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Huang W, Liu W, Yu T, Zhang Z, Zhai L, Huang P, Lu Y. Effect of anti-COVID-19 drugs on patients with cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116214. [PMID: 38367490 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
The clinical treatment of patients with cancer who are also diagnosed with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been a challenging issue since the outbreak of COVID-19. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the effects of commonly used drugs for treating COVID-19 in patients with cancer. Hence, this review aims to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of patients with cancer to minimize the losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we also focused on the relationship between COVID-19, commonly used drugs for treating COVID-19, and cancer. We specifically investigated the effect of these drugs on tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. The potential mechanisms of action of these drugs were discussed and evaluated. We found that most of these drugs showed inhibitory effects on tumors, and only in a few cases had cancer-promoting effects. Furthermore, inappropriate usage of these drugs may lead to irreversible kidney and heart damage. Finally, we have clarified the use of different drugs, which can provide useful guidance for the clinical treatment of cancer patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weicai Huang
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China
| | - Wenyu Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China
| | - Tingting Yu
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China
| | - Lingyun Zhai
- Gynecology Department, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China
| | - Panpan Huang
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China.
| | - Yao Lu
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China.
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2
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Ren X, Wang X, Zheng G, Wang S, Wang Q, Yuan M, Xu T, Xu J, Huang P, Ge M. Targeting one-carbon metabolism for cancer immunotherapy. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1521. [PMID: 38279895 PMCID: PMC10819114 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One-carbon (1C) metabolism is a metabolic network that plays essential roles in biological reactions. In 1C metabolism, a series of nutrients are used to fuel metabolic pathways, including nucleotide metabolism, amino acid metabolism, cellular redox defence and epigenetic maintenance. At present, 1C metabolism is considered the hallmark of cancer. The 1C units obtained from the metabolic pathways increase the proliferation rate of cancer cells. In addition, anticancer drugs, such as methotrexate, which target 1C metabolism, have long been used in the clinic. In terms of immunotherapy, 1C metabolism has been used to explore biomarkers connected with immunotherapy response and immune-related adverse events in patients. METHODS We collected numerous literatures to explain the roles of one-carbon metabolism in cancer immunotherapy. RESULTS In this review, we focus on the important pathways in 1C metabolism and the function of 1C metabolism enzymes in cancer immunotherapy. Then, we summarise the inhibitors acting on 1C metabolism and their potential application on cancer immunotherapy. Finally, we provide a viewpoint and conclusion regarding the opportunities and challenges of targeting 1C metabolism for cancer immunotherapy in clinical practicability in the future. CONCLUSION Targeting one-carbon metabolism is useful for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Ren
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Department of PathologyCancer CenterZhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of PharmacyAffiliated Hangzhou First People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Guowan Zheng
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Qiyue Wang
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Mengnan Yuan
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Tong Xu
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Jiajie Xu
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Ping Huang
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Minghua Ge
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
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3
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Attia RT, Ewida MA, Khaled E, Fahmy SA, Fawzy IM. Newly Synthesized Anticancer Purine Derivatives Inhibiting p-EIF4E Using Surface-Modified Lipid Nanovesicles. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:37864-37881. [PMID: 37867723 PMCID: PMC10586017 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Translation of mRNA is one of the processes adopted by cancer cells to maintain survival via phosphorylated (p)-eIF4E overexpression. Once p-eIF4E binds to the cap structure of mRNA, it advocates a nonstop translation process. In this regard, 15 new-based GMP analogs were synthesized to target eIF4E and restrain its binding to cap mRNA. The compounds were tested against three types of cancer cell lines: Caco-2, HepG-2, MCF-7, and normal kidney cells (Vero cells). Most of the compounds showed high potency against breast cancer cells (MCF-7), characterized by the highest cancer type for overexpression of p-eIF4E. Compound 4b was found to be the most active against three cell lines, colon (Caco-2), hepatic (HepG-2), and breast (MCF-7), with positive IC50 values of 31.40, 27.15, and 21.71 μM, respectively. Then, chitosan-coated niosomes loaded with compound 4b (Cs/4b-NSs) were developed (as kinetically enhanced molecules) to improve the anticancer effects further. The prepared Cs/4b-NSs showed pronounced cytotoxicity compared to the free 4b against Caco2, Hepg2, and MCF-7 with IC50 values of 16.15, 26.66, and 6.90 μM, respectively. Then, the expression of both the phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated western blot techniques was conducted on MCF-7 cells treated with the most active compounds (based on the obtained IC50 values) to determine the total protein expression of both eIF4E and p-eIF4e. Interestingly, the selected most active compounds displayed 35.8-40.7% inhibition of p-eIF4E expression when evaluated on MCF-7 compared to Ribavirin (positive control). CS/4b-NSs showed the best inhibition (40.7%). The findings of the present joint in silico molecular docking, simulation dynamic studies, and experimental investigation suggest the potential use of niosomal nanovesicles as a promising nanocarrier for the targeted delivery of the newly synthesized compound 4b to eukaryotic initiation factor 4E. These outcomes support the possible use of Cs/4b-NSs in targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem T. Attia
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Menna A. Ewida
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Eman Khaled
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Sherif Ashraf Fahmy
- Chemistry
Department, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted by Global Academic Foundation, R5 New Garden City, New Administrative Capital, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Iten M. Fawzy
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, Egypt
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Cancer cells hijack RNA processing to rewrite the message. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1447-1456. [PMID: 36282006 PMCID: PMC9704515 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Typically, cancer is thought to arise due to DNA mutations, dysregulated transcription and/or aberrant signalling. Recently, it has become clear that dysregulated mRNA processing, mRNA export and translation also contribute to malignancy. RNA processing events result in major modifications to the physical nature of mRNAs such as the addition of the methyl-7-guanosine cap, the removal of introns and the addition of polyA tails. mRNA processing is a critical determinant for the protein-coding capacity of mRNAs since these physical changes impact the efficiency by which a given transcript can be exported to the cytoplasm and translated into protein. While many of these mRNA metabolism steps were considered constitutive housekeeping activities, they are now known to be highly regulated with combinatorial and multiplicative impacts i.e. one event will influence the capacity to undergo others. Furthermore, alternative splicing and/or cleavage and polyadenylation can produce transcripts with alternative messages and new functionalities. The coordinated processing of groups of functionally related RNAs can potently re-wire signalling pathways, modulate survival pathways and even re-structure the cell. As postulated by the RNA regulon model, combinatorial regulation of these groups is achieved by the presence of shared cis-acting elements (known as USER codes) which recruit machinery for processing, export or translation. In all, dysregulated RNA metabolism in cancer gives rise to an altered proteome that in turn elicits biological responses related to malignancy. Studies of these events in cancer revealed new mechanisms underpinning malignancies and unearthed novel therapeutic opportunities. In all, cancer cells coopt RNA processing, export and translation to support their oncogenic activity.
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Huang R, Dai Q, Yang R, Duan Y, Zhao Q, Haybaeck J, Yang Z. A Review: PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway and Its Regulated Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factors May Be a Potential Therapeutic Target in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:817916. [PMID: 35574327 PMCID: PMC9096244 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.817916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a malignant tumor developing from the esophageal squamous epithelium, and is the most common histological subtype of esophageal cancer (EC). EC ranks 10th in morbidity and sixth in mortality worldwide. The morbidity and mortality rates in China are both higher than the world average. Current treatments of ESCC are surgical treatment, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus surgical resection is recommended for advanced patients. However, it does not work in the significant promotion of overall survival (OS) after such therapy. Research on targeted therapy in ESCC mainly focus on EGFR and PD-1, but neither of the targeted drugs can significantly improve the 3-year and 5-year survival rates of disease. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is an important survival pathway in tumor cells, associated with its aggressive growth and malignant progression. Specifically, proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and so on. Related genetic alterations of this pathway have been investigated in ESCC, such as PI3K, AKT and mTOR-rpS6K. Therefore, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway seems to have the capability to serve as research hotspot in the future. Currently, various inhibitors are being tested in cells, animals, and clinical trials, which targeting at different parts of this pathway. In this work, we reviewed the research progress on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway how to influence biological behaviors in ESCC, and discussed the interaction between signals downstream of this pathway, especially eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs) and the development and progression of ESCC, to provide reference for the identification of new therapeutic targets in ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Huang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qiong Dai
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Ruixue Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yi Duan
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Johannes Haybaeck
- Institute of Pathology, Neuropathology and Molecular Pathology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Diagnostic & Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Zhihui Yang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Repurposing of Antimicrobial Agents for Cancer Therapy: What Do We Know? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133193. [PMID: 34206772 PMCID: PMC8269327 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The substantial costs of clinical trials, the lengthy timelines of new drug discovery and development, along the high attrition rates underscore the need for alternative strategies for finding quickly suitable therapeutics agents. Given that most approved drugs possess more than one target tightly linked to other diseases, it encourages promptly testing these drugs in patients. Over the past decades, this has led to considerable attention for drug repurposing, which relies on identifying new uses for approved or investigational drugs outside the scope of the original medical indication. The known safety of approved drugs minimizes the possibility of failure for adverse toxicology, making them attractive de-risked compounds for new applications with potentially lower overall development costs and shorter development timelines. This latter case is an exciting opportunity, specifically in oncology, due to increased resistance towards the current therapies. Indeed, a large body of evidence shows that a wealth of non-cancer drugs has beneficial effects against cancer. Interestingly, 335 drugs are currently being evaluated in different clinical trials for their potential activities against various cancers (Redo database). This review aims to provide an extensive discussion about the anti-cancer activities exerted by antimicrobial agents and presents information about their mechanism(s) of action and stage of development/evaluation.
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Zhou Y, Wang Y, Wang L, Zhang J, Liu X. Decreased microRNA-768-3p expression indicates a poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer and promotes breast cancer cell viability, migration and invasion. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:579. [PMID: 34122630 PMCID: PMC8190777 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and microRNA-768-3p (miR-768-3p) is abnormally expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinomas and melanoma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value and biological function of miR-768-3p in breast cancer. The expression of miR-768-3p in tumor tissues and adjacent tissues of 116 patients with breast cancer obtained by surgery and normal breast cell lines MCF-10A and breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, T-47D and SK-BR-3) were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The association between miR-768-3p expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients was analyzed using the χ2 test. In addition, the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. A Cox regression model was used to examine the effect of miR-768-3p on the prognosis of patients with breast cancer. Hemocytometer cell counting and Transwell assays were used to detect the effects of miR-768-3p on the characteristics of breast cancer cells. The target genes of miR-768-3p in breast cancer were identified by bioinformatics software and detected by luciferase reporter assay. Compared with normal tissues and normal breast cancer cells, miR-768-3p was significantly decreased in breast cancer tissues and cancer cells (P<0.001). The reduction in miR-768-3p was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.040), Tumor Node Metastasis stage (P=0.035), and cancer subtype (P=0.008). In addition, patients with low miR-768-3p expression had a shorter overall survival time (log-rank P=0.022) compared with those with high expression and miR-768-3p may be a potential prognostic marker (hazard ratio=4.637; 95% confidence interval=1.296-16.597; P=0.018). When transfected with miR-768-3p inhibitor, cell viability, migration and invasion were significantly promoted compared with the control group (P<0.05). In addition, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) was the target gene of miR-768-3p in breast cancer. All experiments confirmed that miR-768-3p, a tumor suppressor, inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells through eIF4E. miR-768-3p may be a potential prognostic marker of breast cancer and may participate in the progression of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Quality Control Division, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Operating Room, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
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Huq S, Kannapadi NV, Casaos J, Lott T, Felder R, Serra R, Gorelick NL, Ruiz-Cardozo MA, Ding AS, Cecia A, Medikonda R, Ehresman J, Brem H, Skuli N, Tyler BM. Preclinical efficacy of ribavirin in SHH and group 3 medulloblastoma. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2021; 27:482-488. [PMID: 33545678 DOI: 10.3171/2020.8.peds20561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Medulloblastoma, the most common pediatric brain malignancy, has Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) and group 3 (Myc driven) subtypes that are associated with the activity of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), a critical mediator of translation, and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase and master regulator of transcription. Recent drug repurposing efforts in multiple solid and hematologic malignancies have demonstrated that eIF4E and EZH2 are both pharmacologically inhibited by the FDA-approved antiviral drug ribavirin. Given the molecular overlap between medulloblastoma biology and known ribavirin activity, the authors investigated the preclinical efficacy of repurposing ribavirin as a targeted therapeutic in cell and animal models of medulloblastoma. METHODS Multiple in vitro assays were performed using human ONS-76 (a primitive SHH model) and D425 (an aggressive group 3 model) cells. The impacts of ribavirin on cellular growth, death, migration, and invasion were quantified using proliferation and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, flow cytometry with annexin V (AnnV) staining, scratch wound assays, and Matrigel invasion chambers, respectively. Survival following daily ribavirin treatment (100 mg/kg) was assessed in vivo in immunodeficient mice intracranially implanted with D425 cells. RESULTS Compared to controls, ribavirin treatment led to a significant reduction in medulloblastoma cell growth (ONS-76 proliferation assay, p = 0.0001; D425 CCK-8 assay, p < 0.0001) and a significant increase in cell death (flow cytometry for AnnV, ONS-76, p = 0.0010; D425, p = 0.0284). In ONS-76 cells, compared to controls, ribavirin significantly decreased cell migration and invasion (Matrigel invasion chamber assay, p = 0.0012). In vivo, ribavirin significantly extended survival in an aggressive group 3 medulloblastoma mouse model compared to vehicle-treated controls (p = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS The authors demonstrate that ribavirin, a clinically used drug known to inhibit eIF4E and EZH2, has significant antitumor effects in multiple preclinical models of medulloblastoma, including an aggressive group 3 animal model. Ribavirin may represent a promising targeted therapeutic in medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakibul Huq
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nivedha V. Kannapadi
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Joshua Casaos
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Tarik Lott
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Raphael Felder
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Riccardo Serra
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Noah L. Gorelick
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Miguel A. Ruiz-Cardozo
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andy S. Ding
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Arba Cecia
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ravi Medikonda
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jeff Ehresman
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Henry Brem
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nicolas Skuli
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Betty M. Tyler
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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9
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Morales-Garcia V, Contreras-Paredes A, Martinez-Abundis E, Gomez-Crisostomo NP, Lizano M, Hernandez-Landero F, de la Cruz-Hernandez E. The high-risk HPV E6 proteins modify the activity of the eIF4E protein via the MEK/ERK and AKT/PKB pathways. FEBS Open Bio 2020; 10:2541-2552. [PMID: 32981220 PMCID: PMC7714072 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have proposed that the human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 oncoproteins modify the transcriptional activity of eIF4E through mechanisms dependent on p53 degradation. However, the effect of these oncoproteins on pathways regulating the activity of the eIF4E protein remains poorly understood. Hence, we investigated the mechanisms whereby E6 proteins regulate the activity of the eIF4E protein and its effect on target genes. Overexpression of E6 constructs (HPV-6, HPV-16, HPV-18, and HPV52) showed that E6 oncoproteins increased phosphorylation of the eIF4E protein (Serine-209). This result was mainly mediated by phosphorylation of the 4EBP1 protein via the PI3K/AKT pathway. Additionally, the pharmacological inhibition of eIF4E phosphorylation in cervical cancer cell lines substantially reduced the protein levels of CCND1 and ODC1, indicating that E6 of the high-risk genotypes may modify protein synthesis of the eIF4E target genes by increasing the activity of the AKT and ERK pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Morales-Garcia
- Division Academica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Comalcalco, Mexico
| | - Adriana Contreras-Paredes
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Martinez-Abundis
- Division Academica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Comalcalco, Mexico
| | - Nancy P Gomez-Crisostomo
- Division Academica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Comalcalco, Mexico
| | - Marcela Lizano
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cancer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fernanda Hernandez-Landero
- Division Academica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Comalcalco, Mexico
| | - Erick de la Cruz-Hernandez
- Division Academica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco, Comalcalco, Mexico
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10
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Huq S, Casaos J, Serra R, Peters M, Xia Y, Ding AS, Ehresman J, Kedda JN, Morales M, Gorelick NL, Zhao T, Ishida W, Perdomo-Pantoja A, Cecia A, Ji C, Suk I, Sidransky D, Brait M, Brem H, Skuli N, Tyler B. Repurposing the FDA-Approved Antiviral Drug Ribavirin as Targeted Therapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:1797-1808. [PMID: 32606016 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a squamous cell carcinoma with a proclivity for systemic dissemination, leading many patients to present with advanced stage disease and fail available treatments. There is a notable lack of targeted therapies for NPC, despite working knowledge of multiple proteins with integral roles in NPC cancer biology. These proteins include EZH2, Snail, eIF4E, and IMPDH, which are all overexpressed in NPC and correlated with poor prognosis. These proteins are known to be modulated by ribavirin, an FDA-approved hepatitis C antiviral that has recently been repurposed as a promising therapeutic in several solid and hematologic malignancies. Here, we investigated the potential of ribavirin as a targeted anticancer agent in five human NPC cell lines. Using cellular growth assays, flow cytometry, BrdU cell proliferation assays, scratch wound assays, and invasion assays, we show in vitro that ribavirin decreases NPC cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion and promotes cell-cycle arrest and cell death. Modulation of EZH2, Snail, eIF4E, IMPDH, mTOR, and cyclin D1 were observed in Western blots and enzymatic activity assays in response to ribavirin treatment. As monotherapy, ribavirin reduced flank tumor growth in multiple NPC xenograft models in vivo Most importantly, we demonstrate that ribavirin enhanced the effects of radiotherapy, a central component of NPC treatment, both in vitro and in vivo Our work suggests that NPC responds to ribavirin-mediated EZH2, Snail, eIF4E, IMPDH, and mTOR changes and positions ribavirin for clinical evaluation as a potential addition to our NPC treatment armamentarium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakibul Huq
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Joshua Casaos
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Riccardo Serra
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael Peters
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Yuanxuan Xia
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andy S Ding
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jeff Ehresman
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jayanidhi N Kedda
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Manuel Morales
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Noah L Gorelick
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Tianna Zhao
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wataru Ishida
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alexander Perdomo-Pantoja
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Arba Cecia
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Chenchen Ji
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ian Suk
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - David Sidransky
- Head and Neck Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mariana Brait
- Head and Neck Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Henry Brem
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Oncology, and Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nicolas Skuli
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Betty Tyler
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
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Kaushik I, Ramachandran S, Prasad S, Srivastava SK. Drug rechanneling: A novel paradigm for cancer treatment. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 68:279-290. [PMID: 32437876 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer continues to be one of the leading contributors towards global disease burden. According to NIH, cancer incidence rate per year will increase to 23.6 million by 2030. Even though cancer continues to be a major proportion of the disease burden worldwide, it has the lowest clinical trial success rate amongst other diseases. Hence, there is an unmet need for novel, affordable and effective anti-neoplastic medications. As a result, a growing interest has sparkled amongst researchers towards drug repurposing. Drug repurposing follows the principle of polypharmacology, which states, "any drug with multiple targets or off targets can present several modes of action". Drug repurposing also known as drug rechanneling, or drug repositioning is an economic and reliable approach that identifies new disease treatment of already approved drugs. Repurposing guarantees expedited access of drugs to the patients as these drugs are already FDA approved and their safety and toxicity profile is completely established. Epidemiological studies have identified the decreased occurrence of oncological or non-oncological conditions in patients undergoing treatment with FDA approved drugs. Data from multiple experimental studies and clinical observations have depicted that several non-neoplastic drugs have potential anticancer activity. In this review, we have summarized the potential anti-cancer effects of anti-psychotic, anti-malarial, anti-viral and anti-emetic drugs with a brief overview on their mechanism and pathways in different cancer types. This review highlights promising evidences for the repurposing of drugs in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itishree Kaushik
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, and Center for Tumor Immunology and Targeted Cancer Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX 79601, USA
| | - Sharavan Ramachandran
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, and Center for Tumor Immunology and Targeted Cancer Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX 79601, USA
| | - Sahdeo Prasad
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, and Center for Tumor Immunology and Targeted Cancer Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX 79601, USA
| | - Sanjay K Srivastava
- Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, and Center for Tumor Immunology and Targeted Cancer Therapy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, TX 79601, USA.
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