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Niu X, Liu W, Zhang Y, Liu J, Zhang J, Li B, Qiu Y, Zhao P, Wang Z, Wang Z. Cancer plasticity in therapy resistance: Mechanisms and novel strategies. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 76:101114. [PMID: 38924995 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2024.101114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Therapy resistance poses a significant obstacle to effective cancer treatment. Recent insights into cell plasticity as a new paradigm for understanding resistance to treatment: as cancer progresses, cancer cells experience phenotypic and molecular alterations, corporately known as cell plasticity. These alterations are caused by microenvironment factors, stochastic genetic and epigenetic changes, and/or selective pressure engendered by treatment, resulting in tumor heterogeneity and therapy resistance. Increasing evidence suggests that cancer cells display remarkable intrinsic plasticity and reversibly adapt to dynamic microenvironment conditions. Dynamic interactions between cell states and with the surrounding microenvironment form a flexible tumor ecosystem, which is able to quickly adapt to external pressure, especially treatment. Here, this review delineates the formation of cancer cell plasticity (CCP) as well as its manipulation of cancer escape from treatment. Furthermore, the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms driving CCP that promote the development of therapy resistance is summarized. Novel treatment strategies, e.g., inhibiting or reversing CCP is also proposed. Moreover, the review discusses the multiple lines of ongoing clinical trials globally aimed at ameliorating therapy resistance. Such advances provide directions for the development of new treatment modalities and combination therapies against CCP in the context of therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Niu
- China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China; Experimental Center of BIOQGene, YuanDong International Academy Of Life Sciences, 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenjing Liu
- Medical Oncology Department of Thoracic Cancer (2), Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, China
| | - Yinling Zhang
- Department of Oncology Radiotherapy 1, Qingdao Central Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266042, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 101149, China
| | - Yue Qiu
- Department of Digestive Diseases 1, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, China
| | - Zhongmiao Wang
- Department of Digestive Diseases 1, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, China.
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Digestive Diseases 1, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, China.
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Rayford A, Gärtner F, Ramnefjell MP, Lorens JB, Micklem DR, Aanerud M, Engelsen AST. AXL expression reflects tumor-immune cell dynamics impacting outcome in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1444007. [PMID: 39238637 PMCID: PMC11375292 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1444007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction AXL receptor expression is proposed to confer immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We sought to interrogate AXL expression in conjunction with mutational and tumor-microenvironmental features to uncover predictive mechanisms of resistance in ICI-treated NSCLC patients. Methods Tumor samples from 111 NSCLC patients treated with ICI-monotherapy were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for tumor- and immune-AXL expression. Subsets of patients were analyzed by whole-exome sequencing (n = 44) and imaging mass cytometry (n = 14). Results were related to ICI-outcome measurements. Results Tumor-cell AXL expression correlated with aggressive phenotypic features including reduced OS in patients treated with ICIs (P = 0.04) after chemotherapy progression, but conversely associated with improved disease control (P = 0.045) in ICI-treated, PD-L1 high first-line patients. AXL+ immune-cell infiltration correlated with total immune-cell infiltration and improved overall outcomes (PFS: P = 0.044, OS: P = 0.054). Tumor-cell AXL-upregulation showed enrichment in mutations associated with PD-L1-upregulation and ICI-response such as MUC4 and ZNF469, as well as adverse mutations including CSMD1 and LRP1B which associated with an immune-suppressed tumor phenotype and poor ICI prognosis particularly within chemotherapy-treated patients. Tumor mutational burden had no effect on ICI-outcomes and was associated with a lack of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Spatial-immunophenotyping provided evidence that tumor-cell AXL-upregulation and adverse mutations modulate the tumor microenvironment in favor of infiltrating, activated neutrophils over anti-tumor immune-subsets including CD4 and CD8 T-cells. Conclusion Tumor-cell AXL-upregulation correlated with distinct oncotypes and microenvironmental immune-profiles that define chemotherapy-induced mechanisms of ICI-resistance, which suggests the combination of AXL inhibitors with current chemoimmunotherapy regimens can benefit NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Rayford
- Department of Biomedicine and Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Fabian Gärtner
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Maria P Ramnefjell
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - James B Lorens
- Department of Biomedicine and Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Marianne Aanerud
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Agnete S T Engelsen
- Department of Biomedicine and Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Tomuleasa C, Tigu AB, Munteanu R, Moldovan CS, Kegyes D, Onaciu A, Gulei D, Ghiaur G, Einsele H, Croce CM. Therapeutic advances of targeting receptor tyrosine kinases in cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:201. [PMID: 39138146 PMCID: PMC11323831 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01899-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), a category of transmembrane receptors, have gained significant clinical attention in oncology due to their central role in cancer pathogenesis. Genetic alterations, including mutations, amplifications, and overexpression of certain RTKs, are critical in creating environments conducive to tumor development. Following their discovery, extensive research has revealed how RTK dysregulation contributes to oncogenesis, with many cancer subtypes showing dependency on aberrant RTK signaling for their proliferation, survival and progression. These findings paved the way for targeted therapies that aim to inhibit crucial biological pathways in cancer. As a result, RTKs have emerged as primary targets in anticancer therapeutic development. Over the past two decades, this has led to the synthesis and clinical validation of numerous small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), now effectively utilized in treating various cancer types. In this manuscript we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the RTKs in the context of cancer. We explored the various alterations and overexpression of specific receptors across different malignancies, with special attention dedicated to the examination of current RTK inhibitors, highlighting their role as potential targeted therapies. By integrating the latest research findings and clinical evidence, we seek to elucidate the pivotal role of RTKs in cancer biology and the therapeutic efficacy of RTK inhibition with promising treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciprian Tomuleasa
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
- Department of Hematology, Ion Chiricuta Clinical Cancer Center, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov 3, 050044, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Adrian-Bogdan Tigu
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov 3, 050044, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Raluca Munteanu
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov 3, 050044, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian-Silviu Moldovan
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - David Kegyes
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov 3, 050044, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Onaciu
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Diana Gulei
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gabriel Ghiaur
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Department of Leukemia, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Medizinische Klinik II, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Carlo M Croce
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Shen X, Peng X, Guo Y, Dai Z, Cui L, Yu W, Liu Y, Liu CY. YAP/TAZ enhances P-body formation to promote tumorigenesis. eLife 2024; 12:RP88573. [PMID: 39046443 PMCID: PMC11268890 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of processing bodies (P-bodies) in tumorigenesis and tumor progression is not well understood. Here, we showed that the oncogenes YAP/TAZ promote P-body formation in a series of cancer cell lines. Mechanistically, both transcriptional activation of the P-body-related genes SAMD4A, AJUBA, and WTIP and transcriptional suppression of the tumor suppressor gene PNRC1 are involved in enhancing the effects of YAP/TAZ on P-body formation in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. By reexpression of PNRC1 or knockdown of P-body core genes (DDX6, DCP1A, and LSM14A), we determined that disruption of P-bodies attenuates cell proliferation, cell migration, and tumor growth induced by overexpression of YAP5SA in CRC. Analysis of a pancancer CRISPR screen database (DepMap) revealed co-dependencies between YAP/TEAD and the P-body core genes and correlations between the mRNA levels of SAMD4A, AJUBA, WTIP, PNRC1, and YAP target genes. Our study suggests that the P-body is a new downstream effector of YAP/TAZ, which implies that reexpression of PNRC1 or disruption of P-bodies is a potential therapeutic strategy for tumors with active YAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Shen
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Xiang Peng
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research CenterShanghaiChina
| | - YueGui Guo
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Zhujiang Dai
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Long Cui
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Wei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Chen-Ying Liu
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research CenterShanghaiChina
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Davis WJH, Drummond CJ, Diermeier S, Reid G. The Potential Links between lncRNAs and Drug Tolerance in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:906. [PMID: 39062685 PMCID: PMC11276205 DOI: 10.3390/genes15070906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer patients treated with targeted therapies frequently respond well but invariably relapse due to the development of drug resistance. Drug resistance is in part mediated by a subset of cancer cells termed "drug-tolerant persisters" (DTPs), which enter a dormant, slow-cycling state that enables them to survive drug exposure. DTPs also exhibit stem cell-like characteristics, broad epigenetic reprogramming, altered metabolism, and a mutagenic phenotype mediated by adaptive mutability. While several studies have characterised the transcriptional changes that lead to the altered phenotypes exhibited in DTPs, these studies have focused predominantly on protein coding changes. As long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are also implicated in the phenotypes altered in DTPs, it is likely that they play a role in the biology of drug tolerance. In this review, we outline how lncRNAs may contribute to the key characteristics of DTPs, their potential roles in tolerance to targeted therapies, and the emergence of genetic resistance in lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J. H. Davis
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (W.J.H.D.); (C.J.D.)
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Catherine J. Drummond
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (W.J.H.D.); (C.J.D.)
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Sarah Diermeier
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand;
- Amaroq Therapeutics, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Glen Reid
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand; (W.J.H.D.); (C.J.D.)
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
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Olexen CM, Risnik D, Lava MC, Dalla Vecchia GL, Rosso DA, Errasti AE, Carrera Silva EA. Increased AXL high myeloid cells as pathognomonic marker in Langerhans cell histiocytosis and Langerin expression dependence of mTOR inhibition. Clin Immunol 2024; 263:110203. [PMID: 38575046 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2024.110203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is characterized by an expansion and accumulation of pathological histiocytes expressing langerin (CD207) and CD1a in different organs under an inflammatory milieu. The origin of pathognomonic precursors of LCH is widely debated, but monocytes and pre-dendritic cells (pre-DC) play a significant role. Remarkably, we found an expansion of AXLhigh cells in the CD11c+ subset of patients with active LCH, which also express the pathognomonic CD207 and CD1a. Moreover, we obtained a monocyte-derived LC-like (mo-LC-like) expressing high levels of AXL when treated with inflammatory cytokine, or plasma of patients with active disease. Intriguingly, inhibiting the mTOR pathway at the initial stages of monocyte differentiation to LC-like fosters the pathognomonic LCH program, highly increasing CD207 levels, together with NOTCH1 induction. We define here that AXLhigh could also be taken as a strong pathognomonic marker for LCH, and the release of Langerin and NOTCH1 expression depends on the inhibition of the mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinthia Mariel Olexen
- Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX), Academia Nacional de Medicina-CONICET, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina; Instituto de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
| | - Denise Risnik
- Instituto de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
| | - María Catalina Lava
- Instituto de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
| | - Guido Luis Dalla Vecchia
- Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX), Academia Nacional de Medicina-CONICET, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina; Instituto de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina
| | - Diego Alfredo Rosso
- Instituto de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina; Hospital de Niños Pedro de Elizalde, Buenos Aires 1270, Argentina; Hospital de Clínicas General San Martin, Departamento de Pediatría, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina.
| | - Andrea Emilse Errasti
- Instituto de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina.
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De Rosa L, Di Stasi R, Fusco V, D'Andrea LD. AXL receptor as an emerging molecular target in colorectal cancer. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104005. [PMID: 38685399 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL) is a receptor tyrosine kinase whose aberrant expression has recently been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), contributing to tumor growth, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), increased invasiveness, metastatic spreading, and the development of drug resistance. In this review we summarize preclinical data, the majority of which are limited to recent years, convincingly linking the AXL receptor to CRC. These findings support the value of targeting AXL with molecules in drug discovery, offering novel and advanced therapeutic or diagnostic tools for CRC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia De Rosa
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, via P. Castellino, 111 - 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Rossella Di Stasi
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, via P. Castellino, 111 - 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Virginia Fusco
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, via P. Castellino, 111 - 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luca D D'Andrea
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche 'G. Natta', CNR, via M. Bianco, 9 - 20131 Milan, Italy.
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8
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Papadopoulos KI, Papadopoulou A, Aw TC. Anexelekto (AXL) no more: microRNA-155 (miR-155) controls the "Uncontrolled" in SARS-CoV-2. Hum Cell 2024; 37:582-592. [PMID: 38472734 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-024-01041-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
AXL is the gene that encodes the Anexelekto (AXL) receptor tyrosine kinase that demonstrates significant roles in various cellular processes, including cell growth, survival, and migration. Anexelekto is a Greek word meaning excessive and uncontrolled, semantically implying the crucial involvement of AXL in cancer and immune biology, and in promoting cancer metastasis. AXL overexpression appears to drive epithelial to mesenchymal transition, tumor angiogenesis, decreased antitumor immune response, and resistance to therapeutic agents. Recently, AXL has been reported to play important roles in several viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2. We have previously outlined the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) and especially miR-155 in SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology through regulation of the Renin-Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) and influence on several aspects of host innate immunity. MiRNAs are negative regulators of gene expression, decreasing the stability of target RNAs or limiting their translation and, enthrallingly, miR-155 is also involved in AXL homeostasis-both endogenously and pharmaceutically using repurposed drugs (e.g., metformin)-highlighting thrifty evolutionary host innate immunity mechanisms that successfully can thwart viral entry and replication. Cancer, infections, and immune system disturbances will increasingly involve miRNA diagnostics and therapeutics in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- K I Papadopoulos
- THAI StemLife, 566/3 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 39 (Thepleela 1), Prachaouthit Rd, Wangthonglang, Bangkok, 10310, Thailand.
| | - A Papadopoulou
- Feelgood Lund, Occupational and Environmental Health Services, Ideon Science Park, Scheelevägen 17, 223 63, Lund, Sweden
| | - T C Aw
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore, 529889, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228, Singapore
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Vandewalle N, Satilmis H, Verheye E, Fan R, Wang Y, De Groof TW, Bridoux J, Kerre T, De Beule N, De Becker A, De Bruyne E, Menu E, Vanderkerken K, Breckpot K, Devoogdt N, De Veirman K. AXL-specific single domain antibodies show diagnostic potential and anti-tumor activity in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Theranostics 2024; 14:2656-2674. [PMID: 38773967 PMCID: PMC11103505 DOI: 10.7150/thno.91456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: AXL expression has been identified as a prognostic factor in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is detectable in approximately 50% of AML patients. In this study, we developed AXL-specific single domain antibodies (sdAbs), cross-reactive for both mouse and human AXL protein, to non-invasively image and treat AXL-expressing cancer cells. Methods: AXL-specific sdAbs were induced by immunizing an alpaca with mouse and human AXL proteins. SdAbs were characterized using ELISA, flow cytometry, surface plasmon resonance and the AlphaFold2 software. A lead compound was selected and labeled with 99mTc for evaluation as a diagnostic tool in mouse models of human (THP-1 cells) or mouse (C1498 cells) AML using SPECT/CT imaging. For therapeutic purposes, the lead compound was fused to a mouse IgG2a-Fc tail and in vitro functionality tests were performed including viability, apoptosis and proliferation assays in human AML cell lines and primary patient samples. Using these in vitro models, its anti-tumor effect was evaluated as a single agent, and in combination with standard of care agents venetoclax or cytarabine. Results: Based on its cell binding potential, cross-reactivity, nanomolar affinity and GAS6/AXL blocking capacity, we selected sdAb20 for further evaluation. Using SPECT/CT imaging, we observed tumor uptake of 99mTc-sdAb20 in mice with AXL-positive THP-1 or C1498 tumors. In THP-1 xenografts, an optimized protocol using pre-injection of cold sdAb20-Fc was required to maximize the tumor-to-background signal. Besides its diagnostic value, we observed a significant reduction in tumor cell proliferation and viability using sdAb20-Fc in vitro. Moreover, combining sdAb20-Fc and cytarabine synergistically induced apoptosis in human AML cell lines, while these effects were less clear when combined with venetoclax. Conclusions: Because of their diagnostic potential, sdAbs could be used to screen patients eligible for AXL-targeted therapy and to follow-up AXL expression during treatment and disease progression. When fused to an Fc-domain, sdAbs acquire additional therapeutic properties that can lead to a multidrug approach for the treatment of AXL-positive cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Vandewalle
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hatice Satilmis
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Emma Verheye
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Brussels Center of Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rong Fan
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yanmeng Wang
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Timo W.M. De Groof
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jessica Bridoux
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tessa Kerre
- Department of Hematology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nathan De Beule
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ann De Becker
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elke De Bruyne
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eline Menu
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karin Vanderkerken
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kim De Veirman
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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10
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Hong DS, Cappuzzo F, Chul Cho B, Dowlati A, Hussein M, Kim DW, Percent I, Christensen JG, Morin J, Potvin D, Faltaos D, Tassell V, Der-Torossian H, Chao R. Phase II study investigating the efficacy and safety of glesatinib (MGCD265) in patients with advanced NSCLC containing MET activating alterations. Lung Cancer 2024; 190:107512. [PMID: 38417277 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Dysregulated signaling by mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (MET) and heightened AXL activation are implicated in the pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Glesatinib (MGCD265) is an investigational, oral inhibitor of MET and AXL. MATERIALS AND METHODS This open-label, Phase II study investigated glesatinib (free-base suspension [FBS] capsule 1050 mg BID or spray-dried dispersion [SDD] tablet 750 mg BID) in patients with advanced, previously treated NSCLC across four cohorts grouped according to presence of MET activating mutations or amplification in tumor or ctDNA. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). RESULTS Sixty-eight patients were enrolled: n = 28 and n = 8 with MET exon 14 skipping mutations in tumor tissue and ctDNA, respectively, and n = 20 and n = 12 with MET gene amplification in tumor tissue and ctDNA, respectively. Overall, ORR was 11.8 %, median progression-free survival was 4.0 months, and median overall survival was 7.0 months. Among patients with MET activating mutations, ORR was 10.7 % with tumor testing and 25.0 % with ctDNA testing. For MET amplification, responses were observed only in patients enrolled by tumor testing (ORR 15.0 %). Diarrhea (82.4 %), nausea (50.0 %), increased alanine aminotransferase (41.2 %), fatigue (38.2 %), and increased aspartate aminotransferase (36.8 %) were the most frequent adverse events assessed as related to study medication. Glesatinib exposure was similar with the SDD tablet and FBS capsule formulations. The study was terminated early by the sponsor due to modest clinical activity. CONCLUSIONS Glesatinib had an acceptable safety profile in patients with advanced, pre-treated NSCLC with MET activating alterations. Modest clinical activity was observed, which likely reflects suboptimal drug bioavailability suggested by previously reported Phase I data, and pharmacodynamic findings of lower than anticipated increases in circulating soluble shed MET ectodomain (s-MET).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Byoung Chul Cho
- Severence Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Afshin Dowlati
- University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University, OH, USA
| | - Maen Hussein
- Florida Cancer Specialists, Saint Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Dong-Wan Kim
- Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ivor Percent
- SCRI Florida Cancer Specialists, Fort Myers, FL, USA
| | | | - Josée Morin
- Mirati Therapeutics Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
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11
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Yun KM, Bazhenova L. Emerging New Targets in Systemic Therapy for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1252. [PMID: 38610930 PMCID: PMC11011044 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071252] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a heterogeneous cancer composed of distinct molecular and pathologic subtypes. Unfortunately, MPM is aggressive, and current therapies for advanced, unresectable disease remain limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Our understanding of the genomic landscape of MPM is steadily growing, while the discovery of effective targeted therapies in MPM has advanced more slowly than in other solid tumors. Given the prevalence of alterations in tumor suppressor genes in MPM, it has been challenging to identify actionable targets. However, efforts to characterize the genetic signatures in MPM over the last decade have led to a range of novel targeted therapeutics entering early-phase clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the advancements made thus far in targeted systemic therapies in MPM and the future direction of targeted strategies in patients with advanced MPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M. Yun
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
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12
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Victorio CBL, Novera W, Ganasarajah A, Ong J, Thomas M, Wu J, Toh HSY, Sun AX, Ooi EE, Chacko AM. Repurposing of Zika virus live-attenuated vaccine (ZIKV-LAV) strains as oncolytic viruses targeting human glioblastoma multiforme cells. J Transl Med 2024; 22:126. [PMID: 38308299 PMCID: PMC10835997 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04930-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain cancer affecting the adult population. Median overall survival for GBM patients is poor (15 months), primarily due to high rates of tumour recurrence and the paucity of treatment options. Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising treatment alternative for GBM patients, where engineered viruses selectively infect and eradicate cancer cells by inducing cell lysis and eliciting robust anti-tumour immune response. In this study, we evaluated the oncolytic potency of live-attenuated vaccine strains of Zika virus (ZIKV-LAV) against human GBM cells in vitro. Our findings revealed that Axl and integrin αvβ5 function as cellular receptors mediating ZIKV-LAV infection in GBM cells. ZIKV-LAV strains productively infected and lysed human GBM cells but not primary endothelia and terminally differentiated neurons. Upon infection, ZIKV-LAV mediated GBM cell death via apoptosis and pyroptosis. This is the first in-depth molecular dissection of how oncolytic ZIKV infects and induces death in tumour cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Bianca Luena Victorio
- Laboratory for Translational and Molecular Imaging, Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore, 169857.
| | - Wisna Novera
- Laboratory for Translational and Molecular Imaging, Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore, 169857
| | - Arun Ganasarajah
- Laboratory for Translational and Molecular Imaging, Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore, 169857
| | - Joanne Ong
- Laboratory for Translational and Molecular Imaging, Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore, 169857
| | - Melisyaa Thomas
- Laboratory for Translational and Molecular Imaging, Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore, 169857
| | - Jonas Wu
- Laboratory for Translational and Molecular Imaging, Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore, 169857
| | - Hilary Si Yin Toh
- Laboratory of Human Neural Models, Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore, 169857
| | - Alfred Xuyang Sun
- Laboratory of Human Neural Models, Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore, 169857
| | - Eng Eong Ooi
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Disease, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore, 169857
| | - Ann-Marie Chacko
- Laboratory for Translational and Molecular Imaging, Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore, 169857.
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore, 169610.
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13
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Collie GW, Clark MA, Keefe AD, Madin A, Read JA, Rivers EL, Zhang Y. Screening Ultra-Large Encoded Compound Libraries Leads to Novel Protein-Ligand Interactions and High Selectivity. J Med Chem 2024; 67:864-884. [PMID: 38197367 PMCID: PMC10823476 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The DNA-encoded library (DEL) discovery platform has emerged as a powerful technology for hit identification in recent years. It has become one of the major parallel workstreams for small molecule drug discovery along with other strategies such as HTS and data mining. For many researchers working in the DEL field, it has become increasingly evident that many hits and leads discovered via DEL screening bind to target proteins with unique and unprecedented binding modes. This Perspective is our attempt to analyze reports of DEL screening with the purpose of providing a rigorous and useful account of the binding modes observed for DEL-derived ligands with a focus on binding mode novelty.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ying Zhang
- X-Chem,
Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts 02453, United States
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14
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Chocarro-Calvo A, Jociles-Ortega M, García-Martinez JM, Louphrasitthiphol P, Garcia YV, Ramírez-Sánchez A, Chauhan J, Fiuza MC, Duran M, García-Jiménez C, Goding CR. Phenotype-specific melanoma uptake of fatty acid from human adipocytes activates AXL and CAV1-dependent β-catenin nuclear accumulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.21.576568. [PMID: 38328032 PMCID: PMC10849526 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.21.576568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Phenotypic diversity of cancer cells within tumors generated through bi-directional interactions with the tumor microenvironment has emerged as a major driver of disease progression and therapy resistance. Nutrient availability plays a critical role in determining phenotype, but whether specific nutrients elicit different responses on distinct phenotypes is poorly understood. Here we show, using melanoma as a model, that only MITF Low undifferentiated cells, but not MITF High cells, are competent to drive lipolysis in human adipocytes. In contrast to MITF High melanomas, adipocyte-derived free fatty acids are taken up by undifferentiated MITF Low cells via a fatty acid transporter (FATP)-independent mechanism. Importantly, oleic acid (OA), a monounsaturated long chain fatty acid abundant in adipose tissue and lymph, reprograms MITF Low undifferentiated melanoma cells to a highly invasive state by ligand-independent activation of AXL, a receptor tyrosine kinase associated with therapy resistance in a wide range of cancers. AXL activation by OA then drives SRC-dependent formation and nuclear translocation of a β-catenin-CAV1 complex. The results highlight how a specific nutritional input drives phenotype-specific activation of a pro-metastasis program with implications for FATP-targeted therapies.
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15
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Frumento D, Grossi G, Falesiedi M, Musumeci F, Carbone A, Schenone S. Small Molecule Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) for Glioblastoma Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1398. [PMID: 38338677 PMCID: PMC10855061 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, many small molecules, usually characterized by heterocyclic scaffolds, have been designed and synthesized as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Among them, several compounds have been tested at preclinical and clinical levels to treat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). GBM is the most common and aggressive type of cancer originating in the brain and has an unfavorable prognosis, with a median survival of 15-16 months and a 5-year survival rate of 5%. Despite recent advances in treating GBM, it represents an incurable disease associated with treatment resistance and high recurrence rates. For these reasons, there is an urgent need for the development of new pharmacological agents to fight this malignancy. In this review, we reported the compounds published in the last five years, which showed promising activity in GBM preclinical models acting as TKIs. We grouped the compounds based on the targeted kinase: first, we reported receptor TKIs and then, cytoplasmic and peculiar kinase inhibitors. For each small molecule, we included the chemical structure, and we schematized the interaction with the target for some representative compounds with the aim of elucidating the mechanism of action. Finally, we cited the most relevant clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Francesca Musumeci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (D.F.); (G.G.); (M.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Anna Carbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (D.F.); (G.G.); (M.F.); (S.S.)
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16
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Di Stasi R, De Rosa L, Izzi G, D’Andrea LD. Molecular Characterization of the Recombinant Ig1 Axl Receptor Domain: An Intriguing Bait for Screening in Drug Discovery. Molecules 2024; 29:521. [PMID: 38276597 PMCID: PMC10818745 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29020521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Axl receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand Gas6 regulate several biological processes and are involved in both the onset and progression of tumor malignancies and autoimmune diseases. Based on its key role in these settings, Axl is considered a promising target for the development of molecules with therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. In this paper, we describe the molecular characterization of the recombinant Ig1 domain of Axl (Ig1 Axl) and its biochemical properties. For the first time, an exhaustive spectroscopic characterization of the recombinant protein through circular dichroism and fluorescence studies is also reported, as well as a binding analysis to its natural ligand Gas6, paving the way for the use of recombinant Ig1 Axl as a bait in drug discovery screening procedures aimed at the identification of novel and specific binders targeting the Axl receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Di Stasi
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR—Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (L.D.R.); (G.I.)
| | - Lucia De Rosa
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR—Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (L.D.R.); (G.I.)
| | - Guido Izzi
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR—Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (L.D.R.); (G.I.)
| | - Luca Domenico D’Andrea
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche “Giulio Natta”, CNR—Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131 Milano, Italy
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17
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Coschi CH, Juergens RA. Overcoming Resistance Mechanisms to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Leveraging the Anti-Tumor Immune Response. Curr Oncol 2023; 31:1-23. [PMID: 38275827 PMCID: PMC10814017 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
As far back as 3000 years ago, the immune system was observed to play a role in mediating tumor regression. Since then, many strategies have been developed to leverage the anti-tumor immune response. However, while many patients respond to ICIs up front some do not, and many of those that do eventually experience tumor progression. Currently, there are several predictive biomarkers of the immune checkpoint inhibitor response; however, no one test appears to be universally predictive and their application varies by disease site. There are many ways in which cancer cells develop primary or acquired resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Efforts to reverse resistance include ways to combat T cell exhaustion, reprogram the tumor microenvironment, increase the availability of tumor neo-antigens, target alternative immune checkpoints, restore a normal/healthy patient gut microbiome, oncolytic viruses and tumor vaccines. The most studied and most promising methods include combining ICIs with therapies targeting alternative immune checkpoints and restoring a normal/healthy patient gut microbiome. This review will discuss T cell-mediated immunity, how this is leveraged by modern immunotherapy to treat cancer and mechanisms of immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance, while highlighting strategies to overcome primary and secondary resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney H. Coschi
- Department of Oncology, McMaster University, 699 Concession Street, Hamilton, ON L8V 5C2, Canada;
| | - Rosalyn A. Juergens
- Department of Oncology, McMaster University, 699 Concession Street, Hamilton, ON L8V 5C2, Canada;
- Escarpment Cancer Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8V 5C2, Canada
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18
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Liu X, Deng J, Zhang R, Xing J, Wu Y, Chen W, Liang B, Xing D, Xu J, Zhang M. The clinical development of antibody-drug conjugates for non-small cell lung cancer therapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1335252. [PMID: 38162667 PMCID: PMC10755013 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1335252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the emergence of molecular targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors as standard first-line treatments for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), their efficacy in some patients is limited by intrinsic and acquired resistance. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a revolutionary class of antitumor drugs, have displayed promising clinical outcomes in cancer treatment. In 2022, trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) was approved for treating HER2-mutated NSCLC, thereby underscoring the clinical value of ADCs in NSCLC treatment strategies. An increasing number of ADCs, focusing on NSCLC, are undergoing clinical trials, potentially positioning them as future treatment options. In this review, we encapsulate recent advancements in the clinical research of novel ADCs for treating NSCLC. Subsequently, we discuss the mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and associated limitations of these ADCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlin Liu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Junwen Deng
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Renshuai Zhang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiyao Xing
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Yudong Wu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Wujun Chen
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Bing Liang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Dongming Xing
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiazhen Xu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
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19
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Huang G, Hucek D, Cierpicki T, Grembecka J. Applications of oxetanes in drug discovery and medicinal chemistry. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 261:115802. [PMID: 37713805 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
The compact and versatile oxetane motifs have gained significant attention in drug discovery and medicinal chemistry campaigns. This review presents an overview of the diverse applications of oxetanes in clinical and preclinical drug candidates targeting various human diseases, including cancer, viral infections, autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, metabolic disorders, and others. Special attention is given to biologically active oxetane-containing compounds and their disease-related targets, such as kinases, epigenetic and non-epigenetic enzymes, and receptors. The review also details the effect of the oxetane motif on important properties, including aqueous solubility, lipophilicity, pKa, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux, metabolic stability, conformational preferences, toxicity profiles (e.g., cytochrome P450 (CYP) suppression and human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG) inhibition), pharmacokinetic (PK) properties, potency, and target selectivity. We anticipate that this work will provide valuable insights that can drive future discoveries of novel bioactive oxetane-containing small molecules, enabling their effective application in combating a wide range of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Huang
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Devon Hucek
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Tomasz Cierpicki
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jolanta Grembecka
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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20
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Adam-Artigues A, Arenas EJ, Arribas J, Prat A, Cejalvo JM. AXL - a new player in resistance to HER2 blockade. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 121:102639. [PMID: 37864955 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
HER2 is a driver in solid tumors, mainly breast, oesophageal and gastric cancer, through activation of oncogenic signaling pathways such as PI3K or MAPK. HER2 overexpression associates with aggressive disease and poor prognosis. Despite targeted anti-HER2 therapy has improved outcomes and is the current standard of care, resistance emerge in some patients, requiring additional therapeutic strategies. Several mechanisms, including the upregulation of receptors tyrosine kinases such as AXL, are involved in resistance. AXL signaling leads to cancer cell proliferation, survival, migration, invasion and angiogenesis and correlates with poor prognosis. In addition, AXL overexpression accompanied by a mesenchymal phenotype result in resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapies. Preclinical studies show that AXL drives anti-HER2 resistance and metastasis through dimerization with HER2 and activation of downstream pathways in breast cancer. Moreover, AXL inhibition restores response to HER2 blockade in vitro and in vivo. Limited data in gastric and oesophageal cancer also support these evidences. Furthermore, AXL shows a strong value as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in HER2+ breast cancer patients, adding a remarkable translational relevance. Therefore, current studies enforce the potential of co-targeting AXL and HER2 to overcome resistance and supports the use of AXL inhibitors in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enrique J Arenas
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Spain; Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), Spain.
| | - Joaquín Arribas
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), Spain; Preclinical Research Program, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Spain; Cancer Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Spain.
| | - Aleix Prat
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Spain; Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain; SOLTI Breast Cancer Research Group, Spain.
| | - Juan Miguel Cejalvo
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Spain; Preclinical Research Program, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Spain; Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de València, Spain.
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21
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Fang F, Dai Y, Wang H, Ji Y, Liang X, Peng X, Li J, Zhao Y, Li C, Wang D, Li Y, Zhang D, Zhang D, Geng M, Liu H, Ai J, Zhou Y. Structure-based drug discovery of novel fused-pyrazolone carboxamide derivatives as potent and selective AXL inhibitors. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:4918-4933. [PMID: 38045061 PMCID: PMC10692477 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.10.002] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
As a novel and promising antitumor target, AXL plays an important role in tumor growth, metastasis, immunosuppression and drug resistance of various malignancies, which has attracted extensive research interest in recent years. In this study, by employing the structure-based drug design and bioisosterism strategies, we designed and synthesized in total 54 novel AXL inhibitors featuring a fused-pyrazolone carboxamide scaffold, of which up to 20 compounds exhibited excellent AXL kinase and BaF3/TEL-AXL cell viability inhibitions. Notably, compound 59 showed a desirable AXL kinase inhibitory activity (IC50: 3.5 nmol/L) as well as good kinase selectivity, and it effectively blocked the cellular AXL signaling. In turn, compound 59 could potently inhibit BaF3/TEL-AXL cell viability (IC50: 1.5 nmol/L) and significantly suppress GAS6/AXL-mediated cancer cell invasion, migration and wound healing at the nanomolar level. More importantly, compound 59 oral administration showed good pharmacokinetic profile and in vivo antitumor efficiency, in which we observed significant AXL phosphorylation suppression, and its antitumor efficacy at 20 mg/kg (qd) was comparable to that of BGB324 at 50 mg/kg (bid), the most advanced AXL inhibitor. Taken together, this work provided a valuable lead compound as a potential AXL inhibitor for the further antitumor drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yang Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Drug Discovery & Development Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yinchun Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xuewu Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xia Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yangrong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chunpu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Danyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yazhou Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Meiyu Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai 264117, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Jing Ai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Drug Discovery & Development Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
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22
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Jang TH, Lin SC, Yang YY, Wu SH, Kuo TH, Chuang SE. AXL transcriptionally up-regulates TMEM14A expression to mediate cell proliferation in non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 682:365-370. [PMID: 37839105 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL has been identified as a potent activator of tumor progression and resistance to therapies. However, the molecular mechanisms behind AXL-mediated oncogenesis remain elusive. Current study thus aimed to uncover potential downstream genes regulated by AXL in NSCLC. Through transcriptomic RNA sequencing of AXL-silenced NSCLC cells, TMEM14A was identified as a significantly up-regulated gene. Clinical evaluations using GEPIA2 revealed that TMEM14A mRNA expression was notably higher in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tumor tissues compared to normal tissues. Further, significantly increased TMEM14A levels were associated with poorer overall survival in LUAD patients. Experimentally, silencing TMEM14A in NSCLC cells led to reduced cellular proliferation and ATP levels, highlighting a key role of TMEM14A in NSCLC progression. Moreover, our promoter analysis demonstrated that AXL-mediated regulation of TMEM14A transcription could involve binding of transcription factors STAT and NF-κB to 5'-promoter of TMEM14A. Collectively, current study unveils TMEM14A as a novel downstream target of AXL, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target to counteract resistance in future NSCLC patients undergoing AXL-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Te-Hsuan Jang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
| | - Sheng-Chieh Lin
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
| | - Ya-Yu Yang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
| | - Shu-Hui Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
| | - Tsu-Hsiang Kuo
- Jenteh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli, Taiwan.
| | - Shuang-En Chuang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
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23
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Gelebart P, Eriksen Gjerstad M, Benjaminsen S, Han J, Karlsen I, Safont MM, Leitch C, Fandalyuk Z, Popa M, Helgeland L, Papp B, Baran-Marszak F, McCormack E. Inhibition of a new AXL isoform, AXL3, induces apoptosis of mantle cell lymphoma cells. Blood 2023; 142:1478-1493. [PMID: 37339584 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022015581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma having a poor overall survival that is in need for the development of new therapeutics. In this study, we report the identification and expression of a new isoform splice variant of the tyrosine kinase receptor AXL in MCL cells. This new AXL isoform, called AXL3, lacks the ligand-binding domain of the commonly described AXL splice variants and is constitutively activated in MCL cells. Interestingly, functional characterization of AXL3, using CRISPR inhibition, revealed that only the knock down of this isoform leads to apoptosis of MCL cells. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of AXL activity resulted in a significant decrease in the activation of well-known proproliferative and survival pathways activated in MCL cells (ie, β-catenin, Ak strain transforming, and NF-κB). Therapeutically, preclinical studies using a xenograft mouse model of MCL indicated that bemcentinib is more effective than ibrutinib in reducing the tumor burden and to increase the overall survival. Our study highlights the importance of a previously unidentified AXL splice variant in cancer and the potential of bemcentinib as a targeted therapy for MCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Gelebart
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Hematology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | | | | | - Jianhua Han
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ida Karlsen
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Calum Leitch
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Mihaela Popa
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars Helgeland
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Bela Papp
- INSERM, UMR U976, Institut Saint-Louis, Paris, France
- Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | | | - Emmet McCormack
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Hematology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, Center for Pharmacy, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, Center for Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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24
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Bröckelmann PJ. AXL-erating mantle cell lymphoma treatment. Blood 2023; 142:1411-1412. [PMID: 37883111 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023021455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
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25
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Sharlow ER, Llaneza DC, Tewari BP, Mingledorff GA, Mendelson AJ, Sontheimer H, Bloom GS, Lazo JS. Pharmacological profiling identifies divergent chemosensitivities of differentiating and maturing iPSC-derived human cortical neuron populations. FEBS J 2023; 290:4950-4965. [PMID: 37428551 PMCID: PMC10592385 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal differentiation and maturation are extended developmental processes. To determine whether neurons at different developmental stages have divergent chemosensitivities, we screened differentiating and maturing neuronal populations using a small compound library comprising FDA-approved and investigational drugs. Using a neurotoxicity assay format, both respective neuronal population-based screening campaigns performed robustly (Z-factors = 0.7-0.8), although the hit rate for the differentiating neurons (2.8%) was slightly higher than for maturing neurons (1.9%). While the majority of hits were toxic to both neuronal populations, these hits predominantly represented promiscuous drugs. Other drugs were selectively neurotoxic, with receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors disproportionally represented after confirmation. Ponatinib and amuvatinib were neuroinhibitory for differentiating and maturing neurons, respectively. Chemoinformatic analyses confirmed differences in potential drug targets that may be differentially expressed during neuronal development. Subsequent studies demonstrated neuronal expression of AXL, an amuvatinib target, in both neuronal populations. However, functional AXL activity was confirmed only in the maturing neuronal population as determined by AXL phosphorylation in response to GAS6, the cognate ligand of AXL, and concurrent STAT3Y705 phosphorylation. Differentiating neurons were unresponsive to the effects of GAS6 suggesting that the AXL-STAT3 signaling axis was nonfunctional. Amuvatinib treatment of maturing neuronal cultures significantly reduced pAXL levels. These studies indicate that neuronal developmental states may exhibit unique chemosensitivities and that drugs may have different neuro-inhibitory effects depending upon the developmental stage of the neuronal population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danielle C. Llaneza
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Bhanu P. Tewari
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908
| | | | - Anna J. Mendelson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Harald Sontheimer
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908
| | - George S. Bloom
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908
| | - John S. Lazo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
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26
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Okamoto K, Ando T, Izumi H, Kobayashi SS, Shintani T, Gutkind JS, Yanamoto S, Miyauchi M, Kajiya M. AXL activates YAP through the EGFR-LATS1/2 axis and confers resistance to EGFR-targeted drugs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oncogene 2023; 42:2869-2877. [PMID: 37591955 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02810-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
The Hippo signaling pathway and its downstream effector YAP play a central role in cell proliferation. Dysregulation of the Hippo pathway triggers YAP hyperactivation, thereby inducing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Recently, we reported that EGFR promotes tyrosine phosphorylation of MOB1 and subsequent LATS1/2 inactivation, which are core components of the Hippo pathway, resulting in YAP activation. However, EGFR-targeted monotherapy has shown a low response rate in HNSCC patients. Given that YAP is activated in patient samples refractory to EGFR-targeted therapy, EGFR inhibitors may temporarily inactivate YAP, but intrinsic hyperactivation or acquired reactivation of YAP may confer resistance to EGFR inhibitors in HNSCC cells. The mechanism by which YAP is activated in HNSCC resistant to EGFR inhibitors remains unclear. Comprehensive transcriptional analysis revealed that AXL activates YAP through a novel mechanism: AXL heterodimerizes with EGFR, thereby activating YAP via the EGFR-LATS1/2 axis. The combination of AXL and EGFR inhibitors synergistically inactivates YAP and suppresses the viability of HNSCC and lung adenocarcinoma cells. In turn, LATS1/2 knockout and YAP hyperactivation confer resistance to the synergistic effects of these inhibitors. Our findings suggest that co-targeting both AXL and EGFR represent a promising therapeutic approach in patients with EGFR-altered cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kento Okamoto
- Department of Oral Oncology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Toshinori Ando
- Center of Oral Clinical Examination, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Izumi
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Susumu S Kobayashi
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa, Japan
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tomoaki Shintani
- Center of Oral Clinical Examination, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - J Silvio Gutkind
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Souichi Yanamoto
- Department of Oral Oncology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Mutsumi Miyauchi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathobiology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Mikihito Kajiya
- Center of Oral Clinical Examination, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
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27
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Nirala BK, Yamamichi T, Yustein JT. Deciphering the Signaling Mechanisms of Osteosarcoma Tumorigenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11367. [PMID: 37511127 PMCID: PMC10379831 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the predominant primary bone tumor in the pediatric and adolescent populations. It has high metastatic potential, with the lungs being the most common site of metastasis. In contrast to many other sarcomas, OS lacks conserved translocations or genetic mutations; instead, it has heterogeneous abnormalities, including somatic DNA copy number alteration, ploidy, chromosomal amplification, and chromosomal loss and gain. Unfortunately, clinical outcomes have not significantly improved in over 30 years. Currently, no effective molecularly targeted therapies are available for this disease. Several genomic studies showed inactivation in the tumor suppressor genes, including p53, RB, and ATRX, and hyperactivation of the tumor promoter genes, including MYC and MDM2, in OS. Alterations in the major signaling pathways, including the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK/STAT, Wnt/β-catenin, NOTCH, Hedgehog/Gli, TGF-β, RTKs, RANK/RANKL, and NF-κB signaling pathways, have been identified in OS development and metastasis. Although OS treatment is currently based on surgical excision and systematic multiagent therapies, several potential targeted therapies are in development. This review focuses on the major signaling pathways of OS, and we propose a biological rationale to consider novel and targeted therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikesh K Nirala
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Taku Yamamichi
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jason T Yustein
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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28
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Pidkovka N, Belkhiri A. Altered expression of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase in gastrointestinal cancers: a promising therapeutic target. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1079041. [PMID: 37469409 PMCID: PMC10353021 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1079041] [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: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers that include all cancers of the digestive tract organs are generally associated with obesity, lack of exercising, smoking, poor diet, and heavy alcohol consumption. Treatment of GI cancers typically involves surgery followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation. Unfortunately, intrinsic or acquired resistance to these therapies underscore the need for more effective targeted therapies that have been proven in other malignancies. The aggressive features of GI cancers share distinct signaling pathways that are connected to each other by the overexpression and activation of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase. Several preclinical and clinical studies involving anti-AXL antibodies and small molecule AXL kinase inhibitors to test their efficacy in solid tumors, including GI cancers, have been recently carried out. Therefore, AXL may be a promising therapeutic target for overcoming the shortcomings of standard therapies in GI cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Pidkovka
- Department of Health Science, South College, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Abbes Belkhiri
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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29
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Fang G, Chen H, Cheng Z, Tang Z, Wan Y. Azaindole derivatives as potential kinase inhibitors and their SARs elucidation. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115621. [PMID: 37423125 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115621] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Currently, heterocycles have occupied an important position in the fields of drug design. Among them, azaindole moiety is regarded as one privileged scaffold to develop therapeutic agents. Since two nitrogen atoms of azaindole increase the possibility to form hydrogen bonds in the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding site, azaindole derivatives are important sources of kinase inhibitors. Moreover, some of them have been on the market or in clinical trials for the treatment of some kinase-related diseases (e.g., vemurafenib, pexidartinib, decernotinib). In this review, we focused on the recent development of azaindole derivatives as potential kinase inhibitors based on kinase targets, such as adaptor-associated kinase 1 (AAK1), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), AXL, cell division cycle 7 (Cdc7), cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), dual-specificity tyrosine (Y)-phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A), fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and proviral insertion site in moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) kinases. Meanwhile, the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of most azaindole derivatives were also elucidated. In addition, the binding modes of some azaindoles complexed with kinases were also investigated during the SARs elucidation. This review may offer an insight for medicinal chemists to rationally design more potent kinase inhibitors bearing the azaindole scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqing Fang
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecule, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, 411201, PR China
| | - Hongjuan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecule, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, 411201, PR China
| | - Zhiyun Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecule, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, 411201, PR China
| | - Zilong Tang
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecule, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, 411201, PR China
| | - Yichao Wan
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecule, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan, 411201, PR China.
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30
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Tang Y, Zang H, Wen Q, Fan S. AXL in cancer: a modulator of drug resistance and therapeutic target. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:148. [PMID: 37328828 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02726-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
AXL is a member of the TAM (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) receptor tyrosine kinases family (RTKs), and its abnormal expression has been linked to clinicopathological features and poor prognosis of cancer patients. There is mounting evidence supporting AXL's role in the occurrence and progression of cancer, as well as drug resistance and treatment tolerance. Recent studies revealed that reducing AXL expression can weaken cancer cells' drug resistance, indicating that AXL may be a promising target for anti-cancer drug treatment. This review aims to summarize the AXL's structure, the mechanisms regulating and activating it, and its expression pattern, especially in drug-resistant cancers. Additionally, we will discuss the diverse functions of AXL in mediating cancer drug resistance and the potential of AXL inhibitors in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoxiang Tang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Hongjing Zang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Qiuyuan Wen
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China.
| | - Songqing Fan
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China.
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31
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Bhadresha K, Mirza S, Penny C, Mughal MJ. Targeting AXL in Mesothelioma: from functional characterization to clinical implication. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023:104043. [PMID: 37268175 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104043] [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: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MM) is a highly aggressive and lethal cancer with a poor survival rate. Current treatment approaches primarily rely on chemotherapy and radiation, but their effectiveness is limited. Consequently, there is an urgent need for alternative treatment strategies, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying MM, and the identification of potential therapeutic targets. Extensive studies over the past decade have emphasized the role of Axl in driving tumor development and metastasis, while high levels of Axl expression have been associated with immune evasion, drug resistance, and reduced patient survival in various cancer types. Ongoing clinical trials are investigating the efficacy of Axl inhibitors for different cancers. However, the precise role of Axl in MM progression, development, and metastasis, as well as its regulatory mechanisms within MM, remain inadequately understood. This review aims to comprehensively investigate the involvement of Axl in MM. We discuss Axl role in MM progression, development, and metastasis, along with its specific regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, we examined the Axl associated signaling pathways, the relationship between Axl and immune evasion, and the clinical implications of Axl for MM treatment. Furthermore, we discussed the potential utility of liquid biopsy as a non-invasive diagnostic technique for early detection of Axl in MM. Lastly, we evaluated the potential of a microRNA signature that targets Axl. By consolidating existing knowledge and identifying research gaps, this review contributes to a better understanding of Axl's role in MM and sets the stage for future investigations and the development of effective therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinjal Bhadresha
- Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sheefa Mirza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Common Epithelial Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Clement Penny
- Department of Internal Medicine, Common Epithelial Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Muhammed Jameel Mughal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Science, The George Washington University, Washington DC, United States of America.
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Yuan Y, Guo Y, Guo ZW, Hao HF, Jiao YN, Deng XX, Han SY. Marsdenia tenacissima extract induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated immunogenic cell death in non-small cell lung cancer cells through targeting AXL. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 314:116620. [PMID: 37207882 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Marsdenia Tenacissima (Roxb.) Wight et Arn. is a traditional Chinese medicine. Its standardized extract (MTE), with the trade name Xiao-Ai-Ping injection, is widely used for cancer treatment. The pharmacological effects of MTE-inducing cancer cell death have been primarily explored. However, whether MTE triggers tumor endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-associated immunogenic cell death (ICD) is unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY To determine the potential role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the anti-cancer effects of MTE, and uncover the possible mechanisms of endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated immunogenic cell death induced by MTE. MATERIAL AND METHODS The anti-tumor effects of MTE on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were examined through CCK-8 and wound healing assay. Network pharmacology analysis and RNA-sequencing (RNA seq) were performed to confirm the biological changes of NSCLCs after MTE treatment. Western blot, qRT-PCR, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assay were used to explore the occurrence of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Immunogenic cell death-related markers were tested by ELISA and ATP release assay. Salubrinal was used to inhibit the endoplasmic reticulum stress response. SiRNA and bemcentinib (R428) were used to impede the function of AXL. AXL phosphorylation was regained by recombinant human Gas6 protein (rhGas6). The effects of MTE on endoplasmic reticulum stress and immunogenic cell death response were also proved in vivo. The AXL inhibiting compound in MTE was explored by molecular docking and confirmed by Western blot. RESULTS MTE inhibited cell viability and migration of PC-9 and H1975 cells. Enrichment analysis identified that differential genes after MTE treatment were significantly enriched in endoplasmic reticulum stress-related biological processes. MTE decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and increased ROS production. Meanwhile, endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins (ATF6, GRP-78, ATF4, XBP1s, and CHOP) and immunogenic cell death-related markers (ATP, HMGB1) were upregulated, and the AXL phosphorylation level was suppressed after MTE treatment. However, when salubrinal (an endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor) and MTE were co-treated cells, the inhibitory effects of MTE on PC-9 and H1975 cells were impaired. Importantly, inhibition of AXL expression or activity also promotes the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress and immunogenic cell death-related markers. Mechanistically, MTE induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and immunogenic cell death by suppressing AXL activity, and these effects were attenuated when AXL activity recovered. Moreover, MTE significantly increased the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related markers in LLC tumor-bearing mouse tumor tissues and plasma levels of ATP and HMGB1. Molecular docking illustrated that kaempferol has the strongest binding energy with AXL and suppresses AXL phosphorylation. CONCLUSION MTE induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated immunogenic cell death in NSCLC cells. The anti-tumor effects of MTE are dependent upon endoplasmic reticulum stress. MTE triggers endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated immunogenic cell death by inhibiting AXL activity. Kaempferol is an active component that inhibits AXL activity in MTE. The present research revealed the role of AXL in regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and enriched the anti-tumor mechanisms of MTE. Moreover, kaempferol may be considered a novel AXL inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University, Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, PR China.
| | - Yang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University, Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, PR China
| | - Zheng-Wang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University, Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, PR China
| | - Hui-Feng Hao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University, Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, PR China
| | - Yan-Na Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University, Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, PR China
| | - Xin-Xin Deng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University, Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, PR China
| | - Shu-Yan Han
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University, Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100142, PR China.
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Zhai X, Pu D, Wang R, Zhang J, Lin Y, Wang Y, Zhai N, Peng X, Zhou Q, Li L. Gas6/AXL pathway: immunological landscape and therapeutic potential. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1121130. [PMID: 37265798 PMCID: PMC10231434 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1121130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disease with ecological and evolutionary unity, which seriously affects the survival and quality of human beings. Currently, many reports have suggested Gas6 plays an important role in cancer. Binding of gas6 to TAM receptors is associated with the carcinogenetic mechanisms of multiple malignancies, such as in breast cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, etc., and shortened overall survival. It is accepted that the Gas6/TAM pathway can promote the malignant transformation of various types of cancer cells. Gas6 has the highest affinity for Axl, an important member of the TAM receptor family. Knockdown of the TAM receptors Axl significantly affects cell cycle progression in tumor cells. Interestingly, Gas6 also has an essential function in the tumor microenvironment. The Gas6/AXL pathway regulates angiogenesis, immune-related molecular markers and the secretion of certain cytokines in the tumor microenvironment, and also modulates the functions of a variety of immune cells. In addition, evidence suggests that the Gas6/AXL pathway is involved in tumor therapy resistance. Recently, multiple studies have begun to explore in depth the importance of the Gas6/AXL pathway as a potential tumor therapeutic target as well as its broad promise in immunotherapy; therefore, a timely review of the characteristics of the Gas6/AXL pathway and its value in tumor treatment strategies is warranted. This comprehensive review assessed the roles of Gas6 and AXL receptors and their associated pathways in carcinogenesis and cancer progression, summarized the impact of Gas6/AXL on the tumor microenvironment, and highlighted the recent research progress on the relationship between Gas6/AXL and cancer drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqian Zhai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dan Pu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rulan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiabi Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, College of Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Yiyun Lin
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, MD Anderson Cancer Center UT Health, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ni Zhai
- Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit, The 987th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Baoji, Shanxi, China
| | - Xuan Peng
- Department of Pathophysiology, Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, Hubei, China
| | - Qinghua Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Zong G, Wang X, Guo X, Zhao Q, Wang C, Shen S, Xiao W, Yang Q, Jiang W, Shen J, Wan R. NAT10-mediated AXL mRNA N4-acetylcytidine modification promotes pancreatic carcinoma progression. Exp Cell Res 2023; 428:113620. [PMID: 37156457 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Although the patient's survival time in various cancers has significantly increased in recent decades, the overall 5-year survival rate of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has remained virtually unchanged due to rapid progression and metastasis. While N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) has been identified as a regulator of mRNA acetylation in many malignancies, its role in PDAC remains unclear. Here, we found that NAT10 mRNA and protein levels were upregulated in PDAC tissues. Increased NAT10 protein expression was significantly correlated with poor prognosis in PDAC patients. Through our experiments, we demonstrated that NAT10 acted as an oncogene to promote PDAC tumorigenesis and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, NAT10 exerts its oncogenic effects by promoting mRNA stability of receptor tyrosine kinase AXL in an ac4C-dependent manner leading to increased AXL expression and further promoting PDAC cell proliferation and metastasis. Together, our findings highlight the critical of NAT10 in PDAC progression and reveal a novel epigenetic mechanism by which modified mRNA acetylation promotes PDAC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanzhao Zong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xing Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi Medical College, China
| | - Xingya Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiuyan Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chuanyang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shien Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenqin Xiao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingqing Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiliang Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Rong Wan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The AXL signaling pathway is associated with tumor growth as well as poor prognosis in cancer. Here, we highlight recent strategies for targeting AXL in the treatment of solid and hematological malignancies. RECENT FINDINGS AXL is a key player in survival, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance in many cancers. A range of AXL-targeted therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and soluble receptors, have entered clinical development. Notably, AXL inhibitors in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors demonstrate early promise; however, further understanding of predictive biomarkers and treatment sequencing is necessary. Based on its role in tumor growth and drug resistance, AXL represents a promising therapeutic target in oncology. Results from ongoing clinical trials will provide valuable insights into the role of AXL inhibitors, both as single agents and in combination with other therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena Bhalla
- Department of Internal Medicine (Division of Hematology-Oncology), UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - David E Gerber
- Department of Internal Medicine (Division of Hematology-Oncology), UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Vamvoukaki R, Chrysoulaki M, Betsi G, Xekouki P. Pituitary Tumorigenesis-Implications for Management. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59040812. [PMID: 37109772 PMCID: PMC10145673 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59040812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs), the third most common intracranial tumor, are mostly benign. However, some of them may display a more aggressive behavior, invading into the surrounding structures. While they may rarely metastasize, they may resist different treatment modalities. Several major advances in molecular biology in the past few years led to the discovery of the possible mechanisms involved in pituitary tumorigenesis with a possible therapeutic implication. The mutations in the different proteins involved in the Gsa/protein kinase A/c AMP signaling pathway are well-known and are responsible for many PitNETS, such as somatotropinomas and, in the context of syndromes, as the McCune-Albright syndrome, Carney complex, familiar isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA), and X-linked acrogigantism (XLAG). The other pathways involved are the MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, Wnt, and the most recently studied HIPPO pathways. Moreover, the mutations in several other tumor suppressor genes, such as menin and CDKN1B, are responsible for the MEN1 and MEN4 syndromes and succinate dehydrogenase (SDHx) in the context of the 3PAs syndrome. Furthermore, the pituitary stem cells and miRNAs hold an essential role in pituitary tumorigenesis and may represent new molecular targets for their diagnosis and treatment. This review aims to summarize the different cell signaling pathways and genes involved in pituitary tumorigenesis in an attempt to clarify their implications for diagnosis and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodanthi Vamvoukaki
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
| | - Maria Chrysoulaki
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
| | - Grigoria Betsi
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Xekouki
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
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Yee SM, Choi H, Seon JE, Ban YJ, Kim MJ, Seo JE, Seo JH, Kim S, Moon SH, Yun CH, Lee HB, Kang HS. Axl alleviates DSS-induced colitis by preventing dysbiosis of gut microbiota. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5371. [PMID: 37005456 PMCID: PMC10067963 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32527-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Axl is a tyrosine kinase receptor, a negative regulator for innate immune responses and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The gut microbiota regulates intestinal immune homeostasis, but the role of Axl in the pathogenesis of IBD through the regulation of gut microbiota composition remains unresolved. In this study, mice with DSS-induced colitis showed increased Axl expression, which was almost entirely suppressed by depleting the gut microbiota with antibiotics. Axl-/- mice without DSS administration exhibited increased bacterial loads, especially the Proteobacteria abundant in patients with IBD, significantly consistent with DSS-induced colitis mice. Axl-/- mice also had an inflammatory intestinal microenvironment with reduced antimicrobial peptides and overexpression of inflammatory cytokines. The onset of DSS-induced colitis occurred faster with an abnormal expansion of Proteobacteria in Axl-/- mice than in WT mice. These findings suggest that a lack of Axl signaling exacerbates colitis by inducing aberrant compositions of the gut microbiota in conjunction with an inflammatory gut microenvironment. In conclusion, the data demonstrated that Axl signaling could ameliorate the pathogenesis of colitis by preventing dysbiosis of gut microbiota. Therefore, Axl may act as a potential novel biomarker for IBD and can be a potential candidate for the prophylactic or therapeutic target of diverse microbiota dysbiosis-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Min Yee
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Harim Choi
- Department of Nursing, Nambu University, 23 Chumdan Jungang-Ro, Gwangsan-Gu, Gwangju, 62271, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Eun Seon
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Jin Ban
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Jae Kim
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Eun Seo
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja Hun Seo
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Sehyeon Kim
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo Hee Moon
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul-Ho Yun
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyang Burm Lee
- Environmental Microbiology Lab, Department of Agricultural Biological Chemistry, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Sik Kang
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea.
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Shao H, Teramae D, Wells A. Axl contributes to efficient migration and invasion of melanoma cells. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283749. [PMID: 36989239 PMCID: PMC10057740 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Axl, a member of the TAM receptor family has been broadly suggested to play a key role in tumor metastasis. However, the function of Axl in the invasion and metastasis of melanoma, the most lethal skin cancer, remains largely unknown. In the present study, we found that melanoma cell lines present variable protein levels of Axl and Tyro3; interestingly, MerTK is not noted at detectable levels in any of tested MGP (metastatic growth phase) cell lines. Treatment with recombinant human Gas6 significantly activates Akt in the Axl-expressing WM852 and IgR3 lines but just slightly in WM1158. IgR3, WM852 and WM1158 demonstrate different autocrine signaling. Knockdown of Axl by siRNA or the treatment with Axl-specific inhibitor R428 dramatically inhibits the migration and invasion of both IgR3 and WM852 in vitro. These findings suggest that Axl enhances the invasion of melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanshuang Shao
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Pittsburgh VA Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Diana Teramae
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Pittsburgh VA Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Alan Wells
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Pittsburgh VA Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Yang JCH, Su WC, Chiu CH, Shiah HS, Lee KY, Hsia TC, Uno M, Crawford N, Terakawa H, Chen WC, Takayama G, Hsu C, Hong Y, Saintilien C, McGill J, Chang GC. Evaluation of combination treatment with DS-1205c, an AXL kinase inhibitor, and osimertinib in metastatic or unresectable EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer: results from a multicenter, open-label phase 1 study. Invest New Drugs 2023; 41:306-316. [PMID: 36892745 PMCID: PMC10140009 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-023-01341-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of DS-1205c, an oral AXL-receptor inhibitor, in combination with osimertinib in metastatic or unresectable EFGR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who developed disease progression during EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment. An open-label, non-randomized phase 1 study was conducted in Taiwan, in which 13 patients received DS-1205c monotherapy at a dosage of 200, 400, 800, or 1200 mg twice daily for 7 days, followed by combination treatment with DS-1205c (same doses) plus osimertinib 80 mg once daily in 21-day cycles. Treatment continued until disease progression or other discontinuation criteria were met. At least one treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) was reported in all 13 patients treated with DS-1205c plus osimertinib; with ≥ 1 grade 3 TEAE in 6 patients (one of whom also had a grade 4 increased lipase level), and 6 patients having ≥ 1 serious TEAE. Eight patients experienced ≥ 1 treatment-related AE (TRAE). The most common (2 cases each) were anemia, diarrhea, fatigue, increased AST, increased ALT, increased blood creatinine phosphokinase, and increased lipase. All TRAEs were non-serious, with the exception of an overdose of osimertinib in 1 patient. No deaths were reported. Two-thirds of patients achieved stable disease (one-third for > 100 days), but none achieved a complete or partial response. No association between AXL positivity in tumor tissue and clinical efficacy was observed. DS-1205c was well-tolerated with no new safety signals in patients with advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC when administered in combination with the EFGR TKI osimertinib. ClinicalTrials.gov ; NCT03255083.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Chih-Hsin Yang
- National Taiwan University Cancer Center, No. 57, Ln. 155, Sec. 3, Keelung Rd., Da'an Dist., Taipei City, 106, Taiwan.
| | - Wu-Chou Su
- National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Hua Chiu
- Taipei Cancer Center and Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Her-Shyong Shiah
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kang-Yun Lee
- Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Te-Chun Hsia
- China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ching Hsu
- Daiichi Sankyo Inc., Basking Ridge, NJ, USA
| | - Ying Hong
- Daiichi Sankyo Inc., Basking Ridge, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Gee-Chen Chang
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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The Role of Proteomics and Phosphoproteomics in the Discovery of Therapeutic Targets and Biomarkers in Acquired EGFR-TKI-Resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054827. [PMID: 36902280 PMCID: PMC10003401 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054827] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of potent EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) has revolutionized the treatment of EGFR-mutated lung cancer. Despite the fact that EGFR-TKIs have yielded several significant benefits for lung cancer patients, the emergence of resistance to EGFR-TKIs has been a substantial impediment to improving treatment outcomes. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance is crucial for the development of new treatments and biomarkers for disease progression. Together with the advancement in proteome and phosphoproteome analysis, a diverse set of key signaling pathways have been successfully identified that provide insight for the discovery of possible therapeutically targeted proteins. In this review, we highlight the proteome and phosphoproteomic analyses of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as the proteome analysis of biofluid specimens that associate with acquired resistance in response to different generations of EGFR-TKI. Furthermore, we present an overview of the targeted proteins and potential drugs that have been tested in clinical studies and discuss the challenges of implementing this discovery in future NSCLC treatment.
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The GSK3β/Mcl-1 axis is regulated by both FLT3-ITD and Axl and determines the apoptosis induction abilities of FLT3-ITD inhibitors. Cell Death Dis 2023; 9:44. [PMID: 36739272 PMCID: PMC9899255 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01317-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with FLT3-ITD mutations are associated with poor prognosis. FLT3-ITD inhibitors are developed and result in transient disease remission, but generally resistance develops. We propose that resistance occurs due to apoptosis evasion. We compared the abilities of five clinically used FLT3-ITD inhibitors, namely, midostaurin, crenolanib, gilteritinib, quizartinib, and sorafenib, to induce apoptosis. These drugs inhibit FLT3-ITD and induce apoptosis. Apoptosis induction is associated with GSK3β activation, Mcl-1 downregulation, and Bim upregulation. Sorafenib-resistant MOLM-13/sor cells have the secondary D835Y mutation and increased Axl signaling pathway with cross-resistance to quizartinib. Gilteritinib and crenolanib inhibit both FLT3-ITD and Axl and induce apoptosis in MOLM-13/sor cells, in which they activate GSK3β and downregulate Mcl-1. Inactivation of GSK3β through phosphorylation and inhibitors blocks apoptosis and Mcl-1 reduction. The Axl/GSK3β/Mcl-1 axis works as a feedback mechanism to attenuate apoptosis of FLT3-ITD inhibition. Homoharringtonine decreases the protein levels of Mcl-1, FLT3-ITD, and Axl. Moreover, it synergistically induces apoptosis with gilteritinib in vitro and prolongs survival of MOLM-13/sor xenografts. The GSK3β/Mcl-1 axis works as the hub of FLT3-ITD inhibitors and plays a critical role in resistance against FLT3-ITD AML-targeted therapy.
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Park M, Kuen DS, Park J, Choi M, Kim Y, Roh EC, Choi YJ, Kim YG, Chung Y, Cho SY, Kang KW. TYRO3 blockade enhances anti-PD-1 therapy response by modulating expression of CCN1 in tumor microenvironment. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006084. [PMID: 36693679 PMCID: PMC9884874 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006084] [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] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunological contexture differs across malignancies, and understanding it in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is essential for development of new anticancer agents in order to achieve synergistic effects with anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) therapy. TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK receptors are bi-expressed in both cancer and immune cells, and thus emerge as promising targets for therapeutic intervention. Whereas AXL and MERTK have been extensively studied, the role of TYRO3, in the TME, is still undetermined. METHODS Here, we screened the TYRO3-focused chemical library consisting of 208 compounds and presented a potent and highly selective TYRO3 inhibitor, KRCT87. We explored the role of TYRO3 using mouse engrafting MC38 or 4T1 tumors. We validated the results using flow cytometry, RNA sequencing analysis, gene knockdown or overexpression, ex vivo immune cells isolation from mouse models, immunoblotting and quantitative PCR. Flow cytometry was used for the quantification of cell populations and immunophenotyping of macrophages and T cells. Co-cultures of macrophages and T cells were performed to verify the role of CCN1 in the tumors. RESULTS TYRO3 blockade boosts antitumor immune responses in both the tumor-draining lymph nodes and tumors in MC38-syngeneic mice models. Moreover, the combination of KRCT87 and anti-PD-1 therapy exerts significant synergistic antitumor effects in anti-PD-1-non-responsive 4T1-syngeneic model. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that inhibition of TYRO3-driven CCN1 secretion fosters macrophages into M1-skewing phenotypes, thereby triggering antitumor T-cell responses. CCN1 overexpression in MC38 tumors diminishes responsiveness to anti-PD-1 therapy. CONCLUSIONS The activated TYRO3-CCN1 axis in cancer could dampen anti-PD-1 therapy responses. These findings highlight the potential of TYRO3 blockade to improve the clinical outcomes of anti-PD-1 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miso Park
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Da-Sol Kuen
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jaewoo Park
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Munkyung Choi
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yeonji Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Eun Chae Roh
- College of Pharmacy, Dankook University, Cheonan, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Yong June Choi
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoon Gyoon Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Dankook University, Cheonan, Chungnam, South Korea
| | - Yeonseok Chung
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung Yun Cho
- Department of Drug Discovery, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Keon Wook Kang
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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Shu F, Xiao H, Li QN, Ren XS, Liu ZG, Hu BW, Wang HS, Wang H, Jiang GM. Epigenetic and post-translational modifications in autophagy: biological functions and therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:32. [PMID: 36646695 PMCID: PMC9842768 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01300-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a conserved lysosomal degradation pathway where cellular components are dynamically degraded and re-processed to maintain physical homeostasis. However, the physiological effect of autophagy appears to be multifaced. On the one hand, autophagy functions as a cytoprotective mechanism, protecting against multiple diseases, especially tumor, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegenerative and infectious disease. Conversely, autophagy may also play a detrimental role via pro-survival effects on cancer cells or cell-killing effects on normal body cells. During disorder onset and progression, the expression levels of autophagy-related regulators and proteins encoded by autophagy-related genes (ATGs) are abnormally regulated, giving rise to imbalanced autophagy flux. However, the detailed mechanisms and molecular events of this process are quite complex. Epigenetic, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNAs, and post-translational modifications, including ubiquitination, phosphorylation and acetylation, precisely manipulate gene expression and protein function, and are strongly correlated with the occurrence and development of multiple diseases. There is substantial evidence that autophagy-relevant regulators and machineries are subjected to epigenetic and post-translational modulation, resulting in alterations in autophagy levels, which subsequently induces disease or affects the therapeutic effectiveness to agents. In this review, we focus on the regulatory mechanisms mediated by epigenetic and post-translational modifications in disease-related autophagy to unveil potential therapeutic targets. In addition, the effect of autophagy on the therapeutic effectiveness of epigenetic drugs or drugs targeting post-translational modification have also been discussed, providing insights into the combination with autophagy activators or inhibitors in the treatment of clinical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Shu
- grid.452859.70000 0004 6006 3273Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong China
| | - Han Xiao
- grid.452859.70000 0004 6006 3273Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong China
| | - Qiu-Nuo Li
- grid.452859.70000 0004 6006 3273Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong China
| | - Xiao-Shuai Ren
- grid.452859.70000 0004 6006 3273Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong China
| | - Zhi-Gang Liu
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Cancer Center, Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong China
| | - Bo-Wen Hu
- grid.452859.70000 0004 6006 3273Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong China
| | - Hong-Sheng Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Guan-Min Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
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Ning K, Zou W, Xu P, Cheng F, Zhang EY, Zhang-Chen A, Kleiboeker S, Qiu J. Identification of AXL as a co-receptor for human parvovirus B19 infection of human erythroid progenitors. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade0869. [PMID: 36630517 PMCID: PMC9833669 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade0869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infects human erythroid progenitor cells (EPCs) and causes several hematological disorders and fetal hydrops. Amino acid (aa) 5-68 of minor capsid protein VP1 (VP1u5-68aa) is the minimal receptor binding domain for B19V to enter EPCs. Here, we carried out a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNA screen and identified tyrosine protein kinase receptor UFO (AXL) as a proteinaceous receptor for B19V infection of EPCs. AXL gene silencing in ex vivo expanded EPCs remarkably decreased B19V internalization and replication. Additions of the recombinant AXL extracellular domain or a polyclonal antibody against it upon infection efficiently inhibited B19V infection of ex vivo expanded EPCs. Moreover, B19V VP1u interacted with the recombinant AXL extracellular domain in vitro at a relatively high affinity (KD = 103 nM). Collectively, we provide evidence that AXL is a co-receptor for B19V infection of EPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Ning
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Wei Zou
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Fang Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | | | | | - Steve Kleiboeker
- Department of Research and Development, ViraCor Eurofins Laboratories, Lenexa, KS 66219, USA
| | - Jianming Qiu
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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45
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Zhan Z, Ji Y, Su H, Fang C, Peng X, Liu Q, Dai Y, Lin D, Xu Y, Ai J, Duan W. Discovery of 10 H-Benzo[ b]pyrido[2,3- e][1,4]oxazine AXL Inhibitors via Structure-Based Drug Design Targeting c-Met Kinase. J Med Chem 2023; 66:220-234. [PMID: 36524812 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinase AXL exerts pivotal roles in cancer cell survival, metastasis, and drug resistance. Pharmacologic or genetic targeting of the aberrant AXL signaling has proven preferable antitumor efficacies in both preclinical and clinical studies, which highlights AXL as an attractive antitumor drug target. By conformational restriction of the anilinopyrimidine 10e and systematic structure-activity relationship (SAR) exploration, we discovered 10H-benzo[b]pyrido[2,3-e][1,4]oxazine 16j as a potent and orally bioavailable AXL inhibitor. As a type II AXL inhibitor, compound 16j displayed about 15-fold selectivity for AXL over its highly homologous kinase c-Met. And it significantly blocked cellular AXL signaling, inhibited AXL-mediated cell proliferation, and impaired growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6)/AXL-stimulated cell migration and invasion. Moreover, 16j exhibited significant antitumor efficacy in AXL-driven xenograft model at a well-tolerant dosage, causing tumor stasis or regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengsheng Zhan
- Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Yinchun Ji
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Haixia Su
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and Drug Discovery and Design Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Chen Fang
- Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China.,School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Xia Peng
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Qiufeng Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and Drug Discovery and Design Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Yang Dai
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Dongze Lin
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Yechun Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research and Drug Discovery and Design Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China.,School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, P. R. China
| | - Jing Ai
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China.,Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study (UCAS), Hangzhou 310024, P. R. China
| | - Wenhu Duan
- Small-Molecule Drug Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China.,School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
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46
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Goto K, Shiraishi Y, Murakami H, Horinouchi H, Toyozawa R, Takeda M, Uno M, Crawford N, McGill J, Jimbo T, Ishigami M, Takayama G, Nakayama S, Ohwada S, Nishio M. Phase 1 study of DS-1205c combined with gefitinib for EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Med 2023; 12:7090-7104. [PMID: 36621830 PMCID: PMC10067098 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5508] [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: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are effective for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with activating mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), but responses are not durable as tumors develop resistance. DS-1205c is a novel, specific, orally bioavailable, small-molecule AXL receptor TKI. In preclinical studies, DS-1205c restored TKI antitumor activity in a TKI acquired-resistance EGFR-mutant NSCLC tumor xenograft model. METHODS This first-in-human, multicenter, open-label Phase 1 study (registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03599518) primarily evaluated the safety and tolerability of combination therapy with DS-1205c and gefitinib in Japanese patients with metastatic or unresectable EGFR-mutant NSCLC and tumor progression during treatment with EGFR-TKIs. Patients (n = 20) received DS-1205c monotherapy (200-1200 mg twice daily [BID]) in a 7-day safety monitoring period before combination DS-1205c/gefitinib (250 mg once daily) in 21-day cycles. RESULTS The observed common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were increased aspartate aminotransferase (35%), increased alanine aminotransferase (30%), rash maculo-papular (30%), and diarrhea (25%). No serious TEAEs were reported. Plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters of DS-1205a (free form of DS-1205c) were unaffected by concomitant administration of gefitinib. No patient achieved a complete or partial response and 5 patients (25%) had stable disease. CONCLUSION DS-1205c was generally safe and well tolerated at all dose levels, but the safety profile of ≤800 mg BID was more favorable than 1200 mg BID. The recommended dose for dose-expansion cohorts of DS-1205c in combination therapy with gefitinib was 800 mg BID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Goto
- National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Ryo Toyozawa
- National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Makoto Nishio
- Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, The Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
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Tsukamoto S, Sugi NH, Nishibata K, Nakazawa Y, Ito D, Fukushima S, Nakagawa T, Ichikawa K, Kato Y, Kakiuchi D, Goto A, Itoh-Yagi M, Aota T, Inoue S, Yamane Y, Murai N, Azuma H, Nagao S, Sasai K, Akagi T, Imai T, Matsui J, Matsushima T. ER-851, a Novel Selective Inhibitor of AXL, Overcomes Resistance to Antimitotic Drugs. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:12-24. [PMID: 36279567 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Innate and adaptive resistance to cancer therapies, such as chemotherapies, molecularly targeted therapies, and immune-modulating therapies, is a major issue in clinical practice. Subpopulations of tumor cells expressing the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL become enriched after treatment with antimitotic drugs, causing tumor relapse. Elevated AXL expression is closely associated with drug resistance in clinical samples, suggesting that AXL plays a pivotal role in drug resistance. Although several molecules with AXL inhibitory activity have been developed, none have sufficient activity and selectivity to be clinically effective when administered in combination with a cancer therapy. Here, we report a novel small molecule, ER-851, which is a potent and highly selective AXL inhibitor. To investigate resistance mechanisms and identify driving molecules, we conducted a comprehensive gene expression analysis of chemoresistant tumor cells in mouse xenograft models of genetically engineered human lung cancer and human triple-negative breast cancer. Consistent with the effect of AXL knockdown, cotreatment of ER-851 and antimitotic drugs produced an antitumor effect and prolonged relapse-free survival in the mouse xenograft model of human triple-negative breast cancer. Importantly, when orally administered to BALB/c mice, this compound did not induce retinal toxicity, a known side effect of chronic MER inhibition. Together, these data strongly suggest that AXL is a therapeutic target for overcoming drug resistance and that ER-851 is a promising candidate therapeutic agent for use against AXL-expressing antimitotic-resistant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuntaro Tsukamoto
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Naoko Hata Sugi
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kyoko Nishibata
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Youya Nakazawa
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Daisuke Ito
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Sayo Fukushima
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takayuki Nakagawa
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kenji Ichikawa
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yu Kato
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Dai Kakiuchi
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Aya Goto
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Tomoki Aota
- hhc Data Creation Center, Eisai Co., Ltd., Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Inoue
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Yamane
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Norio Murai
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Azuma
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nagao
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ken Sasai
- KAN Research Institute, Inc., Kobe-shi, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Akagi
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan.,KAN Research Institute, Inc., Kobe-shi, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Toshio Imai
- KAN Research Institute, Inc., Kobe-shi, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Junji Matsui
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
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48
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Wang G, Ouyang B, Jing F, Dai X. GBA inhibition suppresses ovarian cancer growth, survival and receptor tyrosine kinase AXL-mediated signaling pathways. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 27:21-29. [PMID: 36575930 PMCID: PMC9806639 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2023.27.1.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The poor outcome of advanced ovarian cancer under conventional therapy necessitates new strategies to improve therapeutic efficacy. β-glucosidase (encoded by GBA) is a lysosomal enzyme and is involved in sphingolipids metabolism. Recent studies revealed that β-glucosidase plays a role in cancer development and chemoresistance. In this work, we systematically evaluated the expression and role of GBA in ovarian cancer. Our work demonstrates that inhibition of β-glucosidase has therapeutic potential for ovarian cancer. Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database, western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses of patient samples demonstrated that GBA mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased in ovarian cancer compared to normal tissues. Functional studies using gain-of- function and loss-of-function approaches demonstrated that GBA overexpression did not affect growth and migration but alleviated cisplatin's efficacy in ovarian cancer cells. In addition, GBA depletion resulted in growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, and enhancement of cisplatin's efficacy. Of note, we found that GBA inhibition specifically decreased receptor tyrosine kinase AXL level, leading to the suppression of AXL-mediated signaling pathways. Our data suggest that GBA represents a promising target to inhibit AXL signaling and overcome cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Wuhan Third Hospital-Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Baisha Ouyang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Taikang Tongji (Wuhan) Hospital, Wuhan 430050, China
| | - Fang Jing
- Department of Gynecology, Wuhan Third Hospital-Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Xiaoyan Dai
- Department of Gynecology, Wuhan Third Hospital-Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430064, China,Correspondence Xiaoyan Dai, E-mail:
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49
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Phase I Study Evaluating Glesatinib (MGCD265), An Inhibitor of MET and AXL, in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Other Advanced Solid Tumors. Target Oncol 2023; 18:105-118. [PMID: 36459255 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-022-00931-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heightened signaling by mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (MET) is implicated in tumorigenesis. Glesatinib is an investigational, oral inhibitor of MET and AXL. OBJECTIVE This phase I study determined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended phase II dose (RP2D), and safety profile of glesatinib in patients with advanced or unresectable solid tumors. Antitumor activity and pharmacokinetics (PK) were secondary objectives. PATIENTS AND METHODS Four formulations of glesatinib glycolate salt (capsule, unmicronized, micronized, and micronized version 2 [V2] tablets) and two free-base formulations (free-base suspension [FBS] capsule and spray-dried dispersion [SDD] tablet), developed to enhance drug exposure and optimize manufacturing processes, were evaluated in patients with genetically unselected advanced/unresectable solid tumors. MTD, based on dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) observed during the first 21-day treatment cycle, was further evaluated in dose-expansion cohorts comprising patients with overexpression of MET and/or AXL, MET/AXL amplification, MET-activating mutations, or MET/AXL rearrangements for confirmation as the RP2D. RESULTS Glesatinib was evaluated across 27 dose-escalation cohorts (n = 108). Due to suboptimal exposure with glesatinib glycolate salt formulations in the initial cohorts, investigations subsequently focused on the FBS capsule and SDD tablet; for these formulations, MTD was identified as 1050 mg twice daily and 750 mg twice daily, respectively. An additional 71 patients received glesatinib in the FBS and SDD dose-expansion cohorts. At MTDs, the most frequent treatment-related adverse events were diarrhea (FBS, 83.3%; SDD, 75.0%), nausea (57.1%, 30.6%), vomiting (45.2%, 25.0%), increased alanine aminotransferase (45.2%, 30.6%), and increased aspartate aminotransferase (47.6%, 27.8%). Exploratory pharmacodynamic analyses indicated target engagement and inhibition of MET by glesatinib. Antitumor activity was observed with glesatinib FBS 1050 mg twice daily and SDD 750 mg twice daily in tumors harboring MET/AXL alteration or aberrant protein expression, particularly in patients with non--small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In patients with NSCLC, the objective response rate was 25.9% in those with MET/AXL mutation or amplification and 30.0% in a subset with MET-activating mutations. All six partial responses occurred in patients with tumors carrying MET exon 14 deletion mutations. CONCLUSIONS The safety profile of single-agent glesatinib was acceptable. SDD 750 mg twice daily was selected as the preferred glesatinib formulation and dose based on clinical activity, safety, and PK data. Observations from this study led to initiation of a phase II study of glesatinib in patients with NSCLC stratified by type of MET alteration (NCT02544633). CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00697632; June 2008.
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50
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Matía A, Lorenzo MM, Romero-Estremera YC, Sánchez-Puig JM, Zaballos A, Blasco R. Identification of β2 microglobulin, the product of B2M gene, as a Host Factor for Vaccinia Virus Infection by Genome-Wide CRISPR genetic screens. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010800. [PMID: 36574441 PMCID: PMC9829182 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide genetic screens are powerful tools to identify genes that act as host factors of viruses. We have applied this technique to analyze the infection of HeLa cells by Vaccinia virus, in an attempt to find genes necessary for infection. Infection of cell populations harboring single gene inactivations resulted in no surviving cells, suggesting that no single gene knock-out was able to provide complete resistance to Vaccinia virus and thus allow cells to survive infection. In the absence of an absolute infection blockage, we explored if some gene inactivations could provide partial protection leading to a reduced probability of infection. Multiple experiments using modified screening procedures involving replication restricted viruses led to the identification of multiple genes whose inactivation potentially increase resistance to infection and therefore cell survival. As expected, significant gene hits were related to proteins known to act in virus entry, such as ITGB1 and AXL as well as genes belonging to their downstream related pathways. Additionally, we consistently found β2-microglobulin, encoded by the B2M gene, among the screening top hits, a novel finding that was further explored. Inactivation of B2M resulted in 54% and 91% reduced VV infection efficiency in HeLa and HAP1 cell lines respectively. In the absence of B2M, while virus binding to the cells was unaffected, virus internalization and early gene expression were significantly diminished. These results point to β2-microglobulin as a relevant factor in the Vaccinia virus entry process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Matía
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria–Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA–CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria M. Lorenzo
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria–Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA–CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Yolimar C. Romero-Estremera
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria–Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA–CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juana M. Sánchez-Puig
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria–Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA–CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Angel Zaballos
- Unidad de Genómica, Centro Nacional de Microbiología-ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Blasco
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria–Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA–CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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