1
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Champagne A, Chebra I, Jain P, Ringuette Goulet C, Lauzier A, Guyon A, Neveu B, Pouliot F. An Extracellular Matrix Overlay Model for Bioluminescence Microscopy to Measure Single-Cell Heterogeneous Responses to Antiandrogens in Prostate Cancer Cells. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:175. [PMID: 38667168 PMCID: PMC11048191 DOI: 10.3390/bios14040175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) displays diverse intra-tumoral traits, impacting its progression and treatment outcomes. This study aimed to refine PCa cell culture conditions for dynamic monitoring of androgen receptor (AR) activity at the single-cell level. We introduced an extracellular matrix-Matrigel (ECM-M) culture model, enhancing cellular tracking during bioluminescence single-cell imaging while improving cell viability. ECM-M notably tripled the traceability of poorly adherent PCa cells, facilitating robust single-cell tracking, without impeding substrate permeability or AR response. This model effectively monitored AR modulation by antiandrogens across various PCa cell lines. Single-cell imaging unveiled heterogeneous antiandrogen responses within populations, correlating non-responsive cell proportions with drug IC50 values. Integrating ECM-M culture with the PSEBC-TSTA biosensor enabled precise characterization of ARi responsiveness within diverse cell populations. Our ECM-M model stands as a promising tool to assess heterogeneous single-cell treatment responses in cancer, offering insights to link drug responses to intracellular signaling dynamics. This approach enhances our comprehension of the nuanced and dynamic nature of PCa treatment responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Champagne
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada (I.C.); (P.J.); (C.R.G.); (A.L.); (A.G.)
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1R 2J6, Canada
| | - Imene Chebra
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada (I.C.); (P.J.); (C.R.G.); (A.L.); (A.G.)
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1R 2J6, Canada
| | - Pallavi Jain
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada (I.C.); (P.J.); (C.R.G.); (A.L.); (A.G.)
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1R 2J6, Canada
| | - Cassandra Ringuette Goulet
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada (I.C.); (P.J.); (C.R.G.); (A.L.); (A.G.)
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1R 2J6, Canada
| | - Annie Lauzier
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada (I.C.); (P.J.); (C.R.G.); (A.L.); (A.G.)
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1R 2J6, Canada
| | - Antoine Guyon
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada (I.C.); (P.J.); (C.R.G.); (A.L.); (A.G.)
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1R 2J6, Canada
| | - Bertrand Neveu
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada (I.C.); (P.J.); (C.R.G.); (A.L.); (A.G.)
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1R 2J6, Canada
| | - Frédéric Pouliot
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada (I.C.); (P.J.); (C.R.G.); (A.L.); (A.G.)
- Department of Surgery (Urology), Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1R 2J6, Canada
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2
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Bouvier C, Lawrence R, Cavallo F, Xolalpa W, Jordan A, Hjerpe R, Rodriguez MS. Breaking Bad Proteins-Discovery Approaches and the Road to Clinic for Degraders. Cells 2024; 13:578. [PMID: 38607017 PMCID: PMC11011670 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) describe compounds that bind to and induce degradation of a target by simultaneously binding to a ubiquitin ligase. More generally referred to as bifunctional degraders, PROTACs have led the way in the field of targeted protein degradation (TPD), with several compounds currently undergoing clinical testing. Alongside bifunctional degraders, single-moiety compounds, or molecular glue degraders (MGDs), are increasingly being considered as a viable approach for development of therapeutics, driven by advances in rational discovery approaches. This review focuses on drug discovery with respect to bifunctional and molecular glue degraders within the ubiquitin proteasome system, including analysis of mechanistic concepts and discovery approaches, with an overview of current clinical and pre-clinical degrader status in oncology, neurodegenerative and inflammatory disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corentin Bouvier
- Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination LCC-UPR 8241-CNRS, 31077 Toulouse, France; (C.B.); (M.S.R.)
| | - Rachel Lawrence
- Sygnature Discovery, Bio City, Pennyfoot St., Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK (F.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Francesca Cavallo
- Sygnature Discovery, Bio City, Pennyfoot St., Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK (F.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Wendy Xolalpa
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca 62209, Morelos, Mexico;
| | - Allan Jordan
- Sygnature Discovery, Bio City, Pennyfoot St., Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK (F.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Roland Hjerpe
- Sygnature Discovery, Bio City, Pennyfoot St., Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK (F.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Manuel S. Rodriguez
- Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination LCC-UPR 8241-CNRS, 31077 Toulouse, France; (C.B.); (M.S.R.)
- Pharmadev, UMR 152, Université de Toulouse, IRD, UT3, 31400 Toulouse, France
- B Molecular, Centre Pierre Potier, Canceropôle, 31106 Toulouse, France
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3
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Li W, Wang Z. Ubiquitination Process Mediates Prostate Cancer Development and Metastasis through Multiple Mechanisms. Cell Biochem Biophys 2024; 82:77-90. [PMID: 37847340 PMCID: PMC10866789 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01156-x] [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: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common malignant tumor in men, when the disease progresses to the advanced stage, most patients will develop distant metastasis and develop into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), resulting in increased mortality. Ubiquitination is a widespread protein post-translational modification process in the biological world, and it plays an important role in the development and transfer of PCa. E3 ubiquitin ligase plays an important role in the specific selection and role of substrates in the process of ubiquitination ligase. This review will briefly introduce the ubiquitination process and E3 ubiquitin ligase, focus on the recently discovered multiple mechanisms by which ubiquitination affects PCa development and metastasis, and a summary of the current emerging proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTAC) in the treatment of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Li
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zhiyu Wang
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.
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4
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Chen QH, Munoz E, Ashong D. Insight into Recent Advances in Degrading Androgen Receptor for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:663. [PMID: 38339414 PMCID: PMC10854644 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Induced protein degradation has emerged as an innovative drug discovery approach, complementary to the classical method of suppressing protein function. The androgen receptor signaling pathway has been identified as the primary driving force in the development and progression of lethal castration-resistant prostate cancer. Since androgen receptor degraders function differently from androgen receptor antagonists, they hold the promise to overcome the drug resistance challenges faced by current therapeutics. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), monomeric degraders, hydrophobic tagging, molecular glues, and autophagic degradation have demonstrated their capability in downregulating intracellular androgen receptor concentrations. The potential of these androgen receptor degraders to treat castration-resistant prostate cancer is substantiated by the advancement of six PROTACs and two monomeric androgen receptor degraders into phase I or II clinical trials. Although the chemical structures, in vitro and in vivo data, and degradation mechanisms of androgen receptor degraders have been reviewed, it is crucial to stay updated on recent advances in this field as novel androgen receptor degraders and new strategies continue to emerge. This review thus provides insight into recent advancements in this paradigm, offering an overview of the progress made since 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-Hong Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Fresno, CA 93740, USA; (E.M.); (D.A.)
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5
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Pinto AF, Nunes JS, Severino Martins JE, Leal AC, Silva CCVC, da Silva AJFS, da Cruz Olímpio DS, da Silva ETN, Campos TA, Lima Leite AC. Thiazole, Isatin and Phthalimide Derivatives Tested in vivo against Cancer Models: A Literature Review of the Last Six Years. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:2991-3032. [PMID: 37170994 DOI: 10.2174/0929867330666230426154055] [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: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is a disease characterized by the abnormal multiplication of cells and is the second leading cause of death in the world. The search for new effective and safe anticancer compounds is ongoing due to factors such as low selectivity, high toxicity, and multidrug resistance. Thus, heterocyclic compounds derived from isatin, thiazole and phthalimide that have achieved promising in vitro anticancer activity have been tested in vivo and in clinical trials. OBJECTIVE This review focused on the compilation of promising data from thiazole, isatin, and phthalimide derivatives, reported in the literature between 2015 and 2022, with in vivo anticancer activity and clinical trials. METHODS A bibliographic search was carried out in the PUBMED, MEDLINE, ELSEVIER, and CAPES PERIODIC databases, selecting relevant works for each pharmacophoric group with in vivo antitumor activity in the last 6 years. RESULTS In our study, 68 articles that fit the scope were selected and critically analyzed. These articles were organized considering the type of antitumor activity and their year of publication. Some compounds reported here demonstrated potent antitumor activity against several tumor types. CONCLUSION This review allowed us to highlight works that reported promising structures for the treatment of various cancer types and also demonstrated that the privileged structures thiazole, isatin and phthalimide are important in the design of new syntheses and molecular optimization of compounds with antitumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Ferreira Pinto
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Janine Siqueira Nunes
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - José Eduardo Severino Martins
- Regulatory Affairs Advisory, Empresa Brasileira de Hemoderivados e Biotecnologia (HEMOBRAS), CEP 51021-410, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Amanda Calazans Leal
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Carla Cauanny Vieira Costa Silva
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Anderson José Firmino Santos da Silva
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Daiane Santiago da Cruz Olímpio
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Elineide Tayse Noberto da Silva
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Thiers Araújo Campos
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina Lima Leite
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
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6
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Hernandez KM, Venkat A, Elbers DC, Bihn JR, Brophy MT, Do NV, La J, Liu Q, Prokhorenkov A, Metoki-Shlubsky N, Sung FC, Paller CJ, Fillmore NR, Grossman RL. Prostate cancer patient stratification by molecular signatures in the Veterans Precision Oncology Data Commons. Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud 2023; 9:a006298. [PMID: 38050021 PMCID: PMC10815278 DOI: 10.1101/mcs.a006298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Veterans are at an increased risk for prostate cancer, a disease with extraordinary clinical and molecular heterogeneity, compared with the general population. However, little is known about the underlying molecular heterogeneity within the veteran population and its impact on patient management and treatment. Using clinical and targeted tumor sequencing data from the National Veterans Affairs health system, we conducted a retrospective cohort study on 45 patients with advanced prostate cancer in the Veterans Precision Oncology Data Commons (VPODC), most of whom were metastatic castration-resistant. We characterized the mutational burden in this cohort and conducted unsupervised clustering analysis to stratify patients by molecular alterations. Veterans with prostate cancer exhibited a mutational landscape broadly similar to prior studies, including KMT2A and NOTCH1 mutations associated with neuroendocrine prostate cancer phenotype, previously reported to be enriched in veterans. We also identified several potential novel mutations in PTEN, MSH6, VHL, SMO, and ABL1 Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed two subgroups containing therapeutically targetable molecular features with novel mutational signatures distinct from those reported in the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer database. The clustering approach presented in this study can potentially be used to clinically stratify patients based on their distinct mutational profiles and identify actionable somatic mutations for precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aarti Venkat
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
- Center for Translational Data Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Danne C Elbers
- VA Cooperative Studies Program, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts 02130, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
| | - John R Bihn
- VA Cooperative Studies Program, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts 02130, USA
| | - Mary T Brophy
- VA Cooperative Studies Program, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts 02130, USA
- Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
| | - Nhan V Do
- VA Cooperative Studies Program, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts 02130, USA
- Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
| | - Jennifer La
- VA Cooperative Studies Program, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts 02130, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Qiong Liu
- Frederick National laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21701, USA
| | - Andrew Prokhorenkov
- Center for Translational Data Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Noah Metoki-Shlubsky
- Center for Translational Data Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Feng-Chi Sung
- VA Cooperative Studies Program, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts 02130, USA
| | - Channing J Paller
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA;
| | - Nathanael R Fillmore
- VA Cooperative Studies Program, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts 02130, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Robert L Grossman
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
- Center for Translational Data Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
- Open Commons Consortium, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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7
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Kostlan RJ, Phoenix JT, Budreika A, Ferrari MG, Khurana N, Cho JE, Juckette K, McCollum BL, Moskal R, Mannan R, Qiao Y, Griend DJV, Chinnaiyan AM, Kregel S. Clinically relevant humanized mouse models of metastatic prostate cancer to evaluate cancer therapies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.13.562280. [PMID: 37904960 PMCID: PMC10614761 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.13.562280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
There is tremendous need for improved prostate cancer (PCa) models. The mouse prostate does not spontaneously form tumors and is anatomically and developmentally different from the human prostate. Engineered mouse models lack the heterogeneity of human cancer and rarely establish metastatic growth. Human xenografts represent an alternative but rely on an immunocompromised host. Accordingly, we generated PCa murine xenograft models with an intact human immune system (huNOG and huNOG-EXL mice) to test whether humanizing tumor-immune interactions would improve modeling of metastatic PCa and the impact of hormonal and immunotherapies. These mice maintain multiple human cell lineages, including functional human T-cells and myeloid cells. In 22Rv1 xenografts, subcutaneous tumor size was not significantly altered across conditions; however, metastasis to secondary sites differed in castrate huNOG vs background-matched immunocompromised mice treated with enzalutamide (enza). VCaP xenograft tumors showed decreases in growth with enza and anti-Programed-Death-1 treatments in huNOG mice, and no effect was seen with treatment in NOG mice. Enza responses in huNOG and NOG mice were distinct and associated with increased T-cells within tumors of enza treated huNOG mice, and increased T-cell activation. In huNOG-EXL mice, which support human myeloid development, there was a strong population of immunosuppressive regulatory T-cells and Myeloid-Derived-Suppressor-Cells (MDSCs), and enza treatment showed no difference in metastasis. Results illustrate, to our knowledge, the first model of human PCa that metastasizes to clinically relevant locations, has an intact human immune system, responds appropriately to standard-of-care hormonal therapies, and can model both an immunosuppressive and checkpoint-inhibition responsive immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond J. Kostlan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - John T. Phoenix
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Audris Budreika
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Marina G. Ferrari
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153
| | - Neetika Khurana
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153
| | - Jae Eun Cho
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kristin Juckette
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Brooke L. McCollum
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Russell Moskal
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153
| | - Rahul Mannan
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Qiao
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Arul M. Chinnaiyan
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Steven Kregel
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153
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8
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Thankan RS, Thomas E, Purushottamachar P, Weber DJ, Njar VCO. Salinization Dramatically Enhance the Anti-Prostate Cancer Efficacies of AR/AR-V7 and Mnk1/2 Molecular Glue Degraders, Galeterone and VNPP433-3β Which Outperform Docetaxel and Enzalutamide in CRPC CWR22Rv1 Xenograft Mouse Model. Bioorg Chem 2023; 139:106700. [PMID: 37392559 PMCID: PMC10528634 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Galeterone, 3β-(hydroxy)-17-(1H-benzimidazole-1-yl)androsta-5,16-diene (Gal, 1) and VNPP433-3β, 3β-(1H-imidazole-1-yl-17-(1H-benzimidazole-1-yl)androsta-5,16-diene (2) are potent molecular glue degrader modulators of AR/AR-V7 and Mnk1/2-eIF4E signaling pathways, and are promising Phase 3 and Phase 1 drug candidates, respectively. Because appropriate salts can be utilized to create new chemical entities with enhanced aqueous solubility, in vivo pharmacokinetics, and enhanced in vitro and in vivo efficacies, the monohydrochloride salt of Gal (3) and the mono- and di-hydrochlorides salts of compound 2, compounds 4 and 5, respectively, were synthesized. The salts were characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS analyses. Compound 3 displayed enhanced in vitro antiproliferative activity (7.4-fold) against three prostate cancer cell lines but surprisingly decreased plasma exposure in the pharmacokinetics study. The antiproliferative activities of the compound 2 salts (4 and 5) were equivalent to that of compound 2, but their oral pharmacokinetic profiles were significantly enhanced. Finally, and most importantly, oral administration of the parent compounds (1 and 2) and their corresponding salts (3, 4 and 5) caused dose-dependent potent inhibition/regression of aggressive and difficult-to-treat CWR22Rv1 tumor xenografts growth, with no apparent host toxicities and were highly more efficacious than the blockbuster FDA-approved prostate cancer drugs, Enzalutamide (Xtandi) and Docetaxel (Taxotere). Thus, the HCl salts of Gal (3) and VNPP433-3β (4 and 5) are excellent orally bioavailable candidates for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Retheesh S Thankan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; The Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Isoprene Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 801 West Baltimore Street, Suite 502J, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Thomas
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; The Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Puranik Purushottamachar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; The Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Isoprene Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 801 West Baltimore Street, Suite 502J, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - David J Weber
- The Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Isoprene Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 801 West Baltimore Street, Suite 502J, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Vincent C O Njar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; The Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Isoprene Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 801 West Baltimore Street, Suite 502J, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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9
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Phoenix JT, Budreika A, Kostlan RJ, Hwang JH, Fanning SW, Kregel S. Editorial: Hormone resistance in cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1272932. [PMID: 37693345 PMCID: PMC10484586 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1272932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John T. Phoenix
- Department of Cancer Biology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Audris Budreika
- Department of Cancer Biology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Raymond J. Kostlan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Justin H. Hwang
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Sean W. Fanning
- Department of Cancer Biology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Steven Kregel
- Department of Cancer Biology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
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10
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Bhoir S, De Benedetti A. Targeting Prostate Cancer, the 'Tousled Way'. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11100. [PMID: 37446279 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been the mainstay of prostate cancer (PCa) treatment, with success in developing more effective inhibitors of androgen synthesis and antiandrogens in clinical practice. However, hormone deprivation and AR ablation have caused an increase in ADT-insensitive PCas associated with a poor prognosis. Resistance to ADT arises through various mechanisms, and most castration-resistant PCas still rely on the androgen axis, while others become truly androgen receptor (AR)-independent. Our research identified the human tousled-like kinase 1 (TLK1) as a crucial early mediator of PCa cell adaptation to ADT, promoting androgen-independent growth, inhibiting apoptosis, and facilitating cell motility and metastasis. Although explicit, the growing role of TLK1 biology in PCa has remained underrepresented and elusive. In this review, we aim to highlight the diverse functions of TLK1 in PCa, shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the transition from androgen-sensitive (AS) to an androgen-insensitive (AI) disease mediated by TLK1, and explore potential strategies to counteract this process. Targeting TLK1 and its associated signaling could prevent PCa progression to the incurable metastatic castration-resistant PCa (mCRPC) stage and provide a promising approach to treating PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhant Bhoir
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSU Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Arrigo De Benedetti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSU Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
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11
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Kathman SG, Koo SJ, Lindsey GL, Her HL, Blue SM, Li H, Jaensch S, Remsberg JR, Ahn K, Yeo GW, Ghosh B, Cravatt BF. Remodeling oncogenic transcriptomes by small molecules targeting NONO. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:825-836. [PMID: 36864190 PMCID: PMC10337234 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01270-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Much of the human proteome is involved in mRNA homeostasis, but most RNA-binding proteins lack chemical probes. Here we identify electrophilic small molecules that rapidly and stereoselectively decrease the expression of transcripts encoding the androgen receptor and its splice variants in prostate cancer cells. We show by chemical proteomics that the compounds engage C145 of the RNA-binding protein NONO. Broader profiling revealed that covalent NONO ligands suppress an array of cancer-relevant genes and impair cancer cell proliferation. Surprisingly, these effects were not observed in cells genetically disrupted for NONO, which were instead resistant to NONO ligands. Reintroduction of wild-type NONO, but not a C145S mutant, restored ligand sensitivity in NONO-disrupted cells. The ligands promoted NONO accumulation in nuclear foci and stabilized NONO-RNA interactions, supporting a trapping mechanism that may prevent compensatory action of paralog proteins PSPC1 and SFPQ. These findings show that NONO can be co-opted by covalent small molecules to suppress protumorigenic transcriptional networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan G Kathman
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Seong Joo Koo
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Discovery Technologies and Molecular Pharmacology, Janssen Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Garrett L Lindsey
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hsuan-Lin Her
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Steven M Blue
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Haoxin Li
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Steffen Jaensch
- High Dimensional and Computational Biology, Discovery Technologies and Molecular Pharmacology, Janssen Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jarrett R Remsberg
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kay Ahn
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Discovery Technologies and Molecular Pharmacology, Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA, USA.
| | - Gene W Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Brahma Ghosh
- Discovery Chemistry, Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA, USA.
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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12
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Lin M, Sun X, Lv L. New insights and options into the mechanisms and effects of combined targeted therapy and immunotherapy in prostate cancer. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 29:91-106. [PMID: 37215386 PMCID: PMC10199166 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is believed to drive prostate carcinogenesis by producing reactive oxygen species or reactive nitrogen species to induce DNA damage. This effect might subsequently cause epigenetic and genomic alterations, leading to malignant transformation. Although established therapeutic advances have extended overall survival, tumors in patients with advanced prostate cancer are prone to metastasis, transformation into metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and therapeutic resistance. The tumor microenvironment (TME) of prostate cancer is involved in carcinogenesis, invasion and drug resistance. A plethora of preclinical studies have focused on immune-based therapies. Understanding the intricate TME system in prostate cancer may hold much promise for developing novel therapies, designing combinational therapeutic strategies, and further overcoming resistance to established treatments to improve the lives of prostate cancer patients. In this review, we discuss nonimmune components and various immune cells within the TME and their putative roles during prostate cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. We also outline the updated fundamental research focusing on therapeutic advances of targeted therapy as well as combinational options for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingen Lin
- Nourse Centre for Pet Nutrition, Wuhu 241200, China
| | - Xue Sun
- Nourse Centre for Pet Nutrition, Wuhu 241200, China
| | - Lei Lv
- Nourse Centre for Pet Nutrition, Wuhu 241200, China
- Shanghai Chowsing Pet Products Co., Ltd, Shanghai 201103, China
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13
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Koistinen H, Kovanen RM, Hollenberg MD, Dufour A, Radisky ES, Stenman UH, Batra J, Clements J, Hooper JD, Diamandis E, Schilling O, Rannikko A, Mirtti T. The roles of proteases in prostate cancer. IUBMB Life 2023; 75:493-513. [PMID: 36598826 PMCID: PMC10159896 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Since the proposition of the pro-invasive activity of proteolytic enzymes over 70 years ago, several roles for proteases in cancer progression have been established. About half of the 473 active human proteases are expressed in the prostate and many of the most well-characterized members of this enzyme family are regulated by androgens, hormones essential for development of prostate cancer. Most notably, several kallikrein-related peptidases, including KLK3 (prostate-specific antigen, PSA), the most well-known prostate cancer marker, and type II transmembrane serine proteases, such as TMPRSS2 and matriptase, have been extensively studied and found to promote prostate cancer progression. Recent findings also suggest a critical role for proteases in the development of advanced and aggressive castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Perhaps the most intriguing evidence for this role comes from studies showing that the protease-activated transmembrane proteins, Notch and CDCP1, are associated with the development of CRPC. Here, we review the roles of proteases in prostate cancer, with a special focus on their regulation by androgens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannu Koistinen
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | - Ruusu-Maaria Kovanen
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Pathology, HUS Diagnostic Centre, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Morley D Hollenberg
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology and Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Antoine Dufour
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology and Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Evette S. Radisky
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Ulf-Håkan Stenman
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | - Jyotsna Batra
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Judith Clements
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - John D. Hooper
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Eleftherios Diamandis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Oliver Schilling
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antti Rannikko
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Urology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuomas Mirtti
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Pathology, HUS Diagnostic Centre, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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14
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Yedla P, Babalghith AO, Andra VV, Syed R. PROTACs in the Management of Prostate Cancer. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28093698. [PMID: 37175108 PMCID: PMC10179857 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093698] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer treatments with targeted therapy have gained immense interest due to their low levels of toxicity and high selectivity. Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) have drawn special attention in the development of cancer therapeutics owing to their unique mechanism of action, their ability to target undruggable proteins, and their focused target engagement. PROTACs selectively degrade the target protein through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, which describes a different mode of action compared to conventional small-molecule inhibitors or even antibodies. Among different cancer types, prostate cancer (PC) is the most prevalent non-cutaneous cancer in men. Genetic alterations and the overexpression of several genes, such as FOXA1, AR, PTEN, RB1, TP53, etc., suppress the immune response, resulting in drug resistance to conventional drugs in prostate cancer. Since the progression of ARV-110 (PROTAC for PC) into clinical phases, the focus of research has quickly shifted to protein degraders targeting prostate cancer. The present review highlights an overview of PROTACs in prostate cancer and their superiority over conventional inhibitors. We also delve into the underlying pathophysiology of the disease and explain the structural design and linkerology strategies for PROTAC molecules. Additionally, we touch on the various targets for PROTAC in prostate cancer, including the androgen receptor (AR) and other critical oncoproteins, and discuss the future prospects and challenges in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poornachandra Yedla
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, Institute of Translational Research, Asian Healthcare Foundation, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology Hospitals, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500082, India
| | - Ahmed O Babalghith
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vindhya Vasini Andra
- Department of Medical Oncology, Omega Hospitals, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500032, India
| | - Riyaz Syed
- Department of Chemiinformatics, Centella Scientific, JHUB, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad 500085, India
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15
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Nauman MC, Won JH, Petiwala SM, Vemu B, Lee H, Sverdlov M, Johnson JJ. α-Mangostin Promotes In Vitro and In Vivo Degradation of Androgen Receptor and AR-V7 Splice Variant in Prostate Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072118. [PMID: 37046780 PMCID: PMC10093438 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A major limitation of current prostate cancer pharmacotherapy approaches is the inability of these compounds to target androgen receptor variants or mutants that develop during prostate cancer progression. The demand for novel therapeutics to prevent, slow, and treat prostate cancer is significant because FDA approved anti-androgens are associated with adverse events and can eventually drive drug-resistant prostate cancer. This study evaluated α-mangostin for its novel ability to degrade the androgen receptor and androgen receptor variants. α-Mangostin is one of more than 70 isoprenylated xanthones isolated from Garcinia mangostana that we have been evaluating for their anticancer potential. Prostate cancer cells treated with α-mangostin exhibited decreased levels of wild-type and mutated androgen receptors. Immunoblot, immunoprecipitation, and transfection experiments demonstrated that the androgen receptor was ubiquitinated and subsequently degraded via the proteasome, which we hypothesize occurs with the assistance of BiP, an ER chaperone protein that we have shown to associate with the androgen receptor. We also evaluated α-mangostin for its antitumor activity and promotion of androgen receptor degradation in vivo. In summary, our study demonstrates that androgen receptor degradation occurs through the novel activation of BiP and suggests a new therapeutic approach for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirielle C. Nauman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Jong Hoon Won
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Sakina M. Petiwala
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Bhaskar Vemu
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Hyun Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Biophysics Core at Research Resource Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Maria Sverdlov
- Research Histology and Tissue Imaging Core, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Jeremy J. Johnson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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16
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Kelm JM, Pandey DS, Malin E, Kansou H, Arora S, Kumar R, Gavande NS. PROTAC'ing oncoproteins: targeted protein degradation for cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:62. [PMID: 36991452 PMCID: PMC10061819 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01707-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecularly targeted cancer therapies substantially improve patient outcomes, although the durability of their effectiveness can be limited. Resistance to these therapies is often related to adaptive changes in the target oncoprotein which reduce binding affinity. The arsenal of targeted cancer therapies, moreover, lacks coverage of several notorious oncoproteins with challenging features for inhibitor development. Degraders are a relatively new therapeutic modality which deplete the target protein by hijacking the cellular protein destruction machinery. Degraders offer several advantages for cancer therapy including resiliency to acquired mutations in the target protein, enhanced selectivity, lower dosing requirements, and the potential to abrogate oncogenic transcription factors and scaffolding proteins. Herein, we review the development of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) for selected cancer therapy targets and their reported biological activities. The medicinal chemistry of PROTAC design has been a challenging area of active research, but the recent advances in the field will usher in an era of rational degrader design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy M Kelm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Deepti S Pandey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Evan Malin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Hussein Kansou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Sahil Arora
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Raj Kumar
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Navnath S Gavande
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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17
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Hung CL, Liu HH, Fu CW, Yeh HH, Hu TL, Kuo ZK, Lin YC, Jhang MR, Hwang CS, Hsu HC, Kung HJ, Wang LY. Targeting androgen receptor and the variants by an orally bioavailable Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras compound in castration resistant prostate cancer. EBioMedicine 2023; 90:104500. [PMID: 36893587 PMCID: PMC10011747 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the advent of improved therapeutic options for advanced prostate cancer, the durability of clinical benefits is limited due to inevitable development of resistance. By constitutively sustaining androgen receptor (AR) signaling, expression of ligand-binding domain truncated AR variants (AR-V(ΔLBD)) accounts for the major mechanism underlying the resistance to anti-androgen drugs. Strategies to target AR and its LBD truncated variants are needed to prevent the emergence or overcome drug resistance. METHODS We utilize Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTAC) technology to achieve induced degradation of both full-length AR (AR-FL) and AR-V(ΔLBD) proteins. In the ITRI-PROTAC design, an AR N-terminal domain (NTD) binding moiety is appended to von-Hippel-Lindau (VHL) or Cereblon (CRBN) E3 ligase binding ligand with linker. FINDINGS In vitro studies demonstrate that ITRI-PROTAC compounds mechanistically degrade AR-FL and AR-V(ΔLBD) proteins via ubiquitin-proteasome system, leading to impaired AR transactivation on target gene expression, and inhibited cell proliferation accompanied by apoptosis activation. The compounds also significantly inhibit enzalutamide-resistant growth of castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells. In castration-, enzalutamide-resistant CWR22Rv1 xenograft model without hormone ablation, ITRI-90 displays a pharmacokinetic profile with decent oral bioavailability and strong antitumor efficacy. INTERPRETATION AR NTD that governs the transcriptional activities of all active variants has been considered attractive therapeutic target to block AR signaling in prostate cancer cells. We demonstrated that utilizing PROTAC for induced AR protein degradation via NTD represents an efficient alternative therapeutic strategy for CRPC to overcome anti-androgen resistance. FUNDING The funding detail can be found in the Acknowledgements section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiu-Lien Hung
- Department of Preclinical Drug Discovery Technology, Biomedical Technology and Devices Research Labs, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu 31040, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Hsuan Liu
- Department of Preclinical Drug Discovery Technology, Biomedical Technology and Devices Research Labs, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu 31040, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wei Fu
- Department of Preclinical Drug Discovery Technology, Biomedical Technology and Devices Research Labs, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu 31040, Taiwan
| | - Hsun-Hao Yeh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Tsan-Lin Hu
- Department of Preclinical Drug Discovery Technology, Biomedical Technology and Devices Research Labs, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu 31040, Taiwan
| | - Zong-Keng Kuo
- Department of Preclinical Drug Discovery Technology, Biomedical Technology and Devices Research Labs, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu 31040, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chin Lin
- Department of Preclinical Drug Discovery Technology, Biomedical Technology and Devices Research Labs, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu 31040, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Ru Jhang
- Department of Preclinical Drug Discovery Technology, Biomedical Technology and Devices Research Labs, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu 31040, Taiwan
| | - Chrong-Shiong Hwang
- Department of Preclinical Drug Discovery Technology, Biomedical Technology and Devices Research Labs, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu 31040, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chih Hsu
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Jien Kung
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan; Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Yu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan.
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18
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Peřina M, Kiss MA, Mótyán G, Szczyrbová E, Eliáš M, Študent V, Kurfürstová D, Kovalová M, Mada L, Bouchal J, Frank É, Jorda R. A-ring-fused pyrazoles of dihydrotestosterone targeting prostate cancer cells via the downregulation of the androgen receptor. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 249:115086. [PMID: 36682291 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115086] [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: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
High expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and the disruption of its regulation are strongly responsible for the development of prostate cancer (PCa). Therapeutically relevant non-steroidal or steroidal antiandrogens are able to block the AR effect by eliminating AR-mediated signalling. Herein we report the synthesis of novel steroidal pyrazoles derived from the natural sex hormone 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). 2-Ethylidene or 2-(hetero)arylidene derivatives of DHT obtained by regioselective Claisen-Schmidt condensation with acetaldehyde or (hetero)aromatic aldehydes in alkaline ethanol were reacted with monosubstituted hydrazines to give A-ring-fused 1,5-disubstituted pyrazoles as main or exclusive products, depending on the reaction conditions applied. Spontaneous or 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ)-induced oxidation of the primarily formed pyrazolines resulted in the desired products in moderate to good yields, while 17-oxidation also occurred by using the Jones reagent as a strong oxidant. Transcriptional activity of the AR in a reporter cell line was examined for all novel compounds, and several previously synthesized similar DHT-based pyrazoles with differently substituted heteroring were also included to obtain information about the structure-activity relationship. Two specific regioisomeric groups of derivatives significantly diminished the transcriptional activity of the AR in reporter cell line in 10 μM concentration, and displayed reasonable antiproliferative activity in AR-positive PCa cell lines. Lead compound (3d) was found to be a potent AR antagonist (IC50 = 1.18 μM), it generally suppressed AR signalling in time and dose dependent manner, moreover, it also led to a sharp decrease in wt-AR protein level probably caused by proteasomal degradation. We confirmed the antiproliferative activity of 3d in AR-positive PCa cell lines (with GI50 in low micromolar ranges), and its cellular, biochemical and in silico binding in AR ligand-binding domain. Moreover, compound 3d was shown to be potent even ex vivo in patient-derived tissues, which highlights the therapeutic potential of A-ring-fused pyrazoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Peřina
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Márton A Kiss
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm Tér 8, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gergő Mótyán
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm Tér 8, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Eva Szczyrbová
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Palacký University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, Hněvotínská 3, 77515, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Eliáš
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Palacký University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, Hněvotínská 3, 77515, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Študent
- Department of Urology, Palacký University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, I.P.Pavlova 6, 77900, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela Kurfürstová
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Palacký University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, Hněvotínská 3, 77515, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Kovalová
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Mada
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Bouchal
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Palacký University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, Hněvotínská 3, 77515, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Éva Frank
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm Tér 8, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Radek Jorda
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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19
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Wang C, Zheng C, Wang H, Shui S, Jin H, Liu G, Xu F, Liu Z, Zhang L, Sun D, Xu P. Dual degradation mechanism of GPX4 degrader in induction of ferroptosis exerting anti-resistant tumor effect. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 247:115072. [PMID: 36603510 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Targeting Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) has become a promising strategy for drug-resistant cancer therapy via ferroptosis induction. It was found that the GPX4 inhibitors such as RSL3 have GPX4 degradation ability via not only autophagy-lysosome pathway but also ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) using small molecule with both inhibition and degradation ability as the ligand of protein of interest (POI) have not been reported. To obtain better compounds with effective disturbance of GPX4 activity, and compare the difference between GPX4 inhibitors with degradation ability and their related PROTACs, we designed and synthesized a series of GPX4 degraders using PROTAC technology in terms of its excellent characteristics such as high efficiency and selectivity and the capacity of overcoming resistance. Hence, 8e was discovered as a potent and highly efficacious GPX4 degrader based upon the inhibitor RSL3. It was 2-3 times more potent than RSL3 in all the in vitro anti-tumor assays, indicating the importance of the PROTAC ternary complex of GPX4, 8e and E3 ligase ligand. 8e revealed better potency in resistant tumor cells than in wide type cells. Furthermore, we discovered for the first time that degrader 8e exhibit GPX4 degradation activity via ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy-lysosome pathway with UPS plays the major role in the process. Our data also suggested that 8e and RSL3 could potently induce ferroptosis of HT1080 cells via GPX4 inhibition and degradation. In summary, our data revealed that the GPX4 degrader 8e achieves better degradation and anti-tumor effects compared to its related GPX4 inhibitor RSL3. Thus, an efficient strategy to induce GPX4 degradation and subsequent ferroptosis was established in this study for malignant cancer treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Cangxin Zheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Sufang Shui
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongwei Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Guoquan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Fengrong Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Liangren Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Sun
- Department of Geriatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Ping Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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20
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Jia X, Han X. Targeting androgen receptor degradation with PROTACs from bench to bedside. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114112. [PMID: 36508999 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of androgen receptor (AR) has been extensively investigated to treat prostate cancer. Resistance mechanisms such as increased levels of androgen production, increased AR gene, enhancer expression and AR point mutations always reduce the clinical efficacy. Design and discovery of small-molecule PROTAC AR degraders have been pursued as a new therapeutic strategy to overcome common resistance mechanisms developed during prostate cancer treatment. In the last two decades, potent and efficacious PROTAC AR degraders have been gotten rapid development and several such compounds have been advanced into preclinical phase and phase I/II trials for the treatment of human prostate cancers. Especially, the first PROTAC to enter the clinic, ARV-110, has shown good clinical effects in patients with mCRPC. This fully demonstrates the high clinical value of PROTAC strategy in treatment of human diseases. Here, we summarized the recent advances in the development of these potential clinical-stage PROTAC AR degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Jia
- The 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xin Han
- The 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.; Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310029, China..
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21
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Raith F, O’Donovan DH, Lemos C, Politz O, Haendler B. Addressing the Reciprocal Crosstalk between the AR and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathways for Prostate Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032289. [PMID: 36768610 PMCID: PMC9917236 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The reduction in androgen synthesis and the blockade of the androgen receptor (AR) function by chemical castration and AR signaling inhibitors represent the main treatment lines for the initial stages of prostate cancer. Unfortunately, resistance mechanisms ultimately develop due to alterations in the AR pathway, such as gene amplification or mutations, and also the emergence of alternative pathways that render the tumor less or, more rarely, completely independent of androgen activation. An essential oncogenic axis activated in prostate cancer is the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, as evidenced by the frequent alterations of the negative regulator phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and by the activating mutations in PI3K subunits. Additionally, crosstalk and reciprocal feedback loops between androgen signaling and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascade that activate pro-survival signals and play an essential role in disease recurrence and progression have been evidenced. Inhibitors addressing different players of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway have been evaluated in the clinic. Only a limited benefit has been reported in prostate cancer up to now due to the associated side effects, so novel combination approaches and biomarkers predictive of patient response are urgently needed. Here, we reviewed recent data on the crosstalk between AR signaling and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, the selective inhibitors identified, and the most advanced clinical studies, with a focus on combination treatments. A deeper understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms involved in disease progression and treatment resistance is essential to further guide therapeutic approaches with improved outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Raith
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel H. O’Donovan
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Clara Lemos
- Bayer Research and Innovation Center, Bayer US LLC, 238 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Oliver Politz
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernard Haendler
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30-2215-41198
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22
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Wu M, Zhang R, Zhang Z, Zhang N, Li C, Xie Y, Xia H, Huang F, Zhang R, Liu M, Li X, Cen S, Zhou J. Selective androgen receptor degrader (SARD) to overcome antiandrogen resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer. eLife 2023; 12:70700. [PMID: 36656639 PMCID: PMC9901937 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), clinical resistances such as androgen receptor (AR) mutation, AR overexpression, and AR splice variants (ARVs) limit the effectiveness of second-generation antiandrogens (SGAs). Several strategies have been implemented to develop novel antiandrogens to circumvent the occurring resistance. Here, we found and identified a bifunctional small molecule Z15, which is both an effective AR antagonist and a selective AR degrader. Z15 could directly interact with the ligand-binding domain (LBD) and activation function-1 region of AR, and promote AR degradation through the proteasome pathway. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that Z15 efficiently suppressed AR, AR mutants and ARVs transcription activity, downregulated mRNA and protein levels of AR downstream target genes, thereby overcoming AR LBD mutations, AR amplification, and ARVs-induced SGAs resistance in CRPC. In conclusion, our data illustrate the synergistic importance of AR antagonism and degradation in advanced prostate cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wu
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of Medical Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Rongyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal UniversityJinhuaChina
| | - Zixiong Zhang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Ning Zhang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Chenfan Li
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal UniversityJinhuaChina
| | - Yongli Xie
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Haoran Xia
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Fangjiao Huang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal UniversityJinhuaChina
| | - Ruoying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal UniversityJinhuaChina
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Shan Cen
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jinming Zhou
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal UniversityJinhuaChina
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23
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Jiang H, Xiong H, Gu SX, Wang M. E3 ligase ligand optimization of Clinical PROTACs. Front Chem 2023; 11:1098331. [PMID: 36733714 PMCID: PMC9886873 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1098331] [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: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) technology can realize the development of drugs for non-druggable targets that are difficult to achieve with traditional small molecules, and therefore has attracted extensive attention from both academia and industry. Up to now, there are more than 600 known E3 ubiquitin ligases with different structures and functions, but only a few have developed corresponding E3 ubiquitin ligase ligands, and the ligands used to design PROTAC molecules are limited to a few types such as VHL (Von-Hippel-Lindau), CRBN (Cereblon), MDM2 (Mouse Doubleminute 2 homolog), IAP (Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins), etc. Most of the PROTAC molecules that have entered clinical trials were developed based on CRBN ligands, and only DT2216 was based on VHL ligand. Obviously, the structural optimization of E3 ubiquitin ligase ligands plays an instrumental role in PROTAC technology from bench to bedside. In this review, we review the structure optimization process of E3 ubiquitin ligase ligands currently entering clinical trials on PROTAC molecules, summarize some characteristics of these ligands in terms of druggability, and provide some preliminary insights into their structural optimization. We hope that this review will help medicinal chemists to develop more druggable molecules into clinical studies and to realize the greater therapeutic potential of PROTAC technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanrui Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering & Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, China,Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, China
| | - Huan Xiong
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, China,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuang-Xi Gu
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering & Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Shuang-Xi Gu, ; Mingliang Wang,
| | - Mingliang Wang
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, China,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Shuang-Xi Gu, ; Mingliang Wang,
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24
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Zhao HY, Xin M, Zhang SQ. Progress of small molecules for targeted protein degradation: PROTACs and other technologies. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:337-394. [PMID: 36606428 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of targeted protein degradation (TPD), especially proteolysis targeting chimeras. These degraders have manifested many advantages over small molecule inhibitors. To date, a huge number of degraders have been excavated against over 70 disease-related targets. In particular, degraders against estrogen receptor and androgen receptor have crowded into phase II clinical trial. TPD technologies largely expand the scope of druggable targets, and provide powerful tools for addressing intractable problems that can not be tackled by traditional small molecule inhibitors. In this review, we mainly focus on the structures and biological activities of small molecule degraders as well as the elucidation of mechanisms of emerging TPD technologies. We also propose the challenges that exist in the TPD field at present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yi Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Minhang Xin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - San-Qi Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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25
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Miller KJ, Henry I, Maylin Z, Smith C, Arunachalam E, Pandha H, Asim M. A compendium of Androgen Receptor Variant 7 target genes and their role in Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1129140. [PMID: 36937454 PMCID: PMC10014620 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1129140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent androgen receptor (AR) signalling is the main driver of prostate cancer (PCa). Truncated isoforms of the AR called androgen receptor variants (AR-Vs) lacking the ligand binding domain often emerge during treatment resistance against AR pathway inhibitors such as Enzalutamide. This review discusses how AR-Vs drive a more aggressive form of PCa through the regulation of some of their target genes involved in oncogenic pathways, enabling disease progression. There is a pressing need for the development of a new generation of AR inhibitors which can repress the activity of both the full-length AR and AR-Vs, for which the knowledge of differentially expressed target genes will allow evaluation of inhibition efficacy. This review provides a detailed account of the most common variant, AR-V7, the AR-V7 regulated genes which have been experimentally validated, endeavours to understand their relevance in aggressive AR-V driven PCa and discusses the utility of the downstream protein products as potential drug targets for PCa treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zoe Maylin
- *Correspondence: Zoe Maylin, ; Mohammad Asim,
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26
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Fang Q, Cole RN, Wang Z. Mechanisms and targeting of proteosome-dependent androgen receptor degradation in prostate cancer. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL UROLOGY 2022; 10:366-376. [PMID: 36636693 PMCID: PMC9831915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) remains to be a key target for the treatment of prostate cancer, including the majority of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). AR is stabilized in CRPC and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) plays a major role in AR degradation. Targeting AR for degradation provides a potential approach to overcome the resistance of CRPC to current AR antagonists, including the next generation AR signaling inhibitors. Different types of AR degraders have been developed, including the proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), selective AR degraders (SARDs), and novel AR degraders, with several AR PROTACs currently in clinical trials. The present mini-review discusses the regulation of AR degradation by the UPS, the potential role of a novel nuclear degradation signal in AR, and different types of AR degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Fang
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ryan N Cole
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zhou Wang
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA,UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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27
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Ha S, Luo G, Xiang H. A Comprehensive Overview of Small-Molecule Androgen Receptor Degraders: Recent Progress and Future Perspectives. J Med Chem 2022; 65:16128-16154. [PMID: 36459083 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC), the second most prevalent malignancy in men worldwide, has been proven to depend on the aberrant activation of androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Long-term androgen deprivation for the treatment of PC inevitably leads to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) in which AR remains a crucial oncogenic driver. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new strategies to address this unmet medical need. Targeting AR for degradation has recently been in a vigorous development stage, and accumulating clinical studies have highlighted the benefits of AR degraders in CRPC patients. Herein, we provide a comprehensive summary of small-molecule AR degraders with diverse mechanisms of action including proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), selective AR degraders (SARDs), hydrophobic tags (HyT), and other AR degraders with distinct mechanisms. Accordingly, their structure-activity relationships, biomedical applications, and therapeutic values are also dissected to provide insights into the future development of promising AR degradation-based therapeutics for CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Ha
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, P. R. China
| | - Guoshun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, P. R. China
| | - Hua Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, P. R. China
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28
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Koroleva OA, Dutikova YV, Trubnikov AV, Zenov FA, Manasova EV, Shtil AA, Kurkin AV. PROTAC: targeted drug strategy. Principles and limitations. Russ Chem Bull 2022; 71:2310-2334. [PMID: 36569659 PMCID: PMC9762658 DOI: 10.1007/s11172-022-3659-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The PROTAC (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera) technology is a method of targeting intracellular proteins previously considered undruggable. This technology utilizes the ubiquitin-proteasome system in cells to specifically degrade target proteins, thereby offering significant advantages over conventional small-molecule inhibitors of the enzymatic function. Preclinical and preliminary clinical trials of PROTAC-based compounds (degraders) are presented. The review considers the general principles of the design of degraders. Advances and challenges of the PROTAC technology are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. A. Koroleva
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Yu. V. Dutikova
- Patent & Law Firm “A. Zalesov and Partners”, Build. 9, 2 ul. Marshala Rybalko, 123060 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A. V. Trubnikov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - F. A. Zenov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - E. V. Manasova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A. A. Shtil
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
- N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Build. 15, 24 Kashirskoe shosse, 115478 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A. V. Kurkin
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Build. 3, 1 Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation
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29
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Constitutively Active Androgen Receptor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213768. [PMID: 36430245 PMCID: PMC9699340 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant type of liver cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related death globally. It is also a sexually dimorphic disease with a male predominance both in HCC and in its precursors, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The role of the androgen receptor (AR) in HCC has been well documented; however, AR-targeted therapies have failed to demonstrate efficacy in HCC. Building upon understandings of AR in prostate cancer (PCa), this review examines the role of AR in HCC, non-androgen-mediated mechanisms of induced AR expression, the existence of AR splice variants (AR-SV) in HCC and concludes by surveying current AR-targeted therapeutic approaches in PCa that show potential for efficacy in HCC in light of AR-SV expression.
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30
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Advances in AR-targeting chimeras: a case study of proteolysis-targeting chimeras from bench to bedside. Future Med Chem 2022; 14:1471-1489. [PMID: 36214138 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2022-0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) is an emerging revolutionary technology that promotes degradation of target proteins by proteolysis. AR-targeting PROTACs marked many milestones in the history of PROTAC development. In this review, the author discusses the development of AR-targeting PROTACs over the last two decades. Also included in this focused review are medicinal chemistry strategies, pharmacokinetic profiles and clinical development. Taking AR targeting PROTACs for case study, this review provides a target specific overview of how PROTAC technology has advanced from a revolutionary concept and achieved proof of concept leading to drug candidates that benefit patients.
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31
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Celastrol recruits UBE3A to recognize and degrade the DNA binding domain of steroid receptors. Oncogene 2022; 41:4754-4767. [DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02467-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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32
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Makin S. The destructive power of PROTACs could tackle prostate cancer. Nature 2022; 609:S41. [DOI: 10.1038/d41586-022-02860-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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33
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Michmerhuizen AR, Lerner LM, Ward C, Pesch AM, Zhang A, Schwartz R, Wilder-Romans K, Eisner JR, Rae JM, Pierce LJ, Speers CW. Androgen and oestrogen receptor co-expression determines the efficacy of hormone receptor-mediated radiosensitisation in breast cancer. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:927-936. [PMID: 35618789 PMCID: PMC9427858 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01849-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiation therapy (RT) and hormone receptor (HR) inhibition are used for the treatment of HR-positive breast cancers; however, little is known about the interaction of the androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER) in response to RT in AR-positive, ER-positive (AR+/ER+) breast cancers. Here we assessed radiosensitisation of AR+/ER+ cell lines using pharmacologic or genetic inhibition/degradation of AR and/or ER. METHODS Radiosensitisation was assessed with AR antagonists (enzalutamide, apalutamide, darolutamide, seviteronel, ARD-61), ER antagonists (tamoxifen, fulvestrant) or using knockout of AR. RESULTS Treatment with AR antagonists or ER antagonists in combination with RT did not result in radiosensitisation changes (radiation enhancement ratios [rER]: 0.76-1.21). Fulvestrant treatment provided significant radiosensitisation of CAMA-1 and BT-474 cells (rER: 1.06-2.0) but not ZR-75-1 cells (rER: 0.9-1.11). Combining tamoxifen with enzalutamide did not alter radiosensitivity using a 1 h or 1-week pretreatment (rER: 0.95-1.14). Radiosensitivity was unchanged in AR knockout compared to Cas9 cells (rER: 1.07 ± 0.11), and no additional radiosensitisation was achieved with tamoxifen or fulvestrant compared to Cas9 cells (rER: 0.84-1.19). CONCLUSION While radiosensitising in AR + TNBC, AR inhibition does not modulate radiation sensitivity in AR+/ER+ breast cancer. The efficacy of ER antagonists in combination with RT may also be dependent on AR expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna R Michmerhuizen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lynn M Lerner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Connor Ward
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Andrea M Pesch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Amanda Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rachel Schwartz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kari Wilder-Romans
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - James M Rae
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lori J Pierce
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Corey W Speers
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Thomas E, Thankan RS, Purushottamachar P, Huang W, Kane MA, Zhang Y, Ambulos NP, Weber DJ, Njar VCO. Novel AR/AR-V7 and Mnk1/2 Degrader, VNPP433-3β: Molecular Mechanisms of Action and Efficacy in AR-Overexpressing Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo Models. Cells 2022; 11:2699. [PMID: 36078112 PMCID: PMC9454942 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) relies in part on AR-signaling for disease development and progression. Earlier, we developed drug candidate galeterone, which advanced through phase 2-clinical trials in treating castration-resistant PCa (CRPC). Subsequently, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated next-generation galeterone-analogs including VNPP433-3β which is potently efficacious against pre-clinical models of PCa. This study describes the mechanism of action of VNPP433-3β that promotes degradation of full-length AR (fAR) and its splice variant AR-V7 besides depleting MNK1/2 in in vitro and in vivo CRPC models that stably overexpresses fAR. VNPP433-3β directly engages AR within the cell and promotes proteasomal degradation of fAR and its splice variant AR-V7 by enhancing the interaction of AR with E3 ligases MDM2/CHIP but disrupting AR-HSP90 binding. Next, VNPP433-3β decreases phosphorylation of 4EBP1 and abates binding of eIF4E and eIF4G to 5' cap of mRNA by depleting MNK1/2 with consequent depletion of phosphorylated eIF4E. Finally, RNA-seq demonstrates modulation of multiple pathways that synergistically contribute to PCa inhibition. Therefore, VNPP433-3β exerts its antitumor effect by imposing 1) transcriptional regulation of AR and AR-responsive oncogenes 2) translational regulation by disrupting mRNA-5'cap-dependent translation initiation, 3) reducing AR half-life through enhanced proteasomal degradation in vitro and AR-overexpressing tumor xenografts in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Thomas
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- The Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Retheesh S. Thankan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Flavocure Biotech, 701 E. Pratt St, Ste 2033, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
- Isoprene Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 801 W Baltimore Street, Suite 502J, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Puranik Purushottamachar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- The Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Weiliang Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Maureen A. Kane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yuji Zhang
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, University of Maryland, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Nicholas P. Ambulos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Marlene Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - David J. Weber
- The Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Vincent C. O. Njar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- The Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Cao C, He M, Wang L, He Y, Rao Y. Chemistries of bifunctional PROTAC degraders. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:7066-7114. [PMID: 35916511 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00220e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) technology is a novel and promising therapeutic strategy using small molecules to induce ubiquitin-dependent degradation of proteins. It has received extensive attention from both academia and industry as it can potentially access previously inaccessible targets. However, the design and optimization of PROTACs present big challenges for researchers, and the general strategy for its development and optimization is a lot of trial and error based on experience. This review highlights the important advances in this rapidly growing field and critical limitations of the traditional trial-and-error approach to developing PROTACs by analyzing numerous representative examples of PROTACs development. We summarize and analyze the general principles and strategies for PROTACs design and optimization from the perspective of chemical structure design, and propose potential future pathways to facilitate the development of PROTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoguo Cao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China. .,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Ming He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Liguo Wang
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Yuna He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Yu Rao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
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Developing New Treatment Options for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer and Recurrent Disease. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081872. [PMID: 36009418 PMCID: PMC9405166 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major diagnosed cancer among men globally, and about 20% of patients develop metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) in the initial diagnosis. PCa is a typical androgen-dependent disease; thus, hormonal therapy is commonly used as a standard care for mPCa by inhibiting androgen receptor (AR) activities, or androgen metabolism. Inevitably, almost all PCa will acquire resistance and become castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) that is associated with AR gene mutations or amplification, the presence of AR variants, loss of AR expression toward neuroendocrine phenotype, or other hormonal receptors. Treating CRPC poses a great challenge to clinicians. Research efforts in the last decade have come up with several new anti-androgen agents to prolong overall survival of CRPC patients. In addition, many potential targeting agents have been at the stage of being able to translate many preclinical discoveries into clinical practices. At this juncture, it is important to highlight the emerging strategies including small-molecule inhibitors to AR variants, DNA repair enzymes, cell survival pathway, neuroendocrine differentiation pathway, radiotherapy, CRPC-specific theranostics and immune therapy that are underway or have recently been completed.
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Lamhamedi-Cherradi SE, Maitituoheti M, Menegaz BA, Krishnan S, Vetter AM, Camacho P, Wu CC, Beird HC, Porter RW, Ingram DR, Ramamoorthy V, Mohiuddin S, McCall D, Truong DD, Cuglievan B, Futreal PA, Velasco AR, Anvar NE, Utama B, Titus M, Lazar AJ, Wang WL, Rodriguez-Aguayo C, Ratan R, Livingston JA, Rai K, MacLeod AR, Daw NC, Hayes-Jordan A, Ludwig JA. The androgen receptor is a therapeutic target in desmoplastic small round cell sarcoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3057. [PMID: 35650195 PMCID: PMC9160255 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30710-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an aggressive, usually incurable sarcoma subtype that predominantly occurs in post-pubertal young males. Recent evidence suggests that the androgen receptor (AR) can promote tumor progression in DSRCTs. However, the mechanism of AR-induced oncogenic stimulation remains undetermined. Herein, we demonstrate that enzalutamide and AR-directed antisense oligonucleotides (AR-ASO) block 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced DSRCT cell proliferation and reduce xenograft tumor burden. Gene expression analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) were performed to elucidate how AR signaling regulates cellular epigenetic programs. Remarkably, ChIP-seq revealed novel DSRCT-specific AR DNA binding sites adjacent to key oncogenic regulators, including WT1 (the C-terminal partner of the pathognomonic fusion protein) and FOXF1. Additionally, AR occupied enhancer sites that regulate the Wnt pathway, neural differentiation, and embryonic organ development, implicating AR in dysfunctional cell lineage commitment. Our findings have direct clinical implications given the widespread availability of FDA-approved androgen-targeted agents used for prostate cancer. Androgen receptor can promote tumour progression in desmoplastic small round cell tumour (DSRCT), an aggressive paediatric malignancy that predominantly affects young males. Here, the authors show that DSRCT is an AR-driven malignancy and sensitive to androgen deprivation therapy
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mayinuer Maitituoheti
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Brian A Menegaz
- Department of Surgery, Breast surgical Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sandhya Krishnan
- Sarcoma Medical Oncology Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Amelia M Vetter
- Sarcoma Medical Oncology Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Pamela Camacho
- Texas Children's Cancer & Hematology Centers, Houston, TX, 77384, USA
| | - Chia-Chin Wu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Hannah C Beird
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Robert W Porter
- Sarcoma Medical Oncology Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Davis R Ingram
- Division of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Vandhana Ramamoorthy
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sana Mohiuddin
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - David McCall
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Danh D Truong
- Sarcoma Medical Oncology Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Branko Cuglievan
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - P Andrew Futreal
- Division of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Alejandra Ruiz Velasco
- Sarcoma Medical Oncology Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Nazanin Esmaeili Anvar
- Division of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Budi Utama
- Optical Microscopy Facility, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Mark Titus
- Genitourinary Medical Oncology Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Alexander J Lazar
- Division of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Wei-Lien Wang
- Division of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Cristian Rodriguez-Aguayo
- Experimental Therapeutics Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ravin Ratan
- Sarcoma Medical Oncology Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - J Andrew Livingston
- Sarcoma Medical Oncology Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kunal Rai
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | | | - Najat C Daw
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - Joseph A Ludwig
- Sarcoma Medical Oncology Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Han X, Wei W, Sun Y. PROTAC Degraders with Ligands Recruiting MDM2 E3 Ubiquitin Ligase: An Updated Perspective. ACTA MATERIA MEDICA 2022; 1:244-259. [PMID: 35734447 PMCID: PMC9211018 DOI: 10.15212/amm-2022-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase which effectively degrades tumor suppressor p53. In the past two decades, many MDM2 inhibitors that disrupt the MDM2-p53 binding have been discovered and developed. Given that the MDM2-p53 forms auto-regulatory loop in which p53 is a substrate of MDM2 for targeted degradation, while MDM2 is a p53 target for transcriptional upregulation, these MDM2 inhibitors have limited efficacy due to p53 degradation by accumulated MDM2 upon rapid in vivo clearance of the MDM2 inhibitors. Fortunately, proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), a novel therapeutic strategy, overcome the limitations of MDM2 inhibitors. Some of MDM2 inhibitors developed in the past two decades have been used in PROTAC technology for two applications: 1) as component 1 to bind with endogenous MDM2 as a target for PROTAC-based degradation of MDM2; and 2) as component 2 to bind with endogenous MDM2 as a PROTAC E3 ligand for PROTAC-based degradation of other oncogenic proteins. In this review, we summarize current progress in the discovery and development of MDM2-based PROTAC drugs with future perspectives and challenges for their applications in effective treatment of human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Han
- Cancer Institute of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310029, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Wenyi Wei
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yi Sun
- Cancer Institute of the 2nd Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310029, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310014, China
- Research Center for Life Science and Human Health, Binjiang Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310053, China
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The state of the art of PROTAC technologies for drug discovery. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 235:114290. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Burke MR, Smith AR, Zheng G. Overcoming Cancer Drug Resistance Utilizing PROTAC Technology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:872729. [PMID: 35547806 PMCID: PMC9083012 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.872729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer drug resistance presents a major barrier to continued successful treatment of malignancies. Current therapies inhibiting proteins indicated in cancer progression are consistently found to lose efficacy as a result of acquired drug resistance, often caused by mutated or overexpressed protein targets. By hijacking the cellular ubiquitin-proteasome protein degradation machinery, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) offer an alternative therapeutic modality to cancer treatments with various potential advantages. PROTACs specific for a number of known cancer targets have been developed in the last 5 years, which present new options for remission in patients with previously untreatable malignancies and provide a foundation for future-generation compounds. One notable advantage of PROTACs, supported by evidence from a number of recent studies, is that they can overcome some of the resistance mechanisms to traditional targeted therapies. More recently, some groups have begun researching the use of PROTACs to successfully degrade mutated targets conferring cancer resistance against first-line treatments. In this review, we focus on analyzing the developments in PROTACs geared towards cancer resistance and targets that confer it in the search for new and successful therapies.
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Li X, Pu W, Zheng Q, Ai M, Chen S, Peng Y. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:99. [PMID: 35410300 PMCID: PMC8996410 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01434-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractProteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are engineered techniques for targeted protein degradation. A bifunctional PROTAC molecule with two covalently-linked ligands recruits target protein and E3 ubiquitin ligase together to trigger proteasomal degradation of target protein by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. PROTAC has emerged as a promising approach for targeted therapy in various diseases, particularly in cancers. In this review, we introduce the principle and development of PROTAC technology, as well as the advantages of PROTACs over traditional anti-cancer therapies. Moreover, we summarize the application of PROTACs in targeting critical oncoproteins, provide the guidelines for the molecular design of PROTACs and discuss the challenges in the targeted degradation by PROTACs.
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Chung C, Abboud K. Targeting the androgen receptor signaling pathway in advanced prostate cancer. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2022; 79:1224-1235. [PMID: 35390118 DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxac105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DISCLAIMER In an effort to expedite the publication of articles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, AJHP is posting these manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. PURPOSE This article summarizes current androgen receptor (AR)-directed therapies that have received regulatory approval for the treatment of advanced prostate adenocarcinoma (herein referred to as prostate cancer, PC). SUMMARY PC is an androgen-dependent malignancy in which ligands including testosterone and dihydrotestosterone bind to AR, initiating androgen-AR complex translocation to the nucleus followed by AR-mediated transcription of target genes. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), including gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists with or without AR antagonists (antiandrogens), GnRH antagonists, or bilateral orchiectomy, forms the backbone of treatment for patients with metastatic castration-naive PC and/or castration-resistant PC (CRPC). ADT is also an option for high-risk, early-stage PC after prostatectomy and/or radiation. While ADT is often very effective as initial therapy, resistance ultimately develops despite suppression of gonadal and/or adrenal androgens, leading to CRCPC, which is characterized by mechanisms such as reactivation of the AR signaling pathway, AR overexpression, and gene mutations in the ligand-binding domain of AR that lead to disease progression, resulting in increased symptom burden and ultimately death. However, disease in patients with CRPC is still dependent on androgen signaling, and these patients continue on ADT to maintain a castrate level of serum testosterone. Novel hormonal therapies including agents that target AR directly (eg, AR antagonists) are often added to ADT in this setting. Targeting the AR signaling pathway led to the development of second-generation AR antagonists, examples of which include enzalutamide, apalutamide, and darolutamide. These agents do not exhibit partial agonism or possess a higher affinity for AR and are not postulated to improve survival outcomes relative to their first-generation counterparts for patients with CRPC. Lastly, the emergence of ADT, including second-generation AR antagonists, has led to the development of supportive care for treatment-related adverse effects. CONCLUSION Major advances have been made in targeting the AR signaling pathway in patients with advanced PC. Further studies are warranted to identify the optimal sequencing of therapies to maximize treatment benefit. Mitigation of treatment-related adverse effects presents new opportunities to advance clinical pharmacy practice.
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Lospinoso Severini L, Bufalieri F, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L. Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera (PROTAC): Is the Technology Looking at the Treatment of Brain Tumors? Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:854352. [PMID: 35242765 PMCID: PMC8886235 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.854352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications, such as ubiquitylation, need to be tightly controlled to guarantee the accurate localization and activity of proteins. Ubiquitylation is a dynamic process primarily responsible for proteasome-mediated degradation of substrate proteins and crucial for both normal homeostasis and disease. Alterations in ubiquitylation lead to the upregulation of oncoproteins and/or downregulation of tumor suppressors, thus concurring in tumorigenesis. PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) is an innovative strategy that takes advantage by the cell’s own Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS). Each PROTAC molecule is composed by a ligand that recruits the target protein of interest (POI), a ligand specific for an E3 ubiquitin ligase enzyme, and a linker that connects these units. Upon binding to the POI, the PROTAC recruits the E3 inducing ubiquitylation-dependent proteasome degradation of the POI. To date, PROTAC technology has entered in clinical trials for several human cancers. Here, we will discuss the advantages and limitations of PROTACs development and safety considerations for their clinical application. Furthermore, we will review the potential of PROTAC strategy as therapeutic option in brain tumor, focusing on glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Bufalieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Graf RP, Fisher V, Weberpals J, Gjoerup O, Tierno MB, Huang RSP, Sayegh N, Lin DI, Raskina K, Schrock AB, Severson E, Haberberger JF, Ross JS, Creeden J, Levy MA, Alexander BM, Oxnard GR, Agarwal N. Comparative Effectiveness of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors vs Chemotherapy by Tumor Mutational Burden in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e225394. [PMID: 35357449 PMCID: PMC8972027 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.5394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The most useful biomarkers for clinical decision-making identify patients likely to have improved outcomes with one treatment vs another. OBJECTIVE To evaluate treatment class-specific outcomes of patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) vs taxane chemotherapy by tumor mutational burden (TMB). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This comparative effectiveness analysis of clinical variables and outcomes used prospectively defined biomarker-stratified genomic data from a deidentified clinicogenomic database. Data included men with previously treated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) receiving ICI or single-agent taxane chemotherapy from January 2011 to April 2021 at approximately 280 US academic or community-based cancer clinics (approximately 800 sites of care). Data were analyzed from July to August 2021. EXPOSURES Single-agent ICI or single-agent taxanes. Treatments were assigned at discretion of physician and patient without randomization. Imbalances of known factors between treatment groups were adjusted with propensity weighting. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, time to next therapy (TTNT), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS A total of 741 men (median [IQR], 70 [64-76] years) with mCRPC received comprehensive genomic profiling and were treated with ICI or single-agent taxane therapy. At baseline, the median (IQR) PSA level was 79.4 (19.0-254) ng/mL, 108 men (18.8%) had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status scores of 2 or greater, and 644 men (86.9%) had received prior systemic treatments for mCRPC. A total of 45 patients (6.1%) received ICI therapy and 696 patients (93.9%) received taxane therapy. Among patients with TMB of fewer than 10 mutations per megabase (mt/Mb) receiving ICI, compared with those receiving taxanes, had worse TTNT (median [IQR], 2.4 [1.1-3.2] months vs 4.1 [2.2-6.3] months; hazard ratio [HR], 2.65; 95% CI, 1.78-3.95; P < .001). In contrast, for patients with TMB of 10 mt/Mb or greater, use of ICIs, compared with use taxanes, was associated with more favorable TTNT (median [IQR], 8.0 [3.4 to unknown] months vs 2.4 [2.4-7.3] months; HR, 0.37, 95% CI, 0.15-0.87; P = .02) and OS (median 19.9 [8.06 to unknown] months vs 4.2 [2.69 - 6.12] months; HR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.10-0.57; P = .001). Among all 741 patients, 44 (5.9%) had TMB of 10 mt/Mb or greater, 22 (3.0%) had high microsatellite instability, and 20 (2.7%) had both. Treatment interactions with TMB of 10 mt/Mb or greater (TTNT: HR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.32-0.31; P < .001; OS: HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.076-0.81; P = .02) were stronger than high microsatellite instability alone (TTNT: HR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.03-0.51; P = .004; OS: HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.13-1.12; P = .08). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this comparative effectiveness study, ICIs were more effective than taxanes in patients with mCRPC when TMB was 10 mt/Mb or greater but not when TMB was fewer than 10 mt/Mb. The results add validity to the existing TMB cutoff of 10 mt/Mb for ICI use in later lines of therapy, and suggest that ICIs may be a viable alternative to taxane chemotherapy for patients with mCRPC with high TMB.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Janick Weberpals
- Real World Data Collaborations, Personalized Healthcare Data, Analytics and Imaging, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ole Gjoerup
- Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Nicolas Sayegh
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jeffrey S. Ross
- Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | | | - Mia A. Levy
- Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | | | - Neeraj Agarwal
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
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Lorenzin F, Demichelis F. Past, Current, and Future Strategies to Target ERG Fusion-Positive Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051118. [PMID: 35267426 PMCID: PMC8909394 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In addition to its role in development and in the vascular and hematopoietic systems, ERG plays a central role in prostate cancer. Approximately 40–50% of prostate cancer cases are characterized by ERG gene fusions, which lead to ERG overexpression. Importantly, inhibition of ERG activity in prostate cancer cells decreases their viability. Therefore, inhibiting ERG might represent an important step to improve treatment efficacy for patients with ERG-positive prostate tumors. Here, we summarize the attempts made over the past years to repress ERG activity, the current use of ERG fusion detection and the strategies that might be utilized in the future to treat ERG fusion-positive tumors. Abstract The ETS family member ERG is a transcription factor with physiological roles during development and in the vascular and hematopoietic systems. ERG oncogenic activity characterizes several malignancies, including Ewing’s sarcoma, leukemia and prostate cancer (PCa). In PCa, ERG rearrangements with androgen-regulated genes—mostly TMPRSS2—characterize a large subset of patients across disease progression and result in androgen receptor (AR)-mediated overexpression of ERG in the prostate cells. Importantly, PCa cells overexpressing ERG are dependent on ERG activity for survival, further highlighting its therapeutic potential. Here, we review the current understanding of the role of ERG and its partners in PCa. We discuss the strategies developed in recent years to inhibit ERG activity, the current therapeutic utility of ERG fusion detection in PCa patients, and the possible future approaches to target ERG fusion-positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Lorenzin
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.L.); (F.D.)
| | - Francesca Demichelis
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA
- The Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Correspondence: (F.L.); (F.D.)
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Christenson M, Song CS, Liu YG, Chatterjee B. Precision Targets for Intercepting the Lethal Progression of Prostate Cancer: Potential Avenues for Personalized Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:892. [PMID: 35205640 PMCID: PMC8870390 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ-confined prostate cancer of low-grade histopathology is managed with radiation, surgery, active surveillance, or watchful waiting and exhibits a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 95%, while metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) is incurable, holding a 5-year OS of 30%. Treatment options for advanced PCa-metastatic and non-metastatic-include hormone therapy that inactivates androgen receptor (AR) signaling, chemotherapy and genome-targeted therapy entailing synthetic lethality of tumor cells exhibiting aberrant DNA damage response, and immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI), which suppresses tumors with genomic microsatellite instability and/or deficient mismatch repair. Cancer genome sequencing uncovered novel somatic and germline mutations, while mechanistic studies are revealing their pathological consequences. A microRNA has shown biomarker potential for stratifying patients who may benefit from angiogenesis inhibition prior to ICI. A 22-gene expression signature may select high-risk localized PCa, which would not additionally benefit from post-radiation hormone therapy. We present an up-to-date review of the molecular and therapeutic aspects of PCa, highlight genomic alterations leading to AR upregulation and discuss AR-degrading molecules as promising anti-AR therapeutics. New biomarkers and druggable targets are shaping innovative intervention strategies against high-risk localized and metastatic PCa, including AR-independent small cell-neuroendocrine carcinoma, while presenting individualized treatment opportunities through improved design and precision targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bandana Chatterjee
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (M.C.); (C.-S.S.); (Y.-G.L.)
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Gockel LM, Pfeifer V, Baltes F, Bachmaier RD, Wagner KG, Bendas G, Gütschow M, Sosič I, Steinebach C. Design, synthesis, and characterization of PROTACs targeting the androgen receptor in prostate and lung cancer models. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2100467. [PMID: 35128717 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although the androgen receptor (AR) is a validated target for the treatment of prostate cancer, resistance to antiandrogens necessitates the development of new therapeutic modalities. Exploiting the ubiquitin-proteasome system with proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) has become a practical approach to degrade specific proteins and thus to extend the portfolio of small molecules used for the treatment of a broader spectrum of diseases. Herein, we present three subgroups of enzalutamide-based PROTACs in which only the exit vector was modified. By recruiting cereblon, we were able to demonstrate the potent degradation of AR in lung cancer cells. Furthermore, the initial evaluation enabled the design of an optimized PROTAC with a rigid linker that degraded AR with a DC50 value in the nanomolar range. These results provide novel AR-directed PROTACs and a clear rationale for further investigating AR involvement in lung cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas M Gockel
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Vladlena Pfeifer
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Fabian Baltes
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Rafael D Bachmaier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Karl G Wagner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gerd Bendas
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Izidor Sosič
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Christian Steinebach
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
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Champagne A, Jain P, Vélot L, Riopel J, Lefebvre V, Neveu B, Pouliot F. A transcriptional biosensor to monitor single cancer cell therapeutic responses by bioluminescence microscopy. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:474-492. [PMID: 34976196 PMCID: PMC8692902 DOI: 10.7150/thno.63744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
When several life-prolonging drugs are indicated for cancer treatment, predictive drug-response tumor biomarkers are essential to guide management. Most conventional biomarkers are based on bulk tissue analysis, which cannot address the complexity of single-cell heterogeneity responsible for drug resistance. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative drug response predictive biomarker approaches that could directly interrogate single-cell and whole population cancer cell drug sensitivity. In this study, we report a novel method exploiting bioluminescence microscopy to detect single prostate cancer (PCa) cell response to androgen receptor (AR)-axis-targeted therapies (ARAT) and predict cell population sensitivity. Methods: We have generated a new adenovirus-delivered biosensor, PCA3-Cre-PSEBC-ITSTA, which combines an integrated two-step transcriptional amplification system (ITSTA) and the activities of the prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) and modified prostate-specific antigen (PSEBC) gene promoters as a single output driving the firefly luciferase reporter gene. This system was tested on PCa cell lines and on primary PCa cells. Single cells, exposed or not to ARAT, were dynamically imaged by bioluminescence microscopy. A linear discriminant analysis (LDA)-based method was used to determine cell population sensitivities to ARAT. Results: We show that the PCA3-Cre-PSEBC-ITSTA biosensor is PCa-specific and can dynamically monitor single-cell AR transcriptional activity before and after ARAT by bioluminescence microscopy. After biosensor transduction and bioluminescence microscopy single-cell luminescence dynamic quantification, LDA analysis could discriminate the cell populations overall ARAT sensitivity despite heterogeneous single-cell responses. Indeed, the biosensor could detect a significant decrease in AR activity following exposure to conventional ARAT in hormone-naive primary PCa cells, while in castration-resistant PCa patients, treatment response correlated with the observed clinical ARAT resistance. Conclusion: The exploitation of bioluminescence microscopy and multi-promoter transcriptionally-regulated biosensors can aptly define the overall treatment response of patients by monitoring live single cell drug response from primary cancer tissue. This approach can be used to develop predictive biomarkers for drug response in order to help clinicians select the best drug combinations or sequences for each patient.
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Liu L, Shi L, Wang Z, Zeng J, Wang Y, Xiao H, Zhu Y. Targeting Oncoproteins for Degradation by Small Molecule-Based Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) in Sex Hormone-Dependent Cancers. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:839857. [PMID: 35370971 PMCID: PMC8971670 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.839857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex hormone-dependent cancers, including breast, ovary, and prostate cancer, contribute to the high number of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Steroid hormones promote tumor occurrence, development, and metastasis by acting on receptors, such as estrogen receptors (ERs), androgen receptors (ARs), and estrogen-related receptors (ERRs). Therefore, endocrine therapy targeting ERs, ARs, and ERRs represents the potential and pivotal therapeutic strategy in sex hormone-dependent cancers. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are a novel strategy that can harness the potential of the endogenous ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) to target and degrade specific proteins, rather than simply inhibiting the activity of target proteins. Small molecule PROTACs degrade a variety of proteins in cells, mice, and humans and are an emerging approach for novel drug development. PROTACs targeting ARs, ERs, ERRs, and other proteins in sex hormone-dependent cancers have been reported and may overcome the problem of resistance to existing endocrine therapy and receptor antagonist treatments. This review briefly introduces the PROTAC strategy and summarizes the progress on the development of small molecule PROTACs targeting oncoproteins in sex hormone-dependent cancers, focusing on breast and prostate cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Lihong Shi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhaodi Wang
- Department of Gynecology, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jun Zeng
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Gynecology, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongtao Xiao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongxia Zhu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Yongxia Zhu,
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50
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Hussain Y, Khan H, Ahmad I, Efferth T, Alam W. Nanoscale delivery of phytochemicals targeting CRISPR/Cas9 for cancer therapy. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 94:153830. [PMID: 34775359 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With growing global prevalence, cancer is a major cause of disease-related deaths. The understanding of the fundamental tumor pathology has contributed to the development of agents targeting oncogenic signaling pathways. Although these agents have increased survival for defined cancers, the therapeutic choices are still limited due to the development of drug resistance. CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful new technology in cancer therapy by facilitating the identification of novel treatment targets and development of cell-based treatment strategies. PURPOSE We focused on applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in cancer therapy and discuss nanoscale delivery of cytotoxic phytochemical targeting the CRISPR/Cas9 system. RESULTS Genome engineering has been significantly accelerated by the advancement of the CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Phytochemicals play a key role in treating cancer by targeting various mechanisms and pathways. CONCLUSIONS The use of CRISPR/Cas9 for nanoscale delivery of phytochemicals opens new avenues in cancer therapy. One of the main obstacles in the clinical application of CRISPR/Cas9 is safe and efficient delivery. As viral delivery methods have certain drawbacks, there is an urgent need to develop non-viral delivery systems for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaseen Hussain
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haroon Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Abasyn University, Peshawar, Pakistan.
| | - Imad Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacy, Abasyn University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Waqas Alam
- Department of Pharmacy, Abasyn University, Peshawar, Pakistan
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