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Varzandeh M, Sabouri L, Mansouri V, Gharibshahian M, Beheshtizadeh N, Hamblin MR, Rezaei N. Application of nano-radiosensitizers in combination cancer therapy. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10498. [PMID: 37206240 PMCID: PMC10189501 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiosensitizers are compounds or nanostructures, which can improve the efficiency of ionizing radiation to kill cells. Radiosensitization increases the susceptibility of cancer cells to radiation-induced killing, while simultaneously reducing the potentially damaging effect on the cellular structure and function of the surrounding healthy tissues. Therefore, radiosensitizers are therapeutic agents used to boost the effectiveness of radiation treatment. The complexity and heterogeneity of cancer, and the multifactorial nature of its pathophysiology has led to many approaches to treatment. The effectiveness of each approach has been proven to some extent, but no definitive treatment to eradicate cancer has been discovered. The current review discusses a broad range of nano-radiosensitizers, summarizing possible combinations of radiosensitizing NPs with several other types of cancer therapy options, focusing on the benefits and drawbacks, challenges, and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Varzandeh
- Department of Materials EngineeringIsfahan University of TechnologyIsfahanIran
| | - Leila Sabouri
- AmitisGen TECH Dev GroupTehranIran
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED)Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)TehranIran
| | - Vahid Mansouri
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED)Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)TehranIran
- Gene Therapy Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Maliheh Gharibshahian
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED)Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)TehranIran
- Student Research CommitteeSchool of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical SciencesShahroudIran
| | - Nima Beheshtizadeh
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED)Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)TehranIran
- Department of Tissue EngineeringSchool of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Michael R. Hamblin
- Laser Research Center, Faculty of Health ScienceUniversity of JohannesburgDoornfonteinSouth Africa
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA)Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)TehranIran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA)Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)TehranIran
- Research Center for ImmunodeficienciesChildren's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of ImmunologySchool of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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Sun EJ, Wankell M, Palamuthusingam P, McFarlane C, Hebbard L. Targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111639. [PMID: 34829868 PMCID: PMC8615614 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in the treatment of cancers through surgical procedures and new pharmaceuticals, the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains challenging as reflected by low survival rates. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is an important signaling mechanism that regulates the cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolism. Importantly, deregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway leading to activation is common in HCC and is hence the subject of intense investigation and the focus of current therapeutics. In this review article, we consider the role of this pathway in the pathogenesis of HCC, focusing on its downstream effectors such as glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), forkhead box O protein (FOXO), murine double minute 2 (MDM2), p53, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and the cellular processes of lipogenesis and autophagy. In addition, we provide an update on the current ongoing clinical development of agents targeting this pathway for HCC treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jin Sun
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine and Health, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia; (E.J.S.); (M.W.); (C.M.)
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Miriam Wankell
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine and Health, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia; (E.J.S.); (M.W.); (C.M.)
| | - Pranavan Palamuthusingam
- Institute of Surgery, The Townsville University Hospital, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia;
- Mater Hospital, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Craig McFarlane
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine and Health, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia; (E.J.S.); (M.W.); (C.M.)
| | - Lionel Hebbard
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine and Health, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia; (E.J.S.); (M.W.); (C.M.)
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Gong L, Zhang Y, Liu C, Zhang M, Han S. Application of Radiosensitizers in Cancer Radiotherapy. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:1083-1102. [PMID: 33603370 PMCID: PMC7886779 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s290438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) is a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Although great success has been achieved on radiotherapy, there is still an intractable challenge to enhance radiation damage to tumor tissue and reduce side effects to healthy tissue. Radiosensitizers are chemicals or pharmaceutical agents that can enhance the killing effect on tumor cells by accelerating DNA damage and producing free radicals indirectly. In most cases, radiosensitizers have less effect on normal tissues. In recent years, several strategies have been exploited to develop radiosensitizers that are highly effective and have low toxicity. In this review, we first summarized the applications of radiosensitizers including small molecules, macromolecules, and nanomaterials, especially those that have been used in clinical trials. Second, the development states of radiosensitizers and the possible mechanisms to improve radiosensitizers sensibility are reviewed. Third, the challenges and prospects for clinical translation of radiosensitizers in oncotherapy are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuyun Gong
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chengcheng Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingzhen Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, People’s Republic of China
| | - Suxia Han
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, People’s Republic of China
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Johari B, Rezaeejam H, Moradi M, Taghipour Z, Saltanatpour Z, Mortazavi Y, Nasehi L. Increasing the colon cancer cells sensitivity toward radiation therapy via application of Oct4-Sox2 complex decoy oligodeoxynucleotides. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:6793-6805. [PMID: 32865703 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05737-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Low sensitivity of cancer stem cells toward regular cancer therapy strategies is an important issue in the field of cancer remedy. The concept of cancer stem cell elimination has been a topic of interest in the field of molecular medicine for a long time. At the current study, it was aimed to elevate the sensitivity of cancer stem-like cells toward radiotherapy by treating with Oct4-Sox2 complex decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs). After treating HT29 and HT29-ShE cells with Oct4-Sox2 complex decoy ODNs, and analyzing the cellular uptake and localization of decoys, treated cells and control groups were subjected to irradiation by fractionated 6MV X-ray with a final dose of 2 Gy. Thereafter, the influence of radiotherapy on ODNs treated groups and control group was investigated on cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, colonosphere formation and scratch assay. Cellular uptake and localization assays demonstrated that decoy ODNs can efficiently be transfected to the cells and reside in subcellular compartment, where they pose their action on gene regulation. Post radiotherapy analysis indicated statistical significance in decoy ODNs treated cells by means of lower cell viability, cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase, increased cellular apoptosis, and reduced cell motility. Also, formed colonospheres were smaller in size and fewer in numbers. Considering the role of Oct4, and Sox2 transcription factors in signaling pathways of preserving stemness and inducing reverse EMT, application of decoy strategy could increase the sensitivity of cancer cells toward irradiation, which has a potential to eliminate the cancerous cells from tumors and support cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behrooz Johari
- Student Research Committee, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.,Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.,Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Hamed Rezaeejam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.,Department of Radiology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Moradi
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zahraa Taghipour
- Student Research Committee, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Zohreh Saltanatpour
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yousef Mortazavi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.,Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Leila Nasehi
- Student Research Committee, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran. .,Department of Medical Laboratory, School of Paramedical Sciences, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
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Uchida D, Saito Y, Kikuchi S, Yoshida Y, Hirata S, Sasajima T, Azuma N. Development of gene therapy with a cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element decoy oligodeoxynucleotide to prevent vascular intimal hyperplasia. J Vasc Surg 2019; 71:229-241. [PMID: 31204215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2019.02.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Intimal hyperplasia (IH) is the main cause of therapeutic failure after vascular and endovascular surgery. However, there is currently no targeted therapy for the treatment of IH. We recently reported that the inhibition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element (CRE) binding protein (CREB) activation is important in vein graft IH. We focused on a decoy oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) therapeutic strategy for suppressing IH as a clinical application. The objective of this study was to confirm the therapeutic effect of a CRE decoy ODN in an animal model as a novel therapy for preventing intimal hyperplasia as the first step of the preclinical study of our strategy. METHODS We designed two phosphorothioate CREs and two scramble decoy ODNs and screened them using a CREB transcription assay to check their ability to bind to a CRE sequence. We chose a CRE decoy ODN with high first-binding ability and transfected it into vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vitro. Proliferation and migration were assessed using MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assays and modified Boyden chamber assays. We examined CRE activity using a luciferase reporter gene assay. We assessed the expression of messenger RNAs by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In a wire-injury mouse model (C57BL6, n = 6), CRE decoy ODN was transfected into the injured vessel wall using an ultrasound-sonoporation method in vivo. Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPKAPK3) and four and a half LIM domains 5 (FHL5) expression of pregrafting vein remnants were assessed by immunohistologic analyses. RESULTS Compared with scramble decoy ODN, the selected CRE decoy ODN could significantly decrease CRE activity (mean ± standard error of the mean: 0.20 ± 0.03 vs 1.00 ± 0.16, n = 6; P < .05) as shown by a luciferase reporter gene assay, VSMC proliferation (0.73 ± 0.04 vs 0.89 ± 0.02, n = 6; P < .05) and migration (96.4 ± 6.1 vs 311.4 ± 19.1 migrated VSMCs/well, n = 6; P < .05) after 24-hour transfection. The CRE decoy ODN significantly suppressed the formation of IH at injured vessel walls in an animal model, as analyzed by pathologic staining (0.20 ± 0.02 vs 0.56 ± 0.08, area of the intima/area of the artery vs the control after 21 days' transfection, n = 6; P < .05). Furthermore, MAPKAPK3 and FHL5, which are CREB activators, were significantly expressed in pregrafting vein remnants in diabetes mellitus patients. CONCLUSIONS CREB-CRE signaling is an important mechanism of IH formation, and CRE decoy therapy can help preventing IH. This study is the first part of the preclinical study of our strategy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- CREB-Binding Protein/genetics
- CREB-Binding Protein/metabolism
- Cell Movement
- Cell Proliferation
- Cells, Cultured
- Cyclic AMP/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Humans
- Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics
- Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism
- LIM Domain Proteins/genetics
- LIM Domain Proteins/metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/injuries
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Neointima
- Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/genetics
- Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/metabolism
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
- Response Elements/genetics
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Vascular System Injuries/genetics
- Vascular System Injuries/metabolism
- Vascular System Injuries/pathology
- Vascular System Injuries/prevention & control
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiki Uchida
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Saito
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan.
| | - Shinsuke Kikuchi
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yuri Yoshida
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Satoshi Hirata
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tadahiro Sasajima
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Azuma
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
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A novel combinatorial treatment option for metastatic uveal melanoma. Oncotarget 2018; 9:26096-26108. [PMID: 29899845 PMCID: PMC5995237 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most frequent intraocular tumor in adult patients. When metastases occur, systemic therapy with alkylating agents (fotemustine or dacarbazine (DTIC)) has shown only modest efficacy. The common chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) is not used to treat metastatic UM (mUM). To expand the chemotherapeutic arsenal for mUM, we tested the effect of DOX on UM cell mortality. We have previously shown that CREB knockdown enhances sensitivity to DOX. UM cells infected with recombinant MuLV-based replicative competent retroviruses (RCR) expressing shRNA targeting CREB were co-treated with either DTIC or DOX. We found that CREB knockdown increases the sensitivity of these cells to both DOX and DTIC in normoxia and more so in hypoxia as measured by cell survival and Caspase 3 activation. The ability to combine CREB knockdown by infection with the RCR recombinant virus which preferentially infects replicating tumor cells and chemotherapy to achieve the same amount of cell death in lower concentrations may result in fewer side effects of the drugs. This combination is a possible new treatment for mUM.
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7
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Lee C, Whang YM, Campbell P, Mulcrone PL, Elefteriou F, Cho SW, Park SI. Dual targeting c-met and VEGFR2 in osteoblasts suppresses growth and osteolysis of prostate cancer bone metastasis. Cancer Lett 2018; 414:205-213. [PMID: 29174801 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer characteristically induces osteoblastic bone metastasis, for which no therapies are available. A dual kinase inhibitor of c-Met and VEGFR-2 (cabozantinib) was shown to reduce prostate cancer growth in bone, with evidence for suppressing osteoblastic activity. However, c-Met and VEGFR2 signaling in osteoblasts in the context of bone metastasis remain unclear. Here we show using cultured osteoblasts that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and VEGF-A increased receptor activator of NFκB ligand (RANKL) and M-CSF, two essential factors for osteoclastogenesis. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) also increased RANKL and M-CSF via c-Met transactivation. The conditioned media from IGF1-, HGF-, or VEGFA-treated osteoblasts promoted osteoclastogenesis that was reversed by inhibiting c-Met and/or VEGFR2 in osteoblasts. In vivo experiments used cabozantinib-resistant prostate cancer cells (PC-3 and C4-2B) to test the effects of c-Met/VEGFR2 inhibition specifically in osteoblasts. Cabozantinib (60 mg/kg, 3 weeks) suppressed tumor growth in bone and reduced expression of RANKL and M-CSF and subsequent tumor-induced osteolysis. Collectively, inhibition of c-Met and VEGFR2 in osteoblasts reduced RANKL and M-CSF expression, and associated with reduction of tumor-induced osteolysis, suggesting that c-Met and VEGFR2 are promising therapeutic targets in bone metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changki Lee
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Young Mi Whang
- Department of Urology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Preston Campbell
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Patrick L Mulcrone
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Florent Elefteriou
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA; Departments of Human and Molecular Genetics, and Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sun Wook Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Serk In Park
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; The BK21 Plus Program, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
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9
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D’Auria F, Centurione L, Centurione MA, Angelini A, Di Pietro R. Regulation of Cancer Cell Responsiveness to Ionizing Radiation Treatment by Cyclic AMP Response Element Binding Nuclear Transcription Factor. Front Oncol 2017; 7:76. [PMID: 28529924 PMCID: PMC5418225 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic AMP response element binding (CREB) protein is a member of the CREB/activating transcription factor (ATF) family of transcription factors that play an important role in the cell response to different environmental stimuli leading to proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and survival. A number of studies highlight the involvement of CREB in the resistance to ionizing radiation (IR) therapy, demonstrating a relationship between IR-induced CREB family members' activation and cell survival. Consistent with these observations, we have recently demonstrated that CREB and ATF-1 are expressed in leukemia cell lines and that low-dose radiation treatment can trigger CREB activation, leading to survival of erythro-leukemia cells (K562). On the other hand, a number of evidences highlight a proapoptotic role of CREB following IR treatment of cancer cells. Since the development of multiple mechanisms of resistance is one key problem of most malignancies, including those of hematological origin, it is highly desirable to identify biological markers of responsiveness/unresponsiveness useful to follow-up the individual response and to adjust anticancer treatments. Taking into account all these considerations, this mini-review will be focused on the involvement of CREB/ATF family members in response to IR therapy, to deepen our knowledge of this topic, and to pave the way to translation into a therapeutic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca D’Auria
- Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Francesca D’Auria,
| | - Lucia Centurione
- Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Angelini
- Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
- Ageing Research Center, CeSI, G. d’Annunzio University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Pietro
- Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
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10
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Shneor D, Folberg R, Pe'er J, Honigman A, Frenkel S. Stable knockdown of CREB, HIF-1 and HIF-2 by replication-competent retroviruses abrogates the responses to hypoxia in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Gene Ther 2016; 24:64-74. [PMID: 27934882 PMCID: PMC5339434 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2016.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The fast proliferation of tumor cells develops faster than the vasculature, resulting, in most malignant tumors, in generation of hypoxic regions. Hypoxia renders solid tumors resistant to radiation and chemotherapeutics while providing opportunities for tumor-selective therapies targeting tumor hypoxia. Here we exploit two properties of tumors: propagation of tumor cells and ongoing generation of hypoxic regions to construct a system that preferentially leads to the death of tumor cells and thus hinders tumor growth. We constructed murine leukemia virus replication-competent (RCR) viruses that infect only propagating cells. These viruses express small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeting cyclic AMP-response-element binding protein (CREB), hypoxia-inducible factors 1 (HIF)-1 or HIF-2 individually or all three together (X3). These viruses efficiently infected in vitro human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2 and FLC4) cells and established persistence of the virus and knocked down the expression of the regulators of the hypoxia-responding genes. Knockdown of either HIF-1 or CREB or both in hypoxia reduced the expression of hypoxia-response elements- and CRE-mediated gene expression, diminished cell proliferation and increased caspase-3 activity. We did not detect any significant effect of the efficiently knocked down HIF-2 on any of the functions tested in vitro. Moreover, severe combined immunodeficiency mice implanted subcutaneously with HepG2 stably infected with recombinant RCRs showed reduction of tumor growth and vascular endothelial growth factor expression, and no hypoxia-guided neovascularization. Combined treatment (RCRs+doxorubicin) improved efficacy in the context of in vitro hypoxia and in vivo (with either vACE-CREB or vACE-X3). This synergistic effect may lead to an improved efficacy and safety profile of the treatment that may result in fewer side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Shneor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.,Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - R Folberg
- Departments of Pathology, Ophthalmology and Biomedical Sciences, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA
| | - J Pe'er
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - A Honigman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.,Department of Biotechnology, Hadassah Academic College, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - S Frenkel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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