1
|
Slika H, Shahani A, Wahi R, Miller J, Groves M, Tyler B. Overcoming Treatment Resistance in Medulloblastoma: Underlying Mechanisms and Potential Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2249. [PMID: 38927954 PMCID: PMC11202166 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122249] [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: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most frequently encountered malignant brain tumor in the pediatric population. The standard of care currently consists of surgical resection, craniospinal irradiation, and multi-agent chemotherapy. However, despite this combination of multiple aggressive modalities, recurrence of the disease remains a substantial concern, and treatment resistance is a rising issue. The development of this resistance results from the interplay of a myriad of anatomical properties, cellular processes, molecular pathways, and genetic and epigenetic alterations. In fact, several efforts have been directed towards this domain and characterizing the major contributors to this resistance. Herein, this review highlights the different mechanisms that drive relapse and are implicated in the occurrence of treatment resistance and discusses them in the context of the latest molecular-based classification of medulloblastoma. These mechanisms include the impermeability of the blood-brain barrier to drugs, the overactivation of specific molecular pathways, the resistant and multipotent nature of cancer stem cells, intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity, and metabolic plasticity. Subsequently, we build on that to explore potential strategies and targeted agents that can abrogate these mechanisms, undermine the development of treatment resistance, and augment medulloblastoma's response to therapeutic modalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Slika
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; (H.S.); (A.S.); (R.W.); (J.M.)
| | - Aanya Shahani
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; (H.S.); (A.S.); (R.W.); (J.M.)
| | - Riddhpreet Wahi
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; (H.S.); (A.S.); (R.W.); (J.M.)
- Grant Government Medical College and Sir J.J Group of Hospitals, Mumbai 400008, India
| | - Jackson Miller
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; (H.S.); (A.S.); (R.W.); (J.M.)
- Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA 24450, USA
| | - Mari Groves
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA;
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Betty Tyler
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; (H.S.); (A.S.); (R.W.); (J.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tantawy SI, Timofeeva N, Sarkar A, Gandhi V. Targeting MCL-1 protein to treat cancer: opportunities and challenges. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1226289. [PMID: 37601693 PMCID: PMC10436212 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1226289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Evading apoptosis has been linked to tumor development and chemoresistance. One mechanism for this evasion is the overexpression of prosurvival B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) family proteins, which gives cancer cells a survival advantage. Mcl-1, a member of the BCL-2 family, is among the most frequently amplified genes in cancer. Targeting myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) protein is a successful strategy to induce apoptosis and overcome tumor resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Various strategies to inhibit the antiapoptotic activity of MCL-1 protein, including transcription, translation, and the degradation of MCL-1 protein, have been tested. Neutralizing MCL-1's function by targeting its interactions with other proteins via BCL-2 interacting mediator (BIM)S2A has been shown to be an equally effective approach. Encouraged by the design of venetoclax and its efficacy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, scientists have developed other BCL-2 homology (BH3) mimetics-particularly MCL-1 inhibitors (MCL-1i)-that are currently in clinical trials for various cancers. While extensive reviews of MCL-1i are available, critical analyses focusing on the challenges of MCL-1i and their optimization are lacking. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge regarding clinically relevant MCL-1i and focus on predictive biomarkers of response, mechanisms of resistance, major issues associated with use of MCL-1i, and the future use of and maximization of the benefits from these agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shady I. Tantawy
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Natalia Timofeeva
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Aloke Sarkar
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Varsha Gandhi
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pratelli G, Carlisi D, Di Liberto D, Notaro A, Giuliano M, D'Anneo A, Lauricella M, Emanuele S, Calvaruso G, De Blasio A. MCL1 Inhibition Overcomes the Aggressiveness Features of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer MDA-MB-231 Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11149. [PMID: 37446326 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311149] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive subtype among breast cancers (BCs), characterized by anoikis resistance, high invasiveness, and metastatic potential as well as Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and stemness features. In the last few years, our research focused on the function of MCL1, an antiapoptotic protein frequently deregulated in TNBC. Here, we demonstrate that MCL1 inhibition by A-1210477, a specific BH3-mimetic, promotes anoikis/apoptosis in the MDA-MB-231 cell line, as shown via an increase in proapoptotic markers and caspase activation. Our evidence also shows A-1210477 effects on Focal Adhesions (FAs) impairing the integrin trim and survival signaling pathways, such as FAK, AKT, ERK, NF-κB, and GSK3β-inducing anoikis, thus suggesting a putative role of MCL1 in regulation of FA dynamics. Interestingly, in accordance with these results, we observed a reduction in migratory and invasiveness capabilities as confirmed by a decrease in metalloproteinases (MMPs) levels following A-1210477 treatment. Moreover, MCL1 inhibition promotes a reduction in EMT characteristics as demonstrated by the downregulation of Vimentin, MUC1, DNMT1, and a surprising re-expression of E-Cadherin, suggesting a possible mesenchymal-like phenotype reversion. In addition, we also observed the downregulation of stemness makers such as OCT3/4, SOX2, NANOG, as well as CD133, EpCAM, and CD49f. Our findings support the idea that MCL1 inhibition in MDA-MB-231 could be crucial to reduce anoikis resistance, aggressiveness, and metastatic potential and to minimize EMT and stemness features that distinguish TNBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Pratelli
- Department of Physics and Chemistry (DiFC)-Emilio Segrè, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniela Carlisi
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Diana Di Liberto
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonietta Notaro
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Michela Giuliano
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella D'Anneo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marianna Lauricella
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Sonia Emanuele
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Calvaruso
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna De Blasio
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
ABT-737 suppresses aberrant Hedgehog pathway and overcomes resistance to smoothened antagonists by blocking Gli. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:188. [PMID: 36071246 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01794-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Abnormally activated Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has been linked to multiple types of cancers including medulloblastoma (MB). Current Hh-targeted drug development projects mainly focus on antagonizing the upstream oncoprotein Smoothened (Smo). However, the effectiveness of Smo inhibitors is compromised by primary and acquired resistance, which is caused by mutations of Smo or other downstream components. Here, we conducted a cellular screening of small-molecule compounds and identified ABT-737 as a selective Hh inhibitor resulting in active suppression of human Hh-dependent MB cells. Mechanistically, ABT-737 suppressed Hh signals far-downstream of Smo and Sufu at Gli transcriptional effector level. In line with this, ABT-737 potentially inhibited wild-type and drug-resistant mutant Smo. More importantly, ABT-737 also delayed the growth of drug-refractory Hh-dependent MB xenografts derived from genetically engineered mouse model in vivo. These findings identify ABT-737 as a therapeutical substance for cancers with excessive Hh signaling activity, especially for those with primary or acquired resistance to Smo inhibitors in clinic.
Collapse
|
5
|
Fitzgerald MC, O’Halloran PJ, Connolly NMC, Murphy BM. Targeting the apoptosis pathway to treat tumours of the paediatric nervous system. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:460. [PMID: 35568716 PMCID: PMC9107479 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04900-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
New, more effective therapeutics are required for the treatment of paediatric cancers. Current treatment protocols of cytotoxic treatments including chemotherapy trigger cancer-cell death by engaging the apoptosis pathway, and chemotherapy efficacy is frequently impeded by apoptosis dysregulation. Apoptosis dysregulation, through genetic or epigenetic mechanisms, is a feature of many cancer types, and contributes to reduced treatment response, disease progression and ultimately treatment resistance. Novel approaches are required to overcome dysregulated apoptosis signalling, increase the efficacy of cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes. Here, we provide an insight into current knowledge of how the apoptosis pathway is dysregulated in paediatric nervous system tumours, with a focus on TRAIL receptors, the BCL-2 proteins and the IAP family, and highlight preclinical evidence demonstrating that pharmacological manipulation of the apoptosis pathway can restore apoptosis signalling and sensitise cancer cells to treatment. Finally, we discuss the potential clinical implications of these findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claire Fitzgerald
- grid.4912.e0000 0004 0488 7120Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 31A York Street, Dublin, D02 YN77 Ireland ,grid.417322.10000 0004 0516 3853National Children’s Research Centre at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, D12 N512 Ireland
| | - Philip J. O’Halloran
- grid.417322.10000 0004 0516 3853National Children’s Research Centre at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, D12 N512 Ireland ,grid.415490.d0000 0001 2177 007XDepartment of Neurosurgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Niamh M. C. Connolly
- grid.4912.e0000 0004 0488 7120Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 31A York Street, Dublin, D02 YN77 Ireland ,grid.4912.e0000 0004 0488 7120Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 31A York Street, Dublin, D02 YN77 Ireland
| | - Brona M. Murphy
- grid.4912.e0000 0004 0488 7120Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 31A York Street, Dublin, D02 YN77 Ireland ,grid.417322.10000 0004 0516 3853National Children’s Research Centre at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, D12 N512 Ireland ,grid.4912.e0000 0004 0488 7120Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 31A York Street, Dublin, D02 YN77 Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gli1 promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition and metastasis of non-small cell lung carcinoma by regulating Snail transcriptional activity and stability. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:3877-3890. [PMID: 36213531 PMCID: PMC9532560 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is crucial for the mortality of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients. The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in regulating tumor metastasis. Glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1) is aberrantly active in a series of tumor tissues. However, the molecular regulatory relationships between Gli1 and NSCLC metastasis have not yet been identified. Herein, we reported Gli1 promoted NSCLC metastasis. High Gli1 expression was associated with poor survival of NSCLC patients. Ectopic expression of Gli1 in low metastatic A549 and NCI-H460 cells enhanced their migration, invasion abilities and facilitated EMT process, whereas knock-down of Gli1 in high metastatic NCI-H1299 and NCI-H1703 cells showed an opposite effect. Notably, Gli1 overexpression accelerated the lung and liver metastasis of NSCLC in the intravenously injected metastasis model. Further research showed that Gli1 positively regulated Snail expression by binding to its promoter and enhancing its protein stability, thereby facilitating the migration, invasion and EMT of NSCLC. In addition, administration of GANT-61, a Gli1 inhibitor, obviously suppressed the metastasis of NSCLC. Collectively, our study reveals that Gli1 is a critical regulator for NSCLC metastasis and suggests that targeting Gli1 is a prospective therapy strategy for metastatic NSCLC.
Collapse
|
7
|
Xiong Q, Fan S, Duan L, Liu B, Jiang X, Chen X, Xiong C, Tao Q, Wang J, Zhang H, Chen C, Duan Y. NCAPH is negatively associated with Mcl‑1 in non‑small cell lung cancer. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:2916-2924. [PMID: 32945371 PMCID: PMC7453632 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer has a high mortality rate worldwide. Non‑SMC condensin I complex subunit H (NCAPH) has been identified to be one of the regulatory subunits of the condensin I complex, which is essential for the correct packaging and segregation of chromosomes in eukaryotes. NCAPH is abnormally overexpressed in various types of cancer. A pro‑survival member of the Bcl‑2 family, myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 (Mcl‑1) is also frequently overexpressed in multiple cancers and is associated with poorer clinical outcomes for patients. The association of NCAPH and Mcl‑1 proteins with the clinical and pathological features of non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains to be elucidated. In the current study, the positive percentage of NCAPH in the non‑cancerous lung tissues was revealed to be higher compared with that in NSCLC. However, the positive percentage of Mcl‑1 in the non‑cancerous lung tissues was lower compared with NSCLC. In addition, NCAPH high‑expression patients had a higher overall survival rate compared with patients exhibiting low expression, whereas the Mcl‑1 high‑expression group had a lower survival rate. Pairwise association in 260 cases of NSCLC revealed that overexpression of the NCAPH protein was negatively associated with Mcl‑1 expression and vice versa. The results of multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis also indicated that NCAPH and Mcl‑1 demonstrated potential as distinct prognostic factors that may be used in NSCLC. The expression of NCAPH and Mcl‑1 may be associated with, and act as distinct molecular marks for the prediction of a poor prognosis in patients with NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxia Xiong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Songqing Fan
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, P.R. China
| | - Lincan Duan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650118, P.R. China
| | - Baiyang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, P.R. China
| | - Xiulin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, P.R. China
| | - Xiaobo Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Chunyan Xiong
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Zhaotong, Zhaotong, Yunnan 657000, P.R. China
| | - Qingyuan Tao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650021, P.R. China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Chuanjiang Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Yong Duan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|