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Targeting TRAIL Death Receptors in Triple-Negative Breast Cancers: Challenges and Strategies for Cancer Therapy. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233717. [PMID: 36496977 PMCID: PMC9739296 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily member TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in cancer cells via death receptor (DR) activation with little toxicity to normal cells or tissues. The selectivity for activating apoptosis in cancer cells confers an ideal therapeutic characteristic to TRAIL, which has led to the development and clinical testing of many DR agonists. However, TRAIL/DR targeting therapies have been widely ineffective in clinical trials of various malignancies for reasons that remain poorly understood. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the worst prognosis among breast cancers. Targeting the TRAIL DR pathway has shown notable efficacy in a subset of TNBC in preclinical models but again has not shown appreciable activity in clinical trials. In this review, we will discuss the signaling components and mechanisms governing TRAIL pathway activation and clinical trial findings discussed with a focus on TNBC. Challenges and potential solutions for using DR agonists in the clinic are also discussed, including consideration of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of DR agonists, patient selection by predictive biomarkers, and potential combination therapies. Moreover, recent findings on the impact of TRAIL treatment on the immune response, as well as novel strategies to address those challenges, are discussed.
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Lei J, Song Y, Li D, Lei M, Tan R, Liu Y, Zheng H. pH
‐sensitive and charge‐reversal Daunorubicin‐conjugated polymeric micelles for enhanced cancer therapy. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.51535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqing Lei
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan PR China
| | - Yajing Song
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan PR China
| | - Dan Li
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan PR China
| | - Mengheng Lei
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan PR China
| | - Rui Tan
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan PR China
| | - Yiqing Liu
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan PR China
| | - Hua Zheng
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan PR China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan PR China
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Alexandrou S, George SM, Ormandy CJ, Lim E, Oakes SR, Caldon CE. The Proliferative and Apoptotic Landscape of Basal-like Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030667. [PMID: 30720718 PMCID: PMC6387372 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) is an aggressive molecular subtype that represents up to 15% of breast cancers. It occurs in younger patients, and typically shows rapid development of locoregional and distant metastasis, resulting in a relatively high mortality rate. Its defining features are that it is positive for basal cytokeratins and, epidermal growth factor receptor and/or c-Kit. Problematically, it is typically negative for the estrogen receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which means that it is unsuitable for either hormone therapy or targeted HER2 therapy. As a result, there are few therapeutic options for BLBC, and a major priority is to define molecular subgroups of BLBC that could be targeted therapeutically. In this review, we focus on the highly proliferative and anti-apoptotic phenotype of BLBC with the goal of defining potential therapeutic avenues, which could take advantage of these aspects of tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Alexandrou
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 2010 Sydney, Australia.
| | - Sandra Marie George
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 2010 Sydney, Australia.
| | - Christopher John Ormandy
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 2010 Sydney, Australia.
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, 2052 Sydney, Australia.
| | - Elgene Lim
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 2010 Sydney, Australia.
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, 2052 Sydney, Australia.
| | - Samantha Richelle Oakes
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 2010 Sydney, Australia.
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, 2052 Sydney, Australia.
| | - C Elizabeth Caldon
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 2010 Sydney, Australia.
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, 2052 Sydney, Australia.
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Kim SY, Hong M, Heo SH, Park S, Kwon TK, Sung YH, Oh Y, Lee S, Yi GS, Kim I. Inhibition of euchromatin histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 sensitizes breast cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand through reactive oxygen species-mediated activating transcription factor 4-C/EBP homologous protein-death receptor 5 pathway activation. Mol Carcinog 2018; 57:1492-1506. [PMID: 29964331 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been characterized as an anti-cancer therapeutic agent with prominent cancer cell selectivity over normal cells. However, breast cancer cells are generally resistant to TRAIL, thus limiting its therapeutic potential. In this study, we found that BIX-01294, a selective inhibitor of euchromatin histone methyltransferase 2/G9a, is a strong TRAIL sensitizer in breast cancer cells. The combination of BIX-01294 and TRAIL decreased cell viability and led to an increase in the annexin V/propidium iodide-positive cell population, DNA fragmentation, and caspase activation. BIX-01294 markedly increased death receptor 5 (DR5) expression, while silencing of DR5 using small interfering RNAs abolished the TRAIL-sensitizing effect of BIX-01294. Specifically, BIX-01294 induced C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)-mediated DR5 gene transcriptional activation and DR5 promoter activation was induced by upregulation of the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase-mediated activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Moreover, inhibition of reactive oxygen species by N-acetyl-L-cysteine efficiently blocked BIX-01294-induced DR5 upregulation by inhibiting ATF4/CHOP expression, leading to diminished sensitization to TRAIL. These findings suggest that BIX-01294 sensitizes breast cancer cells to TRAIL by upregulating ATF4/CHOP-dependent DR5 expression with a reactive oxygen species-dependent manner. Furthermore, combination treatment with BIX-01294 and TRAIL suppressed tumor growth and induced apoptosis in vivo. In conclusion, we found that epigenetic regulation can contribute to the development of resistance to cancer therapeutics such as TRAIL, and further studies of unfolded protein responses and the associated epigenetic regulatory mechanisms may lead to the discovery of new molecular targets for effective cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Young Kim
- ASAN Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - MiNa Hong
- ASAN Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Ho Heo
- Department of Convergence Medicine, ASAN Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sojung Park
- ASAN Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeg Kyu Kwon
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Hoon Sung
- ASAN Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yumin Oh
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Seulki Lee
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gwan-Su Yi
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Inki Kim
- ASAN Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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5
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Young AIJ, Law AMK, Castillo L, Chong S, Cullen HD, Koehler M, Herzog S, Brummer T, Lee EF, Fairlie WD, Lucas MC, Herrmann D, Allam A, Timpson P, Watkins DN, Millar EKA, O'Toole SA, Gallego-Ortega D, Ormandy CJ, Oakes SR. MCL-1 inhibition provides a new way to suppress breast cancer metastasis and increase sensitivity to dasatinib. Breast Cancer Res 2016; 18:125. [PMID: 27931239 PMCID: PMC5146841 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-016-0781-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastatic disease is largely resistant to therapy and accounts for almost all cancer deaths. Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) is an important regulator of cell survival and chemo-resistance in a wide range of malignancies, and thus its inhibition may prove to be therapeutically useful. METHODS To examine whether targeting MCL-1 may provide an effective treatment for breast cancer, we constructed inducible models of BIMs2A expression (a specific MCL-1 inhibitor) in MDA-MB-468 (MDA-MB-468-2A) and MDA-MB-231 (MDA-MB-231-2A) cells. RESULTS MCL-1 inhibition caused apoptosis of basal-like MDA-MB-468-2A cells grown as monolayers, and sensitized them to the BCL-2/BCL-XL inhibitor ABT-263, demonstrating that MCL-1 regulated cell survival. In MDA-MB-231-2A cells, grown in an organotypic model, induction of BIMs2A produced an almost complete suppression of invasion. Apoptosis was induced in such a small proportion of these cells that it could not account for the large decrease in invasion, suggesting that MCL-1 was operating via a previously undetected mechanism. MCL-1 antagonism also suppressed local invasion and distant metastasis to the lung in mouse mammary intraductal xenografts. Kinomic profiling revealed that MCL-1 antagonism modulated Src family kinases and their targets, which suggested that MCL-1 might act as an upstream modulator of invasion via this pathway. Inhibition of MCL-1 in combination with dasatinib suppressed invasion in 3D models of invasion and inhibited the establishment of tumors in vivo. CONCLUSION These data provide the first evidence that MCL-1 drives breast cancer cell invasion and suggests that MCL-1 antagonists could be used alone or in combination with drugs targeting Src kinases such as dasatinib to suppress metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide I J Young
- Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Andrew M K Law
- Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Lesley Castillo
- Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Sabrina Chong
- Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Hayley D Cullen
- Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Martin Koehler
- Centre for Biological Systems Analysis (ZBSA) and Centre for Biological Signallling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Stefan-Meier-Strasse 17, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.,Spemann Graduate School for Biology and Medicine and Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Stefan-Meier-Strasse 17, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Herzog
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tilman Brummer
- Centre for Biological Systems Analysis (ZBSA) and Centre for Biological Signallling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Stefan-Meier-Strasse 17, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.,BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Erinna F Lee
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine and Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia.,The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Walter D Fairlie
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine and Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia.,The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Morghan C Lucas
- Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - David Herrmann
- Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Amr Allam
- Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Paul Timpson
- Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Medicine, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - D Neil Watkins
- Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Medicine, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Ewan K A Millar
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, South Eastern Area Laboratory Service, St George Hospital, Grey St, Kogarah, NSW, 2217, Australia
| | - Sandra A O'Toole
- Sydney Medical School, Sydney University, Fisher Rd, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.,Department of Tissue, Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Rd, Camperdown, 2050, NSW, Australia
| | - David Gallego-Ortega
- Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Medicine, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Christopher J Ormandy
- Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.,St. Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Medicine, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Samantha R Oakes
- Cancer Research Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia. .,St. Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Medicine, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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6
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Kim SY, Park SE, Shim SM, Park S, Kim KK, Jeong SY, Choi EK, Hwang JJ, Jin DH, Chung CD, Kim I. Bay 61-3606 Sensitizes TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis by Downregulating Mcl-1 in Breast Cancer Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0146073. [PMID: 26720004 PMCID: PMC4697837 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer cells generally develop resistance to TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) and, therefore, assistance from sensitizers is required. In our study, we have demonstrated that Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) inhibitor Bay 61–3606 was identified as a TRAIL sensitizer. Amplification of TRAIL-induced apoptosis by Bay 61–3606 was accompanied by the strong activation of Bak, caspases, and DNA fragmentation. In mechanism of action, Bay 61–3606 sensitized cells to TRAIL via two mechanisms regulating myeloid cell leukemia sequence-1 (Mcl-1). First, Bay 61–3606 triggered ubiquitin-dependent degradation of Mcl-1 by regulating Mcl-1 phosphorylation. Second, Bay 61–3606 downregulates Mcl-1 expression at the transcription level. In this context, Bay 61–3606 acted as an inhibitor of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase (CDK) 9 rather than Syk. In summary, Bay 61–3606 downregulates Mcl-1 expression in breast cancer cells and sensitizes cancer cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- So-Young Kim
- ASAN Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Eun Park
- ASAN Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Mi Shim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sojung Park
- ASAN Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Kon Kim
- ASAN Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Yun Jeong
- ASAN Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Innovative Cancer Research, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Kyung Choi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, ASAN Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Innovative Cancer Research, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Jin Hwang
- ASAN Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Innovative Cancer Research, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hoon Jin
- Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Innovative Cancer Research, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Inki Kim
- ASAN Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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7
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Garimella SV, Gehlhaus K, Dine JL, Pitt JJ, Grandin M, Chakka S, Nau MM, Caplen NJ, Lipkowitz S. Identification of novel molecular regulators of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells by RNAi screening. Breast Cancer Res 2014; 16:R41. [PMID: 24745479 PMCID: PMC4053258 DOI: 10.1186/bcr3645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) binds to its receptors, TRAIL-receptor 1 (TRAIL-R1) and TRAIL-receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2), leading to apoptosis by activation of caspase-8 and the downstream executioner caspases, caspase-3 and caspase-7 (caspase-3/7). Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines with a mesenchymal phenotype are sensitive to TRAIL, whereas other breast cancer cell lines are resistant. The underlying mechanisms that control TRAIL sensitivity in breast cancer cells are not well understood. Here, we performed small interfering RNA (siRNA) screens to identify molecular regulators of the TRAIL pathway in breast cancer cells. METHODS We conducted siRNA screens of the human kinome (691 genes), phosphatome (320 genes), and about 300 additional genes in the mesenchymal TNBC cell line MB231. Forty-eight hours after transfection of siRNA, parallel screens measuring caspase-8 activity, caspase-3/7 activity, or cell viability were conducted in the absence or presence of TRAIL for each siRNA, relative to a negative control siRNA (siNeg). A subset of genes was screened in cell lines representing epithelial TNBC (MB468), HER2-amplified breast cancer (SKBR3), and estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer (T47D). Selected putative negative regulators of the TRAIL pathway were studied by using small-molecule inhibitors. RESULTS The primary screens in MB231 identified 150 genes, including 83 kinases, 4 phosphatases, and 63 nonkinases, as potential negative regulators of TRAIL. The identified genes are involved in many critical cell processes, including apoptosis, growth factor-receptor signaling, cell-cycle regulation, transcriptional regulation, and DNA repair. Gene-network analysis identified four genes (PDPK1, IKBKB, SRC, and BCL2L1) that formed key nodes within the interaction network of negative regulators. A secondary screen of a subset of the genes identified in additional cell lines representing different breast cancer subtypes and sensitivities to TRAIL validated and extended these findings. Further, we confirmed that small-molecule inhibition of SRC or BCL2L1, in combination with TRAIL, sensitizes breast cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, including cell lines resistant to TRAIL-induced cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS These data identify novel molecular regulators of TRAIL-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells and suggest strategies for the enhanced application of TRAIL as a therapy for breast cancer.
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Han Y, Park S, Kinyua AW, Andera L, Kim KW, Kim I. Emetine enhances the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells by downregulation of myeloid cell leukemia sequence-1 protein. Oncol Rep 2013; 31:456-62. [PMID: 24213797 DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising cancer therapeutic agent, it shows limited efficacy in human pancreatic cancer cells. Protein synthesis inhibition has been reported to sensitize cancer cells to apoptosis-inducing agents, but the detailed mechanism by which protein synthesis inhibition sensitize cells to TRAIL has not been determined. To investigate the mechanism underlying pancreatic cancer cell resistance to TRAIL, we performed a small scale high-throughput compound screening in AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer cells using a bioactive small molecule library. We identified 8 compounds that reproducibly sensitize AsPC-1 cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. One of these compounds, emetine hydrochloride, when combined with subtoxic concentrations of TRAIL, induced massive apoptosis in AsPC-1 and BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells. Cell death analysis revealed that the sensitizing effects of emetine were specific to TRAIL. Emetine downregulated the expression of the TRAIL-related anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, specific knockdown of Mcl-1 using small interfering RNA without emetine treatment sensitized pancreatic cancer cells to TRAIL. Emetine sensitization of pancreatic cancer cells to TRAIL via Mcl-1 was confirmed under hypoxic conditions. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that Mcl-1 is involved in pancreatic cancer cell resistance to TRAIL, and emetine facilitates the apoptosis of TRAIL-tolerant pancreatic cancer cells by specifically inhibiting Mcl-1 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujeong Han
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Republic of Korea
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9
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Park SH, Park SJ, Kim JO, Shin JH, Kim ES, Jo YK, Kim JS, Park SJ, Jin DH, Hwang JJ, Lee SJ, Jeong SY, Lee C, Kim I, Cho DH. Down-Regulation of Survivin by Nemadipine-A Sensitizes Cancer Cells to TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2013; 21:29-34. [PMID: 24009855 PMCID: PMC3762295 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2012.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2012] [Revised: 11/20/2012] [Accepted: 11/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor family of cytokines. TRAIL selectively induces apoptotic cell death in various tumors and cancer cells, but it has little or no toxicity in normal cells. Agonism of TRAIL receptors has been considered to be a valuable cancer-therapeutic strategy. However, more than 85% of primary tumors are resistant to TRAIL, emphasizing the importance of investigating how to overcome TRAIL resistance. In this report, we have found that nemadipine-A, a cell-permeable L-type calcium channel inhibitor, sensitizes TRAIL-resistant cancer cells to this ligand. Combination treatments using TRAIL with nemadipine-A synergistically induced both the caspase cascade and apoptotic cell death, which were blocked by a pan caspase inhibitor (zVAD) but not by autophagy or a necrosis inhibitor. We further found that nemadipine-A, either alone or in combination with TRAIL, notably reduced the expression of survivin, an inhibitor of the apoptosis protein (IAP) family of proteins. Depletion of survivin by small RNA interference (siRNA) resulted in increased cell death and caspase activation by TRAIL treatment. These results suggest that nemadipine-A potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis by down-regulation of survivin expression in TRAIL resistant cells. Thus, combination of TRAIL with nemadipine-A may serve a new therapeutic scheme for the treatment of TRAIL resistant cancer cells, suggesting that a detailed study of this combination would be useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Ho Park
- Ilsong Institute for Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang 431-060, Republic of Korea
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10
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Park S, Cho DH, Andera L, Suh N, Kim I. Curcumin enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells by regulating apoptosis-related proteins. Mol Cell Biochem 2013; 383:39-48. [DOI: 10.1007/s11010-013-1752-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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11
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Premkumar DR, Jane EP, Foster KA, Pollack IF. Survivin inhibitor YM-155 sensitizes tumor necrosis factor- related apoptosis-inducing ligand-resistant glioma cells to apoptosis through Mcl-1 downregulation and by engaging the mitochondrial death pathway. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2013; 346:201-10. [PMID: 23740602 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.113.204743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Induction of apoptosis by the death ligand tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising antitumor therapy. However, not all tumor cells are sensitive to TRAIL, highlighting the need for strategies to overcome TRAIL resistance. Inhibitor of apoptosis family member survivin is constitutively activated in various cancers and blocks apoptotic signaling. Recently, we demonstrated that YM-155 [3-(2-methoxyethyl)-2-methyl-4,9-dioxo-1-(pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-4,9-dihydro-3H-naphtho[2,3-d]imidazol-1-ium bromide], a small molecule inhibitor, downregulates not only survivin in gliomas but also myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 (Mcl-1), and it upregulates proapoptotic Noxa levels. Because Mcl-1 and survivin are critical mediators of resistance to various anticancer therapies, we questioned whether YM-155 could sensitize resistant glioma cells to TRAIL. To address this hypothesis, we combined YM-155 with TRAIL and examined the effects on cell survival and apoptotic signaling. TRAIL or YM-155 individually induced minimal killing in highly resistant U373 and LNZ308 cell lines, but combining TRAIL with YM-155 triggered a synergistic proapoptotic response, mediated through mitochondrial dysfunction via activation of caspases-8, -9, -7, -3, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase, and Bid. Apoptosis induced by combination treatments was blocked by caspase-8 and pan-caspase inhibitors. In addition, knockdown of Mcl-1 by RNA interference overcame apoptotic resistance to TRAIL. Conversely, silencing Noxa by RNA interference reduced the combined effects of YM-155 and TRAIL on apoptosis. Mechanistically, these findings indicate that YM-155 plays a role in counteracting glioma cell resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis by downregulating Mcl-1 and survivin and amplifying mitochondrial signaling through intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. The significantly enhanced antitumor activity of the combination of YM-155 and TRAIL may have applications for therapy of malignant glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Premkumar
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
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Carnitine sensitizes TRAIL-resistant cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptotic cell death through the up-regulation of Bax. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 428:185-90. [PMID: 23068102 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.10.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor family with apoptosis-inducing activity. Given that TRAIL selectively induces cell death in various tumors but has little or no toxicity to normal cells, TRAIL agonists have been considered as promising anti-cancer therapeutic agents. However, the resistance of many primary tumors and cancer cells to TRAIL poses a challenge. In our present study, we found that carnitine, a metabolite that transfers long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for beta-oxidation and modulates protein kinase C activity, sensitizes TRAIL-resistant cancer cells to TRAIL. Combination of carnitine and TRAIL was found to synergistically induce apoptotic cell death through caspase activation, which was blocked by a pan caspase inhibitor, but not by an inhibitor of autophagy or an inhibitor of necrosis. The combination of carnitine and TRAIL reversed the resistance to TRAIL in lung cancer cells, colon carcinoma cells, and breast carcinoma cells. We further demonstrate that carnitine, either alone or in combination with TRAIL, enhances the expression of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein, Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). The down-regulation of Bax expression by small interfering RNA reduced caspase activation when cells were treated with TRAIL, and experiments with cells from Bax knockout mice confirmed this result. Taken together, our current results suggest that carnitine can reverse the resistance of cancer cells to TRAIL by up-regulating Bax expression. Thus, a combined delivery of carnitine and TRAIL may represent a new therapeutic strategy to treat TRAIL-resistant cancer cells.
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Breast cancer proteome takes more than two to tango on TRAIL: beat them at their own game. J Membr Biol 2012; 245:763-77. [PMID: 22899350 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-012-9490-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Breast carcinogenesis is a multidimensional disease that has resisted drug-related solutions to date because of heterogeneity, disorganized spatiotemporal behavior of signal transduction cascades, cell cycle checkpoints, cell transition, plasticity, and impaired pro-apoptotic response. These synchronized oncogenic events, including protein-protein interaction, transcriptional-regulatory, and signaling networks, trigger genomic and transcriptional disturbances in TRAIL-mediated signaling network neighborhoods. Therefore, tumor cells often acquire the ability to escape death by suppressing cell death pathways that normally function to eliminate damaged and harmful cells. This review describes the TRAIL-mediated cell death signaling pathways, the interactions between these pathways, and the ways in which these pathways are deregulated in breast cancer.
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