1
|
Yang J, Lim JT, Victor P, Chen C, Khwaja H, Schnellmann RG, Roe DJ, Gokhale PC, DeCaprio JA, Padi M. Integrative analysis reveals therapeutic potential of pyrvinium pamoate in Merkel cell carcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.01.565218. [PMID: 37961132 PMCID: PMC10635082 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.01.565218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine cutaneous malignancy arising from either ultraviolet-induced mutagenesis or Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) integration. It is the only known neuroendocrine tumor (NET) with a virus etiology. Despite extensive research, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving the transition from normal cells to MCC remains limited. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed the impact of inducible MCPyV T antigens into normal human fibroblasts by performing RNA sequencing. Our findings suggested that the WNT signaling pathway plays a critical role in the development of MCC. To test this model, we bioinformatically evaluated various perturbagens for their ability to reverse the MCC gene expression signature and identified pyrvinium pamoate, an FDA-approved anthelminthic drug known for its anti-tumor potential in multiple cancers. Leveraging transcriptomic, network, and molecular analyses, we found that pyrvinium effectively targets multiple MCC vulnerabilities. Specifically, pyrvinium not only reverses the neuroendocrine features of MCC by modulating canonical and non-canonical WNT signaling pathways but also inhibits cancer cell growth by activating the p53-mediated apoptosis pathway, disrupting mitochondrial function, and inducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Pyrvinium also effectively inhibits tumor growth in an MCC mouse xenograft model. These findings offer new avenues for the development of therapeutic strategies for neuroendocrine cancer and highlight the utility of pyrvinium as a potential treatment for MCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Yang
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - James T Lim
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Paul Victor
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Chen Chen
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Hunain Khwaja
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Rick G Schnellmann
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- The University of Arizona, BIO5 Institute, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, USA
| | - Denise J Roe
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Prafulla C Gokhale
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James A DeCaprio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Megha Padi
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pyrvinium Pamoate: Past, Present, and Future as an Anti-Cancer Drug. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123249. [PMID: 36552005 PMCID: PMC9775650 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrvinium, a lipophilic cation belonging to the cyanine dye family, has been used in the clinic as a safe and effective anthelminthic for over 70 years. Its structure, similar to some polyaminopyrimidines and mitochondrial-targeting peptoids, has been linked with mitochondrial localization and targeting. Over the past two decades, increasing evidence has emerged showing pyrvinium to be a strong anti-cancer molecule in various human cancers in vitro and in vivo. This efficacy against cancers has been attributed to diverse mechanisms of action, with the weight of evidence supporting the inhibition of mitochondrial function, the WNT pathway, and cancer stem cell renewal. Despite the overwhelming evidence demonstrating the efficacy of pyrvinium for the treatment of human cancers, pyrvinium has not yet been repurposed for the treatment of cancers. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the history of pyrvinium as a therapeutic, the rationale and data supporting its use as an anticancer agent, and the challenges associated with repurposing pyrvinium as an anti-cancer agent.
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen F, Yang Y, Fu S. Clinical profile in KMT2A-SEPT6-positive acute myeloid leukemia: Does it often co-occur with NRAS mutations? Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:890959. [PMID: 36213638 PMCID: PMC9532577 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.890959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The KMT2A-SEPT6 fusion gene is a relatively rare genetic event in leukemia. Its clinical characteristics and prognosis, especially the profile of co-occurring gene mutations remain unclear. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics of four cases carrying KMT2A-SEPT6 in our hospital, and provided a literature review. Results All the four patients were diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and harbored X chromosome and 11 chromosome rearrangements, they all manifested high levels of D-dimer. Three of four patients had NRAS mutations while one patient with congenital AML did not. Of the four cases, one developed drug resistance, one suffered relapse after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and two died. Combined with other cases reported in the literature, we found that of all patients diagnosed with AML, 90.9% were children (≤9 years old). Patients with white blood cells ≥20.0 × 109/L or diagnosed with M4 had a shorter overall survival (P < 0.05). Age, whether to receive BMT, and the chromosome rearrangement patterns had no significant effect on overall survival (P > 0.05). Conclusions KMT2A-SEPT6 was more commonly observed in pediatric AML patients, some of which may co-occur with NRAS mutations. The prognosis was related to the white blood cell levels and the leukemia subtype, but was not related to age or BMT. More cases need to be accumulated to better understand the profile in KMT2A-SEPT6-positive AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Chen
- Department of Hematology Laboratory, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shuang Fu
- Department of Hematology Laboratory, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Shuang Fu
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
RAS activation induces synthetic lethality of MEK inhibition with mitochondrial oxidative metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2022; 36:1237-1252. [PMID: 35354920 PMCID: PMC9061298 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01541-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) molecular characterization and targeted therapies, a majority of AML cases still lack therapeutically actionable targets. In 127 AML cases with unmet therapeutic needs, as defined by the exclusion of ELN favorable cases and of FLT3-ITD mutations, we identified 51 (40%) cases with alterations in RAS pathway genes (RAS+, mostly NF1, NRAS, KRAS, and PTPN11 genes). In 79 homogeneously treated AML patients from this cohort, RAS+ status were associated with higher white blood cell count, higher LDH, and reduced survival. In AML models of oncogenic addiction to RAS-MEK signaling, the MEK inhibitor trametinib demonstrated antileukemic activity in vitro and in vivo. However, the efficacy of trametinib was heterogeneous in ex vivo cultures of primary RAS+ AML patient specimens. From repurposing drug screens in RAS-activated AML cells, we identified pyrvinium pamoate, an anti-helminthic agent efficiently inhibiting the growth of RAS+ primary AML cells ex vivo, preferentially in trametinib-resistant PTPN11- or KRAS-mutated samples. Metabolic and genetic complementarity between trametinib and pyrvinium pamoate translated into anti-AML synergy in vitro. Moreover, this combination inhibited the propagation of RA+ AML cells in vivo in mice, indicating a potential for future clinical development of this strategy in AML.
Collapse
|
5
|
Wander P, Arentsen-Peters STCJM, Vrenken KS, Pinhanҫos SM, Koopmans B, Dolman MEM, Jones L, Garrido Castro P, Schneider P, Kerstjens M, Molenaar JJ, Pieters R, Zwaan CM, Stam RW. High-Throughput Drug Library Screening in Primary KMT2A-Rearranged Infant ALL Cells Favors the Identification of Drug Candidates That Activate P53 Signaling. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030638. [PMID: 35327440 PMCID: PMC8945716 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030638] [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: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in infants (<1 year of age) represents an aggressive type of childhood leukemia characterized by a poor clinical outcome with a survival chance of <50%. Implementing novel therapeutic approaches for these patients is a slow-paced and costly process. Here, we utilized a drug-repurposing strategy to identify potent drugs that could expeditiously be translated into clinical applications. We performed high-throughput screens of various drug libraries, comprising 4191 different (mostly FDA-approved) compounds in primary KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL patient samples (n = 2). The most effective drugs were then tested on non-leukemic whole bone marrow samples (n = 2) to select drugs with a favorable therapeutic index for bone marrow toxicity. The identified agents frequently belonged to several recurrent drug classes, including BCL-2, histone deacetylase, topoisomerase, microtubule, and MDM2/p53 inhibitors, as well as cardiac glycosides and corticosteroids. The in vitro efficacy of these drug classes was successfully validated in additional primary KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL samples (n = 7) and KMT2A-rearranged ALL cell line models (n = 5). Based on literature studies, most of the identified drugs remarkably appeared to lead to activation of p53 signaling. In line with this notion, subsequent experiments showed that forced expression of wild-type p53 in KMT2A-rearranged ALL cells rapidly led to apoptosis induction. We conclude that KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL cells are vulnerable to p53 activation, and that drug-induced p53 activation may represent an essential condition for successful treatment results. Moreover, the present study provides an attractive collection of approved drugs that are highly effective against KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL cells while showing far less toxicity towards non-leukemic bone marrow, urging further (pre)clinical testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Wander
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Susan T. C. J. M. Arentsen-Peters
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
| | - Kirsten S. Vrenken
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
| | - Sandra Mimoso Pinhanҫos
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Bianca Koopmans
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
| | - M. Emmy M. Dolman
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Luke Jones
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
| | - Patricia Garrido Castro
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
| | - Pauline Schneider
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
| | - Mark Kerstjens
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Jan J. Molenaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Pieters
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
| | - Christian Michel Zwaan
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Ronald W. Stam
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-(0)88-9727672
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Deciphering the Role of Pyrvinium Pamoate in the Generation of Integrated Stress Response and Modulation of Mitochondrial Function in Myeloid Leukemia Cells through Transcriptome Analysis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9121869. [PMID: 34944685 PMCID: PMC8698814 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pyrvinium pamoate, a widely-used anthelmintic agent, reportedly exhibits significant anti-tumor effects in several cancers. However, the efficacy and mechanisms of pyrvinium against myeloid leukemia remain unclear. The growth inhibitory effects of pyrvinium were tested in human AML cell lines. Transcriptome analysis of Molm13 myeloid leukemia cells suggested that pyrvinium pamoate could trigger an unfolded protein response (UPR)-like pathway, including responses to extracellular stimulus [p-value = 2.78 × 10-6] and to endoplasmic reticulum stress [p-value = 8.67 × 10-7], as well as elicit metabolic reprogramming, including sulfur compound catabolic processes [p-value = 2.58 × 10-8], and responses to a redox state [p-value = 5.80 × 10-5]; on the other hand, it could elicit a pyrvinium blunted protein folding function, including protein folding [p-value = 2.10 × 10-8] and an ATP metabolic process [p-value = 3.95 × 10-4]. Subsequently, pyrvinium was verified to induce an integrated stress response (ISR), demonstrated by activation of the eIF2α-ATF4 pathway and inhibition of mTORC1 signaling, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, pyrvinium could co-localize with mitochondria and then decrease the mitochondrial basal oxidative consumption rate, ultimately dysregulating the mitochondrial function. Similar effects were observed in cabozantinib-resistant Molm13-XR cell lines. Furthermore, pyrvinium treatment retarded Molm13 and Molm13-XR xenograft tumor growth. Thus, we concluded that pyrvinium exerts anti-tumor activity, at least, via the modulation of the mitochondrial function and by triggering ISR.
Collapse
|
7
|
Geldenhuys WJ, Piktel D, Moore JC, Rellick SL, Meadows E, Pinti MV, Hollander JM, Ammer AG, Martin KH, Gibson LF. Loss of the redox mitochondrial protein mitoNEET leads to mitochondrial dysfunction in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 175:226-235. [PMID: 34496224 PMCID: PMC8478879 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) affects both pediatric and adult patients. Chemotherapy resistant tumor cells that contribute to minimal residual disease (MRD) underlie relapse and poor clinical outcomes in a sub-set of patients. Targeting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in the treatment of refractory leukemic cells is a potential novel approach to sensitizing tumor cells to existing standard of care therapeutic agents. In the current study, we have expanded our previous investigation of the mitoNEET ligand NL-1 in the treatment of ALL to interrogate the functional role of the mitochondrial outer membrane protein mitoNEET in B-cell ALL. Knockout (KO) of mitoNEET (gene: CISD1) in REH leukemic cells led to changes in mitochondrial ultra-structure and function. REH cells have significantly reduced OXPHOS capacity in the KO cells coincident with reduction in electron flow and increased reactive oxygen species. In addition, we found a decrease in lipid content in KO cells, as compared to the vector control cells was observed. Lastly, the KO of mitoNEET was associated with decreased proliferation as compared to control cells when exposed to the standard of care agent cytarabine (Ara-C). Taken together, these observations suggest that mitoNEET is essential for optimal function of mitochondria in B-cell ALL and may represent a novel anti-leukemic drug target for treatment of minimal residual disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Werner J Geldenhuys
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV, USA; Mitochondria Metabolism and Bioenergetics Working Group, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Debbie Piktel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Javohn C Moore
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Stephanie L Rellick
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ethan Meadows
- Department of Human Performance, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA; Mitochondria Metabolism and Bioenergetics Working Group, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Mark V Pinti
- Department of Human Performance, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA; Mitochondria Metabolism and Bioenergetics Working Group, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - John M Hollander
- Department of Human Performance, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA; Mitochondria Metabolism and Bioenergetics Working Group, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Amanda G Ammer
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Karen H Martin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Laura F Gibson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tsakaneli A, Williams O. Drug Repurposing for Targeting Acute Leukemia With KMT2A ( MLL)-Gene Rearrangements. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:741413. [PMID: 34594227 PMCID: PMC8478155 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.741413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment failure rates of acute leukemia with rearrangements of the Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene highlight the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Taking into consideration the limitations of the current therapies and the advantages of novel strategies for drug discovery, drug repurposing offers valuable opportunities to identify treatments and develop therapeutic approaches quickly and effectively for acute leukemia with MLL-rearrangements. These approaches are complimentary to de novo drug discovery and have taken advantage of increased knowledge of the mechanistic basis of MLL-fusion protein complex function as well as refined drug repurposing screens. Despite the vast number of different leukemia associated MLL-rearrangements, the existence of common core oncogenic pathways holds the promise that many such therapies will be broadly applicable to MLL-rearranged leukemia as a whole.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Tsakaneli
- Cancer Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Owen Williams
- Cancer Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|