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Ściuk A, Wątor K, Staroń I, Worsztynowicz P, Pokrywka K, Sliwiak J, Kilichowska M, Pietruszewska K, Mazurek Z, Skalniak A, Lewandowski K, Jaskolski M, Loch JI, Surmiak M. Substrate Affinity Is Not Crucial for Therapeutic L-Asparaginases: Antileukemic Activity of Novel Bacterial Enzymes. Molecules 2024; 29:2272. [PMID: 38792133 PMCID: PMC11124013 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
L-asparaginases are used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The aim of this work was to compare the antiproliferative potential and proapoptotic properties of novel L-asparaginases from different structural classes, viz. EcAIII and KpAIII (class 2), as well as ReAIV and ReAV (class 3). The EcAII (class 1) enzyme served as a reference. The proapoptotic and antiproliferative effects were tested using four human leukemia cell models: MOLT-4, RAJI, THP-1, and HL-60. The antiproliferative assay with the MOLT-4 cell line indicated the inhibitory properties of all tested L-asparaginases. The results from the THP-1 cell models showed a similar antiproliferative effect in the presence of EcAII, EcAIII, and KpAIII. In the case of HL-60 cells, the inhibition of proliferation was observed in the presence of EcAII and KpAIII, whereas the proliferation of RAJI cells was inhibited only by EcAII. The results of the proapoptotic assays showed individual effects of the enzymes toward specific cell lines, suggesting a selective (time-dependent and dose-dependent) action of the tested L-asparaginases. We have, thus, demonstrated that novel L-asparaginases, with a lower substrate affinity than EcAII, also exhibit significant antileukemic properties in vitro, which makes them interesting new drug candidates for the treatment of hematological malignancies. For all enzymes, the kinetic parameters (Km and kcat) and thermal stability (Tm) were determined. Structural and catalytic properties of L-asparaginases from different classes are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ściuk
- Department of Crystal Chemistry and Crystal Physics, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.Ś.); (M.K.)
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
- II Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
| | - Kinga Wątor
- Department of Crystal Chemistry and Crystal Physics, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.Ś.); (M.K.)
- II Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
| | - Izabela Staroń
- Department of Crystal Chemistry and Crystal Physics, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.Ś.); (M.K.)
- II Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
| | - Paulina Worsztynowicz
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland; (P.W.); (K.P.); (J.S.); (M.J.)
| | - Kinga Pokrywka
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland; (P.W.); (K.P.); (J.S.); (M.J.)
| | - Joanna Sliwiak
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland; (P.W.); (K.P.); (J.S.); (M.J.)
| | - Marta Kilichowska
- Department of Crystal Chemistry and Crystal Physics, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.Ś.); (M.K.)
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Kamila Pietruszewska
- Center for the Development of Therapies for Civilization and Age-Related Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland; (K.P.); (Z.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Zofia Mazurek
- Center for the Development of Therapies for Civilization and Age-Related Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland; (K.P.); (Z.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Anna Skalniak
- Center for the Development of Therapies for Civilization and Age-Related Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland; (K.P.); (Z.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Krzysztof Lewandowski
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szamarzewskiego 84, 60-569 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Mariusz Jaskolski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland; (P.W.); (K.P.); (J.S.); (M.J.)
- Department of Crystallography, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 8, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Joanna I. Loch
- Department of Crystal Chemistry and Crystal Physics, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.Ś.); (M.K.)
| | - Marcin Surmiak
- II Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
- Center for the Development of Therapies for Civilization and Age-Related Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland; (K.P.); (Z.M.); (A.S.)
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Hameed KM, Bollino DR, Shetty AC, Carter-Cooper B, Lapidus RG, Emadi A. Dual targeting of glutamine and serine metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1326754. [PMID: 38690164 PMCID: PMC11059989 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1326754] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematological malignancy characterized by disrupted blood cell production and function. Recent investigations have highlighted the potential of targeting glutamine metabolism as a promising therapeutic approach for AML. Asparaginases, enzymes that deplete circulating glutamine and asparagine, are approved for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but are also under investigation in AML, with promising results. We previously reported an elevation in plasma serine levels following treatment with Erwinia-derived asparaginase (also called crisantaspase). This led us to hypothesize that AML cells initiate the de novo serine biosynthesis pathway in response to crisantaspase treatment and that inhibiting this pathway in combination with crisantaspase would enhance AML cell death. Here we report that in AML cell lines, treatment with the clinically available crisantaspase, Rylaze, upregulates the serine biosynthesis enzymes phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) and phosphoserine aminotransferase (PSAT1) through activation of the Amino Acid Response (AAR) pathway, a cellular stress response mechanism that regulates amino acid metabolism and protein synthesis under conditions of nutrient limitation. Inhibition of serine biosynthesis through CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout of PHGDH resulted in a ~250-fold reduction in the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for Rylaze, indicating heightened sensitivity to crisantaspase therapy. Treatment of AML cells with a combination of Rylaze and a small molecule inhibitor of PHGDH (BI4916) revealed synergistic anti-proliferative effects in both cell lines and primary AML patient samples. Rylaze-BI4916 treatment in AML cell lines led to the inhibition of cap-dependent mRNA translation and protein synthesis, as well as a marked decrease in intracellular glutathione levels, a critical cellular antioxidant. Collectively, our results highlight the clinical potential of targeting serine biosynthesis in combination with crisantaspase as a novel therapeutic strategy for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwal M. Hameed
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dominique R. Bollino
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Amol C. Shetty
- Institute of Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Brandon Carter-Cooper
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rena G. Lapidus
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ashkan Emadi
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Institute of Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
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3
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Vázquez X, Lumbreras-Iglesias P, Rodicio MR, Fernández J, Bernal T, Moreno AF, de Ugarriza PL, Fernández-Verdugo A, Margolles A, Sabater C. Study of the intestinal microbiota composition and the effect of treatment with intensive chemotherapy in patients recovered from acute leukemia. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5585. [PMID: 38454103 PMCID: PMC10920697 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56054-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
A dataset comprising metagenomes of outpatients (n = 28) with acute leukemia (AL) and healthy controls (n = 14) was analysed to investigate the associations between gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity and AL. According to the results obtained, no significant differences in the microbial diversity between AL outpatients and healthy controls were found. However, significant differences in the abundance of specific microbial clades of healthy controls and AL outpatients were found. We found some differences at taxa level. The relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae, Prevotellaceae and Rikenellaceae was increased in AL outpatients, while Bacteirodaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae and Lachnospiraceae was decreased. Interestingly, the abundances of several taxa including Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium species showed variations based on recovery time from the last cycle of chemotherapy. Functional annotation of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) revealed the presence of functional domains corresponding to therapeutic enzymes including L-asparaginase in a wide range of genera including Prevotella, Ruminococcus, Faecalibacterium, Alistipes, Akkermansia. Metabolic network modelling revealed potential symbiotic relationships between Veillonella parvula and Levyella massiliensis and several species found in the microbiota of AL outpatients. These results may contribute to develop strategies for the recovery of microbiota composition profiles in the treatment of patients with AL.
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Grants
- FIS PI21/01590 Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain
- FIS PI21/01590 Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain
- FIS PI21/01590 Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain
- FIS PI21/01590 Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain
- FIS PI21/01590 Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain
- FIS PI21/01590 Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain
- FIS PI21/01590 Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain
- FIS PI21/01590 Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain
- FIS PI21/01590 Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain
- FIS PI21/01590 Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain
- GRUPIN IDI/2022/000033 Regional Ministry of Science of Asturias
- GRUPIN IDI/2022/000033 Regional Ministry of Science of Asturias
- GRUPIN IDI/2022/000033 Regional Ministry of Science of Asturias
- GRUPIN IDI/2022/000033 Regional Ministry of Science of Asturias
- GRUPIN IDI/2022/000033 Regional Ministry of Science of Asturias
- GRUPIN IDI/2022/000033 Regional Ministry of Science of Asturias
- GRUPIN IDI/2022/000033 Regional Ministry of Science of Asturias
- GRUPIN IDI/2022/000033 Regional Ministry of Science of Asturias
- GRUPIN IDI/2022/000033 Regional Ministry of Science of Asturias
- GRUPIN IDI/2022/000033 Regional Ministry of Science of Asturias
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Affiliation(s)
- Xenia Vázquez
- Dairy Research Institute of Asturias (IPLA), Spanish National Research Council, (CSIC), Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), MicroHealth Group, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Pilar Lumbreras-Iglesias
- Traslational Microbiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Oviedo, Spain
- Department of Hematology Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), 33011, Oviedo, Spain
| | - M Rosario Rodicio
- Traslational Microbiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Department of Functional Biology, Microbiology Area, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Javier Fernández
- Traslational Microbiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Oviedo, Spain
- Research & Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and Statistical Department, Pragmatech AI Solutions, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa Bernal
- Department of Hematology Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), 33011, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ainhoa Fernández Moreno
- Department of Hematology Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), 33011, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Paula López de Ugarriza
- Department of Hematology Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Instituto de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), 33011, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ana Fernández-Verdugo
- Traslational Microbiology Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Abelardo Margolles
- Dairy Research Institute of Asturias (IPLA), Spanish National Research Council, (CSIC), Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), MicroHealth Group, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Carlos Sabater
- Dairy Research Institute of Asturias (IPLA), Spanish National Research Council, (CSIC), Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), MicroHealth Group, Oviedo, Spain.
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Rangel LI, Leveau JHJ. Applied microbiology of the phyllosphere. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:211. [PMID: 38358509 PMCID: PMC10869387 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13042-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The phyllosphere, or plant leaf surface, represents a microbial ecosystem of considerable size, holding extraordinary biodiversity and enormous potential for the discovery of new products, tools, and applications in biotechnology, agriculture, medicine, and elsewhere. This mini-review highlights the applied microbiology of the phyllosphere as an original field of study concerning itself with the genes, gene products, natural compounds, and traits that underlie phyllosphere-specific adaptations and services that have commercial and economic value for current or future innovation. Examples include plant-growth-promoting and disease-suppressive phyllobacteria, probiotics and fermented foods that support human health, as well as microbials that remedy foliar contamination with airborne pollutants, residual pesticides, or plastics. Phyllosphere microbes promote plant biomass conversion into compost, renewable energy, animal feed, or fiber. They produce foodstuffs such as thickening agents and sugar substitutes, industrial-grade biosurfactants, novel antibiotics and cancer drugs, as well as enzymes used as food additives or freezing agents. Furthermore, new developments in DNA sequence-based profiling of leaf-associated microbial communities allow for surveillance approaches in the context of food safety and security, for example, to detect enteric human pathogens on leafy greens, predict plant disease outbreaks, and intercept plant pathogens and pests on internationally traded goods. KEY POINTS: • Applied phyllosphere microbiology concerns leaf-specific adaptations for economic value • Phyllobioprospecting searches the phyllosphere microbiome for product development • Phyllobiomonitoring tracks phyllosphere microbial profiles for early risk detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena I Rangel
- Cell & Molecular Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, Scotland, UK.
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Johan H J Leveau
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
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Chen Y, Chen J, Zou Z, Xu L, Li J. Crosstalk between autophagy and metabolism: implications for cell survival in acute myeloid leukemia. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:46. [PMID: 38267416 PMCID: PMC10808206 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01823-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a prevalent form of leukemia in adults, is often characterized by low response rates to chemotherapy, high recurrence rates, and unfavorable prognosis. A critical barrier in managing refractory or recurrent AML is the resistance to chemotherapy. Increasing evidence indicates that tumor cell metabolism plays a crucial role in AML progression, survival, metastasis, and treatment resistance. Autophagy, an essential regulator of cellular energy metabolism, is increasingly recognized for its role in the metabolic reprogramming of AML. Autophagy sustains leukemia cells during chemotherapy by not only providing energy but also facilitating rapid proliferation through the supply of essential components such as amino acids and nucleotides. Conversely, the metabolic state of AML cells can influence the activity of autophagy. Their mutual coordination helps maintain intrinsic cellular homeostasis, which is a significant contributor to chemotherapy resistance in leukemia cells. This review explores the recent advancements in understanding the interaction between autophagy and metabolism in AML cells, emphasizing their roles in cell survival and drug resistance. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between autophagy and leukemia cell metabolism can shed light on leukemia cell survival strategies, particularly under adverse conditions such as chemotherapy. This insight may also pave the way for innovative targeted treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfeng Chen
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College of Taizhou University, 318000, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jia Chen
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhenyou Zou
- Brain Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 542005, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China.
| | - Linglong Xu
- Department of Hematology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), 318000, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, North Sichuan Medical College, 637000, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
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Shafqat I, Shahzad S, Yasmin A, Chaudhry MT, Ahmed S, Javed A, Afzal I, Bibi M. Characterization and applications of glutaminase free L-asparaginase from indigenous Bacillus halotolerans ASN9. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288620. [PMID: 38015853 PMCID: PMC10683992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) is a versatile anticancer and acrylamide reduction enzyme predominantly used in medical and food industries. However, the high specificity of L-asparaginase formulations for glutamine, low thermostability, and blood clearance are the major disadvantages. Present study describes production, characterization, and applications of glutaminase free extracellular L-asparaginase from indigenous Bacillus halotolerans ASN9 isolated from soil sample. L-asparaginase production was optimized in M9 medium (containing 0.2% sucrose and 1% L-asparagine) that yielded maximum L-ASNase with a specific activity of 256 U mg-1 at pH 6 and 37°C. L-asparaginase was purified through acetone precipitation and Sephadex G-100 column, yielding 48.9 and 24% recovery, respectively. Enzyme kinetics revealed a Vmax of 466 mM min-1 and Km of 0.097 mM. Purified L-ASNase showed no activity against glutamine. The purified glutaminase free L-ASNase has a molecular mass of 60 kDa and an optimum specific activity of 3083 U mg-1 at pH 7 and 37°C. The enzyme retains its activity and stability over a wide range of pH and temperature, in the presence of selected protein inhibitors (SDS, β-mercaptoethanol), CoCl2, KCl, and NaCl. The enzyme also exhibited antioxidant activity against DPPH radical (IC50 value 70.7 μg mL-1) and anticancer activity against U87 human malignant glioma (IC50 55 μg mL-1) and Huh7 human hepatocellular carcinoma (IC50 37 μg mL-1) cell lines. Normal human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) had greater than 80% cell viability with purified L-ASNase indicating its least cytotoxicity against normal cells. The present work identified potent glutaminase free L-ASNase from B. halotolerans ASN9 that performs well in a wide range of environmental conditions indicating its suitability for various commercial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifrah Shafqat
- Genomics Research Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, International Islamic University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shaheen Shahzad
- Genomics Research Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, International Islamic University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Azra Yasmin
- Microbiology and Biotechnology Research Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | | | - Safia Ahmed
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Aneela Javed
- Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Imran Afzal
- Department of Biology, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Monaza Bibi
- Microbiology and Biotechnology Research Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
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Xiao Y, Hu B, Guo Y, Zhang D, Zhao Y, Chen Y, Li N, Yu L. Targeting Glutamine Metabolism as an Attractive Therapeutic Strategy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2023:10.1007/s11864-023-01104-0. [PMID: 37249801 PMCID: PMC10356674 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-023-01104-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Relapse after chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation leads to adverse prognosis for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. As a "conditionally essential amino acid," glutamine contributes to the growth and proliferation of AML cells. Glutamine-target strategies as new treatment approaches have been widely explored in AML treatment to improve outcome. Glutamine-target strategies including depletion of systemic glutamine and application of glutamine uptake inhibitors, glutamine antagonists/analogues, and glutaminase inhibitors. Because glutamine metabolism involved in multiple pathways in cells and each pathway of glutamine metabolism has many regulatory factors, therefore, AML therapy targeting glutamine metabolism should focus on how to inhibit multiple metabolic pathways without affecting normal cells and host immune to achieve effective treatment for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xiao
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bingbing Hu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yao Guo
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dengyang Zhang
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuming Zhao
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Na Li
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Nephrology, Center of Kidney and Urology, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liuting Yu
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
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Zhou R, Liang T, Li T, Huang J, Chen C. Possible mechanism of metabolic and drug resistance with L-asparaginase therapy in childhood leukaemia. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1070069. [PMID: 36816964 PMCID: PMC9929349 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1070069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
L-asparaginase, which hydrolyzes asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia, is frequently used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children. When combined with other chemotherapy drugs, the event-free survival rate is 90%. Due to immunogenicity and drug resistance, however, not all patients benefit from it, restricting the use of L-asparaginase therapy in other haematological cancers. To solve the problem of immunogenicity, several L-ASNase variants have emerged, such as Erwinia-ASNase and PEG-ASNase. However, even when Erwinia-ASNase is used as a substitute for E. coli-ASNase or PEG-ASNase, allergic reactions occur in 3%-33% of patients. All of these factors contributed to the development of novel L-ASNases. Additionally, L-ASNase resistance mechanisms, such as the methylation status of ASNS promoters and activation of autophagy, have further emphasized the importance of personalized treatment for paediatric haematological neoplasms. In this review, we discussed the metabolic effects of L-ASNase, mechanisms of drug resistance, applications in non-ALL leukaemia, and the development of novel L-ASNase.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Chun Chen
- *Correspondence: Junbin Huang, ; Chun Chen,
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9
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Bollino D, Claiborne JP, Hameed K, Ma X, Tighe KM, Carter-Cooper B, Lapidus RG, Strovel ET, Emadi A. Erwinia asparaginase (crisantaspase) increases plasma levels of serine and glycine. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1035537. [PMID: 36578934 PMCID: PMC9790920 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1035537] [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: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of asparaginases on plasma asparagine and glutamine is well established. However, the effect of asparaginases, particularly those derived from Erwinia chrysanthemi (also called crisantaspase), on circulating levels of other amino acids is unknown. We examined comprehensive plasma amino acid panel measurements in healthy immunodeficient/immunocompetent mice as well as in preclinical mouse models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) using long-acting crisantaspase, and in an AML clinical study (NCT02283190) using short-acting crisantaspase. In addition to the expected decrease of plasma glutamine and asparagine, we observed a significant increase in plasma serine and glycine post-crisantaspase. In PDAC tumors, crisantaspase treatment significantly increased expression of serine biosynthesis enzymes. We then systematically reviewed clinical studies using asparaginase products to determine the extent of plasma amino acid reporting and found that only plasma levels of glutamine/glutamate and asparagine/aspartate were reported, without measuring other amino acid changes post-asparaginase. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report comprehensive plasma amino acid changes in mice and humans treated with asparaginase. As dysregulated serine metabolism has been implicated in tumor development, our findings offer insights into how leukemia/cancer cells may potentially overcome glutamine/asparagine restriction, which can be used to design future synergistic therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Bollino
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - J. Preston Claiborne
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kanwal Hameed
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Xinrong Ma
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kayla M. Tighe
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Brandon Carter-Cooper
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rena G. Lapidus
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Erin T. Strovel
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ashkan Emadi
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States,*Correspondence: Ashkan Emadi,
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10
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Allegri Machado G, Ptolemy AS, Kellogg MD, Peake RWA. Abundant Depletion. Clin Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvac104] [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]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam S Ptolemy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Mark D Kellogg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Roy W A Peake
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital , Boston, MA , USA
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11
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Van Trimpont M, Schalk AM, De Visser Y, Nguyen HA, Reunes L, Vandemeulebroecke K, Peeters E, Su Y, Lee H, Lorenzi PL, Chan WK, Mondelaers V, De Moerloose B, Lammens T, Goossens S, Van Vlierberghe P, Lavie A. In vivo stabilization of a less toxic asparaginase variant leads to a durable antitumor response in acute leukemia. Haematologica 2022; 108:409-419. [PMID: 35979719 PMCID: PMC9890011 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2022.281390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2002] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Asparagine is a non-essential amino acid since it can either be taken up via the diet or synthesized by asparagine synthetase. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells do not express asparagine synthetase or express it only minimally, which makes them completely dependent on extracellular asparagine for their growth and survival. This dependency makes ALL cells vulnerable to treatment with L-asparaginase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes asparagine. To date, all clinically approved L-asparaginases have significant L-glutaminase co-activity, associated with non-immune related toxic side effects observed during therapy. Therefore, reduction of L-glutaminase co-activity with concomitant maintenance of its anticancer L-asparaginase effect may effectively improve the tolerability of this unique drug. Previously, we designed a new alternative variant of Erwinia chrysanthemi (ErA; Erwinaze) with decreased L-glutaminase co-activity, while maintaining its L-asparaginase activity, by the introduction of three key mutations around the active site (ErA-TM). However, Erwinaze and our ErA-TM variant have very short half-lives in vivo. Here, we show that the fusion of ErA-TM with an albumin binding domain (ABD)-tag significantly increases its in vivo persistence. In addition, we evaluated the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of ABD-ErA-TM in a B-ALL xenograft model of SUP-B15. Our results show a comparable long-lasting durable antileukemic effect between the standard-of-care pegylated-asparaginase and ABD-ErA-TM L-asparaginase, but with fewer co-glutaminase-related acute side effects. Since the toxic side effects of current L-asparaginases often result in treatment discontinuation in ALL patients, this novel ErA-TM variant with ultra-low L-glutaminase co-activity and long in vivo persistence may have great clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Van Trimpont
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium,Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Amanda M. Schalk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yanti De Visser
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium,Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hien Anh Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lindy Reunes
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katrien Vandemeulebroecke
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium,Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium,Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelien Peeters
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium,Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ying Su
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hyun Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL, USA,Biophysics Core at Research Resources Center, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Philip L. Lorenzi
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wai-Kin Chan
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Veerle Mondelaers
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium,Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Barbara De Moerloose
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium,Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium,Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim Lammens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium,Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium,Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Goossens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium,Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter Van Vlierberghe
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium,#PVV and AL contributed equally as co-senior authors
| | - Arnon Lavie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA; The Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
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12
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Liao P, Chang N, Xu B, Qiu Y, Wang S, Zhou L, He Y, Xie X, Li Y. Amino acid metabolism: challenges and opportunities for the therapeutic treatment of leukemia and lymphoma. Immunol Cell Biol 2022; 100:507-528. [PMID: 35578380 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Leukemia and lymphoma-the most common hematological malignant diseases-are often accompanied by complications such as drug resistance, refractory diseases and relapse. Amino acids (AAs) are important energy sources for malignant cells. Tumor-mediated AA metabolism is associated with the immunosuppressive properties of the tumor microenvironment, thereby assisting malignant cells to evade immune surveillance. Targeting abnormal AA metabolism in the tumor microenvironment may be an effective therapeutic approach to address the therapeutic challenges of leukemia and lymphoma. Here, we review the effects of glutamine, arginine and tryptophan metabolism on tumorigenesis and immunomodulation, and define the differences between tumor cells and immune effector cells. We also comment on treatments targeting these AA metabolism pathways in lymphoma and leukemia and discuss how these treatments have profound adverse effects on tumor cells, but leave the immune cells unaffected or mildly affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyun Liao
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ning Chang
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Binyan Xu
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingqi Qiu
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lijuan Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanjie He
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoling Xie
- Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde), Foshan, China
| | - Yuhua Li
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, China
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13
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Darvishi F, Jahanafrooz Z, Mokhtarzadeh A. Microbial L-asparaginase as a promising enzyme for treatment of various cancers. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:5335-5347. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12086-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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14
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Van Trimpont M, Peeters E, De Visser Y, Schalk AM, Mondelaers V, De Moerloose B, Lavie A, Lammens T, Goossens S, Van Vlierberghe P. Novel Insights on the Use of L-Asparaginase as an Efficient and Safe Anti-Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040902. [PMID: 35205650 PMCID: PMC8870365 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) therapy is key for achieving the very high cure rate of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), yet its use is mostly confined to this indication. One main reason preventing the expansion of today’s FDA-approved L-ASNases to solid cancers is their high toxicity and side effects, which become especially challenging in adult patients. The design of optimized L-ASNase molecules provides opportunities to overcome these unwanted toxicities. An additional challenge to broader application of L-ASNases is how cells can counter the pharmacological effect of this drug and the identification of L-ASNases resistance mechanisms. In this review, we discuss recent insights into L-ASNase adverse effects, resistance mechanisms, and how novel L-ASNase variants and drug combinations can expand its clinical applicability, with a focus on both hematological and solid tumors. Abstract L-Asparaginase (L-ASNase) is an enzyme that hydrolyses the amino acid asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia. Systemic administration of bacterial L-ASNase is successfully used to lower the bioavailability of this non-essential amino acid and to eradicate rapidly proliferating cancer cells with a high demand for exogenous asparagine. Currently, it is a cornerstone drug in the treatment of the most common pediatric cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Since these lymphoblasts lack the expression of asparagine synthetase (ASNS), these cells depend on the uptake of extracellular asparagine for survival. Interestingly, recent reports have illustrated that L-ASNase may also have clinical potential for the treatment of other aggressive subtypes of hematological or solid cancers. However, immunogenic and other severe adverse side effects limit optimal clinical use and often lead to treatment discontinuation. The design of optimized and novel L-ASNase formulations provides opportunities to overcome these limitations. In addition, identification of multiple L-ASNase resistance mechanisms, including ASNS promoter reactivation and desensitization, has fueled research into promising novel drug combinations to overcome chemoresistance. In this review, we discuss recent insights into L-ASNase adverse effects, resistance both in hematological and solid tumors, and how novel L-ASNase variants and drug combinations can expand its clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Van Trimpont
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.T.); (E.P.); (Y.D.V.); (B.D.M.); (T.L.); (S.G.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelien Peeters
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.T.); (E.P.); (Y.D.V.); (B.D.M.); (T.L.); (S.G.)
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yanti De Visser
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.T.); (E.P.); (Y.D.V.); (B.D.M.); (T.L.); (S.G.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amanda M. Schalk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607, USA; (A.M.S.); (A.L.)
| | - Veerle Mondelaers
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Barbara De Moerloose
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.T.); (E.P.); (Y.D.V.); (B.D.M.); (T.L.); (S.G.)
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Arnon Lavie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607, USA; (A.M.S.); (A.L.)
- The Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Tim Lammens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.T.); (E.P.); (Y.D.V.); (B.D.M.); (T.L.); (S.G.)
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Goossens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.T.); (E.P.); (Y.D.V.); (B.D.M.); (T.L.); (S.G.)
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter Van Vlierberghe
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.T.); (E.P.); (Y.D.V.); (B.D.M.); (T.L.); (S.G.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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15
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Kapadia B, Shetty AC, Bollino D, Bhandary B, Lapidus RG, Mahmood K, Mahurkar A, Gartenhaus RB, Eckert RL, Emadi A. Translatome changes in acute myeloid leukemia cells post-exposure to pegcrisantaspase and venetoclax. Exp Hematol 2022; 108:55-63. [PMID: 35104581 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2022.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The clinical outcomes of patients with AML treated with available therapy remains unsatisfactory. We recently reported that the BCL-2 inhibitor, venetoclax, synergized with pegcrisantaspase (PegC) and demonstrated remarkable in vivo efficacy in a preclinical model of AML with complex karyotype. Ven-PegC combination blocks synthesis of proteins in AML cells by inhibiting cap-dependent translation of mRNA. To further explore the impact of Ven-PegC on protein translation, we used polysome profiling and high-throughput RNA-seq to characterize Ven-PegC dependent changes to the translatome. Here we report that the translation of five mRNAs, including two microRNAs, one rRNA, and two mitochondrial genes was altered after exposure to all three treatments (Ven, PegC and Ven-PegC). We focused our translatome validation studies on six additional genes related to translational efficiency that were modified by Ven-PegC. Notably, Ven-PegC treatment increased the RNA translation and protein level of Tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit C (eIF3C), doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1), salt inducible kinase 1 (SIK1). We validated the observed changes in gene/protein expression in vitro and confirmed our cell line-based studies in the bone marrow of an AML PDX model after Ven-PegC treatment. These results support examining alterations in the translatome post-chemotherapy to offer insight into drug mechanism of action and to inform future therapeutic decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bandish Kapadia
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD
| | - Amol C Shetty
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD; University of Maryland Institute of Genome Sciences, Baltimore, MD
| | - Dominique Bollino
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD; University of Maryland School of Medicine Department of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Binny Bhandary
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD
| | - Rena G Lapidus
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD; University of Maryland School of Medicine Department of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kanwal Mahmood
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD
| | - Anup Mahurkar
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD; University of Maryland Institute of Genome Sciences, Baltimore, MD
| | - Ronald B Gartenhaus
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD; University of Maryland Institute of Genome Sciences, Baltimore, MD
| | - Richard L Eckert
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD; University of Maryland School of Medicine Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
| | - Ashkan Emadi
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD; University of Maryland School of Medicine Department of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; University of Maryland School of Medicine Department of Pharmacology, Baltimore, MD.
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16
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Sindhu R, Manonmani HK. L-asparaginase mediated therapy in L-asparagine auxotrophic cancers: A review. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2022; 22:2393-2410. [PMID: 34994334 DOI: 10.2174/1871520622666220106103336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Microbial L-asparaginase is the most effective first-line therapeutic used in the treatment protocols of paediatric and adult leukemia. Leukemic cell's auxotrophy for L-asparagine is exploited as a therapeutic strategy to mediate cell death through metabolic blockade of L-asparagine using L-asparaginase. Escherichia coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi serve as the major enzyme deriving sources accepted in clinical practise and the enzyme has bestowed improvements in patient outcomes over the last 40 years. However, an array of side effects generated by the native enzymes due to glutamine co-catalysis and short serum stays augmenting frequent dosages, intended a therapeutic switch towards the development of biobetter alternatives for the enzyme including the formulations resulting in sustained local depletion of L-asparagine. In addition, the treatment with L-asparaginase in few cancer types has proven to elicit drug-induced cytoprotective autophagy mechanisms and therefore warrants concern. Although the off-target glutamine hydrolysis has been viewed in contributing the drug-induced secondary responses in cells deficient with asparagine synthetase machinery, the beneficial role of glutaminase-asparaginase in proliferative regulation of asparagine prototrophic cells has been looked forward. The current review provides an overview on the enzyme's clinical applications in leukemia and possible therapeutic implications in other solid tumours, recent advancements in drug formulations, and discusses the aspects of two-sided roles of glutaminase-asparaginases and drug-induced cytoprotective autophagy mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sindhu R
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, JSS-AHER, Mysuru-570015, Karnataka, India
| | - H K Manonmani
- Food Protectants and Infestation Control Department, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru-570020, Karnataka, India
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17
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Wilder CS, Chen Z, DiGiovanni J. Pharmacologic approaches to amino acid depletion for cancer therapy. Mol Carcinog 2021; 61:127-152. [PMID: 34534385 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to support increased demands in bioenergetics and biosynthesis and to maintain reactive oxygen species at optimum levels. As metabolic alterations are broadly observed across many cancer types, metabolic reprogramming is considered a hallmark of cancer. A metabolic alteration commonly seen in cancer cells is an increased demand for certain amino acids. Amino acids are involved in a wide range of cellular functions, including proliferation, redox balance, bioenergetic and biosynthesis support, and homeostatic functions. Thus, targeting amino acid dependency in cancer is an attractive strategy for a number of cancers. In particular, pharmacologically mediated amino acid depletion has been evaluated as a cancer treatment option for several cancers. Amino acids that have been investigated for the feasibility of drug-induced depletion in preclinical and clinical studies for cancer treatment include arginine, asparagine, cysteine, glutamine, lysine, and methionine. In this review, we will summarize the status of current research on pharmacologically mediated amino acid depletion as a strategy for cancer treatment and potential chemotherapeutic combinations that synergize with amino acid depletion to further inhibit tumor growth and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly S Wilder
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Zhao Chen
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - John DiGiovanni
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.,Center for Molecular Carcinogenesis and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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18
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Guimarães AVF, Frota NF, Lourenzoni MR. Molecular dynamics simulations of human L-asparaginase1: Insights into structural determinants of enzymatic activity. J Mol Graph Model 2021; 109:108007. [PMID: 34461521 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2021.108007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The l-asparaginase enzyme is used in cancer therapy, mainly acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL). Commercial enzymes (EcASNase2) cause adverse reactions during treatment, such as immunogenicity. A human enzyme could be a non-immunogenic substitute. However, no candidate was found showing efficient kinetic properties. HASNase1 is an l-asparaginase that comes from the N-terminal domain of a protein called 60 kDa-lysophospholipase and its 3D structure has not been resolved. HASNase1 is homologous to EcASNase1 and gpASNase1, and this last one has shown efficient kinetic properties. Homology modeling was used to find the 3D structure of hASNase1, so one could submit it to Molecular Dynamics (MD), in order to understand structural differences that lead to different catalytic efficiency compared to EcASNase2 and gpASNase1. The interaction potential between L-Asn and active site residues showed that the substrate can rotate in the site when Region1 is open. Region1 residues sequence favors deformations and movements as shown in MD. Region2-A is linear in gpASNase1, and it features a helix portion in hASNase1, which leaves the Tyr308 position projected to the active site ratifying its role in catalytic efficiency. Analysis of Lys188 orientation and movement showed the effect of positive cooperativity in hASNase1. It was found that the presence of Asn at the allosteric site helps, not only in Region1 stabilization, but also in Lys188 stabilization for the maintenance of the triad. Despite structural similarities in hASNase1, gpASNase1, and EcASNase2, there are differences in structural determinants that, in addition to allosterism, may explain the different kinetic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Virginia Frota Guimarães
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia de Recursos Naturais, Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Pici, 825, zip-code: 60356-000, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Ceará, Fiocruz - CE, Protein Engineering and Health Solutions Group - GEPeSS, zip-code: 60175-047, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Natália Fernandes Frota
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Ceará, Fiocruz - CE, Protein Engineering and Health Solutions Group - GEPeSS, zip-code: 60175-047, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Marcos Roberto Lourenzoni
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Ceará, Fiocruz - CE, Protein Engineering and Health Solutions Group - GEPeSS, zip-code: 60175-047, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
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19
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Emadi A, Kapadia B, Bollino D, Bhandary B, Baer MR, Niyongere S, Strovel ET, Kaizer H, Chang E, Choi EY, Ma X, Tighe KM, Carter-Cooper B, Moses BS, Civin CI, Mahurkar A, Shetty AC, Gartenhaus RB, Kamangar F, Lapidus RG. Venetoclax and pegcrisantaspase for complex karyotype acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2021; 35:1907-1924. [PMID: 33199836 PMCID: PMC10976320 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-01080-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Complex karyotype acute myeloid leukemia (CK-AML) has a dismal outcome with current treatments, underscoring the need for new therapies. Here, we report synergistic anti-leukemic activity of the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax (Ven) and the asparaginase formulation Pegylated Crisantaspase (PegC) in CK-AML in vitro and in vivo. Ven-PegC combination inhibited growth of multiple AML cell lines and patient-derived primary CK-AML cells in vitro. In vivo, Ven-PegC showed potent reduction of leukemia burden and improved survival, compared with each agent alone, in a primary patient-derived CK-AML xenograft. Superiority of Ven-PegC, compared to single drugs, and, importantly, the clinically utilized Ven-azacitidine combination, was also demonstrated in vivo in CK-AML. We hypothesized that PegC-mediated plasma glutamine depletion inhibits 4EBP1 phosphorylation, decreases the expression of proteins such as MCL-1, whose translation is cap dependent, synergizing with the BCL-2 inhibitor Ven. Ven-PegC treatment decreased cellular MCL-1 protein levels in vitro by enhancing eIF4E-4EBP1 interaction on the cap-binding complex via glutamine depletion. In vivo, Ven-PegC treatment completely depleted plasma glutamine and asparagine and inhibited mRNA translation and cellular protein synthesis. Since this novel mechanistically-rationalized regimen combines two drugs already in use in acute leukemia treatment, we plan a clinical trial of the Ven-PegC combination in relapsed/refractory CK-AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashkan Emadi
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Bandish Kapadia
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, USA
| | - Dominique Bollino
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Binny Bhandary
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Maria R Baer
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sandrine Niyongere
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Erin T Strovel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hannah Kaizer
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth Chang
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eun Yong Choi
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xinrong Ma
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kayla M Tighe
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brandon Carter-Cooper
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Blake S Moses
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- University of Maryland Center for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Curt I Civin
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- University of Maryland Center for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anup Mahurkar
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Institute of Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amol C Shetty
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Institute of Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ronald B Gartenhaus
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, USA
| | - Farin Kamangar
- Department of Biology, School of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rena G Lapidus
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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20
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Chiu M, Taurino G, Bianchi MG, Bussolati O. The Role of Amino Acids in the Crosstalk Between Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Neoplastic Cells in the Hematopoietic Niche. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:714755. [PMID: 34277645 PMCID: PMC8278102 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.714755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the bone marrow hematopoietic cells are in close connection with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), which influence the behavior and differentiation of normal or malignant lymphoid and myeloid cells. Altered cell metabolism is a hallmark of cancer, and changes in nutrient pools and fluxes are important components of the bidirectional communication between MSCs and hematological cancer cells. Among nutrients, amino acids play a significant role in cancer progression and chemo-resistance. Moreover, selected types of cancer cells are extremely greedy for glutamine, and significantly deplete the extracellular pool of the amino acid. As a consequence, this influences the behavior of MSCs in terms of either cytokine/chemokine secretion or differentiation potential. Additionally, a direct nutritional interaction exists between MSCs and immune cells. In particular, selected subpopulations of lymphocytes are dependent upon selected amino acids, such as arginine and tryptophan, for full differentiation and competence. This review describes and discusses the nutritional interactions existing in the neoplastic bone marrow niche between MSCs and other cell types, with a particular emphasis on cancer cells and immune cells. These relationships are discussed in the perspective of potential novel therapeutic strategies based on the interference on amino acid metabolism or intercellular fluxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Chiu
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Taurino
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Ovidio Bussolati
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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21
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Fultang L, Gneo L, De Santo C, Mussai FJ. Targeting Amino Acid Metabolic Vulnerabilities in Myeloid Malignancies. Front Oncol 2021; 11:674720. [PMID: 34094976 PMCID: PMC8174708 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.674720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells require a higher supply of nutrients for growth and proliferation than normal cells. It is well established that metabolic reprograming in cancers for increased nutrient supply exposes a host of targetable vulnerabilities. In this article we review the documented changes in expression patterns of amino acid metabolic enzymes and transporters in myeloid malignancies and the growing list of small molecules and therapeutic strategies used to disrupt amino acid metabolic circuits within the cell. Pharmacological inhibition of amino acid metabolism is effective in inducing cell death in leukemic stem cells and primary blasts, as well as in reducing tumor burden in in vivo murine models of human disease. Thus targeting amino acid metabolism provides a host of potential translational opportunities for exploitation to improve the outcomes for patients with myeloid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livingstone Fultang
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Luciana Gneo
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Carmela De Santo
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Francis J Mussai
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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22
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Mahmood K, Emadi A. 1-C Metabolism-Serine, Glycine, Folates-In Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14030190. [PMID: 33652666 PMCID: PMC7996867 DOI: 10.3390/ph14030190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming contributes to tumor development and introduces metabolic liabilities that can be exploited to treat cancer. Studies in hematological malignancies have shown alterations in fatty acid, folate, and amino acid metabolism pathways in cancer cells. One-carbon (1-C) metabolism is essential for numerous cancer cell functions, including protein and nucleic acid synthesis and maintaining cellular redox balance, and inhibition of the 1-C pathway has yielded several highly active drugs, such as methotrexate and 5-FU. Glutamine depletion has also emerged as a therapeutic approach for cancers that have demonstrated dependence on glutamine for survival. Recent studies have shown that in response to glutamine deprivation leukemia cells upregulate key enzymes in the serine biosynthesis pathway, suggesting that serine upregulation may be a targetable compensatory mechanism. These new findings may provide opportunities for novel cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwal Mahmood
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
| | - Ashkan Emadi
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA;
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-410-328-6841; Fax: +1-410-328-6896
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23
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Wang L, Yang J, Wang HN, Fu RY, Liu XD, Piao YS, Wei LQ, Wang JW, Zhang L. LncRNA BCYRN1-induced autophagy enhances asparaginase resistance in extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma. Theranostics 2021; 11:925-940. [PMID: 33391513 PMCID: PMC7738865 DOI: 10.7150/thno.46655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Asparaginase (ASP) is the cornerstone drug in the treatment of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL), and the mechanisms of resistance to ASP remain largely unknown. Long non-coding RNAs play important roles in chemotherapy resistance in various cancers. However, the expression of BCYRN1 and its role in ENKTCL still remain unidentified. Methods: Lentivirus-mediated BCYRN1 overexpression and knockdown were performed in SNK-6 cells. Cell autophagy was analyzed by adenovirus expressing GFP-LC3B fusion protein. RNA pull-down and RNA Binding Protein Immunoprecipitation Assay were performed to investigate the relationship between BCYRN1 and p53. Western blot analysis was performed to assess the effect of BCYRN1 on different autophagy pathways. Finally, in vivo xenograft tumor model was constructed to analyze the effect of BCYRN1 on tumor growth and ASP resistance. Results: BCYRN1 was overexpressed in ENKTCL than normal NK cells, and patients with higher expression had significantly inferior progression-free survival (PFS). The IC50 value of ASP was significantly increased in BCYRN1-overexpressed SNK-6 cells and BCYRN1 overexpression could resist the inhibitory effect of ASP on proliferation. ASP could induce concurrent apoptosis and autophagy in ENKTCL, and the latter process was enhanced by overexpression of BCYRN1, mainly through affecting both PI3K/AKT/mTOR and p53/mTOR pathways. BCYRN1 could induce the degradation of p53 via ubiquitination, thus resulting in enhancement of autophagy and ASP resistance, which could be reversed by drug-induced autophagy inhibition. The effect of BCYRN1 on tumor growth and autophagy were confirmed in vivo xenograft model. Conclusions: It was found that BCYRN1 was a valuable prognostic biomarker in ENKTCL. BCYRN1 could promote resistance to ASP by inducing autophagy, which could be reversed by inhibition of autophagy. Our findings highlight the feasibility of combining autophagy inhibition and ASP in the treatment of ENKTCL.
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24
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Aly N, El-Ahwany A, Ataya FS, Saeed H. Bacillus sonorensis L. Asparaginase: Cloning, Expression in E. coli and Characterization. Protein J 2020; 39:717-729. [PMID: 33106988 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-020-09932-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
L-asparaginases (L-ASNases; EC 3.5.1.1) are aminohydrolases that catalyze the hydrolysis of L-asparagine (L-Asn) to L-aspartic acid and ammonia, resulting in the death of acute lymphoblastic leukemic cells and other blood cancer cells. In this study, Bacillus sonorensis (accession number MK523484) uncharacterized L-ASNase gene (accession number MN562875) was isolated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloned into pET28a (+) vector, and expressed in Escherichia coli as a cytosolic protein. The recombinant enzyme was purified by affinity chromatography at 23.79-fold and 49.37% recovery. Denaturing polyacrylamide gel (10%) analysis of the purified enzyme resulted in a single protein band at 36 kDa that immunoreacted strongly with 6His-tag monoclonal antibody. The purified enzyme exhibited optimal activity at 45 °C and pH 7.0 and retained 92% and 85% of its initial activity after incubation for 60 min at 37 °C and 45 °C, respectively. The purified enzyme exhibited substrate specificity toward L-asparagine and low glutaminase activity (15.72%) toward L-glutamine at a concentration of 10 mM. The Km and Vmax values were 2.004 mM and 3723 µmol min1-, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nihal Aly
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Amani El-Ahwany
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Farid Shokry Ataya
- Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Bld. 5, Lab AA10, P.O. Box: 2454, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,National Research Centre, 33 El-Bohouth St. (former El-Tahrir St.), Dokki, P.O. 12622, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hesham Saeed
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
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25
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Comparison of High-Dose Cytarabine, Mitoxantrone, and Pegaspargase (HAM-pegA) to High-Dose Cytarabine, Mitoxantrone, Cladribine, and Filgrastim (CLAG-M) as First-Line Salvage Cytotoxic Chemotherapy for Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9020536. [PMID: 32079074 PMCID: PMC7074083 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9020536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, no standard of care exists for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We present our institutional experience with using either CLAG-M or HAM-pegA, a novel regimen that includes pegaspargase. This is a retrospective comparison of 34 patients receiving CLAG-M and 10 receiving HAM-pegA as first salvage cytotoxic chemotherapy in the relapsed or refractory setting. Composite complete response rates were 47.1% for CLAG-M and 90% for HAM-pegA (p = 0.027). Event-free survival was significantly different in favor of HAM-pegA (p = 0.045), though overall survival was similar between groups. There were no significant differences in toxicities experienced by patients treated with the two regimens, including adverse events of special interest related to pegaspargase (venous thromboembolism, hemorrhage, hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, and hypersensitivity reactions). HAM-pegA is a novel regimen for relapsed or refractory AML that resulted in improved response rates and similar toxicities compared to CLAG-M.
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26
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Chiu M, Taurino G, Bianchi MG, Kilberg MS, Bussolati O. Asparagine Synthetase in Cancer: Beyond Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Front Oncol 2020; 9:1480. [PMID: 31998641 PMCID: PMC6962308 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Asparagine Synthetase (ASNS) catalyzes the synthesis of the non-essential amino acid asparagine (Asn) from aspartate (Asp) and glutamine (Gln). ASNS expression is highly regulated at the transcriptional level, being induced by both the Amino Acid Response (AAR) and the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) pathways. Lack of ASNS protein expression is a hallmark of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) blasts, which, therefore, are auxotrophic for Asn. This peculiarity is the rationale for the use of bacterial L-Asparaginase (ASNase) for ALL therapy, the first example of anti-cancer treatment targeting a tumor-specific metabolic feature. Other hematological and solid cancers express low levels of ASNS and, therefore, should also be Asn auxotrophs and ASNase sensitive. Conversely, in the last few years, several reports indicate that in some cancer types ASNS is overexpressed, promoting cell proliferation, chemoresistance, and a metastatic behavior. However, enhanced ASNS activity may constitute a metabolic vulnerability in selected cancer models, suggesting a variable and tumor-specific role of the enzyme in cancer. Recent evidence indicates that, beyond its canonical role in protein synthesis, Asn may have additional regulatory functions. These observations prompt a re-appreciation of ASNS activity in the biology of normal and cancer tissues, with particular attention to the fueling of Asn exchange between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Chiu
- Laboratory of General Pathology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Taurino
- Laboratory of General Pathology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Massimiliano G Bianchi
- Laboratory of General Pathology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Michael S Kilberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Ovidio Bussolati
- Laboratory of General Pathology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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27
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What makes a good new therapeutic l-asparaginase? World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 35:152. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-019-2731-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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28
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Kreitz J, Schönfeld C, Seibert M, Stolp V, Alshamleh I, Oellerich T, Steffen B, Schwalbe H, Schnütgen F, Kurrle N, Serve H. Metabolic Plasticity of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cells 2019; 8:E805. [PMID: 31370337 PMCID: PMC6721808 DOI: 10.3390/cells8080805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most common and life-threatening leukemias. A highly diverse and flexible metabolism contributes to the aggressiveness of the disease that is still difficult to treat. By using different sources of nutrients for energy and biomass supply, AML cells gain metabolic plasticity and rapidly outcompete normal hematopoietic cells. This review aims to decipher the diverse metabolic strategies and the underlying oncogenic and environmental changes that sustain continuous growth, mediate redox homeostasis and induce drug resistance in AML. We revisit Warburg's hypothesis and illustrate the role of glucose as a provider of cellular building blocks rather than as a supplier of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle for energy production. We discuss how the diversity of fuels for the TCA cycle, including glutamine and fatty acids, contributes to the metabolic plasticity of the disease and highlight the roles of amino acids and lipids in AML metabolism. Furthermore, we point out the potential of the different metabolic effectors to be used as novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Kreitz
- Department of Medicine 2, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine Schönfeld
- Department of Medicine 2, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Seibert
- Department of Medicine 2, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Verena Stolp
- Department of Medicine 2, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Islam Alshamleh
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe-University, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Thomas Oellerich
- Department of Medicine 2, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Björn Steffen
- Department of Medicine 2, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe-University, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Frank Schnütgen
- Department of Medicine 2, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nina Kurrle
- Department of Medicine 2, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Hubert Serve
- Department of Medicine 2, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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29
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Michelozzi IM, Granata V, De Ponti G, Alberti G, Tomasoni C, Antolini L, Gambacorti-Passerini C, Gentner B, Dazzi F, Biondi A, Coliva T, Rizzari C, Pievani A, Serafini M. Acute myeloid leukaemia niche regulates response to L-asparaginase. Br J Haematol 2019; 186:420-430. [PMID: 31044436 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.15920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Eradicating the malignant stem cell is the ultimate challenge in the treatment of leukaemia. Leukaemic stem cells (LSC) hijack the normal haemopoietic niche, where they are mainly protected from cytotoxic drugs. The anti-leukaemic effect of L-asparaginase (ASNase) has been extensively investigated in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, but only partially in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). We explored the susceptibility of AML-LSC to ASNase as well as the role of the two major cell types that constitute the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, i.e., mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and monocytes/macrophages. Whilst ASNase was effective on both CD34+ CD38+ and CD34+ CD38- LSC fractions, MSC and monocytes/macrophages partially counteracted the effect of the drug. Indeed, the production of cathepsin B, a lysosomal cysteine protease, by BM monocytic cells and by AML cells classified as French-American-British M5 is related to the inactivation of ASNase. Our work demonstrates that, while MSC and monocytes/macrophages may provide a protective niche for AML cells, ASNase has a cytotoxic effect on AML blasts and, importantly, LSC subpopulations. Thus, these features should be considered in the design of future clinical studies aimed at testing ASNase efficacy in AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria M Michelozzi
- M. Tettamanti Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Valentina Granata
- M. Tettamanti Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giada De Ponti
- M. Tettamanti Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Gaia Alberti
- M. Tettamanti Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Chiara Tomasoni
- M. Tettamanti Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Laura Antolini
- Centro di Biostatistica per L'epidemiologia Clinica, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | | | - Bernhard Gentner
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Dazzi
- Department of Haemato-Oncology, Rayne Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Andrea Biondi
- M. Tettamanti Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Haematology-Oncology Unit, Fondazione MBBM/San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Tiziana Coliva
- Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Haematology-Oncology Unit, Fondazione MBBM/San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Carmelo Rizzari
- Department of Paediatrics, Paediatric Haematology-Oncology Unit, Fondazione MBBM/San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Alice Pievani
- M. Tettamanti Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Marta Serafini
- M. Tettamanti Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
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30
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Affiliation(s)
- Gertjan J L Kaspers
- Princess Máxima Center for Paediatric Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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31
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Bade NA, Lu C, Patzke CL, Baer MR, Duong VH, Law JY, Lee ST, Sausville EA, Zimrin AB, Duffy AP, Lawson J, Emadi A. Optimizing pegylated asparaginase use: An institutional guideline for dosing, monitoring, and management. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2019; 26:74-92. [PMID: 30917738 DOI: 10.1177/1078155219838316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The incorporation of L-asparaginase and pegylated asparaginase into pediatric-inspired regimens has conferred a survival advantage in treatment of adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Use of asparaginase products requires careful prevention, monitoring, and management of adverse effects including hypersensitivity, hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, coagulopathy, and thrombosis. Currently, there is limited published literature to offer guidance on management of these toxicities. At the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, a standard of practice guideline was created to prevent and manage asparaginase-related adverse events. By sharing our long-term experience with asparaginase products and clinical management of asparaginase-induced toxicities, this article aims to improve patient safety and optimize treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najeebah A Bade
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Crystal Lu
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ciera L Patzke
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.,Department of Pharmacy, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ, USA
| | - Maria R Baer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vu H Duong
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jennie Y Law
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Seung T Lee
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Edward A Sausville
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ann B Zimrin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alison P Duffy
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Justin Lawson
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashkan Emadi
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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32
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Castelli G, Pelosi E, Testa U. Emerging Therapies for Acute Myelogenus Leukemia Patients Targeting Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Metabolism. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E260. [PMID: 30813354 PMCID: PMC6406361 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) is a malignant disease of the hematopoietic cells, characterized by impaired differentiation and uncontrolled clonal expansion of myeloid progenitors/precursors, resulting in bone marrow failure and impaired normal hematopoiesis. AML comprises a heterogeneous group of malignancies, characterized by a combination of different somatic genetic abnormalities, some of which act as events driving leukemic development. Studies carried out in the last years have shown that AML cells invariably have abnormalities in one or more apoptotic pathways and have identified some components of the apoptotic pathway that can be targeted by specific drugs. Clinical results deriving from studies using B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) inhibitors in combination with standard AML agents, such as azacytidine, decitabine, low-dose cytarabine, provided promising results and strongly support the use of these agents in the treatment of AML patients, particularly of elderly patients. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its receptors are frequently deregulated in AML patients and their targeting may represent a promising strategy for development of new treatments. Altered mitochondrial metabolism is a common feature of AML cells, as supported through the discovery of mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase gene and in mitochondrial electron transport chain and of numerous abnormalities of oxidative metabolism existing in AML subgroups. Overall, these observations strongly support the view that the targeting of mitochondrial apoptotic or metabolic machinery is an appealing new therapeutic perspective in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germana Castelli
- Department of Oncology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Elvira Pelosi
- Department of Oncology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Ugo Testa
- Department of Oncology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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