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Revilla G, Ruiz-Auladell L, Vallverdú NF, Santamaría P, Moral A, Pérez JI, Li C, Fuste V, Lerma E, Corcoy R, Pitoia F, Escolà-Gil JC, Mato E. Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Is a Key Driver of Aggressiveness in Thyroid Tumor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11153. [PMID: 37446330 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311153] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously described the role of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in aggressiveness in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Moreover, the MAPK signaling pathway in the presence of BRAF V600E mutation is associated with more aggressive PTC. Although the link between MAPK cascade and LDL receptor (LDLR) expression has been previously described, it is unknown whether LDL can potentiate the adverse effects of PTC through it. We aimed to investigate whether the presence of LDL might accelerate the oncogenic processes through MAPK pathway in presence or absence of BRAF V600E in two thyroid cell lines: TPC1 and BCPAP (wild-type and BRAF V600E, respectively). LDLR, PI3K-AKT and RAS/RAF/MAPK (MEK)/ERK were analyzed via Western blot; cell proliferation was measured via MTT assay, cell migration was studied through wound-healing assay and LDL uptake was analyzed by fluorometric and confocal analysis. TPC1 demonstrated a time-specific downregulation of the LDLR, while BCPAP resulted in a receptor deregulation after LDL exposition. LDL uptake was increased in BCPAP over-time, as well as cell proliferation (20% higher) in comparison to TPC1. Both cell lines differed in migration pattern with a wound closure of 83.5 ± 9.7% after LDL coculture in TPC1, while a loss in the adhesion capacity was detected in BCPAP. The siRNA knockdown of LDLR in LDL-treated BCPAP cells resulted in a p-ERK expression downregulation and cell proliferation modulation, demonstrating a link between LDLR and MAPK pathway. The modulation of BRAF-V600E using vemurafenib-impaired LDLR expression decreased cellular proliferation. Our results suggest that LDLR regulation is cell line-specific, regulating the RAS/RAF/MAPK (MEK)/ERK pathway in the LDL-signaling cascade and where BRAF V600E can play a critical role. In conclusion, targeting LDLR and this downstream signaling cascade, could be a new therapeutic strategy for PTC with more aggressive behavior, especially in those harboring BRAF V600E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Revilla
- Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica (IIB) Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lara Ruiz-Auladell
- Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica (IIB) Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Fucui Vallverdú
- Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica (IIB) Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Santamaría
- Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica (IIB) Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Moral
- Department of General Surgery, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - José Ignacio Pérez
- Department of General Surgery, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Changda Li
- Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica (IIB) Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08025 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victoria Fuste
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Enrique Lerma
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa Corcoy
- Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica (IIB) Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fabián Pitoia
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1120 AAF, Argentina
| | - Joan Carles Escolà-Gil
- Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica (IIB) Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08025 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eugènia Mato
- Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica (IIB) Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Busaidy NL, Konda B, Wei L, Wirth LJ, Devine C, Daniels GA, DeSouza JA, Poi M, Seligson ND, Cabanillas ME, Sipos JA, Ringel MD, Eisfeld AK, Timmers C, Shah MH. Dabrafenib Versus Dabrafenib + Trametinib in BRAF-Mutated Radioactive Iodine Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Results of a Randomized, Phase 2, Open-Label Multicenter Trial. Thyroid 2022; 32:1184-1192. [PMID: 35658604 PMCID: PMC9595631 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2022.0115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Background: Oncogenic BRAF mutations are commonly found in advanced differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), and reports have shown efficacy of BRAF inhibitors in these tumors. We investigated the difference in response between dabrafenib monotherapy and dabrafenib + trametinib therapy in patients with BRAF-mutated radioactive iodine refractory DTC. Methods: In this open-label randomized phase 2 multicenter trial, patients aged ≥18 years with BRAF-mutated radioactive iodine refractory DTC with progressive disease by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 within 13 months before enrollment were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned to receive dabrafenib alone or dabrafenib + trametinib. The primary endpoint was objective response rate by modified RECIST (minor response of -20% to -29%, partial and complete response) within the first 24 weeks of therapy. Trial Registration Number: NCT01723202. Results: A total of 53 patients were enrolled. The objective response rate (modified RECIST) was 42% (11/26 [95% confidence interval {CI} 23-63%]) with dabrafenib versus 48% (13/27 [CI 29-68%]) with dabrafenib + trametinib (p = 0.67). Objective response rate (RECIST 1.1) was 35% (9/26 [CI 17-56%]) with dabrafenib and 30% (8/27 [CI 14-51%]) with dabrafenib + trametinib. Most common treatment-related adverse events included skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (17/26, 65%), fever (13/26, 50%), hyperglycemia (12/26, 46%) with dabrafenib alone and fever (16/27, 59%), nausea, chills, fatigue (14/27, 52% each) with dabrafenib + trametinib. There were no treatment-related deaths. Conclusions: Combination dabrafenib + trametinib was not superior in efficacy compared to dabrafenib monotherapy in patients with BRAF-mutated radioiodine refractory progressive DTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naifa L. Busaidy
- Division of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bhavana Konda
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Lai Wei
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Lori J. Wirth
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Catherine Devine
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gregory A. Daniels
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jonas A. DeSouza
- Division of Medical Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ming Poi
- Department of Pharmacology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Nathan D. Seligson
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Maria E. Cabanillas
- Division of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Sipos
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Matthew D. Ringel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Ann-Kathrin Eisfeld
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Cynthia Timmers
- Translational Sciences Discovery Lab, Incyte Corporation, Wilmington, Delaware, USA
| | - Manisha H. Shah
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Zerfaoui M, Tsumagari K, Toraih E, Errami Y, Ruiz E, Elaasar MSM, Krzysztof M, Sholl AB, Magdeldin S, Soudy M, Abd Elmageed ZY, Boulares AH, Kandil E. Nuclear interaction of Arp2/3 complex and BRAF V600E promotes aggressive behavior and vemurafenib resistance of thyroid cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:3014-3033. [PMID: 35968344 PMCID: PMC9360225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of mutant BRAF V600E correlates with the risk of recurrence in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients. However, not all PTC patients with BRAF V600E are associated with poor prognosis. Thus, understanding the mechanisms by which certain PTC patients with nuclear BRAF V600E become aggressive and develop resistance to a selective BRAF inhibitor, PLX-4032, is urgently needed. The effect of nuclear localization of BRAFV600E using in vitro studies, xenograft mouse-model and human tissues was evaluated. PTC cells harboring a nuclear localization signal (NLS) of BRAFV600E were established and examined in nude mice implanted with TPC1-NLS-BRAFV600E cells followed by PLX-4032 treatment. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was performed on 100 PTC specimens previously confirmed that they have BRAFV600E mutations. Our results demonstrate that 21 of 100 (21%) PTC tissues stained with specific BRAFV600E antibody had nuclear staining with more aggressive features compared to their cytosolic counterparts. In vitro studies show that BRAFV600E is transported between the nucleus and the cytosol through CRM1 and importin (α/β) system. Sequestration of BRAFV600E in the cytosol sensitized resistant cells to PLX-4032, whereas nuclear BRAFV600E was associated with aggressive phenotypes and developed drug resistance. Proteomic analysis revealed Arp2/3 complex members, actin-related protein 2 (ACTR2 aliases ARP2) and actin-related protein 3 (ACTR3 aliases ARP3), as the most enriched nuclear BRAFV600E partners. ACTR3 was highly correlated to lymph node stage and extrathyroidal extension and was validated with different functional assays. Our findings provide new insights into the clinical utility of the nuclear BRAFV600E as a prognostic marker for PTC aggressiveness and determine the efficacy of selective BRAFV600E inhibitor treatment which opens new avenues for future treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mourad Zerfaoui
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of MedicineUSA
| | - Koji Tsumagari
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of MedicineUSA
| | - Eman Toraih
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of MedicineUSA
| | - Youssef Errami
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of MedicineUSA
| | - Emmanuelle Ruiz
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of MedicineUSA
| | | | - Moroz Krzysztof
- Department of Pathology, Tulane University School of MedicineUSA
| | - Andrew B Sholl
- Department of Otolaryngology, Tulane University School of MedicineUSA
| | - Sameh Magdeldin
- Proteomics Research Program Unit, Basic Research Department, Children Cancer Hospital CairoEgypt
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal UniversityIsmailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Soudy
- Proteomics Research Program Unit, Basic Research Department, Children Cancer Hospital CairoEgypt
| | - Zakaria Y Abd Elmageed
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of MedicineUSA
- Department of Pharmacology, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of LouisianaMonroe, USA
| | - A Hamid Boulares
- Department of Pharmacology, LSU Health Sciences CenterNew Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Emad Kandil
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of MedicineUSA
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Toll-Like Receptor 7 Mediates Inflammation Resolution and Inhibition of Angiogenesis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040740. [PMID: 33578955 PMCID: PMC7916730 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The progression of cancer is strictly linked to the formation of new blood vessels responsible for nutrition supply of the tumor. We identified TLR7 as an inhibitor of lung cancer vascularization. TLR7 is part of a large family of immune receptors that function as “sensors” of pathogen- and damage-derived signals. We found that TLR7 exerts antitumor functions in non-small cell lung cancer by inducing the production of specific molecules with inhibitory properties against new blood vessel formation. These molecules are known as specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) and are derived from ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids. We believe that the results obtained suggest novel potential targets and strategies to treat lung cancer. Abstract Pattern recognition receptors (PRR) promote inflammation but also its resolution. We demonstrated that a specific PRR—formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1)—sustains an inflammation resolution response with anti-angiogenic and antitumor potential in gastric cancer. Since toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) is crucial in the physiologic resolution of airway inflammation, we asked whether it could be responsible for pro-resolving and anti-angiogenic responses in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). TLR7 correlated directly with pro-resolving and inversely with angiogenic mediators in NSCLC patients, as revealed by a publicly available RNAseq analysis. In NSCLC cells, depletion of TLR7 caused an upregulation of angiogenic mediators and a stronger vasculogenic response of endothelial cells compared to controls, assessed by qPCR, ELISA, protein array, and endothelial cell responses. TLR7 activation induced the opposite effects. TLR7 silencing reduced, while its activation increased, the pro-resolving potential of NSCLC cells, evaluated by qPCR, flow cytometry, and EIA. The increased angiogenic potential of TLR7-silenced NSCLC cells is due to the lack of pro-resolving mediators. MAPK and STAT3 signaling are responsible for these activities, as demonstrated through Western blotting and inhibitors. Our data indicate that TLR7 sustains a pro-resolving signaling in lung cancer that inhibits angiogenesis. This opens new possibilities to be exploited for cancer treatment.
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Liotti F, Kumar N, Prevete N, Marotta M, Sorriento D, Ieranò C, Ronchi A, Marino FZ, Moretti S, Colella R, Puxeddu E, Paladino S, Kano Y, Ohh M, Scala S, Melillo RM. PD-1 blockade delays tumor growth by inhibiting an intrinsic SHP2/Ras/MAPK signalling in thyroid cancer cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:22. [PMID: 33413561 PMCID: PMC7791757 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01818-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 are immune checkpoints that suppress anti-cancer immunity. Typically, cancer cells express the PD-Ls that bind PD-1 on immune cells, inhibiting their activity. Recently, PD-1 expression has also been found in cancer cells. Here, we analysed expression and functions of PD-1 in thyroid cancer (TC). METHODS PD-1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on human TC samples and by RT-PCR, western blot and FACS on TC cell lines. Proliferation and migration of TC cells in culture were assessed by BrdU incorporation and Boyden chamber assays. Biochemical studies were performed by western blot, immunoprecipitation, pull-down and phosphatase assays. TC cell tumorigenicity was assessed by xenotransplants in nude mice. RESULTS Human TC specimens (47%), but not normal thyroids, displayed PD-1 expression in epithelial cells, which significantly correlated with tumour stage and lymph-node metastasis. PD-1 was also constitutively expressed on TC cell lines. PD-1 overexpression/stimulation promoted TC cell proliferation and migration. Accordingly, PD-1 genetic/pharmacologic inhibition caused the opposite effects. Mechanistically, PD-1 recruited the SHP2 phosphatase to the plasma membrane and potentiated its phosphatase activity. SHP2 enhanced Ras activation by dephosphorylating its inhibitory tyrosine 32, thus triggering the MAPK cascade. SHP2, BRAF and MEK were necessary for PD-1-mediated biologic functions. PD-1 inhibition decreased, while PD-1 enforced expression facilitated, TC cell xenograft growth in mice by affecting tumour cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS PD-1 circuit blockade in TC, besides restoring anti-cancer immunity, could also directly impair TC cell growth by inhibiting the SHP2/Ras/MAPK signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Liotti
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Narender Kumar
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Nella Prevete
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), CNR, Naples, Italy
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Marotta
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Sorriento
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina Ieranò
- Functional Genomics, Istituto Nazionale Tumouri "Fondazione G. Pascale", IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Ronchi
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Zito Marino
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Sonia Moretti
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Renato Colella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Efiso Puxeddu
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Simona Paladino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Yoshihito Kano
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michael Ohh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stefania Scala
- Functional Genomics, Istituto Nazionale Tumouri "Fondazione G. Pascale", IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Marina Melillo
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), CNR, Naples, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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TERT promoter mutation determines apoptotic and therapeutic responses of BRAF-mutant cancers to BRAF and MEK inhibitors: Achilles Heel. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:15846-15851. [PMID: 32561648 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2004707117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Combination use of BRAF V600E inhibitor dabrafenib and MEK inhibitor trametinib has become a standard treatment for human cancers harboring BRAF V600E. Its anticancer efficacies vary, however, with dramatic efficacy in some patients and drug resistance/tumor recurrence in others, which is poorly understood. Using thyroid cancer, melanoma, and colon cancer cell models, we showed that dabrafenib and trametinib induced robust apoptosis of cancer cells harboring both BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations but had little proapoptotic effect in cells harboring only BRAF V600E. Correspondingly, the inhibitors nearly completely abolished the growth of in vivo tumors harboring both mutations but had little effect on tumors harboring only BRAF V600E. Upon drug withdrawal, tumors harboring both mutations remained hardly measurable but tumors harboring only BRAF V600E regrew rapidly. BRAF V600E/MAP kinase pathway is known to robustly activate mutant promoter of TERT, a strong apoptosis suppressor. Thus, for survival, cancer cells harboring both mutations may have evolved to rely on BRAF V600E-promoted and high-TERT expression-mediated suppression of apoptosis. As such, inhibition of BRAF/MEK can trigger strong apoptosis-induced cell death and hence tumor abolishment. This does not happen in cells harboring only BRAF V600E as they have not developed reliance on TERT-mediated suppression of apoptosis due to the lack of mutant promoter-driven high-TERT expression. TERT promoter mutation governs BRAF-mutant cancer cells' apoptotic and hence therapeutic responses to BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Thus, the genetic duet of BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutation represents an Achilles Heel for effective therapeutic targeting and response prediction in cancer.
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Hirokawa T, Arimasu Y, Chiba T, Fujiwara M, Kamma H. Clinicopathological significance of the single nucleotide polymorphism, rs2853669 within the TERT promoter in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Pathol Int 2020; 70:217-223. [PMID: 31943527 DOI: 10.1111/pin.12900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy. Point mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter, C228T and C250T and oncogene BRAFV600E have been investigated as risk factors for PTC. However, little research has been done on the single nucleotide polymorphism rs2853669 in the TERT promoter in PTC. This study aimed to clarify the clinicopathological significance of rs2853669 in Japanese patients with PTC. The genetic frequencies of rs2853669, C228T, C250T and BRAFV600E were investigated in 58 patients with PTC and compared with the clinicopathological parameters of PTC. rs2853669, C228T, C250T and BRAFV600E were found in 58.6%, 17.2%, 5.2% and 37.0% of the PTC patients, respectively. PTC with rs2853669 and C228T were associated only with tumor sizes larger than 2.0 cm (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the coexistence of rs2853669 and C228T was strongly associated with tumor size (P < 0.01), with an odds ratio of 6.4 (P < 0.05). We showed that rs2853669, as well as C228T, may be a risk factor for the aggressiveness of PTC, and the coexistence of these mutations might represent greater risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Hirokawa
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuu Arimasu
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Chiba
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masachika Fujiwara
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kamma
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan
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Knippler CM, Saji M, Rajan N, Porter K, La Perle KMD, Ringel MD. MAPK- and AKT-activated thyroid cancers are sensitive to group I PAK inhibition. Endocr Relat Cancer 2019; 26:699-712. [PMID: 31146260 PMCID: PMC7062234 DOI: 10.1530/erc-19-0188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The number of individuals who succumb to thyroid cancer has been increasing and those who are refractory to standard care have limited therapeutic options, highlighting the importance of developing new treatments for patients with aggressive forms of the disease. Mutational activation of MAPK signaling, through BRAF and RAS mutations and/or gene rearrangements, and activation of PI3K signaling, through mutational activation of PIK3CA or loss of PTEN, are well described in aggressive thyroid cancer. We previously reported overactivation and overexpression of p21-activated kinases (PAKs) in aggressive human thyroid cancer invasive fronts and determined that PAK1 functionally regulated thyroid cancer cell migration. We reported mechanistic crosstalk between the MAPK and PAK pathways that are BRAF-dependent but MEK independent, suggesting that PAK and MEK inhibition might be synergistic. In the present study, we tested this hypothesis. Pharmacologic inhibition of group I PAKs using two PAK kinase inhibitors, G-5555 or FRAX1036, reduced thyroid cancer cell viability, cell cycle progression and migration and invasion, with greater potency for G-5555. Combination of G-5555 with vemurafenib was synergistic in BRAFV600E-mutated thyroid cancer cell lines. Finally, G-5555 restrained thyroid size of BRAFV600E-driven murine papillary thyroid cancer by >50% (P < 0.0001) and reduced carcinoma formation (P = 0.0167), despite maintenance of MAPK activity. Taken together, these findings suggest both that group I PAKs may be a new therapeutic target for thyroid cancer and that PAK activation is functionally important for BRAFV600E-mediated thyroid cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Knippler
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Motoyasu Saji
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Neel Rajan
- College of Arts and Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kyle Porter
- Center for Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Krista M. D. La Perle
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Comparative Pathology & Mouse Phenotyping Shared Resource, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Matthew D. Ringel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: Matthew D. Ringel, MD, Ralph W. Kurtz Professor of Medicine, Director, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University College of Medicine & Comprehensive Cancer Center, McCampbell Hall, Room 565, 1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, Tel: 614-685-3333,
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MAPK Inhibitors Enhance HDAC Inhibitor-Induced Redifferentiation in Papillary Thyroid Cancer Cells Harboring BRAF V600E: An In Vitro Study. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2019; 12:235-245. [PMID: 30847387 PMCID: PMC6389779 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Clinical efficacy of redifferentiation therapy with histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) for lethal radioiodine-refractory papillary thyroid cancer (RR-PTC) is urgently needed to be improved. Given that the impairment of histone acetylation is a mechanism in BRAFV600E-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-induced aberrant silencing of thyroid iodine-metabolizing genes, dual inhibition of HDAC and MAPK may produce a more favorable effect. In this study, we treated BRAFV600E-mutant (BCPAP and K1) and BRAF-wild-type (BHP 2-7) cells with HDACi (panobinostat) and MAPK inhibitor (dabrafenib or selumetinib), alone or in combination, and we tested the expression of iodine- and glucose-metabolizing genes, radioiodine uptake and efflux, and toxicity. We found that panobinostat alone increased iodine-metabolizing gene expression, promoted radioiodine uptake and toxicity, and suppressed GLUT1 expression in all the cells. However, MAPKi (dabrafenib or selumetinib) induced these effects only in BRAFV600E-mutant cells. Combined treatment with panobinostat and MAPKi (dabrafenib or selumetinib) displayed a more robust BRAFV600E-dependent redifferentiation effect than panobinostat alone via further improving the acetylation level of histone at the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) promoter. In conclusion, MAPK inhibitors enhance HDACi-induced redifferentiation in PTC cells harboring BRAFV600E, warranting animal and clinical trials.
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10
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Song H, Zhang J, Ning L, Zhang H, Chen D, Jiao X, Zhang K. The MEK1/2 Inhibitor AZD6244 Sensitizes BRAF-Mutant Thyroid Cancer to Vemurafenib. Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:3002-3010. [PMID: 29737325 PMCID: PMC5965018 DOI: 10.12659/msm.910084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background BRAFV600E mutation occurs in approximately 45% of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) cases, and 25% of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cases. Vemurafenib/PLX4032, a selective BRAF inhibitor, suppresses extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (MEK/ERK1/2) signaling and shows beneficial effects in patients with metastatic melanoma harboring the BRAFV600E mutation. However, the response to vemurafenib is limited in BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer. The present study evaluated the effect of vemurafenib in combination with the selective MEK1/2 inhibitor AZD6244 on cell survival and explored the mechanism underlying the combined effect of vemurafenib and AZD6244 on thyroid cancer cells harboring BRAFV600E. Material/Methods Thyroid cancer 8505C and BCPAP cells harboring the BRAFV600E mutation were exposed to vemurafenib (0.01, 0.1, and 1 μM) and AZD6244 (0.01, 0.1, and 1 μM) alone or in the indicated combinations for the indicated times. Cell viability was detected by the MTT assay. Cell cycle distribution and induction of apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of cyclin D1, P27, (P)-ERK1/2 was evaluated by Western blotting. The effect of vemurafenib or AZD6244 or their combination on the growth of 8505C cells was examined in orthotopic xenograft mouse models in vivo. Results Vemurafenib alone did not increase cell apoptosis, whereas it decreased cell viability by promoting cell cycle arrest in BCPAP and 8505C cells. AZD6244 alone increased cell apoptosis by inducing cell cycle arrest in BCPAP and 8505C cells. Combination treatment with AZD6244 and vemurafenib significantly decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis in both BCPAP and 8505C cells compared with the effects of each drug alone. AZD6244 alone abolished phospho-ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) expression at 48 h, whereas vemurafenib alone downregulated pERK1/2 at 4–6 h, with rapid recovery of expression, reaching the highest level at 24–48 h. Combined treatment for 48 h completely inhibited pERK1/2 expression. Combination treatment with vemurafenib and AZD6244 inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis by causing cell-cycle arrest, with the corresponding changes in the expression of the cell cycle regulators p27Kip1 and cyclin D1. Co-administration of vemurafenib and AZD6244 in vivo had a significant synergistic antitumor effect in a nude mouse model. Conclusions Vemurafenib activated pERK1/2 and induced vemurafenib resistance in thyroid cancer cells. Combination treatment with vemurafenib and AZD6244 inhibited ERK signaling and caused cell cycle arrest, resulting in cell growth inhibition. Combination treatment in patients with thyroid cancer harboring the BRAFV600E mutation may overcome vemurafenib resistance and enhance the therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Song
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Jinna Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Liang Ning
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Honglai Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Dong Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Xuelong Jiao
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Kejun Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China (mainland)
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11
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Notarangelo T, Sisinni L, Condelli V, Landriscina M. Dual EGFR and BRAF blockade overcomes resistance to vemurafenib in BRAF mutated thyroid carcinoma cells. Cancer Cell Int 2017; 17:86. [PMID: 29033690 PMCID: PMC5628448 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-017-0457-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND BRAF inhibitors are effective anticancer agents in BRAF-mutated melanomas. By contrast, evidences about sensitivity of thyroid carcinomas to BRAF inhibition are conflicting and it has been proposed that BRAF V600E thyroid carcinoma cells are less sensitive to BRAF inhibitors due to activation of parallel signaling pathways. This study evaluated the hypothesis that feedback activation of EGFR signaling counteracts the cytostatic activity of vemurafenib (PLX4032) in BRAF V600E thyroid carcinoma cells. METHODS Cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, induction of apoptosis and EGFR and AKT signaling were evaluated in thyroid carcinoma cell lines bearing the BRAF V600E mutation in response to PLX4032. RESULTS A partial and transient cytostatic response to PLX4032 was observed in thyroid carcinoma cell lines bearing the BRAF V600E mutation, with lack of full inhibition of ERK pathway. Interestingly, the exposure of thyroid carcinoma cells to PLX4032 resulted in a rapid feedback activation of EGFR signaling with parallel activation of AKT phosphorylation. Consistently, the dual inhibition of EGFR and BRAF, through combination therapy with PLX4032 and gefitinib, resulted in prevention of EGFR phosphorylation and sustained inhibition of ERK and AKT signaling and cell proliferation. Of note, the combined treatment with gefitinib and vemurafenib or the exposure of EGFR-silenced thyroid carcinoma cells to vemurafenib induced synthetic lethality compared to single agents. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the dual EGFR and BRAF blockade represents a strategy to by-pass resistance to BRAF inhibitors in thyroid carcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Notarangelo
- Laboratory of Pre-Clinical and Translational Research, IRCCS, Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, Via Padre Pio, 1, Rionero in Vulture, 85028 Italy
| | - Lorenza Sisinni
- Laboratory of Pre-Clinical and Translational Research, IRCCS, Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, Via Padre Pio, 1, Rionero in Vulture, 85028 Italy
| | - Valentina Condelli
- Laboratory of Pre-Clinical and Translational Research, IRCCS, Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, Via Padre Pio, 1, Rionero in Vulture, 85028 Italy
| | - Matteo Landriscina
- Laboratory of Pre-Clinical and Translational Research, IRCCS, Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, Via Padre Pio, 1, Rionero in Vulture, 85028 Italy.,Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Pinto, 1, Foggia, 71100 Italy
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12
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Cheng L, Jin Y, Liu M, Ruan M, Chen L. HER inhibitor promotes BRAF/MEK inhibitor-induced redifferentiation in papillary thyroid cancer harboring BRAFV600E. Oncotarget 2017; 8:19843-19854. [PMID: 28423638 PMCID: PMC5386727 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Redifferentiation therapy with BRAF/MEK inhibitors to facilitate treatment with radioiodine represents a good choice for radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma, but recent initial clinical outcomes were modest. MAPK rebound caused by BRAF/MEK inhibitors-induced activation of HER2/HER3 is a resistance mechanism, and combination with HER inhibitor to prevent MAPK rebound may sensitize BRAFV600E-mutant thyroid cancer cells to redifferentiation therapy. To evaluate if inhibiting both BRAF/MEK and HER can produce stronger redifferetiation effect, we tested the effects of BRAF/MEK inhibitor dabrafenib/selumetinib alone or in combination with HER inhibitor lapatinib on the expression and function of iodine- and glucose-handling genes in BRAFV600E-positive BCPAP and K1 cells, using BHP 2-7 cells harboring RET/PTC1 rearrangement as control. Herein, we showed that lapatinib prevented MAPK rebound and sensitized BRAFV600E-positive papillary thyroid cancer cells to BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Dabrafenib/selumetinib alone increased iodine-uptake and toxicity and suppressed glucose-metablism in BRAFV600E-positive papillary thyroid cancer cells. When lapatinib was added, more significant effects on iodine- and glucose-handling gene expression, cell membrane location of sodium/iodine symporter as well as radioiodine uptake and toxicity were observed. Thus, combined therapy using HER inhibitor and BRAF/MEK inhibitor presented more significant redifferentiation effect on papillary thyroid cancer cells harboring BRAFV600E than BRAF/MEK inhibitor alone. In vivo and clinical studies assessing such combined targeted redifferentiation strategy were warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingxiao Cheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yuchen Jin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Maomei Ruan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Libo Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
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13
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Relationships of BRAF mutation and HMGB1 to papillary thyroid carcinoma. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 486:898-903. [PMID: 28342873 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.03.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
A poor papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) prognosis is strongly associated with the BRAF V600E mutation. During tumor progression, levels of the high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein are often dysregulated. Results herein demonstrate that HMGB1 protein levels differ between tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissue and that HMGB1 mRNA levels were higher in wild-type BRAF PTC tissues than in BRAF V600E PTC tissues (2-△Ct 0.31 ± 0.25 vs. 0.16 ± 0.12; P < 0.05). HMGB1 protein levels also differed in the same manner (wild-type BRAF PTC tissues 0.11 ± 0.04 vs. BRAF V600E PTC tissues 0.03 ± 0.03; P < 0.001). Although not detected in peripheral blood, low levels of HMGB1 were significantly related to PTC cell lymph node metastasis and extra-glandular infiltration (P = 0.045 and P = 0.002). Experimental results at the cellular level were consistent with tissues and further verified the relationship of BRAF V600E and HMGB1. These findings demonstrate that the BRAF V600E mutation down-regulates levels of HMGB1, likely through activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways.
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14
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Kim BA, Jee HG, Yi JW, Kim SJ, Chai YJ, Choi JY, Lee KE. Expression Profiling of a Human Thyroid Cell Line Stably Expressing the BRAFV600E Mutation. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2017; 14:53-67. [PMID: 28031237 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM The BRAFV600E mutation acts as an initiator of cancer development in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Gene expression changes caused by the BRAFV600E mutation may have an important role in thyroid cancer development. MATERIALS AND METHODS To study genomic alterations caused by the BRAFV600E mutation, we made human thyroid cell lines that harbor the wild-type BRAF gene (Nthy/WT) and the V600E mutant-type BRAF gene (Nthy/V600E). RESULTS Flow cytometry and western blotting showed stable transfection of the BRAF gene. In functional experiments, Nthy/V600E showed increased anchorage-independent growth and invasion through Matrigel, compared to Nthy/WT. Microarray analysis revealed that 2,441 genes were up-regulated in Nthy/V600E compared to Nthy/WT. Gene ontology analysis showed that the up-regulated genes were associated with cell adhesion, migration, and the ERK and MAPK cascade, and pathway analysis showed enrichment in cancer-related pathways. CONCLUSION Our Nthy/WT and Nthy/V600E cell line pair could be a suitable model to study the molecular characteristics of BRAFV600E PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byoung-Ae Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-Gun Jee
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Wook Yi
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Jin Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jun Chai
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - June Young Choi
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu Eun Lee
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea .,Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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15
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Hyperactive ERK and persistent mTOR signaling characterize vemurafenib resistance in papillary thyroid cancer cells. Oncotarget 2017; 7:8676-87. [PMID: 26735176 PMCID: PMC4890996 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical studies evaluating targeted BRAFV600E inhibitors in advanced thyroid cancer patients are currently underway. Vemurafenib (BRAFV600E inhibitor) monotherapy has shown promising results thus far, although development of resistance is a clinical challenge. The objective of this study was to characterize development of resistance to BRAFV600E inhibition and to identify targets for effective combination therapy. We created a line of BCPAP papillary thyroid cancer cells resistant to vemurafenib by treating with increasing concentrations of the drug. The resistant BCPAP line was characterized and compared to its sensitive counterpart with respect to signaling molecules thought to be directly related to resistance. Expression and phosphorylation of several critical proteins were analyzed by Western blotting and dimerization was evaluated by immunoprecipitation. Resistance to vemurafenib in BCPAP appeared to be mediated by constitutive overexpression of phospho-ERK and by resistance to inhibition of both phospho-mTOR and phospho-S6 ribosomal protein after vemurafenib treatment. Expression of potential alternative signaling molecule, CRAF, was not increased in the resistant line, although formation of CRAF dimers appeared increased. Expression of membrane receptors HER2 and HER3 was greatly amplified in the resistant cancer cells. Papillary thyroid cancer cells were capable of overcoming targeted BRAFV600E inhibition by rewiring of cell signal pathways in response to prolonged vemurafenib therapy. Our study suggests that in vitro culture of cancer cells may be useful in assessing molecular resistance pathways. Potential therapies in advanced thyroid cancer patients may combine vemurafenib with inhibitors of CRAF, HER2/HER3, ERK, and/or mTOR to delay or abort development of resistance.
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16
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Hanly EK, Bednarczyk RB, Tuli NY, Moscatello AL, Halicka HD, Li J, Geliebter J, Darzynkiewicz Z, Tiwari RK. mTOR inhibitors sensitize thyroid cancer cells to cytotoxic effect of vemurafenib. Oncotarget 2016; 6:39702-13. [PMID: 26284586 PMCID: PMC4741856 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment options for advanced metastatic thyroid cancer patients are limited. Vemurafenib, a BRAFV600E inhibitor, has shown promise in clinical trials although cellular resistance occurs. Combination therapy that includes BRAFV600E inhibition and avoids resistance is a clinical need. We used an in vitro model to examine combination treatment with vemurafenib and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, metformin and rapamycin. Cellular viability and apoptosis were analyzed in thyroid cell lines by trypan blue exclusion and TUNEL assays. Combination of vemurafenib and metformin decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis in both BCPAP papillary thyroid cancer cells and 8505c anaplastic thyroid cancer cells. This combination was also found to be active in vemurafenib-resistant BCPAP cells. Changes in expression of signaling molecules such as decreased mTOR expression in BCPAP and enhanced inhibition of phospho-MAPK in resistant BCPAP and 8505c were observed. The second combination of vemurafenib and rapamycin amplified cell death in BCPAP cells. We conclude that combination of BRAFV600E and mTOR inhibition forms the basis of a treatment regimen that should be further investigated in in vivo model systems. Metformin or rapamycin adjuvant treatment may provide clinical benefits with minimal side effects to BRAFV600E-positive advanced thyroid cancer patients treated with vemurafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyse K Hanly
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Robert B Bednarczyk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Neha Y Tuli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Augustine L Moscatello
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - H Dorota Halicka
- Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Jiangwei Li
- Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Jan Geliebter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | | | - Raj K Tiwari
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
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17
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Sponziello M, Rosignolo F, Celano M, Maggisano V, Pecce V, De Rose RF, Lombardo GE, Durante C, Filetti S, Damante G, Russo D, Bulotta S. Fibronectin-1 expression is increased in aggressive thyroid cancer and favors the migration and invasion of cancer cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 431:123-32. [PMID: 27173027 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In this study we analyzed the expression levels of markers of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in several papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) and the relation with tumor genotypes and clinicopathological characteristics. The role of fibronectin-1 (FN1) was investigated by analyzing the effects of FN1 silencing in two human thyroid cancer cell lines. Most of EMT markers were significantly over-expressed in a group of 36 PTCs. In particular, FN1 mRNA levels were higher in tumor vs non-tumor tissue (117.3, p < 0.001) and also in aggressive and BRAF(V600E) samples. Similar results were observed (and confirmed at the protein level) when FN1 expression was analyzed in a validation group of 50 PTCs and six lymph node (LN) metastases. Silencing of FN1 in TPC-1 and BCPAP thyroid cancer cells significantly reduced proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion in both cell lines. Collectively, our data indicate that FN1 overexpression is an important determinant of thyroid cancer aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialuisa Sponziello
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Rosignolo
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marilena Celano
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valentina Maggisano
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valeria Pecce
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Cosimo Durante
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Filetti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Damante
- Institute of Medical Genetics, "S. Maria della Misericordia" University Hospital, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Diego Russo
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Stefania Bulotta
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
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Cheng W, Liu R, Zhu G, Wang H, Xing M. Robust Thyroid Gene Expression and Radioiodine Uptake Induced by Simultaneous Suppression of BRAF V600E and Histone Deacetylase in Thyroid Cancer Cells. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2016; 101:962-71. [PMID: 26751190 PMCID: PMC4803151 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2015-3433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Use of BRAF V600E inhibitors to restore thyroid iodide-handling gene expression and radioactive iodine (RAI) avidity is an attractive therapeutic strategy for RAI-refractory thyroid cancer, but recent initial clinical responses were modest. Given histone deacetylation at the sodium/iodide symporter promoter by histone deacetylase (HDAC) as a mechanism, simultaneously targeting BRAF V600E and HDAC could be a more effective strategy. OBJECTIVES The objective of the study was to test whether suppressing both BRAF V600E and HDAC could more effectively induce thyroid gene expression and RAI uptake in thyroid cancer cells. RESEARCH DESIGN We tested the BRAF V600E inhibitor PLX4032 (vemurafenib) and the HDAC inhibitor SAHA (vorinostat), two major anticancer drugs currently approved for clinical use, in inducing thyroid gene expression and RAI uptake in thyroid cancer cells. RESULTS PLX4032 alone induced a modest expression of thyroid genes and RAI uptake preferentially in thyroid cancer cells harboring BRAF V600E. SAHA showed an effect in a genetic-independent manner in all the cells. A robust synergistic effect on thyroid gene expression and RAI uptake was observed in BRAF V600E-positive thyroid cancer cells when the two inhibitors were simultaneously used. This was dramatically enhanced further by TSH; triple combination of PLX4032, SAHA, and TSH showed the most robust effect on thyroid gene expression and RAI uptake in cells harboring BRAF V600E. Abundant sodium/iodide symporter protein expression in thyroid cancer cells under these conditions was confirmed by immunofluorescent microscopy. CONCLUSIONS Simultaneously suppressing BRAF V600E and HDAC, particularly when cotreated with TSH, induced a far more robust expression of thyroid genes and RAI uptake in thyroid cancer cells than suppressing BRAF V600E alone. Triple combination of PLX4032, SAHA, and TSH is a specific robust regimen to restore RAI avidity in RAI-refractory BRAF V600E-positive thyroid cancer, which warrants clinical trials to confirm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Cheng
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid Research (W.C., R.L., G.Z., M.X.), Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287; and Department of Nuclear Medicine (H.W.), Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Rengyun Liu
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid Research (W.C., R.L., G.Z., M.X.), Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287; and Department of Nuclear Medicine (H.W.), Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Guangwu Zhu
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid Research (W.C., R.L., G.Z., M.X.), Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287; and Department of Nuclear Medicine (H.W.), Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid Research (W.C., R.L., G.Z., M.X.), Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287; and Department of Nuclear Medicine (H.W.), Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Mingzhao Xing
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid Research (W.C., R.L., G.Z., M.X.), Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287; and Department of Nuclear Medicine (H.W.), Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
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19
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Jiang L, Chu H, Zheng H. B-Raf mutation and papillary thyroid carcinoma patients. Oncol Lett 2016; 11:2699-2705. [PMID: 27073540 PMCID: PMC4812206 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.4298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid carcinoma is the most prevalent endocrine neoplasm globally. In the majority of thyroid carcinoma cases, a positive prognosis is predicted following administration of the appropriate treatment. A wide range of genetic alterations present in thyroid carcinoma exert their oncogenic actions partially through the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, with the B-Raf mutation in particular being focused on by experts for decades. The B-Raf gene has numerous mutations, however, V600E presents with the highest frequency. It is believed that the existence of the V600E mutation may demonstrate an association with the clinicopathological characteristics of patients, however, inconsistencies remain in the literature. A number of explanatory theories have been presented in order to resolve these discrepancies. Recently, it has been suggested that the V600E mutation may function as a target in a novel approach that may aid the diagnosis and prognosis of thyroid carcinoma, with a number of vying methods put forward to that effect. The current review aims to assist researchers in further understanding the possible association between B-Raf mutations and thyroid carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Haidi Chu
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Haitao Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
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Dorris ER, Blackshields G, Sommerville G, Alhashemi M, Dias A, McEneaney V, Smyth P, O'Leary JJ, Sheils O. Pluripotency markers are differentially induced by MEK inhibition in thyroid and melanoma BRAFV600E cell lines. Cancer Biol Ther 2016; 17:526-42. [PMID: 26828826 PMCID: PMC4910922 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2016.1139230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic mutations in BRAF are common in melanoma and thyroid carcinoma and drive constitutive activation of the MAPK pathway. Molecularly targeted therapies of this pathway improves survival compared to chemotherapy; however, responses tend to be short-lived as resistance invariably occursCell line models of melanoma and thyroid carcinoma, +/− BRAFV600E activating mutation, were treated with the MEK inhibitor PD0325901. Treated and naive samples were assayed for expression of key members of the MAPK pathway. Global microRNA expression profiling of naive and resistant cells was performed via next generation sequencingand indicated pluripotency pathways in resistance. Parental cell lines were progressed to holoclones to confirm the miRNA stemness profileMembers of the MIR302/373/374/520 family of embryonic stem cell specific cell cycle regulating (ESCC) microRNAs were identified as differentially expressed between resistant BRAFV600E melanoma and thyroid cell lines. Upregulated expression of gene and protein stemness markers, upregulated expression of MAPK pathway genes and downregulation of the ESCC MIR302 cluster in BRAFV600E melanoma indicated an increased stem-like phenotype in resistant BRAFV600E melanoma. Conversely, downregulated expression of gene and protein stemness markers, downregulated expression of MAPK pathway genes, upregulation of the ESCC MIR520 cluster, reeexpression of cell surface receptors, and induced differentiation-associated morphology in resistant BRAFV600E indicate a differentiated phenotype associated with MEK inhibitor resistance in BRAFV600E thyroid cellsThe differential patterns of resistance observed between BRAFV600E melanoma and thyroid cell lines may reflect tissue type or de novo differentiation, but could have significant impact on the response of primary and metastatic cells to MEK inhibitor treatment. This study provides a basis for the investigation of the cellular differentiation/self-renewal access and its role in resistance to MEK inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R Dorris
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Gordon Blackshields
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Gary Sommerville
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Mohsen Alhashemi
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Andrew Dias
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Victoria McEneaney
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Paul Smyth
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - John J O'Leary
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Orla Sheils
- a Department of Histopathology , Sir Patrick Dun Research Lab, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
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21
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Dao BD, Lingvay I, Sailors J, Landay M, Shapiro G. First-Line Use of Vemurafenib to Enable Thyroidectomy and Radioactive Iodine Ablation for BRAF-Positive Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Case Report. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2015; 3:2324709615603723. [PMID: 26904701 PMCID: PMC4748501 DOI: 10.1177/2324709615603723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Patients with metastatic or radioactive iodine refractory papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) have poor prognosis due to ineffective therapy for this condition beyond surgery and radioactive iodine (RAI or 131I). BRAF mutation occurs in more than 44% of PCT. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, the most commonly used agents for these patients, have weak BRAF inhibition activity. BRAF inhibitors have demonstrated promising efficacy in relapsed metastatic PCT after standard treatment, though they are not currently approved for this indication. Case Presentation. We present the case of a 48-year-old Hispanic male who initially presented with columnar-cell variant subtype of PTC and positive BRAFV600E mutation. The patient had widespread bulky metastases to lungs, chest wall, brain, and bone. Discussion. Initial use of vemurafenib demonstrated a 42% cytoreduction of targeted pulmonary metastases and facilitated thyroidectomy and RAI treatment. The patient achieved a durable response over 21 months in the setting of widely metastatic disease. Conclusion. Vemurafenib may be effectively used for cytoreduction in patients with bulky metastatic PTC to bridge them to thyroidectomy and RAI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao D Dao
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ildiko Lingvay
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Joseph Sailors
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Michael Landay
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Gabriel Shapiro
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Hall RD, Kudchadkar RR. BRAF Mutations: Signaling, Epidemiology, and Clinical Experience in Multiple Malignancies. Cancer Control 2014; 21:221-30. [DOI: 10.1177/107327481402100307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Richard D. Hall
- Hematology Oncology Fellowship Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Ragini R. Kudchadkar
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
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23
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Borre PV, Gunda V, McFadden DG, Sadow PM, Varmeh S, Bernasconi M, Parangi S. Combined BRAF(V600E)- and SRC-inhibition induces apoptosis, evokes an immune response and reduces tumor growth in an immunocompetent orthotopic mouse model of anaplastic thyroid cancer. Oncotarget 2014; 5:3996-4010. [PMID: 24994118 PMCID: PMC4147301 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic (ATC) and refractory papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) lack effective treatments. Inhibition of either oncogenic BRAF or SRC has marked anti-tumor effects in mouse models of thyroid cancer, however, neither drug induces notable apoptosis. Here we report that the SRC-inhibitor dasatinib further sensitizes BRAFV600E-positive thyroid cancer cells to the BRAFV600E-inhibitor PLX4720. Combined treatment with PLX4720 and dasatinib synergistically inhibited proliferation and reduced migration in PTC and ATC cells. Whereas PLX4720 did not induce robust apoptosis in thyroid cancer cells, combined treatment with dasatinib induced apoptosis in 4 of 6 lines. In an immunocompetent orthotopic mouse model of ATC, combined PLX4720 and dasatinib treatment significantly reduced tumor volume relative to PLX4720 treatment alone. Immune cell infiltration was increased by PLX4720 treatment and this effect was maintained in mice treated with both PLX4720 and dasatinib. Further, combined treatment significantly increased caspase 3 cleavage in vivo relative to control or either treatment alone. In conclusion, combined PLX4720 and dasatinib treatment induces apoptosis, increases immune cell infiltration and reduces tumor volume in a preclinical model of ATC, suggesting that the combination of these FDA-approved drugs may have potential for the treatment of patients with ATC or refractory PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Vanden Borre
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Viswanath Gunda
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David G. McFadden
- Thyroid Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter M. Sadow
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shohreh Varmeh
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maria Bernasconi
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sareh Parangi
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Gandolfi G, Sancisi V, Piana S, Ciarrocchi A. Time to re-consider the meaning of BRAF V600E mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Int J Cancer 2014; 137:1001-11. [PMID: 24828987 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2013] [Revised: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The BRAF V600E mutation, resulting from the BRAFT1799A transversion, is the most common genetic mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), with a mean frequency close to 50% among all cases. A large number of studies in the past decade have tried to dissect the relevance and the function of the V600E mutation in controlling oncogenesis and progression of thyroid cancer. However, several works published in the latest years have provided new evidence, in partial conflict with the previous knowledge, suggesting the need of reconsidering the meaning of the BRAF V600E mutation in PTC. In this work, we attempt to discuss some of the most recent molecular, preclinical and clinical evidence to construct a more exhaustive model of function for the BRAF V600E in development, progression and therapeutic approach of thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Gandolfi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Research and Statistic Infrastructure, Azienda Ospedaliera Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Valentina Sancisi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Research and Statistic Infrastructure, Azienda Ospedaliera Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Simonetta Piana
- Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Research and Statistic Infrastructure, Azienda Ospedaliera Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Vanden Borre P, McFadden DG, Gunda V, Sadow PM, Varmeh S, Bernasconi M, Jacks T, Parangi S. The next generation of orthotopic thyroid cancer models: immunocompetent orthotopic mouse models of BRAF V600E-positive papillary and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Thyroid 2014; 24:705-14. [PMID: 24295207 PMCID: PMC3993062 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2013.0483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the development of new treatments for aggressive thyroid cancer has advanced in the last 10 years, progress has trailed headways made with other malignancies. A lack of reliable authenticated human cell lines and reproducible animal models is one major roadblock to preclinical testing of novel therapeutics. Existing xenograft and orthotopic mouse models of aggressive thyroid cancer rely on the implantation of highly passaged human thyroid carcinoma lines in immunodeficient mice. Genetically engineered models of papillary and undifferentiated (anaplastic) thyroid carcinoma (PTC and ATC) are immunocompetent; however, slow and stochastic tumor development hinders high-throughput testing. Novel models of PTC and ATC in which tumors arise rapidly and synchronously in immunocompetent mice would facilitate the investigation of novel therapeutics and approaches. METHODS We characterized and utilized mouse cell lines derived from PTC and ATC tumors arising in genetically engineered mice with thyroid-specific expression of endogenous Braf(V600E/WT) and deletion of either Trp53 (p53) or Pten. These murine thyroid cancer cells were transduced with luciferase- and GFP-expressing lentivirus and implanted into the thyroid glands of immunocompetent syngeneic B6129SF1/J mice in which the growth characteristics were assessed. RESULTS Large locally aggressive thyroid tumors form within one week of implantation. Tumors recapitulate their histologic subtype, including well-differentiated PTC and ATC, and exhibit CD3+, CD8+, B220+, and CD163+ immune cell infiltration. Tumor progression can be followed in vivo using luciferase and ex vivo using GFP. Metastatic spread is not detected at early time points. CONCLUSIONS We describe the development of the next generation of murine orthotopic thyroid cancer models. The implantation of genetically defined murine BRAF-mutated PTC and ATC cell lines into syngeneic mice results in rapid and synchronous tumor formation. This model allows for preclinical investigation of novel therapeutics and/or therapeutic combinations in the context of a functional immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Vanden Borre
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David G. McFadden
- Thyroid Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Viswanath Gunda
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter M. Sadow
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shohreh Varmeh
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maria Bernasconi
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tyler Jacks
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Sareh Parangi
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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26
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Hanly EK, Rajoria S, Darzynkiewicz Z, Zhao H, Suriano R, Tuli N, George AL, Bednarczyk R, Shin EJ, Geliebter J, Tiwari RK. Disruption of mutated BRAF signaling modulates thyroid cancer phenotype. BMC Res Notes 2014; 7:187. [PMID: 24673746 PMCID: PMC3976539 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine-related cancer in the United States and its incidence is rising rapidly. Since among various genetic lesions identified in thyroid cancer, the BRAFV600E mutation is found in 50% of papillary thyroid cancers and 25% of anaplastic thyroid cancers, this mutation provides an opportunity for targeted drug therapy. Our laboratory evaluated cellular phenotypic effects in response to treatment with PLX4032, a BRAFV600E-specific inhibitor, in normal BRAF-wild-type thyroid cells and in BRAFV600E-positive papillary thyroid cancer cells. Methods Normal BRAF-wild-type thyroid cells and BRAFV600E-mutated papillary thyroid cancer cells were subjected to proliferation assays and analyzed for cell death by immunofluorescence. Cell cycle status was determined using an EdU uptake assay followed by laser scanning cytometry. In addition, expression of proteins within the MAPK signal transduction pathway was analyzed by Western blot. Results PLX4032 has potent anti-proliferative effects selectively in BRAF-mutated thyroid cancer cells. These effects appear to be mediated by the drug’s activity of inhibiting phosphorylation of signaling molecules downstream of BRAF within the pro-survival MAPK pathway. Interestingly, PLX4032 promotes the phosphorylation of these signaling molecules in BRAF-wild-type thyroid cells. Conclusions These findings support further evaluation of combinational therapy that includes BRAFV600E inhibitors in thyroid cancer patients harboring the BRAFV600E mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Raj K Tiwari
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York 10595, USA.
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27
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Wu Z, Yan M, Hu SH, Yu ZC, Zhu Y, Cheng YD, Liu HC, Zhang YM, Yao SH, Tang WF, Lu T. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of indole derivatives as novel inhibitors targeting B-Raf kinase. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2013.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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28
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Orthotopic mouse models for the preclinical and translational study of targeted therapies against metastatic human thyroid carcinoma with BRAF(V600E) or wild-type BRAF. Oncogene 2013; 33:5397-404. [PMID: 24362526 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2013] [Revised: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 11/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Molecular signature of advanced and metastatic thyroid carcinoma involves deregulation of multiple fundamental pathways activated in the tumor microenvironment. They include BRAF(V600E) and AKT that affect tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. Human thyroid cancer orthotopic mouse models are based on human cell lines that generally harbor genetic alterations found in human thyroid cancers. They can reproduce in vivo and in situ (into the thyroid) many features of aggressive and refractory human advanced thyroid carcinomas, including local invasion and metastasis. Humanized orthotopic mouse models seem to be ideal and commonly used for preclinical and translational studies of compounds and therapies not only because they may mimic key aspects of human diseases (e.g. metastasis), but also for their reproducibility. In addition, they might provide the possibility to evaluate systemic effects of treatments. So far, human thyroid cancer in vivo models were mainly used to test single compounds, non selective and selective. Despite the greater antitumor activity and lower toxicity obtained with different selective drugs in respect to non-selective ones, most of them are only able to delay disease progression, which ultimately could restart with similar aggressive behavior. Aggressive thyroid tumors (for example, anaplastic or poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma) carry several complex genetic alterations that are likely cooperating to promote disease progression and might confer resistance to single-compound approaches. Orthotopic models of human thyroid cancer also hold the potential to be good models for testing novel combinatorial therapies. In this article, we will summarize results on preclinical testing of selective and nonselective single compounds in orthotopic mouse models based on validated human thyroid cancer cell lines harboring the BRAF(V600E) mutation or with wild-type BRAF. Furthermore, we will discuss the potential use of this model also for combinatorial approaches, which are expected to take place in the upcoming human thyroid cancer basic and clinical research.
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29
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Kim KB, Cabanillas ME, Lazar AJ, Williams MD, Sanders DL, Ilagan JL, Nolop K, Lee RJ, Sherman SI. Clinical responses to vemurafenib in patients with metastatic papillary thyroid cancer harboring BRAF(V600E) mutation. Thyroid 2013; 23:1277-83. [PMID: 23489023 PMCID: PMC3967415 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2013.0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical benefit from cytotoxic chemotherapy for metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is disappointing, and effective therapeutic approaches for these patients are urgently needed. Because kinase-activating mutations in the BRAF proto-oncogene commonly occur in advanced PTC, and inhibition of BRAF(V600E) has shown promising clinical activity in melanoma, BRAF inhibitor therapy may be an effective strategy to treat metastatic PTC. METHODS The dose escalation portion of a first-in-human, phase I study of vemurafenib, a selective RAF inhibitor, included three patients with metastatic PTC harboring the BRAF(V600E) mutation. Vemurafenib was initially dosed at 240-360 mg twice a day, later escalated to 720 mg twice a day. Response evaluation was performed every 8 weeks per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). RESULTS Among the three patients, one had a confirmed partial response with reduction of pulmonary target lesions by 31%, and the duration of response was 7.6 months before the disease progressed in the lungs and the bones. The time to progression was 11.7 months. The other two patients had stable disease, and the time to progression was 13.2 and 11.4 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Vemurafenib appears to have a promising clinical activity in patients with metastatic PTC, and our data suggest that the BRAF(V600E) mutant kinase is a relevant target for therapy in this patient population. Further investigation of inhibitors of mutated BRAF kinase in patients with PTC in a phase II study is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin B. Kim
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Maria E. Cabanillas
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Alexander J. Lazar
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Michelle D. Williams
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Deborah L. Sanders
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Joseph L. Ilagan
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | | | - Steven I. Sherman
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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Abstract
Thyroid cancer is a common endocrine malignancy. There has been exciting progress in understanding its molecular pathogenesis in recent years, as best exemplified by the elucidation of the fundamental role of several major signalling pathways and related molecular derangements. Central to these mechanisms are the genetic and epigenetic alterations in these pathways, such as mutation, gene copy-number gain and aberrant gene methylation. Many of these molecular alterations represent novel diagnostic and prognostic molecular markers and therapeutic targets for thyroid cancer, which provide unprecedented opportunities for further research and clinical development of novel treatment strategies for this cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhao Xing
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid Research, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 East Monument Street, Suite 333, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
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Baquero P, Sánchez-Hernández I, Jiménez-Mora E, Orgaz JL, Jiménez B, Chiloeches A. (V600E)BRAF promotes invasiveness of thyroid cancer cells by decreasing E-cadherin expression through a Snail-dependent mechanism. Cancer Lett 2013; 335:232-41. [PMID: 23435375 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2013.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BRAF is a main oncogene in human thyroid cancer. Here, we show that BRAF depletion by siRNA or inhibition of its activity by treatment with BRAF inhibitor PLX4720 decreases migration and invasion in thyroid cancer cells expressing oncogenic (V600E)BRAF through a MEK/ERK-dependent mechanism, since treatment with the MEK inhibitor U0126 exerts the same effect. Moreover, over-expression of (V600E)BRAF increases migration and invasion of wild-type BRAF thyroid cells. Using the same strategies, we demonstrate that these effects are mediated by upregulation of the transcriptional repressor Snail with a concomitant decrease of its target E-cadherin, both hallmarks of EMT. These results reveal a novel (V600E)BRAF-induced mechanism in thyroid tumours progression and provides a rationale for using the PLX4720 inhibitor to target (V600E)BRAF signalling to effectively control progression of thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Baquero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
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Dasgupta T, Haas-Kogan DA, Yang X, Olow A, Yang DX, Gragg A, Orloff LA, Yom SS. Genotype-dependent cooperation of ionizing radiation with BRAF inhibition in BRAF V600E-mutated carcinomas. Invest New Drugs 2013; 31:1136-41. [PMID: 23354848 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-013-9928-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A substantial proportion of solid tumors carry the BRAF V600E mutation, which causes activation of the MEK/MAPK pathway and is a poor prognostic indicator. Patients with locally advanced human cancers are often treated with external beam radiation therapy. Given the association of Raf overactivation with radioresistance, we hypothesized that, in BRAF V600E-mutated carcinomas, there would be combinatorial activity between radiation and PLX4720, a specific BRAF V600E-inhibitor. METHODS Two BRAF V600E-mutated cancer cell lines and one BRAF-V600E wildtype (WT) cancer cell line were obtained. We performed cell viability assays and clonogenic assays using combinations of radiation and PLX4720. We assessed MEK and MAPK phosphorylation at different PLX4720 concentrations with western blotting, and cell cycle progression was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS Our results show combinatorial, additive activity between radiation and PLX4720 in BRAF V600E-mutated cell lines, but not in the BRAF WT line. In BRAF V600E-mutated cells, there was a PLX4720 concentration-dependent decrease in MEK and MAPK phosphorylation. In cells with BRAF V600E mutations, PLX4720 caused cell cycle arrest at G1, and, when combined with radiation, caused a combined G1 and G2 cell cycle arrest; this pattern of cell cycle effects was not seen in the BRAF WT cell line. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest additive, combinatorial activity between radiation and PLX4720 in cancers carrying BRAF V600E mutations. Our data has potential for translation into the multimodality treatment of BRAF V600E-mutated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Dasgupta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, 1600 Divisadero Street, Suite H-1031, San Francisco, CA, 94143-1708, USA
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Molecular and Genetic Markers of Follicular-Cell Thyroid Cancer: Etiology and Diagnostic and Therapeutic Opportunities. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 779:309-26. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-6176-0_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Schneider TC, Abdulrahman RM, Corssmit EP, Morreau H, Smit JWA, Kapiteijn E. Long-term analysis of the efficacy and tolerability of sorafenib in advanced radio-iodine refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma: final results of a phase II trial. Eur J Endocrinol 2012; 167:643-50. [PMID: 22918300 DOI: 10.1530/eje-12-0405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We conducted a prospective phase II clinical trial to determine the efficacy of sorafenib in patients with advanced radio-iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. In this article, the long-term results are presented. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-one patients with progressive metastatic or locally advanced radioactive iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer received sorafenib 400 mg orally twice daily. The study end points included response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), best response by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria 1.0, and toxicity. RESULTS Median PFS was 18 months (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 7-29 months) and median OS was 34.5 months (95% CI: 19-50 months). Eight patients (31%) achieved a partial response and 11 patients (42%) showed stable disease after a median follow-up of 25 months (range 3.5-39 months). Toxicity mostly included hand foot syndrome, weight loss, diarrhea, and rash. CONCLUSION Sorafenib has clinically relevant antitumor activity in patients with progressive metastatic or locally advanced radio-iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. Sorafenib can nowadays be considered as the standard option in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Schneider
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
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36
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Novel small molecule Raf kinase inhibitors for targeted cancer therapeutics. Arch Pharm Res 2012; 35:605-15. [PMID: 22553052 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-012-0403-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2011] [Revised: 12/14/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of Raf signaling pathway is frequently found in various human tumors, it has been considered as distinct and promising molecular target for cancer therapeutics. B-Raf is most attractive drug target out of three Raf isoforms (A-Raf, B-Raf and C-Raf) because it exhibits high kinase activity due to frequent mutations in human tumors. However, most recently, it has been reported that Raf isoforms show the cross-activation in the presence of specific B-Raf inhibitors, which brings about the paradoxical p-ERK activation as well as tumor promoting effect. According to these findings, it remains controversy whether pan-Raf kinase inhibitor is more valuable and promising rather than specific B-Raf inhibitor under certain conditions in terms of cancer therapeutics. In this short review, novel Raf kinase inhibitors undergoing clinical investigation are introduced. Moreover, the paradoxical p-ERK activation is discussed with specific B-Raf inhibitors, PLX4032/4720 compounds.
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A more sensitive platform for the detection of low-abundance BRAFV600E mutations. Mol Cell Biochem 2012; 366:49-58. [DOI: 10.1007/s11010-012-1282-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2011] [Accepted: 03/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Liu R, Liu D, Xing M. The Akt inhibitor MK2206 synergizes, but perifosine antagonizes, the BRAF(V600E) inhibitor PLX4032 and the MEK1/2 inhibitor AZD6244 in the inhibition of thyroid cancer cells. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2012; 97:E173-82. [PMID: 22090271 PMCID: PMC3275354 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2011-1054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to explore optimal combinations of currently actively developed drugs for dually targeting the Ras → Raf → MAPK kinase (MEK) → MAPK/ERK (MAPK) and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathways as effective treatments for thyroid cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We tested the combinations of the Akt inhibitors MK2206 or perifosine with the BRAF(V600E) inhibitor PLX4032 or the MEK1/2 inhibitor AZD6244 in thyroid cancer cells harboring both the BRAF(V600E) and PIK3CA mutations. RESULTS We found that MK2206 could potently, when used alone, and synergistically, when combined with either PLX4032 or AZD6244, inhibit thyroid cancer cell growth with all the combination index values lower than 1. Perifosine could potently inhibit thyroid cancer cell growth when used alone, but a strong antagonism occurred between this drug and PLX4032 or AZD6244 in the inhibition of thyroid cancer cell growth with all combination index values higher than 1. Combinations of MK2206 with PLX4032 or AZD6244 dramatically enhanced G1 cell cycle arrest induced by each drug alone. However, G2 cell cycle arrest uniquely induced by perifosine alone and G1 cell cycle arrest induced by PLX4032 or AZD6244 were both reversed by combination treatments, providing a mechanism for their antagonism. All these drugs could correspondingly inhibit the MAPK and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signalings, confirming their expected target effects. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated, unexpectedly, opposite outcomes of MK2206 and perifosine in their combinational treatments with BRAF(V600E)/MEK inhibitors in thyroid cancer cells. The data may help appropriate selection of these prominent drugs for clinical trials of combination therapies for thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixin Liu
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Thyroid Research, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA
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Current World Literature. Curr Opin Oncol 2012; 24:109-14. [DOI: 10.1097/cco.0b013e32834f4ea3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Yang H, Higgins B, Kolinsky K, Packman K, Bradley WD, Lee RJ, Schostack K, Simcox ME, Kopetz S, Heimbrook D, Lestini B, Bollag G, Su F. Antitumor activity of BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib in preclinical models of BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer. Cancer Res 2011; 72:779-89. [PMID: 22180495 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-11-2941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The protein kinase BRAF is a key component of the RAS-RAF signaling pathway which plays an important role in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Mutations in BRAF at codon 600 promote catalytic activity and are associated with 8% of all human (solid) tumors, including 8% to 10% of colorectal cancers (CRC). Here, we report the preclinical characterization of vemurafenib (RG7204; PLX4032; RO5185426), a first-in-class, specific small molecule inhibitor of BRAF(V600E) in BRAF-mutated CRC cell lines and tumor xenograft models. As a single agent, vemurafenib shows dose-dependent inhibition of ERK and MEK phosphorylation, thereby arresting cell proliferation in BRAF(V600)-expressing cell lines and inhibiting tumor growth in BRAF(V600E) bearing xenograft models. Because vemurafenib has shown limited single-agent clinical activity in BRAF(V600E)-mutant metastatic CRC, we therefore explored a range of combination therapies, with both standard agents and targeted inhibitors in preclinical xenograft models. In a BRAF-mutant CRC xenograft model with de novo resistance to vemurafenib (RKO), tumor growth inhibition by vemurafenib was enhanced by combining with an AKT inhibitor (MK-2206). The addition of vemurafenib to capecitabine and/or bevacizumab, cetuximab and/or irinotecan, or erlotinib resulted in increased antitumor activity and improved survival in xenograft models. Together, our findings suggest that the administration of vemurafenib in combination with standard-of-care or novel targeted therapies may lead to enhanced and sustained clinical antitumor efficacy in CRCs harboring the BRAF(V600E) mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yang
- Roche Pharmaceuticals, Nutley, New Jersey 07110, USA
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Gild ML, Bullock M, Robinson BG, Clifton-Bligh R. Multikinase inhibitors: a new option for the treatment of thyroid cancer. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2011; 7:617-24. [PMID: 21862995 DOI: 10.1038/nrendo.2011.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer typically has a good outcome following standard treatments, which include surgery, radioactive iodine ablation and treatment with TSH-suppressive levothyroxine. Thyroid cancers that persist or recur following these therapies have a poorer prognosis. Activation of mitogenic and angiogenic signaling pathways occurs in these cancers, and preclinical models have shown that inhibition of key kinase steps in these pathways can have antitumoral effects. Several of these kinase inhibitors have now been tested in phase II and phase III trials, with modestly encouraging results. Some promising data exist for the use of vandetanib (also known as ZD6474), motesanib, axitinib, cabozantinib (also known as XL184), sorafenib, sunitinib, pazopanib and lenvatinib (also known as E7080) in progressive thyroid cancer of medullary, papillary and follicular subtypes. These drugs are generally well-tolerated, although dose-limiting toxicities are common, and a few (probable) treatment-related deaths have been reported. Additional phase III trials will be needed to conclusively show that treatment benefit exceeds risk. Drug resistance can occur via activation of alternate mitogenic signals (pathway switching), as has been reported for the use of kinase inhibitors in other malignancies, such as melanoma. The hypothesis that combinations of kinase inhibitors targeting different pathways might produce better results is currently being tested in several clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matti L Gild
- Cancer Genetics Unit, Hormones and Cancer Group, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
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A pharmacogenomic method for individualized prediction of drug sensitivity. Mol Syst Biol 2011; 7:513. [PMID: 21772261 PMCID: PMC3159972 DOI: 10.1038/msb.2011.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2011] [Accepted: 06/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Using valproic acid as an example, the authors demonstrate that drug response signatures derived from genome-wide expression data can identify individuals likely to respond to a drug, and propose that this method could select optimal populations for clinical trials of new therapies. Drug response signatures that accurately reflect the cellular response to a drug can be generated from Connectivity Map and publically available gene expression data. Predictions from the drug response signature for valproic acid correlate with sensitivity to valproic acid in breast cancer cell lines and patient tumors grown in three-dimensional culture and mouse xenografts. The MATCH algorithm provides an efficient approach for using genome-wide gene expression data to identify a target population for a drug prior to clinical trials. MATCH can predict drug sensitivity in tumors without knowledge of mechanism of action.
Unlike traditional chemotherapy, targeted cancer therapies are expected to work in only a subset of people with a particular cancer. However, biomarkers of response are not always known before clinical trial initiation. We present MATCH (Merging genomic and pharmacologic Analyses for Therapy CHoice), an algorithm for using genome-wide gene expression data to identify and validate a genomic biomarker of sensitivity (see Figure 1). Our proof-of-principle example is valproic acid (VPA), but we also show that an estrogen blocking drug currently used for breast cancer and a B-RAF inhibitor in trials for melanoma give predictions that correspond to their clinical uses. We use genome-wide gene expression data from treated and untreated samples from the Connectivity Map to generate a VPA response signature. We validate that the VPA signature can identify treated and untreated cells in an independent data set of normal cells and in independent samples from the Connectivity Map. The AUC for the ROC curve is 0.86. We then apply the VPA signature to publically available data sets from a panel of cancer cell lines and from primary tumor and normal tissue samples. These data suggest that there is a subset of women with breast cancer who will be sensitive to VPA. Finally, we validate that our predictions correlate with sensitivity to VPA in breast cancer cell lines grown in two-dimensional culture, primary breast tumor samples grown in three-dimensional culture, and in vivo mouse breast cancer xenografts. Together, these studies show that MATCH can identify cancer patients most likely to respond to a specific drug treatment. Identifying the best drug for each cancer patient requires an efficient individualized strategy. We present MATCH (Merging genomic and pharmacologic Analyses for Therapy CHoice), an approach using public genomic resources and drug testing of fresh tumor samples to link drugs to patients. Valproic acid (VPA) is highlighted as a proof-of-principle. In order to predict specific tumor types with high probability of drug sensitivity, we create drug response signatures using publically available gene expression data and assess sensitivity in a data set of >40 cancer types. Next, we evaluate drug sensitivity in matched tumor and normal tissue and exclude cancer types that are no more sensitive than normal tissue. From these analyses, breast tumors are predicted to be sensitive to VPA. A meta-analysis across breast cancer data sets shows that aggressive subtypes are most likely to be sensitive to VPA, but all subtypes have sensitive tumors. MATCH predictions correlate significantly with growth inhibition in cancer cell lines and three-dimensional cultures of fresh tumor samples. MATCH accurately predicts reduction in tumor growth rate following VPA treatment in patient tumor xenografts. MATCH uses genomic analysis with in vitro testing of patient tumors to select optimal drug regimens before clinical trial initiation.
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