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Chen Y, Lu A, Hu Z, Li J, Lu J. ERBB3 targeting: A promising approach to overcoming cancer therapeutic resistance. Cancer Lett 2024; 599:217146. [PMID: 39098760 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor-3 (ERBB3) is a member of the ERBB receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and is expressed in many malignancies. Along with other ERBB receptors, ERBB3 is associated with regulating normal cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and survival, and has received increased research attention for its involvement in cancer therapies. ERBB3 expression or co-expression levels have been investigated as predictive factors for cancer prognosis and drug sensitivity. Additionally, the association between the elevated expression of ERBB3 and treatment failure in cancer therapy further established ERBB3-targeting therapy as a crucial therapeutic approach. This review delves into the molecular mechanisms of ERBB3-driven resistance to targeted therapeutics against ERBB2 and EGFR and other signal transduction inhibitors, endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Using preclinical and clinical evidence, we synthesise and explicate how various aspects of aberrant ERBB3 activities-such as compensatory activation, signal crosstalk interactions, dysregulation in the endocytic pathway, mutations, ligand-independent activation, intrinsic kinase activity, and homodimerisation-can lead to resistance development and/or treatment failures. Several ERBB3-directed monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and the emerging antibody-drug conjugate demonstrate encouraging clinical outcomes for improving therapeutic efficacy and overcoming resistance, especially when combined with other anti-cancer approaches. More research efforts are needed to identify appropriate biomarkers tailored for ERBB3-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutao Chen
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Anni Lu
- Pinehurst School, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Zhangli Hu
- College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinyao Li
- College of Life Sciences, Xijiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Jun Lu
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand; College of Food Engineering and Nutrition Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, Shaanxi Province, China; College of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, Jiangxi Province, China; Department of Food and Agriculture Technology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang, Jiaxing, 314006, China.
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Jabbarzadeh Kaboli P, Chen HF, Babaeizad A, Roustai Geraylow K, Yamaguchi H, Hung MC. Unlocking c-MET: A comprehensive journey into targeted therapies for breast cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216780. [PMID: 38462033 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216780] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women, posing a formidable health challenge worldwide. In this complex landscape, the c-MET (cellular-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), also recognized as the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor (HGFR), emerges as a prominent protagonist, displaying overexpression in nearly 50% of breast cancer cases. Activation of c-MET by its ligand, HGF, secreted by neighboring mesenchymal cells, contributes to a cascade of tumorigenic processes, including cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and immunosuppression. While c-MET inhibitors such as crizotinib, capmatinib, tepotinib and cabozantinib have garnered FDA approval for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), their potential within breast cancer therapy is still undetermined. This comprehensive review embarks on a journey through structural biology, multifaceted functions, and intricate signaling pathways orchestrated by c-MET across cancer types. Furthermore, we highlight the pivotal role of c-MET-targeted therapies in breast cancer, offering a clinical perspective on this promising avenue of intervention. In this pursuit, we strive to unravel the potential of c-MET as a beacon of hope in the fight against breast cancer, unveiling new horizons for therapeutic innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parham Jabbarzadeh Kaboli
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Research Center for Cancer Biology, Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 406, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Fan Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Research Center for Cancer Biology, Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 406, Taiwan
| | - Ali Babaeizad
- Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | | | - Hirohito Yamaguchi
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Research Center for Cancer Biology, Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 406, Taiwan
| | - Mien-Chie Hung
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Research Center for Cancer Biology, Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 406, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, 413, Taiwan.
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Zhao HF, Liu YS, Wang J, Wu CP, Zhou XM, Cai LR, Liu J, Liu XJ, Xu YW, Li WP, Huang GD. Nuclear transport of phosphorylated LanCL2 promotes invadopodia formation and tumor progression of glioblastoma by activating STAT3/Cortactin signaling. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00107-3. [PMID: 38492734 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.03.007] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Our previous study showed that the abscisic acid receptor lanthionine synthetase C-like 2 (LanCL2) is a significant prognostic factor for overall survival in young glioblastoma patients. However, the role of LanCL2 in glioblastoma remains unclear yet. OBJECTIVES This study aims to investigate the role of LanCL2 in regulating in-vitro cell invasion and in-vivo tumor progression of glioblastoma and its underlying mechanism. METHODS Tyrosine 198 or 295 residue of LanCL2 was mutated using site-directed mutagenesis to block its phosphorylation. The role of LanCL2 in glioblastoma was investigated using transwell or 3D invasion assay, matrix degradation assay and intracranial xenograft model. RESULTS This study showed that nuclear transport of LanCL2 was enhanced by overexpression of LanCL2 or its ligand abscisic acid in glioblastoma cells. Knockdown of LanCL2 suppressed migration, invasion and invadopodia formation of glioblastoma cells, whereas overexpression of wild-type LanCL2 enhanced them. Blocking of Tyr295 residue phosphorylation of LanCL2 impeded its nuclear transport, retarded glioblastoma cell motility and invadopodia formation, and deceased the phosphorylation of Cortactin and STAT3. c-Met was identified as the upstream tyrosine kinase of Tyr295 residue of LanCL2, and inhibition of c-Met markedly suppressed the nuclear transport of LanCL2. Moreover, overexpression of wild-type LanCL2 significantly promoted orthotopic tumor growth of glioblastoma in vivo and led to poor survival of mice with median survival time of 33.5 days, whereas Tyr295 mutation rescued it with median survival time of 49 days. CONCLUSION Our findings suggested that Tyr295 phosphorylation is crucial to the activation and nuclear transport of LanCL2, as well as invadopodia formation and tumor progression of glioblastoma, providing the evidence of a novel signaling axis c-Met/LanCL2/STAT3/Cortactin and the first observation of the importance of Tyr295 phosphorylation to LanCL2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Fu Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen University First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, China.
| | - Yun-Sheng Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen University First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Chang-Peng Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Longhua New District People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518109, China
| | - Xiu-Ming Zhou
- Epilepsy Center, Guangdong 999 Brain Hospital, Guangzhou 510510, China
| | - Lin-Rong Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen University First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen University First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Xiao-Jia Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen University First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Yan-Wen Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen University First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Wei-Ping Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen University First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Guo-Dong Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen University First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518035, China.
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Jaradat SK, Ayoub NM, Al Sharie AH, Aldaod JM. Targeting Receptor Tyrosine Kinases as a Novel Strategy for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2024; 23:15330338241234780. [PMID: 38389413 PMCID: PMC10894558 DOI: 10.1177/15330338241234780] [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: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprises a group of aggressive and heterogeneous breast carcinoma. Chemotherapy is the mainstay for the treatment of triple-negative tumors. Nevertheless, the success of chemotherapeutic treatments is limited by their toxicity and development of acquired resistance leading to therapeutic failure and tumor relapse. Hence, there is an urgent need to explore novel targeted therapies for TNBC. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are a family of transmembrane receptors that are key regulators of intracellular signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and motility. Aberrant activity and/or expression of several types of RTKs have been strongly connected to tumorigenesis. RTKs are frequently overexpressed and/or deregulated in triple-negative breast tumors and are further associated with tumor progression and reduced survival in patients. Therefore, targeting RTKs could be an appealing therapeutic strategy for the treatment of TNBC. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the antitumor activity of RTK inhibitors in preclinical models of TNBC. The review also provides insights into the clinical trials evaluating the use of RTK inhibitors for the treatment of patients with TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara K. Jaradat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan
| | - Nehad M. Ayoub
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan
| | - Ahmed H. Al Sharie
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan
| | - Julia M. Aldaod
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan
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Wang X, Li Y, Hasrat K, Yang L, Qi Z. Sequence-Responsive Multifunctional Supramolecular Nanomicelles Act on the Regression of TNBC and Its Lung Metastasis via Synergic Pyroptosis-Mediated Immune Activation. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2305101. [PMID: 37635105 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202305101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Design of effective nanodrugs to modulate the immunosuppression of tumor microenvironment is a desirable approach to boost the clinical tumor-therapeutic effect. Supramolecular nanomicelles PolyMN-TO-8, which are constructed by self-assembling supramolecular host MTX-MPEG2000, guest NPX-2S, and TO-8 through hydrophobic forces, have excellent stability and responsiveness to carboxylesterase and glutathione in turn. In vivo studies validate that PolyMN-TO-8 enable to trigger pyroptosis-mediated immunogenic cell death under laser, avoiding the occurrence of immune dysregulation simultaneously. This therapeutic mode strengthens dendritic cells' maturation and accelerates the infiltration of CD8+ T cells into tumors through moderate activation of pro-inflammatory factors with elimination of immune-escape, ultimately making the tumor inhibition rate as high as 87.44% via synergistic functions of photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, chemotherapy, etc. The loss of immune-escape quickens the infiltration of CD8+ T cells into lungs, and further eschews the generation of tumor nodules in it. Chemotherapy, the release of interferon-γ, and immune memory effect also strengthen the defense against metastasis. The generation of O2 catalyzed by PolyMN-TO-8 under laser is indispensable for tumor metastasis inhibition undoubtedly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Yuanhang Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Kamran Hasrat
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Li Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
| | - Zhengjian Qi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, P. R. China
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Tian R, Tian J, Zuo X, Ren S, Zhang H, Liu H, Wang Z, Cui Y, Niu R, Zhang F. RACK1 facilitates breast cancer progression by competitively inhibiting the binding of β-catenin to PSMD2 and enhancing the stability of β-catenin. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:685. [PMID: 37848434 PMCID: PMC10582012 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06191-3] [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: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
The receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) is a key scaffolding protein with multifunctional and multifaceted properties. By mediating protein-protein interactions, RACK1 integrates multiple intracellular signals involved in the regulation of various physiological and pathological processes. Dysregulation of RACK1 has been implicated in the initiation and progression of many tumors. However, the exact function of RACK1 in cancer cellular processes, especially in proliferation, remains controversial. Here, we show that RACK1 is required for breast cancer cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. This effect of RACK1 is associated with its ability to enhance β-catenin stability and activate the canonical WNT signaling pathway in breast cancer cells. We identified PSMD2, a key component of the proteasome, as a novel binding partner for RACK1 and β-catenin. Interestingly, although there is no interaction between RACK1 and β-catenin, RACK1 binds PSMD2 competitively with β-catenin. Moreover, RACK1 prevents ubiquitinated β-catenin from binding to PSMD2, thereby protecting β-catenin from proteasomal degradation. Collectively, our findings uncover a novel mechanism by which RACK1 increases β-catenin stability and promotes breast cancer proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruinan Tian
- Public Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Jianfei Tian
- Public Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zuo
- Public Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Sixin Ren
- Public Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - He Zhang
- Public Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Public Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Zhiyong Wang
- Public Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yanfen Cui
- Public Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Ruifang Niu
- Public Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300060, China.
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China.
| | - Fei Zhang
- Public Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300060, China.
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China.
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Saito Y, Taniguchi K, Ii H, Horinaka M, Kageyama S, Nakata S, Ukimura O, Sakai T. Identification of c-Met as a novel target of γ-glutamylcyclotransferase. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11922. [PMID: 37488242 PMCID: PMC10366151 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39093-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
γ-Glutamylcyclotransferase (GGCT) is highly expressed in multiple types of cancer tissues and its knockdown suppresses the growth of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Although GGCT is a promising target for cancer therapy, the mechanisms underlying the antitumor effects remain unclear. The knockdown of GGCT inhibited the MEK-ERK pathway, and activated the tumor suppressor retinoblastoma gene (RB) at the protein level in cancer cell lines. c-Met was down-regulated by the knockdown of GGCT in cancer cells and its overexpression attenuated the dephosphorylation of RB and cell cycle arrest induced by the knockdown of GGCT in lung cancer A549 cells. STAT3 is a transcription factor that induces c-Met expression. STAT3 phosphorylation and its nuclear expression level were decreased in GGCT-depleted A549 and prostate cancer PC3 cells. The simultaneous knockdown of AMPK and GGCT restored the down-regulated expression of c-Met, and attenuated the dephosphorylation of STAT3 and MEK-ERK-RB induced by the knockdown of GGCT in PC3 cells. An intraperitoneal injection of a GGCT inhibitor decreased c-Met protein expression in a mouse xenograft model of PC3 cells. These results suggest that the knockdown of GGCT activates the RB protein by inhibiting the STAT3-c-Met-MEK-ERK pathway via AMPK activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumiko Saito
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kajii-cho 465, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
- Department of Urology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Keiko Taniguchi
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kajii-cho 465, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan.
| | - Hiromi Ii
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mano Horinaka
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kajii-cho 465, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Susumu Kageyama
- Department of Urology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
| | - Susumu Nakata
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Osamu Ukimura
- Department of Urology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Sakai
- Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kajii-cho 465, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
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Hypoxia activated HGF expression in pancreatic stellate cells confers resistance of pancreatic cancer cells to EGFR inhibition. EBioMedicine 2022; 86:104352. [PMID: 36371988 PMCID: PMC9664470 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an essential target for cancer treatment. However, EGFR inhibitor erlotinib showed limited clinical benefit in pancreatic cancer therapy. Here, we showed the underlying mechanism of tumor microenvironment suppressing the sensitivity of EGFR inhibitor through the pancreatic stellate cell (PSC). METHODS The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and hypoxia marker in human pancreatic cancer tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry, and their correlation with overall survival was evaluated. Human immortalized PSC was constructed and used to investigate the potential effect on pancreatic cancer cell lines in hypoxia and normoxia. Luciferase reporter assay and Chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to explore the potential mechanisms in vitro. The combined inhibition of EGFR and Met was evaluated in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model of pancreatic cancer. FINDINGS We found that high expression levels of α-SMA and hypoxia markers are associated with poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that hypoxia induced the expression and secretion of HGF in PSC via transcription factor HIF-1α. PSC-derived HGF activates Met, the HGF receptor, suppressing the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to EGFR inhibitor in a KRAS-independent manner by activating the PI3K-AKT pathway. Furthermore, we found that the combination of EGFR inhibitor and Met inhibitor significantly suppressed tumor growth in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. INTERPRETATION Our study revealed a previously uncharacterized HIF1α-HGF-Met-PI3K-AKT signaling axis between PSC and cancer cells and indicated that EGFR inhibition plus Met inhibition might be a promising strategy for pancreatic cancer treatment. FUNDING This study was supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China.
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Zuo X, Ren S, Zhang H, Tian J, Tian R, Han B, Liu H, Dong Q, Wang Z, Cui Y, Niu R, Zhang F. Chemotherapy induces ACE2 expression in breast cancer via the ROS-AKT-HIF-1α signaling pathway: a potential prognostic marker for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. J Transl Med 2022; 20:509. [PMID: 36335375 PMCID: PMC9636712 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03716-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a key enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system and a well-known functional receptor for the entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into host cells. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought ACE2 into the spotlight, and ACE2 expression in tumors and its relationship with SARS-COV-2 infection and prognosis of cancer patients have received extensive attention. However, the association between ACE2 expression and tumor therapy and prognosis, especially in breast cancer, remains ambiguous and requires further investigation. We have previously reported that ACE2 is elevated in drug-resistant breast cancer cells, but the exact function of ACE2 in drug resistance and progression of this malignant disease has not been explored. Methods The expression of ACE2 and HIF-1α in parental and drug-resistant breast cancer cells under normoxic and hypoxic conditions was analyzed by Western blot and qRT-PCR methods. The protein levels of ACE2 in plasma samples from breast cancer patients were examined by ELISA. The relationship between ACE2 expression and breast cancer treatment and prognosis was analyzed using clinical specimens and public databases. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in breast cancer cells were measured by using a fluorescent probe. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or lentivirus-mediated shRNA was used to silence ACE2 and HIF-1α expression in cellular models. The effect of ACE2 knockdown on drug resistance in breast cancer was determined by Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8)-based assay, colony formation assay, apoptosis and EdU assay. Results ACE2 expression is relatively low in breast cancer cells, but increases rapidly and specifically after exposure to anticancer drugs, and remains high after resistance is acquired. Mechanistically, chemotherapeutic agents increase ACE2 expression in breast cancer cells by inducing intracellular ROS production, and increased ROS levels enhance AKT phosphorylation and subsequently increase HIF-1α expression, which in turn upregulates ACE2 expression. Although ACE2 levels in plasma and cancer tissues are lower in breast cancer patients compared with healthy controls, elevated ACE2 in patients after chemotherapy is a predictor of poor treatment response and an unfavorable prognostic factor for survival in breast cancer patients. Conclusion ACE2 is a gene in breast cancer cells that responds rapidly to chemotherapeutic agents through the ROS-AKT-HIF-1α axis. Elevated ACE2 modulates the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to anticancer drugs by optimizing the balance of intracellular ROS. Moreover, increased ACE2 is not only a predictor of poor response to chemotherapy, but is also associated with a worse prognosis in breast cancer patients. Thus, our findings provide novel insights into the spatiotemporal differences in the function of ACE2 in the initiation and progression of breast cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03716-w.
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Zhang Z, Li D, Yun H, Tong J, Liu W, Chai K, Zeng T, Gao Z, Xie Y. Opportunities and challenges of targeting c-Met in the treatment of digestive tumors. Front Oncol 2022; 12:923260. [PMID: 35978812 PMCID: PMC9376446 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.923260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, a large number of studies have demonstrated that c-Met generally exerts a crucial function of promoting tumor cells proliferation and differentiation in digestive system tumors. c-Met also mediates tumor progression and drug resistance by signaling interactions with other oncogenic molecules and then activating downstream pathways. Therefore, c-Met is a promising target for the treatment of digestive system tumors. Many anti-tumor therapies targeting c-Met (tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and adoptive immunotherapy) have been developed in treating digestive system tumors. Some drugs have been successfully applied to clinic, but most of them are defective due to their efficacy and complications. In order to promote the clinical application of targeting c-Met drugs in digestive system tumors, it is necessary to further explore the mechanism of c-Met action in digestive system tumors and optimize the anti-tumor treatment of targeting c-Met drugs. Through reading a large number of literatures, the author systematically reviewed the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of c-Met associated with tumor and summarized the current status of targeting c-Met in the treatment of digestive system tumors so as to provide new ideas for the treatment of digestive system tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengchao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baiyin, China
- Department of General Surgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Dong Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baiyin, China
| | - Heng Yun
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baiyin, China
| | - Jie Tong
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baiyin, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baiyin, China
| | - Keqiang Chai
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baiyin, China
| | - Tongwei Zeng
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baiyin, China
| | - Zhenghua Gao
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baiyin, China
- *Correspondence: Yongqiang Xie, ; Zhenghua Gao,
| | - Yongqiang Xie
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baiyin, China
- *Correspondence: Yongqiang Xie, ; Zhenghua Gao,
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