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Jadav R, Weiland F, Noordermeer SM, Carroll T, Gao Y, Wang J, Zhou H, Lamoliatte F, Toth R, Macartney T, Brown F, Hastie CJ, Alabert C, van Attikum H, Zenke F, Masson JY, Rouse J. Chemo-phosphoproteomic profiling with ATR inhibitors berzosertib and gartisertib uncovers new biomarkers and DNA damage response regulators. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024:100802. [PMID: 38880245 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100802] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The ATR kinase protects cells against DNA damage and replication stress and represents a promising anti-cancer drug target. The ATR inhibitors (ATRi) berzosertib and gartisertib are both in clinical trials for the treatment of advanced solid tumours as monotherapy or in combination with genotoxic agents. We carried out quantitative phospho-proteomic screening for ATR biomarkers that are highly sensitive to berzosertib and gartisertib, using an optimized mass spectrometry pipeline. Screening identified a range of novel ATR-dependent phosphorylation events, which were grouped into three broad classes: i) targets whose phosphorylation is highly sensitive to ATRi and which could be the next generation of ATR biomarkers; ii) proteins with known genome maintenance roles not previously known to be regulated by ATR; iii) novel targets whose cellular roles are unclear. Class iii targets represent candidate DNA damage response proteins and, with this in mind, proteins in this class were subjected to secondary screening for recruitment to DNA damage sites. We show that one of the proteins recruited, SCAF1, interacts with RNAPII in a phospho-dependent manner and recruitment requires PARP activity and interaction with RNAPII. We also show that SCAF1 deficiency partly rescues RAD51 loading in cells lacking the BRCA1 tumour suppressor. Taken together these data reveal potential new ATR biomarkers and new genome maintenance factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rathan Jadav
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit and School of Life Sciences, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Florian Weiland
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit and School of Life Sciences, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Sylvie M Noordermeer
- Dept of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, Netherlands; Oncode institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Carroll
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit and School of Life Sciences, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Yuandi Gao
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, Oncology Division, Dept. of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Laval University Cancer Research Center, 9 McMahon Drive, Quebec Cit, QC G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Jianming Wang
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit and School of Life Sciences, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Houjiang Zhou
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit and School of Life Sciences, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Frederic Lamoliatte
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit and School of Life Sciences, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Rachel Toth
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit and School of Life Sciences, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Thomas Macartney
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit and School of Life Sciences, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Fiona Brown
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit and School of Life Sciences, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - C James Hastie
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit and School of Life Sciences, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Constance Alabert
- Division of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Haico van Attikum
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, Oncology Division, Dept. of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Laval University Cancer Research Center, 9 McMahon Drive, Quebec Cit, QC G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Frank Zenke
- EMD Serono, Research Unit Oncology, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Jean-Yves Masson
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, Oncology Division, Dept. of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Laval University Cancer Research Center, 9 McMahon Drive, Quebec Cit, QC G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - John Rouse
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit and School of Life Sciences, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK.
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2
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Lu H, Peng Z, Zheng Z, Li C, Wang Y, Liang L, Chen Y, Zeng K. Blocking the ATR-SerRS-VEGFA pathway targets angiogenesis for UV-induced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:1160-1173. [PMID: 38695641 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23716] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most prevalent form of skin cancer, with an escalating incidence rate and a notable potential (up to 5%) for metastasis. Ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) exposure is the primary risk factor for cSCC carcinogenesis, with literature suggesting ultraviolet radiation (UVR) promotes vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) expression. This study aims to investigate UVR-induced upregulation of VEGFA and explore combination therapeutic strategies. The skin squamous cell carcinoma cell line A431 was exposed to specific durations of ultraviolet radiation. The effect of emodin on ATR/SerRS/VEGFA pathway was observed. The cell masses were also transplanted subcutaneously into mice (n = 8). ATR inhibitor combined with emodin was used to observe the growth and angiogenesis of the xenografts. The results showed that UV treatment significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of SerRS and the expression level of VEGFA in A431 cells (p < 0.05). Treatment with emodin significantly inhibited this expression (p < 0.05), and the combination of emodin and ATR inhibitor further enhanced the inhibitory effect (p < 0.05). This phenomenon was further confirmed in the xenograft model, which showed that the combination of ATR inhibitor and emodin significantly inhibited the expression of VEGFA to inhibit angiogenesis (p < 0.05), thus showing an inhibitory effect on cSCC. This study innovatively reveals the molecular mechanism of UV-induced angiogenesis in cSCC and confirms SerRS as a novel target to inhibit cSCC angiogenesis and progression in vitro and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Lu
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhangsong Peng
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaohui Zheng
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changxing Li
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youyi Wang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liuping Liang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxiang Chen
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kang Zeng
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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3
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Sanese P, De Marco K, Lepore Signorile M, La Rocca F, Forte G, Latrofa M, Fasano C, Disciglio V, Di Nicola E, Pantaleo A, Bianco G, Spilotro V, Ferroni C, Tubertini M, Labarile N, De Marinis L, Armentano R, Gigante G, Lantone V, Lantone G, Naldi M, Bartolini M, Varchi G, Del Rio A, Grossi V, Simone C. The novel SMYD3 inhibitor EM127 impairs DNA repair response to chemotherapy-induced DNA damage and reverses cancer chemoresistance. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:151. [PMID: 38812026 PMCID: PMC11137994 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03078-9] [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: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SMYD3 has been found implicated in cancer progression. Its overexpression correlates with cancer growth and invasion, especially in gastrointestinal tumors. SMYD3 transactivates multiple oncogenic mechanisms, favoring cancer development. Moreover, it was recently shown that SMYD3 is required for DNA restoration by promoting homologous recombination (HR) repair. METHODS In cellulo and in vivo models were employed to investigate the role of SMYD3 in cancer chemoresistance. Analyses of SMYD3-KO cells, drug-resistant cancer cell lines, patients' residual gastric or rectal tumors that were resected after neoadjuvant therapy and mice models were performed. In addition, the novel SMYD3 covalent inhibitor EM127 was used to evaluate the impact of manipulating SMYD3 activity on the sensitization of cancer cell lines, tumorspheres and cancer murine models to chemotherapeutics (CHTs). RESULTS Here we report that SMYD3 mediates cancer cell sensitivity to CHTs. Indeed, cancer cells lacking SMYD3 functions showed increased responsiveness to CHTs, while restoring its expression promoted chemoresistance. Specifically, SMYD3 is essential for the repair of CHT-induced double-strand breaks as it methylates the upstream sensor ATM and allows HR cascade propagation through CHK2 and p53 phosphorylation, thereby promoting cancer cell survival. SMYD3 inhibition with the novel compound EM127 showed a synergistic effect with CHTs in colorectal, gastric, and breast cancer cells, tumorspheres, and preclinical colorectal cancer models. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results show that targeting SMYD3 may be an effective therapeutic strategy to overcome chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Sanese
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Katia De Marco
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Martina Lepore Signorile
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Francesca La Rocca
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Giovanna Forte
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Marialaura Latrofa
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Candida Fasano
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Vittoria Disciglio
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Di Nicola
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Antonino Pantaleo
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Giusy Bianco
- Animal Facility, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Vito Spilotro
- Animal Facility, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Claudia Ferroni
- Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity - National Research Council, Bologna, 40129, Italy
| | - Matilde Tubertini
- Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity - National Research Council, Bologna, 40129, Italy
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Insubria, Como, 22100, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Labarile
- Histopathology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Lucia De Marinis
- Histopathology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Raffaele Armentano
- Histopathology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Gigante
- General Surgery Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
| | - Valerio Lantone
- General Surgery Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Jonic Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, 70124, Italy
| | | | - Marina Naldi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Manuela Bartolini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Greta Varchi
- Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity - National Research Council, Bologna, 40129, Italy
| | - Alberto Del Rio
- Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity - National Research Council, Bologna, 40129, Italy
- Innovamol Consulting Srl, Modena, 41126, Italy
| | - Valentina Grossi
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy.
| | - Cristiano Simone
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), 70013, Italy.
- Medical Genetics, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Jonic Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, 70124, Italy.
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4
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Mihanfar A, Asghari F, Majidinia M. Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) inhibition by VE-822 potently reversed 5-flourouracil resistance in colorectal cancer cells through targeting DNA damage response. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:474. [PMID: 38553623 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09431-7] [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: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND VE-822 is a novel inhibitor of ATR, a key kinase involved in the DNA damage response pathway. The role of ATR inhibition in reversing drug resistance in various cancer types has been investigated. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of ATR inhibition by VE-822 on reversing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance in colorectal cancer cell line (Caco-2). METHODS Caco-2 and 5-FU resistance Caco-2 (Caco-2/5-FU) cells were treated with 5-FU and VE-822, alone and in combination. Cell proliferation and viability were assessed by MTT assay and Trypan Blue staining. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) activities were measured by Rhodamine123 accumulation and uptake assay. The mRNA levels of P-gp, MRP-1, ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) and checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) were measured by qRT-PCR. Western blot was used to measure the protein levels of P-gp, MRP-1, γ-H2AX, ATR and CHK1 in cells. 8-Oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) levels were determined via ELISA. Apoptosis was evaluated by ELISA death assay, DAPI staining and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. RESULTS The Caco-2/5-FU cells showed lower levels of 5-FU mediated proliferation inhibition in comparison to Caco-2 cells. VE-822 decreased the IC50 value of 5-FU on resistant cells. In addition, the expression levels and activity of P-gp and MRP-1 were significantly decreased in resistant cells treated with VE-822 (P < 0.05). The combination of 5-FU and VE-822 increased apoptosis in Caco-2/5-FU cells by downregulating CHK1 and ATR and upregulating γ-H2AX and 8-oxo-dG. CONCLUSION The simultaneous treatment of resistant colorectal cancer cells with 5-FU and ATR inhibitor, VE-822, was demonstrated to be effective in reversing drug resistance and potentiating 5-FU mediated anticancer effects via targeting DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainaz Mihanfar
- Solid Tumor Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Faezeh Asghari
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Majidinia
- Solid Tumor Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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5
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Huang W, Liu W, Yu T, Zhang Z, Zhai L, Huang P, Lu Y. Effect of anti-COVID-19 drugs on patients with cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116214. [PMID: 38367490 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
The clinical treatment of patients with cancer who are also diagnosed with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been a challenging issue since the outbreak of COVID-19. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the effects of commonly used drugs for treating COVID-19 in patients with cancer. Hence, this review aims to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of patients with cancer to minimize the losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we also focused on the relationship between COVID-19, commonly used drugs for treating COVID-19, and cancer. We specifically investigated the effect of these drugs on tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. The potential mechanisms of action of these drugs were discussed and evaluated. We found that most of these drugs showed inhibitory effects on tumors, and only in a few cases had cancer-promoting effects. Furthermore, inappropriate usage of these drugs may lead to irreversible kidney and heart damage. Finally, we have clarified the use of different drugs, which can provide useful guidance for the clinical treatment of cancer patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weicai Huang
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China
| | - Wenyu Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China
| | - Tingting Yu
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China
| | - Lingyun Zhai
- Gynecology Department, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China
| | - Panpan Huang
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China.
| | - Yao Lu
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, China.
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Schnoell J, Sparr C, Al-Gboore S, Haas M, Brkic FF, Kadletz-Wanke L, Heiduschka G, Jank BJ. The ATR inhibitor berzosertib acts as a radio- and chemosensitizer in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Invest New Drugs 2023; 41:842-850. [PMID: 37934325 PMCID: PMC10663216 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-023-01408-w] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in the DNA damage response play a crucial role in radio- and chemoresistance of neoplastic cells. Activation of the Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) pathway is an important DNA damage response mechanism in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Berzosertib, a selective ATR inhibitor, shows promising radio- and chemosensitizing effects in preclinical studies and is well tolerated in clinical studies. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of berzosertib treatment in combination with radiation and cisplatin in HNSCC. The HNSCC cell lines Cal-27 and FaDu were treated with berzosertib alone and in combination with radiation or cisplatin. Cell viability and clonogenic survival were evaluated. The effect of combination treatment was evaluated with the SynergyFinder or combination index. Apoptosis was assessed via measurement of caspase 3/7 activation and migration was evaluated using a wound healing assay. Berzosertib treatment decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner and increased apoptosis. The IC50 of berzosertib treatment after 72 h was 0.25-0.29 µM. Combination with irradiation treatment led to a synergistic increase in radiosensitivity and a synergistic or additive decrease in colony formation. The combination of berzosertib and cisplatin decreased cell viability in a synergistic manner. Additionally, berzosertib inhibited migration at high doses. Berzosertib displays a cytotoxic effect in HNSCC at clinically relevant doses. Further evaluation of combination treatment with irradiation and cisplatin is strongly recommended in HNSCC patients as it may hold the potential to overcome treatment resistance, reduce treatment doses and thus mitigate adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Schnoell
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carmen Sparr
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sega Al-Gboore
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Haas
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Faris F Brkic
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lorenz Kadletz-Wanke
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Heiduschka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Bernhard J Jank
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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7
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Du Y, Luo L, Xu X, Yang X, Yang X, Xiong S, Yu J, Liang T, Guo L. Unleashing the Power of Synthetic Lethality: Augmenting Treatment Efficacy through Synergistic Integration with Chemotherapy Drugs. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2433. [PMID: 37896193 PMCID: PMC10610204 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world, and chemotherapy is one of the main methods of cancer treatment. However, the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs has always been the main reason affecting the therapeutic effect. Synthetic lethality has emerged as a promising approach to augment the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy agents. Synthetic lethality (SL) refers to the specific cell death resulting from the simultaneous mutation of two non-lethal genes, which individually allow cell survival. This comprehensive review explores the classification of SL, screening methods, and research advancements in SL inhibitors, including Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) inhibitors, WEE1 G2 checkpoint kinase (WEE1) inhibitors, and protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) inhibitors. Emphasizing their combined use with chemotherapy drugs, we aim to unveil more effective treatment strategies for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Du
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; (Y.D.); (L.L.); (X.X.); (X.Y.)
| | - Lulu Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; (Y.D.); (L.L.); (X.X.); (X.Y.)
| | - Xinru Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; (Y.D.); (L.L.); (X.X.); (X.Y.)
| | - Xinbing Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; (Y.D.); (L.L.); (X.X.); (X.Y.)
| | - Xueni Yang
- Department of Bioinformatics, Smart Health Big Data Analysis and Location Services Engineering Lab of Jiangsu Province, School of Geographic and Biologic Information, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China; (X.Y.); (S.X.)
| | - Shizheng Xiong
- Department of Bioinformatics, Smart Health Big Data Analysis and Location Services Engineering Lab of Jiangsu Province, School of Geographic and Biologic Information, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China; (X.Y.); (S.X.)
| | - Jiafeng Yu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China;
| | - Tingming Liang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; (Y.D.); (L.L.); (X.X.); (X.Y.)
| | - Li Guo
- Department of Bioinformatics, Smart Health Big Data Analysis and Location Services Engineering Lab of Jiangsu Province, School of Geographic and Biologic Information, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China; (X.Y.); (S.X.)
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8
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Sha B, Sun Y, Zhao S, Li M, Huang W, Li Z, Shi J, Han X, Li P, Hu T, Chen P. USP8 inhibitor-induced DNA damage activates cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Biol Toxicol 2023; 39:2011-2032. [PMID: 35022897 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-021-09686-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that targeting ubiquitin-specific peptidase 8 (USP8) serves as an attractive anti-cancer strategy. However, the role of USP8 inhibitor, DUB-IN-1, in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells still needs to be explored. Here, immunohistochemistry was employed to examine the expression of USP8 in ESCC tissues. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to evaluate cell proliferation ability, and propidium iodide (PI) was selected to test the effect of DUB-IN-1 on cell cycle. AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining and the activity of caspase 3 were detedcted to evaluate apoptosis. Transmission electron microscope, microtubule-associated protein 1 light-chain 3 (LC3) expression, and acridine orange (AO) staining were selected to check if there was autophagy. Comet assay and γ-H2AX immunofluorescence was used to monitor DNA damage. Rescue experiment was used to determine the key role of of p53 in cell cycle, apoptosis, and autophagy. Results revealed that the leve of USP8 was higher in ESCC tissues than that in tissues adjacent to carcinoma. DUB-IN-1, an USP8 inhibitor, caused DNA damage, led to G2/M phase block by p53-p21 axis, and triggered apoptosis by regulating the p53 target proteins including Bax, Noxa, and Puma. Besides, DUB-IN-1 could stimulate autophagy through p53-dependent adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Taken together, this study revealed the cytotoxic effects and the mechanism of DUB-IN-1, which indicated that DUB-IN-1 may be a novel inhibitor targeting USP8 that can kill ESCC cells. USP8 inhibitor, DUB-IN-1, treatment could inhibit esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell growth and induce G2/M cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy by DNA damage-induced p53 activation. DUB-IN-1 treatment led to G2/M cell cycle arrest by upregulating the protein level of p21 and triggered apoptosis by modulating the p53 target proteins including Bax, Noxa, and Puma. Meanwhile, DUB-IN-1 treatment stimulated protective autophagy through p53-dependent AMPK activation. Collectively, these findings suggested that DNA damage-triggered p53 activation, p53-Puma/Noxa/Bax, p53-p21, and p53-AMPK pathways were all involved in the effect of DUB-IN-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Sha
- Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yaxin Sun
- Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Shan Zhao
- Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Miaomiao Li
- Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Wenjing Huang
- Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Zheng Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Jianxiang Shi
- Precision Medicine Center, Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences & BGI College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Xuefei Han
- Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Pei Li
- Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Tao Hu
- Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Ping Chen
- Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
- Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
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9
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Su H, Yuan Y, Tang J, Zhang Y, Wu H, Zhang Y, Liang J, Wang L, Zou X, Huang S, Zhang S, Lv Y. The ATR inhibitor VE-821 increases the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to cisplatin. Transl Oncol 2023; 36:101743. [PMID: 37517142 PMCID: PMC10400920 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101743] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemoresistance is a common event after cancer chemotherapy, including gastric cancer (GC). Cisplatin has been reported to induce the DNA damage response (DDR), thus leading to chemoresistance. VE-821, a specific inhibitor of ATR, has been proven to suppress a variety of solid malignancies effectively. Our study aimed to explore the effect of VE-821 on enhancing the chemical sensitivity to cisplatin and clarify the potential molecular mechanisms. METHODS Cell viability and apoptosis of MKN-45 and AGS were measured by CCK8 and flow cytometry assay respectively. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of target proteins. TCGA database was used to analyze the correlation between the ATR expression with the prognosis of GC patients. The viability of GC organoids was detected by Cell Titer Glo (CTG) through luminescence. RESULTS Cisplatin inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of GC cells with a relatively high IC50 value, and increased the phosphorylation levels of ATR-CHK1 and H2AX. VE-821 achieved the same effects but by downregulating the phosphorylation levels of the ATR-CHK1 pathway. Besides, higher ATR expression in GC tissues was positively correlated with higher pathological stage in GC patients. Interestingly, ATR inhibition reversed cisplatin-induced STAT3 activation and enhanced H2AX levels. Moreover, VE-821 significantly sensitized GC cells to cisplatin, and these two drugs had synergistic effects in GC cell lines, organoids, and in vivo. CONCLUSION Our results suggested VE-821 sensitized GC cells to cisplatin via reversing DDR activation. And VE-821 treatment may be a promising therapeutic strategy for GC patients with cisplatin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haochen Su
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China; Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China
| | - Yue Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, The Third People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224000, PR China
| | - Jiatong Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China
| | - Yixuan Zhang
- Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China
| | - Hao Wu
- Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China
| | - Yin Zhang
- Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China
| | - Jiawei Liang
- Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China
| | - Lei Wang
- Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China
| | - Xiaoping Zou
- Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China
| | - Shuling Huang
- Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China; Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China.
| | - Ying Lv
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China; Institute of Pancreatology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, PR China.
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10
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Lv M, Cai D, Li C, Chen J, Li G, Hu C, Gai B, Lei J, Lan P, Wu X, He X, Gao F. Senescence-based colorectal cancer subtyping reveals distinct molecular characteristics and therapeutic strategies. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e333. [PMID: 37502611 PMCID: PMC10369159 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.333] [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: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence has been listed as a hallmark of cancer, but its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. We comprehensively evaluated the transcriptome, genome, digital pathology, and clinical data from multiple datasets of CRC patients and proposed a novel senescence subtype for CRC. Multi-omics data was used to analyze the biological features, tumor microenvironment, and mutation landscape of senescence subtypes, as well as drug sensitivity and immunotherapy response. The senescence score was constructed to better quantify senescence in each patient for clinical use. Unsupervised learning revealed three transcriptome-based senescence subtypes. Cluster 1, characterized by low senescence and activated proliferative pathways, was sensitive to chemotherapeutic drugs. Cluster 2, characterized by intermediate senescence and high immune infiltration, exhibited significant immunotherapeutic advantages. Cluster 3, characterized by high senescence, high immune, and stroma infiltration, had a worse prognosis and maybe benefit from targeted therapy. We further constructed a senescence scoring system based on seven senescent genes through machine learning. Lower senescence scores were highly predictive of longer disease-free survival, and patients with low senescence scores may benefit from immunotherapy. We proposed the senescence subtypes of CRC and our findings provide potential treatment interventions for each CRC senescence subtype to promote precision treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min‐Yi Lv
- Department of Genaral Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseaseThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Du Cai
- Department of Genaral Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseaseThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Cheng‐Hang Li
- Department of Genaral Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseaseThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Junguo Chen
- Department of Genaral Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseaseThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Guanman Li
- Department of Genaral Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseaseThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Chuling Hu
- Department of Genaral Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseaseThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Baowen Gai
- Department of Genaral Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseaseThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jiaxin Lei
- Department of Genaral Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseaseThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ping Lan
- Department of Genaral Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseaseThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaojian Wu
- Department of Genaral Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseaseThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaosheng He
- Department of Genaral Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseaseThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Genaral Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)The Sixth Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor DiseaseThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Biomedical Innovation CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital,Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
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11
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Gong L, Lu Y, Wang J, Li X, Zhao J, Chen Y, Ma R, Ma J, Liu T, Han S. Cocktail hepatocarcinoma therapy by a super-assembled nano-pill targeting XPO1 and ATR synergistically. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:603-615. [PMID: 37440910 PMCID: PMC10334348 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Intensive cancer treatment with drug combination is widely exploited in the clinic but suffers from inconsistent pharmacokinetics among different therapeutic agents. To overcome it, the emerging nanomedicine offers an unparalleled opportunity for encapsulating multiple drugs in a nano-carrier. Herein, a two-step super-assembled strategy was performed to unify the pharmacokinetics of a peptide and a small molecular compound. In this proof-of-concept study, the bioinformatics analysis firstly revealed the potential synergies towards hepatoma therapy for the associative inhibition of exportin 1 (XPO1) and ataxia telangiectasia mutated-Rad3-related (ATR), and then a super-assembled nano-pill (gold nano drug carrier loaded AZD6738 and 97-110 amino acids of apoptin (AP) (AA@G)) was constructed through camouflaging AZD6738 (ATR small-molecule inhibitor)-binding human serum albumin onto the AP-Au supramolecular nanoparticle. As expected, both in vitro and in vivo experiment results verified that the AA@G possessed extraordinary biocompatibility and enhanced therapeutic effect through inducing cell cycle arrest, promoting DNA damage and inhibiting DNA repair of hepatoma cell. This work not only provides a co-delivery strategy for intensive liver cancer treatment with the clinical translational potential, but develops a common approach to unify the pharmacokinetics of peptide and small-molecular compounds, thereby extending the scope of drugs for developing the advanced combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuyun Gong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Yinliang Lu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Xinyue Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215000, China
| | - Yuetong Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Rongze Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jinlu Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Tianya Liu
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biodiagnosis and Biotherapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China
| | - Suxia Han
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
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12
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Li Y, Wang X, Hou X, Ma X. Could Inhibiting the DNA Damage Repair Checkpoint Rescue Immune-Checkpoint-Inhibitor-Resistant Endometrial Cancer? J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12083014. [PMID: 37109350 PMCID: PMC10144486 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12083014] [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: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is increasingly undermining female health worldwide, with poor survival rates for advanced or recurrent/metastatic diseases. The application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has opened a window of opportunity for patients with first-line therapy failure. However, there is a subset of patients with endometrial cancer who remain insensitive to immunotherapy alone. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new therapeutic agents and further explore reliable combinational strategies to optimize the efficacy of immunotherapy. DNA damage repair (DDR) inhibitors as novel targeted drugs are able to generate genomic toxicity and induce cell death in solid tumors, including EC. Recently, growing evidence has demonstrated the DDR pathway modulates innate and adaptive immunity in tumors. In this review, we concentrate on the exploration of the intrinsic correlation between DDR pathways, especially the ATM-CHK2-P53 pathway and the ATR-CHK1-WEE1 pathway, and oncologic immune response, as well as the feasibility of adding DDR inhibitors to ICIs for the treatment of patients with advanced or recurrent/metastatic EC. We hope that this review will offer some beneficial references to the investigation of immunotherapy and provide a reasonable basis for "double-checkpoint inhibition" in EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinuo Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xin Hou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiangyi Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
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13
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da Costa AABA, Chowdhury D, Shapiro GI, D'Andrea AD, Konstantinopoulos PA. Targeting replication stress in cancer therapy. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:38-58. [PMID: 36202931 PMCID: PMC11132912 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00558-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 90.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Replication stress is a major cause of genomic instability and a crucial vulnerability of cancer cells. This vulnerability can be therapeutically targeted by inhibiting kinases that coordinate the DNA damage response with cell cycle control, including ATR, CHK1, WEE1 and MYT1 checkpoint kinases. In addition, inhibiting the DNA damage response releases DNA fragments into the cytoplasm, eliciting an innate immune response. Therefore, several ATR, CHK1, WEE1 and MYT1 inhibitors are undergoing clinical evaluation as monotherapies or in combination with chemotherapy, poly[ADP-ribose]polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, or immune checkpoint inhibitors to capitalize on high replication stress, overcome therapeutic resistance and promote effective antitumour immunity. Here, we review current and emerging approaches for targeting replication stress in cancer, from preclinical and biomarker development to clinical trial evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dipanjan Chowdhury
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Geoffrey I Shapiro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alan D D'Andrea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Center for DNA Damage and Repair, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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14
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Chao YY, Huang BM, Peng IC, Lee PR, Lai YS, Chiu WT, Lin YS, Lin SC, Chang JH, Chen PS, Tsai SJ, Wang CY. ATM- and ATR-induced primary ciliogenesis promotes cisplatin resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:4487-4503. [PMID: 36251015 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30898] [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: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers because of its late diagnosis and chemoresistance. Primary cilia, the cellular antennae, are observed in most human cells to maintain development and differentiation. Primary cilia are gradually lost during the progression of pancreatic cancer and are eventually absent in PDAC. Here, we showed that cisplatin-resistant PDAC regrew primary cilia. Additionally, genetic or pharmacological disruption of primary cilia sensitized PDAC to cisplatin treatment. Mechanistically, ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ATM and RAD3-related (ATR), tumor suppressors that initiate DNA damage responses, promoted the excessive formation of centriolar satellites (EFoCS) and autophagy activation. Disruption of EFoCS and autophagy inhibited primary ciliogenesis, sensitizing PDAC cells to cisplatin treatment. Collectively, our findings revealed an unexpected interplay among the DNA damage response, primary cilia, and chemoresistance in PDAC and deciphered the molecular mechanism by which ATM/ATR-mediated EFoCS and autophagy cooperatively regulate primary ciliogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ying Chao
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Bu-Miin Huang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - I-Chen Peng
- Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Rong Lee
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Shyun Lai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Tai Chiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Syuan Lin
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chieh Lin
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Hsuan Chang
- Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pai-Sheng Chen
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shaw-Jenq Tsai
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yih Wang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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15
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DNA damage response revisited: the p53 family and its regulators provide endless cancer therapy opportunities. Exp Mol Med 2022; 54:1658-1669. [PMID: 36207426 PMCID: PMC9636249 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00863-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antitumor therapeutic strategies that fundamentally rely on the induction of DNA damage to eradicate and inhibit the growth of cancer cells are integral approaches to cancer therapy. Although DNA-damaging therapies advance the battle with cancer, resistance, and recurrence following treatment are common. Thus, searching for vulnerabilities that facilitate the action of DNA-damaging agents by sensitizing cancer cells is an active research area. Therefore, it is crucial to decipher the detailed molecular events involved in DNA damage responses (DDRs) to DNA-damaging agents in cancer. The tumor suppressor p53 is active at the hub of the DDR. Researchers have identified an increasing number of genes regulated by p53 transcriptional functions that have been shown to be critical direct or indirect mediators of cell fate, cell cycle regulation, and DNA repair. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) primarily orchestrate and direct the activity of p53 in response to DNA damage. Many molecules mediating PTMs on p53 have been identified. The anticancer potential realized by targeting these molecules has been shown through experiments and clinical trials to sensitize cancer cells to DNA-damaging agents. This review briefly acknowledges the complexity of DDR pathways/networks. We specifically focus on p53 regulators, protein kinases, and E3/E4 ubiquitin ligases and their anticancer potential.
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16
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Yang N, Lu X, Jiang Y, Zhao L, Wang D, Wei Y, Yu Y, Kim MO, Laster KV, Li X, Yuan B, Dong Z, Liu K. Arbidol inhibits human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo through suppressing ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein kinase. eLife 2022; 11:73953. [PMID: 36082941 PMCID: PMC9512399 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human esophageal cancer has a global impact on human health due to its high incidence and mortality. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new drugs to treat or prevent the prominent pathological subtype of esophageal cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Based upon the screening of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration, we discovered that Arbidol could effectively inhibit the proliferation of human ESCC in vitro. Next, we conducted a series of cell-based assays and found that Arbidol treatment inhibited the proliferation and colony formation ability of ESCC cells and promoted G1-phase cell cycle arrest. Phosphoproteomics experiments, in vitro kinase assays and pull-down assays were subsequently performed in order to identify the underlying growth inhibitory mechanism. We verified that Arbidol is a potential ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) inhibitor via binding to ATR kinase to reduce the phosphorylation and activation of minichromosome maintenance protein 2 at Ser108. Finally, we demonstrated Arbidol had the inhibitory effect of ESCC in vivo by a patient-derived xenograft model. All together, Arbidol inhibits the proliferation of ESCC in vitro and in vivo through the DNA replication pathway and is associated with the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zhengzhou University
| | - Xuebo Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zhengzhou University
| | - Yanan Jiang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zhengzhou University
| | - Lili Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zhengzhou University
| | - Donghao Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zhengzhou University
| | - Yaxing Wei
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zhengzhou University
| | - Yin Yu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zhengzhou University
| | - Myoung Ok Kim
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University
| | | | - Xin Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zhengzhou University
| | - Baoyin Yuan
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zhengzhou University
| | - Zigang Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zhengzhou University
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zhengzhou University
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17
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Alemi F, Malakoti F, Vaghari-Tabari M, Soleimanpour J, Shabestani N, Sadigh AR, Khelghati N, Asemi Z, Ahmadi Y, Yousefi B. DNA damage response signaling pathways as important targets for combination therapy and chemotherapy sensitization in osteosarcoma. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:2374-2386. [PMID: 35383920 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone malignancy that occurs most often in young adults, and adolescents with a survival rate of 20% in its advanced stages. Nowadays, increasing the effectiveness of common treatments used in OS has become one of the main problems for clinicians due to cancer cells becoming resistant to chemotherapy. One of the most important mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy is through increasing the ability of DNA repair because most chemotherapy drugs damage the DNA of cancer cells. DNA damage response (DDR) is a signal transduction pathway involved in preserving the genome stability upon exposure to endogenous and exogenous DNA-damaging factors such as chemotherapy agents. There is evidence that the suppression of DDR may reduce chemoresistance and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy in OS. In this review, we aim to summarize these studies to better understand the role of DDR in OS chemoresistance in pursuit of overcoming the obstacles to the success of chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forough Alemi
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Faezeh Malakoti
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mostafa Vaghari-Tabari
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Jafar Soleimanpour
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Shohada Teaching Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nazila Shabestani
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Aydin R Sadigh
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nafiseh Khelghati
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zatollah Asemi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Yasin Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Science, Komar University of Science and Technology, Soleimania, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Bahman Yousefi
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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18
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Wang M, Chen S, Ao D. Targeting DNA repair pathway in cancer: Mechanisms and clinical application. MedComm (Beijing) 2021; 2:654-691. [PMID: 34977872 PMCID: PMC8706759 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last decades, the growing understanding on DNA damage response (DDR) pathways has broadened the therapeutic landscape in oncology. It is becoming increasingly clear that the genomic instability of cells resulted from deficient DNA damage response contributes to the occurrence of cancer. One the other hand, these defects could also be exploited as a therapeutic opportunity, which is preferentially more deleterious in tumor cells than in normal cells. An expanding repertoire of DDR-targeting agents has rapidly expanded to inhibitors of multiple members involved in DDR pathways, including PARP, ATM, ATR, CHK1, WEE1, and DNA-PK. In this review, we sought to summarize the complex network of DNA repair machinery in cancer cells and discuss the underlying mechanism for the application of DDR inhibitors in cancer. With the past preclinical evidence and ongoing clinical trials, we also provide an overview of the history and current landscape of DDR inhibitors in cancer treatment, with special focus on the combination of DDR-targeted therapies with other cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manni Wang
- Department of BiotherapyCancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Siyuan Chen
- Department of BiotherapyCancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Danyi Ao
- Department of BiotherapyCancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
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19
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He S, Xu J, Liu X, Zhen Y. Advances and challenges in the treatment of esophageal cancer. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:3379-3392. [PMID: 34900524 PMCID: PMC8642427 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most common cancers with high morbidity and mortality rates. EC includes two histological subtypes, namely esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). ESCC primarily occurs in East Asia, whereas EAC occurs in Western countries. The currently available treatment strategies for EC include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, molecular targeted therapy, and combinations thereof. However, the prognosis remains poor, and the overall five-year survival rate is very low. Therefore, achieving the goal of effective treatment remains challenging. In this review, we discuss the latest developments in chemotherapy and molecular targeted therapy for EC, and comprehensively analyze the application prospects and existing problems of immunotherapy. Collectively, this review aims to provide a better understanding of the currently available drugs through in-depth analysis, promote the development of new therapeutic agents, and eventually improve the treatment outcomes of patients with EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiming He
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xiujun Liu
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yongsu Zhen
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
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20
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Targeting CX3CR1 Suppresses the Fanconi Anemia DNA Repair Pathway and Synergizes with Platinum. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061442. [PMID: 33810010 PMCID: PMC8004634 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1, fractalkine receptor) is associated with neoplastic transformation, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases and aging, and the small molecule inhibitor KAND567 targeting CX3CR1 (CX3CR1i) is evaluated in clinical trials for acute systemic inflammation upon SARS-CoV-2 infections. Here we identify a hitherto unknown role of CX3CR1 in Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway mediated repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) in replicating cells. FA pathway activation triggers CX3CR1 nuclear localization which facilitates assembly of the key FA protein FANCD2 into foci. Interfering with CX3CR1 function upon ICL-induction results in inability of replicating cells to progress from S phase, replication fork stalling and impaired chromatin recruitment of key FA pathway factors. Consistent with defective FA repair, CX3CR1i results in increased levels of residual cisplatin-DNA adducts and decreased cell survival. Importantly, CX3CR1i synergizes with platinum agents in a nonreversible manner in proliferation assays including platinum resistant models. Taken together, our results reveal an unanticipated interplay between CX3CR1 and the FA pathway and show for the first time that a clinical-phase small molecule inhibitor targeting CX3CR1 might show benefit in improving responses to DNA crosslinking chemotherapeutics.
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21
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Murakami T, Shoji Y, Nishi T, Chang SC, Jachimowicz RD, Hoshimoto S, Ono S, Shiloh Y, Takeuchi H, Kitagawa Y, Hoon DSB, Bustos MA. Regulation of MRE11A by UBQLN4 leads to cisplatin resistance in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:1069-1087. [PMID: 33605536 PMCID: PMC8024730 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to standard cisplatin‐based chemotherapies leads to worse survival outcomes for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the aberrant mechanisms driving resistance in ESCC tumors. We hypothesized that ubiquilin‐4 (UBQLN4), a protein that targets ubiquitinated proteins to the proteasome, regulates the expression of Meiotic Recombination 11 Homolog A (MRE11A), a critical component of the MRN complex and DNA damage repair pathways. Initially, immunohistochemistry analysis was conducted in specimens from patients with ESCC (n = 120). In endoscopic core ESCC biopsies taken from 61 patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) (5‐fluorouracil and cisplatin), low MRE11A and high UBQLN4 protein levels were associated with reduced pathological response to NAC (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Multivariable analysis of surgically resected ESCC tissues from 59 patients revealed low MRE11A and high UBLQN4 expression as independent factors that can predict shorter overall survival [P = 0.01, hazard ratio (HR) = 5.11, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.45–18.03; P = 0.02, HR = 3.74, 95% CI, 1.19–11.76, respectively]. Suppression of MRE11A expression was associated with cisplatin resistance in ESCC cell lines. Additionally, MRE11A was found to be ubiquitinated after cisplatin treatment. We observed an amplification of UBQLN4 gene copy numbers and an increase in UBQLN4 protein levels in ESCC tissues. Binding of UBQLN4 to ubiquitinated‐MRE11A increased MRE11A degradation, thereby regulating MRE11A protein levels following DNA damage and promoting cisplatin resistance. In summary, MRE11A and UBQLN4 protein levels can serve as predictors for NAC response and as prognostic markers in ESCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Murakami
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Shoji
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Nishi
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
| | - Shu-Ching Chang
- Medical Data Research Center Providence Health and Services at Providence Saint Joseph's Health, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ron D Jachimowicz
- Clinic I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Response in Ageing-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Sojun Hoshimoto
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
| | - Shigeshi Ono
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
| | - Yosef Shiloh
- David and Inez Myers Laboratory for Cancer Genetics, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Hiroya Takeuchi
- Department of Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yuko Kitagawa
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Japan
| | - Dave S B Hoon
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Matias A Bustos
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
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22
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Barnieh FM, Loadman PM, Falconer RA. Progress towards a clinically-successful ATR inhibitor for cancer therapy. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG DISCOVERY 2021; 2:100017. [PMID: 34909652 PMCID: PMC8663972 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2021.100017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The DNA damage response (DDR) is now known to play an important role in both cancer development and its treatment. Targeting proteins such as ATR (Ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related) kinase, a major regulator of DDR, has demonstrated significant therapeutic potential in cancer treatment, with ATR inhibitors having shown anti-tumour activity not just as monotherapies, but also in potentiating the effects of conventional chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. This review focuses on the biology of ATR, its functional role in cancer development and treatment, and the rationale behind inhibition of this target as a therapeutic approach, including evaluation of the progress and current status of development of potent and specific ATR inhibitors that have emerged in recent decades. The current applications of these inhibitors both in preclinical and clinical studies either as single agents or in combinations with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy are also extensively discussed. This review concludes with some insights into the various concerns raised or observed with ATR inhibition in both the preclinical and clinical settings, with some suggested solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis M. Barnieh
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Paul M. Loadman
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Robert A. Falconer
- Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK
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23
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Feng W, Dean DC, Hornicek FJ, Wang J, Jia Y, Duan Z, Shi H. ATR and p-ATR are emerging prognostic biomarkers and DNA damage response targets in ovarian cancer. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2020; 12:1758835920982853. [PMID: 33854565 PMCID: PMC8013598 DOI: 10.1177/1758835920982853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Although ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR) has an established role in the DNA damage response of various cancers, its clinical and prognostic significance in ovarian cancer remains largely unknown. The aims of this study were to assess the expression, function, and clinical prognostic relationship of ATR and phospho-ATR ser428 (p-ATR) in ovarian cancer. Methods: We confirmed ATR and p-ATR expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a unique ovarian cancer tissue microarray constructed of paired primary, recurrent, and metastatic tumor tissues from 26 individual patients. ATR-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) and ATR inhibitor VE-822 were applied to determine the effects of ATR inhibition on ovarian cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, and DNA damage. ATR expression and the associated proteins of the ATR/Chk1 pathway in ovarian cancer cell lines were evaluated by Western blotting. The clonogenicity was also examined using clonogenic assays. A three dimensional (3D) cell culture model was performed to mimic the in vivo ovarian cancer environment to further validate the effects of ATR inhibition on ovarian cancer cells. Results: We show recurrent ovarian cancer tissues express higher levels of ATR and p-ATR than their patient-matched primary tumor counterparts. Additionally, higher expression of p-ATR correlates with decreased survival in ovarian cancer patients. Treatment of ovarian cancer cells with ATR specific siRNA or ATR inhibitor VE-822 led to significant apoptosis and inhibition of cellular proliferation, with reduced phosphorylation of Chk1 (p-Chk1), Cdc25c (p-Cdc25c), Cdc2 (p-Cdc2), and increased expression of cleaved PARP and γH2AX. Inhibition of ATR also suppressed clonogenicity and spheroid growth of ovarian cancer cells. Conclusion: Our results support the ATR and p-ATR pathway as a prognostic biomarker, and targeting the ATR machinery is an emerging therapeutic approach in the treatment of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Dylan C Dean
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Francis J Hornicek
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jinglu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yanyan Jia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhenfeng Duan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 615 Charles E. Young. Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Huirong Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 1 Jianshe East Road, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
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24
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Wang G, Guo S, Zhang W, Li Z, Xu J, Li D, Wang Y, Zhan Q. A Comprehensive Analysis of Alterations in DNA Damage Repair Pathways Reveals a Potential Way to Enhance the Radio-Sensitivity of Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:575711. [PMID: 33178606 PMCID: PMC7596747 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.575711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) is a common malignancy with a poor 5-year overall survival in China. Altered DNA damage repair (DDR) pathways are associated with a predisposition to cancer and contribute to therapeutic response and resistance in cancers. However, alterations of DDR pathway genes in ESCC are still largely unknown. In this study, we employed genome sequencing data of 192 samples, comparative genomic hybridization data of 123 cases, and gene expression microarray data of 119 patients to firstly perform a comprehensive analysis of the gene alterations of 7 DDR pathways in ESCC. Gene mutations and copy number variations (CNVs) were observed in all 7 DDR pathways, and especially, CNVs were the dominant alteration types. Compared with other pathways, two DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), carried significant gene mutations and CNVs especially gene amplifications. Most genes including RAD54B, NBS1, RAD51B, and PRKDC were significantly amplified and over-expressed in ESCC. Amplification and high expression of DSB repair pathway genes were associated with poorer overall survival. Gene set variation analysis further showed that DSB repair pathways were up-regulated in ESCC. Besides, we firstly demonstrated that combination of mirin and NU7441, two inhibitors for HR and NHEJ respectively, with ionizing radiation treatment significantly enhanced DSBs, reduced clonogenic cell survival, inhibited cell proliferation, and promoted cell apoptosis in ESCC cells with DSB pathway gene amplification. These findings suggest that DSB repair pathways were significantly altered in ESCC and inhibiting DSB repair pathways might enhance the radio-sensitivity of ESCC with DSB repair up-regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangchao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shichao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Weimin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhangfu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiancheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Qimin Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
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25
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Li X, Dean DC, Cote GM, Zou L, Hornicek FJ, Yu S, Duan Z. Inhibition of ATR-Chk1 signaling blocks DNA double-strand-break repair and induces cytoplasmic vacuolization in metastatic osteosarcoma. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2020; 12:1758835920956900. [PMID: 32973933 PMCID: PMC7493280 DOI: 10.1177/1758835920956900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3 related protein kinase (ATR) is an essential regulator of the DNA damage response in various cancers; however, its expression and roles in osteosarcoma are unclear. We therefore chose to evaluate the significance and mechanism of ATR in metastatic osteosarcoma, as well as its potential to be a therapeutic target. METHODS The osteosarcoma tissue microarrays constructed from 70 patient specimens underwent immunohistochemistry to quantify ATR and activated phospho-ATR (pATR) expression and their correlation with clinical outcomes. ATR sublocalization within the metastatic osteosarcoma cells was confirmed by immunofluorescence assay. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration were evaluated following treatment with ATR siRNA or the selective inhibitor Berzosertib. Antitumor effects were determined with ex vivo three-dimensional (3D) culture models, and the impacts on the DNA damage repair pathways were measured with Western blotting. RESULTS Elevated ATR and activated pATR expression correlated with shorter patient survival and less necrosis following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Intranuclear sublocalization of ATR and pATR suggested a mechanism related to DNA replication. ATR knockdown with siRNA or inhibition with Berzosertib suppressed cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis. In addition, ATR inhibition decreased Chk1 phosphorylation while increasing γH2AX expression and PARP cleavage, consistent with the interference of DNA damage repair. The ATR inhibitor Berzosertib also produced the characteristic cytoplasmic vacuolization preceding cell death, and suppressed ex vivo 3D spheroid formation and cell motility. CONCLUSION The faithful dependence of cells on ATR signaling for survival and progression makes it an emerging therapeutic target in metastatic osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Li
- Department of Orthopedics, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, CHINA
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dylan C. Dean
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gregory M. Cote
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lee Zou
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Francis J. Hornicek
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shengji Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenfeng Duan
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 615 Charles E. Young Dr. S., Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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26
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Abstract
DNA damage response (DDR) pathway prevents high level endogenous and environmental DNA damage being replicated and passed on to the next generation of cells via an orchestrated and integrated network of cell cycle checkpoint signalling and DNA repair pathways. Depending on the type of damage, and where in the cell cycle it occurs different pathways are involved, with the ATM-CHK2-p53 pathway controlling the G1 checkpoint or ATR-CHK1-Wee1 pathway controlling the S and G2/M checkpoints. Loss of G1 checkpoint control is common in cancer through TP53, ATM mutations, Rb loss or cyclin E overexpression, providing a stronger rationale for targeting the S/G2 checkpoints. This review will focus on the ATM-CHK2-p53-p21 pathway and the ATR-CHK1-WEE1 pathway and ongoing efforts to target these pathways for patient benefit.
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27
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Armstrong SA, Schultz CW, Azimi-Sadjadi A, Brody JR, Pishvaian MJ. ATM Dysfunction in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma and Associated Therapeutic Implications. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 18:1899-1908. [PMID: 31676541 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal solid malignancies with very few therapeutic options to treat advanced or metastatic disease. The utilization of genomic sequencing has identified therapeutically relevant alterations in approximately 25% of PDAC patients, most notably in the DNA damage response and repair (DDR) genes, rendering cancer cells more sensitive to DNA-damaging agents and to DNA damage response inhibitors, such as PARP inhibitors. ATM is one of the most commonly mutated DDR genes, with somatic mutations identified in 2% to 18% of PDACs and germline mutations identified in 1% to 34% of PDACs. ATM plays a complex role as a cell-cycle checkpoint kinase, regulator of a wide array of downstream proteins, and responder to DNA damage for genome stability. The disruption of ATM signaling leads to downstream reliance on ATR and CHK1, among other DNA-repair mechanisms, which may enable exploiting the inhibition of downstream proteins as therapeutic targets in ATM-mutated PDACs. In this review, we detail the function of ATM, review the current data on ATM deficiency in PDAC, examine the therapeutic implications of ATM alterations, and explore the current clinical trials surrounding the ATM pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha A Armstrong
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Christopher W Schultz
- The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, and the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ariana Azimi-Sadjadi
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Jonathan R Brody
- The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, and the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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CD147 promotes DNA damage response and gemcitabine resistance via targeting ATM/ATR/p53 and affects prognosis in pancreatic cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 528:62-70. [PMID: 32456796 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The acquisition of chemoresistance is a major clinical challenge for pancreatic cancer (PC) treatment. Chemoresistance is largely attributed to aberrant DNA damage repair. However, the underlying mechanisms of chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Here, we showed that CD147 was strongly correlated to DNA damage response (DDR) indices and poor prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. CD147 knockdown or monoclonal antibodies improved the killing effects of gemcitabine in gemcitabine resistant cells, exhibiting reduced activation of ATM/p53. Moreover, we found the interaction of CD147 with ATM, ATR and p53, which was augmented in gemcitabine resistant cells. High CD147/p-ATM/p-ATR/p-p53 cytoplasmic expression associated with poor survival of PC patients. Our studies thus identify CD147 as a critical player in DDR programing that affects gemcitabine therapeutic outcomes of pancreatic cancer patients.
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Patel A, Seraia E, Ebner D, Ryan AJ. Adefovir dipivoxil induces DNA replication stress and augments ATR inhibitor-related cytotoxicity. Int J Cancer 2020; 147:1474-1484. [PMID: 32159854 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Replication stress is a common feature of cancer cells. Ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) and Rad3-related (ATR) signalling, a DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway, is activated by regions of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) that can arise during replication stress. ATR delays cell cycle progression and prevents DNA replication fork collapse, which prohibits cell death and promotes proliferation. Several ATR inhibitors have been developed in order to restrain this protective mechanism in tumours. It is known, however, that despite other effective anticancer chemotherapy treatments targeting DDR pathways, resistance occurs. This begets the need to identify combination treatments to overcome resistance and prevent tumour cell growth. We conducted a drug screen to identify potential synergistic combination treatments by screening an ATR inhibitor (VE822) together with compounds from a bioactive small molecule library. The screen identified adefovir dipivoxil, a reverse transcriptase inhibitor and nucleoside analogue, as a compound that has increased cytotoxicity in the presence of ATR, but not ATM or DNA-dependant protein kinase (DNA-PK) inhibition. Here we demonstrate that adefovir dipivoxil induces DNA replication stress, activates ATR signalling and stalls cells in S phase. This simultaneous induction of replication stress and inhibition of ATR signalling lead to a marked increase in pan-nuclear γH2AX-positive cells, ssDNA accumulation and cell death, indicative of replication catastrophe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Patel
- The Department of Oncology, Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Seraia
- The Nuffield Department of Medicine, Target Discovery Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Ebner
- The Nuffield Department of Medicine, Target Discovery Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anderson Joseph Ryan
- The Department of Oncology, Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Targeting ATR as Cancer Therapy: A new era for synthetic lethality and synergistic combinations? Pharmacol Ther 2020; 207:107450. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.107450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Gorecki L, Andrs M, Rezacova M, Korabecny J. Discovery of ATR kinase inhibitor berzosertib (VX-970, M6620): Clinical candidate for cancer therapy. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 210:107518. [PMID: 32109490 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chemoresistance, radioresistance, and the challenge of achieving complete resection are major driving forces in the search for more robust and targeted anticancer therapies. Targeting the DNA damage response has recently attracted research interest, as these processes are enhanced in tumour cells. The major replication stress responder is ATM and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase, which is attracting attention worldwide with four drug candidates currently in phase I/II clinical trials. This review addresses a potent and selective small-molecule ATR inhibitor, which is known as VX-970 (also known as berzosertib or M6620), and summarizes the existing preclinical data to provide deep insight regarding its real potential. We also outline the transition from preclinical to clinical studies, as well as its relationships with other clinical candidates (AZD6738, VX-803 [M4344], and BAY1895344). The results suggest that VX-970 is indeed a promising anticancer drug that can be used both as monotherapy and in combination with either chemotherapy or radiotherapy strategies. Based on patient anamnesis and biomarker identification, VX-970 could become a valuable tool for oncologists in the fight against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Gorecki
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Andrs
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Cancer Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Rezacova
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Simkova 870, 500 38 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Korabecny
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
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Abad E, Graifer D, Lyakhovich A. DNA damage response and resistance of cancer stem cells. Cancer Lett 2020; 474:106-117. [PMID: 31968219 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The cancer stem cell (CSC) model defines tumors as hierarchically organized entities, containing a small population of tumorigenic CSC, or tumour-initiating cells, placed at the apex of this hierarchy. These cells may share common qualities with chemo- and radio-resistant cancer cells and contribute to self-renewal activities resulting in tumour formation, maintenance, growth and metastasis. Yet, it remains obscure what self-defense mechanisms are utilized by these cells against the chemotherapeutic drugs or radiotherapy. Recently, attention has been focused on the pivotal role of the DNA damage response (DDR) in tumorigenesis. In line with this note, an increased DDR that prevents CSC and chemoresistant cells from genotoxic pressure of chemotherapeutic drugs or radiation may be responsible for cancer metastasis. In this review, we focus on the current knowledge concerning the role of DDR in CSC and resistant cancer cells and describe the existing opportunities of re-sensitizing such cells to modulate therapeutic treatment effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etna Abad
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Alex Lyakhovich
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia; Vall D'Hebron Institut de Recerca, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
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Zhou T, Fu H, Dong B, Dai L, Yang Y, Yan W, Shen L. HOXB7 mediates cisplatin resistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through involvement of DNA damage repair. Thorac Cancer 2019; 11:3071-3085. [PMID: 31568655 PMCID: PMC7606015 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.13142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background DNA damage repair is an important mechanism of platinum resistance. HOXB7 is one member of HOX family genes, which are essential developmental regulators and frequently dysregulated in cancer. Recently, its relevance in chemotherapy resistance and DNA damage repair has also been addressed. However, little is known regarding the association between HOXB7 and chemotherapy resistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods The association between HOXB7 expression detected by immunohistochemisty and tumor regression grade (TRG) and long‐term survival was analyzed in 143 ESCC patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. CCK8 assay was used to examine the effect of cisplatin in a panel of four ESCC cell lines. A stable cell strain with HOXB7 knockdown of KYSE150 and KYSE450 was established to explore the effect on cisplatin sensitivity. The interaction of HOXB7 with Ku70, Ku80 and DNA‐PKcs was determined by GST‐pull down, coimmunoprecipitation and immunofluorescent colocalization. Finally, we investigated whether disrupting HOXB7 function by a synthetic peptide HXR9 blocking the formation of HOXB7/PBX could enhance cisplatin sensitivity in vitro and in vivo. Results High expression of HOXB7 was associated with cisplatin resistance and worse chemotherapy efficacy. HOXB7 knockdown reinforced cisplatin sensitivity. It was identified that HOXB7 interacts with Ku70, Ku80 and DNA‐PKcs. HOXB7 knockdown was related to the downregulation of Ku70, Ku80 and DNA‐PKcs as well as arrested cell cycle in S phase. HOXB7 inhibition by HXR9 had a synergistic effect to improve cisplatin sensitivity. Conclusion HOXB7 may be a biomarker for the prediction of chemoresistance of ESCC and serves as a promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Fu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Dong
- Department of Pathology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Dai
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yongbo Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Wanpu Yan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Luyan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
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Hutcherson RJ, Kemp MG. ATR kinase inhibition sensitizes quiescent human cells to the lethal effects of cisplatin but increases mutagenesis. Mutat Res 2019; 816-818:111678. [PMID: 31557599 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2019.111678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The ATR protein kinase is known to protect cells from DNA damage induced during the replicative phase of the cell cycle. Small molecule ATR kinase inhibitors have therefore been developed to improve the effectiveness of DNA damage-based chemotherapy regimens aimed at killing rapidly proliferating tumor cells. However, whether ATR functions in a similar manner in non-replicating cells has not been examined and is important considering the fact that most cells in the body, including cancer stem cells in solid tumors, normally reside in either a quiescent or differentiated non-replicating state. Using cultured human cell lines maintained in a quiescent or slowly growing state in vitro, ATR was found to be activated following treatment with the common anti-cancer drug cisplatin in a manner dependent on the nucleotide excision repair (NER) system. Moreover, treatment with the ATR kinase inhibitors VE-821 and AZD6738 enhanced quiescent cell killing and apoptotic signaling induced by cisplatin. However, ATR kinase inhibition in quiescent cells treated with a low concentration of cisplatin also elevated the level of mutagenesis at the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase locus and resulted in increased levels of PCNA mono-ubiquitination. These results suggest that the excision gaps generated by NER may require a greater utilization of potentially mutagenic translesion synthesis polymerases in the absence of ATR kinase function. Thus, though ATR kinase inhibitors can aid in the killing of cisplatin-treated quiescent cells, such treatments may also result in a greater reliance on alternative mutagenic DNA polymerases to complete the repair of cisplatin-DNA adducts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah J Hutcherson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH, 45435, United States
| | - Michael G Kemp
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH, 45435, United States.
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Liang X, Yang Q, Wang W, Liu T, Hu J. VE-822 mediated inhibition of ATR signaling sensitizes chondrosarcoma to cisplatin via reversion of the DNA damage response. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:6083-6092. [PMID: 31839711 PMCID: PMC6680083 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s211560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cisplatin has been reported to elicit the DNA damage response (DDR) via activation of the ATR-Chk1 pathway, which in turn contributes to the induction of cisplatin resistance. Inhibition of ATR-Chk1 signaling reverses cisplatin resistance in some cancers. However, the influence of inhibiting ATR-Chk1 signaling on cisplatin resistance in chondrosarcoma cancer has not been reported. Materials and methods We compared the expression levels of ATR kinases in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma, choriocarcinoma and chondrosarcoma cell lines. We inhibited ATR kinase function with VE-822, a selective ATR inhibitor, and suppressed ATR kinase expression with shRNA. Western blotting, the CCK-8 assay, cell cycle distribution assay and apoptosis analysis were used to study the influence of inhibiting ATR-Chk1 signaling on reversing cisplatin resistance in chondrosarcoma cell lines. Results We found that chondrosarcoma cells expressed very low basal levels of phosphorylated ATR, but cisplatin treatment induced the activation of ATR-Chk1 signaling in a dose- and time-dependent manner, suggesting the induction of DDR. As expected, ATR inhibition with VE-822 reversed cisplatin-induced DDR and enhanced cisplatin-induced activation of H2AX, which is an important marker of DNA damage. Meanwhile, ATR inhibition by RNA interference also reversed DDR and promoted DNA damage. Furthermore, both pharmacological and molecular inhibition of ATR accelerated cisplatin-induced inhibition of cell proliferation and cell death. Conclusion Our results suggested that inhibiting ATR activation promoted cisplatin-induced cell death via reversion of DDR, and VE-822 may be a valuable strategy for the prevention of cisplatin resistance in chondrosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Liang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiya Yang
- Chengnan Academy, Hunan First Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410002, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanchun Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Tang Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinyue Hu
- Medical Research Center, Changsha Central Hospital, Changsha, Hunan 410004, People's Republic of China
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Qi W, Xu X, Wang M, Li X, Wang C, Sun L, Zhao D, Sun L. Inhibition of Wee1 sensitizes AML cells to ATR inhibitor VE-822-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 164:273-282. [PMID: 31014753 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Resistance to standard induction therapy and relapse remain the primary challenges for improving therapeutic effects in acute myeloid leukemia (AML); thus, novel therapeutic strategies are urgently required. Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR) is a key regulator of different types of DNA damage, which is crucial for the maintenance of genomic integrity. The ATR-selective inhibitor VE-822 has proper solubility, potency, and pharmacokinetic properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-leukemic effects of VE-822 alone or combined with Wee1-selective inhibitor AZD1775 in AML cells. Our results showed that VE-822 inhibited AML cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. AZD1775 significantly promoted VE-822-induced inhibition of AML cell proliferation and led to a decreased number of cells in the G2/M phase. VE-822 and AZD1775 decreased the protein levels of ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) and M2 (RRM2) subunits, key enzymes in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate, which increased DNA replication stress. VE-822 combined with AZD1775 synergistically induced AML cell apoptosis and led to replication stress and DNA damage in AML cell lines. Our study demonstrated that AZD1775 synergistically promotes VE-822-induced anti-leukemic activity in AML cell lines and provides support for clinical research on VE-822 in combination with AZD1775 for the treatment of AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiu Qi
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of BioMacromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaohao Xu
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Manying Wang
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiangyan Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of BioMacromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chaonan Wang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of BioMacromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Liping Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of BioMacromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Daqing Zhao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of BioMacromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Liwei Sun
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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Shen LY, Zhou T, Du YB, Shi Q, Chen KN. Targeting HOX/PBX dimer formation as a potential therapeutic option in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2019; 110:1735-1745. [PMID: 30844117 PMCID: PMC6501045 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeobox genes are known to be classic examples of the intimate relationship between embryogenesis and tumorigenesis, which are a family of transcriptional factors involved in determining cell identity during early development, and also dysregulated in many malignancies. Previously, HOXB7, HOXC6 and HOXC8 were found abnormally upregulated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues compared with normal mucosa and seen as poor prognostic predictors for ESCC patients, and were shown to promote cell proliferation and anti‐apoptosis in ESCC cells. These three HOX members have a high level of functional redundancy, making it difficult to target a single HOX gene. The aim of the present study was to explore whether ESCC cells are sensitive to HXR9 disrupting the interaction between multiple HOX proteins and their cofactor PBX, which is required for HOX functions. ESCC cell lines (KYSE70, KYSE150, KYSE450) were treated with HXR9 or CXR9, and coimmunoprecipitation and immunofluorescent colocalization were carried out to observe HOX/PBX dimer formation. To further investigate whether HXR9 disrupts the HOX pro‐oncogenic function, CCK‐8 assay and colony formation assay were carried out. Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry, and tumor growth in vivo was investigated in a xenograft model. RNA‐seq was used to study the transcriptome of HXR9‐treated cells. Results showed that HXR9 blocked HOX/PBX interaction, leading to subsequent transcription alteration of their potential target genes, which are involved in JAK‐signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) activation and apoptosis inducement. Meanwhile, HXR9 showed an antitumor phenotype, such as inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing cell apoptosis and significantly retarding tumor growth. Therefore, it is suggested that targeting HOX/PBX may be a novel effective treatment for ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu-Yan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Bing Du
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ke-Neng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
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Wang J, Ji H, Zhu Q, Yu X, Du J, Jiang Z. Co-inhibition of BMI1 and Mel18 enhances chemosensitivity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Oncol Lett 2019; 17:5012-5022. [PMID: 31186712 PMCID: PMC6507449 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) accounts for almost 90% of esophageal cancer cases and is the sixth most common cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Cisplatin is the standard therapeutic reagent for ESCC; however, chemoresistance frequently occurs after a few weeks, which leads to ESCC recurrence. Aberrant expression of B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog (BMI1) has been reported to activate multiple growth-regulatory pathways, induce antiapoptotic abilities in numerous types of cancer cells and promote chemoresistance. However, to the best of our knowledge, the role of BMI1 in cisplatin-resistant ESCC, and the interaction between BMI1 and its homologue melanoma nuclear protein 18 (Mel18) remain unknown. The present study identified that knockdown of BMI1 promoted cytotoxic effects of cisplatin, and co-inhibition of Mel18 and BMI1 enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity. Inhibition of BMI1 and Mel18 also suppressed the expression of c-Myc. Furthermore, this combined inhibition sensitized esophageal xenograft tumors to cisplatin to a greater extent compared with BMI1 inhibition alone. In summary, the current study demonstrated that inhibition of BMI1 and Mel18 could increase the sensitivity of esophageal cancer cells to cisplatin via inhibition of c-Myc. Therefore, combined targeting of BMI1 and Mel18 may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for sensitizing ESCC to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiansong Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
| | - Huaijun Ji
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Weihai, Shandong 264200, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Xinshuang Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Juan Du
- Central Laboratory, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Zhongmin Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
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Reilly NM, Novara L, Di Nicolantonio F, Bardelli A. Exploiting DNA repair defects in colorectal cancer. Mol Oncol 2019; 13:681-700. [PMID: 30714316 PMCID: PMC6441925 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. Therapies that take advantage of defects in DNA repair pathways have been explored in the context of breast, ovarian, and other tumor types, but not yet systematically in CRC. At present, only immune checkpoint blockade therapies have been FDA approved for use in mismatch repair‐deficient colorectal tumors. Here, we discuss how systematic identification of alterations in DNA repair genes could provide new therapeutic opportunities for CRCs. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas Colon Adenocarcinoma (TCGA‐COAD) and Rectal Adenocarcinoma (TCGA‐READ) PanCancer Atlas datasets identified 141 (out of 528) cases with putative driver mutations in 29 genes associated with DNA damage response and repair, including the mismatch repair and homologous recombination pathways. Genetic defects in these pathways might confer repair‐deficient characteristics, such as genomic instability in the absence of homologous recombination, which can be exploited. For example, inhibitors of poly(ADP)‐ribose polymerase are effectively used to treat cancers that carry mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 and have shown promising results in CRC preclinical studies. HR deficiency can also occur in cells with no detectable BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations but exhibiting BRCA‐like phenotypes. DNA repair‐targeting therapies, such as ATR and CHK1 inhibitors (which are most effective against cancers carrying ATM mutations), can be used in combination with current genotoxic chemotherapies in CRCs to further improve therapy response. Finally, therapies that target alternative DNA repair mechanisms, such as thiopurines, also have the potential to confer increased sensitivity to current chemotherapy regimens, thus expanding the spectrum of therapy options and potentially improving clinical outcomes for CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Reilly
- Fondazione Piemontese per la Ricerca sul Cancro ONLUS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Luca Novara
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Federica Di Nicolantonio
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Alberto Bardelli
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
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Cao JX, Lu Y. Targeting CDC7 improves sensitivity to chemotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 12:63-74. [PMID: 30588031 PMCID: PMC6304257 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s183629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The cell division cycle 7 (CDC7) is a serine/threonine kinase that is essential for DNA replication in human cells which has been identified to play a critical role in multiple cancer types. However, the expression and clinical significance of CDC7 in ESCC has never been reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS CDC7 expression was detected in 30 ESCC and matched adjacent normal tissues, and a series of loss-of-function and gain-of-function assays were performed to evaluate the effects of CDC7 on the proliferation, migration and invasion, and chemoresistance of ESCC cells. RESULTS The results showed that CDC7 was highly expressed in ESCC tissues compared with matched adjacent normal tissues. Functional studies demonstrated that knockdown of CDC7 inhibited proliferation by arresting ESCC cells in the G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis. Knockdown of CDC7 also inhibited cell migration and invasion in ESCC cells. Furthermore, knockdown of CDC7 sensitized ESCC cells to Cis and 5-FU. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that CDC7 is highly expressed in ESCC tissues, and silencing CDC7 enhances chemosensitivity of ESCC cells, providing a new avenue for ESCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Xiang Cao
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China,
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, People's Republic of China,
| | - Yao Lu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University 3rd Hospital, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
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