1
|
Hamada M, Varkoly KS, Riyadh O, Beladi R, Munuswamy-Ramanujam G, Rawls A, Wilson-Rawls J, Chen H, McFadden G, Lucas AR. Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (uPAR) in Inflammation and Disease: A Unique Inflammatory Pathway Activator. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1167. [PMID: 38927374 PMCID: PMC11201033 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061167] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a unique protease binding receptor, now recognized as a key regulator of inflammation. Initially, uPA/uPAR was considered thrombolytic (clot-dissolving); however, recent studies have demonstrated its predominant immunomodulatory functions in inflammation and cancer. The uPA/uPAR complex has a multifaceted central role in both normal physiological and also pathological responses. uPAR is expressed as a glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked receptor interacting with vitronectin, integrins, G protein-coupled receptors, and growth factor receptors within a large lipid raft. Through protein-to-protein interactions, cell surface uPAR modulates intracellular signaling, altering cellular adhesion and migration. The uPA/uPAR also modifies extracellular activity, activating plasminogen to form plasmin, which breaks down fibrin, dissolving clots and activating matrix metalloproteinases that lyse connective tissue, allowing immune and cancer cell invasion and releasing growth factors. uPAR is now recognized as a biomarker for inflammatory diseases and cancer; uPAR and soluble uPAR fragments (suPAR) are increased in viral sepsis (COVID-19), inflammatory bowel disease, and metastasis. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the structure, function, and current studies examining uPAR and suPAR as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Understanding uPAR is central to developing diagnostic markers and the ongoing development of antibody, small-molecule, nanogel, and virus-derived immune-modulating treatments that target uPAR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Hamada
- College of Medicine, Kansas City University, 1750 Independence Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA; (M.H.); (O.R.)
| | - Kyle Steven Varkoly
- Department of Internal Medicine, McLaren Macomb Hospital, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, 1000 Harrington St., Mt Clemens, MI 48043, USA
| | - Omer Riyadh
- College of Medicine, Kansas City University, 1750 Independence Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA; (M.H.); (O.R.)
| | - Roxana Beladi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ascension Providence Hospital, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, 16001 W Nine Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48075, USA;
| | - Ganesh Munuswamy-Ramanujam
- Molecular Biology and Immunobiology Division, Interdisciplinary Institute of Indian System of Medicine, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, India;
| | - Alan Rawls
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA; (A.R.); (J.W.-R.)
| | - Jeanne Wilson-Rawls
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA; (A.R.); (J.W.-R.)
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Tumor Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China;
| | - Grant McFadden
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 727 E Tyler St., Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;
| | - Alexandra R. Lucas
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 727 E Tyler St., Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhai BT, Tian H, Sun J, Zou JB, Zhang XF, Cheng JX, Shi YJ, Fan Y, Guo DY. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) as a therapeutic target in cancer. J Transl Med 2022; 20:135. [PMID: 35303878 PMCID: PMC8932206 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is an attractive target for the treatment of cancer, because it is expressed at low levels in healthy tissues but at high levels in malignant tumours. uPAR is closely related to the invasion and metastasis of malignant tumours, plays important roles in the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM), tumour angiogenesis, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and is associated with the multidrug resistance (MDR) of tumour cells, which has important guiding significance for the judgement of tumor malignancy and prognosis. Several uPAR-targeted antitumour therapeutic agents have been developed to suppress tumour growth, metastatic processes and drug resistance. Here, we review the recent advances in the development of uPAR-targeted antitumor therapeutic strategies, including nanoplatforms carrying therapeutic agents, photodynamic therapy (PDT)/photothermal therapy (PTT) platforms, oncolytic virotherapy, gene therapy technologies, monoclonal antibody therapy and tumour immunotherapy, to promote the translation of these therapeutic agents to clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Tao Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Huan Tian
- Xi'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Jing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Jun-Bo Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Jiang-Xue Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Ya-Jun Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Yu Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Dong-Yan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Metrangolo V, Ploug M, Engelholm LH. The Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) as a "Trojan Horse" in Targeted Cancer Therapy: Challenges and Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215376. [PMID: 34771541 PMCID: PMC8582577 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Discovered more than three decades ago, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has now firmly established itself as a versatile molecular target holding promise for the treatment of aggressive malignancies. The copious abundance of uPAR in virtually all human cancerous tissues versus their healthy counterparts has fostered a gradual shift in the therapeutic landscape targeting this receptor from function inhibition to cytotoxic approaches to selectively eradicate the uPAR-expressing cells by delivering a targeted cytotoxic insult. Multiple avenues are being explored in a preclinical setting, including the more innovative immune- or stroma targeting therapies. This review discusses the current state of these strategies, their potentialities, and challenges, along with future directions in the field of uPAR targeting. Abstract One of the largest challenges to the implementation of precision oncology is identifying and validating selective tumor-driving targets to enhance the therapeutic efficacy while limiting off-target toxicity. In this context, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has progressively emerged as a promising therapeutic target in the management of aggressive malignancies. By focalizing the plasminogen activation cascade and subsequent extracellular proteolysis on the cell surface of migrating cells, uPAR endows malignant cells with a high proteolytic and migratory potential to dissolve the restraining extracellular matrix (ECM) barriers and metastasize to distant sites. uPAR is also assumed to choreograph multiple other neoplastic stages via a complex molecular interplay with distinct cancer-associated signaling pathways. Accordingly, high uPAR expression is observed in virtually all human cancers and is frequently associated with poor patient prognosis and survival. The promising therapeutic potential unveiled by the pleiotropic nature of this receptor has prompted the development of distinct targeted intervention strategies. The present review will focus on recently emerged cytotoxic approaches emphasizing the novel technologies and related limits hindering their application in the clinical setting. Finally, future research directions and emerging opportunities in the field of uPAR targeting are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Metrangolo
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Ploug
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars H. Engelholm
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-31-43-20-77
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fujiyuki T, Amagai Y, Shoji K, Kuraishi T, Sugai A, Awano M, Sato H, Hattori S, Yoneda M, Kai C. Recombinant SLAMblind Measles Virus Is a Promising Candidate for Nectin-4-Positive Triple Negative Breast Cancer Therapy. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2020; 19:127-135. [PMID: 33145396 PMCID: PMC7585052 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most refractory breast cancer types is triple negative (TN) breast cancer, in which cells are resistant to both hormone and Herceptin treatments and, thus, often cause recurrence and metastasis. Effective treatments are needed to treat TN breast cancer. We previously demonstrated that rMV-SLAMblind, a recombinant measles virus, showed anti-tumor activity against breast cancer cells. Here, we examined whether rMV-SLAMblind is effective for treating TN breast cancer. Nectin-4, a receptor for rMV-SLAMblind, was expressed on the surface of 75% of the analyzed TN breast cancer cell lines. rMV-SLAMblind infected the nectin-4-expressing TN breast cancer cell lines, and significantly decreased the viability in half of the analyzed cell lines in vitro. Additionally, intratumoral injection of rMV-SLAMblind suppressed tumor growth in xenografts of MDA-MB-468 and HCC70 cells. To assess treatment for metastatic breast cancer, we performed intravenous administration of the luciferase-expressing-rMV-SLAMblind to MDA xenografted mice. Virus replicated in the tumor and resulted in significant suppression of the tumor growth. The safety of the virus was tested by its intravenous injection into healthy cynomolgus monkeys, which did not cause any measles-like symptoms. These results suggest that rMV-SLAMblind is a promising candidate as a therapeutic agent for treating metastatic and/or TN type breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Fujiyuki
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yosuke Amagai
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Koichiro Shoji
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kuraishi
- Amami Laboratory of Injurious Animals, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 802 Tean-Sude, Setouchisho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima 894-1531, Japan
| | - Akihiro Sugai
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Mutsumi Awano
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Hiroki Sato
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Shosaku Hattori
- Amami Laboratory of Injurious Animals, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 802 Tean-Sude, Setouchisho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima 894-1531, Japan
| | - Misako Yoneda
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Chieko Kai
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Matveeva OV, Shabalina SA. Prospects for Using Expression Patterns of Paramyxovirus Receptors as Biomarkers for Oncolytic Virotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123659. [PMID: 33291506 PMCID: PMC7762160 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Some non-pathogenic viruses that do not cause serious illness in humans can efficiently target and kill cancer cells and may be considered candidates for cancer treatment with virotherapy. However, many cancer cells are protected from viruses. An important goal of personalized cancer treatment is to identify viruses that can kill a certain type of cancer cells. To this end, researchers investigate expression patterns of cell entry receptors, which viruses use to bind to and enter host cells. We summarized and analyzed the receptor expression patterns of two paramyxoviruses: The non-pathogenic measles and the Sendai viruses. The receptors for these viruses are different and can be proteins or lipids with attached carbohydrates. This review discusses the prospects for using these paramyxovirus receptors as biomarkers for successful personalized virotherapy for certain types of cancer. Abstract The effectiveness of oncolytic virotherapy in cancer treatment depends on several factors, including successful virus delivery to the tumor, ability of the virus to enter the target malignant cell, virus replication, and the release of progeny virions from infected cells. The multi-stage process is influenced by the efficiency with which the virus enters host cells via specific receptors. This review describes natural and artificial receptors for two oncolytic paramyxoviruses, nonpathogenic measles, and Sendai viruses. Cell entry receptors are proteins for measles virus (MV) and sialylated glycans (sialylated glycoproteins or glycolipids/gangliosides) for Sendai virus (SeV). Accumulated published data reviewed here show different levels of expression of cell surface receptors for both viruses in different malignancies. Patients whose tumor cells have low or no expression of receptors for a specific oncolytic virus cannot be successfully treated with the virus. Recent published studies have revealed that an expression signature for immune genes is another important factor that determines the vulnerability of tumor cells to viral infection. In the future, a combination of expression signatures of immune and receptor genes could be used to find a set of oncolytic viruses that are more effective for specific malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Matveeva
- Sendai Viralytics LLC, 23 Nylander Way, Acton, MA 01720, USA
- Correspondence: (O.V.M.); (S.A.S.)
| | - Svetlana A. Shabalina
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
- Correspondence: (O.V.M.); (S.A.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Application and Effect of the Gymnastic Exercise Mode during Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Patients. J CHEM-NY 2020. [DOI: 10.1155/2020/6961018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women, which seriously threatens the health of women. With the improvement of living standards, the incidence rate of breast cancer is also rising. In the past ten years, the incidence rate of breast cancer in China’s major cities has increased by 37%, far higher than that in Europe and America. At present, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the main treatment methods for breast cancer, but many patients will have cancer-related fatigue after surgery. Some studies believe that appropriate sports can improve cancer-related fatigue, but there is no specific research in this area. In view of this problem, this paper puts forward a rehabilitation training method based on gymnastics for breast cancer surgery. This paper is divided into three parts. The first part is the basic theory and core concept of breast cancer and cancer-related fatigue. Through the in-depth study of the theory, this paper believes that breast cancer patients paying attention to rehabilitation training can effectively improve cancer-related fatigue and affect the final therapeutic effect. The second part is the rehabilitation training program based on the way of gymnastics. The corresponding experimental model is established by using real cases as samples. In order to ensure the quality of the experiment, this paper gives the treatment plan in detail and establishes a unified evaluation system. In the third part of this paper, the relevant experiments and results analysis are given, and through data analysis, this paper believes that gymnastics can effectively help breast cancer patients with postoperative rehabilitation and continuous recovery of the upper limb function and improve cancer-related fatigue and other issues.
Collapse
|
7
|
Jing Y, Chavez V, Khatwani N, Ban Y, Espejo AP, Chen X, Merchan JR. In vivo antitumor activity by dual stromal and tumor-targeted oncolytic measles viruses. Cancer Gene Ther 2020; 27:910-922. [PMID: 32231231 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-020-0171-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The tumor stroma acts as a barrier that limits the efficacy of systemically administered oncolytic viruses (OV). We previously demonstrated that stromal-selective, retargeted oncolytic measles viruses (MVs) delay in vivo tumor progression. To further characterize the contribution of stromal targeting to MV's overall in vivo efficacy in an experimental cancer model, a dual targeted oncolytic measles virus (MV-CD46-muPA) able to simultaneously infect murine stromal (via murine uPAR) and human cancer (via CD46) cells was developed. MV-CD46-muPA infected, replicated, and induced cytotoxicity in both murine and human cancer cells. Viral infection was successfully transferred from stromal to tumor cells in vitro, leading to tumor cell oncolysis. Systemic administration of MV-CD46-muPA led to improved antitumor effects in colon (HT-29) cancer xenografts compared to vehicle or CD46 only targeted MVs. These effects were associated with improved tumor viral deposition, increased apoptosis, and decreases in murine stromal endothelial cells and fibroblasts. MV-CD46-muPA modulated cell cycle, survival, proliferation, and metabolic pathways, as determined by functional proteomic analysis of treated tumors. The above findings further validate the concept that dual stromal and tumor cell viral targeting enhances the therapeutic effects of systemically administered OVs and support further preclinical and clinical development of stromal directed virotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Jing
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Valery Chavez
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Natasha Khatwani
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA.,Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Yuguang Ban
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer, Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Andrea P Espejo
- Division of Internal Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer, Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jaime R Merchan
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Recombinant viruses with other anti-cancer therapeutics: a step towards advancement of oncolytic virotherapy. Cancer Gene Ther 2018; 25:216-226. [PMID: 29735993 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-018-0018-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Cancer as a disease is a multifaceted foe which sometimes succumbs to the prescribed treatment and sometimes develops resistance against various therapies. Conventional cancer therapies suffer from many limitations, the least of which is their specificity and systemic side effects. In a majority of cases, acquired mutations render the cancer cells resistant to therapy and lower the prognostic outcome. In the constant effort to devise a therapeutic moiety which can comprehensively eliminate cancer cells, oncolytic viruses provide an attractive avenue as they selectively infect and lyse cancer cells sparing normal cells from their effects. Viruses can be engineered for their host specificity and toxicity as a promising anti-cancer tool. As it is essential to devise a strategy to address all targets involved in cancer development and progression, the idea of using oncolytic viruses with enhanced anti-cancer activity through arming with foreign genes gained merit and is showing promising advent in clinical studies. The use of oncolytic viruses as an agent of combination therapy for cancer treatment also gained much attention in the recent past. This review focuses on the emerging role of oncolytic viruses as vital components of anti-cancer regimen presenting a new dimension in an ever-changing cancer therapy scenario.
Collapse
|
9
|
O’Bryan SM, Mathis JM. Oncolytic Virotherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment. Curr Gene Ther 2018; 18:192-205. [PMID: 30207220 PMCID: PMC7499349 DOI: 10.2174/1566523218666180910163805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer continues to be a leading cause of mortality among women. While at an early stage, localized breast cancer is easily treated; however, advanced stages of disease continue to carry a high mortality rate. The discrepancy in treatment success highlights that current treatments are insufficient to treat advanced-stage breast cancer. As new and improved treatments have been sought, one therapeutic approach has gained considerable attention. Oncolytic viruses are uniquely capable of targeting cancer cells through intrinsic or engineered means. They come in many forms, mainly from four major virus groups as defined by the Baltimore classification system. These vectors can target and kill cancer cells, and even stimulate immunotherapeutic effects in patients. This review discusses not only individual oncolytic viruses pursued in the context of breast cancer treatment but also the emergence of combination therapies with current or new therapies, which has become a particularly promising strategy for treatment of breast cancer. Overall, oncolytic virotherapy is a promising strategy for increased treatment efficacy for advanced breast cancer and consequently provides a unique platform for personalized treatments in patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samia M. O’Bryan
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - J. Michael Mathis
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Li X, Wu B, Chen L, Ju Y, Li C, Meng S. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor inhibits apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer through miR-17/20a suppression of death receptors 4 and 5. Oncotarget 2017; 8:88645-88657. [PMID: 29179464 PMCID: PMC5687634 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.20435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dissection and understanding of the molecular pathways driving triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are urgently needed to develop efficient tailored therapies. Aside from cell invasion and metastasis, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has been linked to apoptosis resistance in breast tumors. We explored the mechanism of uPAR-disrupted apoptosis in breast cancer. We found that depletion of uPAR by RNAi increases death receptor 4 (DR4) and death receptor 5 (DR5) expression and triggers TRAIL-induced apoptosis in TNBC cells. The microRNAs miR-17-5p and miR-20a inhibit cell apoptosis via suppression of DR4/DR5. We provide evidence that uPAR enhances miR-17-5p/20a expression through upregulation of c-myc. Blocking miR-17-5p/20a with antagomiRNA suppressed the growth of uPAR-overexpressing breast tumor xenografts in mice. These results indicate that uPAR suppresses cell apoptosis by inhibiting the c-myc-miR-17/5p/20a-DR4/DR5 pathway. Therapy directed at uPAR-induced miR-17/20a is a potential option for breast cancer and TNBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Bo Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Lizhao Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Ying Ju
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Changfei Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Songdong Meng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oncolytic viruses represent a novel treatment modality that is unencumbered by the standard resistance mechanisms limiting the therapeutic efficacy of conventional antineoplastic agents. Attenuated engineered measles virus strains derived from the Edmonston vaccine lineage have undergone extensive preclinical evaluation with significant antitumor activity observed in a broad range of preclinical tumoral models. These have laid the foundation for several clinical trials in both solid and hematologic malignancies, which have demonstrated safety, biologic activity and the ability to elicit antitumor immune responses. Areas covered: This review examines the published preclinical data which supported the clinical translation of this therapeutic platform, reviews the available clinical trial data and expands on ongoing phase II testing. It also looks at approaches to optimize clinical applicability and offers future perspectives. Expert opinion: Reverse genetic engineering has allowed the generation of oncolytic MV strains retargeted to increase viral tumor specificity, or armed with therapeutic and immunomodulatory genes in order to enhance anti-tumor efficacy. Continuous efforts focusing on exploring methods to overcome resistance pathways and determining optimal combinatorial strategies will facilitate further development of this encouraging antitumor strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Robinson
- a Division of Medical Oncology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| | - Evanthia Galanis
- a Division of Medical Oncology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Jing Y, Chavez V, Ban Y, Acquavella N, El-Ashry D, Pronin A, Chen X, Merchan JR. Molecular Effects of Stromal-Selective Targeting by uPAR-Retargeted Oncolytic Virus in Breast Cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2017; 15:1410-1420. [PMID: 28679779 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-17-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a relevant target for novel biological therapies. MV-m-uPA and MV-h-uPA are fully retargeted, species-specific, oncolytic measles viruses (MV) directed against murine or human urokinase receptor (PLAUR/uPAR), expressed in tumor and stromal cells. The effects of stromal-selective targeting by uPAR-retargeted MVs were investigated. In vitro infection, virus-induced GFP expression, and cytotoxicity by MV-h-uPA and MV-m-uPA were demonstrated in human and murine cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in a species-specific manner. In a murine fibroblast/human breast cancer 3D coculture model, selective fibroblast targeting by MV-m-uPA inhibited breast cancer cell growth. Systemic administration of murine-specific MV-m-uPA in mice bearing human MDA-MB-231 xenografts was associated with a significant delay in tumor progression and improved survival compared with controls. Experiments comparing tumor (MV-h-uPA) versus stromal (MV-m-uPA) versus combined virus targeting showed that tumor and stromal targeting was associated with improved tumor control over the other groups. Correlative studies confirmed in vivo viral targeting of tumor stroma by MV-m-uPA, increased apoptosis, and virus-induced differential regulation of murine stromal genes associated with inflammatory, angiogenesis, and survival pathways, as well as indirect regulation of human cancer pathways, indicating viral-induced modulation of tumor-stroma interactions. These data demonstrate the feasibility of stromal-selective targeting by an oncolytic MV, virus-induced modulation of tumor-stroma pathways, and subsequent tumor growth delay. These findings further validate the critical role of stromal uPAR in cancer progression and the potential of oncolytic viruses as antistromal agents.Implications: The current report demonstrates for the first time the biological, in vitro, and in vivo antitumor and molecular effects of stromal selective targeting by an oncolytic virus. Mol Cancer Res; 15(10); 1410-20. ©2017 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Jing
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Valery Chavez
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Yuguang Ban
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Nicolas Acquavella
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Doraya El-Ashry
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Alexey Pronin
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Xi Chen
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Jaime R Merchan
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Toro Bejarano M, Merchan JR. Targeting tumor vasculature through oncolytic virotherapy: recent advances. Oncolytic Virother 2015; 4:169-81. [PMID: 27512680 PMCID: PMC4918394 DOI: 10.2147/ov.s66045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The oncolytic virotherapy field has made significant advances in the last decade, with a rapidly increasing number of early- and late-stage clinical trials, some of them showing safety and promising therapeutic efficacy. Targeting tumor vasculature by oncolytic viruses (OVs) is an attractive strategy that offers several advantages over nontargeted viruses, including improved tumor viral entry, direct antivascular effects, and enhanced antitumor efficacy. Current understanding of the biological mechanisms of tumor neovascularization, novel vascular targets, and mechanisms of resistance has allowed the development of oncolytic viral vectors designed to target tumor neovessels. While some OVs (such as vaccinia and vesicular stomatitis virus) can intrinsically target tumor vasculature and induce vascular disruption, the majority of reported vascular-targeted viruses are the result of genetic manipulation of their viral genomes. Such strategies include transcriptional or transductional endothelial targeting, "armed" viruses able to downregulate angiogenic factors, or to express antiangiogenic molecules. The above strategies have shown preclinical safety and improved antitumor efficacy, either alone, or in combination with standard or targeted agents. This review focuses on the recent efforts toward the development of vascular-targeted OVs for cancer treatment and provides a translational/clinical perspective into the future development of new generation biological agents for human cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Toro Bejarano
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jaime R Merchan
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
New therapies for metastatic breast cancer patients are urgently needed. The long-term survival rates remain unacceptably low for patients with recurrent disease or disseminated metastases. In addition, existing therapies often cause a variety of debilitating side effects that severely impact quality of life. Oncolytic viruses constitute a developing therapeutic modality in which interest continues to build due to their ability to spare normal tissue while selectively destroying tumor cells. A number of different viruses have been used to develop oncolytic agents for breast cancer, including herpes simplex virus, adenovirus, vaccinia virus, measles virus, reovirus, and others. In general, clinical trials for several cancers have demonstrated excellent safety records and evidence of efficacy. However, the impressive tumor responses often observed in preclinical studies have yet to be realized in the clinic. In order for the promise of oncolytic virotherapy to be fully realized for breast cancer patients, effectiveness must be demonstrated in metastatic disease. This review provides a summary of oncolytic virotherapy strategies being developed to target metastatic breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Douglas R Hurst
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| |
Collapse
|