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Zhang L, Wang G, Li Z, Yang J, Li H, Wang W, Li Z, Li H. Molecular pharmacology and therapeutic advances of monoterpene perillyl alcohol. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 132:155826. [PMID: 38897045 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perillyl alcohol (POH) is a aroma monoterpene commonly obtained from various plants' essential oil. Recently, increasing researches have demonstrated that POH may be useful, not only as flavor compound, but also as bioactive molecule because of a variety of biological activities. PURPOSE The aim of this review is to summarize the production, pharmacological activities and molecular mechanism, active derivatives, toxicity and parmacokinetics, and industrial application of POH. METHODS A systematic search of published articles up to January 2024 in Web of Science, China Knowledge Network, and PubMed databases is conducted using the following keywords: POH, POH derivatives, biological or pharmacological, production or synthesis, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and application. RESULTS Biotechnological production is considered to be a potential alternative approach to generate POH. POH provides diverse pharmacological benefits, including anticancer, antimicrobial, insecticidal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, vasorelaxant, antinociceptive, antiasthmatic, hepatoprotective effects, etc. The underlying mechanisms of action include modulation of NF-κB, JNK/c-Jun, Notch, Akt/mTOR, PI3K/Akt/eNOS, STAT3, Nrf2 and ERS response pathways, mitigation of mitochondrial dysfunction and membrane integrity damage, and inhibition of ROS accumulation, pro-inflammatory cytokines release and NLRP3 activation. What's more, the proteins or genes influenced by POH against diseases refer to Bax, Bcl-2, cyclin D1, CDK, p21, p53, HIF-1α, AP-1, caspase-3, M6P/IGF2R, PARP, VEGF, etc. Some clinical studies report that intranasal delivery of POH is a safe and effective treatment for cancer, but further clinical investigations are needed to confirm other health benefits of POH in human healthy. Depending on these health-promoting properties together with desirable flavor and safety, POH can be employed as dietary supplement, preservative and flavor additive in food and cosmetic fields, as building block in synthesis fields, as anticancer drug in medicinal fields, and as pesticides and herbicides in agricultural fields. CONCLUSION This review systematically summarizes the recent advances in POH and highlights its therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms as well as the clinical settings, which is helpful to develop POH into functional food and new candidate drug for prevention and management of diseases. Future studies are needed to conduct more biological activity studies of POH and its derivatives, and check their clinical efficacy and potential side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Zhang
- College of Food Science and Technology, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China; Henan Province Wheat-flour Staple Food Engineering Technology Research Centre, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China.
| | - Guoguo Wang
- College of Food Science and Technology, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China; Henan Province Wheat-flour Staple Food Engineering Technology Research Centre, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Zehao Li
- College of Food Science and Technology, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China; Henan Province Wheat-flour Staple Food Engineering Technology Research Centre, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Jinchu Yang
- Technology Center, China Tobacco Henan Industrial Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, PR China.
| | - Haoliang Li
- Technology Center, China Tobacco Henan Industrial Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, PR China
| | - Wanying Wang
- College of Food Science and Technology, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China; Henan Province Wheat-flour Staple Food Engineering Technology Research Centre, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Zhijian Li
- College of Food Science and Technology, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China; Henan Province Wheat-flour Staple Food Engineering Technology Research Centre, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China
| | - Hua Li
- College of Food Science and Technology, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China; Henan Province Wheat-flour Staple Food Engineering Technology Research Centre, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, PR China.
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Minea RO, Thein TZ, Yang Z, Campan M, Ward PM, Schönthal AH, Chen TC. NEO212, temozolomide conjugated to NEO100, exerts superior therapeutic activity over temozolomide in preclinical chemoradiation models of glioblastoma. Neurooncol Adv 2024; 6:vdae095. [PMID: 39022643 PMCID: PMC11252566 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdae095] [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] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The chemotherapeutic standard of care for patients with glioblastoma (GB) is radiation therapy (RT) combined with temozolomide (TMZ). However, during the twenty years since its introduction, this so-called Stupp protocol has revealed major drawbacks, because nearly half of all GBs harbor intrinsic treatment resistance mechanisms. Prime among these are the increased expression of the DNA repair protein O6-guanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) and cellular deficiency in DNA mismatch repair (MMR). Patients with such tumors receive very little, if any, benefit from TMZ. We are developing a novel molecule, NEO212 (TMZ conjugated to NEO100), that harbors the potential to overcome these limitations. Methods We used mouse models that were orthotopically implanted with GB cell lines or primary, radioresistant human GB stem cells, representing different treatment resistance mechanisms. Animals received NEO212 (or TMZ for comparison) without or with RT. Overall survival was recorded, and histology studies quantified DNA damage, apoptosis, microvessel density, and impact on bone marrow. Results In all tumor models, replacing TMZ with NEO212 in a schedule designed to mimic the Stupp protocol achieved a strikingly superior extension of survival, especially in TMZ-resistant and RT-resistant models. While NEO212 displayed pronounced radiation-sensitizing, DNA-damaging, pro-apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic effects in tumor tissue, it did not cause bone marrow toxicity. Conclusions NEO212 is a candidate drug to potentially replace TMZ within the standard Stupp protocol. It has the potential to become the first chemotherapeutic agent to significantly extend overall survival in TMZ-resistant patients when combined with radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radu O Minea
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine (KSOM), University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, KSOM, USC, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Thu Zan Thein
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine (KSOM), University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Zhuoyue Yang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, KSOM, USC, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Mihaela Campan
- USC Clinical Laboratories, KSOM, USC, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Pamela M Ward
- Department of Pathology, KSOM, USC, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Axel H Schönthal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, KSOM, USC, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Thomas C Chen
- NeOnc Technologies, Inc., Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine (KSOM), University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Pathology, KSOM, USC, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, KSOM, USC, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Chen TC, Minea RO, Swenson S, Yang Z, Thein TZ, Schönthal AH. NEO212, a Perillyl Alcohol-Temozolomide Conjugate, Triggers Macrophage Differentiation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells and Blocks Their Tumorigenicity. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:6065. [PMID: 36551551 PMCID: PMC9776529 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246065] [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: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are still dying from this disease. In the past, the alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ) has been investigated for AML and found to be partially effective; however, the presence of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT; a DNA repair enzyme) in tumor cells confers profound treatment resistance against TMZ. We are developing a novel anticancer compound, called NEO212, where TMZ was covalently conjugated to perillyl alcohol (a naturally occurring monoterpene). NEO212 has revealed robust therapeutic activity in a variety of preclinical cancer models, including AML. In the current study, we investigated its impact on a panel of human AML cell lines and found that it exerted cytotoxic potency even against MGMT-positive cells that were highly resistant to TMZ. Furthermore, NEO212 strongly stimulated the expression of a large number of macrophage-associated marker genes, including CD11b/ITGAM. This latter effect could not be mimicked when cells were treated with TMZ or an equimolar mix of individual agents, TMZ plus perillyl alcohol. The superior cytotoxic impact of NEO212 appeared to involve down-regulation of MGMT protein levels. In a mouse model implanted with TMZ-resistant, MGMT-positive AML cells, two 5-day cycles of 25 mg/kg NEO212 achieved an apparent cure, as mice survived >300 days without any signs of disease. In parallel toxicity studies with rats, a 5-day cycle of 200 mg/kg NEO212 was well tolerated by these animals, whereas animals that were given 200 mg/kg TMZ all died due to severe leukopenia. Together, our results show that NEO212 exerts pleiotropic effects on AML cells that include differentiation, proliferation arrest, and eventual cell death. In vivo, NEO212 was well tolerated even at dosages that far exceed the therapeutic need, indicating a large therapeutic window. These results present NEO212 as an agent that should be considered for development as a therapeutic agent for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C. Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Radu O. Minea
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Steve Swenson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Zhuoyue Yang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Thu Zan Thein
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Axel H. Schönthal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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Maksoud S. The DNA Double-Strand Break Repair in Glioma: Molecular Players and Therapeutic Strategies. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:5326-5365. [PMID: 35696013 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02915-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Gliomas are the most frequent type of tumor in the central nervous system, which exhibit properties that make their treatment difficult, such as cellular infiltration, heterogeneity, and the presence of stem-like cells responsible for tumor recurrence. The response of this type of tumor to chemoradiotherapy is poor, possibly due to a higher repair activity of the genetic material, among other causes. The DNA double-strand breaks are an important type of lesion to the genetic material, which have the potential to trigger processes of cell death or cause gene aberrations that could promote tumorigenesis. This review describes how the different cellular elements regulate the formation of DNA double-strand breaks and their repair in gliomas, discussing the therapeutic potential of the induction of this type of lesion and the suppression of its repair as a control mechanism of brain tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semer Maksoud
- Experimental Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging Unit, Department of Neurology, Neuro-Oncology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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Chen TC, da Fonseca CO, Levin D, Schönthal AH. The Monoterpenoid Perillyl Alcohol: Anticancer Agent and Medium to Overcome Biological Barriers. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:2167. [PMID: 34959448 PMCID: PMC8709132 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13122167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Perillyl alcohol (POH) is a naturally occurring monoterpenoid related to limonene that is present in the essential oils of various plants. It has diverse applications and can be found in household items, including foods, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies. Over the past three decades, it has also been investigated for its potential anticancer activity. Clinical trials with an oral POH formulation administered to cancer patients failed to realize therapeutic expectations, although an intra-nasal POH formulation yielded encouraging results in malignant glioma patients. Based on its amphipathic nature, POH revealed the ability to overcome biological barriers, primarily the blood-brain barrier (BBB), but also the cytoplasmic membrane and the skin, which appear to be characteristics that critically contribute to POH's value for drug development and delivery. In this review, we present the physicochemical properties of POH that underlie its ability to overcome the obstacles placed by different types of biological barriers and consequently shape its multifaceted promise for cancer therapy and applications in drug development. We summarized and appraised the great variety of preclinical and clinical studies that investigated the use of POH for intranasal delivery and nose-to-brain drug transport, its intra-arterial delivery for BBB opening, and its permeation-enhancing function in hybrid molecules, where POH is combined with or conjugated to other therapeutic pharmacologic agents, yielding new chemical entities with novel mechanisms of action and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C. Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Clovis O. da Fonseca
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Federal Hospital of Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro 22411-020, Brazil;
| | | | - Axel H. Schönthal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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Wang X, Hu A, Du K, Feng F. Biomimetic Polymer-Templated Copper Nanoparticles Stabilize a Temozolomide Intermediate for Chemotherapy against Glioblastoma Multiforme. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:8004-8012. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.1c00915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wang
- Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Material and Technology of Ministry of Education, Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Andi Hu
- Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Material and Technology of Ministry of Education, Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ke Du
- Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Material and Technology of Ministry of Education, Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Fude Feng
- Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Material and Technology of Ministry of Education, Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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Schönthal AH, Swenson S, Minea RO, Kim HN, Cho H, Mohseni N, Kim YM, Chen TC. Potentially Curative Therapeutic Activity of NEO212, a Perillyl Alcohol-Temozolomide Conjugate, in Preclinical Cytarabine-Resistant Models of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143385. [PMID: 34298603 PMCID: PMC8305595 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Many patients are still dying from acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Initial treatment of this blood-borne cancer consists of chemotherapy, usually with the agent cytarabine (AraC). However, the cancer cells can become drug resistant and unresponsive to AraC, which complicates further treatment and worsens prognosis. More effective treatments are needed. We are developing a novel anticancer compound called NEO212. We investigated its AML-therapeutic potential with the use of AraC-resistant AML cells grown in culture and in mice implanted with such AML cells. We found that NEO212 effectively killed AML cells in culture. The majority of AML mice that received NEO212 treatment survived and thrived without signs of tumor recurrence. At the same time, NEO212 treatment did not result in any detectable side effects, showing that this drug was very well tolerated by these animals. We deem it worthwhile to further develop NEO212 toward its evaluation in AML patients, in particular in those where initial therapy with AraC has failed. Abstract Despite progress in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the clinical outcome remains suboptimal and many patients are still dying from this disease. First-line treatment consists of chemotherapy, which typically includes cytarabine (AraC), either alone or in combination with anthracyclines, but drug resistance can develop and significantly worsen prognosis. Better treatments are needed. We are developing a novel anticancer compound, NEO212, that was created by covalent conjugation of two different molecules with already established anticancer activity, the alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ) and the natural monoterpene perillyl alcohol (POH). We investigated the anticancer activity of NEO212 in several in vitro and in vivo models of AML. Human HL60 and U937 AML cell lines, as well as different AraC-resistant AML cell lines, were treated with NEO212 and effects on cell proliferation, cell cycle, and cell death were investigated. Mice with implanted AraC-sensitive or AraC-resistant AML cells were dosed with oral NEO212, and animal survival was monitored. Our in vitro experiments show that treatment of cells with NEO212 results in growth inhibition via potent G2 arrest, which is followed by apoptotic cell death. Intriguingly, NEO212 was equally potent in highly AraC-resistant cells. In vivo, NEO212 treatment strikingly extended survival of AML mice and the majority of treated mice continued to thrive and survive without any signs of illness. At the same time, we were unable to detect toxic side effects of NEO212 treatment. All in all, the absence of side effects, combined with striking therapeutic activity even in an AraC-resistant context, suggests that NEO212 should be developed further toward clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel H. Schönthal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA;
- Correspondence: (A.H.S.); (T.C.C.); Tel.: +1-323-442-1730 (A.H.S.); +1-323-409-7422 (T.C.C.); Fax: +1-323-442-1721 (A.H.S.); +1-323-226-7833 (T.C.C.)
| | - Steve Swenson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (S.S.); (R.O.M.); (H.C.)
| | - Radu O. Minea
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (S.S.); (R.O.M.); (H.C.)
| | - Hye Na Kim
- Department Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA; (H.N.K.); (Y.-M.K.)
| | - Heeyeon Cho
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (S.S.); (R.O.M.); (H.C.)
| | - Nazleen Mohseni
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA;
| | - Yong-Mi Kim
- Department Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA; (H.N.K.); (Y.-M.K.)
| | - Thomas C. Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (S.S.); (R.O.M.); (H.C.)
- Correspondence: (A.H.S.); (T.C.C.); Tel.: +1-323-442-1730 (A.H.S.); +1-323-409-7422 (T.C.C.); Fax: +1-323-442-1721 (A.H.S.); +1-323-226-7833 (T.C.C.)
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The adaptive transition of glioblastoma stem cells and its implications on treatments. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:124. [PMID: 33753720 PMCID: PMC7985200 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00491-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most malignant tumor occurring in the human central nervous system with overall median survival time <14.6 months. Current treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy cannot reach an optimal remission since tumor resistance to therapy remains a challenge. Glioblastoma stem cells are considered to be responsible for tumor resistance in treating glioblastoma. Previous studies reported two subtypes, proneural and mesenchymal, of glioblastoma stem cells manifesting different sensitivity to radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Mesenchymal glioblastoma stem cells, as well as tumor cells generate from which, showed resistance to radiochemotherapies. Besides, two metabolic patterns, glutamine or glucose dependent, of mesenchymal glioblastoma stem cells also manifested different sensitivity to radiochemotherapies. Glutamine dependent mesenchymal glioblastoma stem cells are more sensitive to radiotherapy than glucose-dependent ones. Therefore, the transition between proneural and mesenchymal subtypes, or between glutamine-dependent and glucose-dependent, might lead to tumor resistance to radiochemotherapies. Moreover, neural stem cells were also hypothesized to participate in glioblastoma stem cells mediated tumor resistance to radiochemotherapies. In this review, we summarized the basic characteristics, adaptive transition and implications of glioblastoma stem cells in glioblastoma therapy.
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Cho HY, Swenson S, Thein TZ, Wang W, Wijeratne NR, Marín-Ramos NI, Katz JE, Hofman FM, Schönthal AH, Chen TC. Pharmacokinetic properties of the temozolomide perillyl alcohol conjugate (NEO212) in mice. Neurooncol Adv 2020; 2:vdaa160. [PMID: 33392507 PMCID: PMC7764505 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaa160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background NEO212 is a novel small-molecule anticancer agent that was generated by covalent conjugation of the natural monoterpene perillyl alcohol (POH) to the alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ). It is undergoing preclinical development as a therapeutic for brain-localized malignancies. The aim of this study was to characterize metabolism and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of NEO212 in preclinical models. Methods We used mass spectrometry (MS) and modified high-performance liquid chromatography to identify and quantitate NEO212 and its metabolites in cultured glioblastoma cells, in mouse plasma, brain, and excreta after oral gavage. Results Our methods allowed identification and quantitation of NEO212, POH, TMZ, as well as primary metabolites 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (AIC) and perillic acid (PA). Intracellular concentrations of TMZ were greater after treatment of U251TR cells with NEO212 than after treatment with TMZ. The half-life of NEO212 in mouse plasma was 94 min. In mice harboring syngeneic GL261 brain tumors, the amount of NEO212 was greater in the tumor-bearing hemisphere than in the contralateral normal hemisphere. The brain:plasma ratio of NEO212 was greater than that of TMZ. Excretion of unaltered NEO212 was through feces, whereas its AIC metabolite was excreted via urine. Conclusions NEO212 preferentially concentrates in brain tumor tissue over normal brain tissue, and compared to TMZ has a higher brain:plasma ratio, altogether revealing favorable features to encourage its further development as a brain-targeted therapeutic. Its breakdown into well-characterized, long-lived metabolites, in particular AIC and PA, will provide useful equivalents for PK studies during further drug development and clinical trials with NEO212.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Yeon Cho
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Steve Swenson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Thu Zan Thein
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Weijun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Neloni R Wijeratne
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nagore I Marín-Ramos
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jonathan E Katz
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Florence M Hofman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Pathology Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Axel H Schönthal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Thomas C Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Pathology Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Marín-Ramos NI, Pérez-Hernández M, Tam A, Swenson SD, Cho HY, Thein TZ, Hofman FM, Chen TC. Inhibition of motility by NEO100 through the calpain-1/RhoA pathway. J Neurosurg 2020; 133:1020-1031. [PMID: 31419797 DOI: 10.3171/2019.5.jns19798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive type of brain tumor with a high rate of tumor recurrence, and it often develops resistance over time to current standard of care chemotherapy. Its highly invasive nature plays an essential role in tumor progression and recurrence. Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are a subpopulation of glioma cells highly resistant to treatments and are considered responsible for tumor recurrence. METHODS Patient-derived populations of GSCs were analyzed by western blot, MTT, and cytoplasmic calcium labeling to determine the cytotoxicity of NEO100. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to evaluate the levels of NEO100 in the cell culture supernatants. The effects of the compound on GSC motility were studied using Boyden chamber migration, 3D spheroid migration and invasion assays, and an mRNA expression PCR array. A RhoA activation assay, western blot, and immunofluorescence techniques were employed to confirm the signaling pathways involved. Intracranial implantation of GSCs in athymic mice was used to evaluate the effects of NEO100 in vivo on tumor progression and overall survival. RESULTS Here, the authors show how NEO100, a highly purified good manufacturing practices-quality form of perillyl alcohol, is cytotoxic for different subtypes of GSCs, regardless of the mechanisms of DNA repair present. At doses similar to the IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) values, NEO100 induces ER stress and activates apoptotic pathways in all GSC populations tested. At subcytotoxic doses in the micromolar range, NEO100 blocks migration and invasion of GSCs. These results correlate with a decrease in calpain-1 expression and an increase in RhoA activation, leading to enhanced contractility of the GSCs. In addition, NEO100 blocks the activation of the kinases Src, p42/44 MAPK, Akt, and Stat3, all related to cell proliferation and migration. Intranasal administration of NEO100 in mice with GSC-derived intracranial tumors led to a decrease in tumor progression and a 32% increase in overall survival. Immunostaining studies showed that NEO100 induces apoptosis and reduces GSC invasion in vivo. CONCLUSIONS NEO100 could have significant value targeting GSCs and could be used for GBM therapy as either monotherapy or a coadjuvant therapy during temozolomide rest cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Florence M Hofman
- Departments of1Neurosurgery and
- 2Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Thomas C Chen
- Departments of1Neurosurgery and
- 2Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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Minea RO, Duc TC, Swenson SD, Cho HY, Huang M, Hartman H, Hofman FM, Schönthal AH, Chen TC. Developing a clinically relevant radiosensitizer for temozolomide-resistant gliomas. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238238. [PMID: 32881880 PMCID: PMC7470340 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The prognosis for patients with glioblastoma (GB) remains grim. Concurrent temozolomide (TMZ) radiation—the cornerstone of glioma control—extends the overall median survival of GB patients by only a few months over radiotherapy alone. While these survival gains could be partly attributed to radiosensitization, this benefit is greatly minimized in tumors expressing O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), which specifically reverses O6-methylguanine lesions. Theoretically, non-O6-methylguanine lesions (i.e., the N-methylpurine adducts), which represent up to 90% of TMZ-generated DNA adducts, could also contribute to radiosensitization. Unfortunately, at concentrations attainable in clinical practice, the alkylation capacity of TMZ cannot overwhelm the repair of N-methylpurine adducts to efficiently exploit these lesions. The current therapeutic application of TMZ therefore faces two main obstacles: (i) the stochastic presence of MGMT and (ii) a blunted radiosensitization potential at physiologic concentrations. To circumvent these limitations, we are developing a novel molecule called NEO212—a derivatization of TMZ generated by coupling TMZ to perillyl alcohol. Based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography analyses, we determined that NEO212 had greater tumor cell uptake than TMZ. In mouse models, NEO212 was more efficient than TMZ at crossing the blood-brain barrier, preferentially accumulating in tumoral over normal brain tissue. Moreover, in vitro analyses with GB cell lines, including TMZ-resistant isogenic variants, revealed more potent cytotoxic and radiosensitizing activities for NEO212 at physiologic concentrations. Mechanistically, these advantages of NEO212 over TMZ could be attributed to its enhanced tumor uptake presumably leading to more extensive DNA alkylation at equivalent dosages which, ultimately, allows for N-methylpurine lesions to be better exploited for radiosensitization. This effect cannot be achieved with TMZ at clinically relevant concentrations and is independent of MGMT. Our findings establish NEO212 as a superior radiosensitizer and a potentially better alternative to TMZ for newly diagnosed GB patients, irrespective of their MGMT status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radu O. Minea
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine (KSOM), University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California (CA), United States of America
| | - Tuan Cao Duc
- Haiphong University School of Pharmacy, Haiphong, Vietnam
| | - Stephen D. Swenson
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine (KSOM), University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California (CA), United States of America
| | - Hee-Yeon Cho
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine (KSOM), University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California (CA), United States of America
| | - Mickey Huang
- Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Hannah Hartman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Florence M. Hofman
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Axel H. Schönthal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Thomas C. Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine (KSOM), University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California (CA), United States of America
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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12
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Silva-Hirschberg C, Hartman H, Stack S, Swenson S, Minea RO, Davitz MA, Chen TC, Schönthal AH. Cytotoxic impact of a perillyl alcohol-temozolomide conjugate, NEO212, on cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in vitro. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2019; 11:1758835919891567. [PMID: 31839810 PMCID: PMC6900611 DOI: 10.1177/1758835919891567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are subtypes of primary
cutaneous lymphomas and represent complex diseases regarding their
physiopathology and management. Depending on the stage of the disease,
different treatment regimens are applied, but there is no consensus on an
optimal approach. Prognosis for patients with early stage MF is favorable,
but significantly worsens in advanced disease and in SS, where patients
frequently relapse and require multiple therapies. Methods: We investigated the potential anticancer effects of NEO212, a novel compound
generated by covalently conjugating perillyl alcohol (a natural monoterpene)
to temozolomide (an alkylating agent), on MF and SS cell lines in
vitro. HUT-78, HUT-102, and MyLa cells were treated with NEO212
under different conditions, and drug effects on proliferation, viability,
and apoptosis were characterized. Results: NEO212 inhibited proliferation, diminished viability, and stimulated
apoptosis in all cell lines, although with varying degrees of potency in the
different cell lines. It down-regulated c-myc and cyclin D1 proteins, which
are required for cell proliferation, but triggered endoplasmic reticulum
stress and activation of caspases. Pretreatment of cells with antioxidants
ascorbic acid and beta-mercaptoethanol prevented these NEO212-induced
effects. Conclusions: NEO212 exerted promising anticancer effects on SS and MF cell lines. The
generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) appears to play a key role in
the NEO212-induced cell death process, because the blockage of ROS with
antioxidants prevented caspase activation. We propose that NEO212 should be
investigated further toward clinical testing in these tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Silva-Hirschberg
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hannah Hartman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Samantha Stack
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Steve Swenson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Radu O Minea
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael A Davitz
- Leason Ellis, One Barker Avenue, Fifth Floor, White Plains, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas C Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Axel H Schönthal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR-405, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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13
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Renziehausen A, Tsiailanis AD, Perryman R, Stylos EK, Chatzigiannis C, O'Neill K, Crook T, Tzakos AG, Syed N. Encapsulation of Temozolomide in a Calixarene Nanocapsule Improves Its Stability and Enhances Its Therapeutic Efficacy against Glioblastoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:1497-1505. [PMID: 31213505 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-1250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ) is the first-line chemotherapeutic for glioblastoma (GBM), a common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. However, its poor stability and unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile limit its clinical efficacy. There is an unmet need to tailor the therapeutic window of TMZ, either through complex derivatization or by utilizing pharmaceutical excipients. To enhance stability and aqueous solubility, we encapsulated TMZ in a p-sulphonatocalix[4]arene (Calix) nanocapsule and used 1H-NMR, LC-MS, and UV-Vis spectroscopy to chart the stability of this novel TMZ@Calix complex according to FDA and European Medicines Agency guidelines. LC-MS/MS plasma stability assays were conducted in mice to further explore the stability profile of TMZ@Calix in vivo The therapeutic efficacy of TMZ@Calix was compared with that of unbound TMZ in GBM cell lines and patient-derived primary cells with known O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) expression status and in vivo in an intracranial U87 xenograft mouse model. Encapsulation significantly enhanced the stability of TMZ in all conditions tested. TMZ@Calix was more potent than native TMZ at inhibiting the growth of established GBM cell lines and patient-derived primary lines expressing MGMT and highly resistant to TMZ. In vivo, native TMZ was rapidly degraded in mouse plasma, whereas the stability of TMZ@Calix was enhanced threefold with increased therapeutic efficacy in an orthotopic model. In the absence of new effective therapies, this novel formulation is of clinical importance, serving as an inexpensive and highly efficient treatment that could be made readily available to patients with GBM and warrants further preclinical and clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Renziehausen
- John Fulcher Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Antonis D Tsiailanis
- Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Richard Perryman
- John Fulcher Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Evgenios K Stylos
- Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Christos Chatzigiannis
- Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Kevin O'Neill
- John Fulcher Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Timothy Crook
- Department of Oncology, St. Luke's Cancer Institute, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, UK
| | - Andreas G Tzakos
- Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Nelofer Syed
- John Fulcher Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
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14
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Yang Z, Wei D, Dai X, Stevens MFG, Bradshaw TD, Luo Y, Zhang J. C8-Substituted Imidazotetrazine Analogs Overcome Temozolomide Resistance by Inducing DNA Adducts and DNA Damage. Front Oncol 2019; 9:485. [PMID: 31263673 PMCID: PMC6584802 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Temozolomide (TMZ) is the standard of care chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. Cytotoxic O6-methylguaine lesions formed by TMZ are repaired by O6-methyl-guanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), a DNA repair protein that removes alkyl groups located at the O6-position of guanine. Response to TMZ requires low MGMT expression and functional mismatch repair. Resistance to TMZ conferred by MGMT, and tolerance to O6-methylguanine lesions conferred by deficient MMR severely limit TMZ clinical applications. Therefore, development of new TMZ derivatives that can overcome TMZ-resistance is urgent. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor mechanism of action of two novel TMZ analogs: C8-imidazolyl (377) and C8-methylimidazole (465) tetrazines. We found that analogs 377 and 465 display good anticancer activity against MGMT-overexpressing glioma T98G and MMR deficient colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cell lines with IC50 value of 62.50, 44.23, 33.09, and 25.37 μM, respectively. Analogs induce cell cycle arrest at G2/M, DNA double strand break damage and apoptosis irrespective of MGMT and MMR status. It was established that analog 377, similar to TMZ, is able to ring-open and hydrolyze under physiological conditions, and its intermediate product is more stable than MTIC. Moreover, DNA adducts of 377 with calf thymus DNA were identified: N7-methylguanine, O6-methylguanine, N3-methyladenine, N3-methylthymine, and N3-methylcytidine deoxynucleotides. We conclude that C8 analogs of TMZ share a mechanism of action similar to TMZ and are able to methylate DNA generating O6-methylguanine adducts, but unlike TMZ are able at least in part to thwart MGMT- and MMR-mediated resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhikuan Yang
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Danping Wei
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoli Dai
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Malcolm F G Stevens
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ying Luo
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Jihong Zhang
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
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15
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Cho HY, Thein TZ, Wang W, Swenson SD, Fayngor RA, Ou M, Marín-Ramos NI, Schönthal AH, Hofman FM, Chen TC. The Rolipram-Perillyl Alcohol Conjugate (NEO214) Is A Mediator of Cell Death through the Death Receptor Pathway. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:517-530. [PMID: 30647121 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-0465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive primary brain tumor with a poor prognosis. Treatment with temozolomide, standard of care for gliomas, usually results in drug resistance and tumor recurrence. Therefore, there is a great need for drugs that target GBM. NEO214 was generated by covalently linking rolipram to perillyl alcohol (POH) via a carbamate bond to form the rolipram-perillyl alcohol conjugate. We show here that NEO214 is effective against both temozolomide-sensitive and temozolomide-resistant glioma cells. Furthermore, NEO214 is effective for different mechanisms of temozolomide resistance: overexpression of MGMT (O6-methylguanine methyl-transferase); deficiency in specific mismatch repair proteins; and overexpression of base excision repair (BER) proteins. NEO214-induced cytotoxicity involves apoptosis triggered by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, as well as activating the Death Receptor 5 (DR5)/TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL/Apo2L) pathway. In vitro studies show that glioma cells treated with NEO214 express DR5 and exhibit cell death in the presence of recombinant TRAIL, a growth factor constitutively produced by astrocytes. Our in vitro 3D coculture data show that induction of DR5 in glioma cells with NEO214 and TRAIL cause tumor cell death very effectively and specifically for glioma cells. In vivo studies show that NEO214 has antitumor efficacy in orthotropic syngeneic rodent tumor models. Furthermore, NEO214 has therapeutic potential especially for brain tumors because this drug can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and is effective in the TRAIL-rich astrocyte microenvironment. NEO214 is a strong candidate for use in the treatment of GBMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Yeon Cho
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Thu Zan Thein
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Weijun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Stephen D Swenson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Rochelle A Fayngor
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Mengting Ou
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Nagore I Marín-Ramos
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Axel H Schönthal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Florence M Hofman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Thomas C Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. .,Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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16
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A New Patient-Derived Metastatic Glioblastoma Cell Line: Characterisation and Response to Sodium Selenite Anticancer Agent. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 11:cancers11010012. [PMID: 30583471 PMCID: PMC6356827 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) tumors are very heterogeneous, organized in a hierarchical pattern, including cancer stem cells (CSC), and are responsible for development, maintenance, and cancer relapse. Therefore, it is relevant to establish new GBM cell lines with CSC characteristics to develop new treatments. A new human GBM cell line, named R2J, was established from the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) of a patient affected by GBM with leptomeningeal metastasis. R2J cells exhibits an abnormal karyotype and form self-renewable spheres in a serum-free medium. Original tumor, R2J, cultured in monolayer (2D) and in spheres showed a persistence expression of CD44, CD56 (except in monolayer), EGFR, Ki67, Nestin, and vimentin. The R2J cell line is tumorigenic and possesses CSC properties. We tested in vitro the anticancer effects of sodium selenite (SS) compared to temozolomide TMZ. SS was absorbed by R2J cells, was cytotoxic, induced an oxidative stress, and arrested cell growth in G2M before inducing both necrosis and apoptosis via caspase-3. SS also modified dimethyl-histone-3-lysine-9 (H3K9m2) levels and decreased histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, suggesting anti-invasiveness potential. This study highlights the value of this new GBM cell line for preclinical modeling of clinically relevant, patient specific GBM and opens a therapeutic window to test SS to target resistant and recurrent GBM.
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17
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NEO412: A temozolomide analog with transdermal activity in melanoma in vitro and in vivo. Oncotarget 2018; 9:37026-37041. [PMID: 30651933 PMCID: PMC6319336 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite new treatments introduced over the past several years, metastatic melanoma remains difficult to cure. Although melanoma in situ (MIS) has better prognosis, it relies heavily on thorough surgical excision, where ill-defined margins can pose a challenge to successful removal, potentially leading to invasive melanoma. As well, MIS in the head and neck area can create serious aesthetic concerns with regard to the surgical defect and substantial scar formation. Toward improved treatment of localized melanoma, including the targeting of unrecognized invasive components, we have been studying a novel agent, NEO412, designed for transdermal application. NEO412 is a tripartite agent that was created by covalent conjugation of three bioactive agents: temozolomide (TMZ, an alkylating agent), perillyl alcohol (POH, a naturally occurring monoterpene with anticancer properties), and linoleic acid (LA, an omega-6 essential fatty acid). We investigated the anti-melanoma potency of NEO412 in vitro and in mouse models in vivo. The in vitro results showed that NEO412 effectively killed melanoma cells, including TMZ-resistant and BRAF mutant ones, through DNA alkylation and subsequent apoptosis. in vivo, NEO412 inhibited tumor growth when applied topically to the skin of tumor-bearing animals, and this effect involved a combination of increased tumor cell death with decreased blood vessel development. At the same time, drug-treated mice continued to thrive, and there was no apparent damage to normal skin in response to daily drug applications. Combined, our results present NEO412 as a potentially promising new treatment for cutaneous melanoma, in particular MIS, deserving of further study.
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18
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Chen TC, da Fonseca CO, Schönthal AH. Intranasal Perillyl Alcohol for Glioma Therapy: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Development. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E3905. [PMID: 30563210 PMCID: PMC6321279 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracranial malignancies, such as primary brain cancers and brain-localized metastases derived from peripheral cancers, are particularly difficult to treat with therapeutic agents, because the blood-brain barrier (BBB) effectively minimizes brain entry of the vast majority of agents arriving from the systemic circulation. Intranasal administration of cancer drugs has the potential to reach the brain via direct nose-to-brain transport, thereby circumventing the obstacle posed by the BBB. However, in the field of cancer therapy, there is a paucity of studies reporting positive results with this type of approach. A remarkable exception is the natural compound perillyl alcohol (POH). Its potent anticancer activity was convincingly established in preclinical studies, but it nonetheless failed in subsequent clinical trials, where it was given orally and displayed hard-to-tolerate gastrointestinal side effects. Intriguingly, when switched to intranasal delivery, POH yielded highly promising activity in recurrent glioma patients and was well tolerated. As of 2018, POH is the only intranasally delivered compound in the field of cancer therapy (outside of cancer pain) that has advanced to active clinical trials. In the following, we will introduce this compound, summarize its molecular mechanisms of action, and present the latest data on its clinical evaluation as an intranasally administered agent for glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
| | - Clovis O da Fonseca
- Department of General and Specialized Surgery, Antonio Pedro University Hospital, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, RJ 24220, Brazil.
| | - Axel H Schönthal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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19
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Marín-Ramos NI, Jhaveri N, Thein TZ, Fayngor RA, Chen TC, Hofman FM. NEO212, a conjugate of temozolomide and perillyl alcohol, blocks the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in tumor-associated brain endothelial cells in glioblastoma. Cancer Lett 2018; 442:170-180. [PMID: 30392789 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
As the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) supports the pro-angiogenic and invasive characteristics of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), blocking this process would be a promising approach to inhibit tumor progression and recurrence. Here, we demonstrate that glioma stem cells (GSC) induce EndMT in brain endothelial cells (BEC). TGF-β signaling is necessary, but not sufficient to induce this EndMT process. Cell-to-cell contact and the contribution of Notch signaling are also required. NEO212, a conjugate of temozolomide and perillyl alcohol, blocks EndMT induction and reverts the mesenchymal phenotype of tumor-associated BEC (TuBEC) by blocking TGF-β and Notch pathways. Consequently, NEO212 reduces the invasiveness and pro-angiogenic properties associated with TuBEC, without affecting control BEC. Intracranial co-implantation of BEC and GSC in athymic mice showed that EndMT occurs in vivo, and can be blocked by NEO212, supporting the potential clinical value of NEO212 for the treatment of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagore I Marín-Ramos
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Niyati Jhaveri
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Thu Zan Thein
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Rochelle A Fayngor
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Thomas C Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Florence M Hofman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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20
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Marín-Ramos NI, Hofman FM, Chen TC. NEO212: sub-cytotoxic doses capable of inhibiting glioma stem cell invasion. Oncoscience 2018; 5:148-149. [PMID: 30035171 PMCID: PMC6049296 DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nagore I Marín-Ramos
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Florence M Hofman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Thomas C Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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21
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Marín-Ramos NI, Thein TZ, Cho HY, Swenson SD, Wang W, Schönthal AH, Chen TC, Hofman FM. NEO212 Inhibits Migration and Invasion of Glioma Stem Cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 17:625-637. [PMID: 29440289 PMCID: PMC5935548 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme is a malignant brain tumor noted for its extensive vascularity, aggressiveness, and highly invasive nature, suggesting that cell migration plays an important role in tumor progression. The poor prognosis in GBM is associated with a high rate of tumor recurrence, and resistance to the standard of care chemotherapy, temozolomide (TMZ). The novel compound NEO212, a conjugate of TMZ and perillyl alcohol (POH), has proven to be 10-fold more cytotoxic to glioma stem cells (GSC) than TMZ, and is active against TMZ-resistant tumor cells. In this study, we show that NEO212 decreases migration and invasion of primary cultures of patient-derived GSCs, in both mesenchymal USC02 and proneural USC04 populations. The mechanism by which NEO212 reduces migration and invasion appears to be independent of its DNA alkylating effects, which cause cytotoxicity during the first hours of treatment, and is associated with a decrease in the FAK/Src signaling pathway, an effect not exhibited by TMZ. NEO212 also decreases the production of matrix metalloproteinases MMP2 and MMP9, crucial for GSC invasion. Gene expression analysis of epithelial and mesenchymal markers suggests that NEO212 increases the expression of epithelial-like characteristics, suggesting a reversion of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process. Furthermore, in an in vivo orthotopic glioma model, NEO212 decreases tumor progression by reducing invasion of GSCs, thereby increasing survival time of mice. These studies indicate that NEO212, in addition to cytotoxicity, can effectively reduce migration and invasion in GSCs, thus exhibiting significant clinical value in the reduction of invasion and malignant glioma progression. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(3); 625-37. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagore I Marín-Ramos
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Thu Zan Thein
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Hee-Yeon Cho
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Stephen D Swenson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Weijun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Axel H Schönthal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Thomas C Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Florence M Hofman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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22
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Kwon SJ, Kwon OS, Kim KT, Go YH, Yu SI, Lee BH, Miyoshi H, Oh E, Cho SJ, Cha HJ. Role of MEK partner-1 in cancer stemness through MEK/ERK pathway in cancerous neural stem cells, expressing EGFRviii. Mol Cancer 2017; 16:140. [PMID: 28830458 PMCID: PMC5567886 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-017-0703-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are a major cause of the frequent relapse observed in glioma, due to their high drug resistance and their differentiation potential. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms governing the ‘cancer stemness’ of GSCs will be particularly important for improving the prognosis of glioma patients. Methods We previously established cancerous neural stem cells (CNSCs) from immortalized human neural stem cells (F3 cells), using the H-Ras oncogene. In this study, we utilized the EGFRviii mutation, which frequently occurs in brain cancers, to establish another CNSC line (F3.EGFRviii), and characterized its stemness under spheroid culture. Results The F3.EGFRviii cell line was highly tumorigenic in vitro and showed high ERK1/2 activity as well as expression of a variety of genes associated with cancer stemness, such as SOX2 and NANOG, under spheroid culture conditions. Through meta-analysis, PCR super-array, and subsequent biochemical assays, the induction of MEK partner-1 (MP1, encoded by the LAMTOR3 gene) was shown to play an important role in maintaining ERK1/2 activity during the acquisition of cancer stemness under spheroid culture conditions. High expression of this gene was also closely associated with poor prognosis in brain cancer. Conclusion These data suggest that MP1 contributes to cancer stemness in EGFRviii-expressing glioma cells by driving ERK activity. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-017-0703-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo-Jung Kwon
- College of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul, 121-742, South Korea
| | - Ok-Seon Kwon
- College of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul, 121-742, South Korea
| | - Keun-Tae Kim
- College of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul, 121-742, South Korea
| | - Young-Hyun Go
- College of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul, 121-742, South Korea
| | - Si-In Yu
- College of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul, 121-742, South Korea
| | - Byeong-Ha Lee
- College of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul, 121-742, South Korea
| | - Hiroyuki Miyoshi
- Subteam for manipulation of cell fate, RIKEN BioResource Center, Wako, Japan
| | - Eunsel Oh
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung-Ju Cho
- College of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul, 121-742, South Korea
| | - Hyuk-Jin Cha
- College of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul, 121-742, South Korea.
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23
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Huang Y, Fan CQ, Dong H, Wang SM, Yang XC, Yang SM. Current applications and future prospects of nanomaterials in tumor therapy. Int J Nanomedicine 2017; 12:1815-1825. [PMID: 28331307 PMCID: PMC5348070 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s127349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors are one of the most serious human diseases and cause numerous global deaths per year. In spite of many strategies applied in tumor therapy, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and a combination of these treatments, tumors are still the foremost killer worldwide among human diseases, due to their specific limitations, such as multidrug resistance and side effects. Therefore, it is urgent and necessary to develop new strategies for tumor therapy. Recently, the fast development of nanoscience has paved the way for designing new strategies to treat tumors. Nanomaterials have shown great potential in tumor therapy, due to their unique properties, including passive targeting, hyperthermia effects, and tumor-specific inhibition. This review summarizes the recent progress using the innate antitumor properties of metallic and nonmetallic nanomaterials to treat tumors, and related challenges and prospects are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao-Qiang Fan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Su-Min Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Chao Yang
- Department of Biomedical Materials Science, School of Biomedical Engineering, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shi-Ming Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
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24
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Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) may be one of the most challenging brain tumors to treat, as patients generally do not live more than 2 years. This review aimed to give a timely review of potential future treatments for GBM by looking at the latest strategies, involving mainly the use of temozolomide (TMZ). Although these studies were carried out either in vitro or in rodents, the findings collectively suggested that we are moving toward developing a more efficacious therapy for GBM patients. Nanoparticles preparation was, by far, the most extensively studied strategy for targeted brain delivery. Therefore, the first section of this review presents a treatment strategy using TMZ-loaded nanocarriers, which encompassed nanoparticles, nanoliposomes, and nanosponges. Besides nanocarriers, new complexes that were formed between TMZ and another chemical agent or molecule have shown increased cytotoxicity and antitumor activity. Another approach was by reducing GBM cell resistance to TMZ, and this was achieved either through the suppression of metabolic change occurring in the cells, inhibition of the DNA repair protein, or up-regulation of the protein that mediates autophagy. Finally, the review collates a list of substances that have demonstrated the ability to suppress tumor cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chooi Yeng Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
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25
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Peñaranda Fajardo NM, Meijer C, Kruyt FAE. The endoplasmic reticulum stress/unfolded protein response in gliomagenesis, tumor progression and as a therapeutic target in glioblastoma. Biochem Pharmacol 2016; 118:1-8. [PMID: 27106078 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress disrupts among others protein homeostasis in cells leading to the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) that is crucial for restoring this balance and cell survival. Hypoxia, reactive oxygen species and nutrient deprivation, conditions commonly present in the tumor microenvironment, are well-known triggers of the UPR. Apart from being an adaptive response, recently the UPR has been implicated in oncogenesis. Here we review the current understanding of the UPR in the most life threatening brain tumor in adults, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The UPR is controlled by BiP/GRP78 and three different sensors, PERK, IRE1 and ATF6. In orthotopic GBM mouse models IRE1 was reported to control angiogenesis, invasion and mesenchymal differentiation. Furthermore, PERK also was found to stimulate GBM growth. However, a direct role of the UPR in gliomagenesis remains to be demonstrated. Patient samples display chronic activation of the UPR and in vitro standard chemo- and radiotherapy partially act by aggravating ER stress leading to cell death. The UPR has been linked to enhanced sensitivity for apoptosis-inducing agents such as TRAIL and MDA-7. A number of agents such as proteasome inhibitors and several natural products were reported to exert cytotoxicity by enhancing ER stress in GBM cells, and some demonstrated activity in clinical studies. Finally, ER stress was suggested to be implicated in the maintenance of homeostasis in GBM stem cells. Taken together, the UPR appears to play an important role in GBM tumor progression and is a promising target for developing novel therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia M Peñaranda Fajardo
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Coby Meijer
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank A E Kruyt
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
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