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Srinivasarao DA, Shah S, Famta P, Vambhurkar G, Jain N, Pindiprolu SKSS, Sharma A, Kumar R, Padhy HP, Kumari M, Madan J, Srivastava S. Unravelling the role of tumor microenvironment responsive nanobiomaterials in spatiotemporal controlled drug delivery for lung cancer therapy. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s13346-024-01673-z. [PMID: 39037533 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-024-01673-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Design and development of efficient drug delivery technologies that impart site-specificity is the need of the hour for the effective treatment of lung cancer. The emergence of materials science and nanotechnology partially helped drug delivery scientists to achieve this objective. Various stimuli-responsive materials that undergo degradation at the pathological tumor microenvironment (TME) have been developed and explored for drug delivery applications using nanotechnological approaches. Nanoparticles (NPs), owing to their small size and high surface area to volume ratio, demonstrated enhanced cellular internalization, permeation, and retention at the tumor site. Such passive accumulation of stimuli-responsive materials helped to achieve spatiotemporally controlled and targeted drug delivery within the tumors. In this review, we discussed various stimuli-physical (interstitial pressure, temperature, and stiffness), chemical (pH, hypoxia, oxidative stress, and redox state), and biological (receptor expression, efflux transporters, immune cells, and their receptors or ligands)-that are characteristic to the TME. We mentioned an array of biomaterials-based nanoparticulate delivery systems that respond to these stimuli and control drug release at the TME. Further, we discussed nanoparticle-based combinatorial drug delivery strategies. Finally, we presented our perspectives on challenges related to scale-up, clinical translation, and regulatory approvals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dadi A Srinivasarao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India.
| | - Saurabh Shah
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Paras Famta
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Ganesh Vambhurkar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Naitik Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Sai Kiran S S Pindiprolu
- Aditya Pharmacy College, Surampalem, 533 437, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada, 533 003, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Anamika Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), 500037, Telangana, Hyderabad, India
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), 500037, Telangana, Hyderabad, India
| | - Hara Prasad Padhy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), 500037, Telangana, Hyderabad, India
| | - Meenu Kumari
- Department of Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), 500037, Telangana, Hyderabad, India
| | - Jitender Madan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India
| | - Saurabh Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500037, Telangana, India.
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2
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Apostolo D, D’Onghia D, Nerviani A, Ghirardi GM, Sola D, Perazzi M, Tonello S, Colangelo D, Sainaghi PP, Bellan M. Could Gas6/TAM Axis Provide Valuable Insights into the Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis? Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:7486-7504. [PMID: 39057085 PMCID: PMC11275301 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46070444] [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: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by microvascular injury, extracellular matrix deposition, autoimmunity, inflammation, and fibrosis. The clinical complexity and high heterogeneity of the disease make the discovery of potential therapeutic targets difficult. However, the recent progress in the comprehension of its pathogenesis is encouraging. Growth Arrest-Specific 6 (Gas6) and Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK (TAM) receptors are involved in multiple biological processes, including modulation of the immune response, phagocytosis, apoptosis, fibrosis, inflammation, cancer development, and autoimmune disorders. In the present manuscript, we review the current evidence regarding SSc pathogenesis and the role of the Gas6/TAM system in several human diseases, suggesting its likely contribution in SSc and highlighting areas where further research is necessary to fully comprehend the role of TAM receptors in this condition. Indeed, understanding the involvement of TAM receptors in SSc, which is currently unknown, could provide valuable insights for novel potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Apostolo
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy; (D.A.); (D.D.); (D.S.); (M.P.); (S.T.); (P.P.S.); (M.B.)
- Centre for Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK;
| | - Davide D’Onghia
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy; (D.A.); (D.D.); (D.S.); (M.P.); (S.T.); (P.P.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Alessandra Nerviani
- Centre for Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK;
| | - Giulia Maria Ghirardi
- Centre for Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK;
| | - Daniele Sola
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy; (D.A.); (D.D.); (D.S.); (M.P.); (S.T.); (P.P.S.); (M.B.)
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, UO General Medicine, 28824 Oggebbio, Italy
| | - Mattia Perazzi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy; (D.A.); (D.D.); (D.S.); (M.P.); (S.T.); (P.P.S.); (M.B.)
- Internal Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, A.O.U. Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Stelvio Tonello
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy; (D.A.); (D.D.); (D.S.); (M.P.); (S.T.); (P.P.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Donato Colangelo
- Department of Health Sciences, Pharmacology, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy;
| | - Pier Paolo Sainaghi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy; (D.A.); (D.D.); (D.S.); (M.P.); (S.T.); (P.P.S.); (M.B.)
- Internal Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, A.O.U. Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Center on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases (CAAD), University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Mattia Bellan
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy; (D.A.); (D.D.); (D.S.); (M.P.); (S.T.); (P.P.S.); (M.B.)
- Internal Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, A.O.U. Maggiore della Carità, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Center on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases (CAAD), University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
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3
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Tanim KM, Holtzhausen A, Thapa A, Huelse JM, Graham DK, Earp HS. MERTK Inhibition as a Targeted Novel Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7660. [PMID: 39062902 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In this issue honoring the contributions of Greg Lemke, the Earp and Graham lab teams discuss several threads in the discovery, action, signaling, and translational/clinical potential of MERTK, originally called c-mer, a member of the TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK (TAM) family of receptor tyrosine kinases. The 30-year history of the TAM RTK family began slowly as all three members were orphan RTKs without known ligands and/or functions when discovered by three distinct alternate molecular cloning strategies in the pre-genome sequencing era. The pace of understanding their physiologic and pathophysiologic roles has accelerated over the last decade. The activation of ligands bridging externalized phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) has placed these RTKs in a myriad of processes including neurodevelopment, cancer, and autoimmunity. The field is ripe for further advancement and this article hopefully sets the stage for further understanding and therapeutic intervention. Our review will focus on progress made through the collaborations of the Earp and Graham labs over the past 30 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Tanim
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Alisha Holtzhausen
- Lineburger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Aashis Thapa
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Justus M Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Lineburger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Liu Z, Chen L, Zhang J, Yang J, Xiao X, Shan L, Mao W. Recent discovery and development of AXL inhibitors as antitumor agents. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 272:116475. [PMID: 38714043 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116475] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
AXL, a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), plays a pivotal role in various cellular functions. It is primarily involved in processes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumor cells, angiogenesis, apoptosis, immune regulation, and chemotherapy resistance mechanisms. Therefore, targeting AXL is a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancer. AXL inhibitors that have entered clinical trials, such as BGB324(1), have shown promising efficacy in the treatment of melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Additionally, novel AXL-targeted drugs, such as AXL degraders, offer a potential solution to overcome the limitations of traditional small-molecule AXL inhibitors targeting single pathways. We provide an overview of the structure and biological functions of AXL, discusses its correlation with various cancers, and critically analyzes the structure-activity relationship of AXL small-molecule inhibitors in cellular contexts. Additionally, we summarize multiple research and development strategies, offering insights for the future development of innovative AXL inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihang Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, Sichuan, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan, China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xue Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Lianhai Shan
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, Sichuan, China.
| | - Wuyu Mao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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5
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Danielli SG, Wurth J, Morice S, Kisele S, Surdez D, Delattre O, Bode PK, Wachtel M, Schäfer BW. Evaluation of the Role of AXL in Fusion-positive Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma Identifies the Small-molecule Inhibitor Bemcentinib (BGB324) as Potent Chemosensitizer. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:864-876. [PMID: 38471796 PMCID: PMC11148551 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0285] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly aggressive pediatric cancer with features of skeletal muscle differentiation. More than 80% of the high-risk patients ultimately fail to respond to chemotherapy treatment, leading to limited therapeutic options and dismal prognostic rates. The lack of response and subsequent tumor recurrence is driven in part by stem cell-like cells, the tumor subpopulation that is enriched after treatment, and characterized by expression of the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL). AXL mediates survival, migration, and therapy resistance in several cancer types; however, its function in RMS remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of AXL in RMS tumorigenesis, migration, and chemotherapy response, and whether targeting of AXL with small-molecule inhibitors could potentiate the efficacy of chemotherapy. We show that AXL is expressed in a heterogeneous manner in patient-derived xenografts (PDX), primary cultures and cell line models of RMS, consistent with its stem cell-state selectivity. By generating a CRISPR/Cas9 AXL knock-out and overexpressing models, we show that AXL contributes to the migratory phenotype of RMS, but not to chemotherapy resistance. Instead, pharmacologic blockade with the AXL inhibitors bemcentinib (BGB324), cabozantinib and NPS-1034 rapidly killed RMS cells in an AXL-independent manner and augmented the efficacy of the chemotherapeutics vincristine and cyclophosphamide. In vivo administration of the combination of bemcentinib and vincristine exerted strong antitumoral activity in a rapidly progressing PDX mouse model, significantly reducing tumor burden compared with single-agent treatment. Collectively, our data identify bemcentinib as a promising drug to improve chemotherapy efficacy in patients with RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara G Danielli
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jakob Wurth
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Morice
- Balgrist University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich (UZH), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Samanta Kisele
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Didier Surdez
- Balgrist University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich (UZH), Zürich, Switzerland
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Laboratory, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Center, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Delattre
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Laboratory, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Center, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France
| | - Peter K Bode
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Wachtel
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Beat W Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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6
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Iida M, Crossman BE, Kostecki KL, Glitchev CE, Kranjac CA, Crow MT, Adams JM, Liu P, Ong I, Yang DT, Kang I, Salgia R, Wheeler DL. MerTK Drives Proliferation and Metastatic Potential in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5109. [PMID: 38791148 PMCID: PMC11121248 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105109] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the absence of the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and receptor tyrosine kinase HER2 expression. Due to the limited number of FDA-approved targeted therapies for TNBC, there is an ongoing need to understand the molecular underpinnings of TNBC for the development of novel combinatorial treatment strategies. This study evaluated the role of the MerTK receptor tyrosine kinase on proliferation and invasion/metastatic potential in TNBC. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated MerTK expression in 58% of patient-derived TNBC xenografts. The stable overexpression of MerTK in human TNBC cell lines induced an increase in proliferation rates, robust in vivo tumor growth, heightened migration/invasion potential, and enhanced lung metastases. NanoString nCounter analysis of MerTK-overexpressing SUM102 cells (SUM102-MerTK) revealed upregulation of several signaling pathways, which ultimately drive cell cycle progression, reduce apoptosis, and enhance cell survival. Proteomic profiling indicated increased endoglin (ENG) production in SUM102-MerTK clones, suggesting that MerTK creates a conducive environment for increased proliferative and metastatic activity via elevated ENG expression. To determine ENG's role in increasing proliferation and/or metastatic potential, we knocked out ENG in a SUM102-MerTK clone with CRISPR technology. Although this ENG knockout clone exhibited similar in vivo growth to the parental SUM102-MerTK clone, lung metastasis numbers were significantly decreased ~4-fold, indicating that MerTK enhances invasion and metastasis through ENG. Our data suggest that MerTK regulates a unique proliferative signature in TNBC, promoting robust tumor growth and increased metastatic potential through ENG upregulation. Targeting MerTK and ENG simultaneously may provide a novel therapeutic approach for TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Bridget E. Crossman
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Kourtney L. Kostecki
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Christine E. Glitchev
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Carlene A. Kranjac
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Madisen T. Crow
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Jillian M. Adams
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Peng Liu
- Departments of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA; (P.L.); (I.O.)
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Irene Ong
- Departments of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA; (P.L.); (I.O.)
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - David T. Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Irene Kang
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (I.K.); (R.S.)
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (I.K.); (R.S.)
| | - Deric L. Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (M.I.); (B.E.C.); (K.L.K.); (C.E.G.); (C.A.K.); (M.T.C.); (J.M.A.)
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA
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7
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Astuti Y, Raymant M, Quaranta V, Clarke K, Abudula M, Smith O, Bellomo G, Chandran-Gorner V, Nourse C, Halloran C, Ghaneh P, Palmer D, Jones RP, Campbell F, Pollard JW, Morton JP, Mielgo A, Schmid MC. Efferocytosis reprograms the tumor microenvironment to promote pancreatic cancer liver metastasis. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:774-790. [PMID: 38355776 PMCID: PMC11136665 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00731-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a highly metastatic disease and macrophages support liver metastases. Efferocytosis, or engulfment of apoptotic cells by macrophages, is an essential process in tissue homeostasis and wound healing, but its role in metastasis is less well understood. Here, we found that the colonization of the hepatic metastatic site is accompanied by low-grade tissue injury and that efferocytosis-mediated clearance of parenchymal dead cells promotes macrophage reprogramming and liver metastasis. Mechanistically, progranulin expression in macrophages is necessary for efficient efferocytosis by controlling lysosomal acidification via cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and the degradation of lysosomal cargo, resulting in LXRα/RXRα-mediated macrophage conversion and upregulation of arginase 1. Pharmacological blockade of efferocytosis or macrophage-specific genetic depletion of progranulin impairs macrophage conversion, improves CD8+ T cell functions, and reduces liver metastasis. Our findings reveal how hard-wired functions of macrophages in tissue repair contribute to liver metastasis and identify potential targets for prevention of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma liver metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliana Astuti
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Meirion Raymant
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Valeria Quaranta
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Kim Clarke
- Computational Biology Facility, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Maidinaimu Abudula
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Olivia Smith
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Gaia Bellomo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Craig Nourse
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Christopher Halloran
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Paula Ghaneh
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Daniel Palmer
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Robert P Jones
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Fiona Campbell
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Jennifer P Morton
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ainhoa Mielgo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Michael C Schmid
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
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8
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Kong D, Tian Q, Chen Z, Zheng H, Stashko MA, Yan D, Earp HS, Frye SV, DeRyckere D, Kireev D, Graham DK, Wang X. Discovery of Novel Macrocyclic MERTK/AXL Dual Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2024; 67:5866-5882. [PMID: 38556760 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
MERTK and AXL are members of the TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MERTK) family of receptor tyrosine kinases that are aberrantly expressed and have been implicated as therapeutic targets in a wide variety of human tumors. Dual MERTK and AXL inhibition could provide antitumor action mediated by both direct tumor cell killing and modulation of the innate immune response in some tumors such as nonsmall cell lung cancer. We utilized our knowledge of MERTK inhibitors and a structure-based drug design approach to discover a novel class of macrocyclic dual MERTK/AXL inhibitors. The lead compound 43 had low-nanomolar activity against both MERTK and AXL and good selectivity over TYRO3 and FLT3. Its target engagement and selectivity were also confirmed by NanoBRET and cell-based MERTK and AXL phosphorylation assays. Compound 43 had excellent pharmacokinetic properties (large AUC and long half-life) and mediated antitumor activity against lung cancer cell lines, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyu Kong
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
| | - Qiang Tian
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
| | - Zhilong Chen
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
| | - Hongchao Zheng
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
| | - Michael A Stashko
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
| | - Dan Yan
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Stephen V Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Dmitri Kireev
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7355, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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9
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Chen Y, Yuan J, Tang F, Liu Q, Huang H, Liu H, Liu H. Research progress on the correlation between platelet aggregation and tumor progression. Histol Histopathol 2024; 39:145-152. [PMID: 37458321 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Platelets are generally considered as the main functional unit of the coagulation system. However, more and more studies have confirmed that platelets also have an important relationship with tumor progression. Tumor cells can utilize platelets to promote their own infiltration and hematogenous metastasis, and platelets are activated and aggregated in this process. Therefore, platelet aggregation may be a concomitant marker of tumor progression. This is of great significance for predicting tumor metastasis before timely treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyu Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, PR China.
| | - Jialong Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Faqing Tang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Qinglin Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Hongjun Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Huan Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, PR China
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10
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Widstrom NE, Andrianov GV, Heier JL, Heier C, Karanicolas J, Parker LL. Novel Substrate Prediction for the TAM Family of RTKs Using Phosphoproteomics and Structure-Based Modeling. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:117-128. [PMID: 38159292 PMCID: PMC10921923 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00549] [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: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases is implicated in multiple distinct oncogenic signaling pathways. However, to date, there are no FDA-approved small molecule inhibitors for the TAM kinases. Inhibitor design and screening rely on tools to study the kinase activity. Our goal was to address this gap by designing a set of synthetic peptide substrates for each of the TAM family members: Tyro3, Axl, and Mer. We used an in vitro phosphoproteomics workflow to determine the substrate profile of each TAM kinase and input the identified substrates into our data processing pipeline, KINATEST-ID, producing a position-specific scoring matrix for each target kinase and generating a list of candidate synthetic peptide substrates. We synthesized and characterized a set of those substrate candidates, systematically measuring their initial phosphorylation rate with each TAM kinase by LC-MS. We also used the multimer modeling function of AlphaFold2 (AF2) to predict peptide-kinase interactions at the active site for each of the novel candidate peptide sequences against each of the TAM family kinases and observed that, remarkably, every sequence for which it predicted a putative catalytically competent interaction was also demonstrated biochemically to be a substrate for one or more of the TAM kinases. This work shows that kinase substrate design can be achieved using a combination of preference motifs and structural modeling, and it provides the first demonstration of peptide-protein interaction modeling with AF2 for predicting the likelihood of constructive catalytic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi E. Widstrom
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455 USA
| | - Grigorii V. Andrianov
- Cancer Signaling & Microenvironment Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19111 USA
| | - Jason L. Heier
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455 USA
| | - Celina Heier
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455 USA
| | - John Karanicolas
- Cancer Signaling & Microenvironment Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19111 USA
| | - Laurie L. Parker
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455 USA
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11
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Huang D, Chen Y, Yang J, Zhao B, Wang S, Chai T, Cui J, Zhou X, Shang Z. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of 2-Substituted Aniline Pyrimidine Derivatives as Potent Dual Mer/c-Met Inhibitors. Molecules 2024; 29:475. [PMID: 38257391 PMCID: PMC10819570 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29020475] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Mer and c-Met kinases, which are commonly overexpressed in various tumors, are ideal targets for the development of antitumor drugs. This study focuses on the design, synthesis, and evaluation of several 2-substituted aniline pyrimidine derivatives as highly potent dual inhibitors of Mer and c-Met kinases for effective tumor treatment. Compound 18c emerged as a standout candidate, demonstrating robust inhibitory activity against Mer and c-Met kinases, with IC50 values of 18.5 ± 2.3 nM and 33.6 ± 4.3 nM, respectively. Additionally, compound 18c displayed good antiproliferative activities on HepG2, MDA-MB-231, and HCT116 cancer cells, along with favorable safety profiles in hERG testing. Notably, it exhibited exceptional liver microsomal stability in vitro, with a half-life of 53.1 min in human liver microsome. Compound 18c also exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity and hindered migration of HCT116 cancer cells, as demonstrated in apoptosis and migration assays. These findings collectively suggest that compound 18c holds promise as a dual Mer/c-Met agent for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daowei Huang
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base-Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular Chemistry for Drug, Shijiazhuang 050018, China
| | - Ying Chen
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
| | - Jixia Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China;
| | - Bingyang Zhao
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
| | - Shouying Wang
- School of Food Science and Biology, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China;
| | - Tingting Chai
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
| | - Jie Cui
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen 518116, China;
| | - Xiaolei Zhou
- School of Food Science and Biology, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China;
| | - Zhenhua Shang
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base-Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular Chemistry for Drug, Shijiazhuang 050018, China
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12
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Engelmann J, Ragipoglu D, Ben-Batalla I, Loges S. The Role of TAM Receptors in Bone. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:233. [PMID: 38203403 PMCID: PMC10779100 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010233] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The TAM (TYRO3, MERTK, and AXL) family of receptor tyrosine kinases are pleiotropic regulators of adult tissue homeostasis maintaining organ integrity and self-renewal. Disruption of their homeostatic balance fosters pathological conditions like autoinflammatory or degenerative diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematodes, or liver fibrosis. Moreover, TAM receptors exhibit prominent cell-transforming properties, promoting tumor progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance in various cancer entities. Emerging evidence shows that TAM receptors are involved in bone homeostasis by regulating osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption. Therefore, TAM receptors emerge as new key players of the regulatory cytokine network of osteoblasts and osteoclasts and represent accessible targets for pharmacologic therapy for a broad set of different bone diseases, including primary and metastatic bone tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janik Engelmann
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald Comprehensive Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany;
- Department of Tumor Biology, Center of Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (D.R.); (I.B.-B.)
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Deniz Ragipoglu
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (D.R.); (I.B.-B.)
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Isabel Ben-Batalla
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (D.R.); (I.B.-B.)
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sonja Loges
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; (D.R.); (I.B.-B.)
- Division of Personalized Medical Oncology (A420), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Personalized Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
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13
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DeRyckere D, Huelse JM, Earp HS, Graham DK. TAM family kinases as therapeutic targets at the interface of cancer and immunity. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:755-779. [PMID: 37667010 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00813-7] [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] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Novel treatment approaches are needed to overcome innate and acquired mechanisms of resistance to current anticancer therapies in cancer cells and the tumour immune microenvironment. The TAM (TYRO3, AXL and MERTK) family receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are potential therapeutic targets in a wide range of cancers. In cancer cells, TAM RTKs activate signalling pathways that promote cell survival, metastasis and resistance to a variety of chemotherapeutic agents and targeted therapies. TAM RTKs also function in innate immune cells, contributing to various mechanisms that suppress antitumour immunity and promote resistance to immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Therefore, TAM antagonists provide an unprecedented opportunity for both direct and immune-mediated therapeutic activity provided by inhibition of a single target, and are likely to be particularly effective when used in combination with other cancer therapies. To exploit this potential, a variety of agents have been designed to selectively target TAM RTKs, many of which have now entered clinical testing. This Review provides an essential guide to the TAM RTKs for clinicians, including an overview of the rationale for therapeutic targeting of TAM RTKs in cancer cells and the tumour immune microenvironment, a description of the current preclinical and clinical experience with TAM inhibitors, and a perspective on strategies for continued development of TAM-targeted agents for oncology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Justus M Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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14
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Tapia M, Hernando C, Martínez MT, Burgués O, Tebar-Sánchez C, Lameirinhas A, Ágreda-Roca A, Torres-Ruiz S, Garrido-Cano I, Lluch A, Bermejo B, Eroles P. Clinical Impact of New Treatment Strategies for HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients with Resistance to Classical Anti-HER Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4522. [PMID: 37760491 PMCID: PMC10527351 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
HER2-positive breast cancer accounts for 15-20% of all breast cancer cases. This subtype is characterized by an aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. Anti-HER2 therapies have considerably improved the natural course of the disease. Despite this, relapse still occurs in around 20% of patients due to primary or acquired treatment resistance, and metastasis remains an incurable disease. This article reviews the main mechanisms underlying resistance to anti-HER2 treatments, focusing on newer HER2-targeted therapies. The progress in anti-HER2 drugs includes the development of novel antibody-drug conjugates with improvements in the conjugation process and novel linkers and payloads. Moreover, trastuzumab deruxtecan has enhanced the efficacy of trastuzumab emtansine, and the new drug trastuzumab duocarmazine is currently undergoing clinical trials to assess its effect. The combination of anti-HER2 agents with other drugs is also being evaluated. The addition of immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors shows some benefit in a subset of patients, indicating the need for useful biomarkers to properly stratify patients. Besides, CDK4/6 and tyrosine kinase inhibitors are also included in the design of new treatment strategies. Lapitinib, neratinib and tucatinib have been approved for HER2-positive metastasis patients, however clinical trials are currently ongoing to optimize combined strategies, to reduce toxicity, and to better define the useful setting. Clinical research should be strengthened along with the discovery and validation of new biomarkers, as well as a deeper understanding of drug resistance and action mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Tapia
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University Clinical Hospital of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.); (C.H.); (M.T.M.); (C.T.-S.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.L.); (A.Á.-R.); (S.T.-R.); (I.G.-C.)
| | - Cristina Hernando
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University Clinical Hospital of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.); (C.H.); (M.T.M.); (C.T.-S.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.L.); (A.Á.-R.); (S.T.-R.); (I.G.-C.)
| | - María Teresa Martínez
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University Clinical Hospital of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.); (C.H.); (M.T.M.); (C.T.-S.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.L.); (A.Á.-R.); (S.T.-R.); (I.G.-C.)
| | - Octavio Burgués
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clinic of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Oncology (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Tebar-Sánchez
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University Clinical Hospital of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.); (C.H.); (M.T.M.); (C.T.-S.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.L.); (A.Á.-R.); (S.T.-R.); (I.G.-C.)
| | - Ana Lameirinhas
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.L.); (A.Á.-R.); (S.T.-R.); (I.G.-C.)
| | - Anna Ágreda-Roca
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.L.); (A.Á.-R.); (S.T.-R.); (I.G.-C.)
| | - Sandra Torres-Ruiz
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.L.); (A.Á.-R.); (S.T.-R.); (I.G.-C.)
| | - Iris Garrido-Cano
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.L.); (A.Á.-R.); (S.T.-R.); (I.G.-C.)
- Interuniversity Research Institute for Molecular Recognition and Technological Development (IDM), Polytechnic University of Valencia, University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Lluch
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University Clinical Hospital of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.); (C.H.); (M.T.M.); (C.T.-S.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.L.); (A.Á.-R.); (S.T.-R.); (I.G.-C.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Oncology (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Begoña Bermejo
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University Clinical Hospital of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (M.T.); (C.H.); (M.T.M.); (C.T.-S.); (A.L.); (B.B.)
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.L.); (A.Á.-R.); (S.T.-R.); (I.G.-C.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Oncology (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Pilar Eroles
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (A.L.); (A.Á.-R.); (S.T.-R.); (I.G.-C.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Oncology (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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15
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Kelvin JM, Jain J, Thapa A, Qui M, Birnbaum LA, Moore SG, Zecca H, Summers RJ, Switchenko JM, Costanza E, Uricoli B, Wang X, Jui NT, Fu H, Du Y, DeRyckere D, Graham DK, Dreaden EC. Constitutively Synergistic Multiagent Drug Formulations Targeting MERTK, FLT3, and BCL-2 for Treatment of AML. Pharm Res 2023; 40:2133-2146. [PMID: 37704893 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-023-03596-9] [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: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although high-dose, multiagent chemotherapy has improved leukemia survival rates, treatment outcomes remain poor in high-risk subsets, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in infants. The development of new, more effective therapies for these patients is therefore an urgent, unmet clinical need. METHODS The dual MERTK/FLT3 inhibitor MRX-2843 and BCL-2 family protein inhibitors were screened in high-throughput against a panel of AML and MLL-rearranged precursor B-cell ALL (infant ALL) cell lines. A neural network model was built to correlate ratiometric drug synergy and target gene expression. Drugs were loaded into liposomal nanocarriers to assess primary AML cell responses. RESULTS MRX-2843 synergized with venetoclax to reduce AML cell density in vitro. A neural network classifier based on drug exposure and target gene expression predicted drug synergy and growth inhibition in AML with high accuracy. Combination monovalent liposomal drug formulations delivered defined drug ratios intracellularly and recapitulated synergistic drug activity. The magnitude and frequency of synergistic responses were both maintained and improved following drug formulation in a genotypically diverse set of primary AML bone marrow specimens. CONCLUSIONS We developed a nanoscale combination drug formulation that exploits ectopic expression of MERTK tyrosine kinase and dependency on BCL-2 family proteins for leukemia cell survival in pediatric AML and infant ALL cells. We demonstrate ratiometric drug delivery and synergistic cell killing in AML, a result achieved by a systematic, generalizable approach of combination drug screening and nanoscale formulation that may be extended to other drug pairs or diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Kelvin
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Juhi Jain
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine, and Banner University Medical Center Tucson, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Aashis Thapa
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Min Qui
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Lacey A Birnbaum
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Samuel G Moore
- Systems Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Henry Zecca
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Ryan J Summers
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Switchenko
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Emma Costanza
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Biaggio Uricoli
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Nathan T Jui
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Haian Fu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Yuhong Du
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| | - Erik C Dreaden
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
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16
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Kelvin JM, Chimenti ML, Zhang DY, Williams EK, Moore SG, Humber GM, Baxter TA, Birnbaum LA, Qui M, Zecca H, Thapa A, Jain J, Jui NT, Wang X, Fu H, Du Y, Kemp ML, Lam WA, Graham DK, DeRyckere D, Dreaden EC. Development of constitutively synergistic nanoformulations to enhance chemosensitivity in T-cell leukemia. J Control Release 2023; 361:470-482. [PMID: 37543290 PMCID: PMC10544718 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.07.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Advances in multiagent chemotherapy have led to recent improvements in survival for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); however, a significant fraction do not respond to frontline chemotherapy or later relapse with recurrent disease, after which long-term survival rates remain low. To develop new, effective treatment options for these patients, we conducted a series of high-throughput combination drug screens to identify chemotherapies that synergize in a lineage-specific manner with MRX-2843, a small molecule dual MERTK and FLT3 kinase inhibitor currently in clinical testing for treatment of relapsed/refractory leukemias and solid tumors. Using experimental and computational approaches, we found that MRX-2843 synergized strongly-and in a ratio-dependent manner-with vincristine to inhibit both B-ALL and T-ALL cell line expansion. Based on these findings, we developed multiagent lipid nanoparticle formulations of these drugs that not only delivered defined drug ratios intracellularly in T-ALL, but also improved anti-leukemia activity following drug encapsulation. Synergistic and additive interactions were recapitulated in primary T-ALL patient samples treated with MRX-2843 and vincristine nanoparticle formulations, suggesting their clinical relevance. Moreover, the nanoparticle formulations reduced disease burden and prolonged survival in an orthotopic murine xenograft model of early thymic precursor T-ALL (ETP-ALL), with both agents contributing to therapeutic activity in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, nanoparticles containing MRX-2843 alone were ineffective in this model. Thus, MRX-2843 increased the sensitivity of ETP-ALL cells to vincristine in vivo. In this context, the additive particles, containing a higher dose of MRX-2843, provided more effective disease control than the synergistic particles. In contrast, particles containing an even higher, antagonistic ratio of MRX-2843 and vincristine were less effective. Thus, both the drug dose and the ratio-dependent interaction between MRX-2843 and vincristine significantly impacted therapeutic activity in vivo. Together, these findings present a systematic approach to high-throughput combination drug screening and multiagent drug delivery that maximizes the therapeutic potential of combined MRX-2843 and vincristine in T-ALL and describe a novel translational agent that could be used to enhance therapeutic responses to vincristine in patients with T-ALL. This broadly generalizable approach could also be applied to develop other constitutively synergistic combination products for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Kelvin
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Madison L Chimenti
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dan Y Zhang
- Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Evelyn K Williams
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Samuel G Moore
- Systems Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Gabrielle M Humber
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Travon A Baxter
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Lacey A Birnbaum
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Min Qui
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Henry Zecca
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Aashis Thapa
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Juhi Jain
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Nathan T Jui
- Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Haian Fu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Yuhong Du
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Melissa L Kemp
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Wilbur A Lam
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Erik C Dreaden
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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17
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Apostolo D, Ferreira LL, Di Tizio A, Ruaro B, Patrucco F, Bellan M. A Review: The Potential Involvement of Growth Arrest-Specific 6 and Its Receptors in the Pathogenesis of Lung Damage and in Coronavirus Disease 2019. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2038. [PMID: 37630598 PMCID: PMC10459962 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082038] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The tyrosine kinase receptors of the TAM family-Tyro3, Axl and Mer-and their main ligand Gas6 (growth arrest-specific 6) have been implicated in several human diseases, having a particularly important role in the regulation of innate immunity and inflammatory response. The Gas6/TAM system is involved in the recognition of apoptotic debris by immune cells and this mechanism has been exploited by viruses for cell entry and infection. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a multi-systemic disease, but the lungs are particularly affected during the acute phase and some patients may suffer persistent lung damage. Among the manifestations of the disease, fibrotic abnormalities have been observed among the survivors of COVID-19. The mechanisms of COVID-related fibrosis remain elusive, even though some parallels may be drawn with other fibrotic diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Due to the still limited number of scientific studies addressing this question, in this review we aimed to integrate the current knowledge of the Gas6/TAM axis with the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying COVID-19, with emphasis on the development of a fibrotic phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Apostolo
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy; (D.A.); (L.L.F.); (A.D.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Luciana L. Ferreira
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy; (D.A.); (L.L.F.); (A.D.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Alice Di Tizio
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy; (D.A.); (L.L.F.); (A.D.T.); (M.B.)
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, Medical Department, AOU Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Barbara Ruaro
- Pulmonology Department, University of Trieste, 34128 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Filippo Patrucco
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, Medical Department, AOU Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Mattia Bellan
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy; (D.A.); (L.L.F.); (A.D.T.); (M.B.)
- Division of Internal Medicine, Medical Department, AOU Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
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18
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Lee YJ, Park M, Kim HY, Kim JK, Kim WK, Lim SC, Kang KW. Circulating small extracellular vesicles promote proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells via AXL and MerTK activation. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:984-998. [PMID: 36450791 PMCID: PMC10104856 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-01029-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) after vascular injury lead to neointimal hyperplasia, thus aggravating vascular diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying neointima formation are not fully elucidated. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are mediators of various intercellular communications. The potential of EVs as regulators in cardiovascular diseases has raised significant interest. In the current study we investigated the role of circulating small extracellular vesicles (csEVs), the most abundant EVs (1010 EVs/mL serum) in VSMC functions. csEVs were prepared from bovine, porcine or rat serum. We showed that incubation with csEVs (0.5 × 1010-2 × 1010) dose-dependently enhanced the proliferation and migration of VSMCs via the membrane phosphatidylserine (PS). In rats with ligation of right carotid artery, we demonstrated that application of csEVs in the ligated vessels aggravated neointima formation via interaction of membrane PS with injury. Furthermore, incubation with csEVs markedly enhanced the phosphorylation of AXL and MerTK in VSMCs. Pretreatment with BSM777607 (pan-TAM inhibitor), bemcentinib (AXL inhibitor) or UNC2250 (MerTK inhibitor) blocked csEV-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs. We revealed that csEV-activated AXL and MerTK shared the downstream signaling pathways of Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) that mediated the effects of csEVs. We also found that csEVs increased the expression of AXL through activation of transcription factor YAP, which might constitute an AXL-positive feedback loop to amplify the signals. Finally, we demonstrated that dual inhibition of AXL/MerTK by ONO-7475 (0.1 µM) effectively hindered csEV-mediated proliferation and migration of VSMCs in ex vivo mouse aorta injury model. Based on these results, we propose an essential role for csEVs in proliferation and migration of VSMCs and highlight the feasibility of dual AXL/MerTK inhibitors in the treatment of vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Joo Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Miso Park
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Young Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Ki Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Gyeonggi-do, 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Ki Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Chul Lim
- Department of Pathology, Medical school, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61453, Republic of Korea
| | - Keon Wook Kang
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
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19
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Song X, Cao L, Ni B, Wang J, Qin X, Sun X, Xu B, Wang X, Li J. Challenges of EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC and the potential role of herbs and active compounds: From mechanism to clinical practice. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1090500. [PMID: 37089959 PMCID: PMC10120859 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1090500] [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: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are the most common oncogenic driver in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are widely used in the treatment of lung cancer, especially in the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC, and EGFR-TKIs monotherapy has achieved better efficacy and tolerability compared with standard chemotherapy. However, acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs and associated adverse events pose a significant obstacle to targeted lung cancer therapy. Therefore, there is an urgent need to seek effective interventions to overcome these limitations. Natural medicines have shown potential therapeutic advantages in reversing acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs and reducing adverse events, bringing new options and directions for EGFR-TKIs combination therapy. In this paper, we systematically demonstrated the resistance mechanism of EGFR-TKIs, the clinical strategy of each generation of EGFR-TKIs in the synergistic treatment of NSCLC, the treatment-related adverse events of EGFR-TKIs, and the potential role of traditional Chinese medicine in overcoming the resistance and adverse reactions of EGFR-TKIs. Herbs and active compounds have the potential to act synergistically through multiple pathways and multiple mechanisms of overall regulation, combined with targeted therapy, and are expected to be an innovative model for NSCLC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Song
- Department of Oncology, Guang’ Anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Luchang Cao
- Department of Oncology, Guang’ Anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Baoyi Ni
- Department of Oncology, Guang’ Anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Respiratory, Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical College, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Xiaoyan Qin
- Department of Oncology, Guang’ Anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyue Sun
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bowen Xu
- Department of Oncology, Guang’ Anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinmiao Wang
- Department of Oncology, Guang’ Anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Oncology, Guang’ Anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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20
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Role of lymphocytes, macrophages and immune receptors in suppression of tumor immunity. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 194:269-310. [PMID: 36631195 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is now the leading cause of mortality across the world. Inflammatory immune cells are functionally important in the genesis and progression of tumors, as demonstrated by their presence in human tumors. Numerous research has recently been conducted to determine if the innate and adaptive immune systems' cytotoxic cells can inhibit tumor growth and spread. Majority of cancers, when growing into identifiable tumors use multiple strategies to elude immune monitoring by lowering tumor immunity. Immunological suppression in the tumor microenvironment is achieved through interfering with antigen-presenting cells and effector T cells. Treatment of cancer requires managing both the tumor as well as tumor microenvironment (TME). Most patients will not be able to gain benefits from immunotherapy because of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The actions of many stromal myeloid and lymphoid cells are regulated to suppress tumor-specific T lymphocytes. These frequently exhibit inducible suppressive processes brought on by the same anti-tumor inflammatory response the immunotherapy aims to produce. Therefore, a deeper comprehensive understanding of how the immunosuppressive environment arises and endures is essential. Here in this chapter, we will talk about how immune cells, particularly macrophages and lymphocytes, and their receptors affect the ability of tumors to mount an immune response.
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21
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Ma YX, Liu FR, Zhang Y, Chen Q, Chen ZQ, Liu QW, Huang Y, Yang YP, Fang WF, Xi N, Kang N, Zhuang YL, Zhang Q, Jiang YZ, Zhang L, Zhao HY. Preclinical characterization and phase I clinical trial of CT053PTSA targets MET, AXL, and VEGFR2 in patients with advanced solid tumors. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1024755. [PMID: 36341335 PMCID: PMC9632963 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1024755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CT053PTSA is a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets MET, AXL, VEGFR2, FLT3 and MERTK. Here, we present preclinical data about CT053PTSA, and we conducted the first-in-human (FIH) study to evaluate the use of CT053PTSA in adult patients with pretreated advanced solid tumors. METHODS The selectivity and antitumor activity of CT053PTSA were assessed in cell lines in vitro through kinase and cellular screening panels and in cell line-derived tumor xenograft (CDX) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models in vivo. The FIH, phase I, single-center, single-arm, dose escalation (3 + 3 design) study was conducted, patients received at least one dose of CT053PTSA (15 mg QD, 30 mg QD, 60 mg QD, 100 mg QD, and 150 mg QD). The primary objectives were to assess safety and tolerability, to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), and the recommended dose of CT053PTSA for further study. Secondary objectives included pharmacokinetics, antitumor activity. RESULTS CT053 (free-base form of CT053PTSA) inhibited MET, AXL, VEGFR2, FLT3 and MERTK phosphorylation and suppressed tumor cell angiogenesis by blocking VEGF and HGF, respectively, in vitro. Moreover, cell lines with high MET expression exhibited strong sensitivity to CT053, and CT053 blocked the MET and AXL signaling pathways. In an in vivo study, CT053 significantly inhibited tumor growth in CDX and PDX models. Twenty eligible patients were enrolled in the FIH phase I trial. The most common treatment-related adverse events were transaminase elevation (65%), leukopenia (45%) and neutropenia (35%). DLTs occurred in 3 patients, 1/6 in the 100 mg group and 2/4 in the 150 mg group, so the MTD was set to 100 mg. CT053PTSA was rapidly absorbed after the oral administration of a single dose, and the Cmax and AUC increased proportionally as the dose increased. A total of 17 patients in this trial underwent tumor imaging evaluation, and 29.4% had stable disease. CONCLUSIONS CT053PTSA has potent antitumor and antiangiogenic activity in preclinical models. In this FIH phase I trial, CT053PTSA was well tolerated and had a satisfactory safety profile. Further trials evaluating the clinical activity of CT053PTSA are ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xiang Ma
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fu-Rong Liu
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qun Chen
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Chen
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian-Wen Liu
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yun-Peng Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Feng Fang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ning Xi
- HEC R&D Center, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd, Donggguan, China
| | - Ning Kang
- HEC R&D Center, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd, Donggguan, China
| | - Yu-Lei Zhuang
- HEC R&D Center, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd, Donggguan, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- HEC R&D Center, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd, Donggguan, China
| | - Ying-Zhi Jiang
- HEC R&D Center, Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd, Donggguan, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong-Yun Zhao
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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22
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Bae SH, Kim JH, Park TH, Lee K, Lee BI, Jang H. BMS794833 inhibits macrophage efferocytosis by directly binding to MERTK and inhibiting its activity. Exp Mol Med 2022; 54:1450-1460. [PMID: 36056187 PMCID: PMC9534909 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00840-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid epithelial reproductive proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MERTK) plays an essential role in modulating cancer immune tolerance by regulating macrophage efferocytosis. Studies are underway to develop small-molecule chemicals that inhibit MERTK as cancer immunotherapeutic agents, but these efforts are in their early stages. This study identified BMS794833, whose primary targets are MET and VEGFR2, as a potent MERTK inhibitor and developed a real-time efferocytosis monitoring system. The X-ray cocrystal structure revealed that BMS794833 was in contact with the ATP-binding pocket and the allosteric back pocket, rendering MERTK inactive. Homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence kinetic and Western blotting analyses showed that BMS794833 competitively inhibited MERTK activity in vitro and inhibited the autophosphorylation of MERTK in macrophages. We developed a system to monitor MERTK-dependent efferocytosis in real time, and using this system, we confirmed that BMS794833 significantly inhibited the efferocytosis of differentiated macrophages. Finally, BMS794833 significantly inhibited efferocytosis in vivo in a mouse model. These data show that BMS794833 is a type II MERTK inhibitor that regulates macrophage efferocytosis. In addition, the real-time efferocytosis monitoring technology developed in this study has great potential for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hyun Bae
- Reasearch Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hoon Kim
- Reasearch Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hyun Park
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Kyeong Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Il Lee
- Reasearch Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyonchol Jang
- Reasearch Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
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23
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Tokaz MC, Baik CS, Houghton AM, Tseng D. New Immuno-oncology Targets and Resistance Mechanisms. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2022; 23:1201-1218. [PMID: 35980521 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-022-01005-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has revolutionized the field of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); currently, most patients with advanced disease receive upfront ICI either alone or in combination with chemotherapy. These advances have recently extended into early-stage NSCLC, with ICI incorporation into neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment regimens. However, despite these successes, immunotherapy (IO) resistance remains a fundamental challenge in NSCLC, introducing a central quandary of how to precisely select the appropriate IO therapy or IO combination therapy for each individual patient. To address this vital need in the field, there has been an explosion of research in immuno-oncology to identify mechanisms of resistance, ranging from genomic alterations in the tumor to immunosuppressive conditions in the tumor microenvironment (TME). There remain many questions about how this complex interplay between the tumor and the immune microenvironment translates into clinical phenotypes of primary and acquired resistance. In NSCLC, a number of novel therapeutics are being developed to prevent and overcome resistance to ICI. Particular promise has been shown with therapeutics targeting novel T cell immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeting innate immune cells in the TME, chief among these cells are natural killer cells, neutrophils, and macrophages. Further research into tissue-based and non-invasive biomarkers that can be prospectively integrated into therapeutic trial design will be critical to advance the field's understanding of individual resistance patterns and enable the ultimate goal of precision immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly C Tokaz
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christina S Baik
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - A McGarry Houghton
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA.,Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Diane Tseng
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. .,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA. .,Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Mail Stop LG-540, 825 Eastlake Ave E., Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
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Yan D, Huelse JM, Kireev D, Tan Z, Chen L, Goyal S, Wang X, Frye SV, Behera M, Schneider F, Ramalingam SS, Owonikoko T, Earp HS, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. MERTK activation drives osimertinib resistance in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e150517. [PMID: 35708914 PMCID: PMC9337831 DOI: 10.1172/jci150517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acquired resistance is inevitable in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) treated with osimertinib (OSI), and the mechanisms are not well defined. The MERTK ligand GAS6 promoted downstream oncogenic signaling in EGFR-mutated (EGFRMT) NSCLC cells treated with OSI, suggesting a role for MERTK activation in OSI resistance. Indeed, treatment with MRX-2843, a first-in-class MERTK kinase inhibitor, resensitized GAS6-treated NSCLC cells to OSI. Both GAS6 and EGF stimulated downstream PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling in parental cells, but only GAS6 activated these pathways in OSI-resistant (OSIR) derivative cell lines. Functionally, OSIR cells were more sensitive to MRX-2843 than parental cells, suggesting acquired dependence on MERTK signaling. Furthermore, MERTK and/or its ligands were dramatically upregulated in EGFRMT tumors after treatment with OSI in both xenograft models and patient samples, consistent with induction of autocrine/paracrine MERTK activation. Moreover, treatment with MRX-2843 in combination with OSI, but not OSI alone, provided durable suppression of tumor growth in vivo, even after treatment was stopped. These data identify MERTK as a driver of bypass signaling in treatment-naive and EGFRMT-OSIR NSCLC cells and predict that MRX-2843 and OSI combination therapy will provide clinical benefit in patients with EGFRMT NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yan
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Justus M. Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Dmitri Kireev
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Zikang Tan
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Luxiao Chen
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resources, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Subir Goyal
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resources, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Stephen V. Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Madhusmita Behera
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resources, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Suresh S. Ramalingam
- Winship Cancer Institute, and
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Taofeek Owonikoko
- Winship Cancer Institute, and
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Peters S, Paz-Ares L, Herbst RS, Reck M. Addressing CPI resistance in NSCLC: targeting TAM receptors to modulate the tumor microenvironment and future prospects. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004863. [PMID: 35858709 PMCID: PMC9305809 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for the majority of cases. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs), including those targeting programmed cell death protein-1 and its ligand (PD-1/PD-L1), have revolutionized the treatment landscape for various cancers. Notably, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-based regimens now form the standard first-line therapy for metastatic NSCLC, substantially improving patients' overall survival. Despite the progress made using CPI-based therapies in advanced NSCLC, most patients experience disease progression after an initial response due to resistance. Given the currently limited therapeutic options available for second-line and beyond settings in NSCLC, new treatment approaches are needed to improve long-term survival in these patients. Thus, CPI resistance is an emerging concept in cancer treatment and an active area of clinical research.Among the key mechanisms of CPI resistance is the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Effective CPI therapy is based on shifting immune responses against cancer cells, therefore, manipulating the immunosuppressive TME comprises an important strategy to combat CPI resistance. Several aspects of the TME can contribute to treatment resistance in NSCLC, including through the activation of Tyro3, Axl, MerTK (TAM) receptors which are essential pleiotropic regulators of immune homeostasis. Their roles include negatively modulating the immune response, therefore ectopic expression of TAM receptors in the context of cancer can contribute to the immunosuppressive, protumorigenic TME. Furthermore, TAM receptors represent important candidates to simultaneously target both tumor cells and immune cells in the TME. Clinical development of TAM receptor inhibitors (TAM RIs) is increasingly focused on their ability to rescue the antitumor immune response, thereby shifting the immunosuppressive TME to an immunostimulatory TME. There is a strong biological rationale for combining TAM RIs with a CPI to overcome resistance and improve long-term clinical responses in NSCLC. Combinatorial clinical trials of TAM RIs with CPIs are underway with encouraging preliminary results. This review outlines the key mechanisms of CPI resistance, including the role of the immunosuppressive TME, and discusses the rationale for targeting TAM receptors as a novel, promising therapeutic strategy to overcome CPI resistance in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange Peters
- Medical Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luis Paz-Ares
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre and CNIO-H12O Lung Cancer Unit, Universidad Complutense and Ciberonc, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roy S Herbst
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Martin Reck
- Lung Clinic Grosshansdorf, Airway Research Center North, Center for Lung Research, Grosshansdorf, Germany
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Macrophages Are a Double-Edged Sword: Molecular Crosstalk between Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Cancer Stem Cells. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12060850. [PMID: 35740975 PMCID: PMC9221070 DOI: 10.3390/biom12060850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of highly tumorigenic cells in tumors. They have enhanced self-renewal properties, are usually chemo-radioresistant, and can promote tumor recurrence and metastasis. They can recruit macrophages into the tumor microenvironment and differentiate them into tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). TAMs maintain CSC stemness and construct niches that are favorable for CSC survival. However, how CSCs and TAMs interact is not completely understood. An understanding on these mechanisms can provide additional targeting strategies for eliminating CSCs. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the reported mechanisms of crosstalk between CSCs and TAMs and update the related signaling pathways involved in tumor progression. In addition, we discuss potential therapies targeting CSC–TAM interaction, including targeting macrophage recruitment and polarization by CSCs and inhibiting the TAM-induced promotion of CSC stemness. This review also provides the perspective on the major challenge for developing potential therapeutic strategies to overcome CSC-TAM crosstalk.
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Liu Y, Lan L, Li Y, Lu J, He L, Deng Y, Fei M, Lu JW, Shangguan F, Lu JP, Wang J, Wu L, Huang K, Lu B. N-glycosylation stabilizes MerTK and promotes hepatocellular carcinoma tumor growth. Redox Biol 2022; 54:102366. [PMID: 35728303 PMCID: PMC9214875 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the evidences of elevated expression of Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK) in multiple human cancers, mechanisms underlying the oncogenic roles of MerTK in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains undefined. We explored the functional effects of MerTK and N-Glycosylated MerTK on HCC cell survival and tumor growth. Here, we show that MerTK ablation increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and promotes the switching from glycolytic metabolism to oxidative phosphorylation in HCC cells, thus suppressing HCC cell proliferation and tumor growth. MerTK is N-glycosylated in HCC cells at asparagine 294 and 454 that stabilizes MerTK to promote oncogenic transformation. Moreover, we observed that nuclear located non-glycosylated MerTK is indispensable for survival of HCC cells under stress. Pathologically, tissue microarray (TMA) data indicate that MerTK is a pivotal prognostic factor for HCC. Our data strongly support the roles of MerTK N-glycosylation in HCC tumorigenesis and suggesting N-glycosylation inhibition as a potential HCC therapeutic strategy. MerTK promotes the switching from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolytic metabolism in HCC cells. MerTK is N-glycosylated in HCC cells at asparagine 294 and 454 that stabilizes MerTK to promote HCC tumor growth. The nuclear located non-glycosylated MerTK is indispensable for survival of HCC cells under stress. MerTK is a pivotal prognostic factor for HCC and its N-glycosylation inhibition is a potential HCC therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhang Liu
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Linhua Lan
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China; Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Yujie Li
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Jing Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Jingzhou, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, 434000, China
| | - Lipeng He
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Yao Deng
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Mingming Fei
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Jun-Wan Lu
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Fugen Shangguan
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China; Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Ju-Ping Lu
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Protein Quality Control and Diseases Laboratory, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Liang Wu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Kate Huang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Bin Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; Attardi Institute of Mitochondrial Biomedicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China.
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Two-Front War on Cancer-Targeting TAM Receptors in Solid Tumour Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102488. [PMID: 35626092 PMCID: PMC9140196 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In recent years, many studies have shown the importance of TAM kinases in both normal and neoplastic cells. In this review, we present and discuss the role of the TAM family (AXL, MERTK, TYRO3) of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) as a dual target in cancer, due to their intrinsic roles in tumour cell survival, migration, chemoresistance, and their immunosuppressive roles in the tumour microenvironment. This review presents the potential of TAMs as emerging therapeutic targets in cancer treatment, focusing on the distinct structures of TAM receptor tyrosine kinases. We analyse and compare different strategies of TAM inhibition, for a full perspective of current and future battlefields in the war with cancer. Abstract Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are transmembrane receptors that bind growth factors and cytokines and contain a regulated kinase activity within their cytoplasmic domain. RTKs play an important role in signal transduction in both normal and malignant cells, and their encoding genes belong to the most frequently affected genes in cancer cells. The TAM family proteins (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) are involved in diverse biological processes: immune regulation, clearance of apoptotic cells, platelet aggregation, cell proliferation, survival, and migration. Recent studies show that TAMs share overlapping functions in tumorigenesis and suppression of antitumour immunity. MERTK and AXL operate in innate immune cells to suppress inflammatory responses and promote an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, while AXL expression correlates with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and motility in tumours. Therefore, TAM RTKs represent a dual target in cancer due to their intrinsic roles in tumour cell survival, migration, chemoresistance, and their immunosuppressive roles in the tumour microenvironment (TME). In this review, we discuss the potential of TAMs as emerging therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. We critically assess and compare current approaches to target TAM RTKs in solid tumours and the development of new inhibitors for both extra- and intracellular domains of TAM receptor kinases.
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Iida M, McDaniel NK, Kostecki KL, Welke NB, Kranjac CA, Liu P, Longhurst C, Bruce JY, Hong S, Salgia R, Wheeler DL. AXL regulates neuregulin1 expression leading to cetuximab resistance in head and neck cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:447. [PMID: 35461210 PMCID: PMC9035247 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09511-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed and an important therapeutic target in Head and Neck cancer (HNC). Cetuximab is currently the only EGFR-targeting agent approved by the FDA for treatment of HNC; however, intrinsic and acquired resistance to cetuximab is a major problem in the clinic. Our lab previously reported that AXL leads to cetuximab resistance via activation of HER3. In this study, we investigate the connection between AXL, HER3, and neuregulin1 (NRG1) gene expression with a focus on understanding how their interdependent signaling promotes resistance to cetuximab in HNC. METHODS Plasmid or siRNA transfections and cell-based assays were conducted to test cetuximab sensitivity. Quantitative PCR and immunoblot analysis were used to analyze gene and protein expression levels. Seven HNC patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) were evaluated for protein expression levels. RESULTS We found that HER3 expression was necessary but not sufficient for cetuximab resistance without AXL expression. Our results demonstrated that addition of the HER3 ligand NRG1 to cetuximab-sensitive HNC cells leads to cetuximab resistance. Further, AXL-overexpressing cells regulate NRG1 at the level of transcription, thereby promoting cetuximab resistance. Immunoblot analysis revealed that NRG1 expression was relatively high in cetuximab-resistant HNC PDXs compared to cetuximab-sensitive HNC PDXs. Finally, genetic inhibition of NRG1 resensitized AXL-overexpressing cells to cetuximab. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that AXL may signal through HER3 via NRG1 to promote cetuximab resistance and that targeting of NRG1 could have significant clinical implications for HNC therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Nellie K McDaniel
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Kourtney L Kostecki
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Noah B Welke
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Carlene A Kranjac
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Peng Liu
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Colin Longhurst
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Justine Y Bruce
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Seungpyo Hong
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Center for NanoBioSystems, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Yonsei Frontier Lab, Department of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Deric L Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
- Wisconsin Center for NanoBioSystems, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
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Tissue Microarray Analyses Suggest Axl as a Predictive Biomarker in HPV-Negative Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071829. [PMID: 35406601 PMCID: PMC8997923 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite many efforts, no predictive biomarkers that could guide clinical decision making and personalized treatment have been established for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. We propose that high expression of the tyrosine kinase receptor Axl identifies patients as being at enhanced risk for treatment failure under surgery alone and, hence, should be treated by primary or adjuvant radiotherapy. Abstract The receptor tyrosine kinase Axl is described to promote migration, metastasis and resistance against molecular targeting, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy in various tumor entities, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Since clinical data on Axl and its ligand Gas6 in HNSCC are sparse, we assessed the association of Axl and Gas6 expression with patient survival in a single center retrospective cohort in a tissue microarray format. Expression was evaluated manually using an established algorithm and correlated with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival. A number of 362 samples yielded interpretable staining, which did not correlate with T- and N-stage. Protein expression levels were not associated with the survival of patients with p16-positive oropharyngeal SCC. In HPV-negative tumors, Axl expression did not impact patients treated with primary or adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy, but was significantly associated with inferior overall and recurrence-free survival in patients treated with surgery alone. Gas6 was a positive predictor of survival in patients whose treatment included radiotherapy. Associations remained significant in multivariable analysis. Our data question a meaningful contribution of the Axl/Gas6 pathway to radio-resistance in HNSCC and instead suggest that strong Axl expression identifies tumors requiring adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy after surgery.
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Hua Y, Fang X, Xing G, Xu Y, Liang L, Deng C, Dai X, Liu H, Lu T, Zhang Y, Chen Y. Effective Reaction-Based De Novo Strategy for Kinase Targets: A Case Study on MERTK Inhibitors. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:1654-1668. [PMID: 35353505 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Reaction-based de novo design is the computational generation of novel molecular structures by linking building blocks using reaction vectors derived from chemistry knowledge. In this work, we first adopted a recurrent neural network (RNN) model to generate three groups of building blocks with different functional groups and then constructed an in silico target-focused combinatorial library based on chemical reaction rules. Mer tyrosine kinase (MERTK) was used as a study case. Combined with a scaffold enrichment analysis, 15 novel MERTK inhibitors covering four scaffolds were achieved. Among them, compound 5a obtained an IC50 value of 53.4 nM against MERTK without any further optimization. The efficiency of hit identification could be significantly improved by shrinking the compound library with the fragment iterative optimization strategy and enriching the dominant scaffold in the hinge region. We hope that this strategy can provide new insights for accelerating the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Hua
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xiaobao Fang
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Guomeng Xing
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yuan Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Li Liang
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Chenglong Deng
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xiaowen Dai
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Haichun Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Tao Lu
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yadong Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
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Sang YB, Kim JH, Kim CG, Hong MH, Kim HR, Cho BC, Lim SM. The Development of AXL Inhibitors in Lung Cancer: Recent Progress and Challenges. Front Oncol 2022; 12:811247. [PMID: 35311091 PMCID: PMC8927964 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.811247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
AXL, along with MER and TYRO3, is a receptor tyrosine kinase from the TAM family. Although AXL itself is not thought to be a potent oncogenic driver, overexpression of AXL is known to trigger tumor cell growth, survival, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and immune suppression. Overexpression of AXL is associated with therapy resistance and poor prognosis. Therefore, it is being studied as a marker of prognosis in cancer treatment or as a target in various cancer types. Recently, many preclinical and clinical studies on agents with various mechanisms targeting AXL have been actively conducted. They include small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates. This article reviewed the fundamental role of AXL in solid tumors, and the development in research of AXL inhibitors in recent years. Emphasis was placed on the function of AXL in acquired therapy resistance in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Since clinical needs increase in NSCLC patients with acquired resistance after initial therapy, recent research efforts have focused on a combination treatment with AXL inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors or immunotherapy to overcome resistance. Lastly, we deal with challenges and limitations encountered in the development of AXL inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Beom Sang
- Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Joo-Hang Kim
- Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Chang-Gon Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Min Hee Hong
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hye Ryun Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Byoung Chul Cho
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sun Min Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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Wang L, Zhou Y, Wu X, Ma X, Li B, Ding R, Stashko MA, Wu Z, Wang X, Li Z. The Synthesis and Initial Evaluation of MerTK Targeted PET Agents. Molecules 2022; 27:1460. [PMID: 35268561 PMCID: PMC8911752 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27051460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MerTK (Mer tyrosine kinase), a receptor tyrosine kinase, is ectopically or aberrantly expressed in numerous human hematologic and solid malignancies. Although a variety of MerTK targeting therapies are being developed to enhance outcomes for patients with various cancers, the sensitivity of tumors to MerTK suppression may not be uniform due to the heterogeneity of solid tumors and different tumor stages. In this report, we develop a series of radiolabeled agents as potential MerTK PET (positron emission tomography) agents. In our initial in vivo evaluation, [18F]-MerTK-6 showed prominent uptake rate (4.79 ± 0.24%ID/g) in B16F10 tumor-bearing mice. The tumor to muscle ratio reached 1.86 and 3.09 at 0.5 and 2 h post-injection, respectively. In summary, [18F]-MerTK-6 is a promising PET agent for MerTK imaging and is worth further evaluation in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; (L.W.); (X.W.); (X.M.); (Z.L.)
| | - Yubai Zhou
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Y.Z.); (B.L.); (R.D.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Xuedan Wu
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; (L.W.); (X.W.); (X.M.); (Z.L.)
| | - Xinrui Ma
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; (L.W.); (X.W.); (X.M.); (Z.L.)
| | - Bing Li
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Y.Z.); (B.L.); (R.D.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Ransheng Ding
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Y.Z.); (B.L.); (R.D.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Michael A. Stashko
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Y.Z.); (B.L.); (R.D.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Zhanhong Wu
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; (L.W.); (X.W.); (X.M.); (Z.L.)
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (Y.Z.); (B.L.); (R.D.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Zibo Li
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; (L.W.); (X.W.); (X.M.); (Z.L.)
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Zhao MH, Liu W, Zhang Y, Liu JJ, Song H, Luo B. Epstein-Barr virus miR-BART4-3p regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration by targeting AXL in gastric carcinoma. Virus Genes 2022; 58:23-34. [PMID: 35083633 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-021-01882-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the role of miR-BART4-3p in EBV-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) and its regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration by targeting AXL in GC. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of AXL. The methylation status of AXL gene promoter region was determined by bisulfite sequencing PCR. Luciferase reporter assay was used to detect whether miR-BART4-3p targets AXL. The key molecules of EMT and PI3K/AKT pathway were used to examine by western blot. CCK8, Transwell, and flow cytometry were used to detect the phenotypic gastric cancer cells after interference with AXL and miR-BART4-3p. EBV infection inhibited the expression of AXL in GC cells and the inhibition was not caused by the change of promoter methylation status. MiR-BART4-3p directly targeted AXL. Moreover, both inhibition of miR-BART4-3p and AXL inhibited cell proliferation and migration and promoted cell apoptosis. In addition, E-cadherin, Vimentin, ZEB1, and p-AKT were found to be the downstream molecules of the miR-BART4-3p/AXL pathway. The change of promoter methylation status was not the reason for the downregulation of AXL expression in EBV-positive cells. MiR-BART4-3p may inhibit the proliferation and migration and promote apoptosis of GC cells by directly targeting AXL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-He Zhao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Central Hospital of Zibo, 19 Gongqingtuan Road, Zibo, 255036, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan-Juan Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Song
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Luo
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266071, People's Republic of China.
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AXL Receptor Tyrosine Kinase as a Promising Therapeutic Target Directing Multiple Aspects of Cancer Progression and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030466. [PMID: 35158733 PMCID: PMC8833413 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Metastasis is a complex process that requires the acquisition of certain traits by cancer cells as well as the cooperation of several non-neoplastic cells that populate the stroma. Cancer-related deaths are predominantly associated with complications arising from metastases. Limiting metastasis therefore represents an important clinical challenge. The receptor tyrosine kinase AXL is required at many steps of the metastatic cascade and contributes to tumor microenvironment deregulation. In this review, we describe how AXL contributes to metastatic progression by governing various biological processes in cancer cells and in stromal cells, highlighting the potential of its inhibition. Abstract The receptor tyrosine kinase AXL is emerging as a key player in tumor progression and metastasis and its expression correlates with poor survival in a plethora of cancers. While studies have shown the benefits of AXL inhibition for the treatment of metastatic cancers, additional roles for AXL in cancer progression are still being explored. This review discusses recent advances in understanding AXL’s functions in different tumor compartments including cancer, vascular, and immune cells. AXL is required at multiple steps of the metastatic cascade where its activation in cancer cells leads to EMT, invasion, survival, proliferation and therapy resistance. AXL activation in cancer cells and various stromal cells also results in tumor microenvironment deregulation, leading to modulation of angiogenesis, fibrosis, immune response and hypoxia. A better understanding of AXL’s role in these processes could lead to new therapeutic approaches that would benefit patients suffering from metastatic diseases.
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Lahey KC, Gadiyar V, Hill A, Desind S, Wang Z, Davra V, Patel R, Zaman A, Calianese D, Birge RB. Mertk: An emerging target in cancer biology and immuno-oncology. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 368:35-59. [PMID: 35636929 PMCID: PMC9994207 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Mertk, a type I Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK) and member of the TAM (Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk) family of homologous tyrosine kinases, has important roles in signal transduction both homeostatically on normal cells as well as patho-physiologically on both tumor-associated macrophages and malignant cells by its overexpression in a wide array of cancers. The main ligands of Mertk are Vitamin K-modified endogenous proteins Gas6 and Protein S (ProS1), heterobifunctional modular proteins that bind Mertk via two carboxyl-terminal laminin-like globular (LG) domains, and an N-terminal Gla domain that binds anionic phospholipids, whereby externalized phosphatidylserine (PS) on stressed viable and caspase-activated apoptotic cells is most emblematic. Recent studies indicate that Vitamin K-dependent γ-carboxylation on the N-terminal Gla domain of Gas6 and Protein S is necessary for PS binding and Mertk activation, implying that Mertk is preferentially active in tissues where there is high externalized PS, such as the tumor microenvironment (TME) and acute virally infected tissues. Once stimulated, activated Mertk can provide a survival advantage for cancer cells as well as drive compensatory proliferation. On monocytes and tumor-associated macrophages, Mertk promotes efferocytosis and acts as an inhibitory receptor that impairs host anti-tumor immunity, functioning akin to a myeloid checkpoint inhibitor. In recent years, inhibition of Mertk has been implicated in a dual role to enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to cytotoxic agents along with improving host anti-tumor immunity with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. Here, we examine the rationale of Mertk-targeted immunotherapies, the current and potential therapeutic strategies, the clinical status of Mertk-specific therapies, and potential challenges and obstacles for Mertk-focused therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Lahey
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Newark, NJ, United States.
| | - Varsha Gadiyar
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Amanda Hill
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Samuel Desind
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Ziren Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Viralkumar Davra
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Radhey Patel
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Ahnaf Zaman
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - David Calianese
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Raymond B Birge
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Newark, NJ, United States.
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Abstract
Extensive interest in cancer immunotherapy is reported according to the clinical importance of CTLA-4 and (PD-1/PD-L1) [programmed death (PD) and programmed death-ligand (PD-L1)] in immune checkpoint therapies. AXL is a receptor tyrosine kinase expressed in different types of cancer and in relation to resistance against various anticancer therapeutics due to poor clinical prognosis. AXL and its ligand, i.e., growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS6) proteins, are expressed on many cancer cells, and the GAS6/AXL pathway is reported to promote cancer cell proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. AXL is an attractive and novel therapeutic target for impairing tumor progression from immune cell contracts in the tumor microenvironment. The GAS6/AXL pathway is also of interest immunologically because it targets fewer antitumor immune responses. In effect, several targeted therapies are selective and nonselective for AXL, which are in preclinical and clinical development in multiple cancer types. Therefore, this review focuses on the role of the GAS6/AXL signaling pathway in triggering the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment as immune evasion. This includes regulating its composition and activating T-cell exclusion with the immune-suppressive activity of regulatory T cells, which is related to one of the hallmarks of cancer survival. Finally, this article discusses the GAS6/AXL signaling pathway in the context of several immune responses such as NK cell activation, apoptosis, and tumor-specific immunity, especially PD-1/PDL-1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Youn Son
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Center for Medical Innovation, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hwan-Kyu Jeong
- School of Biosystems and Biomedical Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
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Yan D, Earp HS, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. Targeting MERTK and AXL in EGFR Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5639. [PMID: 34830794 PMCID: PMC8616094 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MERTK and AXL are members of the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases and are abnormally expressed in 69% and 93% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), respectively. Expression of MERTK and/or AXL provides a survival advantage for NSCLC cells and correlates with lymph node metastasis, drug resistance, and disease progression in patients with NSCLC. The TAM receptors on host tumor infiltrating cells also play important roles in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Thus, MERTK and AXL are attractive biologic targets for NSCLC treatment. Here, we will review physiologic and oncologic roles for MERTK and AXL with an emphasis on the potential to target these kinases in NSCLCs with activating EGFR mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yan
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (D.Y.); (D.D.)
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (D.Y.); (D.D.)
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (D.Y.); (D.D.)
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Ohta S, Tago K, Kuchimaru T, Funakoshi-Tago M, Horie H, Aoki-Ohmura C, Matsugi J, Yanagisawa K. The role of MerTK in promoting cell migration is enhanced by the oncogenic Ras/IL-33 signaling axis. FEBS J 2021; 289:1950-1967. [PMID: 34743410 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16271] [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: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ras genes are frequently mutated in many cancer types; however, there are currently no conclusively effective anticancer drugs against Ras-induced cancer. Therefore, the downstream effectors of Ras signaling need to be identified for the development of promising novel therapeutic approaches. We previously reported that oncogenic Ras induced the expression of NF-HEV/IL-33, a member of the interleukin-1 family, and showed that intracellular IL-33 was required for oncogenic Ras-induced cellular transformation. In the present study, we demonstrated that the c-Mer proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MerTK), a receptor tyrosine kinase, played essential roles in oncogenic Ras/IL-33 signaling. The expression of MerTK was enhanced in transformed NIH-3T3 cells by the expression of oncogenic Ras, H-Ras (G12V), in an IL-33-dependent manner. In human colorectal cancer tissues, MerTK expression also correlated with IL-33 expression. The knockdown of IL-33 or MerTK effectively attenuated the migration of NIH-3T3 cells transformed by H-Ras (G12V) and A549, LoVo, and HCT116 cells harboring an oncogenic K-Ras mutation. Furthermore, the suppression of Ras-induced cell migration by the knockdown of IL-33 was rescued by the enforced expression of MerTK. The present results also revealed that MerTK was effectively phosphorylated in NIH-3T3 cells transformed by Ras (G12V). Ras signaling was essential for the tyrosine phosphorylation of MerTK, and the kinase activity of MerTK was indispensable for accelerating cell migration. Collectively, the present results reveal a novel role for MerTK in cancer malignancy, which may be utilized to develop novel therapeutic strategies that target Ras-transformed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Ohta
- Department of Biochemistry, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kenji Tago
- Department of Biochemistry, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | | | | | - Hisanaga Horie
- Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | | | - Jitsuhiro Matsugi
- Department of Biochemistry, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Ken Yanagisawa
- Department of Biochemistry, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
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Geng K. Post-translational modifications of the ligands: Requirement for TAM receptor activation. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 357:35-55. [PMID: 33234244 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK (TAM) receptors are three homologous Type I Receptor Tyrosine Kinases that have important homeostatic functions in multicellular organisms by regulating the clearance of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis). Pathologically, TAM receptors are overexpressed in a wide array of human cancers, and often associated with aggressive tumor grade and poor overall survival. In addition to their expression on tumor cells, TAMs are also expressed on infiltrating myeloid-derived cells in the tumor microenvironment, where they appear to act akin to negative immune checkpoints that impair host anti-tumor immunity. The ligands for TAMs are two endogenous proteins, Growth Arrest-Specific 6 (Gas6) and Protein S (Pros1), that function as bridging molecules between externalized phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) on apoptotic cells and the TAM ectodomains. One interesting feature of TAMs biology is that their ligand proteins require specific post-translational modifications to acquire activities. This chapter summarized these important modifications and explained the molecular mechanisms behind such phenomenon. Current evidences suggest that these modifications help Gas6/Pros1 to achieve optimal PtdSer-binding capacities. In addition, this chapter included recent discovery of regulating machineries of PtdSer dynamic across the plasma membrane, as well as their potential impacts in the tumor microenvironment. Taken together, this review highlights the importance of the upstream PtdSer and Gas6 in regulating TAMs' function and hope to provide researchers with new perspectives to inspire future studies of TAM receptors in human disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Geng
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States.
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41
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Walsh AD, Johnson LJ, Harvey AJ, Kilpatrick TJ, Binder MD. Identification and Characterisation of cis-Regulatory Elements Upstream of the Human Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Gene MERTK. Brain Plast 2021; 7:3-16. [PMID: 34631417 PMCID: PMC8461731 DOI: 10.3233/bpl-200102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: MERTK encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that regulates immune homeostasis via phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and cytokine-mediated immunosuppression. MERTK is highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), specifically in myeloid derived innate immune cells and its dysregulation is implicated in CNS pathologies including the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE: While the cell types and tissues that express MERTK have been well described, the genetic elements that define the gene’s promoter and regulate specific transcription domains remain unknown. The primary objective of this study was to define and characterise the human MERTK promoter region. METHODS: We cloned and characterized the 5’ upstream region of MERTK to identify cis-acting DNA elements that promote gene transcription in luciferase reporter assays. In addition, promoter regions were tested for sensitivity to the anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid dexamethasone. RESULTS: This study identified identified both proximal and distal-acting DNA elements that promote transcription. The strongest promoter activity was identified in an ∼850 bp region situated 3 kb upstream of the MERTK transcription start site. Serial deletions of this putative enhancer revealed that the entire region is essential for expression activity. Using in silico analysis, we identified several candidate transcription factor binding sites. Despite a well-established upregulation of MERTK in response to anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids, no DNA region within the 5 kb putative promoter was found to directly respond to dexamethasone treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Elucidating the genetic mechanisms that regulate MERTK expression gives insights into gene regulation during homeostasis and disease, providing potential targets for therapeutic modulation of MERTK transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D. Walsh
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Laura J. Johnson
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexandra J. Harvey
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Trevor J. Kilpatrick
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michele D. Binder
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
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42
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Durán N, Nakazato G, Durán M, Berti IR, Castro GR, Stanisic D, Brocchi M, Fávaro WJ, Ferreira-Halder CV, Justo GZ, Tasic L. Multi-target drug with potential applications: violacein in the spotlight. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 37:151. [PMID: 34398340 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-021-03120-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the current review is to address updated research on a natural pigment called violacein, with emphasis on its production, biological activity and applications. New information about violacein's action mechanisms as antitumor agent and about its synergistic action in drug delivery systems has brought new alternatives for anticancer therapy. Thus, violacein is introduced as reliable drug capable of overcoming at least three cancer hallmarks, namely: proliferative signaling, cell death resistance and metastasis. In addition, antimicrobial effects on several microorganisms affecting humans and other animals turn violacein into an attractive drug to combat resistant pathogens. Emphasis is given to effects of violacein combined with different agents, such as antibiotics, anticancer agents and nanoparticles. Although violacein is well-known for many decades, it remains an attractive compound. Thus, research groups have been making continuous effort to help improving its production in recent years, which can surely enable its pharmaceutical and chemical application as multi-task compound, even in the cosmetics and food industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Durán
- Laboratory of Urogenital Carcinogenesis and Immunotherapy, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil. .,Nanomedicine Research Unit (Nanomed), Center for Natural and Human Sciences (CCNH), Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC), Santo André, SP, Brazil.
| | - Gerson Nakazato
- Laboratory of Basic and Applied Bacteriology, Department of Microbiology, Biology Sciences Center, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Marcela Durán
- Laboratory of Urogenital Carcinogenesis and Immunotherapy, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Nanomedicine Research Unit (Nanomed), Center for Natural and Human Sciences (CCNH), Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC), Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | - Ignasio R Berti
- Nanobiomaterials Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences, Institute of Applied Biotechnology CINDEFI (UNLPCONICET, CCT La Plata),, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Guillermo R Castro
- Nanobiomaterials Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences, Institute of Applied Biotechnology CINDEFI (UNLPCONICET, CCT La Plata),, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Danijela Stanisic
- Biological Chemistry Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Brocchi
- Laboratory of Tropical Diseases, Department of Genetic, Evolution and Bioagents , Biology Institute, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Wagner J Fávaro
- Laboratory of Urogenital Carcinogenesis and Immunotherapy, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Carmen V Ferreira-Halder
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giselle Z Justo
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas (Campus Diadema) e Departamento de Bioquímica (Campus São Paulo), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), 3 de Maio, 100, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil.
| | - Ljubica Tasic
- Biological Chemistry Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
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43
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Son SW, Yun BD, Song MG, Lee JK, Choi SY, Kuh HJ, Park JK. The Hypoxia-Long Noncoding RNA Interaction in Solid Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147261. [PMID: 34298879 PMCID: PMC8307739 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is one of the representative microenvironment features in cancer and is considered to be associated with the dismal prognosis of patients. Hypoxia-driven cellular pathways are largely regulated by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) and notably exert influence on the hallmarks of cancer, such as stemness, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and the resistance towards apoptotic cell death and therapeutic resistance; therefore, hypoxia has been considered as a potential hurdle for cancer therapy. Growing evidence has demonstrated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are dysregulated in cancer and take part in gene regulatory networks owing to their various modes of action through interacting with proteins and microRNAs. In this review, we focus attention on the relationship between hypoxia/HIFs and lncRNAs, in company with the possibility of lncRNAs as candidate molecules for controlling cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Wan Son
- Department of Biomedical Science, Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (S.W.S.); (B.D.Y.); (M.G.S.); (J.K.L.); (S.Y.C.)
| | - Ba Da Yun
- Department of Biomedical Science, Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (S.W.S.); (B.D.Y.); (M.G.S.); (J.K.L.); (S.Y.C.)
| | - Mun Gyu Song
- Department of Biomedical Science, Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (S.W.S.); (B.D.Y.); (M.G.S.); (J.K.L.); (S.Y.C.)
| | - Jin Kyeong Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (S.W.S.); (B.D.Y.); (M.G.S.); (J.K.L.); (S.Y.C.)
| | - Soo Young Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science, Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (S.W.S.); (B.D.Y.); (M.G.S.); (J.K.L.); (S.Y.C.)
| | - Hyo Jeong Kuh
- Department of Medical Life Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea;
| | - Jong Kook Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chunchon 24252, Korea; (S.W.S.); (B.D.Y.); (M.G.S.); (J.K.L.); (S.Y.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-33-248-2114
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Tian M, Chen XS, Li LY, Wu HZ, Zeng D, Wang XL, Zhang Y, Xiao SS, Cheng Y. Inhibition of AXL enhances chemosensitivity of human ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin via decreasing glycolysis. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:1180-1189. [PMID: 33149145 PMCID: PMC8209001 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00546-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Anexelekto (AXL), a member of the TYRO3-AXL-MER (TAM) family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK), is overexpressed in varieties of tumor tissues and promotes tumor development by regulating cell proliferation, migration and invasion. In this study, we investigated the role of AXL in regulating glycolysis in human ovarian cancer (OvCa) cells. We showed that the expression of AXL mRNA and protein was significantly higher in OvCa tissue than that in normal ovarian epithelial tissue. In human OvCa cell lines suppression of AXL significantly inhibited cell proliferation, and increased the sensitivity of OvCa cells to cisplatin, which also proved by nude mice tumor formation experiment. KEGG analysis showed that AXL was significantly enriched in the glycolysis pathways of cancer. Changes in AXL expression in OvCa cells affect tumor glycolysis. We demonstrated that the promotion effect of AXL on glycolysis was mediated by phosphorylating the M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) at Y105. AXL expression was significantly higher in cisplatin-resistant OvCa cells A2780/DDP compared with the parental A2780 cells. Inhibition of AXL decreased the level of glycolysis in A2780/DDP cells, and increased the cytotoxicity of cisplatin against A2780/DDP cells, suggesting that AXL-mediated glycolysis was associated with cisplatin resistance in OvCa. In conclusion, this study demonstrates for the first time that AXL is involved in the regulation of the Warburg effect. Our results not only highlight the clinical value of targeting AXL, but also provide theoretical basis for the combination of AXL inhibitor and cisplatin in the treatment of OvCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Tian
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Xi-Sha Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Lan-Ya Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Hai-Zhou Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Da Zeng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Xin-Luan Wang
- Translational Medicine R&D Center, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Song-Shu Xiao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Yan Cheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.
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45
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Zheng H, Zhao J, Li B, Zhang W, Stashko MA, Minson KA, Huey MG, Zhou Y, Earp HS, Kireev D, Graham DK, DeRyckere D, Frye SV, Wang X. UNC5293, a potent, orally available and highly MERTK-selective inhibitor. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 220:113534. [PMID: 34038857 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of MER receptor tyrosine kinase (MERTK) causes direct tumor cell killing and stimulation of the innate immune response. Therefore, MERTK has been identified as a therapeutic target in a wide variety of human tumors. Clinical trials targeting MERTK have recently been initiated, however, none of these drugs are MERTK-specific. Herein, we present the discovery of a highly MERTK-selective inhibitor UNC5293 (24). UNC5293 has subnanomolar activity against MERTK with an excellent Ambit selectivity score (S50 (100 nM) = 0.041). It mediated potent and selective inhibition of MERTK in cell-based assays. Furthermore, it has excellent mouse PK properties (7.8 h half-life and 58% oral bioavailability) and was active in bone marrow leukemia cells in a murine model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchao Zheng
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jichen Zhao
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Bing Li
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Weihe Zhang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Michael A Stashko
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Katherine A Minson
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Madeline G Huey
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Yubai Zhou
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Henry Shelton Earp
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Dmitri Kireev
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Stephen V Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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46
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Frank MH, Wilson BJ, Gold JS, Frank NY. Clinical Implications of Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells in the Age of Single-Cell Omics and Targeted Therapies. Gastroenterology 2021; 160:1947-1960. [PMID: 33617889 PMCID: PMC8215897 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.12.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The cancer stem cell (CSC) concept emerged from the recognition of inherent tumor heterogeneity and suggests that within a given tumor, in analogy to normal tissues, there exists a cellular hierarchy composed of a minority of more primitive cells with enhanced longevity (ie, CSCs) that give rise to shorter-lived, more differentiated cells (ie, cancer bulk populations), which on their own are not capable of tumor perpetuation. CSCs can be responsible for cancer therapeutic resistance to conventional, targeted, and immunotherapeutic treatment modalities, and for cancer progression through CSC-intrinsic molecular mechanisms. The existence of CSCs in colorectal cancer (CRC) was first established through demonstration of enhanced clonogenicity and tumor-forming capacity of this cell subset in human-to-mouse tumor xenotransplantation experiments and subsequently confirmed through lineage-tracing studies in mice. Surface markers for CRC CSC identification and their prospective isolation are now established. Therefore, the application of single-cell omics technologies to CSC characterization, including whole-genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and epigenetic analyses, opens unprecedented opportunities to discover novel targetable molecular pathways and hence to develop novel strategies for CRC eradication. We review recent advances in this field and discuss the potential implications of next-generation CSC analyses for currently approved and experimental targeted CRC therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus H. Frank
- Transplant Research Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts;,Department of Dermatology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts;,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts;,School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Brian J. Wilson
- Transplant Research Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts;,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Jason S. Gold
- Department of Surgery, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts;,Department of Surgery, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Natasha Y. Frank
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts;,Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts;,Division of Genetics, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Sedighzadeh SS, Khoshbin AP, Razi S, Keshavarz-Fathi M, Rezaei N. A narrative review of tumor-associated macrophages in lung cancer: regulation of macrophage polarization and therapeutic implications. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2021; 10:1889-1916. [PMID: 34012800 PMCID: PMC8107755 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-1241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the deadliest malignancy worldwide. An inflammatory microenvironment is a key factor contributing to lung tumor progression. Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) are prominent components of the cancer immune microenvironment with diverse supportive and inhibitory effects on growth, progression, and metastasis of lung tumors. Two main macrophage phenotypes with different functions have been identified. They include inflammatory or classically activated (M1) and anti-inflammatory or alternatively activated (M2) macrophages. The contrasting functions of TAMs in relation to lung neoplasm progression stem from the presence of TAMs with varying tumor-promoting or anti-tumor activities. This wide spectrum of functions is governed by a network of cytokines and chemokines, cell-cell interactions, and signaling pathways. TAMs are promising therapeutic targets for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. There are several strategies for TAM targeting and utilizing them for therapeutic purposes including limiting monocyte recruitment and localization through various pathways such as CCL2-CCR2, CSF1-CSF1R, and CXCL12-CXCR4, targeting the activation of TAMs, genetic and epigenetic reprogramming of TAMs to antitumor phenotype, and utilizing TAMs as the carrier for anti-cancer drugs. In this review, we will outline the role of macrophages in the lung cancer initiation and progression, pathways regulating their function in lung cancer microenvironment as well as the role of these immune cells in the development of future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Sadat Sedighzadeh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Amin Pastaki Khoshbin
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Razi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Keshavarz-Fathi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Sheffield, UK
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48
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Bufalin down-regulates Axl expression to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:222485. [PMID: 32219334 PMCID: PMC7146032 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20193959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Axl, a member of the TAM (Tyro3, AXL, Mer) receptor tyrosine kinase family, plays critical roles in cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. In the present study, we demonstrated that the anti-cancer activity of bufalin, a major bioactive component of the Chinese traditional medicine Chan Su, is mediated by the down-regulation of Axl in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. We observed the inhibitory effect of bufalin on the proliferation of A549 and H460 NSCLC cells and the clonogenicity of these cells was reduced by bufalin treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Next, we found that the protein level of Axl was decreased in proportion to the concentration of bufalin in both A549 and H460 cells. Moreover, the promoter activity of the Axl gene was decreased by bufalin in a dose- and time-dependent manner, indicating that bufalin down-regulates Axl gene expression at the transcriptional level. We further examined if the anti-proliferative property of bufalin is influenced by Axl at the protein level. Axl overexpression attenuated the effect of bufalin in inhibiting cell proliferation and colony formation and inducing apoptosis in H460 cells, while knockdown of Axl gene expression induced the opposite effect. Taken together, our data indicate that the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of bufalin were associated with the protein level of Axl, suggesting that Axl is a potent therapeutic target of bufalin in suppressing proliferation and inducing apoptosis in NSCLC cells.
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Wium M, Ajayi-Smith AF, Paccez JD, Zerbini LF. The Role of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Axl in Carcinogenesis and Development of Therapeutic Resistance: An Overview of Molecular Mechanisms and Future Applications. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1521. [PMID: 33806258 PMCID: PMC8037968 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to chemotherapeutic agents by cancer cells has remained a major obstacle in the successful treatment of various cancers. Numerous factors such as DNA damage repair, cell death inhibition, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and evasion of apoptosis have all been implicated in the promotion of chemoresistance. The receptor tyrosine kinase Axl, a member of the TAM family (which includes TYRO3 and MER), plays an important role in the regulation of cellular processes such as proliferation, motility, survival, and immunologic response. The overexpression of Axl is reported in several solid and hematological malignancies, including non-small cell lung, prostate, breast, liver and gastric cancers, and acute myeloid leukaemia. The overexpression of Axl is associated with poor prognosis and the development of resistance to therapy. Reports show that Axl overexpression confers drug resistance in lung cancer and advances the emergence of tolerant cells. Axl is, therefore, an important candidate as a prognostic biomarker and target for anticancer therapies. In this review, we discuss the consequence of Axl upregulation in cancers, provide evidence for its role in cancer progression and the development of drug resistance. We will also discuss the therapeutic potential of Axl in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Wium
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
| | - Aderonke F. Ajayi-Smith
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
| | - Juliano D. Paccez
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz F. Zerbini
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
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50
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Aehnlich P, Powell RM, Peeters MJW, Rahbech A, thor Straten P. TAM Receptor Inhibition-Implications for Cancer and the Immune System. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061195. [PMID: 33801886 PMCID: PMC7998716 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary TAM receptors are a family of receptor tyrosine kinases, comprising Tyro3, Axl and MerTK. Their primary role is in digestion of dying cells by macrophages without alarming the immune system. TAM receptors are also expressed by cancer cells in which signaling is oncogenic, and for this reason there is growing interest and research into TAM inhibition. This approach to cancer treatment may, however, come into conflict with beneficial and costimulatory TAM receptor signaling in T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. The aim of this review is to explore in detail the effects of TAM receptor inhibition on cancer cells and immune cells, and how the ramifications of this inhibition may affect cancer treatment in humans. Abstract Tyro3, Axl and MerTK (TAM) receptors are receptor tyrosine kinases which play important roles in efferocytosis and in the balancing of immune responses and inflammation. TAM receptor activation is induced upon binding of the ligands protein S (Pros1) or growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) which act as bridging molecules for binding of phosphatidyl serine (PtdSer) exposed on apoptotic cell membranes. Upon clearance of apoptotic cell material, TAM receptor activation on innate cells suppresses proinflammatory functions, thereby ensuring the immunologically silent removal of apoptotic material in the absence of deleterious immune responses. However, in T cells, MerTK signaling is costimulatory and promotes activation and functional output of the cell. MerTK and Axl are also aberrantly expressed in a range of both hematological and solid tumor malignancies, including breast, lung, melanoma and acute myeloid leukemia, where they have a role in oncogenic signaling. Consequently, TAM receptors are being investigated as therapeutic targets using small molecule inhibitors and have already demonstrated efficacy in mouse tumor models. Thus, inhibition of TAM signaling in cancer cells could have therapeutic value but given the opposing roles of TAM signaling in innate cells and T cells, TAM inhibition could also jeopardize anticancer immune responses. This conflict is discussed in this review, describing the effects of TAM inhibition on cancer cells as well as immune cells, while also examining the intricate interplay of cancer and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Aehnlich
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence: (P.A.); (R.M.P.); (P.t.S.)
| | - Richard Morgan Powell
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence: (P.A.); (R.M.P.); (P.t.S.)
| | - Marlies J. W. Peeters
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
| | - Anne Rahbech
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
| | - Per thor Straten
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: (P.A.); (R.M.P.); (P.t.S.)
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