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Scianò F, Terrana F, Pecoraro C, Parrino B, Cascioferro S, Diana P, Giovannetti E, Carbone D. Exploring the therapeutic potential of focal adhesion kinase inhibition in overcoming chemoresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Future Med Chem 2024; 16:271-289. [PMID: 38269431 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0234] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase often overexpressed in PDAC. FAK has been linked to cell migration, survival, proliferation, angiogenesis and adhesion. This review first highlights the chemoresistant nature of PDAC. Second, the role of FAK in PDAC cancer progression and resistance is carefully described. Additionally, it discusses recent developments of FAK inhibitors as valuable drugs in the treatment of PDAC, with a focus on diamine-substituted-2,4-pyrimidine-based compounds, which represent the most potent class of FAK inhibitors in clinical trials for the treatment of PDAC disease. To conclude, relevant computational studies performed on FAK inhibitors are reported to highlight the key structural features required for interaction with the protein, with the aim of optimizing this novel targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Scianò
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Francesca Terrana
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Camilla Pecoraro
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Barbara Parrino
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Stella Cascioferro
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Patrizia Diana
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc) De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, 1081HV, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Via Ferruccio Giovannini 13, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, 56017, Italy
| | - Daniela Carbone
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
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Bergonzini C, Gregori A, Hagens TMS, van der Noord VE, van de Water B, Zweemer AJM, Coban B, Capula M, Mantini G, Botto A, Finamore F, Garajova I, McDonnell LA, Schmidt T, Giovannetti E, Danen EHJ. ABCB1 overexpression through locus amplification represents an actionable target to combat paclitaxel resistance in pancreatic cancer cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:4. [PMID: 38163893 PMCID: PMC10759666 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02879-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest types of cancer and the chemotherapies such as gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel are confronted with intrinsic or acquired resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate mechanisms underlying paclitaxel resistance in PDAC and explore strategies to overcome it. METHODS Three paclitaxel (PR) and gemcitabine resistant (GR) PDAC models were established. Transcriptomics and proteomics were used to identify conserved mechanisms of drug resistance. Genetic and pharmacological approaches were used to overcome paclitaxel resistance. RESULTS Upregulation of ABCB1 through locus amplification was identified as a conserved feature unique to PR cells. ABCB1 was not affected in any of the GR models and no cross resistance was observed. The ABCB1 inhibitor verapamil or siRNA-mediated ABCB1 depletion sensitized PR cells to paclitaxel and prevented efflux of ABCB1 substrates in all models. ABCB1 expression was associated with a trend towards shorter survival in patients who had received gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel treatment. A pharmacological screen identified known and novel kinase inhibitors that attenuate efflux of ABCB1 substrates and sensitize PR PDAC cells to paclitaxel. CONCLUSION Upregulation of ABCB1 through locus amplification represents a novel, conserved mechanism of PDAC paclitaxel resistance. Kinase inhibitors identified in this study can be further (pre) clinically explored as therapeutic strategies to overcome paclitaxel resistance in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Bergonzini
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alessandro Gregori
- Physics of Life Processes, Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tessa M S Hagens
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Vera E van der Noord
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bob van de Water
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Annelien J M Zweemer
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bircan Coban
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mjriam Capula
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana Per La Scienza, San Giuliano, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Mantini
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Asia Botto
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Lab, Fondazione Pisana Per La Scienza, San Giuliano, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Finamore
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Lab, Fondazione Pisana Per La Scienza, San Giuliano, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ingrid Garajova
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Liam A McDonnell
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Lab, Fondazione Pisana Per La Scienza, San Giuliano, Pisa, Italy
| | - Thomas Schmidt
- Physics of Life Processes, Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana Per La Scienza, San Giuliano, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Erik H J Danen
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Parrasia S, Rossa A, Roncaglia N, Mattarei A, Honisch C, Szabò I, Ruzza P, Biasutto L. DA7R: A 7-Letter Zip Code to Target PDAC. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051508. [PMID: 37242749 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051508] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common type of pancreatic cancer, and is among the most aggressive and still incurable cancers. Innovative and successful therapeutic strategies are extremely needed. Peptides represent a versatile and promising tool to achieve tumor targeting, thanks to their ability to recognize specific target proteins (over)expressed on the surface of cancer cells. A7R is one such peptide, binding neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) and VEGFR2. Since PDAC expresses these receptors, the aim of this study was to test if A7R-drug conjugates could represent a PDAC-targeting strategy. PAPTP, a promising mitochondria-targeted anticancer compound, was selected as the cargo for this proof-of-concept study. Derivatives were designed as prodrugs, using a bioreversible linker to connect PAPTP to the peptide. Both the retro-inverso (DA7R) and the head-to-tail cyclic (cA7R) protease-resistant analogs of A7R were tested, and a tetraethylene glycol chain was introduced to improve solubility. Uptake of a fluorescent DA7R conjugate, as well as of the PAPTP-DA7R derivative into PDAC cell lines was found to be related to the expression levels of NRP-1 and VEGFR2. Conjugation of DA7R to therapeutically active compounds or nanovehicles might allow PDAC-targeted drug delivery, improving the efficacy of the therapy and reducing off-target effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Parrasia
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Rossa
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Nicola Roncaglia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
- CNR Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Padua Unit, Via F. Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Mattarei
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Claudia Honisch
- CNR Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Padua Unit, Via F. Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Ildikò Szabò
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Ruzza
- CNR Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Padua Unit, Via F. Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Lucia Biasutto
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Padua Unit, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
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