1
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Adams CM, McBride A, Michener P, Shkundina I, Mitra R, An HH, Porcu P, Eischen CM. Identifying Targetable Vulnerabilities to Circumvent or Overcome Venetoclax Resistance in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2130. [PMID: 38893249 PMCID: PMC11171410 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112130] [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: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Clinical trials with single-agent venetoclax/ABT-199 (anti-apoptotic BCL2 inhibitor) revealed that diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is not solely dependent on BCL2 for survival. Gaining insight into pathways/proteins that increase venetoclax sensitivity or unique vulnerabilities in venetoclax-resistant DLBCL would provide new potential treatment avenues. Therefore, we generated acquired venetoclax-resistant DLBCL cells and evaluated these together with intrinsically venetoclax-resistant and -sensitive DLBCL lines. We identified resistance mechanisms, including alterations in BCL2 family members that differed between intrinsic and acquired venetoclax resistance and increased dependencies on specific pathways. Although combination treatments with BCL2 family member inhibitors may overcome venetoclax resistance, RNA-sequencing and drug/compound screens revealed that venetoclax-resistant DLBCL cells, including those with TP53 mutation, had a preferential dependency on oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I inhibition induced venetoclax-resistant, but not venetoclax-sensitive, DLBCL cell death. Inhibition of IDH2 (mitochondrial redox regulator) synergistically overcame venetoclax resistance. Additionally, both acquired and intrinsic venetoclax-resistant DLBCL cells were similarly sensitive to inhibitors of transcription, B-cell receptor signaling, and class I histone deacetylases. These approaches were also effective in DLBCL, follicular, and marginal zone lymphoma patient samples. Our results reveal there are multiple ways to circumvent or overcome the diverse venetoclax resistance mechanisms in DLBCL and other B-cell lymphomas and identify critical targetable pathways for future clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare M. Adams
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 South 10th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Amanda McBride
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 South 10th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, 834 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Peter Michener
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 South 10th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Irina Shkundina
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 South 10th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Ramkrishna Mitra
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 South 10th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Hyun Hwan An
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 South 10th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Pierluigi Porcu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, 834 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Christine M. Eischen
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 South 10th St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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2
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Nussbaum DP, Martz CA, Waters AM, Barrera A, Liu A, Rutter JC, Cerda-Smith CG, Stewart AE, Wu C, Cakir M, Levandowski CB, Kantrowitz DE, McCall SJ, Pierobon M, Petricoin EF, Joshua Smith J, Reddy TE, Der CJ, Taatjes DJ, Wood KC. Mediator kinase inhibition impedes transcriptional plasticity and prevents resistance to ERK/MAPK-targeted therapy in KRAS-mutant cancers. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:124. [PMID: 38822082 PMCID: PMC11143207 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00615-9] [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: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Acquired resistance remains a major challenge for therapies targeting oncogene activated pathways. KRAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene in human cancers, yet strategies targeting its downstream signaling kinases have failed to produce durable treatment responses. Here, we developed multiple models of acquired resistance to dual-mechanism ERK/MAPK inhibitors across KRAS-mutant pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers, and then probed the long-term events enabling survival against this class of drugs. These studies revealed that resistance emerges secondary to large-scale transcriptional adaptations that are diverse and cell line-specific. Transcriptional reprogramming extends beyond the well-established early response, and instead represents a dynamic, evolved process that is refined to attain a stably resistant phenotype. Mechanistic and translational studies reveal that resistance to dual-mechanism ERK/MAPK inhibition is broadly susceptible to manipulation of the epigenetic machinery, and that Mediator kinase, in particular, can be co-targeted at a bottleneck point to prevent diverse, cell line-specific resistance programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Nussbaum
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Colin A Martz
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Andrew M Waters
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alejandro Barrera
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Annie Liu
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Justine C Rutter
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Christian G Cerda-Smith
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Amy E Stewart
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Chao Wu
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Colorectal Service, New York, NY, USA
| | - Merve Cakir
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - David E Kantrowitz
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Shannon J McCall
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mariaelena Pierobon
- George Mason University, Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - Emanuel F Petricoin
- George Mason University, Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - J Joshua Smith
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Colorectal Service, New York, NY, USA
| | - Timothy E Reddy
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Channing J Der
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dylan J Taatjes
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Kris C Wood
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
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3
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Niu P, Xu H, Fan M. Discovery and optimization of (2-naphthylthio)acetic acid derivative as selective Bfl-1 inhibitor. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 101:129658. [PMID: 38373466 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic protein family suppresses cell death by deploying a surface groove to capture the critical BH3 α-helix of pro-apoptotic members. Bfl-1 is a relatively understudied member of this family, though it has been implicated in the pathogenesis and chemoresistance of a variety of human cancers. Reported small molecular Bfl-1 inhibitors encountered the issue of either lack in potency or poor selectivity against its most homologous member Mcl-1. In order to tackle this issue, compound library was screened and a hit compound UMI-77 was identified. We modified its chemical structure to remove the characteristic of PAINS (pan-assay interference compounds), demonstrated the real binding affinity and achieved selectivity against Mcl-1 under the guidance of computational modeling. After optimization 15 was obtained as leading compound to block Bfl-1/BIM interaction in vitro with more than 10-fold selectivity over Mcl-1. We believe 15 is of great value for the exploration of Bfl-1 biological function and its potential as therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengpeng Niu
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine (AMT), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Huiqi Xu
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China; College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
| | - Mengyang Fan
- Hangzhou Institute of Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China; Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
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4
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Abstract
Apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis are genetically programmed cell death mechanisms that eliminate obsolete, damaged, infected, and self-reactive cells. Apoptosis fragments cells in a manner that limits immune cell activation, whereas the lytic death programs of necroptosis and pyroptosis release proinflammatory intracellular contents. Apoptosis fine-tunes tissue architecture during mammalian development, promotes tissue homeostasis, and is crucial for averting cancer and autoimmunity. All three cell death mechanisms are deployed to thwart the spread of pathogens. Disabling regulators of cell death signaling in mice has revealed how excessive cell death can fuel acute or chronic inflammation. Here we review strategies for modulating cell death in the context of disease. For example, BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax, an inducer of apoptosis, is approved for the treatment of certain hematologic malignancies. By contrast, inhibition of RIPK1, NLRP3, GSDMD, or NINJ1 to limit proinflammatory cell death and/or the release of large proinflammatory molecules from dying cells may benefit patients with inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiko Kayagaki
- Physiological Chemistry Department, Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA;
| | - Joshua D Webster
- Pathology Department, Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kim Newton
- Physiological Chemistry Department, Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA;
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5
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Wang ZQ, Zhang ZC, Wu YY, Pi YN, Lou SH, Liu TB, Lou G, Yang C. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins: biological functions, diseases, and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:420. [PMID: 37926722 PMCID: PMC10625992 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01647-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BET proteins, which influence gene expression and contribute to the development of cancer, are epigenetic interpreters. Thus, BET inhibitors represent a novel form of epigenetic anticancer treatment. Although preliminary clinical trials have shown the anticancer potential of BET inhibitors, it appears that these drugs have limited effectiveness when used alone. Therefore, given the limited monotherapeutic activity of BET inhibitors, their use in combination with other drugs warrants attention, including the meaningful variations in pharmacodynamic activity among chosen drug combinations. In this paper, we review the function of BET proteins, the preclinical justification for BET protein targeting in cancer, recent advances in small-molecule BET inhibitors, and preliminary clinical trial findings. We elucidate BET inhibitor resistance mechanisms, shed light on the associated adverse events, investigate the potential of combining these inhibitors with diverse therapeutic agents, present a comprehensive compilation of synergistic treatments involving BET inhibitors, and provide an outlook on their future prospects as potent antitumor agents. We conclude by suggesting that combining BET inhibitors with other anticancer drugs and innovative next-generation agents holds great potential for advancing the effective targeting of BET proteins as a promising anticancer strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Zhao-Cong Zhang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yu-Yang Wu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ya-Nan Pi
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Sheng-Han Lou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Tian-Bo Liu
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Ge Lou
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
| | - Chang Yang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
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6
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Martínez-Martín S, Beaulieu ME, Soucek L. Targeting MYC-driven lymphoma: lessons learned and future directions. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2023; 6:205-222. [PMID: 37457123 PMCID: PMC10344726 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2022.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
MYC plays a central role in tumorigenesis by orchestrating cell proliferation, growth and survival, among other transformation mechanisms. In particular, MYC has often been associated with lymphomagenesis. In fact, MYC overexpressing lymphomas such as high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) and double expressor diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), are considered addicted to MYC. In such a context, MYC targeting therapies are of special interest, as MYC withdrawal is expected to result in tumor regression. However, whether high MYC levels are always predictive of increased sensitivity to these approaches is not clear yet. Even though no MYC inhibitor has received regulatory approval to date, substantial efforts have been made to investigate avenues to render MYC a druggable target. Here, we summarize the different classes of molecules currently under development, which mostly target MYC indirectly in aggressive B-cell lymphomas, paying special attention to subtypes with MYC/BCL2 or BCL6 translocations or overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marie-Eve Beaulieu
- Peptomyc S.L., Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Laura Soucek
- Peptomyc S.L., Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona 08035, Spain
- Preclinical & Translational Research Program, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona 08035, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
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7
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Zhang J, Gu Y, Chen B. Drug-Resistance Mechanism and New Targeted Drugs and Treatments of Relapse and Refractory DLBCL. Cancer Manag Res 2023; 15:245-255. [PMID: 36873252 PMCID: PMC9976586 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s400013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). 30 ~ 40% of DLBCL patients were resistant to the standard R-CHOP regimen or recurrence after remission. It is currently believed that drug resistance is the main cause of the recurrence and refractory of DLBCL (R/R DLBCL). With the increased understanding of DLBCL biology, tumor microenvironment and epigenetics, some new therapies and drugs like molecular and signal pathway target therapy, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, antibody drug-conjugate and tafasitamab have been used for R/R DLBCL. This article will review the drug resistance mechanism and novel targeted drugs and therapies of DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Gu
- Department of Hematology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoan Chen
- Department of Hematology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
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8
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Park E, Lee C, Park J, Liu J, Hong J, Shin DY, Byun JM, Yun H, Koh Y, Yoon SS. Mitigating the BFL1-mediated antiapoptotic pathway in diffuse large B cell lymphoma by inhibiting HDACs. Leuk Lymphoma 2023; 64:205-216. [PMID: 36331521 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2022.2140282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous BFL1 expression renders diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells insensitive to B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and/or MCL1 inhibitors. Considering the difficulties in developing a direct BFL1 inhibitor, we intended to inhibit histone deacetylase (HDAC) to mitigate the biological role of BFL1 by modulating WT1 and NOXA. Cells expressing high BFL1 exhibited enhanced sensitivity to pan-HDAC inhibitor compared to low BFL1 expressing cells, mainly attributable to the difference in the amount of apoptosis. HDAC inhibitors decreased BFL1 and WT1 expressions while increasing NOXA levels. The BFL1 knockdown experiment demonstrated that HDAC inhibitor's sensitivity depends on the BFL1 expression in DLBCL cells. Furthermore, we found that the specific HDAC class was expected to play a critical role in BFL1 inhibition by comparing the effects of several HDAC inhibitors. Thus, our study provides a rationale for using HDAC inhibitors to induce apoptosis in DLBCL patients using BFL1 as a predictive biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunchae Park
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Center for Medical Innovation, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chansub Lee
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Center for Medical Innovation, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Park
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Center for Medical Innovation, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Liu
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Center for Medical Innovation, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junshik Hong
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Center for Medical Innovation, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Yeop Shin
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Center for Medical Innovation, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja Min Byun
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Center for Medical Innovation, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongseok Yun
- Center for Medical Innovation, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Center for Precision Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngil Koh
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Center for Medical Innovation, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Soo Yoon
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Center for Medical Innovation, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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9
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Zhu Z, Wen J, Xu Y, Pei H, Li D, Tang M, Bai P, He J, Yang Z, Chen L. Therapeutic efficacy of an injectable formulation of purinostat mesylate in SU-DHL-6 tumour model. Ann Med 2022; 54:743-753. [PMID: 35243950 PMCID: PMC8903780 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2045347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Previous studies have proven that Purinostat Mesylate (PM) is a new HDAC inhibitor and exhibits significant antitumor efficacy. However, the clinical application of PM was greatly limited by its poor solubility in water and low bioavailability.Objective:To increase the solubility of PM through pharmaceutical research, and prepare it into an injection that meets the needs of intravenous use to promote its clinical application.MethodsThe prepared PM/HP-β-CD inclusion complex was studied by computer simulation, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR spectroscopy), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Then, the antitumor effects of PM/HP-β-CD inclusion complex were studied by in vitro cytotoxicity assay, apoptosis assay, pharmacokinetic study and in vivo antitumor assay.Results:Phase Solubility Analysis revealed that PM and HP-β-CD were compatible and the solubility of PM increased almost 220 times, to 2.02 mg/mL. The interaction mechanism studies revealed that PM could be embedded into the cavity of HP-β-CD through the side of the aminobenzene ring. Cell viability and apoptosis assays showed that PM/HP-β-CD complex maintained the good anti-cancer activity of PM, and PM/HP-β-CD complex has a better anti-tumor effect and lower toxicity than LBH589 and Hyper-CVAD/RTX in vivo. All the results suggest that HP-β-CD can solve the problem of PM administration and provide a way for clinical application of PM.Conclusions: In this study, an injectable formulation of PM in HP-β-CD (10% w/v) was prepared to improve its water solubility. Our research provides a way for clinical administration of PM, which has been under phase I clinical trial for the treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell-related hematologic malignancies in China and the USA.KEY MESSAGESWe developed a preparation of Purinostat Mesylate that can be administered intravenously, reducing the toxicity associated with oral administration.This preparation has an outstanding therapeutic effect on SU-DHL-6 xenograft tumour, indicating its clinical value, which has been under phase I clinical trial for the treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell-related haematologic malignancies in China and the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zejiang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaolin Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,West China-California Research Center for Predictive Intervention Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaohui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Heying Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Minghai Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Peng Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhuang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lijuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Chengdu Zenitar Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd, Biomedical innovation Incubation Park, Chengdu, China
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10
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Last but not least: BFL-1 as an emerging target for anti-cancer therapies. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1119-1128. [PMID: 35900226 PMCID: PMC9444066 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BFL-1 is an understudied pro-survival BCL-2 protein. The expression of BFL-1 is reported in many cancers, but it is yet to be clarified whether high transcript expression also always correlates with a pro-survival function. However, recent applications of BH3-mimetics for the treatment of blood cancers identified BFL-1 as a potential resistance factor in this type of cancer. Hence, understanding the role of BFL-1 in human cancers and how its up-regulation leads to therapy resistance has become an area of great clinical relevance. In addition, deletion of the murine homologue of BFL-1, called A1, in mice showed only minimal impacts on the well-being of these animals, suggesting drugs targeting BFL-1 would exhibit limited on-target toxicities. BFL-1 therefore represents a good clinical cancer target. Currently, no effective BFL-1 inhibitors exist, which is likely due to the underappreciation of BFL-1 as a potential target in the clinic and lack of understanding of the BFL-1 protein. In this review, the roles of BFL-1 in the development of different types of cancers and drug resistant mechanisms are discussed and some recent advances in the generation of BFL-1 inhibitors highlighted.
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11
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Gordon MJ, Westin JR. Fitting double-hit lymphoma into the aggressive lymphoma spectrum: a square peg in a round hole? Leuk Lymphoma 2022; 63:1034-1044. [PMID: 34842019 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2021.2008383] [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] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
High-grade B-cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements or both, commonly called double-hit lymphoma (DHL), is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma that is molecularly distinct from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and is associated with poor outcomes. Recent advances in the molecular classification of DLBCL have identified distinct subsets, including genetic signatures which correlate with DHL and survival. DHL with concomitant TP53 mutation appears to be associated with a very poor prognosis. Standard chemo-immunotherapy is not an effective treatment for these patients and personalized, innovative strategies are needed. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the subclassification of DLBCL, with a focus on DHL. We also incorporate early, promising clinical trial data using CAR T and targeted therapies. Rationally designed clinical trials for DLBCL are needed to advance the care of patients with DHL and other adverse risk DLBCL subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max J Gordon
- University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jason R Westin
- University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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12
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Carter BZ, Mak PY, Tao W, Zhang Q, Ruvolo V, Kuruvilla VM, Wang X, Mak DH, Battula VL, Konopleva M, Jabbour EJ, Hughes PE, Chen X, Morrow PK, Andreeff M. Maximal activation of apoptosis signaling by co-targeting anti-apoptotic proteins in BH3 mimetic-resistant AML and AML stem cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2022; 21:879-889. [PMID: 35364607 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
MCL-1 is known to play a major role in resistance to BCL-2 inhibition, but the contribution of other BCL-2 family proteins has not been fully explored. We here demonstrate ineffectiveness of MCL-1 inhibitor AMG176 in venetoclax-resistant, and conversely, of venetoclax in AMG176-resistant AML. Like cells with acquired resistance to venetoclax, cells with acquired resistance to AMG176 express increased MCL-1. Both cells with acquired resistance to venetoclax and to AMG176 express increased levels of BCL-2 and BCL-2A1, decreased BAX, and/or altered levels of other BCL-2 proteins. Co-targeting BCL-2 and MCL-1 was highly synergistic in AML cell lines with intrinsic or acquired resistance to BH3 mimetics or engineered to genetically-overexpress BCL-2 or BCL-2A1 or downregulate BAX. The combination effectively eliminated primary AML blasts and stem/progenitor cells resistant to or relapsed after venetoclax-based therapy irrespective of mutations and cytogenetic abnormalities. Venetoclax and AMG176 combination markedly suppressed anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins and AML stem/progenitor cells and dramatically extended mouse survival (median 336 vs control 126 d, P<0.0001) in a PDX model developed from a venetoclax/hypomethylating agent therapy-resistant AML patient. However, decreased BAX levels in the bone marrow residual leukemia cells after 4-wk combination treatment may represent a resistance mechanism that contributed to their survival. Enhanced anti-leukemia activity was also observed in a PDX model of monocytic AML, known to be resistant to venetoclax therapy. Our results support co-dependence on multiple anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins and suppression of BAX as mechanisms of AML resistance to individual BH3 mimetics. Co-targeting of MCL-1 and BCL-2 eliminates otherwise apoptosis-resistant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Z Carter
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Tx, United States
| | - Po Yee Mak
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Wenjing Tao
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, United States
| | - Qi Zhang
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, United States
| | - Vivian Ruvolo
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Xiangmeng Wang
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Tx, United States
| | - Duncan H Mak
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Venkata L Battula
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Marina Konopleva
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Elias J Jabbour
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
| | | | - Xiaoyue Chen
- Amgen (United States), Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
| | | | - Michael Andreeff
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Tx, United States
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13
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Zhuang Y, Che J, Wu M, Guo Y, Xu Y, Dong X, Yang H. Altered pathways and targeted therapy in double hit lymphoma. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:26. [PMID: 35303910 PMCID: PMC8932183 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01249-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
High-grade B-cell lymphoma with translocations involving MYC and BCL2 or BCL6, usually referred to as double hit lymphoma (DHL), is an aggressive hematological malignance with distinct genetic features and poor clinical prognosis. Current standard chemoimmunotherapy fails to confer satisfying outcomes and few targeted therapeutics are available for the treatment against DHL. Recently, the delineating of the genetic landscape in tumors has provided insight into both biology and targeted therapies. Therefore, it is essential to understand the altered signaling pathways of DHL to develop treatment strategies with better clinical benefits. Herein, we summarized the genetic alterations in the two DHL subtypes (DHL-BCL2 and DHL-BCL6). We further elucidate their implications on cellular processes, including anti-apoptosis, epigenetic regulations, B-cell receptor signaling, and immune escape. Ongoing and potential therapeutic strategies and targeted drugs steered by these alterations were reviewed accordingly. Based on these findings, we also discuss the therapeutic vulnerabilities that coincide with these genetic changes. We believe that the understanding of the DHL studies will provide insight into this disease and capacitate the finding of more effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Zhuang
- Department of Lymphoma, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinxin Che
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meijuan Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Guo
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongjin Xu
- Department of Lymphoma, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaowu Dong
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Department of Lymphoma, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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14
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Murthy SRK, Cheng X, Zhuang T, Ly L, Jones O, Basadonna G, Keidar M, Canady J. BCL2A1 regulates Canady Helios Cold Plasma-induced cell death in triple-negative breast cancer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4038. [PMID: 35260587 PMCID: PMC8904455 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07027-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis and frequently relapses early compared with other subtypes. The Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) is a promising therapy for prognostically poor breast cancer such as TNBC. The Canady Helios Cold Plasma (CHCP) induces cell death in the TNBC cell line without thermal damage, however, the mechanism of cell death by CAP treatment is ambiguous and the mechanism of resistance to cell death in some subset of cells has not been addressed. We investigate the expression profile of 48 apoptotic and 35 oxidative gene markers after CHCP treatment in six different types of breast cancer cell lines including luminal A (ER+ PR+/-HER2-), luminal B (ER+PR+/-HER2+), (ER-PR-HER2+), basal-like: ER-PR-HER2- cells were tested with CHCP at different power settings and at 4 different incubation time. The expression levels of the gene markers were determined at 4 different intervals after the treatment. The protein expression of BCL2A1 was only induced after CHCP treatment in TNBC cell lines (p < 0.01), whereas the HER2-positive and ER, PR positive cell lines showed little or no expression of BCL2A1. The BCL2A1 and TNF-alpha expression levels showed a significant correlation within TNBC cell lines (p < 0.01). Silencing BCL2A1 mRNA by siRNA increased the potency of the CHCP treatment. A Combination of CHCP and CPI203, a BET bromodomain inhibitor, and a BCL2A1 antagonist increased the CHCP-induced cell death (p < 0.05). Our results revealed that BCL2A1 is a key gene for resistance during CHCP induced cell death. This resistance in TNBCs could be reversed with a combination of siRNA or BCL2A1 antagonist-CHCP therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saravana R K Murthy
- Jerome Canady Research Institute for Advanced Biological and Technological Sciences, Takoma Park, MD, USA
| | - Xiaoqian Cheng
- Jerome Canady Research Institute for Advanced Biological and Technological Sciences, Takoma Park, MD, USA
| | | | - Lawan Ly
- Jerome Canady Research Institute for Advanced Biological and Technological Sciences, Takoma Park, MD, USA
| | - Olivia Jones
- Jerome Canady Research Institute for Advanced Biological and Technological Sciences, Takoma Park, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Jerome Canady
- Jerome Canady Research Institute for Advanced Biological and Technological Sciences, Takoma Park, MD, USA.
- The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
- Holy Cross Hospital, Department of Surgery, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
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15
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Feng X, Yan Z, Zhou F, Lou J, Lyu X, Ren X, Zeng Z, Liu C, Zhang S, Zhu D, Huang H, Yang J, Zhao Y. Discovery of a selective and covalent small-molecule inhibitor of BFL-1 protein that induces robust apoptosis in cancer cells. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 236:114327. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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16
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Constitutive Activation of p62/Sequestosome-1-Mediated Proteaphagy Regulates Proteolysis and Impairs Cell Death in Bortezomib-Resistant Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040923. [PMID: 35205670 PMCID: PMC8869867 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary To decipher the molecular mechanism underlying the resistance of a significant fraction of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients to the first-in-class proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (BTZ), we have characterized the ubiquitin-related proteome (i.e., ubiquitome) of a set of MCL cell lines with different degrees of sensitivity to the drug by coupling a tandem ubiquitin-binding entity (TUBE) approach to mass spectrometry, followed by phenotypic and functional validations in both in vitro and in vivo models of MCL. We identified an enrichment of autophagy–lysosome system (ALS) components in BTZ-resistant cells, which was associated with constitutive intracellular inactivation of proteasome subunits by a process called proteaphagy. Blockade of this phenomenon by the pharmacological or genetic inactivation of the autophagy receptor p62/SQSTM1 reactivated normal proteasomal activity and restored the BTZ antitumor effect in in vitro and in vivo models of BTZ resistance. Abstract Protein ubiquitylation coordinates crucial cellular events in physiological and pathological conditions. A comparative analysis of the ubiquitin proteome from bortezomib (BTZ)-sensitive and BTZ-resistant mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) revealed an enrichment of the autophagy–lysosome system (ALS) in BTZ-resistant cells. Pharmacological inhibition of autophagy at the level of lysosome-fusion revealed a constitutive activation of proteaphagy and accumulation of proteasome subunits within autophagosomes in different MCL cell lines with acquired or natural resistance to BTZ. Inhibition of the autophagy receptor p62/SQSTM1 upon verteporfin (VTP) treatment disrupted proteaphagosome assembly, reduced co-localization of proteasome subunits with autophagy markers and negatively impacted proteasome activity. Finally, the silencing or pharmacological inhibition of p62 restored the apoptosis threshold at physiological levels in BTZ-resistant cells both in vitro and in vivo. In total, these results demonstrate for the first time a proteolytic switch from the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) to ALS in B-cell lymphoma refractory to proteasome inhibition, pointing out a crucial role for proteaphagy in this phenomenon and paving the way for the design of alternative therapeutic venues in treatment-resistant tumors.
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17
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Yamatani K, Ai T, Saito K, Suzuki K, Hori A, Kinjo S, Ikeo K, Ruvolo V, Zhang W, Mak PY, Kaczkowski B, Harada H, Katayama K, Sugimoto Y, Myslinski J, Hato T, Miida T, Konopleva M, Hayashizaki Y, Carter BZ, Tabe Y, Andreeff M. Inhibition of BCL2A1 by STAT5 inactivation overcomes resistance to targeted therapies of FLT3-ITD/D835 mutant AML. Transl Oncol 2022; 18:101354. [PMID: 35114569 PMCID: PMC8818561 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101354] [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: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BCL2A1 is upregulated and exerts a pro-survival function in FLT3-ITD/D835 AML cells. Upregulation of BCL2A1 attenuates sensitivity to quizartinib in FLT3-ITD/D835 cells. Gilteritinib decreases BCL2A1 through inactivation of STAT5 in FLT3-ITD/D835 cells. Gilteritinib/Venetoclax has a synergistic anti-tumor activity in FLT3-ITD/D835 cells.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are established drugs in the therapy of FLT3-ITD mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, acquired mutations, such as D835 in the tyrosine kinase domain (FLT3-ITD/D835), can induce resistance to TKIs. A cap analysis gene expression (CAGE) technology revealed that the gene expression of BCL2A1 transcription start sites was increased in primary AML cells bearing FLT3-ITD/D835 compared to FLT3-ITD. Overexpression of BCL2A1 attenuated the sensitivity to quizartinib, a type II TKI, and venetoclax, a selective BCL2 inhibitor, in AML cell lines. However, a type I TKI, gilteritinib, inhibited the expression of BCL2A1 through inactivation of STAT5 and alleviated TKI resistance of FLT3-ITD/D835. The combination of gilteritinib and venetoclax showed synergistic effects in the FLT3-ITD/D835 positive AML cells. The promoter region of BCL2A1 contains a BRD4 binding site. Thus, the blockade of BRD4 with a BET inhibitor (CPI-0610) downregulated BCL2A1 in FLT3-mutated AML cells and extended profound suppression of FLT3-ITD/D835 mutant cells. Therefore, we propose that BCL2A1 has the potential to be a novel therapeutic target in treating FLT3-ITD/D835 mutated AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotoko Yamatani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Ai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Kaori Saito
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Koya Suzuki
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hori
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Center for Genomic and Regenerative Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sonoko Kinjo
- Center for Information Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kazuho Ikeo
- Center for Information Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Vivian Ruvolo
- Department of Leukemia, Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 448, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Weiguo Zhang
- Department of Leukemia, Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 448, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Po Yee Mak
- Department of Leukemia, Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 448, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Bogumil Kaczkowski
- Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hironori Harada
- Department of Hematology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Katayama
- Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Sugimoto
- Division of Chemotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jered Myslinski
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Marion, IN, United States
| | - Takashi Hato
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Marion, IN, United States
| | - Takashi Miida
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, Section of Leukemia Biology Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Bing Z Carter
- Department of Leukemia, Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 448, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Yoko Tabe
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Department of Leukemia, Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 448, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Department of Next Generation Hematology Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Michael Andreeff
- Department of Leukemia, Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 448, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
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18
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Ribeiro ML, Reyes-Garau D, Vinyoles M, Profitós Pelejà N, Santos JC, Armengol M, Fernández-Serrano M, Sedó Mor A, Bech-Serra JJ, Blecua P, Musulen E, De La Torre C, Miskin H, Esteller M, Bosch F, Menéndez P, Normant E, Roué G. Antitumor Activity of the Novel BTK Inhibitor TG-1701 Is Associated with Disruption of Ikaros Signaling in Patients with B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:6591-6601. [PMID: 34551904 PMCID: PMC9401565 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-1067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite the remarkable activity of BTK inhibitors (BTKi) in relapsed B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), no clinically-relevant biomarker has been associated to these agents so far. The relevance of phosphoproteomic profiling for the early identification of BTKi responders remains underexplored. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A set of six clinical samples from an ongoing phase I trial dosing patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with TG-1701, a novel irreversible and highly specific BTKi, were characterized by phosphoproteomic and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis. The activity of TG-1701 was evaluated in a panel of 11 B-NHL cell lines and mouse xenografts, including two NF-κB- and BTKC481S-driven BTKi-resistant models. Biomarker validation and signal transduction analysis were conducted through real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, immunostaining, and gene knockout (KO) experiments. RESULTS A nonsupervised, phosphoproteomic-based clustering did match the early clinical outcomes of patients with CLL and separated a group of "early-responders" from a group of "late-responders." This clustering was based on a selected list of 96 phosphosites with Ikaros-pSer442/445 as a potential biomarker for TG-1701 efficacy. TG-1701 treatment was further shown to blunt Ikaros gene signature, including YES1 and MYC, in early-responder patients as well as in BTKi-sensitive B-NHL cell lines and xenografts. In contrast, Ikaros nuclear activity and signaling remained unaffected by the drug in vitro and in vivo in late-responder patients and in BTKC481S, BTKKO, and noncanonical NF-κB models. CONCLUSIONS These data validate phosphoproteomic as a valuable tool for the early detection of response to BTK inhibition in the clinic, and for the determination of drug mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Lima Ribeiro
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain.,Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Molecular Biology, Sao Francisco University Medical School, Braganca Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diana Reyes-Garau
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Vinyoles
- Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Leukemia and Immunotherapy Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain.,Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Profitós Pelejà
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain
| | | | - Marc Armengol
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain.,Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miranda Fernández-Serrano
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain.,Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alícia Sedó Mor
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain.,Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan J. Bech-Serra
- Proteomics Unit, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain
| | - Pedro Blecua
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain
| | - Eva Musulen
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain.,Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya-Grupo Quironsalud, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
| | | | | | - Manel Esteller
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.,Cancer Epigenetics Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain.,Instituciò Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Bosch
- Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.,Experimental Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Menéndez
- Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Leukemia and Immunotherapy Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain.,Department of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.,Instituciò Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emmanuel Normant
- TG Therapeutics, New York, New York.,Corresponding Authors: Gaël Roué, Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, 08916, Spain. E-mail: ; and Emmanuel Normant, VP Preclinical Sciences, TG Therapeutics, 2 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014. E-mail:
| | - Gaël Roué
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain.,Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.,Experimental Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain.,Corresponding Authors: Gaël Roué, Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, 08916, Spain. E-mail: ; and Emmanuel Normant, VP Preclinical Sciences, TG Therapeutics, 2 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014. E-mail:
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19
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Boyson SP, Gao C, Quinn K, Boyd J, Paculova H, Frietze S, Glass KC. Functional Roles of Bromodomain Proteins in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3606. [PMID: 34298819 PMCID: PMC8303718 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone acetylation is generally associated with an open chromatin configuration that facilitates many cellular processes including gene transcription, DNA repair, and DNA replication. Aberrant levels of histone lysine acetylation are associated with the development of cancer. Bromodomains represent a family of structurally well-characterized effector domains that recognize acetylated lysines in chromatin. As part of their fundamental reader activity, bromodomain-containing proteins play versatile roles in epigenetic regulation, and additional functional modules are often present in the same protein, or through the assembly of larger enzymatic complexes. Dysregulated gene expression, chromosomal translocations, and/or mutations in bromodomain-containing proteins have been correlated with poor patient outcomes in cancer. Thus, bromodomains have emerged as a highly tractable class of epigenetic targets due to their well-defined structural domains, and the increasing ease of designing or screening for molecules that modulate the reading process. Recent developments in pharmacological agents that target specific bromodomains has helped to understand the diverse mechanisms that bromodomains play with their interaction partners in a variety of chromatin processes, and provide the promise of applying bromodomain inhibitors into the clinical field of cancer treatment. In this review, we explore the expression and protein interactome profiles of bromodomain-containing proteins and discuss them in terms of functional groups. Furthermore, we highlight our current understanding of the roles of bromodomain-containing proteins in cancer, as well as emerging strategies to specifically target bromodomains, including combination therapies using bromodomain inhibitors alongside traditional therapeutic approaches designed to re-program tumorigenesis and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel P. Boyson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, VT 05446, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
| | - Cong Gao
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
| | - Kathleen Quinn
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
| | - Joseph Boyd
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
| | - Hana Paculova
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
| | - Seth Frietze
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Karen C. Glass
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, VT 05446, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
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20
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Menin inhibition decreases Bcl-2 and synergizes with venetoclax in NPM1/FLT3-mutated AML. Blood 2021; 138:1637-1641. [PMID: 34232981 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021011917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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21
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Li X, Dou J, You Q, Jiang Z. Inhibitors of BCL2A1/Bfl-1 protein: Potential stock in cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 220:113539. [PMID: 34034128 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The Bcl-2 family members rigorously regulate cell endogenous apoptosis, and targeting anti-apoptotic members is a hot topic in design of anti-cancer drugs. At present, FDA and EMA have approved Bcl-2 inhibitor Venetoclax (ABT-199) for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, inhibitors of anti-apoptotic protein BCL2A1/Bfl-1 have not been vigorously developed, and no molecule with ideal activity and selectivity has been found yet. Here we review the biological function and protein structure of Bfl-1, discuss the therapeutic potential and list the currently reported inhibitory peptides and small molecules. This will provide a reference for Bfl-1 targeting drug discovery in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Junwei Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qidong You
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Zhengyu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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22
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Dlouhy I, Armengol M, Recasens-Zorzo C, Ribeiro ML, Pérez-Galán P, Bosch F, López-Guillermo A, Roué G. Interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase 1/4 and bromodomain and extraterminal inhibitions converge on NF-κB blockade and display synergistic antitumoral activity in activated B-cell subset of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with MYD88L265P mutation. Haematologica 2021; 106:2749-2753. [PMID: 33979991 PMCID: PMC8485659 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.278258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Dlouhy
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Clínic, BarceIona, Spain; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), CIBERONC, Barcelona
| | - Marc Armengol
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona
| | - Clara Recasens-Zorzo
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), CIBERONC, Barcelona
| | - Marcelo L Ribeiro
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Spain; Post Graduate Program in Health Science, Universidade São Francisco (USF), Bragança Paulista
| | - Patricia Pérez-Galán
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), CIBERONC, Barcelona
| | - Francesc Bosch
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona
| | - Armando López-Guillermo
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Clínic, BarceIona, Spain; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), CIBERONC, Barcelona
| | - Gaël Roué
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona.
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23
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Prado G, Kaestner CL, Licht JD, Bennett RL. Targeting epigenetic mechanisms to overcome venetoclax resistance. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1868:119047. [PMID: 33945824 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.119047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The BH-3 mimetic venetoclax overcomes apoptosis and therapy resistance caused by high expression of BCL2 or loss of BH3-only protein function. Although a promising therapy for hematologic malignancies, increased expression of anti-apoptotic MCL-1 or BCL-XL, as well as other resistance mechanisms prevent a durable response to venetoclax. Recent studies demonstrate that agents targeting epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, histone methyltransferase EZH2 inhibitors, or bromodomain reader protein inhibitors may disable oncogenic gene expression signatures responsible for venetoclax resistance. Combination therapies including venetoclax and epigenetic therapies are effective in preclinical models and the subject of many current clinical trials. Here we review epigenetic strategies to overcome venetoclax resistance mechanisms in hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Prado
- University of Florida Health Cancer Center and University of Florida Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Charlotte L Kaestner
- University of Florida Health Cancer Center and University of Florida Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Jonathan D Licht
- University of Florida Health Cancer Center and University of Florida Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Richard L Bennett
- University of Florida Health Cancer Center and University of Florida Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America.
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24
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John L, Krauth MT, Podar K, Raab MS. Pathway-Directed Therapy in Multiple Myeloma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1668. [PMID: 33916289 PMCID: PMC8036678 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a malignant plasma cell disorder with an unmet medical need, in particular for relapsed and refractory patients. Molecules within deregulated signaling pathways, including the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, but also the PI3K/AKT-pathway belong to the most promising evolving therapeutic targets. Rationally derived compounds hold great therapeutic promise to target tumor-specific abnormalities rather than general MM-associated vulnerabilities. This paradigm is probably best depicted by targeting mutated BRAF: while well-tolerated, remarkable responses have been achieved in selected patients by inhibition of BRAFV600E alone or in combination with MEK. Targeting of AKT has also shown promising results in a subset of patients as monotherapy or to resensitize MM-cells to conventional treatment. Approaches to target transcription factors, convergence points of signaling cascades such as p53 or c-MYC, are emerging as yet another exciting strategy for pathway-directed therapy. Informed by our increasing knowledge on the impact of signaling pathways in MM pathophysiology, rationally derived Precision-Medicine trials are ongoing. Their results are likely to once more fundamentally change treatment strategies in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas John
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- CCU Molecular Hematology/Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maria Theresa Krauth
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Klaus Podar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Mitterweg 10, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria;
| | - Marc-Steffen Raab
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- CCU Molecular Hematology/Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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25
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Fairlie WD, Lee EF. Co-Operativity between MYC and BCL-2 Pro-Survival Proteins in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22062841. [PMID: 33799592 PMCID: PMC8000576 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
B-Cell Lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), c-MYC and related proteins are arguably amongst the most widely studied in all of biology. Every year there are thousands of papers reporting on different aspects of their biochemistry, cellular and physiological mechanisms and functions. This plethora of literature can be attributed to both proteins playing essential roles in the normal functioning of a cell, and by extension a whole organism, but also due to their central role in disease, most notably, cancer. Many cancers arise due to genetic lesions resulting in deregulation of both proteins, and indeed the development and survival of tumours is often dependent on co-operativity between these protein families. In this review we will discuss the individual roles of both proteins in cancer, describe cancers where co-operativity between them has been well-characterised and finally, some strategies to target these proteins therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Douglas Fairlie
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia;
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Erinna F. Lee
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia;
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3084, Australia
- Correspondence:
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26
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Yuan D, Li G, Yu L, Jiang Y, Shi Y, Chen Q, Ma X, Pham LV, Young KH, Deng M, Fang Z, Xu B. CS2164 and Venetoclax Show Synergistic Antitumoral Activities in High Grade B-Cell Lymphomas With MYC and BCL2 Rearrangements. Front Oncol 2021; 11:618908. [PMID: 33777762 PMCID: PMC7988232 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.618908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
High-grade B-cell lymphoma with concurrent MYC and BCL2 rearrangements (HGBL-DHL) is a rare, aggressive mature B-cell malignancy with a high likelihood of treatment failure following front-line immunochemotherapies. Patients with HGBL-DHL who develop a relapsed or refractory disease have little effective therapeutic strategies and show very poor clinical outcomes, thus calling for development of novel therapies for this specific patient population. In this study, we investigated the preclinical anti-lymphoma efficacies and potential mechanism of action of a novel treatment approach, combining the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax with CS2164, a new orally active multitarget inhibitor, in HGBL-DHL models. This combination therapy exhibited a robust synergistic cytotoxicity against HGBL-DHL cells, evidenced by cooperatively inducing loss of cell viability and promoting cell apoptosis. Moreover, coadministration of CS2164 and venetoclax resulted in significant superior suppression of HGBL-DHL cell growth and remarkably abrogated tumor burden in a HGBL-DHL-xenografted mouse model. The synergistic lethality of CS2164 and venetoclax in HGBL-DHL cells was associated with induction of DNA damage and impairment of DNA repair ability. Of importance, the combined treatment almost abolished the expression of both BCL2 and MYC, two hallmark proteins of HGBL-DHL, and substantially blunted the activity of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascade. In addition, MCL1 and BCL-XL, two well-characterized contributors for venetoclax resistance, were significantly lessened in the presence of CS2164 and venetoclax, thus leading to the accumulation of proapoptotic proteins BAX and PUMA and then initiating the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Taken together, these findings suggest that the regimen of CS2164 and venetoclax is highly effective to eliminate HGBL-DHL cells in the preclinical setting, warranting further clinical investigations of this regimen for the treatment of unfavorable HGBL-DHL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delin Yuan
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancy, Xiamen, China
| | - Genhong Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancy, Xiamen, China
| | - Lian Yu
- Department of Hematology and Rheumatology, Longyan First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Longyan, China
| | - Yuelong Jiang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancy, Xiamen, China
| | - Yuanfei Shi
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancy, Xiamen, China
| | - Qiulin Chen
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancy, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiaomei Ma
- Department of Hematology and Rheumatology, Longyan First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Longyan, China
| | - Lan V Pham
- Biology, Tumor Dependency, Phamacyclics, Abbvie Company, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Ken H Young
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Manman Deng
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancy, Xiamen, China
| | - Zhihong Fang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancy, Xiamen, China
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Department of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Xiamen for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancy, Xiamen, China
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27
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Selective Inhibition of BFL1: It's All about Finding the Right Partner. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 27:639-642. [PMID: 32559500 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Harvey et al. (2020) identify 4E14, a sulfhydryl-containing N-acetyltryptophan analog that selectively disrupts binding to the previously undruggable anti-apoptotic BCL2 paralog BFL1, and elucidate a BFL1 conformational change that facilitates 4E14 interaction. These results provide insight that will accelerate development of BFL1 inhibitors.
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28
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Deng M, Xu-Monette ZY, Pham LV, Wang X, Tzankov A, Fang X, Zhu F, Visco C, Bhagat G, Dybkaer K, Chiu A, Tam W, Zu Y, Hsi ED, You H, Huh J, Ponzoni M, Ferreri AJM, Møller MB, Parsons BM, Hagemeister F, van Krieken JH, Piris MA, Winter JN, Li Y, Xu B, Liu P, Young KH. Aggressive B-cell Lymphoma with MYC/TP53 Dual Alterations Displays Distinct Clinicopathobiological Features and Response to Novel Targeted Agents. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 19:249-260. [PMID: 33154093 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the major type of aggressive B-cell lymphoma. High-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBCL) with MYC/BCL2 double-hit (DH) represents a distinct entity with dismal prognosis after standard immunochemotherapy in the current WHO lymphoma classification. However, whether TP53 mutation synergizes with MYC abnormalities (MYC rearrangement and/or Myc protein overexpression) contributing to HGBCL-like biology and prognosis is not well investigated. In this study, patients with DLBCL with MYC/TP53 abnormalities demonstrated poor clinical outcome, high-grade morphology, and distinct gene expression signatures. To identify more effective therapies for this distinctive DLBCL subset, novel MYC/TP53/BCL-2-targeted agents were investigated in DLBCL cells with MYC/TP53 dual alterations or HGBCL-MYC/BCL2-DH. A BET inhibitor INCB057643 effectively inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in DLBCL/HGBCL cells regardless of MYC/BCL2/TP53 status. Combining INCB057643 with a MDM2-p53 inhibitor DS3032b significantly enhanced the cytotoxic effects in HGBCL-DH without TP53 mutation, while combining with the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax displayed potent therapeutic synergy in DLBCL/HGBCL cells with and without concurrent TP53 mutation. Reverse-phase protein arrays revealed the synergistic molecular actions by INCB057643, DS3032b and venetoclax to induce cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis and to inhibit AKT/MEK/ERK/mTOR pathways, as well as potential drug resistance mechanisms mediated by upregulation of Mcl-1 and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathways. In summary, these findings support subclassification of DLBCL/HGBCL with dual MYC/TP53 alterations, which demonstrates distinct pathobiologic features and dismal survival with standard therapy, therefore requiring additional targeted therapies. IMPLICATIONS: The clinical and pharmacologic studies suggest recognizing DLBCL with concomitant TP53 mutation and MYC abnormalities as a distinctive entity necessary for precision oncology practice. VISUAL OVERVIEW: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/molcanres/19/2/249/F1.large.jpg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manman Deng
- Duke University Medical Center, Division of Hematopathology and Department of Pathology, Durham, North Carolina.,Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Zijun Y Xu-Monette
- Duke University Medical Center, Division of Hematopathology and Department of Pathology, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Lan V Pham
- Phamacyclics, an Abbvie Company, San Francisco, California
| | - Xudong Wang
- Duke University Medical Center, Division of Hematopathology and Department of Pathology, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Xiaosheng Fang
- Duke University Medical Center, Division of Hematopathology and Department of Pathology, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Feng Zhu
- Duke University Medical Center, Division of Hematopathology and Department of Pathology, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Carlo Visco
- Department of Medicine and Division of Hematology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Govind Bhagat
- Columbia University Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | | | | | - Wayne Tam
- Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York
| | - Youli Zu
- The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Hua You
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jooryung Huh
- Asan Medical Center, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | | | | | - Fredrick Hagemeister
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - J Han van Krieken
- Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Miguel A Piris
- Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | - Jane N Winter
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
| | - Phillip Liu
- Applied Technology Group, Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, Delaware.
| | - Ken H Young
- Duke University Medical Center, Division of Hematopathology and Department of Pathology, Durham, North Carolina. .,Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina
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29
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Selective Covalent Targeting of Anti-apoptotic BFL-1 by a Sulfonium-Tethered Peptide. Chembiochem 2020; 22:340-344. [PMID: 32790056 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) family proteins are proven targets for human cancers. Targeting the BH3-binding pockets of these anti-apoptotic proteins could reactivate apoptosis in BCL-2-depedent cancers. BFL-1 is a BCL-2 family protein overexpressed in various chemoresistant cancers. A unique cysteine at the binding interface of the BH3 and BFL-1 was previously proven to be an intriguing targeting site to irreversibly inhibit BFL-1 functions with stabilized cyclic peptide bearing a covalent warhead. Recently, we developed a sulfonium-tethered peptide cyclization strategy to construct peptide ligands that could selectively and efficiently react with the cysteine(s) of target proteins near the interacting interface. Using this method, we constructed a BFL-1 peptide inhibitor, B4-MC, that could selectively conjugate with BFL-1 both in vitro and in cell. B4-MC showed good cellular uptake, colocalized with BFL-1 on mitochondria, and showed obvious growth inhibition of BFL-1 over-expressed cancer cell lines.
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30
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Robert A, Pujals A, Favre L, Debernardi J, Wiels J. The BCL-2 family protein inhibitor ABT-737 as an additional tool for the treatment of EBV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders. Mol Oncol 2020; 14:2520-2532. [PMID: 32623836 PMCID: PMC7530790 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) and Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) are B‐cell malignancies strongly associated with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection. In these lymphoproliferative disorders, EBV infection induces an increase in the expression of the anti‐apoptotic protein BCL‐2. Given its chemoprotective effect, BCL‐2 constitutes an attractive target for new therapeutic strategies for EBV‐positive B‐cell malignancies. Here, we show that ABT‐737, a small inhibitor of BCL‐2, BCL‐X(L), and BCL‐w, strongly induced apoptosis in vitro in EBV‐positive lymphoblastoid cell lines (which is a model for PTLD), whereas BL was less sensitive. ABT‐737 reduced tumor growth and increased the overall survival of mice in a xenograft model of PTLD but had no effect on BL xenograft mice. ABT‐737 combined with a low dose of cyclophosphamide, a major component of the conventional CHOP chemotherapy regimen for BL patients, reduced tumor growth during treatment but failed to improve the overall survival of BL xenograft mice. By contrast, the combination of ABT‐737 and rituximab, one of the main options for the treatment of PTLD, was highly efficient and induced approximately 70% remission in PTLD xenograft mice. These results suggest that the use of agents targeting BCL‐2, either alone or in combination with other conventional drugs, represents a novel promising approach for post‐transplant EBV‐positive B lymphoproliferative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Robert
- UMR 8126 CNRS, Institut Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.,INSERM 1279, Institut Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Anaïs Pujals
- UMR 8126 CNRS, Institut Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.,Département de Pathologie, Inserm U955, CHU Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris-Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Loetitia Favre
- UMR 8126 CNRS, Institut Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.,Département de Pathologie, Inserm U955, CHU Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris-Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Justine Debernardi
- UMR 8126 CNRS, Institut Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Joëlle Wiels
- UMR 8126 CNRS, Institut Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
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31
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Emerging evidence has shown that epigenetic derangements might drive and promote tumorigenesis in various types of malignancies and is prevalent in both B cell and T cell lymphomas. The purpose of this review is to explain how the epigenetic derangements result in a chromatin-remodeled state in lymphoma and contribute to the biology and clinical features of these tumors. RECENT FINDINGS Studies have explored on the functional role of epigenetic derangements in chromatin remodeling and lymphomagenesis. For example, the haploinsufficiency of CREBBP facilitates malignant transformation in mice and directly implicates the importance to re-establish the physiologic acetylation level. New findings identified 4 prominent DLBCL subtypes, including EZB-GC-DLBCL subtype that enriched in mutations of CREBBP, EP300, KMT2D, and SWI/SNF complex genes. EZB subtype has a worse prognosis than other GCB-tumors. Moreover, the action of the histone modifiers as well as chromatin-remodeling factors (e.g., SWI/SNF complex) cooperates to influence the chromatin state resulting in transcription repression. Drugs that alter the epigenetic landscape have been approved in T cell lymphoma. In line with this finding, epigenetic lesions in histone modifiers have recently been uncovered in this disease, further confirming the vulnerability to the therapies targeting epigenetic derangements. Modulating the chromatin state by epigenetic-modifying agents provides precision-medicine opportunities to patients with lymphomas that depend on this biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Liu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Yulissa Gonzalez
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer E Amengual
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA.
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32
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Cummin TEC, Cox KL, Murray TD, Turaj AH, Dunning L, English VL, Fell R, Packham G, Ma Y, Powell B, Johnson PWM, Cragg MS, Carter MJ. BET inhibitors synergize with venetoclax to induce apoptosis in MYC-driven lymphomas with high BCL-2 expression. Blood Adv 2020; 4:3316-3328. [PMID: 32717030 PMCID: PMC7391160 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020002231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the MYC oncogenic network represents an attractive therapeutic target for lymphoma, MYC inhibitors have been difficult to develop. Alternatively, inhibitors of epigenetic/ transcriptional regulators, particularly the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family, have been used to modulate MYC. However, current benzodiazepine-derivative BET inhibitors (BETi) elicit disappointing responses and dose-limiting toxicity in relapsed/refractory lymphoma, potentially because of enrichment of high-risk molecular features and chemical backbone-associated toxicities. Consequently, novel nonbenzodiazepine BETi and improved mechanistic understanding are required. Here we characterize the responses of aggressive MYC-driven lymphomas to 2 nonbenzodiazepine BETi: PLX51107 and PLX2853. Both invoked BIM-dependent apoptosis and in vivo therapy, associated with miR-17∼92 repression, in murine Eµ-myc lymphomas, with PLX2853 exhibiting enhanced potency. Accordingly, exogenous BCL-2 expression abrogated these effects. Because high BCL-2 expression is common in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), BETi were ineffective in driving apoptosis and in vivo therapy of DLBCL cell lines, mirroring clinical results. However, BETi-mediated BIM upregulation and miR-17∼92 repression remained intact. Consequently, coadministration of BETi and ABT199/venetoclax restored cell death and in vivo therapy. Collectively, these data identify BIM-dependent apoptosis as a critical mechanism of action for this class of BETi that, via coadministration of BH3 mimetics, can deliver effective tumor control in DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kerry L Cox
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology
| | - Tom D Murray
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology
| | - Anna H Turaj
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology
| | - Lisa Dunning
- Preclinical Unit, Centre for Cancer Immunology, and
| | | | - Rachel Fell
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; and
| | - Graham Packham
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; and
| | - Yan Ma
- Plexxikon Inc., Berkeley, CA
| | | | - Peter W M Johnson
- Cancer Research UK Centre, Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; and
| | - Mark S Cragg
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology
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Spriano F, Stathis A, Bertoni F. Targeting BET bromodomain proteins in cancer: The example of lymphomas. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 215:107631. [PMID: 32693114 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The Bromo- and Extra-Terminal domain (BET) family proteins act as "readers" of acetylated histones and they are important transcription regulators. BRD2, BRD3, BRD4 and BRDT, part of the BET family, are important in different tumors, where upregulation or translocation often occurs. The potential of targeting BET proteins as anti-cancer treatment originated with data obtained with a first series of compounds, and there are now several data supporting BET inhibition in both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Despite very positive preclinical data in different tumor types, the clinical results have been so far moderate. Using lymphoma as an example to review the data produced in the laboratory and in the context of the early clinical trials, we discuss the modalities to make BET targeting more efficient both generating novel generation of compounds and by exploring the combination with small molecules affecting various signaling pathways, BCL2, or DNA damage response signaling, but also with additional epigenetic agents and with immunotherapy. We also discuss the mechanisms of resistance and the toxicity profiles so far reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Spriano
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Anastasios Stathis
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
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A redox switch regulates the structure and function of anti-apoptotic BFL-1. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2020; 27:781-789. [PMID: 32661419 PMCID: PMC7544158 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-020-0458-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis is regulated by BCL-2 family proteins. Anti-apoptotic members suppress cell death by deploying a surface groove to capture the critical BH3 α-helix of pro-apoptotic members. Cancer cells hijack this mechanism by overexpressing anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins to enforce cellular immortality. We previously identified and harnessed a unique cysteine (C55) in the groove of anti-apoptotic BFL-1 to selectively neutralize its oncogenic activity using a covalent stapled-peptide inhibitor. Here, we find that disulfide bonding between a native cysteine pair at the groove (C55) and C-terminal α9 helix (C175) of BFL-1 operates as a redox switch to control the accessibility of the anti-apoptotic pocket. Reducing the C55-C175 disulfide triggers α9 release, which promotes mitochondrial translocation, groove exposure for BH3 interaction and inhibition of mitochondrial permeabilization by pro-apoptotic BAX. C55-C175 disulfide formation in an oxidative cellular environment abrogates the ability of BFL-1 to bind BH3 domains. Thus, we identify a mechanism of conformational control of BFL-1 by an intramolecular redox switch.
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35
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Shan H, Cao Y, Xiao X, Liu M, Wu Y, Zhu Q, Xu H, Lei H, Yao Z, Wu Y. YL064 activates proteasomal-dependent degradation of c-Myc and synergistically enhances the anti-tumor activity of ABT-199 in diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:116. [PMID: 32632092 PMCID: PMC7338474 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00236-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Huizhuang Shan
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, 213003, PR China
| | - Xinhua Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yunzhao Wu
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Qi Zhu
- Institute of Oncology, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Hanzhang Xu
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Hu Lei
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Zhujun Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China.
| | - Yingli Wu
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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Satta T, Grant S. Enhancing venetoclax activity in hematological malignancies. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:697-708. [PMID: 32600066 PMCID: PMC7529910 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1789588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Targeting anti-apoptotic pathways involving the BCL2 family proteins represents a novel treatment strategy in hematologic malignancies. Venetoclax, a selective BCL2 inhibitor, represents the first approved agent of this class, and is currently used in CLL and AML. However, monotherapy is rarely sufficient for sustained responses due to the development of drug resistance and loss of dependence upon the targeted protein. Numerous pre-clinical studies have shown that combining venetoclax with other agents may represent a more effective therapeutic strategy by circumventing resistance mechanisms. In this review, we summarize pre-clinical data providing a foundation for rational combination strategies involving venetoclax. AREAS COVERED Novel combination strategies in hematologic malignancies involving venetoclax, primarily at the pre-clinical level, will be reviewed. We emphasize novel agents that interrupt complementary or compensatory pro-survival pathways, and particularly mechanistic insights underlying synergism. PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google scholar were searched from 2000. EXPERT OPINION Although venetoclax has proven to be an effective therapeutic in hematologic malignancies, monotherapy may be insufficient for maximal effectiveness due to the development of resistance and/or loss of BCL2 addiction. Further pre-clinical and clinical development of combination therapies may be necessary for optimal outcomes in patients with diverse blood cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihisa Satta
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, USA
| | - Steven Grant
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, USA
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Tseng HY, Dreyer J, Emran AA, Gunatilake D, Pirozyan M, Cullinane C, Dutton-Regester K, Rizos H, Hayward NK, McArthur G, Hersey P, Tiffen J, Gallagher S. Co-targeting bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins and MCL1 induces synergistic cell death in melanoma. Int J Cancer 2020; 147:2176-2189. [PMID: 32249419 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The treatment of melanoma has been markedly improved by the introduction of targeted therapies and checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. Unfortunately, resistance to these therapies remains a limitation. Novel anticancer therapeutics targeting the MCL1 anti-apoptotic protein have shown impressive responses in haematological cancers but are yet to be evaluated in melanoma. To assess the sensitivity of melanoma to new MCL1 inhibitors, we measured the response of 51 melanoma cell lines to the novel MCL1 inhibitor, S63845. Additionally, we assessed combination of this drug with inhibitors of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) protein family of epigenetic readers, which we postulated would assist MCL1 inhibition by downregulating anti-apoptotic targets regulated by NF-kB such as BCLXL, BCL2A1 and XIAP, and by upregulating pro-apoptotic proteins including BIM and NOXA. Only 14% of melanoma cell lines showed sensitivity to S63845, however, combination of S63845 and I-BET151 induced highly synergistic apoptotic cell death in all melanoma lines tested and in an in vivo xenograft model. Cell death was dependent on caspases and BAX/BAK. Although the combination of drugs increased the BH3-only protein, BIM, and downregulated anti-apoptotic proteins such as BCL2A1, the importance of these proteins in inducing cell death varied between cell lines. ABT-199 or ABT-263 inhibitors against BCL2 or BCL2 and BCLXL, respectively, induced further cell death when combined with S63845 and I-BET151. The combination of MCL1 and BET inhibition appears to be a promising therapeutic approach for metastatic melanoma, and presents opportunities to add further BCL2 family inhibitors to overcome treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Yi Tseng
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jan Dreyer
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Abdullah Al Emran
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dilini Gunatilake
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mehdi Pirozyan
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carleen Cullinane
- Translational Research Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Oncogenic Signalling and Growth Control Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ken Dutton-Regester
- Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia.,Oncogenomics Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Helen Rizos
- Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicholas K Hayward
- Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia.,Oncogenomics Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Grant McArthur
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Hersey
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jessamy Tiffen
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stuart Gallagher
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia.,Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
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38
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Using antagonistic pleiotropy to design a chemotherapy-induced evolutionary trap to target drug resistance in cancer. Nat Genet 2020; 52:408-417. [PMID: 32203462 PMCID: PMC7398704 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-020-0590-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Local adaptation directs populations towards environment-specific fitness maxima through acquisition of positively selected traits. However, rapid environmental changes can identify hidden fitness trade-offs that turn adaptation into maladaptation, resulting in evolutionary traps. Cancer, a disease that is prone to drug resistance, is in principle susceptible to such traps. We therefore performed pooled CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells treated with various chemotherapies to map the drug-dependent genetic basis of fitness trade-offs, a concept known as antagonistic pleiotropy (AP). We identified a PRC2-NSD2/3-mediated MYC regulatory axis as a drug-induced AP pathway whose ability to confer resistance to bromodomain inhibition and sensitivity to BCL-2 inhibition templates an evolutionary trap. Across diverse AML cell-line and patient-derived xenograft models, we find that acquisition of resistance to bromodomain inhibition through this pathway exposes coincident hypersensitivity to BCL-2 inhibition. Thus, drug-induced AP can be leveraged to design evolutionary traps that selectively target drug resistance in cancer.
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39
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Patel SP, Harkins RA, Lee MJ, Flowers CR, Koff JL. Using Informatics Tools to Identify Opportunities for Precision Medicine in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2020; 20:234-243.e10. [PMID: 32063526 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2019.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is genetically and clinically heterogeneous. Despite advances in genomic subtyping, standard frontline chemoimmunotherapy has remained unchanged for years. As high-throughput analysis becomes more accessible, characterizing drug-gene interactions in DLBCL could support patient-specific treatment strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS From our systematic literature review, we compiled a comprehensive list of somatic mutations implicated in DLBCL. We extracted reported and primary sequencing data for these mutations and assessed their association with signaling pathways, cell-of-origin subtypes, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS Twenty-two targetable mutations present in ≥ 5% of patients with DLBCL were associated with unfavorable outcomes, yielding a predicted population of 31.7% of DLBCL cases with poor-risk disease and candidacy for targeted therapy. A second review identified 256 studies that had characterized the drug-gene interactions for these mutations via in vitro studies, mouse models, and/or clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS Our novel approach linking the data from our systematic reviews with informatics tools identified high-risk DLBCL subgroups, DLBCL-specific drug-gene interactions, and potential populations for precision medicine trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jean L Koff
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
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40
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Kump KJ, Miao L, Mady ASA, Ansari NH, Shrestha UK, Yang Y, Pal M, Liao C, Perdih A, Abulwerdi FA, Chinnaswamy K, Meagher JL, Carlson JM, Khanna M, Stuckey JA, Nikolovska-Coleska Z. Discovery and Characterization of 2,5-Substituted Benzoic Acid Dual Inhibitors of the Anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 and Bfl-1 Proteins. J Med Chem 2020; 63:2489-2510. [PMID: 31971799 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins are overexpressed in a wide spectrum of cancers and have become well validated therapeutic targets. Cancer cells display survival dependence on individual or subsets of anti-apoptotic proteins that could be effectively targeted by multimodal inhibitors. We designed a 2,5-substituted benzoic acid scaffold that displayed equipotent binding to Mcl-1 and Bfl-1. Structure-based design was guided by several solved cocrystal structures with Mcl-1, leading to the development of compound 24, which binds both Mcl-1 and Bfl-1 with Ki values of 100 nM and shows appreciable selectivity over Bcl-2/Bcl-xL. The selective binding profile of 24 was translated to on-target cellular activity in model lymphoma cell lines. These studies lay a foundation for developing more advanced dual Mcl-1/Bfl-1 inhibitors that have potential to provide greater single agent efficacy and broader coverage to combat resistance in several types of cancer than selective Mcl-1 inhibitors alone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Andrej Perdih
- National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | | | | | | | - Jacob M Carlson
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States.,Center for Innovation in Brain Science, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - May Khanna
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States.,Center for Innovation in Brain Science, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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41
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review highlights the importance of the Bcl-2 family members in lymphoma cell survival and discusses the approaches to modulate their function, directly or indirectly, to advance lymphoma therapeutics. RECENT FINDINGS The balance of cell death versus survival is ultimately leveraged at the mitochondria. Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) is the critical event that governs the release of pro-apoptotic molecules from the intermembrane mitochondrial space. MOMP is achieved through the coordinated actions of pro- and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member proteins. Recognition of functional alterations among the Bcl-2 family member proteins led to identification of tractable targets to combat hematologic malignancies. A new class of drugs, termed BH3 mimetics, was introduced in the clinic. Venetoclax, a Bcl-2 inhibitor, received regulatory approvals in therapy of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. Alternative pro-survival Bcl-2 family proteins, in particular Mcl-1, have been successfully targeted in preclinical studies using novel-specific BH3 mimetics. Finally, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members may be targeted indirectly, via interference with the pro-survival signaling pathways, e.g., phosphoinotiside-3 kinase, B-cell receptor signaling, and NF-κB.
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42
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Bechter O, Schöffski P. Make your best BET: The emerging role of BET inhibitor treatment in malignant tumors. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 208:107479. [PMID: 31931101 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomains are protein-protein interaction modules with a great diversity in terms of number of proteins and their function. The bromodomain and extraterminal protein (BET) represents a distinct subclass of bromodomain proteins mainly involved in transcriptional regulation via their interaction with acetylated chromatin. In cancer cells BET proteins are found to be altered in many ways such as overexpression, mutations and fusions of BET proteins or their interference with cancer relevant signaling pathways and transcriptional programs in order to sustain cancer growth and viability. Blocking BET protein function with small molecules is associated with therapeutic activity. Consequently, a variety of small molecules have been developed and a number of phase I clinical trials have explored their tolerability and efficacy in patients with solid tumors and hematological malignancies. We will review the rational for applying BET inhibitors in the clinic and we will discuss the toxicity profile as well as efficacy of this new class of protein inhibitors. We will also highlight the emerging problem of treatment resistance and the potential these drugs might have when combined with other anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Bechter
- Leuven Cancer Institute, Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Patrick Schöffski
- Leuven Cancer Institute, Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU, Leuven, Belgium.
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43
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Sermer D, Pasqualucci L, Wendel HG, Melnick A, Younes A. Emerging epigenetic-modulating therapies in lymphoma. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019; 16:494-507. [PMID: 30837715 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-019-0190-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite considerable advances in the treatment of lymphoma, the prognosis of patients with relapsed and/or refractory disease continues to be poor; thus, a continued need exists for the development of novel approaches and therapies. Epigenetic dysregulation might drive and/or promote tumorigenesis in various types of malignancies and is prevalent in both B cell and T cell lymphomas. Over the past decade, a large number of epigenetic-modifying agents have been developed and introduced into the clinical management of patients with haematological malignancies. In this Review, we provide a concise overview of the most promising epigenetic therapies for the treatment of lymphomas, including inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs), DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2), bromodomain and extra-terminal domain proteins (BETs), protein arginine N-methyltransferases (PRMTs) and isocitrate dehydrogenases (IDHs), and highlight the most promising future directions of research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Sermer
- Department of Medicine, Lymphoma Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura Pasqualucci
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hans-Guido Wendel
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ari Melnick
- Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anas Younes
- Department of Medicine, Lymphoma Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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44
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Ribeiro ML, Reyes-Garau D, Armengol M, Fernández-Serrano M, Roué G. Recent Advances in the Targeting of Epigenetic Regulators in B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Front Genet 2019; 10:986. [PMID: 31681423 PMCID: PMC6807552 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last 10 years, major advances have been made in the diagnosis and development of selective therapies for several blood cancers, including B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), a heterogeneous group of malignancies arising from the mature B lymphocyte compartment. However, most of these entities remain incurable and current treatments are associated with variable efficacy, several adverse events, and frequent relapses. Thus, new diagnostic paradigms and novel therapeutic options are required to improve the prognosis of patients with B-NHL. With the recent deciphering of the mutational landscapes of B-cell disorders by high-throughput sequencing, it came out that different epigenetic deregulations might drive and/or promote B lymphomagenesis. Consistently, over the last decade, numerous epigenetic drugs (or epidrugs) have emerged in the clinical management of B-NHL patients. In this review, we will present an overview of the most relevant epidrugs tested and/or used so far for the treatment of different subtypes of B-NHL, from first-generation epigenetic therapies like histone acetyl transferases (HDACs) or DNA-methyl transferases (DNMTs) inhibitors to new agents showing selectivity for proteins that are mutated, translocated, and/or overexpressed in these diseases, including EZH2, BET, and PRMT. We will dissect the mechanisms of action of these epigenetic inhibitors, as well as the molecular processes underlying their lack of efficacy in refractory patients. This review will also provide a summary of the latest strategies being employed in preclinical and clinical settings, and will point out the most promising lines of investigation in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo L. Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Molecular Biology, Sao Francisco University Medical School, Braganca Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diana Reyes-Garau
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Armengol
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miranda Fernández-Serrano
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gaël Roué
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Reyes-Garau D, Ribeiro ML, Roué G. Pharmacological Targeting of BET Bromodomain Proteins in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Malignant Lymphomas: From Molecular Characterization to Clinical Applications. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101483. [PMID: 31581671 PMCID: PMC6826405 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in protein-protein and DNA-protein interactions and abnormal chromatin remodeling are a major cause of uncontrolled gene transcription and constitutive activation of critical signaling pathways in cancer cells. Multiple epigenetic regulators are known to be deregulated in several hematologic neoplasms, by somatic mutation, amplification, or deletion, allowing the identification of specific epigenetic signatures, but at the same time providing new therapeutic opportunities. While these vulnerabilities have been traditionally addressed by hypomethylating agents or histone deacetylase inhibitors, pharmacological targeting of bromodomain-containing proteins has recently emerged as a promising approach in a number of lymphoid and myeloid malignancies. Indeed, preclinical and clinical studies highlight the relevance of targeting the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family as an efficient strategy of target transcription irrespective of the presence of epigenetic mutations. Here we will summarize the main advances achieved in the last decade regarding the preclinical and clinical evaluation of BET bromodomain inhibitors in hematologic cancers, either as monotherapies or in combinations with standard and/or experimental agents. A mention will finally be given to the new concept of the protein degrader, and the perspective it holds for the design of bromodomain-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Reyes-Garau
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marcelo L Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Molecular Biology, Sao Francisco University Medical School, Braganca Paulista, São Paulo 12916-900, Brazil.
| | - Gaël Roué
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
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Michaelis M, Wass MN, Cinatl J. Drug-adapted cancer cell lines as preclinical models of acquired resistance. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2019; 2:447-456. [PMID: 35582596 PMCID: PMC8992517 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2019.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Acquired resistance formation limits the efficacy of anti-cancer therapies. Acquired and intrinsic resistance differ conceptually. Acquired resistance is the consequence of directed evolution, whereas intrinsic resistance depends on the (stochastic) presence of pre-existing resistance mechanisms. Preclinical model systems are needed to study acquired drug resistance because they enable: (1) in depth functional studies; (2) the investigation of non-standard treatments for a certain disease condition (which is necessary to identify small groups of responders); and (3) the comparison of multiple therapies in the same system. Hence, they complement data derived from clinical trials and clinical specimens, including liquid biopsies. Many groups have successfully used drug-adapted cancer cell lines to identify and elucidate clinically relevant resistance mechanisms to targeted and cytotoxic anti-cancer drugs. Hence, we argue that drug-adapted cancer cell lines represent a preclinical model system in their own right that is complementary to other preclinical model systems and clinical data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Michaelis
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Mark N Wass
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Zhou Y, Xu Z, Lin W, Duan Y, Lu C, Liu W, Su W, Yan Y, Liu H, Liu L, Zhong M, Zhou J, Zhu H. Comprehensive Genomic Profiling of EBV-Positive Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma and the Expression and Clinicopathological Correlations of Some Related Genes. Front Oncol 2019; 9:683. [PMID: 31403034 PMCID: PMC6669985 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (EBV+ DLBCL) is a rare type of lymphoma with a high incidence in elderly patients, poor drug response, and unfavorable prognosis. Despite advances in genomic profiling and precision medicine in DLBCL, EBV+ DLBCL remain poorly characterized and understood. We include 236 DLBCL patients for EBV-encoded mRNA (EBER) in situ hybridization detection and analyzed 9 EBV+ and 6 EBV negative cases by next-generation sequencing (NGS). We then performed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to analyze chromosome rearrangements and gene expressions in 22 EBV+ and 30 EBV negative cases. The EBER results showed a 9.3% (22/236) positive rate. The NGS results revealed recurrent alterations in MYC and RHOA, components of apoptosis and NF-κB pathways. The most frequently mutated genes in EBV+ DLBCL were MYC (3/9; 33.3%), RHOA (3/9; 33.3%), PIM1 (2/9; 22.2%), MEF2B (2/9; 22.2%), MYD88 (2/9; 22.2%), and CD79B (2/9; 22.2%) compared with KMT2D (4/6; 66.7%), CREBBP (3/6; 50.0%), PIM1 (2/6; 33.3%), TNFAIP3 (2/6; 33.3%), and BCL2 (2/6; 33.3%) in EBV-negative DLBCL. MYC and KMT2D alterations stood out the most differently mutated genes between the two groups. FISH detection displayed a lower rearrangement rate in EBV+ cohort. Furthermore, KMT2D expression was highly expressed and associated with poor survival in both cohorts. MYC was only overexpressed and related to an inferior prognosis in the EBV+ DLBCL cohort. In summary, we depicted a distinct mutation profile for EBV+ and EBV-negative DLBCL and validated the differential expression of KMT2D and MYC with potential prognostic influence, thereby providing new perspectives into the pathogenesis and precision medicine of DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangying Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhijie Xu
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yumei Duan
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Can Lu
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weiping Su
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuanliang Yan
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Meizuo Zhong
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jianhua Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Bisaillon R, Moison C, Thiollier C, Krosl J, Bordeleau ME, Lehnertz B, Lavallée VP, MacRae T, Mayotte N, Labelle C, Boucher G, Spinella JF, Boivin I, D’Angelo G, Lavallée S, Marinier A, Lemieux S, Hébert J, Sauvageau G. Genetic characterization of ABT-199 sensitivity in human AML. Leukemia 2019; 34:63-74. [DOI: 10.1038/s41375-019-0485-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Li W, Gupta SK, Han W, Kundson RA, Nelson S, Knutson D, Greipp PT, Elsawa SF, Sotomayor EM, Gupta M. Targeting MYC activity in double-hit lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements with epigenetic bromodomain inhibitors. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:73. [PMID: 31288832 PMCID: PMC6617630 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0761-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Double/triple-hit lymphomas (DHL/THL) account for 5–10% of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with rearrangement of MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 resulting in MYC overexpression. Despite the poor prognosis of DHL, R-CHOP chemotherapy remains the treatment backbone and new targeted therapy is needed. We performed comprehensive cytogenetic studies/fluorescence in situ hybridization on DLBCL and Burkitt lymphoma cell lines (n = 11) to identify the DHL/THL DLBCL in vitro model. We identified MYC/IG in Raji and Ramos (single hit); MYC/IG-BCL2 (DHL) in DOHH2, OCI-LY1, SUDHL2, and OCI-LY10; MYC/IG-BCL2/BCL6 (THL) in VAL; and no MYC rearrangement in U2932 and HBL1 (WT-MYC). Targeting MYC in the DHL/THL DLBCLs through bromodomain extra-terminal inhibitors (BETi) (JQ1, I-BET, and OTX015) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced proliferation, similar to WT-MYC cells, accompanied by decreased MYC but not BCL2 protein. Moreover, BETi suppressed MYC transcription and decreased BRD4 binding to MYC promoter in DHL cells. CD47 and PD-L1 are immunoregulatory molecules often expressed on tumors and regulated by MYC. High levels of surface CD47 but not surface PD-L1 was observed in DHL/THL, which was reduced by JQ1 treatment. BETi in combination with Pan-HDAC inhibitor had a limited effect on survival of DHL/THL, while combination of BETi and BCL2 inhibitor (ABT-199) had a significant (p < 0.005) inhibitory effect on survival followed by BCL-XL inhibition. Overall, the data suggests that MYC-expressing DLBCLs are probably addicted to the MYC-oncogenic effect regardless of MYC rearrangements. In summary, we identified an in vitro model for DHL/THL DLBCLs and provide evidence for the therapeutic potential of BET inhibitor alone or in combination with BCL2 inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiping Li
- Department of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Shiv K Gupta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Weiguo Han
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Ryan A Kundson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sara Nelson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Darlene Knutson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Patricia T Greipp
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sherine F Elsawa
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Eduardo M Sotomayor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, GW Cancer Center, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Mamta Gupta
- Department of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, GW Cancer Center, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
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Abstract
Less than a decade ago, it was shown that bromodomains, acetyl lysine 'reader' modules found in proteins with varied functions, were highly tractable small-molecule targets. This is an unusual property for protein-protein or protein-peptide interaction domains, and it prompted a wave of chemical probe discovery to understand the biological potential of new agents that targeted bromodomains. The original examples, inhibitors of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) class of bromodomains, showed enticing anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities, and several compounds have since advanced to human clinical trials. Here, we review the current state of BET inhibitor biology in relation to clinical development, and we discuss the next wave of bromodomain inhibitors with clinical potential in oncology and non-oncology indications. The lessons learned from BET inhibitor programmes should affect efforts to develop drugs that target non-BET bromodomains and other epigenetic readers.
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