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Sailer V, von Amsberg G, Duensing S, Kirfel J, Lieb V, Metzger E, Offermann A, Pantel K, Schuele R, Taubert H, Wach S, Perner S, Werner S, Aigner A. Experimental in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models in prostate cancer research. Nat Rev Urol 2023; 20:158-178. [PMID: 36451039 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00677-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Androgen deprivation therapy has a central role in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, often causing initial tumour remission before increasing independence from signal transduction mechanisms of the androgen receptor and then eventual disease progression. Novel treatment approaches are urgently needed, but only a fraction of promising drug candidates from the laboratory will eventually reach clinical approval, highlighting the demand for critical assessment of current preclinical models. Such models include standard, genetically modified and patient-derived cell lines, spheroid and organoid culture models, scaffold and hydrogel cultures, tissue slices, tumour xenograft models, patient-derived xenograft and circulating tumour cell eXplant models as well as transgenic and knockout mouse models. These models need to account for inter-patient and intra-patient heterogeneity, the acquisition of primary or secondary resistance, the interaction of tumour cells with their microenvironment, which make crucial contributions to tumour progression and resistance, as well as the effects of the 3D tissue network on drug penetration, bioavailability and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Sailer
- Institute for Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Gunhild von Amsberg
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Cancer Center Hamburg Eppendorf and Martini-Klinik, Prostate Cancer Center, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Duensing
- Section of Molecular Urooncology, Department of Urology, University Hospital Heidelberg and National Center for Tumour Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jutta Kirfel
- Institute for Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Verena Lieb
- Research Division Molecular Urology, Department of Urology and Paediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eric Metzger
- Department of Urology, Center for Clinical Research, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anne Offermann
- Institute for Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Institute for Tumour Biology, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Clinics Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Mildred-Scheel-Nachwuchszentrum HaTRiCs4, University Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Roland Schuele
- Department of Urology, Center for Clinical Research, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Helge Taubert
- Research Division Molecular Urology, Department of Urology and Paediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sven Wach
- Research Division Molecular Urology, Department of Urology and Paediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sven Perner
- University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Pathology, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
| | - Stefan Werner
- Institute for Tumour Biology, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Clinics Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Mildred-Scheel-Nachwuchszentrum HaTRiCs4, University Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Achim Aigner
- Clinical Pharmacology, Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, Medical Faculty, Leipzig, Germany.
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2
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Hauck PM, Wolf ER, Olivos DJ, Batuello CN, McElyea KC, McAtarsney CP, Cournoyer RM, Sandusky GE, Mayo LD. Early-Stage Metastasis Requires Mdm2 and Not p53 Gain of Function. Mol Cancer Res 2017; 15:1598-1607. [PMID: 28784612 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-17-0174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis of cancer cells to distant organ systems is a complex process that is initiated with the programming of cells in the primary tumor. The formation of distant metastatic foci is correlated with poor prognosis and limited effective treatment options. We and others have correlated Mouse double minute 2 (Mdm2) with metastasis; however, the mechanisms involved have not been elucidated. Here, it is reported that shRNA-mediated silencing of Mdm2 inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell migration. In vivo analysis demonstrates that silencing Mdm2 in both post-EMT and basal/triple-negative breast cancers resulted in decreased primary tumor vasculature, circulating tumor cells, and metastatic lung foci. Combined, these results demonstrate the importance of Mdm2 in orchestrating the initial stages of migration and metastasis.Implication: Mdm2 is the major factor in the initiation of metastasis. Mol Cancer Res; 15(11); 1598-607. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula M Hauck
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatrics Research, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Eric R Wolf
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - David J Olivos
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatrics Research, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Christopher N Batuello
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Kyle C McElyea
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Ciarán P McAtarsney
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatrics Research, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - R Michael Cournoyer
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatrics Research, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - George E Sandusky
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Lindsey D Mayo
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatrics Research, Indianapolis, Indiana. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
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3
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Marien KM, Croons V, Waumans Y, Sluydts E, De Schepper S, Andries L, Waelput W, Fransen E, Vermeulen PB, Kockx MM, De Meyer GRY. Development and Validation of a Histological Method to Measure Microvessel Density in Whole-Slide Images of Cancer Tissue. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161496. [PMID: 27583442 PMCID: PMC5008750 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite all efforts made to develop predictive biomarkers for antiangiogenic therapies, no unambiguous markers have been identified so far. This is due to among others the lack of standardized tests. This study presents an improved microvessel density quantification method in tumor tissue based on stereological principles and using whole-slide images. Vessels in tissue sections of different cancer types were stained for CD31 by an automated and validated immunohistochemical staining method. The stained slides were digitized with a digital slide scanner. Systematic, uniform, random sampling of the regions of interest on the whole-slide images was performed semi-automatically with the previously published applications AutoTag and AutoSnap. Subsequently, an unbiased counting grid was combined with the images generated with these scripts. Up to six independent observers counted microvessels in up to four cancer types: colorectal carcinoma, glioblastoma multiforme, ovarian carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma. At first, inter-observer variability was found to be unacceptable. However, after a series of consensus training sessions and interim statistical analysis, counting rules were modified and inter-observer concordance improved considerably. Every CD31-positive object was counted, with exclusion of suspected CD31-positive monocytes, macrophages and tumor cells. Furthermore, if interconnected, stained objects were considered a single vessel. Ten regions of interest were sufficient for accurate microvessel density measurements. Intra-observer and inter-observer variability were low (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.7) if the observers were adequately trained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen M. Marien
- Division of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- HistoGeneX NV, Antwerp, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Wim Waelput
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Brussels (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Erik Fransen
- StatUa Center for Statistics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter B. Vermeulen
- CORE (Translational Cancer Research Unit, GZA Hospitals), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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4
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Monteverde M, Tonissi F, Fischel JL, Etienne-Grimaldi MC, Milano G, Merlano M, Lo Nigro C. Combination of docetaxel and vandetanib in docetaxel-sensitive or resistant PC3 cell line. Urol Oncol 2013; 31:776-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2011.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2010] [Revised: 03/11/2011] [Accepted: 03/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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5
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Day JM, Foster PA, Tutill HJ, Schmidlin F, Sharland CM, Hargrave JD, Vicker N, Potter BVL, Reed MJ, Purohit A. STX2171, a 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 inhibitor, is efficacious in vivo in a novel hormone-dependent prostate cancer model. Endocr Relat Cancer 2013; 20:53-64. [PMID: 23132791 DOI: 10.1530/erc-12-0231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17β-HSDs) catalyse the 17-position reduction/oxidation of steroids. 17β-HSD type 3 (17β-HSD3) catalyses the reduction of the weakly androgenic androstenedione (adione) to testosterone, suggesting that specific inhibitors of 17β-HSD3 may have a role in the treatment of hormone-dependent prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia. STX2171 is a novel selective non-steroidal 17β-HSD3 inhibitor with an IC(50) of ∼200 nM in a whole-cell assay. It inhibits adione-stimulated proliferation of 17β-HSD3-expressing androgen receptor-positive LNCaP(HSD3) prostate cancer cells in vitro. An androgen-stimulated LNCaP(HSD3) xenograft proof-of-concept model was developed to study the efficacies of STX2171 and a more established 17β-HSD3 inhibitor, STX1383 (SCH-451659, Schering-Plough), in vivo. Castrated male MF-1 mice were inoculated s.c. with 1×10(7) cells 24 h after an initial daily dose of testosterone propionate (TP) or vehicle. After 4 weeks, tumours had not developed in vehicle-dosed mice, but were present in 50% of those mice given TP. One week after switching the stimulus to adione, mice were dosed additionally with the vehicle or inhibitor for a further 4 weeks. Both TP and adione efficiently stimulated tumour growth and increased plasma testosterone levels; however, in the presence of either 17β-HSD3 inhibitor, adione-dependent tumour growth was significantly inhibited and plasma testosterone levels reduced. Mouse body weights were unaffected. Both inhibitors also significantly lowered plasma testosterone levels in intact mice. In conclusion, STX2171 and STX1383 significantly lower plasma testosterone levels and inhibit androgen-dependent tumour growth in vivo, indicating that 17β-HSD3 inhibitors may have application in the treatment of hormone-dependent prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M Day
- Oncology Drug Discovery and Women's Health Group, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, and Sterix Ltd., Imperial College London, UK
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6
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The preventative effects of sunitinib malate observed in the course from non-castration to castration LNCaP xenograft prostate tumors. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2012; 138:2137-43. [PMID: 22868821 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-012-1295-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2012] [Accepted: 07/19/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the agent SU-11248 (sunitinib malate) in the course from non-castration to castration LNCaP xenograft prostate tumors. METHODS BALB/c nude mice were injected with human androgen-dependent prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP) and divided into two groups: castration and non-castration. Then the LNCaP-bearing mice were treated with sunitinib (40 mg/kg daily, 0.2 ml p.o. for 3 weeks). Both groups were paired with control groups in which the mice were given water by gavaging daily. The kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs, spleens, stomachs, intestines, skins, and other parts of all the mice were observed carefully during the study. RESULTS At the end of the 3-week dosing schedule, the tumors of the sunitinib-treated mice grew significantly slower than those of control group. Adverse reactions were not significantly found in the mice. We examined the impact of sunitinib on tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis through molecular factors representative of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR-2) and platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR-β) families, and of apoptosis (Bcl-2), and of proliferation (Ki67). The Ki67 and Von Willebrand factor expression of the control group was higher than that of the treated group. However, there was no significant difference observed between treated and control groups for apoptosis induction (Bcl-2). Immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction results showed both VEGFR-2 and PDGFR-β expression in the control group was higher than that of the sunitinib-treated group. CONCLUSION Sunitinib is safe and effective for treating tumors in the course form non-castration to castration groups in LNCaP xenograft prostate tumors. It is potentially beneficial as a prevention and treatment measure for clinical patients with prostate cancer, especially in the course from androgen-dependent prostate cancer to castration-resistant prostate cancer.
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7
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Yaligar J, Thakur SB, Bokacheva L, Carlin S, Thaler HT, Rizwan A, Lupu ME, Wang Y, Matei CC, Zakian KL, Koutcher JA. Lactate MRSI and DCE MRI as surrogate markers of prostate tumor aggressiveness. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2012; 25:113-122. [PMID: 21618306 PMCID: PMC3985132 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.1723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2010] [Revised: 03/09/2011] [Accepted: 03/10/2011] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Longitudinal studies of lactate MRSI and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI were performed at 4.7 T in two prostate tumor models grown in rats, Dunning R3327-AT (AT) and Dunning R3327-H (H), to determine the potential of lactate and the perfusion/permeability parameter Ak(ep) as markers of tumor aggressiveness. Subcutaneous AT (n = 12) and H (n = 6) tumors were studied at different volumes between 100 and 2900 mm(3) (Groups 1-5). Lactate concentration was determined using selective multiple quantum coherence MRSI with the phantom substitution method. Tumor enhancement after the administration of gadolinium diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid was analyzed using the Brix-Hoffmann model and the Ak(ep) parameter was used as a measure of tumor perfusion/permeability. Lactate was not detected in the smallest AT tumors (Group 1; 100-270 mm(3) ). In larger AT tumors, the lactate concentration increased from 2.8 ± 1.0 mm (Group 2; 290-700 mm(3)) to 8.4 ± 2.9 mm (Group 3; 1000-1340 mm(3)) and 8.2 ± 2.2 mm (Group 4; 1380-1750 mm(3) ), and then decreased to 5.0 ± 1.7 mm (Group 5; 1900-2500 mm(3)), and was consistently higher in the tumor core than in the rim. Lactate was not detected in any of the H tumors. The mean tumor Ak(ep) values decreased with increasing volume in both tumor types, but were significantly higher in H tumors. In AT tumors, the Ak(ep) values were significantly higher in the rim than in the core. Histological hypoxic and necrotic fractions in AT tumors increased with volume from 0% in Group 1 to about 20% and 30%, respectively, in Group 5. Minimal amounts of hypoxia and necrosis were found in H tumors of all sizes. Thus, the presence of lactate and heterogeneous perfusion/permeability are signatures of aggressive, metabolically deprived tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Yaligar
- Department of Medical Physics, New York, NY, United States
| | - S B Thakur
- Department of Medical Physics, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Radiology, New York, NY, United States
| | - L Bokacheva
- Department of Medical Physics, New York, NY, United States
| | - S Carlin
- Department of Medical Physics, New York, NY, United States
| | - H T Thaler
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, New York, NY, United States
| | - A Rizwan
- Department of Medical Physics, New York, NY, United States
| | - M E Lupu
- Department of Medical Physics, New York, NY, United States
| | - Y Wang
- Department of Medical Physics, New York, NY, United States
| | - C C Matei
- Department of Radiology, New York, NY, United States
| | - K L Zakian
- Department of Medical Physics, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Radiology, New York, NY, United States
| | - J A Koutcher
- Department of Medical Physics, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Radiology, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
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8
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Zhu H, Mao Q, Lin Y, Yang K, Xie L. RNA interference targeting mutant p53 inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in DU145 human prostate cancer cells. Med Oncol 2010; 28 Suppl 1:S381-7. [PMID: 20857345 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-010-9679-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2010] [Accepted: 09/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
p53 is the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor gene in human cancer. Recent studies have indicated that p53 mutants not only lose tumor suppression activity but also gain novel oncogenic functions that contribute to tumor malignancy. In this study, we explored mutant p53 as a target for novel anti-cancer treatment in prostate cancer. Using the DU145 human androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line, we show that silencing of mutant p53 gene by RNA interference led to significant inhibition of cell viability and growth, which was associated with cell cycle arrest at G1 and G2/M phase, and ultimately induced massive apoptosis. Mechanistically, p53-siRNA inhibited phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase/Akt signaling pathway, which might be responsible for the reduced proliferation and apoptosis induction. These findings suggest that RNA interference targeting mutant p53 may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- HaiBin Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
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Khromova NV, Kopnin PB, Stepanova EV, Agapova LS, Kopnin BP. p53 hot-spot mutants increase tumor vascularization via ROS-mediated activation of the HIF1/VEGF-A pathway. Cancer Lett 2008; 276:143-51. [PMID: 19091459 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2008.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2008] [Revised: 05/13/2008] [Accepted: 10/30/2008] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The function of p53 tumor suppressor is often altered in various human tumors predominantly through missense-mutations resulting in accumulation of mutant proteins. We revealed that expression of p53 proteins with amino-acid substitutions at codons 175 (R175H), 248 (R248W), and 273 (R273H), representing the hot-spots of mutations in various human tumors, increased the number of vessels in HCT116 human colon carcinoma xenografts and, as a result, accelerated their growth. Stimulation of tumor angiogenesis was connected with about 2-fold increase in intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidant N-acetyl-l-aspartate (NAC) decreased vessels number in tumors formed by cells with inactivated p53 and inhibited their growth. Effect of ROS on angiogenesis in tumors expressing hot-spot p53 mutants was correlated with their ability to increase a content of HIF1 transcriptional factor responsible for up-regulation of VEGF-A mRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- N V Khromova
- Blokhin Memorial Russian Cancer Research Center, Kashirskoye shosse 24, Moscow, Russia
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10
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Donninger H, Binder A, Bohm L, Parker MI. Differential effects of novel tumour-derived p53 mutations on the transformation of NIH-3T3 cells. Biol Chem 2008; 389:57-67. [PMID: 18095870 DOI: 10.1515/bc.2008.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The p53 tumour suppressor gene is frequently mutated in human tumours and different tumour-derived mutations have varying effects on cells. The effect of a novel tumour-derived p53 mutation and two recently described mutations from South African breast cancer patients on the growth rate, colony formation, cell cycle arrest after irradiation and response to chemotherapeutic drugs was investigated. None of the p53 mutations had any significant effect on the inherent growth rate of the cells; however, contact inhibition of growth in two of the mutants was lost. These same two mutants formed colonies in soft agar, whereas the third mutant did not. All three of the mutants failed to show a G(1) cell cycle arrest after exposure to 7 Gy of [(60)Co] radiation, albeit to different degrees. Cells expressing the p53 mutants were either more sensitive to cisplatin and melphalan or more resistant than the untransfected cells, depending on the mutation. However, there was no difference in response to daunorubicin treatment. These results demonstrate that different p53 mutations exert varying biological effects on normal cells, with some altering checkpoint activation more effectively than others. The data also suggest that the nature of the p53 mutation influences the sensitivity to cytostatic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard Donninger
- Division of Medical Biochemistry, Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
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11
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Guérin O, Formento P, Lo Nigro C, Hofman P, Fischel JL, Etienne-Grimaldi MC, Merlano M, Ferrero JM, Milano G. Supra-additive antitumor effect of sunitinib malate (SU11248, Sutent®) combined with docetaxel. A new therapeutic perspective in hormone refractory prostate cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2007; 134:51-7. [PMID: 17593391 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-007-0247-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2007] [Accepted: 05/29/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Physiological and molecular findings indicate over-expression of HER proteins and dysregulation of neo-angiogenesis during progression of advanced prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to test a novel rational therapeutic approach by combining docetaxel with an EGFR-targeting agent (cetuximab) and with an anti-angiogenic agent (sunitinib, SUTENT). METHODS Mice bearing well-established PC3 prostate tumors (mean tumor volume/treatment group approximately 250 mm(3)) were treated every week with vehicle alone (controls), sunitinib (40 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks, 0.2 ml p.o.), cetuximab (0.2 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks, 0.2 ml i.p.) and docetaxel (10 mg/kg, 1 day/week for 3 weeks, 0.2 ml i.p.). RESULTS Each drug, administered as a single-agent, demonstrated comparable and moderate effects on tumor growth with approximately 50 % inhibition at the end of the 3-week dosing schedule. Computed combination ratio (CR) values for tumor growth determined on days 61, 68 and 75 after cell implantation indicated supra-additive effects for the sunitinib-docetaxel (1.53, 1.15 and 1.47, respectively) and sunitinib-cetuximab combinations (1.2, 1.32 and 1.14, respectively), and suggested additive effects only for the sunitinib-cetuximab-docetaxel combination (CR = 1). The effects on tumor growth were accompanied by a parallel diminution in tumor cell proliferation (Ki 67) and tumor vascularization (von Willebrandt factor). There were significantly higher pro-apoptotic effects (caspase-3 cleavage) observed for the sunitinib-docetaxel and sunitinib-docetaxel-cetuximab as compared to the other conditions. CONCLUSION The supra-additive anti-tumor effect observed with the sunitinib-docetaxel combination might support innovative strategies in the management of advanced prostate cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation
- Cetuximab
- Docetaxel
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Humans
- Indoles/administration & dosage
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/drug therapy
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/secondary
- Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood
- Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Pyrroles/administration & dosage
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sunitinib
- Survival Rate
- Taxoids/administration & dosage
- Tumor Cells, Cultured/drug effects
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- O Guérin
- Nice General Hospital, Nice, France
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