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Wang Y, Xu C, Jiang Y, Tu Z, Yan J, Guo L, Dong C, Liu J, Yang X, Wang Z, Lu T, Feng J, Chen Y. Advanced Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Highly Selective Wee1 Inhibitors: Enhancing Pharmacokinetics and Antitumor Efficacy. J Med Chem 2024; 67:9927-9949. [PMID: 38847373 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Wee1 is a kinase that regulates cell cycle arrest in response to DNA damage. Wee1 inhibition is a potential strategy to suppress the growth of tumors with defective p53 or DNA repair pathways. However, the development of Wee1 inhibitors faces some challenges. AZD1775, the first-in-class Wee1 inhibitor, has poor kinase selectivity and dose-limiting toxicity. Here, we report the discovery of 12h, a highly selective and potent Wee1 inhibitor with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile. 12h showed strong antiproliferative effects against Lovo cells, a colorectal cancer cell line, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, 12h showed a clean kinase profile and effectively induced cell apoptosis. Our results suggest that 12h is a promising drug candidate for further development as a novel anticancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Wang
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Chunyue Xu
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Yiqing Jiang
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Zhenlin Tu
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Jingxue Yan
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Leyi Guo
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Chao Dong
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Xiulong Yang
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Schcool of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Tao Lu
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, P.R. China
| | - Jie Feng
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
| | - Yadong Chen
- School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, P.R. China
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2
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Chao Y, Chen Y, Zheng W, Demanelis K, Liu Y, Connelly JA, Wang H, Li S, Wang QJ. Synthetic lethal combination of CHK1 and WEE1 inhibition for treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer. Oncogene 2024; 43:789-803. [PMID: 38273024 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-02939-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
WEE1 and CHEK1 (CHK1) kinases are critical regulators of the G2/M cell cycle checkpoint and DNA damage response pathways. The WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 and the CHK1 inhibitor SRA737 are in clinical trials for various cancers, but have not been thoroughly examined in prostate cancer, particularly castration-resistant (CRPC) and neuroendocrine prostate cancers (NEPC). Our data demonstrated elevated WEE1 and CHK1 expressions in CRPC and NEPC cell lines and patient samples. AZD1775 resulted in rapid and potent cell killing with comparable IC50s across different prostate cancer cell lines, while SRA737 displayed time-dependent progressive cell killing with 10- to 20-fold differences in IC50s. Notably, their combination synergistically reduced the viability of all CRPC cell lines and tumor spheroids in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Importantly, in a transgenic mouse model of NEPC, both agents alone or in combination suppressed tumor growth, improved overall survival, and reduced the incidence of distant metastases, with SRA737 exhibiting remarkable single agent anticancer activity. Mechanistically, SRA737 synergized with AZD1775 by blocking AZD1775-induced feedback activation of CHK1 in prostate cancer cells, resulting in increased mitotic entry and accumulation of DNA damage. In summary, this preclinical study shows that CHK1 inhibitor SRA737 alone and its combination with AZD1775 offer potential effective treatments for CRPC and NEPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yapeng Chao
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yuzhou Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Wenxiao Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kathryn Demanelis
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jaclyn A Connelly
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Song Li
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Qiming Jane Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Wang Q, Chao Y, Chen Y, Zheng W, Demanelis K, Liu Y, Connelly J, Wang H. Synthetic lethal combination of CHK1 and WEE1 inhibition for treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3564450. [PMID: 37987002 PMCID: PMC10659531 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3564450/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
WEE1 and CHEK1 (CHK1) kinases are critical regulators of the G2/M cell cycle checkpoint and DNA damage response pathways. The WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 and the CHK1 inhibitor SRA737 are in clinical trials for various cancers, but have not been examined in prostate cancer, particularly castration-resistant (CRPC) and neuroendocrine prostate cancers (NEPC). Our data demonstrated elevated WEE1 and CHK1 expressions in CRPC/NEPC cell lines and patient samples. AZD1775 resulted in rapid and potent cell killing with comparable IC50s across different prostate cancer cell lines, while SRA737 displayed time-dependent progressive cell killing with 10- to 20-fold differences in IC50s. Notably, their combination synergistically reduced the viability of all CRPC cell lines and tumor spheroids in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Importantly, in a transgenic mouse model of NEPC, both agents alone or in combination suppressed tumor growth, improved overall survival, and reduced the incidence of distant metastases, with SRA737 exhibiting remarkable single agent anticancer activity. Mechanistically, SRA737 synergized with AZD1775 by blocking AZD1775-induced feedback activation of CHK1 in prostate cancer cells, resulting in increased mitotic entry and accumulation of DNA damage. In summary, this preclinical study shows that CHK1 inhibitor SRA737 alone and its combination with AZD1775 offer potential effective treatments for CRPC and NEPC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Yu Liu
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
| | | | - Hong Wang
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
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4
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Tan J, Sun X, Zhao H, Guan H, Gao S, Zhou P. Double-strand DNA break repair: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e388. [PMID: 37808268 PMCID: PMC10556206 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Double-strand break (DSB), a significant DNA damage brought on by ionizing radiation, acts as an initiating signal in tumor radiotherapy, causing cancer cells death. The two primary pathways for DNA DSB repair in mammalian cells are nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR), which cooperate and compete with one another to achieve effective repair. The DSB repair mechanism depends on numerous regulatory variables. DSB recognition and the recruitment of DNA repair components, for instance, depend on the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex and the Ku70/80 heterodimer/DNA-PKcs (DNA-PK) complex, whose control is crucial in determining the DSB repair pathway choice and efficiency of HR and NHEJ. In-depth elucidation on the DSB repair pathway's molecular mechanisms has greatly facilitated for creation of repair proteins or pathways-specific inhibitors to advance precise cancer therapy and boost the effectiveness of cancer radiotherapy. The architectures, roles, molecular processes, and inhibitors of significant target proteins in the DSB repair pathways are reviewed in this article. The strategy and application in cancer therapy are also discussed based on the advancement of inhibitors targeted DSB damage response and repair proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinpeng Tan
- Hengyang Medical CollegeUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunan ProvinceChina
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Xingyao Sun
- Hengyang Medical CollegeUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunan ProvinceChina
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Hongling Zhao
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Hua Guan
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Shanshan Gao
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Ping‐Kun Zhou
- Hengyang Medical CollegeUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunan ProvinceChina
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
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5
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Molecular targets that sensitize cancer to radiation killing: From the bench to the bedside. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114126. [PMID: 36521246 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114126] [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: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a standard cytotoxic therapy against solid cancers. It uses ionizing radiation to kill tumor cells through damage to DNA, either directly or indirectly. Radioresistance is often associated with dysregulated DNA damage repair processes. Most radiosensitizers enhance radiation-mediated DNA damage and reduce the rate of DNA repair ultimately leading to accumulation of DNA damages, cell-cycle arrest, and cell death. Recently, agents targeting key signals in DNA damage response such as DNA repair pathways and cell-cycle have been developed. This new class of molecularly targeted radiosensitizing agents is being evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies to monitor their activity in potentiating radiation cytotoxicity of tumors and reducing normal tissue toxicity. The molecular pathways of DNA damage response are reviewed with a focus on the repair mechanisms, therapeutic targets under current clinical evaluation including ATM, ATR, CDK1, CDK4/6, CHK1, DNA-PKcs, PARP-1, Wee1, & MPS1/TTK and potential new targets (BUB1, and DNA LIG4) for radiation sensitization.
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6
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Patra D, Bhavya K, Ramprasad P, Kalia M, Pal D. Anti-cancer drug molecules targeting cancer cell cycle and proliferation. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2023; 135:343-395. [PMID: 37061337 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancer, a vicious clinical burden that potentiates maximum fatality for humankind, arises due to unregulated excessive cell division and proliferation through an eccentric expression of cell cycle regulator proteins. A set of evolutionarily conserved machinery controls the cell cycle in an extremely precise manner so that a cell that went through the cycle can produce a genetically identical copy. To achieve perfection, several checkpoints were placed in the cycle for surveillance; so, errors during the division were rectified by the repair strategies. However, irreparable damage leads to exit from the cell cycle and induces programmed cell death. In comparison to a normal cell, cancer cells facilitate the constitutive activation of many dormant proteins and impede negative regulators of the checkpoint. Extensive studies in the last few decades on cell division and proliferation of cancer cells elucidate the molecular mechanism of the cell-cycle regulators that are often targeted for the development of anti-cancer therapy. Each phase of the cell cycle has been regulated by a unique set of proteins including master regulators Cyclins, and CDKs, along with the accessory proteins such as CKI, Cdc25, error-responsive proteins, and various kinase proteins mainly WEE1 kinases, Polo-like kinases, and Aurora kinases that control cell division. Here in this chapter, we have analytically discussed the role of cell cycle regulators and proliferation factors in cancer progression and the rationale of using various cell cycle-targeting drug molecules as anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debarun Patra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, Punjab, India
| | - Kumari Bhavya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, Punjab, India
| | - Palla Ramprasad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, Punjab, India
| | - Moyna Kalia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, Punjab, India
| | - Durba Pal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar, Punjab, India.
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Chen C, Wang Y, Hu MQ, Li H, Chen X, Qiang G, Sun Y, Zhu Y, Li B. Discovery of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-based molecules as a Wee1 inhibitor template. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 75:128973. [PMID: 36075370 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128973] [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: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
In the past decade, Wee1 inhibition has received widespread attention as a cancer therapy. Our research aims to discover effective, selective and drug-like Wee1 inhibitors. Herein, a series of compounds with pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-based heterocycles were designed, synthesized and confirmed to inhibit Wee1 kinase. The inhibitors afforded good potency in Wee1 Kinase inhibitory activity in enzymatic assays. These compounds showed strong proliferation inhibition against NCI-1299 cell lines and had acceptable pharmacokinetic properties. These derivatives are promising inhibitors that warrant further evaluation, towards the development of potential anticancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjun Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Medicinal Chemistry Department, Shouyao Holdings (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Yeliu Wang
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Shouyao Holdings (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Min-Qi Hu
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Shouyao Holdings (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Hongjuan Li
- Discovery Biology Department, Shouyao Holdings (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Shouyao Holdings (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Gan Qiang
- School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing,China
| | - Yinghui Sun
- Discovery Biology Department, Shouyao Holdings (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Shouyao Holdings (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China.
| | - Binghui Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Zhu S, Liu J, Xiao D, Wang P, Ma J, Hu X, Fu J, Zhou Y, Li J, Lu W. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of Wee1 kinase degraders. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114786. [PMID: 36170799 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114786] [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: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology has received widespread attention in recent years as a promising strategy for drug development. Herein, we report a series of novel Wee1 degraders, which were designed and synthesized based on PROTAC technology by linking AZD1775 with CRBN ligands through linkers of different lengths and types. All degraders could effectively and completely degrade cellular Wee1 protein in MV-4-11 cell line at IC50 concentrations. Preliminary assessments identified 42a as the most active degrader, which possessed potent antiproliferative activity and induced CRBN- and proteasome-dependent degradation of Wee1. Moreover, 42a also exhibited a time- and concentration-dependent depletion manner and inducing cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and cancer cell apoptosis. More importantly, 42a showed acceptable in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic properties and displayed rapid and sustained Wee1 degradation ability in vivo. Taken together, these findings contribute to understanding the development of PROTACs and demonstrate that our Wee1-targeting PROTAC strategy has potential novel applications in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shulei Zhu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, PR China
| | - Jieyu Liu
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Donghuai Xiao
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, PR China
| | - Peipei Wang
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, PR China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Jingkun Ma
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Xiaobei Hu
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, PR China; Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, 528400, PR China
| | - Jingfeng Fu
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Yubo Zhou
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, PR China; Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, 528400, PR China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China.
| | - Jia Li
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, PR China; Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, 528400, PR China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China.
| | - Wei Lu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, PR China.
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Chan Wah Hak CML, Rullan A, Patin EC, Pedersen M, Melcher AA, Harrington KJ. Enhancing anti-tumour innate immunity by targeting the DNA damage response and pattern recognition receptors in combination with radiotherapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:971959. [PMID: 36106115 PMCID: PMC9465159 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.971959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is one of the most effective and frequently used treatments for a wide range of cancers. In addition to its direct anti-cancer cytotoxic effects, ionising radiation can augment the anti-tumour immune response by triggering pro-inflammatory signals, DNA damage-induced immunogenic cell death and innate immune activation. Anti-tumour innate immunity can result from recruitment and stimulation of dendritic cells (DCs) which leads to tumour-specific adaptive T-cell priming and immunostimulatory cell infiltration. Conversely, radiotherapy can also induce immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory mediators that can confer radioresistance. Targeting the DNA damage response (DDR) concomitantly with radiotherapy is an attractive strategy for overcoming radioresistance, both by enhancing the radiosensitivity of tumour relative to normal tissues, and tipping the scales in favour of an immunostimulatory tumour microenvironment. This two-pronged approach exploits genomic instability to circumvent immune evasion, targeting both hallmarks of cancer. In this review, we describe targetable DDR proteins (PARP (poly[ADP-ribose] polymerase); ATM/ATR (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related), DNA-PKcs (DNA-dependent protein kinase, catalytic subunit) and Wee1 (Wee1-like protein kinase) and their potential intersections with druggable immunomodulatory signalling pathways, including nucleic acid-sensing mechanisms (Toll-like receptors (TLR); cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors), and how these might be exploited to enhance radiation therapy. We summarise current preclinical advances, recent and ongoing clinical trials and the challenges of therapeutic combinations with existing treatments such as immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio Rullan
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emmanuel C. Patin
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Malin Pedersen
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alan A. Melcher
- Translational Immunotherapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin J. Harrington
- Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Upon DNA damage, complex transduction cascades are unleashed to locate, recognise and repair affected lesions. The process triggers a pause in the cell cycle until the damage is resolved. Even under physiologic conditions, this deliberate interruption of cell division is essential to ensure orderly DNA replication and chromosomal segregation. WEE1 is an established regulatory protein in this vast fidelity-monitoring machinery. Its involvement in the DNA damage response and cell cycle has been a subject of study for decades. Emerging studies have also implicated WEE1 directly and indirectly in other cellular functions, including chromatin remodelling and immune response. The expanding role of WEE1 in pathophysiology is matched by the keen surge of interest in developing WEE1-targeted therapeutic agents. This review summarises WEE1 involvement in the cell cycle checkpoints, epigenetic modification and immune signalling, as well as the current state of WEE1 inhibitors in cancer therapeutics.
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Targeting Wee1 kinase to suppress proliferation and survival of cisplatin-resistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2022; 89:469-478. [PMID: 35212780 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-022-04410-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated the role of Wee1 kinase in cisplatin-resistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in multiple cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cell lines and determined the efficacy of either Wee1 inhibitor, AZD1775 alone, or in combination with cisplatin, on cisplatin-resistant HNSCC inhibition. METHODS Phosphorylation and total protein levels of cells were assessed by Western blot analysis. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined by MTS assay and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS Wee1 kinase protein expression levels in five cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cell types were higher than those in their parental cisplatin-sensitive partners. Importantly, Wee1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and re-sensitized cells to cisplatin treatment. Interestingly, previous studies have also shown that Wee1 inhibitor AZD1775 synergizes with cisplatin to suppress cell proliferation of cisplatin-sensitive HNSCC. We found that AZD1775 inhibited both cisplatin-sensitive and resistant HNSCC with similar IC50 values, which suggested that AZD1775 could overcome cisplatin resistance in cisplatin-resistant HNSCC. Mechanistically, AZD1775 and cisplatin cooperatively induced DNA damage and apoptosis. CONCLUSION Wee1 inhibitor, AZD1775, and cisplatin coordinately suppressed proliferation and survival of HNSCC.
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12
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Cell cycle involvement in cancer therapy; WEE1 kinase, a potential target as therapeutic strategy. Mutat Res 2022; 824:111776. [PMID: 35247630 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2022.111776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Mitosis is the process of cell division and is regulated by checkpoints in the cell cycle. G1-S, S, and G2-M are the three main checkpoints that prevent initiation of the next phase of the cell cycle phase until previous phase has completed. DNA damage leads to activation of the G2-M checkpoint, which can trigger a downstream DNA damage response (DDR) pathway to induce cell cycle arrest while the damage is repaired. If the DNA damage cannot be repaired, the replication stress response (RSR) pathway finally leads to cell death by apoptosis, in this case called mitotic catastrophe. Many cancer treatments (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) cause DNA damages based on SSBs (single strand breaks) or DSBs (double strand breaks), which cause cell death through mitotic catastrophe. However, damaged cells can activate WEE1 kinase (as a part of the DDR and RSR pathways), which prevents apoptosis and cell death by inducing cell cycle arrest at G2 phase. Therefore, inhibition of WEE1 kinase could sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. This review focuses on the role of WEE1 kinase (as a biological macromolecule which has a molecular mass of 96 kDa) in the cell cycle, and its interactions with other regulatory pathways. In addition, we discuss the potential of WEE1 inhibition as a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of various cancers, such as melanoma, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer, etc.
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13
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Wang M, Chen S, Ao D. Targeting DNA repair pathway in cancer: Mechanisms and clinical application. MedComm (Beijing) 2021; 2:654-691. [PMID: 34977872 PMCID: PMC8706759 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last decades, the growing understanding on DNA damage response (DDR) pathways has broadened the therapeutic landscape in oncology. It is becoming increasingly clear that the genomic instability of cells resulted from deficient DNA damage response contributes to the occurrence of cancer. One the other hand, these defects could also be exploited as a therapeutic opportunity, which is preferentially more deleterious in tumor cells than in normal cells. An expanding repertoire of DDR-targeting agents has rapidly expanded to inhibitors of multiple members involved in DDR pathways, including PARP, ATM, ATR, CHK1, WEE1, and DNA-PK. In this review, we sought to summarize the complex network of DNA repair machinery in cancer cells and discuss the underlying mechanism for the application of DDR inhibitors in cancer. With the past preclinical evidence and ongoing clinical trials, we also provide an overview of the history and current landscape of DDR inhibitors in cancer treatment, with special focus on the combination of DDR-targeted therapies with other cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manni Wang
- Department of BiotherapyCancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Siyuan Chen
- Department of BiotherapyCancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Danyi Ao
- Department of BiotherapyCancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
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14
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Esposito F, Giuffrida R, Raciti G, Puglisi C, Forte S. Wee1 Kinase: A Potential Target to Overcome Tumor Resistance to Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910689. [PMID: 34639030 PMCID: PMC8508993 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
During the cell cycle, DNA suffers several lesions that need to be repaired prior to entry into mitosis to preserve genome integrity in daughter cells. Toward this aim, cells have developed complex enzymatic machinery, the so-called DNA damage response (DDR), which is able to repair DNA, temporarily stopping the cell cycle to provide more time to repair, or if the damage is too severe, inducing apoptosis. This DDR mechanism is considered the main source of resistance to DNA-damaging therapeutic treatments in oncology. Recently, cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are a small subset of tumor cells, were identified as tumor-initiating cells. CSCs possess self-renewal potential and persistent tumorigenic capacity, allowing for tumor re-growth and relapse. Compared with cancer cells, CSCs are more resistant to therapeutic treatments. Wee1 is the principal gatekeeper for both G2/M and S-phase checkpoints, where it plays a key role in cell cycle regulation and DNA damage repair. From this perspective, Wee1 inhibition might increase the effectiveness of DNA-damaging treatments, such as radiotherapy, forcing tumor cells and CSCs to enter into mitosis, even with damaged DNA, leading to mitotic catastrophe and subsequent cell death.
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15
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Huang PQ, Boren BC, Hegde SG, Liu H, Unni AK, Abraham S, Hopkins CD, Paliwal S, Samatar AA, Li J, Bunker KD. Discovery of ZN-c3, a Highly Potent and Selective Wee1 Inhibitor Undergoing Evaluation in Clinical Trials for the Treatment of Cancer. J Med Chem 2021; 64:13004-13024. [PMID: 34423975 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Wee1 inhibition has received great attention in the past decade as a promising therapy for cancer treatment. Therefore, a potent and selective Wee1 inhibitor is highly desirable. Our efforts to make safer and more efficacious Wee1 inhibitors led to the discovery of compound 16, a highly selective Wee1 inhibitor with balanced potency, ADME, and pharmacokinetic properties. The chiral ethyl moiety of compound 16 provided an unexpected improvement of Wee1 potency. Compound 16, known as ZN-c3, showed excellent in vivo efficacy and is currently being evaluated in phase 2 clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Q Huang
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Brant C Boren
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Sayee G Hegde
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Hui Liu
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Aditya K Unni
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Sunny Abraham
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Chad D Hopkins
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Sunil Paliwal
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Ahmed A Samatar
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Jiali Li
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Kevin D Bunker
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
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16
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Li R, Chen J, Gao X, Jiang G. Transcription factor KLF2 enhances the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to cisplatin by suppressing kinase WEE1. Cancer Biol Ther 2021; 22:465-477. [PMID: 34486497 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2021.1949228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent in facilitating the inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion in cancerous cells. However, the detailed mechanism of the regulation by cisplatin of human breast cancer cells is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) transcription factor in cisplatin therapy for breast cancer. RT-qPCR was performed to quantify the expression of KLF2 and WEE1 in clinical tissue samples from breast cancer patients and in MDA-MB-231 cells. ChIP assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to analyze the potential-binding sites of KLF2 and WEE1 promoter. Gain- or loss-of-function approaches were used to manipulate KLF2 and WEE1 in cisplatin-treated MDA-MB-231 cells, and the mechanism of KLF2 in breast cancer was evaluated both via CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, Transwell assay, and Western blot. Further validation of the KLF2 was performed on nude mouse models. Breast cancer tissues and cells showed a relative decline of KLF2 expression and abundant WEE1 expression. Cisplatin inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. Overexpression of KLF2 enhanced the inhibitory effect of cisplatin on the malignant characteristics of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro. KLF2 targeted WEE1 and negatively regulated its expression, thus enhancing the sensitivity to cisplatin of breast cancer cells as well as tumor-bearing mice. Overall, these results suggest that KLF2 can potentially inhibit WEE1 expression and sensitize breast cancer cells to cisplatin, thus presenting a promising adjunct treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Li
- Department of Throat and Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow P.R. China
| | - Jiejing Chen
- Department of Throat and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou P.R. China
| | - Xiaokang Gao
- Department of Throat and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou P.R. China
| | - Guoqin Jiang
- Department of Throat and Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow P.R. China
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17
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Sun Y, Wang Z, Qiu S, Wang R. Therapeutic strategies of different HPV status in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:1104-1118. [PMID: 33867833 PMCID: PMC8040311 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.58077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the 9th most common malignant tumor in the world. Based on the etiology, HNSCC has two main subtypes: human papillomavirus (HPV) -related and HPV-unrelated. HPV-positive HNSCC is more sensitive to treatment with favorable survival. Due to the different biological behaviors, individual therapy is necessary and urgently required to deduce the therapeutic intensity of HPV-positive disease and look for a more effective and toxicity-acceptable regimen for HPV-negative disease. EGFR amplification and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway aberrant activation are quite common in HPV-positive HNSCC. Besides, HPV infection alters immune cell infiltrating in HNSCC and encompasses a diverse and heterogeneous landscape with more immune infiltration. On the other hand, the chance of HPV-negative cancers harboring mutation on the P53 gene is significantly higher than that of HPV-positive disease. This review focuses on the updated preclinical and clinical data of HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC and discusses the therapeutic strategies of different HPV status in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingming Sun
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Affiliated Sanming First Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Sanming 365001, P. R. China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian 116001, P. R. China.,The Key Laboratory of Biomarker High Throughput Screening and Target Translation of Breast and Gastrointestinal Tumor, Dalian University, Dalian 116001, P. R. China
| | - Sufang Qiu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital & Fujian Cancer Hospital; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fuzhou 350014, P.R. China
| | - Ruoyu Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian 116001, P. R. China.,The Key Laboratory of Biomarker High Throughput Screening and Target Translation of Breast and Gastrointestinal Tumor, Dalian University, Dalian 116001, P. R. China
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18
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION PROTACs represent a novel class of heterobifunctional molecules that simultaneously bind to a target protein and to an E3 ligase complex, resulting in the transfer of ubiquitin and initiating a process ultimately causing the proteasomal degradation of the target protein. This mechanism of action imbues PROTACs with the ability to modulate target biology in unique ways compared to inhibitors, and the development of PROTACs as therapeutic agents is expected to result in new medicines to treat multiple diseases. AREAS COVERED This review includes published PCT (WO) patent applications covering January 2013 through June 2020. Only English-language patent applications with exemplified PROTACs reported to degrade a target protein(s) were deemed in scope, and the definition of 'PROTAC' was restricted to a bifunctional molecule which contains a discrete binding element for a specific degradation target(s), as well as a separate discrete E3 ligase-binding moiety. EXPERT OPINION Delivering on the enormous potential of PROTACs will require the development of PROTAC medicines that are differentiated from traditional small-molecule inhibitors. The modular composition of PROTACs affords both opportunities and challenges in securing robust intellectual property, and we envision that requirements for novelty are likely to evolve as this area matures.
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19
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Abstract
Cancer cells die when their decimated DNA damage response (DDR) unsuccessfully handles DNA damage. This notion has been successfully exploited when targeting PARP (poly ADP-ribose polymerase) in homologous recombination-deficient cells. With the greater understanding of DDR achieved in the last decade, new cancer therapy targets within the DDR network have been identified. Intriguingly, many of the molecules that have advanced into clinical trials are inhibitors of DDR kinases. This special issue is devoted to discussing the mechanism of cell killing and the level of success that such inhibitors have reached in pre-clinical and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa Gottifredi
- Fundación Instituto Leloir - Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, C1405BWE, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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20
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Du X, Li J, Luo X, Li R, Li F, Zhang Y, Shi J, He J. Structure-activity relationships of Wee1 inhibitors: A review. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 203:112524. [PMID: 32688199 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Wee1 kinase plays an important role in regulating G2/M checkpoint and S phase, and the inhibition of it will lead to mitotic catastrophe in cancer cells with p53 mutation or deletion. Therefore, the mechanism of Wee1 kinase in cancer treatment and the development of its inhibitors have become a research hotspot. However, although a variety of Wee1 inhibitors with different scaffolds and considerable activity have been successfully identified, so far no one has systematically summarized the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of Wee1 inhibitors. Previous reviews mainly focused on its mechanism and clinical application. To facilitate the rational design and development of Wee1 inhibitors in the future, this paper systematically summarizes its structural types, SARs and binding modes according to the Wee1 inhibitors reported in scientific journals, and also summarizes the regulatory effect of Wee1 kinase on cell cycle and the progress of its inhibitors in clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingkai Du
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaojiao Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Rong Li
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Feng Li
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Jun He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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21
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DNA damage response signaling pathways and targets for radiotherapy sensitization in cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:60. [PMID: 32355263 PMCID: PMC7192953 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-0150-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 461] [Impact Index Per Article: 115.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is one of the most common countermeasures for treating a wide range of tumors. However, the radioresistance of cancer cells is still a major limitation for radiotherapy applications. Efforts are continuously ongoing to explore sensitizing targets and develop radiosensitizers for improving the outcomes of radiotherapy. DNA double-strand breaks are the most lethal lesions induced by ionizing radiation and can trigger a series of cellular DNA damage responses (DDRs), including those helping cells recover from radiation injuries, such as the activation of DNA damage sensing and early transduction pathways, cell cycle arrest, and DNA repair. Obviously, these protective DDRs confer tumor radioresistance. Targeting DDR signaling pathways has become an attractive strategy for overcoming tumor radioresistance, and some important advances and breakthroughs have already been achieved in recent years. On the basis of comprehensively reviewing the DDR signal pathways, we provide an update on the novel and promising druggable targets emerging from DDR pathways that can be exploited for radiosensitization. We further discuss recent advances identified from preclinical studies, current clinical trials, and clinical application of chemical inhibitors targeting key DDR proteins, including DNA-PKcs (DNA-dependent protein kinase, catalytic subunit), ATM/ATR (ataxia–telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related), the MRN (MRE11-RAD50-NBS1) complex, the PARP (poly[ADP-ribose] polymerase) family, MDC1, Wee1, LIG4 (ligase IV), CDK1, BRCA1 (BRCA1 C terminal), CHK1, and HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1). Challenges for ionizing radiation-induced signal transduction and targeted therapy are also discussed based on recent achievements in the biological field of radiotherapy.
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22
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WEE1 kinase limits CDK activities to safeguard DNA replication and mitotic entry. Mutat Res 2020; 819-820:111694. [PMID: 32120135 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2020.111694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Precise execution of the cell division cycle is vital for all organisms. The Cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) are the main cell cycle drivers, however, their activities must be precisely fine-tuned to ensure orderly cell cycle progression. A major regulatory axis is guarded by WEE1 kinase, which directly phosphorylates and inhibits CDK1 and CDK2. The role of WEE1 in the G2/M cell-cycle phase has been thoroughly investigated, and it is a focal point of multiple clinical trials targeting a variety of cancers in combination with DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents. However, the emerging role of WEE1 in S phase has so far largely been neglected. Here, we review how WEE1 regulates cell-cycle progression highlighting the importance of this kinase for proper S phase. We discuss how its function is modulated throughout different cell-cycle stages and provide an overview of how WEE1 levels are regulated. Furthermore, we outline recent clinical trials targeting WEE1 and elaborate on the mechanisms behind the anticancer efficacy of WEE1 inhibition. Finally, we consider novel biomarkers that may benefit WEE1-inhibition approaches in the clinic.
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Li Z, Pinch BJ, Olson CM, Donovan KA, Nowak RP, Mills CE, Scott DA, Doctor ZM, Eleuteri NA, Chung M, Sorger PK, Fischer ES, Gray NS. Development and Characterization of a Wee1 Kinase Degrader. Cell Chem Biol 2019; 27:57-65.e9. [PMID: 31735695 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2019.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The G1/S cell cycle checkpoint is frequently dysregulated in cancer, leaving cancer cells reliant on a functional G2/M checkpoint to prevent excessive DNA damage. Wee1 regulates the G2/M checkpoint by phosphorylating CDK1 at Tyr15 to prevent mitotic entry. Previous drug development efforts targeting Wee1 resulted in the clinical-grade inhibitor, AZD1775. However, AZD1775 is burdened by dose-limiting adverse events, and has off-target PLK1 activity. In an attempt to overcome these limitations, we developed Wee1 degraders by conjugating AZD1775 to the cereblon (CRBN)-binding ligand, pomalidomide. The resulting lead compound, ZNL-02-096, degrades Wee1 while sparing PLK1, induces G2/M accumulation at 10-fold lower doses than AZD1775, and synergizes with Olaparib in ovarian cancer cells. We demonstrate that ZNL-02-096 has CRBN-dependent pharmacology that is distinct from AZD1775, which justifies further evaluation of selective Wee1 degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengnian Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benika J Pinch
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Calla M Olson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Radosław P Nowak
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caitlin E Mills
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David A Scott
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zainab M Doctor
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas A Eleuteri
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mirra Chung
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter K Sorger
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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24
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Abdullah M, Guruprasad L. Computational fragment-based design of Wee1 kinase inhibitors with tricyclic core scaffolds. Struct Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11224-018-1176-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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25
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Hu Y, Zhou L, Zhu X, Dai D, Bao Y, Qiu Y. Pharmacophore modeling, multiple docking, and molecular dynamics studies on Wee1 kinase inhibitors. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2018; 37:2703-2715. [PMID: 30052133 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2018.1495576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Wee1-like protein kinase (Wee1) is a tyrosine kinase that regulates the G2 checkpoint and prevents entry into mitosis in response to DNA damage. Based on a series of signaling pathways initiated by Wee1, Wee1 has been recognized as a potential target for cancer therapy. To discover potent Wee1 inhibitors with novel scaffolds, ligand-based pharmacophore model has been built based on 101 known Wee1 inhibitors. Then the best pharmacophore model, AADRRR.340, with good partial least square (PLS) statistics (R2 = 0.9212, Q2 = 0.7457), was selected and validated. The validated model was used as a three-dimensional (3D) search query for databases virtual screening. The filtered molecules were further analyzed and refined by Lipinski's rule of 5, multiple docking procedures (high throughput virtual screening (HTVS), standard precision (SP), genetic optimization for ligand docking (GOLD), extra precision (XP), and unique quantum polarized ligand docking (QPLD)); absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) screening; and the Prime/molecular mechanics generalized born surface area (MM-GBSA) method binding free energy calculations. Eight leads were identified as potential Wee1 inhibitors, and a 50 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was carried out for top four inhibitors to predict the stability of ligand-protein complex. Molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) based on MD simulation and the energy contribution per residue to the binding energy were calculated. In the end, three hits with good stabilization and affinity to protein were identified. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiu Hu
- a College of Chemical Engineering , Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
| | - Lu Zhou
- a College of Chemical Engineering , Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
| | - Xiaohong Zhu
- a College of Chemical Engineering , Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
| | - Duoqian Dai
- a College of Chemical Engineering , Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
| | - Yinfeng Bao
- a College of Chemical Engineering , Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
| | - Yaping Qiu
- a College of Chemical Engineering , Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
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26
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Karakashev S, Zhu H, Yokoyama Y, Zhao B, Fatkhutdinov N, Kossenkov AV, Wilson AJ, Simpkins F, Speicher D, Khabele D, Bitler BG, Zhang R. BET Bromodomain Inhibition Synergizes with PARP Inhibitor in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Cell Rep 2018; 21:3398-3405. [PMID: 29262321 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.11.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
PARP inhibition is known to be an effective clinical strategy in BRCA mutant cancers, but PARP inhibition has not been applied to BRCA-proficient tumors. Here, we show the synergy of BET bromodomain inhibition with PARP inhibition in BRCA-proficient ovarian cancers due to mitotic catastrophe. Treatment of BRCA-proficient ovarian cancer cells with the BET inhibitor JQ1 downregulated the G2-M cell-cycle checkpoint regulator WEE1 and the DNA-damage response factor TOPBP1. Combining PARP inhibitor Olaparib with the BET inhibitor, we observed a synergistic increase in DNA damage and checkpoint defects, which allowed cells to enter mitosis despite the accumulation of DNA damage, ultimately causing mitotic catastrophe. Moreover, JQ1 and Olaparib showed synergistic suppression of growth of BRCA-proficient cancer in vivo in a xenograft ovarian cancer mouse model. Our findings indicate that a combination of BET inhibitor and PARP inhibitor represents a potential therapeutic strategy for BRCA-proficient cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Karakashev
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hengrui Zhu
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yuhki Yokoyama
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bo Zhao
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nail Fatkhutdinov
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Andrew V Kossenkov
- Center for Systems and Computational Biology, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Andrew J Wilson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Fiona Simpkins
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Penn Ovarian Cancer Center Research Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David Speicher
- Center for Systems and Computational Biology, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dineo Khabele
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Benjamin G Bitler
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rugang Zhang
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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27
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Matheson CJ, Casalvieri KA, Backos DS, Reigan P. Development of Potent Pyrazolopyrimidinone-Based WEE1 Inhibitors with Limited Single-Agent Cytotoxicity for Cancer Therapy. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:1681-1694. [PMID: 29883531 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
WEE1 kinase regulates the G2 /M cell-cycle checkpoint, a critical mechanism for DNA repair in cancer cells that can confer resistance to DNA-damaging agents. We previously reported a series of pyrazolopyrimidinones based on AZD1775, a known WEE1 inhibitor, as an initial investigation into the structural requirements for WEE1 inhibition. Our lead inhibitor demonstrated WEE1 inhibition in the same nanomolar range as AZD1775, and potentiated the effects of cisplatin in medulloblastoma cells, but had reduced single-agent cytotoxicity. These results prompted the development of a more comprehensive series of WEE1 inhibitors. Herein we report a series of pyrazolopyrimidinones and identify a more potent WEE1 inhibitor than AZD1775 and additional compounds that demonstrate that WEE1 inhibition can be achieved with reduced single-agent cytotoxicity. These studies support that WEE1 inhibition can be uncoupled from the potent cytotoxic effects observed with AZD1775, and this may have important ramifications in the clinical setting where WEE1 inhibitors are used as chemosensitizers for DNA-targeted chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Matheson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Kimberly A Casalvieri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Donald S Backos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Philip Reigan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
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Wee1 Inhibitor AZD1775 Combined with Cisplatin Potentiates Anticancer Activity against Gastric Cancer by Increasing DNA Damage and Cell Apoptosis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:5813292. [PMID: 29977914 PMCID: PMC6011131 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5813292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Based on the mechanisms by which Wee1 inhibitor and cisplatin played their own role, a promising strategy of Wee1 inhibitor combined with cisplatin was proposed, which was investigated in gastric cancer (GC). Either Wee1 inhibitor AZD1775 or cisplatin alone had a certain inhibitory effect on in vitro cell proliferation; however, the inhibitory effect was more significant when AZD1775 combined with cisplatin in vitro and in vivo. The underlying mechanisms unveiled that the increased DNA damage indicated by increased γH2AX protein, as well as augmented cell apoptosis indicated by upregulated proapoptotic proteins, was responsible for the significant inhibitory effect of AZD1775 plus cisplatin. Moreover, compared to any single drug, in vitro cell migration and invasion abilities were further attenuated by AZD1775 combined with cisplatin. There were suggestive results that the potentiated cytotoxicity between AZD1775 and cisplatin deserved a deep exploration in the future.
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Zhu JY, Cuellar RA, Berndt N, Lee HE, Olesen SH, Martin MP, Jensen JT, Georg GI, Schönbrunn E. Structural Basis of Wee Kinases Functionality and Inactivation by Diverse Small Molecule Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2017; 60:7863-7875. [PMID: 28792760 PMCID: PMC6200136 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Members of the Wee family of kinases negatively regulate the cell cycle via phosphorylation of CDK1 and are considered potential drug targets. Herein, we investigated the structure-function relationship of human Wee1, Wee2, and Myt1 (PKMYT1). Purified recombinant full-length proteins and kinase domain constructs differed substantially in phosphorylation states and catalytic competency, suggesting complex mechanisms of activation. A series of crystal structures reveal unique features that distinguish Wee1 and Wee2 from Myt1 and establish the structural basis of differential inhibition by the widely used Wee1 inhibitor MK-1775. Kinome profiling and cellular studies demonstrate that, in addition to Wee1 and Wee2, MK-1775 is an equally potent inhibitor of the polo-like kinase PLK1. Several previously unrecognized inhibitors of Wee kinases were discovered and characterized. Combined, the data provide a comprehensive view on the catalytic and structural properties of Wee kinases and a framework for the rational design of novel inhibitors thereof.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Yi Zhu
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Rebecca A. Cuellar
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Norbert Berndt
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Hee Eun Lee
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Sanne H. Olesen
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Mathew P. Martin
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Jeffrey T. Jensen
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Science, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon 97006, United States
| | - Gunda I. Georg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Ernst Schönbrunn
- Drug Discovery Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
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Wang L, Su J, Zhao Z, Hou Y, Yin X, Zheng N, Zhou X, Yan J, Xia J, Wang Z. MiR-26b reverses temozolomide resistance via targeting Wee1 in glioma cells. Cell Cycle 2017; 16:1954-1964. [PMID: 28898169 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2017.1367071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence has demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNA) play a critical role in chemotherapy-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in glioma. However, the underlying mechanism of chemotherapy-triggered EMT has not been fully understood. In the current study, we determined the role of miR-26b in regulation of EMT in stable temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant (TR) glioma cells, which have displayed mesenchymal features. Our results illustrated that miR-26b was significantly downregulated in TR cells. Moreover, ectopic expression of miR-26b by its mimics reversed the phenotype of EMT in TR cells. Furthermore, we found that miR-26b governed TR-mediate EMT partly due to governing its target Wee1. Notably, overexpression of miR-26b sensitized TR cells to TMZ. These findings suggest that upregulation of miR-26b or targeting Wee1 could serve as novel approaches to reverse chemotherapy resistance in glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixia Wang
- a The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center and Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology , Soochow University , Suzhou , China
| | - Jingna Su
- a The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center and Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology , Soochow University , Suzhou , China
| | - Zhe Zhao
- a The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center and Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology , Soochow University , Suzhou , China
| | - Yingying Hou
- a The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center and Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology , Soochow University , Suzhou , China
| | - Xuyuan Yin
- a The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center and Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology , Soochow University , Suzhou , China
| | - Nana Zheng
- a The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center and Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology , Soochow University , Suzhou , China
| | - Xiuxia Zhou
- a The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center and Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology , Soochow University , Suzhou , China
| | - Jingzhe Yan
- b Department of Abdominal Oncosurgery , Jilin Province Cancer Hospital , Changchun , Jilin , China
| | - Jun Xia
- c Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Bengbu Medical College , Anhui , China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- a The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center and Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology , Soochow University , Suzhou , China.,c Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Bengbu Medical College , Anhui , China.,d Department of Pathology , Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School , MA , USA
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Wright G, Golubeva V, Remsing Rix LL, Berndt N, Luo Y, Ward GA, Gray JE, Schonbrunn E, Lawrence HR, Monteiro AN, Rix U. Dual Targeting of WEE1 and PLK1 by AZD1775 Elicits Single Agent Cellular Anticancer Activity. ACS Chem Biol 2017; 12:1883-1892. [PMID: 28557434 PMCID: PMC5551971 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.7b00147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of the WEE1 tyrosine kinase enhances anticancer chemotherapy efficacy. Accordingly, the WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 (previously MK-1775) is currently under evaluation in clinical trials for cancer in combination with chemotherapy. AZD1775 has been reported to display high selectivity and is therefore used in many studies as a probe to interrogate WEE1 biology. However, AZD1775 also exhibits anticancer activity as a single agent although the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Using a chemical proteomics approach, we here describe a proteome-wide survey of AZD1775 targets in lung cancer cells and identify several previously unknown targets in addition to WEE1. In particular, we observed polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) as a new target of AZD1775. Importantly, in vitro kinase assays showed PLK1 and WEE1 to be inhibited by AZD1775 with similar potency. Subsequent loss-of-function experiments using RNAi for WEE1 and PLK1 suggested that targeting PLK1 enhances the pro-apoptotic and antiproliferative effects observed with WEE1 knockdown. Combination of RNAi with AZD1775 treatment suggested WEE1 and PLK1 to be the most relevant targets for mediating AZD1775's anticancer effects. Furthermore, disruption of WEE1 by CRISPR-Cas9 sensitized H322 lung cancer cells to AZD1775 to a similar extent as the potent PLK1 inhibitor BI-2536 suggesting a complex crosstalk between PLK1 and WEE1. In summary, we show that AZD1775 is a potent dual WEE1 and PLK1 inhibitor, which limits its use as a specific molecular probe for WEE1. However, PLK1 inhibition makes important contributions to the single agent mechanism of action of AZD1775 and enhances its anticancer effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Wright
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Volha Golubeva
- Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Lily L. Remsing Rix
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Norbert Berndt
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Yunting Luo
- Chemical Biology Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Grace A. Ward
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
- Cancer Biology PhD Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Jhanelle E. Gray
- Thoracic Oncology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Ernst Schonbrunn
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
- Chemical Biology Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Harshani R. Lawrence
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
- Chemical Biology Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Alvaro N.A. Monteiro
- Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Uwe Rix
- Drug Discovery Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
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Sen T, Tong P, Diao L, Li L, Fan Y, Hoff J, Heymach JV, Wang J, Byers LA. Targeting AXL and mTOR Pathway Overcomes Primary and Acquired Resistance to WEE1 Inhibition in Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:6239-6253. [PMID: 28698200 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-1284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 06/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: Drugs targeting DNA repair and cell-cycle checkpoints have emerged as promising therapies for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Among these, the WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 has shown clinical activity in a subset of SCLC patients, but resistance is common. Understanding primary and acquired resistance mechanisms will be critical for developing effective WEE1 inhibitor combinations.Experimental Design: AZD1775 sensitivity in SCLC cell lines was correlated with baseline expression level of 200 total or phosphorylated proteins measured by reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) to identify predictive markers of primary resistance. We further established AZD1775 acquired resistance models to identify mechanism of acquired resistance. Combination regimens were tested to overcome primary and acquired resistance to AZD1775 in in vitro and in vivo SCLC models.Results: High-throughput proteomic profiling demonstrate that SCLC models with primary resistance to AZD1775 express high levels of AXL and phosphorylated S6 and that WEE1/AXL or WEE1/mTOR inhibitor combinations overcome resistance in vitro and in vivo Furthermore, AXL, independently and via mTOR, activates the ERK pathway, leading to recruitment and activation of another G2-checkpoint protein, CHK1. AZD1775 acquired resistance models demonstrated upregulation of AXL, pS6, and MET, and resistance was overcome with the addition of AXL (TP0903), dual-AXL/MET (cabozantinib), or mTOR (RAD001) inhibitors.Conclusions: AXL promotes resistance to WEE1 inhibition via downstream mTOR signaling and resulting activation of a parallel DNA damage repair pathway, CHK1. These findings suggest rational combinations to enhance the clinical efficacy of AZD1775, which is currently in clinical trials for SCLC and other malignancies. Clin Cancer Res; 23(20); 6239-53. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Triparna Sen
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Pan Tong
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lixia Diao
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lerong Li
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Youhong Fan
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jennifer Hoff
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - John V Heymach
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lauren Averett Byers
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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33
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Zhang H, Wang X, Chen X. Retracted
: Potential Role of Long Non‐Coding RNA ANRIL in Pediatric Medulloblastoma Through Promotion on Proliferation and Migration by Targeting miR‐323. J Cell Biochem 2017; 118:4735-4744. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiuli Wang
- Department of PediatricsLiaocheng People's HospitalLiaocheng252000China
| | - Xinxin Chen
- Department of PediatricsLiaocheng People's HospitalLiaocheng252000China
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Lewis CW, Jin Z, Macdonald D, Wei W, Qian XJ, Choi WS, He R, Sun X, Chan G. Prolonged mitotic arrest induced by Wee1 inhibition sensitizes breast cancer cells to paclitaxel. Oncotarget 2017; 8:73705-73722. [PMID: 29088738 PMCID: PMC5650293 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Wee1 kinase is a crucial negative regulator of Cdk1/cyclin B1 activity and is required for normal entry into and exit from mitosis. Wee1 activity can be chemically inhibited by the small molecule MK-1775, which is currently being tested in phase I/II clinical trials in combination with other anti-cancer drugs. MK-1775 promotes cancer cells to bypass the cell-cycle checkpoints and prematurely enter mitosis. In our study, we show premature mitotic cells that arise from MK-1775 treatment exhibited centromere fragmentation, a morphological feature of mitotic catastrophe that is characterized by centromeres and kinetochore proteins that co-cluster away from the condensed chromosomes. In addition to stimulating early mitotic entry, MK-1775 treatment also delayed mitotic exit. Specifically, cells treated with MK-1775 following release from G1/S or prometaphase arrested in mitosis. MK-1775 induced arrest occurred at metaphase and thus, cells required 12 times longer to transition into anaphase compared to controls. Consistent with an arrest in mitosis, MK-1775 treated prometaphase cells maintained high cyclin B1 and low phospho-tyrosine 15 Cdk1. Importantly, MK-1775 induced mitotic arrest resulted in cell death regardless the of cell-cycle phase prior to treatment suggesting that Wee1 inhibitors are also anti-mitotic agents. We found that paclitaxel enhances MK-1775 mediated cell killing. HeLa and different breast cancer cell lines (T-47D, MCF7, MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231) treated with different concentrations of MK-1775 and low dose paclitaxel exhibited reduced cell survival compared to mono-treatments. Our data highlight a new potential strategy for enhancing MK-1775 mediated cell killing in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody W Lewis
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1Z2.,Experimental Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1Z2.,Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2J7
| | - Zhigang Jin
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1Z2.,Experimental Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1Z2.,Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2J7
| | - Dawn Macdonald
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1Z2.,Experimental Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1Z2.,Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2J7
| | - Wenya Wei
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1Z2
| | - Xu Jing Qian
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1Z2
| | - Won Shik Choi
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1Z2
| | - Ruicen He
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1Z2
| | - Xuejun Sun
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1Z2.,Experimental Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1Z2.,Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2J7
| | - Gordon Chan
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1Z2.,Experimental Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 1Z2.,Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2J7
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Albumin nanoparticles for glutathione-responsive release of cisplatin: New opportunities for medulloblastoma. Int J Pharm 2016; 517:168-174. [PMID: 27956195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2016.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Redox-responsive nanoparticles were synthesized by desolvation of bovine serum albumin followed by disulfide-bond crosslinking with N, N'-Bis (acryloyl) cystamine. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed spherical nanoparticles (mean diameter: 83nm, polydispersity index: 0.3) that were glutathione-responsive. Confocal microscopy revealed rapid, efficient internalization of the nanoparticles by Daoy medulloblastoma cells and healthy controls (HaCaT keratinocytes). Cisplatin-loaded nanoparticles with drug:carrier ratios of 5%, 10%, and 20% were tested in both cell lines. The formulation with the highest drug:carrier ratio reduced Daoy and HaCaT cell viability with IC50 values of 6.19 and 11.17μgmL-1, respectively. The differential cytotoxicity reflects the cancer cells' higher glutathione content, which triggers more extensive disruption of the disulfide bond-mediated intra-particle cross-links, decreasing particle stability and increasing their cisplatin release. These findings support continuing efforts to improve the safety and efficacy of antineoplastic drug therapy for pediatric brain tumors using selective nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems.
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36
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Targeting WEE1 Kinase in Cancer. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2016; 37:872-881. [PMID: 27427153 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
WEE1 kinase plays a crucial role in the G2-M cell-cycle checkpoint arrest for DNA repair before mitotic entry. Normal cells repair damaged DNA during G1 arrest; however, cancer cells often have a deficient G1-S checkpoint and depend on a functional G2-M checkpoint for DNA repair. WEE1 is expressed at high levels in various cancer types including breast cancers, leukemia, melanoma, and adult and pediatric brain tumors. Many of these cancers are treated with DNA-damaging agents; therefore, targeting WEE1 for inhibition and compromising the G2-M checkpoint presents an opportunity to potentiate therapy. In this review we summarize the current WEE1 inhibitors, the potential for further inhibitor development, and the challenges in the clinic for the WEE1 inhibitor strategy.
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