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Hajjo R, Sabbah DA, Bardaweel SK, Zhong HA. Targeting the EGFR/RAS/RAF signaling pathway in anticancer research: a recent update on inhibitor design and clinical trials (2020-2023). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:51-69. [PMID: 38450537 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2327307] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent years have seen significant strides in drug developmenttargeting the EGFR/RAS/RAF signaling pathway which is critical forcell growth and proliferation. Protein-protein interaction networksamong EGFR, RAS, and RAF proteins offer insights for drug discovery. This review discusses the drug design and development efforts ofinhibitors targeting these proteins over the past 3 years, detailingtheir structures, selectivity, efficacy, and combination therapy.Strategies to combat drug resistance and minimize toxicities areexplored, along with future research directions. AREA COVERED This review encompasses clinical trials and patents on EGFR, KRAS,and BRAF inhibitors from 2020 to 2023, including advancements indesign and synthesis of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) forprotein degradation. EXPERT OPINION To tackle drug resistance, designing allosteric fourth-generationEGFR inhibitors is vital. Covalent, allosteric, or combinationaltherapies, along with PROTAC degraders, are key methods to addressresistance and toxicity in KRAS and BRAF inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Hajjo
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Board Member, National Center for Epidemics and Communicable Disease Control (JCDC), Amman, Jordan
| | - Dima A Sabbah
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Sanaa K Bardaweel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Haizhen A Zhong
- DSC 309, Department of Chemistry, The University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
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Structural basis of the oncogenic KRAS mutant and GJ101 complex. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 641:27-33. [PMID: 36516586 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
KRAS mutations occur in a quarter of all human cancers. When activated in its GTP-bound form, RAS stimulates diverse cellular systems, such as cell division, differentiation, growth, and apoptosis through the activations of various signaling pathways, which include mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphoinositide 3 kinases (PI3K), and RAL-GEFs pathways. We found that GJ101 (65LYDVA69) binds directly to the KRAS mutant (G12V) and showed tumor-suppressive activity. In addition, the GJ101 peptide inhibited KRAS mutant as determined by a [α-32P] guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binding assay and suppressed pancreatic cell line in a cell proliferation assay. Herein, the complex structure of KRAS and GJ101 was clarified by X-ray crystallography. Isothermal titration calorimetry showed that GJ101 binds highly with KRAS mutant and the complex structure of KRAS G12V.GJ101 complex presented that the residue of Q61 directly interacted with L65 of GJ101. Overall, the results suggest GJ101 be considered a developmental starting point for KRAS G12V inhibitor.
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Wang H, Tian RF, Liang X, Fan J, Duan ZC, Fan XY, Zhang JJ, Yao DS, Chen ZN, Li L. A four oxidative stress gene prognostic model and integrated immunity-analysis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1015042. [PMID: 36713541 PMCID: PMC9880292 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1015042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is highly aggressive and characterized by a poor prognosis. Oxidative stress has great impacts on the occurrence and development of tumors. However, the predictive role of oxidative stress related genes on PAAD patients' prognosis remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to construct a prognostic model for PAAD based on oxidative stress genes and to evaluate its predictive value. Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and three Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were used to identify differentially expressed oxidative stress genes. Univariate Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to select genes and to construct a prognosis model. According to the median value of the model's risk score, patients were divided into high and low risk groups, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), immune infiltration and immunotherapy effect, drug resistance and the expression of immune checkpoint related genes and synthetic driver genes of T cell proliferation were analyzed. Finally, the mRNA and protein levels of four genes in PAAD were verified by the clinical proteomic tumor analysis consortium (CPTAC) database and the immunostaining of patients' tissue. Results 55 differentially expressed oxidative stress genes were identified, and four genes including MET, FYN, CTTN and CDK1 were selected to construct a prognosis model. GESA indicated that immune related pathways, metabolic pathways and DNA repair pathways were significantly enriched in the high risk group as compared to the low risk group. The frequency of genetic mutations was also significantly higher in high risk groups than that in low risk groups. Moreover, the infiltration level of 23 immune cells as well as the expression of immune checkpoint related and synthetic driver genes of T cell proliferation were significantly altered, with the better immunotherapy effect occurring in low risk group. In patient PAAD tissues, the mRNA and protein levels of these four genes were up-regulated. Conclusion We have successfully constructed a four oxidative stress gene prognostic model that has important predictive value for PAAD patients, and this model might be a promising guidance for prognostic prediction and efficacy monitoring in clinical individualized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Institutes of Biomedicine and Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruo-Fei Tian
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xue Liang
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jing Fan
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zi-Chuan Duan
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xin-Yu Fan
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jia-Jia Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Dong-Sheng Yao
- Institutes of Biomedicine and Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Zhi-Nan Chen, ; Ling Li, ; Dong-Sheng Yao,
| | - Zhi-Nan Chen
- Institutes of Biomedicine and Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China,*Correspondence: Zhi-Nan Chen, ; Ling Li, ; Dong-Sheng Yao,
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China,*Correspondence: Zhi-Nan Chen, ; Ling Li, ; Dong-Sheng Yao,
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Zhang Z, Zhang H, Liao X, Tsai HI. KRAS mutation: The booster of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma transformation and progression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1147676. [PMID: 37152291 PMCID: PMC10157181 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1147676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common type of pancreatic cancer. It has a poor response to conventional therapy and has an extremely poor 5-year survival rate. PDAC is driven by multiple oncogene mutations, with the highest mutation frequency being observed in KRAS. The KRAS protein, which binds to GTP, has phosphokinase activity, which further activates downstream effectors. KRAS mutation contributes to cancer cell proliferation, metabolic reprogramming, immune escape, and therapy resistance in PDAC, acting as a critical driver of the disease. Thus, KRAS mutation is positively associated with poorer prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients. This review focus on the KRAS mutation patterns in PDAC, and further emphases its role in signal transduction, metabolic reprogramming, therapy resistance and prognosis, hoping to provide KRAS target therapy strategies for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zining Zhang
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xiang Liao
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Xiang Liao, ; Hsiang-i Tsai,
| | - Hsiang-i Tsai
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Xiang Liao, ; Hsiang-i Tsai,
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Effects of the Exposure of Human Non-Tumour Cells to Sera of Pancreatic Cancer Patients. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102588. [PMID: 36289850 PMCID: PMC9599555 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has high metastatic potential. The “genometastasis” theory proposes that the blood of some cancer patients contains elements able to transform healthy cells by transferring oncogenes. Since findings on genometastasis in PDAC are still scarce, we sought supporting evidence by treating non-tumour HEK293T and hTERT-HPNE human cell lines with sera of PDAC patients. Here, we showed that HEK293T cells have undergone malignant transformation, increased the migration and invasion abilities, and acquired a partial chemoresistance, whereas hTERT-HPNE cells were almost refractory to transformation by patients’ sera. Next-generation sequencing showed that transformed HEK293T cells gained and lost several genomic regions, harbouring genes involved in many cancer-associated processes. Our results support the genometastasis theory, but further studies are needed for the identification of the circulating transforming elements. Such elements could also be useful biomarkers in liquid biopsy assays.
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Multi-omics data integration and modeling unravels new mechanisms for pancreatic cancer and improves prognostic prediction. NPJ Precis Oncol 2022; 6:57. [PMID: 35978026 PMCID: PMC9385633 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-022-00299-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), has recently been found to be a heterogeneous disease, although the extension of its diversity remains to be fully understood. Here, we harmonize transcriptomic profiles derived from both PDAC epithelial and microenvironment cells to develop a Master Regulators (MR)-Gradient model that allows important inferences on transcriptional networks, epigenomic states, and metabolomics pathways that underlies this disease heterogeneity. This gradient model was generated by applying a blind source separation based on independent components analysis and robust principal component analyses (RPCA), following regulatory network inference. The result of these analyses reveals that PDAC prognosis strongly associates with the tumor epithelial cell phenotype and the immunological component. These studies were complemented by integration of methylome and metabolome datasets generated from patient-derived xenograft (PDX), together experimental measurements of metabolites, immunofluorescence microscopy, and western blot. At the metabolic level, PDAC favorable phenotype showed a positive correlation with enzymes implicated in complex lipid biosynthesis. In contrast, the unfavorable phenotype displayed an augmented OXPHOS independent metabolism centered on the Warburg effect and glutaminolysis. Epigenetically, we find that a global hypermethylation profile associates with the worst prognosis. Lastly, we report that, two antagonistic histone code writers, SUV39H1/SUV39H2 (H3K9Me3) and KAT2B (H3K9Ac) were identified key deregulated pathways in PDAC. Our analysis suggests that the PDAC phenotype, as it relates to prognosis, is determined by a complex interaction of transcriptomic, epigenomic, and metabolic features. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PDAC prognosis could be modulated through epigenetics.
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Koltai T, Reshkin SJ, Carvalho TMA, Di Molfetta D, Greco MR, Alfarouk KO, Cardone RA. Resistance to Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Physiopathologic and Pharmacologic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2486. [PMID: 35626089 PMCID: PMC9139729 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a very aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis and inadequate response to treatment. Many factors contribute to this therapeutic failure: lack of symptoms until the tumor reaches an advanced stage, leading to late diagnosis; early lymphatic and hematic spread; advanced age of patients; important development of a pro-tumoral and hyperfibrotic stroma; high genetic and metabolic heterogeneity; poor vascular supply; a highly acidic matrix; extreme hypoxia; and early development of resistance to the available therapeutic options. In most cases, the disease is silent for a long time, andwhen it does become symptomatic, it is too late for ablative surgery; this is one of the major reasons explaining the short survival associated with the disease. Even when surgery is possible, relapsesare frequent, andthe causes of this devastating picture are the low efficacy ofand early resistance to all known chemotherapeutic treatments. Thus, it is imperative to analyze the roots of this resistance in order to improve the benefits of therapy. PDAC chemoresistance is the final product of different, but to some extent, interconnected factors. Surgery, being the most adequate treatment for pancreatic cancer and the only one that in a few selected cases can achieve longer survival, is only possible in less than 20% of patients. Thus, the treatment burden relies on chemotherapy in mostcases. While the FOLFIRINOX scheme has a slightly longer overall survival, it also produces many more adverse eventsso that gemcitabine is still considered the first choice for treatment, especially in combination with other compounds/agents. This review discusses the multiple causes of gemcitabine resistance in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephan Joel Reshkin
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Tiago M. A. Carvalho
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Daria Di Molfetta
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Maria Raffaella Greco
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Khalid Omer Alfarouk
- Zamzam Research Center, Zamzam University College, Khartoum 11123, Sudan;
- Alfarouk Biomedical Research LLC, Temple Terrace, FL 33617, USA
| | - Rosa Angela Cardone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
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Psaras AM, Valiuska S, Noé V, Ciudad CJ, Brooks TA. Targeting KRAS Regulation with PolyPurine Reverse Hoogsteen Oligonucleotides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2097. [PMID: 35216221 PMCID: PMC8876201 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
KRAS is a GTPase involved in the proliferation signaling of several growth factors. The KRAS gene is GC-rich, containing regions with known and putative G-quadruplex (G4) forming regions. Within the middle of the G-rich proximal promoter, stabilization of the physiologically active G4mid structure downregulates transcription of KRAS; the function and formation of other G4s within the gene are unknown. Herein we identify three putative G4-forming sequences (G4FS) within the KRAS gene, explore their G4 formation, and develop oligonucleotides targeting these three regions and the G4mid forming sequence. We tested Polypurine Reverse Hoogsteen hairpins (PPRHs) for their effects on KRAS regulation via enhancing G4 formation or displacing G-rich DNA strands, downregulating KRAS transcription and mediating an anti-proliferative effect. Five PPRH were designed, two against the KRAS promoter G4mid and three others against putative G4FS in the distal promoter, intron 1 and exon 5. PPRH binding was confirmed by gel electrophoresis. The effect on KRAS transcription was examined by luciferase, FRET Melt2, qRT-PCR. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in pancreatic and ovarian cancer cells. PPRHs decreased activity of a luciferase construct driven by the KRAS promoter. PPRH selectively suppressed proliferation in KRAS dependent cancer cells. PPRH demonstrated synergistic activity with a KRAS promoter selective G4-stabilizing compound, NSC 317605, in KRAS-dependent pancreatic cells. PPRHs selectively stabilize G4 formation within the KRAS mid promoter region and represent an innovative approach to both G4-stabilization and to KRAS modulation with potential for development into novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Maria Psaras
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA;
| | - Simonas Valiuska
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, & IN2UB, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (S.V.); (V.N.); (C.J.C.)
| | - Véronique Noé
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, & IN2UB, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (S.V.); (V.N.); (C.J.C.)
| | - Carlos J. Ciudad
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, & IN2UB, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (S.V.); (V.N.); (C.J.C.)
| | - Tracy A. Brooks
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA;
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Luo D, Xu X, Iqbal MZ, Zhao Q, Zhao R, Farheen J, Zhang Q, Zhang P, Kong X. siRNA-Loaded Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles for KRAS Gene Silencing in Anti-Pancreatic Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13091428. [PMID: 34575504 PMCID: PMC8466089 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13091428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic carcinoma (PC) is greatly induced by the KRAS gene mutation, but effective targeted delivery for gene therapy has not existed. Small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) serves as an advanced therapeutic modality and holds great promise for cancer treatment. However, the development of a non-toxic and high-efficiency carrier system to accurately deliver siRNA into cells for siRNA-targeted gene silencing is still a prodigious challenge. Herein, polyethylenimine (PEI)-modified hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles (HAp-PEI) were fabricated. The siRNA of the KRAS gene (siKras) was loaded onto the surface of HAp-PEI via electrostatic interaction between siRNA and PEI to design the functionalized HAp-PEI nanoparticle (HAp-PEI/siKras). The HAp-PEI/siKras was internalized into the human PC cells PANC-1 to achieve the maximum transfection efficiency for active tumor targeting. HAp-PEI/siKras effectively knocked down the expression of the KRAS gene and downregulated the expression of the Kras protein in vitro. Furthermore, the treatment with HAp-PEI/siKras resulted in greater anti-PC cells' (PANC-1, BXPC-3, and CFPAC-1) efficacy in vitro. Additionally, the HAp-PEI exhibited no obvious in vitro cytotoxicity in normal pancreatic HPDE6-C7 cells. These findings provided a promising alternative for the therapeutic route of siRNA-targeted gene engineering for anti-pancreatic cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Luo
- Institute of Smart Biomedical Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China; (D.L.); (X.X.); (M.Z.I.); (R.Z.); (J.F.); (Q.Z.)
- Zhejiang-Mauritius Joint Research Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
- School of Textile Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xiaochun Xu
- Institute of Smart Biomedical Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China; (D.L.); (X.X.); (M.Z.I.); (R.Z.); (J.F.); (Q.Z.)
| | - M. Zubair Iqbal
- Institute of Smart Biomedical Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China; (D.L.); (X.X.); (M.Z.I.); (R.Z.); (J.F.); (Q.Z.)
- Zhejiang-Mauritius Joint Research Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Qingwei Zhao
- Research Center for Clinical Pharmacy & Key Laboratory for Drug Evaluation and Clinical Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China;
| | - Ruibo Zhao
- Institute of Smart Biomedical Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China; (D.L.); (X.X.); (M.Z.I.); (R.Z.); (J.F.); (Q.Z.)
- Zhejiang-Mauritius Joint Research Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Jabeen Farheen
- Institute of Smart Biomedical Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China; (D.L.); (X.X.); (M.Z.I.); (R.Z.); (J.F.); (Q.Z.)
- Zhejiang-Mauritius Joint Research Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Quan Zhang
- Institute of Smart Biomedical Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China; (D.L.); (X.X.); (M.Z.I.); (R.Z.); (J.F.); (Q.Z.)
- Zhejiang-Mauritius Joint Research Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Peiliang Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Linyi Central Hospital, Linyi 276400, China;
| | - Xiangdong Kong
- Institute of Smart Biomedical Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China; (D.L.); (X.X.); (M.Z.I.); (R.Z.); (J.F.); (Q.Z.)
- Zhejiang-Mauritius Joint Research Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +86-571-86848872
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Cecati M, Giulietti M, Righetti A, Sabanovic B, Piva F. Effects of CXCL12 isoforms in a pancreatic pre-tumour cellular model: Microarray analysis. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:1616-1629. [PMID: 33958847 PMCID: PMC8058651 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i15.1616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of death among cancers, it is characterized by poor prognosis and strong chemoresistance. In the PDAC microenvironment, stromal cells release different extracellular components, including CXCL12. The CXCL12 is a chemokine promoting the communication between tumour and stromal cells. Six different splicing isoforms of CXCL12 are known (α, β, γ, δ, ε, θ) but their role in PDAC has not yet been characterized.
AIM To investigate the specific role of α, β, and γ CXCL12 isoforms in PDAC onset.
METHODS We used hTERT-HPNE E6/E7/KRasG12D (Human Pancreatic Nestin-Expressing) cell line as a pancreatic pre-tumour model and exposed it to the α, β, and γ CXCL12 isoforms. The altered expression profiles were assessed by microarray analyses and confirmed by Real-Time polymerase chain reaction. The functional enrichment analyses have been performed by Enrichr tool to highlight Gene Ontology enriched terms. In addition, wound healing assays have been carried out to assess the phenotypic changes, in terms of migration ability, induced by the α, β, and γ CXCL12 isoforms.
RESULTS Microarray analysis of hTERT-HPNE cells treated with the three different CXCL12 isoforms highlighted that the expression of only a few genes was altered. Moreover, the α and β isoforms showed an alteration in expression of different genes, whereas γ isoform affected the expression of genes also common with α and β isoforms. The β isoform altered the expression of genes mainly involved in cell cycle regulation. In addition, all isoforms affected the expression of genes associated to cell migration, adhesion and cytoskeleton. In vitro cell migration assay confirmed that CXCL12 enhanced the migration ability of hTERT-HPNE cells. Among the CXCL12 splicing isoforms, the γ isoform showed higher induction of migration than α and β isoforms.
CONCLUSION Our data suggests an involvement and different roles of CXCL12 isoforms in PDAC onset. However, more investigations are needed to confirm these preliminary observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monia Cecati
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60126, Italy
| | - Matteo Giulietti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60126, Italy
| | - Alessandra Righetti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60126, Italy
| | - Berina Sabanovic
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60126, Italy
| | - Francesco Piva
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60126, Italy
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Fu Y, Ricciardiello F, Yang G, Qiu J, Huang H, Xiao J, Cao Z, Zhao F, Liu Y, Luo W, Chen G, You L, Chiaradonna F, Zheng L, Zhang T. The Role of Mitochondria in the Chemoresistance of Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Cells 2021; 10:497. [PMID: 33669111 PMCID: PMC7996512 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The first-line chemotherapies for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer (PC) are 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and gemcitabine therapy. However, due to chemoresistance the prognosis of patients with PC has not been significantly improved. Mitochondria are essential organelles in eukaryotes that evolved from aerobic bacteria. In recent years, many studies have shown that mitochondria play important roles in tumorigenesis and may act as chemotherapeutic targets in PC. In addition, according to recent studies, mitochondria may play important roles in the chemoresistance of PC by affecting apoptosis, metabolism, mtDNA metabolism, and mitochondrial dynamics. Interfering with some of these factors in mitochondria may improve the sensitivity of PC cells to chemotherapeutic agents, such as gemcitabine, making mitochondria promising targets for overcoming chemoresistance in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibo Fu
- General Surgery Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.F.); (G.Y.); (J.Q.); (H.H.); (J.X.); (Z.C.); (F.Z.); (Y.L.); (W.L.); (G.C.); (L.Y.)
| | - Francesca Ricciardiello
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy;
| | - Gang Yang
- General Surgery Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.F.); (G.Y.); (J.Q.); (H.H.); (J.X.); (Z.C.); (F.Z.); (Y.L.); (W.L.); (G.C.); (L.Y.)
| | - Jiangdong Qiu
- General Surgery Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.F.); (G.Y.); (J.Q.); (H.H.); (J.X.); (Z.C.); (F.Z.); (Y.L.); (W.L.); (G.C.); (L.Y.)
| | - Hua Huang
- General Surgery Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.F.); (G.Y.); (J.Q.); (H.H.); (J.X.); (Z.C.); (F.Z.); (Y.L.); (W.L.); (G.C.); (L.Y.)
| | - Jianchun Xiao
- General Surgery Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.F.); (G.Y.); (J.Q.); (H.H.); (J.X.); (Z.C.); (F.Z.); (Y.L.); (W.L.); (G.C.); (L.Y.)
| | - Zhe Cao
- General Surgery Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.F.); (G.Y.); (J.Q.); (H.H.); (J.X.); (Z.C.); (F.Z.); (Y.L.); (W.L.); (G.C.); (L.Y.)
| | - Fangyu Zhao
- General Surgery Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.F.); (G.Y.); (J.Q.); (H.H.); (J.X.); (Z.C.); (F.Z.); (Y.L.); (W.L.); (G.C.); (L.Y.)
| | - Yueze Liu
- General Surgery Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.F.); (G.Y.); (J.Q.); (H.H.); (J.X.); (Z.C.); (F.Z.); (Y.L.); (W.L.); (G.C.); (L.Y.)
| | - Wenhao Luo
- General Surgery Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.F.); (G.Y.); (J.Q.); (H.H.); (J.X.); (Z.C.); (F.Z.); (Y.L.); (W.L.); (G.C.); (L.Y.)
| | - Guangyu Chen
- General Surgery Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.F.); (G.Y.); (J.Q.); (H.H.); (J.X.); (Z.C.); (F.Z.); (Y.L.); (W.L.); (G.C.); (L.Y.)
| | - Lei You
- General Surgery Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.F.); (G.Y.); (J.Q.); (H.H.); (J.X.); (Z.C.); (F.Z.); (Y.L.); (W.L.); (G.C.); (L.Y.)
| | - Ferdinando Chiaradonna
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy;
| | - Lianfang Zheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China;
| | - Taiping Zhang
- General Surgery Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; (Y.F.); (G.Y.); (J.Q.); (H.H.); (J.X.); (Z.C.); (F.Z.); (Y.L.); (W.L.); (G.C.); (L.Y.)
- Clinical Immunology Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
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12
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Iovanna J. Implementing biological markers as a tool to guide clinical care of patients with pancreatic cancer. Transl Oncol 2020; 14:100965. [PMID: 33248412 PMCID: PMC7704461 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A major obstacle for the effective treatment of PDAC is its molecular heterogeneity. Stratification of PDAC using markers highly specific, reproducible, sensitive, easily measurable and inexpensive is necessary. At the early stages, clinician’s priority lies in rapid diagnosis, so that the patient receives surgery without delay. At advanced disease stages, priority is to determine the tumor subtype and select a suitable effective treatment.
A major obstacle for the effective treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is its molecular heterogeneity, reflected by the diverse clinical outcomes and responses to therapies that occur. The tumors of patients with PDAC must therefore be closely examined and classified before treatment initiation in order to predict the natural evolution of the disease and the response to therapy. To stratify patients, it is absolutely necessary to identify biological markers that are highly specific and reproducible, and easily measurable by inexpensive sensitive techniques. Several promising strategies to find biomarkers are already available or under development, such as the use of liquid biopsies to detect circulating tumor cells, circulating free DNA, methylated DNA, circulating RNA, and exosomes and extracellular vesicles, as well as immunological markers and molecular markers. Such biomarkers are capable of classifying patients with PDAC and predicting their therapeutic sensitivity. Interestingly, developing chemograms using primary cell lines or organoids and analyzing the resulting high-throughput data via artificial intelligence would be highly beneficial to patients. How can exploiting these biomarkers benefit patients with resectable, borderline resectable, locally advanced, and metastatic PDAC? In fact, the utility of these biomarkers depends on the patient's clinical situation. At the early stages of the disease, the clinician's priority lies in rapid diagnosis, so that the patient receives surgery without delay; at advanced disease stages, where therapeutic possibilities are severely limited, the priority is to determine the PDAC tumor subtype so as to estimate the clinical outcome and select a suitable effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Iovanna
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France.
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13
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Paoli C, Carrer A. Organotypic Culture of Acinar Cells for the Study of Pancreatic Cancer Initiation. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2606. [PMID: 32932616 PMCID: PMC7564199 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The carcinogenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) progresses according to multi-step evolution, whereby the disease acquires increasingly aggressive pathological features. On the other hand, disease inception is poorly investigated. Decoding the cascade of events that leads to oncogenic transformation is crucial to design strategies for early diagnosis as well as to tackle tumor onset. Lineage-tracing experiments demonstrated that pancreatic cancerous lesions originate from acinar cells, a highly specialized cell type in the pancreatic epithelium. Primary acinar cells can survive in vitro as organoid-like 3D spheroids, which can transdifferentiate into cells with a clear ductal morphology in response to different cell- and non-cell-autonomous stimuli. This event, termed acinar-to-ductal metaplasia, recapitulates the histological and molecular features of disease initiation. Here, we will discuss the isolation and culture of primary pancreatic acinar cells, providing a historical and technical perspective. The impact of pancreatic cancer research will also be debated. In particular, we will dissect the roles of transcriptional, epigenetic, and metabolic reprogramming for tumor initiation and we will show how that can be modeled using ex vivo acinar cell cultures. Finally, mechanisms of PDA initiation described using organotypical cultures will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Paoli
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy;
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Carrer
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy;
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy
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14
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Nicolle R, Blum Y, Duconseil P, Vanbrugghe C, Brandone N, Poizat F, Roques J, Bigonnet M, Gayet O, Rubis M, Elarouci N, Armenoult L, Ayadi M, de Reyniès A, Giovannini M, Grandval P, Garcia S, Canivet C, Cros J, Bournet B, Buscail L, Moutardier V, Gilabert M, Iovanna J, Dusetti N. Establishment of a pancreatic adenocarcinoma molecular gradient (PAMG) that predicts the clinical outcome of pancreatic cancer. EBioMedicine 2020; 57:102858. [PMID: 32629389 PMCID: PMC7334821 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A significant gap in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patient's care is the lack of molecular parameters characterizing tumours and allowing a personalized treatment. METHODS Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) were obtained from 76 consecutive PDAC and classified according to their histology into five groups. A PDAC molecular gradient (PAMG) was constructed from PDX transcriptomes recapitulating the five histological groups along a continuous gradient. The prognostic and predictive value for PMAG was evaluated in: i/ two independent series (n = 598) of resected tumours; ii/ 60 advanced tumours obtained by diagnostic EUS-guided biopsy needle flushing and iii/ on 28 biopsies from mFOLFIRINOX treated metastatic tumours. FINDINGS A unique transcriptomic signature (PAGM) was generated with significant and independent prognostic value. PAMG significantly improves the characterization of PDAC heterogeneity compared to non-overlapping classifications as validated in 4 independent series of tumours (e.g. 308 consecutive resected PDAC, uHR=0.321 95% CI [0.207-0.5] and 60 locally-advanced or metastatic PDAC, uHR=0.308 95% CI [0.113-0.836]). The PAMG signature is also associated with progression under mFOLFIRINOX treatment (Pearson correlation to tumour response: -0.67, p-value < 0.001). INTERPRETATION PAMG unify all PDAC pre-existing classifications inducing a shift in the actual paradigm of binary classifications towards a better characterization in a gradient. FUNDING Project funding was provided by INCa (Grants number 2018-078 and 2018-079, BACAP BCB INCa_6294), Canceropole PACA, DGOS (labellisation SIRIC), Amidex Foundation, Fondation de France, INSERM and Ligue Contre le Cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rémy Nicolle
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs (CIT), Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Yuna Blum
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs (CIT), Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Pauline Duconseil
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France; Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France
| | - Charles Vanbrugghe
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France; Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Brandone
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Flora Poizat
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France; Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Julie Roques
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Martin Bigonnet
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Odile Gayet
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Marion Rubis
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Nabila Elarouci
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs (CIT), Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Lucile Armenoult
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs (CIT), Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Mira Ayadi
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs (CIT), Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Aurélien de Reyniès
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs (CIT), Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Marc Giovannini
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France; Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Grandval
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France; Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Stephane Garcia
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France; Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France
| | - Cindy Canivet
- Department of Gastroenterology and Pancreatology, CHU - Rangueil and University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Jérôme Cros
- Department of Digestive Oncology, Beaujon Hospital, Paris 7 University, APHP, Clichy, France
| | - Barbara Bournet
- Department of Gastroenterology and Pancreatology, CHU - Rangueil and University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Louis Buscail
- Department of Gastroenterology and Pancreatology, CHU - Rangueil and University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Vincent Moutardier
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France; Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France
| | - Marine Gilabert
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France; Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Juan Iovanna
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Nelson Dusetti
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
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15
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Abstract
The development of peptide-based drugs, which are usually synthetic analogues of endogenous peptides, is currently one of the most topical directions in drug development. Among them, antitumor peptide-based drugs are of great interest. Anticancer peptides can be classified into three main groups based on their mechanism of action: inhibitory, necrosis-inducing and pro-apoptotic peptides. As an antitumor therapy, peptides are considered to have at least the same efficacy as chemotherapy or surgical treatment, but offer advantages in terms of safety and tolerability, given that chemotherapy is usually characterized by severe adverse effects, and surgery carries additional risks for patients. Short peptides have a number of benefits over other molecules. First, compared with full-length proteins and antibodies, short peptides are less immunogenic, more stable ex-vivo (prolonged storage at room temperature), and have better tumor or organ permeability. Moreover, the production of such short peptide-based drugs is more cost effective. Second, in comparison with small organic molecules, peptides have higher efficacy and specificity. Finally, due to the fact that the main products of peptide metabolism are amino acids, these drugs are usually characterized by lower toxicity. Short peptides have a highly selective mechanism of action, thereby demonstrating low toxicity. Furthermore, with the addition of different stabilizing structural modifications, as well as novel drug delivery systems, the peptide-based drugs are proving to be promising therapeutics for cancer mono- or polytherapy. However, challenges remain including that endogenous and synthetic peptide molecules can be oncogenic. Therefore, it is important to investigate whether peptides contribute to tumor growth. In order to answer such questions, numerous preclinical and clinical studies of peptide-based therapeutics are currently being conducted.
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16
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Maekawa H, Ito T, Orita H, Kushida T, Sakurada M, Sato K, Hulbert A, Brock MV. Analysis of the methylation of CpG islands in the CDO1, TAC1 and CHFR genes in pancreatic ductal cancer. Oncol Lett 2020; 19:2197-2204. [PMID: 32194717 PMCID: PMC7039134 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
No difference in the gene methylation status of tumor-suppression genes between pancreatic cancer tissues and adjacent non-cancer tissues is observed. The present study investigated whether the promoter CpG islands of the cysteine dioxygenase 1 (CDO1), tachykinin precursor 1 (TAC1) and checkpoint with forkhead and ring finger domains (CHFR) genes were methylated in pancreatic cancer and adjacent non-cancerous pancreatic tissue in order to determine if they could be considered as markers for the detection of pancreatic cancer. A total of 38 Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues and their adjacent non-cancerous specimens from patients with pancreatic cancer, as well as 9 non-cancerous pancreatic samples from patients without pancreatic adenocarcinoma were obtained following surgical resection. The hypermethylation of CpG islands was detected using a methylation-specific quantitative PCR. The methylation values were calculated using the ∆Cq method and were expressed as 2−ΔCq. The 2−ΔCq value of the CDO1 promoter from pancreatic adenocarcinoma specimens was significantly higher compared with that of adjacent non-cancerous and tumor-free pancreatic tissues (P<0.0001 and P=0.0008, respectively). The 2−ΔCq value of the TAC1 promoter of pancreatic adenocarcinoma was also significantly higher compared with that of adjacent non-cancerous tissues and tumor-free pancreatic samples (both P<0.0001). However, there was no significant difference in the 2−ΔCq value of the CHFR promoter among the pancreatic cancer, adjacent non-cancer tissue and tumor-free pancreatic samples. Furthermore, 12 out of the 38 pancreatic adenocarcinoma cases (31.6%) presented some methylation in the CHFR promoter. The results from Kaplan-Meier analysis between CHFR promoter methylation values and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma demonstrated that CHFR promoter methylation was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis. The methylation values of CDO1 and TAC1 promoters in cancer tissues were higher compared with adjacent tissues. However, whether hypermethylation of CDO1 and TAC1 promoters may serve as a biomarker in the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Maekawa
- Department of Surgery, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Izunokuni, Shizuoka 410-2295, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Ito
- Department of Surgery, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Izunokuni, Shizuoka 410-2295, Japan.,Department of Surgery, The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Hajime Orita
- Department of Surgery, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Izunokuni, Shizuoka 410-2295, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Kushida
- Department of Surgery, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Izunokuni, Shizuoka 410-2295, Japan
| | - Mutsumi Sakurada
- Department of Surgery, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Izunokuni, Shizuoka 410-2295, Japan
| | - Koichi Sato
- Department of Surgery, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Izunokuni, Shizuoka 410-2295, Japan
| | - Alicia Hulbert
- Department of Surgery, The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.,Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Malcolm V Brock
- Department of Surgery, The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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17
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Hufnagl C, Leisch M, Weiss L, Melchardt T, Moik M, Asslaber D, Roland G, Steininger P, Meissnitzer T, Neureiter D, Greil R, Egle A. Evaluation of circulating cell-free DNA as a molecular monitoring tool in patients with metastatic cancer. Oncol Lett 2019; 19:1551-1558. [PMID: 31966080 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.11192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical decisions made when treating patients with metastatic cancer require knowledge of the current tumor extent and response to therapy. For the majority of solid tumors, a response assessment, which is based on imaging, is used to guide these decisions. However, measuring serum protein biomarkers (i.e. tumor markers) may be of additional use. Furthermore, tumor markers exhibit variable specificity and sensitivity and cannot therefore be solely relied upon when making decisions regarding cancer treatment. Therefore, there is a clinical requirement for the identification of specific, sensitive and quantitative biomarkers. In recent years, circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and mutation-specific circulating cell-free tumor DNA (cftDNA) have been identified as novel potential biomarkers. In the current study, cfDNA and cftDNA were compared using imaging-based staging and current tumor markers in 15 patients with metastatic colorectal, pancreatic or breast cancer. These patients were treated at the Third Medical Department of Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg (Austria). The results of the current study demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between the concentration changes of cfDNA and cftDNA and response to treatment, which was assessed by imaging. A correlation was not indicated with current clinically used tumor markers, including carcinoembryonic antigen, carcinoma antigen 15-3 and carcinoma antigen 19-9. The present study also indicated a correlation between cfDNA and cftDNA and the tumor volume of metastatic lesions, which was not observed with the current clinically used tumor markers. In conclusion, cfDNA and cftDNA exhibit the potential to become novel biomarkers for the response assessment following cancer treatment, and may serve as a tool for the estimation of tumor volume. The current study further supports the increasingly important role of cfDNA and cftDNA as new monitoring tools for use during cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Hufnagl
- Institute of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael Leisch
- IIIrd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute with Laboratory of Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research and Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Cancer Cluster Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Lukas Weiss
- IIIrd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute with Laboratory of Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research and Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Cancer Cluster Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Thomas Melchardt
- IIIrd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute with Laboratory of Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research and Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Cancer Cluster Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Martin Moik
- IIIrd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute with Laboratory of Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research and Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Cancer Cluster Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Daniela Asslaber
- IIIrd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute with Laboratory of Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research and Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Cancer Cluster Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Geisberger Roland
- IIIrd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute with Laboratory of Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research and Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Cancer Cluster Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Philipp Steininger
- Institute for Research and Development on Advanced Radiation Technologies, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Thomas Meissnitzer
- Institute of Radiology, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Daniel Neureiter
- Institute of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Richard Greil
- IIIrd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute with Laboratory of Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research and Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Cancer Cluster Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Alexander Egle
- IIIrd Medical Department with Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute with Laboratory of Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research and Center for Clinical Cancer and Immunology Trials, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Cancer Cluster Salzburg, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
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18
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Gzil A, Zarębska I, Bursiewicz W, Antosik P, Grzanka D, Szylberg Ł. Markers of pancreatic cancer stem cells and their clinical and therapeutic implications. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:6629-6645. [PMID: 31486978 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-05058-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth most common cause of death among all cancers. Poor prognosis of PC may be caused by a prevalence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are a population of cancer cells showing stem cell-like characteristics. CSCs have the ability to self-renew and may initiate tumorigenesis. PC CSCs express markers such as CD133, CD24, CD44, DCLK1, CXCR4, ESA, Oct4 and ABCB1. There is a wide complexity of interaction and relationships between CSC markers in PC. These markers are negative prognostic factors and are connected with tumor recurrence and clinical progression. Additionally, PC CSCs are resistant to treatment with gemcitabine. Thus, most current therapies for PC are ineffective. Numerous studies have shown, that targeting of these proteins may increase both disease-free and overall survival in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Gzil
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
| | - Izabela Zarębska
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Wiktor Bursiewicz
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Paulina Antosik
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Dariusz Grzanka
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Łukasz Szylberg
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094, Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Department of Pathomorphology, Military Clinical Hospital, Bydgoszcz, Poland
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19
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Sahin IH, Akce M, Alese O, Shaib W, Lesinski GB, El-Rayes B, Wu C. Immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of MSI-H/MMR-D colorectal cancer and a perspective on resistance mechanisms. Br J Cancer 2019; 121:809-818. [PMID: 31607751 PMCID: PMC6889302 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-019-0599-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) with a mismatch repair-deficiency (MMR-D)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) phenotype carries unique characteristics such as increased tumour mutational burden and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes. Studies have shown a sustained clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors with dramatic clinical improvement in patients with MSI-H/MMR-D CRC. However, the observed response rates range between 30% and 50% suggesting the existence of intrinsic resistance mechanisms. Moreover, disease progression after an initial positive response to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment points to acquired resistance mechanisms. In this review article, we discuss the clinical trials that established the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with MSI-H/MMR-D CRC, consider biomarkers of the immune response and elaborate on potential mechanisms related to intrinsic and acquired resistance. We also provide a perspective on possible future therapeutic approaches that might improve clinical outcomes, particularly in patients with actionable resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Halil Sahin
- Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, USA.
| | - Mehmet Akce
- Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, USA
| | - Olatunji Alese
- Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, USA
| | - Walid Shaib
- Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, USA
| | - Gregory B Lesinski
- Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, USA
| | - Bassel El-Rayes
- Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, USA
| | - Christina Wu
- Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, USA
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20
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Gómez-Tomás Á, Pumarega J, Alguacil J, Amaral AF, Malats N, Pallarès N, Gasull M, Porta M. Concentrations of trace elements and KRAS mutations in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2019; 60:693-703. [PMID: 31066938 PMCID: PMC6786909 DOI: 10.1002/em.22296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Trace elements are a possible risk factor for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, their role in the occurrence and persistence of KRAS mutations remains unstudied. There appear to be no studies analyzing biomarkers of trace elements and KRAS mutations in any human cancer. We aimed to determine whether patients with KRAS mutated and nonmutated tumors exhibit differences in concentrations of trace elements. Incident cases of PDAC were prospectively identified in five hospitals in Spain. KRAS mutational status was determined through polymerase chain reaction from tumor tissue. Concentrations of 12 trace elements were determined in toenail samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Concentrations of trace elements were compared in 78 PDAC cases and 416 hospital-based controls (case-control analyses), and between 17 KRAS wild-type tumors and 61 KRAS mutated tumors (case-case analyses). Higher levels of iron, arsenic, and vanadium were associated with a statistically nonsignificant increased risk of a KRAS wild-type PDAC (OR for higher tertile of arsenic = 3.37, 95% CI 0.98-11.57). Lower levels of nickel and manganese were associated with a statistically significant higher risk of a KRAS mutated PDAC (OR for manganese = 0.34, 95% CI 0.14-0.80). Higher levels of selenium appeared protective for both mutated and KRAS wild-type PDAC. Higher levels of cadmium and lead were clear risk factors for both KRAS mutated and wild-type cases. This is the first study analyzing biomarkers of trace elements and KRAS mutations in any human cancer. Concentrations of trace elements differed markedly between PDAC cases with and without mutations in codon 12 of the KRAS oncogene, thus suggesting a role for trace elements in pancreatic and perhaps other cancers with such mutations. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 60:693-703, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Gómez-Tomás
- School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Pumarega
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Alguacil
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Universidad de Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - André F.S. Amaral
- Population Health and Occupational Disease, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Núria Malats
- Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Natàlia Pallarès
- School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Magda Gasull
- School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Porta
- School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
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21
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CXCL12 and Its Isoforms: Different Roles in Pancreatic Cancer? JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2019; 2019:9681698. [PMID: 31275385 PMCID: PMC6582792 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9681698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
CXCL12 is a chemokine that acts through CXCR4 and ACKR3 receptors and plays a physiological role in embryogenesis and haematopoiesis. It has an important role also in tumor development, since it is released by stromal cells of tumor microenvironment and alters the behavior of cancer cells. Many studies investigated the roles of CXCL12 in order to understand if it has an anti- or protumor role. In particular, it seems to promote tumor invasion, proliferation, angiogenesis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. Nevertheless, some evidence shows opposite functions; therefore research on CXCL12 is still ongoing. These discrepancies could be due to the presence of at least six CXCL12 splicing isoforms, each with different roles. Interestingly, three out of six variants have the highest levels of expression in the pancreas. Here, we report the current knowledge about the functions of this chemokine and then focus on pancreatic cancer. Moreover, we discuss the methods applied in recent studies in order to understand if they took into account the existence of the CXCL12 isoforms.
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22
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Rozengurt E, Eibl G. Central role of Yes-associated protein and WW-domain-containing transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif in pancreatic cancer development. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:1797-1816. [PMID: 31057295 PMCID: PMC6478619 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i15.1797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a deadly disease with no efficacious treatment options. PDAC incidence is projected to increase, which may be caused at least partially by the obesity epidemic. Significantly enhanced efforts to prevent or intercept this cancer are clearly warranted. Oncogenic KRAS mutations are recognized initiating events in PDAC development, however, they are not entirely sufficient for the development of fully invasive PDAC. Additional genetic alterations and/or environmental, nutritional, and metabolic signals, as present in obesity, type-2 diabetes mellitus, and inflammation, are required for full PDAC formation. We hypothesize that oncogenic KRAS increases the intensity and duration of the growth-promoting signaling network. Recent exciting studies from different laboratories indicate that the activity of the transcriptional co-activators Yes-associated protein (YAP) and WW-domain-containing transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) play a critical role in the promotion and maintenance of PDAC operating as key downstream target of KRAS signaling. While initially thought to be primarily an effector of the tumor-suppressive Hippo pathway, more recent studies revealed that YAP/TAZ subcellular localization and co-transcriptional activity is regulated by multiple upstream signals. Overall, YAP has emerged as a central node of transcriptional convergence in growth-promoting signaling in PDAC cells. Indeed, YAP expression is an independent unfavorable prognostic marker for overall survival of PDAC. In what follows, we will review studies implicating YAP/TAZ in pancreatic cancer development and consider different approaches to target these transcriptional regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Rozengurt
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Guido Eibl
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
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23
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Norleual, a hepatocyte growth factor and macrophage stimulating protein dual antagonist, increases pancreatic cancer sensitivity to gemcitabine. Anticancer Drugs 2019; 29:295-306. [PMID: 29389804 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in the USA and is characterized by an exceptionally poor long-term survival rate compared with other major cancers. The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and macrophage stimulating protein (MSP) growth factor systems are frequently over-activated in pancreatic cancer and significantly contribute to cancer progression, metastasis, and chemotherapeutic resistance. Small molecules homologous to the 'hinge' region of HGF, which participates in its dimerization and activation, had been developed and shown to bind HGF with high affinity, antagonize HGF's actions, and possess anticancer activity. Encouraged by sequence homology between HGF's hinge region and a similar sequence in MSP, our laboratory previously investigated and determined that these same antagonists could also block MSP-dependent cellular responses. Thus, the purpose of this study was to establish that the dual HGF/MSP antagonist Norleual could inhibit the prosurvival activity imparted by both HGF and MSP to pancreatic cancer cells in vitro, and to determine whether this effect translated into an improved chemotherapeutic impact for gemcitabine when delivered in combination in a human pancreatic cancer xenograft model. Our results demonstrate that Norleual does indeed suppress HGF's and MSP's prosurvival effects as well as sensitizing pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine in vitro. Most importantly, treatment with Norleual in combination with gemcitabine markedly inhibited in-vivo tumor growth beyond the suppression observed with gemcitabine alone. These results suggest that dual functional HGF/MSP antagonists like Norleual warrant further development and may offer an improved therapeutic outcome for pancreatic cancer patients.
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24
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Analogs of the hepatocyte growth factor and macrophage-stimulating protein hinge regions act as Met and Ron dual inhibitors in pancreatic cancer cells. Anticancer Drugs 2017; 27:766-79. [PMID: 27314431 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is among the leading causes of cancer death in the USA, with limited effective treatment options. A major contributor toward the formation and persistence of pancreatic cancer is the dysregulation of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/Met (HGF receptor) and the macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP)/Ron (MSP receptor) systems. These systems normally mediate a variety of cellular behaviors including proliferation, survival, and migration, but are often overactivated in pancreatic cancer and contribute toward cancer progression. Previous studies have shown that HGF must dimerize to activate Met. Small-molecule antagonists with homology to a 'hinge' region within the putative dimerization domain of HGF have been developed that bind to HGF and block dimerization, therefore inhibiting Met signaling. Because of the structural and sequence homology between MSP and HGF, we hypothesized that the inhibition of HGF by the hinge analogs may extend to MSP. The primary aim of this 'proof-of-concept' study was to determine whether hinge analogs could inhibit cellular responses to both HGF and MSP in pancreatic cancer cells. Our results showed that these compounds inhibited HGF and MSP activity. Hinge analog treatment resulted in decreased Met and Ron activation, and suppressed malignant cell behaviors including proliferation, migration, and invasion in pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. These results suggest that the hinge analogs represent a novel group of molecules that may offer a therapeutic approach for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and warrant further development and optimization.
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25
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Eibl G, Rozengurt E. KRAS, YAP, and obesity in pancreatic cancer: A signaling network with multiple loops. Semin Cancer Biol 2017; 54:50-62. [PMID: 29079305 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) continues to be a lethal disease with no efficacious treatment modalities. The incidence of PDAC is expected to increase, at least partially because of the obesity epidemic. Increased efforts to prevent or intercept this disease are clearly needed. Mutations in KRAS are initiating events in pancreatic carcinogenesis supported by genetically engineered mouse models of the disease. However, oncogenic KRAS is not entirely sufficient for the development of fully invasive PDAC. Additional genetic mutations and/or environmental, nutritional, and metabolic stressors, e.g. inflammation and obesity, are required for efficient PDAC formation with activation of KRAS downstream effectors. Multiple factors "upstream" of KRAS associated with obesity, including insulin resistance, inflammation, changes in gut microbiota and GI peptides, can enhance/modulate downstream signals. Multiple signaling networks and feedback loops "downstream" of KRAS have been described that respond to obesogenic diets. We propose that KRAS mutations potentiate a signaling network that is promoted by environmental factors. Specifically, we envisage that KRAS mutations increase the intensity and duration of the growth-promoting signaling network. As the transcriptional activator YAP plays a critical role in the network, we conclude that the rationale for targeting the network (at different points), e.g. with FDA approved drugs such as statins and metformin, is therefore compelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Eibl
- Departments of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States; CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
| | - Enrique Rozengurt
- Departments of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States; CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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26
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Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignant disease having very limited therapeutic options that ultimately results in its poor prognosis. It is still elusive on the etiology and tumorigenic mechanisms of pancreatic cancer. In the present report, we provide evidence showing involvement of the mineral dust-induced gene (mdig) in the pathogenesis and prognosis of the pancreatic cancer. Using immunohistochemistry approach on human pancreatic cancer tissue microarray, we found differential expression of mdig in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and normal pancreas. Based on the staining intensities of mdig in these tissue samples, we found that 12% of the cancer tissues were strongly positive for mdig, 39% and 31% were moderately and weakly positive respectively. Several alternatively spliced mdig mRNAs were detected in the selected pancreatic cancer cell lines. Through R2 platform for the patient survival analysis (http://r2.amc.nl), we found that enrichment of some specific exon of mdig predicates different survival rate of the pancreatic cancer patients. In summary, our findings may help in assessing the role of mdig in the pathogenesis of the pancreatic cancer and the prognosis of the pancreatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivas Ashok Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Chitra Thakur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Lingzhi Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, The Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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27
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Martinez-Useros J, Li W, Cabeza-Morales M, Garcia-Foncillas J. Oxidative Stress: A New Target for Pancreatic Cancer Prognosis and Treatment. J Clin Med 2017; 6:jcm6030029. [PMID: 28282928 PMCID: PMC5372998 DOI: 10.3390/jcm6030029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal types of tumors, and its incidence is rising worldwide. Survival can be improved when tumors are detected at an early stage; however, this cancer is usually asymptomatic, and the disease only becomes apparent after metastasis. Several risk factors are associated to this disease. Chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, and some infectious disease are the most relevant risk factors. Incidence of PDAC has increased in the last decades. It is hypothesized it could be due to other acquired risk habits, like smoking, high alcohol intake, and obesity. Indeed, adipose tissue is a dynamic endocrine organ that secretes different pro-inflammatory cytokines, enzymes, and other factors that activate oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species caused by oxidative stress, damage DNA, proteins, and lipids, and produce several toxic and high mutagenic metabolites that could modify tumor behavior, turning it into a malignant phenotype. Anti-oxidant compounds, like vitamins, are considered protective factors against cancer. Here, we review the literature on oxidative stress, the molecular pathways that activate or counteract oxidative stress, and potential treatment strategies that target reactive oxygen species suitable for this kind of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Martinez-Useros
- Translational Oncology Division, OncoHealth Institute, Health Research Institute, University Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz-UAM, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Weiyao Li
- Translational Oncology Division, OncoHealth Institute, Health Research Institute, University Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz-UAM, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Jesus Garcia-Foncillas
- Translational Oncology Division, OncoHealth Institute, Health Research Institute, University Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz-UAM, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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28
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Zhu SK. Role of precision medicine in pancreatic cancer. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2016; 24:4752-4758. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v24.i36.4752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging problems in modern oncology. Due to difficultly in early diagnosis and early distant metastasis of pancreatic cancer, surgical resection rate is less than 20% and patients' prognosis is very poor. Despite long-term efforts taken to develop treatments for pancreatic cancer, the survival rate did not significantly improve. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are the key to improve the survival rate of patients with pancreatic cancer. The advent of big-data genomic era and the rapid development of biotechnology have led to the recent proposal of a new concept of precise medicine, which has quickly become the focus of world medical conferences. Here, we describe the new progress and challenges of precision medicine in pancreatic cancer, with an aim to provide new ideas for improving the survival rate of patients with pancreatic cancer.
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29
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Modi S, Kir D, Banerjee S, Saluja A. Control of Apoptosis in Treatment and Biology of Pancreatic Cancer. J Cell Biochem 2016. [PMID: 26206252 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is estimated to be the 12th most common cancer in the United States in 2014 and yet this malignancy is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Late detection and resistance to therapy are the major causes for its dismal prognosis. Apoptosis is an actively orchestrated cell death mechanism that serves to maintain tissue homoeostasis. Cancer develops from normal cells by accruing significant changes through one or more mechanisms, leading to DNA damage and mutations, which in a normal cell would induce this programmed cell death pathway. As a result, evasion of apoptosis is one of the hallmarks of cancer cells. PDAC is notoriously resistant to apoptosis, thereby explaining its aggressive nature and resistance to conventional treatment modalities. The current review is focus on understanding different intrinsic and extrinsic pathways in pancreatic cancer that may affect apoptosis in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrey Modi
- Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Surgery, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Devika Kir
- Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Surgery, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Sulagna Banerjee
- Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Surgery, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Ashok Saluja
- Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Surgery, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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30
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Can Molecular Biomarkers Change the Paradigm of Pancreatic Cancer Prognosis? BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:4873089. [PMID: 27689078 PMCID: PMC5023838 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4873089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most lethal types of tumour, and its incidence is rising worldwide. Although survival can be improved when these tumours are detected at an early stage, this cancer is usually asymptomatic, and the disease only becomes apparent after metastasis. The only prognostic biomarker approved by the FDA to date is carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9); however, the specificity of this biomarker has been called into question, and diagnosis is usually based on clinical parameters. Tumour size, degree of differentiation, lymph node status, presence of distant metastasis at diagnosis, protein levels of KI-67 or C-reactive protein, and mutational status of P53, KRAS, or BRCA2 are the most useful biomarkers in clinical practice. In addition to these, recent translational research has provided evidence of new biomarkers based on different molecules involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and noncoding RNA panels, especially microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs. These new prospects open new paths to tumour detection using minimally or noninvasive techniques such as liquid biopsies. To find sensitive and specific biomarkers to manage these patients constitutes a challenge for the research community and for public health policies.
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31
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Westphalen CB, Quante M, Wang TC. Functional implication of Dclk1 and Dclk1-expressing cells in cancer. Small GTPases 2016; 8:164-171. [PMID: 27458755 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2016.1208792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Doublecortin like kinase protein 1 (Dclk1) is a microtubule-associated protein with C-terminal serine/threonine kinase domain. Originally designated Doublecortin and CaM kinase-like 1 protein (Dcamkl1) or KIAA0369, Dclk1 was first described as a marker for radial glia cells in the context of microtubule polymerization and neuronal migration, possibly contributing to early neurogenesis. Additionally, Dclk1 was proposed as a marker of quiescent gastrointestinal and pancreatic stem cells, but in recent years has been recognized as a marker for tuft cells in the gastrointestinal tract. While Dclk1+ tuft cells are now considered as niche or sensory cells in the normal gut, growing evidence supports a role for Dclk1 function in a variety of malignancies, modulating the activity of multiple key pathways, including Kras signaling. Here, we review the recent advances in understanding of the importance of Dclk1 function in tumorigenesis and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Benedikt Westphalen
- a Department of Internal Medicine III , Ludwig Maximilians University Munich , Munich , Germany
| | - Michael Quante
- b Department of Internal Medicine II , Klinikum rechts der Isar II, Technische Universität München , Munich , Germany
| | - Timothy C Wang
- c Divison of Digestive and Liver Disease , Columbia University Medical Center , New York , NY , USA.,d Herberg Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center , Columbia University Medical Center , New York , NY , USA
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32
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Randomized Phase 2 Trial of the Oncolytic Virus Pelareorep (Reolysin) in Upfront Treatment of Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Mol Ther 2016; 24:1150-1158. [PMID: 27039845 PMCID: PMC4923331 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2016.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pelareorep causes oncolysis in tumor cells with activated Ras. We hypothesized that pelareorep would have efficacy and immunomodulatory activity in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (MPA) when combined with carboplatin and paclitaxel. A randomized phase 2 study (NCT01280058) was conducted in treatment-naive patients with MPA randomized to two treatment arms: paclitaxel/carboplatin + pelareorep (Arm A, n = 36 evaluable patients) versus paclitaxel/carboplatin (Arm B, n = 37 evaluable patients). There was no difference in progression-free survival (PFS) between the arms (Arm A PFS = 4.9 months, Arm B PFS = 5.2 months, P = 0.6), and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) status did not impact outcome. Quality-adjusted Time without Symptoms or Toxicity analysis revealed that the majority of PFS time was without toxicity or progression (4.3 months). Patient immunophenotype appeared important, as soluble immune biomarkers were associated with treatment outcome (fractalkine, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)). Increased circulating T and natural killer (NK)-cell subsets were also significantly associated with treatment outcome. Addition of pelareorep was associated with higher levels of 14 proinflammatory plasma cytokines/chemokines and cells with an immunosuppressive phenotype (Tregs, cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA4)(+) T cells). Overall, pelareorep was safe but does not improve PFS when administered with carboplatin/paclitaxel, regardless of KRAS mutational status. Immunologic studies suggest that chemotherapy backbone improves immune reconstitution and that targeting remaining immunosuppressive mediators may improve oncolytic virotherapy.
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Miyamoto R, Oda T, Hashimoto S, Kurokawa T, Inagaki Y, Shimomura O, Ohara Y, Yamada K, Akashi Y, Enomoto T, Kishimoto M, Yanagihara H, Kita E, Ohkohchi N. Cetuximab delivery and antitumor effects are enhanced by mild hyperthermia in a xenograft mouse model of pancreatic cancer. Cancer Sci 2016; 107:514-20. [PMID: 26782353 PMCID: PMC4832851 DOI: 10.1111/cas.12888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Even with current promising antitumor antibodies, their antitumor effects on stroma‐rich solid cancers have been insufficient. We used mild hyperthermia with the intent of improving drug delivery by breaking the stromal barrier. Here, we provide preclinical evidence of cetuximab + mild hyperthermia therapy. We used four in vivo pancreatic cancer xenograft mouse models with different stroma amounts (scarce, MIAPaCa‐2; moderate, BxPC‐3; and abundant, Capan‐1 and Ope‐xeno). Cetuximab (1 mg/kg) was given systemically, and the mouse leg tumors were concurrently heated using a water bath method for 30 min at three different temperatures, 25°C (control), 37°C (intra‐abdominal organ level), or 41°C (mild hyperthermia) (n = 4, each group). The evaluated variables were the antitumor effects, represented by tumor volume, and in vivo cetuximab accumulation, indirectly quantified by the immunohistochemical fluorescence intensity value/cell using antibodies against human IgG Fc. At 25°C, the antitumor effects were sufficient, with a cetuximab accumulation value (florescence intensity/cell) of 1632, in the MIAPaCa‐2 model, moderate (1063) in the BxPC‐3 model, and negative in the Capan‐1 and Ope‐xeno models (760, 461). By applying 37°C or 41°C heat, antitumor effects were enhanced shown in decreased tumor volumes. These enhanced effects were accompanied by boosted cetuximab accumulation, which increased by 2.8‐fold (2980, 3015) in the BxPC‐3 model, 2.5‐ or 4.8‐fold (1881, 3615) in the Capan‐1 model, and 3.2‐ or 4.2‐fold (1469, 1922) in the Ope‐xeno model, respectively. Cetuximab was effective in treating even stroma‐rich and k‐ras mutant pancreatic cancer mouse models when the drug delivery was improved by combination with mild hyperthermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoichi Miyamoto
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Oda
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shinji Hashimoto
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Kurokawa
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yuki Inagaki
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Osamu Shimomura
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ohara
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Keiichi Yamada
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Akashi
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Enomoto
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Mikio Kishimoto
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - Eiji Kita
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Ohkohchi
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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34
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Zhao C, Gao F, Weng S, Liu Q, Lin L, Lin X. An electrochemical sensor based on DNA polymerase and HRP-SiO2 nanoparticles for the ultrasensitive detection of K-ras gene point mutation. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra24737c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed a DNA sensor for the precise detection of point mutation of K-ras gene. The sensor was based on DNA replication, which employed the DNA polymerase I and the principle of base pairing, and can detect target DNA in mixture sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengfei Zhao
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Technology College
- Putian University
- Putian 351100
- China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Pathology
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University
- Fuzhou 350005
- China
| | - Shaohuang Weng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Fujian Medical University
- Fuzhou 350108
- China
| | - Qicai Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University
- Fuzhou 350005
- China
| | - Liqing Lin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Fujian Medical University
- Fuzhou 350108
- China
| | - Xinhua Lin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Fujian Medical University
- Fuzhou 350108
- China
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35
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Schmuck RB, de Carvalho-Fischer CV, Neumann C, Pratschke J, Bahra M. Distal bile duct carcinomas and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas: postulating a common tumor entity. Cancer Med 2015; 5:88-99. [PMID: 26645826 PMCID: PMC4708893 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The set definition of distal cholangiocarcinomas and adenocarcinomas of the pancreatic head is challenged by their close anatomical relation, similar growth pattern, and corresponding therapeutic outcome. They show a mutual development during embryologic organ formation and share phenotypic characteristics. This review will highlight the similarities with regard to the common origin of their primary organs, histopathological similarities, and modern clinical management. Thus, we propose to subsume those entities under a common superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa B Schmuck
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Christopher Neumann
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johann Pratschke
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus Bahra
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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36
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Bhattacharjee V, Zhou Y, Yen TJ. A synthetic lethal screen identifies the Vitamin D receptor as a novel gemcitabine sensitizer in pancreatic cancer cells. Cell Cycle 2015; 13:3839-56. [PMID: 25558828 DOI: 10.4161/15384101.2014.967070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Overcoming chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer (PCa) cells should significantly extend patient survival. The current treatment modalities rely on a variety of DNA damaging agents including gemcitabine, FOLFIRINOX, and Abraxane that activate cell cycle checkpoints, which allows cells to survive these drug treaments. Indeed, these treatment regimens have only extended patient survival by a few months. The complex microenvironment of PCa tumors has been shown to complicate drug delivery thus decreasing the sensitivity of PCa tumors to chemotherapy. In this study, a genome-wide siRNA library was used to conduct a synthetic lethal screen of Panc1 cells that was treated with gemcitabine. A sublethal dose (50 nM) of the drug was used to model situations of limiting drug availability to PCa tumors in vivo. Twenty-seven validated sensitizer genes were identified from the screen including the Vitamin D receptor (VDR). Gemcitabine sensitivity was shown to be VDR dependent in multiple PCa cell lines in clonogenic survival assays. Sensitization was not achieved through checkpoint override but rather through disrupting DNA repair. VDR knockdown disrupted the cells' ability to form phospho-γH2AX and Rad51 foci in response to gemcitabine treatment. Disruption of Rad51 foci formation, which compromises homologous recombination, was consistent with increased sensitivity of PCa cells to the PARP inhibitor Rucaparib. Thus inhibition of VDR in PCa cells provides a new way to enhance the efficacy of genotoxic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Bhattacharjee
- a Fox Chase Cancer Center ; Institute for Cancer Research ; Philadelphia , PA USA
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37
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Stachler MD, Taylor-Weiner A, Peng S, McKenna A, Agoston AT, Odze RD, Davison JM, Nason KS, Loda M, Leshchiner I, Stewart C, Stojanov P, Seepo S, Lawrence MS, Ferrer-Torres D, Lin J, Chang AC, Gabriel SB, Lander ES, Beer DG, Getz G, Carter SL, Bass AJ. Paired exome analysis of Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma. Nat Genet 2015; 47:1047-55. [PMID: 26192918 PMCID: PMC4552571 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 268] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Barrett's esophagus is thought to progress to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) through a stepwise progression with loss of CDKN2A followed by TP53 inactivation and aneuploidy. Here we present whole-exome sequencing from 25 pairs of EAC and Barrett's esophagus and from 5 patients whose Barrett's esophagus and tumor were extensively sampled. Our analysis showed that oncogene amplification typically occurred as a late event and that TP53 mutations often occurred early in Barrett's esophagus progression, including in non-dysplastic epithelium. Reanalysis of additional EAC exome data showed that the majority (62.5%) of EACs emerged following genome doubling and that tumors with genomic doubling had different patterns of genomic alterations, with more frequent oncogenic amplification and less frequent inactivation of tumor suppressors, including CDKN2A. These data suggest that many EACs emerge not through the gradual accumulation of tumor-suppressor alterations but rather through a more direct path whereby a TP53-mutant cell undergoes genome doubling, followed by the acquisition of oncogenic amplifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Stachler
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Shouyong Peng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Agoston T Agoston
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert D Odze
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jon M Davison
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Katie S Nason
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Massimo Loda
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Chip Stewart
- Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Petar Stojanov
- Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sara Seepo
- Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Jules Lin
- Section of Thoracic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Andrew C Chang
- Section of Thoracic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Stacey B Gabriel
- Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eric S Lander
- Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David G Beer
- Section of Thoracic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Gad Getz
- Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Scott L Carter
- Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Joint Center for Cancer Precision Medicine, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adam J Bass
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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38
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Taylor RD, Chandran A, Kashiwazaki G, Hashiya K, Bando T, Nagase H, Sugiyama H. Selective Targeting of the KRAS Codon 12 Mutation Sequence by Pyrrole-Imidazole Polyamideseco-CBI Conjugates. Chemistry 2015; 21:14996-5003. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201501870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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39
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Tyagi N, Bhardwaj A, Singh AP, McClellan S, Carter JE, Singh S. p-21 activated kinase 4 promotes proliferation and survival of pancreatic cancer cells through AKT- and ERK-dependent activation of NF-κB pathway. Oncotarget 2015; 5:8778-89. [PMID: 25238288 PMCID: PMC4226721 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of novel molecular targets and understanding the mechanisms underlying the aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer (PC) remain prime focus areas of research. Here, we investigated the expression and pathobiological significance of p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4), a gene that was earlier shown to be amplified in a sub-set of PC. Our data demonstrate PAK4 overexpression in PC tissues and cell lines with little or no expression in the normal pancreas. PAK4 silencing in two PC cell lines, MiaPaCa and T3M4, by RNA interference causes suppression of growth and clonogenic ability due to decreased cell cycle progression and apoptosis-resistance. PAK4-silenced PC cells exhibit altered expression of proliferation- and survival-associated proteins. Moreover, we observe decreased nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity of NF-κB in PAK4-silenced PC cells associated with stabilization of its inhibitory protein, IκBα. Transfection of PAK4-silenced PC cells with constitutively-active mutant of IKKβ, an upstream kinase of IκBα, leads to restoration of NF-κB activity and PC cell growth. Furthermore, we show that PAK4-induced NF-κB activity is mediated through activation and concerted action of ERK and Akt kinases. Together, these findings suggest that PAK4 is a regulator of NF-κB pathway in PC cells and can serve as a novel target for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Tyagi
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Arun Bhardwaj
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Ajay P Singh
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Steven McClellan
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - James E Carter
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Seema Singh
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
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40
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Eling N, Reuter L, Hazin J, Hamacher-Brady A, Brady NR. Identification of artesunate as a specific activator of ferroptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. Oncoscience 2015; 2:517-32. [PMID: 26097885 PMCID: PMC4468338 DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 369] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic KRas reprograms pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells to states which are highly resistant to apoptosis. Thus, a major preclinical goal is to identify effective strategies for killing PDAC cells. Artesunate (ART) is an anti-malarial that specifically induces programmed cell death in different cancer cell types, in a manner initiated by reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generation. In this study we demonstrate that ART specifically induced ROS- and lysosomal iron-dependent cell death in PDAC cell lines. Highest cytotoxicity was obtained in PDAC cell lines with constitutively-active KRas, and ART did not affect non-neoplastic human pancreatic ductal epithelial (HPDE) cells. We determined that ART did not induce apoptosis or necroptosis. Instead, ART induced ferroptosis, a recently described mode of ROS- and iron-dependent programmed necrosis which can be activated in Ras-transformed cells. Co-treatment with the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 blocked ART-induced lipid peroxidation and cell death, and increased long-term cell survival and proliferation. Importantly, analysis of PDAC patient mRNA expression indicates a dependency on antioxidant homeostasis and increased sensitivity to free intracellular iron, both of which correlate with Ras-driven sensitivity to ferroptosis. Overall, our findings suggest that ART activation of ferroptosis is an effective, novel pathway for killing PDAC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Eling
- Lysosomal Systems Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany ; Systems Biology of Cell Death Mechanisms, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany ; BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lukas Reuter
- Lysosomal Systems Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany ; Systems Biology of Cell Death Mechanisms, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany ; BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - John Hazin
- Systems Biology of Cell Death Mechanisms, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany ; Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany ; BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne Hamacher-Brady
- Lysosomal Systems Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany ; BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nathan R Brady
- Systems Biology of Cell Death Mechanisms, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany ; Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany ; BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Germany
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41
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The association of statin use after cancer diagnosis with survival in pancreatic cancer patients: a SEER-medicare analysis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121783. [PMID: 25830309 PMCID: PMC4382214 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic cancer has poor prognosis and existing interventions provide a modest benefit. Statin has anti-cancer properties that might enhance survival in pancreatic cancer patients. We sought to determine whether statin treatment after cancer diagnosis is associated with longer survival in those with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods We analyzed data on 7813 elderly patients with PDAC using the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) - Medicare claims files. Information on the type, intensity and duration of statin use after cancer diagnosis was extracted from Medicare Part D. We treated statin as a time-dependent variable in a Cox regression model to determine the association with overall survival adjusting for follow-up, age, sex, race, neighborhood income, stage, grade, tumor size, pancreatectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Results Overall, statin use after cancer diagnosis was not significantly associated with survival when all PDAC patients were considered (HR = 0.94, 95%CI 0.89, 1.01). However, statin use after cancer diagnosis was associated with a 21% reduced hazard of death (Hazard ratio = 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67, 0.93) in those with grade I or II PDAC and to a similar extent in those who had undergone a pancreatectomy, in those with chronic pancreatitis and in those who had not been treated with statin prior to cancer diagnosis. Conclusions We found that statin treatment after cancer diagnosis is associated with enhanced survival in patients with low-grade, resectable PDAC.
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Xiong F, Ma W, Hiscock TW, Mosaliganti KR, Tentner AR, Brakke KA, Rannou N, Gelas A, Souhait L, Swinburne IA, Obholzer ND, Megason SG. Interplay of cell shape and division orientation promotes robust morphogenesis of developing epithelia. Cell 2015; 159:415-27. [PMID: 25303534 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Revised: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial cells acquire functionally important shapes (e.g., squamous, cuboidal, columnar) during development. Here, we combine theory, quantitative imaging, and perturbations to analyze how tissue geometry, cell divisions, and mechanics interact to shape the presumptive enveloping layer (pre-EVL) on the zebrafish embryonic surface. We find that, under geometrical constraints, pre-EVL flattening is regulated by surface cell number changes following differentially oriented cell divisions. The division pattern is, in turn, determined by the cell shape distribution, which forms under geometrical constraints by cell-cell mechanical coupling. An integrated mathematical model of this shape-division feedback loop recapitulates empirical observations. Surprisingly, the model predicts that cell shape is robust to changes of tissue surface area, cell volume, and cell number, which we confirm in vivo. Further simulations and perturbations suggest the parameter linking cell shape and division orientation contributes to epithelial diversity. Together, our work identifies an evolvable design logic that enables robust cell-level regulation of tissue-level development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengzhu Xiong
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wenzhe Ma
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tom W Hiscock
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Andrea R Tentner
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kenneth A Brakke
- Mathematics Department, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA 17870, USA
| | - Nicolas Rannou
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Arnaud Gelas
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lydie Souhait
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ian A Swinburne
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nikolaus D Obholzer
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sean G Megason
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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43
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Li S, Edlinger M, Saalfrank A, Flisikowski K, Tschukes A, Kurome M, Zakhartchenko V, Kessler B, Saur D, Kind A, Wolf E, Schnieke A, Flisikowska T. Viable pigs with a conditionally-activated oncogenic KRAS mutation. Transgenic Res 2015; 24:509-17. [PMID: 25716163 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-015-9866-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Oncogenic mutations of KRAS play a major role in human carcinogenesis. Here we describe viable gene-targeted pigs carrying a latent KRAS (G12D) mutant allele that can be activated by Cre recombination. These have been produced as part of a program to model human cancers in pigs by replicating genetic lesions known to initiate and drive human disease. Cre-activated KRAS (G12D) animals add to a growing set of gene-targeted pigs that includes a Cre-activated oncogenic mutant TP53, a Cre-responsive dual fluorescent reporter and two truncating mutations of APC (adenomatous polyposis coli). These alleles can be combined and activated in various tissues to produce new models for cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Li
- Chair of Livestock Biotechnology, Technische Universität München, Liesel-Beckmann-Straße 1, 85354, Freising, Germany
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44
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Lee SH, Woo TG, Lee SJ, Kim JS, Ha NC, Park BJ. Extracellular p53 fragment re-enters K-Ras mutated cells through the caveolin-1 dependent early endosomal system. Oncotarget 2014; 4:2523-31. [PMID: 24344114 PMCID: PMC3926846 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
K-Ras mutation is detected in over 30% of human malignancies. In particular, 90% of human pancreatic cancers are initiated by K-Ras mutation. Thus, selective elimination of K-Ras mutated cells would be a plausible strategy to prevent or cure the malignancies. In our previous reports, it has been revealed that oncogenic K-Ras promotes the exocytosis of p53 with Snail. In this study, we have followed the final destination of extracellular p53, which is secreted by the Snail complex. Here we provide evidences that p53, exported from K-Ras-mutated cells, is specifically re-endocytosed by oncogenic K-Ras-containing cancer cells. The p53 DNA-binding domain directly associates with caveolin-1 and enters K-Ras mutated cells through early endosome-mediated endocytosis. Using a serial deletion approach, we revealed that a fragment of human p53 extending from 93-143 amino acids (AA) is responsible for binding with caveolin-1 and for endocytosis. In contrast, p53-Snail binding occurs at the 143-193 aa region. Finally, through in vivo study, we confirmed that injected recombinant p53 could be up-taken by tumor tissues, constructed by oncogenic K-Ras transformed MEF cells. In contrast, the tumors formed by H-Ras mutated MEF cells did not accumulate the injected p53 protein. These results indicate that the p53 fragment might be useful as a specific delivery tool into K- Ras mutated cells as well as a diagnostic method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Hye Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
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Taylor RD, Asamitsu S, Takenaka T, Yamamoto M, Hashiya K, Kawamoto Y, Bando T, Nagase H, Sugiyama H. Sequence-Specific DNA Alkylation Targeting for Kras Codon 13 Mutation by Pyrrole-Imidazole Polyamideseco-CBI Conjugates. Chemistry 2013; 20:1310-7. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201303295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Revised: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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ERK2-regulated TIMP1 induces hyperproliferation of K-Ras(G12D)-transformed pancreatic ductal cells. Neoplasia 2013; 15:359-72. [PMID: 23555182 DOI: 10.1593/neo.121708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Revised: 01/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) commonly contains a mutation in K-Ras(G12D) and is characterized by a desmoplastic reaction composed of deregulated, proliferating cells embedded in an abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM). Our previous observations imply that inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK2) kinase signal pathway reverses a matrix metalloproteinase 1-specific invasive phenotype. Here, we investigated the specific genes downstream of MAPK-ERK2 responsible for the hyperproliferative abilities of human and murine primary ductal epithelial cells (PDCs) within an ECM. Compared with control, DNA synthesis and total cell proliferation was significantly increased in human PDCs harboring the PDAC common p53, Rb/p16(INK4a), and K-Ras (G12D) mutations. Both of these effects were readily reversed following small-molecule inhibition or lentiviral silencing of ERK2. Microarray analysis of PDCs in three-dimensional (3D) culture revealed a unique, MAPK-influenced gene signature downstream of K-Ras (G12D). Unbiased hierarchical analysis permitted filtration of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1). Pancreatic cells isolated from Pdx1-Cre; LSL-K-ras(G12D/+)-mutated mice exhibit increased TIMP1 RNA transcription compared to wild-type littermate controls. Analyses of both 3D, in vitro human K-Ras (G12D) PDCs and data mining of publicly annotated human pancreatic data sets correlatively indicate increased levels of TIMP1 RNA. While silencing TIMP1 did not significantly effect PDC proliferation, exogenous addition of human recombinant TIMP1 significantly increased proliferation but only in transformed K-Ras (G12D) PDCs in 3D. Overall, TIMP1 is an upregulated gene product and a proliferative inducer of K-Ras(G12D)-mutated PDCs through the ERK2 signaling pathway.
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Dawson DW, Hertzer K, Moro A, Donald G, Chang HH, Go VL, Pandol SJ, Lugea A, Gukovskaya AS, Li G, Hines OJ, Rozengurt E, Eibl G. High-fat, high-calorie diet promotes early pancreatic neoplasia in the conditional KrasG12D mouse model. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2013; 6:1064-73. [PMID: 23943783 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-13-0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
There is epidemiologic evidence that obesity increases the risk of cancers. Several underlying mechanisms, including inflammation and insulin resistance, are proposed. However, the driving mechanisms in pancreatic cancer are poorly understood. The goal of the present study was to develop a model of diet-induced obesity and pancreatic cancer development in a state-of-the-art mouse model, which resembles important clinical features of human obesity, for example, weight gain and metabolic disturbances. Offspring of Pdx-1-Cre and LSL-KrasG12D mice were allocated to either a high-fat, high-calorie diet (HFCD; ∼4,535 kcal/kg; 40% of calories from fats) or control diet (∼3,725 kcal/kg; 12% of calories from fats) for 3 months. Compared with control animals, mice fed with the HFCD significantly gained more weight and developed hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, hyperleptinemia, and elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). The pancreas of HFCD-fed animals showed robust signs of inflammation with increased numbers of infiltrating inflammatory cells (macrophages and T cells), elevated levels of several cytokines and chemokines, increased stromal fibrosis, and more advanced PanIN lesions. Our results show that a diet high in fats and calories leads to obesity and metabolic disturbances similar to humans and accelerates early pancreatic neoplasia in the conditional KrasG12D mouse model. This model and findings will provide the basis for more robust studies attempting to unravel the mechanisms underlying the cancer-promoting properties of obesity, as well as to evaluate dietary- and chemopreventive strategies targeting obesity-associated pancreatic cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Dawson
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, 10833 LeConte Avenue, 72-236 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
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Karakas B, Colak D, Kaya N, Ghebeh H, Al-Qasem A, Hendrayani F, Toulimat M, Al-Tweigeri T, Park BH, Aboussekhra A. Prevalence of PIK3CA mutations and the SNP rs17849079 in Arab breast cancer patients. Cancer Biol Ther 2013; 14:888-96. [PMID: 23982433 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.25945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Carcinomas initiate and progress due to genetic and epigenetic alterations in epithelial cells. However, recently, these alterations have also been reported in stromal fibroblasts. The gain-of-function mutations in the PI3K p110 catalytic subunit (PIK3CA) have been identified in many cancers with a current global incidence of 26% (18-40%) in breast carcinomas. We analyzed the mutational frequency of PIK3CA of three hotspots (exons 1, 9, and 20) in 81 primary invasive breast cancers (BC) and 25 cultured breast cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) samples by Sanger sequencing in Arab breast cancer patients. Associations between the incidence of any PIK3CA mutation and several clinicopathologic characteristics were assessed using chi-square tests for categorical or t test for continuous variables. Furthermore, survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method with the log rank test to evaluate the significance of their differences. We identified a total of 21 PIK3CA missense mutations with a frequency of 25.9%. The majority of the mutations, 17 out of 21 (81%), were in exon 20 (p.His1047Arg, p.His1047Lys, p.Thr1025Ala, p.Gly1049Arg, p.Asp1056Asn) while the remainder, 4 out of 21 (19%) were in exon 9 (p.Glu545Lys). PIK3CA mutations were significantly associated with lower grade and hormone receptor positivity. Although there was a favorable trend in overall survival for patients whose tumor harbored PIK3CA mutations, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.10). However, we did not detect any somatic mutations in CAFs. Furthermore, we have shown a high prevalence (8.2-fold) of a silent variant (SNP, rs17849079) in the Arab breast cancer population compared with disease-free individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bedri Karakas
- Department of Molecular Oncology; King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Wang Z, Ali S, Banerjee S, Bao B, Li Y, Azmi AS, Korc M, Sarkar FH. Activated K-Ras and INK4a/Arf deficiency promote aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer by induction of EMT consistent with cancer stem cell phenotype. J Cell Physiol 2013; 228:556-562. [PMID: 22806240 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2012] [Accepted: 07/10/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, suggesting that there is an urgent need to design novel strategies for achieving better treatment outcome of patients diagnosed with PDAC. Our previous study has shown that activation of Notch and NF-κB play a critical role in the development of PDAC in the compound K-Ras(G12D) and Ink4a/Arf deficient transgenic mice. However, the exact molecular mechanism by which mutated K-Ras and Ink4a/Arf deficiency contribute to progression of PDAC remains largely elusive. In the present study, we used multiple methods, such as real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting assay, and immunohistochemistry to gain further mechanistic insight. We found that the deletion of Ink4a/Arf in K-Ras(G12D) expressing mice led to high expression of PDGF-D signaling pathway in the tumor and tumor-derived cell line (RInk-1 cells). Furthermore, PDGF-D knock-down in RInk-1 cells resulted in the inhibition of pancreatosphere formation and down-regulation of EZH2, CD44, EpCAM, and vimentin. Moreover, we demonstrated that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was induced in the compound mice, which is linked with aggressiveness of PDAC. In addition, we demonstrated that tumors from compound transgenic mice have higher expression of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers. These results suggest that the acquisition of EMT phenotype and induction of CSC characteristics could be linked with the aggressiveness of PDAC mediated in part through the activation of PDGF-D, signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Wang
- Department of Pathology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Shadan Ali
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Sanjeev Banerjee
- Department of Pathology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Bin Bao
- Department of Pathology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Yiwei Li
- Department of Pathology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Department of Pathology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Murray Korc
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Fazlul H Sarkar
- Department of Pathology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
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Yang H, Lu X, Qian J, Xu F, Hu Y, Yu Y, Bast RC, Li J. Imprinted tumor suppressor gene ARHI induces apoptosis correlated with changes in DNA methylation in pancreatic cancer cells. Mol Med Rep 2012; 3:581-7. [PMID: 21472283 DOI: 10.3892/mmr_00000301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aplesia Ras homologue member I (ARHI, DIRAS3) is a Ras-related imprinted growth inhibitory gene whose expression is down-regulated in the majority of breast and ovarian cancers. This study investigated the inhibitory function of ARHI in pancreatic cancer. Six pancreatic cancer cell lines, tumor xenografts in nude mice and 20 pancreatic cancer tissue sections were analyzed. ARHI is widely expressed in ductal and acinar cells of normal pancreatic tissue, but is down-regulated or lost in approximately 50% of pancreatic cancers. Aberrant methylation of the ARHI locus was found in five pancreatic cancer cell lines, which exhibited down-regulation or loss of ARHI expression. Hypermethylation was detected in five cell lines (5/5, 100%) at CpG island I, in two cell lines (2/5, 40%) at CpG island II and in four cell lines (4/5, 80%) at CpG island III. Re-expression of ARHI significantly inhibited the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. This inhibition was associated with the induction of apoptosis. Treatment with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) restored ARHI mRNA expression, inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in PANC-1 and P3 human pancreatic cancer cells in culture. In nu/nu mice, 5-aza-dC also inhibited the growth of PANC-1 xenografts and induced apoptosis, as observed by TUNEL staining. These effects were associated with the re-expression of ARHI protein. Therefore, ARHI may serve as a growth inhibitory gene in a significant fraction of pancreatic cancers. Re-expression of ARHI significantly induced the apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells. A demethylation agent reduced human pancreatic cancer cell line growth in conjunction with ARHI re-expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
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