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Zhang H, Zhang Y, Feng Z, Shuai M, Ma X, Wang S, Yu S, Deng R, Luo D, Shi J, Pu C, Li R. Discovery of Novel Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera Molecules as Degraders of Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 for Breast Cancer Therapy. J Med Chem 2024; 67:10589-10600. [PMID: 38889052 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02259] [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: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The immune checkpoint blockade represents a pivotal strategy for tumor immunotherapy. At present, various programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) monoclonal antibodies have been successfully applied to tumor treatment. Additionally, numerous small molecule inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction have also been developed, with some advancing into clinical trials. Here, a novel PD-L1 proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) library was designed and synthesized utilizing the PD-L1 inhibitor BMS202 and the E3 ligand PG as foundational components. Among these, we identified a highly potent molecule PA8 for PD-L1 degradation in 4T1 cells (DC50 = 0.609 μM). Significantly, compound PA8 potentially inhibits 4T1 cell growth both in vitro and in vivo. Further mechanistic studies revealed that PA8 effectively promoted the immune activation of model mice. Thus, these results suggest that PA8 could be a novel strategy for cancer immunotherapy in the 4T1 tumor model. Although PA8 exhibits weaker degradation activity in some human cancer cells, it still provides a certain basis for further research on PD-L1 PROTAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjia Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Lung Cancer Center/Lung Cancer Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Lung Cancer Center/Lung Cancer Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Zhanzhan Feng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ming Shuai
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Xinyu Ma
- Department of Nanomedicine & Drug Targeting, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Shirui Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Su Yu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Rui Deng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Chunlan Pu
- Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, The Second Chengdu Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Sobierajski T, Małolepsza J, Pichlak M, Gendaszewska-Darmach E, Błażewska KM. The impact of E3 ligase choice on PROTAC effectiveness in protein kinase degradation. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104032. [PMID: 38789027 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTACs) provide a novel therapeutic approach that is revolutionizing drug discovery. The success of PROTACs largely depends on the combination of their three fragments: E3 ligase ligand, linker and protein of interest (POI)-targeting ligand. We summarize the pivotal significance of the precise combination of the E3 ligase ligand with the POI-recruiting warhead, which is crucial for the successful execution of cellular processes and achieving the desired outcomes. Therefore, the key to our selection was the use of at least two ligands recruiting two different ligases. This approach enables a direct comparison of the impacts of the specific ligases on target degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Sobierajski
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Łódź, Poland
| | - Joanna Małolepsza
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Łódź, Poland
| | - Marta Pichlak
- Institute of Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, Lodz University of Technology, Łódź, Poland
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Chen C, Jiang YP, You I, Gray NS, Lin RZ. Down-Regulation of AKT Proteins Slows the Growth of Mutant-KRAS Pancreatic Tumors. Cells 2024; 13:1061. [PMID: 38920688 PMCID: PMC11202146 DOI: 10.3390/cells13121061] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Serine/threonine kinase AKT isoforms play a well-established role in cell metabolism and growth. Most pancreatic adenocarcinomas (PDACs) harbor activation mutations of KRAS, which activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. However, AKT inhibitors are not effective in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. To better understand the role of AKT signaling in mutant-KRAS pancreatic tumors, this study utilized proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and CRISPR-Cas9-genome editing to investigate AKT proteins. The PROTAC down-regulation of AKT proteins markedly slowed the growth of three pancreatic tumor cell lines harboring mutant KRAS. In contrast, the inhibition of AKT kinase activity alone had very little effect on the growth of these cell lines. The concurrent genetic deletion of all AKT isoforms (AKT1, AKT2, and AKT3) in the KPC (KrasG12D; Trp53R172H; Pdx1-Cre) pancreatic cancer cell line also dramatically slowed its growth in vitro and when orthotopically implanted in syngeneic mice. Surprisingly, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), but not epidermal growth factor (EGF), restored KPC cell growth in serum-deprived conditions, and the IGF-1 growth stimulation effect was AKT-dependent. The RNA-seq analysis of AKT1/2/3-deficient KPC cells suggested that reduced cholesterol synthesis may be responsible for the decreased response to IGF-1 stimulation. These results indicate that the presence of all three AKT isoforms supports pancreatic tumor cell growth, and the pharmacological degradation of AKT proteins may be more effective than AKT catalytic inhibitors for treating pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuankai Chen
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; (C.C.); (Y.-P.J.)
- Graduate Program in Genetics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11790, USA
| | - Ya-Ping Jiang
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; (C.C.); (Y.-P.J.)
| | - Inchul You
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (I.Y.); (N.S.G.)
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (I.Y.); (N.S.G.)
| | - Richard Z. Lin
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; (C.C.); (Y.-P.J.)
- Northport VA Medical Center, Northport, NY 11768, USA
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Razumkov H, Jiang Z, Baek K, You I, Geng Q, Donovan KA, Tang MT, Metivier RJ, Mageed N, Seo P, Li Z, Byun WS, Hinshaw SM, Sarott RC, Fischer ES, Gray NS. Discovery of CRBN-dependent WEE1 Molecular Glue Degraders from a Multicomponent Combinatorial Library. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.04.592550. [PMID: 38746375 PMCID: PMC11092764 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.04.592550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Small molecules promoting protein-protein interactions produce a range of therapeutic outcomes. Molecular glue degraders exemplify this concept due to their compact drug-like structures and ability to engage targets without reliance on existing cognate ligands. While Cereblon molecular glue degraders containing glutarimide scaffolds have been approved for treatment of multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia, the design of new therapeutically relevant monovalent degraders remains challenging. We report here an approach to glutarimide-containing molecular glue synthesis using multicomponent reactions as a central modular core-forming step. Screening the resulting library identified HRZ-01 derivatives that target casein kinase 1 alpha (CK1α) and Wee-like protein kinase (WEE1). Further medicinal chemistry efforts led to identification of selective monovalent WEE1 degraders that provide a potential starting point for the eventual development of a selective chemical degrader probe. The structure of the hit WEE1 degrader complex with CRBN-DDB1 and WEE1 provides a model of the protein-protein interface and a rationale for the observed kinase selectivity. Our findings suggest that modular synthetic routes combined with in-depth structural characterization give access to selective molecular glue degraders and expansion of the CRBN-degradable proteome.
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Chen C, Jiang YP, You I, Gray NS, Lin RZ. Down-regulation of AKT proteins slows the growth of mutant-KRAS pancreatic tumors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.03.592345. [PMID: 38746217 PMCID: PMC11092743 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.03.592345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Serine/threonine kinase AKT isoforms play a well-established role in cell metabolism and growth. Most pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) harbors activation mutations of KRAS, which activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. However, AKT inhibitors are not effective in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. To better understand the role of AKT signaling in mutant-KRAS pancreatic tumors, this study utilizes proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and CRISPR-Cas9-genome editing to investigate AKT proteins. PROTAC down-regulation of AKT proteins markedly slowed the growth of three pancreatic tumor cell lines harboring mutant KRAS. In contrast, inhibition of AKT kinase activity alone had very little effect on the growth of these cell lines. Concurrent genetic deletion of all AKT isoforms (AKT1, AKT2, and AKT3) in the KPC (KrasG12D; Trp53R172H; Pdx1-Cre) pancreatic cancer cell line also dramatically slowed its growth in vitro and when orthotopically implanted in syngeneic mice. Surprisingly, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), but not epidermal growth factor (EGF), restored KPC cell growth in serum-deprived conditions and the IGF-1 growth stimulation effect was AKT dependent. RNA-seq analysis of AKT1/2/3-deficient KPC cells suggested that reduced cholesterol synthesis may be responsible for the decreased response to IGF-1 stimulation. These results indicate that the presence of all three AKT isoforms supports pancreatic tumor cell growth and pharmacological degradation of AKT proteins may be more effective than AKT catalytic inhibitors for treating pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuankai Chen
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Graduate Program in Genetics, Stony Brook University, New York, USA
| | - Ya-Ping Jiang
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Inchul You
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Richard Z. Lin
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Northport VA Medical Center, Northport, New York, USA
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Parkman GL, Turapov T, Kircher DA, Burnett WJ, Stehn CM, O’Toole K, Culver KM, Chadwick AT, Elmer RC, Flaherty R, Stanley KA, Foth M, Lum DH, Judson-Torres RL, Friend JE, VanBrocklin MW, McMahon M, Holmen SL. Genetic Silencing of AKT Induces Melanoma Cell Death via mTOR Suppression. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:301-315. [PMID: 37931033 PMCID: PMC10932877 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway is common in many cancers, including melanoma, and AKT1, 2 and 3 (AKT1-3) are bona fide oncoprotein kinases with well-validated downstream effectors. However, efforts to pharmacologically inhibit AKT have proven to be largely ineffective. In this study, we observed paradoxical effects following either pharmacologic or genetic inhibition of AKT1-3 in melanoma cells. Although pharmacological inhibition was without effect, genetic silencing of all three AKT paralogs significantly induced melanoma cell death through effects on mTOR. This phenotype was rescued by exogenous AKT1 expression in a kinase-dependent manner. Pharmacological inhibition of PI3K and mTOR with a novel dual inhibitor effectively suppressed melanoma cell proliferation in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, this single-agent-targeted therapy was well-tolerated in vivo and was effective against MAPK inhibitor-resistant patient-derived melanoma xenografts. These results suggest that inhibition of PI3K and mTOR with this novel dual inhibitor may represent a promising therapeutic strategy in this disease in both the first-line and MAPK inhibitor-resistant setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennie L. Parkman
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Tursun Turapov
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - David A. Kircher
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - William J. Burnett
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Christopher M. Stehn
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Kayla O’Toole
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Katie M. Culver
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Ashley T. Chadwick
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Riley C. Elmer
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Ryan Flaherty
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Karly A. Stanley
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Mona Foth
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - David H. Lum
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Robert L. Judson-Torres
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | | | - Matthew W. VanBrocklin
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Martin McMahon
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Sheri L. Holmen
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
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Sabbah DA, Hajjo R, Bardaweel SK, Zhong HA. Targeting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in anticancer research: a recent update on inhibitor design and clinical trials (2020-2023). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:141-158. [PMID: 38557273 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2338100] [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: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent years have witnessed great achievements in drug design and development targeting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase-B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway, a pathway central to cell growth and proliferation. The nearest neighbor protein-protein interaction networks for PI3K and AKT show the interplays between these target proteins which can be harnessed for drug discovery. In this review, we discuss the drug design and clinical development of inhibitors of PI3K/AKT in the past three years. We review in detail the structures, selectivity, efficacy, and combination therapy of 35 inhibitors targeting these proteins, classified based on the target proteins. Approaches to overcoming drug resistance and to minimizing toxicities are discussed. Future research directions for developing combinational therapy and PROTACs of PI3K and AKT inhibitors are also discussed. AREA COVERED This review covers clinical trial reports and patent literature on inhibitors of PI3K and AKT published between 2020 and 2023. EXPERT OPINION To address drug resistance and drug toxicity of inhibitors of PI3K and AKT, it is highly desirable to design and develop subtype-selective PI3K inhibitors or subtype-selective AKT1 inhibitors to minimize toxicity or to develop allosteric drugs that can form covalent bonds. The development of PROTACs of PI3Kα or AKT helps to reduce off-target toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dima A Sabbah
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Rima Hajjo
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- National Center for Epidemics and Communicable Disease Control (JCDC), Amman, Jordan
| | - Sanaa K Bardaweel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Haizhen A Zhong
- DSC 309, Department of Chemistry, The University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
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Liu Y, Sun Q, Wei X. Strategies and techniques for preclinical therapeutic targeting of PI3K in oncology: where do we stand in 2024? Expert Opin Ther Targets 2024; 28:221-232. [PMID: 38646899 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2024.2342522] [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: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is an important signaling pathway in eukaryotic cells that is activated in a variety of cancers and is also associated with treatment resistance. This signaling pathway is an important target for anticancer therapy and holds great promise for research. At the same time PI3K inhibitors have a general problem that they have unavoidable toxic side effects. AREAS COVERED This review provides an explanation of the role of PI3K in the development and progression of cancer, including several important mutations, and a table listing the cancers caused by these mutations. We discuss the current landscape of PI3K inhibitors in preclinical and clinical trials, address the mechanisms of resistance to PI3K inhibition along with their associated toxic effects, and highlight significant advancements in preclinical research of this field. Furthermore, based on our study and comprehension of PI3K, we provide a recapitulation of the key lessons learned from the research process and propose potential measures for improvement that could prove valuable. EXPERT OPINION The PI3K pathway is a biological pathway of great potential value. However, the reduction of its toxic side effects and combination therapies need to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Liu
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, Department of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiu Sun
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, Department of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
- West China Medical Publishers, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, Department of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
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Lu X, Jin J, Wu Y, Liu X, Liang X, Lin J, Sun Q, Qin J, Zhang W, Luan X. Progress in RAS-targeted therapeutic strategies: From small molecule inhibitors to proteolysis targeting chimeras. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:812-832. [PMID: 38009264 DOI: 10.1002/med.21993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
As a widely considerable target in chemical biology and pharmacological research, rat sarcoma (RAS) gene mutations play a critical driving factor in several fatal cancers. Despite the great progress of RAS subtype-specific inhibitors, rapid acquired drug resistance could limit their further clinical applications. Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) has emerged as a powerful tool to handle "undruggable" targets and exhibited significant therapeutic benefit for the combat of drug resistance. Owing to unique molecular mechanism and binding kinetics, PROTAC is expected to become a feasible strategy to break the bottleneck of classical RAS inhibitors. This review aims to discuss the current advances of RAS inhibitors and especially focus on PROTAC strategy targeting RAS mutations and their downstream effectors for relevant cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinchen Lu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Drug and Pharmaceutical Process, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinmei Jin
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ye Wu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoxia Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohui Liang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayi Lin
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingyan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of New Drug and Pharmaceutical Process, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiangjiang Qin
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weidong Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Drug and Pharmaceutical Process, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Luan
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Erickson EC, You I, Perry G, Dugourd A, Donovan KA, Crafter C, Johannes JW, Williamson S, Moss JI, Ros S, Ziegler RE, Barry ST, Fischer ES, Gray NS, Madsen RR, Toker A. Multiomic profiling of breast cancer cells uncovers stress MAPK-associated sensitivity to AKT degradation. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eadf2670. [PMID: 38412255 PMCID: PMC10949348 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adf2670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
More than 50% of human tumors display hyperactivation of the serine/threonine kinase AKT. Despite evidence of clinical efficacy, the therapeutic window of the current generation of AKT inhibitors could be improved. Here, we report the development of a second-generation AKT degrader, INY-05-040, which outperformed catalytic AKT inhibition with respect to cellular suppression of AKT-dependent phenotypes in breast cancer cell lines. A growth inhibition screen with 288 cancer cell lines confirmed that INY-05-040 had a substantially higher potency than our first-generation AKT degrader (INY-03-041), with both compounds outperforming catalytic AKT inhibition by GDC-0068. Using multiomic profiling and causal network integration in breast cancer cells, we demonstrated that the enhanced efficacy of INY-05-040 was associated with sustained suppression of AKT signaling, which was followed by induction of the stress mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Further integration of growth inhibition assays with publicly available transcriptomic, proteomic, and reverse phase protein array (RPPA) measurements established low basal JNK signaling as a biomarker for breast cancer sensitivity to AKT degradation. Together, our study presents a framework for mapping the network-wide signaling effects of therapeutically relevant compounds and identifies INY-05-040 as a potent pharmacological suppressor of AKT signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C. Erickson
- Department of Pathology, Medicine and Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Inchul You
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Grace Perry
- Department of Pathology, Medicine and Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Aurelien Dugourd
- Faculty of Medicine, and Heidelberg University Hospital, Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Claire Crafter
- Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB2 0AA, UK
| | - Jeffrey W. Johannes
- Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, MA 02451, USA
| | - Stuart Williamson
- Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB2 0AA, UK
| | - Jennifer I. Moss
- Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB2 0AA, UK
| | - Susana Ros
- Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB2 0AA, UK
| | - Robert E. Ziegler
- Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, MA 02451, USA
| | - Simon T. Barry
- Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB2 0AA, UK
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ralitsa R. Madsen
- University College London Cancer Institute, Paul O’Gorman Building, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Current: MRC-Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Alex Toker
- Department of Pathology, Medicine and Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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11
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Koide E, Mohardt ML, Doctor ZM, Yang A, Hao M, Donovan KA, Kuismi CC, Nelson AJ, Abell K, Aguiar M, Che J, Stokes MP, Zhang T, Aguirre AJ, Fischer ES, Gray NS, Jiang B, Nabet B. Development and Characterization of Selective FAK Inhibitors and PROTACs with In Vivo Activity. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300141. [PMID: 37088717 PMCID: PMC10590827 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is an attractive drug target due to its overexpression in cancer. FAK functions as a non-receptor tyrosine kinase and scaffolding protein, coordinating several downstream signaling effectors and cellular processes. While drug discovery efforts have largely focused on targeting FAK kinase activity, FAK inhibitors have failed to show efficacy as single agents in clinical trials. Here, using structure-guided design, we report the development of a selective FAK inhibitor (BSJ-04-175) and degrader (BSJ-04-146) to evaluate the consequences and advantages of abolishing all FAK activity in cancer models. BSJ-04-146 achieves rapid and potent FAK degradation with high proteome-wide specificity in cancer cells and induces durable degradation in mice. Compared to kinase inhibition, targeted degradation of FAK exhibits pronounced improved activity on downstream signaling and cancer cell viability and migration. Together, BSJ-04-175 and BSJ-04-146 are valuable chemical tools to dissect the specific consequences of targeting FAK through small-molecule inhibition or degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriko Koide
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mikaela L. Mohardt
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zainab M. Doctor
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Annan Yang
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mingfeng Hao
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Jianwei Che
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Tinghu Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Chem-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Andrew J. Aguirre
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Chem-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Baishan Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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12
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Choudhary D, Kaur A, Singh P, Chaudhary G, Kaur R, Bayan MF, Chandrasekaran B, Marji SM, Ayman R. Target protein degradation by protacs: A budding cancer treatment strategy. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 250:108525. [PMID: 37696366 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most common causes of death. So, its lethal effect increases with time. Near about hundreds of cancers are known in humans. Cancer treatment is done to cure or prolonged remission, and shrinkage of the tumor. Cytotoxic agents, biological agents/targeted drugs, hormonal drugs, surgery, radiotherapy/proton therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and gene therapy are currently used in the treatment of cancer but their cost is high and cause various side effects. Seeing this, some new targeted strategies such as PROTACs are the need of the time. Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) has become one of the most discussed topics regarding cancer treatment. Few of the PROTAC molecules are in the trial phases. PROTACs have many advantages over other strategies such as modularity, compatibility, sub-stoichiometric activity, acting on undruggable targets, molecular design, and acts on intracellular targets, selectivity and specificity can be recruited for any cancer, versatility, and others. PROTACs are having some unclear questions on their pharmacokinetics, heavy-molecular weight, etc. PROTACs are anticipated to bring about a conversion in current healthcare and will emerge as booming treatments. In this review article we summarize PROTACs, their mechanism of action, uses, advantages, disadvantages, challenges, and future aspects for the successful development of potent PROTACs as a drug strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diksha Choudhary
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India
| | - Amritpal Kaur
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India
| | - Pargat Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India
| | - Gaurav Chaudhary
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India
| | - Rajwinder Kaur
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India.
| | - Mohammad F Bayan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Philadelphia University, P.O. Box 1, Amman 19392, Jordan
| | | | - Saeed M Marji
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Philadelphia University, P.O. Box 1, Amman 19392, Jordan
| | - Reema Ayman
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Philadelphia University, P.O. Box 1, Amman 19392, Jordan
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13
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Anderson B, Rosston P, Ong HW, Hossain MA, Davis-Gilbert ZW, Drewry DH. How many kinases are druggable? A review of our current understanding. Biochem J 2023; 480:1331-1363. [PMID: 37642371 PMCID: PMC10586788 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20220217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
There are over 500 human kinases ranging from very well-studied to almost completely ignored. Kinases are tractable and implicated in many diseases, making them ideal targets for medicinal chemistry campaigns, but is it possible to discover a drug for each individual kinase? For every human kinase, we gathered data on their citation count, availability of chemical probes, approved and investigational drugs, PDB structures, and biochemical and cellular assays. Analysis of these factors highlights which kinase groups have a wealth of information available, and which groups still have room for progress. The data suggest a disproportionate focus on the more well characterized kinases while much of the kinome remains comparatively understudied. It is noteworthy that tool compounds for understudied kinases have already been developed, and there is still untapped potential for further development in this chemical space. Finally, this review discusses many of the different strategies employed to generate selectivity between kinases. Given the large volume of information available and the progress made over the past 20 years when it comes to drugging kinases, we believe it is possible to develop a tool compound for every human kinase. We hope this review will prove to be both a useful resource as well as inspire the discovery of a tool for every kinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Anderson
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, U.S.A
| | - Peter Rosston
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, U.S.A
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, U.S.A
| | - Han Wee Ong
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, U.S.A
| | - Mohammad Anwar Hossain
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, U.S.A
| | - Zachary W. Davis-Gilbert
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, U.S.A
| | - David H. Drewry
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, U.S.A
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, U.S.A
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14
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Li L, Guo Y, Lu Y, Xu Y, Lu Y, Zhu X, Dong X, Che J. An updated patent review of AKT inhibitors (2020 - present). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:549-564. [PMID: 37864349 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2273895] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Protein kinase B (Akt), an essential protein in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, plays a crucial role in tumor progression. Over the past two years, different types of Akt modulators have continued to emerge in the patent literature. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on the patent literature covering small molecule inhibitors, peptides, PROTACs, and antisense nucleic acids targetingAkt from 2020 to present. Also, we discuss the outcomes of several clinical trials, combination strategies for different mechanisms, and the application of Akt regulators in other non-oncology indications.Our search for relevant information was conducted using various databases, including the European Patent Office, SciFinder, andPubMed, from 01.2020 to 04.2023. EXPERT OPINION In recent years, some combination therapeutic strategies involvingAkt inhibitors have shown promising clinical outcomes. Future research can be directed toward developing new applications of Akt inhibitors, which may have implications for other diseases beyond cancer. New attempts suggest that targeting allosteric sites may be a potential solution to the problem of isoform selectivity.Furthermore, directly knocking out Akt protein by using the degraderssuggests a promising direction for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linjie Li
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yu Guo
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yang Lu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yaping Xu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xiuping Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xiaowu Dong
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P. R. China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jinxin Che
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
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15
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Jiang B, Weinstock DM, Donovan KA, Sun HW, Wolfe A, Amaka S, Donaldson NL, Wu G, Jiang Y, Wilcox RA, Fischer ES, Gray NS, Wu W. ITK degradation to block T cell receptor signaling and overcome therapeutic resistance in T cell lymphomas. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:383-393.e6. [PMID: 37015223 PMCID: PMC10151063 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-2-inducible T cell kinase (ITK) is essential for T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and plays an integral role in T cell proliferation and differentiation. Unlike the ITK homolog BTK, no inhibitors of ITK are currently US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved. In addition, recent studies have identified mutations within BTK that confer resistance to both covalent and non-covalent inhibitors. Here, as an alternative strategy, we report the development of BSJ-05-037, a potent and selective heterobifunctional degrader of ITK. BSJ-05-037 displayed enhanced anti-proliferative effects relative to its parent inhibitor BMS-509744, blocked the activation of NF-kB/GATA-3 signaling, and increased the sensitivity of T cell lymphoma cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, targeted degradation of ITK is a novel approach to modulate TCR signal strength that could have broad application for the investigation and treatment of T cell-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baishan Jiang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center of Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - David M Weinstock
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hong-Wei Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Ashley Wolfe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sam Amaka
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Nicholas L Donaldson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Gongwei Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuan Jiang
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center of Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ryan A Wilcox
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, Stanford Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Wenchao Wu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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16
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Yang YC, Zhao CJ, Jin ZF, Zheng J, Ma LT. Targeted therapy based on ubiquitin-specific proteases, signalling pathways and E3 ligases in non-small-cell lung cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1120828. [PMID: 36969062 PMCID: PMC10036052 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1120828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours worldwide, with the highest mortality rate. Approximately 1.6 million deaths owing to lung cancer are reported annually; of which, 85% of deaths occur owing to non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). At present, the conventional treatment methods for NSCLC include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and surgery. However, drug resistance and tumour invasion or metastasis often lead to treatment failure. The ubiquitin–proteasome pathway (UPP) plays an important role in the occurrence and development of tumours. Upregulation or inhibition of proteins or enzymes involved in UPP can promote or inhibit the occurrence and development of tumours, respectively. As regulators of UPP, ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) primarily inhibit the degradation of target proteins by proteasomes through deubiquitination and hence play a carcinogenic or anticancer role. This review focuses on the role of USPs in the occurrence and development of NSCLC and the potential of corresponding targeted drugs, PROTACs and small-molecule inhibitors in the treatment of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chen Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Can-Jun Zhao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhao-Feng Jin
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jin Zheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Li-Tian Ma, ; Jin Zheng,
| | - Li-Tian Ma
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Li-Tian Ma, ; Jin Zheng,
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17
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Maity P, Chatterjee J, Patil KT, Arora S, Katiyar MK, Kumar M, Samarbakhsh A, Joshi G, Bhutani P, Chugh M, Gavande NS, Kumar R. Targeting the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor with Molecular Degraders: State-of-the-Art and Future Opportunities. J Med Chem 2023; 66:3135-3172. [PMID: 36812395 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an oncogenic drug target and plays a critical role in several cellular functions including cancer cell growth, survival, proliferation, differentiation, and motility. Several small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been approved for targeting intracellular and extracellular domains of EGFR, respectively. However, cancer heterogeneity, mutations in the catalytic domain of EGFR, and persistent drug resistance limited their use. Different novel modalities are gaining a position in the limelight of anti-EGFR therapeutics to overcome such limitations. The current perspective reflects upon newer modalities, importantly the molecular degraders such as PROTACs, LYTACs, AUTECs, and ATTECs, etc., beginning with a snapshot of traditional and existing anti-EGFR therapies including small molecule inhibitors, mAbs, and antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). Further, a special emphasis has been made on the design, synthesis, successful applications, state-of-the-art, and emerging future opportunities of each discussed modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pritam Maity
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, 151401 Bathinda, India
| | - Joydeep Chatterjee
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, 151401 Bathinda, India
| | - Kiran T Patil
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, 151401 Bathinda, India
| | - Sahil Arora
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, 151401 Bathinda, India
| | - Madhurendra K Katiyar
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, 151401 Bathinda, India
| | - Manvendra Kumar
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, 151401 Bathinda, India
| | - Amirreza Samarbakhsh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Gaurav Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal (A Central) University, Srinagar 246174, Dist. Garhwal (Uttarakhand), India
| | | | - Manoj Chugh
- In Vitro Diagnostics, Transasia BioMedical Pvt. Ltd. 400072 Mumbai, India
| | - Navnath S Gavande
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Raj Kumar
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, 151401 Bathinda, India
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Cereblon-Recruiting PROTACs: Will New Drugs Have to Face Old Challenges? Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030812. [PMID: 36986673 PMCID: PMC10053963 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The classical low-molecular-weight drugs are designed to bind with high affinity to the biological targets endowed with receptor or enzymatic activity, and inhibit their function. However, there are many non-receptor or non-enzymatic disease proteins that seem undruggable using the traditional drug approach. This limitation has been overcome by PROTACs, bifunctional molecules that are able to bind the protein of interest and the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. This interaction results in the ubiquitination of POI and subsequent proteolysis in the cellular proteasome. Out of hundreds of proteins serving as substrate receptors in E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes, current PROTACs recruit only a few of them, including CRBN, cIAP1, VHL or MDM-2. This review will focus on PROTACs recruiting CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase and targeting various proteins involved in tumorigenesis, such as transcription factors, kinases, cytokines, enzymes, anti-apoptotic proteins and cellular receptors. The structure of several PROTACs, their chemical and pharmacokinetic properties, target affinity and biological activity in vitro and in vivo, will be discussed. We will also highlight cellular mechanisms that may affect the efficacy of PROTACs and pose a challenge for the future development of PROTACs.
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19
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Weidemann H, Feger D, Ehlert JE, Menger MM, Krempien RC. Markedly divergent effects of Ouabain on a Temozolomide-resistant (T98G) vs. a Temozolomide-sensitive (LN229) Glioblastoma cell line. Discov Oncol 2023; 14:27. [PMID: 36840822 PMCID: PMC9968366 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-023-00633-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor with poor prognosis. GMB are highly recurrent mainly because of radio- and chemoresistance. Radiotherapy with Temozolomide (TMZ) is until today the golden standard adjuvant therapy, however, the optimal treatment of recurrent glioblastoma remains controversial. Ouabain belongs to the Cardiotonic Steroids (CTS) the natural ligands of the Na/K-ATPase (NKA). It is established that the NKA represents a signal transducer with either stimulating or inhibiting cell growth, apoptosis, migration and angiogenesis. Over the last decade evidence grew that CTS have anti-tumor properties especially in GBM. AIM Proceeding from recent studies we wanted to further demonstrate a divergent effect of Ouabain on a TMZ-resistant (T98G) as compared to a TMZ-sensitive (LN229) GBM cell line. METHODS We analyzed the effect of Ouabain on cell migration and plasma cell membrane potential (PCMP) in the LN229 and T98G GBM cell line as well as underlying mechanisms (Bcl-2 and p-Akt/pan-Akt expression). Moreover, we analyzed the anti-angiogenic effect of Ouabain on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). RESULTS T98G cells showed a significant inhibition of cell migration and a significant depolarization of the PCMP at similar Ouabain concentrations (IC50 = 1.67 × 10-7 M) resp. (IC50 = 2.72 × 10-7 M) with a strong inverse correlation (R2 = 0.95). In contrast, LN229 cells did not respond to Ouabain in these assays at all. Similarly, only T98G but not LN229 cells revealed Bcl-2 down-regulation at nanomolar Ouabain concentrations. This unique response to Ouabain is associated with a down-regulation of pan-Akt in T98G cells 24 h after Ouabain (1.0 × 10-6 M) treatment. For the first time, the anti-angiogenic effect of Ouabain on HUVEC cells (IC50 = 5.49 × 10-8 M) was demonstrated which correlated strongly with the anti-migratory effect (R2 = 0.85). CONCLUSION The TMZ-resistant T98G cell line as compared to the TMZ-sensitive LN229 cell line shows a high sensitivity towards Ouabain. We consider it as a promising new compound especially in recurrent GBM to overcome the resistance to TMZ and irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidrun Weidemann
- Clinic for Radiotherapy, HELIOS Hospital Berlin-Buch, Schwanebecker Chaussee 50, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Feger
- Reaction Biology Europe GmbH, Engesserstr.4, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jan E. Ehlert
- Reaction Biology Europe GmbH, Engesserstr.4, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marcus M. Menger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Am Mühlenberg13, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Robert C. Krempien
- Clinic for Radiotherapy, HELIOS Hospital Berlin-Buch, Schwanebecker Chaussee 50, 13125 Berlin, Germany
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20
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Paccosi E, Balzerano A, Proietti-De-Santis L. Interfering with the Ubiquitin-Mediated Regulation of Akt as a Strategy for Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032809. [PMID: 36769122 PMCID: PMC9917864 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The serine/threonine kinase Akt modulates the functions of numerous substrates, many of them being involved in cell proliferation and growth, metabolism, angiogenesis, resistance to hypoxia and migration. Akt is frequently deregulated in many types of human cancers, its overexpression or abnormal activation being associated with the increased proliferation and survival of cancer cells. A promising avenue for turning off the functionality of Akt is to either interfere with the K63-linked ubiquitination that is necessary for Akt membrane recruitment and activation or increase the K48-linked polyubiquitination that aims to target Akt to the proteasome for its degradation. Recent evidence indicates that targeting the ubiquitin proteasome system is effective for certain cancer treatments. In this review, the functions and roles of Akt in human cancer will be discussed, with a main focus on molecules and compounds that target various elements of the ubiquitination processes that regulate the activation and inactivation of Akt. Moreover, their possible and attractive implications for cancer therapy will be discussed.
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21
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Zhang Q, Yan P, Zhao P, Zhao D, Cao H, Lu J, Mao B. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of mTOR-Targeting PROTACs Based on MLN0128 and Pomalidomide. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2023; 71:120-128. [PMID: 36436947 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c22-00576] [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: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an effective anti-tumor drug target. Several mTOR kinase inhibitors have entered clinical research, but there are still challenges of potential toxicity. As a new type of targeted drug, proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have features of low dosage and low toxicity. However, this approach has been rarely reported to involve mTOR degradation. In this study, the mTOR kinase inhibitor MLN0128 was used as the ligand to the protein of interest and conjugated with pomalidomide by diverse intermediate linkage chains. Several potential small molecule PROTACs for the degradation of mTOR were designed and synthesized. PROTAC compounds exhibited mTOR inhibitory activity and suppressed MCF-7 cell proliferation. The representative compound P1 could inhibit the expression of mTOR downstream proteins and the growth of cancer cells by inducing autophagy but not affecting the cell cycle and not inducing apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Peizheng Yan
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Pan Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Dongsheng Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Heran Cao
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Jing Lu
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Beibei Mao
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
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22
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Raith F, O’Donovan DH, Lemos C, Politz O, Haendler B. Addressing the Reciprocal Crosstalk between the AR and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathways for Prostate Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032289. [PMID: 36768610 PMCID: PMC9917236 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The reduction in androgen synthesis and the blockade of the androgen receptor (AR) function by chemical castration and AR signaling inhibitors represent the main treatment lines for the initial stages of prostate cancer. Unfortunately, resistance mechanisms ultimately develop due to alterations in the AR pathway, such as gene amplification or mutations, and also the emergence of alternative pathways that render the tumor less or, more rarely, completely independent of androgen activation. An essential oncogenic axis activated in prostate cancer is the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, as evidenced by the frequent alterations of the negative regulator phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and by the activating mutations in PI3K subunits. Additionally, crosstalk and reciprocal feedback loops between androgen signaling and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascade that activate pro-survival signals and play an essential role in disease recurrence and progression have been evidenced. Inhibitors addressing different players of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway have been evaluated in the clinic. Only a limited benefit has been reported in prostate cancer up to now due to the associated side effects, so novel combination approaches and biomarkers predictive of patient response are urgently needed. Here, we reviewed recent data on the crosstalk between AR signaling and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, the selective inhibitors identified, and the most advanced clinical studies, with a focus on combination treatments. A deeper understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms involved in disease progression and treatment resistance is essential to further guide therapeutic approaches with improved outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Raith
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel H. O’Donovan
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Clara Lemos
- Bayer Research and Innovation Center, Bayer US LLC, 238 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Oliver Politz
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernard Haendler
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30-2215-41198
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23
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Zhao HY, Xin M, Zhang SQ. Progress of small molecules for targeted protein degradation: PROTACs and other technologies. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:337-394. [PMID: 36606428 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of targeted protein degradation (TPD), especially proteolysis targeting chimeras. These degraders have manifested many advantages over small molecule inhibitors. To date, a huge number of degraders have been excavated against over 70 disease-related targets. In particular, degraders against estrogen receptor and androgen receptor have crowded into phase II clinical trial. TPD technologies largely expand the scope of druggable targets, and provide powerful tools for addressing intractable problems that can not be tackled by traditional small molecule inhibitors. In this review, we mainly focus on the structures and biological activities of small molecule degraders as well as the elucidation of mechanisms of emerging TPD technologies. We also propose the challenges that exist in the TPD field at present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yi Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Minhang Xin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - San-Qi Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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24
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Huang J, Chen L, Wu J, Ai D, Zhang JQ, Chen TG, Wang L. Targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in the Treatment of Human Diseases: Current Status, Trends, and Solutions. J Med Chem 2022; 65:16033-16061. [PMID: 36503229 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is one of the most important intracellular pathways involved in cell proliferation, growth, differentiation, and survival. Therefore, this route is a prospective biological target for treating various human diseases, such as tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, pulmonary fibrosis, and diabetes. An increasing number of clinical studies emphasize the necessity of developing novel molecules targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. This review focuses on recent advances in ATP-competitive inhibitors, allosteric inhibitors, covalent inhibitors, and proteolysis-targeting chimeras against the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, and highlights possible solutions for overcoming the toxicities and acquired drug resistance of currently available drugs. We also provide recommendations for the future design and development of promising drugs targeting this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jindi Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, Joint International Research Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Liye Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, Joint International Research Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiangxia Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, Joint International Research Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Daiqiao Ai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, Joint International Research Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ji-Quan Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Tie-Gen Chen
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Room 109, Building C, SSIP Healthcare and Medicine Demonstration Zone, Zhongshan Tsuihang New District, Zhongshan, Guangdong 528400, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Enzyme Engineering, Joint International Research Laboratory of Synthetic Biology and Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
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25
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Liu Z, Hu M, Yang Y, Du C, Zhou H, Liu C, Chen Y, Fan L, Ma H, Gong Y, Xie Y. An overview of PROTACs: a promising drug discovery paradigm. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:46. [PMID: 36536188 PMCID: PMC9763089 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00112-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) technology has emerged as a novel therapeutic paradigm in recent years. PROTACs are heterobifunctional molecules that degrade target proteins by hijacking the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Currently, about 20-25% of all protein targets are being studied, and most works focus on their enzymatic functions. Unlike small molecules, PROTACs inhibit the whole biological function of the target protein by binding to the target protein and inducing subsequent proteasomal degradation. PROTACs compensate for limitations that transcription factors, nuclear proteins, and other scaffolding proteins are difficult to handle with traditional small-molecule inhibitors. Currently, PROTACs have successfully degraded diverse proteins, such as BTK, BRD4, AR, ER, STAT3, IRAK4, tau, etc. And ARV-110 and ARV-471 exhibited excellent efficacy in clinical II trials. However, what targets are appropriate for PROTAC technology to achieve better benefits than small-molecule inhibitors are not fully understood. And how to rationally design an efficient PROTACs and optimize it to be orally effective poses big challenges for researchers. In this review, we summarize the features of PROTAC technology, analyze the detail of general principles for designing efficient PROTACs, and discuss the typical application of PROTACs targeting different protein categories. In addition, we also introduce the progress of relevant clinical trial results of representative PROTACs and assess the challenges and limitations that PROTACs may face. Collectively, our studies provide references for further application of PROTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Liu
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Mingxing Hu
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Yu Yang
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Chenghao Du
- grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Biological Sciences, USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Los Angeles, 90089 USA
| | - Haoxuan Zhou
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Chengyali Liu
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Yuanwei Chen
- Hinova Pharmaceuticals Inc., Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Lei Fan
- Hinova Pharmaceuticals Inc., Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Hongqun Ma
- Hinova Pharmaceuticals Inc., Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Youling Gong
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Yongmei Xie
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041 China
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26
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Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) in Cancer Therapy: Present and Future. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27248828. [PMID: 36557960 PMCID: PMC9785308 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) is an innovative technique for the selective degradation of target proteins via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Compared with traditional protein inhibitor drugs, PROTACs exhibit advantages in the efficacy and selectivity of and in overcoming drug resistance in cancer therapy, providing new insights into the discovery of anti-cancer drugs. In the last two decades, many PROTAC molecules have been developed to induce the degradation of cancer-related targets, and they have been subjected to clinical trials. Here, we comprehensively review the historical milestones and latest updates in PROTAC technology. We focus on the structures and mechanisms of PROTACs and their application in targeting tumor-related targets. We have listed several representative PROTACs based on CRBN, VHL, MDM2, or cIAP1 E3 ligases, and PROTACs that are undergoing anti-cancer clinical trials. In addition, the limitations of the current research, as well as the future research directions are described to improve the PROTAC design and development for cancer therapy.
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27
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Shah PA, Sambandam V, Fernandez AM, Zhao H, Mazumdar T, Shen L, Wang Q, Ahmed KM, Ghosh S, Frederick MJ, Wang J, Johnson FM. Sustained Aurora Kinase B Expression Confers Resistance to PI3K Inhibition in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2022; 82:4444-4456. [PMID: 36169922 PMCID: PMC9722567 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-1175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Tumor suppressor mutations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) dominate the genomic landscape, hindering the development of effective targeted therapies. Truncating and missense mutations in NOTCH1 are frequent in HNSCC, and inhibition of PI3K can selectively target NOTCH1 mutant (NOTCH1MUT) HNSCC cells. In this study, we identify several proteins that are differentially regulated in HNSCC cells after PI3K inhibition based on NOTCH1MUT status. Expression of Aurora kinase B (Aurora B), AKT, and PDK1 following PI3K inhibition was significantly lower in NOTCH1MUT cell lines than in wild-type NOTCH1 (NOTCH1WT) cells or NOTCH1MUT cells with acquired resistance to PI3K inhibition. Combined inhibition of PI3K and Aurora B was synergistic, enhancing apoptosis in vitro and leading to durable tumor regression in vivo. Overexpression of Aurora B in NOTCH1MUT HNSCC cells led to resistance to PI3K inhibition, while Aurora B knockdown increased sensitivity of NOTCH1WT cells. In addition, overexpression of Aurora B in NOTCH1MUT HNSCC cells increased total protein levels of AKT and PDK1. AKT depletion in NOTCH1WT cells and overexpression in NOTCH1MUT cells similarly altered sensitivity to PI3K inhibition, and manipulation of AKT levels affected PDK1 but not Aurora B levels. These data define a novel pathway in which Aurora B upregulates AKT that subsequently increases PDK1 selectively in NOTCH1MUT cells to mediate HNSCC survival in response to PI3K inhibition. These findings may lead to an effective therapeutic approach for HNSCC with NOTCH1MUT while sparing normal cells. SIGNIFICANCE Aurora B signaling facilitates resistance to PI3K inhibition in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, suggesting that combined inhibition of PI3K and Aurora kinase is a rational therapeutic strategy to overcome resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja A. Shah
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Vaishnavi Sambandam
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Anne M. Fernandez
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hongyun Zhao
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tuhina Mazumdar
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kazi M. Ahmed
- Department of Otolaryngology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Soma Ghosh
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Jing Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA,The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Faye M. Johnson
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA,The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Corresponding author. Address: 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 432, Houston, Texas 77030. Phone: +1-713-792-6363; Fax: +1 -713-792-1220.
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28
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Liu J, Peng Y, Inuzuka H, Wei W. Targeting micro-environmental pathways by PROTACs as a therapeutic strategy. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:269-279. [PMID: 35798235 PMCID: PMC11000491 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.07.001] [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: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) composes of multiple cell types and non-cellular components, which supports the proliferation, metastasis and immune surveillance evasion of tumor cells, as well as accounts for the resistance to therapies. Therefore, therapeutic strategies using small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) and antibodies to block potential targets in TME are practical for cancer treatment. Targeted protein degradation using PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) technic has several advantages over traditional SMIs and antibodies, including overcoming drug resistance. Thus many PROTACs are currently under development for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of PROTAC development that target TME pathways and propose the potential direction of future PROTAC technique to advance as novel cancer treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Yunhua Peng
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Hiroyuki Inuzuka
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Wenyi Wei
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States.
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Yu X, Xu J, Cahuzac KM, Xie L, Shen Y, Chen X, Liu J, Parsons RE, Jin J. Novel Allosteric Inhibitor-Derived AKT Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) Enable Potent and Selective AKT Degradation in KRAS/BRAF Mutant Cells. J Med Chem 2022; 65:14237-14260. [PMID: 36197750 PMCID: PMC9613624 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AKT is an important target for cancer therapeutics. Significant advancements have been made in developing ATP-competitive and allosteric AKT inhibitors. Recently, several AKT proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) derived from ATP-competitive AKT inhibitors have been reported, including MS21. While MS21 potently degraded AKT and inhibited the growth in tumor cells harboring PI3K/PTEN pathway mutation, it was largely ineffective in degrading AKT in KRAS/BRAF mutated cells as a single agent. To overcome the AKT degradation resistance in KRAS/BRAF mutated cells, we developed novel AKT PROTACs derived from an AKT allosteric inhibitor, including degrader 62 (MS15). 62 displayed potent and selective AKT degradation activity and potent antiproliferative activity in KRAS/BRAF mutated cancer cells, in addition to PI3K/PTEN mutated cancer cells. Furthermore, 62 was bioavailable in mice through intraperitoneal administration. Overall, 62 is a valuable chemical tool to degrade AKT in cells harboring KRAS/BRAF mutation and expands the tool box for pharmacologically modulating AKT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xufen Yu
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Jia Xu
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Kaitlyn M. Cahuzac
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Ling Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
| | - Yudao Shen
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Xian Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
| | - Jing Liu
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Ramon E. Parsons
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
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30
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Tsai PJ, Lai YH, Manne RK, Tsai YS, Sarbassov D, Lin HK. Akt: a key transducer in cancer. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:76. [PMID: 36180910 PMCID: PMC9526305 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00860-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth factor signaling plays a pivotal role in diverse biological functions, such as cell growth, apoptosis, senescence, and migration and its deregulation has been linked to various human diseases. Akt kinase is a central player transmitting extracellular clues to various cellular compartments, in turn executing these biological processes. Since the discovery of Akt three decades ago, the tremendous progress towards identifying its upstream regulators and downstream effectors and its roles in cancer has been made, offering novel paradigms and therapeutic strategies for targeting human diseases and cancers with deregulated Akt activation. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms for Akt signaling networks paves the way for developing selective inhibitors targeting Akt and its signaling regulation for the management of human diseases including cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Jane Tsai
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsin Lai
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Rajesh Kumar Manne
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Yau-Sheng Tsai
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Clinical Medicine Research Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Dos Sarbassov
- Biology Department, School of Sciences and Humanities, and National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan City, 010000, Kazakhstan.
| | - Hui-Kuan Lin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
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31
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Xu F, Zhang X, Chen Z, He S, Guo J, Yu L, Wang Y, Hou C, Ai-Furas H, Zheng Z, Smaill JB, Patterson AV, Zhang ZM, Chen L, Ren X, Ding K. Discovery of Isoform-Selective Akt3 Degraders Overcoming Osimertinib-Induced Resistance in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells. J Med Chem 2022; 65:14032-14048. [PMID: 36173763 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
EGFR inhibitor therapies have brought significant benefit to NSCLC patients. However, all patients gradually progress to acquired resistance via diverse mechanisms. Akt3 overexpression but not Akt1/2 is one of the found molecular events that mediate osimertinib (1) resistance in NSCLC patients. Here, we report 12l as the first bona fide isoform-selective Akt3 degrader which potently induced proteasomal degradation of the target both in vitro and in vivo, whereas its effects on Akt1/2 were minimal. Using 12l as a tool, non-canonical function of Akt3 was validated to contribute greatly to survival of 1-resistant H1975OR NSCLC cells. Degrader 12l potently suppressed the growth of H1975OR as well as several NSCLC cell lines with low nanomolar IC50 values and demonstrated promising in vivo antitumor efficacy in nude mice bearing H1975OR or PC9 NSCLC xenograft models. Selective degradation of Akt3 may be considered as a novel strategy for human cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Xu
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MOE) of PR China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.,The First Affiliated Hospital (Huaqiao Hospital), Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MOE) of PR China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.,The First Affiliated Hospital (Huaqiao Hospital), Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zhipeng Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology and Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Sheng He
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MOE) of PR China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jing Guo
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MOE) of PR China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lei Yu
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MOE) of PR China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yongjin Wang
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MOE) of PR China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Caiyun Hou
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MOE) of PR China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Hawaa Ai-Furas
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MOE) of PR China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zongyao Zheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology and Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jeff B Smaill
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Adam V Patterson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Zhi-Min Zhang
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MOE) of PR China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Liang Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology and Key Laboratory of Functional Protein Research of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Institute of Life and Health Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaomei Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 210530, China
| | - Ke Ding
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development, Ministry of Education (MOE) of PR China, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.,The First Affiliated Hospital (Huaqiao Hospital), Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 210530, China
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MDM2-Based Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs): An Innovative Drug Strategy for Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911068. [PMID: 36232374 PMCID: PMC9570454 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are molecules that selectively degrade a protein of interest (POI). The incorporation of ligands that recruit mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) into PROTACs, forming the so-called MDM2-based PROTACs, has shown promise in cancer treatment due to its dual mechanism of action: a PROTAC that recruits MDM2 prevents its binding to p53, resulting not only in the degradation of POI but also in the increase of intracellular levels of the p53 suppressor, with the activation of a whole set of biological processes, such as cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. In addition, these PROTACs, in certain cases, allow for the degradation of the target, with nanomolar potency, in a rapid and sustained manner over time, with less susceptibility to the development of resistance and tolerance, without causing changes in protein expression, and with selectivity to the target, including the respective isoforms or mutations, and to the cell type, overcoming some limitations associated with the use of inhibitors for the same therapeutic target. Therefore, the aim of this review is to analyze and discuss the characteristics of MDM2-based PROTACs developed for the degradation of oncogenic proteins and to understand what potential they have as future anticancer drugs.
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Recent Advances of Degradation Technologies Based on PROTAC Mechanism. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091257. [PMID: 36139095 PMCID: PMC9496103 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091257] [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: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PROTAC (proteolysis-targeting chimeras), which selectively degrades target proteins, has become the most popular technology for drug development in recent years. Here, we introduce the history of PROTAC, and summarize the recent advances in novel types of degradation technologies based on the PROTAC mechanism, including TF-PROTAC, Light-controllable PROTAC, PhosphoTAC, LYTAC, AUTAC, ATTEC, CMA, RNA-PROTAC and RIBOTACs. In addition, the clinical progress, current challenges and future prospects of degradation technologies based on PROTAC mechanism are discussed.
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Farrell BM, Gerth F, Yang CHR, Yeh JTH. A synthetic KLHL20 ligand to validate CUL3 KLHL20 as a potent E3 ligase for targeted protein degradation. Genes Dev 2022; 36:1031-1042. [PMID: 36328355 PMCID: PMC9732910 DOI: 10.1101/gad.349717.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has risen as a promising therapeutic modality. Leveraging the catalytic nature of the ubiquitin-proteasome enzymatic machinery, TPD exhibits higher potency to eliminate disease-causing target proteins such as oncogenic transcription factors that may otherwise be difficult to abrogate by conventional inhibitors. However, there are challenges that remain. Currently, nearly all degraders engage CUL4CRBN or CUL2VHL as the E3 ligase for target ubiquitination. While their immediate efficacies are evident, the narrowed E3 ligase options make TPD vulnerable to potential drug resistance. In addition, E3 ligases show differential tissue expression and have intrinsic limitations in accessing varying types of disease-relevant targets. As the success of TPD is closely associated with the ability of E3 ligases to efficiently polyubiquitinate the target of interest, the long-term outlook of TPD drug development will depend on whether E3 ligases such as CUL4CRBN and CUL2VHL are accessible to the targets of interest. To overcome these potential caveats, a broad collection of actionable E3 ligases is required. Here, we designed a macrocyclic degrader engaging CUL3KLHL20 for targeting BET proteins and validated CUL3KLHL20 as an E3 ligase system suitable for TPD. This work thus contributes to the expansion of usable E3 ligases for potential drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Farrell
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Fabian Gerth
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Cheng-Hao R Yang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Johannes T-H Yeh
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
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35
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Toson B, Fortes IS, Roesler R, Andrade SF. Targeting Akt/PKB in pediatric tumors: A review from preclinical to clinical trials. Pharmacol Res 2022; 183:106403. [PMID: 35987481 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106403] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The serine/threonine kinase Akt is a major player in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, and its modulation impacts multiple cellular processes such as growth, proliferation, and survival. Several abnormalities in this pathway have been documented over the years, and these alterations were shown to have great implications in tumorigenesis and resistance to chemotherapy. Thus, multiple Akt inhibitors have been developed and tested in adult tumors, and some of them are currently undergoing phase I, II, and III clinical trials for distinct cancers that arise during adulthood. Despite that, the impact of these inhibitors is still not fully understood in pediatric tumors, and Akt-specific targeting seems to be a promising approach to treat children affected by cancers. This review summarizes recent available evidence of Akt inhibitors in pediatric cancers, from both preclinical and clinical studies. In short, we demonstrate the impact that Akt inhibition provides in tumorigenesis, and we suggest targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, alone or in combination with other inhibitors, is a feasible tool to achieve better outcomes in pediatric tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Toson
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Isadora S Fortes
- Pharmaceutical Synthesis Group (PHARSG), College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Ipiranga, 2752, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Saulo F Andrade
- Pharmaceutical Synthesis Group (PHARSG), College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Ipiranga, 2752, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil.
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36
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Cao C, He M, Wang L, He Y, Rao Y. Chemistries of bifunctional PROTAC degraders. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:7066-7114. [PMID: 35916511 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00220e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) technology is a novel and promising therapeutic strategy using small molecules to induce ubiquitin-dependent degradation of proteins. It has received extensive attention from both academia and industry as it can potentially access previously inaccessible targets. However, the design and optimization of PROTACs present big challenges for researchers, and the general strategy for its development and optimization is a lot of trial and error based on experience. This review highlights the important advances in this rapidly growing field and critical limitations of the traditional trial-and-error approach to developing PROTACs by analyzing numerous representative examples of PROTACs development. We summarize and analyze the general principles and strategies for PROTACs design and optimization from the perspective of chemical structure design, and propose potential future pathways to facilitate the development of PROTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoguo Cao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China. .,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Ming He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Liguo Wang
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Yuna He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Yu Rao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
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37
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Zhu K, Wu Y, He P, Fan Y, Zhong X, Zheng H, Luo T. PI3K/AKT/mTOR-Targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:2508. [PMID: 36010585 PMCID: PMC9406657 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) (PAM) pathways play important roles in breast tumorigenesis and confer worse prognosis in breast cancer patients. The inhibitors targeting three key nodes of these pathways, PI3K, AKT and mTOR, are continuously developed. For breast cancer patients to truly benefit from PAM pathway inhibitors, it is necessary to clarify the frequency and mechanism of abnormal alterations in the PAM pathway in different breast cancer subtypes, and further explore reliable biomarkers to identify the appropriate population for precision therapy. Some PI3K and mTOR inhibitors have been approved by regulatory authorities for the treatment of specific breast cancer patient populations, and many new-generation PI3K/mTOR inhibitors and AKT isoform inhibitors have also been shown to have good prospects for cancer therapy. This review summarizes the changes in the PAM signaling pathway in different subtypes of breast cancer, and the latest research progress about the biomarkers and clinical application of PAM-targeted inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunrui Zhu
- Breast Disease Center, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
- Multi-Omics Laboratory of Breast Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Collaborative, Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Yanqi Wu
- Breast Disease Center, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Ping He
- Breast Disease Center, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
- Multi-Omics Laboratory of Breast Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Collaborative, Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Yu Fan
- Multi-Omics Laboratory of Breast Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Collaborative, Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Xiaorong Zhong
- Breast Disease Center, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
- Multi-Omics Laboratory of Breast Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Collaborative, Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Hong Zheng
- Breast Disease Center, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
- Multi-Omics Laboratory of Breast Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Collaborative, Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Ting Luo
- Breast Disease Center, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
- Multi-Omics Laboratory of Breast Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Collaborative, Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
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38
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Zhu CL, Luo X, Tian T, Rao Z, Wang H, Zhou Z, Mi T, Chen D, Xu Y, Wu Y, Che J, Zhou Y, Li J, Dong X. Structure-based rational design enables efficient discovery of a new selective and potent AKT PROTAC degrader. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 238:114459. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Treating non-small cell lung cancer by targeting the PI3K signaling pathway. Chin Med J (Engl) 2022; 135:1272-1284. [PMID: 35830272 PMCID: PMC9433080 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002195] [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] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT The phosphosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is one of the most important intracellular signal transduction pathways affecting cell functions, such as apoptosis, translation, metabolism, and angiogenesis. Lung cancer is a malignant tumor with the highest morbidity and mortality rates in the world. It can be divided into two groups, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC accounts for >85% of all lung cancers. There are currently many clinical treatment options for NSCLC; however, traditional methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have not been able to provide patients with good survival benefits. The emergence of molecular target therapy has improved the survival and prognosis of patients with NSCLC. In recent years, there have been an increasing number of studies on NSCLC and PI3K signaling pathways. Inhibitors of various parts of the PI3K pathway have appeared in various phases of clinical trials with NSCLC as an indication. This article focuses on the role of the PI3K signaling pathway in the occurrence and development of NSCLC and summarizes the current clinical research progress and possible development strategies.
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40
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Vasan N, Cantley LC. At a crossroads: how to translate the roles of PI3K in oncogenic and metabolic signalling into improvements in cancer therapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:471-485. [PMID: 35484287 PMCID: PMC11215755 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00633-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Numerous agents targeting various phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway components, including PI3K, AKT and mTOR, have been tested in oncology clinical trials, resulting in regulatory approvals for the treatment of selected patients with breast cancer, certain other solid tumours or particular haematological malignancies. However, given the prominence of PI3K signalling in cancer and the crucial role of this pathway in linking cancer growth with metabolism, these clinical results could arguably be improved upon. In this Review, we discuss past and present efforts to overcome the somewhat limited clinical efficacy of PI3Kα pathway inhibitors, including optimization of inhibitor specificity, patient selection and biomarkers across cancer types, with a focus on breast cancer, as well as identification and abrogation of signalling-related and metabolic mechanisms of resistance, and interventions to improve management of prohibitive adverse events. We highlight the advantages and limitations of laboratory-based model systems used to study the PI3K pathway, and propose technologies and experimental inquiries to guide the future clinical deployment of PI3K pathway inhibitors in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Vasan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lewis C Cantley
- Meyer Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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He M, Cao C, Ni Z, Liu Y, Song P, Hao S, He Y, Sun X, Rao Y. PROTACs: great opportunities for academia and industry (an update from 2020 to 2021). Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:181. [PMID: 35680848 PMCID: PMC9178337 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00999-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) technology is a new protein-degradation strategy that has emerged in recent years. It uses bifunctional small molecules to induce the ubiquitination and degradation of target proteins through the ubiquitin–proteasome system. PROTACs can not only be used as potential clinical treatments for diseases such as cancer, immune disorders, viral infections, and neurodegenerative diseases, but also provide unique chemical knockdown tools for biological research in a catalytic, reversible, and rapid manner. In 2019, our group published a review article “PROTACs: great opportunities for academia and industry” in the journal, summarizing the representative compounds of PROTACs reported before the end of 2019. In the past 2 years, the entire field of protein degradation has experienced rapid development, including not only a large increase in the number of research papers on protein-degradation technology but also a rapid increase in the number of small-molecule degraders that have entered the clinical and will enter the clinical stage. In addition to PROTAC and molecular glue technology, other new degradation technologies are also developing rapidly. In this article, we mainly summarize and review the representative PROTACs of related targets published in 2020–2021 to present to researchers the exciting developments in the field of protein degradation. The problems that need to be solved in this field will also be briefly introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Chaoguo Cao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China.,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhihao Ni
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yongbo Liu
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Peilu Song
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Shuang Hao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yuna He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xiuyun Sun
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yu Rao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China. .,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, Zhengzhou, China.
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Wu X, Zhang Y, Liu S, Liu C, Tang G, Cao X, Lei X, Peng J. Research applications of “linkers” in small molecule drugs design in fragment-based. Bioorg Chem 2022; 127:105921. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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43
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Li X, Pu W, Zheng Q, Ai M, Chen S, Peng Y. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:99. [PMID: 35410300 PMCID: PMC8996410 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01434-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractProteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are engineered techniques for targeted protein degradation. A bifunctional PROTAC molecule with two covalently-linked ligands recruits target protein and E3 ubiquitin ligase together to trigger proteasomal degradation of target protein by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. PROTAC has emerged as a promising approach for targeted therapy in various diseases, particularly in cancers. In this review, we introduce the principle and development of PROTAC technology, as well as the advantages of PROTACs over traditional anti-cancer therapies. Moreover, we summarize the application of PROTACs in targeting critical oncoproteins, provide the guidelines for the molecular design of PROTACs and discuss the challenges in the targeted degradation by PROTACs.
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44
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Sosič I, Bricelj A, Steinebach C. E3 ligase ligand chemistries: from building blocks to protein degraders. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:3487-3534. [PMID: 35393989 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00148a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), capable of achieving targeted protein degradation, have proven their great therapeutic potential and usefulness as molecular biology tools. These heterobifunctional compounds are comprised of a protein-targeting ligand, an appropriate linker, and a ligand binding to the E3 ligase of choice. A successful PROTAC induces the formation of a ternary complex, leading to the E3 ligase-mediated ubiquitination of the targeted protein and its proteasomal degradation. In over 20 years since the concept was first demonstrated, the field has grown substantially, mainly due to the advancements in the discovery of non-peptidic E3 ligase ligands. Development of small-molecule E3 binders with favourable physicochemical profiles aided the design of PROTACs, which are known for breaking the rules of established guidelines for discovering small molecules. Synthetic accessibility of the ligands and numerous successful applications led to the prevalent use of cereblon and von Hippel-Lindau as the hijacked E3 ligase. However, the pool of over 600 human E3 ligases is full of untapped potential, which is why expanding the artillery of E3 ligands could contribute to broadening the scope of targeted protein degradation. In this comprehensive review, we focus on the chemistry aspect of the PROTAC design process by providing an overview of liganded E3 ligases, their chemistries, appropriate derivatisation, and synthetic approaches towards their incorporation into heterobifunctional degraders. By covering syntheses of both established and underexploited E3 ligases, this review can serve as a chemistry blueprint for PROTAC researchers during their future ventures into the complex field of targeted protein degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izidor Sosič
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleša Bricelj
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Christian Steinebach
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
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Torres-Ayuso P, Brognard J. Degraders: The Ultimate Weapon Against Amplified Driver Kinases in Cancer. Mol Pharmacol 2022; 101:191-200. [PMID: 35115411 PMCID: PMC9092480 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.121.000306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Amplification of pro-oncogenic kinases is a common genetic alteration driving tumorigenic phenotypes. Cancer cells rely on the amplified kinases to sustain cell proliferation, survival, and growth, presenting an opportunity to develop therapies targeting the amplified kinases. Utilizing small molecule catalytic inhibitors as therapies to target amplified kinases is plagued by de novo resistance driven by increased expression of the target, and amplified kinases can drive tumorigenic phenotypes independent of catalytic activity. Here, we discuss the emergence of proteolysis-targeting chimeras that provide an opportunity to target these oncogenic drivers effectively. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Protein kinases contribute to tumorigenesis through catalytic and noncatalytic mechanisms, and kinase gene amplifications are well described mechanisms of resistance to small molecule catalytic inhibitors. Repurposing catalytic inhibitors for the development of protein degraders will offer improved clinical benefits by targeting noncatalytic functions of kinases that promote tumorigenesis and overcoming resistance due to amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Torres-Ayuso
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - John Brognard
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
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Yu X, Xu J, Shen Y, Cahuzac KM, Park KS, Dale B, Liu J, Parsons RE, Jin J. Discovery of Potent, Selective, and In Vivo Efficacious AKT Kinase Protein Degraders via Structure-Activity Relationship Studies. J Med Chem 2022; 65:3644-3666. [PMID: 35119851 PMCID: PMC8900464 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c02165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
We recently reported a potent, selective, and in vivo efficacious AKT degrader, MS21, which is a von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)-recruiting proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) based on the AKT inhibitor AZD5363. However, no structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies that resulted in this discovery have been reported. Herein, we present our SAR studies that led to the discovery of MS21, another VHL-recruiting AKT degrader, MS143 (compound 20) with similar potency as MS21, and a novel cereblon (CRBN)-recruiting PROTAC, MS5033 (compound 35). Compounds 20 and 35 induced rapid and robust AKT degradation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner via hijacking the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Compound 20 suppressed cell growth more effectively than AZD5363 in multiple cancer cell lines. Furthermore, 20 and 35 displayed good plasma exposure levels in mice and are suitable for in vivo efficacy studies. Lastly, compound 20 effectively suppressed tumor growth in vivo in a xenograft model without apparent toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yudao Shen
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Kaitlyn M. Cahuzac
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Kwang-su Park
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Brandon Dale
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Jing Liu
- Corresponding Authors: Jing Liu – Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States; , Ramon E. Parsons – Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States; , Jian Jin – Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States;
| | - Ramon E. Parsons
- Corresponding Authors: Jing Liu – Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States; , Ramon E. Parsons – Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States; , Jian Jin – Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States;
| | - Jian Jin
- Corresponding Authors: Jing Liu – Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States; , Ramon E. Parsons – Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States; , Jian Jin – Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States;
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Hu Z, Crews CM. Recent Developments in PROTAC-Mediated Protein Degradation: From Bench to Clinic. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202100270. [PMID: 34494353 PMCID: PMC9395155 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), an emerging paradigm-shifting technology, hijacks the ubiquitin-proteasome system for targeted protein degradation. PROTACs induce ternary complexes between an E3 ligase and POI, and this induced proximity leads to polyUb chain formation on substrates and eventual proteasomal-mediated POI degradation. PROTACs have shown great therapeutic potential by degrading many disease-causing proteins, such as the androgen receptor and BRD4. The PROTAC technology has advanced significantly in the last two decades, with the repertoire of PROTAC targets increased tremendously. Herein, we describe recent developments of PROTAC technology, focusing on mechanistic and kinetic studies, pharmacokinetic study, spatiotemporal control of PROTACs, covalent PROTACs, resistance to PROTACs, and new E3 ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyi Hu
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, 260 Whitney Avenue, New Haven CT 06511 (USA)
| | - Craig M. Crews
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, 260 Whitney Avenue, New Haven CT 06511 (USA),Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511(USA),Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street New Haven, CT 06511 (USA)
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Inuzuka H, Liu J, Wei W, Rezaeian AH. PROTACs technology for treatment of Alzheimer's disease: Advances and perspectives. ACTA MATERIA MEDICA 2022; 1:24-41. [PMID: 35237768 PMCID: PMC8887676 DOI: 10.15212/amm-2021-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characteristic with progression of neuron degeneration, resulting in dysfunction of cognition and mobility. Many neurodegenerative diseases are because of proteinopathies that results from unusual protein accumulations and aggregations. The aggregation of misfolded proteins like β-amyloid, α-synuclein, tau, and polyglutamates are hallmarked in Alzheimer's disease (AD), which are undruggable targets, and usually do not respond to conventional small-molecule agents. Therefore, developing novel technology and strategy for reducing the levels of protein aggregates would be critical for treatment of AD. Recently, the emerging proteolysis targeting chimeras (PRPTACs) technology has been significantly considered for artificial and selective degradation of aberrant target proteins. These engineered bifunctional molecules engage target proteins to be degraded by either the cellular degradation machinery in the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) or via the autophagy-lysosome degradation pathway. Although the application of PROTACs technology is preferable than oligonucleotide and antibodies for treatment of NDs, many limitations such as their pharmacokinetic properties, tissue distribution and cell permeabilities, still need to be corrected. Herein, we review the recent advances in PROTACs technology with their limitation for pharmaceutical targeting of aberrant proteins involved in Alzheimer's diseases. We also review therapeutic potential of dysregulated signaling such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis for the management of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Inuzuka
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Wenyi Wei
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Corresponding author. Contact: ,
| | - Abdol-Hossein Rezaeian
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Corresponding author. Contact: ,
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Chang MT, Shanahan F, Nguyen TTT, Staben ST, Gazzard L, Yamazoe S, Wertz IE, Piskol R, Yang YA, Modrusan Z, Haley B, Evangelista M, Malek S, Foster SA, Ye X. Identifying transcriptional programs underlying cancer drug response with TraCe-seq. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:86-93. [PMID: 34531539 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-021-01005-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Genetic and non-genetic heterogeneity within cancer cell populations represent major challenges to anticancer therapies. We currently lack robust methods to determine how preexisting and adaptive features affect cellular responses to therapies. Here, by conducting clonal fitness mapping and transcriptional characterization using expressed barcodes and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we have developed tracking differential clonal response by scRNA-seq (TraCe-seq). TraCe-seq is a method that captures at clonal resolution the origin, fate and differential early adaptive transcriptional programs of cells in a complex population in response to distinct treatments. We used TraCe-seq to benchmark how next-generation dual epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor-degraders compare to standard EGFR kinase inhibitors in EGFR-mutant lung cancer cells. We identified a loss of antigrowth activity associated with targeted degradation of EGFR protein and an essential role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein processing pathway in anti-EGFR therapeutic efficacy. Our results suggest that targeted degradation is not always superior to enzymatic inhibition and establish TraCe-seq as an approach to study how preexisting transcriptional programs affect treatment responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Chang
- Department of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Frances Shanahan
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Thi Thu Thao Nguyen
- Department of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Steven T Staben
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lewis Gazzard
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sayumi Yamazoe
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
- Discovery Biotherapeutics, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Redwood City, CA, USA
| | - Ingrid E Wertz
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert Piskol
- Department of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yeqing Angela Yang
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Zora Modrusan
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Haley
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marie Evangelista
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shiva Malek
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Scott A Foster
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Xin Ye
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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50
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Parkman GL, Foth M, Kircher DA, Holmen SL, McMahon M. The role of PI3'-lipid signalling in melanoma initiation, progression and maintenance. Exp Dermatol 2022; 31:43-56. [PMID: 34717019 PMCID: PMC8724390 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol-3'-kinases (PI3Ks) are a family of lipid kinases that phosphorylate the 3' hydroxyl (OH) of the inositol ring of phosphatidylinositides (PI). Through their downstream effectors, PI3K generated lipids (PI3K-lipids hereafter) such as PI(3,4,5)P3 and PI(3,4)P2 regulate myriad biochemical and biological processes in both normal and cancer cells including responses to growth hormones and cytokines; the cell division cycle; cell death; cellular growth; angiogenesis; membrane dynamics; and autophagy and many aspects of cellular metabolism. Engagement of receptor tyrosine kinase by their cognate ligands leads to activation of members of the Class I family of PI3'-kinases (PI3Kα, β, δ & γ) leading to accumulation of PI3K-lipids. Importantly, PI3K-lipid accumulation is antagonized by the hydrolytic action of a number of PI3K-lipid phosphatases, most notably the melanoma suppressor PTEN (lipid phosphatase and tensin homologue). Downstream of PI3K-lipid production, the protein kinases AKT1-3 are believed to be key effectors of PI3'-kinase signalling in cells. Indeed, in preclinical models, activation of the PI3K→AKT signalling axis cooperates with alterations such as expression of the BRAFV600E oncoprotein kinase to promote melanoma progression and metastasis. In this review, we describe the different classes of PI3K-lipid effectors, and how they may promote melanomagenesis, influence the tumour microenvironment, melanoma maintenance and progression to metastatic disease. We also provide an update on both FDA-approved or experimental inhibitors of the PI3K→AKT pathway that are currently being evaluated for the treatment of melanoma either in preclinical models or in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennie L. Parkman
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Mona Foth
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - David A. Kircher
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Sheri L. Holmen
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Martin McMahon
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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