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Argentiero A, Andriano A, Caradonna IC, de Martino G, Desantis V. Decoding the Intricate Landscape of Pancreatic Cancer: Insights into Tumor Biology, Microenvironment, and Therapeutic Interventions. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2438. [PMID: 39001498 PMCID: PMC11240778 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents significant oncological challenges due to its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in progression and treatment resistance. Non-neoplastic cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), contribute to tumor growth, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. Although immune cells infiltrate TME, tumor cells evade immune responses by secreting chemokines and expressing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Vascular components, like endothelial cells and pericytes, stimulate angiogenesis to support tumor growth, while adipocytes secrete factors that promote cell growth, invasion, and treatment resistance. Additionally, perineural invasion, a characteristic feature of PDAC, contributes to local recurrence and poor prognosis. Moreover, key signaling pathways including Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), Notch, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), and Wnt/β-catenin drive tumor progression and resistance. Targeting the TME is crucial for developing effective therapies, including strategies like inhibiting CAFs, modulating immune response, disrupting angiogenesis, and blocking neural cell interactions. A recent multi-omic approach has identified signature genes associated with anoikis resistance, which could serve as prognostic biomarkers and targets for personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandro Andriano
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Pharmacology Section, Medical School, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Ingrid Catalina Caradonna
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Pharmacology Section, Medical School, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giulia de Martino
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Vanessa Desantis
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Pharmacology Section, Medical School, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
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Qin W, Wei X, Yang D, Luo Q, Huang M, Xing S, Wei W, Liang L, Huang J, Zhou Z, Lu F. Ras-Targeting Stabilized Peptide Increases Radiation Sensitivity of Cancer Cells. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:737-743. [PMID: 38738511 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.4c00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer. However, enhancing tumors' radiation sensitivity and overcoming tolerance remain a challenge. Previous studies have shown that the Ras signaling pathway directly influences tumor radiation sensitivity. Herein, we designed a series of Ras-targeting stabilized peptides, with satisfactory binding affinity (KD = 0.13 μM with HRas) and good cellular uptake. Peptide H5 inhibited downstream phosphorylation of ERK and increased radio-sensitivity in HeLa cells, resulting in significantly reduced clonogenic survival. The stabilized peptides, designed with an N-terminal nucleation strategy, acted as potential radio-sensitizers and broadened the applications of this kind of molecule. This is the first report of using stabilized peptides as radio-sensitizers, broadening the applications of this kind of molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weirong Qin
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules Research and Evaluation, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Xiangzan Wei
- Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Key Laboratory of Biological Molecular Medicine Research (Guangxi Medical University), Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Dan Yang
- Department of Science & Technology of Shandong Province, Jinan 250101, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Qinhong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Mingyu Huang
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Shangping Xing
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Wei Wei
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Lin Liang
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Jin Huang
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Ziyuan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, P. R. China
- National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen 518116, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Fei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, P. R. China
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Rawat V, DeLear P, Prashanth P, Ozgurses ME, Tebeje A, Burns PA, Conger KO, Solís C, Hasnain Y, Novikova A, Endress JE, González-Sánchez P, Dong W, Stephanopoulos G, DeNicola GM, Harris IS, Sept D, Mason FM, Coloff JL. Drug screening in human physiologic medium identifies uric acid as an inhibitor of rigosertib efficacy. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e174329. [PMID: 38815134 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.174329] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The nonphysiological nutrient levels found in traditional culture media have been shown to affect numerous aspects of cancer cell physiology, including how cells respond to certain therapeutic agents. Here, we comprehensively evaluated how physiological nutrient levels affect therapeutic response by performing drug screening in human plasma-like medium. We observed dramatic nutrient-dependent changes in sensitivity to a variety of FDA-approved and clinically trialed compounds, including rigosertib, an experimental cancer therapeutic that recently failed in phase III clinical trials. Mechanistically, we found that the ability of rigosertib to destabilize microtubules is strongly inhibited by the purine metabolism end product uric acid, which is uniquely abundant in humans relative to traditional in vitro and in vivo cancer models. These results demonstrate the broad and dramatic effects nutrient levels can have on drug response and how incorporation of human-specific physiological nutrient medium might help identify compounds whose efficacy could be influenced in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin Rawat
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Patrick DeLear
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Prarthana Prashanth
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mete Emir Ozgurses
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Anteneh Tebeje
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Philippa A Burns
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kelly O Conger
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Christopher Solís
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Yasir Hasnain
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Anna Novikova
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | | | - Wentao Dong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Greg Stephanopoulos
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gina M DeNicola
- Department of Metabolism and Physiology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Isaac S Harris
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - David Sept
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Frank M Mason
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jonathan L Coloff
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Zhou Y, Tao L, Qiu J, Xu J, Yang X, Zhang Y, Tian X, Guan X, Cen X, Zhao Y. Tumor biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:132. [PMID: 38763973 PMCID: PMC11102923 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01823-2] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor biomarkers, the substances which are produced by tumors or the body's responses to tumors during tumorigenesis and progression, have been demonstrated to possess critical and encouraging value in screening and early diagnosis, prognosis prediction, recurrence detection, and therapeutic efficacy monitoring of cancers. Over the past decades, continuous progress has been made in exploring and discovering novel, sensitive, specific, and accurate tumor biomarkers, which has significantly promoted personalized medicine and improved the outcomes of cancer patients, especially advances in molecular biology technologies developed for the detection of tumor biomarkers. Herein, we summarize the discovery and development of tumor biomarkers, including the history of tumor biomarkers, the conventional and innovative technologies used for biomarker discovery and detection, the classification of tumor biomarkers based on tissue origins, and the application of tumor biomarkers in clinical cancer management. In particular, we highlight the recent advancements in biomarker-based anticancer-targeted therapies which are emerging as breakthroughs and promising cancer therapeutic strategies. We also discuss limitations and challenges that need to be addressed and provide insights and perspectives to turn challenges into opportunities in this field. Collectively, the discovery and application of multiple tumor biomarkers emphasized in this review may provide guidance on improved precision medicine, broaden horizons in future research directions, and expedite the clinical classification of cancer patients according to their molecular biomarkers rather than organs of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lei Tao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiahao Qiu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- School of Medicine, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China
| | - Xinyu Tian
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinqi Guan
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaobo Cen
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yinglan Zhao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Stratmann JA, Althoff FC, Doebel P, Rauh J, Trummer A, Hünerlitürkoglu AN, Frost N, Yildirim H, Christopoulos P, Burkhard O, Büschenfelde CMZ, Becker von Rose A, Alt J, Aries SP, Webendörfer M, Kaldune S, Uhlenbruch M, Tritchkova G, Waller CF, Rittmeyer A, Hoffknecht P, Braess J, Kopp HG, Grohé C, Schäfer M, Schumann C, Griesinger F, Kuon J, Sebastian M, Reinmuth N. Sotorasib in KRAS G12C-mutated non-small cell lung cancer: A multicenter real-world experience from the compassionate use program in Germany. Eur J Cancer 2024; 201:113911. [PMID: 38377774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.113911] [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: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sotorasib is a first-in-class KRAS p.G12C-inhibitor that has entered clinical trials in pretreated patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 2018. First response rates were promising in the CodeBreaK trials. It remains unclear whether response to sotorasib and outcomes differ in a real-world setting when including patients underrepresented in clinical trials. METHODS Patients with KRAS p.G12C-mutated advanced or metastatic NSCLC received sotorasib within the German multicenter sotorasib compassionate use program between 2020 to 2022. Data on efficacy, tolerability, and survival were analyzed in the full cohort and in subgroups of special interest such as co-occurring mutations and across PD-L1 expression levels. RESULTS We analyzed 163 patients who received sotorasib after a median of two treatment lines (range, 0 to 7). Every fourth patient had a poor performance status and 38% had brain metastases (BM). The objective response rate was 38.7%. The median overall survival was 9.8 months (95% CI, 6.5 to not reached). Median real-world (rw) progression-free survival was 4.8 months (9% CI, 3.9 to 5.9). Dose reductions and permanent discontinuation were necessary in 35 (21.5%) and 7 (4.3%) patients, respectively. Efficacy seems to be influenced by PD-L1 expression and a co-occurring KEAP1 mutation. KEAP1 was associated with an inferior survival. Other factors such as BM, STK11, and TP53 mutations had no impact on response and survival. CONCLUSION First results from a real-world population confirm promising efficacy of sotorasib for the treatment of advanced KRAS p.G12C-mutated NSCLC. Patients with co-occurring KEAP1 mutations seem to derive less benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan A Stratmann
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Friederike C Althoff
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Paula Doebel
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Rauh
- Hospital Witten, Medical Specialist Center of Internal Medicine, Witten, Germany
| | - Arne Trummer
- Municipal Clinic Braunschweig, Medical Specialist Center of Hematology/Oncology, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Nikolaj Frost
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Petros Christopoulos
- University Hospital Heidelberg, Thoraxklinik Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg, member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Germany
| | - Oswald Burkhard
- Medical Specialist Center of Internal Medicine, Hematology Oncology, Palliative Medicine in Worms, Worms, Germany
| | | | - Aaron Becker von Rose
- Technical University Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Medical Department for Haematology and Oncology, Munich, Germany
| | - Jürgen Alt
- University Medical Center Mainz, Department of Internal Medicine III, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Maximilian Webendörfer
- University Hospital Essen, West German Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Essen, Germany
| | - Stefan Kaldune
- RoMed Clinic Rosenheim, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Rosenheim, Germany
| | - Mark Uhlenbruch
- Kaiserswerther Diakonie Florence-Nightingale-Hospital Düsseldorf, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Guergana Tritchkova
- University Hospital Dresden, TU Dresden, Clinic for Internal Medicine I, Dresden, Germany
| | - Cornelius F Waller
- University of Freiburg, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Department of Haematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Petra Hoffknecht
- Niels-Stensen-Kliniken Franziskus Hospital Harderberg, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Hardenberg, Germany
| | - Jan Braess
- Hospital Barmherzige Brüder Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Kopp
- Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | - Monica Schäfer
- Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring GmbH, Lungenklinik Heckeshorn, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Schumann
- Klinikverbund Allgäu gGmbH, Clinic for Pneumology, Thoracic Oncology, Sleep and Respiratory Medicine, Kempten and Immenstadt, Germany
| | - Frank Griesinger
- Pius-Hospital, University Medicine Oldenburg, Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Department Internal Medicine-Oncology, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Kuon
- Lungenklinik Löwenstein, Department of Oncology, Löwenstein, Germany
| | - Martin Sebastian
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine II, Hematology/Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Campillo-Marcos I, Casado-Pelaez M, Davalos V, Ferrer G, Mata C, Mereu E, Roué G, Valcárcel D, Molero A, Zamora L, Xicoy B, Palomo L, Acha P, Manzanares A, Tobiasson M, Hellström-Lindberg E, Solé F, Esteller M. Single-cell Multiomics Analysis of Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Clinical Response to Hypomethylating Therapy. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:365-377. [PMID: 38300528 PMCID: PMC10860538 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Alterations in epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation, represent a hallmark of cancer that has been successfully exploited for therapy in myeloid malignancies. Hypomethylating agents (HMA), such as azacitidine, have become standard-of-care therapy to treat myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), myeloid neoplasms that can evolve into acute myeloid leukemia. However, our capacity to identify who will respond to HMAs, and the duration of response, remains limited. To shed light on this question, we have leveraged the unprecedented analytic power of single-cell technologies to simultaneously map the genome and immunoproteome of MDS samples throughout clinical evolution. We were able to chart the architecture and evolution of molecular clones in precious paired bone marrow MDS samples at diagnosis and posttreatment to show that a combined imbalance of specific cell lineages with diverse mutational profiles is associated with the clinical response of patients with MDS to hypomethylating therapy. SIGNIFICANCE MDS are myeloid clonal hemopathies with a low 5-year survival rate, and approximately half of the cases do not respond to standard HMA therapy. Our innovative single-cell multiomics approach offers valuable biological insights and potential biomarkers associated with the demethylating agent efficacy. It also identifies vulnerabilities that can be targeted using personalized combinations of small drugs and antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Campillo-Marcos
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Casado-Pelaez
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Veronica Davalos
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Gerardo Ferrer
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Caterina Mata
- Single Cell Unit, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Elisabetta Mereu
- Cellular Systems Genomics Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Gael Roué
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - David Valcárcel
- Department of Hematology, Experimental Hematology Group, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Antonieta Molero
- Department of Hematology, Experimental Hematology Group, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Lurdes Zamora
- Department of Hematology, ICO-IJC-Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, UAB, Badalona, Spain
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes Research Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Blanca Xicoy
- Department of Hematology, ICO-IJC-Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, UAB, Badalona, Spain
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes Research Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Laura Palomo
- Department of Hematology, Experimental Hematology Group, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes Research Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Pamela Acha
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes Research Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ana Manzanares
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes Research Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Magnus Tobiasson
- Department of Medicine, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Medical Unit Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Hellström-Lindberg
- Department of Medicine, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Medical Unit Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francesc Solé
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes Research Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Xiao YC, Chen FE. The vinyl sulfone motif as a structural unit for novel drug design and discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:239-251. [PMID: 37978948 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2284201] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vinyl sulfones are a special sulfur-containing structural unit that have attracted considerable attention, owing to their important role in serving as key structural motifs of various biologically active compounds as well as serving as versatile building blocks for organic transformations. The synthetic strategy of vinyl sulfone derivatives has been substantially upgraded over the past 30 years, and the wide application of this functional group in drug design and discovery has been promoted. AREA COVERED In this review, the authors review the application of vinyl sulfones in drug discovery and select optimized compounds which might have significant impact or potential inspiration for drug design. EXPERT OPINION Vinyl sulfones have been reported to target various macromolecular targets via non-covalent or covalent interactions, including multiple kinases, tubulin, cysteine protease, transcription factor, and so on. Thus, it has been significantly applied as a privileged scaffold in the design of anticancer, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective agents. However, much work remains to be done to improve the drug-like properties, such as chemical and metabolic stability, ADME, and toxicity. Besides, the chemical space of vinyl sulfones needs to be expanded, including but not limited to the design of constrained endocyclic and exocyclic vinyl sulfones.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Cai Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Ministry of Education and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fen-Er Chen
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Ministry of Education and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Center of Catalysis and Synthesis for Chiral Molecules, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Wang P, Laster K, Jia X, Dong Z, Liu K. Targeting CRAF kinase in anti-cancer therapy: progress and opportunities. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:208. [PMID: 38111008 PMCID: PMC10726672 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01903-x] [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: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade is commonly dysregulated in human malignancies by processes driven by RAS or RAF oncogenes. Among the members of the RAF kinase family, CRAF plays an important role in the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway, as well as in the progression of cancer. Recent research has provided evidence implicating the role of CRAF in the physiological regulation and the resistance to BRAF inhibitors through MAPK-dependent and MAPK-independent mechanisms. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of solely targeting CRAF kinase activity remains controversial. Moreover, the kinase-independent function of CRAF may be essential for lung cancers with KRAS mutations. It is imperative to develop strategies to enhance efficacy and minimize toxicity in tumors driven by RAS or RAF oncogenes. The review investigates CRAF alterations observed in cancers and unravels the distinct roles of CRAF in cancers propelled by diverse oncogenes. This review also seeks to summarize CRAF-interacting proteins and delineate CRAF's regulation across various cancer hallmarks. Additionally, we discuss recent advances in pan-RAF inhibitors and their combination with other therapeutic approaches to improve treatment outcomes and minimize adverse effects in patients with RAF/RAS-mutant tumors. By providing a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted role of CRAF in cancers and highlighting the latest developments in RAF inhibitor therapies, we endeavor to identify synergistic targets and elucidate resistance pathways, setting the stage for more robust and safer combination strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penglei Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Kyle Laster
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xuechao Jia
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Zigang Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, AMS, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, AMS, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
- Basic Medicine Sciences Research Center, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
- Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
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9
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Zhou X, Fu D, Yang H, Le C, Lu Y, Wei J, Tang Y, Zhang J, Yuan Y, Ding K, Xiao Q. Rigosertib promotes anti-tumor immunity via autophagic degradation of PD-L1 in colorectal cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2023; 577:216422. [PMID: 37805162 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216422] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Rigosertib (RGS) is a benzyl styryl sulfone which exhibits impressive cytotoxicity in cancer cells. However, its modulating effect on tumor immune microenvironment remains elusive. In our experiments, compared with immunodeficient mouse model, increased tumor growth arrest and robust anti-tumor immunity were observed in RGS-treated colorectal cancer (CRC) isograft tumors in immunocompetent mice. Intriguingly, RGS markedly down-regulated programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in both vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, RGS increased autophagic vacuole number in CRC cells as seen by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence. Moreover, increased LC3-II level and tandem-mRFP- GFP- LC3 labeled vacuole accumulation demonstrated RGS-induced autophagic flux. Mechanistically, it is the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase-UNC-51-like kinase 1 (AMPK-ULK1) axis, rather than the canonical mTOR signaling pathway, that plays a pivotal role in RGS-induced autophagy. AMPK-ULK1 dependent autophagy inhibition, by either short interfering RNA or chemical inhibitors, blocked RGS-induced PD-L1 degradation. Finally, RGS exhibited synergistic anti-tumor activity with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 monoclonal antibody in the CRC isograft model. Furthermore, apart from the immunomodulatory effect, we also confirmed the direct cytotoxicity of RGS in inducing mitochondria-related apoptosis. Altogether, considering its PD-L1 inhibitory and cytotoxic effects, RGS could be a promising drug for CRC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Zhou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Medical Research and Innovation in Digestive System Tumors, Ministry of Education, China; Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for CANCER, China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Dongliang Fu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Medical Research and Innovation in Digestive System Tumors, Ministry of Education, China; Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for CANCER, China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Hang Yang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Medical Research and Innovation in Digestive System Tumors, Ministry of Education, China; Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for CANCER, China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Chenqin Le
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Medical Research and Innovation in Digestive System Tumors, Ministry of Education, China; Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for CANCER, China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Yier Lu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China
| | - Jingsun Wei
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Medical Research and Innovation in Digestive System Tumors, Ministry of Education, China; Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for CANCER, China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Yang Tang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Medical Research and Innovation in Digestive System Tumors, Ministry of Education, China; Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for CANCER, China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Jiawei Zhang
- Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China; Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China
| | - Ying Yuan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China.
| | - Kefeng Ding
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Medical Research and Innovation in Digestive System Tumors, Ministry of Education, China; Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for CANCER, China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
| | - Qian Xiao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education), The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Medical Research and Innovation in Digestive System Tumors, Ministry of Education, China; Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for CANCER, China; Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
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10
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Jagadeeshan S, Novoplansky OZ, Cohen O, Kurth I, Hess J, Rosenberg AJ, Grandis JR, Elkabets M. New insights into RAS in head and neck cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188963. [PMID: 37619805 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188963] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
RAS genes are known to be dysregulated in cancer for several decades, and substantial effort has been dedicated to develop agents that reduce RAS expression or block RAS activation. The recent introduction of RAS inhibitors for cancer patients highlights the importance of comprehending RAS alterations in head and neck cancer (HNC). In this regard, we examine the published findings on RAS alterations and pathway activations in HNC, and summarize their role in HNC initiation, progression, and metastasis. Specifically, we focus on the intrinsic role of mutated-RAS on tumor cell signaling and its extrinsic role in determining tumor-microenvironment (TME) heterogeneity, including promoting angiogenesis and enhancing immune escape. Lastly, we summarize the intrinsic and extrinsic role of RAS alterations on therapy resistance to outline the potential of targeting RAS using a single agent or in combination with other therapeutic agents for HNC patients with RAS-activated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sankar Jagadeeshan
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
| | - Ofra Z Novoplansky
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
| | - Oded Cohen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology, Soroka Medical Center, Beersheva, Israel.
| | - Ina Kurth
- Division of Radiooncology-Radiobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Jochen Hess
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Molecular Mechanisms of Head and Neck Tumors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Ari J Rosenberg
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Jennifer R Grandis
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
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11
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Ghorbanzadeh Neghab M, Jalili-Nik M, Soltani A, Afshari AR, Hassanian SM, Rafatpanah H, Rezaee SA, Sadeghnia HR, Ataei Azimi S, Mashkani B. Rigosertib is more potent than wortmannin and rapamycin against adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma. Biofactors 2023; 49:1174-1188. [PMID: 37345860 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection can cause adult T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (ATLL), an incurable, chemotherapy-resistant malignancy. In a quest for new therapeutic targets, our study sought to determine the levels of AKT, mTOR, and PI3K in ATLL MT-2 cells, HTLV-1 infected NIH/3T3 cells (Inf-3T3), and HTLV-1 infected patients (Carrier, HAM/TSP, and ATLL). Furthermore, the effects of rigosertib, wortmannin, and rapamycin on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to inhibit the proliferation of ATLL cells were examined. The results showed that mRNA expression of Akt/PI3K/mTOR was down-regulated in carrier, HAM/TSP, and ATLL patients, as well as MT-2, and Inf-3T3 cells, compared to the healthy individuals and untreated MT-2 and Inf-3T3 as controls. However, western blotting revealed an increase in the phosphorylated and activated forms of AKT and mTOR. Treating the cells with rapamycin, wortmannin, and rigosertib decreased the phosphorylated forms of Akt and mTOR and restored their mRNA expression levels. Using these inhibitors also significantly boosted the expression of the pro-apoptotic genes, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio as well as the expression of the tumor suppressor gene p53 in the MT-2 and Inf-3T3cells. Rigosertib was more potent than wortmannin and rapamycin in inducing sub-G1 and G2-M cell cycle arrest, as well as late apoptosis in the Inf-3T3 and MT-2 cells. It also synergized the cytotoxic effects of vincristine. These findings demonstrate that HTLV-1 downregulation of the mRNA level may occur as a negative feedback response to increased PI3K-Akt-mTOR phosphorylation by HTLV-1. Therefore, using rigosertib alone or in combination with common chemotherapy drugs may be beneficial in ATLL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Jalili-Nik
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Arash Soltani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir R Afshari
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Houshang Rafatpanah
- Department of Medical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Abdolrahim Rezaee
- Department of Medical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid R Sadeghnia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sajad Ataei Azimi
- Department of Hematology Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Baratali Mashkani
- Bioinformatics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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12
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Lim TKH, Skoulidis F, Kerr KM, Ahn MJ, Kapp JR, Soares FA, Yatabe Y. KRAS G12C in advanced NSCLC: Prevalence, co-mutations, and testing. Lung Cancer 2023; 184:107293. [PMID: 37683526 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2023.107293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
KRAS is the most commonly mutated oncogene in advanced, non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Western countries. Of the various KRAS mutants, KRAS G12C is the most common variant (~40%), representing 10-13% of advanced non-squamous NSCLC. Recent regulatory approvals of the KRASG12C-selective inhibitors sotorasib and adagrasib for patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC harboring KRASG12C have transformed KRAS into a druggable target. In this review, we explore the evolving role of KRAS from a prognostic to a predictive biomarker in advanced NSCLC, discussing KRAS G12C biology, real-world prevalence, clinical relevance of co-mutations, and approaches to molecular testing. Real-world evidence demonstrates significant geographic differences in KRAS G12C prevalence (8.9-19.5% in the US, 9.3-18.4% in Europe, 6.9-9.0% in Latin America, and 1.4-4.3% in Asia) in advanced NSCLC. Additionally, the body of clinical data pertaining to KRAS G12C co-mutations such as STK11, KEAP1, and TP53 is increasing. In real-world evidence, KRAS G12C-mutant NSCLC was associated with STK11, KEAP1, and TP53 co-mutations in 10.3-28.0%, 6.3-23.0%, and 17.8-50.0% of patients, respectively. Whilst sotorasib and adagrasib are currently approved for use in the second-line setting and beyond for patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC, testing and reporting of the KRAS G12C variant should be included in routine biomarker testing prior to first-line therapy. KRAS G12C test results should be clearly documented in patients' health records for actionability at progression. Where available, next-generation sequencing is recommended to facilitate simultaneous testing of potentially actionable biomarkers in a single run to conserve tissue. Results from molecular testing should inform clinical decisions in treating patients with KRAS G12C-mutated advanced NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ferdinandos Skoulidis
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Keith M Kerr
- Department of Pathology, Aberdeen University Medical School and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Myung-Ju Ahn
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Fernando A Soares
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), São Paulo, Brazil; Faculty of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Yasushi Yatabe
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan.
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13
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Di Federico A, Ricciotti I, Favorito V, Michelina SV, Scaparone P, Metro G, De Giglio A, Pecci F, Lamberti G, Ambrogio C, Ricciuti B. Resistance to KRAS G12C Inhibition in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 2023; 25:1017-1029. [PMID: 37378881 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-023-01436-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Although the recent development of direct KRASG12C inhibitors (G12Ci) has improved outcomes in KRAS mutant cancers, responses occur only in a fraction of patients, and among responders acquired resistance invariably develops over time. Therefore, the characterization of the determinants of acquired resistance is crucial to inform treatment strategies and to identify novel therapeutic vulnerabilities that can be exploited for drug development. RECENT FINDINGS Mechanisms of acquired resistance to G12Ci are heterogenous including both on-target and off-target resistance. On-target acquired resistance includes secondary codon 12 KRAS mutations, but also acquired codon 13 and codon 61 alterations, and mutations at drug binding sites. Off-target acquired resistance can derive from activating mutations in KRAS downstream pathway (e.g., MEK1), acquired oncogenic fusions (EML4-ALK, CCDC176-RET), gene level copy gain (e.g., MET amplification), or oncogenic alterations in other pro-proliferative and antiapoptotic pathways (e.g., FGFR3, PTEN, NRAS). In a fraction of patients, histologic transformation can also contribute to the development of acquire resistance. We provided a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms that limit the efficacy of this G12i and reviewed potential strategies to overcome and possibly delay the development of resistance in patients receiving KRAS directed targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Di Federico
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Ricciotti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Favorito
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sandra Vietti Michelina
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology, Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Pietro Scaparone
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology, Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Giulio Metro
- Medical Oncology, Santa Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Piazzale Giorgio Menghini, 1, 06129, Perugia, Italy
| | - Andrea De Giglio
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Pecci
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Giuseppe Lamberti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Ambrogio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology, Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Biagio Ricciuti
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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14
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Hu R, Lu M, She L. Integrated analysis of diagnostic, prognostic value and potential drug treatment of GSDME in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2023; 280:4239-4253. [PMID: 37204444 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-023-08022-9] [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: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) poses a global health challenge. Effective biomarkers for early detection are necessary to improve the survival rate of HNSC patient. The purpose of this study was using integrated bioinformatic analysis to investigate the potential biological roles of GSDME in HNSC. METHODS The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Cancer Gnome Atlas (TCGA) databases were used to analyze the expression of GSDME in different cancer types. The correlation between GSDME expression and immune cell infiltration or immune checkpoint genes was examined by Spearman correlation analysis. DNA methylation analysis of the GSDME gene was conducted using the MethSurv database. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curves, diagnostic receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, nomogram model, and Cox regression analysis were chosen to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic predictive value of GSDME. Connectivity Map (Cmap) online platform, Protein Data Bank (PDB) database and Chem3D, AutoDock Tool and PyMol software were used to predict and visualize potential molecular drugs aimed for GSDME. RESULTS GSDME expression level in HNSC was significantly higher than in the controls (p < 0.001). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) correlation with GSDME were enriched in the GO pathways, such as protein activation cascade, complement activation and classical pathway (p < 0.05). According to GSEA, GSDME-associated differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in KRAS signaling pathway and cytokine signaling molecule (p < 0.05). There is a significant relation between GSDME expression and immune cell infiltration in HNSC tissues, as well as immune checkpoint genes expression (p < 0.001). DNA methylation status of cg17790129 CpG islands of GSDME gene is correlated with HNSC prognosis (p < 0.05). Based on Cox regression analysis of HNSC patients, GSDME as a potential risk gene has high correlation with overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS) (p < 0.05). In a ROC curve analysis, HNSC tissues were differentiated from adjacent peritumoral tissues based on GSDME expression levels (AUC = 0.928). Totally six potential drugs targeted for GSDME were screened and the molecular docking tests between GSDME protein and candidate drugs were conducted. CONCLUSIONS GSDME is a promising therapeutic target as well as a potential clinical biomarker in HNSC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rulong Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (Xiangya Hospital), 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Mingshui Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (Xiangya Hospital), 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Li She
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- Otolaryngology Major Disease Research Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (Xiangya Hospital), 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
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15
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Rawat V, DeLear P, Prashanth P, Ozgurses ME, Tebeje A, Burns PA, Conger KO, Solís C, Hasnain Y, Novikova A, Endress JE, González-Sánchez P, Dong W, Stephanopoulos G, DeNicola GM, Harris IS, Sept D, Mason FM, Coloff JL. Drug screening in human physiologic medium identifies uric acid as an inhibitor of rigosertib efficacy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.26.550731. [PMID: 37546939 PMCID: PMC10402161 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.26.550731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The non-physiological nutrient levels found in traditional culture media have been shown to affect numerous aspects of cancer cell physiology, including how cells respond to certain therapeutic agents. Here, we comprehensively evaluated how physiological nutrient levels impact therapeutic response by performing drug screening in human plasma-like medium (HPLM). We observed dramatic nutrient-dependent changes in sensitivity to a variety of FDA-approved and clinically trialed compounds, including rigosertib, an experimental cancer therapeutic that has recently failed in phase 3 clinical trials. Mechanistically, we found that the ability of rigosertib to destabilize microtubules is strongly inhibited by the purine metabolism waste product uric acid, which is uniquely abundant in humans relative to traditional in vitro and in vivo cancer models. Structural modelling studies suggest that uric acid interacts with the tubulin-rigosertib complex and may act as an uncompetitive inhibitor of rigosertib. These results offer a possible explanation for the failure of rigosertib in clinical trials and demonstrate the utility of physiological media to achieve in vitro results that better represent human therapeutic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin Rawat
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Patrick DeLear
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Prarthana Prashanth
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Mete Emir Ozgurses
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Anteneh Tebeje
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Philippa A. Burns
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Kelly O. Conger
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Christopher Solís
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
| | - Yasir Hasnain
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Anna Novikova
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
| | | | | | - Wentao Dong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
| | - Greg Stephanopoulos
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
| | - Gina M. DeNicola
- Department of Metabolism and Physiology, H. Lee. Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Isaac S. Harris
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - David Sept
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Frank M. Mason
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Jonathan L. Coloff
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL
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16
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Gerke MB, Christodoulou I, Karantanos T. Definitions, Biology, and Current Therapeutic Landscape of Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3815. [PMID: 37568631 PMCID: PMC10417399 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN) are hematological disorders characterized by both proliferative and dysplastic features. According to the 2022 International Consensus Classification (ICC), MDS/MPN consists of clonal monocytosis of undetermined significance (CMUS), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML), MDS/MPN with SF3B1 mutation (MDS/MPN-T-SF3B1), MDS/MPN with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis not otherwise specified (MDS/MPN-RS-T-NOS), and MDS/MPN-NOS. These disorders exhibit a diverse range of genetic alterations involving various transcription factors (e.g., RUNX1), signaling molecules (e.g., NRAS, JAK2), splicing factors (e.g., SF3B, SRSF2), and epigenetic regulators (e.g., TET2, ASXL1, DNMT3A), as well as specific cytogenetic abnormalities (e.g., 8 trisomies, 7 deletions/monosomies). Clinical studies exploring therapeutic options for higher-risk MDS/MPN overlap syndromes mostly involve hypomethylating agents, but other treatments such as lenalidomide and targeted agents such as JAK inhibitors and inhibitors targeting PARP, histone deacetylases, and the Ras pathway are under investigation. While these treatment modalities can provide partial disease control, allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) is the only potentially curative option for patients. Important prognostic factors correlating with outcomes after allo-BMT include comorbidities, splenomegaly, karyotype alterations, and the bone marrow blasts percentage at the time of transplantation. Future research is imperative to optimizing therapeutic strategies and enhancing patient outcomes in MDS/MPN neoplasms. In this review, we summarize MDS/MPN diagnostic criteria, biology, and current and future treatment options, including bone marrow transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margo B. Gerke
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Ilias Christodoulou
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
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17
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Escher TE, Satchell KJF. RAS degraders: The new frontier for RAS-driven cancers. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1904-1919. [PMID: 36945775 PMCID: PMC10362401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.017] [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: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The function and significance of RAS proteins in cancer have been widely studied for decades. In 2013, the National Cancer Institute established the RAS Initiative to explore innovative approaches for attacking the proteins encoded by mutant forms of RAS genes and to create effective therapies for RAS-driven cancers. This initiative spurred researchers to develop novel approaches and to discover small molecules targeting this protein that was at one time termed "undruggable." More recently, advanced efforts in RAS degraders including PROTACs, linker-based degraders, and direct proteolysis degraders have been explored as novel strategies to target RAS for cancer treatment. These RAS degraders present new opportunities for RAS therapies and may prove fruitful in understanding basic cell biology. Novel delivery strategies will further enhance the efficacy of these therapeutics. In this review, we summarize recent efforts to develop RAS degraders, including PROTACs and E3 adaptor and ligase fusions as cancer therapies. This review also details the direct RAS protease degrader, RAS/RAP1-specific endopeptidase that directly and specifically cleaves RAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor E Escher
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Research Center, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Karla J F Satchell
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Research Center, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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18
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Yin G, Huang J, Petela J, Jiang H, Zhang Y, Gong S, Wu J, Liu B, Shi J, Gao Y. Targeting small GTPases: emerging grasps on previously untamable targets, pioneered by KRAS. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:212. [PMID: 37221195 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01441-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Small GTPases including Ras, Rho, Rab, Arf, and Ran are omnipresent molecular switches in regulating key cellular functions. Their dysregulation is a therapeutic target for tumors, neurodegeneration, cardiomyopathies, and infection. However, small GTPases have been historically recognized as "undruggable". Targeting KRAS, one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes, has only come into reality in the last decade due to the development of breakthrough strategies such as fragment-based screening, covalent ligands, macromolecule inhibitors, and PROTACs. Two KRASG12C covalent inhibitors have obtained accelerated approval for treating KRASG12C mutant lung cancer, and allele-specific hotspot mutations on G12D/S/R have been demonstrated as viable targets. New methods of targeting KRAS are quickly evolving, including transcription, immunogenic neoepitopes, and combinatory targeting with immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the vast majority of small GTPases and hotspot mutations remain elusive, and clinical resistance to G12C inhibitors poses new challenges. In this article, we summarize diversified biological functions, shared structural properties, and complex regulatory mechanisms of small GTPases and their relationships with human diseases. Furthermore, we review the status of drug discovery for targeting small GTPases and the most recent strategic progress focused on targeting KRAS. The discovery of new regulatory mechanisms and development of targeting approaches will together promote drug discovery for small GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Yin
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
| | - Jing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Johnny Petela
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
| | - Hongmei Jiang
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Yuetong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Siqi Gong
- The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Jiaxin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Bei Liu
- National Biomedical Imaging Center, School of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Yijun Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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19
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Harwood SJ, Smith CR, Lawson JD, Ketcham JM. Selected Approaches to Disrupting Protein-Protein Interactions within the MAPK/RAS Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087373. [PMID: 37108538 PMCID: PMC10139024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the MAPK/RAS pathway, there exists a plethora of protein-protein interactions (PPIs). For many years, scientists have focused efforts on drugging KRAS and its effectors in hopes to provide much needed therapies for patients with KRAS-mutant driven cancers. In this review, we focus on recent strategies to inhibit RAS-signaling via disrupting PPIs associated with SOS1, RAF, PDEδ, Grb2, and RAS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - J David Lawson
- Mirati Therapeutics, 3545 Cray Court, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - John M Ketcham
- Mirati Therapeutics, 3545 Cray Court, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
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20
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Monfort-Vengut A, de Cárcer G. Lights and Shadows on the Cancer Multi-Target Inhibitor Rigosertib (ON-01910.Na). Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041232. [PMID: 37111716 PMCID: PMC10145883 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rigosertib (ON-01910.Na) is a small-molecule member of the novel synthetic benzyl-styryl-sulfonate family. It is currently in phase III clinical trials for several myelodysplastic syndromes and leukemias and is therefore close to clinical translation. The clinical progress of rigosertib has been hampered by a lack of understanding of its mechanism of action, as it is currently considered a multi-target inhibitor. Rigosertib was first described as an inhibitor of the mitotic master regulator Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1). However, in recent years, some studies have shown that rigosertib may also interact with the PI3K/Akt pathway, act as a Ras-Raf binding mimetic (altering the Ras signaling pathway), as a microtubule destabilizing agent, or as an activator of a stress-induced phospho-regulatory circuit that ultimately hyperphosphorylates and inactivates Ras signaling effectors. Understanding the mechanism of action of rigosertib has potential clinical implications worth exploring, as it may help to tailor cancer therapies and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Monfort-Vengut
- Cell Cycle and Cancer Biomarkers Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (IIBM) CSIC-UAM, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo de Cárcer
- Cell Cycle and Cancer Biomarkers Group, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (IIBM) CSIC-UAM, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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21
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Rodriguez-Sevilla JJ, Adema V, Garcia-Manero G, Colla S. Emerging treatments for myelodysplastic syndromes: Biological rationales and clinical translation. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:100940. [PMID: 36787738 PMCID: PMC9975331 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.100940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by myeloid dysplasia, peripheral blood cytopenias, and increased risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The standard of care for patients with MDS is hypomethylating agent (HMA)-based therapy; however, nearly 50% of patients have no response to the treatment. Patients with MDS in whom HMA therapy has failed have a dismal prognosis and no approved second-line therapy options, so enrollment in clinical trials of experimental agents represents these patients' only chance for improved outcomes. A better understanding of the molecular and biological mechanisms underpinning MDS pathogenesis has enabled the development of new agents that target molecular alterations, cell death regulators, signaling pathways, and immune regulatory proteins in MDS. Here, we review novel therapies for patients with MDS in whom HMA therapy has failed, with an emphasis on the biological rationale for these therapies' development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vera Adema
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Guillermo Garcia-Manero
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Simona Colla
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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22
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Ismail M, Martin SR, George R, Houghton F, Kelly G, Chaleil RAG, Anastasiou P, Wang X, O'Reilly N, Federico S, Joshi D, Nagaraj H, Cooley R, Hui NS, Molina-Arcas M, Hancock DC, Tavassoli A, Downward J. Characterisation of a cyclic peptide that binds to the RAS binding domain of phosphoinositide 3-kinase p110α. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1889. [PMID: 36732563 PMCID: PMC9894841 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28756-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
P110α is a member of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) enzyme family that functions downstream of RAS. RAS proteins contribute to the activation of p110α by interacting directly with its RAS binding domain (RBD), resulting in the promotion of many cellular functions such as cell growth, proliferation and survival. Previous work from our lab has highlighted the importance of the p110α/RAS interaction in tumour initiation and growth. Here we report the discovery and characterisation of a cyclic peptide inhibitor (cyclo-CRVLIR) that interacts with the p110α-RBD and blocks its interaction with KRAS. cyclo-CRVLIR was discovered by screening a "split-intein cyclisation of peptides and proteins" (SICLOPPS) cyclic peptide library. The primary cyclic peptide hit from the screen initially showed a weak affinity for the p110α-RBD (Kd about 360 µM). However, two rounds of amino acid substitution led to cyclo-CRVLIR, with an improved affinity for p110α-RBD in the low µM (Kd 3 µM). We show that cyclo-CRVLIR binds selectively to the p110α-RBD but not to KRAS or the structurally-related RAF-RBD. Further, using biophysical, biochemical and cellular assays, we show that cyclo-CRVLIR effectively blocks the p110α/KRAS interaction in a dose dependent manner and reduces phospho-AKT levels in several oncogenic KRAS cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ismail
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Stephen R Martin
- Structural Biology, Science Technology Platforms, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Roger George
- Structural Biology, Science Technology Platforms, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Francesca Houghton
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Geoff Kelly
- Structural Biology, Science Technology Platforms, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Raphaël A G Chaleil
- Biomolecular Modelling Lab, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Panayiotis Anastasiou
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Xinyue Wang
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Nicola O'Reilly
- Peptide Chemistry, Science Technology Platforms, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Stefania Federico
- Peptide Chemistry, Science Technology Platforms, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Dhira Joshi
- Peptide Chemistry, Science Technology Platforms, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Hemavathi Nagaraj
- Peptide Chemistry, Science Technology Platforms, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Rachel Cooley
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ning Sze Hui
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Miriam Molina-Arcas
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - David C Hancock
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ali Tavassoli
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Julian Downward
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
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23
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Another Brick to Confirm the Efficacy of Rigosertib as Anticancer Agent. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021721. [PMID: 36675237 PMCID: PMC9866497 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Rigosertib is a small molecule in preclinical development that, due to its characteristics as a dual PLK1 and PI3K inhibitor, is particularly effective in counteracting the advance of different types of tumors. In this work, we evaluated the efficacy of Rigosertib and the expression of p53 in five different human tumor cell lines in vitro, A549 (lung adenocarcinoma), MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 (breast cancer cells), RPMI 8226 (multiple myeloma), and U87-MG (glioblastoma). We demonstrated that in all cell lines, the effect was dose- and time-dependent, but A549 cells were the most sensible to the treatment while higher concentrations were required for the most resistant cell line U87-MG. Moreover, the highest and lowest p53 levels have been observed, respectively, in A459 and U87-MG cells. The alterations in the cell cycle and in cell-cycle-related proteins were observed in A549 at lower concentrations than U87-MG. In conclusion, with this article we have demonstrated that Rigosertib has different efficacy depending on the cell line considered and that it could be a potential antineoplastic agent against lung cancer in humans.
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24
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Yang H, Zhou X, Fu D, Le C, Wang J, Zhou Q, Liu X, Yuan Y, Ding K, Xiao Q. Targeting RAS mutants in malignancies: successes, failures, and reasons for hope. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2023; 43:42-74. [PMID: 36316602 PMCID: PMC9859734 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
RAS genes are the most frequently mutated oncogenes and play critical roles in the development and progression of malignancies. The mutation, isoform (KRAS, HRAS, and NRAS), position, and type of substitution vary depending on the tissue types. Despite decades of developing RAS-targeted therapies, only small subsets of these inhibitors are clinically effective, such as the allele-specific inhibitors against KRASG12C . Targeting the remaining RAS mutants would require further experimental elucidation of RAS signal transduction, RAS-altered metabolism, and the associated immune microenvironment. This study reviews the mechanisms and efficacy of novel targeted therapies for different RAS mutants, including KRAS allele-specific inhibitors, combination therapies, immunotherapies, and metabolism-associated therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Yang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and OncologyKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and InterventionMinistry of EducationThe Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310009P. R. China
| | - Xinyi Zhou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and OncologyKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and InterventionMinistry of EducationThe Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310009P. R. China
| | - Dongliang Fu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and OncologyKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and InterventionMinistry of EducationThe Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310009P. R. China
| | - Chenqin Le
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and OncologyKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and InterventionMinistry of EducationThe Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310009P. R. China
| | - Jiafeng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Gastroenterology of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310058P. R. China
| | - Quan Zhou
- Department of Cell BiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058P. R. China
| | - Xiangrui Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Gastroenterology of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310058P. R. China
- Cancer CenterZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058P. R. China
| | - Ying Yuan
- Department of Medical Oncologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310058P. R. China
| | - Kefeng Ding
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and OncologyKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and InterventionMinistry of EducationThe Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310009P. R. China
- Cancer CenterZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058P. R. China
| | - Qian Xiao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and OncologyKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and InterventionMinistry of EducationThe Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310009P. R. China
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25
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Singh G, Thakur N, Kumar U. RAS: Circuitry and therapeutic targeting. Cell Signal 2023; 101:110505. [PMID: 36341985 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110505] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cancer has affected the lives of millions worldwide and is truly regarded as a devastating disease process. Despite advanced understanding of the genomic underpinning of cancer development and progression, therapeutic challenges are still persistent. Among all the human cancers, around 33% are attributed to mutations in RAS oncogene, a crucial component of the signaling pathways. With time, our understanding of RAS circuitry has improved and now the fact that it activates several downstream effectors, depending on the type and grades of cancer has been established. The circuitry is controlled via post-transcriptional mechanisms and frequent distortions in these mechanisms lead to important metabolic as well as immunological states that favor cancer cells' growth, survival, plasticity and metastasis. Therefore, understanding RAS circuitry can help researchers/clinicians to develop novel and potent therapeutics that, in turn, can save the lives of patients suffering from RAS-mutant cancers. There are many challenges presented by resistance and the potential strategies with a particular focus on novel combinations for overcoming these, that could move beyond transitory responses in the direction of treatment. Here in this review, we will look at how understanding the circuitry of RAS can be put to use in making strategies for developing therapeutics against RAS- driven malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagandeep Singh
- Department of Biosciences (UIBT), Chandigarh University, NH-05, Ludhiana - Chandigarh State Hwy, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab 140413, India
| | - Neelam Thakur
- Department of Biosciences (UIBT), Chandigarh University, NH-05, Ludhiana - Chandigarh State Hwy, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab 140413, India; Department of Zoology, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Government College Campus, Paddal, Kartarpur, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh 175001, India.
| | - Umesh Kumar
- School of Biosciences, Institute of Management Studies Ghaziabad (University Courses Campus), Adhyatmik Nagar, NH09, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201015, India.
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26
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De Vos N, Hofmans M, Lammens T, De Wilde B, Van Roy N, De Moerloose B. Targeted therapy in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia: Where are we now? Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29930. [PMID: 36094370 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a rare and aggressive clonal neoplasm of early childhood, classified as an overlap myeloproliferative/myelodysplastic neoplasm by the World Health Organization. In 90% of the patients with JMML, typical initiating mutations in the canonical Ras pathway genes NF1, PTPN11, NRAS, KRAS, and CBL can be identified. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) currently is the established standard of care in most patients, although long-term survival is still only 50-60%. Given the limited therapeutic options and the important morbidity and mortality associated with HSCT, new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Hyperactivation of the Ras pathway as disease mechanism in JMML lends itself to the use of targeted therapy. Targeted therapy could play an important role in the future treatment of patients with JMML. This review presents a comprehensive overview of targeted therapies already developed and evaluated in vitro and in vivo in patients with JMML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nele De Vos
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mattias Hofmans
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim Lammens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bram De Wilde
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nadine Van Roy
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.,Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Barbara De Moerloose
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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27
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Zhu Z, McGray AJR, Jiang W, Lu B, Kalinski P, Guo ZS. Improving cancer immunotherapy by rationally combining oncolytic virus with modulators targeting key signaling pathways. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:196. [PMID: 36221123 PMCID: PMC9554963 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01664-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) represent a new class of multi-modal immunotherapies for cancer, with OV-elicited antitumor immunity being key to their overall therapeutic efficacy. Currently, the clinical effectiveness of OV as monotherapy remains limited, and thus investigators have been exploring various combinations with other anti-cancer agents and demonstrated improved therapeutic efficacy. As cancer cells have evolved to alter key signaling pathways for enhanced cell proliferation, cancer progression and metastasis, these cellular and molecular changes offer promising targets for rational cancer therapy design. In this regard, key molecules in relevant signaling pathways for cancer cells or/and immune cells, such as EGFR-KRAS (e.g., KRASG12C), PI3K-AKT-mTOR, ERK-MEK, JAK-STAT, p53, PD-1-PD-L1, and epigenetic, or immune pathways (e.g., histone deacetylases, cGAS-STING) are currently under investigation and have the potential to synergize with OV to modulate the immune milieu of the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby improving and sustaining antitumor immunity. As many small molecule modulators of these signaling pathways have been developed and have shown strong therapeutic potential, here we review key findings related to both OV-mediated immunotherapy and the utility of small molecule modulators of signaling pathways in immuno-oncology. Then, we focus on discussion of the rationales and potential strategies for combining OV with selected modulators targeting key cellular signaling pathways in cancer or/and immune cells to modulate the TME and enhance antitumor immunity and therapeutic efficacy. Finally, we provide perspectives and viewpoints on the application of novel experimental systems and technologies that can propel this exciting branch of medicine into a bright future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Zhu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - A J Robert McGray
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Weijian Jiang
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Binfeng Lu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Pawel Kalinski
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - Zong Sheng Guo
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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Pallara C, Cabot D, Rivas J, Brun S, Seco J, Abuasaker B, Tarragó T, Jaumot M, Prades R, Agell N. Peptidomimetics designed to bind to RAS effector domain are promising cancer therapeutic compounds. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15810. [PMID: 36138080 PMCID: PMC9499927 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19703-6] [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: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic RAS proteins are important for driving tumour formation, and for maintenance of the transformed phenotype, and thus their relevance as a cancer therapeutic target is undeniable. We focused here on obtaining peptidomimetics, which have good pharmacological properties, to block Ras–effector interaction. Computational analysis was used to identify hot spots of RAS relevant for these interactions and to screen a library of peptidomimetics. Nine compounds were synthesized and assayed for their activity as RAS inhibitors in cultured cells. Most of them induced a reduction in ERK and AKT activation by EGF, a marker of RAS activity. The most potent inhibitor disrupted Raf and PI3K interaction with oncogenic KRAS, corroborating its mechanism of action as an inhibitor of protein–protein interactions, and thus validating our computational methodology. Most interestingly, improvement of one of the compounds allowed us to obtain a peptidomimetic that decreased the survival of pancreatic cancer cell lines harbouring oncogenic KRAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pallara
- Iproteos S.L., Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Debora Cabot
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Rivas
- Iproteos S.L., Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sonia Brun
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Seco
- Iproteos S.L., Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Baraa Abuasaker
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Tarragó
- Iproteos S.L., Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Jaumot
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roger Prades
- Iproteos S.L., Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Neus Agell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Spain. .,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
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29
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Zhang J, Zhang L, Wang J, Ouyang L, Wang Y. Polo-like Kinase 1 Inhibitors in Human Cancer Therapy: Development and Therapeutic Potential. J Med Chem 2022; 65:10133-10160. [PMID: 35878418 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) plays an important role in a variety of cellular functions, including the regulation of mitosis, DNA replication, autophagy, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). PLK1 overexpression is often associated with cell proliferation and poor prognosis in cancer patients, making it a promising antitumor target. To date, at least 10 PLK1 inhibitors (PLK1i) have been entered into clinical trials, among which the typical kinase domain (KD) inhibitor BI 6727 (volasertib) was granted "breakthrough therapy designation" by the FDA in 2013. Unfortunately, many other KD inhibitors showed poor specificity, resulting in dose-limiting toxicity, which has greatly impeded their development. Researchers recently discovered many PLK1i with higher selectivity, stronger potency, and better absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) characteristics. In this review, we emphasize the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of PLK1i, providing insights into new drugs targeting PLK1 for antitumor clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jifa Zhang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lele Zhang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis 38163, Tennessee, United States
| | - Liang Ouyang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
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30
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Qayum A, Singh J, Kumar A, Shah SM, Srivastava S, Kushwaha M, Magotra A, Nandi U, Malik R, Shah BA, Singh SK. 2-Pyridin-4-yl-methylene-beta-boswellic Acid-A Potential Candidate for Targeting O 6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase Epi-transcriptional Reprogramming in KRAS G13D-Microsatellite Stable, G12V-Microsatellite Instable Mutant Colon Cancer. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:306-320. [PMID: 35592435 PMCID: PMC9112411 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PMBA (2-Pyridin-4-yl-methylene-beta-boswellic acid), screened from among the 21 novel series of semisynthetic analogues of β-boswellic acid, is being presented as a lead compound for integrative management of KRAS mutant colorectal cancer (CRC), upon testing and analysis for its anticancerous activity on a panel of NCI-60 cancer cell lines and in vivo models of the disease. PMBA (1.7-29 μM) exhibited potent proliferation inhibition on the cell lines and showed sensitivity in microsatellite instability and microsatellite stable (GSE39582 and GSE92921) subsets of KRAS gene (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog)-mutated colon cell lines, as revealed via flow cytometry analysis. A considerable decrease in mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway downstream effectors was observed in the treated cell lines via the western blot and STRING (Search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins) analysis. PMBA was further found to target KRAS at its guanosine diphosphate site. Treatment of the cell lines with PMBA showed significant reduction in MGMT promoter methylation but restored MGMT (O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) messenger ribonucleic acid expression via significant demethylation of the hypermethylated CpG (Cytosine phosphate guanine) sites in the MGMT promoter. A significant decrease in dimethylated H3K9 (Dimethylation of lysine 9 on histone 3) levels in the MGMT promoter in DNA hypo- and hypermethylated HCT-116G13D and SW-620G12V cells was observed after treatment. In the MNU (N-methyl-N-nitrosourea)-induced CRC in vivo model, PMBA instillation restricted and repressed polyp formation, suppressed tumor proliferation marker Ki67 (Marker of proliferation), ablated KRAS-associated cytokine signaling, and decreased mortality. Clinical trial data for the parent molecule revealed its effectiveness against the disease, oral bioavailability, and system tolerance. Comprehensively, PMBA represents a new class of KRAS inhibitors having a therapeutic window in the scope of a drug candidate. The findings suggest that the PMBA analogue could inhibit the growth of human CRC in vivo through downregulation of cancer-associated biomarkers as well as reactivate expression of the MGMT gene associated with increased H3K9 acetylation and H3K4 methylation with facilitated transcriptional activation, which might be important in silencing of genes associated with upregulation in the activity of KRAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arem Qayum
- Cancer Pharmacology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, CSIR, Jammu 180001, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Jasvinder Singh
- Cancer Pharmacology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, CSIR, Jammu 180001, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Arvind Kumar
- Natural Product Microbes Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, CSIR, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Syed Mohmad Shah
- Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar 190001, India
| | - Shubham Srivastava
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Manoj Kushwaha
- Microbial Biotechnology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, CSIR, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Asmita Magotra
- PK-PD, Toxicology and Formulation Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, CSIR, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Utpal Nandi
- PK-PD, Toxicology and Formulation Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, CSIR, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Ruchi Malik
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Bhahwal Ali Shah
- Natural Product Microbes Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, CSIR, Jammu 180001, India
| | - Shashank Kumar Singh
- Cancer Pharmacology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, CSIR, Jammu 180001, India
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A Mechanistic Understanding of Monoclonal Antibody Interfacial Protection by Hydrolytically Degraded Polysorbate 20 and 80 under IV Bag Conditions. Pharm Res 2022; 39:563-575. [PMID: 35277841 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03217-x] [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: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Polysorbates (PS) contain polyoxyethylene (POE) sorbitan/isosorbide fatty acid esters that can partially hydrolyze over time in liquid drug products to generate degradants and a remaining intact PS fraction with a modified ester distribution. The degradants are composed of free fatty acids (FFAs) --primarily lauric acid for PS20 and oleic acid for PS80-- and POE head groups. We previously demonstrated that under IV bag agitation conditions, mAb1 (a surface-active IgG4) aggregation increased with increasing amounts of degradants for PS20 but not for PS80. The purpose of this work is to understand the mechanism behind this observation. METHODS The surface tension of the remaining intact PS fraction without degradants was modeled and compared with that of enzymatically degraded PS solutions. Next, mAb1 aggregation in saline was measured in the presence of laurate and oleate salts during static storage. Lastly, colloidal and conformational stability of mAb1 in the presence of these salts was investigated through differential scanning fluorimetry and dynamic light scattering under IV bag solution conditions. RESULTS The surface tension was primarily influenced by FFAs rather than the modified ester distribution of the remaining intact PS. MAb1 bulk aggregation increased in the presence of laurate but not oleate salts. Both salt types increased the melting temperature of mAb1 indicating FFA-mAb1 interactions. However, only laurate salt increased mAb1 self-association potentially explaining the higher aggregation propensity in its presence. CONCLUSION Our results help explain the observed differences between hydrolytically degraded PS20 and PS80 in affecting mAb1 aggregation under IV bag agitation conditions.
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Cucurull M, Notario L, Sanchez-Cespedes M, Hierro C, Estival A, Carcereny E, Saigí M. Targeting KRAS in Lung Cancer Beyond KRAS G12C Inhibitors: The Immune Regulatory Role of KRAS and Novel Therapeutic Strategies. Front Oncol 2022; 11:793121. [PMID: 35096591 PMCID: PMC8793278 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.793121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 20% of lung adenocarcinomas harbor KRAS mutations, an oncogene that drives tumorigenesis and has the ability to alter the immune system and the tumor immune microenvironment. While KRAS was considered “undruggable” for decades, specific KRAS G12C covalent inhibitors have recently emerged, although their promising results are limited to a subset of patients. Several other drugs targeting KRAS activation and downstream signaling pathways are currently under investigation in early-phase clinical trials. In addition, KRAS mutations can co-exist with other mutations in significant genes in cancer (e.g., STK11 and KEAP1) which induces tumor heterogeneity and promotes different responses to therapies. This review describes the molecular characterization of KRAS mutant lung cancers from a biologic perspective to its clinical implications. We aim to summarize the tumor heterogeneity of KRAS mutant lung cancers and its immune-regulatory role, to report the efficacy achieved with current immunotherapies, and to overview the therapeutic approaches targeting KRAS mutations besides KRAS G12C inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Cucurull
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Barcelona, Spain.,Badalona·Applied Research Group in Oncology (B·ARGO), Institut d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lucia Notario
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Barcelona, Spain.,Badalona·Applied Research Group in Oncology (B·ARGO), Institut d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Cinta Hierro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Barcelona, Spain.,Badalona·Applied Research Group in Oncology (B·ARGO), Institut d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Estival
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Barcelona, Spain.,Badalona·Applied Research Group in Oncology (B·ARGO), Institut d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Enric Carcereny
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Barcelona, Spain.,Badalona·Applied Research Group in Oncology (B·ARGO), Institut d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Saigí
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Barcelona, Spain.,Badalona·Applied Research Group in Oncology (B·ARGO), Institut d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain
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Haider K, Sharma A, Yar MS, Yakkala PA, Shafi S, Kamal A. Novel approaches for the development of direct KRAS inhibitors: structural insights and drug design. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:247-257. [PMID: 35084268 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2029842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hyperactivated RAS signaling is reported in 13% of all human cancers, in which ~80% resulted due to KRAS mutations alone. Direct inhibition of KRAS is an important aspect in treating KRAS-related tumors. Despite the efforts of more than four decades, not many KRAS inhibitors have been successful in obtaining clinical approval, except the very recent FDA approval for sotorasib. In recent years, the understanding of structural insights and allosteric pocket identification at catalytic sites of KRAS are likely to provide an excellent opportunity for the development of much more effective clinical candidates. AREA COVERED The presented review article mainly summarizes the developments of small molecule KRAS inhibitors as drug candidates and rational approaches that are being utilized for the selective targeting of KRAS signaling in the mutant cancer cells. EXPERT OPINION After the initial success in targeting the mutant KRAS G12C variants, the search has been shifted to address the challenges concerning the resistance and efficacy of small molecule KRAS inhibitors. However, the contribution of other KRAS mutations at G12V, G13C, and G13D variants causing cancers is much higher than the mutations at G12C. In view of this aspect, specific attention is required to target all other mutations as well. Accordingly, for the development of KRAS targeted therapies, the design of small molecule inhibitors that can inhibit KRAS signaling and as well as target inhibition of other signaling pathways like RAS-SOS and RAS-PI3K has to be explored extensively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kashif Haider
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Anku Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - M Shahar Yar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.,Centre for Excellence for Biomaterials Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Aimst University, Bedong, Malaysia
| | - Prasanna Anjaneyulu Yakkala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Syed Shafi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Ahmed Kamal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.,Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, India
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Structural insights into the BRAF monomer-to-dimer transition mediated by RAS binding. Nat Commun 2022; 13:486. [PMID: 35078985 PMCID: PMC8789793 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28084-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RAF kinases are essential effectors of RAS, but how RAS binding initiates the conformational changes needed for autoinhibited RAF monomers to form active dimers has remained unclear. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of full-length BRAF complexes derived from mammalian cells: autoinhibited, monomeric BRAF:14-3-32:MEK and BRAF:14-3-32 complexes, and an inhibitor-bound, dimeric BRAF2:14-3-32 complex, at 3.7, 4.1, and 3.9 Å resolution, respectively. In both autoinhibited, monomeric structures, the RAS binding domain (RBD) of BRAF is resolved, revealing that the RBD forms an extensive contact interface with the 14-3-3 protomer bound to the BRAF C-terminal site and that key basic residues required for RBD-RAS binding are exposed. Moreover, through structure-guided mutational studies, our findings indicate that RAS-RAF binding is a dynamic process and that RBD residues at the center of the RBD:14-3-3 interface have a dual function, first contributing to RAF autoinhibition and then to the full spectrum of RAS-RBD interactions. RAF kinases are essential for RAS protein signalling but how RAS binding regulates dimerization and activation of RAF has remained unclear. Here, the authors report cryoEM structures that provide mechanistic insights into the RAS-mediated monomer-to-dimer transition of full-length BRAF.
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Zauner R, Wimmer M, Dorfer S, Ablinger M, Koller U, Piñón Hofbauer J, Guttmann-Gruber C, Bauer JW, Wally V. Transcriptome-Guided Drug Repurposing for Aggressive SCCs. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23021007. [PMID: 35055192 PMCID: PMC8780441 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23021007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite a significant rise in the incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in recent years, most SCCs are well treatable. However, against the background of pre-existing risk factors such as immunosuppression upon organ transplantation, or conditions such as recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), SCCs arise more frequently and follow a particularly aggressive course. Notably, such SCC types display molecular similarities, despite their differing etiologies. We leveraged the similarities in transcriptomes between tumors from organ transplant recipients and RDEB-patients, augmented with data from more common head and neck (HN)-SCCs, to identify drugs that can be repurposed to treat these SCCs. The in silico approach used is based on the assumption that SCC-derived transcriptome profiles reflect critical tumor pathways that, if reversed towards healthy tissue, will attenuate the malignant phenotype. We determined tumor-specific signatures based on differentially expressed genes, which were then used to mine drug-perturbation data. By leveraging recent efforts in the systematic profiling and cataloguing of thousands of small molecule compounds, we identified drugs including selumetinib that specifically target key molecules within the MEK signaling cascade, representing candidates with the potential to be effective in the treatment of these rare and aggressive SCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Zauner
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.W.); (S.D.); (M.A.); (U.K.); (J.P.H.); (C.G.-G.); (J.W.B.); (V.W.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Monika Wimmer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.W.); (S.D.); (M.A.); (U.K.); (J.P.H.); (C.G.-G.); (J.W.B.); (V.W.)
| | - Sonja Dorfer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.W.); (S.D.); (M.A.); (U.K.); (J.P.H.); (C.G.-G.); (J.W.B.); (V.W.)
| | - Michael Ablinger
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.W.); (S.D.); (M.A.); (U.K.); (J.P.H.); (C.G.-G.); (J.W.B.); (V.W.)
| | - Ulrich Koller
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.W.); (S.D.); (M.A.); (U.K.); (J.P.H.); (C.G.-G.); (J.W.B.); (V.W.)
| | - Josefina Piñón Hofbauer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.W.); (S.D.); (M.A.); (U.K.); (J.P.H.); (C.G.-G.); (J.W.B.); (V.W.)
| | - Christina Guttmann-Gruber
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.W.); (S.D.); (M.A.); (U.K.); (J.P.H.); (C.G.-G.); (J.W.B.); (V.W.)
| | - Johann W. Bauer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.W.); (S.D.); (M.A.); (U.K.); (J.P.H.); (C.G.-G.); (J.W.B.); (V.W.)
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Verena Wally
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (M.W.); (S.D.); (M.A.); (U.K.); (J.P.H.); (C.G.-G.); (J.W.B.); (V.W.)
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Hou P, Wang YA. Conquering oncogenic KRAS and its bypass mechanisms. Theranostics 2022; 12:5691-5709. [PMID: 35966590 PMCID: PMC9373815 DOI: 10.7150/thno.71260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of KRAS signaling is common in cancer, which has catalyzed heroic drug development efforts to target KRAS directly or its downstream signaling effectors. Recent works have yielded novel small molecule drugs with promising preclinical and clinical activities. Yet, no matter how a cancer is addicted to a specific target - cancer's genetic and biological plasticity fashions a variety of resistance mechanisms as a fait accompli, limiting clinical benefit of targeted interventions. Knowledge of these mechanisms may inform combination strategies to attack both oncogenic KRAS and subsequent bypass mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Hou
- Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA.,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA.,Lead contact
| | - Y Alan Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Drosten M, Barbacid M. Targeting KRAS mutant lung cancer: light at the end of the tunnel. Mol Oncol 2021; 16:1057-1071. [PMID: 34951114 PMCID: PMC8895444 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, KRAS mutant lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD) have been refractory to therapeutic strategies based on personalized medicine owing to the complexity of designing inhibitors to selectively target KRAS and downstream targets with acceptable toxicities. The recent development of selective KRASG12C inhibitors represents a landmark after 40 years of intense research efforts since the identification of KRAS as a human oncogene. Here, we discuss the mechanisms responsible for the rapid development of resistance to these inhibitors, as well as potential strategies to overcome this limitation. Other therapeutic strategies aimed at inhibiting KRAS oncogenic signaling by targeting either upstream activators or downstream effectors are also reviewed. Finally, we discuss the effect of targeting the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, both based on the failure of MEK and ERK inhibitors in clinical trials, as well as on the recent identification of RAF1 as a potential target due to its MAPK‐independent activity. These new developments, taken together, are likely to open new avenues to effectively treat KRAS mutant LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Drosten
- Molecular Oncology Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariano Barbacid
- Molecular Oncology Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
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Iliaki S, Beyaert R, Afonina IS. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) signaling in cancer and beyond. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 193:114747. [PMID: 34454931 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PLK1 is an evolutionary conserved Ser/Thr kinase that is best known for its role in cell cycle regulation and is expressed predominantly during the G2/S and M phase of the cell cycle. PLK1-mediated phosphorylation of specific substrates controls cell entry into mitosis, centrosome maturation, spindle assembly, sister chromatid cohesion and cytokinesis. In addition, a growing body of evidence describes additional roles of PLK1 beyond the cell cycle, more specifically in the DNA damage response, autophagy, apoptosis and cytokine signaling. PLK1 has an indisputable role in cancer as it controls several key transcription factors and promotes cell proliferation, transformation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, deregulation of PLK1 results in chromosome instability and aneuploidy. PLK1 is overexpressed in many cancers, which is associated with poor prognosis, making PLK1 an attractive target for cancer treatment. Additionally, PLK1 is involved in immune and neurological disorders including Graft versus Host Disease, Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, newly developed small compound PLK1 inhibitors have only had limited success so far, due to low therapeutic response rates and toxicity. In this review we will highlight the current knowledge about the established roles of PLK1 in mitosis regulation and beyond. In addition, we will discuss its tumor promoting but also tumor suppressing capacities, as well as the available PLK1 inhibitors, elaborating on their efficacy and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Styliani Iliaki
- Center for Inflammation Research, Unit of Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rudi Beyaert
- Center for Inflammation Research, Unit of Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Inna S Afonina
- Center for Inflammation Research, Unit of Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
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Engineered variants of the Ras effector protein RASSF5 (NORE1A) promote anticancer activities in lung adenocarcinoma. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101353. [PMID: 34717958 PMCID: PMC8605244 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101353] [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: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the superfamily of small GTPases, Ras appears to be the master regulator of such processes as cell cycle progression, cell division, and apoptosis. Several oncogenic Ras mutations at amino acid positions 12, 13, and 61 have been identified that lose their ability to hydrolyze GTP, giving rise to constitutive signaling and eventually development of cancer. While disruption of the Ras/effector interface is an attractive strategy for drug design to prevent this constitutive activity, inhibition of this interaction using small molecules is impractical due to the absence of a cavity to which such molecules could bind. However, proteins and especially natural Ras effectors that bind to the Ras/effector interface with high affinity could disrupt Ras/effector interactions and abolish procancer pathways initiated by Ras oncogene. Using a combination of computational design and in vitro evolution, we engineered high-affinity Ras-binding proteins starting from a natural Ras effector, RASSF5 (NORE1A), which is encoded by a tumor suppressor gene. Unlike previously reported Ras oncogene inhibitors, the proteins we designed not only inhibit Ras-regulated procancer pathways, but also stimulate anticancer pathways initiated by RASSF5. We show that upon introduction into A549 lung carcinoma cells, the engineered RASSF5 mutants decreased cell viability and mobility to a significantly greater extent than WT RASSF5. In addition, these mutant proteins induce cellular senescence by increasing acetylation and decreasing phosphorylation of p53. In conclusion, engineered RASSF5 variants provide an attractive therapeutic strategy able to oppose cancer development by means of inhibiting of procancer pathways and stimulating anticancer processes.
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Coley AB, Ward A, Keeton AB, Chen X, Maxuitenko Y, Prakash A, Li F, Foote JB, Buchsbaum DJ, Piazza GA. Pan-RAS inhibitors: Hitting multiple RAS isozymes with one stone. Adv Cancer Res 2021; 153:131-168. [PMID: 35101229 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2021.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the three RAS oncogenes are present in approximately 30% of all human cancers that drive tumor growth and metastasis by aberrant activation of RAS-mediated signaling. Despite the well-established role of RAS in tumorigenesis, past efforts to develop small molecule inhibitors have failed for various reasons leading many to consider RAS as "undruggable." Advances over the past decade with KRAS(G12C) mutation-specific inhibitors have culminated in the first FDA-approved RAS drug, sotorasib. However, the patient population that stands to benefit from KRAS(G12C) inhibitors is inherently limited to those patients harboring KRAS(G12C) mutations. Additionally, both intrinsic and acquired mechanisms of resistance have been reported that indicate allele-specificity may afford disadvantages. For example, the compensatory activation of uninhibited wild-type (WT) NRAS and HRAS isozymes can rescue cancer cells harboring KRAS(G12C) mutations from allele-specific inhibition or the occurrence of other mutations in KRAS. It is therefore prudent to consider alternative drug discovery strategies that may overcome these potential limitations. One such approach is pan-RAS inhibition, whereby all RAS isozymes co-expressed in the tumor cell population are targeted by a single inhibitor to block constitutively activated RAS regardless of the underlying mutation. This chapter provides a review of past and ongoing strategies to develop pan-RAS inhibitors in detail and seeks to outline the trajectory of this promising strategy of RAS inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander B Coley
- Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States; Mitchell Cancer Institute, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Antonio Ward
- Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States; Mitchell Cancer Institute, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Adam B Keeton
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Yulia Maxuitenko
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Aishwarya Prakash
- Mitchell Cancer Institute, Mobile, AL, United States; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Jeremy B Foote
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Donald J Buchsbaum
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Gary A Piazza
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.
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Zhou X, Xiao Q, Fu D, Zhang H, Tang Y, He J, Hu Y, Kong X, Teng F, Liu X, Yuan Y, Ding K. Efficacy of rigosertib, a small molecular RAS signaling disrupter for the treatment of KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer. Cancer Biol Med 2021; 19:j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0532. [PMID: 34347396 PMCID: PMC8832955 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mutant KRAS, the principal isoform of RAS, plays a pivotal role in the oncogenesis of colorectal cancer by constitutively activating the RAF/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways. Effective targeted therapies are urgently needed. We investigated whether rigosertib, a benzyl styryl sulfone RAS signaling disruptor, could selectively kill KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer cells. METHODS CCK-8 was used to determine the cell viability. Patient-derived tumor and cancer cell xenograft models were used to detect the inhibitory efficacy of rigosertib. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the apoptosis and cell cycle progression. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest markers were detected by Western blot. DCFH-DA was used to determine the reactive oxygen species. Immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot were performed to characterize RAS signaling markers in colorectal cancer tissues and cells. RESULTS Rigosertib (RGS) exhibited a cytotoxic effect against colorectal cancer cells, which was greater in KRAS-mutant cells. Furthermore, RGS induced mitotic arrest and oxidative stress-dependent apoptosis in KRAS-mutant DLD1 and HCT116 cells. Besides, RGS disrupted RAS signaling, and the inhibition of RAS/MEK/ERK was independent of cellular oxidative stress. Using patient-derived xenograft models, the response and tumor inhibition of RGS were significantly higher in the KRAS-mutant subgroup, while p-MEK, p-ERK, and p-AKT levels of RGS-treated tumors were significantly decreased. Finally, in a KRAS-mutant, chemotherapy-resistant patient-derived xenograft model, RGS showed a stronger therapeutic effect than the combination standard therapy involving fluoropyrimidine + oxaliplatin/irinotecan + bevacizumab. CONCLUSIONS These data showed that targeting RAS signaling using RGS could be a therapeutic treatment for KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Zhou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Qian Xiao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Dongliang Fu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Haochen Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Yang Tang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Jinjie He
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Yeting Hu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Xiangxing Kong
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Fei Teng
- Hangzhou Oncocare Co Ltd, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Xiangrui Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ying Yuan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Kefeng Ding
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
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Chung C. Targeting the Myeloid Lineages and the Immune Microenvironment in Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Novel and Evolving Therapeutic Strategies. Ann Pharmacother 2021; 56:475-487. [PMID: 34330162 DOI: 10.1177/10600280211036154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To discuss the recent and emerging data for novel targeted therapies in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). DATA SOURCES A literature search from January 2015 to June 2021 was performed using the key terms targeted therapies, myelodysplastic syndromes, DNA repair, erythroid differentiation therapy, epigenetic inhibitors, signal transduction inhibitors, and apoptosis-inducing agents. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION Relevant clinical trials and articles in the English language were identified and reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS MDS are a heterogeneous group of malignant blood disorders affecting the bone marrow (BM), ultimately leading to BM failure, acute leukemia, and death. Selection of treatment is influenced by the severity of symptoms, cytopenia, cytogenetics, prognostic category, medical fitness, and patient preferences. Although current therapies such as erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) and hypomethylating agents (HMAs) help improve anemia and reduce transfusion burden, limited treatment options exist when patients experience treatment failure to ESAs or HMA. Recent regulatory approval of luspatercept, which targets the erythroid differentiation pathway, represents a major therapeutic advance in the management of anemia in MDS patients who are refractory to ESAs. Many investigational targeted therapies that aim at the myeloid lineage signaling pathway and the immune microenvironment are in active development. RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE This nonexhaustive review summarizes and describes the recent data for targeted therapies for MDS. CONCLUSION The development of novel and investigational therapeutic agents continues to contribute to an improved understanding of tumor biology. The precise therapeutic role and timing of these agents remain to be elucidated.
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Chen K, Zhang Y, Qian L, Wang P. Emerging strategies to target RAS signaling in human cancer therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:116. [PMID: 34301278 PMCID: PMC8299671 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01127-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RAS mutations (HRAS, NRAS, and KRAS) are among the most common oncogenes, and around 19% of patients with cancer harbor RAS mutations. Cells harboring RAS mutations tend to undergo malignant transformation and exhibit malignant phenotypes. The mutational status of RAS correlates with the clinicopathological features of patients, such as mucinous type and poor differentiation, as well as response to anti-EGFR therapies in certain types of human cancers. Although RAS protein had been considered as a potential target for tumors with RAS mutations, it was once referred to as a undruggable target due to the consecutive failure in the discovery of RAS protein inhibitors. However, recent studies on the structure, signaling, and function of RAS have shed light on the development of RAS-targeting drugs, especially with the approval of Lumakras (sotorasib, AMG510) in treatment of KRASG12C-mutant NSCLC patients. Therefore, here we fully review RAS mutations in human cancer and especially focus on emerging strategies that have been recently developed for RAS-targeting therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Chen
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yalei Zhang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ling Qian
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Chen WC, To MD, Westcott PMK, Delrosario R, Kim IJ, Philips M, Tran Q, Bollam SR, Goodarzi H, Bayani N, Mirzoeva O, Balmain A. Targeting KRAS4A splicing through the RBM39/DCAF15 pathway inhibits cancer stem cells. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4288. [PMID: 34257283 PMCID: PMC8277813 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24498-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The commonly mutated human KRAS oncogene encodes two distinct KRAS4A and KRAS4B proteins generated by differential splicing. We demonstrate here that coordinated regulation of both isoforms through control of splicing is essential for development of Kras mutant tumors. The minor KRAS4A isoform is enriched in cancer stem-like cells, where it responds to hypoxia, while the major KRAS4B is induced by ER stress. KRAS4A splicing is controlled by the DCAF15/RBM39 pathway, and deletion of KRAS4A or pharmacological inhibition of RBM39 using Indisulam leads to inhibition of cancer stem cells. Our data identify existing clinical drugs that target KRAS4A splicing, and suggest that levels of the minor KRAS4A isoform in human tumors can be a biomarker of sensitivity to some existing cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ching Chen
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Minh D To
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Peter M K Westcott
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
- MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Reyno Delrosario
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Il-Jin Kim
- Guardant Health, Redwood City, California, USA
| | - Mark Philips
- NYU Cancer Institute, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Quan Tran
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Saumya R Bollam
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hani Goodarzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nora Bayani
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Olga Mirzoeva
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Allan Balmain
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Rahmani F, Hashemzehi M, Avan A, Barneh F, Asgharzadeh F, Moradi Marjaneh R, Soleimani A, Parizadeh M, Ferns GA, Ghayour Mobarhan M, Ryzhikov M, Afshari AR, Ahmadian MR, Giovannetti E, Jafari M, Khazaei M, Hassanian SM. Rigosertib elicits potent anti-tumor responses in colorectal cancer by inhibiting Ras signaling pathway. Cell Signal 2021; 85:110069. [PMID: 34214591 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The therapeutic potency of Rigosertib (RGS) in the treatment of the myelodysplastic syndrome has been investigated previously, but little is known about its mechanisms of action. METHODS The present study integrates systems and molecular biology approaches to investigate the mechanisms of the anti-tumor effects of RGS, either alone or in combination with 5-FU in cellular and animal models of colorectal cancer (CRC). RESULTS The effects of RGS were more pronounced in dedifferentiated CRC cell types, compared to cell types that were epithelial-like. RGS inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in a cell-type specific manner, and that was dependent on the presence of mutations in KRAS, or its down-stream effectors. RGS increased both early and late apoptosis, by regulating the expression of p53, BAX and MDM2 in tumor model. We also found that RGS induced cell senescence in tumor tissues by increasing ROS generation, and impairing oxidant/anti-oxidant balance. RGS also inhibited angiogenesis and metastatic behavior of CRC cells, by regulating the expression of CD31, E-cadherin, and matrix metalloproteinases-2 and 9. CONCLUSION Our findings support the therapeutic potential of this potent RAS signaling inhibitor either alone or in combination with standard regimens for the management of patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzad Rahmani
- Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Milad Hashemzehi
- Tropical and Communicable Diseases Research Centre, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Avan
- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farnaz Barneh
- Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Asgharzadeh
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Reyhaneh Moradi Marjaneh
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Atena Soleimani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Parizadeh
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Gordon A Ferns
- Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Division of Medical Education, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex BN1 9PH, UK
| | - Majid Ghayour Mobarhan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mikhail Ryzhikov
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Washington University, School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Amir Reza Afshari
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Ahmadian
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start-up, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mohieddin Jafari
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
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Radke K, Hansson K, Sjölund J, Wolska M, Karlsson J, Esfandyari J, Pietras K, Aaltonen K, Gisselsson D, Bexell D. Anti-tumor effects of rigosertib in high-risk neuroblastoma. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:101149. [PMID: 34118691 PMCID: PMC8207190 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
High-risk neuroblastoma has a poor prognosis despite intense treatment, demonstrating the need for new therapeutic strategies. Here we evaluated the effects of rigosertib (ON-01910.Na) in preclinical models of high-risk neuroblastoma. Among several hundred cancer cell lines representing 24 tumor types, neuroblastoma was the most sensitive to rigosertib. Treatment of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma organoids resulted in organoid disintegration, decreased cell viability, and increased apoptotic cell death. Neuroblastoma response to rigosertib involved G2M cell cycle arrest and decreased phosphorylation of AKT (Ser473) and ERK1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204). Rigosertib delayed tumor growth and prolonged survival of mice carrying neuroblastoma MYCN-amplified PDX tumors (median survival: 31 days, treated; 22 days, vehicle) accompanied with increased apoptosis in treated tumors. We further identified vincristine and rigosertib as a potential promising drug combination treatment. Our results show that rigosertib might be a useful therapeutic agent for MYCN-amplified neuroblastomas, especially in combination with existing agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Radke
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin Hansson
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jonas Sjölund
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Magdalena Wolska
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jenny Karlsson
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Javanshir Esfandyari
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kristian Pietras
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kristina Aaltonen
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - David Gisselsson
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, Medical Services, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniel Bexell
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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Shuai W, Wang G, Zhang Y, Bu F, Zhang S, Miller DD, Li W, Ouyang L, Wang Y. Recent Progress on Tubulin Inhibitors with Dual Targeting Capabilities for Cancer Therapy. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7963-7990. [PMID: 34101463 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Microtubules play a crucial role in multiple cellular functions including mitosis, cell signaling, and organelle trafficking, which makes the microtubule an important target for cancer therapy. Despite the great successes of microtubule-targeting agents in the clinic, the development of drug resistance and dose-limiting toxicity restrict their clinical efficacy. In recent years, multitarget therapy has been considered an effective strategy to achieve higher therapeutic efficacy, in particular dual-target drugs. In terms of the synergetic effect of tubulin and other antitumor agents such as receptor tyrosine kinases inhibitors, histone deacetylases inhibitors, DNA-damaging agents, and topoisomerase inhibitors in combination therapy, designing dual-target tubulin inhibitors is regarded as a promising approach to overcome these limitations and improve therapeutic efficacy. In this Perspective, we discussed rational target combinations, design strategies, structure-activity relationships, and future directions of dual-target tubulin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Shuai
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Guan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Faqian Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Sicheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
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48
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Yan C, Saleh N, Yang J, Nebhan CA, Vilgelm AE, Reddy EP, Roland JT, Johnson DB, Chen SC, Shattuck-Brandt RL, Ayers GD, Richmond A. Novel induction of CD40 expression by tumor cells with RAS/RAF/PI3K pathway inhibition augments response to checkpoint blockade. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:85. [PMID: 34092233 PMCID: PMC8182921 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01366-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is the current first-line treatment for metastatic melanoma, it is effective for ~ 52% of patients and has dangerous side effects. The objective here was to identify the feasibility and mechanism of RAS/RAF/PI3K pathway inhibition in melanoma to sensitize tumors to ICB therapy. METHODS Rigosertib (RGS) is a non-ATP-competitive small molecule RAS mimetic. RGS monotherapy or in combination therapy with ICB were investigated using immunocompetent mouse models of BRAFwt and BRAFmut melanoma and analyzed in reference to patient data. RESULTS RGS treatment (300 mg/kg) was well tolerated in mice and resulted in ~ 50% inhibition of tumor growth as monotherapy and ~ 70% inhibition in combination with αPD1 + αCTLA4. RGS-induced tumor growth inhibition depends on CD40 upregulation in melanoma cells followed by immunogenic cell death, leading to enriched dendritic cells and activated T cells in the tumor microenvironment. The RGS-initiated tumor suppression was partially reversed by either knockdown of CD40 expression in melanoma cells or depletion of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. Treatment with either dabrafenib and trametinib or with RGS, increased CD40+SOX10+ melanoma cells in the tumors of melanoma patients and patient-derived xenografts. High CD40 expression level correlates with beneficial T-cell responses and better survival in a TCGA dataset from melanoma patients. Expression of CD40 by melanoma cells is associated with therapeutic response to RAF/MEK inhibition and ICB. CONCLUSIONS Our data support the therapeutic use of RGS + αPD1 + αCTLA4 in RAS/RAF/PI3K pathway-activated melanomas and point to the need for clinical trials of RGS + ICB for melanoma patients who do not respond to ICB alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT01205815 (Sept 17, 2010).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Yan
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, 432 PRB, 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Nabil Saleh
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, 432 PRB, 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jinming Yang
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, 432 PRB, 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Caroline A Nebhan
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, 432 PRB, 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Anna E Vilgelm
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - E Premkumar Reddy
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph T Roland
- Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics and the Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Douglas B Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sheau-Chiann Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rebecca L Shattuck-Brandt
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, 432 PRB, 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Gregory D Ayers
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ann Richmond
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, 432 PRB, 2220 Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Wang Y, Du P, Jiang D. Rigosertib inhibits MEK1-ERK pathway and alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2021; 9:991-999. [PMID: 34061465 PMCID: PMC8342218 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Here, by using the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced mice sepsis model, we treated septic wild‐type (WT) mice or MEK1DD mice with rigosertib to evaluate its prospective effects on sepsis. Methods We also generated macrophages derived from bone marrow from WT or MEK1DD mice. These macrophages were pretreated with rigosertib and then induced with LPS or poly I:C. Results Rigosertib suppressed LPS or poly I:C‐induced expression of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor‐alpha [TNF‐α] and interleukin‐6 [IL‐6], and IL‐23) in WT bone marrow–derived macrophages while failed to affect the upregulation of TNF‐α and IL‐6 in LPS‐treated bone marrow–derived macrophages from MEK1DD mice. Rigosertib promoted survival rate, ameliorated lung injury, and reduced inflammatory cytokine levels in serum of WT septic mice. Conclusion In contrast, the effects of rigosertib on sepsis were abrogated in septic MEK1DD mice, which had inducible constitutive activation of MEK1 signaling. Rigosertib alleviated LPS‐induced sepsis inhibits MEK1/ERK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Wang
- Department of Intensive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pengfei Du
- Department of Intensive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Donghui Jiang
- Department of Intensive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
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50
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Ullah R, Yin Q, Snell AH, Wan L. RAF-MEK-ERK pathway in cancer evolution and treatment. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 85:123-154. [PMID: 33992782 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The RAF-MEK-ERK signaling cascade is a well-characterized MAPK pathway involved in cell proliferation and survival. The three-layered MAPK signaling cascade is initiated upon RTK and RAS activation. Three RAF isoforms ARAF, BRAF and CRAF, and their downstream MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 kinases constitute a coherently orchestrated signaling module that directs a range of physiological functions. Genetic alterations in this pathway are among the most prevalent in human cancers, which consist of numerous hot-spot mutations such as BRAFV600E. Oncogenic mutations in this pathway often override otherwise tightly regulated checkpoints to open the door for uncontrolled cell growth and neoplasia. The crosstalk between the RAF-MEK-ERK axis and other signaling pathways further extends the proliferative potential of this pathway in human cancers. In this review, we summarize the molecular architecture and physiological functions of the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway with emphasis on its dysregulations in human cancers, as well as the efforts made to target the RAF-MEK-ERK module using small molecule inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahim Ullah
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Qing Yin
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Aidan H Snell
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Lixin Wan
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA; Department of Cutaneous Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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