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Ganesan K, Xu C, Wu J, Du B, Liu Q, Sui Y, Song C, Zhang J, Tang H, Chen J. Ononin inhibits triple-negative breast cancer lung metastasis by targeting the EGFR-mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024:10.1007/s11427-023-2499-2. [PMID: 38900236 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2499-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The spreading of cancer cells from the primary tumor site to other parts of the body, known as metastasis, is the leading cause of cancer recurrence and mortality in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is observed in approximately 70% of TNBC patients. EGFR is crucial for promoting tumor metastasis and associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, it is vital to identify effective therapeutic strategies targeting EGFR inhibition. Ononin, an isoflavonoid found in various plants, such as clover and soybeans, has been shown to have anticancer properties in several cancers. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of ononin on TNBC lung metastasis and the associated molecular pathways. We used various assays, including cell viability, colony formation, Transwell, wound healing, ELISA, Western blotting, and staining techniques, to achieve this objective. The results demonstrated that ononin effectively suppressed cellular proliferation and induced apoptosis, as evidenced by the cell viability assay, colony formation assay, and expression of apoptosis markers, and reduced the metastatic capabilities of TNBC cells. These effects were achieved through the direct suppression of cell adhesion, invasiveness and motility. Furthermore, in TNBC xenograft lung metastatic models, ononin treatment significantly reduced tumor growth and lung metastasis. Additionally, ononin reversed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by downregulating the expression of EMT markers and matrix metalloproteinases, as confirmed by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, ononin treatment reduced EGFR phosphorylation and suppressed the PI3K, Akt, and mTOR signaling pathways, which was further confirmed using EGFR agonists or inhibitors. Importantly, ononin treatment did not exert any toxic effects on liver or kidney function. In conclusion, our findings suggest that ononin is a safe and potentially therapeutic treatment for TNBC metastasis that targets the EGFR-mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Further studies are warranted to validate its efficacy and explore its potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumar Ganesan
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Cong Xu
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jianming Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Bing Du
- College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Qingqing Liu
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yue Sui
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Cailu Song
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jinhui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hailin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Jianping Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China.
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Lan HR, Chen M, Yao SY, Chen JX, Jin KT. Novel immunotherapies for breast cancer: Focus on 2023 findings. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 128:111549. [PMID: 38266449 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111549] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a revolutionary approach in cancer therapy, and recent advancements hold significant promise for breast cancer (BCa) management. Employing the patient's immune system to combat BCa has become a focal point in immunotherapeutic investigations. Strategies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), adoptive cell transfer (ACT), and targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) have disclosed encouraging clinical outcomes. ICIs, particularly programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 inhibitors, exhibit efficacy in specific BCa subtypes, including triple-negative BCa (TNBC) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive cancers. ACT approaches, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, showed promising clinical outcomes in enhancing tumor recognition and elimination. Targeting the TME through immune agonists and oncolytic viruses signifies a burgeoning field of research. While challenges persist in patient selection, resistance mechanisms, and combination therapy optimization, these novel immunotherapies hold transformative potential for BCa treatment. Continued research and clinical trials are imperative to refine and implement these innovative approaches, paving the way for improved outcomes and revolutionizing the management of BCa. This review provides a concise overview of the latest immunotherapies (2023 studies) in BCa, highlighting their potential and current status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Rong Lan
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310002, China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China
| | - Shi-Ya Yao
- Department of Gastrointestinal, Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China
| | - Jun-Xia Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, China.
| | - Ke-Tao Jin
- Department of Gastrointestinal, Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China.
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Sinkala M, Naran K, Ramamurthy D, Mungra N, Dzobo K, Martin D, Barth S. Machine learning and bioinformatic analyses link the cell surface receptor transcript levels to the drug response of breast cancer cells and drug off-target effects. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296511. [PMID: 38306344 PMCID: PMC10836680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296511] [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: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer responds variably to anticancer therapies, often leading to significant off-target effects. This study proposes that the variability in tumour responses and drug-induced adverse events is linked to the transcriptional profiles of cell surface receptors (CSRs) in breast tumours and normal tissues. We analysed multiple datasets to compare CSR expression in breast tumours with that in non-cancerous human tissues. Our findings correlate the drug responses of breast cancer cell lines with the expression levels of their targeted CSRs. Notably, we identified distinct differences in CSR expression between primary breast tumour subtypes and corresponding cell lines, which may influence drug response predictions. Additionally, we used clinical trial data to uncover associations between CSR gene expression in healthy tissues and the incidence of adverse drug reactions. This integrative approach facilitates the selection of optimal CSR targets for therapy, leveraging cell line dose-responses, CSR expression in normal tissues, and patient adverse event profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musalula Sinkala
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine & Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Computational Biology Division, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Krupa Naran
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Medical Biotechnology & Immunotherapy Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dharanidharan Ramamurthy
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Medical Biotechnology & Immunotherapy Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Neelakshi Mungra
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Medical Biotechnology & Immunotherapy Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kevin Dzobo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Medical Research Council-SA Wound Healing Unit, Hair and Skin Research Laboratory, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Darren Martin
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine & Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Computational Biology Division, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stefan Barth
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Medical Biotechnology & Immunotherapy Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, South African Research Chair in Cancer Biotechnology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Sloan AR, Thapliyal M, Lathia JD. New T-Cell Therapies for Brain Metastasis, CD133 in the Driver's Seat. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:477-479. [PMID: 38038689 PMCID: PMC10842869 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-3051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer therapy for some advanced cancers, but success is predicated on identifying the correct cell surface target. In a recent article, the authors leveraged the cancer stem cell surface antigen CD133 to develop a CAR-T therapy for brain metastasis. See related article by Kieliszek et al., p. 554.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony R. Sloan
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Mihika Thapliyal
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Justin D. Lathia
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor & Neuro-Oncology Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Zhou D, Gong Z, Wu D, Ma C, Hou L, Niu X, Xu T. Harnessing immunotherapy for brain metastases: insights into tumor-brain microenvironment interactions and emerging treatment modalities. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:121. [PMID: 38104104 PMCID: PMC10725587 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01518-1] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases signify a deleterious milestone in the progression of several advanced cancers, predominantly originating from lung, breast and melanoma malignancies, with a median survival timeframe nearing six months. Existing therapeutic regimens yield suboptimal outcomes; however, burgeoning insights into the tumor microenvironment, particularly the immunosuppressive milieu engendered by tumor-brain interplay, posit immunotherapy as a promising avenue for ameliorating brain metastases. In this review, we meticulously delineate the research advancements concerning the microenvironment of brain metastases, striving to elucidate the panorama of their onset and evolution. We encapsulate three emergent immunotherapeutic strategies, namely immune checkpoint inhibition, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell transplantation and glial cell-targeted immunoenhancement. We underscore the imperative of aligning immunotherapy development with in-depth understanding of the tumor microenvironment and engendering innovative delivery platforms. Moreover, the integration with established or avant-garde physical methodologies and localized applications warrants consideration in the prevailing therapeutic schema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dairan Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200003, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenyu Gong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, 81675, Germany
| | - Dejun Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijun Hou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200003, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Niu
- Department of Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 241 Huaihai West Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200003, People's Republic of China.
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Subham S, Jeppson JD, Gibbs BK, Babai J, Alker R, Godwin AK, Akhavan D. Rapid In Vitro Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Jurkat Expressing Chimeric Antigen Receptor using Fluorescent Imaging. J Vis Exp 2023:10.3791/65560. [PMID: 37955379 PMCID: PMC11008703 DOI: 10.3791/65560] [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] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are at the forefront of oncology. A CAR is constructed of a targeting domain (usually a single chain variable fragment, scFv), with an accompanying intra-chain linker, followed by a hinge, transmembrane, and costimulatory domain. Modification of the intra-chain linker and hinge domain can have a significant effect on CAR-mediated killing. Considering the many different options for each part of a CAR construct, there are large numbers of permutations. Making CAR-T cells is a time-consuming and expensive process, and making and testing many constructs is a heavy time and material investment. This protocol describes a platform to rapidly evaluate hinge-optimized CAR constructs in Jurkat cells (CAR-J). Jurkat cells are an immortalized T cell line with high lentivirus uptake, allowing for efficient CAR transduction. Here, we present a platform to rapidly evaluate CAR-J using a fluorescent imager, followed by confirmation of cytolysis in PBMC-derived T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Subham
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center; Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Cancer Center; BioEngineering Program, University of Kansas
| | - John D Jeppson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center
| | - Benjamin K Gibbs
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center
| | - Jacqueline Babai
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Cancer Center
| | - Riza Alker
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center
| | - Andrew K Godwin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center; University of Kansas Cancer Center; Kansas Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center
| | - David Akhavan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Cancer Center; Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Cancer Center; BioEngineering Program, University of Kansas;
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7
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Wang JY, Wang L. CAR-T cell therapy: Where are we now, and where are we heading? BLOOD SCIENCE 2023; 5:237-248. [PMID: 37941917 PMCID: PMC10629745 DOI: 10.1097/bs9.0000000000000173] [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: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapies have exhibited remarkable efficacy in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, with 9 CAR-T-cell products currently available. Furthermore, CAR-T cells have shown promising potential for expanding their therapeutic applications to diverse areas, including solid tumors, myocardial fibrosis, and autoimmune and infectious diseases. Despite these advancements, significant challenges pertaining to treatment-related toxic reactions and relapses persist. Consequently, current research efforts are focused on addressing these issues to enhance the safety and efficacy of CAR-T cells and reduce the relapse rate. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the present state of CAR-T-cell therapies, including their achievements, existing challenges, and potential future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yi Wang
- Department of Hematology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Hematology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
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Osorio-Rodríguez DA, Camacho BA, Ramírez-Segura C. Anti-ROR1 CAR-T cells: Architecture and performance. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1121020. [PMID: 36873868 PMCID: PMC9981679 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1121020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is a membrane receptor that plays a key role in development. It is highly expressed during the embryonic stage and relatively low in some normal adult tissues. Malignancies such as leukemia, lymphoma, and some solid tumors overexpress ROR1, making it a promising target for cancer treatment. Moreover, immunotherapy with autologous T-cells engineered to express a ROR1-specific chimeric antigen receptor (ROR1 CAR-T cells) has emerged as a personalized therapeutic option for patients with tumor recurrence after conventional treatments. However, tumor cell heterogeneity and tumor microenvironment (TME) hinder successful clinical outcomes. This review briefly describes the biological functions of ROR1 and its relevance as a tumor therapeutic target, as well as the architecture, activity, evaluation, and safety of some ROR1 CAR-T cells used in basic research and clinical trials. Finally, the feasibility of applying the ROR1 CAR-T cell strategy in combination with therapies targeting other tumor antigens or with inhibitors that prevent tumor antigenic escape is also discussed. Clinical trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT02706392.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Andrés Osorio-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud (IDCBIS), Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - César Ramírez-Segura
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería Celular y Molecular, Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud (IDCBIS), Bogotá, Colombia.,Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud (IDCBIS), Bogotá, Colombia
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