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Zhang J, Liu X, Hou P, Lv Y, Li G, Cao G, Wang H, Lin W. BRCA1 orchestrates the response to BI-2536 and its combination with alisertib in MYC-driven small cell lung cancer. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:551. [PMID: 39085197 PMCID: PMC11291995 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06950-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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
PLK1 is currently at the forefront of mitotic research and has emerged as a potential target for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) therapy. However, the factors influencing the efficacy of PLK1 inhibitors remain unclear. Herein, BRCA1 was identified as a key factor affecting the response of SCLC cells to BI-2536. Targeting AURKA with alisertib, at a non-toxic concentration, reduced the BI-2536-induced accumulation of BRCA1 and RAD51, leading to DNA repair defects and mitotic cell death in SCLC cells. In vivo experiments confirmed that combining BI-2536 with alisertib impaired DNA repair capacity and significantly delayed tumor growth. Additionally, GSEA analysis and loss- and gain-of-function assays demonstrated that MYC/MYCN signaling is crucial for determining the sensitivity of SCLC cells to BI-2536 and its combination with alisertib. The study further revealed a positive correlation between RAD51 expression and PLK1/AURKA expression, and a negative correlation with the IC50 values of BI-2536. Manipulating RAD51 expression significantly influenced the efficacy of BI-2536 and restored the MYC/MYCN-induced enhancement of BI-2536 sensitivity in SCLC cells. Our findings indicate that the BRCA1 and MYC/MYCN-RAD51 axes govern the response of small cell lung cancer to BI-2536 and its combination with alisertib. This study propose the combined use of BI-2536 and alisertib as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of SCLC patients with MYC/MYCN activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Zhang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, P.R. China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, P.R. China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518172, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Peng Hou
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, P.R. China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, P.R. China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518172, P.R. China
| | - Yang Lv
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Gongfeng Li
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, P.R. China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, P.R. China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518172, P.R. China
| | - Guozhen Cao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518172, P.R. China
| | - Huogang Wang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Wenchu Lin
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518172, P.R. China.
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2
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Zarrabi A, Perrin D, Kavoosi M, Sommer M, Sezen S, Mehrbod P, Bhushan B, Machaj F, Rosik J, Kawalec P, Afifi S, Bolandi SM, Koleini P, Taheri M, Madrakian T, Łos MJ, Lindsey B, Cakir N, Zarepour A, Hushmandi K, Fallah A, Koc B, Khosravi A, Ahmadi M, Logue S, Orive G, Pecic S, Gordon JW, Ghavami S. Rhabdomyosarcoma: Current Therapy, Challenges, and Future Approaches to Treatment Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5269. [PMID: 37958442 PMCID: PMC10650215 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare cancer arising in skeletal muscle that typically impacts children and young adults. It is a worldwide challenge in child health as treatment outcomes for metastatic and recurrent disease still pose a major concern for both basic and clinical scientists. The treatment strategies for rhabdomyosarcoma include multi-agent chemotherapies after surgical resection with or without ionization radiotherapy. In this comprehensive review, we first provide a detailed clinical understanding of rhabdomyosarcoma including its classification and subtypes, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Later, we focus on chemotherapy strategies for this childhood sarcoma and discuss the impact of three mechanisms that are involved in the chemotherapy response including apoptosis, macro-autophagy, and the unfolded protein response. Finally, we discuss in vivo mouse and zebrafish models and in vitro three-dimensional bioengineering models of rhabdomyosarcoma to screen future therapeutic approaches and promote muscle regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Zarrabi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istinye University, Sariyer, Istanbul 34396, Türkiye; (A.Z.); (A.Z.)
| | - David Perrin
- Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; (D.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Mahboubeh Kavoosi
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; (M.K.); (B.B.); (F.M.); (J.R.); (P.K.); (S.A.); (S.M.B.); (P.K.); (B.L.); (S.L.); (J.W.G.)
- Biotechnology Center, Silesian University of Technology, 8 Krzywousty St., 44-100 Gliwice, Poland;
| | - Micah Sommer
- Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; (D.P.); (M.S.)
- Section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada
| | - Serap Sezen
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Türkiye; (S.S.); (N.C.); (B.K.)
| | - Parvaneh Mehrbod
- Department of Influenza and Respiratory Viruses, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran;
| | - Bhavya Bhushan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; (M.K.); (B.B.); (F.M.); (J.R.); (P.K.); (S.A.); (S.M.B.); (P.K.); (B.L.); (S.L.); (J.W.G.)
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Filip Machaj
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; (M.K.); (B.B.); (F.M.); (J.R.); (P.K.); (S.A.); (S.M.B.); (P.K.); (B.L.); (S.L.); (J.W.G.)
- Department of Physiology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jakub Rosik
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; (M.K.); (B.B.); (F.M.); (J.R.); (P.K.); (S.A.); (S.M.B.); (P.K.); (B.L.); (S.L.); (J.W.G.)
- Department of Physiology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Philip Kawalec
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; (M.K.); (B.B.); (F.M.); (J.R.); (P.K.); (S.A.); (S.M.B.); (P.K.); (B.L.); (S.L.); (J.W.G.)
- Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1R9, Canada
| | - Saba Afifi
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; (M.K.); (B.B.); (F.M.); (J.R.); (P.K.); (S.A.); (S.M.B.); (P.K.); (B.L.); (S.L.); (J.W.G.)
| | - Seyed Mohammadreza Bolandi
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; (M.K.); (B.B.); (F.M.); (J.R.); (P.K.); (S.A.); (S.M.B.); (P.K.); (B.L.); (S.L.); (J.W.G.)
| | - Peiman Koleini
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; (M.K.); (B.B.); (F.M.); (J.R.); (P.K.); (S.A.); (S.M.B.); (P.K.); (B.L.); (S.L.); (J.W.G.)
| | - Mohsen Taheri
- Genetics of Non-Communicable Disease Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan 9816743463, Iran;
| | - Tayyebeh Madrakian
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan 6517838695, Iran; (T.M.); (M.A.)
| | - Marek J. Łos
- Biotechnology Center, Silesian University of Technology, 8 Krzywousty St., 44-100 Gliwice, Poland;
| | - Benjamin Lindsey
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; (M.K.); (B.B.); (F.M.); (J.R.); (P.K.); (S.A.); (S.M.B.); (P.K.); (B.L.); (S.L.); (J.W.G.)
| | - Nilufer Cakir
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Türkiye; (S.S.); (N.C.); (B.K.)
| | - Atefeh Zarepour
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istinye University, Sariyer, Istanbul 34396, Türkiye; (A.Z.); (A.Z.)
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 1419963114, Iran;
| | - Ali Fallah
- Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Research and Application Center, Sabanci University, Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Türkiye;
| | - Bahattin Koc
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Türkiye; (S.S.); (N.C.); (B.K.)
- Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Research and Application Center, Sabanci University, Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Türkiye;
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Türkiye
| | - Arezoo Khosravi
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istanbul Okan University, Istanbul 34959, Türkiye;
| | - Mazaher Ahmadi
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan 6517838695, Iran; (T.M.); (M.A.)
| | - Susan Logue
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; (M.K.); (B.B.); (F.M.); (J.R.); (P.K.); (S.A.); (S.M.B.); (P.K.); (B.L.); (S.L.); (J.W.G.)
| | - Gorka Orive
- NanoBioCel Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain;
- University Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Oral Implantology–UIRMI (UPV/EHU-Fundación Eduardo Anitua), 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Stevan Pecic
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA;
| | - Joseph W. Gordon
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; (M.K.); (B.B.); (F.M.); (J.R.); (P.K.); (S.A.); (S.M.B.); (P.K.); (B.L.); (S.L.); (J.W.G.)
- College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; (M.K.); (B.B.); (F.M.); (J.R.); (P.K.); (S.A.); (S.M.B.); (P.K.); (B.L.); (S.L.); (J.W.G.)
- Biology of Breathing Theme, Children Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada
- Autophagy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134845794, Iran
- Academy of Silesia, Faculty of Medicine, Rolna 43, 40-555 Katowice, Poland
- Research Institutes of Oncology and Hematology, Cancer Care Manitoba-University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada
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Liu X, Jin J, Wu Y, Du B, Zhang L, Lu D, Liu Y, Chen X, Lin J, Chen H, Zhang W, Zhuang C, Luan X. Fluoroindole chalcone analogues targeting the colchicine binding site of tubulin for colorectal oncotherapy. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115540. [PMID: 37301075 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract with high morbidity and mortality. Our previous studies have demonstrated that indole-chalcone-based compounds targeting tubulin displayed potential cytotoxicity to CRC cells. Herein, three new series of derivatives were systematically designed and synthesized to explore their structure-activity relationship (SAR) against CRC based on prior research. Among them, a representative fluorine-containing analog (FC116) exerted superior efficacy on HCT116 (IC50 = 4.52 nM) and CT26 (IC50 = 18.69 nM) cell lines, and HCT116-xenograft mice with tumor growth inhibition rate of 65.96% (3 mg/kg). Of note, FC116 could also suppress the growth of organoid models (IC50 = 1.8-2.5 nM) and showed adenoma number inhibition rate of 76.25% at the dose of 3 mg/kg in APCmin/+ mice. In terms of mechanism, FC116 could induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress to produce excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to mitochondrial damage to promote the apoptosis of CRC cells by targeting microtubules. Our results support that indole-chalcone compounds are promising tubulin inhibitors and highlight the potential of FC116 to combat CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jinmei Jin
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ye Wu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Bolin Du
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Lijun Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Dong Lu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yichen Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xinyi Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jiayi Lin
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hongzhuan Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Weidong Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Chunlin Zhuang
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Xin Luan
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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4
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Du B, Liu X, Luan X, Zhang W, Zhuang C. Structure optimization of an F-indole-chalcone (FC116) on 4-methoxyphenyl group and therapeutic potential against colorectal cancers with low cytotoxicity. Bioorg Chem 2023; 135:106531. [PMID: 37043882 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Advanced metastatic colorectal cancers (CRCs) are regarded as a challenge in clinical cancer therapy. Our previous studies have demonstrated that a representative fluoro-substituted indole-chalcone (FC116), was obtained to display highly potent activity against CRC using multiple in vitro and in vivo mouse models by targeting microtubules. However, several problems, such as low dose tolerance and highly toxic to the brain and colon, low solubility unsuitable for intravenous (i.v.) administration, are still existed and limit further development. Herein, we developed two series of FC116 derivatives on the 4-methoxyphenyl group by a structure-based design strategy. Among them, FC11619 with an amino terminus maintained the in vitro cytotoxicity against HCT-116 CRC in a low nanomolar range. This compound could induce G2/M phase arrest via regulating cyclin B1 expression, produce excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), and target tubulin in CRC cells. In vivo, FC11619 significantly suppressed tumor growth, achieving 65.3 and 73.4 % at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg/d (i.v., 21 d), which were much better than 54.1% of Taxol at 7 mg/kg. In addition, this compound showed better in vivo tolerance compared to that of FC116 (only 3 mg/kg tolerance, intraperitoneal, i.p.), and no major organ-related toxicity, especially no apparent degenerated neurons, intestinal obstruction in clinical Taxol standard therapy. Taken together, the 4-amino-substitutedphenyl indole-chalcones represent lead compounds as chemotherapy of CRC for further drug development in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolin Du
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xiaoxia Liu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xin Luan
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Weidong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China; Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Chunlin Zhuang
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China; School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan 750004, China.
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Zhang J, Zhang L, Wang J, Ouyang L, Wang Y. Polo-like Kinase 1 Inhibitors in Human Cancer Therapy: Development and Therapeutic Potential. J Med Chem 2022; 65:10133-10160. [PMID: 35878418 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) plays an important role in a variety of cellular functions, including the regulation of mitosis, DNA replication, autophagy, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). PLK1 overexpression is often associated with cell proliferation and poor prognosis in cancer patients, making it a promising antitumor target. To date, at least 10 PLK1 inhibitors (PLK1i) have been entered into clinical trials, among which the typical kinase domain (KD) inhibitor BI 6727 (volasertib) was granted "breakthrough therapy designation" by the FDA in 2013. Unfortunately, many other KD inhibitors showed poor specificity, resulting in dose-limiting toxicity, which has greatly impeded their development. Researchers recently discovered many PLK1i with higher selectivity, stronger potency, and better absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) characteristics. In this review, we emphasize the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of PLK1i, providing insights into new drugs targeting PLK1 for antitumor clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jifa Zhang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lele Zhang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis 38163, Tennessee, United States
| | - Liang Ouyang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
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Affatato R, Chiappa M, Guffanti F, Ricci F, Formenti L, Fruscio R, Jaconi M, Ridinger M, Erlander M, Damia G. Onvansertib and paclitaxel combined in platinum-resistant ovarian carcinomas. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2022; 14:17588359221095064. [PMID: 35665077 PMCID: PMC9160919 DOI: 10.1177/17588359221095064] [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: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian carcinoma is extremely sensitive to (platinum-based) chemotherapy; however, most patients will relapse with platinum-resistant disease, badly affecting their prognosis. Effective therapies for relapsing resistant tumors are urgently needed. Methods We used patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) of ovarian carcinoma resistant to cisplatin (DDP) to test in vivo the combination of paclitaxel (15 mg/kg i.v. once a week for 3 weeks) and onvansertib, a plk1 inhibitor, (50 mg/kg orally 4 days a week for 3 weeks). The PDX models were subcutaneously (s.c.) or orthotopically transplanted in nude mice and antitumor efficacy was evaluated as tumor growth inhibition and survival advantages of the combination over untreated and single agent treatment. Results The combination of onvansertib and paclitaxel was very well tolerated with weight loss no greater than 15% in the combination group compared with the control group. In the orthotopically transplanted PDXs, single onvansertib and paclitaxel treatments prolonged survival; however, the combined treatment was much more active, with median survival from three- to six-fold times that of untreated mice. Findings were similar with the s.c. transplanted PDX, though there was greater heterogeneity in tumor response. Ex vivo tumors treated with the combination showed greater induction of γH2AX, marker of apoptosis and DNA damage, and pSer10H3, a marker of mitotic block. Conclusion The efficacy of onvansertib and paclitaxel combination in these preclinical ovarian cancer models supports the clinical translatability of this combination as an effective therapeutic approach for platinum-resistant high-grade ovarian carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Affatato
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Chiappa
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Guffanti
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Ricci
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Formenti
- Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Therapeutics, Department of Oncology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Robert Fruscio
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milan Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Marta Jaconi
- Department of Pathology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | | | | | - Giovanna Damia
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via La Masa 19, Milan 20157, Italy
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Winkler M, Friedrich J, Boedicker C, Dolgikh N. Co-targeting MCL-1 and ERK1/2 kinase induces mitochondrial apoptosis in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Transl Oncol 2021; 16:101313. [PMID: 34906889 PMCID: PMC8681038 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Co-inhibition of ERK1/2 and MCL-1 induces synergistic cell death in rhabdomyosarcoma. Ulixertinib/S63845 co-treatment effectively induces caspase-dependent apoptosis. BIM, BMF, BAK and BAX are required for Ulixertinib/S63845-induced apoptosis.
The RAS/MEK/ERK genetic axis is commonly altered in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), indicating high activity of downstream effector ERK1/2 kinase. Previously, we have demonstrated that inhibition of the RAS/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in RMS is insufficient to induce cell death due to residual pro-survival MCL-1 activity. Here, we show that the combination of ERK1/2 inhibitor Ulixertinib and MCL-1 inhibitor S63845 is highly synergistic and induces apoptotic cell death in RMS in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, Ulixertinib/S63845 co-treatment suppresses long-term survival of RMS cells, induces rapid caspase activation and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Mechanistically, Ulixertinib-mediated upregulation of BIM and BMF in combination with MCL-1 inhibition by S63845 shifts the balance of BCL-2 proteins towards a pro-apoptotic state resulting in apoptosis induction. A genetic silencing approach reveals that BIM, BMF, BAK and BAX are all required for Ulixertinib/S63845-induced apoptosis. Overexpression of BCL-2 rescues cell death triggered by Ulixertinib/S63845 co-treatment, confirming that combined inhibition of ERK1/2 and MCL-1 effectively induces cell death of RMS cells via the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Thus, this study is the first to demonstrate the cytotoxic potency of co-inhibition of ERK1/2 and MCL-1 for RMS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Winkler
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstr. 3a, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Juliane Friedrich
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstr. 3a, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Cathinka Boedicker
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstr. 3a, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nadezda Dolgikh
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstr. 3a, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany.
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8
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Diouf B, Wing C, Panetta JC, Eddins D, Lin W, Yang W, Fan Y, Pei D, Cheng C, Delaney SM, Zhang W, Bonten EJ, Crews KR, Paugh SW, Li L, Freeman BB, Autry RJ, Beard JA, Ferguson DC, Janke LJ, Ness KK, Chen T, Zakharenko SS, Jeha S, Pui CH, Relling MV, Eileen Dolan M, Evans WE. Identification of small molecules that mitigate vincristine-induced neurotoxicity while sensitizing leukemia cells to vincristine. Clin Transl Sci 2021; 14:1490-1504. [PMID: 33742760 PMCID: PMC8301581 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vincristine (VCR) is one of the most widely prescribed medications for treating solid tumors and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children and adults. However, its major dose-limiting toxicity is peripheral neuropathy that can disrupt curative therapy. Peripheral neuropathy can also persist into adulthood, compromising quality of life of childhood cancer survivors. Reducing VCR-induced neurotoxicity without compromising its anticancer effects would be ideal. Here, we show that low expression of NHP2L1 is associated with increased sensitivity of primary leukemia cells to VCR, and that concomitant administration of VCR with inhibitors of NHP2L1 increases VCR cytotoxicity in leukemia cells, prolongs survival of ALL xenograft mice, but decreases VCR effects on human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons and mitigates neurotoxicity in mice. These findings offer a strategy for increasing VCR's antileukemic effects while reducing peripheral neuropathy in patients treated with this widely prescribed medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barthelemy Diouf
- Hematological Malignancies Program and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Claudia Wing
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - John C Panetta
- Hematological Malignancies Program and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Donnie Eddins
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Wenwei Lin
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Wenjian Yang
- Hematological Malignancies Program and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Yiping Fan
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Deqing Pei
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Shannon M Delaney
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Erik J Bonten
- Hematological Malignancies Program and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kristine R Crews
- Hematological Malignancies Program and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Steven W Paugh
- Hematological Malignancies Program and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Lie Li
- Hematological Malignancies Program and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Burgess B Freeman
- Preclinical Pharmacokinetics Shared Resource, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Robert J Autry
- Hematological Malignancies Program and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jordan A Beard
- Hematological Malignancies Program and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Daniel C Ferguson
- Hematological Malignancies Program and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Laura J Janke
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kirsten K Ness
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Taosheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Stanislav S Zakharenko
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sima Jeha
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ching-Hon Pui
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mary V Relling
- Hematological Malignancies Program and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - M Eileen Dolan
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - William E Evans
- Hematological Malignancies Program and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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9
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A Cereblon Modulator CC-885 Induces CRBN- and p97-Dependent PLK1 Degradation and Synergizes with Volasertib to Suppress Lung Cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2020; 18:215-225. [PMID: 32728610 PMCID: PMC7369516 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic targeting of advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a major goal of clinical treatment. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is an essential mitotic kinase in cell cycle progression and is associated with oncogenesis in a large spectrum of cancer types, including NSCLC. Volasertib (BI 6727) is a potent, selective, PLK1 inhibitor that is currently under phase 2 clinical trials with modest antitumor activity against solid tumors. As the combination of volasertib with pemetrexed does not improve efficacy for NSCLC treatment, it is crucial to identify compounds that could enhance efficacy with volasertib. Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) bind to E3 ligase CRBN and repurposes it to ubiquitinate other proteins as neo-substrates, representing an effective treatment for hematologic malignancies. In this study, by screening IMiDs, we found that a novel CRBN modulator, CC-885, can synergistically inhibit NSCLC with volasertib both in vitro and in vivo. This synergistic effect overcomes volasertib resistance caused by PLK1 mutations and is compromised in CRBN-or p97-depleted cells. Mechanistically, CC-885 selectively promotes CRBN- and p97-dependent PLK1 ubiquitination and degradation, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of NSCLC to volasertib. In conclusion, our findings reveal that PLK1 is a neo-substrate of CUL4-CRBN induced by CC-885 and represent a combinational approach for treating NSCLC.
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10
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Boedicker C, Hussong M, Grimm C, Dolgikh N, Meister MT, Enßle JC, Wanior M, Knapp S, Schweiger MR, Fulda S. Co-inhibition of BET proteins and PI3Kα triggers mitochondrial apoptosis in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Oncogene 2020; 39:3837-3852. [PMID: 32161312 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1229-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Remodeling transcription by targeting bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins has emerged as promising anticancer strategy. Here, we identify a novel synergistic interaction of the BET inhibitor JQ1 with the PI3Kα-specific inhibitor BYL719 to trigger mitochondrial apoptosis and to suppress tumor growth in models of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). RNA-Seq revealed that JQ1/BYL719 co-treatment shifts the overall balance of BCL-2 family gene expression towards apoptosis and upregulates expression of BMF, BCL2L11 (BIM), and PMAIP1 (NOXA) while downregulating BCL2L1 (BCL-xL). These changes were confirmed by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) of RNA-Seq data followed by validation qRT-PCR and western blot identified MYC and FOXO3a as potential transcription factors (TFs) upstream of the observed gene expression pattern. Immunoprecipitation (IP) studies showed that JQ1/BYL719-stimulated increase in BIM expression enhances the neutralization of antiapoptotic BCL-2, BCL-xL, and MCL-1. This promotes the activation of BAK and BAX and caspase-dependent apoptosis, as (1) individual silencing of BMF, BIM, NOXA, BAK, or BAX, (2) overexpression of BCL-2 or MCL-1 or (3) the caspase inhibitor N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp(O-Me) fluoromethylketone (zVAD.fmk) all rescue JQ1/BYL719-induced cell death. In conclusion, co-inhibition of BET proteins and PI3Kα cooperatively induces mitochondrial apoptosis by proapoptotic re-balancing of BCL-2 family proteins. This discovery opens exciting perspectives for therapeutic exploitation of BET inhibitors in RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathinka Boedicker
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michelle Hussong
- Laboratory for Epigenomics and Tumor genetics, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christina Grimm
- Laboratory for Epigenomics and Tumor genetics, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nadezda Dolgikh
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Michael T Meister
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Julius C Enßle
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Marek Wanior
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry and BMLS (SGC), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry and BMLS (SGC), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Michal R Schweiger
- Laboratory for Epigenomics and Tumor genetics, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Simone Fulda
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site, Frankfurt, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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11
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Identification of PLK1 as a New Therapeutic Target in Mucinous Ovarian Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12030672. [PMID: 32183025 PMCID: PMC7140026 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12030672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer (mEOC) is a rare subset of epithelial ovarian cancer. When diagnosed at a late stage, its prognosis is very poor, as it is quite chemo-resistant. To find new therapeutic options for mEOC, we performed high-throughput screening using a siRNA library directed against human protein kinases in a mEOC cell line, and polo-like kinase1 (PLK1) was identified as the kinase whose downregulation interfered with cell proliferation. Both PLK1 siRNA and two specific PLK1 inhibitors (onvansertib and volasertib) were able to inhibit cell growth, induce apoptosis and block cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. We evaluated, in vitro, the combinations of PLK1 inhibitors and different chemotherapeutic drugs currently used in the treatment of mEOC, and we observed a synergistic effect of PLK1 inhibitors and antimitotic drugs. When translated into an in vivo xenograft model, the combination of onvansertib and paclitaxel resulted in stronger tumor regressions and in a longer mice survival than the single treatments. These effects were associated with a higher induction of mitotic block and induction of apoptosis, similarly to what was observed in vitro. These data suggest that the combination onvansertib/paclitaxel could represent a new active therapeutic option in mEOC.
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12
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Gatz SA, Aladowicz E, Casanova M, Chisholm JC, Kearns PR, Fulda S, Geoerger B, Schäfer BW, Shipley JM. A Perspective on Polo-Like Kinase-1 Inhibition for the Treatment of Rhabdomyosarcomas. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1271. [PMID: 31824851 PMCID: PMC6882953 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcomas are the most common pediatric soft tissue sarcoma and are a major cause of death from cancer in young patients requiring new treatment options to improve outcomes. High-risk patients include those with metastatic or relapsed disease and tumors with PAX3-FOXO1 fusion genes that encode a potent transcription factor that drives tumourigenesis through transcriptional reprogramming. Polo-Like Kinase-1 (PLK1) is a serine/threonine kinase that phosphorylates a wide range of target substrates and alters their activity. PLK1 functions as a pleiotropic master regulator of mitosis and regulates DNA replication after stress. Taken together with high levels of expression that correlate with poor outcomes in many cancers, including rhabdomyosarcomas, it is an attractive therapeutic target. This is supported in rhabdomyosarcoma models by characterization of molecular and phenotypic effects of reducing and inhibiting PLK1, including changes to the PAX3-FOXO1 fusion protein. However, as tumor re-growth has been observed, combination strategies are required. Here we review preclinical evidence and consider biological rationale for PLK1 inhibition in combination with drugs that promote apoptosis, interfere with activity of PAX3-FOXO1 and are synergistic with microtubule-destabilizing drugs such as vincristine. The preclinical effects of low doses of the PLK1 inhibitor volasertib in combination with vincristine, which is widely used in rhabdomyosarcoma treatment, show particular promise in light of recent clinical data in the pediatric setting that support achievable volasertib doses predicted to be effective. Further development of novel therapeutic strategies including PLK1 inhibition may ultimately benefit young patients with rhabdomyosarcoma and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne A. Gatz
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU), Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ewa Aladowicz
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Julia C. Chisholm
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Children and Young People's Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela R. Kearns
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU), Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Simone Fulda
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Birgit Geoerger
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Beat W. Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Janet M. Shipley
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
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13
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Giordano A, Liu Y, Armeson K, Park Y, Ridinger M, Erlander M, Reuben J, Britten C, Kappler C, Yeh E, Ethier S. Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) inhibition synergizes with taxanes in triple negative breast cancer. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224420. [PMID: 31751384 PMCID: PMC6872222 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Within triple negative breast cancer, several molecular subtypes have been identified, underlying the heterogeneity of such an aggressive disease. The basal-like subtype is characterized by mutations in the TP53 gene, and is associated with a low pathologic complete response rate following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In a genome-scale short hairpin RNA (shRNA) screen of breast cancer cells, polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) was a frequent and strong hit in the basal breast cancer cell lines indicating its importance for growth and survival of these breast cancer cells. Plk1 regulates progression of cells through the G2-M phase of the cell cycle. We assessed the activity of two ATP-competitive Plk1 inhibitors, GSK461364 and onvansertib, alone and with a taxane in a set of triple negative breast cancer cell lines and in vivo. GSK461364 showed synergism with docetaxel in SUM149 (Combination Index 0.70) and SUM159 (CI, 0.62). GSK461364 in combination with docetaxel decreased the clonogenic potential (interaction test for SUM149 and SUM159, p<0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively) and the tumorsphere formation of SUM149 and SUM159 (interaction test, p = 0.01 and p< 0.001). In the SUM159 xenograft model, onvansertib plus paclitaxel significantly decreased tumor volume compared to single agent paclitaxel (p<0.0001). Inhibition of Plk1 in combination with taxanes shows promising results in a subset of triple negative breast cancer intrinsically resistant to chemotherapy. Onvansertib showed significant tumor volume shrinkage when combined with paclitaxel in vivo and should be considered in clinical trials for the treatment of triple negative cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Giordano
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Yueying Liu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kent Armeson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Yeonhee Park
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Maya Ridinger
- Trovagene Oncology, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Mark Erlander
- Trovagene Oncology, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - James Reuben
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Carolyn Britten
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Christiana Kappler
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Yeh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Stephen Ethier
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
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14
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Doz F, Locatelli F, Baruchel A, Blin N, De Moerloose B, Frappaz D, Dworzak M, Fischer M, Stary J, Fuertig R, Riemann K, Taube T, Reinhardt D. Phase I dose-escalation study of volasertib in pediatric patients with acute leukemia or advanced solid tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019; 66:e27900. [PMID: 31276318 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Volasertib induces mitotic arrest and apoptosis by targeting Polo-like kinases. In this phase I dose-escalation study, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics (PK), and preliminary efficacy of volasertib were determined in pediatric patients. METHODS Patients aged 2 to <18 years with relapsed/refractory acute leukemia/advanced solid tumors (ST) without available effective treatments were enrolled-cohort C1 (aged 2 to <12 years); cohort C2 (aged 12 to <18 years). The patients received volasertib intravenously (starting dose: 200 mg/m2 body surface area on day 1, every 14 days). The primary endpoint was the pediatric MTD for further development. RESULTS Twenty-two patients received treatment (C1: leukemia, n = 4; ST, n = 8; C2: leukemia, n = 3; ST, n = 7). No dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) occurred up to 300 mg/m2 volasertib in C1; two patients in C2, at 250 mg/m2 volasertib, had DLTs in cycle 1, one of which led to death; therefore, the MTD of volasertib in C2 was 200 mg/m2 . The most common grade 3/4 adverse events (all patients) were febrile neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia (41% each). Stable disease (SD) was the best objective response (leukemia, n = 5; ST, n = 2); the duration of SD was short in all patients, except in one with an ST. PK profiles were generally comparable across dose groups and were consistent with those in adults. CONCLUSION The pediatric MTD/dose for further development was identified. There were no unexpected safety or PK findings; limited antitumor/antileukemic activity was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Doz
- Oncology Center SIREDO (Care Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer), Institute Curie and University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, IRCCS (Istituto di Recovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - André Baruchel
- Department of Paediatric Haemato-immunology, Hôpital Robert Debré (APHP), University Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Blin
- Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Hôpital Mère-Enfant, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Barbara De Moerloose
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Didier Frappaz
- Paediatric Oncology Department, Léon Bérard Centre, Lyon, France
| | - Michael Dworzak
- St. Anna Children's Hospital, Department of Paediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Fischer
- Department of Experimental Paediatric Oncology, University Children's Hospital Cologne, Centre of Molecular Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jan Stary
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Rene Fuertig
- Translational Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Kathrin Riemann
- Clinical Operations, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Tillmann Taube
- Medical Oncology, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Biberach, Germany
| | - Dirk Reinhardt
- Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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15
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Concomitant targeting of Hedgehog signaling and MCL-1 synergistically induces cell death in Hedgehog-driven cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2019; 465:1-11. [PMID: 31465840 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we show that concomitant inhibition of Hedgehog (HH) signaling by the glioma-associated oncogene homolog1 (GLI1)-targeting agent GANT61 and the antiapoptotic BCL-2 protein family member MCL-1 by A-1210477 synergistically induces cell death in HH-driven cancers, i.e. rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and medulloblastoma (MB) cells. Combined genetic and pharmacological inhibition emphasized that co-treatment of GANT61 and A-1210477 indeed relies on inhibition of GLI1 (by GANT61) and MCL-1 (by A-1210477). Mechanistic studies revealed that A-1210477 triggers the release of BIM from MCL-1 and its shuttling to BCL-xL and BCL-2. Indeed, BIM proved to be required for GANT61/A-1210477-induced cell death, as genetic silencing of BIM using siRNA significantly rescues cell death upon GANT61/A-1210477 co-treatment. Similarly, genetic silencing of NOXA results in a significant reduction of GANT61/A-1210477-mediated cell death. Also, overexpression of MCL-1 or BCL-2 significantly protects RMS cells from GANT61/A-1210477-triggered cell death. Addition of the pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD.fmk significantly decreases GANT61/A-1210477-stimulated cell demise, indicating apoptotic cell death. In conclusion, GANT61 and A-1210477 synergize to engage mitochondrial apoptosis. These findings provide the rationale for further evaluation of dual inhibition of HH signaling and MCL-1 in HH-driven cancers.
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16
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Jia Z, Nie Y, Yue F, Kong Y, Gu L, Gavin TP, Liu X, Kuang S. A requirement of Polo-like kinase 1 in murine embryonic myogenesis and adult muscle regeneration. eLife 2019; 8:e47097. [PMID: 31393265 PMCID: PMC6687435 DOI: 10.7554/elife.47097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscle development and regeneration require delicate cell cycle regulation of embryonic myoblasts and adult muscle satellite cells (MuSCs). Through analysis of the Polo-like kinase (Plk) family cell-cycle regulators in mice, we show that Plk1's expression closely mirrors myoblast dynamics during embryonic and postnatal myogenesis. Cell-specific deletion of Plk1 in embryonic myoblasts leads to depletion of myoblasts, developmental failure and prenatal lethality. Postnatal deletion of Plk1 in MuSCs does not perturb their quiescence but depletes activated MuSCs as they enter the cell cycle, leading to regenerative failure. The Plk1-null MuSCs are arrested at the M-phase, accumulate DNA damage, and apoptose. Mechanistically, Plk1 deletion upregulates p53, and inhibition of p53 promotes survival of the Plk1-null myoblasts. Pharmacological inhibition of Plk1 similarly inhibits proliferation but promotes differentiation of myoblasts in vitro, and blocks muscle regeneration in vivo. These results reveal for the first time an indispensable role of Plk1 in developmental and regenerative myogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Jia
- Department of Animal SciencesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteUnited States
| | - Yaohui Nie
- Department of Animal SciencesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteUnited States
- Department of Health and KinesiologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteUnited States
| | - Feng Yue
- Department of Animal SciencesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteUnited States
| | - Yifan Kong
- Department of Animal SciencesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteUnited States
| | - Lijie Gu
- Department of Animal SciencesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteUnited States
| | - Timothy P Gavin
- Department of Health and KinesiologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteUnited States
| | - Xiaoqi Liu
- Department of BiochemistryPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteUnited States
- Center for Cancer ResearchPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteUnited States
| | - Shihuan Kuang
- Department of Animal SciencesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteUnited States
- Center for Cancer ResearchPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteUnited States
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17
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Patterson JC, Joughin BA, Prota AE, Mühlethaler T, Jonas OH, Whitman MA, Varmeh S, Chen S, Balk SP, Steinmetz MO, Lauffenburger DA, Yaffe MB. VISAGE Reveals a Targetable Mitotic Spindle Vulnerability in Cancer Cells. Cell Syst 2019; 9:74-92.e8. [PMID: 31302152 PMCID: PMC6688637 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2019.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
There is an unmet need for new antimitotic drug combinations that target cancer-specific vulnerabilities. Based on our finding of elevated biomolecule oxidation in mitotically arrested cancer cells, we combined Plk1 inhibitors with TH588, an MTH1 inhibitor that prevents detoxification of oxidized nucleotide triphosphates. This combination showed robust synergistic killing of cancer, but not normal, cells that, surprisingly, was MTH1-independent. To dissect the underlying synergistic mechanism, we developed VISAGE, a strategy integrating experimental synergy quantification with computational-pathway-based gene expression analysis. VISAGE predicted, and we experimentally confirmed, that this synergistic combination treatment targeted the mitotic spindle. Specifically, TH588 binding to β-tubulin impaired microtubule assembly, which when combined with Plk1 blockade, synergistically disrupted mitotic chromosome positioning to the spindle midzone. These findings identify a cancer-specific mitotic vulnerability that is targetable using Plk1 inhibitors with microtubule-destabilizing agents and highlight the general utility of the VISAGE approach to elucidate molecular mechanisms of drug synergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse C Patterson
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Brian A Joughin
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Andrea E Prota
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Mühlethaler
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Oliver H Jonas
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Matthew A Whitman
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Shohreh Varmeh
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sen Chen
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Steven P Balk
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Michel O Steinmetz
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland; Biozentrum, University of Basel 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Douglas A Lauffenburger
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Michael B Yaffe
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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18
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van Erp AEM, Versleijen-Jonkers YMH, van der Graaf WTA, Fleuren EDG. Targeted Therapy-based Combination Treatment in Rhabdomyosarcoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 17:1365-1380. [PMID: 29967215 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-1131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Targeted therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment; however, progress lags behind in alveolar (ARMS) and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS), a soft-tissue sarcoma mainly occurring at pediatric and young adult age. Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R)-directed targeted therapy is one of the few single-agent treatments with clinical activity in these diseases. However, clinical effects only occur in a small subset of patients and are often of short duration due to treatment resistance. Rational selection of combination treatments of either multiple targeted therapies or targeted therapies with chemotherapy could hypothetically circumvent treatment resistance mechanisms and enhance clinical efficacy. Simultaneous targeting of distinct mechanisms might be of particular interest in this regard, as this affects multiple hallmarks of cancer at once. To determine the most promising and clinically relevant targeted therapy-based combination treatments for ARMS and ERMS, we provide an extensive overview of preclinical and (early) clinical data concerning a variety of targeted therapy-based combination treatments. We concentrated on the most common classes of targeted therapies investigated in rhabdomyosarcoma to date, including those directed against receptor tyrosine kinases and associated downstream signaling pathways, the Hedgehog signaling pathway, apoptosis pathway, DNA damage response, cell-cycle regulators, oncogenic fusion proteins, and epigenetic modifiers. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(7); 1365-80. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke E M van Erp
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Winette T A van der Graaf
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. .,The Institute of Cancer Research, Division of Clinical Studies, Clinical and Translational Sarcoma Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom
| | - Emmy D G Fleuren
- The Institute of Cancer Research, Division of Clinical Studies, Clinical and Translational Sarcoma Research, Sutton, United Kingdom.
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19
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Atanasova VS, Pourreyron C, Farshchian M, Lawler M, Brown CA, Watt SA, Wright S, Warkala M, Guttmann-Gruber C, Hofbauer JP, Fuentes I, Prisco M, Rashidghamat E, Has C, Salas-Alanis JC, Palisson F, Hovnanian A, McGrath JA, Mellerio JE, Bauer JW, South AP. Identification of Rigosertib for the Treatment of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa-Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:3384-3391. [PMID: 30846478 PMCID: PMC8185613 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-2661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin is the leading cause of death in patients with the severe generalized form of the genetic disease recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Although emerging data are identifying why patients suffer this fatal complication, therapies for treatment of RDEB SCC are in urgent need.Experimental Design: We previously identified polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) as a therapeutic target in skin SCC, including RDEB SCC. Here, we undertake a screen of 6 compounds originally designated as PLK1 inhibitors, and detail the efficacy of the lead compound, the multipathway allosteric inhibitor ON-01910, for targeting RDEB SCC in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS ON-01910 (or rigosertib) exhibited significant specificity for RDEB SCC: in culture rigosertib induced apoptosis in 10 of 10 RDEB SCC keratinocyte populations while only slowing the growth of normal primary skin cells at doses 2 orders of magnitude higher. Furthermore, rigosertib significantly inhibited the growth of two RDEB SCC in murine xenograft studies with no apparent toxicity. Mechanistically, rigosertib has been shown to inhibit multiple signaling pathways. Comparison of PLK1 siRNA with MEK inhibition, AKT inhibition, and the microtubule-disrupting agent vinblastine in RDEB SCC shows that only PLK1 reduction exhibits a similar sensitivity profile to rigosertib. CONCLUSIONS These data support a "first in RDEB" phase II clinical trial of rigosertib to assess tumor targeting in patients with late stage, metastatic, and/or unresectable SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Velina S Atanasova
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Celine Pourreyron
- Division of Cellular Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Mehdi Farshchian
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael Lawler
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Christian A Brown
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Stephen A Watt
- Division of Cellular Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Sheila Wright
- Division of Cellular Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Warkala
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Christina Guttmann-Gruber
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Josefina Piñón Hofbauer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ignacia Fuentes
- Fundación DEBRA Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Centro de Genética y Genómica, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marco Prisco
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Elham Rashidghamat
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London (Guy's Campus), London, United Kingdom
| | - Cristina Has
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Francis Palisson
- Fundación DEBRA Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alain Hovnanian
- INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
- Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - John A McGrath
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London (Guy's Campus), London, United Kingdom
| | - Jemima E Mellerio
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London (Guy's Campus), London, United Kingdom
| | - Johann W Bauer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Andrew P South
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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20
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Sambamoorthy G, Sinha H, Raman K. Evolutionary design principles in metabolism. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20190098. [PMID: 30836874 PMCID: PMC6458322 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms are ubiquitous and adapt to various dynamic environments to sustain growth. These adaptations accumulate, generating new traits forming the basis of evolution. Organisms adapt at various levels, such as gene regulation, signalling, protein-protein interactions and metabolism. Of these, metabolism forms the integral core of an organism for maintaining the growth and function of a cell. Therefore, studying adaptations in metabolic networks is crucial to understand the emergence of novel metabolic capabilities. Metabolic networks, composed of enzyme-catalysed reactions, exhibit certain repeating paradigms or design principles that arise out of different selection pressures. In this review, we discuss the design principles that are known to exist in metabolic networks, such as functional redundancy, modularity, flux coupling and exaptations. We elaborate on the studies that have helped gain insights highlighting the interplay of these design principles and adaptation. Further, we discuss how evolution plays a role in exploiting such paradigms to enhance the robustness of organisms. Looking forward, we predict that with the availability of ever-increasing numbers of bacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic genomic sequences, novel design principles will be identified, expanding our understanding of these paradigms shaped by varied evolutionary processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Sambamoorthy
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Initiative for Biological Systems Engineering (IBSE), Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RBCDSAI), Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Himanshu Sinha
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Initiative for Biological Systems Engineering (IBSE), Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RBCDSAI), Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Karthik Raman
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Initiative for Biological Systems Engineering (IBSE), Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RBCDSAI), Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
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21
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Arnst KE, Banerjee S, Chen H, Deng S, Hwang DJ, Li W, Miller DD. Current advances of tubulin inhibitors as dual acting small molecules for cancer therapy. Med Res Rev 2019; 39:1398-1426. [PMID: 30746734 DOI: 10.1002/med.21568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Microtubule (MT)-targeting agents are highly successful drugs as chemotherapeutic agents, and this is attributed to their ability to target MT dynamics and interfere with critical cellular functions, including, mitosis, cell signaling, intracellular trafficking, and angiogenesis. Because MT dynamics vary in the different stages of the cell cycle, these drugs tend to be the most effective against mitotic cells. While this class of drug has proven to be effective against many cancer types, significant hurdles still exist and include overcoming aspects such as dose limited toxicities and the development of resistance. Newer generations of developed drugs attack these problems and alternative approaches such as the development of dual tubulin and kinase inhibitors are being investigated. This approach offers the potential to show increased efficacy and lower toxicities. This review covers different categories of MT-targeting agents, recent advances in dual inhibitors, and current challenges for this drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinsie E Arnst
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Souvik Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Shanshan Deng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Dong-Jin Hwang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
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22
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Cell cycle arrest in mitosis promotes interferon-induced necroptosis. Cell Death Differ 2019; 26:2046-2060. [PMID: 30742091 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-019-0298-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to apoptosis is a hallmark of cancer and deregulation of apoptosis often leads to chemoresistance. Therefore, new approaches to target apoptosis-resistant cancer cells are crucial for the development of directed cancer therapies. In the present study, we investigated the effect of cell cycle regulators on interferon (IFN)-induced necroptosis as an alternative cell death mechanism to overcome apoptosis resistance. Here, we report a novel combination treatment of IFNs with cell cycle arrest-inducing compounds that induce necroptosis in apoptosis-resistant cancer cells and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Combination treatment of IFNs (i.e. IFNβ) with inhibitors of the cell cycle (e.g. vinorelbine (VNR), nocodazole (Noc), polo-like kinase-1 (Plk-1) inhibitor BI 6727) co-operate to induce necroptotic cell death upon caspase inactivation. The mode of cell death was confirmed by pharmacological inhibition and siRNA-mediated downregulation of the key necroptotic factors receptor-interacting protein (RIP) kinase 3 (RIP3) and mixed-lineage kinase-like (MLKL) in various cell lines. Mechanistically, we show that necroptosis upon VNR/IFNβ/zVAD.fmk treatment is RIP1-independent but relies on IFNβ-induced gene expression of Z-DNA-binding protein 1 (ZBP1) as shown by quantitative RT-PCR and genetic knockdown experiments. Interestingly, we find that RIP3 is phosphorylated in response to compounds that trigger mitotic arrest, even in the absence of IFNβ signaling and necroptosis induction. Together, the identification of a novel combination treatment that triggers necroptosis has implications for the development of molecular-targeted therapies to circumvent apoptosis resistance and point to an underestimated role of cell cycle regulation in cell death signaling.
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23
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Wang Z, Yin F, Xu J, Zhang T, Wang G, Mao M, Wang Z, Sun W, Han J, Yang M, Jiang Y, Hua Y, Cai Z. CYT997(Lexibulin) induces apoptosis and autophagy through the activation of mutually reinforced ER stress and ROS in osteosarcoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:44. [PMID: 30704503 PMCID: PMC6357486 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1047-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common malignant cancer in children and adolescents and has a cure rate that has not improved in the last two decades. CYT997 (lexibulin) is a novel potent microtubule-targeting agent with various anticancer activities, such as proliferation inhibition, vascular disruption, and cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, in multiple cancers. However, the direct cytotoxic mechanisms of CYT997 have not yet been fully characterized. Methods We evaluated apoptosis and autophagy in human osteosarcomas after treatment with CYT997 and investigated the underlying mechanisms. To explore relationships, we used the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), PERK inhibitor GSK2606414, ERO1 inhibitor EN460 and mitochondrial targeted protection peptide elamipretide. BALB/c-nu mice were inoculated with 143B tumor cells to investigate the in vivo effect of CYT997. Results We explored the efficacy and mechanism of CYT997 in osteosarcoma (OS) in vitro and in vivo and demonstrated that CYT997 potently suppresses cell viability and induces apoptosis and autophagy. CYT997 triggered production of ROS and exerted lethal effects via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in OS cells. NAC attenuated these effects. The PERK inhibitor GSK2606414, which can block the ER stress pathway, reduced ROS production and enhanced cell viability. Moreover, activation of ERO1 in the ER stress pathway was responsible for inducing ROS production. ROS produced by the mitochondrial pathway also aggravate ER stress. Protection of mitochondria can reduce apoptosis and autophagy. Finally, CYT997 prominently reduced tumor growth in vivo. Conclusions This study suggests that CYT997 induces apoptosis and autophagy in OS cells by triggering mutually enhanced ER stress and ROS and may thus be a promising agent against OS. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1047-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongyi Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Bone Tumor Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Poster address: 100 Haining Road Shanghai, Shanghai, 20160, China
| | - Fei Yin
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Bone Tumor Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Poster address: 100 Haining Road Shanghai, Shanghai, 20160, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Bone Tumor Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Poster address: 100 Haining Road Shanghai, Shanghai, 20160, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Bone Tumor Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Poster address: 100 Haining Road Shanghai, Shanghai, 20160, China
| | - Gangyang Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Bone Tumor Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Poster address: 100 Haining Road Shanghai, Shanghai, 20160, China
| | - Ming Mao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Bone Tumor Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Poster address: 100 Haining Road Shanghai, Shanghai, 20160, China
| | - Zhuoying Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Bone Tumor Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Poster address: 100 Haining Road Shanghai, Shanghai, 20160, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Bone Tumor Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Poster address: 100 Haining Road Shanghai, Shanghai, 20160, China
| | - Jing Han
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Bone Tumor Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Poster address: 100 Haining Road Shanghai, Shanghai, 20160, China
| | - Mengkai Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Bone Tumor Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Poster address: 100 Haining Road Shanghai, Shanghai, 20160, China
| | - Yafei Jiang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Bone Tumor Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Poster address: 100 Haining Road Shanghai, Shanghai, 20160, China
| | - Yingqi Hua
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Bone Tumor Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Poster address: 100 Haining Road Shanghai, Shanghai, 20160, China.
| | - Zhengdong Cai
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Bone Tumor Institute, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Poster address: 100 Haining Road Shanghai, Shanghai, 20160, China.
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Thompson AJ, Pillai EK, Dimov IB, Foster SK, Holt CE, Franze K. Rapid changes in tissue mechanics regulate cell behaviour in the developing embryonic brain. eLife 2019; 8:e39356. [PMID: 30642430 PMCID: PMC6333438 DOI: 10.7554/elife.39356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue mechanics is important for development; however, the spatio-temporal dynamics of in vivo tissue stiffness is still poorly understood. We here developed tiv-AFM, combining time-lapse in vivo atomic force microscopy with upright fluorescence imaging of embryonic tissue, to show that during development local tissue stiffness changes significantly within tens of minutes. Within this time frame, a stiffness gradient arose in the developing Xenopus brain, and retinal ganglion cell axons turned to follow this gradient. Changes in local tissue stiffness were largely governed by cell proliferation, as perturbation of mitosis diminished both the stiffness gradient and the caudal turn of axons found in control brains. Hence, we identified a close relationship between the dynamics of tissue mechanics and developmental processes, underpinning the importance of time-resolved stiffness measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia J Thompson
- Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Eva K Pillai
- Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Ivan B Dimov
- Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Sarah K Foster
- Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Christine E Holt
- Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Kristian Franze
- Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
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25
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Simonetti G, Padella A, do Valle IF, Fontana MC, Fonzi E, Bruno S, Baldazzi C, Guadagnuolo V, Manfrini M, Ferrari A, Paolini S, Papayannidis C, Marconi G, Franchini E, Zuffa E, Laginestra MA, Zanotti F, Astolfi A, Iacobucci I, Bernardi S, Sazzini M, Ficarra E, Hernandez JM, Vandenberghe P, Cools J, Bullinger L, Ottaviani E, Testoni N, Cavo M, Haferlach T, Castellani G, Remondini D, Martinelli G. Aneuploid acute myeloid leukemia exhibits a signature of genomic alterations in the cell cycle and protein degradation machinery. Cancer 2018; 125:712-725. [PMID: 30480765 PMCID: PMC6587451 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.31837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Aneuploidy occurs in more than 20% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases and correlates with an adverse prognosis. Methods To understand the molecular bases of aneuploid acute myeloid leukemia (A‐AML), this study examined the genomic profile in 42 A‐AML cases and 35 euploid acute myeloid leukemia (E‐AML) cases. Results A‐AML was characterized by increased genomic complexity based on exonic variants (an average of 26 somatic mutations per sample vs 15 for E‐AML). The integration of exome, copy number, and gene expression data revealed alterations in genes involved in DNA repair (eg, SLX4IP, RINT1, HINT1, and ATR) and the cell cycle (eg, MCM2, MCM4, MCM5, MCM7, MCM8, MCM10, UBE2C, USP37, CK2, CK3, CK4, BUB1B, NUSAP1, and E2F) in A‐AML, which was associated with a 3‐gene signature defined by PLK1 and CDC20 upregulation and RAD50 downregulation and with structural or functional silencing of the p53 transcriptional program. Moreover, A‐AML was enriched for alterations in the protein ubiquitination and degradation pathway (eg, increased levels of UHRF1 and UBE2C and decreased UBA3 expression), response to reactive oxygen species, energy metabolism, and biosynthetic processes, which may help in facing the unbalanced protein load. E‐AML was associated with BCOR/BCORL1 mutations and HOX gene overexpression. Conclusions These findings indicate that aneuploidy‐related and leukemia‐specific alterations cooperate to tolerate an abnormal chromosome number in AML, and they point to the mitotic and protein degradation machineries as potential therapeutic targets. Aneuploid acute myeloid leukemia (A‐AML) is associated with genomic and transcriptional alterations in the cell cycle and protein degradation pathways. The upregulation of PLK1 and CDC20 and the downregulation of RAD50 and of a p53‐related signature are hallmarks of A‐AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Simonetti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonella Padella
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Italo Farìa do Valle
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Maria Chiara Fontana
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eugenio Fonzi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Samantha Bruno
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmen Baldazzi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Viviana Guadagnuolo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Manfrini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Ferrari
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Paolini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristina Papayannidis
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marconi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eugenia Franchini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Zuffa
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Antonella Laginestra
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Zanotti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Giorgio Prodi Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilaria Iacobucci
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simona Bernardi
- Unit of Blood Diseases and Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Sazzini
- Department of Biological Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Jesus Maria Hernandez
- Fundación de Investigación del Cáncer de la Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Jan Cools
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Emanuela Ottaviani
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Testoni
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Cavo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Gastone Castellani
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Daniel Remondini
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and L. e A. Seràgnoli Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy
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Wang Y, Wu L, Yao Y, Lu G, Xu L, Zhou J. Polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor BI 6727 induces DNA damage and exerts strong antitumor activity in small cell lung cancer. Cancer Lett 2018; 436:1-9. [PMID: 30118839 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The prognosis of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is poor despite its good initial response to chemotherapy. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is a crucial mitotic regulator that is overexpressed in many tumors, and its overexpression is associated with tumor aggressiveness and a poor prognosis. However, its role in SCLC is still poorly characterized. Based on immunohistochemistry findings, the PLK1 protein is expressed at higher levels in SCLC tumor samples than in normal lung tissue samples. The selective PLK1 inhibitor BI 6727 significantly induced the inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in SCLC cell lines. FACS analysis showed an increase in the population of cells in the G2/M phase, followed by DNA damage and the consequent activation of the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR)/ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-Chk1/Chk2 checkpoint pathway. In addition, BI 6727 treatment resulted in clearly attenuated growth and apoptosis in NCI-H446 xenografts. The level of histone H2AX phosphorylation at serine-139 (γH2AX) was markedly increased both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings indicate that BI 6727 has therapeutic potential for SCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehong Wang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Linying Wu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yinan Yao
- Department of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guohua Lu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liming Xu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianying Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Henriques AC, Ribeiro D, Pedrosa J, Sarmento B, Silva PMA, Bousbaa H. Mitosis inhibitors in anticancer therapy: When blocking the exit becomes a solution. Cancer Lett 2018; 440-441:64-81. [PMID: 30312726 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Current microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) remain amongst the most important antimitotic drugs used against a broad range of malignancies. By perturbing spindle assembly, MTAs activate the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), which induces mitotic arrest and subsequent apoptosis. However, besides toxic side effects and resistance, mitotic slippage and failure in triggering apoptosis in various cancer cells are limiting factors of MTAs efficacy. Alternative strategies to target mitosis without affecting microtubules have, thus, led to the identification of small molecules, such as those that target spindle Kinesins, Aurora and Polo-like kinases. Unfortunately, these so-called second-generation of antimitotics, encompassing mitotic blockers and mitotic drivers, have failed in clinical trials. Our recent understanding regarding the mechanisms of cell death during a mitotic arrest pointed out apoptosis as the main variable, providing an opportunity to control the cell fates and influence the effectiveness of antimitotics. Here, we provide an overview on the second-generation of antimitotics, and discuss possible strategies that exploit SAC activity, mitotic slippage/exit and apoptosis induction, in order to improve the efficacy of anticancer strategies that target mitosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C Henriques
- CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada Em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde, Gandra PRD, Portugal; INEB, Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Diana Ribeiro
- CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada Em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde, Gandra PRD, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR), Universidade Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joel Pedrosa
- CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada Em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde, Gandra PRD, Portugal
| | - Bruno Sarmento
- CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada Em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde, Gandra PRD, Portugal; INEB, Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade Do Porto, Porto, Portugal; i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação Em Saúde, Universidade Do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrícia M A Silva
- CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada Em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde, Gandra PRD, Portugal
| | - Hassan Bousbaa
- CESPU, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada Em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde, Gandra PRD, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR), Universidade Do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Li J, Lu L, Zhang YH, Liu M, Chen L, Huang T, Cai YD. Identification of synthetic lethality based on a functional network by using machine learning algorithms. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:405-416. [PMID: 30125975 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic lethality is the synthesis of mutations leading to cell death. Tumor-specific synthetic lethality has been targeted in research to improve cancer therapy. With the advances of techniques in molecular biology, such as RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, efforts have been made to systematically identify synthetic lethal interactions, especially for frequently mutated genes in cancers. However, elucidating the mechanism of synthetic lethality remains a challenge because of the complexity of its influencing conditions. In this study, we proposed a new computational method to identify critical functional features that can accurately predict synthetic lethal interactions. This method incorporates several machine learning algorithms and encodes protein-coding genes by an enrichment system derived from gene ontology terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways to represent their functional features. We built a random forest-based prediction engine by using 2120 selected features and obtained a Matthews correlation coefficient of 0.532. We examined the top 15 features and found that most of them have potential roles in synthetic lethality according to previous studies. These results demonstrate the ability of our proposed method to predict synthetic lethal interactions and provide a basis for further characterization of these particular genetic combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- JiaRui Li
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Lu
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York
| | - Yu-Hang Zhang
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Liu
- College of Information Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Chen
- College of Information Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Dong Cai
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
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29
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Heinicke U, Haydn T, Kehr S, Vogler M, Fulda S. BCL-2 selective inhibitor ABT-199 primes rhabdomyosarcoma cells to histone deacetylase inhibitor-induced apoptosis. Oncogene 2018; 37:5325-5339. [DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0212-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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30
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Enßle JC, Boedicker C, Wanior M, Vogler M, Knapp S, Fulda S. Co-targeting of BET proteins and HDACs as a novel approach to trigger apoptosis in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Cancer Lett 2018; 428:160-172. [PMID: 29709701 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Histone acetylation marks exert essential functions in regulating gene expression. These marks are written by histone acetyltransferases (HATs), removed by histone deacetylases (HDACs) and read by e.g. BET proteins. While BET inhibitors are promising new anticancer drugs, little is yet known about their antitumor activity in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). We therefore investigated the efficacy of the prototypic BET inhibitor JQ1 alone or in combination with other epigenetic modifiers, namely HDAC inhibitors (HDACIs). Here, we discover a synergistic interaction of the panBET inhibitor JQ1 together with various HDACIs, i.e. Quisinostat (JNJ-26481585), Vorinostat (SAHA), Entinostat (MS-275) and Panobinostat (LBH589), inducing apoptosis in RMS cells, whereas JQ1 as single agent exhibits little cytotoxicity. Calculation of combination index (CI) confirmed the synergism of this combination. Importantly, JQ1 and JNJ-26481585 act in concert to suppress colony formation and to trigger apoptosis in an in vivo model. Mechanistic studies revealed that combination of JQ1 and JNJ-26481585 cooperatively upregulates BIM and BMF, while downregulating BCL-xL. This shifted ratio of pro- and antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins engages activation of BAX and BAK and increases caspases-3 and -7 activity. Individual silencing of BIM or NOXA, overexpression of BCL-2 or MCL-1 as well as addition of the caspase inhibitor zVAD.fmk significantly rescue JQ1/JNJ-26481585-induced apoptosis. Thus, co-targeting of histone acetylation by concomitant inhibition of HDAC and BET proteins synergistically induces mitochondrial apoptosis by shifting the ratio of pro- and antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins towards apoptosis. These findings indicate that combinatorial use of BET and HDACIs may represent a promising new strategy for the treatment of RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius C Enßle
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Cathinka Boedicker
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Marek Wanior
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, J.W. Goethe-University and Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Meike Vogler
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, J.W. Goethe-University and Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Simone Fulda
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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31
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Park HS, Han JH, Jung SH, Lee DH, Heo KS, Myung CS. Anti-apoptotic effects of autophagy via ROS regulation in microtubule-targeted and PDGF-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2018; 22:349-360. [PMID: 29719457 PMCID: PMC5928348 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2018.22.3.349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy has been studied as a therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular diseases. However, insufficient studies have been reported concerning the influence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through autophagy regulation. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of VSMCs on the regulation of autophagy under in vitro conditions similar to vascular status of the equipped microtubule target agent-eluting stent and increased release of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). Cell viability and proliferation were measured using MTT and cell counting assays. Immunofluorescence using an anti-α-tubulin antibody was performed to determine microtubule dynamic formation. Cell apoptosis was measured by cleavage of caspase-3 using western blot analysis, and by nuclear fragmentation using a fluorescence assay. Autophagy activity was assessed by microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC-II) using western blot analysis. Levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using H2DCFDA. The proliferation and viability of VSMCs were inhibited by microtubule regulation. Additionally, microtubule-regulated and PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs increased the cleavage of caspase-3 more than only the microtubule-regulated condition, similar to that of LC3-II, implying autophagy. Inhibitory autophagy of microtubule-regulated and PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs resulted in low viability. However, enhancement of autophagy maintained survival through the reduction of ROS. These results suggest that the apoptosis of conditioned VSMCs is decreased by the blocking generation of ROS via the promotion of autophagy, and proliferation is also inhibited. Thus, promoting autophagy as a therapeutic target for vascular restenosis and atherosclerosis may be a good strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Soo Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Chungnam National University College of Pharmacy, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Joo-Hui Han
- Department of Pharmacology, Chungnam National University College of Pharmacy, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Sang-Hyuk Jung
- Department of Pharmacology, Chungnam National University College of Pharmacy, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Do-Hyung Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Chungnam National University College of Pharmacy, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Kyung-Sun Heo
- Department of Pharmacology, Chungnam National University College of Pharmacy, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Chang-Seon Myung
- Department of Pharmacology, Chungnam National University College of Pharmacy, Daejeon 34134, Korea.,Institute of Drug Research & Development, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
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32
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Dolgikh N, Hugle M, Vogler M, Fulda S. NRAS-Mutated Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells Are Vulnerable to Mitochondrial Apoptosis Induced by Coinhibition of MEK and PI3K α. Cancer Res 2018; 78:2000-2013. [PMID: 29437705 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-1737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sequencing studies have revealed recurrent mutations in the RAS pathway in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). However, RAS effector pathways in RMS are poorly defined. Here, we report that coinhibition of NRAS or MEK plus PI3Kα triggers widespread apoptosis in NRAS-mutated RMS cells. Subtoxic concentrations of the MEK inhibitor MEK162 and the PI3Kα-specific inhibitor BYL719 synergized to trigger apoptosis in NRAS-mutated RMS cells in vitro and in vivoNRAS- or HRAS-mutated cell lines were more vulnerable to MEK162/BYL719 cotreatment than RAS wild-type cell lines, and MEK162/BYL719 cotreatment was more effective to trigger apoptosis in NRAS-mutated than RAS wild-type RMS tumors in vivo We identified BCL-2-modifying factor (BMF) as an inhibitory target of oncogenic NRAS, with either NRAS silencing or MEK inhibition upregulating BMF mRNA and protein levels, which BYL719 further increased. BMF silencing ablated MEK162/BYL719-induced apoptosis. Mechanistic investigations implicated a proapoptotic rebalancing of BCL-2 family members and suppression of cap-dependent translation in apoptotic sensitivity upon MEK162/BYL719 cotreatment. Our results offer a rationale for combining MEK- and PI3Kα-specific inhibitors in clinical treatment of RAS-mutated RMS.Significance: These findings offer a mechanistic rationale for combining MEK- and PI3Kα-specific inhibitors in the clinical treatment of RAS-mutated forms of often untreatable rhabdomyosarcomas. Cancer Res; 78(8); 2000-13. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezda Dolgikh
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Manuela Hugle
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Meike Vogler
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Simone Fulda
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Pathak A, Tanwar S, Kumar V, Banarjee BD. Present and Future Prospect of Small Molecule & Related Targeted Therapy Against Human Cancer. VIVECHAN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH 2018; 9:36-49. [PMID: 30853755 PMCID: PMC6407887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is uncontrolled cell growth guided by deregulation of cell growth network. Subsequently, alteration in genes occurs which influences expression (down-regulation of tumor suppressor genes and/or up-regulation of proto-oncogene) of these prominent cell growth proteins. Protein targeting has emerged as a hope against cancer. These therapies work by inhibiting or up regulating the target proteins through agents specific for treatment of deregulated proteins. Targeted cancer therapies are more favorable for cancers like lung, colorectal, breast, lymphoma and leukemia as they focus on particular molecular changes unique to a specific cancer. As researchers scrutinize and comprehend the cell changes that initiate cancer, they are better able to design promising therapies targeting these changes or nullify their effect. In present study we have assessed prospects of significant proteins which are known to be targeted by number of small molecules and related drugs for effective treatment of various forms of cancer. Moreover, we also addressed the efficacies of these drugs toward the cancer treatment and future challenges in their development as this information is lacking in previously published work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshat Pathak
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering IMS Engineering College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sanskriti Tanwar
- Department of Biotechnology IMS Engineering College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Vivek Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology IMS Engineering College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Basu Dev Banarjee
- Department of Biochemistry, University College of Medical Sciences & Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, University of Delhi, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India
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BCL-xL-selective BH3 mimetic sensitizes rhabdomyosarcoma cells to chemotherapeutics by activation of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Cancer Lett 2018; 412:131-142. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 09/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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35
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Targeting redox homeostasis in rhabdomyosarcoma cells: GSH-depleting agents enhance auranofin-induced cell death. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e3067. [PMID: 28981107 PMCID: PMC5680568 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells have recently been reported to be sensitive to oxidative stress. Therefore, we investigated whether concomitant inhibition of the two main antioxidant defense pathways, that is, the thioredoxin (TRX) and the glutathione (GSH) systems, presents a new strategy to trigger cell death in RMS. In this study, we discover that GSH-depleting agents, i.e. γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase inhibitor, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) or the cystine/glutamate antiporter inhibitor erastin (ERA), synergize with thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) inhibitor auranofin (AUR) to induce cell death in RMS cells. Interestingly, AUR causes accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins when combined with BSO or ERA, in line with recent reports showing that AUR inhibits the proteasome besides TrxR. Consistently, AUR/BSO or AUR/ERA cotreatment increases ubiquitination and expression of the short-lived proteins NOXA and MCL-1, accompanied by increased binding of NOXA to MCL-1. Notably, NOXA knockdown significantly rescues RMS cells from AUR/BSO- or AUR/ERA-induced cell death. In addition, AUR acts together with BSO or ERA to stimulate BAX/BAK and caspase activation. Of note, BSO or ERA abolish the AUR-stimulated increase in GSH levels, leading to reduced GSH levels upon cotreatment. Although AUR/BSO or AUR/ERA cotreatment enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, only thiol-containing antioxidants (i.e., N-acetylcysteine (NAC), GSH), but not the non-thiol-containing ROS scavenger α-Tocopherol consistently suppress AUR/BSO- and AUR/ERA-stimulated cell death in both cell lines. Importantly, re-supply of GSH or its precursor NAC completely prevents AUR/ERA- and AUR/BSO-induced accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins, NOXA upregulation and cell death, indicating that GSH depletion rather than ROS production is critical for AUR/BSO- or AUR/ERA-mediated cell death. Thus, by demonstrating that GSH-depleting agents enhance the antitumor activity of AUR, we highlight new treatment options for RMS by targeting the redox homeostasis.
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Adachi Y, Ishikawa Y, Kiyoi H. Identification of volasertib-resistant mechanism and evaluation of combination effects with volasertib and other agents on acute myeloid leukemia. Oncotarget 2017; 8:78452-78465. [PMID: 29108241 PMCID: PMC5667974 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Volasertib, a selective PLK1 inhibitor, was effective for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in clinical trials. However, its efficacy was limited in mono-therapy, and a higher incidence of fatal events was revealed in the combination with low-dose cytarabine. Thus, optimization of combination therapy with volasertib and other agents is necessary for its clinical development, and the predictive factors for response or resistance to volasertib remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the resistance mechanism in volasertib-resistant cell lines and the combination effects with other agents, such as azacitidine (AZA), on AML cells. We identified that mutations in the ATP-binding domain of PLK1 and expression of MDR1 conferred resistance to volasertib. In the combination therapy, the effects of AZA differed among cells, but were prominent in the cells with higher GI50 values of volasertib in mono-therapy. Furthermore, we identified that the cells in G2/M phase were more sensitive to volasertib, and the PI3K/AKT pathway was up-regulated upon administration of volasertib. Combination therapies with the agents that caused cell cycle accumulation in G2/M phase or with PI3K inhibitor were highly potent against AML cells. Our findings provide strategies for further clinical development of volasertib and PLK inhibitors for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiya Adachi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yuichi Ishikawa
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kiyoi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
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37
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WeiΔ LM, Hugle M, Fulda S. Eribulin alone or in combination with the PLK1 inhibitor BI 6727 triggers intrinsic apoptosis in Ewing sarcoma cell lines. Oncotarget 2017; 8:52445-52456. [PMID: 28881742 PMCID: PMC5581041 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of eribulin-induced cell death and its therapeutic potential in combination with the PLK1 inhibitor BI 6727 in Ewing sarcoma (ES). Here, we show that eribulin triggers cell death in a dose-dependent manner in a panel of ES cell lines. In addition, eribulin at subtoxic, low nanomolar concentrations acts in concert with BI 6727 to induce cell death and to suppress long-term clonogenic survival. Mechanistic studies reveal that eribulin monotherapy at cytotoxic concentrations and co-treatment with eribulin at subtoxic concentrations together with BI 6727 arrest cells in the M phase of the cell cycle prior to the onset of cell death. This mitotic arrest is followed by increased phosphorylation of BCL-2 and BCL-xL as well as downregulation of MCL-1, suggesting inactivation of these antiapoptotic BCL-2 family proteins. Consistently, eribulin monotherapy and eribulin/BI 6727 co-treatment trigger activation of BAX, a key proapoptotic BCL-2 family protein, and increase proteolytic activation of caspase-9 and -3. Importantly, overexpression of BCL-2 or addition of the broad-range caspase inhibitor zVAD.fmk significantly rescue eribulin- as well as eribulin/BI 6727-induced cell death. Together, these findings demonstrate that eribulin induces cell death via the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in ES cells, both alone at cytotoxic concentrations and in combination with BI 6727 at subtoxic concentrations. Thus, our study highlights the therapeutic potential of eribulin for the treatment of ES alone or in rational combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilly Magdalena WeiΔ
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manuela Hugle
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Simone Fulda
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Di Daniele N, Noce A, Vidiri MF, Moriconi E, Marrone G, Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli M, D’Urso G, Tesauro M, Rovella V, De Lorenzo A. Impact of Mediterranean diet on metabolic syndrome, cancer and longevity. Oncotarget 2017; 8:8947-8979. [PMID: 27894098 PMCID: PMC5352455 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity symbolizes a major public health problem. Overweight and obesity are associated to the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome and to adipose tissue dysfunction. The adipose tissue is metabolically active and an endocrine organ, whose dysregulation causes a low-grade inflammatory state and ectopic fat depositions. The Mediterranean Diet represents a possible therapy for metabolic syndrome, preventing adiposopathy or "sick fat" formation.The Mediterranean Diet exerts protective effects in elderly subjects with and without baseline of chronic diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated a relationship between cancer and obesity. In the US, diet represents amount 30-35% of death causes related to cancer. Currently, the cancer is the second cause of death after cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Furthermore, populations living in the Mediterranean area have a decreased incidence of cancer compared with populations living in Northern Europe or the US, likely due to healthier dietary habits. The bioactive food components have a potential preventive action on cancer. The aims of this review are to evaluate the impact of Mediterranean Diet on onset, progression and regression of metabolic syndrome, cancer and on longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Di Daniele
- Department of Systems Medicine, Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | - Annalisa Noce
- Department of Systems Medicine, Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Vidiri
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Division of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrigenomic, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | - Eleonora Moriconi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Division of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrigenomic, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | - Giulia Marrone
- Department of Systems Medicine, Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele D’Urso
- Department of Systems Medicine, Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | - Manfredi Tesauro
- Department of Systems Medicine, Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | - Valentina Rovella
- Department of Systems Medicine, Hypertension and Nephrology Unit, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
| | - Antonino De Lorenzo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Division of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrigenomic, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
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39
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Abstract
Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled tumour cell proliferation resulting from aberrant activity of various cell cycle proteins. Therefore, cell cycle regulators are considered attractive targets in cancer therapy. Intriguingly, animal models demonstrate that some of these proteins are not essential for proliferation of non-transformed cells and development of most tissues. By contrast, many cancers are uniquely dependent on these proteins and hence are selectively sensitive to their inhibition. After decades of research on the physiological functions of cell cycle proteins and their relevance for cancer, this knowledge recently translated into the first approved cancer therapeutic targeting of a direct regulator of the cell cycle. In this Review, we focus on proteins that directly regulate cell cycle progression (such as cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs)), as well as checkpoint kinases, Aurora kinases and Polo-like kinases (PLKs). We discuss the role of cell cycle proteins in cancer, the rationale for targeting them in cancer treatment and results of clinical trials, as well as the future therapeutic potential of various cell cycle inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Otto
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Piotr Sicinski
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
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40
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Pajtler KW, Sadowski N, Ackermann S, Althoff K, Schönbeck K, Batzke K, Schäfers S, Odersky A, Heukamp L, Astrahantseff K, Künkele A, Deubzer HE, Schramm A, Sprüssel A, Thor T, Lindner S, Eggert A, Fischer M, Schulte JH. The GSK461364 PLK1 inhibitor exhibits strong antitumoral activity in preclinical neuroblastoma models. Oncotarget 2017; 8:6730-6741. [PMID: 28036269 PMCID: PMC5351666 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is a serine/threonine kinase that promotes G2/M-phase transition, is expressed in elevated levels in high-risk neuroblastomas and correlates with unfavorable patient outcome. Recently, we and others have presented PLK1 as a potential drug target for neuroblastoma, and reported that the BI2536 PLK1 inhibitor showed antitumoral actvity in preclinical neuroblastoma models. Here we analyzed the effects of GSK461364, a competitive inhibitor for ATP binding to PLK1, on typical tumorigenic properties of preclinical in vitro and in vivo neuroblastoma models. GSK461364 treatment of neuroblastoma cell lines reduced cell viability and proliferative capacity, caused cell cycle arrest and massively induced apoptosis. These phenotypic consequences were induced by treatment in the low-dose nanomolar range, and were independent of MYCN copy number status. GSK461364 treatment strongly delayed established xenograft tumor growth in nude mice, and significantly increased survival time in the treatment group. These preclinical findings indicate PLK1 inhibitors may be effective for patients with high-risk or relapsed neuroblastomas with upregulated PLK1 and might be considered for entry into early phase clinical trials in pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian W Pajtler
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, Institute for Medical Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK Core Center Heidelberg), Germany
| | - Natalie Sadowski
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children`s Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sandra Ackermann
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital, and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Cologne, Germany
| | - Kristina Althoff
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children`s Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Schönbeck
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Batzke
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children`s Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Simon Schäfers
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children`s Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andrea Odersky
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children`s Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lukas Heukamp
- NEO New Oncology, Cologne, Germany
- Institute for Hematopathology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kathy Astrahantseff
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Annette Künkele
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Hedwig E Deubzer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Schramm
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children`s Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Annika Sprüssel
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK Berlin), Germany
| | - Theresa Thor
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children`s Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK Essen), Germany
- Translational Neuro-Oncology, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sven Lindner
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children`s Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Angelika Eggert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK Berlin), Germany
| | - Matthias Fischer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children's Hospital, and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Cologne, Germany
- Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Johannes H Schulte
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK Berlin), Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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41
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Zheng DW, Xue YQ, Li Y, Di JM, Qiu JG, Zhang WJ, Jiang QW, Yang Y, Chen Y, Wei MN, Huang JR, Wang K, Wei X, Shi Z. Volasertib suppresses the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Am J Cancer Res 2016; 6:2476-2488. [PMID: 27904765 PMCID: PMC5126267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most frequent malignant tumor with poor prognosis, and its clinical therapeutic outcome is poor. Volasertib, a potent small molecular inhibitor of polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), is currently tested for treatment of multiple cancers in the clinical trials. However, the antitumor effect of volasertib on HCC is still unknown. In this study, our data show that volasertib is able to induce cell growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and apoptosis with the spindle abnormalities in human HCC cells. Furthermore, volasertib also increases the intracellular reactive oxidative species (ROS) levels, and pretreated with ROS scavenger N-acety-L-cysteine partly reverses volasertib-induced apoptosis. Moreover, volasertib markedly inhibits the subcutaneous xenograft growth of HCC in nude mice. Overall, our study provides new therapeutic potential of volasertib on hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di-Wei Zheng
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering MedicineGuangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - You-Qiu Xue
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering MedicineGuangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
- Center for Clinic Immunology, Third Hospital at Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Gastrointertinal Surgery & General Surgery, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical SciencesGuangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Jin-Ming Di
- Department of Urology, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Jian-Ge Qiu
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering MedicineGuangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen-Ji Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering MedicineGuangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Qi-Wei Jiang
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering MedicineGuangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering MedicineGuangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Yao Chen
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering MedicineGuangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Meng-Ning Wei
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering MedicineGuangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Jia-Rong Huang
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering MedicineGuangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering MedicineGuangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Xing Wei
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering MedicineGuangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi Shi
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering MedicineGuangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
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42
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JNJ-26481585 primes rhabdomyosarcoma cells for chemotherapeutics by engaging the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Oncotarget 2016; 6:37836-51. [PMID: 26473375 PMCID: PMC4741969 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a common soft-tissue sarcoma in childhood with a poor prognosis, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies. Here we identify a synergistic interaction of the second-generation histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI) JNJ-26481585 and common chemotherapeutic drugs (i.e. Doxorubicin, Etoposide, Vincristine, Cyclophosphamide and Actinomycin D) to trigger apoptosis in RMS cells. Importantly, JNJ-26481585/Doxorubicin cotreatment also significantly suppresses long-term clonogenic survival of RMS cells and tumor growth in vivo in a preclinical RMS model. Mechanistically, JNJ-26481585/Doxorubicin cotreatment causes upregulation of the BH3-only proteins Bim and Noxa as well as downregulation of the antiapoptotic proteins Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL. These changes in the ratio of pro- and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins contribute to JNJ-26481585/Doxorubicin-mediated apoptosis, since knockdown of Bim or Noxa significantly inhibits cell death. Also, JNJ-26481585 and Doxorubicin cooperate to stimulate activation of Bax and Bak, which is required for JNJ-26481585/Doxorubicin-induced apoptosis, since silencing of Bax or Bak protects against apoptosis. Consistently, overexpression of Bcl-2 significantly reduces JNJ-26481585/Doxorubicin-mediated apoptosis. JNJ-26481585/Doxorubicin cotreatment leads to caspase activation and caspase-dependent apoptosis, since the broad-range caspase inhibitor N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (zVAD.fmk) rescues cells from apoptosis. In conclusion, the second-generation HDACI JNJ-26481585 cooperates with chemotherapeutics to engage mitochondrial apoptosis in RMS cells, demonstrating that JNJ-26481585 represents a promising strategy for chemosensitization of RMS.
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43
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Van den Bossche J, Lardon F, Deschoolmeester V, De Pauw I, Vermorken JB, Specenier P, Pauwels P, Peeters M, Wouters A. Spotlight on Volasertib: Preclinical and Clinical Evaluation of a Promising Plk1 Inhibitor. Med Res Rev 2016; 36:749-86. [PMID: 27140825 DOI: 10.1002/med.21392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Considering the important side effects of conventional microtubule targeting agents, more and more research focuses on regulatory proteins for the development of mitosis-specific agents. Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), a master regulator of several cell cycle events, has arisen as an intriguing target in this research field. The observed overexpression of Plk1 in a broad range of human malignancies has given rise to the development of several potent and specific small molecule inhibitors targeting the kinase. In this review, we focus on volasertib (BI6727), the lead agent in category of Plk1 inhibitors at the moment. Numerous preclinical experiments have demonstrated that BI6727 is highly active across a variety of carcinoma cell lines, and the inhibitor has been reported to induce tumor regression in several xenograft models. Moreover, volasertib has shown clinical efficacy in multiple tumor types. As a result, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently awarded volasertib the Breakthrough Therapy status after significant benefit was observed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with the Plk1 inhibitor. Here, we discuss both preclinical and clinical data available for volasertib administered as monotherapy or in combination with other anticancer therapies in a broad range of tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Van den Bossche
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE) Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - F Lardon
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE) Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - V Deschoolmeester
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE) Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - I De Pauw
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE) Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - J B Vermorken
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE) Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - P Specenier
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE) Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - P Pauwels
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE) Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - M Peeters
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE) Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - A Wouters
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE) Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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44
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Czaplinski S, Hugle M, Stiehl V, Fulda S. Polo-like kinase 1 inhibition sensitizes neuroblastoma cells for vinca alkaloid-induced apoptosis. Oncotarget 2016; 7:8700-11. [PMID: 26046302 PMCID: PMC4890998 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
High polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) expression has been linked to poor outcome in neuroblastoma (NB), indicating that it represents a relevant therapeutic target in this malignancy. Here, we identify a synergistic induction of apoptosis by the PLK1 inhibitor BI 2536 and vinca alkaloids in NB cells. Synergistic drug interaction of BI 2536 together with vincristine (VCR), vinblastine (VBL) or vinorelbine (VNR) is confirmed by calculation of combination index (CI). Also, BI 2536 and VCR act in concert to reduce long-term clonogenic survival. Importantly, BI 2536 significantly enhances the antitumor activity of VCR in an in vivo model of NB. Mechanistically, BI 2536/VCR co-treatment triggers prolonged mitotic arrest, which is necessary for BI 2536/VCR-mediated apoptosis, since pharmacological inhibition of mitotic arrest by the CDK1 inhibitor RO-3306 significantly reduces cell death. Prolonged mitotic arrest leads to phosphorylation-mediated inactivation of BCL-2 and BCL-XL as well as downregulation of MCL-1, since inhibition of mitotic arrest by RO-3306 also prevents phosphorylation of BCL-2 and BCL-XL and MCL-1 downregulation. This inactivation of antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins promotes activation of BAX and BAK, cleavage of caspase-9 and -3 and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Engagement of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis is critically required for BI 2536/VCR-induced apoptosis, since ectopic expression of a non-degradable MCL-1 phospho-mutant, BCL-2 overexpression or BAK knockdown significantly reduce BI 2536/VCR-mediated apoptosis. Thus, PLK1 inhibitors may open new perspectives for chemosensitization of NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Czaplinski
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Manuela Hugle
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Valerie Stiehl
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Simone Fulda
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Chen H, Shen J, Choy E, Hornicek FJ, Duan Z. Targeting protein kinases to reverse multidrug resistance in sarcoma. Cancer Treat Rev 2015; 43:8-18. [PMID: 26827688 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2015.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Sarcomas are a group of cancers that arise from transformed cells of mesenchymal origin. They can be classified into over 50 subtypes, accounting for approximately 1% of adult and 15% of pediatric cancers. Wide surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are the most common treatments for the majority of sarcomas. Among these therapies, chemotherapy can palliate symptoms and prolong life for some sarcoma patients. However, sarcoma cells can have intrinsic or acquired resistance after treatment with chemotherapeutics drugs, leading to the development of multidrug resistance (MDR). MDR attenuates the efficacy of anticancer drugs and results in treatment failure for sarcomas. Therefore, overcoming MDR is an unmet need for sarcoma therapy. Certain protein kinases demonstrate aberrant expression and/or activity in sarcoma cells, which have been found to be involved in the regulation of sarcoma cell progression, such as cell cycle, apoptosis, and survival. Inhibiting these protein kinases may not only decrease the proliferation and growth of sarcoma cells, but also reverse their resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs to subsequently reduce the doses of anticancer drugs and decrease drug side-effects. The discovery of novel strategies targeting protein kinases opens a door to a new area of sarcoma research and provides insight into the mechanisms of MDR in chemotherapy. This review will focus on the recent studies in targeting protein kinase to reverse chemotherapeutic drug resistance in sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Chen
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, MA 02114, United States; Department of Emergency Surgery, ShenZhen People's Hospital, 2nd Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, No. 1017 Dongmenbei Road, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518020, China
| | - Jacson Shen
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Edwin Choy
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Francis J Hornicek
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Zhenfeng Duan
- Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Jackson 1115, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
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