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Cocchi S, Greco V, Sidarovich V, Vigna J, Broso F, Corallo D, Zasso J, Re A, Rosatti EF, Longhi S, Defant A, Ladu F, Sanna V, Adami V, D’Agostino VG, Sturlese M, Sechi M, Aveic S, Mancini I, Sighel D, Quattrone A. EGCG Disrupts the LIN28B/Let-7 Interaction and Reduces Neuroblastoma Aggressiveness. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4795. [PMID: 38732012 PMCID: PMC11084668 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094795] [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: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most commonly diagnosed extracranial solid tumor in children, accounting for 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Although the 5-year survival rate of patients with a high-risk disease has increased in recent decades, NB remains a challenge in pediatric oncology, and the identification of novel potential therapeutic targets and agents is an urgent clinical need. The RNA-binding protein LIN28B has been identified as an oncogene in NB and is associated with a poor prognosis. Given that LIN28B acts by negatively regulating the biogenesis of the tumor suppressor let-7 miRNAs, we reasoned that selective interference with the LIN28B/let-7 miRNA interaction would increase let-7 miRNA levels, ultimately leading to reduced NB aggressiveness. Here, we selected (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) out of 4959 molecules screened as the molecule with the best inhibitory activity on LIN28B/let-7 miRNA interaction and showed that treatment with PLC/PLGA-PEG nanoparticles containing EGCG (EGCG-NPs) led to an increase in mature let-7 miRNAs and a consequent inhibition of NB cell growth. In addition, EGCG-NP pretreatment reduced the tumorigenic potential of NB cells in vivo. These experiments suggest that the LIN28B/let-7 miRNA axis is a good therapeutic target in NB and that EGCG, which can interfere with this interaction, deserves further preclinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Cocchi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Valentina Greco
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Viktoryia Sidarovich
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Jacopo Vigna
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (A.D.)
| | - Francesca Broso
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Diana Corallo
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Jacopo Zasso
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Angela Re
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Emanuele Filiberto Rosatti
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Sara Longhi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Andrea Defant
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (A.D.)
| | - Federico Ladu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.L.); (M.S.)
| | | | - Valentina Adami
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Vito G. D’Agostino
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Mattia Sturlese
- Molecular Modeling Section, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35127 Padova, Italy;
| | - Mario Sechi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Sanja Aveic
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Ines Mancini
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (A.D.)
| | - Denise Sighel
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Alessandro Quattrone
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
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Giuli MV, Hanieh PN, Forte J, Fabiano MG, Mancusi A, Natiello B, Rinaldi F, Del Favero E, Ammendolia MG, Marianecci C, Checquolo S, Carafa M. pH-sensitive niosomes for ATRA delivery: A promising approach to inhibit Pin1 in high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Int J Pharm 2024; 649:123672. [PMID: 38052280 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123672] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
The peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1 positively regulates numerous cancer-driving pathways, and it is overexpressed in several malignancies, including high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). The findings that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) induces Pin1 degradation strongly support that ATRA treatment might be a promising approach for HGSOC targeted therapy. Nevertheless, repurposing ATRA into the clinics for the treatment of solid tumors remains an unmet need mainly due to the insurgence of resistance and its ineffective delivery. In the present study, niosomes have been employed for improving ATRA delivery in HGSOC cell lines. Characterization of niosomes including hydrodynamic diameter, ζ-potential, morphology, entrapment efficiency and stability over time and in culture media was performed. Furthermore, pH-sensitiveness and ATRA release profile were investigated to demonstrate the capability of these vesicles to release ATRA in a stimuli-responsive manner. Obtained results documented a nanometric and monodispersed samples with negative ζ-potential. ATRA was efficiently entrapped, and a substantial release was observed in the presence of acidic pH (pH 5.5). Finally, unloaded niosomes showed good biocompatibility while ATRA-loaded niosomes significantly increased ATRA Pin1 inhibitory activity, which was consistent with cell growth inhibition. Taken together, ATRA-loaded niosomes might represent an appealing therapeutic strategy for HGSOC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Valeria Giuli
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100 Latina, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Nadia Hanieh
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Jacopo Forte
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Gioia Fabiano
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Angelica Mancusi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Bianca Natiello
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Federica Rinaldi
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Elena Del Favero
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20090, Segrate, Italy.
| | - Maria Grazia Ammendolia
- National Center for Innovative Technologies in Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Carlotta Marianecci
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Saula Checquolo
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100 Latina, Italy.
| | - Maria Carafa
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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Kholodenko BN, Kolch W, Rukhlenko OS. Reversing pathological cell states: the road less travelled can extend the therapeutic horizon. Trends Cell Biol 2023; 33:913-923. [PMID: 37263821 PMCID: PMC10593090 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Acquisition of omics data advances at a formidable pace. Yet, our ability to utilize these data to control cell phenotypes and design interventions that reverse pathological states lags behind. Here, we posit that cell states are determined by core networks that control cell-wide networks. To steer cell fate decisions, core networks connecting genotype to phenotype must be reconstructed and understood. A recent method, cell state transition assessment and regulation (cSTAR), applies perturbation biology to quantify causal connections and mechanistically models how core networks influence cell phenotypes. cSTAR models are akin to digital cell twins enabling us to purposefully convert pathological states back to physiologically normal states. While this capability has a range of applications, here we discuss reverting oncogenic transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris N Kholodenko
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Walter Kolch
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Oleksii S Rukhlenko
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Xanthis V, Mantso T, Dimtsi A, Pappa A, Fadouloglou VE. Human Aldehyde Dehydrogenases: A Superfamily of Similar Yet Different Proteins Highly Related to Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4419. [PMID: 37686694 PMCID: PMC10650815 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The superfamily of human aldehyde dehydrogenases (hALDHs) consists of 19 isoenzymes which are critical for several physiological and biosynthetic processes and play a major role in the organism's detoxification via the NAD(P) dependent oxidation of numerous endogenous and exogenous aldehyde substrates to their corresponding carboxylic acids. Over the last decades, ALDHs have been the subject of several studies as it was revealed that their differential expression patterns in various cancer types are associated either with carcinogenesis or promotion of cell survival. Here, we attempt to provide a thorough review of hALDHs' diverse functions and 3D structures with particular emphasis on their role in cancer pathology and resistance to chemotherapy. We are especially interested in findings regarding the association of structural features and their changes with effects on enzymes' functionalities. Moreover, we provide an updated outline of the hALDHs inhibitors utilized in experimental or clinical settings for cancer therapy. Overall, this review aims to provide a better understanding of the impact of ALDHs in cancer pathology and therapy from a structural perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Vasiliki E. Fadouloglou
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Broso F, Gatto P, Sidarovich V, Ambrosini C, De Sanctis V, Bertorelli R, Zaccheroni E, Ricci B, Destefanis E, Longhi S, Sebastiani E, Tebaldi T, Adami V, Quattrone A. Alpha-1 Adrenergic Antagonists Sensitize Neuroblastoma to Therapeutic Differentiation. Cancer Res 2023; 83:2733-2749. [PMID: 37289021 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-1913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is an aggressive childhood tumor, with high-risk cases having a 5-year overall survival probability of approximately 50%. The multimodal therapeutic approach for NB includes treatment with the retinoid isotretinoin (13-cis retinoic acid; 13cRA), which is used in the post-consolidation phase as an antiproliferation and prodifferentiation agent to minimize residual disease and prevent relapse. Through small-molecule screening, we identified isorhamnetin (ISR) as a synergistic compound with 13cRA in inhibiting up to 80% of NB cell viability. The synergistic effect was accompanied by a marked increase in the expression of the adrenergic receptor α1B (ADRA1B) gene. Genetic knockout of ADRA1B or its specific blockade using α1/α1B adrenergic antagonists led to selective sensitization of MYCN-amplified NB cells to cell viability reduction and neural differentiation induced by 13cRA, thus mimicking ISR activity. Administration of doxazosin, a safe α1-antagonist used in pediatric patients, in combination with 13cRA in NB xenografted mice exerted marked control of tumor growth, whereas each drug alone was ineffective. Overall, this study identified the α1B adrenergic receptor as a pharmacologic target in NB, supporting the evaluation of adding α1-antagonists to the post-consolidation therapy of NB to more efficiently control residual disease. SIGNIFICANCE Targeting α-adrenergic receptors synergizes with isotretinoin to suppress growth and to promote differentiation of neuroblastoma, revealing a combinatorial approach for more effective management of the disease and prevention of relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Broso
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Pamela Gatto
- High-Throughput Screening (HTS) and Validation Core Facility, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Viktoryia Sidarovich
- High-Throughput Screening (HTS) and Validation Core Facility, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Chiara Ambrosini
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Veronica De Sanctis
- Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Core Facility LaBSSAH, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Roberto Bertorelli
- Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Core Facility LaBSSAH, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Elena Zaccheroni
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Benedetta Ricci
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Eliana Destefanis
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Sara Longhi
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Enrico Sebastiani
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Toma Tebaldi
- Laboratory of RNA and Disease Data Science, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- Section of Hematology, Yale Cancer Center and Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Valentina Adami
- High-Throughput Screening (HTS) and Validation Core Facility, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Alessandro Quattrone
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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Jansson C, Mengelbier LH. Retinoic acid promotes differentiation of WiT49- but not of CCG99-11 Wilms tumour cells. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2023:e1819. [PMID: 37186071 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most children with Wilms tumour are successfully treated with multidrug chemotherapy and surgery. These treatments cause severe side effects for the patients, an issue that needs to be addressed by exploring other treatment options with less or no side effects. One option is to complement current therapies with agents that could potentially induce tumour cell differentiation, for example retinoic acid (RA). AIMS To facilitate quick assessment of an agent's effect on Wilms tumour differentiation by a rapid in vitro model system. METHODS AND RESULTS Here WiT49 and CCG99-11 Wilms tumour cells were treated with 10 μM RA for 72 h or 9 days. Cultured cells were scraped off from Petri dishes, pelleted and embedded in paraffin in the same way as clinical tumour specimens are preserved. Cell morphology and differentiation were evaluated by analyses of haematoxylin eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical stainings. Based on H&E, WT1 and CKAE1/3 stainings, RA treatment induced further epithelial differentiation of WiT49 cells, whereas there was no sign of induced maturation in CCG99-11 cells. Ki67 staining showed that RA inhibited cell proliferation in both cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that in vitro culturing of WiT49 and CCG99-11 cells, followed by pelleting and paraffin embedding of cell pellets, could aid in a quick evaluation of potential differentiating agents against Wilms tumour. In addition, our results strengthen previous results that retinoic acid could be a potential complement to regular Wilms tumour treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Jansson
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Sweden
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Masetti R, Muratore E, Leardini D, Baccelli F, Pession A, Prete A, Locatelli F. Chemotherapy-free treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia: the pediatric view of a revolutionary tale. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1135350. [PMID: 37124521 PMCID: PMC10145906 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1135350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The addition of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) to the standard anthracycline-base chemotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) over the last decades, becoming a model for precision medicine. The protocols based on the combination of ATRA and chemotherapy allowed obtaining excellent response rates both for children and adults. However, the persistence of anthracycline chemotherapy as a backbone was a matter of concern for both acute and long-term complications. Efforts in reducing anthracycline cumulative dose or even eliminating anthracycline have been pursued in more recent pediatric protocols thanks to the introduction of arsenic trioxide (ATO). The impressive results of the ATRA/ATO combinations led to the introduction of protocols completely chemotherapy-free for standard-risk adult patients as the standard of care, whereas pediatric chemo-free protocols are still currently under evaluation. In this Review, we will critically retrace the history of this unique revolution in precision medicine, discussing the peculiar advantages for pediatric patients with APL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Masetti
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology “Lalla Seràgnoli”, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Edoardo Muratore
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology “Lalla Seràgnoli”, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- *Correspondence: Edoardo Muratore,
| | - Davide Leardini
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology “Lalla Seràgnoli”, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Baccelli
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology “Lalla Seràgnoli”, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Arcangelo Prete
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology “Lalla Seràgnoli”, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatric Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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Gomez RL, Woods LM, Ramachandran R, Abou Tayoun AN, Philpott A, Ali FR. Super-enhancer associated core regulatory circuits mediate susceptibility to retinoic acid in neuroblastoma cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:943924. [PMID: 36147741 PMCID: PMC9485839 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.943924] [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] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric tumour that accounts for more than 15% of cancer-related deaths in children. High-risk tumours are often difficult to treat, and patients' survival chances are less than 50%. Retinoic acid treatment is part of the maintenance therapy given to neuroblastoma patients; however, not all tumours differentiate in response to retinoic acid. Within neuroblastoma tumors, two phenotypically distinct cell types have been identified based on their super-enhancer landscape and transcriptional core regulatory circuitries: adrenergic (ADRN) and mesenchymal (MES). We hypothesized that the distinct super-enhancers in these different tumour cells mediate differential response to retinoic acid. To this end, three different neuroblastoma cell lines, ADRN (MYCN amplified and non-amplified) and MES cells, were treated with retinoic acid, and changes in the super-enhancer landscape upon treatment and after subsequent removal of retinoic acid was studied. Using ChIP-seq for the active histone mark H3K27ac, paired with RNA-seq, we compared the super-enhancer landscape in cells that undergo neuronal differentiation in response to retinoic acid versus those that fail to differentiate and identified unique super-enhancers associated with neuronal differentiation. Among the ADRN cells that respond to treatment, MYCN-amplified cells remain differentiated upon removal of retinoic acid, whereas MYCN non-amplified cells revert to an undifferentiated state, allowing for the identification of super-enhancers responsible for maintaining differentiation. This study identifies key super-enhancers that are crucial for retinoic acid-mediated differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshna Lawrence Gomez
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Laura M. Woods
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Center, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Revathy Ramachandran
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmad N. Abou Tayoun
- Center for Genomic Discovery, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Al Jalila Genomics Center, Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anna Philpott
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Center, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Fahad R. Ali
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Center for Genomic Discovery, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Bar-Hai N, Ishay-Ronen D. Engaging plasticity: Differentiation therapy in solid tumors. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:944773. [PMID: 36034865 PMCID: PMC9410762 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.944773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a systemic heterogeneous disease that can undergo several rounds of latency and activation. Tumor progression evolves by increasing diversity, adaptation to signals from the microenvironment and escape mechanisms from therapy. These dynamic processes indicate necessity for cell plasticity. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a major role in facilitating cell plasticity in solid tumors by inducing dedifferentiation and cell type transitions. These two practices, plasticity and dedifferentiation enhance tumor heterogeneity creating a key challenge in cancer treatment. In this review we will explore cancer cell plasticity and elaborate treatment modalities that aspire to overcome such dynamic processes in solid tumors. We will further discuss the therapeutic potential of utilizing enhanced cell plasticity for differentiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neta Bar-Hai
- Cancer Research Center, Oncology Institute, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dana Ishay-Ronen
- Cancer Research Center, Oncology Institute, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- *Correspondence: Dana Ishay-Ronen,
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Sainero-Alcolado L, Mushtaq M, Liaño-Pons J, Rodriguez-Garcia A, Yuan Y, Liu T, Ruiz-Pérez MV, Schlisio S, Bedoya-Reina O, Arsenian-Henriksson M. Expression and activation of nuclear hormone receptors result in neuronal differentiation and favorable prognosis in neuroblastoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:226. [PMID: 35850708 PMCID: PMC9295514 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02399-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood tumor derived from the sympathetic nervous system, presents with heterogeneous clinical behavior. While some tumors regress spontaneously without medical intervention, others are resistant to therapy, associated with an aggressive phenotype. MYCN-amplification, frequently occurring in high-risk NB, is correlated with an undifferentiated phenotype and poor prognosis. Differentiation induction has been proposed as a therapeutic approach for high-risk NB. We have previously shown that MYCN maintains an undifferentiated state via regulation of the miR-17 ~ 92 microRNA cluster, repressing the nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). METHODS Cell viability was determined by WST-1. Expression of differentiation markers was analyzed by Western blot, RT-qPCR, and immunofluorescence analysis. Metabolic phenotypes were studied using Agilent Extracellular Flux Analyzer, and accumulation of lipid droplets by Nile Red staining. Expression of angiogenesis, proliferation, and neuronal differentiation markers, and tumor sections were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Gene expression from NB patient as well as adrenal gland cohorts were analyzed using GraphPad Prism software (v.8) and GSEA (v4.0.3), while pseudo-time progression on post-natal adrenal gland cells from single-nuclei transcriptome data was computed using scVelo. RESULTS Here, we show that simultaneous activation of GR and ERα potentiated induction of neuronal differentiation, reduced NB cell viability in vitro, and decreased tumor burden in vivo. This was accompanied by a metabolic reprogramming manifested by changes in the glycolytic and mitochondrial functions and in lipid droplet accumulation. Activation of the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) further enhanced the differentiated phenotype as well as the metabolic switch. Single-cell nuclei transcriptome analysis of human adrenal glands indicated a sequential expression of ERα, GR, and RARα during development from progenitor to differentiated chromaffin cells. Further, in silico analysis revealed that patients with higher combined expression of GR, ERα, and RARα mRNA levels had elevated expression of neuronal differentiation markers and a favorable outcome. CONCLUSION Together, our findings suggest that combination therapy involving activation of several NHRs could be a promising pharmacological approach for differentiation treatment of NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Sainero-Alcolado
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Muhammad Mushtaq
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.440526.10000 0004 0609 3164Present address: Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Informatics, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta, 87300 Pakistan
| | - Judit Liaño-Pons
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aida Rodriguez-Garcia
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ye Yuan
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tong Liu
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Present address: Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - María Victoria Ruiz-Pérez
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susanne Schlisio
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oscar Bedoya-Reina
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Arsenian-Henriksson
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
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11
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Dev A, Sardoiwala MN, Sharma A, MohanBhai SJ, Karmakar S, Choudhury SR. Nanoacetylated N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl) Retinamide Modulates Histone Acetylation–Methylation Epigenetic Disparity to Restrict Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Neuroblastoma. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:1109-1117. [DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Atul Dev
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Mohammed Nadim Sardoiwala
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Angela Sharma
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Soni Jignesh MohanBhai
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Surajit Karmakar
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Subhasree Roy Choudhury
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
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12
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An In Vitro Study of Saffron Carotenoids: The Effect of Crocin Extracts and Dimethylcrocetin on Cancer Cell Lines. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11061074. [PMID: 35739971 PMCID: PMC9220052 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11061074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Crocus sativus L. has various pharmacological properties, known for over 3600 years. These properties are attributed mainly to biologically active substances, which belong to the terpenoid group and include crocins, picrocrocin and safranal. The aim of the current work was to examine the effects of crocins (CRCs) and their methyl ester derivate dimethylcrocetin (DMCRT) on glioblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines, in terms of cytotoxicity and gene expression, implicated in proapoptotic and cell survival pathways. Cell cytotoxicity was assessed with Alamar Blue fluorescence assay after treatment with saffron carotenoids for 24, 48 and 72 h and concentrations ranging from 22.85 to 0.18 mg/mL for CRCs and 11.43 to 0.09 mg/mL for DMCRT. In addition, BAX, BID, BCL2, MYCN, SOD1, and GSTM1 gene expression was studied by qRT-PCR analysis. Both compounds demonstrated cytotoxic effects against glioblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. They induced apoptosis, via BAX and BID upregulation, MYCN and BCL-2, SOD1, GSTM1 downregulation. The current research denotes the possible anticancer properties of saffron carotenoids, which are considered safe phytochemicals, already tested in clinical trials for their health promoting properties.
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13
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Lampis S, Raieli S, Montemurro L, Bartolucci D, Amadesi C, Bortolotti S, Angelucci S, Scardovi AL, Nieddu G, Cerisoli L, Paganelli F, Valente S, Fischer M, Martelli AM, Pasquinelli G, Pession A, Hrelia P, Tonelli R. The MYCN inhibitor BGA002 restores the retinoic acid response leading to differentiation or apoptosis by the mTOR block in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:160. [PMID: 35490242 PMCID: PMC9055702 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02367-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma is a deadly childhood cancer, and MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma (MNA-NB) patients have the worst prognoses and are therapy-resistant. While retinoic acid (RA) is beneficial for some neuroblastoma patients, the cause of RA resistance is unknown. Thus, there remains a need for new therapies to treat neuroblastoma. Here we explored the possibility of combining a MYCN-specific antigene oligonucleotide BGA002 and RA as therapeutic approach to restore sensitivity to RA in NB. METHODS By molecular and cellular biology techniques, we assessed the combined effect of the two compounds in NB cell lines and in a xenograft mouse model MNA-NB. RESULTS We found that MYCN-specific inhibition by BGA002 in combination with RA (BGA002-RA) act synergistically and overcame resistance in NB cell lines. BGA002-RA also reactivated neuron differentiation (or led to apoptosis) and inhibited invasiveness capacity in MNA-NB. Moreover, we found that neuroblastoma had the highest level of mRNA expression of mTOR pathway genes, and that BGA002 led to mTOR pathway inhibition followed by autophagy reactivation in MNA-NB cells, which was strengthened by BGA002-RA. BGA002-RA in vivo treatment also eliminated tumor vascularization in a MNA-NB mouse model and significantly increased survival. CONCLUSION Taken together, MYCN modulation mediates the therapeutic efficacy of RA and the development of RA resistance in MNA-NB. Furthermore, by targeting MYCN, a cancer-specific mTOR pathway inhibition occurs only in MNA-NB, thus avoiding the side effects of targeting mTOR in normal cells. These findings warrant clinical testing of BGA002-RA as a strategy for overcoming RA resistance in MNA-NB.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luca Montemurro
- Pediatric Unit, S. Orsola IRCCS, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesca Paganelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Unit of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Valente
- Biotechnology and Methods in Laboratory Medicine, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matthias Fischer
- Department of Experimental Pediatric Oncology, University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Medical Faculty, Cologne, Germany; and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Gianandrea Pasquinelli
- Biotechnology and Methods in Laboratory Medicine, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Subcellular nephro-vascular diagnostic program, Pathology Unit S. Orsola IRCCS, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Hrelia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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14
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Zanoni M, Bravaccini S, Fabbri F, Arienti C. Emerging Roles of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Isoforms in Anti-cancer Therapy Resistance. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:795762. [PMID: 35299840 PMCID: PMC8920988 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.795762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are a family of detoxifying enzymes often upregulated in cancer cells and associated with therapeutic resistance. In humans, the ALDH family comprises 19 isoenzymes active in the majority of mammalian tissues. Each ALDH isoform has a specific differential expression pattern and most of them have individual functional roles in cancer. ALDHs are overexpressed in subpopulations of cancer cells with stem-like features, where they are involved in several processes including cellular proliferation, differentiation, detoxification and survival, participating in lipids and amino acid metabolism and retinoic acid synthesis. In particular, ALDH enzymes protect cancer cells by metabolizing toxic aldehydes in less reactive and more soluble carboxylic acids. High metabolic activity as well as conventional anticancer therapies contribute to aldehyde accumulation, leading to DNA double strand breaks (DSB) through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. ALDH overexpression is crucial not only for the survival of cancer stem cells but can also affect immune cells of the tumour microenvironment (TME). The reduction of ROS amount and the increase in retinoic acid signaling impairs immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducing the activation and stability of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). Dissecting the role of ALDH specific isoforms in the TME can open new scenarios in the cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the role of ALDH isoforms in solid tumors, in particular in association with therapy-resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Zanoni
- Biosciences Laboratory,IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | | | | | - Chiara Arienti
- Biosciences Laboratory,IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
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15
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Grace VMB, Wilson DD, Guruvayoorappan C, Danisha JP, Bonati L. Liposome nano-formulation with cationic polar lipid DOTAP and cholesterol as a suitable pH-responsive carrier for molecular therapeutic drug (all-trans retinoic acid) delivery to lung cancer cells. IET Nanobiotechnol 2021; 15:380-390. [PMID: 34694713 PMCID: PMC8675848 DOI: 10.1049/nbt2.12028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular targeted drug ATRA demands a suitable carrier that delivers to the cancer site due to its poor bioavailability and drug resistance. ATRA, being a lipid with carboxylic acid, has been nano‐formulated as a cationic lipo‐ATRA with DOTAP:cholesterol:ATRA (5:4:1) and its pH‐responsive release, intracellular drug accumulation, and anticancer effect on human lung cancer (A549) cell line analysed. The analysis of the physicochemical characteristics of the developed lipo‐ATRA (0.8 µmol) revealed that the size of 231 ± 2.35 d.nm had a zeta potential of 6.4 ± 1.19 and an encapsulation efficiency of 93.7 ± 3.6%. The ATRA release from lipo‐ATRA in vitro was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher at acidic pH 6 compared to pH 7.5. The intracellular uptake of ATRA into lipo‐ATRA‐treated A549 cells was seven‐fold higher (0.007 ± 0.001 mg/ml) while only three‐fold uptake was observed in free ATRA treatment (0.003 ± 0.002 mg/ml). The lipo‐ATRA treatment caused a highly significant (p ≤ 0.001) decrease in percent cell viability at 48 h when compared with the free ATRA treatment. Overall, the results proved that the developed lipo‐ATRA has suitable physicochemical properties with enhanced ATRA release at acidic pH, while maintaining stability at physiologic pH and temperature. This resulted in an increased ATRA uptake by lung cancer cells with enhanced treatment efficiency. Hence, it is concluded that DOTAP lipo‐ATRA is a suitable carrier for ATRA delivery to solid cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Devarajan David Wilson
- School of Science, Arts, Media and Management, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Chandrasekharan Guruvayoorappan
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Research, Regional Cancer Centre, Medical College Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Jesubatham Perinba Danisha
- Department of Biotechnology, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Lucia Bonati
- IAESTE Intern at Department of Biotechnology, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
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16
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Pezeshki PS, Moeinafshar A, Ghaemdoust F, Razi S, Keshavarz-Fathi M, Rezaei N. Advances in pharmacotherapy for neuroblastoma. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:2383-2404. [PMID: 34254549 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1953470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuroblastoma is the most prevalent cancer type diagnosed within the first year after birth and accounts for 15% of deaths from pediatric cancer. Despite the improvements in survival rates of patients with neuroblastoma, the incidence of the disease has increased over the last decade. Neuroblastoma tumor cells harbor a vast range of variable and heterogeneous histochemical and genetic alterations which calls for the need to administer individualized and targeted therapies to induce tumor regression in each patient. AREAS COVERED This paper provides reviews the recent clinical trials which used chemotherapeutic and/or targeted agents as either monotherapies or in combination to improve the response rate in patients with neuroblastoma, and especially high-risk neuroblastoma. It also reviews some of the prominent preclinical studies which can provide the rationale for future clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION Although some distinguished advances in pharmacotherapy have been made to improve the survival rate and reduce adverse events in patients with neuroblastoma, a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of tumorigenesis, resistance to therapies or relapse, identifying biomarkers of response to each specific drug, and developing predictive preclinical models of the tumor can lead to further breakthroughs in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parmida Sadat Pezeshki
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aysan Moeinafshar
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faezeh Ghaemdoust
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Razi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Keshavarz-Fathi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Stockholm, Sweden
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17
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Sun D, Wang S. Sphingosine kinases are involved in the regulation of all-trans retinoic acid sensitivity of K562 chronic myeloid leukemia cells. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:581. [PMID: 34122632 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has been reported to be limited both as single-drug treatment or in combination with other drugs. Our previous study demonstrated that sphingosine 1-phosphate attenuated the effects of ATRA on human colon cancer cells by blocking the expression of retinoic acid receptor β. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the ATRA-dependent proliferation inhibition of K562 cells was regulated by sphingosine kinases (SphKs). The results of cell proliferation assay and reverse transcription-PCR demonstrated that ATRA may exert synergistic effects with the SphK1 inhibitor SKI 5C or the pan-SphK inhibitor SKI II to inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells and upregulate the expression levels of the ATRA-inducible enzyme cytochrome P450 26A1 (CYP26A1). Knocking down the expression of SphK1 or SphK2 in K562 cells by small interfering RNA enhanced the inhibitory effects of ATRA and induced the expression of CYP26A1. Crude asterosaponins, which abrogated the expression of SphK2, also enhanced the effects of ATRA on K562 cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that SphKs may be involved in the regulation of the sensitivity of CML cells to ATRA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Defu Sun
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Life Science, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong 264005, P.R. China
| | - Siping Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yantai Shan Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264005, P.R. China
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18
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Elshazzly ME, Hammo B, Buhtoiarov IN. A Case of Subacute Brain Hemorrhage and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Secondary to Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in a Pediatric Patient. Cureus 2021; 13:e14922. [PMID: 34123621 PMCID: PMC8189270 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.14922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML), characterized by the reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 15 and 17 [t(15;17)], is a result of proliferation of myeloid cells maturation which is interrupted at the promyelocytic stage. The central, and the most important, distinguishing feature of APML is a predisposition to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The overall prognosis of APML is very good, with 90% of patients achieving complete remission. We find it important to remind pediatric practitioners, both in the ambulatory and urgent care room settings, of presenting signs and symptoms of leukemia, as well as, up-to-date on management of such fulminant scenarios as DIC. Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the commonest, and frequently fulminant complication of APML seen after initiation of induction chemotherapy. We report on a young female presenting with non-specific upper respiratory illness symptoms and recurrent headache, who was found to already have ICH and to be in DIC in the setting of APML at the time of initial evaluation. This case illustrates importance of thorough assessment and prompt consideration of wide differential diagnosis, which became somewhat limited and biased towards web-based telemedicine in the COVID-19 pandemics era.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bilasan Hammo
- Pediatrics, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, USA
| | - Ilia N Buhtoiarov
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, USA
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19
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Siaw JT, Javanmardi N, Van den Eynden J, Lind DE, Fransson S, Martinez-Monleon A, Djos A, Sjöberg RM, Östensson M, Carén H, Trøen G, Beiske K, Berbegall AP, Noguera R, Lai WY, Kogner P, Palmer RH, Hallberg B, Martinsson T. 11q Deletion or ALK Activity Curbs DLG2 Expression to Maintain an Undifferentiated State in Neuroblastoma. Cell Rep 2021; 32:108171. [PMID: 32966799 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
High-risk neuroblastomas typically display an undifferentiated or poorly differentiated morphology. It is therefore vital to understand molecular mechanisms that block the differentiation process. We identify an important role for oncogenic ALK-ERK1/2-SP1 signaling in the maintenance of undifferentiated neural crest-derived progenitors through the repression of DLG2, a candidate tumor suppressor gene in neuroblastoma. DLG2 is expressed in the murine "bridge signature" that represents the transcriptional transition state when neural crest cells or Schwann cell precursors differentiate to chromaffin cells of the adrenal gland. We show that the restoration of DLG2 expression spontaneously drives neuroblastoma cell differentiation, highlighting the importance of DLG2 in this process. These findings are supported by genetic analyses of high-risk 11q deletion neuroblastomas, which identified genetic lesions in the DLG2 gene. Our data also suggest that further exploration of other bridge genes may help elucidate the mechanisms underlying the differentiation of NC-derived progenitors and their contribution to neuroblastomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Tetteh Siaw
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Niloufar Javanmardi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jimmy Van den Eynden
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dan Emil Lind
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susanne Fransson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Angela Martinez-Monleon
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Djos
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rose-Marie Sjöberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Malin Östensson
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Helena Carén
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gunhild Trøen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Klaus Beiske
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ana P Berbegall
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Valencia/INCLIVA, Valencia/CIBER of Cancer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Noguera
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Valencia/INCLIVA, Valencia/CIBER of Cancer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Wei-Yun Lai
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Per Kogner
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ruth H Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Bengt Hallberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Tommy Martinsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden.
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20
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Differentiating Neuroblastoma: A Systematic Review of the Retinoic Acid, Its Derivatives, and Synergistic Interactions. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11030211. [PMID: 33809565 PMCID: PMC7999600 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11030211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A neuroblastoma (NB) is a solid paediatric tumour arising from undifferentiated neuronal cells. Despite the recent advances in disease management and treatment, it remains one of the leading causes of childhood cancer deaths, thereby necessitating the development of new therapeutic agents and regimens. Retinoic acid (RA), a vitamin A derivative, is a promising agent that can induce differentiation in NB cells. Its isoform, 13-cis RA or isotretinoin, is used in NB therapy; however, its effectiveness is limited to treating a minimal residual disease as maintenance therapy. As such, research focuses on RA derivatives that might increase the anti-NB action or explores the potential synergy between RA and other classes of drugs, such as cellular processes mediators, epigenetic modifiers, and immune modulators. This review summarises the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical data of RA, its derivatives, and synergising compounds, thereby establishing the most promising RA derivatives and combinations of RA for further investigation.
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Fang C, Rao S, Crispino JD, Ntziachristos P. Determinants and role of chromatin organization in acute leukemia. Leukemia 2020; 34:2561-2575. [PMID: 32690881 PMCID: PMC7999176 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-0981-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
DNA is compacted into higher order structures that have major implications in gene regulation. These structures allow for long-range interactions of DNA elements, such as the association of promoters with their cognate enhancers. In recent years, mutations in genes that control these structures, including the cohesin-complex and the insulator-binding protein CTCF, have been found in a spectrum of hematologic disorders, and especially in acute leukemias. Cohesin and CTCF are critical for mediating looping and establishing boundaries within chromatin. Cells that harbor mutations in these genes display aberrant chromatin architecture and resulting differences in gene expression that contribute to leukemia initiation and progression. Here, we provide detailed discussion of the nature of 3D interactions and the way that they are disrupted in acute leukemia. Continued research in this area will provide new insights into the mechanisms of leukemogenesis and may shed light on novel treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celestia Fang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Sridhar Rao
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - John D Crispino
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Division of Hematology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Panagiotis Ntziachristos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Division of Hematology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Simpson Querrey Center for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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22
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Giuli MV, Hanieh PN, Giuliani E, Rinaldi F, Marianecci C, Screpanti I, Checquolo S, Carafa M. Current Trends in ATRA Delivery for Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E707. [PMID: 32731612 PMCID: PMC7465813 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12080707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) is the most active metabolite of vitamin A. It is critically involved in the regulation of multiple processes, such as cell differentiation and apoptosis, by activating specific genomic pathways or by influencing key signaling proteins. Furthermore, mounting evidence highlights the anti-tumor activity of this compound. Notably, oral administration of ATRA is the first choice treatment in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) in adults and NeuroBlastoma (NB) in children. Regrettably, the promising results obtained for these diseases have not been translated yet into the clinics for solid tumors. This is mainly due to ATRA-resistance developed by cancer cells and to ineffective delivery and targeting. This up-to-date review deals with recent studies on different ATRA-loaded Drug Delivery Systems (DDSs) development and application on several tumor models. Moreover, patents, pre-clinical, and clinical studies are also reviewed. To sum up, the main aim of this in-depth review is to provide a detailed overview of the several attempts which have been made in the recent years to ameliorate ATRA delivery and targeting in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Valeria Giuli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.V.G.); (E.G.); (I.S.)
| | - Patrizia Nadia Hanieh
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (P.N.H.); (F.R.); (C.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Eugenia Giuliani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.V.G.); (E.G.); (I.S.)
| | - Federica Rinaldi
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (P.N.H.); (F.R.); (C.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Carlotta Marianecci
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (P.N.H.); (F.R.); (C.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Isabella Screpanti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.V.G.); (E.G.); (I.S.)
| | - Saula Checquolo
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Maria Carafa
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (P.N.H.); (F.R.); (C.M.); (M.C.)
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Davidi D, Schechter M, Elhadi SA, Matatov A, Nathanson L, Sharon R. α-Synuclein Translocates to the Nucleus to Activate Retinoic-Acid-Dependent Gene Transcription. iScience 2020; 23:100910. [PMID: 32120069 PMCID: PMC7052517 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.100910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) protein is implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease (PD). It is primarily cytosolic and interacts with cell membranes. α-Syn also occurs in the nucleus. Here we investigated the mechanisms involved in nuclear translocation of α-Syn. We analyzed alterations in gene expression following induced α-Syn expression in SH-SY5Y cells. Analysis of upstream regulators pointed at alterations in transcription activity of retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and additional nuclear receptors. We show that α-Syn binds RA and translocates to the nucleus to selectively enhance gene transcription. Nuclear translocation of α-Syn is regulated by calreticulin and is leptomycin-B independent. Importantly, nuclear translocation of α-Syn following RA treatment enhances its toxicity in cultured neurons and the expression levels of PD-associated genes, including ATPase cation transporting 13A2 (ATP13A2) and PTEN-induced kinase1 (PINK1). The results link a physiological role for α-Syn in the regulation of RA-mediated gene transcription and its toxicity in the synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Davidi
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Ein Kerem, 9112001 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Meir Schechter
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Ein Kerem, 9112001 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Suaad Abd Elhadi
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Ein Kerem, 9112001 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Adar Matatov
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Ein Kerem, 9112001 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Lubov Nathanson
- Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Ronit Sharon
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Ein Kerem, 9112001 Jerusalem, Israel.
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Isoherranen N, Zhong G. Biochemical and physiological importance of the CYP26 retinoic acid hydroxylases. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 204:107400. [PMID: 31419517 PMCID: PMC6881548 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.107400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The Cytochrome P450 (CYP) family 26 enzymes contribute to retinoic acid (RA) metabolism and homeostasis in humans, mammals and other chordates. The three CYP26 family enzymes, CYP26A1, CYP26B1 and CYP26C1 have all been shown to metabolize all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) it's 9-cisRA and 13-cisRA isomers and primary metabolites 4-OH-RA and 4-oxo-RA with high efficiency. While no crystal structures of CYP26 enzymes are available, the binding of various ligands has been extensively explored via homology modeling. All three CYP26 enzymes are inducible by treatment with atRA in various prenatal and postnatal tissues and cell types. However, current literature shows that in addition to regulation by atRA, CYP26 enzyme expression is also regulated by other endogenous processes and inflammatory cytokines. In humans and in animal models the expression patterns of CYP26 enzymes have been shown to be tissue and cell type specific, and the expression of the CYP26 enzymes is believed to regulate the formation of critical atRA concentration gradients in various tissue types. Yet, very little data exists on direct disease associations of altered CYP26 expression or activity. Nevertheless, data is emerging describing a variety of human genetic variations in the CYP26 enzymes that are associated with different pathologies. Interestingly, some of these genetic variants result in increased activity of the CYP26 enzymes potentially leading to complex gene-environment interactions due to variability in dietary intake of retinoids. This review highlights the current knowledge of structure-function of CYP26 enzymes and focuses on their role in human retinoid metabolism in different tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Isoherranen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Guo Zhong
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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25
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Hatziagapiou K, Kakouri E, Lambrou GI, Koniari E, Kanakis C, Nikola OA, Theodorakidou M, Bethanis K, Tarantilis PA. Crocins: The Active Constituents of Crocus Sativus L. Stigmas, Exert Significant Cytotoxicity on Tumor Cells In Vitro. CURRENT CANCER THERAPY REVIEWS 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1573394714666181029120446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background::Tumors of the childhood are considered to be grave and devastating pathologies, with high mortality rates. Current therapeutic options like cytotoxic drugs and radiotherapy target both healthy and malignant cells, thus resulting in long-term neurological and intellectual sequelae and endocrinological disorders.Objectives::In this study, we focused on the anticancer potency of crocins, the main constituents of Crocus sativus L, stigmas. Crocins were first extracted using organic solvents from the dried stigmas and then were identified using the HPLC analysis.Materials and Methods::TE-671 cells were treated with the extract of crocins using a range of concentrations between 0.25-mg/ mL and 16 mg/mL. Viability of the cells was measured at 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h. In addition, we have examined the expression levels of the p53 gene using Real-Time Reverse Transcription PCR.Results::Results showed that crocins exerted significant cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects in a concentration and time - dependent-manner on TE-671 cells. Furthermore, p53 manifested similar expression pattern as the anti-proliferative effect of crocin.Conclusion::Our data demonstrate that crocins could be a novel promising agent for the improvement of tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriaki Hatziagapiou
- Haematology and Oncology Unit, Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kakouri
- Laboratory of Chemistry, Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition, School of Food Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George I. Lambrou
- Haematology and Oncology Unit, Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Koniari
- Haematology and Oncology Unit, Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Charalabos Kanakis
- Laboratory of Chemistry, Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition, School of Food Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Olti A. Nikola
- Haematology and Oncology Unit, Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Margarita Theodorakidou
- Haematology and Oncology Unit, Choremeio Research Laboratory, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Bethanis
- Laboratory of Physics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Food Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros A. Tarantilis
- Laboratory of Chemistry, Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition, School of Food Biotechnology and Development, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Veselska R, Jezova M, Kyr M, Mazanek P, Chlapek P, Dobrotkova V, Sterba J. Comparative Analysis of Putative Prognostic and Predictive Markers in Neuroblastomas: High Expression of PBX1 Is Associated With a Poor Response to Induction Therapy. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1221. [PMID: 31803613 PMCID: PMC6872531 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The survival rate for patients with high-risk neuroblastomas remains poor despite new improvements in available therapeutic modalities. A detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying clinical responses to multimodal treatment is one of the important aspects that may provide precision in the prediction of a patient's clinical outcome. Our study was designed as a detailed comparative analysis of five selected proteins (DDX39A, HMGA1, HOXC9, NF1, and PBX1) in one cohort of patients using the same methodical approaches. These proteins were already reported separately as related to the resistance or sensitivity to retinoids and as useful prognostic markers of survival probability. In the cohort of 19 patients suffering from high-risk neuroblastomas, we analyzed initial immunohistochemistry samples obtained by diagnostic biopsy and post-induction samples taken after the end of induction therapy. The expression of DDX39A, HMGA1, HOXC9, and NF1 showed varied patterns with almost no differences between responders and non-responders. Nevertheless, we found very interesting results for PBX1: non-responders had significantly higher expression levels of this protein in the initial tumor samples when compared with responders; this expression pattern changed inversely in the post-induction samples, and this change was also statistically significant. Moreover, our results from survival analyses reveal the prognostic value of PBX1, NF1, and HOXC9 expression in neuroblastoma tissue. In addition to the prognostic importance of PBX1, NF1, and HOXC9 proteins, our results demonstrated that PBX1 could be used for the prediction of the clinical response to induction chemotherapy in patients suffering from high-risk neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Veselska
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia.,International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Marta Jezova
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Michal Kyr
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia.,International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Pavel Mazanek
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Petr Chlapek
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia.,International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Viera Dobrotkova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia.,International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jaroslav Sterba
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia.,International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
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27
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Franzese O, Minotti L, Aguiari G, Corrà F, Cervellati C, Ferrari C, Volinia S, Bergamini CM, Bianchi N. Involvement of non-coding RNAs and transcription factors in the induction of Transglutaminase isoforms by ATRA. Amino Acids 2019; 51:1273-1288. [PMID: 31440819 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-019-02766-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The multifunctional protein Transglutaminase type 2, is associated with cancer epithelial mesenchymal transition, invasiveness, stemness and drugs resistance. Several variant isoforms and non-coding RNAs are present in cancer and this report explored the expression of these transcripts of the TGM2 gene in cancer cell lines after induction with all-trans retinoic acid. The expression of truncated variants along with two long non-coding RNAs, was demonstrated. One of these is coded from the first intron and the Last Exon Variant is constituted by a sequence corresponding to the last three exons and the 3'UTR. Analysis of ChIP-seq data, from ENCODE project, highlighted factors interacting with intronic sequences, which could interfere with the progression of RNApol II at checkpoints, during the elongation process. Some relevant transcription factors, bound in an ATRA-dependent way, were found by RNA immunoprecipitation, notably GATA3 mainly enriched to Last Exon Variant non-coding RNA. The involvement of NMD in the regulation of the ratio among these transcripts was observed, as the prevalent recovering of Last Exon Variant to phUPF1-complexes, with decrease of the binding towards other selective targets. This study contributes to identify molecular mechanisms regulating the ratio among the variants and improves the knowledge about regulatory roles of the non-coding RNAs of the TGM2 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ornella Franzese
- Department of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Linda Minotti
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gianluca Aguiari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Specialist Surgery, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Fabio Corrà
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Carlo Cervellati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Specialist Surgery, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Carlo Ferrari
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Stefano Volinia
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Carlo M Bergamini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Specialist Surgery, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Nicoletta Bianchi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Specialist Surgery, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
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Becker J, Wilting J. WNT Signaling in Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11071013. [PMID: 31331081 PMCID: PMC6679057 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11071013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The term WNT (wingless-type MMTV integration site family) signaling comprises a complex molecular pathway consisting of ligands, receptors, coreceptors, signal transducers and transcriptional modulators with crucial functions during embryonic development, including all aspects of proliferation, morphogenesis and differentiation. Its involvement in cancer biology is well documented. Even though WNT signaling has been divided into mainly three distinct branches in the past, increasing evidence shows that some molecular hubs can act in various branches by exchanging interaction partners. Here we discuss developmental and clinical aspects of WNT signaling in neuroblastoma (NB), an embryonic tumor with an extremely broad clinical spectrum, ranging from spontaneous differentiation to fatal outcome. We discuss implications of WNT molecules in NB onset, progression, and relapse due to chemoresistance. In the light of the still too high number of NB deaths, new pathways must be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juergen Becker
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medical School Goettingen, Kreuzbergring 36, 37075 Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Joerg Wilting
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medical School Goettingen, Kreuzbergring 36, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
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29
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HDAC and HMT Inhibitors in Combination with Conventional Therapy: A Novel Treatment Option for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2019; 2019:6179573. [PMID: 31396278 PMCID: PMC6668531 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6179573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by PML-RARA translocation, which causes the blockage of promyelocyte differentiation. Conventional treatment with Retinoic acid and chemotherapeutics is quite satisfactory. However, there are still patients who relapse or develop resistance to conventional treatment. To propose new possibilities for acute leukemia treatment, we studied the potential of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and histone methyl transferase (HMT) inhibitor to enhance conventional therapy in vitro and ex vivo. NB4 and HL60 cell lines were used as an in vitro model; APL patient bone marrow mononuclear cells were used as an ex vivo model. Cell samples were treated with Belinostat (HDAC inhibitor) and 3-Deazaneplanocin A (HMT inhibitor) in combination with conventional treatment (Retinoic acid and Idarubicin). We demonstrated that the combined treatment used in the study had slightly higher effect on cell proliferation inhibition than conventional treatment. Also, enhanced treatment showed stronger effect on induction of apoptosis and on suppression of metabolism. Moreover, the treatment accelerated granulocytic cell differentiation and caused chromatin remodelling (increased H3K14 and H4 acetylation levels). In vitro and ex vivo models showed similar response to the treatment with different combinations of 3-Deazaneplanocin A, Belinostat, Retinoic acid, and Idarubicin. In conclusion, we suggest that 3-Deazaneplanocin A and Belinostat enhanced conventional acute promyelocytic leukemia treatment and could be considered for further investigations for clinical use.
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30
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Dobrotkova V, Chlapek P, Jezova M, Adamkova K, Mazanek P, Sterba J, Veselska R. Prediction of neuroblastoma cell response to treatment with natural or synthetic retinoids using selected protein biomarkers. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218269. [PMID: 31188873 PMCID: PMC6561640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the administration of retinoids represents an important part of treatment for children suffering from high-risk neuroblastomas, approximately 50% of these patients do not respond to this therapy or develop resistance to retinoids during treatment. Our study focused on the comparative analysis of the expression of five genes and corresponding proteins (DDX39A, HMGA1, HMGA2, HOXC9 and PBX1) that have recently been discussed as possible predictive biomarkers of clinical response to retinoid differentiation therapy. Expression of these five candidate biomarkers was evaluated at both the mRNA and protein level in the same subset of 8 neuroblastoma cell lines after treatment with natural or synthetic retinoids. We found that the cell lines that were HMGA2-positive and/or HOXC9-negative have a reduced sensitivity to retinoids. Furthermore, the experiments revealed that the retinoid-sensitive cell lines showed a uniform pattern of change after treatment with both natural and sensitive retinoids: increased DDX39A and decreased PBX1 protein levels. Our results showed that in NBL cells, these putative protein biomarkers are associated with sensitivity or resistance to retinoids, and their endogenous or induced expression can distinguish between these two phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viera Dobrotkova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Chlapek
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska, Czech Republic
| | - Marta Jezova
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Jihlavska, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Adamkova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Mazanek
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Cernopolni, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Sterba
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska, Czech Republic
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Cernopolni, Czech Republic
| | - Renata Veselska
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska, Czech Republic
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Cernopolni, Czech Republic
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31
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Toledo-Guzmán ME, Hernández MI, Gómez-Gallegos ÁA, Ortiz-Sánchez E. ALDH as a Stem Cell Marker in Solid Tumors. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 14:375-388. [PMID: 30095061 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x13666180810120012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) is an enzyme that participates in important cellular mechanisms as aldehyde detoxification and retinoic acid synthesis; moreover, ALDH activity is involved in drug resistance, a characteristic of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Even though ALDH is found in stem cells, CSCs and progenitor cells, this enzyme has been successfully used to identify and isolate cell populations with CSC properties from several tumor origins. ALDH is allegedly involved in cell differentiation through its product, retinoic acid. However, direct or indirect ALDH inhibition, using specific inhibitors or retinoic acid, has shown a reduction in ALDH activity, along with the loss of stem cell traits, reduction of cell proliferation, invasion, and drug sensitization. For these reasons, ALDH and retinoic acid are promising therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the current evidence for ALDH as a CSCs marker in solid tumors, as well as current knowledge about the functional roles of ALDH in CSCs. We discuss the controversy of ALDH activity to maintain CSC stemness, or conversely, to promote cell differentiation. Finally, we review the advances in using ALDH inhibitors as anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariel E Toledo-Guzmán
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Laboratorio de Terapia Genica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas, Posgrado de Biomedicina y Biotecnologia Molecular, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
- Subdireccion de Investigacion Basica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, Av San Fernando 22, Colonia Seccion XVI, Tlalpan 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel Ibañez Hernández
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Laboratorio de Terapia Genica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas, Posgrado de Biomedicina y Biotecnologia Molecular, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ángel A Gómez-Gallegos
- Subdireccion de Investigacion Basica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, Av San Fernando 22, Colonia Seccion XVI, Tlalpan 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
- Posgrado de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Ortiz-Sánchez
- Subdireccion de Investigacion Basica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, Av San Fernando 22, Colonia Seccion XVI, Tlalpan 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
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Dobrotkova V, Chlapek P, Mazanek P, Sterba J, Veselska R. Traffic lights for retinoids in oncology: molecular markers of retinoid resistance and sensitivity and their use in the management of cancer differentiation therapy. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:1059. [PMID: 30384831 PMCID: PMC6211450 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-4966-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, retinoids and their synthetic derivatives have been well established anticancer treatments due to their ability to regulate cell growth and induce cell differentiation and apoptosis. Many studies have reported the promising role of retinoids in attaining better outcomes for adult or pediatric patients suffering from several types of cancer, especially acute myeloid leukemia and neuroblastoma. However, even this promising differentiation therapy has some limitations: retinoid toxicity and intrinsic or acquired resistance have been observed in many patients. Therefore, the identification of molecular markers that predict the therapeutic response to retinoid treatment is undoubtedly important for retinoid use in clinical practice. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on candidate markers, including both genetic alterations and protein markers, for retinoid resistance and sensitivity in human malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viera Dobrotkova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Chlapek
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Mazanek
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Cernopolni 9, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Sterba
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Cernopolni 9, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Renata Veselska
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Pekarska 53, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Cernopolni 9, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic
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Epigallocatechin-3-gallate and 6-OH-11-O-Hydroxyphenanthrene Limit BE(2)-C Neuroblastoma Cell Growth and Neurosphere Formation In Vitro. Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10091141. [PMID: 30135355 PMCID: PMC6164794 DOI: 10.3390/nu10091141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We conducted an in vitro study combining a rexinoid, 6-OH-11-O-hydroxyphenanthrene (IIF), and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is the main catechin of green tea, on BE(2)-C, a neuroblastoma cell line representative of the high-risk group of patients. Neuroblastoma is the most common malignancy of childhood: high-risk patients, having N-MYC over-expression, undergo aggressive therapy and show high mortality or an increased risk of secondary malignancies. Retinoids are used in neuroblastoma therapy with incomplete success: the association of a second molecule might improve the efficacy. BE(2)-C cells were treated by EGCG and IIF, individually or in combination: cell viability, as evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, was reduced, EGCG+IIF being the most effective treatment. Apoptosis occurred and the EGCG+IIF treatment decreased N-MYC protein expression and molecular markers of invasion (MMP-2, MMP-9 and COX-2). Zymography demonstrated nearly 50% inhibition of MMP activity. When BE(2)-C cells were grown in non-adherent conditions to enrich the tumor-initiating cell population, BE(2)-C-spheres were obtained. After 48 h and 72 h treatment, EGCG+IIF limited BE(2)-C-sphere formation and elicited cell death with a reduction of N-MYC expression. We concluded that the association of EGCG to IIF might be applied without toxic effects to overcome the incomplete success of retinoid treatments in neuroblastoma patients.
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Chlapek P, Slavikova V, Mazanek P, Sterba J, Veselska R. Why Differentiation Therapy Sometimes Fails: Molecular Mechanisms of Resistance to Retinoids. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19010132. [PMID: 29301374 PMCID: PMC5796081 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoids represent a popular group of differentiation inducers that are successfully used in oncology for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia in adults and of neuroblastoma in children. The therapeutic potential of retinoids is based on their key role in the regulation of cell differentiation, growth, and apoptosis, which provides a basis for their use both in cancer therapy and chemoprevention. Nevertheless, patients treated with retinoids often exhibit or develop resistance to this therapy. Although resistance to retinoids is commonly categorized as either acquired or intrinsic, resistance as a single phenotypic feature is usually based on the same mechanisms that are closely related or combined in both of these types. In this review, we summarize the most common changes in retinoid metabolism and action that may affect the sensitivity of a tumor cell to treatment with retinoids. The availability of retinoids can be regulated by alterations in retinol metabolism or in retinoid intracellular transport, by degradation of retinoids or by their efflux from the cell. Retinoid effects on gene expression can be regulated via retinoid receptors or via other molecules in the transcriptional complex. Finally, the role of small-molecular-weight inhibitors of altered cell signaling pathways in overcoming the resistance to retinoids is also suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Chlapek
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic.
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Viera Slavikova
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic.
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavel Mazanek
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jaroslav Sterba
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Renata Veselska
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic.
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic.
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Ren T, Piperdi S, Koirala P, Park A, Zhang W, Ivenitsky D, Zhang Y, Villanueva-Siles E, Hawkins DS, Roth M, Gorlick R. CD49b inhibits osteogenic differentiation and plays an important role in osteosarcoma progression. Oncotarget 2017; 8:87848-87859. [PMID: 29152125 PMCID: PMC5675677 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is a cancer whose cell of origin lies in the differentiation pathway between the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and the osteoblast (OB). In this study, we sought to determine if surface markers associated with osteoblastic differentiation are involved in osteosarcoma progression. cDNA expression arrays were performed on MSCs and osteoblasts to identify differentially expressed genes. The specificity of candidate genes for osteoblast differentiation was assessed through time course experiments in differentiation media with confirmation utilizing CD49b transfected MSCs. In addition, CD49b was transfected into osteosarcoma cell lines to determine its impact on cell proliferation, motility, and invasion. Finally, the expression of CD49b was assessed in osteosarcoma patient samples and correlated with survival outcomes. cDNA expression arrays identified a list of genes differentially expressed between MSCs and osteoblasts with a subset of those genes encoding cell surface proteins. Three genes were selected for further analysis, based on qPCR validation, but only CD49b was selective for osteoblastic differentiation. Forced expression of CD49b in MSCs led to delayed osteoblastic differentiation. Down-regulation of CD49b expression in osteosarcoma cell lines resulted in inhibition of their migration and invasion capacity. CD49b expression in osteosarcoma patients was associated with presence of metastases and inferior 5 year overall survival (31.4% vs. 57.4%, p=0.03). Surface proteins involved in osteosarcoma cell differentiation, such as CD49b, have the potential to serve as prognostic biomarkers, and may lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Ren
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Sajida Piperdi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Pratistha Koirala
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Amy Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Wendong Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Daria Ivenitsky
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Yidan Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Douglas S Hawkins
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael Roth
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Richard Gorlick
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Cancer Hospital, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Villasante A, Sakaguchi K, Kim J, Cheung N, Nakayama M, Parsa H, Okano T, Shimizu T, Vunjak-Novakovic G. Vascularized Tissue-Engineered Model for Studying Drug Resistance in Neuroblastoma. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:4099-4117. [PMID: 29158813 PMCID: PMC5695000 DOI: 10.7150/thno.20730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a vascularized pediatric tumor derived from neural crest stem cells that displays vasculogenic mimicry and can express a number of stemness markers, such as SOX2 and NANOG. Tumor relapse is the major cause of succumbing to this disease, and properties attributed to cancer stem-like cells (CSLC), such as drug-resistance and cell plasticity, seem to be the key mechanisms. However, the lack of controllable models that recapitulate the features of human neuroblastoma limits our understanding of the process and impedes the development of new therapies. In response to these limitations, we engineered a perfusable, vascularized in vitro model of three-dimensional human neuroblastoma to study the effects of retinoid therapy on tumor vasculature and drug-resistance. METHODS The in vitro model of neuroblastoma was generated using cell-sheet engineering and cultured in a perfusion bioreactor. Firstly, we stacked three cell sheets containing SKNBE(2) neuroblastoma cells and HUVEC. Then, a vascular bed made of fibrin, collagen I and HUVEC cells was placed onto a collagen-gel base with 8 microchannels. After gelling, the stacked cell sheets were placed on the vascular bed and cultured in the perfusion bioreactor (perfusion rate: 0.5 mL/min) for 4 days. Neuroblastoma models were treated with 10μM isotretionin in single daily doses for 5 days. RESULTS The bioengineered model recapitulated vasculogenic mimicry (vessel-like structure formation and tumor-derived endothelial cells-TECs), and contained CSLC expressing SOX2 and NANOG. Treatment with Isotretinoin destabilized vascular networks but failed to target vasculogenic mimicry and augmented populations of CSLCs expressing high levels of SOX2. Our results suggest that CSLCs can transdifferentiate into drug resistant CD31+-TECs, and reveal the presence of an intermediate state STEC (stem tumor-derived endothelial cell) expressing both SOX2 and CD31. CONCLUSION Our results reveal some roles of SOX2 in drug resistance and tumor relapse, and suggest that SOX2 could be a therapeutic target in neuroblastoma.
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Moreb JS, Ucar-Bilyeu DA, Khan A. Use of retinoic acid/aldehyde dehydrogenase pathway as potential targeted therapy against cancer stem cells. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2016; 79:295-301. [PMID: 27942929 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-016-3213-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
A large number of studies have investigated possible drug resistance mechanisms of cancer cells and suggested strategies to overcome it. In this review, we outline the role and function of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity in multiple cellular functions and in cancer stem cells (CSCs) and focus on the role of retinoic acid (RA), one of the products of ALDH isozymes. We discuss our observation that ATRA and other RAs can suppress ALDH activity and decrease different ALDH isozyme proteins and result in detrimental effects on cell proliferation, invasion and chemotherapy sensitivity. We review the known uses of different RAs in the treatment of cancers. We review the use of RAs in combination with chemo-/radiotherapy and the major signaling pathways affected in different tumor types. We provide follow-up on studies that may have used our prior observation with the aim of targeting the CSCs. We conclude with summary of the findings and potential impact of published studies on future use of RAs in the targeting of CSCs and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan S Moreb
- Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Rd, PO Box 100277, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | | | - Abdullah Khan
- Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Rd, PO Box 100277, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
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Amayiri N, Al-Hussaini M, Swaidan M, Jaradat I, Qandeel M, Tabori U, Hawkins C, Musharbash A, Alsaad K, Bouffet E. Synchronous glioblastoma and medulloblastoma in a child with mismatch repair mutation. Childs Nerv Syst 2016; 32:553-7. [PMID: 26293676 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-015-2883-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Synchronous primary malignant brain tumors are rare. We present a 5-year-old boy with synchronous glioblastoma and medulloblastoma. Both tumor samples had positive p53 stain and loss of PMS2 and MLH1 stains. The child had multiple café au lait spots and a significant family history of cancer. After subtotal resection of both tumors, he received craniospinal radiation with concomitant temozolomide followed by chemotherapy, alternating cycles of cisplatin/lomustine/vincristine with temozolomide. Then, he started maintenance treatment with cis-retinoic acid (100 mg/m(2)/day for 21 days). He remained asymptomatic for 34 months despite a follow-up brain MRI consistent with glioblastoma relapse 9 months before his death. Cis-retinoic acid may have contributed to prolong survival in this child with a probable biallelic mismatch repair syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisreen Amayiri
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Queen Rania Al Abdullah Street, P.O. Box 1269, Al-Jubeiha, Amman, 11941, Jordan.
| | | | - Maisa Swaidan
- Department of Radiology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Imad Jaradat
- Department of Radiation Oncology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Monther Qandeel
- Department of Radiology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Uri Tabori
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Onatrio, Jordan
| | - Cynthia Hawkins
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Division of Pathology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Awni Musharbash
- Department of Surgery/Neurosurgery, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Khulood Alsaad
- Department of Pediatrics, Salmanyia Medical Complex, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
| | - Eric Bouffet
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Onatrio, Jordan
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Yang L, Ke XX, Xuan F, Tan J, Hou J, Wang M, Cui H, Zhang Y. PHOX2B Is Associated with Neuroblastoma Cell Differentiation. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2016; 31:44-51. [PMID: 26910576 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2015.1952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a common pediatric malignancy that accounts for ∼15% of tumor-related deaths in children. The tumor is generally believed to originate from neural crest cells during early sympathetic neurogenesis. As the degree of neuroblastoma differentiation has been correlated with clinical outcome, clarifying the molecular mechanisms that drive neuroblastoma progression and differentiation is important for increasing the survival of these patients. In a previous study, the authors identified paired-like homeobox 2b (PHOX2B) as a key mediator of neuroblastoma pathogenesis in a TH-MYCN mouse model. In the present study, they aimed to define whether PHOX2B is also associated with proliferation and differentiation of human neuroblastoma cells. PHOX2B expression in neuroblastoma cells was evaluated by immunoblot analyses, and the effects of PHOX2B on the proliferation of neuroblastoma cells in vitro were determined using clonogenic and sphere formation assays. Xenograft experiments in NOD/SCID mice were used to examine the in vivo response to PHOX2B knockdown. Their data demonstrated that PHOX2B acts as a prognostic marker in neuroblastoma and that retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiation downregulates PHOX2B expression, thereby suppressing the self-renewal capacity of neuroblastoma cells and inhibiting tumorigenicity. These findings confirmed that PHOX2B is a key regulator of neuroblastoma differentiation and stemness maintenance and indicated that PHOX2B might serve as a potential therapeutic target in neuroblastoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqun Yang
- 1 Cell Biology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University , Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Xue Ke
- 1 Cell Biology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University , Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Fan Xuan
- 1 Cell Biology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University , Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Juan Tan
- 1 Cell Biology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University , Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Jianbing Hou
- 1 Cell Biology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University , Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Mei Wang
- 1 Cell Biology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University , Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- 1 Cell Biology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University , Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Yundong Zhang
- 2 Department of Neurosurgery, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University , Chongqing, P.R. China
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Noyes JJ, Levine MA, Belasco JB, Mostoufi-Moab S. Premature Epiphyseal Closure of the Lower Extremities Contributing to Short Stature after cis-Retinoic Acid Therapy in Medulloblastoma: A Case Report. Horm Res Paediatr 2016; 85:69-73. [PMID: 26457578 PMCID: PMC4743750 DOI: 10.1159/000441140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolonged cis-retinoic acid (RA) exposure contributes to premature epiphyseal closure. cis-RA is administered in various treatment regimens for pediatric cancers, thus increasing the risk for bone deformities and compromised growth. RESULTS We present a case of premature epiphyseal closure in a 9-year-old female with a history of medulloblastoma and treatment with a multimodal regimen including cis-RA. She was subsequently diagnosed with radiation-induced endocrine late effects including hypothyroidism and growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Seven months after initiation of GH therapy, an increased prominence of the wrists and knees combined with a deceleration in growth velocity prompted further evaluation; radiographs revealed bilateral premature closure of the distal femur and proximal tibia growth plates despite normal left wrist bone age. CONCLUSION High doses of vitamin A and its analogs are linked to premature closure of the lower-extremity growth plates in animals and children. Pediatric brain tumor patients are at increased risk of growth failure due to concurrent radiation-induced GHD, damage to the spinal bones, and cis-RA-associated premature closure of the lower-extremity growth plates, with significant reduction in adult stature. A better appreciation of the detrimental effect of cis-RA on the growing skeleton is needed to monitor at-risk patients and to provide timely interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J. Noyes
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Michael A. Levine
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Jean B. Belasco
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Sogol Mostoufi-Moab
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Cheung BB. Combination therapies improve the anticancer activities of retinoids in neuroblastoma. World J Clin Oncol 2015; 6:212-215. [PMID: 26677433 PMCID: PMC4675905 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v6.i6.212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Most therapeutic protocols for child cancers use cytotoxic agents which have a narrow therapeutic index, and resulting in severe acute and chronic toxicities to normal tissues. Despite the fact that most child cancer patients achieve complete remission after chemotherapy, death still occurs due to relapse of persistent minimal residual disease (MRD) which remaining after initial cytotoxic chemotherapy. Advanced neuroblastoma (NB) is a leading cause of cancer deaths in young children. Retinoids are an important component of advanced NB therapy at the stage of MRD, yet half of all patients treated with 13-cis-retinoic acid still relapse and die. More effective combination therapies, with a lower side-effect profile, are required to improve outcomes for NB. Fenretinide or N-4-hydroxyphenyl retinamide is a synthetic derivative of retinoic acid which works on cancer cells through nuclear receptor-dependent and -independent signalling mechanisms. Moreover, several histone deacetylase inhibitors have entered early phase trials, and, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid has been approved for use in adult cutaneous T cell lymphoma. A number of studies suggest that retinoid signal activation is necessary for histone deacetylase inhibitor activity. A better understanding of their mechanism of actions will lead to more evidence-based retinoid combination therapies.
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Basma H, Ghayad SE, Rammal G, Mancinelli A, Harajly M, Ghamloush F, Dweik L, El-Eit R, Zalzali H, Rabeh W, Pisano C, Darwiche N, Saab R. The synthetic retinoid ST1926 as a novel therapeutic agent in rhabdomyosarcoma. Int J Cancer 2015; 138:1528-37. [PMID: 26453552 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most frequent soft tissue sarcoma in children. Despite multiple attempts at intensifying chemotherapeutic approaches to treatment, only moderate improvements in survival have been made for patients with advanced disease. Retinoic acid is a differentiation agent that has shown some antitumor efficacy in RMS cells in vitro; however, the effects are of low magnitude. E-3-(4'-hydroxyl-3'-adamantylbiphenyl-4-yl) acrylic acid (ST1926) is a novel orally available synthetic atypical retinoid, shown to have more potent activity than retinoic acid in several types of cancer cells. We used in vitro and in vivo models of RMS to explore the efficacy of ST1926 as a possible therapeutic agent in this sarcoma. We found that ST1926 reduced RMS cell viability in all tested alveolar (ARMS) and embryonal (ERMS) RMS cell lines, at readily achievable micromolar concentrations in mice. ST1926 induced an early DNA damage response (DDR), which led to increase in apoptosis, in addition to S-phase cell cycle arrest and a reduction in protein levels of the cell cycle kinase CDK1. Effects were irrespective of TP53 mutational status. Interestingly, in ARMS cells, ST1926 treatment decreased PAX3-FOXO1 fusion oncoprotein levels, and this suppression occurred at a post-transcriptional level. In vivo, ST1926 was effective in inhibiting growth of ARMS and ERMS xenografts, and induced a prominent DDR. We conclude that ST1926 has preclinical efficacy against RMS, and should be further developed in this disease in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Basma
- Children's Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sandra E Ghayad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, EDST, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ghina Rammal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, EDST, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Angelo Mancinelli
- Medicinal Investigational Research, Biogem Research Institute, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Mohammad Harajly
- Children's Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Farah Ghamloush
- Children's Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Loai Dweik
- Children's Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rabab El-Eit
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hassan Zalzali
- Children's Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Wissam Rabeh
- Children's Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Claudio Pisano
- Medicinal Investigational Research, Biogem Research Institute, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Nadine Darwiche
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Raya Saab
- Children's Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Additive Effects of Retinoic Acid (RA) and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (BMP-4) Apoptosis Signaling in Retinoblastoma Cell Lines. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131467. [PMID: 26173116 PMCID: PMC4501735 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoids have been shown to serve promising therapeutic agents for human cancers, e.g. the treatment of neuroblastoma. Synthetic retinoids, specific for particular retinoic acid (RA) receptors, are tested as new therapy strategies. In the present study, application of recombinant retinoic acid (RA) lowers retinoblastoma (RB) cell viability and induces apoptosis in RB cell lines. Combined treatment of RA and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) increases the pro-apoptotic effect of RA in the RB cells lines WERI-Rb1, Y-79, RB355, RBL-30 and RBL-15, indicating an additive effect. We could show that in WERI-Rb1 cells RA/BMP-4 mediated cell death is at least partially caspase-dependent, whereby RA and BMP-4 additively increased (i) Apaf-1 mRNA levels, (ii) caspase-9 cleavage activity and (iii) the number of activated, cleaved caspase-3 positive cells. Compared to single application of RA and BMP-4, combined RA/BMP-4 treatment significantly augments mRNA levels of the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) RARα and RARß and the retinoic X receptor (RXR) RXRγ suggesting an interaction in the induction of these RA receptor subtypes in WERI-Rb1 cells. Agonist studies revealed that both, RARs and RXRs are involved in RA/BMP-4 mediated apoptosis in WERI-Rb1 retinoblastoma cells. Employing specific RAR subtype antagonists and a RXRß and RXRγ knockdown, we proved that RA/BMP-4 apoptosis signaling in WERI-Rb1 cells requires the RA receptor subtypes RARα, RARß, RXRß and RXRγ. Deciphering signaling mechanisms underlying apoptosis induction of RA and BMP-4 in WERI-Rb1 cells, our study provides useful starting-points for future retinoid-based therapy strategies in retinoblastoma.
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MicroRNA-27a Contributes to Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Proliferation by Suppressing RARA and RXRA. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125171. [PMID: 25915942 PMCID: PMC4410939 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are rare but very aggressive childhood tumors that arise as a consequence of a regulatory disruption in the growth and differentiation pathways of myogenic precursor cells. According to morphological criteria, there are two major RMS subtypes: embryonal RMS (ERMS) and alveolar RMS (ARMS) with the latter showing greater aggressiveness and metastatic potential with respect to the former. Efforts to unravel the complex molecular mechanisms underlying RMS pathogenesis and progression have revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in tumorigenesis. Methodology/Principal Findings The expression profiles of 8 different RMS cell lines were analyzed to investigate the involvement of miRNAs in RMS. The miRNA population from each cell line was compared to a reference sample consisting of a balanced pool of total RNA extracted from those 8 cell lines. Sixteen miRNAs whose expression discriminates between translocation-positive ARMS and negative RMS were identified. Attention was focused on the role of miR-27a that is up-regulated in the more aggressive RMS cell lines (translocation-positive ARMS) in which it probably acts as an oncogene. MiR-27a overexpressing cells showed a significant increase in their proliferation rate that was paralleled by a decrease in the number of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. It was possible to demonstrate that miR-27a is implicated in cell cycle control by targeting the retinoic acid alpha receptor (RARA) and retinoic X receptor alpha (RXRA). Conclusions Study results have demonstrated that miRNA expression signature profiling can be used to classify different RMS subtypes and suggest that miR-27a may have a therapeutic potential in RMS by modulating the expression of retinoic acid receptors.
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A paradigm for cybernetics, regulatory circuits and ultra-stability in cancer biology and treatment. Leuk Res 2014; 38:1158-9. [PMID: 25139848 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2014.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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46
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Human marrow stromal cells downsize the stem cell fraction of lung cancers by fibroblast growth factor 10. Mol Cell Biol 2014; 34:2848-56. [PMID: 24865969 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00871-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The functional interplay between cancer cells and marrow stromal cells (MSCs) has attracted a great deal of interest due to the MSC tropism for tumors but remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated human MSC-secreted paracrine factors that appear to have critical functions in cancer stem cell subpopulations. We show that MSC-conditioned medium reduced the cancer stem cell-enriched subpopulation, which was detected as a side population and quiescent (G0) cell cycle fraction in human lung cancer cells by virtue of fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10). This reduction of the stem cell-enriched fraction was also observed in lung cancer cells supplemented with recombinant human FGF10 protein. Moreover, supplementary FGF10 attenuated the expression of stemness genes encoding transcription factors, such as OCT3/4 and SOX2, and crippled the self-renewal capacity of lung cancer cells, as evidenced by the impaired formation of floating spheres in the suspension culture. We finally confirmed the therapeutic potential of the FGF10 treatment, which rendered lung cancer cells prone to a chemotherapeutic agent, probably due to the reduced cancer stem cell subpopulation. Collectively, these results add further clarification to the molecular mechanisms underlying MSC-mediated cancer cell kinetics, facilitating the development of future therapies.
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Yim CY, Mao P, Spinella MJ. Headway and hurdles in the clinical development of dietary phytochemicals for cancer therapy and prevention: lessons learned from vitamin A derivatives. AAPS JOURNAL 2014; 16:281-8. [PMID: 24431081 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-014-9562-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating epidemiologic and preclinical evidence support the pharmacologic use of a variety of dietary chemicals for the prevention and treatment of cancer. However, it will be challenging to translate these findings into routine clinical practice since phytochemicals have pleiotropic biological activities that have to be balanced for optimal efficacy without unacceptable and potentially unanticipated toxicities. Correctly matching patient populations and settings with optimal, natural product-based phytochemical therapies will require a greater understanding of the specific mechanisms underlying the efficacy, toxicity, and resistance of each agent in a variety of normal, premalignant, and malignant settings. This, in turn, necessitates continued commitment from the basic research community to guide carefully designed and informed clinical trials. The most developed class of anticancer phytochemicals consists of the derivatives of vitamin A called retinoids. Unlike other natural product chemicals currently under study, the retinoids have been extensively tested in humans. Over 30 years of clinical investigation has resulted in several disappointments, but there were some spectacular successes where certain retinoid-based protocols are now FDA-approved standard of care therapies to treat specific malignancies. Furthermore, retinoids are one of the most evaluated pharmacologic agents in the ultra-challenging setting of interventional cancer prevention. This review will summarize the development of retinoids in cancer therapy and prevention with an emphasis on currently proposed mechanisms mediating their efficacy, toxicity, and resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Y Yim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 7650 Remsen, Hanover, New Hampshire, 03755, USA
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Abstract
MicroRNA MicroRNA s (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs acting as endogenous regulators of gene expression. Their discovery is one of the major recent breakthroughs in molecular biology. miRNAs establish a multiplicity of relationships with target mRNAs and exert pleiotropic biological effects in many cell physiological pathways during development and adult life. The dynamic nature of gene expression regulation by Retinoic Acid Retinoic acid (RA) is consistent with an extensive functional interplay with miRNA activities. In fact, RA regulates the expression of many different miRNAs, thus suggesting a relevant function of miRNAs in RA-controlled gene expression programmes. miRNAs have been extensively studied as targets and mediators of the biological activity of RA during embryonic development as well as in normal and neoplastic cells. However, relatively few studies have experimentally explored the direct contribution of miRNA function to the RA signalling pathway. Here, we provide an overview of the mechanistic aspects that allow miRNA biogenesis, functional activation and regulation, focusing on recent evidence that highlights a functional interplay between miRNAs and RA-regulated molecular networks. We report examples of tissue-specific roles of miRNAs modulated by RA in stem cell pluripotency maintenance and regeneration, embryonic development, hematopoietic and neural differentiation, and other biological model systems, underlining their role in disease pathogenesis. We also address novel areas of research linking the RA signalling pathway to the nuclear activity of miRNAs.
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MESH Headings
- Cell Differentiation
- Embryo, Mammalian
- Embryonic Development
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Pluripotent Stem Cells/cytology
- Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism
- Protein Binding
- Protein Multimerization
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid/genetics
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid/metabolism
- Retinoid X Receptors/genetics
- Retinoid X Receptors/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Tretinoin/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Nervi
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy,
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Hensley P, Mishra M, Kyprianou N. Targeting caspases in cancer therapeutics. Biol Chem 2013; 394:831-43. [PMID: 23509217 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2013-0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The identification of the fundamental role of apoptosis in the growth balance and normal homeostasis against cell proliferation led to the recognition of its loss contributing to tumorigenesis. The mechanistic significance of reinstating apoptosis signaling towards selective targeting of malignant cells heavily exploits the caspase family of death-inducing molecules as a powerful therapeutic platform for the development of potent anticancer strategies. Some apoptosis inhibitors induce caspase expression and activity in preclinical models and clinical trials by targeting both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways and restoring the apoptotic capacity in human tumors. Furthermore, up-regulation of caspases emerges as a sensitizing mechanism for tumors exhibiting therapeutic resistance to radiation and adjuvant chemotherapy. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of the functional involvement of caspases in apoptosis control and the current understanding of reactivating caspase-mediated apoptosis signaling towards effective therapeutic modalities in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Hensley
- Department of Urology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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50
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Semeraro M, Vacchelli E, Eggermont A, Galon J, Zitvogel L, Kroemer G, Galluzzi L. Trial Watch: Lenalidomide-based immunochemotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2013; 2:e26494. [PMID: 24482747 PMCID: PMC3897503 DOI: 10.4161/onci.26494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2013] [Accepted: 09/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lenalidomide is a synthetic derivative of thalidomide currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in patients affected by multiple myeloma (in combination with dexamethasone) and low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes that harbor 5q cytogenetic abnormalities. For illustrative purposes, the mechanism of action of lenalidomide can be subdivided into a cancer cell-intrinsic, a stromal, and an immunological component. Indeed, lenalidomide not only exerts direct cell cycle-arresting and pro-apoptotic effects on malignant cells, but also interferes with their physical and functional interaction with the tumor microenvironment and mediates a robust, pleiotropic immunostimulatory activity. In particular, lenalidomide has been shown to stimulate the cytotoxic functions of T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, to limit the immunosuppressive impact of regulatory T cells, and to modulate the secretion of a wide range of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor α, interferon γ as well as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-12. Throughout the last decade, the antineoplastic and immunostimulatory potential of lenalidomide has been investigated in patients affected by a wide variety of hematological and solid malignancies. Here, we discuss the results of these studies and review the status of clinical trials currently assessing the safety and efficacy of this potent immunomodulatory drug in oncological indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Semeraro
- Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; INSERM, U1015, CICBT507; Villejuif, France
| | - Erika Vacchelli
- Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; Université Paris-Sud/Paris XI; Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France ; INSERM, U848; Villejuif, France
| | | | - Jerome Galon
- Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité; Paris, France ; Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI; Paris, France ; Equipe 15, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France ; INSERM, U872; Paris, France
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; INSERM, U1015, CICBT507; Villejuif, France
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France ; Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; INSERM, U848; Villejuif, France ; Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité; Paris, France ; Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP; Paris, France
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France ; Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité; Paris, France ; Equipe 11 labellisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France ; Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy; Villejuif, France
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