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Gu L, Liu M, Zhang Y, Zhou H, Wang Y, Xu ZX. Telomere-related DNA damage response pathways in cancer therapy: prospective targets. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1379166. [PMID: 38910895 PMCID: PMC11190371 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1379166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Maintaining the structural integrity of genomic chromosomal DNA is an essential role of cellular life and requires two important biological mechanisms: the DNA damage response (DDR) mechanism and telomere protection mechanism at chromosome ends. Because abnormalities in telomeres and cellular DDR regulation are strongly associated with human aging and cancer, there is a reciprocal regulation of telomeres and cellular DDR. Moreover, several drug treatments for DDR are currently available. This paper reviews the progress in research on the interaction between telomeres and cellular DNA damage repair pathways. The research on the crosstalk between telomere damage and DDR is important for improving the efficacy of tumor treatment. However, further studies are required to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liting Gu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Mingdi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yuning Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Honglan Zhou
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yishu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhi-Xiang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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2
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Bao Y, Pan Z, Zhao L, Qiu J, Cheng J, Liu L, Qian D. BIBR1532 combined with radiotherapy induces ferroptosis in NSCLC cells and activates cGAS-STING pathway to promote anti-tumor immunity. J Transl Med 2024; 22:519. [PMID: 38816831 PMCID: PMC11138045 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05331-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomerase, by safeguarding damaged telomeres and bolstering DNA damage repair, has the capacity to heighten the radioresistance of tumour cells. Thus, in turn, can compromise the efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) and radioimmunotherapy. Our previous studies have revealed that the highly selective telomerase inhibitor, BIBR1532, possesses the potential to enhance the radiosensitivity of Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we delve further into the impact of BIBR1532 on the immune activation induced by RT and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. METHODS Biological information analyses, immunofluorescence assays, western blot assays, flow cytometry analysis were conducted to elucidate the functions of the combination of BIBR1532 with radiotherapy in NSCLC. Intracellular levels of lipid peroxides, glutathione, malondialdehyde, and Fe2+ were measured as indicators of ferroptosis status. Both in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to examine the antitumor effects. RESULTS Our findings indicate that the confluence of BIBR1532 with RT significantly augments the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway in both in vivo and in vitro settings, thereby fostering an effective anti-tumoral immune response. The effects can be ascribed to two key processes. Firstly, ionizing radiation, in precipitating DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), prompts the release of tumour-derived double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) into the cytoplasm. Subsequently, BIBR1532 amplifies the activation of antigen-presenting cells by dsDNA post-RT and instigates the cGAS-STING pathway. Secondly, BIBR1532 enhances the ferroptosis response in NSCLC following RT, thereby promoting unrestrained lipid peroxidation and elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within tumour cells. This ultimately leads to mitochondrial stress and the release of endogenous mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into the cytoplasm, thus facilitating the activation of the STING pathway and the induction of a type I interferon (IFN)-linked adaptive immune response. CONCLUSION This study underscores the potential of BIBR1532 as an efficacious and safe radiosensitizer and radioimmunotherapy synergist, providing robust preclinical research evidence for the treatment of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawei Bao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
- Core Facility Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhipeng Pan
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China
| | - Luqi Zhao
- Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-5039, USA
| | - Jieping Qiu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
- Core Facility Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jingjing Cheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
- Core Facility Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
- Core Facility Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Dong Qian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
- Core Facility Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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3
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Shou S, Li Y, Chen J, Zhang X, Zhang C, Jiang X, Liu F, Yi L, Zhang X, Geer E, Pu Z, Pang B. Understanding, diagnosing, and treating pancreatic cancer from the perspective of telomeres and telomerase. Cancer Gene Ther 2024:10.1038/s41417-024-00768-6. [PMID: 38594465 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00768-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Telomerase is associated with cellular aging, and its presence limits cellular lifespan. Telomerase by preventing telomere shortening can extend the number of cell divisions for cancer cells. In adult pancreatic cells, telomeres gradually shorten, while in precancerous lesions of cancer, telomeres in cells are usually significantly shortened. At this time, telomerase is still in an inactive state, and it is not until before and after the onset of cancer that telomerase is reactivated, causing cancer cells to proliferate. Methylation of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter and regulation of telomerase by lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) is the mechanism of telomerase reactivation in pancreatic cancer. Understanding the role of telomeres and telomerase in pancreatic cancer will help to diagnose and initiate targeted therapy as early as possible. This article reviews the role of telomeres and telomerase as biomarkers in the development of pancreatic cancer and the progress of research on telomeres and telomerase as targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songting Shou
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanliang Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqin Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanlong Zhang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaochen Jiang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fudong Liu
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Yi
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiyuan Zhang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - En Geer
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenqing Pu
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Pang
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Liu M, Zhang Y, Jian Y, Gu L, Zhang D, Zhou H, Wang Y, Xu ZX. The regulations of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in cancer. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:90. [PMID: 38278800 PMCID: PMC10817947 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06454-7] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Abnormal activation of telomerase occurs in most cancer types, which facilitates escaping from cell senescence. As the key component of telomerase, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is regulated by various regulation pathways. TERT gene changing in its promoter and phosphorylation respectively leads to TERT ectopic expression at the transcription and protein levels. The co-interacting factors play an important role in the regulation of TERT in different cancer types. In this review, we focus on the regulators of TERT and these downstream functions in cancer regulation. Determining the specific regulatory mechanism will help to facilitate the development of a cancer treatment strategy that targets telomerase and cancer cell senescence. As the most important catalytic subunit component of telomerase, TERT is rapidly regulated by transcriptional factors and PTM-related activation. These changes directly influence TERT-related telomere maintenance by regulating telomerase activity in telomerase-positive cancer cells, telomerase assembly with telomere-binding proteins, and recruiting telomerase to the telomere. Besides, there are also non-canonical functions that are influenced by TERT, including the basic biological functions of cancer cells, such as proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, initiating cell formation, EMT, and cell invasion. Other downstream effects are the results of the influence of transcriptional factors by TERT. Currently, some small molecular inhibitors of TERT and TERT vaccine are under research as a clinical therapeutic target. Purposeful work is in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingdi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Yuning Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Yongping Jian
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Liting Gu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Honglan Zhou
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
| | - Yishu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
| | - Zhi-Xiang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
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5
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Eglenen-Polat B, Kowash RR, Huang HC, Siteni S, Zhu M, Chen K, Bender ME, Mender I, Stastny V, Drapkin BJ, Raj P, Minna JD, Xu L, Shay JW, Akbay EA. A telomere-targeting drug depletes cancer initiating cells and promotes anti-tumor immunity in small cell lung cancer. Nat Commun 2024; 15:672. [PMID: 38253555 PMCID: PMC10803750 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44861-8] [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: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
There are few effective treatments for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) underscoring the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. This study focuses on exploiting telomerase, a critical SCLC dependency as a therapeutic target. A prominent characteristic of SCLC is their reliance on telomerase activity, a key enzyme essential for their continuous proliferation. Here we utilize a nucleoside analog, 6-Thio-2'-deoxyguanosine (6TdG) currently in phase II clinical trials, that is preferentially incorporated by telomerase into telomeres leading to telomere dysfunction. Using preclinical mouse and human derived models we find low intermittent doses of 6TdG inhibit tumor growth and reduce metastatic burden. Anti-tumor efficacy correlates with a reduction in a subpopulation of cancer initiating like cells (CICs) identified by their expression of L1CAM/CD133 and highest telomerase activity. 6TdG treatment also leads to activation of innate and adaptive anti-tumor responses. Mechanistically, 6TdG depletes CICs and induces type-I interferon signaling leading to tumor immune visibility by activating tumor cell STING signaling. We also observe increased sensitivity to irradiation after 6TdG treatment in both syngeneic and humanized SCLC xenograft models both of which are dependent on the presence of host immune cells. This study underscores the immune-enhancing and metastasis-reducing effects of 6TdG, employing a range of complementary in vitro and in vivo SCLC preclinical models providing a potential therapeutic approach to SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buse Eglenen-Polat
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ryan R Kowash
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hai-Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Silvia Siteni
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Mingrui Zhu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kenian Chen
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population & Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Matthew E Bender
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ilgen Mender
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Victor Stastny
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Benjamin J Drapkin
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Prithvi Raj
- Department of Immunology and Microbiome Research Laboratory University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - John D Minna
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas TX, Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Esra A Akbay
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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Raj HA, Lai TP, Niewisch MR, Giri N, Wang Y, Spellman SR, Aviv A, Gadalla SM, Savage SA. The distribution and accumulation of the shortest telomeres in telomere biology disorders. Br J Haematol 2023; 203:820-828. [PMID: 37354000 PMCID: PMC10748793 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with telomere biology disorders (TBDs) have very short telomeres, high risk of bone marrow failure (BMF), and reduced survival. Using data from TBD patients, a mean leukocyte Southern blot telomere length (TL) of 5 kilobases (kb) was estimated as the 'telomere brink' at which human survival is markedly reduced. However, the shortest telomere, not the mean TL, signals replicative senescence. We used the Telomere Shortest Length Assay (TeSLA) to tally TL of all 46 chromosomes in blood-derived DNA and examined its relationship with TBDs. Patients (n = 18) had much shorter mean TL (TeSmTL) (2.54 ± 0.41 kb vs. 4.48 ± 0.52 kb, p < 0.0001) and more telomeres <3 kb than controls (n = 22) (70.43 ± 8.76% vs. 33.05 ± 6.93%, p < 0.0001). The proportion of ultrashort telomeres (<1.6 kb) was also higher in patients than controls (39.29 ± 10.69% vs. 10.40 ± 4.09%, p < 0.0001). TeS <1.6 kb was associated with severe (n = 11) compared with non-severe (n = 7) BMF (p = 0.027). Patients with multi-organ manifestations (n = 10) had more telomeres <1.6 kb than those with one affected organ system (n = 8) (p = 0.029). Findings suggest that TBD clinical manifestations are associated with a disproportionately higher number of haematopoietic cell telomeres reaching a telomere brink, whose length at the single telomere level is yet to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah A. Raj
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
| | - Tsung-Po Lai
- Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
| | - Marena R. Niewisch
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Neelam Giri
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
| | - Youjin Wang
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
| | - Stephen R. Spellman
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Abraham Aviv
- Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
| | - Shahinaz M. Gadalla
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
| | - Sharon A. Savage
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
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Rotem O, Zer A, Yosef L, Beery E, Goldvaser H, Gutkin A, Levin R, Dudnik E, Berger T, Feinmesser M, Levy-Barda A, Lahav M, Raanani P, Uziel O. Blood-Derived Exosomal hTERT mRNA in Patients with Lung Cancer: Characterization and Correlation with Response to Therapy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1730. [PMID: 37371825 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061730] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Telomerase (human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is considered a hallmark of cancer, being active in cancer cells but repressed in human somatic cells. As such, it has the potential to serve as a valid cancer biomarker. Exosomal hTERT mRNA can be detected in the serum of patients with solid malignancies but not in healthy individuals. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of measuring serum exosomal hTERT transcripts levels in patients with lung cancer. Methods: A prospective analysis of exosomal hTERT mRNA levels was determined in serum-derived exosomes from 76 patients with stage III-IV lung cancer (11 SCLC and 65 NSCLC). An hTERT level above RQ = 1.2 was considered "detectable" according to a previous receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve. Sequential measurements were obtained in 33 patients. Demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively from patients' charts. Data on response to systemic therapy (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors) were collected by the treating physicians. Results: hTERT was detected in 53% (40/76) of patients with lung cancer (89% of SCLC and 46% of NSLCC). The mean hTERT levels were 3.7 in all 76 patients, 5.87 in SCLC patients, and 3.62 in NSCLC patients. In total, 25 of 43 patients with sequential measurements had detectable levels of hTERT. The sequential exosomal hTERT mRNA levels reflected the clinical course in 23 of them. Decreases in hTERT levels were detected in 17 and 5 patients with partial and complete response, respectively. Eleven patients with a progressive disease had an increase in the level of exosomal hTERT, and seven with stable disease presented increases in its exosomal levels. Another patient who progressed on the first line of treatment and had a partial response to the second line of treatment exhibited an increase in exosomal hTERT mRNA levels during the progression and a decrease during the response. Conclusions: Exosomal hTERT mRNA levels are elevated in over half of patients with lung cancer. The potential association between hTERT levels and response to therapy suggests its utility as a promising cancer biomarker for response to therapy. This issue should be further explored in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofer Rotem
- Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
| | - Alona Zer
- Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Lilach Yosef
- Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
| | - Einat Beery
- The Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
| | - Hadar Goldvaser
- Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Rehovot 7612001, Israel
| | - Anna Gutkin
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- The Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
| | - Ron Levin
- Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 5262000, Israel
| | - Elizabeth Dudnik
- Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
| | - Tamar Berger
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Institute of Hematology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
| | - Meora Feinmesser
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Biobank, Department of Pathology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
| | - Adva Levy-Barda
- Biobank, Department of Pathology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
| | - Meir Lahav
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- The Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
- Institute of Hematology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
| | - Pia Raanani
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- The Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
- Institute of Hematology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
| | - Orit Uziel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- The Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
- Institute of Hematology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel
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8
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Mender I, Siteni S, Barron S, Flusche AM, Kubota N, Yu C, Cornelius C, Tedone E, Maziveyi M, Grichuk A, Venkateswaran N, Conacci-Sorrell M, Hoshida Y, Kang R, Tang D, Gryaznov S, Shay JW. Activating an Adaptive Immune Response with a Telomerase-Mediated Telomere Targeting Therapeutic in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:737-750. [PMID: 37070671 PMCID: PMC10233358 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
A select group of patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) benefit from surgical, radiologic, and systemic therapies that include a combination of anti-angiogenic and immune-checkpoint inhibitors. However, because HCC is generally asymptomatic in its early stages, this not only leads to late diagnosis, but also to therapy resistance. The nucleoside analogue 6-thio-dG (THIO) is a first-in-class telomerase-mediated telomere-targeting anticancer agent. In telomerase expressing cancer cells, THIO is converted into the corresponding 5'-triphosphate, which is efficiently incorporated into telomeres by telomerase, activating telomere damage responses and apoptotic pathways. Here, we show how THIO is effective in controlling tumor growth and, when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors, is even more effective in a T-cell-dependent manner. We also show telomere stress induced by THIO increases both innate sensing and adaptive antitumor immunity in HCC. Importantly, the extracellular high-mobility group box 1 protein acts as a prototypical endogenous DAMP (Damage Associated Molecular Pattern) in eliciting adaptive immunity by THIO. These results provide a strong rationale for combining telomere-targeted therapy with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilgen Mender
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Dallas, Texas
| | - Silvia Siteni
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Dallas, Texas
| | - Summer Barron
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Dallas, Texas
| | - Ann Marie Flusche
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Dallas, Texas
| | - Naoto Kubota
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Dallas, Texas
| | - Chunhua Yu
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Dallas, Texas
| | - Crystal Cornelius
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Dallas, Texas
| | - Enzo Tedone
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Dallas, Texas
| | - Mazvita Maziveyi
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Dallas, Texas
| | - Anthony Grichuk
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Dallas, Texas
| | - Niranjan Venkateswaran
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - Yujin Hoshida
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Dallas, Texas
| | - Rui Kang
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Dallas, Texas
| | - Daolin Tang
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - Jerry W. Shay
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Dallas, Texas
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Piñeiro-Hermida S, Bosso G, Sánchez-Vázquez R, Martínez P, Blasco MA. Telomerase deficiency and dysfunctional telomeres in the lung tumor microenvironment impair tumor progression in NSCLC mouse models and patient-derived xenografts. Cell Death Differ 2023:10.1038/s41418-023-01149-6. [PMID: 37085672 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01149-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer death. Tumor progression depends on interactions of cancer cells with the tumor microenvironment. Here, we find increased copy number and mRNA expression of the catalytic subunit of telomerase, TERT, in tumors from NSCLC patients, contributing to a lower survival. Moreover, TERT expression in NSCLC patients from the TCGA cohort is mainly associated to the reduced infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes, as well as to increased infiltration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). We also show that TERT deficiency and dysfunctional telomeres induced by 6-thio-dG treatment in mice reduced lung tumor implantation and vascularization, increased DNA damage response, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, as well as reduced proliferation, inflammation, lung tumor immunosupression and invasion upon induction of a Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC). Furthermore, 6-thio-dG-treated human NSCLC xenografts exhibited increased telomere damage, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, as well as reduced proliferation, resulting in a reduced tumor growth. Our results show that targeting telomeres might be an effective therapeutic strategy in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Piñeiro-Hermida
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Giuseppe Bosso
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Raúl Sánchez-Vázquez
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Paula Martínez
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | - Maria A Blasco
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain.
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10
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Telomerase: A prominent oncological target for development of chemotherapeutic agents. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 249:115121. [PMID: 36669398 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) responsible for the maintenance of chromosomal integrity by stabilizing telomere length. Telomerase is a widely expressed hallmark responsible for replicative immortality in 80-90% of malignant tumors. Cancer cells produce telomerase which prevents telomere shortening by adding telomeres sequences beyond Hayflick's limit; which enables them to divide uncontrollably. The activity of telomerase is relatively low in somatic cells and absent in normal cells, but the re-activation of this RNP in normal cells suppresses p53 activity which leads to the avoidance of senescence causing malignancy. Here, we have focused explicitly on various anti-telomerase therapies and telomerase-inhibiting molecules for the treatment of cancer. We have covered molecules that are reported in developmental, preclinical, and clinical trial stages as potent telomerase inhibitors. Apart from chemotherapy, we have also included details of immunotherapy, gene therapy, G-quadruplex stabilizers, and HSP-90 inhibitors. The purpose of this work is to discuss the challenges behind the development of novel telomerase inhibitors and to identify various perspectives for designing anti-telomerase compounds.
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Batsios G, Taglang C, Gillespie AM, Viswanath P. Imaging telomerase reverse transcriptase expression in oligodendrogliomas using hyperpolarized δ-[1- 13C]-gluconolactone. Neurooncol Adv 2023; 5:vdad092. [PMID: 37600229 PMCID: PMC10433788 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdad092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Telomere maintenance by telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is essential for immortality in most cancers, including oligodendrogliomas. Agents that disrupt telomere maintenance such as the telomere uncapping agent 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine (6-thio-dG) are in clinical trials. We previously showed that TERT expression in oligodendrogliomas is associated with upregulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), the rate-limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). We also showed that hyperpolarized δ-[1-13C]-gluconolactone metabolism to 6-phosphogluconate (6-PG) can be used to probe the PPP in glioblastomas. The goal of this study was to determine whether hyperpolarized 13C imaging using δ-[1-13C]-gluconolactone can monitor TERT expression and response to 6-thio-dG in oligodendrogliomas. Methods We examined patient-derived oligodendroglioma cells and orthotopic tumors to assess the link between TERT and hyperpolarized δ-[1-13C]-gluconolactone metabolism. We performed in vivo imaging to assess the ability of hyperpolarized δ-[1-13C]-gluconolactone to report on TERT and response to 6-thio-dG in rats bearing orthotopic oligodendrogliomas in vivo. Results Doxycycline-inducible TERT silencing abrogated 6-PG production from hyperpolarized δ-[1-13C]-gluconolactone in oligodendroglioma cells, consistent with the loss of G6PD activity. Rescuing TERT expression by doxycycline removal restored G6PD activity and, concomitantly, 6-PG production. 6-PG production from hyperpolarized δ-[1-13C]-gluconolactone demarcated TERT-expressing tumor from surrounding TERT-negative normal brain in vivo. Importantly, 6-thio-dG abrogated 6-PG production at an early timepoint preceding MRI-detectable alterations in rats bearing orthotopic oligodendrogliomas in vivo. Conclusions These results indicate that hyperpolarized δ-[1-13C]-gluconolactone reports on TERT expression and early response to therapy in oligodendrogliomas. Our studies identify a novel agent for imaging tumor proliferation and treatment response in oligodendroglioma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Batsios
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Celine Taglang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Anne Marie Gillespie
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Pavithra Viswanath
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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12
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Telomere Status of Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Offers a Novel Promising Prognostic and Predictive Biomarker. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010290. [PMID: 36612286 PMCID: PMC9818321 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere length appears to correlate with survival in early non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the prognostic impact of telomere status in advanced NSCLC remains undetermined. Our purpose was to evaluate telomere parameters as prognostic and predictive biomarkers in advanced NSCLC. In 79 biopsies obtained before treatment, we analyzed the telomere length and expression of TERT and shelterin complex genes (TRF1, TRF2, POT1, TPP1, RAP1, and TIN2), using quantitative PCR. Non-responders to first-line chemotherapy were characterized by shorter telomeres and low RAP1 expression (p = 0.0035 and p = 0.0069), and tended to show higher TERT levels (p = 0.058). In multivariate analysis, short telomeres were associated with reduced event-free (EFS, p = 0.0023) and overall survival (OS, p = 0.00041). TERT and TRF2 overexpression correlated with poor EFS (p = 0.0069 and p = 0.00041) and OS (p = 0.0051 and p = 0.007). Low RAP1 and TIN2 expression-levels were linked to reduced EFS (p = 0.00032 and p = 0.0069) and OS (p = 0.000051 and p = 0.02). Short telomeres were also associated with decreased survival after nivolumab therapy (p = 0.097). Evaluation of telomere status in advanced NSCLC emerges as a useful biomarker that allows for the selection of patient groups with different clinical evolutions, to establish personalized treatment.
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Mohamed A. Ouf A, Abdelrasheed Allam H, Kamel M, Ragab FA, Abdel-Aziz SA. Design, synthesis, cytotoxic and enzyme inhibitory activities of 1,3,4-oxadiazole and 1,3,4-thiadiazine hybrids against non-small cell lung cancer. RESULTS IN CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2022.100373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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14
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Tawfik HO, El-Hamaky AA, El-Bastawissy EA, Shcherbakov KA, Veselovsky AV, Gladilina YA, Zhdanov DD, El-Hamamsy MH. New Genetic Bomb Trigger: Design, Synthesis, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, and Biological Evaluation of Novel BIBR1532-Related Analogs Targeting Telomerase against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040481. [PMID: 35455478 PMCID: PMC9025901 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres serve a critical function in cell replication and proliferation at every stage of the cell cycle. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein, responsible for maintaining the telomere length and chromosomal integrity of frequently dividing cells. Although it is silenced in most human somatic cells, telomere restoration occurs in cancer cells because of telomerase activation or alternative telomere lengthening. The telomerase enzyme is a universal anticancer target that is expressed in 85–95% of cancers. BIBR1532 is a selective non-nucleoside potent telomerase inhibitor that acts by direct noncompetitive inhibition. Relying on its structural features, three different series were designed, and 30 novel compounds were synthesized and biologically evaluated as telomerase inhibitors using a telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay. Target compounds 29a, 36b, and 39b reported the greatest inhibitory effect on telomerase enzyme with IC50 values of 1.7, 0.3, and 2.0 μM, respectively, while BIBR1532 displayed IC50 = 0.2 μM. Compounds 29a, 36b, and 39b were subsequently tested using a living-cell TRAP assay and were able to penetrate the cell membrane and inhibit telomerase inside living cancer cells. Compound 36b was tested for cytotoxicity against 60 cancer cell lines using the NCI (USA) procedure, and the % growth was minimally impacted, indicating telomerase enzyme selectivity. To investigate the interaction of compound 36b with the telomerase allosteric binding site, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haytham O. Tawfik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; (A.A.E.-H.); (E.A.E.-B.); (M.H.E.-H.)
- Correspondence: (H.O.T.); (D.D.Z.)
| | - Anwar A. El-Hamaky
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; (A.A.E.-H.); (E.A.E.-B.); (M.H.E.-H.)
| | - Eman A. El-Bastawissy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; (A.A.E.-H.); (E.A.E.-B.); (M.H.E.-H.)
| | - Kirill A. Shcherbakov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (K.A.S.); (A.V.V.); (Y.A.G.)
| | - Alexander V. Veselovsky
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (K.A.S.); (A.V.V.); (Y.A.G.)
| | - Yulia A. Gladilina
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (K.A.S.); (A.V.V.); (Y.A.G.)
| | - Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (K.A.S.); (A.V.V.); (Y.A.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya St. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (H.O.T.); (D.D.Z.)
| | - Mervat H. El-Hamamsy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt; (A.A.E.-H.); (E.A.E.-B.); (M.H.E.-H.)
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15
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Enhanced radiosensitivity by 6-thio-dG via increasing telomere dysfunction and ataxia telangiectasia mutated inhibition in non-small cell lung cancer. RADIATION MEDICINE AND PROTECTION 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmp.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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16
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Yu S, Wei S, Savani M, Lin X, Du K, Mender I, Siteni S, Vasilopoulos T, Reitman ZJ, Ku Y, Wu D, Liu H, Tian M, Chen Y, Labrie M, Charbonneau CM, Sugarman E, Bowie M, Hariharan S, Waitkus M, Jiang W, McLendon RE, Pan E, Khasraw M, Walsh KM, Lu Y, Herlyn M, Mills G, Herbig U, Wei Z, Keir ST, Flaherty K, Liu L, Wu K, Shay JW, Abdullah K, Zhang G, Ashley DM. A Modified Nucleoside 6-Thio-2'-Deoxyguanosine Exhibits Antitumor Activity in Gliomas. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:6800-6814. [PMID: 34593527 PMCID: PMC8678347 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-0374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the therapeutic role of a novel telomere-directed inhibitor, 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine (THIO) in gliomas both in vitro and in vivo. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A panel of human and mouse glioma cell lines was used to test therapeutic efficacy of THIO using cell viability assays, flow cytometric analyses, and immunofluorescence. Integrated analyses of RNA sequencing and reverse-phase protein array data revealed the potential antitumor mechanisms of THIO. Four patient-derived xenografts (PDX), two patient-derived organoids (PDO), and two xenografts of human glioma cell lines were used to further investigate the therapeutic efficacy of THIO. RESULTS THIO was effective in the majority of human and mouse glioma cell lines with no obvious toxicity against normal astrocytes. THIO as a monotherapy demonstrated efficacy in three glioma cell lines that had acquired resistance to temozolomide. In addition, THIO showed efficacy in four human glioma cell lines grown as neurospheres by inducing apoptotic cell death. Mechanistically, THIO induced telomeric DNA damage not only in glioma cell lines but also in PDX tumor specimens. Integrated computational analyses of transcriptomic and proteomic data indicated that THIO significantly inhibited cell invasion, stem cell, and proliferation pathways while triggering DNA damage and apoptosis. Importantly, THIO significantly decreased tumor proliferation in two PDO models and reduced the tumor size of a glioblastoma xenograft and a PDX model. CONCLUSIONS The current study established the therapeutic role of THIO in primary and recurrent gliomas and revealed the acute induction of telomeric DNA damage as a primary antitumor mechanism of THIO in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Yu
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Shiyou Wei
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Milan Savani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Xiang Lin
- Department of Computer Science, Ying Wu College of Computing, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Kuang Du
- Department of Computer Science, Ying Wu College of Computing, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Ilgen Mender
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Silvia Siteni
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Themistoklis Vasilopoulos
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Zachary J Reitman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Yin Ku
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Meng Tian
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
- Neurosurgery Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Yaohui Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Marilyne Labrie
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Casey M Charbonneau
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Eric Sugarman
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michelle Bowie
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Seethalakshmi Hariharan
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Matthew Waitkus
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Roger E McLendon
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Edward Pan
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Mustafa Khasraw
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kyle M Walsh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Yiling Lu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Gordon Mills
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Utz Herbig
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Zhi Wei
- Department of Computer Science, Ying Wu College of Computing, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Stephen T Keir
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Keith Flaherty
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lunxu Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Kalil Abdullah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Gao Zhang
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - David M Ashley
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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Wang L, Tang L, Ge T, Zhu F, Liu D, Guo H, Qian P, Xu N. LncRNA DLGAP1-AS2 regulates miR-503/cyclin D1 to promote cell proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer. BMC Pulm Med 2021; 21:277. [PMID: 34454450 PMCID: PMC8401159 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-021-01633-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background LncRNA DLGAP1-AS2 plays an oncogenic role in glioma, while its role in other cancers is unknown. This study aimed to study the role of DLGAP1-AS2 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Expression of DLGAP1-AS2 in NSCLC and paired non-tumor tissues from 64 NSCLC patients and the prognostic value of DLGAP1-AS2 for NSCLC were analyzed by performing a 5-year follow-up study. The interaction between DLGAP1-AS2 and miR-503 was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter assay, and their relationship was explored in NSCLC cells transfected with DLGAP1-AS2 expression vector or miR-503 mimic. The roles of DLGAP1-AS2 and miR-503 in regulating cyclin D1 expression were analyzed by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Cell proliferation was analyzed by CCK-8 assay. Results DLGAP1-AS2 was upregulated in NSCLC and predicted poor survival. Interaction between DLGAP1-AS2 and miR-503 was confirmed by dual luciferase activity assay. Overexpression experiments showed that DLGAP1-AS2 and miR-503 overexpression failed to significantly affect the expression of each other. Interestingly, DLGAP1-AS2 overexpression upregulated cyclin D1, a target of miR-503, increased cell proliferation and reduced the effects of miR-503 overexpression on cyclin D1 expression and cell proliferation. Conclusions DLGAP1-AS2 may regulate miR-503/cyclin D1 to promote cell proliferation in NSCLC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-021-01633-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Anhui Chest Hospital, No. 397 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei City, Anhui Province, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Tang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Anhui Chest Hospital, No. 397 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei City, Anhui Province, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Tengfei Ge
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Anhui Chest Hospital, No. 397 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei City, Anhui Province, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Anhui Chest Hospital, No. 397 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei City, Anhui Province, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Anhui Chest Hospital, No. 397 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei City, Anhui Province, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Guo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Anhui Chest Hospital, No. 397 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei City, Anhui Province, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Qian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Anhui Chest Hospital, No. 397 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei City, Anhui Province, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Anhui Chest Hospital, No. 397 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei City, Anhui Province, 230022, People's Republic of China.
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Mapping lung squamous cell carcinoma pathogenesis through in vitro and in vivo models. Commun Biol 2021; 4:937. [PMID: 34354223 PMCID: PMC8342622 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02470-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the main cause of cancer death worldwide, with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) being the second most frequent subtype. Preclinical LUSC models recapitulating human disease pathogenesis are key for the development of early intervention approaches and improved therapies. Here, we review advances and challenges in the generation of LUSC models, from 2D and 3D cultures, to murine models. We discuss how molecular profiling of premalignant lesions and invasive LUSC has contributed to the refinement of in vitro and in vivo models, and in turn, how these systems have increased our understanding of LUSC biology and therapeutic vulnerabilities.
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19
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How DNA damage and non-canonical nucleotides alter the telomerase catalytic cycle. DNA Repair (Amst) 2021; 107:103198. [PMID: 34371388 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres at the ends of linear chromosomes are essential for genome maintenance and sustained cellular proliferation, but shorten with each cell division. Telomerase, a specialized reverse transcriptase with its own integral RNA template, compensates for this by lengthening the telomeric 3' single strand overhang. Mammalian telomerase has the unique ability to processively synthesize multiple GGTTAG repeats, by translocating along its product and reiteratively copying the RNA template, termed repeat addition processivity (RAP). This unusual form of processivity is distinct from the nucleotide addition processivity (NAP) shared by all other DNA polymerases. In this review, we focus on the minimally active human telomerase catalytic core consisting of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and the integral RNA (TR), which catalyzes DNA synthesis. We review the mechanisms by which oxidatively damaged nucleotides, and anti-viral and anti-cancer nucleotide drugs affect the telomerase catalytic cycle. Finally, we offer perspective on how we can leverage telomerase's unique properties, and advancements in understanding of telomerase catalytic mechanism, to selectively manipulate telomerase activity with therapeutics, particularly in cancer treatment.
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Mechanism of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase ( hTERT) Regulation and Clinical Impacts in Leukemia. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081188. [PMID: 34440361 PMCID: PMC8392866 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The proliferative capacity and continuous survival of cells are highly dependent on telomerase expression and the maintenance of telomere length. For this reason, elevated expression of telomerase has been identified in virtually all cancers, including leukemias; however, it should be noted that expression of telomerase is sometimes observed later in malignant development. This time point of activation is highly dependent on the type of leukemia and its causative factors. Many recent studies in this field have contributed to the elucidation of the mechanisms by which the various forms of leukemias increase telomerase activity. These include the dysregulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) at various levels which include transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational stages. The pathways and biological molecules involved in these processes are also being deciphered with the advent of enabling technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-Seq), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS), and many others. It has also been established that TERT possess diagnostic value as most adult cells do not express high levels of telomerase. Indeed, studies have shown that prognosis is not favorable in patients who have leukemias expressing high levels of telomerase. Recent research has indicated that targeting of this gene is able to control the survival of malignant cells and therefore offers a potential treatment for TERT-dependent leukemias. Here we review the mechanisms of hTERT regulation and deliberate their association in malignant states of leukemic cells. Further, we also cover the clinical implications of this gene including its use in diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic discoveries.
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Yang L, Li N, Wang M, Zhang YH, Yan LD, Zhou W, Yu ZQ, Peng XC, Cai J. Tumorigenic effect of TERT and its potential therapeutic target in NSCLC (Review). Oncol Rep 2021; 46:182. [PMID: 34278503 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for ~85% of all lung cancer cases, is commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage and has a high patient mortality rate. Despite the increasing availability of treatment strategies, the prognosis of patients with NSCLC remains poor, with a low 5‑year survival rate. This poor prognosis may be associated with the tumor heterogeneity of NSCLC, as well as its acquisition and intrinsic resistance to therapeutic drugs. It has been suggested that combination therapy with telomerase inhibition may be an effective strategy for the treatment of drug‑sensitive and drug‑resistant types of cancer. Telomerase is the key enzyme for cell survival, and ~90% of human cancers maintain telomeres by activating telomerase, which is driven by the upregulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). Several mechanisms of telomerase reactivation have been described in a variety of cancer types, including TERT promoter mutation, epigenetic modifications via a TERT promoter, TERT amplification, and TERT rearrangement. The aim of the present study was to comprehensively review telomerase activity and its association with the clinical characteristics and prognosis of NSCLC, as well as analyze the potential mechanism via which TERT activates telomerase and determine its potential clinical application in NSCLC. More importantly, current treatment strategies targeting TERT in NSCLC have been summarized with the aim to promote discovery of novel strategies for the future treatment of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Hua Zhang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Lu-Da Yan
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Wen Zhou
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Qiong Yu
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Chun Peng
- Laboratory of Oncology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
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Gong Y, Liu Y, Wang T, Li Z, Gao L, Chen H, Shu Y, Li Y, Xu H, Zhou Z, Dai L. Age-Associated Proteomic Signatures and Potential Clinically Actionable Targets of Colorectal Cancer. Mol Cell Proteomics 2021; 20:100115. [PMID: 34129943 PMCID: PMC8441843 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2021.100115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence and prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is closely associated with age. More than 90% of patients with CRC are diagnosed after 50 years of age. However, CRC incidence of young individuals has been increasing since 1990s, whereas the overall CRC frequency is declining. Distinct overall survival rates between young and aged patients with CRC have been established. Tremendous efforts have been made to clarify the underlying mechanisms of age-dependent clinical differences, but it still remains elusive. Here, we performed proteomic profiling of 50 patients with CRC and revealed proteomic signatures of CRC across age groups. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that distinct age-dependent clinical outcomes might mainly attribute to varied MYC targets V1/V2, E2F targets and G2M checkpoint gene sets, which were associated with cancer cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, tumor growth, and tumor metastasis. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a large number of functional proteins, such as NOP2, CSE1L, NHP2, NOC2L and CDK1, with adjusted expression significantly correlated with age (p < 0.05). Among them, NHP2 is a core component of the telomerase complex associated with age. High NHP2 expression predicted poor overall survival, with a more significant correlation in aged patients with CRC. Knockdown of NHP2 significantly suppressed cancer cell proliferation. In addition, we revealed some age-related potential clinically actionable targets, such as PSEN1, TSPO, and CDK1, which might be more suitable for patients with late-onset CRC. Collectively, this study identifies age-associated proteomic signatures and potential therapeutic targets of CRC and may help make a precise decision on CRC treatment. The proteomic signatures of early-onset CRC are disclosed. Alterations of some proteins between cancerous and normal tissues are age-correlated. NHP2, overexpressed in tumors especially in aged patients, predicts poor prognosis. Potential age-dependent druggable targets and their inhibitors are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiu Gong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Tian Wang
- Life Science Mass Spectrometry Service Department, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Co, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhigui Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Haining Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Shu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Heng Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Zongguang Zhou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.
| | - Lunzhi Dai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.
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Lou Y, Xu J, Zhang Y, Lu J, Chu T, Zhang X, Wang H, Zhong H, Zhang W, Han B. Chemotherapy Plus EGFR-TKI as First-Line Treatment Provides Better Survival for Advanced EGFR-Positive Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients: Updated Data and Exploratory In Vitro Study. Target Oncol 2020; 15:175-184. [PMID: 32170554 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-020-00708-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previously, we demonstrated that treatment with gefitinib combined with pemetrexed plus carboplatin chemotherapy improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared to gefitinib or chemotherapy alone in lung adenocarcinoma patients with sensitizing EGFR mutations. OBJECTIVE In the present study, we updated the long-term overall survival (OS) of the combination therapy and the gefitinib groups. Furthermore, the possible mechanisms underlying the effects of combination therapy were investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS Lung adenocarcinoma patients harboring sensitizing EGFR mutations received either gefitinib plus chemotherapy (n = 40) or gefitinib alone (n = 41), and long-term survival was assessed. The pharmacological interaction between gefitinib and pemetrexed was evaluated in the PC-9 lung adenocarcinoma cell line using a colorimetric assay for assessing cell metabolic activity (MTT assay). The influence of combined treatment with gefitinib plus pemetrexed on gene expression profiles and signaling pathways was investigated using microarrays and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). RESULTS On the last day of follow-up (28 September 2018), 30 (75.0%) patients in the combination group and 35 (85.4%) patients in the gefitinib group had died. The 2-year and 3-year survival rates of the combination versus gefitinib were 85.0% versus 56.1% (P = 0.004) and 52.5% versus 24.4% (P = 0.009), respectively. The median OS was 37.9 months (95% CI: 17.3-58.6) for the combination group and 25.8 months (95% CI: 19.2-32.3) for the gefitinib group (HR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34-0.91, P = 0.02). A synergistic inhibitory effect between gefitinib and pemetrexed was observed in the lung adenocarcinoma cell line PC-9. Furthermore, widespread gene expression changes and critical signaling pathways such as AKT signaling were identified, which might be responsible for the synergism seen with the combination treatment. CONCLUSIONS Combined treatment with gefitinib plus pemetrexed resulted in improved OS over gefitinib alone. A synergistic inhibitory effect between gefitinib and pemetrexed was observed on lung adenocarcinoma cell growth. Gene expression profile analysis revealed potential signaling pathways, including AKT signaling, contributing to the synergism. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02148380.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Lou
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Jianlin Xu
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yanwei Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Jun Lu
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Tianqing Chu
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Xueyan Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Huimin Wang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Hua Zhong
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Baohui Han
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.
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24
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Sanford SL, Welfer GA, Freudenthal BD, Opresko PL. Mechanisms of telomerase inhibition by oxidized and therapeutic dNTPs. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5288. [PMID: 33082336 PMCID: PMC7576608 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19115-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is a specialized reverse transcriptase that adds GGTTAG repeats to chromosome ends and is upregulated in most human cancers to enable limitless proliferation. Here, we uncover two distinct mechanisms by which naturally occurring oxidized dNTPs and therapeutic dNTPs inhibit telomerase-mediated telomere elongation. We conduct a series of direct telomerase extension assays in the presence of modified dNTPs on various telomeric substrates. We provide direct evidence that telomerase can add the nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors ddITP and AZT-TP to the telomeric end, causing chain termination. In contrast, telomerase continues elongation after inserting oxidized 2-OH-dATP or therapeutic 6-thio-dGTP, but insertion disrupts translocation and inhibits further repeat addition. Kinetics reveal that telomerase poorly selects against 6-thio-dGTP, inserting with similar catalytic efficiency as dGTP. Furthermore, telomerase processivity factor POT1-TPP1 fails to restore processive elongation in the presence of inhibitory dNTPs. These findings reveal mechanisms for targeting telomerase with modified dNTPs in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Sanford
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Griffin A Welfer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Bret D Freudenthal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Patricia L Opresko
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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25
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Mender I, Zhang A, Ren Z, Han C, Deng Y, Siteni S, Li H, Zhu J, Vemula A, Shay JW, Fu YX. Telomere Stress Potentiates STING-Dependent Anti-tumor Immunity. Cancer Cell 2020; 38:400-411.e6. [PMID: 32619407 PMCID: PMC7494563 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2020.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase is an attractive target for anti-tumor therapy as it is almost universally expressed in cancer cells. Here, we show that treatment with a telomere-targeting drug, 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine (6-thio-dG), leads to tumor regression through innate and adaptive immune-dependent responses in syngeneic and humanized mouse models of telomerase-expressing cancers. 6-thio-dG treatment causes telomere-associated DNA damages that are sensed by dendritic cells (DCs) and activates the host cytosolic DNA sensing STING/interferon I pathway, resulting in enhanced cross-priming capacity of DCs and tumor-specific CD8+ T cell activation. Moreover, 6-thio-dG overcomes resistance to checkpoint blockade in advanced cancer models. Our results unveil how telomere stress increases innate sensing and adaptive anti-tumor immunity and provide strong rationales for combining telomere-targeting therapy with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilgen Mender
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Anli Zhang
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Zhenhua Ren
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Chuanhui Han
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yafang Deng
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Silvia Siteni
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Huiyu Li
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jiankun Zhu
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Aishwarya Vemula
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yang-Xin Fu
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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26
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Guterres AN, Villanueva J. Targeting telomerase for cancer therapy. Oncogene 2020; 39:5811-5824. [PMID: 32733068 PMCID: PMC7678952 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01405-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Telomere maintenance via telomerase reactivation is a nearly universal hallmark of cancer cells which enables replicative immortality. In contrast, telomerase activity is silenced in most adult somatic cells. Thus, telomerase represents an attractive target for highly selective cancer therapeutics. However, development of telomerase inhibitors has been challenging and thus far there are no clinically approved strategies exploiting this cancer target. The discovery of prevalent mutations in the TERT promoter region in many cancers and recent advances in telomerase biology has led to a renewed interest in targeting this enzyme. Here we discuss recent efforts targeting telomerase, including immunotherapies and direct telomerase inhibitors, as well as emerging approaches such as targeting TERT gene expression driven by TERT promoter mutations. We also address some of the challenges to telomerase-directed therapies including potential therapeutic resistance and considerations for future therapeutic applications and translation into the clinical setting. Although much work remains to be done, effective strategies targeting telomerase will have a transformative impact for cancer therapy and the prospect of clinically effective drugs is boosted by recent advances in structural models of human telomerase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam N Guterres
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jessie Villanueva
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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27
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Fernandes SG, Dsouza R, Pandya G, Kirtonia A, Tergaonkar V, Lee SY, Garg M, Khattar E. Role of Telomeres and Telomeric Proteins in Human Malignancies and Their Therapeutic Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1901. [PMID: 32674474 PMCID: PMC7409176 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are the ends of linear chromosomes comprised of repetitive nucleotide sequences in humans. Telomeres preserve chromosomal stability and genomic integrity. Telomere length shortens with every cell division in somatic cells, eventually resulting in replicative senescence once telomere length becomes critically short. Telomere shortening can be overcome by telomerase enzyme activity that is undetectable in somatic cells, while being active in germline cells, stem cells, and immune cells. Telomeres are bound by a shelterin complex that regulates telomere lengthening as well as protects them from being identified as DNA damage sites. Telomeres are transcribed by RNA polymerase II, and generate a long noncoding RNA called telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA), which plays a key role in regulating subtelomeric gene expression. Replicative immortality and genome instability are hallmarks of cancer and to attain them cancer cells exploit telomere maintenance and telomere protection mechanisms. Thus, understanding the role of telomeres and their associated proteins in cancer initiation, progression and treatment is very important. The present review highlights the critical role of various telomeric components with recently established functions in cancer. Further, current strategies to target various telomeric components including human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) as a therapeutic approach in human malignancies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stina George Fernandes
- Sunandan Divatia School of Science, SVKM’s NMIMS (Deemed to be University), Vile Parle West, Mumbai 400056, India; (S.G.F.); (R.D.)
| | - Rebecca Dsouza
- Sunandan Divatia School of Science, SVKM’s NMIMS (Deemed to be University), Vile Parle West, Mumbai 400056, India; (S.G.F.); (R.D.)
| | - Gouri Pandya
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida 201313, India; (G.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Anuradha Kirtonia
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida 201313, India; (G.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Vinay Tergaonkar
- Laboratory of NF-κB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (V.T.); (S.Y.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 117597, Singapore
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Sook Y. Lee
- Laboratory of NF-κB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (V.T.); (S.Y.L.)
| | - Manoj Garg
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida 201313, India; (G.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Ekta Khattar
- Sunandan Divatia School of Science, SVKM’s NMIMS (Deemed to be University), Vile Parle West, Mumbai 400056, India; (S.G.F.); (R.D.)
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Ma D, Qin Y, Huang C, Chen Y, Han Z, Zhou X, Liu H. Circular RNA ABCB10 promotes non-small cell lung cancer progression by increasing E2F5 expression through sponging miR-584-5p. Cell Cycle 2020; 19:1611-1620. [PMID: 32420810 PMCID: PMC7469616 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2020.1761617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS CircABCB10 function as an endogenous miRNA sponge plays an important role in various tumors. This experimental design was based on circABCB10 to explore the pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: CircRNA microarray was used to examine circRNA expression profiles in lung cancer from 3 NSCLC patients and paired healthy lung tissues. The expression of circABCB10 and miR-584-5p was detected by q-PCR. CCK-8, colony formation, and transwell assays to study the circABCB10 effects on tumor cell growth and cell migration invasiveness. To validate downstream target genes of circABCB10 and miR-584-5p detected by luciferase reporter assays. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to study E2F5 expression. The tumor growth was detected by nude mice in vivo. Results: We analyzed the human circRNA expression profile in NSCLC tissues. CircABCB10 was identified as a circRNA that increased in NSCLC tissues. CircABCB10 was noticeably raised in NSCLC, and high circABCB10 expression was related to low survival in NSCLC patients. Silencing of circABCB10 suppressed non-small cell lung cancer cell migration, cell proliferation, and invasion.CircABCB10 can act as a sponge of miR-584-5p to up-regulate E2F5 expression level. E2F5 knockdown or overexpress of miR-584-5p gene reversed the circABCB10 who has carcinogenic effects. There was a negative correlation expression between the circABCB10 and miR-584-5p gene, and There was a positive relationship between the expression of circABCB10 and E2F5 in NSCLC tumors. Conclusion: CircABCB10 promoted the progression of NSCLC by modulating the miR-584-5p/E2F5 axis. ABBREVIATION NSCLC: non-small cell lung cancer; circ RNA: circular RNA; miRNA: micro RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjie Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing City, PR. China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing City, PR. China
| | - Yingzhi Qin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing City, PR. China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing City, PR. China
| | - Cheng Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing City, PR. China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing City, PR. China
| | - Yeye Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing City, PR. China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing City, PR. China
| | - Zhijun Han
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing City, PR. China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing City, PR. China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing City, PR. China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing City, PR. China
| | - Hongsheng Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing City, PR. China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing City, PR. China
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29
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Abdisalaam S, Bhattacharya S, Mukherjee S, Sinha D, Srinivasan K, Zhu M, Akbay EA, Sadek HA, Shay JW, Asaithamby A. Dysfunctional telomeres trigger cellular senescence mediated by cyclic GMP-AMP synthase. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:11144-11160. [PMID: 32540968 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.012962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Defective DNA damage response (DDR) signaling is a common mechanism that initiates and maintains the cellular senescence phenotype. Dysfunctional telomeres activate DDR signaling, genomic instability, and cellular senescence, but the links among these events remains unclear. Here, using an array of biochemical and imaging techniques, including a highly regulatable CRISPR/Cas9 strategy to induce DNA double strand breaks specifically in the telomeres, ChIP, telomere immunofluorescence, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), micronuclei imaging, and the telomere shortest length assay (TeSLA), we show that chromosome mis-segregation due to imperfect DDR signaling in response to dysfunctional telomeres creates a preponderance of chromatin fragments in the cytosol, which leads to a premature senescence phenotype. We found that this phenomenon is caused not by telomere shortening, but by cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) recognizing cytosolic chromatin fragments and then activating the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway and downstream interferon signaling. Significantly, genetic and pharmacological manipulation of cGAS not only attenuated immune signaling, but also prevented premature cellular senescence in response to dysfunctional telomeres. The findings of our study uncover a cellular intrinsic mechanism involving the cGAS-mediated cytosolic self-DNA-sensing pathway that initiates premature senescence independently of telomere shortening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salim Abdisalaam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Souparno Bhattacharya
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Shibani Mukherjee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Debapriya Sinha
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kalayarasan Srinivasan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Mingrui Zhu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Esra A Akbay
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Hesham A Sadek
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Aroumougame Asaithamby
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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30
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6-Dithio-2'-deoxyguanosine analogs induce reactive oxygen species-mediated tumor cell apoptosis via bi-targeting thioredoxin 1 and telomerase. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 401:115079. [PMID: 32497534 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Thioredoxin 1 (Trx1) and telomerase play key roles in the development and progression process of most tumors, and they both are promising drug therapy targets. We have, for the first time, discovered that Trx1 and telomerase had a dual-target synergistic effect. Based on that results, we designed a series of 6-dithio-2'-deoxyguanosine analogs (named as YLS00X) and verified whether they can inhibit Trx1 and telomerase simultaneously. TrxR1/Trx1 system activity and telomerase expression were significantly inhibited by 6-dithio-2'-deoxyguanosine analogs, especially YLS004. YLS004 can also cause ROS accumulation, and induce tumor cell apoptosis. The vitro antitumor activity of 6-dithio-2'-deoxyguanosine analogs using MTT assay on 11 different human cancer cells and found that human colon cancer cells(HCT116) and melanoma cells (A375) were the most sensitive cells to 6-dithio-2'-deoxyguanosine analogs treatment and vivo xenografts models also confirmed that. The serum biochemical parameters and multiple organs HE staining results of subacute experiments indicated that YLS004 might be mildly toxic to immune organs, including the thymus, spleen, and hematopoietic system. Besides, YLS004 was rapidly metabolized in the rats' blood. Our study revealed that YLS004, a Trx1 and telomerase inhibitor, has strong anti-tumor effects to colon cancer and melanoma cells and is a promising new candidate drug.
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31
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George SL, Parmar V, Lorenzi F, Marshall LV, Jamin Y, Poon E, Angelini P, Chesler L. Novel therapeutic strategies targeting telomere maintenance mechanisms in high-risk neuroblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:78. [PMID: 32375866 PMCID: PMC7201617 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01582-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of high-risk neuroblastomas can be divided into three distinct molecular subgroups defined by the presence of MYCN amplification, upstream TERT rearrangements or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). The common defining feature of all three subgroups is altered telomere maintenance; MYCN amplification and upstream TERT rearrangements drive high levels of telomerase expression whereas ALT is a telomerase independent telomere maintenance mechanism. As all three telomere maintenance mechanisms are independently associated with poor outcomes, the development of strategies to selectively target either telomerase expressing or ALT cells holds great promise as a therapeutic approach that is applicable to the majority of children with aggressive disease.Here we summarise the biology of telomere maintenance and the molecular drivers of aggressive neuroblastoma before describing the most promising therapeutic strategies to target both telomerase expressing and ALT cancers. For telomerase-expressing neuroblastoma the most promising targeted agent to date is 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine, however clinical development of this agent is required. In osteosarcoma cell lines with ALT, selective sensitivity to ATR inhibition has been reported. However, we present data showing that in fact ALT neuroblastoma cells are more resistant to the clinical ATR inhibitor AZD6738 compared to other neuroblastoma subtypes. More recently a number of additional candidate compounds have been shown to show selectivity for ALT cancers, such as Tetra-Pt (bpy), a compound targeting the telomeric G-quadruplex and pifithrin-α, a putative p53 inhibitor. Further pre-clinical evaluation of these compounds in neuroblastoma models is warranted.In summary, telomere maintenance targeting strategies offer a significant opportunity to develop effective new therapies, applicable to a large proportion of children with high-risk neuroblastoma. In parallel to clinical development, more pre-clinical research specifically for neuroblastoma is urgently needed, if we are to improve survival for this common poor outcome tumour of childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L George
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - V Parmar
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - F Lorenzi
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - L V Marshall
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Y Jamin
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - E Poon
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - P Angelini
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - L Chesler
- Paediatric Tumour Biology, Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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32
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Berei J, Eckburg A, Miliavski E, Anderson AD, Miller RJ, Dein J, Giuffre AM, Tang D, Deb S, Racherla KS, Patel M, Vela MS, Puri N. Potential Telomere-Related Pharmacological Targets. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:458-484. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200109114339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres function as protective caps at the terminal portion of chromosomes, containing
non-coding nucleotide sequence repeats. As part of their protective function, telomeres preserve genomic
integrity and minimize chromosomal exposure, thus limiting DNA damage responses. With
continued mitotic divisions in normal cells, telomeres progressively shorten until they reach a threshold
at a point where they activate senescence or cell death pathways. However, the presence of the enzyme
telomerase can provide functional immortality to the cells that have reached or progressed past
senescence. In senescent cells that amass several oncogenic mutations, cancer formation can occur due
to genomic instability and the induction of telomerase activity. Telomerase has been found to be expressed
in over 85% of human tumors and is labeled as a near-universal marker for cancer. Due to this
feature being present in a majority of tumors but absent in most somatic cells, telomerase and telomeres
have become promising targets for the development of new and effective anticancer therapeutics.
In this review, we evaluate novel anticancer targets in development which aim to alter telomerase
or telomere function. Additionally, we analyze the progress that has been made, including preclinical
studies and clinical trials, with therapeutics directed at telomere-related targets. Furthermore, we review
the potential telomere-related therapeutics that are used in combination therapy with more traditional
cancer treatments. Throughout the review, topics related to medicinal chemistry are discussed,
including drug bioavailability and delivery, chemical structure-activity relationships of select therapies,
and the development of a unique telomere assay to analyze compounds affecting telomere elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Berei
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, United States
| | - Adam Eckburg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, United States
| | - Edward Miliavski
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, United States
| | - Austin D. Anderson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, United States
| | - Rachel J. Miller
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, United States
| | - Joshua Dein
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, United States
| | - Allison M. Giuffre
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, United States
| | - Diana Tang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, United States
| | - Shreya Deb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, United States
| | - Kavya Sri Racherla
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, United States
| | - Meet Patel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, United States
| | - Monica Saravana Vela
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, United States
| | - Neelu Puri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, United States
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33
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Mender I, Batten K, Peyton M, Vemula A, Cornelius C, Girard L, Gao B, Minna JD, Shay JW. SLC43A3 Is a Biomarker of Sensitivity to the Telomeric DNA Damage Mediator 6-Thio-2'-Deoxyguanosine. Cancer Res 2020; 80:929-936. [PMID: 31948943 PMCID: PMC7056593 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-2257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Cell membrane transporters facilitate the passage of nucleobases and nucleosides for nucleotide synthesis and metabolism, and are important for the delivery of nucleoside analogues used in anticancer drug therapy. Here, we investigated if cell membrane transporters are involved in the cellular uptake of the nucleoside analogue DNA damage mediator 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine (6-thio-dG). A large panel of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines (73 of 77) were sensitive to 6-thio-dG; only four NSCLC lines were resistant to 6-thio-dG. When analyzed by microarray and RNA sequencing, the resistant NSCLC cell lines clustered together, providing a molecular signature for patients that may not respond to 6-thio-dG. Significant downregulation of solute carrier family 43 A3 (SLC43A3), an equilibrative nucleobase transporter, was identified as a candidate in this molecular resistance signature. High levels of SLC43A3 mRNA predicted sensitivity to 6-thio-dG and therefore SLC43A3 could serve as a promising biomarker for 6-thio-dG sensitivity in patients with NSCLC. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings identify a biomarker of resistance to the telomeric DNA damage mediator 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilgen Mender
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Kimberly Batten
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Michael Peyton
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Aishwarya Vemula
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Crystal Cornelius
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Luc Girard
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Boning Gao
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - John D Minna
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
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34
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Roderwieser A, Sand F, Walter E, Fischer J, Gecht J, Bartenhagen C, Ackermann S, Otte F, Welte A, Kahlert Y, Lieberz D, Hertwig F, Reinhardt HC, Simon T, Peifer M, Ortmann M, Büttner R, Hero B, O'Sullivan RJ, Berthold F, Fischer M. Telomerase Is a Prognostic Marker of Poor Outcome and a Therapeutic Target in Neuroblastoma. JCO Precis Oncol 2019; 3:1-20. [PMID: 35100718 DOI: 10.1200/po.19.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Telomere maintenance is a hallmark of high-risk neuroblastoma; however, the contribution of telomerase and alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) to clinical phenotypes has remained unclear. We aimed to determine the clinical relevance of telomerase activation versus ALT as biomarkers in pretreatment neuroblastoma and to assess the potential value of telomerase as a therapeutic target. MATERIALS AND METHODS The genomic status of TERT and MYCN was assessed in 457 pretreatment neuroblastomas by fluorescence in situ hybridization. ALT was examined in 273 of 457 tumors by detection of ALT-associated promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies, and TERT expression was determined by microarrays in 223 of these. Cytotoxic effects of telomerase-interacting compounds were analyzed in neuroblastoma cell lines in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS We detected TERT rearrangements in 46 of 457 cases (10.1%), MYCN amplification in 93 of 457 cases (20.4%), and elevated TERT expression in tumors lacking TERT or MYCN alterations in 10 of 223 cases (4.5%). ALT activation was found in 49 of 273 cases (17.9%). All these alterations occurred almost mutually exclusively and were associated with unfavorable prognostic variables and adverse outcome. The presence of activated telomerase (ie, TERT rearrangements, MYCN amplification, or high TERT expression without these alterations) was associated with poorest overall survival and was an independent prognostic marker in multivariable analyses. We also found that the telomerase-interacting compound 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine effectively inhibited viability and proliferation of neuroblastoma cells bearing activated telomerase. Similarly, tumor growth was strongly impaired upon 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine treatment in telomerase-positive neuroblastoma xenografts in mice. CONCLUSION Our data suggest telomerase activation and ALT define distinct neuroblastoma subgroups with adverse outcome and that telomerase may represent a promising therapeutic target in many high-risk neuroblastomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Roderwieser
- University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Frederik Sand
- University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Esther Walter
- University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Janina Fischer
- University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Judith Gecht
- University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christoph Bartenhagen
- University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sandra Ackermann
- University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Felix Otte
- University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anne Welte
- University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Yvonne Kahlert
- University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Falk Hertwig
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - H Christian Reinhardt
- University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thorsten Simon
- University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Barbara Hero
- University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Frank Berthold
- University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Matthias Fischer
- University Children's Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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35
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Sugarman ET, Zhang G, Shay JW. In perspective: An update on telomere targeting in cancer. Mol Carcinog 2019; 58:1581-1588. [PMID: 31062416 PMCID: PMC6692182 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Engaging a telomere maintenance mechanism during DNA replication is essential for almost all advanced cancers. The conversion from normal and premalignant somatic cells to advanced malignant cells often results (85%-90%) from the reactivation of the functional ribonucleoprotein holoenzyme complex, referred to as telomerase. Modulation of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) appears to be rate limiting to produce functional telomerase and engage a telomere maintenance mechanism. The remaining 10% to 15% of cancers overcome progressively shortened telomeres by activating an alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) maintenance mechanism, through a DNA recombination pathway. Exploration into the specific mechanisms of telomere maintenance in cancer have led to the development of drugs such as Imetelstat (GRN163L), BIBR1532, 6-thio-dG, VE-822, and NVP-BEZ235 being investigated as therapeutic approaches for treating telomerase and ALT tumors. The successful use of 6-thio-dG (a nucleoside preferentially recognized by telomerase) that targets and uncaps telomeres in telomerase positive but not normal telomerase silent cells has recently shown impressive effects on multiple types of cancer. For example, 6-thio-dG overcomes therapy-resistant cancers in a fast-acting mechanism potentially providing an alternative or additional route of treatment for patients with cancer. In this perspective, we provide a synopsis of the current landscape of telomeres and telomerase processing in cancer development and how this new knowledge may improve outcomes for patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric T. Sugarman
- University of Pennsylvania, College of Liberal and Professional Studies, 3440 Market St #100, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Gao Zhang
- Duke University, The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, 20 Duke Medicine Cir, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Jerry W. Shay
- University of Texas Southwestern, Department of Cell Biology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390
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36
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Abstract
Many recent advances have emerged in the telomere and telomerase fields. This Timeline article highlights the key advances that have expanded our views on the mechanistic underpinnings of telomeres and telomerase and their roles in ageing and disease. Three decades ago, the classic view was that telomeres protected the natural ends of linear chromosomes and that telomerase was a specific telomere-terminal transferase necessary for the replication of chromosome ends in single-celled organisms. While this concept is still correct, many diverse fields associated with telomeres and telomerase have substantially matured. These areas include the discovery of most of the key molecular components of telomerase, implications for limits to cellular replication, identification and characterization of human genetic disorders that result in premature telomere shortening, the concept that inhibiting telomerase might be a successful therapeutic strategy and roles for telomeres in regulating gene expression. We discuss progress in these areas and conclude with challenges and unanswered questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry W Shay
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Woodring E Wright
- Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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37
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Zhang G, Shay JW. Inducing rapid telomere irreparable damage in telomerase-expressing cancers. Oncotarget 2018; 9:35803-35804. [PMID: 30533193 PMCID: PMC6254679 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gao Zhang
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jerry W Shay
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Dallas, TX, USA
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