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Behrmann CA, Ennis KN, Sarma P, Wetzel C, Clark NA, Von Handorf KM, Vallabhapurapu S, Andreani C, Reigle J, Scaglioni PP, Meller J, Czyzyk-Krzeska MF, Kendler A, Qi X, Sarkaria JN, Medvedovic M, Sengupta S, Dasgupta B, Plas DR. Coordinated Targeting of S6K1/2 and AXL Disrupts Pyrimidine Biosynthesis in PTEN-Deficient Glioblastoma. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:2215-2227. [PMID: 39087397 PMCID: PMC11342319 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Intrinsic resistance to targeted therapeutics in PTEN-deficient glioblastoma (GBM) is mediated by redundant signaling networks that sustain critical metabolic functions. Here, we demonstrate that coordinated inhibition of the ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) and the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL using LY-2584702 and BMS-777607 can overcome network redundancy to reduce GBM tumor growth. This combination of S6K1 and AXL inhibition suppressed glucose flux to pyrimidine biosynthesis. Genetic inactivation studies to map the signaling network indicated that both S6K1 and S6K2 transmit growth signals in PTEN-deficient GBM. Kinome-wide ATP binding analysis in inhibitor-treated cells revealed that LY-2584702 directly inhibited S6K1, and substrate phosphorylation studies showed that BMS-777607 inactivation of upstream AXL collaborated to reduce S6K2-mediated signal transduction. Thus, combination targeting of S6K1 and AXL provides a kinase-directed therapeutic approach that circumvents signal transduction redundancy to interrupt metabolic function and reduce growth of PTEN-deficient GBM. SIGNIFICANCE Therapy for glioblastoma would be advanced by incorporating molecularly targeted kinase-directed agents, similar to standard of care strategies in other tumor types. Here, we identify a kinase targeting approach to inhibit the metabolism and growth of glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A. Behrmann
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Kelli N. Ennis
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Pranjal Sarma
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Collin Wetzel
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Nicholas A. Clark
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Kate M. Von Handorf
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Subrahmanya Vallabhapurapu
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
- UC Brain Tumor Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Cristina Andreani
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - James Reigle
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Pier Paolo Scaglioni
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Jarek Meller
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Maria F. Czyzyk-Krzeska
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Cincinnati Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Ady Kendler
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Xiaoyang Qi
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
- UC Brain Tumor Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Jann N. Sarkaria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
| | - Mario Medvedovic
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - Soma Sengupta
- UC Brain Tumor Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
| | - Biplab Dasgupta
- UC Brain Tumor Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
| | - David R. Plas
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
- UC Brain Tumor Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Davis JC, Waltz SE. The MET Family of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases Promotes a Shift to Pro-Tumor Metabolism. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:953. [PMID: 39062731 PMCID: PMC11275592 DOI: 10.3390/genes15070953] [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: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The development and growth of cancer is fundamentally dependent on pro-tumor changes in metabolism. Cancer cells generally shift away from oxidative phosphorylation as the primary source of energy and rely more heavily on glycolysis. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are a type of receptor that is implicated in this shift to pro-tumor metabolism. RTKs are important drivers of cancer growth and metastasis. One such family of RTKs is the MET family, which consists of MET and RON (MST1R). The overexpression of either MET or RON has been associated with worse cancer patient prognosis in a variety of tumor types. Both MET and RON signaling promote increased glycolysis by upregulating the expression of key glycolytic enzymes via increased MYC transcription factor activity. Additionally, both MET and RON signaling promote increased cholesterol biosynthesis downstream of glycolysis by upregulating the expression of SREBP2-induced cholesterol biosynthesis enzymes via CTTNB1. These changes in metabolism, driven by RTK activity, provide potential targets in limiting tumor growth and metastasis via pharmacological inhibition or modifications in diet. This review summarizes pro-tumor changes in metabolism driven by the MET family of RTKs. In doing so, we will offer our unique perspective on metabolic pathways that drive worse patient prognosis and provide suggestions for future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C. Davis
- Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Susan E. Waltz
- Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Research Service, Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
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3
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Tanim K, Holtzhausen A, Thapa A, Huelse JM, Graham DK, Earp HS. MERTK Inhibition as a Targeted Novel Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7660. [PMID: 39062902 PMCID: PMC11277220 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147660] [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: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In this issue honoring the contributions of Greg Lemke, the Earp and Graham lab teams discuss several threads in the discovery, action, signaling, and translational/clinical potential of MERTK, originally called c-mer, a member of the TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK (TAM) family of receptor tyrosine kinases. The 30-year history of the TAM RTK family began slowly as all three members were orphan RTKs without known ligands and/or functions when discovered by three distinct alternate molecular cloning strategies in the pre-genome sequencing era. The pace of understanding their physiologic and pathophysiologic roles has accelerated over the last decade. The activation of ligands bridging externalized phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) has placed these RTKs in a myriad of processes including neurodevelopment, cancer, and autoimmunity. The field is ripe for further advancement and this article hopefully sets the stage for further understanding and therapeutic intervention. Our review will focus on progress made through the collaborations of the Earp and Graham labs over the past 30 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- K.M. Tanim
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (K.M.T.); (A.T.); (J.M.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Alisha Holtzhausen
- Lineburger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Aashis Thapa
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (K.M.T.); (A.T.); (J.M.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Justus M. Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (K.M.T.); (A.T.); (J.M.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (K.M.T.); (A.T.); (J.M.H.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- Lineburger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Li F, Xu L, Li C, Hu F, Su Y. Immunological role of Gas6/TAM signaling in hemostasis and thrombosis. Thromb Res 2024; 238:161-171. [PMID: 38723521 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2024.05.002] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The immune system is an emerging regulator of hemostasis and thrombosis. The concept of immunothrombosis redefines the relationship between coagulation and immunomodulation, and the Gas6/Tyro3-Axl-MerTK (TAM) signaling pathway builds the bridge across them. During coagulation, Gas6/TAM signaling pathway not only activates platelets, but also promotes thrombosis through endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells involved in inflammatory responses. Thrombosis appears to be a common result of a Gas6/TAM signaling pathway-mediated immune dysregulation. TAM TK and its ligands have been found to be involved in coagulation through the PI3K/AKT or JAK/STAT pathway in various systemic diseases, providing new perspectives in the understanding of immunothrombosis. Gas6/TAM signaling pathway serves as a breakthrough target for novel therapeutic strategies to improve disease management. Many preclinical and clinical studies of TAM receptor inhibitors are in process, confirming the pivotal role of Gas6/TAM signaling pathway in immunothrombosis. Therapeutics targeting the TAM receptor show potential both in anticoagulation management and immunotherapy. Here, we review the immunological functions of the Gas6/TAM signaling pathway in coagulation and its multiple mechanisms in diseases identified to date, and discuss the new clinical strategies that may generated by these roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanshu Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Liling Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China.
| | - Chun Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Fanlei Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yin Su
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China; Peking University People's Hospital, Qingdao, China
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Wang F, Fu K, Wang Y, Pan C, Wang X, Liu Z, Yang C, Zheng Y, Li X, Lu Y, To KKW, Xia C, Zhang J, Shi Z, Hu Z, Huang M, Fu L. Small-molecule agents for cancer immunotherapy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:905-952. [PMID: 38486980 PMCID: PMC10935485 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, exemplified by the remarkable clinical benefits of the immune checkpoint blockade and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, is revolutionizing cancer therapy. They induce long-term tumor regression and overall survival benefit in many types of cancer. With the advances in our knowledge about the tumor immune microenvironment, remarkable progress has been made in the development of small-molecule drugs for immunotherapy. Small molecules targeting PRR-associated pathways, immune checkpoints, oncogenic signaling, metabolic pathways, cytokine/chemokine signaling, and immune-related kinases have been extensively investigated. Monotherapy of small-molecule immunotherapeutic drugs and their combinations with other antitumor modalities are under active clinical investigations to overcome immune tolerance and circumvent immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance. Here, we review the latest development of small-molecule agents for cancer immunotherapy by targeting defined pathways and highlighting their progress in recent clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Kai Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yujue Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Can Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xueping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Zeyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Chuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaopeng Li
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yu Lu
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Kenneth Kin Wah To
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Chenglai Xia
- Affiliated Foshan Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Jianye Zhang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Zhi Shi
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zeping Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Min Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Liwu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
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6
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Brown NE, Jones A, Hunt BG, Waltz SE. Prostate tumor RON receptor signaling mediates macrophage recruitment to drive androgen deprivation therapy resistance through Gas6-mediated Axl and RON signaling. Prostate 2022; 82:1422-1437. [PMID: 35860905 PMCID: PMC9492645 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), or chemical castration, is the first-line therapy for prostate cancer; however, resistance leaves few treatment options. Prostatic tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have been shown to promote prostate cancer growth and are abundant in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), suggesting a role in promoting CRPC. We recently showed a tumor cell-intrinsic mechanism by which RON promotes CRPC. Given previous reports that RON alters prostate cancer cell chemokine production and RON-overexpressing tumors alter macrophage function, we hypothesized that a macrophage-dependent mechanism regulated by tumor cell intrinsic RON also promotes CRPC. METHODS Using RON-modulated genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) and GEMM-derived cell lines and co-cultures with bone marrow-derived macrophages, we show functional and molecular characteristics of signaling pathways in supporting CRPC. Further, we used an unbiased phosphokinase array to identify pathway interactions regulated by RON. Finally, using human prostate cancer cell lines and prostate cancer patient data sets, we show the relevance of our findings to human prostate cancer. RESULTS Studies herein show that macrophages recruited into the prostate tumor microenvironment (TME) serve as a source for Gas6 secretion which serves to further enhance RON and Axl receptor activation in prostate tumor cells thereby driving CRPC. Further, we show targeting RON and macrophages in a murine model promotes CRPC sensitization to ADT. CONCLUSIONS We discovered a novel role for the RON receptor in prostate cancer cells in promoting CRPC through the recruitment of macrophages into the prostate TME. Macrophage-targeting agents in combination with RON/Axl inhibition are likely to provide clinical benefits for patients with CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas E. Brown
- Department of Cancer BiologyUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Angelle Jones
- Department of Cancer BiologyUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Brian G. Hunt
- Department of Cancer BiologyUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Susan E. Waltz
- Department of Cancer BiologyUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOhioUSA
- Research ServiceCincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
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Engelsen AST, Lotsberg ML, Abou Khouzam R, Thiery JP, Lorens JB, Chouaib S, Terry S. Dissecting the Role of AXL in Cancer Immune Escape and Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Front Immunol 2022; 13:869676. [PMID: 35572601 PMCID: PMC9092944 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.869676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development and implementation of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) in clinical oncology have significantly improved the survival of a subset of cancer patients with metastatic disease previously considered uniformly lethal. However, the low response rates and the low number of patients with durable clinical responses remain major concerns and underscore the limited understanding of mechanisms regulating anti-tumor immunity and tumor immune resistance. There is an urgent unmet need for novel approaches to enhance the efficacy of ICI in the clinic, and for predictive tools that can accurately predict ICI responders based on the composition of their tumor microenvironment. The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) AXL has been associated with poor prognosis in numerous malignancies and the emergence of therapy resistance. AXL is a member of the TYRO3-AXL-MERTK (TAM) kinase family. Upon binding to its ligand GAS6, AXL regulates cell signaling cascades and cellular communication between various components of the tumor microenvironment, including cancer cells, endothelial cells, and immune cells. Converging evidence points to AXL as an attractive molecular target to overcome therapy resistance and immunosuppression, supported by the potential of AXL inhibitors to improve ICI efficacy. Here, we review the current literature on the prominent role of AXL in regulating cancer progression, with particular attention to its effects on anti-tumor immune response and resistance to ICI. We discuss future directions with the aim to understand better the complex role of AXL and TAM receptors in cancer and the potential value of this knowledge and targeted inhibition for the benefit of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnete S. T. Engelsen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Maria L. Lotsberg
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Raefa Abou Khouzam
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jean-Paul Thiery
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
| | - James B. Lorens
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Salem Chouaib
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Stéphane Terry
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Research Department, Inovarion, Paris, France
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8
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Lai SCA, Gundlapalli H, Ekiz HA, Jiang A, Fernandez E, Welm AL. Blocking Short-Form Ron Eliminates Breast Cancer Metastases through Accumulation of Stem-Like CD4+ T Cells That Subvert Immunosuppression. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:3178-3197. [PMID: 34330779 PMCID: PMC8800951 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has potential to prevent and treat metastatic breast cancer, but strategies to enhance immune-mediated killing of metastatic tumors are urgently needed. We report that a ligand-independent isoform of Ron kinase (SF-Ron) is a key target to enhance immune infiltration and eradicate metastatic tumors. Host-specific deletion of SF-Ron caused recruitment of lymphocytes to micrometastases, augmented tumor-specific T-cell responses, and nearly eliminated breast cancer metastasis in mice. Lack of host SF-Ron caused stem-like TCF1+ CD4+ T cells with type I differentiation potential to accumulate in metastases and prevent metastatic outgrowth. There was a corresponding increase in tumor-specific CD8+ T cells, which were also required to eliminate lung metastases. Treatment of mice with a Ron kinase inhibitor increased tumor-specific CD8+ T cells and protected from metastatic outgrowth. These data provide a strong preclinical rationale to pursue small-molecule Ron kinase inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of metastatic breast cancer. SIGNIFICANCE The discovery that SF-Ron promotes antitumor immune responses has significant clinical implications. Therapeutic antibodies targeting full-length Ron may not be effective for immunotherapy; poor efficacy of such antibodies in trials may be due to their inability to block SF-Ron. Our data warrant trials with inhibitors targeting SF-Ron in combination with immunotherapy. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2945.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Chin Alicia Lai
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Harika Gundlapalli
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - H. Atakan Ekiz
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Amanda Jiang
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Elvelyn Fernandez
- Genomics Summer Research for Minorities (GSRM) Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alana L. Welm
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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9
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Fu J, Su X, Li Z, Deng L, Liu X, Feng X, Peng J. HGF/c-MET pathway in cancer: from molecular characterization to clinical evidence. Oncogene 2021; 40:4625-4651. [PMID: 34145400 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01863-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This review provides a comprehensive landscape of HGF/c-MET (hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) /mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-MET)) signaling pathway in cancers. First, we generalize the compelling influence of HGF/c-MET pathway on multiple cellular processes. Then, we present the genomic characterization of HGF/c-MET pathway in carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we extensively illustrate the malignant biological behaviors of HGF/c-MET pathway in cancers, in which hyperactive HGF/c-MET signaling is considered as a hallmark. In addition, we investigate the current clinical trials of HGF/c-MET-targeted therapy in cancers. We find that although HGF/c-MET-targeted therapy has led to breakthroughs in certain cancers, monotherapy of targeting HGF/c-MET has failed to demonstrate significant clinical efficacy in most cancers. With the advantage of the combinations of HGF/c-MET-targeted therapy, the exploration of more options of combinational targeted therapy in cancers may be the major challenge in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjiang Fu
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaorui Su
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhihua Li
- The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Deng
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiawei Liu
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuancheng Feng
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Juan Peng
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China.
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10
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Chen CJ, Liu YP. MERTK Inhibition: Potential as a Treatment Strategy in EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14020130. [PMID: 33562150 PMCID: PMC7915726 DOI: 10.3390/ph14020130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are currently the most effective treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, who carry primary EGFR mutations. However, the patients eventually develop drug resistance to EGFR-TKIs after approximately one year. In addition to the acquisition of the EGFR T790M mutation, the activation of alternative receptor-mediated signaling pathways is a common mechanism for conferring the insensitivity of EGFR-TKI in NSCLC. Upregulation of the Mer receptor tyrosine kinase (MERTK), which is a member of the Tyro3-Axl-MERTK (TAM) family, is associated with a poor prognosis of many cancers. The binding of specific ligands, such as Gas6 and PROS1, to MERTK activates phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, which are the signaling pathways shared by EGFR. Therefore, the inhibition of MERTK can be considered a new therapeutic strategy for overcoming the resistance of NSCLC to EGFR-targeted agents. Although several small molecules and monoclonal antibodies targeting the TAM family are being developed and have been described to enhance the chemosensitivity and converse the resistance of EGFR-TKI, few have specifically been developed as MERTK inhibitors. The further development and investigation of biomarkers which can accurately predict MERTK activity and the response to MERTK inhibitors and MERTK-specific drugs are vitally important for obtaining appropriate patient stratification and increased benefits in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Ju Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Yu-Peng Liu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-7-3121101
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11
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Wang N, Wang S, Wang X, Zheng Y, Yang B, Zhang J, Pan B, Gao J, Wang Z. Research trends in pharmacological modulation of tumor-associated macrophages. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e288. [PMID: 33463063 PMCID: PMC7805405 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As one of the most abundant immune cell populations in the tumor microenvironment (TME), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play important roles in multiple solid malignancies, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer. TAMs could contribute to carcinogenesis, neoangiogenesis, immune-suppressive TME remodeling, cancer chemoresistance, recurrence, and metastasis. Therefore, reprogramming of the immune-suppressive TAMs by pharmacological approaches has attracted considerable research attention in recent years. In this review, the promising pharmaceutical targets, as well as the existing modulatory strategies of TAMs were summarized. The chemokine-chemokine receptor signaling, tyrosine kinase receptor signaling, metabolic signaling, and exosomal signaling have been highlighted in determining the biological functions of TAMs. Besides, both preclinical research and clinical trials have suggested the chemokine-chemokine receptor blockers, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, bisphosphonates, as well as the exosomal or nanoparticle-based targeting delivery systems as the promising pharmacological approaches for TAMs deletion or reprogramming. Lastly, the combined therapies of TAMs-targeting strategies with traditional treatments or immunotherapies as well as the exosome-like nanovesicles for cancer therapy are prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neng Wang
- The Research Center for Integrative MedicineSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- The Research Center of Integrative Cancer MedicineDiscipline of Integrated Chinese and Western MedicineThe Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease ResearchGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Shengqi Wang
- The Research Center of Integrative Cancer MedicineDiscipline of Integrated Chinese and Western MedicineThe Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease ResearchGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine SyndromeGuangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese MedicineGuangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Xuan Wang
- The Research Center of Integrative Cancer MedicineDiscipline of Integrated Chinese and Western MedicineThe Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease ResearchGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine SyndromeGuangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese MedicineGuangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Yifeng Zheng
- The Research Center of Integrative Cancer MedicineDiscipline of Integrated Chinese and Western MedicineThe Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease ResearchGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine SyndromeGuangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese MedicineGuangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Bowen Yang
- The Research Center of Integrative Cancer MedicineDiscipline of Integrated Chinese and Western MedicineThe Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease ResearchGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine SyndromeGuangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese MedicineGuangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Juping Zhang
- The Research Center of Integrative Cancer MedicineDiscipline of Integrated Chinese and Western MedicineThe Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease ResearchGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine SyndromeGuangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese MedicineGuangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Bo Pan
- The Research Center of Integrative Cancer MedicineDiscipline of Integrated Chinese and Western MedicineThe Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease ResearchGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine SyndromeGuangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese MedicineGuangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Jianli Gao
- Academy of Traditional Chinese MedicineZhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Zhiyu Wang
- The Research Center for Integrative MedicineSchool of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- The Research Center of Integrative Cancer MedicineDiscipline of Integrated Chinese and Western MedicineThe Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease ResearchGuangzhou University of Chinese MedicineGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine SyndromeGuangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese MedicineGuangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesGuangzhouGuangdongChina
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12
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RON signalling promotes therapeutic resistance in ESR1 mutant breast cancer. Br J Cancer 2020; 124:191-206. [PMID: 33257837 PMCID: PMC7782501 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-01174-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Oestrogen Receptor 1 (ESR1) mutations are frequently acquired in oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients who were treated with aromatase inhibitors (AI) in the metastatic setting. Acquired ESR1 mutations are associated with poor prognosis and there is a lack of effective therapies that selectively target these cancers. Methods We performed a proteomic kinome analysis in ESR1 Y537S mutant cells to identify hyperactivated kinases in ESR1 mutant cells. We validated Recepteur d’Origine Nantais (RON) and PI3K hyperactivity through phospho-immunoblot analysis, organoid growth assays, and in an in vivo patient-derived xenograft (PDX) metastatic model. Results We demonstrated that RON was hyperactivated in ESR1 mutant models, and in acquired palbociclib-resistant (PalbR) models. RON and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) interacted as shown through pharmacological and genetic inhibition and were regulated by the mutant ER as demonstrated by reduced phospho-protein expression with endocrine therapies (ET). We show that ET in combination with a RON inhibitor (RONi) decreased ex vivo organoid growth of ESR1 mutant models, and as a monotherapy in PalbR models, demonstrating its therapeutic efficacy. Significantly, ET in combination with the RONi reduced metastasis of an ESR1 Y537S mutant PDX model. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that RON/PI3K pathway inhibition may be an effective treatment strategy in ESR1 mutant and PalbR MBC patients. Clinically our data predict that ET resistance mechanisms can also contribute to CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance. ![]()
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13
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Landers SM, Bhalla AD, Ma X, Lusby K, Ingram D, Al Sannaa G, Wang WL, Lazar AJ, Torres KE. AXL Inhibition Enhances MEK Inhibitor Sensitivity in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 4:511-525. [PMID: 33283192 PMCID: PMC7717506 DOI: 10.26502/jcsct.5079091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL is known to promote cancer cell growth and survival in many sarcomas, including the rare subtype, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). MPNSTs are largely chemoresistant and carry a poor prognosis. AXL is an attractive potential therapeutic target, as it is aberrantly expressed, and its activation may be an early event in MPNST. However, the effect of AXL inhibition on MPNST development and progression is not known. Here, we investigated the role of AXL in MPNST development and the effects of AXL and MEK1/2 co-inhibition on MPNSTs. We used western blotting to examine AXL expression and activation in MPNST cell lines. We analyzed the effects of exogenous growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS6) expression on downstream signaling and the proliferation, migration, and invasion of MPNST cells. The effect of AXL knockdown with or without mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibition on downstream signal transduction and tumorigenesis was also examined in vivo and in vitro. We found that AXL knockdown increased MAPK pathway signaling. This compensation, in turn, abrogated the antitumorigenic effects linked to AXL knockdown in vivo. AXL knockdown, combined with pharmacological MEK inhibition, reduced the proliferation and increased the apoptosis of MPNST cells both in vitro and in vivo. The pharmacological co-inhibition of AXL and MEK1/2 reduced MPNST volumes. Together these findings suggest that AXL inhibition enhances the sensitivity of MPNST to other small molecule inhibitors. We conclude that combination therapy with AXL inhibitor may be a therapeutic option for MPNST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon M. Landers
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Angela D. Bhalla
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - XiaoYan Ma
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kristelle Lusby
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Indianapolis University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Davis Ingram
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ghadah Al Sannaa
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston TX, USA
| | - Wei-Lien Wang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander J. Lazar
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Keila E. Torres
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Corresponding Author: Dr. Keila E. Torres, Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA, Tel: (713) 792-4242;
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Huelse J, Fridlyand D, Earp S, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. MERTK in cancer therapy: Targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase in tumor cells and the immune system. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 213:107577. [PMID: 32417270 PMCID: PMC9847360 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase MERTK is aberrantly expressed in numerous human malignancies, and is a novel target in cancer therapeutics. Physiologic roles of MERTK include regulation of tissue homeostasis and repair, innate immune control, and platelet aggregation. However, aberrant expression in a wide range of liquid and solid malignancies promotes neoplasia via growth factor independence, cell cycle progression, proliferation and tumor growth, resistance to apoptosis, and promotion of tumor metastases. Additionally, MERTK signaling contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via induction of an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile and regulation of the PD-1 axis, as well as regulation of macrophage, myeloid-derived suppressor cell, natural killer cell and T cell functions. Various MERTK-directed therapies are in preclinical development, and clinical trials are underway. In this review we discuss MERTK inhibition as an emerging strategy for cancer therapy, focusing on MERTK expression and function in neoplasia and its role in mediating resistance to cytotoxic and targeted therapies as well as in suppressing anti-tumor immunity. Additionally, we review preclinical and clinical pharmacological strategies to target MERTK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Diana Fridlyand
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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15
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Chelakkot C, Ryu J, Kim MY, Kim JS, Kim D, Hwang J, Park SH, Ko SB, Park JW, Jung MY, Kim RN, Song K, Kim YJ, Choi YL, Lee HS, Shin YK. An Immune-Magnetophoretic Device for the Selective and Precise Enrichment of Circulating Tumor Cells from Whole Blood. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:mi11060560. [PMID: 32486306 PMCID: PMC7345362 DOI: 10.3390/mi11060560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Here, we validated the clinical utility of our previously developed microfluidic device, GenoCTC, which is based on bottom magnetophoresis, for the isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from patient whole blood. GenoCTC allowed 90% purity, 77% separation rate, and 80% recovery of circulating tumor cells at a 90 μL/min flow rate when tested on blood spiked with epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-positive Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF7) cells. Clinical studies were performed using blood samples from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Varying numbers (2 to 114) of CTCs were found in each NSCLC patient, and serial assessment of CTCs showed that the CTC count correlated with the clinical progression of the disease. The applicability of GenoCTC to different cell surface biomarkers was also validated in a cholangiocarcinoma patient using anti-EPCAM, anti-vimentin, or anti-tyrosine protein kinase MET (c-MET) antibodies. After EPCAM-, vimentin-, or c-MET-positive cells were isolated, CTCs were identified and enumerated by immunocytochemistry using anti-cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and anti-CD45 antibodies. Furthermore, we checked the protein expression of PDL1 and c-MET in CTCs. A study in a cholangiocarcinoma patient showed that the number of CTCs varied depending on the biomarker used, indicating the importance of using multiple biomarkers for CTC isolation and enumeration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaithanya Chelakkot
- Technical Research Center, Genobio Corp., Seoul 08394, Korea; (C.C.); (J.R.); (D.K.); (J.H.); (S.H.P.); (S.B.K.)
| | - Jiyeon Ryu
- Technical Research Center, Genobio Corp., Seoul 08394, Korea; (C.C.); (J.R.); (D.K.); (J.H.); (S.H.P.); (S.B.K.)
| | - Mi Young Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea; (M.Y.K.); (J.-S.K.)
| | - Jin-Soo Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea; (M.Y.K.); (J.-S.K.)
| | - Dohyeong Kim
- Technical Research Center, Genobio Corp., Seoul 08394, Korea; (C.C.); (J.R.); (D.K.); (J.H.); (S.H.P.); (S.B.K.)
| | - Juhyun Hwang
- Technical Research Center, Genobio Corp., Seoul 08394, Korea; (C.C.); (J.R.); (D.K.); (J.H.); (S.H.P.); (S.B.K.)
| | - Sung Hoon Park
- Technical Research Center, Genobio Corp., Seoul 08394, Korea; (C.C.); (J.R.); (D.K.); (J.H.); (S.H.P.); (S.B.K.)
| | - Seok Bum Ko
- Technical Research Center, Genobio Corp., Seoul 08394, Korea; (C.C.); (J.R.); (D.K.); (J.H.); (S.H.P.); (S.B.K.)
| | - Jeong Won Park
- IT Convergence Technology Research Laboratory, Electronic and Telecommunications Research Institute, Daejon 34129, Korea; (J.W.P.); (M.Y.J.)
| | - Moon Youn Jung
- IT Convergence Technology Research Laboratory, Electronic and Telecommunications Research Institute, Daejon 34129, Korea; (J.W.P.); (M.Y.J.)
| | - Ryong Nam Kim
- Bio-MAX/N-Bio, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea;
| | - Kyoung Song
- The Center for Companion Diagnostics, LOGONE Bio Convergence Research Foundation, Seoul 08394, Korea; (K.S.); (Y.J.K.)
| | - Yu Jin Kim
- The Center for Companion Diagnostics, LOGONE Bio Convergence Research Foundation, Seoul 08394, Korea; (K.S.); (Y.J.K.)
| | - Yoon-La Choi
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 08394, Korea;
- Department of Pathology and Translational Genomics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Hun Seok Lee
- Technical Research Center, Genobio Corp., Seoul 08394, Korea; (C.C.); (J.R.); (D.K.); (J.H.); (S.H.P.); (S.B.K.)
- Correspondence: (H.S.L.); (Y.K.S.)
| | - Young Kee Shin
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Genomics, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
- The Center for Anti-Cancer Companion Diagnostics, Bio-MAX/N-Bio, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Correspondence: (H.S.L.); (Y.K.S.)
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Antibody-drug conjugates targeting RON receptor tyrosine kinase as a novel strategy for treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. Drug Discov Today 2020; 25:1160-1173. [PMID: 32479905 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a challenge to oncologists. Currently, the lack of effective therapy has fostered a major effort to discover new targets and therapeutics to combat this disease. The recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) receptor has been implicated in the pathogenesis of TNBC. Clinical studies have revealed that aberrant RON expression is crucial in regulating TNBC malignant phenotypes. Increased RON expression also has prognostic value for breast cancer progress. These features provide the rationale to target RON for TNBC treatment. In this review, we discuss the importance of RON in TNBC tumorigenesis and the development of anti-RON antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for clinical application. The findings from preclinical studies lay the foundation for clinical trials of this novel biotherapeutic for TNBC therapy.
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17
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RON receptor tyrosine kinase in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Pathogenic mechanism in malignancy and pharmaceutical target for therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1873:188360. [PMID: 32234337 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive cancers with poor prognosis and high mortality. Molecular aberrations associated with PDAC pathogenesis and progression have been extensively investigated. Nevertheless, these findings have not been translated into clinical practice. Lack of therapeutics for PDAC treatment is another challenge. Recent application of molecularly targeted and immunoregulatory therapies appears to be disappointing. Thus, discovery of new targets and therapeutics is urgently needed to combat this malignant disease. The RON receptor tyrosine kinase is a tumorigenic determinant in PDAC malignancy, which provides the rationale to target RON for PDAC treatment. In this review, we summarize the latest evidence of RON in PDAC pathogenesis and the development of anti-RON antibody-drug conjugates for potential PDAC therapy. The finding that anti-RON antibody-drug conjugates show efficacy in preclinical animal models highlights the potential of this novel class of anti-cancer biotherapeutics in future clinical trials.
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Abstract
Introduction: The HGF/MET axis is a key therapeutic pathway in cancer; it is aberrantly activated because of mutations, fusions, amplification or aberrant ligand production. Extensive efforts have been made to discover predictive factors of anti-MET therapeutic efficacy, but they have mostly unsuccessful. An understanding of the intrinsic and acquired mechanism of MET resistance will be fundamental for the development of new therapeutic interventions.Areas covered: This article provides a systematic review of phase II randomized and phase III clinical trials investigating the use of MET inhibitors in the treatment of cancer. We discuss preliminary findings on efficacy and methodologic design flaws in these trials.Expert opinion: MET inhibitors showed poor activity in unselected patients or patients selected by MET expression, p-MET or high HGF basal levels. The efficacy in advanced solid tumors is very modest and in phase III clinical trials, survival differences did not fulfill the stringent requirements of ESMO-Magnitude Clinical Benefit Score (MCBS). Prospective novel liquid biomarker-driven studies and novel trial designs such as Umbrella and Basket trials are necessary to progress MET inhibitor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Oliveres
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Medical Oncology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Estela Pineda
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Medical Oncology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Maurel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Medical Oncology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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19
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Myers KV, Amend SR, Pienta KJ. Targeting Tyro3, Axl and MerTK (TAM receptors): implications for macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:94. [PMID: 31088471 PMCID: PMC6515593 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-1022-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages are an abundant cell type in the tumor microenvironment. These macrophages serve as a promising target for treatment of cancer due to their roles in promoting cancer progression and simultaneous immunosuppression. The TAM receptors (Tyro3, Axl and MerTK) are promising therapeutic targets on tumor-associated macrophages. The TAM receptors are a family of receptor tyrosine kinases with shared ligands Gas6 and Protein S that skew macrophage polarization towards a pro-tumor M2-like phenotype. In macrophages, the TAM receptors also promote apoptotic cell clearance, a tumor-promoting process called efferocytosis. The TAM receptors bind the "eat-me" signal phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cell membranes using Gas6 and Protein S as bridging ligands. Post-efferocytosis, macrophages are further polarized to a pro-tumor M2-like phenotype and secrete increased levels of immunosuppressive cytokines. Since M2 polarization and efferocytosis are tumor-promoting processes, the TAM receptors on macrophages serve as exciting targets for cancer therapy. Current TAM receptor-directed therapies in preclinical development and clinical trials may have anti-cancer effects though impacting macrophage phenotype and function in addition to the cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla V. Myers
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Sarah R. Amend
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Kenneth J. Pienta
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
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Guo Q, Huang F, Goncalves C, Del Rincón SV, Miller WH. Translation of cancer immunotherapy from the bench to the bedside. Adv Cancer Res 2019; 143:1-62. [PMID: 31202357 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The tremendous success of immune checkpoint blockades has revolutionized cancer management. Our increased understanding of the cell types that compose the tumor microenvironment (TME), including those of the innate and adaptive immune system, has helped to shape additional immune modulatory strategies in cancer care. Pre-clinical and clinical investigations targeting novel checkpoint interactions and key pathways that regulate cancer immunity continue to increase rapidly. Various combinatorial drug regimens are being tested in attempt to achieve durable response and survival rates of patients with cancer. This review provides an overview of specific components of the TME, an introduction to novel immune checkpoints, followed by a survey of present day and future combination immune modulatory therapies. The idea that the immune system can recognize and destroy tumor cells was first described in the cancer immunosurveillance hypothesis of Burnet and Thomas. However, early experimental evidence failed to support the concept. It was not until the late 1990s when seminal papers clearly showed the existence of cancer immunosurveillance, leading to the cancer immunoediting hypothesis. In this century, progress in the understanding of negative regulators of the immune response led to the discovery that inhibition of these regulators in patients with cancer could lead to dramatic and durable remissions. Drs. Tasuku Honjo and James P. Allison were awarded the Nobel Prize in 2018 for their pioneering work in this field. We now see rapid advances in cancer immunology and emerging effective therapies revolutionizing cancer care across tumor types in the clinic, while pre-clinical research is moving from a focus on the malignant cells themselves to dissect the highly heterogenic and complex multi-cellular tumor microenvironment (TME).
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyu Guo
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Jewish General Hospital, Segal Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Fan Huang
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Jewish General Hospital, Segal Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Christophe Goncalves
- Jewish General Hospital, Segal Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sonia V Del Rincón
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Jewish General Hospital, Segal Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Wilson H Miller
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Jewish General Hospital, Segal Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, Montreal, QC, Canada; Rossy Cancer Network, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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