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Kumar B, Ahmad R, Sharma S, Gowrikumar S, Primeaux M, Rana S, Natarajan A, Oupicky D, Hopkins CR, Dhawan P, Singh AB. PIK3C3 Inhibition Promotes Sensitivity to Colon Cancer Therapy by Inhibiting Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092168. [PMID: 33946505 PMCID: PMC8124755 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a heterogeneous population of tumor cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs) where CSCs are postulated to resist the chemotherapy, and support cancer malignancy. Eliminating CSC can therefore improve CRC therapy and patient survival; however, such strategies have not yielded the desired outcome. Inhibiting autophagy has shown promise in suppressing therapy resistance; however, current autophagy inhibitors have failed in the clinical trials. In the current study, we provided data supporting the efficacy of 36-077, a potent inhibitor of PIK3C3/VPS34, in inhibiting autophagy to kill the CSC to promote the efficacy of colon cancer therapy. Abstract Background: Despite recent advances in therapies, resistance to chemotherapy remains a critical problem in the clinical management of colorectal cancer (CRC). Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a central role in therapy resistance. Thus, elimination of CSCs is crucial for effective CRC therapy; however, such strategies are limited. Autophagy promotes resistance to cancer therapy; however, whether autophagy protects CSCs to promote resistance to CRC-therapy is not well understood. Moreover, specific and potent autophagy inhibitors are warranted as clinical trials with hydroxychloroquine have not been successful. Methods: Colon cancer cells and tumoroids were used. Fluorescent reporter-based analysis of autophagy flux, spheroid and side population (SP) culture, and qPCR were done. We synthesized 36-077, a potent inhibitor of PIK3C3/VPS34 kinase, to inhibit autophagy. Combination treatments were done using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 36-077. Results: The 5-FU treatment induced autophagy only in a subset of the treated colon cancer. These autophagy-enriched cells also showed increased expression of CSC markers. Co-treatment with 36-077 significantly improved efficacy of the 5-FU treatment. Mechanistic studies revealed that combination therapy inhibited GSK-3β/Wnt/β-catenin signaling to inhibit CSC population. Conclusion: Autophagy promotes resistance to CRC-therapy by specifically promoting GSK-3β/Wnt/β-catenin signaling to promote CSC survival, and 36-077, a PIK3C3/VPS34 inhibitor, helps promote efficacy of CRC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balawant Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA; (B.K.); (R.A.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (P.D.)
| | - Rizwan Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA; (B.K.); (R.A.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (P.D.)
| | - Swagat Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA; (S.S.); (D.O.); (C.R.H.)
| | - Saiprasad Gowrikumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA; (B.K.); (R.A.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (P.D.)
| | - Mark Primeaux
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA; (B.K.); (R.A.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (P.D.)
| | - Sandeep Rana
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA; (S.R.); (A.N.)
| | - Amarnath Natarajan
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA; (S.R.); (A.N.)
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | - David Oupicky
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA; (S.S.); (D.O.); (C.R.H.)
| | - Corey R. Hopkins
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA; (S.S.); (D.O.); (C.R.H.)
| | - Punita Dhawan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA; (B.K.); (R.A.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (P.D.)
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
- VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105-1850, USA
| | - Amar B. Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985870 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6125, USA; (B.K.); (R.A.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (P.D.)
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
- VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105-1850, USA
- Correspondence:
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Reglero C, Reglero G. Precision Nutrition and Cancer Relapse Prevention: A Systematic Literature Review. Nutrients 2019; 11:E2799. [PMID: 31744117 PMCID: PMC6893579 DOI: 10.3390/nu11112799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer mortality rates are undergoing a global downward trend; however, metastasis and relapse after surgery and adjuvant treatments still correlate with poor prognosis and represent the most significant challenges in the treatment of this disease. Advances in genomics, metabolomics, and proteomics are improving our understanding regarding cancer metabolic diversity, resulting in detailed classifications of tumors and raising the effectiveness of precision medicine. Likewise, the growing knowledge of interactions between nutrients and the expression of certain genes could lead to cancer therapies based on precision nutrition strategies. This review aims to identify the recent advances in the knowledge of the mechanistic role of bioactive phytochemicals in foodstuffs in tumor progression, metastasis, and chemo-resistance in order to assess their potential use in precision nutrition therapies targeting relapse in lung, breast, colon, and prostate cancer, and leukemia. A considerable number of bioactive phytochemicals in foodstuffs were identified in the literature with proven effects modulating tumor growth, progression, and metastasis. In addition, the use of foodstuffs in cancer, and specifically in relapse therapies, is being reinforced by the development of different formulations that significantly increase the therapeutic efficiency of these products. This can open the possibility for testing combinations of bioactive phytochemicals with cancer relapse treatments as a potential prevention strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Reglero
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Guillermo Reglero
- IMDEA Food Institute, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
- Institute of Food Science Research (CIAL), Autónoma de Madrid University, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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