1
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Mulet-Lazaro R, Delwel R. Oncogenic Enhancers in Leukemia. Blood Cancer Discov 2024; 5:303-317. [PMID: 39093124 PMCID: PMC11369600 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-23-0211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Although the study of leukemogenesis has traditionally focused on protein-coding genes, the role of enhancer dysregulation is becoming increasingly recognized. The advent of high-throughput sequencing, together with a better understanding of enhancer biology, has revealed how various genetic and epigenetic lesions produce oncogenic enhancers that drive transformation. These aberrations include translocations that lead to enhancer hijacking, point mutations that modulate enhancer activity, and copy number alterations that modify enhancer dosage. In this review, we describe these mechanisms in the context of leukemia and discuss potential therapeutic avenues to target these regulatory elements. Significance: Large-scale sequencing projects have uncovered recurrent gene mutations in leukemia, but the picture remains incomplete: some patients harbor no such aberrations, whereas others carry only a few that are insufficient to bring about transformation on their own. One of the missing pieces is enhancer dysfunction, which only recently has emerged as a critical driver of leukemogenesis. Knowledge of the various mechanisms of enhancer dysregulation is thus key for a complete understanding of leukemia and its causes, as well as the development of targeted therapies in the era of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Mulet-Lazaro
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Ruud Delwel
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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2
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Che N, Cantilena S, Looi-Somoye R, Sundar D, Fung K, de Boer J, Williams O. Enhanced depletion of MLL-fusion proteins in acute leukemia: potential for improved therapeutic outcomes. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:84. [PMID: 39152521 PMCID: PMC11328480 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00556-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Rearrangements of the MLL (KMT2A) locus are associated with aggressive leukaemia of both myeloid and lymphoid lineages, that present profound therapeutic challenges in pediatric and adult patient populations. MLL-fusion genes resulting from these rearrangements function as driving oncogenes and have been the focus of research aimed at understanding mechanisms underlying their leukemogenic activity and revealing novel therapeutic opportunities. Inspired by the paradigm of depleting the PML-RARA fusion protein in acute promyelocytic leukemia using all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide, we conducted a screen to identify FDA-approved drugs capable of depleting MLL-fusion protein expression in leukemia cells. Previously, we reported potent anti-leukemia effects of disulfiram (DSF), identified through this screen. In the present study, we demonstrate that another hit compound, niclosamide (NSM), is also able to deplete MLL-fusion proteins derived from a range of different MLL-fusion genes in both acute myeloid (AML) and acute lymphoid (ALL) leukemias. Loss of MLL-fusion protein appeared to result from inhibition of global protein translation by NSM. Importantly, combination of DSF with NSM enhanced MLL-fusion protein depletion. This led to more profound inhibition of downstream transcriptional leukemogenic programs regulated by MLL-fusion proteins and more effective killing of both MLL-rearranged AML and ALL cells. In contrast, DSF/NSM drug combination had little impact on normal hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation. This study demonstrates that two FDA-approved drugs with excellent safety profiles can be combined to increase the efficacy of MLL-fusion protein depletion and elimination of MLL-rearranged leukaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Che
- Cancer Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Sandra Cantilena
- Cancer Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Remi Looi-Somoye
- Cancer Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Danesh Sundar
- Cancer Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Kent Fung
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Jasper de Boer
- Cancer Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
| | - Owen Williams
- Cancer Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
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3
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Biersack B, Höpfner M. Emerging role of MYB transcription factors in cancer drug resistance. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2024; 7:15. [PMID: 38835346 PMCID: PMC11149108 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Decades ago, the viral myeloblastosis oncogene v-myb was identified as a gene responsible for the development of avian leukemia. However, the relevance of MYB proteins for human cancer diseases, in particular for solid tumors, remained basically unrecognized for a very long time. The human family of MYB transcription factors comprises MYB (c-MYB), MYBL2 (b-MYB), and MYBL1 (a-MYB), which are overexpressed in several cancers and are associated with cancer progression and resistance to anticancer drugs. In addition to overexpression, the presence of activated MYB-fusion proteins as tumor drivers was described in certain cancers. The identification of anticancer drug resistance mediated by MYB proteins and their underlying mechanisms are of great importance in understanding failures of current therapies and establishing new and more efficient therapy regimens. In addition, new drug candidates targeting MYB transcription factor activity and signaling have emerged as a promising class of potential anticancer therapeutics that could tackle MYB-dependent drug-resistant cancers in a more selective way. This review describes the correlation of MYB transcription factors with the formation and persistence of cancer resistance to various approved and investigational anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Biersack
- Organic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth 95440, Germany
| | - Michael Höpfner
- Institute for Physiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin 10117, Germany
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4
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Almeida A, T'Sas S, Pagliaro L, Fijalkowski I, Sleeckx W, Van Steenberge H, Zamponi R, Lintermans B, Van Loocke W, Palhais B, Reekmans A, Bardelli V, Demoen L, Reunes L, Deforce D, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Kentsis A, Ntziachristos P, Van Roy N, De Moerloose B, Mecucci C, La Starza R, Roti G, Goossens S, Van Vlierberghe P, Pieters T. Myb overexpression synergizes with the loss of Pten and is a dependency factor and therapeutic target in T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. Hemasphere 2024; 8:e51. [PMID: 38463444 PMCID: PMC10924755 DOI: 10.1002/hem3.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematological malignancy that accounts for 10%-15% of pediatric and 25% of adult ALL cases. Although the prognosis of T-ALL has improved over time, the outcome of T-ALL patients with primary resistant or relapsed leukemia remains poor. Therefore, further progress in the treatment of T-ALL requires a better understanding of its biology and the development of more effective precision oncologic therapies. The proto-oncogene MYB is highly expressed in diverse hematologic malignancies, including T-ALLs with genomic aberrations that further potentiate its expression and activity. Previous studies have associated MYB with a malignant role in the pathogenesis of several cancers. However, its role in the induction and maintenance of T-ALL remains relatively poorly understood. In this study, we found that an increased copy number of MYB is associated with higher MYB expression levels, and might be associated with inferior event-free survival of pediatric T-ALL patients. Using our previously described conditional Myb overexpression mice, we generated two distinct MYB-driven T-ALL mouse models. We demonstrated that the overexpression of Myb synergizes with Pten deletion but not with the overexpression of Lmo2 to accelerate the development of T-cell lymphoblastic leukemias. We also showed that MYB is a dependency factor in T-ALL since RNA interference of Myb blocked cell cycle progression and induced apoptosis in both human and murine T-ALL cell lines. Finally, we provide preclinical evidence that targeting the transcriptional activity of MYB can be a useful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Almeida
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
| | - Sara T'Sas
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Luca Pagliaro
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of ParmaParmaItaly
| | - Igor Fijalkowski
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Leukemia Therapy Resistance Laboratory and Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Wouter Sleeckx
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Hannah Van Steenberge
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | | | - Béatrice Lintermans
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
| | - Wouter Van Loocke
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
| | - Bruno Palhais
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Leukemia Therapy Resistance Laboratory and Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Alexandra Reekmans
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Valentina Bardelli
- Institute of Hematology and Center for Hemato‐Oncology ResearchUniversity of Perugia and S.M. Misericordia HospitalPerugiaItaly
| | - Lisa Demoen
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
| | - Lindy Reunes
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Leukemia Therapy Resistance Laboratory and Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Dieter Deforce
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | | | - Alex Kentsis
- Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Sloan Kettering Institute and Department of PediatricsMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Panagiotis Ntziachristos
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Leukemia Therapy Resistance Laboratory and Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Nadine Van Roy
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Lab for Translational Oncogenomics and Bioinformatics, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Pediatric Precision Oncology Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Barbara De Moerloose
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Department of Pediatric Hematology‐OncologyGhent University HospitalGhentBelgium
| | - Cristina Mecucci
- Institute of Hematology and Center for Hemato‐Oncology ResearchUniversity of Perugia and S.M. Misericordia HospitalPerugiaItaly
| | - Roberta La Starza
- Institute of Hematology and Center for Hemato‐Oncology ResearchUniversity of Perugia and S.M. Misericordia HospitalPerugiaItaly
| | - Giovanni Roti
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of ParmaParmaItaly
| | - Steven Goossens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Pieter Van Vlierberghe
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
| | - Tim Pieters
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Leukemia Therapy Resistance Laboratory and Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
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5
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Eschbach J, Wagner A, Beahr C, Bekel A, Korganow AS, Quartier A, Peter JC, Eftekhari P. Drug upgrade: A complete methodology from old drug to new chemical entities using Nematic Protein Organization Technique. Drug Dev Res 2024; 85:e22151. [PMID: 38349254 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22151] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Drug repurposing is used to propose new therapeutic perspectives. Here, we introduce "Drug Upgrade", that is, characterizing the mode of action of an old drug to generate new chemical entities and new therapeutics. We proposed a novel methodology covering target identification to pharmacology validation. As an old drug, we chose hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for its well-documented clinical efficacy in lupus and its side effect, retinal toxicity. Using the Nematic Protein Organization Technique (NPOT®) followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses, we identified myeloperoxidase (MPO) and alpha-crystallin β chain (CRYAB) as primary and secondary targets to HCQ from lupus patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and isolated human retinas. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and enzymatic assays confirmed the interaction of HCQ with MPO and CRYAB. We synthesized INS-072 a novel analog of HCQ that increased affinity for MPO and decreased binding to CRYAB compared to HCQ. INS-072 delayed cutaneous eruption significantly compared to HCQ in the murine MRL/lpr model of spontaneous lupus and prevents immune complex vasculitis in mice. In addition, long-term HCQ treatment caused retinal toxicity in mice, unlike INS-072. Our study illustrates a method of drug development, where new applications or improvements can be explored by fully characterizing the drug's mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alain Wagner
- Bio-Functional Chemistry (UMR 7199), Institut du Médicament de Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
- Strasbourg Drug Discovery and Development Institute (IMS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Corinne Beahr
- Bio-Functional Chemistry (UMR 7199), Institut du Médicament de Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Akkiz Bekel
- Inoviem Scientific, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Korganow
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Internal Medicine, National Reference Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases (CNR RESO), Tertiary Center for Primary Immunodeficiency, University Hospital and INSERM UMR 1109, Strasbourg, France
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6
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Clarke ML, Gabrielsen OS, Frampton J. MYB as a Critical Transcription Factor and Potential Therapeutic Target in AML. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1459:341-358. [PMID: 39017851 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-62731-6_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Myb was identified over four decades ago as the transforming component of acute leukemia viruses in chickens. Since then it has become increasingly apparent that dysregulated MYB activity characterizes many blood cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia, and that it represents the most "addictive" oncoprotein in many, if not all, such diseases. As a consequence of this tumor-specific dependency for MYB, it has become a major focus of efforts to develop specific antileukemia drugs. Much attention is being given to ways to interrupt the interaction between MYB and cooperating factors, in particular EP300/KAT3B and CBP/KAT3A. Aside from candidates identified through screening of small molecules, the most exciting prospect for novel drugs seems to be the design of peptide mimetics that interfere directly at the interface between MYB and its cofactors. Such peptides combine a high degree of target specificity with good efficacy including minimal effects on normal hematopoietic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Louise Clarke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine & Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Cancer & Genomic Sciences, College of Medicine & Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Jon Frampton
- Department of Cancer & Genomic Sciences, College of Medicine & Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
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7
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Di Mambro A, Arroyo-Berdugo Y, Fioretti T, Randles M, Cozzuto L, Rajeeve V, Cevenini A, Austin MJ, Esposito G, Ponomarenko J, Lucas CM, Cutillas P, Gribben J, Williams O, Calle Y, Patel B, Esposito MT. SET-PP2A complex as a new therapeutic target in KMT2A (MLL) rearranged AML. Oncogene 2023; 42:3670-3683. [PMID: 37891368 PMCID: PMC10709139 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02840-1] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2A-R) is an aggressive and chemo-refractory acute leukemia which mostly affects children. Transcriptomics-based characterization and chemical interrogation identified kinases as key drivers of survival and drug resistance in KMT2A-R leukemia. In contrast, the contribution and regulation of phosphatases is unknown. In this study we uncover the essential role and underlying mechanisms of SET, the endogenous inhibitor of Ser/Thr phosphatase PP2A, in KMT2A-R-leukemia. Investigation of SET expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples demonstrated that SET is overexpressed, and elevated expression of SET is correlated with poor prognosis and with the expression of MEIS and HOXA genes in AML patients. Silencing SET specifically abolished the clonogenic ability of KMT2A-R leukemic cells and the transcription of KMT2A targets genes HOXA9 and HOXA10. Subsequent mechanistic investigations showed that SET interacts with both KMT2A wild type and fusion proteins, and it is recruited to the HOXA10 promoter. Pharmacological inhibition of SET by FTY720 disrupted SET-PP2A interaction leading to cell cycle arrest and increased sensitivity to chemotherapy in KMT2A-R-leukemic models. Phospho-proteomic analyses revealed that FTY720 reduced the activity of kinases regulated by PP2A, including ERK1, GSK3β, AURB and PLK1 and led to suppression of MYC, supporting the hypothesis of a feedback loop among PP2A, AURB, PLK1, MYC, and SET. Our findings illustrate that SET is a novel player in KMT2A-R leukemia and they provide evidence that SET antagonism could serve as a novel strategy to treat this aggressive leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tiziana Fioretti
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore, Napoli, Italy
| | - Michael Randles
- Chester Centre for Leukaemia Research, Chester Medical School, University of Chester, Chester, UK
| | - Luca Cozzuto
- Centre Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Armando Cevenini
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore, Napoli, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Michael J Austin
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Gabriella Esposito
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore, Napoli, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Julia Ponomarenko
- Centre Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- University Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Claire M Lucas
- Chester Centre for Leukaemia Research, Chester Medical School, University of Chester, Chester, UK
| | - Pedro Cutillas
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - John Gribben
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Owen Williams
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health London, UCL, London, UK
| | - Yolanda Calle
- School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, UK
| | - Bela Patel
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Maria Teresa Esposito
- School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, UK.
- School of Biosciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
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8
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Negri A, Ward C, Bucci A, D'Angelo G, Cauchy P, Radesco A, Ventura AB, Walton DS, Clarke M, Mandriani B, Pappagallo SA, Mondelli P, Liao K, Gargano G, Zaccaria GM, Viggiano L, Lasorsa FM, Ahmed A, Di Molfetta D, Fiermonte G, Cives M, Guarini A, Vegliante MC, Ciavarella S, Frampton J, Volpe G. Reversal of MYB-dependent suppression of MAFB expression overrides leukaemia phenotype in MLL-rearranged AML. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:763. [PMID: 37996430 PMCID: PMC10667525 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06276-z] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor MYB plays a pivotal role in haematopoietic homoeostasis and its aberrant expression is involved in the genesis and maintenance of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). We have previously demonstrated that not all AML subtypes display the same dependency on MYB expression and that such variability is dictated by the nature of the driver mutation. However, whether this difference in MYB dependency is a general trend in AML remains to be further elucidated. Here, we investigate the role of MYB in human leukaemia by performing siRNA-mediated knock-down in cell line models of AML with different driver lesions. We show that the characteristic reduction in proliferation and the concomitant induction of myeloid differentiation that is observed in MLL-rearranged and t(8;21) leukaemias upon MYB suppression is not seen in AML cells with a complex karyotype. Transcriptome analyses revealed that MYB ablation produces consensual increase of MAFB expression in MYB-dependent cells and, interestingly, the ectopic expression of MAFB could phenocopy the effect of MYB suppression. Accordingly, in silico stratification analyses of molecular data from AML patients revealed a reciprocal relationship between MYB and MAFB expression, highlighting a novel biological interconnection between these two factors in AML and supporting new rationales of MAFB targeting in MLL-rearranged leukaemias.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Negri
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - C Ward
- Edge Impulse Inc., San Jose, CA, USA
| | - A Bucci
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - G D'Angelo
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - P Cauchy
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - A Radesco
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - A B Ventura
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - D S Walton
- Clent Life Sciences, DY84HD, Stourbridge, UK
| | - M Clarke
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK
| | - B Mandriani
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - S A Pappagallo
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - P Mondelli
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - K Liao
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - G Gargano
- Department of Mathematics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - G M Zaccaria
- Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - L Viggiano
- Department of Biology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - F M Lasorsa
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - A Ahmed
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - D Di Molfetta
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - G Fiermonte
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - M Cives
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - A Guarini
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - M C Vegliante
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - S Ciavarella
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - J Frampton
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK.
| | - G Volpe
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy.
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9
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Shen L, Chen YL, Huang CC, Shyu YC, Seftor REB, Seftor EA, Hendrix MJC, Chien DS, Chu YW. CVM-1118 (foslinanib), a 2-phenyl-4-quinolone derivative, promotes apoptosis and inhibits vasculogenic mimicry via targeting TRAP1. Pathol Oncol Res 2023; 29:1611038. [PMID: 37351538 PMCID: PMC10283505 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2023.1611038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
CVM-1118 (foslinanib) is a phosphoric ester compound selected from 2-phenyl-4-quinolone derivatives. The NCI 60 cancer panel screening showed CVM-1125, the major active metabolite of CVM-1118, to exhibit growth inhibitory and cytotoxic effects at nanomolar range. CVM-1118 possesses multiple bioactivities, including inducing cellular apoptosis, cell cycle arrest at G2/M, as well as inhibiting vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation. The TNF receptor associated protein 1 (TRAP1) was identified as the binding target of CVM-1125 using nematic protein organization technique (NPOT) interactome analysis. Further studies demonstrated CVM-1125 reduced the protein level of TRAP1 and impeded its downstream signaling by reduction of cellular succinate levels and destabilization of HIF-1α. The pharmacogenomic biomarkers associated with CVM-1118 were also examined by Whole Genome CRISPR Knock-Out Screening. Two hits (STK11 and NF2) were confirmed with higher sensitivity to the drug in cell knock-down experiments. Biological assays indicate that the mechanism of action of CVM-1118 is via targeting TRAP1 to induce mitochondrial apoptosis, suppress tumor cell growth, and inhibit vasculogenic mimicry formation. Most importantly, the loss-of-function mutations of STK11 and NF2 are potential biomarkers of CVM-1118 which can be applied in the selection of cancer patients for CVM-1118 treatment. CVM-1118 is currently in its Phase 2a clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yu-Chiau Shyu
- Community Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Keelung Branch, Keelung, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | | | - Elisabeth A. Seftor
- Department of Biology, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV, United States
| | - Mary J. C. Hendrix
- Department of Biology, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV, United States
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10
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Ioakeim-Skoufa I, Tobajas-Ramos N, Menditto E, Aza-Pascual-Salcedo M, Gimeno-Miguel A, Orlando V, González-Rubio F, Fanlo-Villacampa A, Lasala-Aza C, Ostasz E, Vicente-Romero J. Drug Repurposing in Oncology: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15112972. [PMID: 37296934 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15112972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Quality pharmacological treatment can improve survival in many types of cancer. Drug repurposing offers advantages in comparison with traditional drug development procedures, reducing time and risk. This systematic review identified the most recent randomized controlled clinical trials that focus on drug repurposing in oncology. We found that only a few clinical trials were placebo-controlled or standard-of-care-alone-controlled. Metformin has been studied for potential use in various types of cancer, including prostate, lung, and pancreatic cancer. Other studies assessed the possible use of the antiparasitic agent mebendazole in colorectal cancer and of propranolol in multiple myeloma or, when combined with etodolac, in breast cancer. We were able to identify trials that study the potential use of known antineoplastics in other non-oncological conditions, such as imatinib for severe coronavirus disease in 2019 or a study protocol aiming to assess the possible repurposing of leuprolide for Alzheimer's disease. Major limitations of these clinical trials were the small sample size, the high clinical heterogeneity of the participants regarding the stage of the neoplastic disease, and the lack of accounting for multimorbidity and other baseline clinical characteristics. Drug repurposing possibilities in oncology must be carefully examined with well-designed trials, considering factors that could influence prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignatios Ioakeim-Skoufa
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, Department of Drug Statistics, Division of Health Data and Digitalisation, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, NO-0213 Oslo, Norway
- EpiChron Research Group, Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Miguel Servet University Hospital, ES-50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Research Network on Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), ES-28029 Madrid, Spain
- Drug Utilization Work Group, Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC), ES-08009 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Legal and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, ES-50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Natalia Tobajas-Ramos
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Legal and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, ES-50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Enrica Menditto
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca in Farmacoeconomia e Farmacoutilizzazione (CIRFF), Center of Drug Utilization and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, IT-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mercedes Aza-Pascual-Salcedo
- EpiChron Research Group, Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Miguel Servet University Hospital, ES-50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Research Network on Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), ES-28029 Madrid, Spain
- Primary Care Pharmacy Service Zaragoza III, Aragon Health Service (SALUD), ES-50017 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Antonio Gimeno-Miguel
- EpiChron Research Group, Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Miguel Servet University Hospital, ES-50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Research Network on Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), ES-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Valentina Orlando
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca in Farmacoeconomia e Farmacoutilizzazione (CIRFF), Center of Drug Utilization and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, IT-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francisca González-Rubio
- EpiChron Research Group, Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Miguel Servet University Hospital, ES-50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Drug Utilization Work Group, Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC), ES-08009 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Fanlo-Villacampa
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Legal and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, ES-50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Carmen Lasala-Aza
- Pharmacy Service, Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, ES-29010 Malaga, Spain
| | - Ewelina Ostasz
- Rehabilitation Centre Vikersund Bad AS, NO-3370 Vikersund, Norway
| | - Jorge Vicente-Romero
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Legal and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, ES-50009 Zaragoza, Spain
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11
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Harada T, Perez MW, Kalfon J, Braes FD, Batley R, Eagle K, Nabet B, Leifer B, Kruell J, Paralkar VR, Stegmaier K, Koehler AN, Orkin SH, Pimkin M. Rapid-kinetics degron benchmarking reveals off-target activities and mixed agonism-antagonism of MYB inhibitors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.07.536032. [PMID: 37066194 PMCID: PMC10104119 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.07.536032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Attenuating aberrant transcriptional circuits holds great promise for the treatment of numerous diseases, including cancer. However, development of transcriptional inhibitors is hampered by the lack of a generally accepted functional cellular readout to characterize their target specificity and on-target activity. We benchmarked the direct gene-regulatory signatures of six agents reported as inhibitors of the oncogenic transcription factor MYB against targeted MYB degradation in a nascent transcriptomics assay. The inhibitors demonstrated partial specificity for MYB target genes but displayed significant off-target activity. Unexpectedly, the inhibitors displayed bimodal on-target effects, acting as mixed agonists-antagonists. Our data uncover unforeseen agonist effects of small molecules originally developed as TF inhibitors and argue that rapid-kinetics benchmarking against degron models should be used for functional characterization of transcriptional modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taku Harada
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Monika W. Perez
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jérémie Kalfon
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Flora Dievenich Braes
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Rashad Batley
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Kenneth Eagle
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Ken Eagle Consulting, Houston, TX, 77494, USA
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Becky Leifer
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jasmin Kruell
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Vikram R. Paralkar
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Angela N. Koehler
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Stuart H. Orkin
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Maxim Pimkin
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
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12
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Tejera Nevado P, Tešan Tomić T, Atefyekta A, Fehr A, Stenman G, Andersson MK. Synthetic oleanane triterpenoids suppress MYB oncogene activity and sensitize T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells to chemotherapy. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1126354. [PMID: 37077825 PMCID: PMC10106619 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1126354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy with poor prognosis. The MYB oncogene encodes a master transcription factor that is activated in the majority of human T-ALLs. In the present study, we have performed a large-scale screening with small-molecule drugs to find clinically useful inhibitors of MYB gene expression in T-ALL. We identified several pharmacological agents that potentially could be used to treat MYB-driven malignancies. In particular, treatment with the synthetic oleanane triterpenoids (OTs) bardoxolone methyl and omaveloxolone decreased MYB gene activity and expression of MYB downstream target genes in T-ALL cells with constitutive MYB gene activation. Notably, treatment with bardoxolone methyl and omaveloxolone led to a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability and induction of apoptosis at low nanomolar concentrations. In contrast, normal bone marrow-derived cells were unaffected at these concentrations. Bardoxolone methyl and omaveloxolone treatment downregulated the expression of DNA repair genes and sensitized T-ALL cells to doxorubicin, a drug that is part of the standard therapy of T-ALL. OT treatment may thus potentiate DNA-damaging chemotherapy through attenuation of DNA repair. Taken together, our results indicate that synthetic OTs may be useful in the treatment of T-ALL and potentially also in other MYB-driven malignancies.
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13
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Klempnauer KH. C/EBPβ cooperates with MYB to maintain the oncogenic program of AML cells. Oncotarget 2023; 14:174-177. [PMID: 36913305 PMCID: PMC10010626 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies on the role of transcription factor MYB in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have identified MYB as a key regulator of a transcriptional program for self-renewal of AML cells. Recent work summarized here has now highlighted the CCAAT-box/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPβ) as an essential factor and potential therapeutic target that cooperates with MYB and coactivator p300 in the maintenance of the leukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl-Heinz Klempnauer
- Correspondence to:Karl-Heinz Klempnauer, Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Muenster D-48149, Germany email
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14
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Smith C, Touzart A, Simonin M, Tran-Quang C, Hypolite G, Latiri M, Andrieu GP, Balducci E, Dourthe MÉ, Goyal A, Huguet F, Petit A, Ifrah N, Baruchel A, Dombret H, Macintyre E, Plass C, Ghysdael J, Boissel N, Asnafi V. Harnessing the MYB-dependent TAL1 5'super-enhancer for targeted therapy in T-ALL. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:12. [PMID: 36650499 PMCID: PMC9847025 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01701-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of genetic abnormalities engendering oncogene dysregulation underpins cancer development. Certain proto-oncogenes possess several dysregulation mechanisms, yet how each mechanism impacts clinical outcome is unclear. Using T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) as an example, we show that patients harboring 5'super-enhancer (5'SE) mutations of the TAL1 oncogene identifies a specific patient subgroup with poor prognosis irrespective of the level of oncogene dysregulation. Remarkably, the MYB dependent oncogenic 5'SE can be targeted using Mebendazole to induce MYB protein degradation and T-ALL cell death. Of note Mebendazole treatment demonstrated efficacy in vivo in T-ALL preclinical models. Our work provides proof of concept that within a specific oncogene driven cancer, the mechanism of oncogene dysregulation rather than the oncogene itself can identify clinically distinct patient subgroups and pave the way for future super-enhancer targeting therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Smith
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Aurore Touzart
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Simonin
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Christine Tran-Quang
- grid.418596.70000 0004 0639 6384Institut Curie, Orsay, France ,grid.493838.dCNRS UMR3348, Institut Curie, Orsay, France ,grid.5842.b0000 0001 2171 2558INSERM U1278, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France ,grid.440907.e0000 0004 1784 3645PSL Research University, Paris, France ,grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535University Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Guillaume Hypolite
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Mehdi Latiri
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume P. Andrieu
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Estelle Balducci
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Émilie Dourthe
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France ,grid.413235.20000 0004 1937 0589Department of Pediatric Hematology and Immunology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Robert Debré Hospital, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Ashish Goyal
- grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Françoise Huguet
- grid.411175.70000 0001 1457 2980Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse Oncopole, Laboratoire d’Hématologie, Toulouse, France
| | - Arnaud Petit
- grid.462844.80000 0001 2308 1657Service d’Hématologie Et d’Oncologie Pédiatrique, AP-HP, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Norbert Ifrah
- grid.7252.20000 0001 2248 3363UFR Santé, Université Angers, PRES LUNAM, Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire (CHU) d’Angers, Service Des Maladies du Sang Et INSERM U892, 49933 Angers, France
| | - André Baruchel
- grid.413235.20000 0004 1937 0589Department of Pediatric Hematology and Immunology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Robert Debré Hospital, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Hervé Dombret
- Université de Paris Cité, Institut Universitaire d’Hématologie, EA-3518, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, University Hospital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Elizabeth Macintyre
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
| | - Christoph Plass
- grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584Division of Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jacques Ghysdael
- grid.418596.70000 0004 0639 6384Institut Curie, Orsay, France ,grid.493838.dCNRS UMR3348, Institut Curie, Orsay, France ,grid.5842.b0000 0001 2171 2558INSERM U1278, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France ,grid.440907.e0000 0004 1784 3645PSL Research University, Paris, France ,grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535University Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Nicolas Boissel
- Université de Paris Cité, Institut Universitaire d’Hématologie, EA-3518, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, University Hospital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Vahid Asnafi
- grid.7429.80000000121866389Université de Paris Cité, Institut Necker Enfants-Malades INEM, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (Inserm), U1151 Paris, France ,grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Laboratory of Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades 75743, Paris, France
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15
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Shchuka VM, Khader N, Dorogin A, Shynlova O, Mitchell JA. MYB and ELF3 differentially modulate labor-inducing gene expression in myometrial cells. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0271081. [PMID: 36595497 PMCID: PMC9810189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous uterine contractions are initiated when smooth muscle cells (SMCs) within the uterine muscle, or myometrium, transition from a functionally dormant to an actively contractile phenotype at the end of the pregnancy period. We know that this process is accompanied by gestational time point-specific differences in the SMC transcriptome, which can be modulated by the activator protein 1 (AP-1), nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κβ), estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR) transcription factors. Less is known, however, about the additional proteins that might assist these factors in conferring the transcriptional changes observed at labor onset. Here, we present functional evidence for the roles of two proteins previously understudied in the SMC context-MYB and ELF3-which can contribute to the regulation of labor-driving gene transcription. We show that the MYB and ELF3 genes exhibit elevated transcript expression levels in mouse and human myometrial tissues during spontaneous term labor. The expression of both genes was also significantly increased in mouse myometrium during preterm labor induced by the progesterone antagonist mifepristone (RU486), but not during infection-simulating preterm labor induced by intrauterine infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Furthermore, both MYB and ELF3 proteins affect labor-driving gene promoter activity, although in surprisingly opposing ways: Gja1 and Fos promoter activation increases in the presence of MYB and decreases in the presence of ELF3. Collectively, our study adds to the current understanding of the transcription factor network that defines the transcriptomes of SMCs during late gestation and implicates two new players in the control of labor timing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virlana M. Shchuka
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail: (VMS); (JAM); (OS)
| | - Nawrah Khader
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna Dorogin
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Oksana Shynlova
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail: (VMS); (JAM); (OS)
| | - Jennifer A. Mitchell
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail: (VMS); (JAM); (OS)
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16
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Lee LM, Christodoulou EG, Shyamsunder P, Chen BJ, Lee KL, Fung TK, So CWE, Wong GC, Petretto E, Rackham OJL, Tiong Ong S. A novel network pharmacology approach for leukaemia differentiation therapy using Mogrify ®. Oncogene 2022; 41:5160-5175. [PMID: 36271030 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02505-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a rapidly fatal blood cancer that is characterised by the accumulation of immature myeloid cells in the blood and bone marrow as a result of blocked differentiation. Methods which identify master transcriptional regulators of AML subtype-specific leukaemia cell states and their combinations could be critical for discovering novel differentiation-inducing therapies. In this proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate a novel utility of the Mogrify® algorithm in identifying combinations of transcription factors (TFs) and drugs, which recapitulate granulocytic differentiation of the NB4 acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) cell line, using two different approaches. In the first approach, Connectivity Map (CMAP) analysis of these TFs and their target networks outperformed standard approaches, retrieving ATRA as the top hit. We identify dimaprit and mebendazole as a drug combination which induces myeloid differentiation. In the second approach, we show that genetic manipulation of specific Mogrify®-identified TFs (MYC and IRF1) leads to co-operative induction of APL differentiation, as does pharmacological targeting of these TFs using currently available compounds. We also show that loss of IRF1 blunts ATRA-mediated differentiation, and that MYC represses IRF1 expression through recruitment of PML-RARα, the driver fusion oncoprotein in APL, to the IRF1 promoter. Finally, we demonstrate that these drug combinations can also induce differentiation of primary patient-derived APL cells, and highlight the potential of targeting MYC and IRF1 in high-risk APL. Thus, these results suggest that Mogrify® could be used for drug discovery or repositioning in leukaemia differentiation therapy for other subtypes of leukaemia or cancers.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Tretinoin/pharmacology
- Tretinoin/therapeutic use
- Network Pharmacology
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Cell Differentiation/genetics
- Transcription Factors/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ming Lee
- Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eleni G Christodoulou
- Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Programme in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Pavithra Shyamsunder
- Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bei Jun Chen
- Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Programme in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kian Leong Lee
- Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tsz Kan Fung
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Chi Wai Eric So
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Gee Chuan Wong
- Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Enrico Petretto
- Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- Programme in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMC), Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, London, UK.
- Institute for Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University (CPU), Nanjing, China.
| | - Owen J L Rackham
- Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- Programme in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
| | - S Tiong Ong
- Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
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17
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Li Y, Azmi AS, Mohammad RM. Deregulated transcription factors and poor clinical outcomes in cancer patients. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:122-134. [PMID: 35940398 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors are a group of proteins, which possess DNA-binding domains, bind to DNA strands of promoters or enhancers, and initiate transcription of genes with cooperation of RNA polymerase and other co-factors. They play crucial roles in regulating transcription during embryogenesis and development. Their physiological status in different cell types is also important to maintain cellular homeostasis. Therefore, any deregulation of transcription factors will lead to the development of cancer cells and tumor progression. Based on their functions in cancer cells, transcription factors could be either oncogenic or tumor suppressive. Furthermore, transcription factors have been shown to modulate cancer stem cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and drug response; therefore, measuring deregulated transcription factors is hypothesized to predict treatment outcomes of patients with cancers and targeting deregulated transcription factors could be an encouraging strategy for cancer therapy. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of major deregulated transcription factors and their effects on causing poor clinical outcome of patients with cancer. The information presented here will help to predict the prognosis and drug response and to design novel drugs and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancers by targeting deregulated transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Li
- Karmanos Cancer Institute and Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Karmanos Cancer Institute and Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ramzi M Mohammad
- Karmanos Cancer Institute and Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
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18
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Eagle K, Harada T, Kalfon J, Perez MW, Heshmati Y, Ewers J, Koren JV, Dempster JM, Kugener G, Paralkar VR, Lin CY, Dharia NV, Stegmaier K, Orkin SH, Pimkin M. Transcriptional Plasticity Drives Leukemia Immune Escape. Blood Cancer Discov 2022; 3:394-409. [PMID: 35709529 PMCID: PMC9897290 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-21-0207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Relapse of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation has been linked to immune evasion due to reduced expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) genes through unknown mechanisms. In this work, we developed CORENODE, a computational algorithm for genome-wide transcription network decomposition that identified a transcription factor (TF) tetrad consisting of IRF8, MYB, MEF2C, and MEIS1, regulating MHCII expression in AML cells. We show that reduced MHCII expression at relapse is transcriptionally driven by combinatorial changes in the expression of these TFs, where MYB and IRF8 play major opposing roles, acting independently of the IFNγ/CIITA pathway. Beyond the MHCII genes, MYB and IRF8 antagonistically regulate a broad genetic program responsible for cytokine signaling and T-cell stimulation that displays reduced expression at relapse. A small number of cells with altered TF abundance and silenced MHCII expression are present at the time of initial leukemia diagnosis, likely contributing to eventual relapse. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings point to an adaptive transcriptional mechanism of AML evolution after allogeneic transplantation whereby combinatorial fluctuations of TF expression under immune pressure result in the selection of cells with a silenced T-cell stimulation program. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 369.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Eagle
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Ken Eagle Consulting, Houston, Texas
| | - Taku Harada
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jérémie Kalfon
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Monika W. Perez
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yaser Heshmati
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jazmin Ewers
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jošt Vrabič Koren
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | | | - Vikram R. Paralkar
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Charles Y. Lin
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Neekesh V. Dharia
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Stuart H. Orkin
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maxim Pimkin
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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19
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Jackson TR, Vuorinen A, Josa-Culleré L, Madden KS, Conole D, Cogswell TJ, Wilkinson IV, Kettyle LM, Zhang D, O’Mahony A, Gracias D, McCall L, Westwood R, Terstappen GC, Davies SG, Tate EW, Wynne GM, Vyas P, Russell AJ, Milne TA. A tubulin binding molecule drives differentiation of acute myeloid leukemia cells. iScience 2022; 25:104787. [PMID: 35992086 PMCID: PMC9385704 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite much progress in developing better drugs, many patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) still die within a year of diagnosis. This is partly because it is difficult to identify therapeutic targets that are effective across multiple AML subtypes. One common factor across AML subtypes is the presence of a block in differentiation. Overcoming this block should allow for the identification of therapies that are not dependent on a specific mutation for their efficacy. Here, we used a phenotypic screen to identify compounds that stimulate differentiation in genetically diverse AML cell lines. Lead compounds were shown to decrease tumor burden and to increase survival in vivo. Using multiple complementary target deconvolution approaches, these compounds were revealed to be anti-mitotic tubulin disruptors that cause differentiation by inducing a G2-M mitotic arrest. Together, these results reveal a function for tubulin disruptors in causing differentiation of AML cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R. Jackson
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Aini Vuorinen
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Laia Josa-Culleré
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Katrina S. Madden
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Daniel Conole
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Thomas J. Cogswell
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
| | - Isabel V.L. Wilkinson
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Laura M. Kettyle
- Axis Bioservices, 189 Castleroe Rd, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT51 3RP, Northern Ireland
| | - Douzi Zhang
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alison O’Mahony
- Eurofins Discovery Phenotypic Services, St. Charles, MO 63304 and Burlingame, CA 94010, USA
- Discovery Platform at Recursion, 41 S Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, USA
| | - Deanne Gracias
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lorna McCall
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert Westwood
- Oxstem Ltd, Midland House West Way, Botley, Oxford OX2 0PH, UK
| | | | - Stephen G. Davies
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Edward W. Tate
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, 82 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Graham M. Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
- Oxstem Ltd, Midland House West Way, Botley, Oxford OX2 0PH, UK
| | - Paresh Vyas
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Angela J. Russell
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
| | - Thomas A. Milne
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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20
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Fiedler W, Freisleben F, Wellbrock J, Kirschner KN. Mebendazole's Conformational Space and Its Predicted Binding to Human Heat-Shock Protein 90. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:3604-3617. [PMID: 35867562 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent experimental evidence suggests that mebendazole, a popular antiparasitic drug, binds to heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and inhibits acute myeloid leukemia cell growth. In this study we use quantum mechanics (QM), molecular similarity, and molecular dynamics (MD) calculations to predict possible binding poses of mebendazole to the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding site of Hsp90. Extensive conformational searches and minimization of the five mebendazole tautomers using the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ theory level resulted in 152 minima. Mebendazole-Hsp90 complex models were subsequently created using the QM optimized conformations and protein coordinates obtained from experimental crystal structures that were chosen through similarity calculations. Nine different poses were identified from a total of 600 ns of explicit solvent, all-atom MD simulations using two different force fields. All simulations support the hypothesis that mebendazole is able to bind to the ATP binding site of Hsp90.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Fiedler
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Freisleben
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jasmin Wellbrock
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Karl N Kirschner
- Department of Computer Science, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
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21
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Cantilena S, Gasparoli L, Pal D, Heidenreich O, Klusmann J, Martens JHA, Faille A, Warren AJ, Karsa M, Pandher R, Somers K, Williams O, de Boer J. Direct targeted therapy for MLL-fusion-driven high-risk acute leukaemias. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e933. [PMID: 35730653 PMCID: PMC9214753 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improving the poor prognosis of infant leukaemias remains an unmet clinical need. This disease is a prototypical fusion oncoprotein-driven paediatric cancer, with MLL (KMT2A)-fusions present in most cases. Direct targeting of these driving oncoproteins represents a unique therapeutic opportunity. This rationale led us to initiate a drug screening with the aim of discovering drugs that can block MLL-fusion oncoproteins. METHODS A screen for inhibition of MLL-fusion proteins was developed that overcomes the traditional limitations of targeting transcription factors. This luciferase reporter-based screen, together with a secondary western blot screen, was used to prioritize compounds. We characterized the lead compound, disulfiram (DSF), based on its efficient ablation of MLL-fusion proteins. The consequences of drug-induced MLL-fusion inhibition were confirmed by cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis assays, RT-qPCR, in vivo assays, RNA-seq and ChIP-qPCR and ChIP-seq analysis. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Drug-induced inhibition of MLL-fusion proteins by DSF resulted in a specific block of colony formation in MLL-rearranged cells in vitro, induced differentiation and impeded leukaemia progression in vivo. Mechanistically, DSF abrogates MLL-fusion protein binding to DNA, resulting in epigenetic changes and down-regulation of leukaemic programmes setup by the MLL-fusion protein. CONCLUSION DSF can directly inhibit MLL-fusion proteins and demonstrate antitumour activity both in vitro and in vivo, providing, to our knowledge, the first evidence for a therapy that directly targets the initiating oncogenic MLL-fusion protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Cantilena
- Cancer Section, Development Biology and Cancer ProgrammeUCL GOS Institute of Child HealthLondonUK
| | - Luca Gasparoli
- Cancer Section, Development Biology and Cancer ProgrammeUCL GOS Institute of Child HealthLondonUK
| | - Deepali Pal
- Newcastle Cancer Centre at the Northern Institute for Cancer ResearchNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Olaf Heidenreich
- Newcastle Cancer Centre at the Northern Institute for Cancer ResearchNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | | | - Joost H. A. Martens
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesRadboud UniversityNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Alexandre Faille
- Cambridge Institute for Medical ResearchCambridgeUK
- Department of HaematologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Wellcome Trust–Medical Research Council Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Alan J. Warren
- Cambridge Institute for Medical ResearchCambridgeUK
- Department of HaematologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Wellcome Trust–Medical Research Council Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Mawar Karsa
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research InstituteUniversity of New South WalesRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Women's and Children's HealthUniversity of New South WalesRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Ruby Pandher
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research InstituteUniversity of New South WalesRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Women's and Children's HealthUniversity of New South WalesRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Klaartje Somers
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research InstituteUniversity of New South WalesRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Women's and Children's HealthUniversity of New South WalesRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Owen Williams
- Cancer Section, Development Biology and Cancer ProgrammeUCL GOS Institute of Child HealthLondonUK
| | - Jasper de Boer
- Cancer Section, Development Biology and Cancer ProgrammeUCL GOS Institute of Child HealthLondonUK
- Present address:
Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre AllianceMelbourneAustralia
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22
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Mery DE, Compadre AJ, Ordóñez PE, Selvik EJ, Morocho V, Contreras J, Malagón O, Jones DE, Breen PJ, Balick MJ, Gaudio FG, Guzman ML, Compadre CM. Analysis of Plant-Plant Interactions Reveals the Presence of Potent Antileukemic Compounds. Molecules 2022; 27:2928. [PMID: 35566279 PMCID: PMC9105371 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A method to identify anticancer compounds in plants was proposed based on the hypothesis that these compounds are primarily present in plants to provide them with an ecological advantage over neighboring plants and other competitors. According to this view, identifying plants that contain compounds that inhibit or interfere with the development of other plant species may facilitate the discovery of novel anticancer agents. The method was developed and tested using Magnolia grandiflora, Gynoxys verrucosa, Picradeniopsis oppositifolia, and Hedyosmum racemosum, which are plant species known to possess compounds with cytotoxic activities. Plant extracts were screened for growth inhibitory activity, and then a thin-layer chromatography bioautography assay was conducted. This located the major antileukemic compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 in the extracts. Once the active compounds were located, they were extracted and purified, and their structures were determined. The growth inhibitory activity of the purified compounds showed a significant correlation with their antileukemic activity. The proposed approach is rapid, inexpensive, and can easily be implemented in areas of the world with high biodiversity but with less access to advanced facilities and biological assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E. Mery
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (D.E.M.); (A.J.C.); (E.J.S.); (D.E.J.); (P.J.B.)
- SeqRX, LLC., Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Amanda J. Compadre
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (D.E.M.); (A.J.C.); (E.J.S.); (D.E.J.); (P.J.B.)
| | - Paola E. Ordóñez
- School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Urcuquí 100119, Ecuador;
| | - Edward J. Selvik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (D.E.M.); (A.J.C.); (E.J.S.); (D.E.J.); (P.J.B.)
| | - Vladimir Morocho
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja 110107, Ecuador; (V.M.); (O.M.)
| | - Jorge Contreras
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA;
| | - Omar Malagón
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja 110107, Ecuador; (V.M.); (O.M.)
| | - Darin E. Jones
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (D.E.M.); (A.J.C.); (E.J.S.); (D.E.J.); (P.J.B.)
| | - Philip J. Breen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (D.E.M.); (A.J.C.); (E.J.S.); (D.E.J.); (P.J.B.)
| | - Michael J. Balick
- Institute for Economic Botany, New York Botanical Garden, New York, NY 10458, USA;
| | - Flavio G. Gaudio
- Department of Emergency Medicine, New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Monica L. Guzman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA;
| | - Cesar M. Compadre
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (D.E.M.); (A.J.C.); (E.J.S.); (D.E.J.); (P.J.B.)
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23
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Biyanee A, Yusenko MV, Klempnauer KH. Src-Family Protein Kinase Inhibitors Suppress MYB Activity in a p300-Dependent Manner. Cells 2022; 11:1162. [PMID: 35406726 PMCID: PMC8997952 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have disclosed transcription factor MYB as a potential drug target for malignancies that are dependent on deregulated MYB function, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Although transcription factors are often regarded as undruggable, successful targeting of MYB by low-molecular-weight compounds has recently been demonstrated. In an attempt to repurpose known drugs as novel MYB-inhibitory agents, we have screened libraries of approved drugs and drug-like compounds for molecules with MYB-inhibitory potential. Here, we present initial evidence for the MYB-inhibitory activity of the protein kinase inhibitors bosutinib, PD180970 and PD161570, that we identified in a recent screen. We show that these compounds interfere with the activity of the MYB transactivation domain, apparently by disturbing the ability of MYB to cooperate with the coactivator p300. We show that treatment of the AML cell line HL60 with these compounds triggers the up-regulation of the myeloid differentiation marker CD11b and induces cell death. Importantly, we show that these effects are significantly dampened by forced expression of an activated version of MYB, confirming that the ability to suppress MYB function is a relevant activity of these compounds. Overall, our work identifies several protein kinase inhibitors as novel MYB-inhibitory agents and suggests that the inhibition of MYB function may play a role in their pharmacological impact on leukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Karl-Heinz Klempnauer
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, D-48149 Münster, Germany; (A.B.); (M.V.Y.)
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24
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Wang D, Zhang T, Madunić K, de Waard AA, Blöchl C, Mayboroda OA, Griffioen M, Spaapen RM, Huber CG, Lageveen-Kammeijer GSM, Wuhrer M. Glycosphingolipid-Glycan Signatures of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Lines Reflect Hematopoietic Differentiation. J Proteome Res 2022; 21:1029-1040. [PMID: 35168327 PMCID: PMC8981326 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant expression of certain glycosphingolipids (GSLs) is associated with the differentiation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. However, the expression patterns of GSLs in AML are still poorly explored because of their complexity, the presence of multiple isomeric structures, and tedious analytical procedures. In this study, we performed an in-depth GSL glycan analysis of 19 AML cell lines using porous graphitized carbon liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealing strikingly different GSL glycan profiles between the various AML cell lines. The cell lines of the M6 subtype showed a high expression of gangliosides with α2,3-sialylation and Neu5Gc, while the M2 and M5 subtypes were characterized by high expression of (neo)lacto-series glycans and Lewis A/X antigens. Integrated analysis of glycomics and available transcriptomics data revealed the association of GSL glycan abundances with the transcriptomics expression of certain glycosyltransferases (GTs) and transcription factors (TFs). In addition, correlations were found between specific GTs and TFs. Our data reveal TFs GATA2, GATA1, and RUNX1 as candidate inducers of the expression of gangliosides and sialylation via regulation of the GTs ST3GAL2 and ST8SIA1. In conclusion, we show that GSL glycan expression levels are associated with hematopoietic AML classifications and TF and GT gene expression. Further research is needed to dissect the regulation of GSL expression and its role in hematopoiesis and associated malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wang
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tao Zhang
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Katarina Madunić
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Antonius A de Waard
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Constantin Blöchl
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Oleg A Mayboroda
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert M Spaapen
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christian G Huber
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Manfred Wuhrer
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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Kenneth K W To, Cho WCS. Drug repurposing for cancer therapy in the era of precision medicine. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2022; 15:895-903. [PMID: 35156588 DOI: 10.2174/1874467215666220214104530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Drug repurposing refers to the identification of clinically approved drugs, with the known safety profiles and defined pharmacokinetic properties, to new indications. Despite the advances in oncology research, cancers are still associated with the most unmet medical needs. Drug repurposing has emerged as a useful approach for the search for effective and durable cancer treatment. It may also represent a promising strategy to facilitate precision cancer treatment and to overcome drug resistance. The repurposing of non-cancer drugs for precision oncology effectively extends the inventory of actionable molecular targets and thus increases the number of patients who may benefit from precision cancer treatment. In cancer types where genetic heterogeneity is so high that it is not feasible to identify strong repurposed drug candidates for standard treatment, the precision oncology approach offers individual patients access to novel treatment options. For repurposed candidates with low potency, a combination of multiple repurposed drugs may produce a synergistic therapeutic effect. Precautions should be taken when combining repurposed drugs with anticancer agents to avoid detrimental drug-drug interactions and unwanted side effects. New multifactorial data analysis and artificial intelligence methods are needed to untangle the complex association of molecular signatures influencing specific cancer subtypes to facilitate drug repurposing in precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth K W To
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - William C S Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
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LncRNA BC200/miR-150-5p/MYB positive feedback loop promotes the malignant proliferation of myelodysplastic syndrome. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:126. [PMID: 35136029 PMCID: PMC8825806 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04578-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a group of heterogeneous hematologic malignancies with a risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of the specific roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in MDS would create novel ways to identify diagnostic and therapeutic targets. The lncRNA BC200 is upregulated and acts as an oncogene in various cancers; however, its expression, clinical significance, and roles in MDS remain unclear. Here, we found that BC200 was highly expressed in MDS patients compared with normal individuals. Knockdown of BC200 inhibited MDS cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell cycle progression in vitro and suppressed the growth and invasiveness of MDS cells in vivo. Mechanistic investigations revealed that BC200 functioned as a miRNA sponge to positively regulate the expression of MYB through sponging miR-150-5p and subsequently promoted malignant proliferation of MDS cells. Conversely, we found that BC200 was a direct transcriptional target of MYB, and knockdown of MYB abolished the oncogenic effect of BC200/miR-150-5p. Taken together, our results revealed that the BC200/miR-150-5p/MYB positive feedback loop promoted the proliferation of MDS cells and is expected to be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in MDS.
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Klempnauer KH. C/EBPβ sustains the oncogenic program of AML cells by cooperating with MYB and co-activator p300 in a transcriptional module. Exp Hematol 2022; 108:8-15. [PMID: 35032593 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factor MYB is a key regulator of gene expression in hematopoietic cells and has emerged as a novel drug target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Studies aiming to identify potential MYB inhibitors have shown that the natural compound helenalin acetate (HA) inhibits viability and induces cell death and differentiation of AML cells by disrupting the MYB-induced gene expression program. Interestingly, CCAAT-box/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPβ), a transcription factor known to cooperate with MYB and the co-activator p300 in myeloid cells, rather than MYB itself, was identified as the primary target of HA. This supports a model in which MYB, C/EBPβ and p300 form the core of a transcriptional module that is essential for the maintenance of proliferative potential of AML cells, highlighting a novel role of C/EBPβ as a pro-leukemogenic factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl-Heinz Klempnauer
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
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Transcription factor c-Myb: novel prognostic factor in osteosarcoma. Clin Exp Metastasis 2022; 39:375-390. [PMID: 34994868 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-021-10145-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor c-Myb is an oncoprotein promoting cell proliferation and survival when aberrantly activated/expressed, thus contributing to malignant transformation. Overexpression of c-Myb has been found in leukemias, breast, colon and adenoid cystic carcinoma. Recent studies revealed its expression also in osteosarcoma cell lines and suggested its functional importance during bone development. However, the relevance of c-Myb in control of osteosarcoma progression remains unknown. A retrospective clinical study was carried out to assess a relationship between c-Myb expression in archival osteosarcoma tissues and prognosis in a cohort of high-grade osteosarcoma patients. In addition, MYB was depleted in metastatic osteosarcoma cell lines SAOS-2 LM5 and 143B and their growth, chemosensitivity, migration and metastatic activity were determined. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that high c-Myb expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival in the cohort and metastatic progression in young patients. Increased level of c-Myb was detected in metastatic osteosarcoma cell lines and its depletion suppressed their growth, colony-forming capacity, migration and chemoresistance in vitro in a cell line-dependent manner. MYB knock-out resulted in reduced metastatic activity of both SAOS-2 LM5 and 143B cell lines in immunodeficient mice. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the c-Myb-driven functional programs enriched for genes involved in the regulation of cell growth, stress response, cell adhesion and cell differentiation/morphogenesis. Wnt signaling pathway was identified as c-Myb target in osteosarcoma cells. Taken together, we identified c-Myb as a negative prognostic factor in osteosarcoma and showed its involvement in the regulation of osteosarcoma cell growth, chemosensitivity, migration and metastatic activity.
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Ghani LA, Yusenko MV, Frank D, Moorthy R, Widen JC, Dörner W, Khandanpour C, Harki DA, Klempnauer KH. A synthetic covalent ligand of the C/EBPβ transactivation domain inhibits acute myeloid leukemia cells. Cancer Lett 2022; 530:170-180. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Identification of a c-MYB-directed therapeutic for acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2022; 36:1541-1549. [PMID: 35368048 PMCID: PMC9162920 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01554-9] [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: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A significant proportion of patients suffering from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cannot be cured by conventional chemotherapy, relapsed disease being a common problem. Molecular targeting of essential oncogenic mediators is an attractive approach to improving outcomes for this disease. The hematopoietic transcription factor c-MYB has been revealed as a central component of complexes maintaining aberrant gene expression programs in AML. We have previously screened the Connectivity Map database to identify mebendazole as an anti-AML therapeutic targeting c-MYB. In the present study we demonstrate that another hit from this screen, the steroidal lactone withaferin A (WFA), induces rapid ablation of c-MYB protein and consequent inhibition of c-MYB target gene expression, loss of leukemia cell viability, reduced colony formation and impaired disease progression. Although WFA has been reported to have pleiotropic anti-cancer effects, we demonstrate that its anti-AML activity depends on c-MYB modulation and can be partially reversed by a stabilized c-MYB mutant. c-MYB ablation results from disrupted HSP/HSC70 chaperone protein homeostasis in leukemia cells following induction of proteotoxicity and the unfolded protein response by WFA. The widespread use of WFA in traditional medicines throughout the world indicates that it represents a promising candidate for repurposing into AML therapy.
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Hu D, Shao W, Liu L, Wang Y, Yuan S, Liu Z, Liu J, Zhang J. Intricate crosstalk between MYB and noncoding RNAs in cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:653. [PMID: 34876130 PMCID: PMC8650324 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02362-4] [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: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
MYB is often overexpressed in malignant tumors and plays a carcinogenic role in the initiation and development of cancer. Deletion of the MYB regulatory C-terminal domain may be a driving mutation leading to tumorigenesis, therefore, different tumor mechanisms produce similar MYB proteins. As MYB is a transcription factor, priority has been given to identifying the genes that it regulates. All previous attention has been focused on protein-coding genes. However, an increasing number of studies have suggested that MYB can affect the complexity of cancer progression by regulating tumor-associated noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs, long-non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs. ncRNAs can regulate the expression of numerous downstream genes at the transcription, RNA processing and translation levels, thereby having various biological functions. Additionally, ncRNAs play important roles in regulating MYB expression. This review focuses on the intricate crosstalk between oncogenic MYB and ncRNAs, which play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, including proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, senescence and drug resistance. In addition, we discuss therapeutic strategies for crosstalk between MYB and ncRNAs to prevent the occurrence and development of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingyu Hu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Wenjun Shao
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Li Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Yanyan Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Shunling Yuan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoping Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, Molecular Biology Research Center & Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
| | - Ji Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China. .,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, 518033, Guangdong, China.
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32
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Kakhlon O, Vaknin H, Mishra K, D’Souza J, Marisat M, Sprecher U, Wald‐Altman S, Dukhovny A, Raviv Y, Da’adoosh B, Engel H, Benhamron S, Nitzan K, Sweetat S, Permyakova A, Mordechai A, Akman HO, Rosenmann H, Lossos A, Tam J, Minassian BA, Weil M. Alleviation of a polyglucosan storage disorder by enhancement of autophagic glycogen catabolism. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e14554. [PMID: 34486811 PMCID: PMC8495453 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
This work employs adult polyglucosan body disease (APBD) models to explore the efficacy and mechanism of action of the polyglucosan-reducing compound 144DG11. APBD is a glycogen storage disorder (GSD) caused by glycogen branching enzyme (GBE) deficiency causing accumulation of poorly branched glycogen inclusions called polyglucosans. 144DG11 improved survival and motor parameters in a GBE knockin (Gbeys/ys ) APBD mouse model. 144DG11 reduced polyglucosan and glycogen in brain, liver, heart, and peripheral nerve. Indirect calorimetry experiments revealed that 144DG11 increases carbohydrate burn at the expense of fat burn, suggesting metabolic mobilization of pathogenic polyglucosan. At the cellular level, 144DG11 increased glycolytic, mitochondrial, and total ATP production. The molecular target of 144DG11 is the lysosomal membrane protein LAMP1, whose interaction with the compound, similar to LAMP1 knockdown, enhanced autolysosomal degradation of glycogen and lysosomal acidification. 144DG11 also enhanced mitochondrial activity and modulated lysosomal features as revealed by bioenergetic, image-based phenotyping and proteomics analyses. As an effective lysosomal targeting therapy in a GSD model, 144DG11 could be developed into a safe and efficacious glycogen and lysosomal storage disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Or Kakhlon
- Department of NeurologyHadassah‐Hebrew University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
| | - Hilla Vaknin
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Personalized MedicineThe Cell Screening Facility for Personalized MedicineThe Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer ResearchThe George S. Wise Faculty for Life SciencesSagol School of NeurosciencesTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Kumudesh Mishra
- Department of NeurologyHadassah‐Hebrew University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
| | - Jeevitha D’Souza
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Personalized MedicineThe Cell Screening Facility for Personalized MedicineThe Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer ResearchThe George S. Wise Faculty for Life SciencesSagol School of NeurosciencesTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Monzer Marisat
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Personalized MedicineThe Cell Screening Facility for Personalized MedicineThe Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer ResearchThe George S. Wise Faculty for Life SciencesSagol School of NeurosciencesTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Uri Sprecher
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Personalized MedicineThe Cell Screening Facility for Personalized MedicineThe Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer ResearchThe George S. Wise Faculty for Life SciencesSagol School of NeurosciencesTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Shane Wald‐Altman
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Personalized MedicineThe Cell Screening Facility for Personalized MedicineThe Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer ResearchThe George S. Wise Faculty for Life SciencesSagol School of NeurosciencesTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Anna Dukhovny
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Personalized MedicineThe Cell Screening Facility for Personalized MedicineThe Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer ResearchThe George S. Wise Faculty for Life SciencesSagol School of NeurosciencesTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Yuval Raviv
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Personalized MedicineThe Cell Screening Facility for Personalized MedicineThe Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer ResearchThe George S. Wise Faculty for Life SciencesSagol School of NeurosciencesTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Benny Da’adoosh
- Blavatnik Center for Drug DiscoveryTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Hamutal Engel
- Blavatnik Center for Drug DiscoveryTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Sandrine Benhamron
- Department of NeurologyHadassah‐Hebrew University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
- Hadassah BrainLabs – National Knowledge Center for Research on Brain DiseasesHadassah‐Hebrew University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
| | - Keren Nitzan
- Department of NeurologyHadassah‐Hebrew University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
- Hadassah BrainLabs – National Knowledge Center for Research on Brain DiseasesHadassah‐Hebrew University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
| | - Sahar Sweetat
- Department of NeurologyHadassah‐Hebrew University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
- Hadassah BrainLabs – National Knowledge Center for Research on Brain DiseasesHadassah‐Hebrew University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
| | - Anna Permyakova
- Obesity and Metabolism LaboratoryInstitute for Drug ResearchSchool of PharmacyFaculty of MedicineThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Anat Mordechai
- Department of NeurologyHadassah‐Hebrew University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
| | - Hasan Orhan Akman
- Department of NeurologyColumbia University Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Hanna Rosenmann
- Department of NeurologyHadassah‐Hebrew University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
- Hadassah BrainLabs – National Knowledge Center for Research on Brain DiseasesHadassah‐Hebrew University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
| | - Alexander Lossos
- Department of NeurologyHadassah‐Hebrew University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
| | - Joseph Tam
- Obesity and Metabolism LaboratoryInstitute for Drug ResearchSchool of PharmacyFaculty of MedicineThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Berge A. Minassian
- Division of NeurologyDepartment of PediatricsUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTXUSA
| | - Miguel Weil
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Personalized MedicineThe Cell Screening Facility for Personalized MedicineThe Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer ResearchThe George S. Wise Faculty for Life SciencesSagol School of NeurosciencesTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
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Tsakaneli A, Williams O. Drug Repurposing for Targeting Acute Leukemia With KMT2A ( MLL)-Gene Rearrangements. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:741413. [PMID: 34594227 PMCID: PMC8478155 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.741413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment failure rates of acute leukemia with rearrangements of the Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene highlight the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Taking into consideration the limitations of the current therapies and the advantages of novel strategies for drug discovery, drug repurposing offers valuable opportunities to identify treatments and develop therapeutic approaches quickly and effectively for acute leukemia with MLL-rearrangements. These approaches are complimentary to de novo drug discovery and have taken advantage of increased knowledge of the mechanistic basis of MLL-fusion protein complex function as well as refined drug repurposing screens. Despite the vast number of different leukemia associated MLL-rearrangements, the existence of common core oncogenic pathways holds the promise that many such therapies will be broadly applicable to MLL-rearranged leukemia as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Tsakaneli
- Cancer Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Owen Williams
- Cancer Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Freisleben F, Modemann F, Muschhammer J, Stamm H, Brauneck F, Krispien A, Bokemeyer C, Kirschner KN, Wellbrock J, Fiedler W. Mebendazole Mediates Proteasomal Degradation of GLI Transcription Factors in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10670. [PMID: 34639011 PMCID: PMC8508953 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of elderly AML patients is still poor due to chemotherapy resistance. The Hedgehog (HH) pathway is important for leukemic transformation because of aberrant activation of GLI transcription factors. MBZ is a well-tolerated anthelmintic that exhibits strong antitumor effects. Herein, we show that MBZ induced strong, dose-dependent anti-leukemic effects on AML cells, including the sensitization of AML cells to chemotherapy with cytarabine. MBZ strongly reduced intracellular protein levels of GLI1/GLI2 transcription factors. Consequently, MBZ reduced the GLI promoter activity as observed in luciferase-based reporter assays in AML cell lines. Further analysis revealed that MBZ mediates its anti-leukemic effects by promoting the proteasomal degradation of GLI transcription factors via inhibition of HSP70/90 chaperone activity. Extensive molecular dynamics simulations were performed on the MBZ-HSP90 complex, showing a stable binding interaction at the ATP binding site. Importantly, two patients with refractory AML were treated with MBZ in an off-label setting and MBZ effectively reduced the GLI signaling activity in a modified plasma inhibitory assay, resulting in a decrease in peripheral blood blast counts in one patient. Our data prove that MBZ is an effective GLI inhibitor that should be evaluated in combination to conventional chemotherapy in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Freisleben
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (F.F.); (F.M.); (J.M.); (H.S.); (F.B.); (A.K.); (C.B.); (J.W.)
| | - Franziska Modemann
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (F.F.); (F.M.); (J.M.); (H.S.); (F.B.); (A.K.); (C.B.); (J.W.)
- Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center, University Cancer Center Hamburg, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jana Muschhammer
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (F.F.); (F.M.); (J.M.); (H.S.); (F.B.); (A.K.); (C.B.); (J.W.)
| | - Hauke Stamm
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (F.F.); (F.M.); (J.M.); (H.S.); (F.B.); (A.K.); (C.B.); (J.W.)
| | - Franziska Brauneck
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (F.F.); (F.M.); (J.M.); (H.S.); (F.B.); (A.K.); (C.B.); (J.W.)
| | - Alexander Krispien
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (F.F.); (F.M.); (J.M.); (H.S.); (F.B.); (A.K.); (C.B.); (J.W.)
| | - Carsten Bokemeyer
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (F.F.); (F.M.); (J.M.); (H.S.); (F.B.); (A.K.); (C.B.); (J.W.)
| | - Karl N. Kirschner
- Department of Computer Science, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany;
| | - Jasmin Wellbrock
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (F.F.); (F.M.); (J.M.); (H.S.); (F.B.); (A.K.); (C.B.); (J.W.)
| | - Walter Fiedler
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (F.F.); (F.M.); (J.M.); (H.S.); (F.B.); (A.K.); (C.B.); (J.W.)
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35
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Choi HS, Ko YS, Jin H, Kang KM, Ha IB, Jeong H, Song HN, Kim HJ, Jeong BK. Anticancer Effect of Benzimidazole Derivatives, Especially Mebendazole, on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and Radiotherapy-Resistant TNBC In Vivo and In Vitro. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26175118. [PMID: 34500557 PMCID: PMC8433818 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anticancer effect of benzimidazole derivatives on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and investigate its underlying mechanism of action. Several types of cancer and normal breast cells including MDA-MB-231, radiotherapy-resistant (RT-R) MDA-MB-231, and allograft mice were treated with six benzimidazole derivatives including mebendazole (MBZ). Cells were analyzed for viability, colony formation, scratch wound healing, Matrigel invasion, cell cycle, tubulin polymerization, and protein expression by using Western blotting. In mice, liver and kidney toxicity, changes in body weight and tumor volume, and incidence of lung metastasis were analyzed. Our study showed that MBZ significantly induced DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and downregulation of cancer stem cell markers CD44 and OCT3/4, and cancer progression-related ESM-1 protein expression in TNBC and RT-R-TNBC cells. In conclusion, MBZ has the potential to be an effective anticancer agent that can overcome treatment resistance in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoon Sik Choi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea; (H.S.C.); (K.M.K.)
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Biomedical Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Young Shin Ko
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Hana Jin
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Ki Mun Kang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea; (H.S.C.); (K.M.K.)
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Biomedical Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - In Bong Ha
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Biomedical Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Hojin Jeong
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Biomedical Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Haa-Na Song
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Biomedical Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Hye Jung Kim
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
- Correspondence: (H.J.K.); (B.K.J.); Tel.: +82-55-750-9200 (H.J.K.); +82-55-750-9217 (B.K.J.)
| | - Bae Kwon Jeong
- Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea; (Y.S.K.); (H.J.); (I.B.H.); (H.J.); (H.-N.S.)
- Biomedical Research Institute, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
- Correspondence: (H.J.K.); (B.K.J.); Tel.: +82-55-750-9200 (H.J.K.); +82-55-750-9217 (B.K.J.)
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Fletcher EJR, Kaminski T, Williams G, Duty S. Drug repurposing strategies of relevance for Parkinson's disease. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2021; 9:e00841. [PMID: 34309236 PMCID: PMC8311732 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a highly disabling, progressive neurodegenerative disease that manifests as a mix of motor and non-motor signs. Although we are equipped with some symptomatic treatments, especially for the motor signs of the disease, there are still no established disease-modifying drugs so the disease progresses unchecked. Standard drug discovery programs for disease-modifying therapies have provided key insights into the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease but, of the many positive candidates identified in pre-clinical studies, none has yet translated into a successful clinically efficacious drug. Given the huge cost of drug discovery programs, it is not surprising that much attention has turned toward repurposing strategies. The trialing of an established therapeutic has the advantage of bypassing the need for preclinical safety testing and formulation optimization, thereby cutting both time and costs involved in getting a treatment to the clinic. Additional reduced failure rates for repurposed drugs are also a potential bonus. Many different strategies for drug repurposing are open to researchers in the Parkinson's disease field. Some of these have already proven effective in identifying suitable drugs for clinical trials, lending support to such approaches. In this review, we present a summary of the different strategies for drug repurposing, from large-scale epidemiological correlation analysis through to single-gene transcriptional approaches. We provide examples of past or ongoing studies adopting each strategy, where these exist. For strategies that have yet to be applied to Parkinson's disease, their utility is illustrated using examples taken from other disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J. R. Fletcher
- King’s College LondonInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceWolfson Centre for Age‐Related DiseasesLondonUK
| | - Thomas Kaminski
- King’s College LondonInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceWolfson Centre for Age‐Related DiseasesLondonUK
| | - Gareth Williams
- King’s College LondonInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceWolfson Centre for Age‐Related DiseasesLondonUK
| | - Susan Duty
- King’s College LondonInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceWolfson Centre for Age‐Related DiseasesLondonUK
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Yusenko MV, Biyanee A, Andersson MK, Radetzki S, von Kries JP, Stenman G, Klempnauer KH. Proteasome inhibitors suppress MYB oncogenic activity in a p300-dependent manner. Cancer Lett 2021; 520:132-142. [PMID: 34256093 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Studies of the role of MYB in human malignancies have highlighted MYB as a potential drug target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Although transcription factors are often considered un-druggable, recent work has demonstrated successful targeting of MYB by low molecular weight compounds. This has fueled the notion that inhibition of MYB has potential as a therapeutic approach against MYB-driven malignancies. Here, we have used a MYB reporter cell line to screen a library of FDA-approved drugs for novel MYB inhibitors. We demonstrate that proteasome inhibitors have significant MYB-inhibitory activity, prompting us to characterize the proteasome inhibitor oprozomib in more detail. Oprozomib was shown to interfere with the ability of the co-activator p300 to stimulate MYB activity and to exert anti-proliferative effects on human AML and ACC cells. Overall, our work demonstrated suppression of oncogenic MYB activity as a novel result of proteasome inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V Yusenko
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Abhiruchi Biyanee
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Mattias K Andersson
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Silke Radetzki
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens P von Kries
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Berlin, Germany
| | - Göran Stenman
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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38
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Yusenko MV, Trentmann A, Casolari DA, Abdel Ghani L, Lenz M, Horn M, Dörner W, Klempnauer S, Mootz HD, Arteaga MF, Mikesch JH, D'Andrea RJ, Gonda TJ, Müller-Tidow C, Schmidt TJ, Klempnauer KH. C/EBPβ is a MYB- and p300-cooperating pro-leukemogenic factor and promising drug target in acute myeloid leukemia. Oncogene 2021; 40:4746-4758. [PMID: 33958723 PMCID: PMC8298201 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01800-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factor MYB has recently emerged as a promising drug target for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, we have characterized a group of natural sesquiterpene lactones (STLs), previously shown to suppress MYB activity, for their potential to decrease AML cell proliferation. Unlike what was initially thought, these compounds inhibit MYB indirectly via its cooperation partner C/EBPβ. C/EBPβ-inhibitory STLs affect the expression of a large number of MYB-regulated genes, suggesting that the cooperation of MYB and C/EBPβ broadly shapes the transcriptional program of AML cells. We show that expression of GFI1, a direct MYB target gene, is controlled cooperatively by MYB, C/EBPβ, and co-activator p300, and is down-regulated by C/EBPβ-inhibitory STLs, exemplifying that they target the activity of composite MYB-C/EBPβ-p300 transcriptional modules. Ectopic expression of GFI1, a zinc-finger protein that is required for the maintenance of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, partially abrogated STL-induced myelomonocytic differentiation, implicating GFI1 as a relevant target of C/EBPβ-inhibitory STLs. Overall, our data identify C/EBPβ as a pro-leukemogenic factor in AML and suggest that targeting of C/EBPβ may have therapeutic potential against AML.
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MESH Headings
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Humans
- CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta/metabolism
- CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- Cell Proliferation
- E1A-Associated p300 Protein/metabolism
- E1A-Associated p300 Protein/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Lactones/pharmacology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic/drug effects
- Sesquiterpenes/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V Yusenko
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Amke Trentmann
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Debora A Casolari
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Luca Abdel Ghani
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Mairin Lenz
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Melanie Horn
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology, Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Dörner
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Henning D Mootz
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Maria Francisca Arteaga
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Jan-Henrik Mikesch
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Richard J D'Andrea
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Thomas J Gonda
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Carsten Müller-Tidow
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology, Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas J Schmidt
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
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Smeenk L, Ottema S, Mulet-Lazaro R, Ebert A, Havermans M, Arricibita Varea A, Fellner M, Pastoors D, van Herk S, Erpelinck-Verschueren C, Grob T, Hoogenboezem RM, Kavelaars FG, Matson DR, Bresnick EH, Bindels EM, Kentsis A, Zuber J, Delwel R. Selective requirement of MYB for oncogenic hyperactivation of a translocated enhancer in leukemia. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:2868-2883. [PMID: 33980539 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with inv(3)(q21;q26) or t(3;3)(q21;q26), a translocated GATA2 enhancer drives oncogenic expression of EVI1. We generated an EVI1-GFP AML model and applied an unbiased CRISPR/Cas9 enhancer scan to uncover sequence motifs essential for EVI1 transcription. Using this approach, we pinpointed a single regulatory element in the translocated GATA2 enhancer that is critically required for aberrant EVI1 expression. This element contained a DNA binding motif for the transcription factor MYB which specifically occupied this site at the translocated allele and was dispensable for GATA2 expression. MYB knockout as well as peptidomimetic blockade of CBP/p300-dependent MYB functions resulted in downregulation of EVI1 but not of GATA2. Targeting MYB or mutating its DNA-binding motif within the GATA2 enhancer resulted in myeloid differentiation and cell death, suggesting that interference with MYB-driven EVI1 transcription provides a potential entry point for therapy of inv(3)/t(3;3) AMLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Smeenk
- Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute and Oncode Institute
| | - Sophie Ottema
- Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute and Oncode Institute
| | | | - Anja Ebert
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
| | | | | | - Michaela Fellner
- Immunology and Cancer, Research Institute of Molecular Pathology
| | - Dorien Pastoors
- Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute and Oncode Institute
| | | | | | - Tim Grob
- Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute
| | | | | | - Daniel R Matson
- Cell and Regenerative Biology, Paul Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
| | - Emery H Bresnick
- Cell and Regenerative Biology, Paul Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
| | | | - Alex Kentsis
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
| | - Johannes Zuber
- Immunology and Cancer, Research Institute of Molecular Pathology
| | - Ruud Delwel
- Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute and Oncode Institute
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40
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Phenotypic screening with target identification and validation in the discovery and development of E3 ligase modulators. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:283-299. [PMID: 33740433 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The use of phenotypic screening was central to the discovery and development of novel thalidomide analogs, the IMiDs (immunomodulatory drugs) agents. With the discovery that these agents bind the E3 ligase, CRL4CRBN, and alter its substrate specificity, there has been a great deal of endeavor to discover other small molecules that can modulate alternative E3 ligases. Furthermore, the chemical properties necessary for drug discovery and the rules by which neo-substrates are selected for degradation are being defined in the context of phenotypic alterations in specific cellular systems. This review gives a detailed summary of these recent advances and the methodologies being exploited to understand the mechanism of action of emerging protein degradation therapies.
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41
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MYB oncoproteins: emerging players and potential therapeutic targets in human cancer. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:19. [PMID: 33637673 PMCID: PMC7910556 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-021-00309-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
MYB transcription factors are highly conserved from plants to vertebrates, indicating that their functions embrace fundamental mechanisms in the biology of cells and organisms. In humans, the MYB gene family is composed of three members: MYB, MYBL1 and MYBL2, encoding the transcription factors MYB, MYBL1, and MYBL2 (also known as c-MYB, A-MYB, and B-MYB), respectively. A truncated version of MYB, the prototype member of the MYB family, was originally identified as the product of the retroviral oncogene v-myb, which causes leukaemia in birds. This led to the hypothesis that aberrant activation of vertebrate MYB could also cause cancer. Despite more than three decades have elapsed since the isolation of v-myb, only recently investigators were able to detect MYB genes rearrangements and mutations, smoking gun evidence of the involvement of MYB family members in human cancer. In this review, we will highlight studies linking the activity of MYB family members to human malignancies and experimental therapeutic interventions tailored for MYB-expressing cancers.
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42
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Adenoid cystic carcinoma: a review of clinical features, treatment targets and advances in improving the immune response to monoclonal antibody therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1875:188523. [PMID: 33600823 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The natural history of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is relentless, defined by treatment failure heralded by locoregional recurrence and distant metastatic disease. In this review, we present an update of clinical features, molecular classification, current targeted therapies, immune landscapes and novel treatment targets with their respective clinical trials. The presented results are defined by a lack of overall response rate and limited progression free survival, with restriction to stable disease. In addition, ACC is resistant to immune checkpoint inhibition due to low tumour immunogenicity and lack of PD-L1 expression. Here we present a new prospective research paradigm for ACC, including the potential to target prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and the potential for manipulation of target receptors in the clinic. The presentation of this review aims to promote future research to improve response rates and outcomes for therapeutics undergoing clinical trial in ACC.
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43
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Mitra P. Targeting transcription factors in cancer drug discovery. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2020; 1:401-412. [PMID: 36046384 PMCID: PMC9402400 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2020.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer drug discovery is currently dominated by clinical trials or clinical research. Several potential drug candidates have been brought into the pipeline of drug discovery after showing very promising results at the pre-clinical level and are waiting to be tested in human clinical trials. Interestingly, among the potential drug candidates, a few of them have targeted transcription factors highlighting the fundamental undruggable nature of these molecules. However, using advanced technologies, researchers were recently successful in partly unlocking this undruggable nature, which was considered as a ‘grey area’ in the early days of drug discovery, and as a result, several potential candidates have emerged recently. The purpose of the review is to highlight some of the recently reported studies of targeting transcription factors in cancer and their promising outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partha Mitra
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4059, Australia
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44
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Killick R, Ballard C, Doherty P, Williams G. Transcription-based drug repurposing for COVID-19. Virus Res 2020; 290:198176. [PMID: 32987033 PMCID: PMC7518800 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We have utilised the transcriptional response of lung epithelial cells following infection by the original Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS) to identify repurposable drugs for COVID-19. Drugs best able to recapitulate the infection profile are highly enriched for antiviral activity. Nine of these have been tested against SARS-2 and found to potently antagonise SARS-2 infection/replication, with a number now being considered for clinical trials. It is hoped that this approach may serve to broaden the spectrum of approved drugs that should be further assessed as potential anti-COVID-19 agents and may help elucidate how this seemingly disparate collection of drugs are able to inhibit SARS-2 infection/replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Killick
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, UK
| | - Clive Ballard
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Patrick Doherty
- Wolfson Centre for Age-related Diseases, King's College London, UK
| | - Gareth Williams
- Wolfson Centre for Age-related Diseases, King's College London, UK.
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45
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Nameki R, Chang H, Reddy J, Corona RI, Lawrenson K. Transcription factors in epithelial ovarian cancer: histotype-specific drivers and novel therapeutic targets. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 220:107722. [PMID: 33137377 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are major contributors to cancer risk and somatic development. In preclinical and clinical studies, direct or indirect inhibition of TF-mediated oncogenic gene expression profiles have proven to be effective in many tumor types, highlighting this group of proteins as valuable therapeutic targets. In spite of this, our understanding of TFs in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is relatively limited. EOC is a heterogeneous disease composed of five major histologic subtypes; high-grade serous, low-grade serous, endometrioid, clear cell and mucinous. Each histology is associated with unique clinical etiologies, sensitivity to therapies, and molecular signatures - including diverse transcriptional regulatory programs. While some TFs are shared across EOC subtypes, a set of TFs are expressed in a histotype-specific manner and likely explain part of the histologic diversity of EOC subtypes. Targeting TFs present with unique opportunities for development of novel precision medicine strategies for ovarian cancer. This article reviews the critical TFs in EOC subtypes and highlights the potential of exploiting TFs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robbin Nameki
- Women's Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Heidi Chang
- Women's Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Reddy
- Women's Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rosario I Corona
- Women's Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kate Lawrenson
- Women's Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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46
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Soncini D, Orecchioni S, Ruberti S, Minetto P, Martinuzzi C, Agnelli L, Todoerti K, Cagnetta A, Miglino M, Clavio M, Contini P, Varaldo R, Bergamaschi M, Guolo F, Passalacqua M, Nencioni A, Monacelli F, Gobbi M, Neri A, Abbadessa G, Eathiraj S, Schwartz B, Bertolini F, Lemoli RM, Cea M. The new small tyrosine kinase inhibitor ARQ531 targets acute myeloid leukemia cells by disrupting multiple tumor-addicted programs. Haematologica 2020; 105:2420-2431. [PMID: 33054082 PMCID: PMC7556675 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.224956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tyrosine kinases have been implicated in promoting tumorigenesis of several human cancers. Exploiting these vulnerabilities has been shown to be an effective anti-tumor strategy as demonstrated for example by the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, ibrutinib, for treatment of various blood cancers. Here, we characterize a new multiple kinase inhibitor, ARQ531, and evaluate its mechanism of action in preclinical models of acute myeloid leukemia. Treatment with ARQ531, by producing global signaling pathway deregulation, resulted in impaired cell cycle progression and survival in a large panel of leukemia cell lines and patient-derived tumor cells, regardless of the specific genetic background and/or the presence of bone marrow stromal cells. RNA-seq analysis revealed that ARQ531 constrained tumor cell proliferation and survival through Bruton's tyrosine kinase and transcriptional program dysregulation, with proteasome-mediated MYB degradation and depletion of short-lived proteins that are crucial for tumor growth and survival, including ERK, MYC and MCL1. Finally, ARQ531 treatment was effective in a patient-derived leukemia mouse model with significant impairment of tumor progression and survival, at tolerated doses. These data justify the clinical development of ARQ531 as a promising targeted agent for the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Soncini
- Chair of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefania Orecchioni
- Laboratory of Hematology-Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Samantha Ruberti
- Chair of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Minetto
- Chair of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Claudia Martinuzzi
- Chair of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Agnelli
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Katia Todoerti
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonia Cagnetta
- Chair of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Miglino
- Chair of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marino Clavio
- Chair of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Contini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Riccardo Varaldo
- Division of Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Micaela Bergamaschi
- Chair of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Guolo
- Chair of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mario Passalacqua
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessio Nencioni
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fiammetta Monacelli
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Gobbi
- Chair of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonino Neri
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Francesco Bertolini
- Laboratory of Hematology-Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto M. Lemoli
- Chair of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Cea
- Chair of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialities (DiMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
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Nath J, Paul R, Ghosh SK, Paul J, Singha B, Debnath N. Drug repurposing and relabeling for cancer therapy: Emerging benzimidazole antihelminthics with potent anticancer effects. Life Sci 2020; 258:118189. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Kaundal B, Kushwaha AC, Srivastava AK, Karmakar S, Choudhury SR. A non-viral nano-delivery system targeting epigenetic methyltransferase EZH2 for precise acute myeloid leukemia therapy. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:8658-8670. [PMID: 32844866 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01177k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is common in the elderly population, accounts for poor long-term survival with a high possibility of relapse. The associated lack of currently developed therapeutics is directing the search for new therapeutic targets relating to AML. EZH2 (Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2) is a histone methyltransferase member of the polycomb-group (PcG) family, and its significant overexpression in AML means it has emerged as a potential epigenetic target. Here, we propose the human serum albumin (HSA) nanoparticle based delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA), which can target EZH2-expressing genes in AML. EZH2 specific siRNA loaded in a polyethyleneimine (PEI) conjugated HSA nanocarrier can overcome the systemic instability of siRNA and precisely target the AML cell population for increased EZH2 gene silencing. A stable nanosized complex (HSANPs-PEI@EZH2siRNA), achieved via the electrostatic interaction of PEI and EZH2 siRNA, shows increased systemic stability and hemocompatibility, and enhanced EZH2 gene silencing activity in vitro, compared to conventional transfection reagents. HSANPs-PEI@EZH2siRNA-treated AML cells showed downregulated EZH2, which is associated with a reduced level of Bmi-1 protein, and H3K27me3 and H2AK119ub modification. The ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation pathway plays a critical role in the downregulation of associated proteins following HSANPs-PEI@EZH2siRNA exposure to AML cells. c-Myb is the AML-responsive transcription factor that directly binds on the EZH2 promoter and was downregulated in HSANPs-PEI@EZH2siRNA-treated AML cells. The systemic exposure to HSANPs-PEI@EZH2siRNA of AML engrafted immunodeficient nude mice displayed efficient EZH2 gene silencing and a reduced AML cell population in peripheral blood and bone marrow. The present study demonstrates a non-viral siRNA delivery system for epigenetic targeting based superior anti-leukemic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babita Kaundal
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, Punjab, India.
| | | | | | - Surajit Karmakar
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, Punjab, India.
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Breidert M, Eftekhari P, Louis F, Rotoiu C, Rath T, Neurath MF, Atreya R. Functional Molecular Network Analysis Enables Prediction of Response to Vedolizumab Therapy in Anti-TNF Refractory IBD Patients. CROHNS & COLITIS 360 2020; 2:otaa037. [PMID: 32776006 PMCID: PMC7397736 DOI: 10.1093/crocol/otaa037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background We applied for the first time 2 label-free technologies, physiological intermolecular modulation spectroscopy (PIMS) and nematic protein organization technic (NPOT) in anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) refractory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients to identify clinical responders to vedolizumab therapy and elucidate their underlying functional molecular network. Methods PIMS analysis was performed in peripheral blood taken prior to the first vedolizumab application in 20 IBD patients (Crohn disease n = 13; ulcerative colitis n = 7) refractory to at least 1 previous anti-TNF agent therapy. Peripheral blood taken from clinical responders and nonresponders at week 14 of vedolizumab therapy were additionally subjected to NPOT analysis. Response to therapy was assessed by respective clinical disease activity scores (partial Mayo Score and Harvey-Bradshaw Index). Results Clinical response to vedolizumab treatment was observed in 7 of 13 Crohn disease and 4 of 7 ulcerative colitis patients at week 14. Response to therapy was accurately predicted by PIMS blood analysis in 100% of ulcerative colitis and 77% of Crohn disease patients. Overall prediction of clinical response with PIMS blood analysis was achieved with a 89% positive predictive value and a 82% negative predictive value. NPOT analysis revealed the heightened expression of the proteins ITGB7, ITGAV, ITG3, PF4, and ASGH in the peripheral blood of vedolizumab responders compared to nonresponders. Conclusions PIMS analysis of the blood of anti-TNF refractory IBD patients was able to stratify responders to vedolizumab therapy with high accuracy and specificity. NPOT technology could decipher underling molecular networks in the blood of responders, enabling subsequent personalized therapeutic approaches in IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Breidert
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, City Hospital Waid and Triemli, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - François Louis
- Inoviem Scientific, BIOPARC 3, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Claudia Rotoiu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, City Hospital Waid and Triemli, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Timo Rath
- Department of Medicine I, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus F Neurath
- Department of Medicine I, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Raja Atreya
- Department of Medicine I, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,The Transregio 241 IBDome Consortium
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Regulation of MYB mediated cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer cells involves miR-21-wnt signaling axis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6893. [PMID: 32327705 PMCID: PMC7181810 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63396-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
c-MYB has been reported to be elevated in few cancers, including in ovarian cancer. It influences resistance to cisplatin but the details are not very well understood. The objective of this study was to further evaluate role of c-MYB in ovarian cancer’s cisplatin resistance. To elucidate the underlying mechanism of cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer, we focused on the epigenetic regulation by miRNAs. Two cell lines, ES2 and OVCAR3, were used as the model systems. C-MYB expression was either up-regulated or silenced and the resulting effect on cisplatin resistance evaluated, along with the mechanistic role of miR-21, through transfections with pre/anti-miRNAs. An in vivo cisplatin resistance model was also employed to verify findings. High c-MYB correlated with increased miR-21. High c-MYB also resulted in induction of EMT and increased resistance against cisplatin which was attenuated by anti-miR-200s. c-MYB decreased β-catenin phosphorylation and thus activated wnt signaling. Silencing of c-MYB resulted in reduced miR-21 levels, reduced EMT, reduced cisplatin IC-50s and increased β-catenin phosphorylation. In an in vivo mice model of cisplatin resistance, c-MYB overexpressing ES2 xenografts were more aggressive than their control counterparts. These c-MYB overexpressing ES xenografts were significantly more resistant to cisplatin but could be sensitized to cisplatin by anti-miR-21. Our results provide a novel mechanism of cisplatin resistance by c-MYB which involves an essential role of miR-21.
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