1
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Ghosh D, Pryor B, Jiang N. Cellular signaling in glioblastoma: A molecular and clinical perspective. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 386:1-47. [PMID: 38782497 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2024.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor with an average life expectancy of less than 15 months. Such high patient mortality in GBM is pertaining to the presence of clinical and molecular heterogeneity attributed to various genetic and epigenetic alterations. Such alterations in critically important signaling pathways are attributed to aberrant gene signaling. Different subclasses of GBM show predominance of different genetic alterations and therefore, understanding the complex signaling pathways and their key molecular components in different subclasses of GBM is extremely important with respect to clinical management. In this book chapter, we summarize the common and important signaling pathways that play a significant role in different subclasses and discuss their therapeutic targeting approaches in terms of preclinical studies and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debarati Ghosh
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States.
| | - Brett Pryor
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Nancy Jiang
- Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, United States
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2
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Zhu S, Guo J, Yu L, Liu J, Chen J, Xin J, Zhang Y, Luo J, Duan C. Synergistic effect of cryptotanshinone and temozolomide treatment against human glioblastoma cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21835. [PMID: 38071213 PMCID: PMC10710453 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48777-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a complex disease to treat owing to its profound chemoresistance. Therefore, we evaluated the combined effect and therapeutic efficacy of temozolomide (TMZ), a potent alkylating agent and the current gold standard therapy for GBM, and cryptotanshinone (CTS), which inhibits glioma cell proliferation in GBM cells. Using LN229 and U87-MG human GBM cells in a short-term stimulation in vitro model, the cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects of single and combined treatment with 4 μM CTS and 200 μM TMZ were investigated. Furthermore, cell viability, DNA damage, apoptosis rate, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) protein were measured using cytotoxic assay, comet assay, flow cytometry, and western blotting analysis, respectively. The two drugs' synergistic interaction was validated using the synergy score. We found that the anti-proliferative effects of combination therapy using the two drugs were greater than that of each agent used alone (CTS or TMZ). Western blot analysis indicated that treatment of GBM cells with CTS combined with TMZ more significantly decreased the expression of MGMT and STAT3, than that with TMZ alone. Combined treatment with CTS and TMZ might be an effective option to overcome the chemoresistance of GBM cells in a long-term treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songxian Zhu
- Brain Research Institute, Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 Renmin South Rd, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Jingjing Guo
- Brain Research Institute, Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 Renmin South Rd, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Li Yu
- Brain Research Institute, Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 Renmin South Rd, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 South Renmin Road, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Jixiang Chen
- Brain Research Institute, Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 Renmin South Rd, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Jinxin Xin
- Brain Research Institute, Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 Renmin South Rd, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Yuqiang Zhang
- Medical Services, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 Renmin South Rd, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
| | - Jie Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 South Renmin Road, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
| | - Chao Duan
- Brain Research Institute, Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 Renmin South Rd, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Taihe Hospital of Shiyan, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
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3
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Wu M, Song D, Li H, Ahmad N, Xu H, Yang X, Wang Q, Cheng X, Deng S, Shu X. Resveratrol Enhances Temozolomide Efficacy in Glioblastoma Cells through Downregulated MGMT and Negative Regulators-Related STAT3 Inactivation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119453. [PMID: 37298405 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119453] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance blunts the efficacy of temozolomide (TMZ) in the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). Elevated levels of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) and activation of signal transducer and of transcription 3 (STAT3) have been reported to correlate with GBM resistance to alkylator chemotherapy. Resveratrol (Res) inhibits tumor growth and improves drug chemosensitivity by targeting STAT3 signaling. Whether the combined therapy of TMZ and Res could enhance chemosensitivity against GBM cells and the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be determined. In this study, Res was found to effectively improve chemosensitivities of different GBM cells to TMZ, which was evaluated by CCK-8, flow cytometry, and cell migration assay. The combined use of Res and TMZ downregulated STAT3 activity and STAT3-regulated gene products, thus inhibited cell proliferation and migration, as well as induced apoptosis, accompanied by increased levels of its negative regulators: PIAS3, SHP1, SHP2, and SOCS3. More importantly, a combination therapy of Res and TMZ reversed TMZ resistance of LN428 cells, which could be related to decreased MGMT and STAT3 levels. Furthermore, the JAK2-specific inhibitor AG490 was used to demonstrate that a reduced MGMT level was mediated by STAT3 inactivation. Taken together, Res inhibited STAT3 signaling through modulation of PIAS3, SHP1, SHP2, and SOCS3, thereby attenuating tumor growth and increasing sensitivity to TMZ. Therefore, Res is an ideal candidate to be used in TMZ combined chemotherapy for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moli Wu
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
- College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Danyang Song
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Hui Li
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Nisar Ahmad
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Hong Xu
- College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Xiaobo Yang
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Qian Wang
- College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Xiaoxin Cheng
- College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Sa Deng
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Xiaohong Shu
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
- Key Laboratory for Basic and Applied Research on Pharmacodynamic Substances of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Liaoning Province, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
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4
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Fu W, Hou X, Dong L, Hou W. Roles of STAT3 in the pathogenesis and treatment of glioblastoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1098482. [PMID: 36923251 PMCID: PMC10009693 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1098482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant of astrocytomas mainly involving the cerebral hemispheres and the cerebral cortex. It is one of the fatal and refractory solid tumors, with a 5-year survival rate of merely 5% among the adults. IL6/JAK/STAT3 is an important signaling pathway involved in the pathogenesis and progression of GBM. The expression of STAT3 in GBM tissues is substantially higher than that of normal brain cells. The abnormal activation of STAT3 renders the tumor microenvironment of GBM immunosuppression. Besides, blocking the STAT3 pathway can effectively inhibit the growth and metastasis of GBM. On this basis, inhibition of STAT3 may be a new therapeutic approach for GBM, and the combination of STAT3 targeted therapy and conventional therapies may improve the current status of GBM treatment. This review summarized the roles of STAT3 in the pathogenesis of GBM and the feasibility of STAT3 for GBM target therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijia Fu
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xue Hou
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lihua Dong
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei Hou
- Department of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology & Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Sadrkhanloo M, Entezari M, Orouei S, Ghollasi M, Fathi N, Rezaei S, Hejazi ES, Kakavand A, Saebfar H, Hashemi M, Goharrizi MASB, Salimimoghadam S, Rashidi M, Taheriazam A, Samarghandian S. STAT3-EMT axis in tumors: modulation of cancer metastasis, stemness and therapy response. Pharmacol Res 2022; 182:106311. [PMID: 35716914 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism is responsible for metastasis of tumor cells and their spread to various organs and tissues of body, providing undesirable prognosis. In addition to migration, EMT increases stemness and mediates therapy resistance. Hence, pathways involved in EMT regulation should be highlighted. STAT3 is an oncogenic pathway that can elevate growth rate and migratory ability of cancer cells and induce drug resistance. The inhibition of STAT3 signaling impairs cancer progression and promotes chemotherapy-mediated cell death. Present review focuses on STAT3 and EMT interaction in modulating cancer migration. First of all, STAT3 is an upstream mediator of EMT and is able to induce EMT-mediated metastasis in brain tumors, thoracic cancers and gastrointestinal cancers. Therefore, STAT3 inhibition significantly suppresses cancer metastasis and improves prognosis of patients. EMT regulators such as ZEB1/2 proteins, TGF-β, Twist, Snail and Slug are affected by STAT3 signaling to stimulate cancer migration and invasion. Different molecular pathways such as miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs modulate STAT3/EMT axis. Furthermore, we discuss how STAT3 and EMT interaction affects therapy response of cancer cells. Finally, we demonstrate targeting STAT3/EMT axis by anti-tumor agents and clinical application of this axis for improving patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdokht Sadrkhanloo
- Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Orouei
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Ghollasi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nikoo Fathi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shamin Rezaei
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elahe Sadat Hejazi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirabbas Kakavand
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Saebfar
- European University Association, League of European Research Universities, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Shokooh Salimimoghadam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Saeed Samarghandian
- Healthy Ageing Research Centre, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
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6
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Luo Y, Lu Y, Long B, Lin Y, Yang Y, Xu Y, Zhang X, Zhang J. Blocking DNA Damage Repair May Be Involved in Stattic (STAT3 Inhibitor)-Induced FLT3-ITD AML Cell Apoptosis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:637064. [PMID: 33796529 PMCID: PMC8007876 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.637064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)- internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutation can be found in approximately 25% of all acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases and is associated with a poor prognosis. The main treatment for FLT3-ITD-positive AML patients includes genotoxic therapy and FLT3 inhibitors, which are rarely curative. Inhibiting STAT3 activity can improve the sensitivity of solid tumor cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This study aimed to explore whether Stattic (a STAT3 inhibitor) affects FLT3-ITD AML cells and the underlying mechanism. Stattic can inhibit the proliferation, promote apoptosis, arrest cell cycle at G0/G1, and suppress DNA damage repair in MV4-11cells. During the process, through mRNA sequencing, we found that DNA damage repair-related mRNA are also altered during the process. In summary, the mechanism by which Stattic induces apoptosis in MV4-11cells may involve blocking DNA damage repair machineries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Luo
- Department of Pediatric, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Hematology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Department of Hematology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Blood Transfusion, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bing Long
- Department of Hematology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Sen Yat-sen Institute of Hematology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yansi Lin
- Department of General Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanling Yang
- Department of Hematology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yichuang Xu
- Department of Hematology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangzhong Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Sen Yat-sen Institute of Hematology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingwen Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Sen Yat-sen Institute of Hematology, Guangzhou, China
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7
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Zhang G, Tanaka S, Jiapaer S, Sabit H, Tamai S, Kinoshita M, Nakada M. RBPJ contributes to the malignancy of glioblastoma and induction of proneural-mesenchymal transition via IL-6-STAT3 pathway. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:4166-4176. [PMID: 32885530 PMCID: PMC7648018 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling plays a pivotal role in many cancers, including glioblastoma (GBM). Recombination signal binding protein for immunoglobulin kappa J region (RBPJ) is a key transcription factor of the Notch signaling pathway. Here, we interrogated the function of RBPJ in GBM. Firstly, RBPJ expression of GBM samples was examined. Then, we knocked down RBPJ expression in 2 GBM cell lines (U251 and T98) and 4 glioblastoma (GBM) stem-like cell lines derived from surgical samples of GBM (KGS01, KGS07, KGS10 and KGS15) to investigate the effect on cell proliferation, invasion, stemness, and tumor formation ability. Expression of possible downstream targets of RBPJ was also assessed. RBPJ was overexpressed in the GBM samples, downregulation of RBPJ reduced cell proliferation and the invasion ability of U251 and T98 cells and cell proliferation ability and stemness of glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSC) lines. These were accompanied by reduced IL-6 expression, reduced activation of STAT3, and inhibited proneural-mesenchymal transition (PMT). Tumor formation and PMT were also impaired by RBPJ knockdown in vivo. In conclusion, RBPJ promotes cell proliferation, invasion, stemness, and tumor initiation ability in GBM cells through enhanced activation of IL-6-STAT3 pathway and PMT, inhibition of RBPJ may constitute a prospective treatment for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangtao Zhang
- Department of NeurosurgeryGraduate School of Medical ScienceKanazawa UniversityKanazawaJapan
- Division of Life Sciences and MedicineDepartment of NeurosurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Shingo Tanaka
- Department of NeurosurgeryGraduate School of Medical ScienceKanazawa UniversityKanazawaJapan
| | - Shabierjiang Jiapaer
- Department of NeurosurgeryGraduate School of Medical ScienceKanazawa UniversityKanazawaJapan
| | - Hemragul Sabit
- Department of NeurosurgeryGraduate School of Medical ScienceKanazawa UniversityKanazawaJapan
| | - Sho Tamai
- Department of NeurosurgeryGraduate School of Medical ScienceKanazawa UniversityKanazawaJapan
| | - Masashi Kinoshita
- Department of NeurosurgeryGraduate School of Medical ScienceKanazawa UniversityKanazawaJapan
| | - Mitsutoshi Nakada
- Department of NeurosurgeryGraduate School of Medical ScienceKanazawa UniversityKanazawaJapan
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8
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Park J, Lee W, Yun S, Kim SP, Kim KH, Kim JI, Kim SK, Wang KC, Lee JY. STAT3 is a key molecule in the oncogenic behavior of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:1989-1998. [PMID: 32724445 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is one of the most lethal childhood brain tumors. This tumor is unique because it is detected exclusively in the ventral pons of patients aged between 6 and 7 years, which suggests a developmental nature of its formation. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a critical molecule for the differentiation of neural stem cells into astrocytes during neurodevelopment. Additionally, STAT3 is associated with oncogenesis and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in various types of tumor. In recent years, several studies have demonstrated the oncogenic role of STAT3 in high-grade gliomas. However, the role of STAT3 in DIPG at the cellular level remains unknown. To assess the possible association between gliogenesis and DIPG, the expression levels of various molecules participating in the differentiation of neural stem cells were compared between normal brain control tissues and DIPG tissues using open public data. All of the screened genes exhibited significantly increased expression in DIPG tissues compared with normal tissues. As STAT3 expression was the most increased, the effect of STAT3 inhibition in a DIPG cell line was assessed via STAT3 short hairpin (sh)RNA transfection and treatment with AG490, a STAT3 inhibitor. Changes in viability, apoptosis, EMT and radiation therapy efficiency were also evaluated. Downregulation of STAT3 resulted in decreased cyclin D1 expression and cell viability, migration and invasion. Additionally, treatment with STAT3 shRNA or AG490 suppressed the EMT phenotype. Finally, when radiation was administered in combination with STAT3 inhibition, the therapeutic efficiency, assessed by cell viability and DNA damage repair, was increased. The present results suggest that STAT3 is a potential therapeutic target in DIPG, especially when combined with radiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinju Park
- Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Woochan Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangil Yun
- Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Saet Pyoul Kim
- Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hyun Kim
- Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.,Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Il Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Ki Kim
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Chang Wang
- Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.,Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yeoun Lee
- Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.,Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
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9
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Luo D, Fraga-Lauhirat M, Millings J, Ho C, Villarreal EM, Fletchinger TC, Bonfiglio JV, Mata L, Nemesure MD, Bartels LE, Wang R, Rigas B, Mackenzie GG. Phospho-valproic acid (MDC-1112) suppresses glioblastoma growth in preclinical models through the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation. Carcinogenesis 2020; 40:1480-1491. [PMID: 30994173 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgz069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
New therapeutic strategies against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are urgently needed. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), constitutively active in many GBM tumors, plays a major role in GBM tumor growth and represents a potential therapeutic target. We have documented previously that phospho-valproic acid (MDC-1112), which inhibits STAT3 activation, possesses strong anticancer properties in multiple cancer types. In this study, we explored the anticancer efficacy of MDC-1112 in preclinical models of GBM, and evaluated its mode of action. MDC-1112 inhibited the growth of multiple human GBM cell lines in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Normal human astrocytes were resistant to MDC-1112, indicating selectivity. In vivo, MDC-1112 reduced the growth of subcutaneous GBM xenografts in mice by up to 78.2% (P < 0.01), compared with the controls. Moreover, MDC-1112 extended survival in an intracranial xenograft model. Although all vehicle-treated mice died by 19 days of treatment, 7 of 11 MDC-1112-treated mice were alive and healthy by the end of 5 weeks, with many showing tumor regression. Mechanistically, MDC-1112 inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation at the serine 727 residue, but not at tyrosine 705, in vitro and in vivo. STAT3 overexpression rescued GBM cells from the cell growth inhibition by MDC-1112. In addition, MDC-1112 reduced STAT3 levels in the mitochondria and enhanced mitochondrial levels of reactive oxygen species, which triggered apoptosis. In conclusion, MDC-1112 displays strong efficacy in preclinical models of GBM, with the serine 727 residue of STAT3 being its key molecular target. MDC-1112 merits further evaluation as a drug candidate for GBM. New therapeutic options are needed for glioblastoma. The novel agent MDC-1112 is an effective anticancer agent in multiple animal models of glioblastoma, and its mechanism of action involves the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation, primarily at its Serine 727 residue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingyuan Luo
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Thyroid Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Jonathan Millings
- Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Cristella Ho
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Emily M Villarreal
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Teresa C Fletchinger
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, USA
| | - James V Bonfiglio
- Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Leyda Mata
- Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Matthew D Nemesure
- Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Lauren E Bartels
- Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Ruixue Wang
- Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Basil Rigas
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Gerardo G Mackenzie
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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10
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Susman S, Pîrlog R, Leucuța D, Mitre AO, Padurean VA, Melincovici C, Moldovan I, Crișan D, Florian SI. The role of p-Stat3 Y705 immunohistochemistry in glioblastoma prognosis. Diagn Pathol 2019; 14:124. [PMID: 31690341 PMCID: PMC6829927 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-019-0903-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In spite of the multimodal treatment used today, glioblastoma is still the most aggressive and lethal cerebral tumour. To increase survival in these patients, novel therapeutic targets must be discovered. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), a transcription factor that controls normal cell differentiation and survival is also involved in neoplastic celltransformation. In this study we evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of pY705-Stat3 in patients with primary glioblastoma and determined its prognostic role by correlating it with survival. Methods This retrospective study included 94 patients diagnosed with glioblastoma. We determined the localization, number of positive cells, and marker intensity for pY705-Stat3 in these patients with the use of immunohistochemistry. The prognostic role was determined by correlating pY705-Stat3 expression on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour tissues with the patient’s survival in univariate and multivariate COX regressions. Results We found a statistically significant difference in survival between the patients with more than 20% pY705-Stat3 positive cells and those with less than 20% pY705-Stat3 positive cells (8.9 months median survival versus 13.7 months medial survival, p < 0.001). On multivariate analyses with the COX proportional hazards regression model including pY705-Stat3 expression, age and relapse status, pY705-Stat3 status was an independent prognostic factor in glioblastoma (P < 0.001). Conclusion The results obtained show that the immunohistochemical expression of pY705-Stat3 correlates with survival in glioblastoma. This study identifies Stat3 as a possible target for existing or new developed Stat3 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergiu Susman
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Pasteur Street, 400349, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. .,Department of Pathology, Imogen Research Centre, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Radu Pîrlog
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Pasteur Street, 400349, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Daniel Leucuța
- Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Otto Mitre
- Department of Neurosurgery, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Carmen Melincovici
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Pasteur Street, 400349, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Moldovan
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Pasteur Street, 400349, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Doinița Crișan
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Pasteur Street, 400349, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Department of Pathology, Emergency County Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Stefan Ioan Florian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Department of Neurosurgery, Emergency County Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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11
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Kim BH, Kim YJ, Kim MH, Na YR, Jung D, Seok SH, Kim J, Kim HJ. Identification of FES as a Novel Radiosensitizing Target in Human Cancers. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 26:265-273. [PMID: 31573955 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-0610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The identification of novel targets for developing synergistic drug-radiation combinations would pave the way to overcome tumor radioresistance. We conducted cell-based screening of a human kinome siRNA library to identify a radiation-specific kinase that has a synergistic toxic effect with radiation upon inhibition and is not essential for cell survival in the absence of radiation. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Unbiased RNAi screening was performed by transfecting A549 cells with a human kinome siRNA library followed by irradiation. Radiosensitizing effects of a target gene and involved mechanisms were examined. RESULTS We identified the nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase FES (FEline Sarcoma oncogene) as a radiosensitizing target. The expression of FES was increased in response to irradiation. Cell viability and clonogenic survival after irradiation were significantly decreased by FES knockdown in lung and pancreatic cancer cell lines. In contrast, FES depletion alone did not significantly affect cell proliferation without irradiation. An inducible RNAi mouse xenograft model verified in vivo radiosensitizing effects. FES-depleted cells showed increased apoptosis, DNA damage, G2-M phase arrest, and mitotic catastrophe after irradiation. FES depletion promoted radiation-induced reactive oxygen species formation, which resulted in phosphorylation of S6K and MDM2. The radiosensitizing effect of FES knockdown was partially reversed by inhibition of S6K activity. Consistent with the increase in phosphorylated MDM2, an increase in nuclear p53 levels was observed, which appears to contribute increased radiosensitivity of FES-depleted cells. CONCLUSIONS We uncovered that inhibition of FES could be a potential strategy for inducing radiosensitization in cancer. Our results provide the basis for developing novel radiosensitizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byoung Hyuck Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Joon Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Vision Research, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Ho Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yi Rang Na
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Endemic Disease, Seoul National University Medical College, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Daun Jung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Endemic Disease, Seoul National University Medical College, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hyeok Seok
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Endemic Disease, Seoul National University Medical College, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hak Jae Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. .,Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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12
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Development of a patient-derived xenograft model of glioblastoma via intravitreal injection in mice. Exp Mol Med 2019; 51:1-9. [PMID: 30992429 PMCID: PMC6467997 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-019-0241-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, the two primary patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of glioblastoma are established through intracranial or subcutaneous injection. In this study, a novel PDX model of glioblastoma was developed via intravitreal injection to facilitate tumor formation in a brain-mimicking microenvironment with improved visibility and fast development. Glioblastoma cells were prepared from the primary and recurrent tumor tissues of a 39-year-old female patient. To demonstrate the feasibility of intracranial tumor formation, U-87 MG and patient-derived glioblastoma cells were injected into the brain parenchyma of Balb/c nude mice. Unlike the U-87 MG cells, the patient-derived glioblastoma cells failed to form intracranial tumors until 6 weeks after tumor cell injection. In contrast, the patient-derived cells effectively formed intraocular tumors, progressing from plaques at 2 weeks to masses at 4 weeks after intravitreal injection. The in vivo tumors exhibited the same immunopositivity for human mitochondria, GFAP, vimentin, and nestin as the original tumors in the patient. Furthermore, cells isolated from the in vivo tumors also demonstrated morphology similar to that of their parental cells and immunopositivity for the same markers. Overall, a novel PDX model of glioblastoma was established via the intravitreal injection of tumor cells. This model will be an essential tool to investigate and develop novel therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of glioblastoma. An improved strategy for cultivating patient-derived tumors in mice gives researchers a faster, more accurate means for testing glioblastoma treatments. Such ‘xenograft’ models are powerful tools for characterizing a patient’s cancer, but current cultivation techniques are too slow or fail to capture key features of this deadly disease. Researchers led by Jeong Hun Kim and Sun Ha Paek at Seoul National University Hospital in South Korea have demonstrated that glioblastoma cells injected into the mouse eye produce growths that mirror key characteristics of the original tumor. The tissue environment of the retina is physiologically similar to that of the brain, and cancer cells injected into the eye form glioblastoma-like tumors twice as quickly as the same cells injected into the skull. This means clinical researchers can assess drug response and accordingly adjust patient care more quickly.
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13
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Dual blockage of STAT3 and ERK1/2 eliminates radioresistant GBM cells. Redox Biol 2019; 24:101189. [PMID: 30986607 PMCID: PMC6463934 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) is the major modality for control of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive brain tumor in adults with poor prognosis and low patient survival rate. To improve the RT efficacy on GBM, the mechanism causing tumor adaptive radioresistance which leads to the failure of tumor control and lethal progression needs to be further elucidated. Here, we conducted a comparative analysis of RT-treated recurrent tumors versus primary counterparts in GBM patients, RT-treated orthotopic GBM tumors xenografts versus untreated tumors and radioresistant GBM cells versus wild type cells. The results reveal that activation of STAT3, a well-defined redox-sensitive transcriptional factor, is causally linked with GBM adaptive radioresistance. Database analysis also agrees with the worse prognosis in GBM patients due to the STAT3 expression-associated low RT responsiveness. However, although the radioresistant GBM cells can be resensitized by inhibition of STAT3, a fraction of radioresistant cells can still survive the RT combined with STAT3 inhibition or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated STAT3 knockout. A complementally enhanced activation of ERK1/2 by STAT3 inhibition is identified responsible for the survival of the remaining resistant tumor cells. Dual inhibition of ERK1/2 and STAT3 remarkably eliminates resistant GBM cells and inhibits tumor regrowth. These findings demonstrate a previously unknown feature ofSTAT3-mediated ERK1/2 regulation and an effective combination of two targets in resensitizing GBM to RT.
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14
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Combined Inhibition of HDAC and EGFR Reduces Viability and Proliferation and Enhances STAT3 mRNA Expression in Glioblastoma Cells. J Mol Neurosci 2019; 68:49-57. [PMID: 30887411 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-019-01280-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Changes in expression of histone deacetylases (HDACs), which epigenetically regulate chromatin structure, and mutations and amplifications of the EGFR gene, which codes for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), have been reported in glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and malignant type of brain tumor. There are likely interplays between HDACs and EGFR in promoting GBM progression, and HDAC inhibition can cooperate with EGFR blockade in reducing the growth of lung cancer cells. Here, we found that either HDAC or EGFR inhibitors dose-dependently reduced the viability of U87 and A-172 human GBM cells. In U87 cells, the combined inhibition of HDACs and EGFR was more effective than inhibiting either target alone in reducing viability and long-term proliferation. In addition, HDAC or EGFR inhibition, alone or combined, led to G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. The EGFR inhibitor alone or combined with HDAC inhibition increased mRNA expression of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which can act either as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor in GBM. These data provide early evidence that combining HDAC and EGFR inhibition may be an effective strategy to reduce GBM growth, through a mechanism possibly involving STAT3.
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15
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Kessler T, Sahm F, Sadik A, Stichel D, Hertenstein A, Reifenberger G, Zacher A, Sabel M, Tabatabai G, Steinbach J, Sure U, Krex D, Grosu AL, Bewerunge-Hudler M, Jones D, Pfister SM, Weller M, Opitz C, Bendszus M, von Deimling A, Platten M, Wick W. Molecular differences in IDH wildtype glioblastoma according to MGMT promoter methylation. Neuro Oncol 2019; 20:367-379. [PMID: 29016808 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nox160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status is a predictive biomarker in glioblastoma. We investigated whether this marker furthermore defines a molecularly distinct tumor subtype with clinically different outcome. Methods We analyzed copy number variation (CNV) and methylation profiles of 1095 primary and 92 progressive isocitrate dehydrogenase wildtype glioblastomas, including paired samples from 49 patients. DNA mutation data from 182 glioblastoma samples of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and RNA expression from 107 TCGA and 55 Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas samples were analyzed. Results Among untreated glioblastomas, MGMT promoter methylated (mMGMT) and unmethylated (uMGMT) tumors did not show different CNV or specific gene mutations, but a higher mutation count in mMGMT tumors. We identified 3 methylation clusters. Cluster 1 showed the highest average methylation and was enriched for mMGMT tumors. Seventeen genes including gastrulation brain homeobox 2 (GBX2) were found to be hypermethylated and downregulated on the mRNA level in mMGMT tumors. In progressive glioblastomas, platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) and GLI2 amplifications were enriched in mMGMT tumors. Methylated MGMT tumors gain PDGFRA amplification of PDGFRA, whereas uMGMT tumors with amplified PDGFRA frequently lose this amplification upon progression. Glioblastoma patients surviving <6 months and with mMGMT harbored less frequent epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplifications, more frequent TP53 mutations, and a higher tumor necrosis factor-nuclear factor-kappaB (TNF-NFκB) pathway activation compared with patients surviving >12 months. Conclusions MGMT promoter methylation status does not define a molecularly distinct glioblastoma subpopulation among untreated tumors. Progressive mMGMT glioblastomas and mMGMT tumors of patients with short survival tend to have more unfavorable molecular profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Kessler
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
| | - Felix Sahm
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, DKTK, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Neuropathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
| | - Ahmed Sadik
- Brain Tumor Metabolism, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Damian Stichel
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, DKTK, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Neuropathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
| | - Anne Hertenstein
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
| | - Guido Reifenberger
- Department of Neuropathology, Heinrich Heine University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Angela Zacher
- Department of Neuropathology, Heinrich Heine University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Sabel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Heinrich Heine University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ghazaleh Tabatabai
- Interdisciplinary Division of Neuro-Oncology, Departments of Vascular Neurology & Neurosurgery, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University Hospital Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, DKTK, DKFZ partner site Tübingen.,Center for Personalized Medicine, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen.,Center for CNS Tumors at Comprehensive Cancer Center Tübingen-Stuttgart, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Joachim Steinbach
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ulrich Sure
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dietmar Krex
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anca-L Grosu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany, DKTK partner site Freiburg; and DKFZ Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - David Jones
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, DKTK, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, DKTK, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Haematology and Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Weller
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christiane Opitz
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany.,Brain Tumor Metabolism, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Bendszus
- Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
| | - Andreas von Deimling
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, DKTK, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Neuropathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
| | - Michael Platten
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, DKTK, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wick
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany
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16
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West AJ, Tsui V, Stylli SS, Nguyen HPT, Morokoff AP, Kaye AH, Luwor RB. The role of interleukin-6-STAT3 signalling in glioblastoma. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:4095-4104. [PMID: 30250528 PMCID: PMC6144698 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common type of malignant brain tumor among adults and is currently a non-curable disease due primarily to its highly invasive phenotype, and the lack of successful current therapies. Despite surgical resection and post-surgical treatment patients ultimately develop recurrence of the tumour. Several signalling molecules have been implicated in the development, progression and aggressiveness of glioblastoma. The present study reviewed the role of interleukin (IL)-6, a cytokine known to be important in activating several pro-oncogenic signaling pathways in glioblastoma. The current study particularly focused on the contribution of IL-6 in recurrent glioblastoma, with particular focus on glioblastoma stem cells and resistance to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice J West
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Vanessa Tsui
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Stanley S Stylli
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia.,Department of Neurosurgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Hong P T Nguyen
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Andrew P Morokoff
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia.,Department of Neurosurgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Andrew H Kaye
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia.,Department of Neurosurgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Rodney B Luwor
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
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17
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Activation of STAT3 and Bcl-2 and reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote radioresistance in breast cancer and overcome of radioresistance with niclosamide. Oncogene 2018; 37:5292-5304. [PMID: 29855616 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0340-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapy significantly improves the therapeutic outcomes and survival of breast cancer patients. However, the acquired resistance to this therapeutic modality is a major clinical challenge. Here we show that ionizing irradiation (IR)-induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) at the Tyr705 residue and the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in wild-type and radioresistant MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines. Comparing with radiosensitive parental TNBC cells, significantly low levels of ROS and higher protein levels of phospho-STAT3 and Bcl-2 were observed in TNBC cells with acquired radioresistance. Moreover, knockdown of STAT3 by shRNA sensitized the TNBC cells to IR. Niclosamide, a potent inhibitor of STAT3, overcame the radioresistance in TNBC cells via inhibition of STAT3 and Bcl-2 and induction of ROS. In combination with radiation, niclosamide treatment resulted in significant increase of ROS generation and induction of apoptosis in parental and radioresistant TNBC cells in vitro and TNBC xenograft tumors in vivo. These findings demonstrate that activation of STAT3 and Bcl-2 and reduction of ROS contribute to the development of radioresistance in TNBC, and niclosamide acts as a potent radiosensitizer via inhibiting STAT3 and Bcl-2 and increasing ROS generation in TNBC cells and xenograft tumors. Our findings suggest that niclosamide in combination with irradiation may offer an effective alternative approach for restoring the sensitivity of radioresistant TNBC cells to IR for improved therapeutic efficacy and outcomes.
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18
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A Repurposed Drug for Brain Cancer: Enhanced Atovaquone Amorphous Solid Dispersion by Combining a Spontaneously Emulsifying Component with a Polymer Carrier. Pharmaceutics 2018; 10:pharmaceutics10020060. [PMID: 29783757 PMCID: PMC6027483 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics10020060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal central nervous system tumor. Recently, atovaquone has shown inhibition of signal transducer and activator transcription 3, a promising target for GBM therapy. However, it is currently unable to achieve therapeutic drug concentrations in the brain with the currently reported and marketed formulations. The present study sought to explore the efficacy of atovaquone against GBM as well as develop a formulation of atovaquone that would improve oral bioavailability, resulting in higher amounts of drug delivered to the brain. Atovaquone was formulated as an amorphous solid dispersion using an optimized formulation containing a polymer and a spontaneously emulsifying component (SEC) with greatly improved wetting, disintegration, dispersibility, and dissolution properties. Atovaquone demonstrated cytotoxicity against GBM cell lines as well as provided a confirmed target for atovaquone brain concentrations in in vitro cell viability studies. This new formulation approach was then assessed in a proof-of-concept in vivo exposure study. Based on these results, the enhanced amorphous solid dispersion is promising for providing therapeutically effective brain levels of atovaquone for the treatment of GBM.
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Hombach-Klonisch S, Mehrpour M, Shojaei S, Harlos C, Pitz M, Hamai A, Siemianowicz K, Likus W, Wiechec E, Toyota BD, Hoshyar R, Seyfoori A, Sepehri Z, Ande SR, Khadem F, Akbari M, Gorman AM, Samali A, Klonisch T, Ghavami S. Glioblastoma and chemoresistance to alkylating agents: Involvement of apoptosis, autophagy, and unfolded protein response. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 184:13-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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20
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STAT3 Gene Silencing by Aptamer-siRNA Chimera as Selective Therapeutic for Glioblastoma. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017; 10:398-411. [PMID: 29499951 PMCID: PMC5862137 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults, and despite advances in neuro-oncology, the prognosis for patients remains dismal. The signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) has been reported as a key regulator of the highly aggressive mesenchymal GBM subtype, and its direct silencing (by RNAi oligonucleotides) has revealed a great potential as an anti-cancer therapy. However, clinical use of oligonucleotide-based therapies is dependent on safer ways for tissue-specific targeting and increased membrane penetration. The objective of this study is to explore the use of nucleic acid aptamers as carriers to specifically drive a STAT3 siRNA to GBM cells in a receptor-dependent manner. Using an aptamer that binds to and antagonizes the oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase PDGFRβ (Gint4.T), here we describe the design of a novel aptamer-siRNA chimera (Gint4.T-STAT3) to target STAT3. We demonstrate the efficient delivery and silencing of STAT3 in PDGFRβ+ GBM cells. Importantly, the conjugate reduces cell viability and migration in vitro and inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo in a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model. Our data reveals Gint4.T-STAT3 conjugate as a novel molecule with great translational potential for GBM therapy.
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21
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LB-100, a novel Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibitor, sensitizes malignant meningioma cells to the therapeutic effects of radiation. Cancer Lett 2017; 415:217-226. [PMID: 29199006 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Atypical and anaplastic meningiomas (AAM) represent 20% of all meningiomas. They are associated with poor outcomes due to their tendency to recur. While surgery and radiation (RT) are first line therapy, no effective systemic medical treatment has been identified. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine phosphatase involved in cell cycle regulation and DNA repair. Here, we examined radiosensitizing effects of LB-100, a novel inhibitor of PP2A against AAM as a novel treatment strategy. Three human-derived immortalized meningioma cell lines, IOMM-LEE, GAR, and CH-157, were used to investigate the radio-sensitizing potential of LB-100 in AAM. Survival fraction by clonogenic assay, immunofluorescence, cell cycle analysis and protein expression were evaluated in vitro. The antitumor effects of combining LB-100 with RT were verified in vivo by using intracranial orthotopic xenograft mouse model. Pharmacologic PP2A inhibition with LB-100 prior to RT enhanced the radiosensitivity of meningioma cells and reduced survival fraction in clonogenic assays. LB-100 increased DNA double-strand breakage (measured by γ-H2AX), mitotic catastrophe cell death, and G2/M cell cycle arrest in irradiated meningioma cells. Also, LB-100 decreased activation of STAT3 and expression of its downstream proteins. In vivo, LB-100 and RT combined treatment prolonged the survival of mice with xenografts compared to RT alone. Taken together, these results provide convincing preclinical data to support the use of LB-100 as a radiosensitizing agent for treatment of malignant meningioma. Its potential for clinical application deserves further investigation.
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22
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Sugase T, Takahashi T, Serada S, Fujimoto M, Hiramatsu K, Ohkawara T, Tanaka K, Miyazaki Y, Makino T, Kurokawa Y, Yamasaki M, Nakajima K, Kishimoto T, Mori M, Doki Y, Naka T. SOCS1 Gene Therapy Improves Radiosensitivity and Enhances Irradiation-Induced DNA Damage in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2017; 77:6975-6986. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-1525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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23
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Chang N, Ahn SH, Kong DS, Lee HW, Nam DH. The role of STAT3 in glioblastoma progression through dual influences on tumor cells and the immune microenvironment. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 451:53-65. [PMID: 28089821 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of cancer that begins within the brain; generally, the patient has a dismal prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a critical mediator of tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and suppression of anti-tumor immunity in GBM. In a high percentage of GBM cells and tumor microenvironments, persistent activation of STAT3 induces cell proliferation, anti-apoptosis, glioma stem cell maintenance, tumor invasion, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. This makes STAT3 an attractive therapeutic target and a prognostic indicator in GBM. Targeting STAT3 affords an opportunity to disrupt multiple pro-oncogenic pathways at a single molecular hub. Unfortunately, there are no successful STAT3 inhibitors currently in clinical trials. However, strong clinical evidence implicating STAT3 as a major factor in GBM justifies the identification of safe and effective strategies for inhibiting STAT3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nakho Chang
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, South Korea; Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, South Korea
| | - Sun Hee Ahn
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, South Korea; Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, South Korea
| | - Doo-Sik Kong
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, South Korea
| | - Hye Won Lee
- Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, South Korea; Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, South Korea.
| | - Do-Hyun Nam
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, South Korea; Institute for Refractory Cancer Research, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, South Korea; Departments of Neurosurgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, South Korea.
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24
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Thanasupawat T, Natarajan S, Rommel A, Glogowska A, Bergen H, Krcek J, Pitz M, Beiko J, Krawitz S, Verma IM, Ghavami S, Klonisch T, Hombach-Klonisch S. Dovitinib enhances temozolomide efficacy in glioblastoma cells. Mol Oncol 2017; 11:1078-1098. [PMID: 28500786 PMCID: PMC5537714 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The multikinase inhibitor and FDA‐approved drug dovitinib (Dov) crosses the blood–brain barrier and was recently used as single drug application in clinical trials for GB patients with recurrent disease. The Dov‐mediated molecular mechanisms in GB cells are unknown. We used GB patient cells and cell lines to show that Dov downregulated the stem cell protein Lin28 and its target high‐mobility group protein A2 (HMGA2). The Dov‐induced reduction in pSTAT3Tyr705 phosphorylation demonstrated that Dov negatively affects the STAT3/LIN28/Let‐7/HMGA2 regulatory axis in GB cells. Consistent with the known function of LIN28 and HMGA2 in GB self‐renewal, Dov reduced GB tumor sphere formation. Dov treatment also caused the downregulation of key base excision repair factors and O6‐methylguanine‐DNA‐methyltransferase (MGMT), which are known to have important roles in the repair of temozolomide (TMZ)‐induced alkylating DNA damage. Combined Dov/TMZ treatment enhanced TMZ‐induced DNA damage as quantified by nuclear γH2AX foci and comet assays, and increased GB cell apoptosis. Pretreatment of GB cells with Dov (‘Dov priming’) prior to TMZ treatment reduced GB cell viability independent of p53 status. Sequential treatment involving ‘Dov priming’ and alternating treatment cycles with TMZ and Dov substantially reduced long‐term GB cell survival in MGMT+ patient GB cells. Our results may have immediate clinical implications to improve TMZ response in patients with LIN28+/HMGA2+GB, independent of their MGMT methylation status.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suchitra Natarajan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Amy Rommel
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Aleksandra Glogowska
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Hugo Bergen
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jerry Krcek
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Marshall Pitz
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jason Beiko
- Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Sherry Krawitz
- Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Inder M Verma
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Thomas Klonisch
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Sabine Hombach-Klonisch
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.,Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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25
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Sun B, Xue J, Li J, Luo F, Chen X, Liu Y, Wang Q, Qi C, Zou Z, Zhang A, Liu Q. Circulating miRNAs and their target genes associated with arsenism caused by coal-burning. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2017; 6:162-172. [PMID: 30090486 PMCID: PMC6062399 DOI: 10.1039/c6tx00428h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Endemic arsenism, caused by burning coal containing high levels of arsenic, is found only in the Guizhou and Shanxi Provinces of China. Dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs), detected in the blood, are emerging as promising biomarkers. At present, little is known about the change and clinical efficacy of circulating miRNAs in patients with endemic arsenism produced by burning of coal. Here, we determined, by using TaqMan Human miRNA Array Chips, the differential expression of plasma miRNAs between patients with arsenism caused by coal-burning and a control group. Four increased miRNAs (miR-21, miR-145, miR-155, and miR-191) were verified in a larger sample by quantitative real-time PCR. Furthermore, bioinformatics and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were used to associate changes in plasma levels of the miRNAs with their functions and their effects on various pathways. The results of chip array assays show that the levels of miR-21, miR-141, miR-148a, miR-145, miR-155, miR-191, miR-218, and miR-491 were most prominently increased and that the levels of miR-200b, miR-200c, miR-26, and miR-34c were decreased. The qRT-PCR results confirm that the circulating levels of miR-21, miR-145, miR-155, and miR-191 are increased in patients with arsenism caused by coal-burning. KEGG analyses show that these miRNAs inhibit the target genes of pathways related to immune inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage repair. Therefore, the four miRNAs may be biomarkers of endemic arsenism caused by coal-burning. Further studies with larger samples should be performed to confirm these findings and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baofei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control , Ministry of Education , Department of Toxicology , School of Public Health , Guizhou Medical University , Guiyang 550025 , Guizhou , China .
| | - Junchao Xue
- Institute of Toxicology , School of Public Health , Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing 211166 , Jiangsu , China . ; ; Tel: +86-25-8686-8424
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control , Ministry of Education , Department of Toxicology , School of Public Health , Guizhou Medical University , Guiyang 550025 , Guizhou , China .
| | - Fei Luo
- Institute of Toxicology , School of Public Health , Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing 211166 , Jiangsu , China . ; ; Tel: +86-25-8686-8424
| | - Xiong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control , Ministry of Education , Department of Toxicology , School of Public Health , Guizhou Medical University , Guiyang 550025 , Guizhou , China .
| | - Yonglian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control , Ministry of Education , Department of Toxicology , School of Public Health , Guizhou Medical University , Guiyang 550025 , Guizhou , China .
| | - Qingling Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control , Ministry of Education , Department of Toxicology , School of Public Health , Guizhou Medical University , Guiyang 550025 , Guizhou , China .
| | - Caihua Qi
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control , Ministry of Education , Department of Toxicology , School of Public Health , Guizhou Medical University , Guiyang 550025 , Guizhou , China .
| | - Zhonglan Zou
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control , Ministry of Education , Department of Toxicology , School of Public Health , Guizhou Medical University , Guiyang 550025 , Guizhou , China .
| | - Aihua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control , Ministry of Education , Department of Toxicology , School of Public Health , Guizhou Medical University , Guiyang 550025 , Guizhou , China .
| | - Qizhan Liu
- Institute of Toxicology , School of Public Health , Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing 211166 , Jiangsu , China . ; ; Tel: +86-25-8686-8424
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