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Ahmed F, Samantasinghar A, Ali W, Choi KH. Network-based drug repurposing identifies small molecule drugs as immune checkpoint inhibitors for endometrial cancer. Mol Divers 2024:10.1007/s11030-023-10784-7. [PMID: 38227161 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10784-7] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is the 6th most common cancer in women around the world. Alone in the United States (US), 66,200 new cases and 13,030 deaths are expected to occur in 2023 which needs the rapid development of potential therapies against EC. Here, a network-based drug-repurposing strategy is developed which led to the identification of 16 FDA-approved drugs potentially repurposable for EC as potential immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). A network of EC-associated immune checkpoint proteins (ICPs)-induced protein interactions (P-ICP) was constructed. As a result of network analysis of P-ICP, top key target genes closely interacting with ICPs were shortlisted followed by network proximity analysis in drug-target interaction (DTI) network and pathway cross-examination which identified 115 distinct pathways of approved drugs as potential immune checkpoint inhibitors. The presented approach predicted 16 drugs to target EC-associated ICPs-induced pathways, three of which have already been used for EC and six of them possess immunomodulatory properties providing evidence of the validity of the strategy. Classification of the predicted pathways indicated that 15 drugs can be divided into two distinct pathway groups, containing 17 immune pathways and 98 metabolic pathways. In addition, drug-drug correlation analysis provided insight into finding useful drug combinations. This fair and verified analysis creates new opportunities for the quick repurposing of FDA-approved medications in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faheem Ahmed
- Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Anupama Samantasinghar
- Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Wajid Ali
- Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hyun Choi
- Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea.
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Li Y, Zhou W, Meng X, Murray SD, Li L, Fronk A, Lazaro-Camp VJ, Wen KK, Wu M, Dupuy A, Leslie KK, Yang S. Utilizing an Endogenous Progesterone Receptor Reporter Gene for Drug Screening and Mechanistic Study in Endometrial Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4883. [PMID: 36230806 PMCID: PMC9561963 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194883] [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: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of progesterone receptor (PR) is a favorable prognostic marker for multiple solid tumors. However, PR expression is reduced or lost in malignant tumors. Thus, monitoring and restoring functional PR expression is important in order to sensitize tumor cells to progesterone therapy in endometrial cancer. We developed stable PR reporter gene containing endometrial cancer cell lines monitoring the endogenous PR expression by inserting mCherry and hygromycin resistant gene at the endogenous PR gene locus by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technique. This allows efficient, real-time monitoring of PR expression in its native epigenetic landscape. Reporter gene expression faithfully reflects and amplifies PR expression following treatment with drugs known to induce PR expression. Small molecular PR inducers have been identified from the FDA-approved 1018 drug library and tested for their ability to restore PR expression. Additionally, several candidate PR repressors have been identified by screening the genome-wide CRISPR knockout (GeCKO) library. This novel endogenous PR reporter gene system facilitates the discovery of a new treatment strategy to enhance PR expression and further sensitize progestin therapy in endometrial cancer. These tools provide a systematic, unbiased approach for monitoring target gene expression, allowing for novel drug discovery and mechanistic exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Xiangbing Meng
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Sarina D. Murray
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Long Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Abby Fronk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Vanessa J. Lazaro-Camp
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Kuo-kuang Wen
- High Throughput Screening Facility at University of Iowa (UIHTS), Iowa City, IA 52242, USA or or
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Meng Wu
- High Throughput Screening Facility at University of Iowa (UIHTS), Iowa City, IA 52242, USA or or
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Adam Dupuy
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Kimberly K. Leslie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Shujie Yang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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Psilopatis I, Pergaris A, Giaginis C, Theocharis S. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors: A Promising Therapeutic Alternative for Endometrial Carcinoma. DISEASE MARKERS 2021; 2021:7850688. [PMID: 34804263 PMCID: PMC8604582 DOI: 10.1155/2021/7850688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Endometrial carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the female genital tract in the United States. Epigenetic alterations are implicated in endometrial cancer development and progression. Histone deacetylase inhibitors are a novel class of anticancer drugs that increase the level of histone acetylation in many cell types, thereby inducing cell cycle arrest, differentiation, and apoptotic cell death. This review is aimed at determining the role of histone acetylation and examining the therapeutic potential of histone deacetylase inhibitors in endometrial cancer. In order to identify relevant studies, a literature review was conducted using the MEDLINE and LIVIVO databases. The search terms histone deacetylase, histone deacetylase inhibitor, and endometrial cancer were employed, and we were able to identify fifty-two studies focused on endometrial carcinoma and published between 2001 and 2021. Deregulation of histone acetylation is involved in the tumorigenesis of both endometrial carcinoma histological types and accounts for high-grade, aggressive carcinomas with worse prognosis and decreased overall survival. Histone deacetylase inhibitors inhibit tumor growth, enhance the transcription of silenced physiologic genes, and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in endometrial carcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. The combination of histone deacetylase inhibitors with traditional chemotherapeutic agents shows synergistic cytotoxic effects in endometrial carcinoma cells. Histone acetylation plays an important role in endometrial carcinoma development and progression. Histone deacetylase inhibitors show potent antitumor effects in various endometrial cancer cell lines as well as tumor xenograft models. Additional clinical trials are however needed to verify the clinical utility and safety of these promising therapeutic agents in the treatment of patients with endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iason Psilopatis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Charité-University School of Medicine, Augustenburger Pl. 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandros Pergaris
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Gene 33/Mig6/ERRFI1, an Adapter Protein with Complex Functions in Cell Biology and Human Diseases. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071574. [PMID: 34206547 PMCID: PMC8306081 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene 33 (also named Mig6, RALT, and ERRFI1) is an adapter/scaffold protein with a calculated molecular weight of about 50 kD. It contains multiple domains known to mediate protein–protein interaction, suggesting that it has the potential to interact with many cellular partners and have multiple cellular functions. The research over the last two decades has confirmed that it indeed regulates multiple cell signaling pathways and is involved in many pathophysiological processes. Gene 33 has long been viewed as an exclusively cytosolic protein. However, recent evidence suggests that it also has nuclear and chromatin-associated functions. These new findings highlight a significantly broader functional spectrum of this protein. In this review, we will discuss the function and regulation of Gene 33, as well as its association with human pathophysiological conditions in light of the recent research progress on this protein.
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