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Tsai CY, Saito T, Sarangdhar M, Abu-El-Haija M, Wen L, Lee B, Yu M, Lipata DA, Manohar M, Barakat MT, Contrepois K, Tran TH, Theoret Y, Bo N, Ding Y, Stevenson K, Ladas EJ, Silverman LB, Quadro L, Anthony TG, Jegga AG, Husain SZ. A systems approach points to a therapeutic role for retinoids in asparaginase-associated pancreatitis. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eabn2110. [PMID: 36921036 PMCID: PMC10205044 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abn2110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Among drug-induced adverse events, pancreatitis is life-threatening and results in substantial morbidity. A prototype example is the pancreatitis caused by asparaginase, a crucial drug used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Here, we used a systems approach to identify the factors affecting asparaginase-associated pancreatitis (AAP). Connectivity Map analysis of the transcriptomic data showed that asparaginase-induced gene signatures were potentially reversed by retinoids (vitamin A and its analogs). Analysis of a large electronic health record database (TriNetX) and the U.S. Federal Drug Administration Adverse Events Reporting System demonstrated a reduction in AAP risk with concomitant exposure to vitamin A. Furthermore, we performed a global metabolomic screening of plasma samples from 24 individuals with ALL who developed pancreatitis (cases) and 26 individuals with ALL who did not develop pancreatitis (controls), before and after a single exposure to asparaginase. Screening from this discovery cohort revealed that plasma carotenoids were lower in the cases than in controls. This finding was validated in a larger external cohort. A 30-day dietary recall showed that the cases received less dietary vitamin A than the controls did. In mice, asparaginase administration alone was sufficient to reduce circulating and hepatic retinol. Based on these data, we propose that circulating retinoids protect against pancreatic inflammation and that asparaginase reduces circulating retinoids. Moreover, we show that AAP is more likely to develop with reduced dietary vitamin A intake. The systems approach taken for AAP provides an impetus to examine the role of dietary vitamin A supplementation in preventing or treating AAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yu Tsai
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Toshie Saito
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Mayur Sarangdhar
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Maisam Abu-El-Haija
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Li Wen
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100006, China
| | - Bomi Lee
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Mang Yu
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Den A. Lipata
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Murli Manohar
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Monique T. Barakat
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Kévin Contrepois
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Thai Hoa Tran
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Yves Theoret
- Département Clinique de Médecine de Laboratoire, Secteur Pharmacologie Clinique, Optilab Montréal - CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Na Bo
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Ying Ding
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Kristen Stevenson
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Elena J. Ladas
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplant, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Lewis B. Silverman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Boston, Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Loredana Quadro
- Department of Food Science, Rutgers Center for Lipid Research and the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Tracy G. Anthony
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Anil G. Jegga
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Sohail Z. Husain
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
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2
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Sindhu R, Manonmani HK. L-asparaginase mediated therapy in L-asparagine auxotrophic cancers: A review. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2022; 22:2393-2410. [PMID: 34994334 DOI: 10.2174/1871520622666220106103336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Microbial L-asparaginase is the most effective first-line therapeutic used in the treatment protocols of paediatric and adult leukemia. Leukemic cell's auxotrophy for L-asparagine is exploited as a therapeutic strategy to mediate cell death through metabolic blockade of L-asparagine using L-asparaginase. Escherichia coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi serve as the major enzyme deriving sources accepted in clinical practise and the enzyme has bestowed improvements in patient outcomes over the last 40 years. However, an array of side effects generated by the native enzymes due to glutamine co-catalysis and short serum stays augmenting frequent dosages, intended a therapeutic switch towards the development of biobetter alternatives for the enzyme including the formulations resulting in sustained local depletion of L-asparagine. In addition, the treatment with L-asparaginase in few cancer types has proven to elicit drug-induced cytoprotective autophagy mechanisms and therefore warrants concern. Although the off-target glutamine hydrolysis has been viewed in contributing the drug-induced secondary responses in cells deficient with asparagine synthetase machinery, the beneficial role of glutaminase-asparaginase in proliferative regulation of asparagine prototrophic cells has been looked forward. The current review provides an overview on the enzyme's clinical applications in leukemia and possible therapeutic implications in other solid tumours, recent advancements in drug formulations, and discusses the aspects of two-sided roles of glutaminase-asparaginases and drug-induced cytoprotective autophagy mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sindhu R
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, JSS-AHER, Mysuru-570015, Karnataka, India
| | - H K Manonmani
- Food Protectants and Infestation Control Department, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru-570020, Karnataka, India
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3
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Viña-Romero MM, Ramos Díaz R, González García J, Nazco-Casariego G, Díaz-Vera J, Gutiérrez-Nicolás F. Extended enzymatic stability of reconstituted lyophilized PEG-asparaginase in vials. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2020; 27:1102-1105. [PMID: 32854574 DOI: 10.1177/1078155220950001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Asparaginase (ASNase) use as a tumour-inhibitor drug has changed completely the natural course of paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in such a way that it represents a paradigm shift in ALL management. ASNase treatment emergence has significantly improved pathologic responses and increased survival rates of ALL patients. Although different ASNase forms are currently available, only the pegylated form (PEG-ASNase) is recommended by relevant clinic guides. PEG-ASNase form shows longer elimination half-life, reducing the number of administrations, along with an enhanced safety profile. In spite of all of these advantages, PEG-ASNase elevated cost limits enormously its use. PEG-ASNase is commercialised as a lyophilised powder which according to the manufacturer it is stable for 24 hours once reconstituted, as a result, the leftover is usually discarded. In this study we analysed the enzymatic stability of reconstituted PEG-ASNase after conservation in three different temperature conditions for 5 and 14 days, aiming to take advantage of the remaining leftover for the subsequent administration. Our results have shown that PEG-ASNase is stable at 4°C, -20°C and -80°C for at least 14 days, retaining the 95% from the initial enzymatic activity in all three storage temperatures. According to our results, it is feasible to reuse the remaining content of PEG-ASNase vial after reconstitution, which means a 50% reduction of its cost for paediatric patient treatment and, consequently, removes the main barrier to use this drug in a wider population.
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Affiliation(s)
- María M Viña-Romero
- Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ruth Ramos Díaz
- Fundación Canaria Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Canarias (FIISC), La Laguna, Spain
| | - Jónathan González García
- Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Gloria Nazco-Casariego
- Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Jésica Díaz-Vera
- Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Spain
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4
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Nguyen HA, Su Y, Zhang JY, Antanasijevic A, Caffrey M, Schalk AM, Liu L, Rondelli D, Oh A, Mahmud DL, Bosland MC, Kajdacsy-Balla A, Peirs S, Lammens T, Mondelaers V, De Moerloose B, Goossens S, Schlicht MJ, Kabirov KK, Lyubimov AV, Merrill BJ, Saunthararajah Y, Van Vlierberghe P, Lavie A. A Novel l-Asparaginase with low l-Glutaminase Coactivity Is Highly Efficacious against Both T- and B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemias In Vivo. Cancer Res 2018; 78:1549-1560. [PMID: 29343523 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-2106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of pediatric cancer, although about 4 of every 10 cases occur in adults. The enzyme drug l-asparaginase serves as a cornerstone of ALL therapy and exploits the asparagine dependency of ALL cells. In addition to hydrolyzing the amino acid l-asparagine, all FDA-approved l-asparaginases also have significant l-glutaminase coactivity. Since several reports suggest that l-glutamine depletion correlates with many of the side effects of these drugs, enzyme variants with reduced l-glutaminase coactivity might be clinically beneficial if their antileukemic activity would be preserved. Here we show that novel low l-glutaminase variants developed on the backbone of the FDA-approved Erwinia chrysanthemi l-asparaginase were highly efficacious against both T- and B-cell ALL, while displaying reduced acute toxicity features. These results support the development of a new generation of safer l-asparaginases without l-glutaminase activity for the treatment of human ALL.Significance: A new l-asparaginase-based therapy is less toxic compared with FDA-approved high l-glutaminase enzymes Cancer Res; 78(6); 1549-60. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hien Anh Nguyen
- The Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois,
| | - Ying Su
- The Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois,
| | - Jenny Y Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois,
| | - Aleksandar Antanasijevic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois,
| | - Michael Caffrey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois,
| | - Amanda M Schalk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois,
| | - Li Liu
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Damiano Rondelli
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Annie Oh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Dolores L Mahmud
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Maarten C Bosland
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Sofie Peirs
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim Lammens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Veerle Mondelaers
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Barbara De Moerloose
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Goossens
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michael J Schlicht
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kasim K Kabirov
- Toxicology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Alexander V Lyubimov
- Toxicology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Bradley J Merrill
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois,
| | - Yogen Saunthararajah
- Department of Translational Hematology & Oncology Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Pieter Van Vlierberghe
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. .,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Arnon Lavie
- The Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois,
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5
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Multi level statistical optimization of l-asparaginase from Bacillus subtilis VUVD001. 3 Biotech 2018; 8:24. [PMID: 29279817 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-017-1020-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Physical and chemical factors influencing the anti-leukemic l-asparaginase enzyme production by Bacillus subtilis VUVD001 were optimized using multi-stage optimization on the basis of preliminary experimental outcomes obtained by conventional one-factor-at-a-time approach using shake flasks. Process variables namely carbon, nitrogen sources, pH and temperature were taken into consideration during response surface methodology (RSM) optimization. The finest enzyme activity of 0.51 IUml-1 obtained by OFAT method was enhanced by 3.2 folds using RSM optimization. Artificial neural network (ANN) modelling and genetic algorithm (GA) based optimizations were further carried out to improve the enzyme drug yield. Results were also validated by conducting experiments at optimum conditions determined by RSM and GA optimization methods. The novel bacterium yielded in 2.88 IUml-1 of enzyme activity at optimum process variables determined by GA optimization, i.e., 0.5% glucose, 8.0% beef extract, 8.3 pH and 49.9 °C temperature. The study explored the optimized culture conditions for better yielding of anti-leukemic enzyme drug from a new bacterial source namely Bacillus subtilis VUVD001.
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6
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Erva RR, Goswami AN, Suman P, Vedanabhatla R, Rajulapati SB. Optimization of L-asparaginase production from novel Enterobacter sp., by submerged fermentation using response surface methodology. Prep Biochem Biotechnol 2016; 47:219-228. [DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2016.1201683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rajeswara Reddy Erva
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, India
| | - Ajgebi Nath Goswami
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, India
| | - Priyanka Suman
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, India
| | - Ravali Vedanabhatla
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, India
| | - Satish Babu Rajulapati
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, India
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Yu Q, Wang X, Wang L, Zheng J, Wang J, Wang B. Knockdown of asparagine synthetase (ASNS) suppresses cell proliferation and inhibits tumor growth in gastric cancer cells. Scand J Gastroenterol 2016; 51:1220-6. [PMID: 27251594 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2016.1190399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) gene encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the glutamine- and ATP-dependent conversion of aspartic acid to asparagine. ASNS is deemed as a promising therapeutic target and its expression is associated with the chemotherapy resistance in several human cancers. However, its role in gastric cancer tumorigenesis has not been investigated. METHODS In this study, we employed small interfering RNA (siRNA) to transiently knockdown ASNS in two gastric cancer cell lines, AGS and MKN-45, followed by growth rate assay and colony formation assay. Dose response curve analysis was performed in AGS and MKN-45 cells with stable ASNS knockdown to assess sensitivity to cisplatin. Xenograft experiment was performed to examine in vivo synergistic effects of ASNS depletion and cisplatin on tumor growth. Expression level of ASNS was evaluated in human patient samples using quantitative PCR. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis was performed to evaluate association between ASNS expression and patient survival. RESULTS Transient knockdown of ASNS inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation in AGS and MKN-45 cells. Stable knockdown of ASNS conferred sensitivity to cisplatin in these cells. Depletion of ASNS and cisplatin treatment exerted synergistic effects on tumor growth in AGS xenografts. Moreover, ASNS was found to be up-regulated in human gastric cancer tissues compared with matched normal colon tissues. Low expression of ASNS was significantly associated with better survival in gastric cancer patients. CONCLUSION ASNS may contribute to gastric cancer tumorigenesis and may represent a novel therapeutic target for prevention or intervention of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxiang Yu
- a Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , PR China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- a Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , PR China
| | - Li Wang
- a Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , PR China
| | - Jia Zheng
- a Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , PR China
| | - Jiang Wang
- a Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , PR China
| | - Bangmao Wang
- a Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology , General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , PR China
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8
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Ali U, Naveed M, Ullah A, Ali K, Shah SA, Fahad S, Mumtaz AS. L-asparaginase as a critical component to combat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL): A novel approach to target ALL. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 771:199-210. [PMID: 26698391 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Revised: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
L-asparaginase, an anti-leukaemic drug that has been approved for clinical use for many years in the treatment of childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), is obtained from bacterial origin (Escherichia coli and Erwinia carotovora). The efficacy of L-asparaginase has been discussed for the past 40 years, and an ideal substitute for the enzyme has not yet been developed. The early clearance from plasma (short half-life) and requirement for multiple administrations and hence frequent physician visits make the overall treatment cost quite high. In addition, a high rate of allergic reactions in patients receiving treatment with the enzyme isolated from bacterial sources make its clinical application challenging. For these reasons, various attempts are being made to overcome these barriers. Therefore, the present article reviews studies focused on seeking substitutes for L-asparaginase through alternative sources including bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, algae and plants to overcome these limitations. In addition, the role of chemical modifications and protein engineering approaches to enhance the drug's efficacy are also discussed. Moreover, an overview has also been provided in the current review regarding the contradiction among various researchers regarding the significance of the enzyme's glutaminase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Ali
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China
| | - Muhammad Naveed
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gujrat, Pakistan
| | - Abid Ullah
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China
| | - Khadija Ali
- Department of Environmental Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sayed Afzal Shah
- Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Shah Fahad
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China
| | - Abdul Samad Mumtaz
- Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
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9
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Tsun ZY, Possemato R. Amino acid management in cancer. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2015; 43:22-32. [PMID: 26277542 PMCID: PMC4800996 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Amino acids have a dual role in cellular metabolism, as they are both the building blocks for protein synthesis and intermediate metabolites which fuel other biosynthetic reactions. Recent work has demonstrated that deregulation of both arms of amino acid management are common alterations seen in cancer. Among the most highly consumed nutrients by cancer cells are the amino acids glutamine and serine, and the biosynthetic pathways that metabolize them are required in various cancer subtypes and the object of current efforts to target cancer metabolism. Also altered in cancer are components of the machinery which sense amino acid sufficiency, nucleated by the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a key regulator of cell growth via modulation of key processes including protein synthesis and autophagy. The precise ways in which altered amino acid management supports cellular transformation remain mostly elusive, and a fuller mechanistic understanding of these processes will be important for efforts to exploit such alterations for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Yang Tsun
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Nine Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Richard Possemato
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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10
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Optimization of Culture Conditions for Production of the Anti-Leukemic Glutaminase Free L-Asparaginase by Newly Isolated Streptomyces olivaceus NEAE-119 Using Response Surface Methodology. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:627031. [PMID: 26180806 PMCID: PMC4477217 DOI: 10.1155/2015/627031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Among the antitumor drugs, bacterial enzyme L-asparaginase has been employed as the most effective chemotherapeutic agent in pediatric oncotherapy especially for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Glutaminase free L-asparaginase producing actinomycetes were isolated from soil samples collected from Egypt. Among them, a potential culture, strain NEAE-119, was selected and identified on the basis of morphological, cultural, physiological, and biochemical properties together with 16S rRNA sequence as Streptomyces olivaceus NEAE-119 and sequencing product (1509 bp) was deposited in the GenBank database under accession number KJ200342. The optimization of different process parameters for L-asparaginase production by Streptomyces olivaceus NEAE-119 using Plackett-Burman experimental design and response surface methodology was carried out. Fifteen variables (temperature, pH, incubation time, inoculum size, inoculum age, agitation speed, dextrose, starch, L-asparagine, KNO3, yeast extract, K2HPO4, MgSO4·7H2O, NaCl, and FeSO4·7H2O) were screened using Plackett-Burman experimental design. The most positive significant independent variables affecting enzyme production (temperature, inoculum age, and agitation speed) were further optimized by the face-centered central composite design-response surface methodology.
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11
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Yang H, He X, Zheng Y, Feng W, Xia X, Yu X, Lin Z. Down-Regulation of Asparagine Synthetase Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Inhibits Cell Proliferation of Breast Cancer. Chem Biol Drug Des 2014; 84:578-84. [PMID: 24775638 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2013] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hongjian Yang
- Department of Breast Surgery; Zhejiang Cancer Hospital; 38 Guangji Road Hangzhou 310022 China
| | - Xiangming He
- Department of Breast Surgery; Zhejiang Cancer Hospital; 38 Guangji Road Hangzhou 310022 China
| | - Yabing Zheng
- Department of Internal Oncology; Zhejiang Cancer Hospital; 38 Guangji Road Hangzhou 310022 China
| | - Weiliang Feng
- Department of Breast Surgery; Zhejiang Cancer Hospital; 38 Guangji Road Hangzhou 310022 China
| | - Xianghou Xia
- Department of Breast Surgery; Zhejiang Cancer Hospital; 38 Guangji Road Hangzhou 310022 China
| | - Xingfei Yu
- Department of Breast Surgery; Zhejiang Cancer Hospital; 38 Guangji Road Hangzhou 310022 China
| | - Zhiqiang Lin
- Zhejiang Cancer Research Institute; Zhejiang Cancer Hospital; 38 Guangji Road Hangzhou 310022 China
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Mahajan RV, Kumar V, Rajendran V, Saran S, Ghosh PC, Saxena RK. Purification and characterization of a novel and robust L-asparaginase having low-glutaminase activity from Bacillus licheniformis: in vitro evaluation of anti-cancerous properties. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99037. [PMID: 24905227 PMCID: PMC4048267 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
L-asparaginase having low glutaminase has been a key therapeutic agent in the treatment of acute lymphpoblastic leukemia (A.L.L). In the present study, an extracellular L-asparaginase with low glutaminase activity, produced by Bacillus licheniformis was purified to homogeneity. Protein was found to be a homotetramer of 134.8 KDa with monomeric size of 33.7 KDa and very specific for its natural substrate i.e. L-asparagine. The activity of purified L-asparaginase enhanced in presence of cations including Na+ and K+, whereas it was moderately inhibited in the presence of divalent cations and thiol group blocking reagents. The purified enzyme was maximally active over the range of pH 6.0 to 10.0 and temperature of 40°C and enzyme was stable maximum at pH 9.0 and -20°C. CD spectra of L-asparaginase predicted the enzyme to consist of 63.05% α-helix and 3.29% β-sheets in its native form with T222 of 58°C. Fluorescent spectroscopy showed the protein to be stable even in the presence of more than 3 M GdHCl. Kinetic parameters Km, Vmax and kcat of purified enzyme were found as 1.4×10(-5) M, 4.03 IU and 2.68×10(3) s(-1), respectively. The purified L-asparaginase had cytotoxic activity against various cancerous cell lines viz. Jurkat clone E6-1, MCF-7 and K-562 with IC50 of 0.22 IU, 0.78 IU and 0.153 IU respectively. However the enzyme had no toxic effect on human erythrocytes and CHO cell lines hence should be considered potential candidate for further pharmaceutical use as an anticancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richi V. Mahajan
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Vinoth Rajendran
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Saurabh Saran
- Technology Based Incubator, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Prahlad C. Ghosh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Rajendra Kumar Saxena
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, Delhi, India
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El-Nagga NEA, El-Ewasy SM, El-Shweihy NM. Microbial L-asparaginase as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for the Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: The Pros and Cons. INT J PHARMACOL 2014. [DOI: 10.3923/ijp.2014.182.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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14
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Emadi A, Zokaee H, Sausville EA. Asparaginase in the treatment of non-ALL hematologic malignancies. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2014; 73:875-83. [PMID: 24515335 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-014-2402-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Asparaginases are among the most effective agents against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and are Food and Drug Administration-approved for the treatment of pediatric and adult ALL. However, the efficacy of these drugs for the treatment of other hematologic malignancies particularly acute myeloid leukemia is not well established. The mechanism of action of asparaginases has thought to be related to a swift and sustained reduction in serum L-asparagine, which is required for rapid proliferation of metabolically demanding leukemic cells. However, asparagine depletion alone appears not to be sufficient for effective cytotoxic activity of asparaginase against leukemia cells, because glutamine can rescue asparagine-deprived cells by regeneration of asparagine via a transamidation chemical reaction. For this reason, glutamine reduction is also necessary for full anti-leukemic activity of asparaginase. Indeed, both Escherichia coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi asparaginases possess glutaminase enzymatic activity, and their administrations have shown to reduce serum glutamine level by deamidating glutamine to glutamate and ammonia. Emerging data have provided evidence that several types of neoplastic cells require glutamine for the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. This fundamental role of glutamine and its metabolic pathways for growth and proliferation of individual malignant cells may identify a special group of patients whose solid or hematologic neoplasms may benefit significantly from interruption of glutamine metabolism. To this end, asparaginase products deserve a second look particularly in non-ALL malignant blood disorders. Here, we review mechanisms of anti-tumor activity of asparaginase focusing on importance of glutamine reduction, pharmacology of asparaginase products, in vitro activities as well as clinical experience of incorporating asparaginase in therapeutic regimens for non-ALL hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashkan Emadi
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 S. Greene Street, S9D04C, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA,
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Martin JK, Sun W, Moraga-A D, Schuster SM, Wylie DE. An investigation into the mechanism ofL-asparaginase resistance in L5178Y murine leukemia cells. Amino Acids 2013; 5:51-69. [PMID: 24190644 DOI: 10.1007/bf00806192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/1991] [Accepted: 08/17/1992] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Resistance of leukemia cells toL-asparaginase is presumed to be due to increased expression of asparagine synthetase activity by resistant cells, so they are no longer dependent on an exogenous source ofL-asparagine for growth. The mechanism by which cells acquire the ability for increased enzyme expression, however, has not been clearly defined. Evidence presented here indicates that genomic alterations in the form of translocations, gene amplification, or increased P-glycoprotein expression, do not account for the phenotypic transformation fromL-asparaginase sensitivity toL-asparaginase resistance. Instead, both sensitive and resistant L5178Y cells contain immunoreactive material detected by Western blotting with an antiserum prepared against bovine pancreatic asparagine synthetase. This suggests that the mechanism of resistance might involve modification of asparagine synthetase inL-asparaginase-resistant cells by an as-yet-unidentified mechanism or by inhibition of enzyme activity in theL-asparaginase-sensitive cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- J K Martin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, 319 Manter Hall, 68588-0118, Lincoln, NE, USA
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16
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Zhang B, Dong LW, Tan YX, Zhang J, Pan YF, Yang C, Li MH, Ding ZW, Liu LJ, Jiang TY, Yang JH, Wang HY. Asparagine synthetase is an independent predictor of surgical survival and a potential therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma. Br J Cancer 2013; 109:14-23. [PMID: 23764751 PMCID: PMC3708586 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2013.293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Revised: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) is associated with drug resistance in leukaemia, and the function of this enzyme in the context of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not clear. In this study, the relationship between ASNS expression and clinical outcomes after surgical resection was investigated, and the therapeutic value of ASNS was also evaluated. Methods: The expression of ASNS was evaluated in HCC samples by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry assays. The correlation between ASNS expression and clinicopathological features was investigated. Potential clinicopathological prognostic factors were examined by univariate and multivariate survival analysis. Asparagine synthetase was overexpressed and knocked down in HCC cell lines to assess the influence of the enzyme on cell proliferation, migration and tumourigenicity. L-asparaginase was used to treat HCC cells with high or low levels of ASNS in vitro and in vivo to examine the therapeutic efficacy. Results: The expression of ASNS was higher in HCC tumour tissues and was closely correlated with the serum AFP level, tumour size, microscopic vascular invasion, tumour encapsulation, TNM stage and BCLC stage. Patients with low ASNS expression levels had a poor prognosis with respect to overall survival (OS). The multivariate survival analysis indicated that ASNS is an independent prognostic factor for OS. Furthermore, functional studies demonstrated that ASNS significantly inhibits the proliferation, migration and tumourigenicity of HCC cells. The knockdown of ASNS markedly increased sensitivity to L-asparaginase, indicating that cells with different ASNS protein levels have different sensitivities to L-asparaginase. Conclusion: The expression of ASNS is an independent factor affecting the survival of HCC patients, and low ASNS expression in HCC was correlated with worse surgical outcomes. The ASNS may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Zhang
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, Second Military Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200438, People's Republic of China
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17
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Prakasham RS, Hymavathi M, Subba Rao C, Arepalli SK, Venkateswara Rao J, Kennady PK, Nasaruddin K, Vijayakumar JB, Sarma PN. Evaluation of Antineoplastic Activity of Extracellular Asparaginase Produced by Isolated Bacillus circulans. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2009; 160:72-80. [DOI: 10.1007/s12010-009-8679-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2008] [Accepted: 05/18/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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18
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Estes DA, Lovato DM, Khawaja HM, Winter SS, Larson RS. Genetic alterations determine chemotherapy resistance in childhood T-ALL: modelling in stage-specific cell lines and correlation with diagnostic patient samples. Br J Haematol 2007; 139:20-30. [PMID: 17854304 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2007.06763.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Acquired drug resistance eventually leads to treatment failure in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL). Immunophenotypic and cytogenetic heterogeneities within T-ALL influence susceptibility to cytotoxic therapy, and little is known about the mechanisms of drug resistance at specific stages of T-cell ontogeny. We developed tolerance to therapeutic concentrations of daunorubicin (DNR) and L-asparaginase (L-asp) in Jurkat (CD1a(-), sCD3(+)) and Sup T1 (CD1a(+), sCD3(-)) cell lines, having respective 'mature' and 'cortical' stages of developmental arrest. DNR resistant cells acquired multidrug resistance: 310-fold increased resistance to vincristine (VCR) and a 120-fold increased resistance to prednisolone (PRED). Microarray analysis identified upregulation of asparagine synthetase (ASNS) and argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS1) to cell lines with acquired resistance to L-asp, and in the case of DNR, upregulation of ATP-binding cassette B1 (ABCB1). Suppression of ABCB1, ASNS and ASS1 by RNA interference revealed their functional relevance to acquired drug resistance. Expression profiling of these genes in 80 T-ALL patients showed correlation with treatment response. This study expands the pool of available drug resistant cell lines having cortical and mature stages of developmental arrest, introduces three new drug resistant T-ALL cell lines, and identifies gene interactions leading to L-asp and DNR resistance.
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MESH Headings
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1/genetics
- Argininosuccinate Synthase/genetics
- Asparaginase/therapeutic use
- Aspartate-Ammonia Ligase/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Child
- Daunorubicin/therapeutic use
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
- Genes, MDR
- Humans
- Jurkat Cells
- Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell/drug therapy
- Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell/pathology
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
- Prednisolone/therapeutic use
- RNA Interference
- RNA, Small Interfering/administration & dosage
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Vincristine/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Estes
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Cancer Research and Treatment Center, Albuquerque, NM 87112, USA
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19
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Iwamoto S, Mihara K, Downing JR, Pui CH, Campana D. Mesenchymal cells regulate the response of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells to asparaginase. J Clin Invest 2007; 117:1049-57. [PMID: 17380207 PMCID: PMC1821067 DOI: 10.1172/jci30235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2006] [Accepted: 01/30/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of their low asparagine synthetase (ASNS) expression and asparagine biosynthesis, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells are exquisitely sensitive to asparagine depletion. Consequently, asparaginase is a major component of ALL therapy, but the mechanisms regulating the susceptibility of leukemic cells to this agent are unclear. In 288 children with ALL, cellular ASNS expression was more likely to be high in T-lineage ALL and low in B-lineage ALL with TEL-AML1 or hyperdiploidy. However, ASNS expression levels in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells (MSCs), which form the microenvironment where leukemic cells grow, were on average 20 times higher than those in ALL cells. MSCs protected ALL cells from asparaginase cytotoxicity in coculture experiments. This protective effect correlated with levels of ASNS expression: downregulation by RNA interference decreased the capacity of MSCs to protect ALL cells from asparaginase, whereas enforced ASNS expression conferred enhanced protection. Asparagine secretion by MSCs was directly related to their ASNS expression levels, suggesting a mechanism - increased concentrations of asparagine in the leukemic cell microenvironment - for the protective effects we observed. These results provide what we believe to be a new basis for understanding asparaginase resistance in ALL and indicate that MSC niches in the bone marrow can form a safe haven for leukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shotaro Iwamoto
- Department of Oncology and
Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Keichiro Mihara
- Department of Oncology and
Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - James R. Downing
- Department of Oncology and
Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ching-Hon Pui
- Department of Oncology and
Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Dario Campana
- Department of Oncology and
Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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20
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Wriston JC, Yellin TO. L-asparaginase: a review. ADVANCES IN ENZYMOLOGY AND RELATED AREAS OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2006; 39:185-248. [PMID: 4583638 DOI: 10.1002/9780470122846.ch3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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21
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22
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Narta UK, Kanwar SS, Azmi W. Pharmacological and clinical evaluation of L-asparaginase in the treatment of leukemia. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2006; 61:208-21. [PMID: 17011787 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2006.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2006] [Revised: 06/10/2006] [Accepted: 07/06/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
L-Asparaginase is an effective antineoplastic agent, used in the acute lymphoblastic leukemia chemotherapy. It has been an integral part of combination chemotherapy protocols of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia for almost 3 decades. The potential of L-asparaginase as a drug of leukemia has been a matter of discussion due to the high rate of allergic reactions exhibited by the patients receiving the medication of this enzyme drug. Frequent need of intramuscular injection has been another disadvantage associated with the native preparation. However, of late these clinical complications seem to have been addressed by modified versions of L-asparaginase. PEG-L-asparaginase proves to be most effective in this regard. It becomes important to discuss the efficacy of L-asparaginase as an antileukemic drug vis-a-vis these disadvantages. In this review, an attempt has been made to critically evaluate the pharmacological and clinical potential of various preparations of L-asparaginase as a drug. Advantages of PEG-L-asparaginase over native preparations and historical developments of therapy with l-asparaginase have also been outlined in the review below.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umesh K Narta
- Department of Biotechnology, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla, India
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23
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Abstract
Modern clinical treatments of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) employ enzyme-based methods for depletion of blood asparagine in combination with standard chemotherapeutic agents. Significant side effects can arise in these protocols and, in many cases, patients develop drug-resistant forms of the disease that may be correlated with up-regulation of the enzyme glutamine-dependent asparagine synthetase (ASNS). Though the precise molecular mechanisms that result in the appearance of drug resistance are the subject of active study, potent ASNS inhibitors may have clinical utility in treating asparaginase-resistant forms of childhood ALL. This review provides an overview of recent developments in our understanding of (a) the structure and catalytic mechanism of ASNS, and (b) the role that ASNS may play in the onset of drug-resistant childhood ALL. In addition, the first successful, mechanism-based efforts to prepare and characterize nanomolar ASNS inhibitors are discussed, together with the implications of these studies for future efforts to develop useful drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael S. Kilberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611;
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24
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Affiliation(s)
- John Holcenberg
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA.
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25
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Aslanian AM, Kilberg MS. Multiple adaptive mechanisms affect asparagine synthetase substrate availability in asparaginase-resistant MOLT-4 human leukaemia cells. Biochem J 2001; 358:59-67. [PMID: 11485552 PMCID: PMC1222032 DOI: 10.1042/0264-6021:3580059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is treated by combination chemotherapy with a number of drugs, almost always including the enzyme L-asparaginase (ASNase). Although the initial remission rate is quite high, relapse and associated drug resistance remain a problem. In vitro studies have demonstrated an adaptive increase in asparagine synthetase (AS) expression in ASNase-resistant cells, which is believed to permit ASNase-resistant human leukaemia cells to survive in vivo. The present results, obtained with ASNase-sensitive and -resistant human MOLT-4 leukaemia cell lines, illustrate that several other adaptive processes occur to provide sufficient amounts of the AS substrates, aspartate and glutamine, required to support this increased enzymic activity. In both cell populations, aspartate is derived almost exclusively from intracellular sources, whereas the necessary glutamine arises from both intracellular and extracellular sources. Transport of glutamine into ASNase-resistant cells is significantly enhanced compared with the parental cells, whereas amino acid efflux (e.g. asparagine) is reduced. Most of the adaptive change for the amino acid transporters, Systems A, ASC and L, is rapidly (12 h) reversed following ASNase removal. The enzymic activity of glutamine synthetase is also enhanced in ASNase-resistant cells by a post-transcriptional mechanism. The results demonstrate that there are several sites of metabolic adaptation in ASNase-treated leukaemia cells that serve to promote the replenishment of both glutamine and asparagine.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Aslanian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610-0245, USA
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26
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Aslanian AM, Fletcher BS, Kilberg MS. Asparagine synthetase expression alone is sufficient to induce l-asparaginase resistance in MOLT-4 human leukaemia cells. Biochem J 2001; 357:321-8. [PMID: 11415466 PMCID: PMC1221958 DOI: 10.1042/0264-6021:3570321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is treated by combination chemotherapy with a number of drugs, always including the enzyme L-asparaginase (ASNase). Although the initial remission rate is quite high, relapse and associated drug resistance are a significant problem. In vitro studies have demonstrated increased asparagine synthetase (AS) expression in ASNase-resistant cells, which has led to the hypothesis that elevated AS activity permits drug-resistant survival. The data presented show that not only is elevated AS expression a property of ASNase-resistant MOLT-4 human leukaemia cells, but that short-term (12 h) treatment of the cells with ASNase causes a relatively rapid induction of AS expression. The results also document that the elevated expression of AS in ASNase-resistant cells is not fully reversible, even 6 weeks after ASNase removal from the culture medium. Furthermore, ASNase resistance, assessed as both drug-insensitive cell growth rates and decreased drug-induced apoptosis, parallels this irreversible AS expression. Mimicking the elevated AS activity in ASNase-resistant cells by overexpression of the human AS protein by stable retroviral transformation of parental MOLT4 cells is sufficient to induce the ASNase-resistance phenotype. These data document that ASNase resistance in ALL cells is a consequence of elevated AS expression and that although other drug-induced metabolic changes occur, they are secondary to the increased asparagine biosynthetic rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Aslanian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Box 100245, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610-0245, USA
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27
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Story MD, Voehringer DW, Stephens LC, Meyn RE. L-asparaginase kills lymphoma cells by apoptosis. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 1993; 32:129-33. [PMID: 8485807 DOI: 10.1007/bf00685615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Microscopic examination of histological sections of lymph nodes from a canine case of malignant lymphoma at 4 h after treatment with L-asparaginase revealed massive destruction of neoplastic cells by what was consistent with apoptosis morphologically. Apoptosis as the mode of cell death after asparaginase treatment was confirmed in a mouse lymphoma cell line (LY-TH) by the characteristic fragmentation of DNA into oligonucleosome-sized pieces and by the morphological changes consistent with apoptosis following treatment in vitro. Applied to these cells, asparaginase was found to be most cytotoxic over the range of 1-10 IU/ml. Even after 4 h of asparaginase treatment at 100 IU/ml, protein synthesis was reduced by only one-half, yet DNA fragmentation reached 40%. Other agents that affect protein synthesis (cycloheximide and actinomycin D) caused apoptosis as well; however, agents (radiation, prednisolone, and VP-16) whose mechanisms are different from inhibition of protein synthesis also caused apoptosis. As such, it seems unlikely that protein depletion per se and/or the elimination of specific short-lived proteins is the triggering event that leads to cell death. It is more likely that the suspension of cellular proliferation commits cells to apoptosis after asparaginase treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Story
- Department of Experimental Radiotherapy, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030
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28
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Chuang JC, Yu CL, Wang SR. Modulation of lymphocyte proliferation by enzymes that degrade amino acids. Clin Exp Immunol 1990; 82:469-72. [PMID: 2124955 PMCID: PMC1535509 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1990.tb05473.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In a previous study we demonstrated thirteen amino acids to be essential and two to be partially essential for lymphocyte proliferation. Arginine is one of the essential amino acids, and the highly purified arginase strongly inhibited lymphocyte proliferation. The modulation of lymphocyte growth by various amino acid-degrading enzymes was studied. Peripheral lymphocytes were cultured in RPMI 1640 with or without amino acid-degrading enzyme for 72 h. A total of 17 commercial L-amino acid-degrading enzymes were studied. At 10 micrograms/ml, both lysine decarboxylase and asparaginase completely inhibited lymphocyte proliferation, arginase resulted in 78% inhibition and tyrosinase 57% inhibition. Other enzymes inhibited less than 20% lymphocyte proliferation; they included alanine dehydrogenase, arginine decarboxylase, aspartase, glutamic decarboxylase, glutamic dehydrogenase, glutaminase, histidase, histidine decarboxylase, leucine dehydrogenase, phenylalanine decarboxylase, phenylalanine hydroxylase, tryptophanase, and tyrosine decarboxylase. All four enzymes that strongly inhibited lymphocyte proliferation degraded amino acids that are essential for lymphocyte growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Chuang
- Department of Medicine, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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29
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Chakrabarti R, Wylie DE, Schuster SM. Transfer of monoclonal antibodies into mammalian cells by electroporation. J Biol Chem 1989. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(19)84857-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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31
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Keefer JF, Moraga DA, Schuster SM. Amino acid content of L5178Y and L5178Y/L-ASE cells after L-asparaginase treatment. BIOCHEMICAL MEDICINE 1985; 34:135-50. [PMID: 4084239 DOI: 10.1016/0006-2944(85)90105-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The amino acid contents of tumor cells that are either sensitive or resistant to treatment with L-asparaginase were measured. These amino acid concentrations were measured as a function of incubation time with L-asparaginase or as a function of the L-asparaginase dose. The cell types compared were the mouse leukemia lines L5178Y (sensitive to L-asparaginase treatment) and L5178Y/L-ASE (resistant to L-asparaginase treatment). Upon L-asparaginase treatment both cell lines lost most of their cellular asparagine but, whereas the resistant cells exhibited the ability to rebound to about 50% of initial values, the sensitive cells did not. While previous work had suggested that asparagine-dependent glycine synthesis was essential for sensitive cells (but not in resistant cells), we found no difference in the glycine content of either of the two cell lines as a function of either time or dose that would support this hypothesis. Major differences between the two cell lines were seen in the content of the essential amino acids before treatment with L-asparaginase. After incubation without L-asparaginase the contents of the two cell lines became similar. These results are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms of L-asparaginase sensitivity and resistance.
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Keefer JF, Moraga DA, Schuster SM. Comparison of glycine metabolism in mouse lymphoma cells either sensitive or resistant to L-asparaginase. Biochem Pharmacol 1985; 34:559-65. [PMID: 3918541 DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(85)90190-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Previous work suggested a relationship between glycine metabolism and the effect of L-asparaginase upon tumor cells. Therefore, L5178Y (sensitive) or L5178Y/L-ASE (resistant) ascites lymphoma cells were incubated with 14C-labeled glyoxylate, glycine, serine, or asparagine, and the metabolism to other amino acids was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Metabolic differences between the two cells lines were found. Under control conditions, the interconversion rate of glycine and serine via serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) was higher in sensitive than in resistant cells. The transformation rate of glyoxylate to serine was also higher in sensitive cells. These results may indicate a difference in the activity of SHMT. An alternate explanation would be that transport or diffusion of serine and glycine into sensitive cells is greater than into resistant cells. Several crucial metabolic differences were observed between the two cell types when L-asparaginase was added. A key difference is the decrease of glycine synthesis from glyoxylate observed in the sensitive cells compared to resistant cells which show no change. This suggests that asparagine is used for transamination of glyoxylate. Also, only sensitive cells appear to compensate for L-asparaginase-induced loss of glycine formation from glyoxylate by increasing glycine synthesis from serine. Alterations in sensitive tumor glycine metabolism may be an important function of L-asparaginase anticancer activity.
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Brynes S, Fiorina VJ, Cooney DA, Milman HA. Potential antitumor agents via inhibitors of L-asparagine synthetase: substituted sulfonamides and sulfonyl hydrazides related to glutamine. J Pharm Sci 1978; 67:1550-3. [PMID: 30838 DOI: 10.1002/jps.2600671115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A series of 4-(substituted aminosulfonyl)- and 4-(substituted hydrazinosulfonyl)-2-aminobutanoic acids, compounds structurally related to glutamine, was synthesized as potential inhibitors of L-asparagine synthetase and subjected to screening as antitumor agents. Target amino acids were obtained by condensation of a blocked reactive sulfonyl chloride with the appropriate amine or hydrazide, followed by deblocking with hydrogen--palladium or liquid hydrogen fluoride--anisole. Neither the target compounds nor their protected precursors inhibited the enzyme from L5178Y/AR or prolonged the life of mice with P-388 lymphocytic leukemia. However, DL-4,4'-dithiobis[2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)butanoic acid], an intermediate in the synthesis of the target amino acids, exhibited 90% inhibition of L-asparagine synthetase at 10 mM.
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Hongo S, Matsumoto T, Sato T. Purification and properties of asparagine synthetase from rat liver. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 1978; 522:258-66. [PMID: 23163 DOI: 10.1016/0005-2744(78)90342-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Asparagine synthetase (L-aspartate:ammonia ligase (AMP-forming, EC 6.3.1.1) activity in rat liver increased when the animals were put on a low casein diet. The enzyme was purified about 280-fold from the supernatant of rat liver homogenate by a procedure comprising ammonium sulfate fractionation. DEAE-Sepharose column chromatography, and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. The optimal pH of the enzyme was in the range 7.4-7.6 with glutamine as an amide donor. The molecular weight was estimated to be approximately 110,000 by gel filtration. Chloride ion was required for the enzyme activity. The apparent Km values for L-aspartate, L-glutamine, ammonium chloride, ATP, and Cl- were calculated to be 0.76, 4.3, 10, 0.14, and 1.7 mM, respectively. The activity was inhibited by L-asparagine, nucleoside triphosphates except ATP, and sulfhydryl reagents. It has been observed that the properties of asparagine synthetase from rat liver are not so different from those of tumors such as Novikoff hepatoma and RADA 1.
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Milman HA, Cooney DA, Applebee S. A radiometric method for the measurement of L-asparagine synthetase activity: comparison with available methods. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY 1978; 9:803-16. [PMID: 33075 DOI: 10.1016/0020-711x(78)90029-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Banerjee AT, Banerjee SP. Chromosomal pattern of asparaginase sensitive leukemia and its resistant variant. EXPERIENTIA 1972; 28:1236-7. [PMID: 5087053 DOI: 10.1007/bf01946194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Chou TC, Handschumacher RE. Production of L-asparagine by tumor cells and the effect of asparagine analogs. Biochem Pharmacol 1972; 21:39-48. [PMID: 4333695 DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(72)90248-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Capizzi RL, Summers WP, Bertino JR. DISCUSSION PAPER: L-ASPARAGINASE INDUCED ALTERATION OF AMETHOPTERIN (METHOTREXATE) ACTIVITY IN MOUSE LEUKEMIA L5178Y. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1971. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1971.tb31156.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Capizzi RL, Summers WP, Bertino JR. DISCUSSION PAPER: L-ASPARAGINASE INDUCED ALTERATION OF AMETHOPTERIN (METHOTREXATE) ACTIVITY IN MOUSE LEUKEMIA L5178Y. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1971. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1971.tb46985.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Wriston JC. 5 L-Asparaginase. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1971. [DOI: 10.1016/s1874-6047(08)60365-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
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Canellos GP, Haskell CM. Studies of resistance to L-asparaginase in human leukemia. Recent Results Cancer Res 1970; 33:188-93. [PMID: 4949162 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-99984-0_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Riley V, Spackman DH, Fitzmaurice MA. Critical influence of an enzyme-elevating virus upon long-term remissions of mouse leukemia following asparaginase therapy. Recent Results Cancer Res 1970; 33:81-101. [PMID: 4949171 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-99984-0_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Reis HE, Braun W, Schmidt CG. [Antigenicity of E. coli asparaginase in enzyme therapy of leukemia]. KLINISCHE WOCHENSCHRIFT 1969; 47:1213-6. [PMID: 4986133 DOI: 10.1007/bf01484886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Haskell CM, Canellos GP. l-asparaginase resistance in human leukemia--asparagine synthetase. Biochem Pharmacol 1969; 18:2578-80. [PMID: 4935103 DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(69)90375-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Prager MD, Peters PC, Janes JO, Derr I. Asparagine synthetase activity in malignant and non-malignant human kidney and prostate specimens. Nature 1969; 221:1064-5. [PMID: 5774402 DOI: 10.1038/2211064a0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Prager MD, Bachynsky N. Asparagine synthetase in normal and malignant tissues: correlation with tumor sensitivity to asparaginase. Arch Biochem Biophys 1968; 127:645-54. [PMID: 4880551 DOI: 10.1016/0003-9861(68)90273-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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