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de Pellegars-Malhortie A, Picque Lasorsa L, Mazard T, Granier F, Prévostel C. Why Is Wnt/β-Catenin Not Yet Targeted in Routine Cancer Care? Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:949. [PMID: 39065798 PMCID: PMC11279613 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress in cancer prevention, screening, and treatment, the still limited number of therapeutic options is an obstacle towards increasing the cancer cure rate. In recent years, many efforts were put forth to develop therapeutics that selectively target different components of the oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These include small molecule inhibitors, antibodies, and more recently, gene-based approaches. Although some of them showed promising outcomes in clinical trials, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is still not targeted in routine clinical practice for cancer management. As for most anticancer treatments, a critical limitation to the use of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors is their therapeutic index, i.e., the difficulty of combining effective anticancer activity with acceptable toxicity. Protecting healthy tissues from the effects of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors is a major issue due to the vital role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in adult tissue homeostasis and regeneration. In this review, we provide an up-to-date summary of clinical trials on Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitors, examine their anti-tumor activity and associated adverse events, and explore strategies under development to improve the benefit/risk profile of this therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auriane de Pellegars-Malhortie
- IRCM (Montpellier Cancer Research Institute), University of Montpellier, Inserm, ICM (Montpellier Regional Cancer Institute), 34298 Montpellier, CEDEX 5, France; (A.d.P.-M.); (L.P.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Laurence Picque Lasorsa
- IRCM (Montpellier Cancer Research Institute), University of Montpellier, Inserm, ICM (Montpellier Regional Cancer Institute), 34298 Montpellier, CEDEX 5, France; (A.d.P.-M.); (L.P.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Thibault Mazard
- IRCM (Montpellier Cancer Research Institute), University of Montpellier, Inserm, ICM (Montpellier Regional Cancer Institute), 34298 Montpellier, CEDEX 5, France; (A.d.P.-M.); (L.P.L.); (T.M.)
- Medical Oncology Department, ICM, University of Montpellier, CEDEX 5, 34298 Montpellier, France
| | | | - Corinne Prévostel
- IRCM (Montpellier Cancer Research Institute), University of Montpellier, Inserm, ICM (Montpellier Regional Cancer Institute), 34298 Montpellier, CEDEX 5, France; (A.d.P.-M.); (L.P.L.); (T.M.)
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Quesnel A, Martin LD, Tarzi C, Lenis VP, Coles N, Islam M, Angione C, Outeiro TF, Khundakar AA, Filippou PS. Uncovering potential diagnostic and pathophysiological roles of α-synuclein and DJ-1 in melanoma. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6900. [PMID: 38189631 PMCID: PMC10807602 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6900] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma, the most lethal skin cancer type, occurs more frequently in Parkinson's disease (PD), and PD is more frequent in melanoma patients, suggesting disease mechanisms overlap. α-synuclein, a protein that accumulates in PD brain, and the oncogene DJ-1, which is associated with PD autosomal recessive forms, are both elevated in melanoma cells. Whether this indicates melanoma progression or constitutes a protective response remains unclear. We hereby investigated the molecular mechanisms through which α-synuclein and DJ-1 interact, suggesting novel biomarkers and targets in melanoma. METHODS The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) expression profiles derived from UCSC Xena were used to obtain α-synuclein and DJ-1 expression and correlated with survival in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM). Immunohistochemistry determined the expression in metastatic melanoma lymph nodes. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and molecular docking assessed protein binding and affinity with chemotherapeutic drugs. Further validation was performed using in vitro cellular models and ELISA immunoassays. RESULTS α-synuclein and DJ-1 were upregulated in primary and metastatic SKCM. Aggregated α-synuclein was selectively detected in metastatic melanoma lymph nodes. α-synuclein overexpression in SK-MEL-28 cells induced the expression of DJ-1, supporting PPI and a positive correlation in melanoma patients. Molecular docking revealed a stable protein complex, with differential binding to chemotherapy drugs such as temozolomide, dacarbazine, and doxorubicin. Parallel reduction of both proteins in temozolomide-treated SK-MEL-28 spheroids suggests drug binding may affect protein interaction and/or stability. CONCLUSION α-synuclein, together with DJ-1, may play a role in melanoma progression and chemosensitivity, constituting novel targets for therapeutic intervention, and possible biomarkers for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Quesnel
- School of Health & Life SciencesTeesside UniversityMiddlesbroughUK
- National Horizons CentreTeesside UniversityDarlingtonUK
| | - Leya Danielle Martin
- School of Health & Life SciencesTeesside UniversityMiddlesbroughUK
- National Horizons CentreTeesside UniversityDarlingtonUK
| | - Chaimaa Tarzi
- School of Computing, Engineering & Digital TechnologiesTeesside UniversityMiddlesbroughUK
- Centre for Digital InnovationTeesside UniversityMiddlesbroughUK
| | - Vasileios P. Lenis
- School of Health & Life SciencesTeesside UniversityMiddlesbroughUK
- National Horizons CentreTeesside UniversityDarlingtonUK
| | - Nathan Coles
- School of Health & Life SciencesTeesside UniversityMiddlesbroughUK
- National Horizons CentreTeesside UniversityDarlingtonUK
| | - Meez Islam
- School of Health & Life SciencesTeesside UniversityMiddlesbroughUK
- National Horizons CentreTeesside UniversityDarlingtonUK
| | - Claudio Angione
- National Horizons CentreTeesside UniversityDarlingtonUK
- School of Computing, Engineering & Digital TechnologiesTeesside UniversityMiddlesbroughUK
- Centre for Digital InnovationTeesside UniversityMiddlesbroughUK
| | - Tiago F. Outeiro
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical SciencesNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of NeurodegenerationUniversity Medical CenterGöttingenGermany
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE)GöttingenGermany
| | - Ahmad A. Khundakar
- School of Health & Life SciencesTeesside UniversityMiddlesbroughUK
- National Horizons CentreTeesside UniversityDarlingtonUK
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical SciencesNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Panagiota S. Filippou
- School of Health & Life SciencesTeesside UniversityMiddlesbroughUK
- National Horizons CentreTeesside UniversityDarlingtonUK
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Vélez-Vargas LC, Santa-González GA, Uribe D, Henao-Castañeda IC, Pedroza-Díaz J. In Vitro and In Silico Study on the Impact of Chlorogenic Acid in Colorectal Cancer Cells: Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Interaction with β-Catenin and LRP6. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:276. [PMID: 37259421 PMCID: PMC9960681 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer mortality rate and highly altered proteins from the Wnt/β-catenin pathway increase the scientific community's interest in finding alternatives for prevention and treatment. This study aims to determine the biological effect of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on two colorectal cancer cell lines, HT-29 and SW480, and its interactions with β-catenin and LRP6 to elucidate a possible modulatory mechanism on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These effects were determined by propidium iodide and DiOC6 for mitochondrial membrane permeability, MitoTracker Red for mitochondrial ROS production, DNA content for cell distribution on cell cycle phases, and molecular docking for protein-ligand interactions and binding affinity. Here, it was found that CGA at 2000 µM significantly affects cell viability and causes DNA fragmentation in SW480 cells rather than in HT-29 cells, but in both cell lines, it induces ROS production. Additionally, CGA has similar affinity and interactions for LRP6 as niclosamide but has a higher affinity for both β-catenin sites than C2 and iCRT14. These results suggest a possible modulatory role of CGA over the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Catalina Vélez-Vargas
- Grupo de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Aplicadas, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Medellin 050012, Colombia
- Productos Naturales Marinos, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Gloria A. Santa-González
- Grupo de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Aplicadas, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Medellin 050012, Colombia
| | - Diego Uribe
- Grupo de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Aplicadas, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Medellin 050012, Colombia
| | - Isabel C. Henao-Castañeda
- Productos Naturales Marinos, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Johanna Pedroza-Díaz
- Grupo de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Aplicadas, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Medellin 050012, Colombia
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Chen Y, Chen M, Deng K. Blocking the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway to treat colorectal cancer: Strategies to improve current therapies (Review). Int J Oncol 2022; 62:24. [PMID: 36579676 PMCID: PMC9854240 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumor types occurring in the digestive system. The incidence of CRC has exhibits yearly increases and the mortality rate among patients with CRC is high. The Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway, which is associated with carcinogenesis, is abnormally activated in CRC. Most patients with CRC have adenomatous polyposis coli mutations, while half of the remaining patients have β‑catenin gene mutations. Therefore, targeting the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway for the treatment of CRC is of clinical value. In recent years, with in‑depth research on the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway, inhibitors have been developed that are able to suppress or hinder the development and progression of CRC. In the present review, the role of the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway in CRC is summarized, the research status on Wnt/β‑catenin pathway inhibitors is outlined and potential targets for inhibition of this pathway are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China,The Laboratory of Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Mo Chen
- Department of Gerontology, Tibetan Chengdu Branch Hospital of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China,Department of Gerontology, Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibetan Autonomous Region, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China,Professor Mo Chen, Department of Gerontology, Tibetan Chengdu Branch Hospital of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 20 Ximianqiao Cross Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China, E-mail:
| | - Kai Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China,The Laboratory of Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China,Correspondence to: Professor Kai Deng, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Lane, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China, E-mail:
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Yang P, Zhu Y, Zheng Q, Meng S, Wu Y, Shuai W, Sun Q, Wang G. Recent advances of β-catenin small molecule inhibitors for cancer therapy: Current development and future perspectives. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114789. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Bhattacherjee D, Raina K, Mandal TK, Thummer RP, Bhabak KP. Targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in triple-negative breast cancer by benzylic organotrisulfides: Contribution of the released hydrogen sulfide towards potent anti-cancer activity. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 191:82-96. [PMID: 36038037 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The potent anti-cancer activity of naturally occurring organopolysulfides has attracted wide research attention over the last two decades. Sustained donation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from organopolysulfides is found to be beneficial for the treatment of several organ-specific cancers. In the present study, for the first time, the mechanism of action for the potent anti-cancer activity of bis(3,5-dimethoxybenzyl) trisulfide 4 against highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) is described. Preliminary in vitro studies revealed potent anti-proliferative activity of the trisulfide 4 against triple-negative breast cancer cells with an IC50 value of 1.0 μM. Mechanistic studies reveal that the compound exhibited anti-cancer activity, primarily by targeting and suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The inactivation of the β-catenin level was associated with the cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and the significant down-regulation of downstream signaling genes such as Cyclin D1 and c-Myc expression. Several control experiments with analogous organosulfur compounds and the key enzyme inhibitors reveal that the presence of a trisulfide unit in the compound is crucial for the desired inactivation of β-catenin expression, which is promoted by GSK-3β-induced phosphorylation of β-catenin and its proteasomal degradation. Moreover, the trisulfide unit or the released H2S induced down-regulation of the p53 expression with the possible S-sulfhydration process led to p53-independent up-regulation of p21 expression. Therefore, the key results of this study highlighting the potency of synthetic benzylic organotrisulfide and the released H2S towards the growth inhibition of triple-negative breast cancer via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway would certainly be helpful for further studies and developing small-molecule anti-cancer therapeutics in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debojit Bhattacherjee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India; Centre for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Khyati Raina
- Department Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Tapas K Mandal
- Centre for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India; Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India; Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Rajkumar P Thummer
- Department Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India.
| | - Krishna P Bhabak
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India; Centre for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India; Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India.
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Koelman EMR, Yeste-Vázquez A, Grossmann TN. Targeting the interaction of β-catenin and TCF/LEF transcription factors to inhibit oncogenic Wnt signaling. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 70:116920. [PMID: 35841828 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116920] [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: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is crucially involved in embryonic development, stem cell maintenance and tissue renewal. Hyperactivation of this pathway is associated with the development and progression of various types of cancers. The transcriptional coactivator β-catenin represents a pivotal component of the pathway and its interaction with transcription factors of the TCF/LEF family is central to pathway activation. Inhibition of this crucial protein-protein interaction via direct targeting of β-catenin is considered a promising strategy for the inactivation of oncogenic Wnt signaling. This review summarizes advances in the development of Wnt antagonists that have been shown to directly bind β-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M R Koelman
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Yeste-Vázquez
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands
| | - Tom N Grossmann
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands.
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