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Abo Qoura L, Balakin KV, Hoffman RM, Pokrovsky VS. The potential of methioninase for cancer treatment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189122. [PMID: 38796027 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189122] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Cancer cells are addicted to L-methionine (L-Met) and have a much greater requirement for L-Met than normal cells due to excess transmethylation, termed the Hoffman effect. By targeting this vulnerability through dietary restriction of L-Met, researchers have been able to achieve promising results in inhibiting tumor growth and eradicating cancer cells. Methioninase (EC 4.4.1.11; METase) catalyzes the transformation of L-Met into α-ketobutyrate, ammonia, and methanethiol. The use of METase was initially limited due to its poor stability in vivo, high immunogenicity, and enzyme-induced inactivating antibodies. These issues could be partially resolved by PEGylation, encapsulation in erythrocytes, and various site-directed mutagenesis. The big breakthrough came when it was discovered that METase is effectively administered orally. The enzyme L-asparaginase is approved by the FDA for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. METase has more potential as a therapeutic since addiction to L-Met is a general and fundamental hallmark of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louay Abo Qoura
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 117198 Moscow, Russia; N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, 115478 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA 92111, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037-7400, USA
| | - Vadim S Pokrovsky
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 117198 Moscow, Russia; N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, 115478 Moscow, Russia.
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Zou Y, Yuan Y, Zhou Q, Yue Z, Liu J, Fan L, Xu H, Xin L. The Role of Methionine Restriction in Gastric Cancer: A Summary of Mechanisms and a Discussion on Tumor Heterogeneity. Biomolecules 2024; 14:161. [PMID: 38397398 PMCID: PMC10887009 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020161] [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: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is ranked as the fifth most prevalent cancer globally and has long been a topic of passionate discussion among numerous individuals. However, the incidence of gastric cancer in society has not decreased, but instead has shown a gradual increase in recent years. For more than a decade, the treatment effect of gastric cancer has not been significantly improved. This is attributed to the heterogeneity of cancer, which makes popular targeted therapies ineffective. Methionine is an essential amino acid, and many studies have shown that it is involved in the development of gastric cancer. Our study aimed to review the literature on methionine and gastric cancer, describing its mechanism of action to show that tumor heterogeneity in gastric cancer does not hinder the effectiveness of methionine-restricted therapies. This research also aimed to provide insight into the inhibition of gastric cancer through metabolic reprogramming with methionine-restricted therapies, thereby demonstrating their potential as adjuvant treatments for gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lin Xin
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Minde Road, Donghu District, Nanchang 330006, China; (Y.Z.); (Y.Y.); (Q.Z.); (Z.Y.); (J.L.); (L.F.); (H.X.)
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Miyake M, Miyake K, Han Q, Igarashi K, Kawaguchi K, Barangi M, Kiyuna T, Sugisawa N, Higuchi T, Oshiro H, Zhang Z, Razmjooei S, Bouvet M, Endo I, Hoffman RM. Synergy of oral recombinant methioninase (rMETase) and 5-fluorouracil on poorly differentiated gastric cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 643:48-54. [PMID: 36586158 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.12.062] [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: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is highly malignant and recalcitrant to first line chemotherapies that include 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Cancer cells are addicted to methionine for their proliferation and survival. Methionine addiction of cancer is known as the Hoffman effect. Methionine restriction with recombinant methioninase (rMETase) has been shown to selectively starve cancer cells and has shown synergy with cytotoxic chemotherapy including 5-FU. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of rMETase alone and the combination with 5-FU on poorly differentiated human gastric cancer cell lines (MKN45, NUGC3, and NUGC4) in vitro and vivo. rMETase suppressed the tumor growth of 3 kinds of poorly differentiated gastric cancer cells in vitro. The fluorescence ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (FUCCI) demonstrated cancer cells treated with rMETase were selectively trapped in the S/G2 phase of the cell cycle. In the present study, subcutaneous MKN45 gastric cancer models were randomized into four groups when the tumor volume reached 100 mm3: G1: untreated control; G2: 5-FU (i.p., 50 mg/kg, weekly, three weeks); G3: oral-rMETase (o-rMETase) (p.o., 100 units/body, daily, three weeks); G4: 5-FU with o-rMETase (5-FU; i.p., 50 mg/kg, weekly, three weeks o-rMETase; p.o., 100 units/body, daily, three weeks). All mice were sacrificed on day 22. Body weight and estimated tumor volume were measured twice a week. 5-FU and o-rMETase suppressed tumor growth as monotherapies on day 18 (p = 0.044 and p = 0.044). However, 5-FU combined with o-rMETase was significantly superior to each monotherapy (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) and induced extensive necrosis compared to other groups. The combination of 5-FU and o-rMETase shows promise for transformative therapy for poorly differentiated gastric cancer in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masuyo Miyake
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kentaro Miyake
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.
| | | | - Kentaro Igarashi
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kei Kawaguchi
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Tasuku Kiyuna
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Norihiko Sugisawa
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Takashi Higuchi
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Hiromichi Oshiro
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Zhiying Zhang
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Michael Bouvet
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Itaru Endo
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
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KUBOTA YUTARO, HAN QINGHONG, HAMADA KAZUYUKI, AOKI YUSUKE, MASAKI NORIYUKI, OBARA KOYA, BARANOV ANTON, BOUVET MICHAEL, TSUNODA TAKUYA, HOFFMAN ROBERTM. Oral Installation of Recombinant Methioninase-producing Escherichia coli into the Microbiome Inhibits Colon-cancer Growth in a Syngeneic Mouse Model. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2022; 19:683-691. [PMID: 36316039 PMCID: PMC9620449 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM All cancer types so far tested are methionine-addicted. Targeting the methionine addiction of cancer with recombinant methioninase (rMETase) has shown great progress in vitro, in mouse models, and in the clinic. However, administration of rMETase requires multiple doses per day. In the present study, we determined if rMETase-producing Escherichia coli JM109 (E. coli JM109-rMETase) might be an effective anticancer agent when installed into the microbiome. MATERIALS AND METHODS E. coli JM109-rMETase was administered to a syngeneic model of MC38 colon cancer growing subcutaneously in C57BL/6 mice. JM109-rMETase was administered orally by gavage to the mice twice per day. Tumor size was measured with calipers. RESULTS The administration of E. coli JM109-rMETase twice a day significantly inhibited MC38 colon-cancer growth. E. coli JM109-rMETase was found in the stool of treated mice, indicating it had entered the microbiome. CONCLUSION The present study indicates the potential of microbiome-based treatment of cancer targeting methionine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- YUTARO KUBOTA
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.,Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.,Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - KAZUYUKI HAMADA
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.,Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.,Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - YUSUKE AOKI
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.,Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - NORIYUKI MASAKI
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.,Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - KOYA OBARA
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.,Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | | | - MICHAEL BOUVET
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - TAKUYA TSUNODA
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - ROBERT M. HOFFMAN
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.,Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
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Sharma B, Devi S, Kumar R, Kanwar SS. Screening, characterization and anti-cancer application of purified intracellular MGL. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 217:96-110. [PMID: 35817235 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.026] [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: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
L-methionine-γ-lyase (MGL) producing bacterial isolates were screened from soil samples that further characterized as 'Klebsiella oxytoca BLM-1' by biochemical and 16S rDNA sequencing. Intracellular MGL obtained from K. oxytoca BLM-1 by sonication was purified by Octyl-Sepharose and Sephadex G-200 column chromatography. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of protein band (Mr ~ 63 kDa) confirmed the PLP-dependence and structural similarity with MGL enzyme. Purified MGL (1.1 μg) exhibited the maximum activity in potassium phosphate buffer (80 mM; with L-met 20 mM pH 7.0) at 37 °C. That further enhanced in the presence of NaCl (2 mM), Tween-80 (1.0 %; v/v) and EDTA (5 mM). Km and Vmax for purified MGL by using L-met as substrate was found to be 5.32 mM and 0.386 U/mL/min. The purified MGL showed PLP dependence and the half-life was 365.59 min. The MGL was effective against breast cancer (MCF7), gastric adenocarcinoma and human glioblastoma (U87MG) cancer cell lines with IC50 values of purified MGL 0.041 U/mL, 0.008 U/mL and 0.009 U/mL, respectively. The U87MG, greatly affected by MGL treatment, when cultured in DMEM medium (10 mL) with PLP, homocysteine and 10 % FCS as compared to control/untransformed mouse spleen cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhupender Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla 171 005, India
| | - Sunita Devi
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla 171 005, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla 171 005, India
| | - Shamsher Singh Kanwar
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla 171 005, India.
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Higuchi T, Igarashi K, Yamamoto N, Hayashi K, Kimura H, Miwa S, Bouvet M, Tsuchiya H, Hoffman RM. Multikinase-Inhibitor Screening in Drug-resistant Osteosarcoma Patient-derived Orthotopic Xenograft Mouse Models Identifies the Clinical Potential of Regorafenib. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2021; 18:637-643. [PMID: 34479916 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Osteosarcoma is a recalcitrant heterogenous malignancy. The aim of the present study was to compare a series of multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) for efficacy on two drug-resistant osteosarcoma patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) models in order to identify a clinical candidate. MATERIALS AND METHODS The two osteosarcoma PDOX models were tested for response to the following MKIs: pazopanib, sunitinib, sorafenib, crizotinib, and regorafenib, in comparison to first-line treatment with cisplatinum and an untreated control. RESULTS Regorafenib led to regression of osteosarcoma in both PDOXs. Total necrosis was observed pathologically in the regorafenib-treated tumors. Sorafenib arrested growth, without inducing regression, in one osteosarcoma model but not the other, and the other MKIs only slowed tumor growth. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrated that regorafenib is much more effective than the other MKIs tested and has clinical potential against recalcitrant osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Higuchi
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.,Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kentaro Igarashi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Norio Yamamoto
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Hayashi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kimura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Shinji Miwa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Michael Bouvet
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Hiroyuki Tsuchiya
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.; .,Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
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Han Q, Hoffman RM. Chronic Treatment of an Advanced Prostate-cancer Patient With Oral Methioninase Resulted in Long-term Stabilization of Rapidly Rising PSA Levels. In Vivo 2021; 35:2171-2176. [PMID: 34182494 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.12488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Advanced prostate cancer is a recalcitrant disease with very limited treatment options. Our laboratory discovered methionine addiction, presumably a characteristic of all cancer types, including prostate cancer, which can be targeted by methionine restriction (MR), through treatment with oral recombinant methioninase (o-rMETase). PATIENTS AND METHODS o-rMETase was produced by fermentation of recombinant E. coli containing the Pseudomonas putida methioninase gene, and purified by column chromatography. An advanced prostate cancer patient received o-rMETase as a supplement, 500 units per day, divided into two oral doses of 250 units each. RESULTS Before treatment, the patient had a rapid rise in PSA levels, from 39 to 56 ng/ml, within 6 weeks. At the 15th week of o-rMETase administration, the PSA levels stabilized at 62 ng/ml. No overt side effects were observed. CONCLUSION o-rMETase single treatment can be beneficial for advanced prostate cancer patients.
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