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Costantino L, Ferrari S, Santucci M, Salo-Ahen OMH, Carosati E, Franchini S, Lauriola A, Pozzi C, Trande M, Gozzi G, Saxena P, Cannazza G, Losi L, Cardinale D, Venturelli A, Quotadamo A, Linciano P, Tagliazucchi L, Moschella MG, Guerrini R, Pacifico S, Luciani R, Genovese F, Henrich S, Alboni S, Santarem N, da Silva Cordeiro A, Giovannetti E, Peters GJ, Pinton P, Rimessi A, Cruciani G, Stroud RM, Wade RC, Mangani S, Marverti G, D'Arca D, Ponterini G, Costi MP. Destabilizers of the thymidylate synthase homodimer accelerate its proteasomal degradation and inhibit cancer growth. eLife 2022; 11:73862. [PMID: 36475542 PMCID: PMC9831607 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drugs that target human thymidylate synthase (hTS), a dimeric enzyme, are widely used in anticancer therapy. However, treatment with classical substrate-site-directed TS inhibitors induces over-expression of this protein and development of drug resistance. We thus pursued an alternative strategy that led us to the discovery of TS-dimer destabilizers. These compounds bind at the monomer-monomer interface and shift the dimerization equilibrium of both the recombinant and the intracellular protein toward the inactive monomers. A structural, spectroscopic, and kinetic investigation has provided evidence and quantitative information on the effects of the interaction of these small molecules with hTS. Focusing on the best among them, E7, we have shown that it inhibits hTS in cancer cells and accelerates its proteasomal degradation, thus causing a decrease in the enzyme intracellular level. E7 also showed a superior anticancer profile to fluorouracil in a mouse model of human pancreatic and ovarian cancer. Thus, over sixty years after the discovery of the first TS prodrug inhibitor, fluorouracil, E7 breaks the link between TS inhibition and enhanced expression in response, providing a strategy to fight drug-resistant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Costantino
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Stefania Ferrari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Matteo Santucci
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Outi MH Salo-Ahen
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical StudiesHeidelbergGermany
| | - Emanuele Carosati
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of PerugiaPerugiaItaly
| | - Silvia Franchini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Angela Lauriola
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Cecilia Pozzi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of SienaSienaItaly
| | - Matteo Trande
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Gaia Gozzi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Puneet Saxena
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Giuseppe Cannazza
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Lorena Losi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Daniela Cardinale
- Respiratory, Critical Care & Anesthesia UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Alberto Venturelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Antonio Quotadamo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Pasquale Linciano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | | | - Maria Gaetana Moschella
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly,Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, ItalyModenaItaly
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science, University of FerraraFerraraItaly
| | - Salvatore Pacifico
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science, University of FerraraFerraraItaly
| | - Rosaria Luciani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Filippo Genovese
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Stefan Henrich
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical StudiesHeidelbergGermany
| | - Silvia Alboni
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | | | - Anabela da Silva Cordeiro
- IBMC I3SPortoPortugal,Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081HV, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamNetherlands,CancerPharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per la ScienzaPisaItaly
| | - Godefridus J Peters
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081HV, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Paolo Pinton
- Dept. of Medical Sciences and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of FerraraFerraraItaly
| | - Alessandro Rimessi
- Dept. of Medical Sciences and Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of FerraraFerraraItaly
| | - Gabriele Cruciani
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of PerugiaPerugiaItaly
| | - Robert M Stroud
- Biochemistry and Biophysics Department, University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Rebecca C Wade
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical StudiesHeidelbergGermany,Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany,Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
| | - Stefano Mangani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of SienaSienaItaly
| | - Gaetano Marverti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Domenico D'Arca
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Glauco Ponterini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
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2
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Bianchini M, Giambelluca MA, Scavuzzo MC, Di Franco G, Guadagni S, Palmeri M, Furbetta N, Gianardi D, Funel N, Ricci C, Gaeta R, Pollina LE, Falcone A, Vivaldi C, Di Candio G, Biagioni F, Busceti CL, Morelli L, Fornai F. Detailing the ultrastructure's increase of prion protein in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:7324-7339. [PMID: 34876792 PMCID: PMC8611201 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i42.7324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent evidences have shown a relationship between prion protein (PrPc) expression and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Indeed, PrPc could be one of the markers explaining the aggressiveness of this tumor. However, studies investigating the specific compartmentalization of increased PrPc expression within PDAC cells are lacking, as well as a correlation between ultrastructural evidence, ultrastructural morphometry of PrPc protein and clinical data. These data, as well as the quantitative stoichiometry of this protein detected by immuno-gold, provide a significant advancement in understanding the biology of disease and the outcome of surgical resection. AIM To analyze quantitative stoichiometry and compartmentalization of PrPc in PDAC cells and to correlate its presence with prognostic data. METHODS Between June 2018 and December 2020, samples from pancreatic tissues of 45 patients treated with pancreatic resection for a preoperative suspicion of PDAC at our Institution were collected. When the frozen section excluded a PDAC diagnosis, or the nodules were too small for adequate sampling, patients were ruled out from the present study. Western blotting was used to detect, quantify and compare the expression of PrPc in PDAC and control tissues, such as those of non-affected neighboring pancreatic tissue of the same patient. To quantify the increase of PrPc and to detect the subcellular compartmentalization of PrPc within PDAC cells, immuno-gold stoichiometry within specific cell compartments was analyzed with electron microscopy. Finally, an analysis of quantitative PrPc expression according to prognostic data, such as cancer stage, recurrence of the disease at 12 mo after surgery and recurrence during adjuvant chemotherapy was made. RESULTS The amount of PrPc within specimen from 38 out of 45 patients was determined by semi-quantitative analysis by using Western blotting, which indicates that PrPc increases almost three-fold in tumor pancreatic tissue compared with healthy pancreatic regions [242.41 ± 28.36 optical density (OD) vs 95 ± 17.40 OD, P < 0.0001]. Quantitative morphometry carried out by using immuno-gold detection at transmission electron microscopy confirms an increased PrPc expression in PDAC ductal cells of all patients and allows to detect a specific compartmentalization of PrPc within tumor cells. In particular, the number of immuno-gold particles of PrPc was significantly higher in PDAC cells respect to controls, when considering the whole cell (19.8 ± 0.79 particles vs 9.44 ± 0.45, P < 0.0001). Remarkably, considering PDAC cells, the increase of PrPc was higher in the nucleus than cytosol of tumor cells, which indicates a shift in PrPc compartmentalization within tumor cells. In fact, the increase of immuno-gold within nuclear compartment exceeds at large the augment of PrPc which was detected in the cytosol (nucleus: 12.88 ± 0.59 particles vs 5.12 ± 0.32, P < 0.0001; cytosol: 7.74. ± 0.44 particles vs 4.3 ± 0.24, P < 0.0001). In order to analyze the prognostic impact of PrPc, we found a correlation between PrPc expression and cancer stage according to pathology results, with a significantly higher expression of PrPc for advanced stages. Moreover, 24 patients with a mean follow-up of 16.8 mo were considered. Immuno-blot analysis revealed a significantly higher expression of PrPc in patients with disease recurrence at 12 mo after radical surgery (360.71 ± 69.01 OD vs 170.23 ± 23.06 OD, P = 0.023), also in the subgroup of patients treated with adjuvant CT (368.36 ± 79.26 OD in the recurrence group vs 162.86 ± 24.16 OD, P = 0.028), which indicates a correlation with a higher chemo-resistance. CONCLUSION Expression of PrPc is significantly higher in PDAC cells compared with control, with the protein mainly placed in the nucleus. Preliminary clinical data confirm the correlation with a poorer prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Bianchini
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Maria Anita Giambelluca
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Scavuzzo
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Gregorio Di Franco
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Simone Guadagni
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Matteo Palmeri
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Niccolò Furbetta
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Desirée Gianardi
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Niccola Funel
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Claudio Ricci
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Raffaele Gaeta
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Luca Emanuele Pollina
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Alfredo Falcone
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Caterina Vivaldi
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Giulio Di Candio
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Francesca Biagioni
- IRCCS Neuromed, Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, Pozzilli 86077, Italy
| | | | - Luca Morelli
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
- EndoCAS (Center for Computer Assisted Surgery), University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Francesco Fornai
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, Pozzilli 86077, Italy
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3
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Legrès LG. [Laser microdissection applications in histology: an open way to molecular studies]. Med Sci (Paris) 2019; 35:871-879. [PMID: 31845879 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2019166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most fascinating aspects of the use of a laser beam in the field of biology has emerged with the development of devices able to perform fine dissections of biological tissues. Laser microdissection can collect phenotypically identical cells from tissue regions laid on a microscope slide in order to make differential molecular analyses on these microdissected cells. Laser microdissection can be used many areas including oncology to specify molecular mechanisms that enable to adapt a treatment related to diagnosis and research in biology, but also forensic science for tissue selection, neurology for post-mortem studies on patients with Alzheimer's disease, for clonality studies from cell cultures and cytogenetics to decipher chromosomal rearrangements. This technology represents the missing link between clinical observations and the intrinsic physiological mechanisms of biological tissues and its major applications will be addressed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc G Legrès
- Institut de recherche Saint-Louis, Paris, France, UMR_S 976 Inserm, Université de Paris, Hôpital Saint-Louis, 1 avenue Claude-Vellefaux, F-75010 Paris, France
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4
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CX-5461 Inhibits Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Growth, Migration and Induces DNA Damage. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24244445. [PMID: 31817270 PMCID: PMC6943431 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24244445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Inhibition of ribosome biogenesis has recently emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of metastatic tumors. The RNA polymerase I inhibitor CX-5461 has shown efficacy in a panel of cancer types and is currently being tested in clinical trials. However, further preclinical studies to unravel molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of this drug are warranted. Methods: In this study, we have investigated the effects of CX-5461 on cell growth and migration of pancreatic cancer cells by the sulforhodamine-B and wound healing assay, respectively. Furthermore, we assessed the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes by qRT-PCR, while protein expression of DNA damage marker phospho-H2A.X was studied by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Results: CX-5461 inhibits pancreatic cancer cell growth in the nanomolar range and inhibits the migratory capability of the cells. Additionally, CX-5461 induced expression of EMT factor SNAI1 and caused DNA double-strand breaks as measured by increased expression of phospho-H2A.X. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that CX-5461 is active against pancreatic cancer cells and modulation of EMT factors, as well as increased expression of phospho-H2A.X, support further pre-/clinical investigations, including the analyses of these markers.
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5
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Rofi E, Vivaldi C, Del Re M, Arrigoni E, Crucitta S, Funel N, Fogli S, Vasile E, Musettini G, Fornaro L, Falcone A, Danesi R. The emerging role of liquid biopsy in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment monitoring of pancreatic cancer. Pharmacogenomics 2018; 20:49-68. [PMID: 30520336 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2018-0149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor DNA, circulating tumor cells and tumor-related exosomes may offer new opportunities to provide insights into the biological and clinical characteristics of a neoplastic disease. They represent alternative routes for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, and for predicting and longitudinally monitoring response to treatment and disease progression. Hence, circulating biomarkers represent promising noninvasive tools in the scenario of pancreatic cancer, where neither molecular nor clinical predictors of treatment benefit have been identified yet. This review aims to provide an overview of the current status of circulating biomarker research in pancreatic cancer, and discusses their potential clinical utility to facilitate clinical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Rofi
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology & Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Caterina Vivaldi
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Marzia Del Re
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology & Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Arrigoni
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology & Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Crucitta
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology & Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Niccola Funel
- Department of Translational Research & The New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Fogli
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology & Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Enrico Vasile
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Gianna Musettini
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Fornaro
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Alfredo Falcone
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research & New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Romano Danesi
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology & Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
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6
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Thanh VH. A Critical Comparison of Rejection-Based Algorithms for Simulation of Large Biochemical Reaction Networks. Bull Math Biol 2018; 81:3053-3073. [PMID: 29981002 DOI: 10.1007/s11538-018-0462-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The rejection-based simulation technique has been applying to improve the computational efficiency of the stochastic simulation algorithm (SSA) in simulating large reaction networks, which are required for a thorough understanding of biological systems. We compare two recently proposed simulation methods, namely the composition-rejection algorithm (SSA-CR) and the rejection-based SSA (RSSA), aiming for this purpose. We discuss the right interpretation of the rejection-based technique used in these algorithms in order to make an informed choice when dealing with different aspects of biochemical networks. We provide the theoretical analysis as well as the detailed runtime comparison of these algorithms on concrete biological models. We highlight important factors that are omitted in previous analysis of these algorithms. The numerical comparison shows that for reaction networks where the search cost is expensive then SSA-CR is more efficient, and for reaction networks where the update cost is dominant, often the case in practice, then RSSA should be the choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vo Hong Thanh
- Department of Computer Science, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland. .,The Microsoft Research, University of Trento Centre for Computational and Systems Biology (COSBI), Rovereto, Italy.
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7
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Ottaviani S, Stebbing J, Frampton AE, Zagorac S, Krell J, de Giorgio A, Trabulo SM, Nguyen VTM, Magnani L, Feng H, Giovannetti E, Funel N, Gress TM, Jiao LR, Lombardo Y, Lemoine NR, Heeschen C, Castellano L. TGF-β induces miR-100 and miR-125b but blocks let-7a through LIN28B controlling PDAC progression. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1845. [PMID: 29748571 PMCID: PMC5945639 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03962-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
TGF-β/Activin induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and stemness in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the microRNAs (miRNAs) regulated during this response have remained yet undetermined. Here, we show that TGF-β transcriptionally induces MIR100HG lncRNA, containing miR-100, miR-125b and let-7a in its intron, via SMAD2/3. Interestingly, we find that although the pro-tumourigenic miR-100 and miR-125b accordingly increase, the amount of anti-tumourigenic let-7a is unchanged, as TGF-β also induces LIN28B inhibiting its maturation. Notably, we demonstrate that inactivation of miR-125b or miR-100 affects the TGF-β-mediated response indicating that these miRNAs are important TGF-β effectors. We integrate AGO2-RIP-seq with RNA-seq to identify the global regulation exerted by these miRNAs in PDAC cells. Transcripts targeted by miR-125b and miR-100 significantly overlap and mainly inhibit p53 and cell-cell junctions' pathways. Together, we uncover that TGF-β induces an lncRNA, whose encoded miRNAs, miR-100, let-7a and miR-125b play opposing roles in controlling PDAC tumourigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Ottaviani
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Division of Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Justin Stebbing
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Division of Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Adam E Frampton
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, HPB Surgical Unit, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, W12 0HS, UK
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Division of Cancer, Imperial College London, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology (IRDB), London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Sladjana Zagorac
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Division of Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Jonathan Krell
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Division of Cancer, Imperial College London, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology (IRDB), London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alexander de Giorgio
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Division of Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Sara M Trabulo
- Stem Cells & Cancer Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, 28028, Spain
- Stem Cells in Cancer & Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Van T M Nguyen
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Division of Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Luca Magnani
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Division of Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Hugang Feng
- Epigenetics and Genome Stability Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start-Up Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Niccola Funel
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start-Up Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56126, Italy
| | - Thomas M Gress
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infectiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, 35037, Germany
| | - Long R Jiao
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, HPB Surgical Unit, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, W12 0HS, UK
| | - Ylenia Lombardo
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Division of Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Nicholas R Lemoine
- Centre for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Christopher Heeschen
- Stem Cells & Cancer Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, 28028, Spain
- Stem Cells in Cancer & Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Leandro Castellano
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Division of Cancer, Imperial College London, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine (ICTEM), London, W12 0NN, UK.
- University of Sussex, School of life Sciences, John Maynard Smith Building, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK.
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8
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Sciarrillo R, Wojtuszkiewicz A, Kooi IE, Gómez VE, Boggi U, Jansen G, Kaspers GJ, Cloos J, Giovannetti E. Using RNA-sequencing to Detect Novel Splice Variants Related to Drug Resistance in In Vitro Cancer Models. J Vis Exp 2016:54714. [PMID: 28060337 PMCID: PMC5226372 DOI: 10.3791/54714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance remains a major problem in the treatment of cancer for both hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Intrinsic or acquired resistance can be caused by a range of mechanisms, including increased drug elimination, decreased drug uptake, drug inactivation and alterations of drug targets. Recent data showed that other than by well-known genetic (mutation, amplification) and epigenetic (DNA hypermethylation, histone post-translational modification) modifications, drug resistance mechanisms might also be regulated by splicing aberrations. This is a rapidly growing field of investigation that deserves future attention in order to plan more effective therapeutic approaches. The protocol described in this paper is aimed at investigating the impact of aberrant splicing on drug resistance in solid tumors and hematological malignancies. To this goal, we analyzed the transcriptomic profiles of several in vitro models through RNA-seq and established a qRT-PCR based method to validate candidate genes. In particular, we evaluated the differential splicing of DDX5 and PKM transcripts. The aberrant splicing detected by the computational tool MATS was validated in leukemic cells, showing that different DDX5 splice variants are expressed in the parental vs. resistant cells. In these cells, we also observed a higher PKM2/PKM1 ratio, which was not detected in the Panc-1 gemcitabine-resistant counterpart compared to parental Panc-1 cells, suggesting a different mechanism of drug-resistance induced by gemcitabine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Sciarrillo
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, VU University Medical Center; Department of Hematology, VU University Medical Center; Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center
| | | | - Irsan E Kooi
- Department of Clinical Genetics, VU University Medical Center
| | | | - Ugo Boggi
- Division of General and Transplant Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Universita' di Pisa
| | - Gerrit Jansen
- Amsterdam Immunology and Rheumatology Center, VU University Medical Center
| | - Gert-Jan Kaspers
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, VU University Medical Center; Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology
| | - Jacqueline Cloos
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, VU University Medical Center
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center; Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start-Up Unit, University of Pisa; Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, CNR-Nano;
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9
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Ricci C, Mota C, Moscato S, D'Alessandro D, Ugel S, Sartoris S, Bronte V, Boggi U, Campani D, Funel N, Moroni L, Danti S. Interfacing polymeric scaffolds with primary pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells to develop 3D cancer models. BIOMATTER 2015; 4:e955386. [PMID: 25482337 PMCID: PMC4578550 DOI: 10.4161/21592527.2014.955386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
We analyzed the interactions between human primary cells from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and polymeric scaffolds to develop 3D cancer models useful for mimicking the biology of this tumor. Three scaffold types based on two biocompatible polymeric formulations, such as poly(vinyl alcohol)/gelatin (PVA/G) mixture and poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate)/poly(butylene terephthalate) (PEOT/PBT) copolymer, were obtained via different techniques, namely, emulsion and freeze-drying, compression molding followed by salt leaching, and electrospinning. In this way, primary PDAC cells interfaced with different pore topographies, such as sponge-like pores of different shape and size or nanofiber interspaces. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence played by the scaffold architecture over cancerous cell growth and function. In all scaffolds, primary PDAC cells showed good viability and synthesized tumor-specific metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as MMP-2, and MMP-9. However, only sponge-like pores, obtained via emulsion-based and salt leaching-based techniques allowed for an organized cellular aggregation very similar to the native PDAC morphological structure. Differently, these cell clusters were not observed on PEOT/PBT electrospun scaffolds. MMP-2 and MMP-9, as active enzymes, resulted to be increased in PVA/G and PEOT/PBT sponges, respectively. These findings suggested that spongy scaffolds supported the generation of pancreatic tumor models with enhanced aggressiveness. In conclusion, primary PDAC cells showed diverse behaviors while interacting with different scaffold types that can be potentially exploited to create stage-specific pancreatic cancer models likely to provide new knowledge on the modulation and drug susceptibility of MMPs.
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Key Words
- 2D, Bi-dimensional
- 3D, Three-dimensional
- BCA, Bicinchoninic acid
- BSA, Bovine serum albumin
- Dd, double distilled
- Ds, double stranded
- ECM, Extracellular matrix
- G, Gelatin
- HRP, Horseradish peroxidase
- K-ras, Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog
- MMP, Matrix metalloproteinase
- PBS, Phosphate buffer saline
- PCR, Polymer-chain reaction
- PDAC, Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
- PEOT/PBT, Poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate)/poly(butylene terephthalate)
- PVA, Poly(vinyl alcohol)
- PanIN, Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia
- Pancreatic adenocarcinoma
- Smad4, Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4
- TME, Tumor microenvironment.
- cancer
- compression molding
- electrospinning
- emulsion and freeze-drying
- metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2)
- metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9)
- polyethylene oxide terephthalate (PEOT)
- polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)
- scaffold
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Ricci
- a Department of Pathology and Diagnostics ; University of Verona ; Verona , Italy
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10
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Song WF, Wang L, Huang WY, Cai X, Cui JJ, Wang LW. MiR-21 upregulation induced by promoter zone histone acetylation is associated with chemoresistance to gemcitabine and enhanced malignancy of pancreatic cancer cells. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2014; 14:7529-36. [PMID: 24460329 DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2013.14.12.7529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is reported to be overexpressed and to contribute to proliferation, apoptosis and gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). The aims of this study were to explore regulation of miR-21 expression by epigenetic change and its impact on chemoresistance and malignant properties of of pancreatic cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively collected 41 cases of advanced pancreatic cancer patients who were sensitive or resistant to gemcitabine and assessed levels of serum circulating miR-21 for correlation with cytotoxic activity. Histone acetylation in the miR-21 promoter was also studied in gemcitabine-sensitive and gemcitabine-resistant PDAC cells. Gemcitabine-resistant HPAC and PANC-1 cells were transfected with pre-miR-21 precursors (pre-miR-21) and antisense oligonucleotides (anti-miR-21), and were treated with TSA. Finally, invasion and metastasis assays were performed and alteration in mir-21, PTEN, AKT and pAKT level was evaluated in these cells. RESULTS Serum miR-21 levels were increased in gemcitabine- resistant PDAC patients compared with gemcitabine-sensitive subjects. The miR-21 levels were increased in 6 PDAC cells treated with gemcitabine significantly, associated with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s). Histone acetylation levels at miR-21 promoter were increased in PDAC cells after treatment with gemcitabine. Enhanced invasion and metastasis, increased miR-21 expression, decreased PTEN, elevated pAKT level were demonstrated in gemcitabine-resistant HPAC and PANC-1 cells. Pre-miR-21 transfection or TSA treatment further increased invasion and metastasis ability, decreased PTEN, and elevated pAKT levels in these two lines. In contrast, anti-miR-21 transfection could reverse invasion and metastasis, and PTEN and pAKT expressions induced by gemcitabine. CONCLUSIONS MiR-21 upregulation induced by histone acetylation in the promoter zone is associated with chemoresistance to gemcitabine and enhanced malignant potential in pancreatic cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Feng Song
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China E-mail :
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11
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Maftouh M, Belo AI, Avan A, Funel N, Peters GJ, Giovannetti E, van Die I. Galectin-4 expression is associated with reduced lymph node metastasis and modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Oncotarget 2014; 5:5335-49. [PMID: 24977327 PMCID: PMC4170638 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [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: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Galectin-4 (Gal-4) has been recently identified as a pivotal factor in the migratory capabilities of a set of defined pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell lines using zebrafish as a model system. Here we evaluated the expression of Gal-4 in PDAC tissues selected according to their lymph node metastatic status (N0 vs. N1), and investigated the therapeutic potential of targeting the cross-link with the Wnt signaling pathway in primary PDAC cells. Analysis of Gal-4 expression in PDACs showed high expression of Gal-4 in 80% of patients without lymph node metastasis, whereas 70% of patients with lymph node metastases had low Gal-4 expression. Accordingly, in primary PDAC cells high Gal-4 expression was negatively associated with migratory and invasive ability in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of Gal-4 in primary PDAC cells with high Gal-4 expression resulted in significant increase of invasion (40%) and migration (50%, P<0.05), whereas enforced expression of Gal-4 in primary cells with low Gal-4 expression reduced the migratory and invasive behavior compared to the control cells. Gal-4 markedly reduces β-catenin levels in the cell, counteracting the function of Wnt signaling, as was assessed by down-regulation of survivin and cyclin D1. Furthermore, Gal-4 sensitizes PDAC cells to the Wnt inhibitor ICG-001, which interferes with the interaction between CREB binding protein (CBP) and β-catenin. Collectively, our data suggest that Gal-4 lowers the levels of cytoplasmic β-catenin, which may lead to lowered availability of nuclear β-catenin, and consequently diminished levels of nuclear CBP-β-catenin complex and reduced activation of the Wnt target genes. Our findings provide novel insights into the role of Gal-4 in PDAC migration and invasion, and support the analysis of Gal-4 for rational targeting of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the treatment of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Maftouh
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ana I. Belo
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amir Avan
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, and Department of New Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Godefridus J. Peters
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Start-Up Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Irma van Die
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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12
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Hinton J, Callan R, Bodine C, Glasgow W, Brower S, Jiang SW, Li J. Potential epigenetic biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2014; 13:431-43. [DOI: 10.1586/erm.13.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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13
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Frampton AE, Castellano L, Colombo T, Giovannetti E, Krell J, Jacob J, Pellegrino L, Roca-Alonso L, Funel N, Gall TMH, De Giorgio A, Pinho FG, Fulci V, Britton DJ, Ahmad R, Habib NA, Coombes RC, Harding V, Knösel T, Stebbing J, Jiao LR. MicroRNAs cooperatively inhibit a network of tumor suppressor genes to promote pancreatic tumor growth and progression. Gastroenterology 2014; 146:268-77.e18. [PMID: 24120476 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS There has not been a broad analysis of the combined effects of altered activities of microRNAs (miRNAs) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells, and it is unclear how these might affect tumor progression or patient outcomes. METHODS We combined data from miRNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profiles and bioinformatic analyses to identify an miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in PDAC cell lines (PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2) and in PDAC samples from patients. We used this information to identify miRNAs that contribute most to tumorigenesis. RESULTS We identified 3 miRNAs (MIR21, MIR23A, and MIR27A) that acted as cooperative repressors of a network of tumor suppressor genes that included PDCD4, BTG2, and NEDD4L. Inhibition of MIR21, MIR23A, and MIR27A had synergistic effects in reducing proliferation of PDAC cells in culture and growth of xenograft tumors in mice. The level of inhibition was greater than that of inhibition of MIR21 alone. In 91 PDAC samples from patients, high levels of a combination of MIR21, MIR23A, and MIR27A were associated with shorter survival times after surgical resection. CONCLUSIONS In an integrated data analysis, we identified functional miRNA-mRNA interactions that contribute to growth of PDACs. These findings indicate that miRNAs act together to promote tumor progression; therapeutic strategies might require inhibition of several miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam E Frampton
- HPB Surgical Unit, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Leandro Castellano
- Division of Oncology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
| | - Teresa Colombo
- Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Haematology, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan Krell
- Division of Oncology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Jimmy Jacob
- Division of Oncology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Loredana Pellegrino
- Division of Oncology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Laura Roca-Alonso
- Division of Oncology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Niccola Funel
- Experimental and Molecular Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Tamara M H Gall
- HPB Surgical Unit, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Alexander De Giorgio
- Division of Oncology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Filipa G Pinho
- Division of Oncology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Valerio Fulci
- Department of Cellular Biotechnology and Haematology, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Raida Ahmad
- Department of Pathology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Nagy A Habib
- HPB Surgical Unit, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - R Charles Coombes
- Division of Oncology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Victoria Harding
- Division of Oncology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Thomas Knösel
- Institute of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Justin Stebbing
- Division of Oncology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Long R Jiao
- HPB Surgical Unit, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK.
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14
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Avan A, Caretti V, Funel N, Galvani E, Maftouh M, Honeywell RJ, Lagerweij T, Van Tellingen O, Campani D, Fuchs D, Verheul HM, Schuurhuis GJ, Boggi U, Peters GJ, Würdinger T, Giovannetti E. Crizotinib inhibits metabolic inactivation of gemcitabine in c-Met-driven pancreatic carcinoma. Cancer Res 2013; 73:6745-56. [PMID: 24085787 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-0837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a major unsolved health problem. Most drugs that pass preclinical tests fail in these patients, emphasizing the need of improved preclinical models to test novel anticancer strategies. Here, we developed four orthotopic mouse models using primary human PDAC cells genetically engineered to express firefly- and Gaussia luciferase, simplifying the ability to monitor tumor growth and metastasis longitudinally in individual animals with MRI and high-frequency ultrasound. In these models, we conducted detailed histopathologic and immunohistochemical analyses on paraffin-embedded pancreatic tissues and metastatic lesions in liver, lungs, and lymph nodes. Genetic characteristics were compared with the originator tumor and primary tumor cells using array-based comparative genomic hybridization, using frozen specimens obtained by laser microdissection. Notably, the orthotopic human xenografts in these models recapitulated the phenotype of human PDACs, including hypovascular and hypoxic areas. Pursuing genomic and immunohistochemical evidence revealed an increased copy number and overexpression of c-Met in one of the models; we examined the preclinical efficacy of c-Met inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. In particular, we found that crizotinib decreased tumor dimension, prolonged survival, and increased blood and tissue concentrations of gemcitabine, synergizing with a cytidine deaminase-mediated mechanism of action. Together, these more readily imaged orthotopic PDAC models displayed genetic, histopathologic, and metastatic features similar to their human tumors of origin. Moreover, their use pointed to c-Met as a candidate therapeutic target in PDAC and highlighted crizotinib and gemcitabine as a synergistic combination of drugs warranting clinical evaluation for PDAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Avan
- Authors' Affiliations: Departments of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Neurosurgery and Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Neuro-oncology Research Group, VU University Medical Center; Diagnostic Oncology Division, Netherlands Cancer Institute; VisualSonics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Division of Surgical Pathology, Division of General and Transplant Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; and Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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15
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Pancreatic cancer cells retain the epithelial-related phenotype and modify mitotic spindle microtubules after the administration of ukrain in vitro. Anticancer Drugs 2013; 23:935-46. [PMID: 22700003 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0b013e32835507bc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to characterize the phenotype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells in relation to the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and determine whether ukrain, an anticancer drug based on the alkaloids extracted from greater celandine, modulates in vitro the malignant behavior of PDAC cells in order to extend our understanding of its therapeutic potential. Three cell lines (HPAF-II, HPAC, and PL45) were treated with ukrain (5, 10, and 20 μmol/l) for 48 h or left untreated (control). Cell proliferation was assessed by growth curves. Apoptosis was determined by Hoechst nuclear staining and by cytochrome c and caspase-8 expressions. The EMT markers E-cadherin, β-catenin, and vimentin, as well as actin and tubulin cytoskeletons, were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Interphase and mitotic microtubules as well as abnormal mitotic figures were studied by fluorescence microscopy after tubulin immunolabeling. Ukrain strongly suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis possibly through an extrinsic pathway as cytochrome c immunoreactivity suggested that the integrity of the mitochondria was not affected. Tubulin expression indicated an antiproliferative effect of ukrain on the basis of alterations in mitotic spindle microtubule dynamics, leading to abnormal mitosis. Membranous E-cadherin/β-catenin immunoreactivity was similarly expressed in control-treated and ukrain-treated cells, although the drug upregulated E-cadherin in cell lysates. Our results suggest that ukrain exerts its chemotherapeutic action on PDAC cells targeting mitotic spindle microtubules, leading to abnormal mitosis and apoptosis, and favoring cell cohesiveness. The differentiated epithelial phenotype of HPAF-II, HPAC, and PL45 cell lines concomitant with a highly invasive potential suggests that further experiments will be necessary to definitively clarify the role of EMT in PDAC progression.
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16
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Kahramanoğullari O, Fantaccini G, Lecca P, Morpurgo D, Priami C. Algorithmic modeling quantifies the complementary contribution of metabolic inhibitions to gemcitabine efficacy. PLoS One 2012; 7:e50176. [PMID: 23239976 PMCID: PMC3519828 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Gemcitabine (2,2-difluorodeoxycytidine, dFdC) is a prodrug widely used for treating various carcinomas. Gemcitabine exerts its clinical effect by depleting the deoxyribonucleotide pools, and incorporating its triphosphate metabolite (dFdC-TP) into DNA, thereby inhibiting DNA synthesis. This process blocks the cell cycle in the early S phase, eventually resulting in apoptosis. The incorporation of gemcitabine into DNA takes place in competition with the natural nucleoside dCTP. The mechanisms of indirect competition between these cascades for common resources are given with the race for DNA incorporation; in clinical studies dedicated to singling out mechanisms of resistance, ribonucleotide reductase (RR) and deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) and human equilibrative nucleoside transporter1 (hENT1) have been associated to efficacy of gemcitabine with respect to their roles in the synthesis cascades of dFdC-TP and dCTP. However, the direct competition, which manifests itself in terms of inhibitions between these cascades, remains to be quantified. We propose an algorithmic model of gemcitabine mechanism of action, verified with respect to independent experimental data. We performed in silico experiments in different virtual conditions, otherwise difficult in vivo, to evaluate the contribution of the inhibitory mechanisms to gemcitabine efficacy. In agreement with the experimental data, our model indicates that the inhibitions due to the association of dCTP with dCK and the association of gemcitabine diphosphate metabolite (dFdC-DP) with RR play a key role in adjusting the efficacy. While the former tunes the catalysis of the rate-limiting first phosphorylation of dFdC, the latter is responsible for depletion of dCTP pools, thereby contributing to gemcitabine efficacy with a dependency on nucleoside transport efficiency. Our simulations predict the existence of a continuum of non-efficacy to high-efficacy regimes, where the levels of dFdC-TP and dCTP are coupled in a complementary manner, which can explain the resistance to this drug in some patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozan Kahramanoğullari
- The Microsoft Research-University of Trento Centre for Computational and Systems Biology, Rovereto (Trento), Italy.
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17
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Giovannetti E, van der Velde A, Funel N, Vasile E, Perrone V, Leon LG, De Lio N, Avan A, Caponi S, Pollina LE, Gallá V, Sudo H, Falcone A, Campani D, Boggi U, Peters GJ. High-throughput microRNA (miRNAs) arrays unravel the prognostic role of MiR-211 in pancreatic cancer. PLoS One 2012; 7:e49145. [PMID: 23155457 PMCID: PMC3498320 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Only a subset of radically resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients benefit from chemotherapy, and identification of prognostic factors is warranted. Recently miRNAs emerged as diagnostic biomarkers and innovative therapeutic targets, while high-throughput arrays are opening new opportunities to evaluate whether they can predict clinical outcome. The present study evaluated whether comprehensive miRNA expression profiling correlated with overall survival (OS) in resected PDAC patients. Methodology/Principal Findings High-resolution miRNA profiles were obtained with the Toray's 3D-Gene™-miRNA-chip, detecting more than 1200 human miRNAs. RNA was successfully isolated from paraffin-embedded primary tumors of 19 out of 26 stage-pT3N1 homogeneously treated patients (adjuvant gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2/day, days-1/8/15, every 28days), carefully selected according to their outcome (OS<12 (N = 13) vs. OS>30 months (N = 6), i.e. short/long-OS). Highly stringent statistics included t-test, distance matrix with Spearman-ranked correlation, and iterative approaches. Unsupervised hierarchical analysis revealed that PDACs clustered according to their short/long-OS classification, while the feature selection algorithm RELIEF identified the top 4 discriminating miRNAs between the two groups. These miRNAs target more than 1500 transcripts, including 169 targeted by two or more. MiR-211 emerged as the best discriminating miRNA, with significantly higher expression in long- vs. short-OS patients. The expression of this miRNA was subsequently assessed by quantitative-PCR in an independent cohort of laser-microdissected PDACs from 60 resected patients treated with the same gemcitabine regimen. Patients with low miR-211 expression according to median value had a significantly shorter median OS (14.8, 95%CI = 13.1–16.5, vs. 25.7 months, 95%CI = 16.2–35.1, log-rank-P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that low miR-211 expression was an independent factor of poor prognosis (hazard ratio 2.3, P = 0.03) after adjusting for all the factors influencing outcome. Conclusions/Significance Through comprehensive microarray analysis and PCR validation we identified miR-211 as a prognostic factor in resected PDAC. These results prompt further prospective studies and research on the biological role of miR-211 in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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18
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Di Turi G, Riggio C, Vittorio O, Marconcini S, Briguglio F, Funel N, Campani D, Barone A, Raffa V, Covani U. Sub-Micrometric Liposomes as Drug Delivery Systems in the Treatment and Periodontitis. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2012; 25:657-70. [DOI: 10.1177/039463201202500312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Periodontitis is a complex disease and bacterial infection is one of the most common factors involved in this disease. Current strategies for the local delivery of antibiotics do not allow a complete clearance of bacteria filling dentinal tubules and this limits their therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, there is a strong need for the development of new delivery strategies aimed at improving the efficacy of antibiotic therapy for periodontitis with special reference to their ability to penetrate into the tubules. The aim of the present study is to develop liposome-based delivery systems of sub-micron dimension, able to diffuse into the dentinal tubules. A further aim of the research is to develop a protocol for enhanced diffusion based on the use of magnetic liposomes and magnetic fields. Liposomes were produced by hydration of a pre-liposomal formulation. The vesicles were stabilised with PEG and their re-sizing was achieved by extrusion. Magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized inside the vesicles, i.e., the chemical reaction involving FeCl2, FeCl3 and NH3 occurred within the core of the newly formed liposomes. Dynamic Light Scattering analysis was performed for size characterization. A mathematical model was implemented to predict the diffusion of the liposomes in dentinal tubules. Ex-vivo validation was performed on extracted human teeth. We produced PEG-ylated liposomes (average size 204.3 nm) and PEG-ylated magnetic liposomes (average size 286 nm) and an iron content of 4.2μg/ml. Through mathematical modelling, we deduced that sub-micrometer vesicles are able to penetrate into dentinal tubules. This penetration is considerably more effective when the vesicles are magnetized and subjected to an external magnetic field which accelerates their movement within the tubules. The liposome-based delivery systems developed by the present study are able to penetrate deeply into the tubules, sometimes reaching their terminal ends.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Di Turi
- Department of Oncology, Transplantation and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - C. Riggio
- Istituto di Scienze della Vita, Scuola Superiore Sant 'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - O. Vittorio
- Department of Oncology, Transplantation and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
- Istituto di Scienze della Vita, Scuola Superiore Sant 'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - S. Marconcini
- Istituto Stomatologico Tirreno, Camaiore (Lu), Italy
- Department of Surgery, Division of Dentistry, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - F. Briguglio
- Istituto Stomatologico Tirreno, Camaiore (Lu), Italy
| | - N. Funel
- Department of Oncology, Transplantation and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pathology, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - D. Campani
- Department of Oncology, Transplantation and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pathology, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - A. Barone
- Istituto Stomatologico Tirreno, Camaiore (Lu), Italy
- Department of Surgery, Division of Dentistry, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - V. Raffa
- Istituto di Scienze della Vita, Scuola Superiore Sant 'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - U. Covani
- Istituto Stomatologico Tirreno, Camaiore (Lu), Italy
- Department of Surgery, Division of Dentistry, University of Pisa, Italy
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19
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Funel N, Giovannetti E, Pollina LE, del Chiaro M, Mosca F, Boggi U, Campani D. Critical role of laser microdissection for genetic, epigenetic and proteomic analyses in pancreatic cancer. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2011; 11:695-701. [PMID: 21902531 DOI: 10.1586/erm.11.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease, and molecular studies to unravel novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets are warranted. However, PDAC is characterized by different precursor lesions, as well as by an intense desmoplastic reaction, with islet of neoplastic cells often representing a minor population. Moreover, normal ductal cells, which are considered to be the normal counterpart of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, comprise approximately 5% of the total population of cells making up this organ. For all these reasons, molecular techniques to identify critical mutations, as well as the pattern of altered mRNA/microRNA/protein expression should be performed on selected pancreatic cell subpopulations. Therefore, the use of the newest laser microdissection techniques is critical for the analysis of PDAC biological characteristics. This article highlights the most recent and clinically relevant aspects of genetic, epigenetic and proteomic analyses of PDAC from the perspective of the application of laser microdissection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niccola Funel
- Department of Surgery, Unit of Experimental Surgical Pathology, University Hospital of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
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20
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Crea F, Duhagon MA, Farrar WL, Danesi R. Pharmacogenomics and cancer stem cells: a changing landscape? Trends Pharmacol Sci 2011; 32:487-94. [PMID: 21529973 PMCID: PMC3448442 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2011.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2010] [Revised: 03/25/2011] [Accepted: 03/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacogenomics in oncology holds the promise to personalize cancer therapy. However, its clinical application is still limited to a few genes, and, in the large majority of cancers, the correlation between genotype and clinical outcome has been disappointing. One possible explanation is that current pharmacogenomic studies do not take into account the emerging role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in drug sensitivity and resistance. CSCs are a subpopulation of cells driven by specific signal-transduction pathways, but genetic variants affecting their activity are generally neglected in current pharmacogenomic studies. Moreover, in several malignancies, CSCs represent a rare sub-population; therefore, whole tumor profiling might mask CSC gene expression patterns. This article reviews current evidence on CSC chemoresistance and shows how common genetic variations in CSC-related genes may predict individual response to anti-cancer agents. Furthermore, we provide insights into the design of pharmacogenomic studies to address the clinical usefulness of CSC genetic profiling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Crea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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21
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Funel N, Morelli M, Giovannetti E, Del Chiaro M, Pollina LE, Mosca F, Boggi U, Cavazzana A, Campani D. Loss of heterozygosity status of D9S105 marker is associated with downregulation of Krüppel-like factor 4 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and pancreatic intraepithelial lesions. Pancreatology 2011; 11:30-42. [PMID: 21412023 DOI: 10.1159/000322990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2010] [Accepted: 11/19/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) may act both as an oncogene and a tumor suppressor in a tissue-dependent manner, and further studies on its role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression and clinical outcome are warranted. Therefore, we investigated the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the 9q22.3-32 region and loss of KFL4 gene expression in epithelial cells from 35 PDAC, 6 pancreatic intraductal neoplasias (PanINs) and 6 normal ducts, isolated by laser microdissection, as well as their correlation with overall survival (OS) in patients treated with gemcitabine in the adjuvant setting. LOH was evaluated with 4 microsatellite markers and in situ hybridization, while KLF4 expression was studied by reverse transcription-PCR and immunohistochemistry. LOH in at least 1 locus was observed in 25 of 35 PDAC cases and in 5 of 6 PanINs, respectively. In particular, the loss of the D9S105 marker was present in 46.9% of PDAC and 83.3% of PanINs, becoming the most deleted marker, while no LOH in D9S105 was observed in normal Wirsung pancreatic duct. Lack of KLF4 mRNA expression was significantly associated with: (1) genomic deletion flanking KLF4 in PDAC and in PanINs (with LOH of D9S105), (2) low-grade PDAC-associated PanIN, (3) lack of KLF4 protein expression, and (4) shorter OS. These results strongly suggest a relationship between D9S105 deletion and downregulation of KLF4 gene expression as an early event in PDAC progression, as well as a possible role of KLF4 as a prognostic biomarker in gemcitabine-treated patients. and IAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niccola Funel
- Division of General and Transplantation Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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22
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Granchi C, Roy S, Giacomelli C, Macchia M, Tuccinardi T, Martinelli A, Lanza M, Betti L, Giannaccini G, Lucacchini A, Funel N, León LG, Giovannetti E, Peters GJ, Palchaudhuri R, Calvaresi EC, Hergenrother PJ, Minutolo F. Discovery of N-hydroxyindole-based inhibitors of human lactate dehydrogenase isoform A (LDH-A) as starvation agents against cancer cells. J Med Chem 2011; 54:1599-612. [PMID: 21332213 DOI: 10.1021/jm101007q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Highly invasive tumor cells are characterized by a metabolic switch, known as the Warburg effect, from "normal" oxidative phosphorylation to increased glycolysis even under sufficiently oxygenated conditions. This dependence on glycolysis also confers a growth advantage to cells present in hypoxic regions of the tumor. One of the key enzymes involved in glycolysis, the muscle isoform of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-A), is overexpressed by metastatic cancer cells and is linked to the vitality of tumors in hypoxia. This enzyme may be considered as a potential target for new anticancer agents, since its inhibition cuts cancer energetic and anabolic supply, thus reducing the metastatic and invasive potential of cancer cells. We have discovered new and efficient N-hydroxyindole-based inhibitors of LDH-A, which are isoform-selective (over LDH-B) and competitive with both the substrate (pyruvate) and the cofactor (NADH). The antiproliferative activity of these compounds was confirmed on a series of cancer cell lines, and they proved to be particularly effective under hypoxic conditions. Moreover, NMR experiments showed that these compounds are able to reduce the glucose-to-lactate conversion inside the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Granchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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23
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Hwang JH, Voortman J, Giovannetti E, Steinberg SM, Leon LG, Kim YT, Funel N, Park JK, Kim MA, Kang GH, Kim SW, Chiaro MD, Peters GJ, Giaccone G. Identification of microRNA-21 as a biomarker for chemoresistance and clinical outcome following adjuvant therapy in resectable pancreatic cancer. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10630. [PMID: 20498843 PMCID: PMC2871055 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2010] [Accepted: 04/20/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a dismal prognosis. The high risk of recurrence following surgical resection provides the rationale for adjuvant therapy. However, only a subset of patients benefit from adjuvant therapy. Identification of molecular markers to predict treatment outcome is therefore warranted. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether expression of novel candidate biomarkers, including microRNAs, can predict clinical outcome in PDAC patients treated with adjuvant therapy. Methodology/Principal Findings Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded specimens from a cohort of 82 resected Korean PDAC cases were analyzed for protein expression by immunohistochemistry and for microRNA expression using quantitative Real-Time PCR. Cox proportional hazards model analysis in the subgroup of patients treated with adjuvant therapy (N = 52) showed that lower than median miR-21 expression was associated with a significantly lower hazard ratio (HR) for death (HR = 0.316; 95%CI = 0.166–0.600; P = 0.0004) and recurrence (HR = 0.521; 95%CI = 0.280–0.967; P = 0.04). MiR-21 expression status emerged as the single most predictive biomarker for treatment outcome among all 27 biological and 9 clinicopathological factors evaluated. No significant association was detected in patients not treated with adjuvant therapy. In an independent validation cohort of 45 frozen PDAC tissues from Italian cases, all treated with adjuvant therapy, lower than median miR-21 expression was confirmed to be correlated with longer overall as well as disease-free survival. Furthermore, transfection with anti-miR-21 enhanced the chemosensitivity of PDAC cells. Conclusions Significance Low miR-21 expression was associated with benefit from adjuvant treatment in two independent cohorts of PDAC cases, and anti-miR-21 increased anticancer drug activity in vitro. These data provide evidence that miR-21 may allow stratification for adjuvant therapy, and represents a new potential target for therapy in PDAC.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/surgery
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
- Cohort Studies
- Disease-Free Survival
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Female
- Fluorouracil/pharmacology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Humans
- Italy
- Korea
- Male
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Middle Aged
- Multivariate Analysis
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/surgery
- Proportional Hazards Models
- Recurrence
- Reproducibility of Results
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Hyeok Hwang
- Medical Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Johannes Voortman
- Medical Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Seth M. Steinberg
- Biostatistics and Data Management Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Leticia G. Leon
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yong-Tae Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Niccola Funel
- Divisione di Chirurgia Generale e dei Trapianti dell'Uremico e del Diabetico, Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Joo Kyung Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min A. Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeong Hoon Kang
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Whe Kim
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Marco Del Chiaro
- Divisione di Chirurgia Generale e dei Trapianti dell'Uremico e del Diabetico, Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Godefridus J. Peters
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giuseppe Giaccone
- Medical Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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24
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Giovannetti E, Funel N, Peters GJ, Del Chiaro M, Erozenci LA, Vasile E, Leon LG, Pollina LE, Groen A, Falcone A, Danesi R, Campani D, Verheul HM, Boggi U. MicroRNA-21 in pancreatic cancer: correlation with clinical outcome and pharmacologic aspects underlying its role in the modulation of gemcitabine activity. Cancer Res 2010; 70:4528-38. [PMID: 20460539 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-4467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 347] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) was reported to be overexpressed and contributes to invasion and gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether miR-21 expression was associated with the overall survival (OS) of PDAC patients treated with gemcitabine and to provide mechanistic insights for new therapeutic targets. miR-21 expression was evaluated in cells (including 7 PDAC cell lines, 7 primary cultures, fibroblasts, and a normal pancreatic ductal cell line) and tissues (neoplastic specimens from 81 PDAC patients and normal ductal samples) isolated by laser microdissection. The role of miR-21 on the pharmacologic effects of gemcitabine was studied with a specific miR-21 precursor (pre-miR-21). Patients with high miR-21 expression had a significantly shorter OS both in the metastatic and in the adjuvant setting. Multivariate analysis confirmed the prognostic significance of miR-21. miR-21 expression in primary cultures correlated with expression in their respective tissues and with gemcitabine resistance. Pre-miR-21 transfection significantly decreased antiproliferative effects and apoptosis induction by gemcitabine, whereas matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/MMP-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression were upregulated. Addition of inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin resulted in decrease of phospho-Akt and prevented pre-miR-21-induced resistance to the proapoptotic effects of gemcitabine. miR-21 expression correlated with outcome in PDAC patients treated with gemcitabine. Modulation of apoptosis, Akt phosphorylation, and expression of genes involved in invasive behavior may contribute to the role of miR-21 in gemcitabine chemoresistance and to the rational development of new targeted combinations.
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