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Sievers J, Voget R, Lu F, Garchitorena KM, Ng YLD, Chau CH, Steinebach C, Figg WD, Krönke J, Gütschow M. Revisiting the antiangiogenic mechanisms of fluorinated thalidomide derivatives. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 110:129858. [PMID: 38917956 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129858] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Introduction of fluorine into bioactive molecules has attracted much attention in drug development. For example, tetrafluorination of the phthalimide moiety of immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) has a strong beneficial effect on the ability to inhibit angiogenesis. The neomorphic activity of E3 ligase complexes is induced by the binding of IMiDs to cereblon. We investigated that a set of eight thalidomide analogs, comprising non- and tetrafluorinated counterparts, did not induce the degradation of neomorphic substrates (IKZF3, GSPT1, CK1α, SALL4). Hence, the antiangiogenic activity of fluorinated IMiDs was not triggered by neosubstrate degradation features. A fluorine scanning of non-traditional IMiDs of the benzamido glutarimide chemotype was performed. By measuring the endothelial cell tube formation, no angiogenesis inhibitors were identified, confirming the narrow structure-activity window of IMiD-induced antiangiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Sievers
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Rabea Voget
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Feiteng Lu
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Cancer Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, D-12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kathleen M Garchitorena
- Molecular Pharmacology Section, Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yuen Lam Dora Ng
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Cancer Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, D-12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Cindy H Chau
- Molecular Pharmacology Section, Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christian Steinebach
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - William D Figg
- Molecular Pharmacology Section, Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jan Krönke
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Cancer Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, D-12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany.
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2
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Meléndez RA, Wynn DT, Merugu SB, Singh P, Kaplan KP, Robbins DJ. Exploring the role of casein kinase 1α splice variants across cancer cell lines. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 723:150189. [PMID: 38852281 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150189] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Casein kinase 1α (CK1α) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that acts in various cellular processes affecting cell division and signal transduction. CK1α is present as multiple splice variants that are distinguished by the presence or absence of a long insert (L-insert) and a short carboxyl-terminal insert (S-insert). When overexpressed, zebrafish CK1α splice variants exhibit different biological properties, such as subcellular localization and catalytic activity. However, whether endogenous, alternatively spliced CK1α gene products also differ in their biological functions has yet to be elucidated. Here, we identify a panel of splice variant specific CK1α antibodies and use them to show that four CK1α splice variants are expressed in mammals. We subsequently show that the relative abundance of CK1α splice variants varies across distinct mouse tissues and between various cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we identify pathways whose expression is noticeably altered in cell lines enriched with select splice variants of CK1α. Finally, we show that the S-insert of CK1α promotes the growth of HCT 116 cells as cells engineered to lack the S-insert display decreased cell growth. Together, we provide tools and methods to identify individual CK1α splice variants, which we use to begin to uncover the differential biological properties driven by specific splice variants of mammalian CK1α.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A Meléndez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami FL, USA; Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C, USA
| | - Daniel T Wynn
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C, USA
| | - Siva Bharath Merugu
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C, USA
| | - Prerna Singh
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C, USA
| | - Kenton P Kaplan
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C, USA
| | - David J Robbins
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C, USA.
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3
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Li M. IKZF2 Degradation: It's Time to Take into Account it When Designing Cereblon-Based PROTACs. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202400365. [PMID: 38802326 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400365] [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: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) has become a very important means of protein degradation and a new way of disease treatment. In particular, PROTACs constructed with ligands for E3 ligase cereblon account for more than 90 % of the PROTACs currently in clinical research. Notably, CRBN ligands themselves are a class of molecular glue compounds capable of degrading neo-substrate proteins. Compared to the target proteins degradation, the degradation of neo-substrates, especially IKZF2, has not received enough attention. Therefore, this review summarizes the currently published IKZF2 degraders derived from articles and patents, which are conducive to the design of PROTACs with desired IKZF2 degradation from the perspective of medicinal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minglei Li
- Chemical Biology Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Institute of Materia Medical, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, Shandong, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Institute of Materia Medical, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery System, Key Laboratory for Biotechnology Drugs of National Health Commission (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Key Lab for Rare & Uncommon Diseases of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250117, Shandong, China
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4
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Gough SM, Flanagan JJ, Teh J, Andreoli M, Rousseau E, Pannone M, Bookbinder M, Willard R, Davenport K, Bortolon E, Cadelina G, Gordon D, Pizzano J, Macaluso J, Soto L, Corradi J, Digianantonio K, Drulyte I, Morgan A, Quinn C, Békés M, Ferraro C, Chen X, Wang G, Dong H, Wang J, Langley DR, Houston J, Gedrich R, Taylor IC. Oral Estrogen Receptor PROTAC Vepdegestrant (ARV-471) Is Highly Efficacious as Monotherapy and in Combination with CDK4/6 or PI3K/mTOR Pathway Inhibitors in Preclinical ER+ Breast Cancer Models. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:3549-3563. [PMID: 38819400 PMCID: PMC11325148 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-3465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Estrogen receptor (ER) alpha signaling is a known driver of ER-positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) breast cancer. Combining endocrine therapy (ET) such as fulvestrant with CDK4/6, mTOR, or PI3K inhibitors has become a central strategy in the treatment of ER+ advanced breast cancer. However, suboptimal ER inhibition and resistance resulting from the ESR1 mutation dictates that new therapies are needed. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A medicinal chemistry campaign identified vepdegestrant (ARV-471), a selective, orally bioavailable, and potent small molecule PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) degrader of ER. We used biochemical and intracellular target engagement assays to demonstrate the mechanism of action of vepdegestrant, and ESR1 wild-type (WT) and mutant ER+ preclinical breast cancer models to demonstrate ER degradation-mediated tumor growth inhibition (TGI). RESULTS Vepdegestrant induced ≥90% degradation of wild-type and mutant ER, inhibited ER-dependent breast cancer cell line proliferation in vitro, and achieved substantial TGI (87%-123%) in MCF7 orthotopic xenograft models, better than those of the ET agent fulvestrant (31%-80% TGI). In the hormone independent (HI) mutant ER Y537S patient-derived xenograft (PDX) breast cancer model ST941/HI, vepdegestrant achieved tumor regression and was similarly efficacious in the ST941/HI/PBR palbociclib-resistant model (102% TGI). Vepdegestrant-induced robust tumor regressions in combination with each of the CDK4/6 inhibitors palbociclib, abemaciclib, and ribociclib; the mTOR inhibitor everolimus; and the PI3K inhibitors alpelisib and inavolisib. CONCLUSIONS Vepdegestrant achieved greater ER degradation in vivo compared with fulvestrant, which correlated with improved TGI, suggesting vepdegestrant could be a more effective backbone ET for patients with ER+/HER2- breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jessica Teh
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | | | | | | | | | - Ryan Willard
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Leofal Soto
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - John Corradi
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | | | - Ieva Drulyte
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Materials and Structural Analysis, Eindhoven, Netherlands.
| | | | - Connor Quinn
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - Miklós Békés
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | | | - Xin Chen
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - Gan Wang
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - Hanqing Dong
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - Jing Wang
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | | | - John Houston
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
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5
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Cheng J, Bin X, Tang Z. Cullin-RING Ligase 4 in Cancer: Structure, Functions, and Mechanisms. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189169. [PMID: 39117093 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Cullin-RING ligase 4 (CRL4) has attracted enormous attentions because of its extensive regulatory roles in a wide variety of biological and pathological events, especially cancer-associated events. CRL4 exerts pleiotropic effects by targeting various substrates for proteasomal degradation or changes in activity through different internal compositions to regulate diverse events in cancer progression. In this review, we summarize the structure of CRL4 with manifold compositional modes and clarify the emerging functions and molecular mechanisms of CRL4 in a series of cancer-associated events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Cheng
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research & Hunan Clinical Research Center of Oral Major Diseases and Oral Health & Academician Workstation for Oral-maxilofacial and Regenerative Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Xin Bin
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research & Hunan Clinical Research Center of Oral Major Diseases and Oral Health & Academician Workstation for Oral-maxilofacial and Regenerative Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China.
| | - Zhangui Tang
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research & Hunan Clinical Research Center of Oral Major Diseases and Oral Health & Academician Workstation for Oral-maxilofacial and Regenerative Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China.
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6
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Crisà E, Mora E, Germing U, Bally C, Diez Campelo M, Myllymäki M, Jädersten M, Komrokji R, Platzbecker U, Haase D, Hofmann WK, Al Ali NH, Barraco D, Bargay JJ, Bernal T, López Cadenas F, Calvisi A, Capodanno I, Cerrano M, Ciancia R, Crugnola M, Kündgen A, Finelli C, Fozza C, Frairia C, Freja E, Ganster C, Kubasch AS, Jimenez MJ, Latagliata R, Hernandez Mohedo F, Molero A, Vara Pampliega M, Perez CA, Pietrantuono G, Poloni A, Pomares H, Recasens V, Rüfer A, Signori A, Hellstrom-Lindberg E, Fenaux P, Sanz G, Santini V. Transfusion independence after lenalidomide discontinuation in patients with del(5q) myelodysplastic neoplasm: a HARMONY Alliance study. Leukemia 2024:10.1038/s41375-024-02360-1. [PMID: 39103678 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02360-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Lenalidomide (LEN) can induce red blood cell-transfusion independence (RBC-TI) in 60-70% of del(5q) myelodysplastic neoplasm (MDS) patients. Current recommendation is to continue LEN in responding patients until failure or progression, with likelihood of toxicity and a high cost for healthcare systems. This HARMONY Alliance study investigated the outcome of MDS del(5q) patients who discontinued LEN while RBC-transfusion independent. We enrolled 118 patients with IPSS-R low-intermediate risk. Seventy patients (59%) discontinued LEN for intolerance, 38 (32%) per their physician decision, nine (8%) per their own decision and one (1%) for unknown reasons. After a median follow-up of 49 months from discontinuation, 50/118 patients lost RBC-TI and 22/30 who underwent cytogenetic re-evaluation lost complete cytogenetic response. The median RBC-TI duration was 56 months. In multivariate analysis, RBC-TI duration after LEN discontinuation correlated with low transfusion burden before LEN therapy, treatment ≥ 12 LEN cycles, younger age and higher Hb level at LEN withdrawal. Forty-eight patients were re-treated with LEN for loss of response and 28 achieved again RBC-TI. These data show that stopping LEN therapy in MDS del(5q) patients who reached RBC-TI allows prolonged maintenance of TI in a large subset of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Crisà
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy.
- Fondazione Sindromi Mielodisplastiche FISiM-ETS, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Elvira Mora
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ulrich Germing
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, Universitätsklinik Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Cecile Bally
- Hématologie clinique, hôpital Necker. Assistance publique hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Paris, France
| | - Maria Diez Campelo
- Hematology, Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mikko Myllymäki
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Martin Jädersten
- Department of Hematology M64 Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rami Komrokji
- Malignant Hematology Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Uwe Platzbecker
- Department of Hematology, Cellular Therapy,Hemostaseology and Infectiology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Detlef Haase
- Clinics of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wolf-Karsten Hofmann
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Najla H Al Ali
- Malignant Hematology Department, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Daniela Barraco
- Fondazione Sindromi Mielodisplastiche FISiM-ETS, Bologna, Italy
- Dipartimento di Ematologia - ASST Sette Laghi, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy
| | | | - Teresa Bernal
- Hematology Department. Hospital Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Felix López Cadenas
- Hematology Department. Hospital Clinico Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Anna Calvisi
- Fondazione Sindromi Mielodisplastiche FISiM-ETS, Bologna, Italy
- UOC Ematologia CTMO, Osp San Francesco Nuoro, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Isabella Capodanno
- Fondazione Sindromi Mielodisplastiche FISiM-ETS, Bologna, Italy
- SOC Ematologia Azienda USL-IRCSS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Marco Cerrano
- Hematology-University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
- Hematology- Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Rosanna Ciancia
- Fondazione Sindromi Mielodisplastiche FISiM-ETS, Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO) di Aviano (Pordenone), Aviano, Italy
| | - Monica Crugnola
- Fondazione Sindromi Mielodisplastiche FISiM-ETS, Bologna, Italy
- Hematology Unit and BMT center University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Kündgen
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, Universitätsklinik Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Carlo Finelli
- Fondazione Sindromi Mielodisplastiche FISiM-ETS, Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Institute of Hematology "Seràgnoli", Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Fozza
- Fondazione Sindromi Mielodisplastiche FISiM-ETS, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Chiara Frairia
- Fondazione Sindromi Mielodisplastiche FISiM-ETS, Bologna, Italy
- Hematology- Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Ebeling Freja
- Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Christina Ganster
- Clinics of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anne Sophie Kubasch
- Department of Hematology, Cellular Therapy,Hemostaseology and Infectiology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Roberto Latagliata
- Unità Operativa Complessa (UOC) Ematologia, Ospedale Belcolle, Viterbo and Division of Cellular Biotechnology and Hematology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Antonieta Molero
- Hematology Department. Hospital Universitario Vall D'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Giuseppe Pietrantuono
- Fondazione Sindromi Mielodisplastiche FISiM-ETS, Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS CROB, Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, Rionero In Vulture, Italy
| | - Antonella Poloni
- Fondazione Sindromi Mielodisplastiche FISiM-ETS, Bologna, Italy
- Hematology, Università Politecnica Marche - AOU Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Helena Pomares
- Hematology Department. ICO Duran i Reynals, L'Hospitalet de LLobregat, LLobregat, Spain
| | - Valle Recasens
- Valle Recasens. Hematology Department. Hospital Miguel Servent, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Axel Rüfer
- Division of Hematology, Luzerner Kantonsspital-in association with University Luzern, Luzern, Switzerland
| | - Alessio Signori
- Department of Health Sciences - Section of Biostatistics University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Eva Hellstrom-Lindberg
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pierre Fenaux
- Service d'Hématologie Séniors, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Guillermo Sanz
- Hematology, Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- CIBERONC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Valeria Santini
- Fondazione Sindromi Mielodisplastiche FISiM-ETS, Bologna, Italy.
- MDS Unit, Hematology, DMSC, AOU Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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7
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Colley A, Brauns T, Sluder AE, Poznansky MC, Gemechu Y. Immunomodulatory drugs: a promising clinical ally for cancer immunotherapy. Trends Mol Med 2024; 30:765-780. [PMID: 38821771 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
While immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs) have been authorised for treatment of haematological cancers for over two decades, the appreciation of their ability to stimulate antitumour T cell and natural killer (NK) cell responses is relatively recent. Clinical trial data increasingly show that targeted immunotherapies, such as antibodies, T cells, and vaccines, improve outcomes when delivered in combination with the IMiD derivatives lenalidomide or pomalidomide. Here, we review these clinical data to highlight the relevance of IMiDs in combinatorial immunotherapy for both haematological and solid tumours. Further research into the molecular mechanisms of IMiDs and an increased understanding of their immunomodulatory effects may refine the specific applications of IMiDs and improve the design of future clinical trials, moving IMiDs to the forefront of combinatorial cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Colley
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Timothy Brauns
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ann E Sluder
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark C Poznansky
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yohannes Gemechu
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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8
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Brodermann MH, Henderson EK, Sellar RS. The emerging role of targeted protein degradation to treat and study cancer. J Pathol 2024; 263:403-417. [PMID: 38886898 DOI: 10.1002/path.6301] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The evolution of cancer treatment has provided increasingly targeted strategies both in the upfront and relapsed disease settings. Small-molecule inhibitors and immunotherapy have risen to prominence with chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, checkpoint inhibitors, kinase inhibitors, and monoclonal antibody therapies being deployed across a range of solid organ and haematological malignancies. However, novel approaches are required to target transcription factors and oncogenic fusion proteins that are central to cancer biology and have generally eluded successful drug development. Thalidomide analogues causing protein degradation have been a cornerstone of treatment in multiple myeloma, but a lack of in-depth mechanistic understanding initially limited progress in the field. When the protein cereblon (CRBN) was found to mediate thalidomide analogues' action and CRBN's neo-targets were identified, existing and novel drug development accelerated, with applications outside multiple myeloma, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, and acute leukaemias. Critically, transcription factors were the first canonical targets described. In addition to broadening the application of protein-degrading drugs, resistance mechanisms are being overcome and targeted protein degradation is widening the scope of druggable proteins against which existing approaches have been ineffective. Examples of targeted protein degraders include molecular glues and proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs): heterobifunctional molecules that bind to proteins of interest and cause proximity-induced ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation via a linked E3 ligase. Twenty years since their inception, PROTACs have begun progressing through clinical trials, with early success in targeting the oestrogen receptor and androgen receptor in breast and prostate cancer respectively. This review explores important developments in targeted protein degradation to both treat and study cancer. It also considers the potential advantages and challenges in the translational aspects of developing new treatments. © 2024 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth K Henderson
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rob S Sellar
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
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9
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Zhang Z, Li Y, Yang J, Li J, Lin X, Liu T, Yang S, Lin J, Xue S, Yu J, Tang C, Li Z, Liu L, Ye Z, Deng Y, Li Z, Chen K, Ding H, Luo C, Lin H. Dual-site molecular glues for enhancing protein-protein interactions of the CDK12-DDB1 complex. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6477. [PMID: 39090085 PMCID: PMC11294606 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50642-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) stabilization with molecular glues plays a crucial role in drug discovery, albeit with significant challenges. In this study, we propose a dual-site approach, targeting the PPI region and its dynamic surroundings. We conduct molecular dynamics simulations to identify critical sites on the PPI that stabilize the cyclin-dependent kinase 12 - DNA damage-binding protein 1 (CDK12-DDB1) complex, resulting in further cyclin K degradation. This exploration leads to the creation of LL-K12-18, a dual-site molecular glue, which enhances the glue properties to augment degradation kinetics and efficiency. Notably, LL-K12-18 demonstrates strong inhibition of gene transcription and anti-proliferative effects in tumor cells, showing significant potency improvements in MDA-MB-231 (88-fold) and MDA-MB-468 cells (307-fold) when compared to its precursor compound SR-4835. These findings underscore the potential of dual-site approaches in disrupting CDK12 function and offer a structural insight-based framework for the design of cyclin K molecular glues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zemin Zhang
- The School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuanqing Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions of Fujian Province University, the Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jiacheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiongqiang Lin
- The School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ting Liu
- The School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shiling Yang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions of Fujian Province University, the Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jin Lin
- The School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shengyu Xue
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiamin Yu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Cailing Tang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziteng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Liu
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, China
| | - Zhengzheng Ye
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanan Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhihai Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaixian Chen
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.
| | - Cheng Luo
- The School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.
| | - Hua Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions of Fujian Province University, the Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, China.
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10
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Lin Z, Zhang Y, Liu X, Luo H, Li Q, Gao Q, Wang X, Wen J, Li L, Feng Y, Wang F, Huang J, Zhai X, Zhang L, Niu T, Zheng Y. Decreased RNA-binding protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U improves multiple myeloma sensitivity to lenalidomide. Br J Haematol 2024; 205:594-606. [PMID: 38685577 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell cancer in the bone marrow. Immunomodulatory drugs, such as lenalidomide (LEN) and pomalidomide, are backbone agents in MM treatment, and LEN resistance is commonly seen in the MM clinic. In this study, we presented that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNPU) affected MM resistance to LEN via the regulation of target mRNA translation. hnRNPULow MM cells exhibited upregulated CRBN and IKZF1 proteins, stringent IKZF1/3 protein degradation upon LEN addition and increased sensitivity to LEN. RNA pulldown assays and RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that hnRNPU bound to the 3'-untranslated region of CRBN and IKZF1 mRNA. A sucrose gradient assay suggested that hnRNPU specifically regulated CRBN and IKZF1 mRNA translation. The competition of hnRNPU binding to its target mRNAs by small RNAs with hnRNPU-binding sites restored MM sensitivity to LEN. hnRNPU function in vivo was confirmed in an immunocompetent MM mouse model constructed by the inoculation of Crbn-humanized murine 5TGM1 cells into CrbnI391V/+ mice. Overall, this study suggests a novel mechanism of LEN sensitivity in which hnRNPU represses CRBN and IKZF1 mRNA translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimei Lin
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongmei Luo
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qianwen Gao
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingjing Wen
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Hematology, Mian-Yang Central Hospital, Mianyang, China
| | - Linfeng Li
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fangfang Wang
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingcao Huang
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinyu Zhai
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ting Niu
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuhuan Zheng
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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11
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Costacurta M, Sandow JJ, Maher B, Susanto O, Vervoort SJ, Devlin JR, Garama D, Condina MR, Steele JR, Kahrood HV, Gough D, Johnstone RW, Shortt J. Mapping the IMiD-dependent cereblon interactome using BioID-proximity labelling. FEBS J 2024. [PMID: 38975872 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17196] [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: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs) are central components of therapy for multiple myeloma (MM). IMiDs bind cereblon (CRBN), an adaptor for the CUL4-DDB1-RBX1 E3 ligase to change its substrate specificity and induce degradation of 'neosubstrate' transcription factors that are essential to MM cells. Mechanistic studies to date have largely focussed on mediators of therapeutic activity and insight into clinical IMiD toxicities is less developed. We adopted BioID2-dependent proximity labelling (BioID2-CRBN) to characterise the CRBN interactome in the presence and absence of various IMiDs and the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib. We aimed to leverage this technology to further map CRBN interactions beyond what has been achieved by conventional proteomic techniques. In support of this approach, analysis of cells expressing BioID2-CRBN following IMiD treatment displayed biotinylation of known CRBN interactors and neosubstrates. We observed that bortezomib alone significantly modifies the CRBN interactome. Proximity labelling also suggested that IMiDs augment the interaction between CRBN and proteins that are not degraded, thus designating 'neointeractors' distinct from previously disclosed 'neosubstrates'. Here we identify Non-Muscle Myosin Heavy Chain IIA (MYH9) as a putative CRBN neointeractor that may contribute to the haematological toxicity of IMiDs. These studies provide proof of concept for proximity labelling technologies in the mechanistic profiling of IMiDs and related E3-ligase-modulating drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Costacurta
- Monash Haematology, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
- Blood Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Jarrod J Sandow
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Belinda Maher
- Monash Haematology, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
- Blood Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Olivia Susanto
- Monash Haematology, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
- Blood Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Stephin J Vervoort
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Devlin
- Translational Haematology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Daniel Garama
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Mark R Condina
- Mass Dynamics, Melbourne, Australia
- Clinical & Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Joel R Steele
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Monash Bioinformatics Platform, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Hossein V Kahrood
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Daniel Gough
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- Translational Haematology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jake Shortt
- Monash Haematology, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
- Blood Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Translational Haematology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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12
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Zhang S, Nie S, Ma G, Shen M, Kong L, Zuo Z, Li Y. Identification of novel GSPT1 degraders by virtual screening and bioassay. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 273:116524. [PMID: 38795517 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
GSPT1 plays crucial physiological functions, such as terminating protein translation, overexpressed in various tumors. It is a promising anti-tumor target, but is also considered as an "undruggable" protein. Recent studies have found that a class of small molecules can degrade GSPT1 through the "molecular glue" mechanism with strong antitumor activity, which is expected to become a new therapy for hematological malignancies. Currently available GSPT1 degraders are mostly derived from the scaffold of immunomodulatory imide drug (IMiD), thus more active compounds with novel structure remain to be found. In this work, using computer-assisted multi-round virtual screening and bioassay, we identified a non-IMiD acylhydrazone compound, AN5782, which can reduce the protein level of GPST1 and obviously inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells. Some analogs were obtained by a substructure search of AN5782. The structure-activity relationship analysis revealed possible interactions between these compounds and CRBN-GSPT1. Further biological mechanistic studies showed that AN5777 decreased GSPT1 remarkably through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and its effective cytotoxicity was CRBN- and GSPT1-dependent. Furthermore, AN5777 displayed good antiproliferative activities against U937 and OCI-AML-2 cells, and dose-dependently induced G1 phase arrest and apoptosis. The structure found in this work could be good start for antitumor drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Natural Medicines, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Shiyun Nie
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Research and Development for Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Guangchao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Research and Development for Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Meiling Shen
- Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Natural Medicines, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lingmei Kong
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Research and Development for Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Zhili Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Natural Medicines, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Yan Li
- Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Natural Medicines, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Research and Development for Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.
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13
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Ting PY, Borikar S, Kerrigan JR, Thomsen NM, Aghania E, Hinman AE, Reyes A, Pizzato N, Fodor BD, Wu F, Belew MS, Mao X, Wang J, Chitnis S, Niu W, Hachey A, Cobb JS, Savage NA, Burke A, Paulk J, Dovala D, Lin J, Clifton MC, Ornelas E, Ma X, Ware NF, Sanchez CC, Taraszka J, Terranova R, Knehr J, Altorfer M, Barnes SW, Beckwith REJ, Solomon JM, Dales NA, Patterson AW, Wagner J, Bouwmeester T, Dranoff G, Stevenson SC, Bradner JE. A molecular glue degrader of the WIZ transcription factor for fetal hemoglobin induction. Science 2024; 385:91-99. [PMID: 38963839 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk6129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent, life-threatening condition attributable to a heritable mutation in β-hemoglobin. Therapeutic induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) can ameliorate disease complications and has been intently pursued. However, safe and effective small-molecule inducers of HbF remain elusive. We report the discovery of dWIZ-1 and dWIZ-2, molecular glue degraders of the WIZ transcription factor that robustly induce HbF in erythroblasts. Phenotypic screening of a cereblon (CRBN)-biased chemical library revealed WIZ as a previously unknown repressor of HbF. WIZ degradation is mediated by recruitment of WIZ(ZF7) to CRBN by dWIZ-1, as resolved by crystallography of the ternary complex. Pharmacological degradation of WIZ was well tolerated and induced HbF in humanized mice and cynomolgus monkeys. These findings establish WIZ degradation as a globally accessible therapeutic strategy for SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Fabian Wu
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Xiaohong Mao
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jian Wang
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Wei Niu
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ashley Burke
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - James Lin
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Xiaolei Ma
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Judith Knehr
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
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14
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Lishman-Walker E, Coffey K. Casein Kinase 1α-A Target for Prostate Cancer Therapy? Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2436. [PMID: 39001502 PMCID: PMC11240421 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is a key driver of prostate cancer (PCa) and, as such, current mainstay treatments target this molecule. However, resistance commonly arises to these therapies and, therefore, additional targets must be evaluated to improve patient outcomes. Consequently, alternative approaches for indirectly targeting the AR are sought. AR crosstalk with other signalling pathways, including several protein kinase signalling cascades, has been identified as a potential route to combat therapy resistance. The casein kinase 1 (CK1) family of protein kinases phosphorylate a multitude of substrates, allowing them to regulate a diverse range of pathways from the cell cycle to DNA damage repair. As well as its role in several signalling pathways that are de-regulated in PCa, mutational data suggest its potential to promote prostate carcinogenesis. CK1α is one isoform predicted to regulate AR activity via phosphorylation and has been implicated in the progression of several other cancer types. In this review, we explore how the normal biological function of CK1 is de-regulated in cancer, the impact on signalling pathways and how this contributes towards prostate tumourigenesis, with a particular focus on the CK1α isoform as a novel therapeutic target for PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Lishman-Walker
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle Cancer Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Kelly Coffey
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle Cancer Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
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15
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Federspiel JD, Catlin NR, Nowland WS, Stethem CM, Mathialagan N, Fernandez Ocaña M, Bowman CJ. Differential Analysis of Cereblon Neosubstrates in Rabbit Embryos Using Targeted Proteomics. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100797. [PMID: 38866076 PMCID: PMC11263748 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100797] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation is the selective removal of a protein of interest through hijacking intracellular protein cleanup machinery. This rapidly growing field currently relies heavily on the use of the E3 ligase cereblon (CRBN) to target proteins for degradation, including the immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide which work through a molecular glue mechanism of action with CRBN. While CRBN recruitment can result in degradation of a specific protein of interest (e.g., efficacy), degradation of other proteins (called CRBN neosubstrates) also occurs. Degradation of one or more of these CRBN neosubstrates is believed to play an important role in thalidomide-related developmental toxicity observed in rabbits and primates. We identified a set of 25 proteins of interest associated with CRBN-related protein homeostasis and/or embryo/fetal development. We developed a targeted assay for these proteins combining peptide immunoaffinity enrichment and high-resolution mass spectrometry and successfully applied this assay to rabbit embryo samples from pregnant rabbits dosed with three IMiDs. We confirmed previously reported in vivo decreases in neosubstrates like SALL4, as well as provided evidence of neosubstrate changes for proteins only examined in vitro previously. While there were many proteins that were similarly decreased by all three IMiDs, no compound had the exact same neosubstrate degradation profile as another. We compared our data to previous literature reports of IMiD-induced degradation and known developmental biology associations. Based on our observations, we recommend monitoring at least a major subset of these neosubstrates in a developmental test system to improve CRBN-binding compound-specific risk assessment. A strength of our assay is that it is configurable, and the target list can be readily adapted to focus on only a subset of proteins of interest or expanded to incorporate new findings as additional information about CRBN biology is discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel D Federspiel
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer, Inc, Andover, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Natasha R Catlin
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer, Inc, Groton, Connecticut, USA
| | - William S Nowland
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer, Inc, Groton, Connecticut, USA
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16
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Chang X, Qu F, Li C, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Xie Y, Fan Z, Bian J, Wang J, Li Z, Xu X. Development and therapeutic potential of GSPT1 molecular glue degraders: A medicinal chemistry perspective. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:1727-1767. [PMID: 38314926 DOI: 10.1002/med.22024] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Unprecedented therapeutic targeting of previously undruggable proteins has now been achieved by molecular-glue-mediated proximity-induced degradation. As a small GTPase, G1 to S phase transition 1 (GSPT1) interacts with eRF1, the translation termination factor, to facilitate the process of translation termination. Studied demonstrated that GSPT1 plays a vital role in the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and MYC-driven lung cancer. Thus, molecular glue (MG) degraders targeting GSPT1 is a novel and promising approach for treating AML and MYC-driven cancers. In this Perspective, we briefly summarize the structural and functional aspects of GSPT1, highlighting the latest advances and challenges in MG degraders, as well as some representative patents. The structure-activity relationships, mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic features of MG degraders are emphasized to provide a comprehensive compendium on the rational design of GSPT1 MG degraders. We hope to provide an updated overview, and design guide for strategies targeting GSPT1 for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujin Chang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fangui Qu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunxiao Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingtian Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanqing Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xie
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhongpeng Fan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinlei Bian
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jubo Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyu Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xi Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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17
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Panaampon J, Okada S. Promising immunotherapeutic approaches for primary effusion lymphoma. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2024; 5:699-713. [PMID: 38966176 PMCID: PMC11220309 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2024.00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a large B-cell neoplasm usually presenting as a serious effusion in body cavities without detectable tumor masses. It is an AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) with human herpes virus 8 (HHV8)/Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) infection. A combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) prolongs the lifespan of AIDS and AIDS-related malignant lymphoma patients, but PEL continues to have a dismal prognosis. PEL showed disappointing outcomes with standard chemotherapy such as CHOP or CHOP-like regimens. A PEL status highlights the urgent need for new therapeutic approaches and treatment strategies and improve clinical outcomes. This review discusses the current knowledge and some recent clinical trials for PEL in the platform of immunotherapy as well as promising future immunotherapeutic approaches for PEL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutatip Panaampon
- Division of Hematologic Neoplasia, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Division of Hematopoiesis, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Seiji Okada
- Division of Hematopoiesis, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
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18
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Ichikawa S, Payne NC, Xu W, Chang CF, Vallavoju N, Frome S, Flaxman HA, Mazitschek R, Woo CM. The cyclimids: Degron-inspired cereblon binders for targeted protein degradation. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:1162-1175.e10. [PMID: 38320555 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.01.003] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Cereblon (CRBN) is an E3 ligase substrate adapter widely exploited for targeted protein degradation (TPD) strategies. However, achieving efficient and selective target degradation is a preeminent challenge with ligands that engage CRBN. Here, we report that the cyclimids, ligands derived from the C-terminal cyclic imide degrons of CRBN, exhibit distinct modes of interaction with CRBN and offer a facile approach for developing potent and selective bifunctional degraders. Quantitative TR-FRET-based characterization of 60 cyclimid degraders in binary and ternary complexes across different substrates revealed that ternary complex binding affinities correlated strongly with cellular degradation efficiency. Our studies establish the unique properties of the cyclimids as versatile warheads in TPD and a systematic biochemical approach for quantifying ternary complex formation to predict their cellular degradation activity, which together will accelerate the development of ligands that engage CRBN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saki Ichikawa
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - N Connor Payne
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Wenqing Xu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Chia-Fu Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Nandini Vallavoju
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Spencer Frome
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Hope A Flaxman
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Ralph Mazitschek
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Christina M Woo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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19
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Konstantinidou M, Arkin MR. Molecular glues for protein-protein interactions: Progressing toward a new dream. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:1064-1088. [PMID: 38701786 PMCID: PMC11193649 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
The modulation of protein-protein interactions with small molecules is one of the most rapidly developing areas in drug discovery. In this review, we discuss advances over the past decade (2014-2023) focusing on molecular glues (MGs)-monovalent small molecules that induce proximity, either by stabilizing native interactions or by inducing neomorphic interactions. We include both serendipitous and rational discoveries and describe the different approaches that were used to identify them. We classify the compounds in three main categories: degradative MGs, non-degradative MGs or PPI stabilizers, and MGs that induce self-association. Diverse, illustrative examples with structural data are described in detail, emphasizing the elements of molecular recognition and cooperative binding at the interface that are fundamental for a MG mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markella Konstantinidou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Small Molecule Discovery Center (SMDC), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Michelle R Arkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Small Molecule Discovery Center (SMDC), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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20
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Wang B, Cao S, Zheng N. Emerging strategies for prospective discovery of molecular glue degraders. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 86:102811. [PMID: 38598983 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2024.102811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Molecular glue (MG) degraders are monovalent small molecule compounds that co-opt E3 ubiquitin ligases to target neo-substrates for proteasomal degradation. Here, we provide a concise review of recent advances in rational MG discovery, which are categorized into two major strategies, ligand modification and de novo discovery. We also highlight the structural mechanisms underlying the formation of MG-enabled ternary complexes and their thermodynamic properties. Finally, we summarize the broader category of proximity inducers including MGs, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), peptides, and viral proteins. MGs are specified as a unique class of proximity inducers with chemical simplicity and a requirement of pre-existing weak protein-protein interactions. We propose that leveraging the weak basal interaction provides a starting point to prospectively develop MGs to degrade high-value therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiyun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Box 357280, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shiyun Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, Box 357280, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ning Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Box 357280, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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21
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Battaglia MR, Cannova J, Madero-Marroquin R, Patel AA. Treatment of Anemia in Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2024; 25:752-768. [PMID: 38814537 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-024-01217-0] [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] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT A majority of patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) will present with or develop anemia. Anemia in MDS is associated with decreased quality of life and may correlate with decreased progression-free survival and overall survival. In this state of the art review we summarize current risk stratification approaches to identify lower-risk MDS (LR-MDS), the natural history of the disease, and meaningful clinical endpoints. The treatment landscape of LR-MDS with anemia is also rapidly evolving; we review the role of supportive care, erythropoietin stimulating agents, lenalidomide, luspatercept, hypomethylating agents (HMAs), and immunosuppressive therapy (IST) in the management of LR-MDS with anemia. In patients with deletion 5q (del5q) syndrome lenalidomide has both efficacy and durability of response. For patients without del5q who need treatment, the management approach is impacted by serum erythropoietin (EPO) level, SF3B1 mutation status, and ring sideroblast status. Given the data from the Phase III COMMANDS trial, we utilize luspatercept in those with SF3B1 mutation or ring sideroblasts that have an EPO level < 500 U/L; in patients without an SF3B1 mutation or ring sideroblasts there is equipoise between luspatercept and use of an erythropoietin stimulating agent (ESA). For patients who have an EPO level ≥ 500 U/L or have been previously treated there is not a clear standard of care. For those without previous luspatercept exposure it can be considered particularly if there is an SF3B1 mutation or the presence of ring sideroblasts. Other options include HMAs or IST; the Phase III IMERGE trial supports the efficacy of the telomerase inhibitor imetelstat in this setting and this may become a standard option in the future as well.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph Cannova
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Avenue MC 2115, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Rafael Madero-Marroquin
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Avenue MC 2115, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Anand A Patel
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Avenue MC 2115, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
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22
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Wang K, Jiang M, Liu H, Meng C, Li M, Lu H. Discovery of novel co-degradation CK1α and CDK7/9 PROTACs with p53 activation for treating acute myeloid leukemia. Bioorg Chem 2024; 147:107319. [PMID: 38593529 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107319] [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: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Reactivating p53 activity to restore its anticancer function is an attractive cancer treatment strategy. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of novel PROTACs to reactivate p53 via the co-degradation of CK1α and CDK7/9 proteins. Bioactivity studies showed that the selected PROTAC 13i exhibited potency antiproliferative activity in MV4-11 (IC50 = 0.096 ± 0.012 μM) and MOLM-13 (IC50 = 0.072 ± 0.014 μM) cells, and induced apoptosis of MV4-11 cells. Western-blot analysis showed that PROTAC 13i triple CK1α and CDK7/9 protein degradation resulted in the significantly increased expression of p53. At the same time, the transcriptional repression due to the degradation significantly reduced downstream gene expression of MYC, MDM2, BCL-2 and MCL-1, and reduced the inflammatory cytokine levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in PMBCs. These results indicate the beneficial impact of simultaneous CK1α and CDK7/9 degradation for acute myeloid leukemia therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis
- Casein Kinase Ialpha/metabolism
- Casein Kinase Ialpha/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9/metabolism
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- Molecular Structure
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/metabolism
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Drug Discovery
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Proteolysis/drug effects
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Proteolysis Targeting Chimera
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Activating Kinase
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Meixu Jiang
- College of Pharmacy, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Huimin Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Chen Meng
- College of Pharmacy, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Mengyuan Li
- College of Pharmacy, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Haibin Lu
- College of Pharmacy, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
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23
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Tran NL, Jiang J, Ma M, Gadbois GE, Gulay KCM, Verano A, Zhou H, Huang CT, Scott DA, Bang AG, Tiriac H, Lowy AM, Wang ES, Ferguson FM. ZBTB11 Depletion Targets Metabolic Vulnerabilities in K-Ras Inhibitor Resistant PDAC. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.19.594824. [PMID: 38826238 PMCID: PMC11142081 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.19.594824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Over 95% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) harbor oncogenic mutations in K-Ras. Upon treatment with K-Ras inhibitors, PDAC cancer cells undergo metabolic reprogramming towards an oxidative phosphorylation-dependent, drug-resistant state. However, direct inhibition of complex I is poorly tolerated in patients due to on-target induction of peripheral neuropathy. In this work, we develop molecular glue degraders against ZBTB11, a C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor that regulates the nuclear transcription of components of the mitoribosome and electron transport chain. Our ZBTB11 degraders leverage the differences in demand for biogenesis of mitochondrial components between human neurons and rapidly-dividing pancreatic cancer cells, to selectively target the K-Ras inhibitor resistant state in PDAC. Combination treatment of both K-Ras inhibitor-resistant cell lines and multidrug resistant patient-derived organoids resulted in superior anti-cancer activity compared to single agent treatment, while sparing hiPSC-derived neurons. Proteomic and stable isotope tracing studies revealed mitoribosome depletion and impairment of the TCA cycle as key events that mediate this response. Together, this work validates ZBTB11 as a vulnerability in K-Ras inhibitor-resistant PDAC and provides a suite of molecular glue degrader tool compounds to investigate its function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan L. Tran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Cancer Molecular Therapeutics Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Jiewei Jiang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Min Ma
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Gillian E. Gadbois
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Kevin C. M. Gulay
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Alyssa Verano
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02115
| | - Haowen Zhou
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Chun-Teng Huang
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - David A. Scott
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Anne G. Bang
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Herve Tiriac
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Andrew M. Lowy
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Eric S. Wang
- Cancer Molecular Therapeutics Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Fleur M. Ferguson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
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24
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Li D, Cheng J, Yuan Z, Deng K. Evolution and impact of molecular glue research: a bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2023. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1401257. [PMID: 38817889 PMCID: PMC11138103 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1401257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Molecular glues, which reshape E3 ligase receptors to promote targeted protein degradation, are emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy, particularly in oncology, driven by rapidly advancing insights into their mechanisms and structural properties. Objective This study aims to offer an insightful depiction and visualization of the knowledge structure, prevalent themes, and emerging trends within the domain since the year 2000, employing bibliometric analysis to achieve this goal. Methods To conduct this research, a comprehensive collection of literature on molecular glues was sourced from the Web of Science database. Subsequently, the data underwent analysis utilizing CiteSpace and VOSviewer tools, enabling the identification of pivotal countries, institutions, authors, and journals, as well as the delineation of subject hotspots, trends, and the forefront of research in this evolving field. Result Since 2000, 388 papers on molecular glues have been published, with a notable increase to an annual average of 43 articles post-2018. This research, contributed by 506 authors across 329 institutions, highlights the United States and China as leading nations in output, with 122 and 104 articles respectively. Takuzo Aida, Luc Brunsveld, and Christian Ottmann are identified as key authors. Nature emerges as the foremost publication venue, while the Chinese Academy of Sciences is the top contributing institution, underscoring the global engagement and interdisciplinary nature of molecular glue research. This study identified 19 distinct research clusters within the molecular glues domain. Conclusion We reveal the current status, hotspots, and trends of molecular glue research since 2000, offering insights and novel scholarly perspectives on the field's prevailing limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jingyi Cheng
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital and Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research and Hunan Clinical Research Center of Oral Major Diseases and Oral Health and Academician Workstation for Oral-Maxilofacial and Regenerative Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhigen Yuan
- Department of Orthopaedics, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Kexin Deng
- Department of Plastic and Reconstruction, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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25
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Hao B, Chen K, Zhai L, Liu M, Liu B, Tan M. Substrate and Functional Diversity of Protein Lysine Post-translational Modifications. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2024; 22:qzae019. [PMID: 38862432 DOI: 10.1093/gpbjnl/qzae019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Lysine post-translational modifications (PTMs) are widespread and versatile protein PTMs that are involved in diverse biological processes by regulating the fundamental functions of histone and non-histone proteins. Dysregulation of lysine PTMs is implicated in many diseases, and targeting lysine PTM regulatory factors, including writers, erasers, and readers, has become an effective strategy for disease therapy. The continuing development of mass spectrometry (MS) technologies coupled with antibody-based affinity enrichment technologies greatly promotes the discovery and decoding of PTMs. The global characterization of lysine PTMs is crucial for deciphering the regulatory networks, molecular functions, and mechanisms of action of lysine PTMs. In this review, we focus on lysine PTMs, and provide a summary of the regulatory enzymes of diverse lysine PTMs and the proteomics advances in lysine PTMs by MS technologies. We also discuss the types and biological functions of lysine PTM crosstalks on histone and non-histone proteins and current druggable targets of lysine PTM regulatory factors for disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Kaifeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Linhui Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Muyin Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
| | - Minjia Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China
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26
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Chen Y, Xue H, Jin J. Applications of protein ubiquitylation and deubiquitylation in drug discovery. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107264. [PMID: 38582446 PMCID: PMC11087986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome system (UPS) is the major machinery mediating specific protein turnover in eukaryotic cells. By ubiquitylating unwanted, damaged, or harmful proteins and driving their degradation, UPS is involved in many important cellular processes. Several new UPS-based technologies, including molecular glue degraders and PROTACs (proteolysis-targeting chimeras) to promote protein degradation, and DUBTACs (deubiquitinase-targeting chimeras) to increase protein stability, have been developed. By specifically inducing the interactions between different Ub ligases and targeted proteins that are not otherwise related, molecular glue degraders and PROTACs degrade targeted proteins via the UPS; in contrast, by inducing the proximity of targeted proteins to deubiquitinases, DUBTACs are created to clear degradable poly-Ub chains to stabilize targeted proteins. In this review, we summarize the recent research progress in molecular glue degraders, PROTACs, and DUBTACs and their applications. We discuss immunomodulatory drugs, sulfonamides, cyclin-dependent kinase-targeting molecular glue degraders, and new development of PROTACs. We also introduce the principle of DUBTAC and its applications. Finally, we propose a few future directions of these three technologies related to targeted protein homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Chen
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haoan Xue
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Center for Life Sciences, Shaoxing Institute, Zhejiang University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Jianping Jin
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Center for Life Sciences, Shaoxing Institute, Zhejiang University, Shaoxing, China; Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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27
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Carvès S, Birsen R, Avouac J. Persistent remission of severe rheumatoid arthritis associated with myelodysplastic syndrome upon treatment with lenalidomide. Joint Bone Spine 2024; 91:105693. [PMID: 38246576 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2024.105693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Carvès
- Rheumatology Department, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Rudy Birsen
- Hematology Department, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Avouac
- Rheumatology Department, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, Paris, France.
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28
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Ito T. Protein degraders - from thalidomide to new PROTACs. J Biochem 2024; 175:507-519. [PMID: 38140952 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvad113] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the development of protein degraders (protein-degrading compounds) has prominently progressed. There are two remarkable classes of protein degraders: proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glue degraders (MGDs). Almost 70 years have passed since thalidomide was initially developed as a sedative-hypnotic drug, which is currently recognized as one of the most well-known MGDs. During the last two decades, a myriad of PROTACs and MGDs have been developed, and the molecular mechanism of action (MOA) of thalidomide was basically elucidated, including identifying its molecular target cereblon (CRBN). CRBN forms a Cullin Ring Ligase 4 with Cul4 and DDB1, whose substrate specificity is controlled by its binding ligands. Thalidomide, lenalidomide and pomalidomide, three CRBN-binding MGDs, were clinically approved to treat several intractable diseases (including multiple myeloma). Several other MGDs and CRBN-based PROTACs (ARV-110 and AVR-471) are undergoing clinical trials. In addition, several new related technologies regarding PROTACs and MGDs have also been developed, and achievements of protein degraders impact not only therapeutic fields but also basic biological science. In this article, I introduce the history of protein degraders, from the development of thalidomide to the latest PROTACs and related technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Ito
- Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
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29
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An J, Zhang X. Crbn-based molecular Glues: Breakthroughs and perspectives. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 104:117683. [PMID: 38552596 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
CRBN is a substrate receptor for the Cullin Ring E3 ubiquitin ligase 4 (CRL4) complex. It has been observed that CRBN can be exploited by small molecules to facilitate the recruitment and ubiquitination of non-natural CRL4 substrates, resulting in the degradation of neosubstrate through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This phenomenon, known as molecular glue-induced protein degradation, has emerged as an innovative therapeutic approach in contrast to traditional small-molecule drugs. One key advantage of molecular glues, in comparison to conventional small-molecule drugs adhering to Lipinski's Rule of Five, is their ability to operate without the necessity for specific binding pockets on target proteins. This unique characteristic empowers molecular glues to interact with conventionally intractable protein targets, such as transcription factors and scaffold proteins. The ability to induce the degradation of these previously elusive targets by hijacking the ubiquitin-proteasome system presents a promising avenue for the treatment of recalcitrant diseases. Nevertheless, the rational design of molecular glues remains a formidable challenge due to the limited understanding of their mechanisms and actions. This review offers an overview of recent advances and breakthroughs in the field of CRBN-based molecular glues, while also exploring the prospects for a systematic approach to designing these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juzeng An
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
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30
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Carter TR, Milosevich N, Dada L, Shaum JB, Barry Sharpless K, Kitamura S, Erb MA. SuFEx-based chemical diversification for the systematic discovery of CRBN molecular glues. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 104:117699. [PMID: 38608634 PMCID: PMC11195152 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Molecular glues are small molecules that stabilize protein-protein interactions, enabling new molecular pharmacologies, such as targeted protein degradation. They offer advantages over proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), which present challenges associated with the size and properties of heterobifunctional constructions, but glues lack the rational design principles analogous to PROTACs. One notable exception is the ability to alter the structure of Cereblon (CRBN)-based molecular glues and redirect their activity toward new neo-substrate proteins. We took a focused approach toward modifying the CRBN ligand, 5'-amino lenalidomide, to alter its neo-substrate specificity using high-throughput chemical diversification by parallelized sulfur(VI)-fluoride exchange (SuFEx) transformations. We synthesized over 3,000 analogs of 5'-amino lenalidomide using this approach and screened the crude products using a phenotypic screen for cell viability, identifying dozens of analogs with differentiated activity. We characterized four compounds that degrade G-to-S phase transition 1 (GSPT1) protein, providing a proof-of-concept model for SuFEx-based discovery of CRBN molecular glues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trever R Carter
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, United States
| | | | - Lucas Dada
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, United States
| | - James B Shaum
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, United States
| | - K Barry Sharpless
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, United States
| | - Seiya Kitamura
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, United States; Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, United States
| | - Michael A Erb
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, United States
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31
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Jing Q, Zhou C, Zhang J, Zhang P, Wu Y, Zhou J, Tong X, Li Y, Du J, Wang Y. Role of reactive oxygen species in myelodysplastic syndromes. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:53. [PMID: 38616283 PMCID: PMC11017617 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00570-0] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) serve as typical metabolic byproducts of aerobic life and play a pivotal role in redox reactions and signal transduction pathways. Contingent upon their concentration, ROS production not only initiates or stimulates tumorigenesis but also causes oxidative stress (OS) and triggers cellular apoptosis. Mounting literature supports the view that ROS are closely interwoven with the pathogenesis of a cluster of diseases, particularly those involving cell proliferation and differentiation, such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and chronic/acute myeloid leukemia (CML/AML). OS caused by excessive ROS at physiological levels is likely to affect the functions of hematopoietic stem cells, such as cell growth and self-renewal, which may contribute to defective hematopoiesis. We review herein the eminent role of ROS in the hematological niche and their profound influence on the progress of MDS. We also highlight that targeting ROS is a practical and reliable tactic for MDS therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiangan Jing
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China
- HEALTH BioMed Research & Development Center, Health BioMed Co., Ltd, Ningbo, 315803, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chaoting Zhou
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junyu Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Lishui Central Hospital, Lishui, 323000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunyi Wu
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junyu Zhou
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiangmin Tong
- Department of Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanchun Li
- Department of Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jing Du
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
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32
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Bourgeois W, Cutler JA, Aubrey BJ, Wenge DV, Perner F, Martucci C, Henrich JA, Klega K, Nowak RP, Donovan KA, Boileau M, Wen Y, Hatton C, Apazidis AA, Olsen SN, Kirmani N, Pikman Y, Pollard JA, Perry JA, Sperling AS, Ebert BL, McGeehan GM, Crompton BD, Fischer ES, Armstrong SA. Mezigdomide is effective alone and in combination with menin inhibition in preclinical models of KMT2A-r and NPM1c AML. Blood 2024; 143:1513-1527. [PMID: 38096371 PMCID: PMC11033588 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023021105] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Small molecules that target the menin-KMT2A protein-protein interaction (menin inhibitors) have recently entered clinical trials in lysine methyltransferase 2A (KMT2A or MLL1)-rearranged (KMT2A-r) and nucleophosmin-mutant (NPM1c) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are demonstrating encouraging results. However, rationally chosen combination therapy is needed to improve responses and prevent resistance. We have previously identified IKZF1/IKAROS as a target in KMT2A-r AML and shown in preclinical models that IKAROS protein degradation with lenalidomide or iberdomide has modest single-agent activity yet can synergize with menin inhibitors. Recently, the novel IKAROS degrader mezigdomide was developed with greatly enhanced IKAROS protein degradation. In this study, we show that mezigdomide has increased preclinical activity in vitro as a single-agent in KMT2A-r and NPM1c AML cell lines, including sensitivity in cell lines resistant to lenalidomide and iberdomide. Further, we demonstrate that mezigdomide has the greatest capacity to synergize with and induce apoptosis in combination with menin inhibitors, including in MEN1 mutant models. We show that the superior activity of mezigdomide compared with lenalidomide or iberdomide is due to its increased depth, rate, and duration of IKAROS protein degradation. Single-agent mezigdomide was efficacious in 5 patient-derived xenograft models of KMT2A-r and 1 NPM1c AML. The combination of mezigdomide with the menin inhibitor VTP-50469 increased survival and prevented and overcame MEN1 mutations that mediate resistance in patients receiving menin inhibitor monotherapy. These results support prioritization of mezigdomide for early phase clinical trials in KMT2A-r and NPM1c AML, either as a single agent or in combination with menin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wallace Bourgeois
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jevon A. Cutler
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Brandon J. Aubrey
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Daniela V. Wenge
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Florian Perner
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Internal Medicine C, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Cynthia Martucci
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jill A. Henrich
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Kelly Klega
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Radosław P. Nowak
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Meaghan Boileau
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Yanhe Wen
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Charlie Hatton
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Athina A. Apazidis
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sarah Naomi Olsen
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Nadia Kirmani
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
| | - Yana Pikman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jessica A. Pollard
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jennifer A. Perry
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Adam S. Sperling
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Hematology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Benjamin L. Ebert
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA
| | | | - Brian D. Crompton
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Scott A. Armstrong
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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33
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Tracy W, Davies GHM, Grant LN, Ganley JM, Moreno J, Cherney EC, Davies HML. Anhydrous and Stereoretentive Fluoride-Enhanced Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling of Immunomodulatory Imide Drug Derivatives. J Org Chem 2024; 89:4595-4606. [PMID: 38452367 PMCID: PMC11002932 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c02873] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Immunomodulatory imide drugs form the core of many pharmaceutically relevant structures, but Csp2-Csp2 bond formation via metal-catalyzed cross coupling is difficult due to the sensitivity of the glutarimide ring ubiquitous in these structures. We report that replacement of the traditional alkali base with a fluoride source enhances a previously challenging Suzuki-Miyaura coupling on glutarimide-containing compounds with trifluoroborates. These enabling conditions are reactive enough to generate these derivatives in high yields but mild enough to preserve both the glutarimide and its sensitive stereocenter. Experimental and computational data suggest a mechanistically distinct process of π-coordination of the trifluoroborate enabled by these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- William
F. Tracy
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Geraint H. M. Davies
- Small
Molecule Drug Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Lauren N. Grant
- Chemical
Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Jacob M. Ganley
- Chemical
Process Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States
| | - Jesus Moreno
- Small
Molecule Drug Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Emily C. Cherney
- Small
Molecule Drug Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Huw M. L. Davies
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
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34
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Costas-Insua C, Hermoso-López A, Moreno E, Montero-Fernández C, Álvaro-Blázquez A, Maroto IB, Sánchez-Ruiz A, Diez-Alarcia R, Blázquez C, Morales P, Canela EI, Casadó V, Urigüen L, Perea G, Bellocchio L, Rodríguez-Crespo I, Guzmán M. The CB 1 receptor interacts with cereblon and drives cereblon deficiency-associated memory shortfalls. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:755-783. [PMID: 38514794 PMCID: PMC11018632 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00054-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Cereblon/CRBN is a substrate-recognition component of the Cullin4A-DDB1-Roc1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. Destabilizing mutations in the human CRBN gene cause a form of autosomal recessive non-syndromic intellectual disability (ARNSID) that is modelled by knocking-out the mouse Crbn gene. A reduction in excitatory neurotransmission has been proposed as an underlying mechanism of the disease. However, the precise factors eliciting this impairment remain mostly unknown. Here we report that CRBN molecules selectively located on glutamatergic neurons are necessary for proper memory function. Combining various in vivo approaches, we show that the cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R), a key suppressor of synaptic transmission, is overactivated in CRBN deficiency-linked ARNSID mouse models, and that the memory deficits observed in these animals can be rescued by acute CB1R-selective pharmacological antagonism. Molecular studies demonstrated that CRBN interacts physically with CB1R and impairs the CB1R-Gi/o-cAMP-PKA pathway in a ubiquitin ligase-independent manner. Taken together, these findings unveil that CB1R overactivation is a driving mechanism of CRBN deficiency-linked ARNSID and anticipate that the antagonism of CB1R could constitute a new therapy for this orphan disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Costas-Insua
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), 28034, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alba Hermoso-López
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), 28034, Madrid, Spain
| | - Estefanía Moreno
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Montero-Fernández
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), 28034, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alicia Álvaro-Blázquez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), 28034, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene B Maroto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), 28034, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Rebeca Diez-Alarcia
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, 48940, Leioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- BioBizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Cristina Blázquez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), 28034, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Morales
- Instituto de Química Médica, CSIC, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enric I Canela
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vicent Casadó
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology and Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leyre Urigüen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, 48940, Leioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- BioBizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | | | - Luigi Bellocchio
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) and University of Bordeaux, NeuroCentre Magendie, Physiopathologie de la Plasticité Neuronale, U1215, 33077, Bordeaux, France
| | - Ignacio Rodríguez-Crespo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), 28034, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Guzmán
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), 28034, Madrid, Spain.
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35
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Hernández-Morán BA, Taylor G, Lorente-Macías Á, Wood AJ. Degron tagging for rapid protein degradation in mice. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050613. [PMID: 38666498 PMCID: PMC11073515 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Degron tagging allows proteins of interest to be rapidly degraded, in a reversible and tuneable manner, in response to a chemical stimulus. This provides numerous opportunities for understanding disease mechanisms, modelling therapeutic interventions and constructing synthetic gene networks. In recent years, many laboratories have applied degron tagging successfully in cultured mammalian cells, spurred by rapid advances in the fields of genome editing and targeted protein degradation. In this At a Glance article, we focus on recent efforts to apply degron tagging in mouse models, discussing the distinct set of challenges and opportunities posed by the in vivo environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianda A. Hernández-Morán
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4, 2XR, UK
| | - Gillian Taylor
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4, 2XR, UK
| | - Álvaro Lorente-Macías
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Andrew J. Wood
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4, 2XR, UK
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36
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Mina A, Pavletic S, Aplan PD. The evolution of preclinical models for myelodysplastic neoplasms. Leukemia 2024; 38:683-691. [PMID: 38396286 PMCID: PMC10997513 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02181-2] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Myelodysplastic Neoplasms (MDS) are a group of clonal disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and morphologic dysplasia. Clinical manifestations of MDS vary widely and are dictated in large part by a range of genetic aberrations. The lack of robust in vitro models for MDS has limited the ability to conduct high throughput drug screens, which in turn has hampered the development of novel therapies for MDS. There are very few well-characterized MDS cell lines, and the available cell lines expand poorly in vitro. Conventional xenograft mouse models can provide an in vivo vessel to provide growth of cancer cells, but human MDS cells engraft poorly. Three-dimensional (3D) scaffold models that form human "ossicles" represent a promising new approach and can reproduce the intricate communication between hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and their environment. Genetically engineered mice utilize specific mutations and may not represent the entire array of human MDS; however, genetically engineered mice provided in vivo proof of principle for novel agents such as luspatercept, demonstrating the clinical utility of this approach. This review offers an overview of available preclinical MDS models and potential approaches to accelerate accurate clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Mina
- Myeloid Malignancies Program, Immune Deficiency Cellular Therapy Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Steven Pavletic
- Myeloid Malignancies Program, Immune Deficiency Cellular Therapy Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Peter D Aplan
- Myeloid Malignancies Program, Immune Deficiency Cellular Therapy Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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37
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van de Loosdrecht AA, Cremers EMP, Alhan C, Duetz C, In 't Hout FEM, Visser-Wisselaar HA, Chitu DA, Verbrugge A, Cunha SM, Ossenkoppele GJ, Janssen JJWM, Klein SK, Vellenga E, Huls GA, Muus P, Langemeijer SMC, de Greef GE, Te Boekhorst PAW, Raaijmakers MHG, van Marwijk Kooy M, Legdeur MC, Wegman JJ, Deenik W, de Weerdt O, van Maanen-Lamme TM, Jobse P, van Kampen RJW, Beeker A, Wijermans PW, Biemond BJ, Tanis BC, van Esser JWJ, Schaar CG, Noordzij-Nooteboom HS, Jacobs EMG, de Graaf AO, Jongen-Lavrencic M, Stevens-Kroef MJPL, Westers TM, Jansen JH. Determinants of lenalidomide response with or without erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in myelodysplastic syndromes: the HOVON89 trial. Leukemia 2024; 38:840-850. [PMID: 38297135 PMCID: PMC10997501 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02161-6] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
A randomized phase-II study was performed in low/int-1 risk MDS (IPSS) to study efficacy and safety of lenalidomide without (arm A) or with (arm B) ESA/G-CSF. In arm B, patients without erythroid response (HI-E) after 4 cycles received ESA; G-CSF was added if no HI-E was obtained by cycle 9. HI-E served as primary endpoint. Flow cytometry and next-generation sequencing were performed to identify predictors of response. The final evaluation comprised 184 patients; 84% non-del(5q), 16% isolated del(5q); median follow-up: 70.7 months. In arm A and B, 39 and 41% of patients achieved HI-E; median time-to-HI-E: 3.2 months for both arms, median duration of-HI-E: 9.8 months. HI-E was significantly lower in non-del(5q) vs. del(5q): 32% vs. 80%. The same accounted for transfusion independency-at-week 24 (16% vs. 67%), but similar in both arms. Apart from presence of del(5q), high percentages of bone marrow lymphocytes and progenitor B-cells, a low number of mutations, absence of ring sideroblasts, and SF3B1 mutations predicted HI-E. In conclusion, lenalidomide induced HI-E in patients with non-del(5q) and del(5q) MDS without additional effect of ESA/G-CSF. The identified predictors of response may guide application of lenalidomide in lower-risk MDS in the era of precision medicine. (EudraCT 2008-002195-10).
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Affiliation(s)
- A A van de Loosdrecht
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - E M P Cremers
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Laboratory Medicine - Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - C Alhan
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C Duetz
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - F E M In 't Hout
- Department of Laboratory Medicine - Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - D A Chitu
- HOVON Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A Verbrugge
- HOVON Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S M Cunha
- HOVON Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G J Ossenkoppele
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J J W M Janssen
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S K Klein
- Department of Hematology, Meander Medisch Centrum, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - E Vellenga
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - G A Huls
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - P Muus
- Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Haematology, St. James University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - S M C Langemeijer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine - Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - G E de Greef
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - P A W Te Boekhorst
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M H G Raaijmakers
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - M C Legdeur
- Department of Hematology, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - J J Wegman
- Department of Hematology, Deventer Ziekenhuis, Deventer, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - W Deenik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tergooi Ziekenhuis, Hilversum, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rijnstate, Arnhem, the Netherlands
| | - O de Weerdt
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Antonius Ziekenhuis, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | | | - P Jobse
- Department of Internal Medicine, Admiraal de Ruyter Ziekenhuis, Goes, The Netherlands
| | - R J W van Kampen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Zuyderland Ziekenhuis, Geleen, The Netherlands
| | - A Beeker
- Department of Hematology, Spaarne Gasthuis, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
| | - P W Wijermans
- Department of Hematology, Haaglanden Ziekenhuis, Den Haag, The Netherlands
| | - B J Biemond
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B C Tanis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Groene Hart Ziekenhuis, Gouda, The Netherlands
- Department of General Practice Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J W J van Esser
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, The Netherlands
| | - C G Schaar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gelre Ziekenhuis, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
| | - H S Noordzij-Nooteboom
- Department of Internal Medicine, Van Weel Bethesda Ziekenhuis, Dirksland, The Netherlands
| | - E M G Jacobs
- Department of Internal Medicine, Elkerliek Ziekenhuis, Helmond, The Netherlands
| | - A O de Graaf
- Department of Laboratory Medicine - Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - M Jongen-Lavrencic
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M J P L Stevens-Kroef
- Department of human genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - T M Westers
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J H Jansen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine - Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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38
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Zhang X, Xia F, Zhang X, Blumenthal RM, Cheng X. C2H2 Zinc Finger Transcription Factors Associated with Hemoglobinopathies. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168343. [PMID: 37924864 PMCID: PMC11185177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168343] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
In humans, specific aberrations in β-globin results in sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia, symptoms of which can be ameliorated by increased expression of fetal globin (HbF). Two recent CRISPR-Cas9 screens, centered on ∼1500 annotated sequence-specific DNA binding proteins and performed in a human erythroid cell line that expresses adult hemoglobin, uncovered four groups of candidate regulators of HbF gene expression. They are (1) members of the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex proteins that are already known for HbF control; (2) seven C2H2 zinc finger (ZF) proteins, including some (ZBTB7A and BCL11A) already known for directly silencing the fetal γ-globin genes in adult human erythroid cells; (3) a few other transcription factors of different structural classes that might indirectly influence HbF gene expression; and (4) DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) that maintains the DNA methylation marks that attract the MBD2-associated NuRD complex to DNA as well as associated histone H3 lysine 9 methylation. Here we briefly discuss the effects of these regulators, particularly C2H2 ZFs, in inducing HbF expression for treating β-hemoglobin disorders, together with recent advances in developing safe and effective small-molecule therapeutics for the regulation of this well-conserved hemoglobin switch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Fangfang Xia
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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39
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Lee H, Neri P, Bahlis NJ. Cereblon-Targeting Ligase Degraders in Myeloma: Mechanisms of Action and Resistance. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2024; 38:305-319. [PMID: 38302306 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2024.01.001] [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] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Cereblon-targeting degraders, including immunomodulatory imide drugs lenalidomide and pomalidomide alongside cereblon E3 ligase modulators like iberdomide and mezigdomide, have demonstrated significant anti-myeloma effects. These drugs play a crucial role in diverse therapeutic approaches for multiple myeloma (MM), emphasizing their therapeutic importance across various disease stages. Despite their evident efficacy, approximately 5% to 10% of MM patients exhibit primary resistance to lenalidomide, and resistance commonly develops over time. Understanding the intricate mechanisms of action and resistance to this drug class becomes imperative for refining and advancing novel therapeutic combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Lee
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Heritage Medical Research Building, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Paola Neri
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Heritage Medical Research Building, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Nizar J Bahlis
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Heritage Medical Research Building, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.
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40
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Bouvier C, Lawrence R, Cavallo F, Xolalpa W, Jordan A, Hjerpe R, Rodriguez MS. Breaking Bad Proteins-Discovery Approaches and the Road to Clinic for Degraders. Cells 2024; 13:578. [PMID: 38607017 PMCID: PMC11011670 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070578] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) describe compounds that bind to and induce degradation of a target by simultaneously binding to a ubiquitin ligase. More generally referred to as bifunctional degraders, PROTACs have led the way in the field of targeted protein degradation (TPD), with several compounds currently undergoing clinical testing. Alongside bifunctional degraders, single-moiety compounds, or molecular glue degraders (MGDs), are increasingly being considered as a viable approach for development of therapeutics, driven by advances in rational discovery approaches. This review focuses on drug discovery with respect to bifunctional and molecular glue degraders within the ubiquitin proteasome system, including analysis of mechanistic concepts and discovery approaches, with an overview of current clinical and pre-clinical degrader status in oncology, neurodegenerative and inflammatory disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corentin Bouvier
- Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination LCC-UPR 8241-CNRS, 31077 Toulouse, France; (C.B.); (M.S.R.)
| | - Rachel Lawrence
- Sygnature Discovery, Bio City, Pennyfoot St., Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK (F.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Francesca Cavallo
- Sygnature Discovery, Bio City, Pennyfoot St., Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK (F.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Wendy Xolalpa
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca 62209, Morelos, Mexico;
| | - Allan Jordan
- Sygnature Discovery, Bio City, Pennyfoot St., Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK (F.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Roland Hjerpe
- Sygnature Discovery, Bio City, Pennyfoot St., Nottingham NG1 1GR, UK (F.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Manuel S. Rodriguez
- Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination LCC-UPR 8241-CNRS, 31077 Toulouse, France; (C.B.); (M.S.R.)
- Pharmadev, UMR 152, Université de Toulouse, IRD, UT3, 31400 Toulouse, France
- B Molecular, Centre Pierre Potier, Canceropôle, 31106 Toulouse, France
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41
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Barbosa BMG, Sfyaki A, Rafael S, José-Duran F, Pous J, Sánchez-Zarzalejo C, Perez-Lopez C, Vilanova M, Cigler M, Gay M, Vilaseca M, Winter GE, Riera A, Mayor-Ruiz C. Discovery and Mechanistic Elucidation of NQO1-Bioactivatable Small Molecules That Overcome Resistance to Degraders. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202316730. [PMID: 38153885 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202316730] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Degraders hold the promise to efficiently inactivate previously intractable disease-relevant targets. Unlike traditional inhibitors, degraders act substoichiometrically and rely on the hijacked proteolysis machinery, which can also act as an entry point for resistance. To fully harness the potential of targeted protein degradation, it is crucial to comprehend resistance mechanisms and formulate effective strategies to overcome them. We conducted a chemical screening to identify synthetic lethal vulnerabilities of cancer cells that exhibit widespread resistance to degraders. Comparative profiling followed by tailored optimization delivered the small molecule RBS-10, which shows preferential cytotoxicity against cells pan-resistant to degraders. Multiomics deconvolution of the mechanism of action revealed that RBS-10 acts as a prodrug bioactivated by the oxidoreductase enzyme NQO1, which is highly overexpressed in our resistance models. Collectively, our work informs on NQO1 as an actionable vulnerability to overcome resistance to degraders and as a biomarker to selectively exploit bioactivatable prodrugs in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara M G Barbosa
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aikaterini Sfyaki
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Rafael
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ferran José-Duran
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Pous
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolina Sánchez-Zarzalejo
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carles Perez-Lopez
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar Vilanova
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marko Cigler
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (CeMM), 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marina Gay
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Vilaseca
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Georg E Winter
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (CeMM), 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Antoni Riera
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Secció Química Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Mayor-Ruiz
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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Mercer JAM, DeCarlo SJ, Roy Burman SS, Sreekanth V, Nelson AT, Hunkeler M, Chen PJ, Donovan KA, Kokkonda P, Tiwari PK, Shoba VM, Deb A, Choudhary A, Fischer ES, Liu DR. Continuous evolution of compact protein degradation tags regulated by selective molecular glues. Science 2024; 383:eadk4422. [PMID: 38484051 PMCID: PMC11203266 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk4422] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Conditional protein degradation tags (degrons) are usually >100 amino acids long or are triggered by small molecules with substantial off-target effects, thwarting their use as specific modulators of endogenous protein levels. We developed a phage-assisted continuous evolution platform for molecular glue complexes (MG-PACE) and evolved a 36-amino acid zinc finger (ZF) degron (SD40) that binds the ubiquitin ligase substrate receptor cereblon in complex with PT-179, an orthogonal thalidomide derivative. Endogenous proteins tagged in-frame with SD40 using prime editing are degraded by otherwise inert PT-179. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of SD40 in complex with ligand-bound cereblon revealed mechanistic insights into the molecular basis of SD40's activity and specificity. Our efforts establish a system for continuous evolution of molecular glue complexes and provide ZF tags that overcome shortcomings associated with existing degrons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaron A. M. Mercer
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Stephan J. DeCarlo
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Shourya S. Roy Burman
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Vedagopuram Sreekanth
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Andrew T. Nelson
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Moritz Hunkeler
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Peter J. Chen
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Praveen Kokkonda
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Praveen K. Tiwari
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Veronika M. Shoba
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Arghya Deb
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Amit Choudhary
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - David R. Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
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43
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Guo Y, Li X, Xie Y, Wang Y. What influences the activity of Degrader-Antibody conjugates (DACs). Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116216. [PMID: 38387330 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The targeted protein degradation (TPD) technology employing proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) has been widely applied in drug chemistry and chemical biology for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. PROTACs have demonstrated significant advantages in targeting undruggable targets and overcoming drug resistance. However, despite the efficient degradation of targeted proteins achieved by PROTACs, they still face challenges related to selectivity between normal and cancer cells, as well as issues with poor membrane permeability due to their substantial molecular weight. Additionally, the noteworthy toxicity resulting from off-target effects also needs to be addressed. To solve these issues, Degrader-Antibody Conjugates (DACs) have been developed, leveraging the targeting and internalization capabilities of antibodies. In this review, we elucidates the characteristics and distinctions between DACs, and traditional Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Meanwhile, we emphasizes the significance of DACs in facilitating the delivery of PROTACs and delves into the impact of various components on DAC activity. These components include antibody targets, drug-antibody ratio (DAR), linker types, PROTACs targets, PROTACs connections, and E3 ligase ligands. The review also explores the suitability of different targets (antibody targets or PROTACs targets) for DACs, providing insights to guide the design of PROTACs better suited for antibody conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaolin Guo
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoxue Li
- Department of Dermatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Xie
- Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, Sichuan, China.
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44
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Wu K, DeVita RJ, Pan ZQ. Monoubiquitination empowers ubiquitin chain elongation. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105753. [PMID: 38354782 PMCID: PMC10944112 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105753] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination often generates lysine 48-linked polyubiquitin chains that signal proteolytic destruction of the protein target. A significant subset of ubiquitination proceeds by a priming/extending mechanism, in which a substrate is first monoubiquitinated with a priming E2-conjugating enzyme or a set of E3 ARIH/E2 enzymes specific for priming. This is then followed by ubiquitin (Ub) chain extension catalyzed by an E2 enzyme capable of elongation. This report provides further insights into the priming/extending mechanism. We employed reconstituted ubiquitination systems of substrates CK1α (casein kinase 1α) and β-catenin by Cullin-RING E3 Ub ligases (CRLs) CRL4CRBN and CRL1βTrCP, respectively, in the presence of priming E2 UbcH5c and elongating E2 Cdc34b (cell division cycle 34b). We have established a new "apyrase chase" strategy that uncouples priming from chain elongation, which allows accurate measurement of the decay rates of the ubiquitinated substrate with a defined chain length. Our work has revealed highly robust turnover of monoubiquitinated β-catenin that empowers efficient polyubiquitination. The results of competition experiments suggest that the interactions between the ubiquitinated β-catenin and CRL1βTrCP are highly dynamic. Moreover, ubiquitination of the Ub-modified β-catenin appeared more resistant to inhibition by competitors than the unmodified substrate, suggesting tighter binding with CRL1βTrCP. These findings support a role for conjugated Ub in enhancing interactions with E3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Wu
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robert J DeVita
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; Drug Discovery Institute, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Zhen-Qiang Pan
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
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45
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Hsia O, Hinterndorfer M, Cowan AD, Iso K, Ishida T, Sundaramoorthy R, Nakasone MA, Imrichova H, Schätz C, Rukavina A, Husnjak K, Wegner M, Correa-Sáez A, Craigon C, Casement R, Maniaci C, Testa A, Kaulich M, Dikic I, Winter GE, Ciulli A. Targeted protein degradation via intramolecular bivalent glues. Nature 2024; 627:204-211. [PMID: 38383787 PMCID: PMC10917667 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07089-6] [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: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation is a pharmacological modality that is based on the induced proximity of an E3 ubiquitin ligase and a target protein to promote target ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. This has been achieved either via proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs)-bifunctional compounds composed of two separate moieties that individually bind the target and E3 ligase, or via molecular glues that monovalently bind either the ligase or the target1-4. Here, using orthogonal genetic screening, biophysical characterization and structural reconstitution, we investigate the mechanism of action of bifunctional degraders of BRD2 and BRD4, termed intramolecular bivalent glues (IBGs), and find that instead of connecting target and ligase in trans as PROTACs do, they simultaneously engage and connect two adjacent domains of the target protein in cis. This conformational change 'glues' BRD4 to the E3 ligases DCAF11 or DCAF16, leveraging intrinsic target-ligase affinities that do not translate to BRD4 degradation in the absence of compound. Structural insights into the ternary BRD4-IBG1-DCAF16 complex guided the rational design of improved degraders of low picomolar potency. We thus introduce a new modality in targeted protein degradation, which works by bridging protein domains in cis to enhance surface complementarity with E3 ligases for productive ubiquitination and degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Hsia
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Matthias Hinterndorfer
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Angus D Cowan
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Kentaro Iso
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tasuku Ishida
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co., Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Mark A Nakasone
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Hana Imrichova
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Caroline Schätz
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Rukavina
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Koraljka Husnjak
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Wegner
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alejandro Correa-Sáez
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Conner Craigon
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Ryan Casement
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Chiara Maniaci
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Andrea Testa
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Amphista Therapeutics, Cambridge, UK
| | - Manuel Kaulich
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ivan Dikic
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Georg E Winter
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
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46
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Awadasseid A, Wang R, Sun S, Zhang F, Wu Y, Zhang W. Small molecule and PROTAC molecule experiments in vitro and in vivo, focusing on mouse PD-L1 and human PD-L1 differences as targets. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 172:116257. [PMID: 38350367 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, several monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting PD-L1 have been licensed by the FDA for use in the treatment of cancer, demonstrating the effectiveness of blocking immune checkpoints, particularly the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. Although mAb-based therapies have made great strides, they still have their limitations, and new small-molecule or PROTAC-molecule inhibitors that can block the PD-1/PD-L1 axis are desperately needed. Therefore, it is crucial to translate initial in vitro discoveries into appropriate in vivo animal models when creating PD-L1-blocking therapies. Due to their widespread availability and low experimental expenses, classical immunocompetent mice are appealing for research purposes. However, it is yet unclear whether the mouse (m) PD-L1 interaction with human (h) PD-1 in vivo would produce a functional immunological checkpoint. In this review, we summarize the in vitro and in vivo experimental studies of small molecules and PROTAC molecules, particularly the distinctions between mPD-L1 as a target and hPD-L1 as a target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annoor Awadasseid
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Moganshan Institute ZJUT, Deqing 313202, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Department of Biochemistry & Food Sciences, University of Kordofan, El-Obeid 51111, Sudan
| | - Rui Wang
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Shishi Sun
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Yanling Wu
- Lab of Molecular Immunology, Virus Inspection Department, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, China.
| | - Wen Zhang
- Lab of Chemical Biology and Molecular Drug Design, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
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Wu K, DeVita RJ, Pan ZQ. Modulation of Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase-dependent ubiquitination by small molecule compounds. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105752. [PMID: 38354780 PMCID: PMC10950867 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105752] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cullin (CUL)-RING (Really Interesting New Gene) E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligases (CRLs) are the largest E3 family. The E3 CRL core ligase is a subcomplex formed by the CUL C-terminal domain bound with the ROC1/RBX1 RING finger protein, which acts as a hub that mediates and organizes multiple interactions with E2, Ub, Nedd8, and the ARIH family protein, thereby resulting in Ub transfer to the E3-bound substrate. This report describes the modulation of CRL-dependent ubiquitination by small molecule compounds including KH-4-43, #33, and suramin, which target the CRL core ligases. We show that both KH-4-43 and #33 inhibit the ubiquitination of CK1α by CRL4CRBN. However, either compound's inhibitory effect on this reaction is significantly reduced when a neddylated form of CRL4CRBN is used. On the other hand, both #33 and KH-4-43 inhibit the ubiquitination of β-catenin by CRL1β-TrCP and Nedd8-CRL1β-TrCP almost equally. Thus, neddylation of CRL1β-TrCP does not negatively impact the sensitivity to inhibition by #33 and KH-4-43. These findings suggest that the effects of neddylation to alter the sensitivity of CRL inhibition by KH-4-43/#33 is dependent upon the specific CRL type. Suramin, a compound that targets CUL's basic canyon, can effectively inhibit CRL1/4-dependent ubiquitination regardless of neddylation status, in contrast to the results observed with KH-4-43/#33. This observed differential drug sensitivity of KH-4-43/#33 appears to echo CUL-specific Nedd8 effects on CRLs as revealed by recent high-resolution structural biology efforts. The highly diversified CRL core ligase structures may provide opportunities for specific targeting by small molecule modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Wu
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robert J DeVita
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; Drug Discovery Institute, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Zhen-Qiang Pan
- Department of Oncological Sciences, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
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Kann MC, Schneider EM, Almazan AJ, Lane IC, Bouffard AA, Supper VM, Takei HN, Tepper A, Leick MB, Larson RC, Ebert BL, Maus MV, Jan M. Chemical genetic control of cytokine signaling in CAR-T cells using lenalidomide-controlled membrane-bound degradable IL-7. Leukemia 2024; 38:590-600. [PMID: 38123696 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-02113-6] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
CAR-T cell therapy has emerged as a breakthrough therapy for the treatment of relapsed and refractory hematologic malignancies. However, insufficient CAR-T cell expansion and persistence is a leading cause of treatment failure. Exogenous or transgenic cytokines have great potential to enhance CAR-T cell potency but pose the risk of exacerbating toxicities. Here we present a chemical-genetic system for spatiotemporal control of cytokine function gated by the off-patent anti-cancer molecular glue degrader drug lenalidomide and its analogs. When co-delivered with a CAR, a membrane-bound, lenalidomide-degradable IL-7 fusion protein enforced a clinically favorable T cell phenotype, enhanced antigen-dependent proliferative capacity, and enhanced in vivo tumor control. Furthermore, cyclical pharmacologic combined control of CAR and cytokine abundance enabled the deployment of highly active, IL-7-augmented CAR-T cells in a dual model of antitumor potency and T cell hyperproliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Kann
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily M Schneider
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antonio J Almazan
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isabel C Lane
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda A Bouffard
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Valentina M Supper
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hana N Takei
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Tepper
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mark B Leick
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca C Larson
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin L Ebert
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Max Jan
- Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Chandhok NS, Sekeres MA. Combining lenalidomide with erythropoiesis stimulating agents: a party of one. Leukemia 2024; 38:473-474. [PMID: 38360864 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02176-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Namrata S Chandhok
- Division of Hematology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Mikkael A Sekeres
- Division of Hematology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
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Liu Y, Nowak RP, Che J, Donovan KA, Huerta F, Liu H, Metivier RJ, Fischer ES, Jones LH. Development of sulfonyl fluoride chemical probes to advance the discovery of cereblon modulators. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:607-611. [PMID: 38389883 PMCID: PMC10880902 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00652b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Sulfonyl fluoride EM12-SF was developed previously to covalently engage a histidine residue in the sensor loop of cereblon (CRBN) in the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex CRL4CRBN. Here, we further develop the structure-activity relationships of additional sulfonyl fluoride containing ligands that possess a range of cereblon binding potencies in cells. Isoindoline EM364-SF, which lacks a key hydrogen bond acceptor present in CRBN molecular glues, was identified as a potent binder of CRBN. This led to the development of the reversible molecular glue CPD-2743, that retained cell-based binding affinity for CRBN and degraded the neosubstrate IKZF1 to the same extent as EM12, but unlike isoindolinones, lacked SALL4 degradation activity (a target linked to teratogenicity). CPD-2743 had high permeability and lacked efflux in Caco-2 cells, in contrast to the isoindolinone iberdomide. Our methodology expands the repertoire of sulfonyl exchange chemical biology via the advancement of medicinal chemistry design strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingpeng Liu
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Radosław P Nowak
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Jianwei Che
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA USA
| | - Fidel Huerta
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA USA
| | - Hu Liu
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Rebecca J Metivier
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA USA
| | - Lyn H Jones
- Center for Protein Degradation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
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