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Ribeiro AB, de Melo MRS, de Melo Junqueira M, Rodrigues MGL, de Souza TO, Fernandes G, Santos MFC, Ambrósio SR, Bastos JK, Tavares DC. Efficacy and safety of guttiferone E in melanoma-bearing mice. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:5265-5274. [PMID: 38270618 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-02962-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma, an aggressive and potentially fatal skin cancer, is constrained by immunosuppression, resistance, and high toxicity in its treatment. Consequently, there is an urgent need for innovative antineoplastic agents. Therefore, this study investigated the antimelanoma potential of guttiferone E (GE). In an allogeneic murine B16 melanoma model, GE was administered subcutaneously and intraperitoneally. Antitumor evaluation included tumor volume/weight measurements and histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Furthermore, the toxicity of the treatments was evaluated through body/organ weights, biochemical parameters, and genotoxicity. Subcutaneous administration of 20 mg/kg of GE resulted in a significant reduction in both tumor volume and weight, effectively suppressing melanoma cell proliferation as evidenced by a decrease in mitotic figures. The tumor growth inhibition rate was equivalent to 54%. This treatment upregulated cleaved caspase-3, indicating apoptosis induction. On the other hand, intraperitoneal administration of GE showed no antimelanoma effect. Remarkably, GE treatments exhibited no toxicity, evidenced by non-significant differences in body weight gain, as well as organ weight, biochemical parameters of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity, and genotoxic damage. This study revealed, for the first time, the efficacy of subcutaneous administration of GE in reducing melanoma, in the absence of toxicity. Furthermore, it was observed that the apoptotic signaling pathway is involved in the antimelanoma property of GE. These findings offer valuable insights for further exploring GE's therapeutic applications in melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Barcelos Ribeiro
- University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles Oliveira, 201, Parque Universitário, Franca, São Paulo, 14404-600, Brazil.
| | - Matheus Reis Santos de Melo
- University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles Oliveira, 201, Parque Universitário, Franca, São Paulo, 14404-600, Brazil
| | - Marcela de Melo Junqueira
- University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles Oliveira, 201, Parque Universitário, Franca, São Paulo, 14404-600, Brazil
| | - Mônica Garcia Leal Rodrigues
- University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles Oliveira, 201, Parque Universitário, Franca, São Paulo, 14404-600, Brazil
| | - Thiago Olimpio de Souza
- University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles Oliveira, 201, Parque Universitário, Franca, São Paulo, 14404-600, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Fernandes
- University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles Oliveira, 201, Parque Universitário, Franca, São Paulo, 14404-600, Brazil
| | | | - Sérgio Ricardo Ambrósio
- University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles Oliveira, 201, Parque Universitário, Franca, São Paulo, 14404-600, Brazil
| | - Jairo Kenupp Bastos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café s/n, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Denise Crispim Tavares
- University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles Oliveira, 201, Parque Universitário, Franca, São Paulo, 14404-600, Brazil.
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2
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Foda BM, Misek SA, Gallo KA, Neubig RR. Inhibition of the Rho/MRTF pathway improves the response of BRAF-resistant melanoma to PD1/PDL1 blockade. Int J Cancer 2024. [PMID: 38898604 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.35056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Metastatic cutaneous melanoma is a fatal skin cancer. Resistance to targeted and immune therapies limits the benefits of current treatments. Identifying and adding anti-resistance agents to current treatment protocols can potentially improve clinical responses. Myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) is a transcriptional coactivator whose activity is indirectly regulated by actin and the Rho family of GTPases. We previously demonstrated that development of BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) resistance frequently activates the Rho/MRTF pathway in human and mouse BRAFV600E melanomas. In clinical trials, pretreatment with BRAFi reduces the benefit of immune therapies. We aimed to test the efficacy of concurrent treatment with our MRTF pathway inhibitor CCG-257081 and anti-PD1 in vivo and to examine its effects on the melanoma immune microenvironment. Because MRTF pathway activation upregulates the expression of immune checkpoint inhibitor genes/proteins, we asked whether CCG-257081 can improve the response to immune checkpoint blockade. CCG-257081 reduced the expression of PDL1 in BRAFi-resistant melanoma cells and decreased surface PDL1 levels on both BRAFi-sensitive and -resistant melanoma cells. Using our recently described murine vemurafenib-resistant melanoma model, we found that CCG-257081, in combination with anti-PD1 immune therapy, reduced tumor growth and increased survival. Moreover, anti-PD1/CCG-257081 co-treatment increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells and B cells into the tumor microenvironment and reduced tumor-associated macrophages. Here, we propose CCG-257081 as an anti-resistance and immune therapy-enhancing anti-melanoma agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bardees M Foda
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Molecular Genetics and Enzymology Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Sean A Misek
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kathleen A Gallo
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Richard R Neubig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Nicholas V. Perricone, M.D. Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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3
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Di Leo L, Pagliuca C, Kishk A, Rizza S, Tsiavou C, Pecorari C, Dahl C, Pacheco MP, Tholstrup R, Brewer JR, Berico P, Hernando E, Cecconi F, Ballotti R, Bertolotto C, Filomeni G, Gjerstorff MF, Sauter T, Lovat P, Guldberg P, De Zio D. AMBRA1 levels predict resistance to MAPK inhibitors in melanoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2400566121. [PMID: 38870061 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2400566121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Intrinsic and acquired resistance to mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors (MAPKi) in melanoma remains a major therapeutic challenge. Here, we show that the clinical development of resistance to MAPKi is associated with reduced tumor expression of the melanoma suppressor Autophagy and Beclin 1 Regulator 1 (AMBRA1) and that lower expression levels of AMBRA1 predict a poor response to MAPKi treatment. Functional analyses show that loss of AMBRA1 induces phenotype switching and orchestrates an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-independent resistance mechanism by activating focal adhesion kinase 1 (FAK1). In both in vitro and in vivo settings, melanomas with low AMBRA1 expression exhibit intrinsic resistance to MAPKi therapy but higher sensitivity to FAK1 inhibition. Finally, we show that the rapid development of resistance in initially MAPKi-sensitive melanomas can be attributed to preexisting subclones characterized by low AMBRA1 expression and that cotreatment with MAPKi and FAK1 inhibitors (FAKi) effectively prevents the development of resistance in these tumors. In summary, our findings underscore the value of AMBRA1 expression for predicting melanoma response to MAPKi and supporting the therapeutic efficacy of FAKi to overcome MAPKi-induced resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Di Leo
- Melanoma Research Team, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Chiara Pagliuca
- Melanoma Research Team, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Ali Kishk
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux 4365, Luxembourg
| | - Salvatore Rizza
- Redox Biology Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Christina Tsiavou
- Melanoma Research Team, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Chiara Pecorari
- Redox Biology Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Christina Dahl
- Molecular Diagnostics Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Maria Pires Pacheco
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux 4365, Luxembourg
| | - Rikke Tholstrup
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Richard Brewer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark
| | - Pietro Berico
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - Eva Hernando
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - Francesco Cecconi
- Cell Stress and Survival, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del "Sacro Cuore", Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli-Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome 00136, Italy
| | - Robert Ballotti
- Université Côte d'Azur, Nice 06200, France
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice 06200, France
| | - Corine Bertolotto
- Université Côte d'Azur, Nice 06200, France
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice 06200, France
| | - Giuseppe Filomeni
- Redox Biology Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Morten Frier Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense 5000, Denmark
| | - Thomas Sauter
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux 4365, Luxembourg
| | - Penny Lovat
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - Per Guldberg
- Molecular Diagnostics Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark
| | - Daniela De Zio
- Melanoma Research Team, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease, Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark
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Malekan M, Haass NK, Rokni GR, Gholizadeh N, Ebrahimzadeh MA, Kazeminejad A. VEGF/VEGFR axis and its signaling in melanoma: Current knowledge toward therapeutic targeting agents and future perspectives. Life Sci 2024; 345:122563. [PMID: 38508233 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122563] [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: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is responsible for most skin cancer-associated deaths globally. The progression of melanoma is influenced by a number of pathogenic processes. Understanding the VEGF/VEGFR axis, which includes VEGF-A, PlGF, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D and their receptors, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3, is of great importance in melanoma due to its crucial role in angiogenesis. This axis generates multifactorial and complex cellular signaling, engaging the MAPK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, PKC, PLC-γ, and FAK signaling pathways. Melanoma cell growth and proliferation, migration and metastasis, survival, and acquired resistance to therapy are influenced by this axis. The VEGF/VEGFR axis was extensively examined for their potential as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers in melanoma patients and results showed that VEGF overexpression can be associated with unfavorable prognosis, higher level of tumor invasion and poor response to therapy. MicroRNAs linking to the VEGF/VEGFR axis were identified and, in this review, divided into two categories according to their functions, some of them promote melanoma angiogenesis (promotive group) and some restrict melanoma angiogenesis (protective group). In addition, the approach of treating melanoma by targeting the VEGF/VEGFR axis has garnered significant interest among researchers. These agents can be divided into two main groups: anti-VEGF and VEGFR inhibitors. These therapeutic options may be a prominent step along with the modern targeting and immune therapies for better coverage of pathological processes leading to melanoma progression and therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Malekan
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | | | - Ghasem Rahmatpour Rokni
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nasim Gholizadeh
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Armaghan Kazeminejad
- Department of Dermatology, Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences,Sari, Iran
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5
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Fabijańska M, Rybarczyk-Pirek AJ, Dominikowska J, Stryjska K, Żyro D, Markowicz-Piasecka M, Szynkowska-Jóźwik MI, Ochocki J, Sikora J. Silver Complexes of Miconazole and Metronidazole: Potential Candidates for Melanoma Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5081. [PMID: 38791121 PMCID: PMC11121064 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, arguably the deadliest form of skin cancer, is responsible for the majority of skin-cancer-related fatalities. Innovative strategies concentrate on new therapies that avoid the undesirable effects of pharmacological or medical treatment. This article discusses the chemical structures of [(MTZ)2AgNO3], [(MTZ)2Ag]2SO4, [Ag(MCZ)2NO3], [Ag(MCZ)2BF4], [Ag(MCZ)2SbF6] and [Ag(MCZ)2ClO4] (MTZ-metronidazole; MCZ-miconazole) silver(I) compounds and the possible relationship between the molecules and their cytostatic activity against melanoma cells. Molecular Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational methods were used to examine the possible association between the structure and anticancer activity of the silver(I) complexes and compare the cytotoxicity of the silver(I) complexes of metronidazole and miconazole with that of silver(I) nitrate, cisplatin, metronidazole and miconazole complexes against A375 and BJ cells. Additionally, these preliminary biological studies found the greatest IC50 values against the A375 line were demonstrated by [Ag(MCZ)2NO3] and [(MTZ)2AgNO3]. The compound [(MTZ)2AgNO3] was three-fold more toxic to the A375 cells than the reference (cisplatin) and 15 times more cytotoxic against the A375 cells than the normal BJ cells. Complexes of metronidazole with Ag(I) are considered biocompatible at a concentration below 50 µmol/L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Fabijańska
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Muszynskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland; (K.S.); (D.Ż.)
| | - Agnieszka J. Rybarczyk-Pirek
- Theoretical and Structural Chemistry Group, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Lodz, Pomorska 163/165, 90-236 Lodz, Poland; (A.J.R.-P.); (J.D.)
| | - Justyna Dominikowska
- Theoretical and Structural Chemistry Group, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Lodz, Pomorska 163/165, 90-236 Lodz, Poland; (A.J.R.-P.); (J.D.)
| | - Karolina Stryjska
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Muszynskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland; (K.S.); (D.Ż.)
| | - Dominik Żyro
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Muszynskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland; (K.S.); (D.Ż.)
| | | | - Małgorzata Iwona Szynkowska-Jóźwik
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-543 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Justyn Ochocki
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Chair of Medicinal Chemistry, Group of Bioinorganic Chemistry Medical University of Lodz, Muszynskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Joanna Sikora
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Muszynskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland; (K.S.); (D.Ż.)
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6
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Lins FV, Bispo ECI, Rodrigues NS, Silva MVS, Carvalho JL, Gelfuso GM, Saldanha-Araujo F. Ibrutinib Modulates Proliferation, Migration, Mitochondrial Homeostasis, and Apoptosis in Melanoma Cells. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1012. [PMID: 38790974 PMCID: PMC11117653 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Ibrutinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with a broad spectrum of action, has been successfully explored to treat hematological and solid cancers. Herein, we investigated the anti-cancer effect of Ibrutinib on melanoma cell lines. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. Apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cell proliferation, and cell cycle stages were determined by flow cytometry. LDH release and Caspase 3/7 activity were determined by colorimetric and luminescent assays, respectively. Cell migration was evaluated by wound scratch assay. Gene expression was determined by real-time PCR. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of melanoma clinical samples was performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). MTT assays showed that Ibrutinib is toxic for MeWo, SK-MEL-28, and WM164 cells. The annexin V/PI staining, Caspase 3/7 activity, and LDH release in MeWo cells revealed that apoptosis is the primary mechanism of death caused by Ibrutinib. Corroborating such observation, we identified that Ibrutinib treatment impairs the mitochondrial membrane potential of such cells and significantly increases the transcriptional levels of the pro-apoptotic factors ATM, HRK, BAX, BAK, CASP3, and CASP8. Furthermore, Ibrutinib showed antimetastatic potential by inhibiting the migration of MeWo cells. Finally, we performed a functional enrichment analysis and identified that the differential expression of Ibrutinib-target molecules is associated with enrichment of apoptosis and necrosis pathways in melanoma samples. Taken together, our results clearly suggest that Ibrutinib can be successfully explored as an effective therapeutic approach for melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Vitelli Lins
- Laboratório de Hematologia e Células-Tronco, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil; (F.V.L.); (E.C.I.B.); (N.S.R.)
- Children’s Medical Center Research Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Elizabete Cristina Iseke Bispo
- Laboratório de Hematologia e Células-Tronco, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil; (F.V.L.); (E.C.I.B.); (N.S.R.)
| | - Naomí Souza Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Hematologia e Células-Tronco, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil; (F.V.L.); (E.C.I.B.); (N.S.R.)
| | - Maria Victória Souto Silva
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Biociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil; (M.V.S.S.); (J.L.C.)
| | - Juliana Lott Carvalho
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Biociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil; (M.V.S.S.); (J.L.C.)
| | - Guilherme Martins Gelfuso
- Laboratório de Medicamentos, Alimentos e Cosméticos, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil;
| | - Felipe Saldanha-Araujo
- Laboratório de Hematologia e Células-Tronco, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil; (F.V.L.); (E.C.I.B.); (N.S.R.)
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7
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Carvalho LADC, Noma IHY, Uehara AH, Siena ÁDD, Osaki LH, Mori MP, Pinto NCDS, Freitas VM, Junior WAS, Smalley KSM, Maria-Engler SS. Modeling Melanoma Heterogeneity In Vitro: Redox, Resistance and Pigmentation Profiles. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:555. [PMID: 38790661 PMCID: PMC11118096 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13050555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Microenvironment and transcriptional plasticity generate subpopulations within the tumor, and the use of BRAF inhibitors (BRAFis) contributes to the rise and selection of resistant clones. We stochastically isolated subpopulations (C1, C2, and C3) from naïve melanoma and found that the clones demonstrated distinct morphology, phenotypic, and functional profiles: C1 was less proliferative, more migratory and invasive, less sensitive to BRAFis, less dependent on OXPHOS, more sensitive to oxidative stress, and less pigmented; C2 was more proliferative, less migratory and invasive, more sensitive to BRAFis, less sensitive to oxidative stress, and more pigmented; and C3 was less proliferative, more migratory and invasive, less sensitive to BRAFis, more dependent on OXPHOS, more sensitive to oxidative stress, and more pigmented. Hydrogen peroxide plays a central role in oxidative stress and cell signaling, and PRDXs are one of its main consumers. The intrinsically resistant C1 and C3 clones had lower MITF, PGC-1α, and PRDX1 expression, while C1 had higher AXL and decreased pigmentation markers, linking PRDX1 to clonal heterogeneity and resistance. PRDX2 is depleted in acquired BRAFi-resistant cells and acts as a redox sensor. Our results illustrate that decreased pigmentation markers are related to therapy resistance and decreased antioxidant defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Anastacio da Costa Carvalho
- Department of Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (L.A.d.C.C.); (K.S.M.S.)
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (I.H.Y.N.); (A.H.U.)
| | - Isabella Harumi Yonehara Noma
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (I.H.Y.N.); (A.H.U.)
| | - Adriana Hiromi Uehara
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (I.H.Y.N.); (A.H.U.)
| | - Ádamo Davi Diógenes Siena
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (Á.D.D.S.); (W.A.S.J.)
| | - Luciana Harumi Osaki
- Department of Cell Biology and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (L.H.O.); (V.M.F.)
| | - Mateus Prates Mori
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (M.P.M.); (N.C.d.S.P.)
| | - Nadja Cristhina de Souza Pinto
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (M.P.M.); (N.C.d.S.P.)
| | - Vanessa Morais Freitas
- Department of Cell Biology and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (L.H.O.); (V.M.F.)
| | - Wilson Araújo Silva Junior
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (Á.D.D.S.); (W.A.S.J.)
| | - Keiran S. M. Smalley
- Department of Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (L.A.d.C.C.); (K.S.M.S.)
| | - Silvya Stuchi Maria-Engler
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (I.H.Y.N.); (A.H.U.)
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Fateeva A, Eddy K, Chen S. Current State of Melanoma Therapy and Next Steps: Battling Therapeutic Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1571. [PMID: 38672652 PMCID: PMC11049326 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive and deadly form of skin cancer due to its high propensity to metastasize to distant organs. Significant progress has been made in the last few decades in melanoma therapeutics, most notably in targeted therapy and immunotherapy. These approaches have greatly improved treatment response outcomes; however, they remain limited in their abilities to hinder disease progression due, in part, to the onset of acquired resistance. In parallel, intrinsic resistance to therapy remains an issue to be resolved. In this review, we summarize currently available therapeutic options for melanoma treatment and focus on possible mechanisms that drive therapeutic resistance. A better understanding of therapy resistance will provide improved rational strategies to overcome these obstacles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fateeva
- Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (A.F.); (K.E.)
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Kevinn Eddy
- Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (A.F.); (K.E.)
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Suzie Chen
- Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (A.F.); (K.E.)
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ 07018, USA
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Barbonari S, D'Amore A, Hanbashi AA, Palombi F, Riccioli A, Parrington J, Filippini A. Endolysosomal two-pore channel 2 plays opposing roles in primary and metastatic malignant melanoma cells. Cell Biol Int 2024; 48:521-540. [PMID: 38263578 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
The ion channel two-pore channel 2 (TPC2), localised on the membranes of acidic organelles such as endo-lysosomes and melanosomes, has been shown to play a role in pathologies including cancer, and it is differently expressed in primary versus metastatic melanoma cells. Whether TPC2 plays a pro- or anti-oncogenic role in different tumour conditions is a relevant open question which we have explored in melanoma at different stages of tumour progression. The behaviour of primary melanoma cell line B16F0 and its metastatic subline B16F10 were compared in response to TPC2 modulation by silencing (by small interfering RNA), knock-out (by CRISPR/Cas9) and overexpression (by mCherry-TPC2 transfected plasmid). TPC2 silencing increased cell migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and autophagy in the metastatic samples, but abated them in the silenced primary ones. Interestingly, while TPC2 inactivation failed to affect markers of proliferation in both samples, it strongly enhanced the migratory behaviour of the metastatic cells, again suggesting that in the more aggressive phenotype TPC2 plays a specific antimetastatic role. In line with this, overexpression of TPC2 in B16F10 cells resulted in phenotype rescue, that is, a decrease in migratory ability, thus collectively resuming traits of the B16F0 primary cell line. Our research shows a novel role of TPC2 in melanoma cells that is intriguingly different in initial versus late stages of cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Barbonari
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ali A Hanbashi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fioretta Palombi
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Riccioli
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - John Parrington
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Antonio Filippini
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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10
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Scaini MC, Catoni C, Poggiana C, Pigozzo J, Piccin L, Leone K, Scarabello I, Facchinetti A, Menin C, Elefanti L, Pellegrini S, Aleotti V, Vidotto R, Schiavi F, Fabozzi A, Chiarion-Sileni V, Rosato A. A multiparameter liquid biopsy approach allows to track melanoma dynamics and identify early treatment resistance. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:78. [PMID: 38548846 PMCID: PMC10978909 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00567-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma heterogeneity is a hurdle in metastatic disease management. Although the advent of targeted therapy has significantly improved patient outcomes, the occurrence of resistance makes monitoring of the tumor genetic landscape mandatory. Liquid biopsy could represent an important biomarker for the real-time tracing of disease evolution. Thus, we aimed to correlate liquid biopsy dynamics with treatment response and progression by devising a multiplatform approach applied to longitudinal melanoma patient monitoring. We conceived an approach that exploits Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and droplet digital PCR, as well as the FDA-cleared platform CellSearch, to analyze circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) trend and circulating melanoma cell (CMC) count, together with their customized genetic and copy number variation analysis. The approach was applied to 17 stage IV melanoma patients treated with BRAF/MEK inhibitors, followed for up to 28 months. BRAF mutations were detected in the plasma of 82% of patients. Single nucleotide variants known or suspected to confer resistance were identified in 70% of patients. Moreover, the amount of ctDNA, both at baseline and during response, correlated with the type and duration of the response itself, and the CMC count was confirmed to be a prognostic biomarker. This work provides proof of principle of the power of this approach and paves the way for a validation study aimed at evaluating early ctDNA-guided treatment decisions in stage IV melanoma. The NGS-based molecular profile complemented the analysis of ctDNA trend and, together with CMC analysis, revealed to be useful in capturing tumor evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Scaini
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
| | - Cristina Catoni
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Cristina Poggiana
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
| | - Jacopo Pigozzo
- Medical Oncology 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Luisa Piccin
- Medical Oncology 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Kevin Leone
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Ilaria Scarabello
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Antonella Facchinetti
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DiSCOG), Oncology Section, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Chiara Menin
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Lisa Elefanti
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefania Pellegrini
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Valentina Aleotti
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Riccardo Vidotto
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca Schiavi
- Familial Cancer Clinic, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessio Fabozzi
- Oncology Unit 3, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Rosato
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV IRCCS, Padua, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DiSCOG), Oncology Section, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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11
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Filiú-Braga LDDC, Silva-Carvalho AÉ, Sousa MRR, Carvalho JL, Saldanha-Araujo F. Molecular and functional anticancer effects of GLP/G9a inhibition by UNC0646 in MeWo melanoma cells. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27085. [PMID: 38434406 PMCID: PMC10907798 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, histone methyltransferases (HMTs) have emerged as important therapeutic targets in cancer due to their oncogenic role. Herein, we used the GLP/G9a inhibitor UNC0646 to assess whether the inhibition of such HMTs could induce cell death in MeWo melanoma cells. Furthermore, we investigated the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the observed cell death events. Finally, we performed a functional genomics analysis of 480 melanoma samples to characterize G9a/GLP involvement in melanoma. Interestingly, after UNC0646 treatment, MeWo cells underwent apoptosis, followed by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, MeWo cells treated with UNC0646 showed cell cycle arrest and inhibition of proliferation. At the molecular level, UNC0646 treatment increased the transcriptional levels of CDK1 and BAX, and decreased BCL-2 mRNA levels. Finally, we performed a functional enrichment analysis, which demonstrated that dozens of biological pathways were enriched in melanoma samples according to GLP and G9a expression, including apoptosis and necrosis. Taken together, our data show that inhibition of GLP/G9a using UNC0646 exerts anticancer effects on melanoma cells by controlling their proliferation and inducing apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda Évelin Silva-Carvalho
- Laboratório de Hematologia e Células-Tronco, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Marielly Reis Resende Sousa
- Laboratório de Hematologia e Células-Tronco, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lott Carvalho
- Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Biociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Felipe Saldanha-Araujo
- Laboratório de Hematologia e Células-Tronco, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
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12
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Zhan Y, Yang Z, Zeng H, Yu J, Chen X, Wu Y. Extracellular vesicle-derived non-coding RNAs in remodeling melanoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 172:116213. [PMID: 38306847 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116213] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the most lethal cutaneous malignancies. Despite great advances in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, the survival rate and prognosis of patients with melanoma remain poor. The abundant and sophisticated reciprocal communication network between melanoma cells and non-tumor cells contributes to the high heterogeneity of the melanoma microenvironment and is intimately related to varying treatment responses and clinical courses. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane structures generated by nearly all cell types. EVs contain biologically active molecules, mainly comprising proteins, lipids, and RNAs, and undoubtedly play multifaceted roles in numerous diseases, represented by melanoma. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) mainly encompass long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, and circular RNAs and constitute the majority of the human transcriptome. Multiple ncRNAs encapsulated in EVs coordinate various pathophysiological processes in melanoma. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which EV-ncRNAs modulate biological behaviors and immunity, and their potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications in melanoma. Undoubtedly, further insight into EV-ncRNAs and their functions in melanoma will contribute to the clinical treatment of melanoma and the implementation of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Zhan
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zihui Yang
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Zeng
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Yu
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Xue Chen
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yiping Wu
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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13
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Fischer MM, Blüthgen N. On minimising tumoural growth under treatment resistance. J Theor Biol 2024; 579:111716. [PMID: 38135033 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2023.111716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance is a major challenge for curative cancer treatment, representing the main reason of death in patients. Evolutionary biology suggests pauses between treatment rounds as a way to delay or even avoid resistance emergence. Indeed, this approach has already shown promising preclinical and early clinical results, and stimulated the development of mathematical models for finding optimal treatment protocols. Due to their complexity, however, these models do not lend themself to a rigorous mathematical analysis, hence so far clinical recommendations generally relied on numerical simulations and ad-hoc heuristics. Here, we derive two mathematical models describing tumour growth under genetic and epigenetic treatment resistance, respectively, which are simple enough for a complete analytical investigation. First, we find key differences in response to treatment protocols between the two modes of resistance. Second, we identify the optimal treatment protocol which leads to the largest possible tumour shrinkage rate. Third, we fit the "epigenetic model" to previously published xenograft experiment data, finding excellent agreement, underscoring the biological validity of our approach. Finally, we use the fitted model to calculate the optimal treatment protocol for this specific experiment, which we demonstrate to cause curative treatment, making it superior to previous approaches which generally aimed at stabilising tumour burden. Overall, our approach underscores the usefulness of simple mathematical models and their analytical examination, and we anticipate our findings to guide future preclinical and, ultimately, clinical research in optimising treatment regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias M Fischer
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Charité and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nils Blüthgen
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Charité and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
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14
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Kookli K, Soleimani KT, Amr EF, Ehymayed HM, Zabibah RS, Daminova SB, Saadh MJ, Alsaikhan F, Adil M, Ali MS, Mohtashami S, Akhavan-Sigari R. Role of microRNA-146a in cancer development by regulating apoptosis. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 254:155050. [PMID: 38199132 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.155050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Despite great advances in diagnostic and treatment options for cancer, like chemotherapy surgery, and radiation therapy it continues to remain a major global health concern. Further research is necessary to find new biomarkers and possible treatment methods for cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), tiny non-coding RNAs found naturally in the body, can influence the activity of several target genes. These genes are often disturbed in diseases like cancer, which perturbs functions like differentiation, cell division, cell cycle, apoptosis and proliferation. MiR-146a is a commonly and widely used miRNA that is often overexpressed in malignant tumors. The expression of miR-146a has been correlated with many pathological and physiological changes in cancer cells, such as the regulation of various cell death paths. It's been established that the control of cell death pathways has a huge influence on cancer progression. To improve our understanding of the interrelationship between miRNAs and cancer cell apoptosis, it's necessary to explore the impact of miRNAs through the alteration in their expression levels. Research has demonstrated that the appearance and spread of cancer can be mitigated by moderating the expression of certain miRNA - a commencement of treatment that presents a hopeful approach in managing cancer. Consequently, it is essential to explore the implications of miR-146a with respect to inducing different forms of tumor cell death, and evaluate its potential to serve as a target for improved chemotherapy outcomes. Through this review, we provide an outline of miR-146a's biogenesis and function, as well as its significant involvement in apoptosis. As well, we investigate the effects of exosomal miR-146a on the promotion of apoptosis in cancer cells and look into how it could possibly help combat chemotherapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keihan Kookli
- International Campus, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Eman Fathy Amr
- College of Nursing, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq
| | | | - Rahman S Zabibah
- Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Medical Technology, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
| | - Shakhnoza B Daminova
- Department of Prevention of Dental Diseases, Tashkent State Dental Institute, Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Department of Scientific affairs, Tashkent Medical Pediatric Institute, Bogishamol Street 223, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Mohamed J Saadh
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Middle East University, Amman 11831, Jordan
| | - Fahad Alsaikhan
- College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia; School of Pharmacy, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | | | | | - Saghar Mohtashami
- University of California Los Angeles, School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Reza Akhavan-Sigari
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Tuebingen, Germany; Department of Health Care Management and Clinical Research, Collegium Humanum Warsaw Management University Warsaw, Poland
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15
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Mahgoub EO, Cho WC, Sharifi M, Falahati M, Zeinabad HA, Mare HE, Hasan A. Role of functional genomics in identifying cancer drug resistance and overcoming cancer relapse. Heliyon 2024; 10:e22095. [PMID: 38249111 PMCID: PMC10797146 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Functional genomics is an emerging field focused on elucidating the functions of genes or proteins, which can help solve challenges related to reliable cancer therapy. One of the main challenges currently faced by cancer therapy is the variations in the number of mutations in patients, leading to drug resistance and cancer relapses. Drug intrinsic or acquired resistance, is generally associated with most cancer relapses. There are advanced tools that can help identify the mutant genes in cancer tissues causing cancer drug resistance (CDR). Such tools include but are not limited to DNA and RNA sequencing as well assynthetic lethality gene screen (CRISPR)-based diagnosis. This review discusses the role of functional genomics in understanding CDR and finding tools for discovering drug target genes for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William C. Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Majid Sharifi
- Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, 3614773947, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Falahati
- Department of Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hojjat Alizadeh Zeinabad
- Apoptosis Research Centre, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Hany E. Mare
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35116, Egypt
| | - Anwarul Hasan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar
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16
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Zhou Q, Wang J, Zhang Z, Wuethrich A, Lobb RJ, Trau M. Tracking the EMT-like phenotype switching during targeted therapy in melanoma by analyzing extracellular vesicle phenotypes. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 244:115819. [PMID: 37952322 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma continues to be a leading cause of mortality among skin cancers. Despite advancements in targeted therapy, patients frequently develop resistance, leading to disease progression within a year. This resistance may result from the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like phenotype switching of melanoma cells. Tracking EMT-related phenotypic changes on extracellular vesicles (EVs) has potential to inform early about response to targeted therapy and melanoma progression. However, the knowledge on protein biomarkers carried by melanoma EVs involved in the EMT-like process remains unexplored. Herein, we present a biosensor integrating surface-enhanced Raman scattering and alternating current electrohydrodynamics-induced nanomixing enhancement, for sensitive detection of EMT-associated biomarkers on EV surfaces during targeted therapy. This biosensor successfully tracks the EMT-like phenotype switching in melanoma cell lines treated with mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor (MAPKi). Longitudinal monitoring of patients who receive MAPKi therapy and develop resistance, our biosensor shows its ability to identify the EMT-like phenotype switching on circulating EVs. This ability potentially can be leveraged to predict the development of resistance to targeted therapy, allowing for timely intervention and personalized treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zhou
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Jing Wang
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia; Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Photonics Technology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350117, China.
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Alain Wuethrich
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Richard J Lobb
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Matt Trau
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia; School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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17
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Ferretti LP, Böhi F, Leslie Pedrioli DM, Cheng PF, Ferrari E, Baumgaertner P, Alvarado-Diaz A, Sella F, Cereghetti A, Turko P, Wright RH, De Bock K, Speiser DE, Ferrari R, Levesque MP, Hottiger MO. Combinatorial Treatment with PARP and MAPK Inhibitors Overcomes Phenotype Switch-Driven Drug Resistance in Advanced Melanoma. Cancer Res 2023; 83:3974-3988. [PMID: 37729428 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-0485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is either intrinsically resistant or rapidly acquires resistance to targeted therapy treatments, such as MAPK inhibitors (MAPKi). A leading cause of resistance to targeted therapy is a dynamic transition of melanoma cells from a proliferative to a highly invasive state, a phenomenon called phenotype switching. Mechanisms regulating phenotype switching represent potential targets for improving treatment of patients with melanoma. Using a drug screen targeting chromatin regulators in patient-derived three-dimensional MAPKi-resistant melanoma cell cultures, we discovered that PARP inhibitors (PARPi) restore sensitivity to MAPKis, independent of DNA damage repair pathways. Integrated transcriptomic, proteomic, and epigenomic analyses demonstrated that PARPis induce lysosomal autophagic cell death, accompanied by enhanced mitochondrial lipid metabolism that ultimately increases antigen presentation and sensitivity to T-cell cytotoxicity. Moreover, transcriptomic and epigenetic rearrangements induced by PARP inhibition reversed epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like phenotype switching, which redirected melanoma cells toward a proliferative and MAPKi-sensitive state. The combination of PARP and MAPKis synergistically induced cancer cell death both in vitro and in vivo in patient-derived xenograft models. Therefore, this study provides a scientific rationale for treating patients with melanoma with PARPis in combination with MAPKis to abrogate acquired therapy resistance. SIGNIFICANCE PARP inhibitors can overcome resistance to MAPK inhibitors by activating autophagic cell death and reversing phenotype switching, suggesting that this synergistic combination could help improve the prognosis of patients with melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza P Ferretti
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Flurina Böhi
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Phil F Cheng
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Elena Ferrari
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Petra Baumgaertner
- Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Abdiel Alvarado-Diaz
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Federica Sella
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Alessandra Cereghetti
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Turko
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Roni H Wright
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
| | - Katrien De Bock
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Daniel E Speiser
- Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Ferrari
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Mitchell P Levesque
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Michael O Hottiger
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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18
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Hargrave DR, Terashima K, Hara J, Kordes UR, Upadhyaya SA, Sahm F, Bouffet E, Packer RJ, Witt O, Sandalic L, Kieloch A, Russo M, Cohen KJ. Phase II Trial of Dabrafenib Plus Trametinib in Relapsed/Refractory BRAF V600-Mutant Pediatric High-Grade Glioma. J Clin Oncol 2023; 41:5174-5183. [PMID: 37643378 PMCID: PMC10666989 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.00558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE BRAF V600 mutation is detected in 5%-10% of pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGGs), and effective treatments are limited. In previous trials, dabrafenib as monotherapy or in combination with trametinib demonstrated activity in children and adults with relapsed/refractory BRAF V600-mutant HGG. METHODS This phase II study evaluated dabrafenib plus trametinib in patients with relapsed/refractory BRAF V600-mutant pHGG. The primary objective was overall response rate (ORR) by independent review by Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria. Secondary objectives included ORR by investigator determination, duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival, overall survival (OS), and safety. RESULTS A total of 41 pediatric patients with previously treated BRAF V600-mutant HGG were enrolled. At primary analysis, median follow-up was 25.1 months, and 51% of patients remained on treatment. Sixteen of 20 discontinuations were due to progressive disease in this relapsed/refractory pHGG population. Independently assessed ORR was 56% (95% CI, 40 to 72). Median DOR was 22.2 months (95% CI, 7.6 months to not reached [NR]). Fourteen deaths were reported. Median OS was 32.8 months (95% CI, 19.2 months to NR). The most common all-cause adverse events (AEs) were pyrexia (51%), headache (34%), and dry skin (32%). Two patients (5%) had AEs (both rash) leading to discontinuation. CONCLUSION In relapsed/refractory BRAF V600-mutant pHGG, dabrafenib plus trametinib improved ORR versus previous trials of chemotherapy in molecularly unselected patients with pHGG and was associated with durable responses and encouraging survival. These findings suggest that dabrafenib plus trametinib is a promising targeted therapy option for children and adolescents with relapsed/refractory BRAF V600-mutant HGG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren R. Hargrave
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Keita Terashima
- National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Uwe R. Kordes
- University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Felix Sahm
- Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- CCU Neuropathology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eric Bouffet
- The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Olaf Witt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Mark Russo
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ
| | - Kenneth J. Cohen
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD
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19
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Vasileva VY, Khairullina ZM, Chubinskiy-Nadezhdin VI. Piezo1 Activation Prevents Spheroid Formation by Malignant Melanoma SK-MEL-2 Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15703. [PMID: 37958687 PMCID: PMC10648948 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly aggressive type of skin cancer produced through the malignant transformation of melanocytes, and it is usually associated with a poor prognosis. Clinically, melanoma has several stages associated with migration and invasion of the cells through the skin's layers, the rapid spreading of cells and the formation of tumors in multiple organs. The main problem is the emergence of resistance in melanoma to the applied methods of treatment; thus, it is of primary importance to find more crucial signaling pathways that control the progression of this type of cancer and could be targeted to prevent melanoma spreading. Here, we uncover novel aspects of the role of the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 in melanoma tumor formation. Using a combinative approach, we showed the functional expression of mechanosensitive Piezo1 channels in the aggressive human melanoma SK-MEL-2 cell line. We found that chemical activation of Piezo1 by its agonist, Yoda1, prevents melanoma spheroid formation; thus, Piezo1 could be a potential target for selective modulation aimed at the prevention of melanoma development.
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20
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Ram T, Singh AK, Kumar A, Singh H, Pathak P, Grishina M, Khalilullah H, Jaremko M, Emwas AH, Verma A, Kumar P. MEK inhibitors in cancer treatment: structural insights, regulation, recent advances and future perspectives. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:1837-1857. [PMID: 37859720 PMCID: PMC10583825 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00145h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
MEK1/2 are critical components of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK or MAPK signalling pathway that regulates a variety of cellular functions including proliferation, survival, and differentiation. In 1997, a lung cancer cell line was first found to have a MEK mutation (encoding MEK2P298L). MEK is involved in various human cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), spurious melanoma, and pancreatic, colorectal, basal, breast, and liver cancer. To date, 4 MEK inhibitors i.e., trametinib, cobimetinib, selumetinib, and binimetinib have been approved by the FDA and several are under clinical trials. In this review, we have highlighted structural insights into the MEK1/2 proteins, such as the αC-helix, catalytic loop, P-loop, F-helix, hydrophobic pocket, and DFG motif. We have also discussed current issues with all FDA-approved MEK inhibitors or drugs under clinical trials and combination therapies to improve the efficacy of clinical drugs. Finally, this study addressed recent developments on synthetic MEK inhibitors (from their discovery in 1997 to 2022), their unique properties, and their relevance to MEK mutant inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teja Ram
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab Ghudda Bathinda 151401 India
| | - Ankit Kumar Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab Ghudda Bathinda 151401 India
| | - Adarsh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab Ghudda Bathinda 151401 India
| | - Harshwardhan Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab Ghudda Bathinda 151401 India
| | - Prateek Pathak
- Laboratory of Computational Modeling of Drugs, Higher Medical and Biological School, South Ural State University Chelyabinsk 454008 Russia
- Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, GITAM School of Pharmacy at "Hyderabad Campus", GITAM (Deemed to be University) India
| | - Maria Grishina
- Laboratory of Computational Modeling of Drugs, Higher Medical and Biological School, South Ural State University Chelyabinsk 454008 Russia
| | - Habibullah Khalilullah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University Unayzah 51911 Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Smart-Health Initiative (SHI) and Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal 23955-6900 Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul-Hamid Emwas
- Core Labs, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal 23955-6900 Saudi Arabia
| | - Amita Verma
- Bioorganic and Med. Chem. Res., Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences Prayagraj 211007 India
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab Ghudda Bathinda 151401 India
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21
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Kuras M. Exploring the Complex and Multifaceted Interplay between Melanoma Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14403. [PMID: 37762707 PMCID: PMC10531837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is a very aggressive skin cancer, characterized by a heterogeneous nature and high metastatic potential. The incidence of melanoma is continuously increasing worldwide, and it is one of the most common cancers in young adults. In the past twenty years, our understanding of melanoma biology has increased profoundly, and disease management for patients with disseminated disease has improved due to the emergence of immunotherapy and targeted therapy. However, a significant fraction of patients relapse or do not respond adequately to treatment. This can partly be explained by the complex signaling between the tumor and its microenvironment, giving rise to melanoma phenotypes with different patterns of disease progression. This review focuses on the key aspects and complex relationship between pathogenesis, genetic abnormalities, tumor microenvironment, cellular plasticity, and metabolic reprogramming in melanoma. By acquiring a deeper understanding of the multifaceted features of melanomagenesis, we can reach a point of more individualized and patient-centered disease management and reduced costs of ineffective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kuras
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden;
- Section for Clinical Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
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22
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Subhadarshini S, Sahoo S, Debnath S, Somarelli JA, Jolly MK. Dynamical modeling of proliferative-invasive plasticity and IFNγ signaling in melanoma reveals mechanisms of PD-L1 expression heterogeneity. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006766. [PMID: 37678920 PMCID: PMC10496669 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-006766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phenotypic heterogeneity of melanoma cells contributes to drug tolerance, increased metastasis, and immune evasion in patients with progressive disease. Diverse mechanisms have been individually reported to shape extensive intra-tumor and inter-tumor phenotypic heterogeneity, such as IFNγ signaling and proliferative to invasive transition, but how their crosstalk impacts tumor progression remains largely elusive. METHODS Here, we integrate dynamical systems modeling with transcriptomic data analysis at bulk and single-cell levels to investigate underlying mechanisms behind phenotypic heterogeneity in melanoma and its impact on adaptation to targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. We construct a minimal core regulatory network involving transcription factors implicated in this process and identify the multiple 'attractors' in the phenotypic landscape enabled by this network. Our model predictions about synergistic control of PD-L1 by IFNγ signaling and proliferative to invasive transition were validated experimentally in three melanoma cell lines-MALME3, SK-MEL-5 and A375. RESULTS We demonstrate that the emergent dynamics of our regulatory network comprising MITF, SOX10, SOX9, JUN and ZEB1 can recapitulate experimental observations about the co-existence of diverse phenotypes (proliferative, neural crest-like, invasive) and reversible cell-state transitions among them, including in response to targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. These phenotypes have varied levels of PD-L1, driving heterogeneity in immunosuppression. This heterogeneity in PD-L1 can be aggravated by combinatorial dynamics of these regulators with IFNγ signaling. Our model predictions about changes in proliferative to invasive transition and PD-L1 levels as melanoma cells evade targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors were validated in multiple RNA-seq data sets from in vitro and in vivo experiments. CONCLUSION Our calibrated dynamical model offers a platform to test combinatorial therapies and provide rational avenues for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. This improved understanding of crosstalk among PD-L1 expression, proliferative to invasive transition and IFNγ signaling can be leveraged to improve the clinical management of therapy-resistant and metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarthak Sahoo
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Shibjyoti Debnath
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jason A Somarelli
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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23
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Brănişteanu DE, Porumb-Andrese E, Porumb V, Stărică A, Moraru AD, Nicolescu AC, Zemba M, Brănişteanu CI, Brănişteanu G, Brănişteanu DC. New Treatment Horizons in Uveal and Cutaneous Melanoma. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1666. [PMID: 37629523 PMCID: PMC10455832 DOI: 10.3390/life13081666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a complex and heterogeneous malignant tumor with distinct genetic characteristics and therapeutic challenges in both cutaneous melanoma (CM) and uveal melanoma (UM). This review explores the underlying molecular features and genetic alterations in these melanoma subtypes, highlighting the importance of employing specific model systems tailored to their unique profiles for the development of targeted therapies. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in unraveling the molecular and genetic characteristics of CM and UM, leading to notable advancements in treatment options. Genetic mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway drive CM, while UM is characterized by mutations in genes like GNAQ, GNA11, BAP1, EIF1AX, and SF3B1. Chromosomal aberrations, including monosomy 3 in UM and monosomy 10 in CM, play significant roles in tumorigenesis. Immune cell infiltration differs between CM and UM, impacting prognosis. Therapeutic advancements targeting these genetic alterations, including oncolytic viruses and immunotherapies, have shown promise in preclinical and clinical studies. Oncolytic viruses selectively infect malignant cells, inducing oncolysis and activating antitumor immune responses. Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) is an FDA-approved oncolytic virus for CM treatment, and other oncolytic viruses, such as coxsackieviruses and HF-10, are being investigated. Furthermore, combining oncolytic viruses with immunotherapies, such as CAR-T cell therapy, holds great potential. Understanding the intrinsic molecular features of melanoma and their role in shaping novel therapeutic approaches provides insights into targeted interventions and paves the way for more effective treatments for CM and UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daciana Elena Brănişteanu
- Department of Medical Specialties (III)-Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Railway Clinical Hospital, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Elena Porumb-Andrese
- Department of Medical Specialties (III)-Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Railway Clinical Hospital, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Vlad Porumb
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Military Emergency Clinical Hospital “Dr. Iacob Czihac”, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | | | - Andreea Dana Moraru
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
| | | | - Mihail Zemba
- Department of Ophthalmology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
| | | | - George Brănişteanu
- “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (C.I.B.); (G.B.)
| | - Daniel Constantin Brănişteanu
- Railway Clinical Hospital, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
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24
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Bou Antoun N, Chioni AM. Dysregulated Signalling Pathways Driving Anticancer Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12222. [PMID: 37569598 PMCID: PMC10418675 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the leading causes of death worldwide, in both men and women, is cancer. Despite the significant development in therapeutic strategies, the inevitable emergence of drug resistance limits the success and impedes the curative outcome. Intrinsic and acquired resistance are common mechanisms responsible for cancer relapse. Several factors crucially regulate tumourigenesis and resistance, including physical barriers, tumour microenvironment (TME), heterogeneity, genetic and epigenetic alterations, the immune system, tumour burden, growth kinetics and undruggable targets. Moreover, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), Notch, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), integrin-extracellular matrix (ECM), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), phosphoinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR), wingless-related integration site (Wnt/β-catenin), Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) and RAS/RAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways are some of the key players that have a pivotal role in drug resistance mechanisms. To guide future cancer treatments and improve results, a deeper comprehension of drug resistance pathways is necessary. This review covers both intrinsic and acquired resistance and gives a comprehensive overview of recent research on mechanisms that enable cancer cells to bypass barriers put up by treatments, and, like "satellite navigation", find alternative routes by which to carry on their "journey" to cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Athina-Myrto Chioni
- School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Biomolecular Sciences Department, Kingston University London, Kingston-upon-Thames KT1 2EE, UK;
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25
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Bintener T, Pacheco MP, Philippidou D, Margue C, Kishk A, Del Mistro G, Di Leo L, Moscardó Garcia M, Halder R, Sinkkonen L, De Zio D, Kreis S, Kulms D, Sauter T. Metabolic modelling-based in silico drug target prediction identifies six novel repurposable drugs for melanoma. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:468. [PMID: 37495601 PMCID: PMC10372000 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05955-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Despite high initial response rates to targeted kinase inhibitors, the majority of patients suffering from metastatic melanoma present with high relapse rates, demanding for alternative therapeutic options. We have previously developed a drug repurposing workflow to identify metabolic drug targets that, if depleted, inhibit the growth of cancer cells without harming healthy tissues. In the current study, we have applied a refined version of the workflow to specifically predict both, common essential genes across various cancer types, and melanoma-specific essential genes that could potentially be used as drug targets for melanoma treatment. The in silico single gene deletion step was adapted to simulate the knock-out of all targets of a drug on an objective function such as growth or energy balance. Based on publicly available, and in-house, large-scale transcriptomic data metabolic models for melanoma were reconstructed enabling the prediction of 28 candidate drugs and estimating their respective efficacy. Twelve highly efficacious drugs with low half-maximal inhibitory concentration values for the treatment of other cancers, which are not yet approved for melanoma treatment, were used for in vitro validation using melanoma cell lines. Combination of the top 4 out of 6 promising candidate drugs with BRAF or MEK inhibitors, partially showed synergistic growth inhibition compared to individual BRAF/MEK inhibition. Hence, the repurposing of drugs may enable an increase in therapeutic options e.g., for non-responders or upon acquired resistance to conventional melanoma treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Bintener
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Maria Pires Pacheco
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Demetra Philippidou
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Christiane Margue
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Ali Kishk
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Greta Del Mistro
- Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, TU-Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumour Diseases, TU-Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Luca Di Leo
- Melanoma Research Team, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Moscardó Garcia
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Rashi Halder
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Lasse Sinkkonen
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Daniela De Zio
- Melanoma Research Team, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stephanie Kreis
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Dagmar Kulms
- Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, TU-Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumour Diseases, TU-Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Sauter
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg.
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26
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Huang X, He Y, Zhang M, Lu Z, Zhang T, Wang B. GPP-TSAIII nanocomposite hydrogel-based photothermal ablation facilitates melanoma therapy. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2023; 20:1277-1295. [PMID: 37039332 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2200997] [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: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising cancer treatment, but its application is limited by low photoconversion efficiency. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel graphene oxide (GO)-based nanocomposite hydrogel to improve the bioavailability of timosaponin AIII (TSAIII) while maximizing PTT efficacy and enhancing the antitumor effect. METHODS GO was modified via physical cross-linking with polyvinyl alcohol. The pore structure of the gel was adjusted by repeated freeze-thawing and the addition of polyethylene glycol 2000 to obtain a nanocomposite hydrogel (GPP). The GPP loaded with TSAIII constituted a GPP-TSAIII drug delivery system, and its efficacy was evaluated by in vitro cytotoxicity, apoptosis, migration, and uptake analyses, and in vivo antitumor studies. RESULTS The encapsulation rate of GPP-TSAIII was 66.36 ± 3.97%, with slower in vitro release and higher tumor cell uptake (6.4-fold) compared to TSAIII. GPP-TSAIII in combination with PTT showed better bioavailability and antitumor effects in vivo than did TSAIII, with a 1.9-fold higher tumor suppression rate than the TSAIII group. CONCLUSIONS GPP is a potential vehicle for delivery of TSAIII-like poor water-soluble anticancer drugs. The innovative PTT co-delivery system may serve as a safe and effective melanoma treatment platform for further anticancer translational purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihao He
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenhui Lu
- Institute of Respiratory Disease, Long hua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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27
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Zahedipour F, Zamani P, Mashreghi M, Astaneh M, Sankian M, Amiri A, Jamialahmadi K, Jaafari MR. Nanoliposomal VEGF-R2 peptide vaccine acts as an effective therapeutic vaccine in a murine B16F10 model of melanoma. Cancer Nanotechnol 2023; 14:62. [PMID: 37333490 PMCID: PMC10264216 DOI: 10.1186/s12645-023-00213-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) plays an important role in melanoma development and progression. Peptide vaccines have shown great potential in cancer immunotherapy by targeting VEGFR-2 as a tumor-associated antigen and boosting the immune response against both tumor cells and tumor endothelial cells. Despite this, the low efficiency of peptide vaccines has resulted in moderate therapeutic results in the majority of studies. Enhancing the delivery of peptide vaccines using nanoliposomes is an important strategy for improving the efficacy of peptide vaccines. In this regard, we designed VEGFR-2-derived peptides restricted to both mouse MHC I and human HLA-A*02:01 using immunoinformatic tools and selected three peptides representing the highest binding affinities. The peptides were encapsulated in nanoliposomal formulations using the film method plus bath sonication and characterized for their colloidal properties. Results The mean diameter of peptide-encapsulated liposomes was around 135 nm, zeta potential of - 17 mV, and encapsulation efficiency of approximately 70%. Then, vaccine formulations were injected subcutaneously in mice bearing B16F10-established melanoma tumors and their efficiency in triggering immunological, and anti-tumor responses was evaluated. Our results represented that one of our designed VEGFR-2 peptide nanoliposomal formulations (Lip-V1) substantially activated CD4+ (p < 0.0001) and CD8+ (P < 0.001) T cell responses and significantly boosted the production of IFN-γ (P < 0.0001) and IL-4 (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, this formulation led to a significant decrease in tumor volume (P < 0.0001) and enhanced survival (P < 0.05) in mice. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the nanoliposomal formulation containing VEGFR-2 peptides could be a promising therapeutic vaccination approach capable of eliciting strong antigen-specific immunologic and anti-tumor responses. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12645-023-00213-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Zahedipour
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Parvin Zamani
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mashreghi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mojgan Astaneh
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Sankian
- Immunology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Atefeh Amiri
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Jamialahmadi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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28
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Subhadarshini S, Sahoo S, Debnath S, Somarelli JA, Jolly MK. Dynamical modelling of proliferative-invasive plasticity and IFNγ signaling in melanoma reveals mechanisms of PD-L1 expression heterogeneity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.09.523355. [PMID: 37398358 PMCID: PMC10312429 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.09.523355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Phenotypic heterogeneity of melanoma cells contributes to drug tolerance, increased metastasis, and immune evasion in patients with progressive disease. Diverse mechanisms have been individually reported to shape extensive intra- and inter-tumoral phenotypic heterogeneity, such as IFNγ signaling and proliferative to invasive transition, but how their crosstalk impacts tumor progression remains largely elusive. Here, we integrate dynamical systems modeling with transcriptomic data analysis at bulk and single-cell levels to investigate underlying mechanisms behind phenotypic heterogeneity in melanoma and its impact on adaptation to targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. We construct a minimal core regulatory network involving transcription factors implicated in this process and identify the multiple "attractors" in the phenotypic landscape enabled by this network. Our model predictions about synergistic control of PD-L1 by IFNγ signaling and proliferative to invasive transition were validated experimentally in three melanoma cell lines - MALME3, SK-MEL-5 and A375. We demonstrate that the emergent dynamics of our regulatory network comprising MITF, SOX10, SOX9, JUN and ZEB1 can recapitulate experimental observations about the co-existence of diverse phenotypes (proliferative, neural crest-like, invasive) and reversible cell-state transitions among them, including in response to targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. These phenotypes have varied levels of PD-L1, driving heterogeneity in immune-suppression. This heterogeneity in PD-L1 can be aggravated by combinatorial dynamics of these regulators with IFNγ signaling. Our model predictions about changes in proliferative to invasive transition and PD-L1 levels as melanoma cells evade targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors were validated in multiple data sets from in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our calibrated dynamical model offers a platform to test combinatorial therapies and provide rational avenues for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. This improved understanding of crosstalk among PD-L1 expression, proliferative to invasive transition and IFNγ signaling can be leveraged to improve the clinical management of therapy-resistant and metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarthak Sahoo
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | | | | | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
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29
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Ruiz EM, Alhassan SA, Errami Y, Abd Elmageed ZY, Fang JS, Wang G, Brooks MA, Abi-Rached JA, Kandil E, Zerfaoui M. A Predictive Model of Adaptive Resistance to BRAF/MEK Inhibitors in Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:8407. [PMID: 37176114 PMCID: PMC10178962 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The adaptive acquisition of resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitor-based therapy is a common feature of melanoma cells and contributes to poor patient treatment outcomes. Leveraging insights from a proteomic study and publicly available transcriptomic data, we evaluated the predictive capacity of a gene panel corresponding to proteins differentially abundant between treatment-sensitive and treatment-resistant cell lines, deciphering predictors of treatment resistance and potential resistance mechanisms to BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapy in patient biopsy samples. From our analysis, a 13-gene signature panel, in both test and validation datasets, could identify treatment-resistant or progressed melanoma cases with an accuracy and sensitivity of over 70%. The dysregulation of HMOX1, ICAM, MMP2, and SPARC defined a BRAF/MEK treatment-resistant landscape, with resistant cases showing a >2-fold risk of expression of these genes. Furthermore, we utilized a combination of functional enrichment- and gene expression-derived scores to model and identify pathways, such as HMOX1-mediated mitochondrial stress response, as potential key drivers of the emergence of a BRAF/MEK inhibitor-resistant state in melanoma cells. Overall, our results highlight the utility of these genes in predicting treatment outcomes and the underlying mechanisms that can be targeted to reduce the development of resistance to BRAF/MEK targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle M. Ruiz
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Solomon A. Alhassan
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Youssef Errami
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Zakaria Y. Abd Elmageed
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Louisiana, Monroe, LA 71203, USA
| | - Jennifer S. Fang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Science & Engineering, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Guangdi Wang
- Department of Chemistry, RCMI Cancer Research Center, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
| | - Margaret A. Brooks
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Joe A. Abi-Rached
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Emad Kandil
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Mourad Zerfaoui
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Venuta A, Nasso R, Gisonna A, Iuliano R, Montesarchio S, Acampora V, Sepe L, Avagliano A, Arcone R, Arcucci A, Ruocco MR. Celecoxib, a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug, Exerts a Toxic Effect on Human Melanoma Cells Grown as 2D and 3D Cell Cultures. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13041067. [PMID: 37109596 PMCID: PMC10141119 DOI: 10.3390/life13041067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma (CM) remains one of the leading causes of tumor mortality due to its high metastatic spread. CM growth is influenced by inflammation regulated by prostaglandins (PGs) whose synthesis is catalyzed by cyclooxygenases (COXs). COX inhibitors, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can inhibit tumor development and growth. In particular, in vitro experiments have shown that celecoxib, a NSAID, inhibits the growth of some tumor cell lines. However, two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures, used in traditional in vitro anticancer assays, often show poor efficacy due to a lack of an in vivo like cellular environment. Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures, such as spheroids, are better models because they can mimic the common features displayed by human solid tumors. Hence, in this study, we evaluated the anti-neoplastic potential of celecoxib, in both 2D and 3D cell cultures of A2058 and SAN melanoma cell lines. In particular, celecoxib reduced the cell viability and migratory capability and triggered the apoptosis of melanoma cells grown as 2D cultures. When celecoxib was tested on 3D melanoma cell cultures, the drug exerted an inhibitory effect on cell outgrowth from spheroids and reduced the invasiveness of melanoma cell spheroids into the hydrogel matrix. This work suggests that celecoxib could represent a new potential therapeutic approach in melanoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Venuta
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosarita Nasso
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples "Parthenope", 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Armando Gisonna
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Iuliano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Montesarchio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vittoria Acampora
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Leandra Sepe
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Angelica Avagliano
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Arcone
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples "Parthenope", 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Arcucci
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Ruocco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Xin J, Wang J, Yao Y, Wang S, Zhang Z, Yao C. Improved Simulated-Daylight Photodynamic Therapy and Possible Mechanism of Ag-Modified TiO 2 on Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087061. [PMID: 37108223 PMCID: PMC10138875 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Simulated-daylight photodynamic therapy (SD-PDT) may be an efficacious strategy for treating melanoma because it can overcome the severe stinging pain, erythema, and edema experienced during conventional PDT. However, the poor daylight response of existing common photosensitizers leads to unsatisfactory anti-tumor therapeutic effects and limits the development of daylight PDT. Hence, in this study, we utilized Ag nanoparticles to adjust the daylight response of TiO2, acquire efficient photochemical activity, and then enhance the anti-tumor therapeutic effect of SD-PDT on melanoma. The synthesized Ag-doped TiO2 showed an optimal enhanced effect compared to Ag-core TiO2. Doping Ag into TiO2 produced a new shallow acceptor impurity level in the energy band structure, which expanded optical absorption in the range of 400-800 nm, and finally improved the photodamage effect of TiO2 under SD irradiation. Plasmonic near-field distributions were enhanced due to the high refractive index of TiO2 at the Ag-TiO2 interface, and then the amount of light captured by TiO2 was increased to induce the enhanced SD-PDT effect of Ag-core TiO2. Hence, Ag could effectively improve the photochemical activity and SD-PDT effect of TiO2 through the change in the energy band structure. Generally, Ag-doped TiO2 is a promising photosensitizer agent for treating melanoma via SD-PDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xin
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Yuanping Yao
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Sijia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Zhenxi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Cuiping Yao
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Institute of Biomedical Analytical Technology and Instrumentation, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710048, China
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Rezaie Y, Fattahi F, Mashinchi B, Kamyab Hesari K, Montazeri S, Kalantari E, Madjd Z, Saeednejad Zanjani L. High expression of Talin-1 is associated with tumor progression and recurrence in melanoma skin cancer patients. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:302. [PMID: 37013489 PMCID: PMC10069040 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10771-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Talin-1 as a component of multi-protein adhesion complexes plays a role in tumor formation and migration in various malignancies. This study investigated Talin-1 in protein levels as a potential prognosis biomarker in skin tumors. METHODS Talin-1 was evaluated in 106 skin cancer (33 melanomas and 73 non-melanomas skin cancer (NMSC)) and 11 normal skin formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples using immunohistochemical technique on tissue microarrays (TMAs). The association between the expression of Talin-1 and clinicopathological parameters, as well as survival outcomes, were assessed. RESULTS Our findings from data minings through bioinformatics tools indicated dysregulation of Talin-1 in mRNA levels for skin cancer samples. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in Talin-1 expression in terms of intensity of staining, percentage of positive tumor cells, and H-score in melanoma tissues compared to NMSC (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, high cytoplasmic expression of Talin-1 was found to be associated with significantly advanced stages (P = 0.024), lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.023), and recurrence (P = 0.006) in melanoma cancer tissues. Our results on NMSC showed a statistically significant association between high intensity of staining and the poor differentiation (P = 0.044). No significant associations were observed between Talin-1 expression levels and survival outcomes of melanoma and NMSC patients. CONCLUSION Our observations showed that higher expression of Talin1 in protein level may be significantly associated with more aggressive tumor behavior and advanced disease in patients with skin cancer. However, further studies are required to find the mechanism of action of Talin-1 in skin cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Rezaie
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14535, Iran
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Fattahi
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14535, Iran
| | - Baharnaz Mashinchi
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14535, Iran
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kambiz Kamyab Hesari
- Department of Dermatopathology, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Montazeri
- Department of Dermatopathology, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Kalantari
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14535, Iran
| | - Zahra Madjd
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14535, Iran.
| | - Leili Saeednejad Zanjani
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Street (Highway), Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 14496-14535, Iran.
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Ma Q, Lu Q, Lei X, Zhao J, Sun W, Huang D, Zhu Q, Xu Q. Relationship between HuR and tumor drug resistance. Clin Transl Oncol 2023:10.1007/s12094-023-03109-5. [PMID: 36947360 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03109-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Human resistance protein R (HuR), also known as embryonic lethal abnormal visual-like protein (ELAVL1), is an RNA-binding protein widely expressed in vivo that affects the mRNA stability of targeted and is involved in post-transcriptional regulation. Recent studies have shown that HuR is aberrantly expressed in different human cancers and is an essential factor in poor clinical prognosis. The role of HuR in numerous tumors suggests that it could be a new target for tumor therapy and as a marker for efficacy and prognostic assessment. This review focuses on the relationship between HuR and drug resistance in different tumors and briefly describes the structure, function, and inhibitors of HuR. We summarize the mechanisms by which HuR causes tumor resistance and the molecular targets affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiancheng Ma
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Qiliang Lu
- Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | | | - Jie Zhao
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Wen Sun
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Dongsheng Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis, and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China.
| | - Qing Zhu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Qiuran Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis, and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China.
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Phototoxic Potential of Different DNA Intercalators for Skin Cancer Therapy: In Vitro Screening. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065602. [PMID: 36982675 PMCID: PMC10054552 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy is a minimally invasive procedure used in the treatment of several diseases, including some types of cancer. It is based on photosensitizer molecules, which, in the presence of oxygen and light, lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and consequent cell death. The selection of the photosensitizer molecule is important for the therapy efficiency; therefore, many molecules such as dyes, natural products and metallic complexes have been investigated regarding their photosensitizing potential. In this work, the phototoxic potential of the DNA-intercalating molecules—the dyes methylene blue (MB), acridine orange (AO) and gentian violet (GV); the natural products curcumin (CUR), quercetin (QT) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG); and the chelating compounds neocuproine (NEO), 1,10-phenanthroline (PHE) and 2,2′-bipyridyl (BIPY)—were analyzed. The cytotoxicity of these chemicals was tested in vitro in non-cancer keratinocytes (HaCaT) and squamous cell carcinoma (MET1) cell lines. A phototoxicity assay and the detection of intracellular ROS were performed in MET1 cells. Results revealed that the IC50 values of the dyes and curcumin in MET1 cells were lower than 30 µM, while the values for the natural products QT and EGCG and the chelating agents BIPY and PHE were higher than 100 µM. The IC50 of MB and AO was greatly affected by irradiation when submitted to 640 nm and 457 nm light sources, respectively. ROS detection was more evident for cells treated with AO at low concentrations. In studies with the melanoma cell line WM983b, cells were more resistant to MB and AO and presented slightly higher IC50 values, in line with the results of the phototoxicity assays. This study reveals that many molecules can act as photosensitizers, but the effect depends on the cell line and the concentration of the chemical. Finally, significant photosensitizing activity of acridine orange at low concentrations and moderate light doses was demonstrated.
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Nunes JA, de Araújo RSA, da Silva FN, Cytarska J, Łączkowski KZ, Cardoso SH, Mendonça-Júnior FJB, da Silva-Júnior EF. Coumarin-Based Compounds as Inhibitors of Tyrosinase/Tyrosine Hydroxylase: Synthesis, Kinetic Studies, and In Silico Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5216. [PMID: 36982292 PMCID: PMC10048804 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer represents the main cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, constituting a serious health problem. In this context, melanoma represents the most aggressive and fatal type of skin cancer, with death rates increasing every year. Scientific efforts have been addressed to the development of inhibitors targeting the tyrosinase enzyme as potential anti-melanoma agents due to the importance of this enzyme in melanogenesis biosynthesis. Coumarin-based compounds have shown potential activity as anti-melanoma agents and tyrosinase inhibitors. In this study, coumarin-based derivatives were designed, synthesized, and experimentally evaluated upon tyrosinase. Compound FN-19, a coumarin-thiosemicarbazone analog, exhibited potent anti-tyrosinase activity, with an IC50 value of 42.16 ± 5.16 µM, being more active than ascorbic acid and kojic acid, both reference inhibitors. The kinetic study showed that FN-19 acts as a mixed inhibitor. Still, for this compound, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to determine the stability of the complex with tyrosinase, generating RMSD, RMSF, and interaction plots. Additionally, docking studies were performed to elucidate the binding pose at the tyrosinase, suggesting that the hydroxyl group of coumarin derivative performs coordinate bonds (bidentate) with the copper(II) ions at distances ranging from 2.09 to 2.61 Å. Then, MM/PBSA calculations revealed that van der Waals interactions are the most relevant intermolecular forces for complex stabilization. Furthermore, it was observed that FN-19 has a binding energy (ΔEMM) value similar to tropolone, a tyrosinase inhibitor. Therefore, the data obtained in this study will be useful for designing and developing novel coumarin-based analogs targeting the tyrosinase enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Alves Nunes
- Biological and Molecular Chemistry Research Group, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, AC Simões Campus, Lourival Melo Mota Avenue, s/n, Maceió 57072-970, Alagoas, Brazil (E.F.d.S.-J.)
| | - Rodrigo Santos Aquino de Araújo
- Laboratory of Synthesis and Drug Delivery, Department of Biological Sciences, State University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58429-500, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Fabrícia Nunes da Silva
- Laboratory of Organic and Medicinal Synthesis, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus Arapiraca, Manoel Severino Barbosa Avenue, Arapiraca 57309-005, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Joanna Cytarska
- Department of Chemical Technology and Pharmaceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Jurasza 2, 85-089 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Z. Łączkowski
- Department of Chemical Technology and Pharmaceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Jurasza 2, 85-089 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Sílvia Helena Cardoso
- Laboratory of Organic and Medicinal Synthesis, Federal University of Alagoas, Campus Arapiraca, Manoel Severino Barbosa Avenue, Arapiraca 57309-005, Alagoas, Brazil
| | | | - Edeildo Ferreira da Silva-Júnior
- Biological and Molecular Chemistry Research Group, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, AC Simões Campus, Lourival Melo Mota Avenue, s/n, Maceió 57072-970, Alagoas, Brazil (E.F.d.S.-J.)
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Machine learning algorithm-generated and multi-center validated melanoma prognostic signature with inspiration for treatment management. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:599-615. [PMID: 35998003 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03279-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although immunotherapy and targeted treatments have dramatically improved the survival of melanoma patients, the intra- or intertumoral heterogeneity and drug resistance have hindered the further expansion of clinical benefits. METHODS The 96 combination frames constructed by ten machine learning algorithms identified a prognostic consensus signature based on 1002 melanoma samples from nine independent cohorts. Clinical features and 26 published signatures were employed to compare the predictive performance of our model. RESULTS A machine learning-based prognostic signature (MLPS) with the highest average C-index was developed via 96 algorithm combinations. The MLPS has a stable and excellent predictive performance for overall survival, superior to common clinical traits and 26 collected signatures. The low MLPS group with a better prognosis had significantly enriched immune-related pathways, tending to be an immune-hot phenotype and possessing potential immunotherapeutic responses to anti-PD-1, anti-CTLA-4, and MAGE-A3. On the contrary, the high MLPS group with more complex genomic alterations and poorer prognoses is more sensitive to the BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib, confirmed in patients with BRAF mutations. CONCLUSION MLPS could independently and stably predict the prognosis of melanoma, considered a promising biomarker to identify patients suitable for immunotherapy and those with BRAF mutations who would benefit from dabrafenib.
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Barba C, Ekiz HA, Tang WW, Ghazaryan A, Hansen M, Lee SH, Voth WP, O’Connell RM. Interferon Gamma-Inducible NAMPT in Melanoma Cells Serves as a Mechanism of Resistance to Enhance Tumor Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1411. [PMID: 36900204 PMCID: PMC10000695 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Immune cells infiltrate the tumor microenvironment and secrete inflammatory cytokines, including interferons (IFNs), to drive antitumor responses and promote tumor clearance. However, recent evidence suggests that sometimes, tumor cells can also harness IFNs to enhance growth and survival. The essential NAD+ salvage pathway enzyme nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) gene is constitutively expressed in cells during normal homeostasis. However, melanoma cells have higher energetic demands and elevated NAMPT expression. We hypothesized that interferon gamma (IFNγ) regulates NAMPT in tumor cells as a mechanism of resistance that impedes the normal anti-tumorigenic effects of IFNγ. (2) Methods: Utilizing a variety of melanoma cells, mouse models, Crispr-Cas9, and molecular biology techniques, we explored the importance of IFNγ-inducible NAMPT during melanoma growth. (3) Results: We demonstrated that IFNγ mediates the metabolic reprogramming of melanoma cells by inducing Nampt through a Stat1 binding site in the Nampt gene, increasing cell proliferation and survival. Further, IFN/STAT1-inducible Nampt promotes melanoma in vivo. (4) Conclusions: We provided evidence that melanoma cells directly respond to IFNγ by increasing NAMPT levels, improving their fitness and growth in vivo (control n = 36, SBS KO n = 46). This discovery unveils a possible therapeutic target that may improve the efficacy of immunotherapies involving IFN responses in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Barba
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - H. Atakan Ekiz
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Izmir Institute of Technology, Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Gulbahce, Izmir 35430, Turkey
| | - William Weihao Tang
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Arevik Ghazaryan
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Mason Hansen
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Soh-Hyun Lee
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Warren Peter Voth
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ryan Michael O’Connell
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Metastatic Melanoma: Liquid Biopsy as a New Precision Medicine Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044014. [PMID: 36835424 PMCID: PMC9962821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Precision medicine has driven a major change in the treatment of many forms of cancer. The discovery that each patient is different and each tumor mass has its own characteristics has shifted the focus of basic and clinical research to the singular individual. Liquid biopsy (LB), in this sense, presents new scenarios in personalized medicine through the study of molecules, factors, and tumor biomarkers in blood such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), exosomes and circulating tumor microRNAs (ct-miRNAs). Moreover, its easy application and complete absence of contraindications for the patient make this method applicable in a great many fields. Melanoma, given its highly heterogeneous characteristics, is a cancer form that could significantly benefit from the information linked to liquid biopsy, especially in the treatment management. In this review, we will focus our attention on the latest applications of liquid biopsy in metastatic melanoma and possible developments in the clinical setting.
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K Johnson K, Kopecky C, Koshy P, Liu Y, Devadason M, Holst J, A Kilian K, C Sorrell C. Theranostic Activity of Ceria-Based Nanoparticles toward Parental and Metastatic Melanoma: 2D vs 3D Models. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:1053-1065. [PMID: 36726306 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The time interval between the diagnosis of tumor in a patient and the initiation of treatment plays a key role in determining the survival rates. Consequently, theranostics, which is a combination of diagnosis and treatment, can be expected to improve survival rates. Early detection and immediate treatment initiation are particularly important in the management of melanoma, where survival rates decrease considerably after metastasis. The present work reports for the first time the application of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-tagged epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-functionalized ceria nanoparticles, which exhibit intrinsic reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated anticancer effects, for the EGFR-targeted diagnosis and treatment of melanoma. The theranostic activity was demonstrated using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models of parental and metastatic melanoma. Confocal imaging studies confirm the diagnostic activity of the system. The therapeutic efficiency was evaluated using cell viability studies and ROS measurements. The ROS elevation levels are compared across the 2D and 3D models. Significant enhancement in the generation of cellular ROS and absence in mitochondrial ROS are observed in the 2D models. In contrast, significant elevations in both ROS types are observed for the 3D models, which are significantly higher for the metastatic spheroids than the parental spheroids, thus indicating the suitability of this nanoformulation for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kochurani K Johnson
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Chantal Kopecky
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Pramod Koshy
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Yiling Liu
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Michelle Devadason
- Translational Cancer Metabolism Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences and Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jeff Holst
- Translational Cancer Metabolism Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences and Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Kristopher A Kilian
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.,Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Charles C Sorrell
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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40
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Shoji KF, Bayet E, Leverrier-Penna S, Le Devedec D, Mallavialle A, Marionneau-Lambot S, Rambow F, Perret R, Joussaume A, Viel R, Fautrel A, Khammari A, Constantin B, Tartare-Deckert S, Penna A. The mechanosensitive TRPV2 calcium channel promotes human melanoma invasiveness and metastatic potential. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e55069. [PMID: 36744297 PMCID: PMC10074106 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202255069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer endowed with a unique capacity of rapidly metastasizing, which is fundamentally driven by aberrant cell motility behaviors. Discovering "migrastatics" targets, specifically controlling invasion and dissemination of melanoma cells during metastasis, is therefore of primary importance. Here, we uncover the prominent expression of the plasma membrane TRPV2 calcium channel as a distinctive feature of melanoma tumors, directly related to melanoma metastatic dissemination. In vitro as well as in vivo, TRPV2 activity is sufficient to confer both migratory and invasive potentials, while conversely TRPV2 silencing in highly metastatic melanoma cells prevents aggressive behavior. In invasive melanoma cells, TRPV2 channel localizes at the leading edge, in dynamic nascent adhesions, and regulates calcium-mediated activation of calpain and the ensuing cleavage of the adhesive protein talin, along with F-actin organization. In human melanoma tissues, TRPV2 overexpression correlates with advanced malignancy and poor prognosis, evoking a biomarker potential. Hence, by regulating adhesion and motility, the mechanosensitive TRPV2 channel controls melanoma cell invasiveness, highlighting a new therapeutic option for migrastatics in the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji F Shoji
- Inserm, EHESP, IRSET, UMR_S 1085, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Elsa Bayet
- Inserm, EHESP, IRSET, UMR_S 1085, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France.,CNRS, 4CS, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | | | - Dahiana Le Devedec
- Inserm, EHESP, IRSET, UMR_S 1085, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Aude Mallavialle
- INSERM, C3M, team 'labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2022, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | | | - Florian Rambow
- Department of Applied Computational Cancer Research, Institute for AI in Medicine (IKIM), University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Raul Perret
- Service de Dermatologie, CHU Nantes, CIC 1413, INSERM, Immunology and New Concepts in ImmunoTherapy, INCIT, UMR 1302, Nantes Université, Nantes, France
| | - Aurélie Joussaume
- Inserm, EHESP, IRSET, UMR_S 1085, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Roselyne Viel
- CNRS, Inserm UMS Biosit, H2P2 Core Facility, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Alain Fautrel
- CNRS, Inserm UMS Biosit, H2P2 Core Facility, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Amir Khammari
- Service de Dermatologie, CHU Nantes, CIC 1413, INSERM, Immunology and New Concepts in ImmunoTherapy, INCIT, UMR 1302, Nantes Université, Nantes, France
| | | | - Sophie Tartare-Deckert
- INSERM, C3M, team 'labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2022, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Aubin Penna
- Inserm, EHESP, IRSET, UMR_S 1085, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France.,CNRS, 4CS, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
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41
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Pathipaka R, Thyagarajan A, Sahu RP. Melatonin as a Repurposed Drug for Melanoma Treatment. Med Sci (Basel) 2023; 11:medsci11010009. [PMID: 36649046 PMCID: PMC9844458 DOI: 10.3390/medsci11010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, with a greater risk of metastasis and a higher prevalence and mortality rate. This cancer type has been demonstrated to develop resistance to the known treatment options such as conventional therapeutic agents and targeted therapy that are currently being used as the standard of care. Drug repurposing has been explored as a potential alternative treatment strategy against disease pathophysiologies, including melanoma. To that end, multiple studies have suggested that melatonin produced by the pineal gland possesses anti-proliferative and oncostatic effects in experimental melanoma models. The anticarcinogenic activity of melatonin is attributed to its ability to target a variety of oncogenic signaling pathways, including the MAPK pathways which are involved in regulating the behavior of cancer cells, including cell survival and proliferation. Additionally, preclinical studies have demonstrated that melatonin in combination with chemotherapeutic agents exerts synergistic effects against melanoma. The goal of this review is to highlight the mechanistic insights of melatonin as a monotherapy or combinational therapy for melanoma treatment.
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42
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Stevenson VB, Klahn S, LeRoith T, Huckle WR. Canine melanoma: A review of diagnostics and comparative mechanisms of disease and immunotolerance in the era of the immunotherapies. Front Vet Sci 2023; 9:1046636. [PMID: 36686160 PMCID: PMC9853198 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1046636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanomas in humans and dogs are highly malignant and resistant to therapy. Since the first development of immunotherapies, interest in how the immune system interacts within the tumor microenvironment and plays a role in tumor development, progression, or remission has increased. Of major importance are tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) where distribution and cell frequencies correlate with survival and therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, efforts have been made to identify subsets of TILs populations that can contribute to a tumor-promoting or tumor-inhibiting environment, such as the case with T regulatory cells versus CD8 T cells. Furthermore, cancerous cells have the capacity to express certain inhibitory checkpoint molecules, including CTLA-4, PD-L1, PD-L2, that can suppress the immune system, a property associated with poor prognosis, a high rate of recurrence, and metastasis. Comparative oncology brings insights to comprehend the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and immunotolerance in humans and dogs, contributing to the development of new therapeutic agents that can modulate the immune response against the tumor. Therapies that target signaling pathways such as mTOR and MEK/ERK that are upregulated in cancer, or immunotherapies with different approaches such as CAR-T cells engineered for specific tumor-associated antigens, DNA vaccines using human tyrosinase or CGSP-4 antigen, anti-PD-1 or -PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies that intercept their binding inhibiting the suppression of the T cells, and lymphokine-activated killer cells are already in development for treating canine tumors. This review provides concise and recent information about diagnosis, comparative mechanisms of tumor development and progression, and the current status of immunotherapies directed toward canine melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina B. Stevenson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Shawna Klahn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States,Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Tanya LeRoith
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - William R. Huckle
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States,*Correspondence: William R. Huckle ✉
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43
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Chen H, Jiang Y, Li X. Adriamycin-loaded exosome with anti-CD20 aptamers selectively suppresses human CD20+ melanoma stem cells. Skin Res Technol 2023; 29:e13259. [PMID: 36704890 PMCID: PMC9838758 DOI: 10.1111/srt.13259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeting CD20+ melanoma cancer stem cells (CSCs) subset is essential for treating melanoma. Anti-CD20 aptamer-modified exosomes (ACEXO) loaded with Adriamycin could be a therapeutic strategy for targeting CSCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Exosomes loaded with Adriamycin were modified with anti-CD20 aptamer and characterized by size and molecular markers using transmission electron microscope and dynamic light scattering. The uptake of ACEXO into CD20+ cells was checked, and its cytotoxicities in CD20+ melanoma cells, HEK 293T, and 3T3 cells were evaluated. At the same time, the in vivo distribution of ACEXO in the tumor-bearing mice model was determined. RESULTS The particle size of the exosome is about 80-100 nm. Western blot analysis showed that they expressed the characteristic exosome markers: CD9 and CD63. Quantitative analysis of the mean fluorescence intensity after 4 h incubation showed that ACEXO significantly improved Adriamycin uptake. Notably, the ACEXO killed only CD20+ melanoma cells. In addition, they exhibited good biocompatibility with both 293T and 3T3 cells at all doses. After intravenous injection, exosome distribution data showed that ACEXO's accumulation in the tumor is higher than anti-CD20-modified exosomes (AEXO)'s at all time points, and the accumulation increased as time prolonged. Addition of ACEXO reduces the number of tumorspheres in A375 or WM266-4 cells compared to untreated controls or AEXO-treated group. More important, while treating melanoma tumor-bearing mice, ACEXO-treated group showed the lowest tumor weight without body weight loss. CONCLUSION ACEXO loaded with Adriamycin could suppress tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo, probably by targeting CD20+ melanoma CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairong Chen
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Qingdao Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yuxia Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Qingdao Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Dermatology, The West District of Qingdao Municipal Hospital Group (Qingdao Ninth People's Hospital), Qingdao, Shandong, China
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Esimbekova AR, Palkina NV, Zinchenko IS, Belenyuk VD, Savchenko AA, Sergeeva EY, Ruksha T. Focal adhesion alterations in
G0
‐positive melanoma cells. Cancer Med 2022; 12:7294-7308. [PMID: 36533319 PMCID: PMC10067123 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma is a highly heterogeneous malignant tumor that exhibits various forms of drug resistance. Recently, reversal transition of cancer cells to the G0 phase of the cell cycle under the influence of therapeutic drugs has been identified as an event associated with tumor dissemination. In the present study, we investigated the ability of chemotherapeutic agent dacarbazine to induce a transition of melanoma cells to the G0 phase as a mechanism of chemoresistance. METHODS We used the flow cytometry to analyze cell distribution within cell cycle phases after dacarbazine treatment as well as to identifyG0 -positive cells population. Transcriptome profiling was provided to determine genes associated with dacarbazine resistance. We evaluated the activity of β-galactosidase in cells treated with dacarbazine by substrate hydrolysis. Cell adhesion strength was measured by centrifugal assay application with subsequent staining of adhesive cells with Ki-67 monoclonal antibodies. Ability of melanoma cells to metabolize dacarbazine was determined by expressional analysis of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2E1 followed by CYP1A1 protein level evaluation by the ELISA method. RESULTS The present study determined that dacarbazine treatment of melanoma cells could induce an increase in the percentage of cells in G0 phase without alterations of β-galactosidase positive cells which corresponded to the fraction of the senescent cells. Transcriptomic profiling of cells under dacarbazine induction of G0 -positive cells percentage revealed that 'VEGFA-VEGFR2 signaling pathway' and 'Cell cycle' signaling were mostly enriched by dysregulated genes. 'Focal adhesion' signaling was also found to be triggered by dacarbazine. In melanoma cells treated with dacarbazine, an increase in G0 -positive cells among adherent cells was found. CONCLUSIONS Dacarbazine induces the alteration in a percentage of melanoma cells residing in G0 phase of a cell cycle. The altered adhesive phenotype of cancer cells under transition in the G0 phase may refer to a specific intercellular communication pattern of quiescent/senescent cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadezhda V. Palkina
- Department of Pathophysiology Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Krasnoyarsk Russia
| | - Ivan S. Zinchenko
- Department of Pathophysiology Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Krasnoyarsk Russia
| | - Vasiliy D. Belenyuk
- Laboratory of Cell Molecular Physiology and Pathology Federal Research Center, Krasnoyarsk Science Center of The Siberian Branch of The Russian Academy of Sciences Krasnoyarsk Russia
| | - Andrey A. Savchenko
- Laboratory of Cell Molecular Physiology and Pathology Federal Research Center, Krasnoyarsk Science Center of The Siberian Branch of The Russian Academy of Sciences Krasnoyarsk Russia
| | - Ekaterina Yu Sergeeva
- Department of Pathophysiology Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Krasnoyarsk Russia
| | - Tatiana G. Ruksha
- Department of Pathophysiology Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Krasnoyarsk Russia
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Bahmanyar M, Vakil MK, Al-Awsi GRL, Kouhpayeh SA, Mansoori Y, Mansoori B, Moravej A, Mazarzaei A, Ghasemian A. Anticancer traits of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs)-Natural Killer (NK) cells as novel approaches for melanoma treatment. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:1220. [PMID: 36434591 PMCID: PMC9701052 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10320-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to non-responsiveness of a high number of patients to the common melanoma therapies, seeking novel approaches seem as an unmet requirement. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells were initially employed against recurrent or refractory B cell malignancies. However, advanced stages or pretreated patients have insufficient T cells (lymphopenia) amount for collection and clinical application. Additionally, this process is time-consuming and logistically cumbersome. Another limitation of this approach is toxicity and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) progress and neurotoxicity syndrome (NS). Natural killer (NK) cells are a versatile component of the innate immunity and have several advantages over T cells in the application for therapies such as availability, unique biological features, safety profile, cost effectiveness and higher tissue residence. Additionally, CAR NK cells do not develop Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and are independent of host HLA genotype. Notably, the NK cells number and activity is affected in the tumor microenvironment (TME), paving the way for developing novel approaches by enhancing their maturation and functionality. The CAR NK cells short lifespan is a double edge sword declining toxicity and reducing their persistence. Bispecific and Trispecific Killer Cell Engagers (BiKE and Trike, respectively) are emerging and promising immunotherapies for efficient antibody dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). CAR NK cells have some limitations in terms of expanding and transducing NK cells from donors to achieve clinical response. Clinical trials are in scarcity regarding the CAR NK cell-based cancer therapies. The CAR NK cells short life span following irradiation before infusion limits their efficiency inhibiting their in vivo expansion. The CAR NK cells efficacy enhancement in terms of lifespan TME preparation and stability is a goal for melanoma treatment. Combination therapies using CAR NK cells and chemotherapy can also overcome therapy limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Bahmanyar
- grid.411135.30000 0004 0415 3047Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Mohammad Kazem Vakil
- grid.411135.30000 0004 0415 3047Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | | | - Seyed Amin Kouhpayeh
- grid.411135.30000 0004 0415 3047Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Yaser Mansoori
- grid.411135.30000 0004 0415 3047Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Behnam Mansoori
- grid.411135.30000 0004 0415 3047Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Ali Moravej
- grid.411135.30000 0004 0415 3047Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Abdulbaset Mazarzaei
- grid.512728.b0000 0004 5907 6819Department of Immunology, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran
| | - Abdolmajid Ghasemian
- grid.411135.30000 0004 0415 3047Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
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Towards an In Vitro 3D Model for Photosynthetic Cancer Treatment: A Study of Microalgae and Tumor Cell Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113550. [DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
As hypoxic tumors show resistance to several clinical treatments, photosynthetic microorganisms have been recently suggested as a promising safe alternative for oxygenating the tumor microenvironment. The relationship between organisms and the effect microalgae have on tumors is still largely unknown, evidencing the need for a simple yet representative model for studying photosynthetic tumor oxygenation in a reproducible manner. Here, we present a 3D photosynthetic tumor model composed of human melanoma cells and the microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, both seeded into a collagen scaffold, which allows for the simultaneous study of both cell types. This work focuses on the biocompatibility and cellular interactions of the two cell types, as well as the study of photosynthetic oxygenation of the tumor cells. It is shown that both cell types are biocompatible with one another at cell culture conditions and that a 10:1 ratio of microalgae to cells meets the metabolic requirement of the tumor cells, producing over twice the required amount of oxygen. This 3D tumor model provides an easy-to-use in vitro resource for analyzing the effects of photosynthetically produced oxygen on a tumor microenvironment, thus opening various potential research avenues.
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47
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Morgan HJ, Rees E, Lanfredini S, Powell KA, Gore J, Gibbs A, Lovatt C, Davies GE, Olivero C, Shorning BY, Tornillo G, Tonks A, Darley R, Wang EC, Patel GK. CD200 ectodomain shedding into the tumor microenvironment leads to NK cell dysfunction and apoptosis. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:150750. [PMID: 36074574 PMCID: PMC9621138 DOI: 10.1172/jci150750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The basis of immune evasion, a hallmark of cancer, can differ even when cancers arise from one cell type such as in the human skin keratinocyte carcinomas: basal and squamous cell carcinoma. Here we showed that the basal cell carcinoma tumor-initiating cell surface protein CD200, through ectodomain shedding, was responsible for the near absence of NK cells within the basal cell carcinoma tumor microenvironment. In situ, CD200 underwent ectodomain shedding by metalloproteinases MMP3 and MMP11, which released biologically active soluble CD200 into the basal cell carcinoma microenvironment. CD200 bound its cognate receptor on NK cells to suppress MAPK pathway signaling that in turn blocked indirect (IFN-γ release) and direct cell killing. In addition, reduced ERK phosphorylation relinquished negative regulation of PPARγ-regulated gene transcription and led to membrane accumulation of the Fas/FADD death receptor and its ligand, FasL, which resulted in activation-induced apoptosis. Blocking CD200 inhibition of MAPK or PPARγ signaling restored NK cell survival and tumor cell killing, with relevance to many cancer types. Our results thus uncover a paradigm for CD200 as a potentially novel and targetable NK cell-specific immune checkpoint, which is responsible for NK cell-associated poor outcomes in many cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huw J Morgan
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Elise Rees
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | | | - Kate A Powell
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Jasmine Gore
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Alex Gibbs
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Charlotte Lovatt
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Gemma E Davies
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Carlotta Olivero
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Boris Y Shorning
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Giusy Tornillo
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Alex Tonks
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, and
| | - Richard Darley
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, and
| | - Eddie Cy Wang
- Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Girish K Patel
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
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Houles T, Lavoie G, Nourreddine S, Cheung W, Vaillancourt-Jean É, Guérin CM, Bouttier M, Grondin B, Lin S, Saba-El-Leil MK, Angers S, Meloche S, Roux PP. CDK12 is hyperactivated and a synthetic-lethal target in BRAF-mutated melanoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6457. [PMID: 36309522 PMCID: PMC9617877 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34179-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and considered intrinsically resistant to chemotherapy. Nearly all melanomas harbor mutations that activate the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which contributes to drug resistance via poorly described mechanisms. Herein we show that the RAS/MAPK pathway regulates the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12), which is a transcriptional CDK required for genomic stability. We find that melanoma cells harbor constitutively high CDK12 activity, and that its inhibition decreases the expression of long genes containing multiple exons, including many genes involved in DNA repair. Conversely, our results show that CDK12 inhibition promotes the expression of short genes with few exons, including many growth-promoting genes regulated by the AP-1 and NF-κB transcription factors. Inhibition of these pathways strongly synergize with CDK12 inhibitors to suppress melanoma growth, suggesting promising drug combinations for more effective melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Houles
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Geneviève Lavoie
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Sami Nourreddine
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada ,grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Present Address: Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Winnie Cheung
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Éric Vaillancourt-Jean
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Célia M. Guérin
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Mathieu Bouttier
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Benoit Grondin
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada ,grid.38678.320000 0001 2181 0211Present Address: Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Sichun Lin
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Marc K. Saba-El-Leil
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Stephane Angers
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Biochemistry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Sylvain Meloche
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada ,grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Philippe P. Roux
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada ,grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC Canada
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de Souza Contatori CG, Silva CR, de Toledo Pereira S, Rodrigues MFSD, de Lima Luna AC, Marques MM, Ribeiro MS. Responses of melanoma cells to photobiomodulation depend on cell pigmentation and light parameters. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY. B, BIOLOGY 2022; 235:112567. [PMID: 36115314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2022.112567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer that requires new approaches for its management. Low-level laser therapy, currently named photobiomodulation therapy (PBM), has been used to improve different conditions but its effects and safe use on melanoma remain unexplored. Herein, we investigated the PBM impact on melanoma cells differing by pigmentation using near-infrared (NIR) and red lasers in vitro. In vivo, we evaluated the effects of the red laser on melanoma-bearing mice. Amelanotic (SK-MEL-37) and melanotic (B16F10) cells were exposed in vitro to a NIR (780 nm, 40 mW) or a red laser (660 nm, 40 mW) in 3 different light doses: 30, 90, and 150 J/cm2 and responses were assessed regarding mitochondrial activity, invasiveness, migration, and VEGF production. In vivo, melanoma-bearing mice received the red laser delivering 150 J/cm2 directly to the tumor on 3 consecutive days. Mice were monitored for 15 days regarding tumor progression and mouse survival. We noticed that amelanotic cells were unresponsive to NIR light. In contrast, NIR irradiation at 30 J/cm2 promoted an increase in the invasiveness of pigmented cells, even though all light doses have inhibited cell migration. Regarding the red laser on pigmented cells, the highest light dose (150 J/cm2) decreased the VEGF production and migration. In vivo, melanoma-bearing mice treated with red laser showed smaller tumor volume and longer survival than controls. We conclude that PBM appears to be safe for amelanotic non-pigmented melanoma but triggers different responses in melanotic pigmented cells depending on light parameters. Additionally, a high dose of red laser impairs the invasive behavior of melanoma cells, probably due to the decrease in VEGF synthesis, which may have contributed to tumor arrest and increased mouse survival. These findings suggest that red laser therapy could be a new ally in the supportive care of melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Camila Ramos Silva
- Center for Lasers and Applications, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN/CNEN), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Saulo de Toledo Pereira
- Center for Lasers and Applications, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN/CNEN), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcia Martins Marques
- AALZ - Aachen Dental Laser Center, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; School of Dentistry, Ibirapuera University, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Martha Simões Ribeiro
- Center for Lasers and Applications, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN/CNEN), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Carotenoids from Marine Microalgae as Antimelanoma Agents. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20100618. [PMID: 36286442 PMCID: PMC9604797 DOI: 10.3390/md20100618] [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: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma cells are highly invasive and metastatic tumor cells and commonly express molecular alterations that contribute to multidrug resistance (e.g., BRAFV600E mutation). Conventional treatment is not effective in a long term, requiring an exhaustive search for new alternatives. Recently, carotenoids from microalgae have been investigated as adjuvant in antimelanoma therapy due to their safety and acceptable clinical tolerability. Many of them are currently used as food supplements. In this review, we have compiled several studies that show microalgal carotenoids inhibit cell proliferation, cell migration and invasion, as well as induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in various melanoma cell lines. MAPK and NF-ĸB pathway, MMP and apoptotic factors are frequently affected after exposure to microalgal carotenoids. Fucoxanthin, astaxanthin and zeaxanthin are the main carotenoids investigated, in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Preclinical data indicate these compounds exhibit direct antimelanoma effect but are also capable of restoring melanoma cells sensitivity to conventional chemotherapy (e.g., vemurafenib and dacarbazine).
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