor xenograft mouse models confirmed that everolimus-resistant cancer cells are sensitive to alisertib.Conclusions: Our results indicate that AURKA plays an important role in the activation of EIF4E and cap-dependent translation. Targeting the AURKA-EIF4E-c-MYC axis using alisertib is a novel therapeutic strategy that can be applicable for everolimus-resistant tumors and/or subgroups of cancers that show overexpression of AURKA and activation of EIF4E and c-MYC. Clin Cancer Res; 23(14); 3756-68. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Katsha
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.,Department of Science and Engineering, Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg, New Jersey
| | - Lihong Wang
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Janet Arras
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Omar M Omar
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jeffrey Ecsedy
- Translational Medicine, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
| | - Abbes Belkhiri
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Wael El-Rifai
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. .,Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.,Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee
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29
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The Use of Pediatric Patient-Derived Xenografts for Identifying Novel Agents and Combinations. MOLECULAR AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-57424-0_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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30
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Zauderer MG. Standard Chemotherapy Options and Clinical Trials of Novel Agents for Mesothelioma. ASBESTOS AND MESOTHELIOMA 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-53560-9_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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31
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Gan J, Wang F, Mu D, Qu Y, Luo R, Wang Q. RNA interference targeting Aurora-A sensitizes glioblastoma cells to temozolomide chemotherapy. Oncol Lett 2016; 12:4515-4523. [PMID: 28105161 PMCID: PMC5228570 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.5261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinically, temozolomide (TMZ) is widely used in glioblastoma (GBM) treatment. However, the toxicity of TMZ may influence the quality of patient life. Thus, novel treatment options for sensitizing GBM cells to TMZ chemotherapy are necessary. Aurora-A is widely expressed in GBM and correlated with poor prognosis. It has been proven to be an effective target for gene therapy and chemotherapy. In the present study, short hairpin (sh)RNA targeting Aurora-A was employed to knockdown Aurora-A expression in GBM cells. Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, flow cytometry, colony formation assays, invasion assays and tube formation assays were used to determine the effects of Aurora-A knockdown when combined with TMZ treatment. A U251 subcutaneous cancer model was established to evaluate the efficacy of combined therapy. The results of the present study indicated that the proliferation, colony formation, invasion and angiogenesis of GBM cells were significantly inhibited by combined therapy when compared with TMZ treatment alone. In vivo results demonstrated that knockdown of Aurora-A significantly (P=0.0084) sensitizes GBM cells to TMZ chemotherapy. The results of the present study demonstrated that knockdown of Aurora-A in GBM cells enhances TMZ sensitivity in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, Aurora-A knockdown may be a novel treatment option for decreasing TMZ toxicity and improving patient quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Gan
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Fangfang Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Dezhi Mu
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yi Qu
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Rong Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Qiu Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
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Jones L, Carol H, Evans K, Richmond J, Houghton PJ, Smith MA, Lock RB. A review of new agents evaluated against pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia by the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program. Leukemia 2016; 30:2133-2141. [PMID: 27416986 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children exemplifies how multi-agent chemotherapy has improved the outcome for patients. Refinements in treatment protocols and improvements in supportive care for this most common pediatric malignancy have led to a cure rate that now approaches 90%. However, certain pediatric ALL subgroups remain relatively intractable to treatment and many patients who relapse face a similarly dismal outcome. Moreover, survivors of pediatric ALL suffer the long-term sequelae of their intensive treatment throughout their lives. Therefore, the development of drugs to treat relapsed/refractory pediatric ALL, as well as those that more specifically target leukemia cells, remains a high priority. As pediatric malignancies represent a minority of the overall cancer burden, it is not surprising that they are generally underrepresented in drug development efforts. The identification of novel therapies relies largely on the reappropriation of drugs developed for adult malignancies. However, despite the large number of experimental agents available, clinical evaluation of novel drugs for pediatric ALL is hindered by limited patient numbers and the availability of effective established drugs. The Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program (PPTP) was established in 2005 to provide a mechanism by which novel therapeutics could be evaluated against xenograft and cell line models of the most common childhood malignancies, including ALL, to prioritize those with the greatest activity for clinical evaluation. In this article, we review the results of >50 novel agents and combinations tested against the PPTP ALL xenografts, highlighting comparisons between PPTP results and clinical data where possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Jones
- Leukaemia Biology Program, Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - H Carol
- Leukaemia Biology Program, Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - K Evans
- Leukaemia Biology Program, Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - J Richmond
- Leukaemia Biology Program, Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - P J Houghton
- Molecular Medicine, Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - M A Smith
- Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, NCI, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - R B Lock
- Leukaemia Biology Program, Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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33
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Identifying novel therapeutic agents using xenograft models of pediatric cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2016; 78:221-32. [PMID: 27193096 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-016-3042-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In the USA, the overall cure rate for all childhood cancers is seventy percent, and in many patients that ultimately fail curative therapy, initial responses to current multimodality treatments (surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy) is good, with overall 5-year event-free survival approaching 80 %. However, current approaches to curative therapy result in significant morbidity and long-term sequelae, including cardiac dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, dose-intensive chemotherapy with conventional agents has not significantly improved outcomes for patients that present with advanced or metastatic disease. Classical cytotoxic agents remain the backbone for curative therapy of both hematologic and solid tumors of childhood. While 'molecularly' targeted agents have shown some clinical activity, responses are often modest and of short duration; hence, there is a need to identify new classes of cytotoxic agent that are effective in patients at relapse and that have reduced or different toxicity profiles to normal tissues. Here we review the pediatric preclinical testing program experience of testing novel agents, and the value and limitations of preclinical xenograft models and genetically engineered mouse models for developing novel agents for treatment of childhood cancer.
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34
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Durlacher CT, Li ZL, Chen XW, He ZX, Zhou SF. An update on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of alisertib, a selective Aurora kinase A inhibitor. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2016; 43:585-601. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Revised: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cameron T Durlacher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences; College of Pharmacy; University of South Florida; Tampa FL USA
| | - Zhi-Ling Li
- Department of Pharmacy; Shanghai Children's Hospital; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai China
| | - Xiao-Wu Chen
- Department of General Surgery; The First People's Hospital of Shunde Affiliated to Southern Medical University; Shunde Foshan Guangdong
| | - Zhi-Xu He
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine; Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Research Centre & Sino-US Joint Laboratory for Medical Sciences; Guizhou Medical University; Guiyang Guizhou China
| | - Shu-Feng Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences; College of Pharmacy; University of South Florida; Tampa FL USA
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35
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Knobloch TJ, Uhrig LK, Pearl DK, Casto BC, Warner BM, Clinton SK, Sardo-Molmenti CL, Ferguson JM, Daly BT, Riedl K, Schwartz SJ, Vodovotz Y, Buchta AJ, Schuller DE, Ozer E, Agrawal A, Weghorst CM. Suppression of Proinflammatory and Prosurvival Biomarkers in Oral Cancer Patients Consuming a Black Raspberry Phytochemical-Rich Troche. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2016; 9:159-71. [PMID: 26701664 PMCID: PMC4764140 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-15-0187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Black raspberries (BRB) demonstrate potent inhibition of aerodigestive tract carcinogenesis in animal models. However, translational clinical trials evaluating the ability of BRB phytochemicals to impact molecular biomarkers in the oral mucosa remain limited. The present phase 0 study addresses a fundamental question for oral cancer food-based prevention: Do BRB phytochemicals successfully reach the targeted oral tissues and reduce proinflammatory and antiapoptotic gene expression profiles? Patients with biopsy-confirmed oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) administered oral troches containing freeze-dried BRB powder from the time of enrollment to the date of curative intent surgery (13.9 ± 1.27 days). Transcriptional biomarkers were evaluated in patient-matched OSCCs and noninvolved high at-risk mucosa (HARM) for BRB-associated changes. Significant expression differences between baseline OSCC and HARM tissues were confirmed using a panel of genes commonly deregulated during oral carcinogenesis. Following BRB troche administration, the expression of prosurvival genes (AURKA, BIRC5, EGFR) and proinflammatory genes (NFKB1, PTGS2) were significantly reduced. There were no BRB-associated grade 3-4 toxicities or adverse events, and 79.2% (N = 30) of patients successfully completed the study with high levels of compliance (97.2%). The BRB phytochemicals cyanidin-3-rutinoside and cyanidin-3-xylosylrutinoside were detected in all OSCC tissues analyzed, demonstrating that bioactive components were successfully reaching targeted OSCC tissues. We confirmed that hallmark antiapoptotic and proinflammatory molecular biomarkers were overexpressed in OSCCs and that their gene expression was significantly reduced following BRB troche administration. As these molecular biomarkers are fundamental to oral carcinogenesis and are modifiable, they may represent emerging biomarkers of molecular efficacy for BRB-mediated oral cancer chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Knobloch
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
| | - Lana K Uhrig
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Dennis K Pearl
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Department of Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Bruce C Casto
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Blake M Warner
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Steven K Clinton
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Division of Medical Oncology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Christine L Sardo-Molmenti
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jeanette M Ferguson
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Kenneth Riedl
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Steven J Schwartz
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Yael Vodovotz
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - David E Schuller
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Division of Head and Neck Oncology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Enver Ozer
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Division of Head and Neck Oncology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Amit Agrawal
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Division of Head and Neck Oncology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Christopher M Weghorst
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
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36
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Bavetsias V, Linardopoulos S. Aurora Kinase Inhibitors: Current Status and Outlook. Front Oncol 2015; 5:278. [PMID: 26734566 PMCID: PMC4685048 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Aurora kinase family comprises of cell cycle-regulated serine/threonine kinases important for mitosis. Their activity and protein expression are cell cycle regulated, peaking during mitosis to orchestrate important mitotic processes including centrosome maturation, chromosome alignment, chromosome segregation, and cytokinesis. In humans, the Aurora kinase family consists of three members; Aurora-A, Aurora-B, and Aurora-C, which each share a conserved C-terminal catalytic domain but differ in their sub-cellular localization, substrate specificity, and function during mitosis. In addition, Aurora-A and Aurora-B have been found to be overexpressed in a wide variety of human tumors. These observations led to a number of programs among academic and pharmaceutical organizations to discovering small molecule Aurora kinase inhibitors as anti-cancer drugs. This review will summarize the known Aurora kinase inhibitors currently in the clinic, and discuss the current and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassilios Bavetsias
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research , London , UK
| | - Spiros Linardopoulos
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK; Breast Cancer Now, Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
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Ferguson M, Hingorani P, Gupta AA. Emerging molecular-targeted therapies in early-phase clinical trials and preclinical models. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2015:420-4. [PMID: 23714564 DOI: 10.14694/edbook_am.2013.33.420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Within the context of modern cooperative group trials, modification of standard cytotoxic chemotherapy has not improved survival in patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) over the last 30 years. There is need and interest to incorporate novel targeted anticancer agents into the treatment plans for children and adolescents with newly diagnosed RMS; however, targets directly driven by FOXO1 translocation remain elusive, and molecular events driving translocation negative tumors similarly remain ill-defined. Thus, alternate pathways driving the tumors require identification and targeting. Herein, we describe targeted therapies that could be of interest in RMS, but whose inclusion in clinical trials is thus far limited by scientific and regulatory criteria. Sorafenib, pazopanib, crizotinib, TH-302, aurora-kinase inhibitors, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)/c-MET inhibitors will be discussed. The current preclinical and clinical data available, as well as limitations and challenges for each, will be outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ferguson
- From the Department of Hematology/Oncology, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; Division of Hematology Oncology, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Chattopadhyay S, Chaklader M, Chatterjee R, Law A, Law S. Differential expression of mitotic regulators and tumor microenvironment influences the regional growth pattern of solid sarcoma along the cranio-caudal axis. Exp Cell Res 2015; 340:91-101. [PMID: 26658517 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2015.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas are relatively rare, unusual, anatomically diverse group of malignancies. According to the recent literature and medical bulletins, tumor growth and aggressiveness immensely relies on its anatomical locations. However, it is unclear whether the cranio-caudal anatomical axis of the mammalian body can influence sarcoma development and the underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet deciphered. Here, we investigated the growth pattern of solid sarcoma implanted into the murine cranial and caudal anatomical locations and tried to explore the location specific expression pattern of crucial mammalian mitotic regulators such as Aurora kinase A, Histone H3 and c-Myc in the cranio-caudally originated solid tumors. In addition, the influence of local tumor microenvironment on regional sarcoma growth was also taken into consideration. We found that solid sarcoma developed differentially when implanted into two different anatomical locations and most notably, enhanced tumor growth was observed in case of cranially implanted sarcoma than the caudal sarcoma. Interestingly, Aurora kinase A and c-Myc expression and histone H3 phosphorylation level were comparatively higher in the cranial tumor than the caudal. In addition, variation of tumor stroma in a location specific manner also facilitated tumor growth. Cranial sarcoma microenvironment was well vascularized than the caudal one and consequently, a significantly higher microvessel density count was observed which was parallel with low hypoxic response with sign of local tumor inflammation in this region. Taken together, our findings suggest that differential gradient of mitotic regulators together with varied angiogenic response and local tumor microenvironment largely controls solid sarcoma growth along the cranio-caudal anatomical axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukalpa Chattopadhyay
- Stem Cell Research and Application Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Biotechnology, Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C.R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Malay Chaklader
- Stem Cell Research and Application Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Biotechnology, Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C.R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Ritam Chatterjee
- Stem Cell Research and Application Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Biotechnology, Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C.R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Aditya Law
- Stem Cell Research and Application Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Biotechnology, Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C.R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Sujata Law
- Stem Cell Research and Application Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Medical Biotechnology, Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C.R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India.
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Teicher BA, Polley E, Kunkel M, Evans D, Silvers T, Delosh R, Laudeman J, Ogle C, Reinhart R, Selby M, Connelly J, Harris E, Monks A, Morris J. Sarcoma Cell Line Screen of Oncology Drugs and Investigational Agents Identifies Patterns Associated with Gene and microRNA Expression. Mol Cancer Ther 2015; 14:2452-62. [PMID: 26351324 PMCID: PMC4636476 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-15-0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The diversity in sarcoma phenotype and genotype make treatment of this family of diseases exceptionally challenging. Sixty-three human adult and pediatric sarcoma lines were screened with 100 FDA-approved oncology agents and 345 investigational agents. The investigational agents' library enabled comparison of several compounds targeting the same molecular entity allowing comparison of target specificity and heterogeneity of cell line response. Gene expression was derived from exon array data and microRNA expression was derived from direct digital detection assays. The compounds were screened against each cell line at nine concentrations in triplicate with an exposure time of 96 hours using Alamar blue as the endpoint. Results are presented for inhibitors of the following targets: aurora kinase, IGF-1R, MEK, BET bromodomain, and PARP1. Chemical structures, IC50 heat maps, concentration response curves, gene expression, and miR expression heat maps are presented for selected examples. In addition, two cases of exceptional responders are presented. The drug and compound response, gene expression, and microRNA expression data are publicly available at http://sarcoma.cancer.gov. These data provide a unique resource to the cancer research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverly A Teicher
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland.
| | - Eric Polley
- Biometric Research Branch, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Mark Kunkel
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - David Evans
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Thomas Silvers
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Rene Delosh
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Julie Laudeman
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Chad Ogle
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Russell Reinhart
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Michael Selby
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - John Connelly
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Erik Harris
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Anne Monks
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Joel Morris
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
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Michaelis M, Selt F, Rothweiler F, Wiese M, Cinatl J. ABCG2 impairs the activity of the aurora kinase inhibitor tozasertib but not of alisertib. BMC Res Notes 2015; 8:484. [PMID: 26415506 PMCID: PMC4587578 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1405-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, we have shown that the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter ABCB1 interferes with the anti-cancer activity of the pan-aurora kinase inhibitor tozasertib (VX680, MK-0457) but not of the aurora kinase A and B inhibitor alisertib (MLN8237). Preliminary data had suggested tozasertib also to be a substrate of the ABC transporter ABCG2, another ABC transporter potentially involved in cancer cell drug resistance. Here, we studied the effect of ABCG2 on the activity of tozasertib and alisertib. RESULTS The tozasertib concentration that reduces cell viability by 50% (IC50) was dramatically increased in ABCG2-transduced UKF-NB-3(ABCG2) cells (48.8-fold) compared to UKF-NB-3 cells and vector-transduced control cells. The ABCG2 inhibitor WK-X-34 reduced tozasertib IC50 to the level of non-ABCG2-expressing UKF-NB-3 cells. Furthermore, ABCG2 depletion from UKF-NB-3(ABCG2) cells using another lentiviral vector expressing an shRNA against the bicistronic mRNA of ABCG2 and eGFP largely re-sensitised these cells to tozasertib. In contrast, alisertib activity was not affected by ABCG2 expression. CONCLUSIONS Tozasertib but not alisertib activity is affected by ABCG2 expression. This should be considered within the design and analysis of experiments and clinical trials investigating these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Michaelis
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Paul Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany. .,Centre for Molecular Processing and School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK.
| | - Florian Selt
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Paul Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany. .,Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Klinische Kooperationseinheit Pädiatrische Onkologie (G340) and Pädiatrie III, Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Florian Rothweiler
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Paul Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany.
| | - Michael Wiese
- Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Paul Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany.
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Falchook GS, Bastida CC, Kurzrock R. Aurora Kinase Inhibitors in Oncology Clinical Trials: Current State of the Progress. Semin Oncol 2015; 42:832-48. [PMID: 26615129 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2015.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The Aurora kinase family of kinases (Aurora A, B, and C) are involved in multiple mitotic events, and aberrant expression of these kinases is associated with tumorigenesis. Aurora A and Aurora B are validated anticancer targets, and the development of Aurora kinase inhibitors has progressed from preclinical to clinical studies. A variety of Aurora A, B and pan-Aurora kinase inhibitors have entered the clinic. The main side effects include febrile neutropenia, stomatitis, gastrointestinal toxicity, hypertension, and fatigue. Responses including complete remissions have been described in diverse, advanced malignancies, most notably ovarian cancer and acute myelogenous leukemia. This review highlights the biologic rationale for Aurora kinase as a target, and clinical trials involving Aurora kinase inhibitors, with particular emphasis on published early phase studies, and the observed anti-tumor activity of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christel C Bastida
- Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Razelle Kurzrock
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
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Geier B, Kurmashev D, Kurmasheva RT, Houghton PJ. Preclinical Childhood Sarcoma Models: Drug Efficacy Biomarker Identification and Validation. Front Oncol 2015; 5:193. [PMID: 26380223 PMCID: PMC4549564 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past 35 years, cure rates for pediatric cancers have increased dramatically. However, it is clear that further dose intensification using cytotoxic agents or radiation therapy is not possible without enhancing morbidity and long-term effects. Consequently, novel, less genotoxic, agents are being sought to complement existing treatments. Here, we discuss preclinical human tumor xenograft models of pediatric cancers that may be used practically to identify novel agents for soft tissue and bone sarcomas, and "omics" approaches to identifying biomarkers that may identify sensitive and resistant tumors to these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Geier
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Dias Kurmashev
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Raushan T. Kurmasheva
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Peter J. Houghton
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Niu H, Manfredi M, Ecsedy JA. Scientific Rationale Supporting the Clinical Development Strategy for the Investigational Aurora A Kinase Inhibitor Alisertib in Cancer. Front Oncol 2015; 5:189. [PMID: 26380220 PMCID: PMC4547019 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alisertib (MLN8237) is a selective small molecule inhibitor of Aurora A kinase that is being developed in multiple cancer indications as a single agent and in combination with other therapies. A significant amount of research has elucidated a role for Aurora A in orchestrating numerous activities of cells transiting through mitosis and has begun to shed light on potential non-mitotic roles for Aurora A as well. These biological insights laid the foundation for multiple clinical trials evaluating the antitumor activity of alisertib in both solid cancers and heme-lymphatic malignancies. Several key facets of Aurora A biology as well as empirical data collected in experimental systems and early clinical trials have directed the development of alisertib toward certain cancer types, including neuroblastoma, small cell lung cancer, neuroendocrine prostate cancer, atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors, and breast cancer among others. In addition, these scientific insights provided the rationale for combining alisertib with other therapies, including microtubule perturbing agents, such as taxanes, EGFR inhibitors, hormonal therapies, platinums, and HDAC inhibitors among others. Here, we link the key aspects of the current clinical development of alisertib to the originating scientific rationale and provide an overview of the alisertib clinical experience to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifeng Niu
- Department of Translational Medicine, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mark Manfredi
- Department of Oncology Biology, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey A. Ecsedy
- Department of Translational Medicine, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Phase 1 study of the investigational Aurora A kinase inhibitor alisertib (MLN8237) in East Asian cancer patients: pharmacokinetics and recommended phase 2 dose. Invest New Drugs 2015; 33:942-53. [PMID: 26084989 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-015-0258-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This phase 1 study assessed the pharmacokinetics (PK), maximum tolerated dose (MTD)/recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), safety, and preliminary efficacy of the investigational Aurora A kinase inhibitor, alisertib, in East Asian patients with advanced solid tumors or lymphomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients received alisertib twice-daily (BID) for 7 days in 21-day cycles. Doses were escalated (3 + 3) from 30 mg BID based on cycle 1 dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) until the MTD, followed by expansion for PK/safety characterization. RESULTS Thirty-six patients (61 % Chinese, 36 % Korean, 3 % Malay) received alisertib (30 mg BID, n = 30; 40 mg BID, n = 6; median, 2.5 cycles). Alisertib exposures increased approximately dose proportionally, and mean half-life was 16 h. Geometric mean apparent oral clearance (2.65 L/h) was 40 % lower than previous estimates in Western patients, resulting in approximately 70 % higher mean dose-normalized, steady-state exposures (735 nM*h/mg) in East Asian patients. Two patients experienced DLTs at 40 mg BID (grade 3 stomatitis; grade 4 neutropenia); the MTD/RP2D was 30 mg BID. Common toxicities (grade ≥3 at RP2D) were neutropenia (50 %), diarrhea (13 %), and stomatitis (10 %). One patient with extranodal T-/NK-cell lymphoma (nasal type) achieved a partial response and 18 (51 %) had stable disease. CONCLUSION The MTD/RP2D of alisertib in East Asian patients (30 mg BID) was lower than in Western patients (50 mg BID), consistent with higher systemic exposures in the East Asian population. Alisertib was generally well tolerated and showed signs of antitumor activity in East Asian cancer patients.
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Wetmore C, Boyett J, Li S, Lin T, Bendel A, Gajjar A, Orr BA. Alisertib is active as single agent in recurrent atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors in 4 children. Neuro Oncol 2015; 17:882-8. [PMID: 25688119 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nov017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) encodes a protein that regulates the formation and stability of the mitotic spindle and is highly active in atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRT) through loss of the INI1 tumor suppressor gene. Alisertib (MLN8237) inhibits AURKA in vitro and in vivo. Given the strong preclinical data supporting the use of alisertib for ATRT patients, we sought and obtained permission to use alisertib in single patient treatment plans for 4 recurrent pediatric ATRT patients. METHODS Patients with recurrent or progressive ATRT received alisertib 80 mg/m(2) by mouth once daily for 7 days of a 21-day treatment cycle. Disease evaluation (MRI of brain and spine and lumbar puncture) was done after 2 cycles of alisertib and every 2-3 cycles thereafter for as long as the patients remained free from tumor progression. RESULTS Four patients with median age of 2.5 years (range, 1.39-4.87 y) at diagnosis received alisertib 80 mg/m(2) by mouth once daily for 7 days of a 21-day treatment cycle, and all 4 patients had disease stabilization and/or regression after 3 cycles of alisertib therapy. Two patients continued to have stable disease regression for 1 and 2 years, respectively, on therapy. CONCLUSIONS Single-agent alisertib produced marked and durable regression in disease burden, as detected by brain and spine MRI and by evaluation of spinal fluid cytology. Alisertib has moderate but manageable toxicities, and its chronic administration appears feasible in this pediatric population. These novel data support the incorporation of alisertib in future therapeutic trials for children with ATRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Wetmore
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (C.W., A.G.); Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (J.B., S.L., T.L.); Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (A.B.); Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (B.A.O.)
| | - James Boyett
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (C.W., A.G.); Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (J.B., S.L., T.L.); Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (A.B.); Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (B.A.O.)
| | - Shaoyu Li
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (C.W., A.G.); Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (J.B., S.L., T.L.); Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (A.B.); Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (B.A.O.)
| | - Tong Lin
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (C.W., A.G.); Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (J.B., S.L., T.L.); Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (A.B.); Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (B.A.O.)
| | - Anne Bendel
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (C.W., A.G.); Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (J.B., S.L., T.L.); Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (A.B.); Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (B.A.O.)
| | - Amar Gajjar
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (C.W., A.G.); Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (J.B., S.L., T.L.); Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (A.B.); Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (B.A.O.)
| | - Brent A Orr
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (C.W., A.G.); Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (J.B., S.L., T.L.); Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (A.B.); Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (B.A.O.)
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Yuan CX, Zhou ZW, Yang YX, He ZX, Zhang X, Wang D, Yang T, Wang NJ, Zhao RJ, Zhou SF. Inhibition of mitotic Aurora kinase A by alisertib induces apoptosis and autophagy of human gastric cancer AGS and NCI-N78 cells. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2015; 9:487-508. [PMID: 25609923 PMCID: PMC4298344 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s74127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers and responds poorly to current chemotherapy. Alisertib (ALS) is a second-generation, orally bioavailable, highly selective small-molecule inhibitor of the serine/threonine protein kinase Aurora kinase A (AURKA). ALS has been shown to have potent anticancer effects in preclinical and clinical studies, but its role in gastric cancer treatment is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the cancer cell-killing effect of ALS on gastric cancer cell lines AGS and NCI-N78, with a focus on cell proliferation, cell-cycle distribution, apoptosis, and autophagy and the mechanism of action. The results showed that ALS exhibited potent growth-inhibitory, proapoptotic, and proautophagic effects on AGS and NCI-N78 cells. ALS concentration-dependently inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell-cycle arrest at G2/M phase in both cell lines, with a downregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 and cyclin B1 expression but upregulation of p21 Waf1/Cip1, p27 Kip1, and p53 expression. ALS induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and autophagy in both AGS and NCI-N78 cells. ALS induced the expression of proapoptotic proteins but inhibited the expression of antiapoptotic proteins, with a significant increase in the release of cytochrome c and the activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3 in both cell lines. ALS induced inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways while activating the 5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway as indicated by their altered phosphorylation, contributing to the proautophagic effects of ALS. SB202191 and wortmannin enhanced the autophagy-inducing effect of ALS in AGS and NCI-N78 cells. Notably, ALS treatment significantly decreased the ratio of phosphorylated AURKA over AURKA, which may contribute, at least in part, to the inducing effects of ALS on cell-cycle arrest and autophagy in AGS and NCI-N78 cells. Taken together, these results indicate that ALS exerts a potent inhibitory effect on cell proliferation but inducing effects on cell-cycle arrest, mitochondria-dependent apoptosis, and autophagy with the involvement of PI3K/Akt/mTOR, p38 MAPK, and AURKA-mediated signaling pathways in AGS and NCI-N78 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Xiu Yuan
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, People's Republic of China ; Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Zhi-Wei Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA ; Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Research Center and Sino-US Joint Laboratory for Medical Sciences, Guiyang Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yin-Xue Yang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, General Hospital, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Xu He
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Research Center and Sino-US Joint Laboratory for Medical Sciences, Guiyang Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueji Zhang
- Research Center for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong Wang
- Cancer Center, Daping Hospital and Research Institute of Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianxing Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah and Salt Lake Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ning-Ju Wang
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruan Jin Zhao
- Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sarasota, FL, USA
| | - Shu-Feng Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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Ramani P, Nash R, Rogers CA. Aurora kinase A is superior to Ki67 as a prognostic indicator of survival in neuroblastoma. Histopathology 2014; 66:370-9. [PMID: 25297850 DOI: 10.1111/his.12520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To compare the expression and prognostic value of the cell cycle markers Aurora kinase A (AURKA) and Ki67 in neuroblastoma, because AURKA expression levels have greater prognostic significance than those of Ki67 in some cancers. METHODS AND RESULTS Eighty-eight neuroblastomas were immunostained with anti-AURKA and Ki67 antibodies. Digitally scanned slides were scored using imaging analysis software. Median AURKA and Ki67 proliferation indices (PIs) were 1.5% and 26%, respectively. Higher than median AURKA and Ki67 levels were detected in the neuroblastomas from patients belonging to the high-risk group, those with MYCN amplification, and those with unfavourable pathology, including a high mitosis-karyorrhexis index (MKI). High AURKA and Ki67 levels were significantly associated with shorter overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in univariate analyses. In multivariate analyses, high AURKA level was associated with significantly shorter OS and EFS, independently of risk group, and of MYCN amplification and MKI. High Ki67 level was not associated with shorter OS or EFS after adjustment for risk group or MYCN amplification and MKI. CONCLUSIONS High AURKA and Ki67 levels were associated with adverse prognostic factors and shorter survival, but AURKA provides more valuable prognostic information than Ki67 in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pramila Ramani
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Department of Histopathology, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
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Venkatakrishnan K, Zhou X, Ecsedy J, Mould DR, Liu H, Danaee H, Fingert H, Kleinfield R, Milton A. Dose selection for the investigational anticancer agent alisertib (MLN8237): Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and exposure-safety relationships. J Clin Pharmacol 2014; 55:336-47. [PMID: 25302940 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We report population pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic-safety analyses to support phase II/III dose/regimen selection of alisertib, a selective Aurora A kinase (AAK) inhibitor. Phase I studies in adult cancer patients evaluated dosing on Days 1-7 in 21-day cycles or Days 1-21 in 35-day cycles, with corresponding maximum tolerated doses of 50 mg twice daily (BID) and 50 mg QD, respectively. Population pharmacokinetic analyses supported dose- and time-linear pharmacokinetics without identification of clinically meaningful covariates. Exposure-related increases in skin mitotic index and decreases in chromosomal alignment/spindle bipolarity in tumor mitotic cells confirmed AAK inhibition. Exposures in the 7-day schedule at or near 50 mg BID are expected to result in tumor AAK inhibition based on pharmacodynamic assessment in patient tumors. Exposure-safety analyses of data from patients receiving doses of 5-200 mg/day in the 7-day schedule support a low (∼7%) predicted incidence of dose-limiting toxicity at 50 mg BID. Taken together, these analyses support a pharmacologically active and acceptably tolerated dose range of alisertib for future clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Venkatakrishnan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xiaofei Zhou
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Ecsedy
- Department of Translational Medicine, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Hua Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Hadi Danaee
- Department of Translational Medicine, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Howard Fingert
- Department of Clinical Research, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert Kleinfield
- Department of Drug Development Management, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ashley Milton
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co., Cambridge, MA, USA
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Shagisultanova E, Dunbrack RL, Golemis EA. Issues in interpreting the in vivo activity of Aurora-A. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2014; 19:187-200. [PMID: 25384454 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2014.981154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Based on its role as a mitotic regulatory kinase, overexpressed and associated with aneuploidy in cancer, small-molecule inhibitors have been developed for Aurora-A (AURKA) kinase. In preclinical and clinical assessments, these agents have shown efficacy in inducing stable disease or therapeutic response. In optimizing the use of Aurora-A inhibitors, it is critical to have robust capacity to measure the kinase activity of Aurora-A in tumors. AREAS COVERED We provide an overview of molecular mechanisms of mitotic and non-mitotic activation of Aurora-A kinase, and interaction of Aurora-A with its regulatory partners. Typically, Aurora-A activity is measured by use of phospho-antibodies targeting an autophosphorylated T288 epitope. However, recent studies have identified alternative means of Aurora-A activation control, including allosteric regulation by partners, phosphorylation on alternative activating residues (S51, S98), dephosphorylation on inhibitory sites (S342) and T288 phosphorylation by alternative kinases such as Pak enzymes. Additional work has shown that the relative abundance of Aurora-A partners can affect the activity of Aurora-A inhibitors, and that Aurora-A activation also occurs in interphase cells. EXPERT OPINION Taken together, this work suggests the need for comprehensive analysis of Aurora-A activity and expression of Aurora-A partners in order to stratify patients for likely therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Shagisultanova
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology , Philadelphia, PA 19111 , USA
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Michaelis M, Selt F, Rothweiler F, Löschmann N, Nüsse B, Dirks WG, Zehner R, Cinatl J. Aurora kinases as targets in drug-resistant neuroblastoma cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108758. [PMID: 25268132 PMCID: PMC4182628 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aurora kinase inhibitors displayed activity in pre-clinical neuroblastoma models. Here, we studied the effects of the pan-aurora kinase inhibitor tozasertib (VX680, MK-0457) and the aurora kinase inhibitor alisertib (MLN8237) that shows some specificity for aurora kinase A over aurora kinase B in a panel of neuroblastoma cell lines with acquired drug resistance. Both compounds displayed anti-neuroblastoma activity in the nanomolar range. The anti-neuroblastoma mechanism included inhibition of aurora kinase signalling as indicated by decreased phosphorylation of the aurora kinase substrate histone H3, cell cycle inhibition in G2/M phase, and induction of apoptosis. The activity of alisertib but not of tozasertib was affected by ABCB1 expression. Aurora kinase inhibitors induced a p53 response and their activity was enhanced in combination with the MDM2 inhibitor and p53 activator nutlin-3 in p53 wild-type cells. In conclusion, aurora kinases are potential drug targets in therapy-refractory neuroblastoma, in particular for the vast majority of p53 wild-type cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Michaelis
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Centre for Molecular Processing and School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Florian Selt
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Florian Rothweiler
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nadine Löschmann
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Benedikt Nüsse
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Wilhelm G. Dirks
- Leibniz-Institute Deutsche Sammlung für Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Richard Zehner
- Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- * E-mail:
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