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Huang Y, Che X, Wang PW, Qu X. p53/MDM2 signaling pathway in aging, senescence and tumorigenesis. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 101:44-57. [PMID: 38762096 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2024.05.001] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
A wealth of evidence has emerged that there is an association between aging, senescence and tumorigenesis. Senescence, a biological process by which cells cease to divide and enter a status of permanent cell cycle arrest, contributes to aging and aging-related diseases, including cancer. Aging populations have the higher incidence of cancer due to a lifetime of exposure to cancer-causing agents, reduction of repairing DNA damage, accumulated genetic mutations, and decreased immune system efficiency. Cancer patients undergoing cytotoxic therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, accelerate aging. There is growing evidence that p53/MDM2 (murine double minute 2) axis is critically involved in regulation of aging, senescence and oncogenesis. Therefore, in this review, we describe the functions and mechanisms of p53/MDM2-mediated senescence, aging and carcinogenesis. Moreover, we highlight the small molecular inhibitors, natural compounds and PROTACs (proteolysis targeting chimeras) that target p53/MDM2 pathway to influence aging and cancer. Modification of p53/MDM2 could be a potential strategy for treatment of aging, senescence and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youyi Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China; Provincial key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China; Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China
| | - Xiaofang Che
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China; Provincial key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China; Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China
| | - Peter W Wang
- Department of Medicine, Oasis Medical Research Center, Watertown, MA 02472, USA.
| | - Xiujuan Qu
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China; Provincial key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China; Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001, China.
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2
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Jiang B, Zhang W, Zhang X, Sun Y. Targeting senescent cells to reshape the tumor microenvironment and improve anticancer efficacy. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 101:58-73. [PMID: 38810814 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2024.05.002] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is daunting pathology with remarkable breadth and scope, spanning genetics, epigenetics, proteomics, metalobomics and cell biology. Cellular senescence represents a stress-induced and essentially irreversible cell fate associated with aging and various age-related diseases, including malignancies. Senescent cells are characterized of morphologic alterations and metabolic reprogramming, and develop a highly active secretome termed as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Since the first discovery, senescence has been understood as an important barrier to tumor progression, as its induction in pre-neoplastic cells limits carcinogenesis. Paradoxically, senescent cells arising in the tumor microenvironment (TME) contribute to tumor progression, including augmented therapeutic resistance. In this article, we define typical forms of senescent cells commonly observed within the TME and how senescent cells functionally remodel their surrounding niche, affect immune responses and promote cancer evolution. Furthermore, we highlight the recently emerging pipelines of senotherapies particularly senolytics, which can selectively deplete senescent cells from affected organs in vivo and impede tumor progression by restoring therapeutic responses and securing anticancer efficacies. Together, co-targeting cancer cells and their normal but senescent counterparts in the TME holds the potential to achieve increased therapeutic benefits and restrained disease relapse in future clinical oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birong Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Aging Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xuguang Zhang
- Mengniu Institute of Nutrition Science, Global R&D Innovation Center, Shanghai 200124, China
| | - Yu Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Aging Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Department of Medicine and VAPSHCS, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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3
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Silva AO, Bitencourt TC, Vargas JE, Fraga LR, Filippi-Chiela E. Modulation of tumor plasticity by senescent cells: Deciphering basic mechanisms and survival pathways to unravel therapeutic options. Genet Mol Biol 2024; 47Suppl 1:e20230311. [PMID: 38805699 PMCID: PMC11132560 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2023-0311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Senescence is a cellular state in which the cell loses its proliferative capacity, often irreversibly. Physiologically, it occurs due to a limited capacity of cell division associated with telomere shortening, the so-called replicative senescence. It can also be induced early due to DNA damage, oncogenic activation, oxidative stress, or damage to other cellular components (collectively named induced senescence). Tumor cells acquire the ability to bypass replicative senescence, thus ensuring the replicative immortality, a hallmark of cancer. Many anti-cancer therapies, however, can lead tumor cells to induced senescence. Initially, this response leads to a slowdown in tumor growth. However, the longstanding accumulation of senescent cells (SnCs) in tumors can promote neoplastic progression due to the enrichment of numerous molecules and extracellular vesicles that constitutes the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Among other effects, SASP can potentiate or unlock the tumor plasticity and phenotypic transitions, another hallmark of cancer. This review discusses how SnCs can fuel mechanisms that underlie cancer plasticity, like cell differentiation, stemness, reprogramming, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We also discuss the main molecular mechanisms that make SnCs resistant to cell death, and potential strategies to target SnCs. At the end, we raise open questions and clinically relevant perspectives in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Oliveira Silva
- Faculdade Estácio, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto
Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Thais Cardoso Bitencourt
- Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto
Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Programa de Pós-Graduação
em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Jose Eduardo Vargas
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Biologia Celular,
Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Lucas Rosa Fraga
- Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto
Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Ciências
Morfológicas, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Programa de Pós-Graduação
em Medicina: Ciências Médicas, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Filippi-Chiela
- Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto
Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Ciências
Morfológicas, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Centro de Biotecnologia,
Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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4
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Jin P, Duan X, Li L, Zhou P, Zou C, Xie K. Cellular senescence in cancer: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e542. [PMID: 38660685 PMCID: PMC11042538 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging exhibits several hallmarks in common with cancer, such as cellular senescence, dysbiosis, inflammation, genomic instability, and epigenetic changes. In recent decades, research into the role of cellular senescence on tumor progression has received widespread attention. While how senescence limits the course of cancer is well established, senescence has also been found to promote certain malignant phenotypes. The tumor-promoting effect of senescence is mainly elicited by a senescence-associated secretory phenotype, which facilitates the interaction of senescent tumor cells with their surroundings. Targeting senescent cells therefore offers a promising technique for cancer therapy. Drugs that pharmacologically restore the normal function of senescent cells or eliminate them would assist in reestablishing homeostasis of cell signaling. Here, we describe cell senescence, its occurrence, phenotype, and impact on tumor biology. A "one-two-punch" therapeutic strategy in which cancer cell senescence is first induced, followed by the use of senotherapeutics for eliminating the senescent cells is introduced. The advances in the application of senotherapeutics for targeting senescent cells to assist cancer treatment are outlined, with an emphasis on drug categories, and the strategies for their screening, design, and efficient targeting. This work will foster a thorough comprehension and encourage additional research within this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Jin
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio‐Resources in Yunnan, School of Life SciencesYunnan UniversityKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Xirui Duan
- Department of OncologySchool of MedicineSichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduSichuanChina
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Anorectal SurgeryHospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
| | - Ping Zhou
- Department of OncologySchool of MedicineSichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduSichuanChina
| | - Cheng‐Gang Zou
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio‐Resources in Yunnan, School of Life SciencesYunnan UniversityKunmingYunnanChina
| | - Ke Xie
- Department of OncologySchool of MedicineSichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduSichuanChina
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5
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Mori JO, Elhussin I, Brennen WN, Graham MK, Lotan TL, Yates CC, De Marzo AM, Denmeade SR, Yegnasubramanian S, Nelson WG, Denis GV, Platz EA, Meeker AK, Heaphy CM. Prognostic and therapeutic potential of senescent stromal fibroblasts in prostate cancer. Nat Rev Urol 2024; 21:258-273. [PMID: 37907729 PMCID: PMC11058122 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00827-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
The stromal component of the tumour microenvironment in primary and metastatic prostate cancer can influence and promote disease progression. Within the prostatic stroma, fibroblasts are one of the most prevalent cell types associated with precancerous and cancerous lesions; they have a vital role in the structural composition, organization and integrity of the extracellular matrix. Fibroblasts within the tumour microenvironment can undergo cellular senescence, which is a stable arrest of cell growth and a phenomenon that is emerging as a recognized hallmark of cancer. Supporting the idea that cellular senescence has a pro-tumorigenic role, a subset of senescent cells exhibits a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which, along with increased inflammation, can promote prostate cancer cell growth and survival. These cellular characteristics make targeting senescent cells and/or modulating SASP attractive as a potential preventive or therapeutic option for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joakin O Mori
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isra Elhussin
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Urology and the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - W Nathaniel Brennen
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Urology and the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mindy K Graham
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tamara L Lotan
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Urology and the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Clayton C Yates
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Urology and the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Angelo M De Marzo
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Urology and the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Samuel R Denmeade
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Urology and the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Urology and the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - William G Nelson
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Urology and the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gerald V Denis
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Platz
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Urology and the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alan K Meeker
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Urology and the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christopher M Heaphy
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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6
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Elshazly AM, Shahin U, Al Shboul S, Gewirtz DA, Saleh T. A Conversation with ChatGPT on Contentious Issues in Senescence and Cancer Research. Mol Pharmacol 2024; 105:313-327. [PMID: 38458774 PMCID: PMC11026153 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.124.000871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, such as Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT), have achieved a high degree of popularity within the scientific community due to their utility in providing evidence-based reviews of the literature. However, the accuracy and reliability of the information output and the ability to provide critical analysis of the literature, especially with respect to highly controversial issues, has generally not been evaluated. In this work, we arranged a question/answer session with ChatGPT regarding several unresolved questions in the field of cancer research relating to therapy-induced senescence (TIS), including the topics of senescence reversibility, its connection to tumor dormancy, and the pharmacology of the newly emerging drug class of senolytics. ChatGPT generally provided responses consistent with the available literature, although occasionally overlooking essential components of the current understanding of the role of TIS in cancer biology and treatment. Although ChatGPT, and similar AI platforms, have utility in providing an accurate evidence-based review of the literature, their outputs should still be considered carefully, especially with respect to unresolved issues in tumor biology. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Artificial Intelligence platforms have provided great utility for researchers to investigate biomedical literature in a prompt manner. However, several issues arise when it comes to certain unresolved biological questions, especially in the cancer field. This work provided a discussion with ChatGPT regarding some of the yet-to-be-fully-elucidated conundrums of the role of therapy-induced senescence in cancer treatment and highlights the strengths and weaknesses in utilizing such platforms for analyzing the scientific literature on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M Elshazly
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (A.M.E., D.A.G.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt (A.M.E.); and Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan (U.S., S.A.S., T.S.)
| | - Uruk Shahin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (A.M.E., D.A.G.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt (A.M.E.); and Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan (U.S., S.A.S., T.S.)
| | - Sofian Al Shboul
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (A.M.E., D.A.G.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt (A.M.E.); and Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan (U.S., S.A.S., T.S.)
| | - David A Gewirtz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (A.M.E., D.A.G.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt (A.M.E.); and Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan (U.S., S.A.S., T.S.)
| | - Tareq Saleh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (A.M.E., D.A.G.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt (A.M.E.); and Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan (U.S., S.A.S., T.S.)
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7
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Saleh T. Therapy-induced senescence is finally escapable, what is next? Cell Cycle 2024; 23:713-721. [PMID: 38879812 PMCID: PMC11229739 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2024.2364579] [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: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Several breakthrough articles have recently confirmed the ability of tumor cells to escape the stable cell cycle arrest imposed by Therapy-Induced Senescence (TIS). Subsequently, accepting the hypothesis that TIS is escapable should encourage serious reassessments of the fundamental roles of senescence in cancer treatment. The potential for escape from TIS undermines the well-established tumor suppressor function of senescence, proposes it as a mechanism of tumor dormancy leading to disease recurrence and invites for further investigation of its unfavorable contribution to cancer therapy outcomes. Moreover, escaping TIS strongly indicates that the elimination of senescent tumor cells, primarily through pharmacological means, is a suitable approach for increasing the efficacy of cancer treatment, one that still requires further exploration. This commentary provides an overview of the recent evidence that unequivocally demonstrated the ability of therapy-induced senescent tumor cells in overcoming the terminal growth arrest fate and provides future perspectives on the roles of TIS in tumor biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tareq Saleh
- Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
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Saleh T, Naffa R, Barakat NA, Ismail MA, Alotaibi MR, Alsalem M. Cisplatin Provokes Peripheral Nociception and Neuronal Features of Therapy-Induced Senescence and Calcium Dysregulation in Rats. Neurotox Res 2024; 42:10. [PMID: 38294571 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-024-00690-7] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Therapy-Induced Senescence (TIS) is a form of senescence that is typically described in malignant cells in response to the exposure of cancer chemotherapy or radiation but can also be precipitated in non-malignant cells. TIS has been shown to contribute to the development of several cancer therapy-related adverse effects; however, evidence on its role in mediating chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity, such as Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), is limited. We here show that cisplatin treatment over two cycles (cumulative dose of 23 mg/kg) provoked mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in Sprague-Dawley rats. Isolation of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) from the cisplatin-treated rats demonstrated robust SA-β-gal upregulation at both day 8 (after the first cycle) and day 18 (after the second cycle), decreased lmnb1 expression, increased expression of cdkn1a and cdkn2a, and of several factors of the Senescence-associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP) (Il6, Il1b, and mmp9). Moreover, single-cell calcium imaging of cultured DRGs revealed a significant increase in terms of the magnitude of KCl-evoked calcium responses in cisplatin-treated rats compared to vehicle-treated rats. No significant change was observed in terms of the magnitude of capsaicin-evoked calcium responses in cisplatin-treated rats compared to vehicle-treated rats but with decreased area under the curve of the responses in cisplatin-treated rats. Further evidence to support the contribution of TIS to therapy adverse effects is required but should encourage the use of senescence-modulating agents (senotherapeutics) as novel palliative approaches to mitigate chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tareq Saleh
- Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan.
| | - Randa Naffa
- Department of Basic Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Noor A Barakat
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Middle East University, Amman, Jordan
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
| | - Mohammad A Ismail
- Cell Therapy Center (CTC), The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Adelaide Medical School, South Australian ImmunoGENomics Cancer Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Moureq R Alotaibi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Alsalem
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan.
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9
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Softah A, Alotaibi MR, Alhoshani AR, Saleh T, Alhazzani K, Almutairi MM, AlRowis R, Alshehri S, Albekairy NA, Harada H, Boyd R, Chakraborty E, Gewirtz DA, As Sobeai HM. The Combination of Radiation with PARP Inhibition Enhances Senescence and Sensitivity to the Senolytic, Navitoclax, in Triple Negative Breast Tumor Cells. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3066. [PMID: 38002066 PMCID: PMC10669784 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11113066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite significant advances in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer, this disease continues to pose a clinical challenge, with many patients ultimately suffering from relapse. Tumor cells that recover after entering into a state of senescence after chemotherapy or radiation have been shown to develop a more aggressive phenotype, and to contribute to disease recurrence. By combining the PARP inhibitor (PARPi), talazoparib, with radiation, senescence was enhanced in 4T1 and MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cell lines (based on SA-β-gal upregulation, increased expression of CDKN1A and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) marker, IL6). Subsequent treatment of the radiation- and talazoparib-induced senescent 4T1 and MDA-MB231 cells with navitoclax (ABT-263) resulted in significant apoptotic cell death. In immunocompetent tumor-bearing mice, navitoclax exerted a modest growth inhibitory effect when used alone, but dramatically interfered with the recovery of 4T1-derived tumors induced into senescence with ionizing radiation and talazoparib. These findings support the potential utility of a senolytic strategy in combination with the radiotherapy/PARPi combination to mitigate the risk of disease recurrence in triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abrar Softah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.S.); (M.R.A.); (A.R.A.); (K.A.); (M.M.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.A.)
| | - Moureq R. Alotaibi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.S.); (M.R.A.); (A.R.A.); (K.A.); (M.M.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.A.)
| | - Ali R. Alhoshani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.S.); (M.R.A.); (A.R.A.); (K.A.); (M.M.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.A.)
| | - Tareq Saleh
- Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan;
| | - Khalid Alhazzani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.S.); (M.R.A.); (A.R.A.); (K.A.); (M.M.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.A.)
| | - Mashal M. Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.S.); (M.R.A.); (A.R.A.); (K.A.); (M.M.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.A.)
| | - Raed AlRowis
- Department of Periodontics and Community Dentistry, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Samiyah Alshehri
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.S.); (M.R.A.); (A.R.A.); (K.A.); (M.M.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.A.)
| | - Norah A. Albekairy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.S.); (M.R.A.); (A.R.A.); (K.A.); (M.M.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.A.)
| | - Hisashi Harada
- Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | - Rowan Boyd
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (R.B.); (E.C.)
| | - Eesha Chakraborty
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (R.B.); (E.C.)
| | - David A. Gewirtz
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (R.B.); (E.C.)
| | - Homood M. As Sobeai
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.S.); (M.R.A.); (A.R.A.); (K.A.); (M.M.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.A.)
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10
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Saleh T, Bloukh S, Hasan M, Al Shboul S. Therapy-induced senescence as a component of tumor biology: Evidence from clinical cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188994. [PMID: 37806641 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Therapy-Induced Senescence (TIS) is an established response to anticancer therapy in a variety of cancer models. Ample evidence has characterized the triggers, hallmarks, and functional outcomes of TIS in preclinical studies; however, limited evidence delineates TIS in clinical cancer (human tumor samples). We examined the literature that investigated the induction of TIS in samples derived from human cancers and highlighted the major findings that suggested that TIS represents a main constituent of tumor biology. The most frequently utilized approach to identify TIS in human cancers was to investigate the protein expression of senescence-associated markers (such as cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, Ki67, DNA damage repair response markers, DEC1, and DcR1) via immunohistochemical techniques using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples and/or testing the upregulation of Senescence-Associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) in frozen sections of unfixed tumor samples. Collectively, and in studies where the extent of TIS was determined, TIS was detected in 31-66% of tumors exposed to various forms of chemotherapy. Moreover, TIS was not only limited to both malignant and non-malignant components of tumoral tissue but was also identified in samples of normal (non-transformed) tissue upon chemo- or radiotherapy exposure. Nevertheless, the available evidence continues to be limited and requires a more rigorous assessment of in vivo senescence based on novel approaches and more reliable molecular signatures. The accurate assessment of TIS will be beneficial for determining its relevant contribution to the overall outcome of cancer therapy and the potential translatability of senotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tareq Saleh
- Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13115, Jordan.
| | - Sarah Bloukh
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Mira Hasan
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, USA
| | - Sofian Al Shboul
- Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13115, Jordan
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11
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Mourkioti I, Polyzou A, Veroutis D, Theocharous G, Lagopati N, Gentile E, Stravokefalou V, Thanos DF, Havaki S, Kletsas D, Panaretakis T, Logothetis CJ, Stellas D, Petty R, Blandino G, Papaspyropoulos A, Gorgoulis VG. A GATA2-CDC6 axis modulates androgen receptor blockade-induced senescence in prostate cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:187. [PMID: 37507762 PMCID: PMC10386253 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02769-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer is a major cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in men worldwide. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has proven effective in early-stage androgen-sensitive disease, but prostate cancer gradually develops into an androgen-resistant metastatic state in the vast majority of patients. According to our oncogene-induced model for cancer development, senescence is a major tumor progression barrier. However, whether senescence is implicated in the progression of early-stage androgen-sensitive to highly aggressive castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains poorly addressed. METHODS Androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and -independent (C4-2B and PC-3) cells were treated or not with enzalutamide, an Androgen Receptor (AR) inhibitor. RNA sequencing and pathway analyses were carried out in LNCaP cells to identify potential senescence regulators upon treatment. Assessment of the invasive potential of cells and senescence status following enzalutamide treatment and/or RNAi-mediated silencing of selected targets was performed in all cell lines, complemented by bioinformatics analyses on a wide range of in vitro and in vivo datasets. Key observations were validated in LNCaP and C4-2B mouse xenografts. Senescence induction was assessed by state-of-the-art GL13 staining by immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. RESULTS We demonstrate that enzalutamide treatment induces senescence in androgen-sensitive cells via reduction of the replication licensing factor CDC6. Mechanistically, we show that CDC6 downregulation is mediated through endogenous activation of the GATA2 transcription factor functioning as a CDC6 repressor. Intriguingly, GATA2 levels decrease in enzalutamide-resistant cells, leading to CDC6 stabilization accompanied by activation of Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) markers and absence of senescence. We show that CDC6 loss is sufficient to reverse oncogenic features and induce senescence regardless of treatment responsiveness, thereby identifying CDC6 as a critical determinant of prostate cancer progression. CONCLUSIONS We identify a key GATA2-CDC6 signaling axis which is reciprocally regulated in enzalutamide-sensitive and -resistant prostate cancer environments. Upon acquired resistance, GATA2 repression leads to CDC6 stabilization, with detrimental effects in disease progression through exacerbation of EMT and abrogation of senescence. However, bypassing the GATA2-CDC6 axis by direct inhibition of CDC6 reverses oncogenic features and establishes senescence, thereby offering a therapeutic window even after acquiring resistance to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Mourkioti
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Polyzou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris Veroutis
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George Theocharous
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nefeli Lagopati
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Biology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Emanuela Gentile
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Vasiliki Stravokefalou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris-Foivos Thanos
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sophia Havaki
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris Kletsas
- Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Ageing, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Aghia Paraskevi, Greece
| | - Theocharis Panaretakis
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Christopher J Logothetis
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dimitris Stellas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635, Athens, Greece
| | - Russell Petty
- Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Department of Research, Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
| | - Angelos Papaspyropoulos
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Vassilis G Gorgoulis
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
- Faculty Institute for Cancer Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
- Center for New Biotechnologies and Precision Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
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12
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Zhang L, Troccoli CI, Mateo-Victoriano B, Lincheta LM, Jackson E, Shu P, Plastini T, Tao W, Kwon D, Chen X, Sharma J, Jorda M, Gulley JL, Bilusic M, Lockhart AC, Beuve A, Rai P. The soluble guanylyl cyclase pathway is inhibited to evade androgen deprivation-induced senescence and enable progression to castration resistance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.03.537252. [PMID: 37205442 PMCID: PMC10187243 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.03.537252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is fatal and therapeutically under-served. We describe a novel CRPC-restraining role for the vasodilatory soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) pathway. We discovered that sGC subunits are dysregulated during CRPC progression and its catalytic product, cyclic GMP (cGMP), is lowered in CRPC patients. Abrogating sGC heterodimer formation in castration-sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC) cells inhibited androgen deprivation (AD)-induced senescence, and promoted castration-resistant tumor growth. We found sGC is oxidatively inactivated in CRPC. Paradoxically, AD restored sGC activity in CRPC cells through redox-protective responses evoked to protect against AD-induced oxidative stress. sGC stimulation via its FDA-approved agonist, riociguat, inhibited castration-resistant growth, and the anti-tumor response correlated with elevated cGMP, indicating on-target sGC activity. Consistent with known sGC function, riociguat improved tumor oxygenation, decreasing the PC stem cell marker, CD44, and enhancing radiation-induced tumor suppression. Our studies thus provide the first evidence for therapeutically targeting sGC via riociguat to treat CRPC. Statement of significance Prostate cancer is the second highest cancer-related cause of death for American men. Once patients progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer, the incurable and fatal stage, there are few viable treatment options available. Here we identify and characterize a new and clinically actionable target, the soluble guanylyl cyclase complex, in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Notably we find that repurposing the FDA-approved and safely tolerated sGC agonist, riociguat, decreases castration-resistant tumor growth and re-sensitizes these tumors to radiation therapy. Thus our study provides both new biology regarding the origins of castration resistance as well as a new and viable treatment option.
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13
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Hogh-Binder SA, Klein D, Wolfsperger F, Huber SM, Hennenlotter J, Stenzl A, Rudner J. Protein Levels of Anti-Apoptotic Mcl-1 and the Deubiquitinase USP9x Are Cooperatively Upregulated during Prostate Cancer Progression and Limit Response of Prostate Cancer Cells to Radiotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092496. [PMID: 37173959 PMCID: PMC10177233 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radiotherapy constitutes an important therapeutic option for prostate cancer. However, prostate cancer cells often acquire resistance during cancer progression, limiting the cytotoxic effects of radiotherapy. Among factors regulating sensitivity to radiotherapy are members of the Bcl-2 protein family, known to regulate apoptosis at the mitochondrial level. Here, we analyzed the role of anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 and USP9x, a deubiquitinase stabilizing Mcl-1 protein levels, in prostate cancer progression and response to radiotherapy. METHODS Changes in Mcl-1 and USP9x levels during prostate cancer progression were determined by immunohistochemistry. Neutralization of Mcl-1 and USP9x was achieved by siRNA-mediated knockdown. We analyzed Mcl-1 stability after translational inhibition by cycloheximide. Cell death was determined by flow cytometry using an exclusion assay of mitochondrial membrane potential-sensitive dye. Changes in the clonogenic potential were examined by colony formation assay. RESULTS Protein levels of Mcl-1 and USP9x increased during prostate cancer progression, and high protein levels correlated with advanced prostate cancer stages. The stability of Mcl-1 reflected Mcl-1 protein levels in LNCaP and PC3 prostate cancer cells. Moreover, radiotherapy itself affected Mcl-1 protein turnover in prostate cancer cells. Particularly in LNCaP cells, the knockdown of USP9x expression reduced Mcl-1 protein levels and increased sensitivity to radiotherapy. CONCLUSION Posttranslational regulation of protein stability was often responsible for high protein levels of Mcl-1. Moreover, we demonstrated that deubiquitinase USP9x as a factor regulating Mcl-1 levels in prostate cancer cells, thus limiting cytotoxic response to radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia A Hogh-Binder
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Diana Klein
- Institute for Cell Biology (Cancer Research), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 173, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Frederik Wolfsperger
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Stephan M Huber
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jörg Hennenlotter
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Arnulf Stenzl
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Justine Rudner
- Institute for Cell Biology (Cancer Research), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 173, 45147 Essen, Germany
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14
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Pelliccia A, Capradossi F, Corsi F, Tarquini GD, Bruni E, Reichle A, Torino F, Ghibelli L. Androgen Deprivation Freezes Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer Cells in a Reversible, Genetically Unstable Quasi-Apoptotic State, Bursting into Full Apoptosis upon Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibition. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032040. [PMID: 36768364 PMCID: PMC9917232 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a powerful treatment for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) patients, but eventually and inevitably, cancer relapses, progressing to the fatal castration-resistant (CR)PC stage. Progression implies the emergence of cells proliferating in the absence of androgen through still elusive mechanisms. We show here for the first time that ADT induces LNCaP mHSPC cells to collectively enter a metastable quasi-apoptotic state (QUAPS) consisting of partial mitochondrial permeabilization, limited BAX and caspase activation, and moderate induction of caspase-dependent dsDNA breaks; despite this, cells maintain full viability. QUAPS is destabilized by poly(ADP)-polymerase inhibition (PARPi), breaking off toward overt intrinsic apoptosis and culture extinction. Instead, QUAPS is rapidly and efficiently reverted upon androgen restoration, with mitochondria rapidly recovering integrity and cells collectively resuming normal proliferation. Notably, replication restarts before DNA repair is completed, and implies an increased micronuclei frequency, indicating that ADT promotes genetic instability. The recovered cells re-acquire insensitivity to PARPi (as untreated LNCaP), pointing to specific, context-dependent vulnerability of mHSPC cells to PARPi during ADT. Summarizing, QUAPS is an unstable, pro-mutagenic state developing as a pro-survival pathway stabilized by PARP, and constitutes a novel viewpoint explaining how ADT-treated mHSPC may progress to CRPC, indicating possible preventive countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pelliccia
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (L.G.); Tel.: +39-06-7259-4095 (A.P.); +39-06-7259-4218 (L.G.)
| | | | - Francesca Corsi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Greta Deidda Tarquini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Bruni
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Albrecht Reichle
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Francesco Torino
- Department of Systems Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Lina Ghibelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (L.G.); Tel.: +39-06-7259-4095 (A.P.); +39-06-7259-4218 (L.G.)
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15
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Finnegan RM, Elshazly AM, Patel NH, Tyutyunyk-Massey L, Tran TH, Kumarasamy V, Knudsen ES, Gewirtz DA. The BET inhibitor/degrader ARV-825 prolongs the growth arrest response to Fulvestrant + Palbociclib and suppresses proliferative recovery in ER-positive breast cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 12:966441. [PMID: 36741704 PMCID: PMC9890056 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.966441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-estrogens or aromatase inhibitors in combination with cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors are the current standard of care for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) Her-2 negative metastatic breast cancer. Although these combination therapies prolong progression-free survival compared to endocrine therapy alone, the growth-arrested state of residual tumor cells is clearly transient. Tumor cells that escape what might be considered a dormant or quiescent state and regain proliferative capacity often acquire resistance to further therapies. Our studies are based upon the observation that breast tumor cells arrested by Fulvestrant + Palbociclib enter into states of both autophagy and senescence from which a subpopulation ultimately escapes, potentially contributing to recurrent disease. Autophagy inhibition utilizing pharmacologic or genetic approaches only moderately enhanced the response to Fulvestrant + Palbociclib in ER+ MCF-7 breast tumor cells, slightly delaying proliferative recovery. In contrast, the BET inhibitor/degrader, ARV-825, prolonged the growth arrested state in both p53 wild type MCF-7 cells and p53 mutant T-47D cells and significantly delayed proliferative recovery. In addition, ARV-825 added after the Fulvestrant + Palbociclib combination promoted apoptosis and demonstrated efficacy in resistant RB deficient cell lines. These studies indicate that administration of BET inhibitors/degraders, which are currently being investigated in multiple clinical trials, may potentially improve standard of care therapy in metastatic ER+ breast cancer patients and may further prolong progression-free survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M. Finnegan
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States,Departments of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States,Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Ahmed M. Elshazly
- Departments of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States,Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Nipa H. Patel
- Departments of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States,Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Liliya Tyutyunyk-Massey
- Departments of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Tammy H. Tran
- Departments of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Vishnu Kumarasamy
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Erik S. Knudsen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - David A. Gewirtz
- Departments of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States,Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States,*Correspondence: David A. Gewirtz,
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16
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Han C, Deng Y, Yang B, Hu P, Hu B, Wang T, Liu J, Xia Q, Liu X. Identification of a novel senescence-associated signature to predict biochemical recurrence and immune microenvironment for prostate cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1126902. [PMID: 36891298 PMCID: PMC9986540 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1126902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Prostate cancer (PCa) is an age-associated malignancy with high morbidity and mortality rate, posing a severe threat to public health. Cellular senescence, a specialized cell cycle arrest form, results in the secretion of various inflammatory mediators. In recent studies, senescence has shown an essential role in tumorigenesis and tumor development, yet the extensive effects of senescence in PCa have not been systematically investigated. Here, we aimed to develop a feasible senescence-associated prognosis model for early identification and appropriate management in patients with PCa. Method The RNA sequence results and clinical information available from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and a list of experimentally validated senescence-related genes (SRGs) from the CellAge database were first obtained. Then, a senescence-risk signature related with prognosis was constructed using univariate Cox and LASSO regression analysis. We calculated the risk score of each patient and divided them into high-risk and low-risk groups in terms of the median value. Furthermore, two datasets (GSE70770 and GSE46602) were used to assess the effects of the risk model. A nomogram was built by integrating the risk score and clinical characteristics, which was further verified using ROC curves and calibrations. Finally, we compared the differences in the tumor microenvironment (TME) landscape, drug susceptibility, and the functional enrichment among the different risk groups. Results We established a unique prognostic signature in PCa patients based on eight SRGs, including CENPA, ADCK5, FOXM1, TFAP4, MAPK, LGALS3, BAG3, and NOX4, and validated well prognosis-predictive power in independent datasets. The risk model was associated with age and TNM staging, and the calibration chart presented a high consistency in nomogram prediction. Additionally, the prognostic signature could serve as an independent prediction factor due to its high accuracy. Notably, we found that the risk score was positively associated with tumor mutation burden (TMB) and immune checkpoint, whereas negatively correlated with tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE), suggesting that these patients with risk scores were more sensitive to immunotherapy. Drug susceptibility analysis revealed differences in the responses to general drugs (docetaxel, cyclophosphamide, 5-Fluorouracil, cisplatin, paclitaxel, and vincristine) were yielded between the two risk groups. Conclusion Identifying the SRG-score signature may become a promising method for predicting the prognosis of patients with PCa and tailoring appropriate treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglin Han
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuxuan Deng
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Hu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bintao Hu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jihong Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qidong Xia
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaming Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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17
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Kallenbach J, Atri Roozbahani G, Heidari Horestani M, Baniahmad A. Distinct mechanisms mediating therapy-induced cellular senescence in prostate cancer. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:200. [PMID: 36522745 PMCID: PMC9753376 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00941-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PCa) is an age-related malignancy in men with a high incidence rate. PCa treatments face many obstacles due to cancer cell resistance and many bypassing mechanisms to escape therapy. According to the intricacy of PCa, many standard therapies are being used depending on PCa stages including radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, androgen receptor (AR) targeted therapy (androgen deprivation therapy, supraphysiological androgen, and AR antagonists) and chemotherapy. Most of the aforementioned therapies have been implicated to induce cellular senescence. Cellular senescence is defined as a stable cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase and is one of the mechanisms that prevent cancer proliferation. RESULTS In this review, we provide and analyze different mechanisms of therapy-induced senescence (TIS) in PCa and their effects on the tumor. Interestingly, it seems that different molecular pathways are used by cancer cells for TIS. Understanding the complexity and underlying mechanisms of cellular senescence is very critical due to its role in tumorigenesis. The most prevalent analyzed pathways in PCa as TIS are the p53/p21WAF1/CIP1, the p15INK4B/p16INK4A/pRb/E2F/Cyclin D, the ROS/ERK, p27Kip1/CDK/pRb, and the p27Kip1/Skp2/C/EBP β signaling. Despite growth inhibition, senescent cells are highly metabolically active. In addition, their secretome, which is termed senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), affects within the tumor microenvironment neighboring non-tumor and tumor cells and thereby may regulate the growth of tumors. Induction of cancer cell senescence is therefore a double-edged sword that can lead to reduced or enhanced tumor growth. CONCLUSION Thus, dependent on the type of senescence inducer and the specific senescence-induced cellular pathway, it is useful to develop pathway-specific senolytic compounds to specifically targeting senescent cells in order to evict senescent cells and thereby to reduce SASP side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kallenbach
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07740 Jena, Germany
| | - Golnaz Atri Roozbahani
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07740 Jena, Germany
| | - Mehdi Heidari Horestani
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07740 Jena, Germany
| | - Aria Baniahmad
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Am Klinikum 1, 07740 Jena, Germany
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18
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Saleh T, Khasawneh AI, Himsawi N, Abu-Raideh J, Ejeilat V, Elshazly AM, Gewirtz DA. Senolytic Therapy: A Potential Approach for the Elimination of Oncogene-Induced Senescent HPV-Positive Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415512. [PMID: 36555154 PMCID: PMC9778669 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Senescence represents a unique cellular stress response characterized by a stable growth arrest, macromolecular alterations, and wide spectrum changes in gene expression. Classically, senescence is the end-product of progressive telomeric attrition resulting from the repetitive division of somatic cells. In addition, senescent cells accumulate in premalignant lesions, in part, as a product of oncogene hyperactivation, reflecting one element of the tumor suppressive function of senescence. Oncogenic processes that induce senescence include overexpression/hyperactivation of H-Ras, B-Raf, and cyclin E as well as inactivation of PTEN. Oncogenic viruses, such as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), have also been shown to induce senescence. High-risk strains of HPV drive the immortalization, and hence transformation, of cervical epithelial cells via several mechanisms, but primarily via deregulation of the cell cycle, and possibly, by facilitating escape from senescence. Despite the wide and successful utilization of HPV vaccines in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer, this measure is not effective in preventing cancer development in individuals already positive for HPV. Accordingly, in this commentary, we focus on the potential contribution of oncogene and HPV-induced senescence (OIS) in cervical cancer. We further consider the potential utility of senolytic agents for the elimination of HPV-harboring senescent cells as a strategy for reducing HPV-driven transformation and the risk of cervical cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tareq Saleh
- Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
- Correspondence: (T.S.); (D.A.G.)
| | - Ashraf I. Khasawneh
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology, and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Nisreen Himsawi
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology, and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Jumana Abu-Raideh
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology, and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
| | - Vera Ejeilat
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Ahmed M. Elshazly
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - David A. Gewirtz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Correspondence: (T.S.); (D.A.G.)
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19
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Bousset L, Gil J. Targeting senescence as an anticancer therapy. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:3855-3880. [PMID: 36065138 PMCID: PMC9627790 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence is a stress response elicited by different molecular insults. Senescence results in cell cycle exit and is characterised by multiple phenotypic changes such as the production of a bioactive secretome. Senescent cells accumulate during ageing and are present in cancerous and fibrotic lesions. Drugs that selectively kill senescent cells (senolytics) have shown great promise for the treatment of age-related diseases. Senescence plays paradoxical roles in cancer. Induction of senescence limits cancer progression and contributes to therapy success, but lingering senescent cells fuel progression, recurrence, and metastasis. In this review, we describe the intricate relation between senescence and cancer. Moreover, we enumerate how current anticancer therapies induce senescence in tumour cells and how senolytic agents could be deployed to complement anticancer therapies. "One-two punch" therapies aim to first induce senescence in the tumour followed by senolytic treatment to target newly exposed vulnerabilities in senescent tumour cells. "One-two punch" represents an emerging and promising new strategy in cancer treatment. Future challenges of "one-two punch" approaches include how to best monitor senescence in cancer patients to effectively survey their efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bousset
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS)UK
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS)Imperial College LondonUK
| | - Jesús Gil
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS)UK
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS)Imperial College LondonUK
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20
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Ahmadinejad F, Bos T, Hu B, Britt E, Koblinski J, Souers AJ, Leverson JD, Faber AC, Gewirtz DA, Harada H. Senolytic-Mediated Elimination of Head and Neck Tumor Cells Induced Into Senescence by Cisplatin. Mol Pharmacol 2022; 101:168-180. [PMID: 34907000 PMCID: PMC8969145 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.121.000354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic outcomes achieved in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients by concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy initially reflect both tumor regression and tumor stasis. However, local and distant metastasis and disease relapse are common in HNSCC patients. In the current work, we demonstrate that cisplatin treatment induces senescence in both p53 wild-type HN30 and p53 mutant HN12 head and neck cancer models. We also show that tumor cells can escape from senescence both in vitro and in vivo. We further establish the effectiveness of the senolytic, ABT-263 (Navitoclax), in elimination of senescent tumor cells after cisplatin treatment. Navitoclax increased apoptosis by 3.3-fold (P ≤ 0.05) at day 7 compared with monotherapy by cisplatin. Additionally, we show that ABT-263 interferes with the interaction between B-cell lymphoma-x large (BCL-XL) and BAX, anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins, respectively, followed by BAX activation, suggesting that ABT-263-induced apoptotic cell death is mediated through BAX. Our in vivo studies also confirm senescence induction in tumor cells by cisplatin, and the promotion of apoptosis coupled with a significant delay of tumor growth after sequential treatment with ABT-263. Sequential treatment with cisplatin followed by ABT-263 extended the humane endpoint to ∼130 days compared with cisplatin alone, where mice survived ∼75 days. These results support the premise that senolytic agents could be used to eliminate residual senescent tumor cells after chemotherapy and thereby potentially delay disease recurrence in head and neck cancer patients. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Disease recurrence is the most common cause of death in head and neck cancer patients. B-cell lymphoma-x large inhibitors such as ABT-263 (Navitoclax) have the capacity to be used in combination with cisplatin in head and neck cancer patients to eliminate senescent cells and possibly prevent disease relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hisashi Harada
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine (F.A.), Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, School of Dentistry (T.B., E.B., A.C.F., H.H.), Cancer Mouse Models Core (B.H., J.K.), and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine (D.A.G.), Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois (A.J.S., J.D.L.)
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21
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As Sobeai HM, Alohaydib M, Alhoshani AR, Alhazzani K, Almutairi MM, Saleh T, Gewirtz DA, Alotiabi MR. Sorafenib, rapamycin, and venetoclax attenuate doxorubicin-induced senescence and promote apoptosis in HCT116 cells. Saudi Pharm J 2021; 30:91-101. [PMID: 35145348 PMCID: PMC8802130 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence has shown that the therapy-induced senescent growth arrest in cancer cells is of durable nature whereby a subset of cells can reinstate proliferative capacity. Promising new drugs named senolytics selectively target senescent cells and commit them into apoptosis. Accordingly, senolytics have been proposed as adjuvant cancer treatment to cull senescent tumor cells, and thus, screening for agents that exhibit senolytic properties is highly warranted. Our study aimed to investigate three agents, sorafenib, rapamycin, and venetoclax for their senolytic potential in doxorubicin-induced senescence in HCT116 cells. HCT116 cells were treated with one of the three agents, sorafenib (5 µM), rapamycin (100 nM), or venetoclax (10 µM), in the absence or presence of doxorubicin (1 µM). Senescence was evaluated using microscopy-based and flow cytometry-based Senescence-associated-β-galactosidase staining (SA-β-gal), while apoptosis was assessed using annexin V-FITC/PI, and Muse caspase-3/-7 activity assays. We screened for potential genes through which the three drugs exerted senolytic-like action using the Human Cancer Pathway Finder PCR array. The three agents reduced doxorubicin-induced senescent cell subpopulations and significantly enhanced the apoptotic effect of doxorubicin compared with those treated only with doxorubicin. The senescence genes IGFBP5 and BMI1 and the apoptosis genes CASP7 and CASP9 emerged as candidate genes through which the three drugs exhibited senolytic-like properties. These results suggest that the attenuation of doxorubicin-induced senescence might have shifted HCT116 cells to apoptosis by exposure to the tested pharmacological agents. Our work argues for the use of senolytics to reduce senescence-mediated resistance in tumor cells and to enhance chemotherapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Homood M. As Sobeai
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Munirah Alohaydib
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali R. Alhoshani
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Alhazzani
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mashal M. Almutairi
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tareq Saleh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | - David A. Gewirtz
- Departments of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Moureq R. Alotiabi
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Corresponding author.
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