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Davoody S, Asgari Taei A, Khodabakhsh P, Dargahi L. mTOR signaling and Alzheimer's disease: What we know and where we are? CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14463. [PMID: 37721413 PMCID: PMC11017461 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14463] [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: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the great body of research done on Alzheimer's disease, the underlying mechanisms have not been vividly investigated. To date, the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles constitutes the hallmark of the disease; however, dysregulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) seems to be significantly involved in the pathogenesis of the disease as well. mTOR, as a serine-threonine protein kinase, was previously known for controlling many cellular functions such as cell size, autophagy, and metabolism. In this regard, mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) may leave anti-aging impacts by robustly inhibiting autophagy, a mechanism that inhibits the accumulation of damaged protein aggregate and dysfunctional organelles. Formation and aggregation of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid-beta plaques seem to be significantly regulated by mTOR signaling. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and connection between mTOR signaling and AD may suggest conducting clinical trials assessing the efficacy of rapamycin, as an mTOR inhibitor drug, in managing AD or may help develop other medications. In this literature review, we aim to elaborate mTOR signaling network mainly in the brain, point to gaps of knowledge, and define how and in which ways mTOR signaling can be connected with AD pathogenesis and symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samin Davoody
- Student Research Committee, School of MedicineShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Afsaneh Asgari Taei
- Neuroscience Research CenterShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Pariya Khodabakhsh
- Department of NeurophysiologyInstitute of Physiology, Eberhard Karls University of TübingenTübingenGermany
| | - Leila Dargahi
- Neurobiology Research CenterShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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2
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Kharouf N, Flanagan TW, Alamodi AA, Al Hmada Y, Hassan SY, Shalaby H, Santourlidis S, Hassan SL, Haikel Y, Megahed M, Brodell RT, Hassan M. CD133-Dependent Activation of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase /AKT/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling in Melanoma Progression and Drug Resistance. Cells 2024; 13:240. [PMID: 38334632 PMCID: PMC10854812 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030240] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma frequently harbors genetic alterations in key molecules leading to the aberrant activation of PI3K and its downstream pathways. Although the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR in melanoma progression and drug resistance is well documented, targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway showed less efficiency in clinical trials than might have been expected, since the suppression of the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway-induced feedback loops is mostly associated with the activation of compensatory pathways such as MAPK/MEK/ERK. Consequently, the development of intrinsic and acquired resistance can occur. As a solid tumor, melanoma is notorious for its heterogeneity. This can be expressed in the form of genetically divergent subpopulations including a small fraction of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) and non-cancer stem cells (non-CSCs) that make the most of the tumor mass. Like other CSCs, melanoma stem-like cells (MSCs) are characterized by their unique cell surface proteins/stemness markers and aberrant signaling pathways. In addition to its function as a robust marker for stemness properties, CD133 is crucial for the maintenance of stemness properties and drug resistance. Herein, the role of CD133-dependent activation of PI3K/mTOR in the regulation of melanoma progression, drug resistance, and recurrence is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naji Kharouf
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas W. Flanagan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | | | - Youssef Al Hmada
- Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (Y.A.H.); (R.T.B.)
| | - Sofie-Yasmin Hassan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany;
| | - Hosam Shalaby
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Simeon Santourlidis
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany;
| | - Sarah-Lilly Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany;
| | - Youssef Haikel
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Pôle de Médecine et Chirurgie Bucco-Dentaire, Hôpital Civil, Hôpitaux Universitaire de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Mossad Megahed
- Clinic of Dermatology, University Hospital of Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Robert T. Brodell
- Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (Y.A.H.); (R.T.B.)
| | - Mohamed Hassan
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Research Laboratory of Surgery-Oncology, Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Bogush D, Schramm J, Ding Y, He B, Singh C, Sharma A, Tukaramrao DB, Iyer S, Desai D, Nalesnik G, Hengst J, Bhalodia R, Gowda C, Dovat S. Signaling pathways and regulation of gene expression in hematopoietic cells. Adv Biol Regul 2023; 88:100942. [PMID: 36621151 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2022.100942] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cellular functions are regulated by signal transduction pathway networks consisting of protein-modifying enzymes that control the activity of many downstream proteins. Protein kinases and phosphatases regulate gene expression by reversible phosphorylation of transcriptional factors, which are their direct substrates. Casein kinase II (CK2) is a serine/threonine kinase that phosphorylates a large number of proteins that have critical roles in cellular proliferation, metabolism and survival. Altered function of CK2 has been associated with malignant transformation, immunological disorders and other types of diseases. Protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) is a serine/threonine phosphatase, which regulates the phosphorylation status of many proteins that are essential for cellular functions. IKAROS is a DNA-binding protein, which functions as a regulator of gene transcription in hematopoietic cells. CK2 directly phosphorylates IKAROS at multiple phosphosites which determines IKAROS activity as a regulator of gene expression. PP1 binds to IKAROS via the PP1-consensus recognition site and dephosphorylates serine/threonine residues that are phosphorylated by CK2. Thus, the interplay between CK2 and PP1 signaling pathways have opposing effects on the phosphorylation status of their mutual substrate - IKAROS. This review summarizes the effects of CK2 and PP1 on IKAROS role in regulation of gene expression and its function as a tumor suppressor in leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bogush
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 1703, USA
| | - Joseph Schramm
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 1703, USA
| | - Yali Ding
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 1703, USA
| | - Bing He
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 1703, USA
| | - Chingakham Singh
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 1703, USA
| | - Arati Sharma
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 1703, USA
| | | | - Soumya Iyer
- University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Dhimant Desai
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 1703, USA
| | - Gregory Nalesnik
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 1703, USA
| | - Jeremy Hengst
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 1703, USA
| | - Riya Bhalodia
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 1703, USA
| | - Chandrika Gowda
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 1703, USA.
| | - Sinisa Dovat
- Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 1703, USA.
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Cai H, Wang Z, Tang W, Ke X, Zhao E. Recent advances of the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling in mesenchymal stem cells. Front Genet 2022; 13:970699. [PMID: 36110206 PMCID: PMC9468880 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.970699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase involved in a variety of cellular functions, such as cell proliferation, metabolism, autophagy, survival and cytoskeletal organization. Furthermore, mTOR is made up of three multisubunit complexes, mTOR complex 1, mTOR complex 2, and putative mTOR complex 3. In recent years, increasing evidence has suggested that mTOR plays important roles in the differentiation and immune responses of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In addition, mTOR is a vital regulator of pivotal cellular and physiological functions, such as cell metabolism, survival and ageing, where it has emerged as a novel therapeutic target for ageing-related diseases. Therefore, the mTOR signaling may develop a large impact on the treatment of ageing-related diseases with MSCs. In this review, we discuss prospects for future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huarui Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhongze Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenhan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoxue Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoxue Ke, ; Erhu Zhao,
| | - Erhu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoxue Ke, ; Erhu Zhao,
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5
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Mortazavi M, Moosavi F, Martini M, Giovannetti E, Firuzi O. Prospects of targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in pancreatic cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 176:103749. [PMID: 35728737 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has one of the worst prognoses among all malignancies. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, a main downstream effector of KRAS is involved in the regulation of key hallmarks of cancer. We here report that whole-genome analyses demonstrate the frequent involvement of aberrant activations of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway components in PDAC patients and critically evaluate preclinical and clinical evidence on the application of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway targeting agents. Combinations of these agents with chemotherapeutics or other targeted therapies, including the modulators of cyclin-dependent kinases, receptor tyrosine kinases and RAF/MEK/ERK pathway are also examined. Although human genetic studies and preclinical pharmacological investigations have provided strong evidence on the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in PDAC, clinical studies in general have not been as promising. Patient stratification seems to be the key missing point and with the advent of biomarker-guided clinical trials, targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway could provide valuable assets for treatment of pancreatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motahareh Mortazavi
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Moosavi
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Miriam Martini
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazine Pisana per la Scienza, Pisa, Italy
| | - Omidreza Firuzi
- Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Das A, Bhattacharya B, Roy S. Decrypting a path based approach for identifying the interplay between PI3K and GSK3 signaling cascade from the perspective of cancer. Genes Dis 2022; 9:868-888. [PMID: 35685456 PMCID: PMC9170611 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2021.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of those leading diseases worldwide, which takes millions of lives every year. Researchers are continuously looking for specific approaches to eradicate the deadly disease, ensuring minimal adverse effects along with more therapeutic significance. Targeting of different aberrantly regulated signaling pathways, involved in cancer, is surely one of the revolutionary chemotherapeutic approach. In this instance, GSK3 and PI3K signaling cascades are considered as important role player for both the oncogenic activation and inactivation which further leads to cancer proliferation and metastasis. In this review, we have discussed the potential role of GSK3 and PI3K signaling in cancer, and we further established the crosstalk between PI3K and GSK3 signaling, through showcasing their cross activation, cross inhibition and convergence pathways in association with cancer. We also exhibited the effect of GSK3 on the efficacy of PI3K inhibitors to overcome the drug resistance and preventing the cell proliferation, metastasis in a combinatorial way with GSK3 inhibitors for a better treatment strategy in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Das
- Department of Pharmacology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata- Group of Institutions, Kolkata 700053, India
| | - Barshana Bhattacharya
- Department of Pharmacology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata- Group of Institutions, Kolkata 700053, India
| | - Souvik Roy
- Department of Pharmacology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata- Group of Institutions, Kolkata 700053, India
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7
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Alammar H, Nassani R, Alshehri MM, Aljohani AA, Alrfaei BM. Deficiency in the Treatment Description of mTOR Inhibitor Resistance in Medulloblastoma, a Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010464. [PMID: 35008889 PMCID: PMC8745694 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is a common fatal pediatric brain tumor. More treatment options are required to prolong survival and decrease disability. mTOR proteins play an essential role in the disease pathogenesis, and are an essential target for therapy. Three generations of mTOR inhibitors have been developed and are clinically used for immunosuppression and chemotherapy for multiple cancers. Only a few mTOR inhibitors have been investigated for the treatment of medulloblastoma and other pediatric tumors. The first-generation mTOR, sirolimus, temsirolimus, and everolimus, went through phase I clinical trials. The second-generation mTOR, AZD8055 and sapanisertib, suppressed medulloblastoma cell growth; however, limited studies have investigated possible resistance pathways. No clinical trials have been found to treat medulloblastoma using third-generation mTOR inhibitors. This systematic review highlights the mechanisms of resistance of mTOR inhibitors in medulloblastoma and includes IDO1, T cells, Mnk2, and eIF4E, as they prolong malignant cell survival. The findings promote the importance of combination therapy in medulloblastoma due to its highly resistant nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Alammar
- College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia; (H.A.); (A.A.A.)
| | - Rayan Nassani
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Cellular Therapy and Cancer Research, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia; (R.N.); (M.M.A.)
| | - Mana M. Alshehri
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Cellular Therapy and Cancer Research, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia; (R.N.); (M.M.A.)
| | - Alaa A. Aljohani
- College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia; (H.A.); (A.A.A.)
| | - Bahauddeen M. Alrfaei
- College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia; (H.A.); (A.A.A.)
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Cellular Therapy and Cancer Research, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia; (R.N.); (M.M.A.)
- Correspondence:
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8
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Shams R, Ito Y, Miyatake H. Mapping of mTOR drug targets: Featured platforms for anti-cancer drug discovery. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 232:108012. [PMID: 34624427 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108012] [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] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a regulatory protein kinase involved in cell growth and proliferation. mTOR is usually assembled in two different complexes with different regulatory mechanisms, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2, which are involved in different functions such as cell proliferation and cytoskeleton assembly, respectively. In cancer cells, mTOR is hyperactivated in response to metabolic alterations and/or oncogenic signals to overcome the stressful microenvironments. Therefore, recent research progress for mTOR inhibition involves a variety of compounds that have been developed to disturb the metabolic processes of cancer cells through mTOR inhibition. In addition to competitive or allosteric inhibition, a new inhibition strategy that emerged mTOR complexes destabilization has recently been a concern. Here, we review the history of mTOR and its inhibition, along with the timeline of the mTOR inhibitors. We also introduce prospective drug targets to inhibit mTOR by disrupting the complexation of the components with peptides and small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raef Shams
- Emergent Bioengineering Materials Research Team, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama 338-8570, Japan.
| | - Yoshihiro Ito
- Emergent Bioengineering Materials Research Team, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Nano Medical Engineering Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Miyatake
- Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; Nano Medical Engineering Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
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A Preclinical Pipeline for Translational Precision Medicine-Experiences from a Transdisciplinary Brain Tumor Stem Cell Project. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11090892. [PMID: 34575669 PMCID: PMC8472761 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11090892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient transdisciplinary cooperation promotes the rapid discovery and clinical application of new technologies, especially in the competitive sector of oncology. In this review, written from a clinical-scientist point of view, we used glioblastoma—the most common and most aggressive primary brain tumor as a model disease with a largely unmet clinical need, despite decades of intensive research—to promote transdisciplinary medicine. Glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), a special tumoral cell population analogue to healthy stem cells, are considered largely responsible for the progression of the disease and the mediation of therapy resistance. The presented work followed the concept of translational science, which generates the theoretical backbones of translational research projects, and aimed to close the preclinical gap between basic research and clinical application. Thus, this generated an integrated translational precision medicine pipeline model based on recent theoretical and experimental publications, which supports the accelerated discovery and development of new paths in the treatment of GSCs. The work may be of interest to the general field of precision medicine beyond the field of neuro-oncology such as in Cancer Neuroscience.
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Ratti S, Evangelisti C, Mongiorgi S, De Stefano A, Fazio A, Bonomini F, Follo MY, Faenza I, Manzoli L, Sheth B, Vidalle MC, Kimber ST, Divecha N, Cocco L, Fiume R. "Modulating Phosphoinositide Profiles as a Roadmap for Treatment in Acute Myeloid Leukemia". Front Oncol 2021; 11:678824. [PMID: 34109125 PMCID: PMC8181149 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.678824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyphosphoinositides (PPIns) and their modulating enzymes are involved in regulating many important cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation or gene expression, and their deregulation is involved in human diseases such as metabolic syndromes, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, including Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Given that PPIns regulating enzymes are highly druggable targets, several studies have recently highlighted the potential of targeting them in AML. For instance many inhibitors targeting the PI3K pathway are in various stages of clinical development and more recently other novel enzymes such as PIP4K2A have been implicated as AML targets. PPIns have distinct subcellular organelle profiles, in part driven by the specific localisation of enzymes that metabolise them. In particular, in the nucleus, PPIns are regulated in response to various extracellular and intracellular pathways and interact with specific nuclear proteins to control epigenetic cell state. While AML does not normally manifest with as many mutations as other cancers, it does appear in large part to be a disease of dysregulation of epigenetic signalling and many novel therapeutics are aimed at reprogramming AML cells toward a differentiated cell state or to one that is responsive to alternative successful but limited AML therapies such as ATRA. Here, we propose that by combining bioinformatic analysis with inhibition of PPIns pathways, especially within the nucleus, we might discover new combination therapies aimed at reprogramming transcriptional output to attenuate uncontrolled AML cell growth. Furthermore, we outline how different part of a PPIns signalling unit might be targeted to control selective outputs that might engender more specific and therefore less toxic inhibitory outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Ratti
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Camilla Evangelisti
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Mongiorgi
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessia De Stefano
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonietta Fazio
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Bonomini
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matilde Y Follo
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Irene Faenza
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lucia Manzoli
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Bhavwanti Sheth
- Inositide Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Magdalena C Vidalle
- Inositide Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Scott T Kimber
- Inositide Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Nullin Divecha
- Inositide Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Lucio Cocco
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberta Fiume
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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11
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Rapalink-1 Targets Glioblastoma Stem Cells and Acts Synergistically with Tumor Treating Fields to Reduce Resistance against Temozolomide. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123859. [PMID: 33371210 PMCID: PMC7766508 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Glioblastoma (GBM) resistance to standard treatment is driven by stem-like cell behavior and epithelial-like-mesenchymal transition. The main purpose of this paper was to functionally validate a novel discovered pharmacological strategy to treat GBM, the dual mTOR pathway inhibitor Rapalink-1 (RL1) using relevant stem cell models of the disease to unravel mechanistic insights. Our approach also interrogates combination studies with clinical treatment options of tumor treating fields (TTFields) and the best standard of care chemotherapy, temozolomide (TMZ). We provided clinical relevance of our experimental work through in silico evaluation on molecular data of diverse patient samples. RL1 effectively impaired motility and clonogenicity of GBM stem cells and reduced the expression of stem cell molecules. We elucidated a synergistic therapeutic potential of the inhibitor with TTFields to minimize therapy resistance toward TMZ, which supports its consideration for further translational oriented studies. Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal disease with limited clinical treatment options available. Recently, a new inhibitor targeting the prominent cancer signaling pathway mTOR was discovered (Rapalink-1), but its therapeutic potential on stem cell populations of GBM is unknown. We applied a collection of physiological relevant organoid-like stem cell models of GBM and studied the effect of RL1 exposure on various cellular features as well as on the expression of mTOR signaling targets and stem cell molecules. We also undertook combination treatments with this agent and clinical GBM treatments tumor treating fields (TTFields) and the standard-of-care drug temozolomide, TMZ. Low nanomolar (nM) RL1 treatment significantly reduced cell growth, proliferation, migration, and clonogenic potential of our stem cell models. It acted synergistically to reduce cell growth when applied in combination with TMZ and TTFields. We performed an in silico analysis from the molecular data of diverse patient samples to probe for a relationship between the expression of mTOR genes, and mesenchymal markers in different GBM cohorts. We supported the in silico results with correlative protein data retrieved from tumor specimens. Our study further validates mTOR signaling as a druggable target in GBM and supports RL1, representing a promising therapeutic target in brain oncology.
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Adaptive responses to mTOR gene targeting in hematopoietic stem cells reveal a proliferative mechanism evasive to mTOR inhibition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 118:2020102118. [PMID: 33443202 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2020102118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central regulator of cell growth and an attractive anticancer target that integrates diverse signals to control cell proliferation. Previous studies using mTOR inhibitors have shown that mTOR targeting suppresses gene expression and cell proliferation. To date, however, mTOR-targeted therapies in cancer have seen limited efficacy, and one key issue is related to the development of evasive resistance. In this manuscript, through the use of a gene targeting mouse model, we have found that inducible deletion of mTOR in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) results in a loss of quiescence and increased proliferation. Adaptive to the mTOR loss, mTOR -/- HSCs increase chromatin accessibility and activate global gene expression, contrary to the effects of short-term inhibition by mTOR inhibitors. Mechanistically, such genomic changes are due to a rewiring and adaptive activation of the ERK/MNK/eIF4E signaling pathway that enhances the protein translation of RNA polymerase II, which in turn leads to increased c-Myc gene expression, allowing the HSCs to thrive despite the loss of a functional mTOR pathway. This adaptive mechanism can also be utilized by leukemia cells undergoing long-term mTOR inhibitor treatment to confer resistance to mTOR drug targeting. The resistance can be counteracted by MNK, CDK9, or c-Myc inhibition. These results provide insights into the physiological role of mTOR in mammalian stem cell regulation and implicate a mechanism of evasive resistance in the context of mTOR targeting.
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Ratti S, Lonetti A, Follo MY, Paganelli F, Martelli AM, Chiarini F, Evangelisti C. B-ALL Complexity: Is Targeted Therapy Still A Valuable Approach for Pediatric Patients? Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123498. [PMID: 33255367 PMCID: PMC7760974 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary B-ALL is the more frequent childhood malignancy. Even though significant improvements in patients’ survival, some pediatric B-ALL have still poor prognosis and novel strategies are needed. Recently, new genetic abnormalities and altered signaling pathways have been described, defining novel B-ALL subtypes.Innovative targeted therapeutic drugs may potentially show a great impact on the treatment of B-ALL subtypes, offering an important chance to block multiple signaling pathways and potentially improving the clinical management of B-ALL younger patients, especially for the new identified subtypes that lack efficient chemotherapeutic protocols. In this review, we shed light on the up-to-date knowledge of the novel childhood B-ALL subtypes and the altered signaling pathways that could become new druggable targets. Abstract B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is a hematologic malignancy that arises from the clonal expansion of transformed B-cell precursors and predominately affects childhood. Even though significant progresses have been made in the treatment of B-ALL, pediatric patients’ outcome has to be furtherly increased and alternative targeted treatment strategies are required for younger patients. Over the last decade, novel approaches have been used to understand the genomic landscape and the complexity of the molecular biology of pediatric B-ALL, mainly next generation sequencing, offering important insights into new B-ALL subtypes, altered pathways, and therapeutic targets that may lead to improved risk stratification and treatments. Here, we will highlight the up-to-date knowledge of the novel B-ALL subtypes in childhood, with particular emphasis on altered signaling pathways. In addition, we will discuss the targeted therapies that showed promising results for the treatment of the different B-ALL subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Ratti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.R.); (M.Y.F.); (F.P.); (A.M.M.)
| | - Annalisa Lonetti
- Giorgio Prodi Cancer Research Center, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti, 11, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Matilde Y. Follo
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.R.); (M.Y.F.); (F.P.); (A.M.M.)
| | - Francesca Paganelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.R.); (M.Y.F.); (F.P.); (A.M.M.)
| | - Alberto M. Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.R.); (M.Y.F.); (F.P.); (A.M.M.)
| | - Francesca Chiarini
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via Di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.C.); (C.E.); Tel.: +39-051-209-1581 (F.C.); +39-051-209-1581 (C.E.)
| | - Camilla Evangelisti
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via Di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.C.); (C.E.); Tel.: +39-051-209-1581 (F.C.); +39-051-209-1581 (C.E.)
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Chronic Sulforaphane Administration Inhibits Resistance to the mTOR-Inhibitor Everolimus in Bladder Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114026. [PMID: 32512849 PMCID: PMC7312500 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Progressive bladder cancer growth is associated with abnormal activation of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, but treatment with an mTOR inhibitor has not been as effective as expected. Rather, resistance develops under chronic drug use, prompting many patients to lower their relapse risk by turning to natural, plant-derived products. The present study was designed to evaluate whether the natural compound, sulforaphane (SFN), combined with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus, could block the growth and proliferation of bladder cancer cells in the short- and long-term. The bladder cancer cell lines RT112, UMUC3, and TCCSUP were exposed short- (24 h) or long-term (8 weeks) to everolimus (0.5 nM) or SFN (2.5 µM) alone or in combination. Cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and cell cycle regulating proteins were evaluated. siRNA blockade was used to investigate the functional impact of the proteins. Short-term application of SFN and/or everolimus resulted in significant tumor growth suppression, with additive inhibition on clonogenic tumor growth. Long-term everolimus treatment resulted in resistance development characterized by continued growth, and was associated with elevated Akt-mTOR signaling and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)1 phosphorylation and down-regulation of p19 and p27. In contrast, SFN alone or SFN+everolimus reduced cell growth and proliferation. Akt and Rictor signaling remained low, and p19 and p27 expressions were high under combined drug treatment. Long-term exposure to SFN+everolimus also induced acetylation of the H3 and H4 histones. Phosphorylation of CDK1 was diminished, whereby down-regulation of CDK1 and its binding partner, Cyclin B, inhibited tumor growth. In conclusion, the addition of SFN to the long-term everolimus application inhibits resistance development in bladder cancer cells in vitro. Therefore, sulforaphane may hold potential for treating bladder carcinoma in patients with resistance to an mTOR inhibitor.
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Poli A, Fiume R, Mongiorgi S, Zaurito A, Sheth B, Vidalle MC, Hamid SA, Kimber S, Campagnoli F, Ratti S, Rusciano I, Faenza I, Manzoli L, Divecha N. Exploring the controversial role of PI3K signalling in CD4 + regulatory T (T-Reg) cells. Adv Biol Regul 2020; 76:100722. [PMID: 32362560 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2020.100722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The immune system is a complex network that acts to protect vertebrates from foreign microorganisms and carries out immunosurveillance to combat cancer. In order to avoid hyper-activation of the immune system leading to collateral damage tissues and organs and to prevent self-attack, the network has the intrinsic control mechanisms that negatively regulate immune responses. Central to this negative regulation are regulatory T (T-Reg) cells, which through cytokine secretion and cell interaction limit uncontrolled clonal expansion and functions of activated immune cells. Given that positive or negative manipulation of T-Regs activity could be utilised to therapeutically treat host versus graft rejection or cancer respectively, understanding how signaling pathways impact on T-Regs function should reveal potential targets with which to intervene. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway controls a vast array of cellular processes and is critical in T cell activation. Here we focus on phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) and their ability to regulate T-Regs cell differentiation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Poli
- The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Fiume
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Via Irnerio, 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Sara Mongiorgi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Via Irnerio, 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio Zaurito
- Center for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Bhavwanti Sheth
- Inositide Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Magdalena Castellano Vidalle
- Inositide Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Shidqiyyah Abdul Hamid
- Inositide Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - ScottT Kimber
- Inositide Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Francesca Campagnoli
- Inositide Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Stefano Ratti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Via Irnerio, 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Isabella Rusciano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Via Irnerio, 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Irene Faenza
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Via Irnerio, 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lucia Manzoli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Via Irnerio, 48, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nullin Divecha
- Inositide Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
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Evangelisti C, Chiarini F, Paganelli F, Marmiroli S, Martelli AM. Crosstalks of GSK3 signaling with the mTOR network and effects on targeted therapy of cancer. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2019; 1867:118635. [PMID: 31884070 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.118635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of therapeutics targeting specific tumor-promoting oncogenic or non-oncogenic signaling pathways has revolutionized cancer treatment. Mechanistic (previously mammalian) target of rapamycin (mTOR), a highly conserved Ser/Thr kinase, is a central hub of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR network, one of the most frequently deregulated signaling pathways in cancer, that makes it an attractive target for therapy. Numerous mTOR inhibitors have progressed to clinical trials and two of them have been officially approved as anticancer therapeutics. However, mTOR-targeting drugs have met with a very limited success in cancer patients. Frequently, the primary impediment to a successful targeted therapy in cancer is drug-resistance, either from the very beginning of the therapy (innate resistance) or after an initial response and upon repeated drug treatment (evasive or acquired resistance). Drug-resistance leads to treatment failure and relapse/progression of the disease. Resistance to mTOR inhibitors depends, among other reasons, on activation/deactivation of several signaling pathways, included those regulated by glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3), a protein that targets a vast number of substrates in its repertoire, thereby orchestrating many processes that include cell proliferation and survival, metabolism, differentiation, and stemness. A detailed knowledge of the rewiring of signaling pathways triggered by exposure to mTOR inhibitors is critical to our understanding of the consequences such perturbations cause in tumors, including the emergence of drug-resistant cells. Here, we provide the reader with an updated overview of intricate circuitries that connect mTOR and GSK3 and we relate them to the efficacy (or lack of efficacy) of mTOR inhibitors in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Evangelisti
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics, 40136 Bologna, BO, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Francesca Chiarini
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics, 40136 Bologna, BO, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Francesca Paganelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Sandra Marmiroli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolical, and Neurological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, MO, Italy
| | - Alberto M Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, BO, Italy.
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An Investigation on the Effect of BCc1 Nanomedicine on Gastric Cancer Patients Using EORTC QLQ-STO30 Questionnaire. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER MANAGEMENT 2019. [DOI: 10.5812/ijcm.94190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Pérez-Hernández M, Arias A, Martínez-García D, Pérez-Tomás R, Quesada R, Soto-Cerrato V. Targeting Autophagy for Cancer Treatment and Tumor Chemosensitization. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1599. [PMID: 31635099 PMCID: PMC6826429 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a tightly regulated catabolic process that facilitates nutrient recycling from damaged organelles and other cellular components through lysosomal degradation. Deregulation of this process has been associated with the development of several pathophysiological processes, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. In cancer, autophagy has opposing roles, being either cytoprotective or cytotoxic. Thus, deciphering the role of autophagy in each tumor context is crucial. Moreover, autophagy has been shown to contribute to chemoresistance in some patients. In this regard, autophagy modulation has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment and chemosensitization of tumors, and has already demonstrated positive clinical results in patients. In this review, the dual role of autophagy during carcinogenesis is discussed and current therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting autophagy for the treatment of cancer, both under preclinical and clinical development, are presented. The use of autophagy modulators in combination therapies, in order to overcome drug resistance during cancer treatment, is also discussed as well as the potential challenges and limitations for the use of these novel therapeutic strategies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Pérez-Hernández
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, 08905 Barcelona, Spain.
- Oncobell Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Alain Arias
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, 08905 Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Integral Adult Dentistry, Research Centre for Dental Sciences (CICO), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile.
- Research Group of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Adventista de Chile, Chillán 3780000, Chile.
| | - David Martínez-García
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, 08905 Barcelona, Spain.
- Oncobell Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Ricardo Pérez-Tomás
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, 08905 Barcelona, Spain.
- Oncobell Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Roberto Quesada
- Department of Chemistry, Universidad de Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain.
| | - Vanessa Soto-Cerrato
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, 08905 Barcelona, Spain.
- Oncobell Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain.
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