1
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Jenkins LJ, Luk IY, Chionh F, Tan T, Needham K, Ayton J, Reehorst CM, Vukelic N, Sieber OM, Mouradov D, Gibbs P, Williams DS, Tebbutt NC, Desai J, Hollande F, Dhillon AS, Lee EF, Merino D, Fairlie WD, Mariadason JM. BCL-X L inhibitors enhance the apoptotic efficacy of BRAF inhibitors in BRAF V600E colorectal cancer. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:183. [PMID: 38429301 PMCID: PMC10907349 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06478-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Metastatic BRAFV600E colorectal cancer (CRC) carries an extremely poor prognosis and is in urgent need of effective new treatments. While the BRAFV600E inhibitor encorafenib in combination with the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab (Enc+Cet) was recently approved for this indication, overall survival is only increased by 3.6 months and objective responses are observed in only 20% of patients. We have found that a limitation of Enc+Cet treatment is the failure to efficiently induce apoptosis in BRAFV600E CRCs, despite inducing expression of the pro-apoptotic protein BIM and repressing expression of the pro-survival protein MCL-1. Here, we show that BRAFV600E CRCs express high basal levels of the pro-survival proteins MCL-1 and BCL-XL, and that combining encorafenib with a BCL-XL inhibitor significantly enhances apoptosis in BRAFV600E CRC cell lines. This effect was partially dependent on the induction of BIM, as BIM deletion markedly attenuated BRAF plus BCL-XL inhibitor-induced apoptosis. As thrombocytopenia is an established on-target toxicity of BCL-XL inhibition, we also examined the effect of combining encorafenib with the BCL-XL -targeting PROTAC DT2216, and the novel BCL-2/BCL-XL inhibitor dendrimer conjugate AZD0466. Combining encorafenib with DT2216 significantly increased apoptosis induction in vitro, while combining encorafenib with AZD0466 was well tolerated in mice and further reduced growth of BRAFV600E CRC xenografts compared to either agent alone. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that combined BRAF and BCL-XL inhibition significantly enhances apoptosis in pre-clinical models of BRAFV600E CRC and is a combination regimen worthy of clinical investigation to improve outcomes for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Jenkins
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ian Y Luk
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Fiona Chionh
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tao Tan
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kristen Needham
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jamieson Ayton
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Camilla M Reehorst
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Natalia Vukelic
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Oliver M Sieber
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Dmitri Mouradov
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter Gibbs
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David S Williams
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Pathology, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Niall C Tebbutt
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jayesh Desai
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Frédéric Hollande
- Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Amardeep S Dhillon
- The institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Erinna F Lee
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Delphine Merino
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - W Douglas Fairlie
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - John M Mariadason
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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2
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Li Y, Yan B, He S. Advances and challenges in the treatment of lung cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 169:115891. [PMID: 37979378 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115891] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer accounts for a relatively high proportion of malignant tumors. As the most prevalent type of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality. Presently, the arsenal of treatment strategies encompasses surgical resection, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and radiotherapy. However, despite these options, the prognosis remains distressingly poor with a low 5-year survival rate. Therefore, it is urgent to pursue a paradigm shift in treatment methodologies. In recent years, the advent of sophisticated biotechnologies and interdisciplinary integration has provided innovative approaches for the treatment of lung cancer. This article reviews the cutting-edge developments in the nano drug delivery system, molecular targeted treatment system, photothermal treatment strategy, and immunotherapy for lung cancer. Overall, by systematically summarizing and critically analyzing the latest progress and current challenges in these treatment strategies of lung cancer, we aim to provide a theoretical basis for the development of novel drugs for lung cancer treatment, and thus improve the therapeutic outcomes for lung cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Li
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingshuo Yan
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiming He
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Fitzgerald MC, O'Halloran PJ, Kerrane SA, Ní Chonghaile T, Connolly NMC, Murphy BM. The identification of BCL-XL and MCL-1 as key anti-apoptotic proteins in medulloblastoma that mediate distinct roles in chemotherapy resistance. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:705. [PMID: 37898609 PMCID: PMC10613306 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06231-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant paediatric brain tumour, representing 20% of all paediatric intercranial tumours. Current aggressive treatment protocols and the use of radiation therapy in particular are associated with high levels of toxicity and significant adverse effects, and long-term sequelae can be severe. Therefore, improving chemotherapy efficacy could reduce the current reliance on radiation therapy. Here, we demonstrated that systems-level analysis of basal apoptosis protein expression and their signalling interactions can differentiate between medulloblastoma cell lines that undergo apoptosis in response to chemotherapy, and those that do not. Combining computational predictions with experimental BH3 profiling, we identified a therapeutically-exploitable dependence of medulloblastoma cells on BCL-XL, and experimentally validated that BCL-XL targeting, and not targeting of BCL-2 or MCL-1, can potentiate cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in medulloblastoma cell lines with low sensitivity to cisplatin treatment. Finally, we identified MCL-1 as an anti-apoptotic mediator whose targeting is required for BCL-XL inhibitor-induced apoptosis. Collectively, our study identifies that BCL-XL and MCL-1 are the key anti-apoptotic proteins in medulloblastoma, which mediate distinct protective roles. While BCL-XL has a first-line role in protecting cells from apoptosis basally, MCL-1 represents a second line of defence that compensates for BCL-XL upon its inhibition. We provide rationale for the further evaluation of BCL-XL and MCL-1 inhibitors in the treatment of medulloblastoma, and together with current efforts to improve the cancer-specificity of BCL-2 family inhibitors, these novel treatment strategies have the potential to improve the future clinical management of medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claire Fitzgerald
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 31A York Street, Dublin, D02 YN77, Ireland
- National Children's Research Centre at the Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, D12 N512, Ireland
| | - Philip J O'Halloran
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 31A York Street, Dublin, D02 YN77, Ireland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sean A Kerrane
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 31A York Street, Dublin, D02 YN77, Ireland
- National Children's Research Centre at the Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, D12 N512, Ireland
| | - Triona Ní Chonghaile
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 31A York Street, Dublin, D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Niamh M C Connolly
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 31A York Street, Dublin, D02 YN77, Ireland
- Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 31A York Street, Dublin, D02 YN77, Ireland
| | - Brona M Murphy
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 31A York Street, Dublin, D02 YN77, Ireland.
- National Children's Research Centre at the Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, D12 N512, Ireland.
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4
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Jia Y, Han L, Ramage CL, Wang Z, Weng CC, Yang L, Colla S, Ma H, Zhang W, Andreeff M, Daver N, Jain N, Pemmaraju N, Bhalla K, Mustjoki S, Zhang P, Zheng G, Zhou D, Zhang Q, Konopleva M. Co-targeting BCL-XL and BCL-2 by PROTAC 753B eliminates leukemia cells and enhances efficacy of chemotherapy by targeting senescent cells. Haematologica 2023; 108:2626-2638. [PMID: 37078252 PMCID: PMC10542840 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2022.281915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BCL-XL and BCL-2 are key anti-apoptotic proteins and validated cancer targets. 753B is a novel BCL-XL/BCL-2 proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) that targets both BCL-XL and BCL-2 to the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ligase, leading to BCLX L/BCL-2 ubiquitination and degradation selectively in cells expressing VHL. Because platelets lack VHL expression, 753B spares on-target platelet toxicity caused by the first-generation dual BCL-XL/BCL-2 inhibitor navitoclax (ABT-263). Here, we report pre-clinical single-agent activity of 753B against different leukemia subsets. 753B effectively reduced cell viability and induced dose-dependent degradation of BCL-XL and BCL-2 in a subset of hematopoietic cell lines, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) primary samples, and in vivo patient-derived xenograft AML models. We further demonstrated the senolytic activity of 753B, which enhanced the efficacy of chemotherapy by targeting chemotherapy-induced cellular senescence. These results provide a pre-clinical rationale for the utility of 753B in AML therapy, and suggest that 753B could produce an added therapeutic benefit by overcoming cellular senescence-induced chemoresistance when combined with chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannan Jia
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
| | - Lina Han
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Cassandra L Ramage
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Connie C Weng
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Simona Colla
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Helen Ma
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Weiguo Zhang
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Michael Andreeff
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Naval Daver
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Nitin Jain
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Kapil Bhalla
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Satu Mustjoki
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer center, Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki
| | - Peiyi Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Guangrong Zheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Daohong Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
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5
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Chiou JT, Wu YY, Lee YC, Chang LS. BCL2L1 inhibitor A-1331852 inhibits MCL1 transcription and triggers apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115738. [PMID: 37562509 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
BH3 mimetics exert anticancer activity by inhibiting anti-apoptotic BCL2 proteins. However, accumulating evidence indicates that the off-target effects of these drugs tightly modulates their anticancer activities. In this study, we investigated whether the BCL2L1 inhibitor A-1331852 induced the death of U937 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells through a non-BCL2L1-targeted effect. A-1331852-induced apoptosis in U937 cells was characterized by increased ROS production, downregulation of MCL1, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Ectopic expression of MCL1 alleviated A-1331852-induced mitochondrial depolarization and cytotoxicity in U937 cells. A-1331852-induced ROS production increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation and inhibited MCL1 transcription. Inhibition of p38 MAPK activation restored MCL1 expression in A-1331852-treated cells. A-1331852 triggered p38 MAPK-mediated Cullin 3 downregulation, which in turn increased PP2Acα expression, thereby reducing CREB phosphorylation. A-1331852 reduced the binding of CREB to the MCL1 promoter, leading to the inhibition of CREB-mediated MCL1 transcription. Furthermore, A-1331852 acted synergistically with the BCL2 inhibitor ABT-199 to induce U937 and ABT-199-resistant U937 cell death by inhibiting MCL1 expression. A similar phenomenon caused A-1331852-induced MCL1 downregulation and cytotoxicity in AML HL-60 cells. Collectively, our data suggest that A-1331852 shows an off-target effect of inhibiting MCL1 transcription, ultimately leading to U937 and HL-60 cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Ting Chiou
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ying Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Chin Lee
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Long-Sen Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
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6
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Potter DS, Du R, Bohl SR, Chow KH, Ligon KL, Bueno R, Letai A. Dynamic BH3 profiling identifies pro-apoptotic drug combinations for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2897. [PMID: 37210412 PMCID: PMC10199949 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38552-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has relatively ineffective first/second-line therapy for advanced disease and only 18% five-year survival for early disease. Drug-induced mitochondrial priming measured by dynamic BH3 profiling identifies efficacious drugs in multiple disease settings. We use high throughput dynamic BH3 profiling (HTDBP) to identify drug combinations that prime primary MPM cells derived from patient tumors, which also prime patient derived xenograft (PDX) models. A navitoclax (BCL-xL/BCL-2/BCL-w antagonist) and AZD8055 (mTORC1/2 inhibitor) combination demonstrates efficacy in vivo in an MPM PDX model, validating HTDBP as an approach to identify efficacious drug combinations. Mechanistic investigation reveals AZD8055 treatment decreases MCL-1 protein levels, increases BIM protein levels, and increases MPM mitochondrial dependence on BCL-xL, which is exploited by navitoclax. Navitoclax treatment increases dependency on MCL-1 and increases BIM protein levels. These findings demonstrate that HTDBP can be used as a functional precision medicine tool to rationally construct combination drug regimens in MPM and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle S Potter
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Ruochen Du
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Stephan R Bohl
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Kin-Hoe Chow
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Center for Patient Derived Models, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Keith L Ligon
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Center for Patient Derived Models, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Raphael Bueno
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Anthony Letai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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7
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Kong S, Moharil P, Handly-Santana A, Boehnke N, Panayiotou R, Gomerdinger V, Covarrubias G, Pires IS, Zervantonakis I, Brugge J, Hammond PT. Synergistic combination therapy delivered via layer-by-layer nanoparticles induces solid tumor regression of ovarian cancer. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10429. [PMID: 36925689 PMCID: PMC10013771 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of patients with high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) develop recurrent disease and chemotherapy resistance. To identify drug combinations that would be effective in treatment of chemotherapy resistant disease, we examined the efficacy of drug combinations that target the three antiapoptotic proteins most commonly expressed in HGSOC-BCL2, BCL-XL, and MCL1. Co-inhibition of BCL2 and BCL-XL (ABT-263) with inhibition of MCL1 (S63845) induces potent synergistic cytotoxicity in multiple HGSOC models. Since this drug combination is predicted to be toxic to patients due to the known clinical morbidities of each drug, we developed layer-by-layer nanoparticles (LbL NPs) that co-encapsulate these inhibitors in order to target HGSOC tumor cells and reduce systemic toxicities. We show that the LbL NPs can be designed to have high association with specific ovarian tumor cell types targeted in these studies, thus enabling a more selective uptake when delivered via intraperitoneal injection. Treatment with these LbL NPs displayed better potency than free drugs in vitro and resulted in near-complete elimination of solid tumor metastases of ovarian cancer xenografts. Thus, these results support the exploration of LbL NPs as a strategy to deliver potent drug combinations to recurrent HGSOC. While these findings are described for co-encapsulation of a BCL2/XL and a MCL1 inhibitor, the modular nature of LbL assembly provides flexibility in the range of therapies that can be incorporated, making LbL NPs an adaptable vehicle for delivery of additional combinations of pathway inhibitors and other oncology drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Kong
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Massachusetts United States.,Department of Chemical Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Massachusetts United States
| | - Pearl Moharil
- Harvard Medical School Harvard University Boston Massachusetts United States
| | | | - Natalie Boehnke
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Massachusetts United States
| | - Richard Panayiotou
- Harvard Medical School Harvard University Boston Massachusetts United States
| | - Victoria Gomerdinger
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Massachusetts United States.,Department of Chemical Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Massachusetts United States
| | - Gil Covarrubias
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Massachusetts United States
| | - Ivan S Pires
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Massachusetts United States.,Department of Chemical Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Massachusetts United States
| | - Ioannis Zervantonakis
- Harvard Medical School Harvard University Boston Massachusetts United States.,Department of Bioengineering University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania United States
| | - Joan Brugge
- Harvard Medical School Harvard University Boston Massachusetts United States
| | - Paula T Hammond
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Massachusetts United States.,Department of Chemical Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Massachusetts United States
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8
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Khan S, Kellish P, Connis N, Thummuri D, Wiegand J, Zhang P, Zhang X, Budamagunta V, Hua N, Yang Y, De U, Jin L, Zhang W, Zheng G, Hromas R, Hann C, Zajac-Kaye M, Kaye FJ, Zhou D. Co-targeting BCL-X L and MCL-1 with DT2216 and AZD8055 synergistically inhibit small-cell lung cancer growth without causing on-target toxicities in mice. Cell Death Dis 2023; 9:1. [PMID: 36588105 PMCID: PMC9806104 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01296-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited therapeutic options. The dismal prognosis in SCLC is in part associated with an upregulation of BCL-2 family anti-apoptotic proteins, including BCL-XL and MCL-1. Unfortunately, the currently available inhibitors of BCL-2 family anti-apoptotic proteins, except BCL-2 inhibitors, are not clinically relevant because of various on-target toxicities. We, therefore, aimed to develop an effective and safe strategy targeting these anti-apoptotic proteins with DT2216 (our platelet-sparing BCL-XL degrader) and AZD8055 (an mTOR inhibitor) to avoid associated on-target toxicities while synergistically optimizing tumor response. Through BH3 mimetic screening, we identified a subset of SCLC cell lines that is co-dependent on BCL-XL and MCL-1. After screening inhibitors of selected tumorigenic pathways, we found that AZD8055 selectively downregulates MCL-1 in SCLC cells and its combination with DT2216 synergistically killed BCL-XL/MCL-1 co-dependent SCLC cells, but not normal cells. Mechanistically, the combination caused BCL-XL degradation and suppression of MCL-1 expression, and thus disrupted MCL-1 interaction with BIM leading to an enhanced apoptotic induction. In vivo, the DT2216 + AZD8055 combination significantly inhibited the growth of cell line-derived and patient-derived xenografts and reduced tumor burden accompanied by increased survival in a genetically engineered mouse model of SCLC without causing appreciable thrombocytopenia or other normal tissue injuries. Thus, these preclinical findings lay a strong foundation for future clinical studies to test DT2216 + mTOR inhibitor combinations in a subset of SCLC patients whose tumors are co-driven by BCL-XL and MCL-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajid Khan
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA. .,Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA. .,Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Patrick Kellish
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA ,grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Nick Connis
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Dinesh Thummuri
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Janet Wiegand
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Peiyi Zhang
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Xuan Zhang
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Vivekananda Budamagunta
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA ,grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, Genetics Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA ,grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Nan Hua
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Yang Yang
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX USA ,grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Umasankar De
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Lingtao Jin
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Molecular Medicine, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Weizhou Zhang
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Guangrong Zheng
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Robert Hromas
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Medicine, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Christine Hann
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Maria Zajac-Kaye
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Frederic J. Kaye
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Daohong Zhou
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX USA ,grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX USA ,grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
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9
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Noxa and Mcl-1 expression influence the sensitivity to BH3-mimetics that target Bcl-xL in patient-derived glioma stem cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17729. [PMID: 36273072 PMCID: PMC9587994 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20910-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The recurrence of Glioblastoma is partly attributed to the highly resistant subpopulation of glioma stem cells. A novel therapeutic approach focuses on restoring apoptotic programs in these cancer stem cells, as they are often deregulated. BH3-mimetics, targeting anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members, are emerging as promising compounds to sensitize cancer cells to antineoplastic treatments. Herein, we determined that the most abundantly expressed anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1, are the most relevant in regulating patient-derived glioma stem cell survival. We exposed these cells to routinely used chemotherapeutic drugs and BH3-mimetics (ABT-263, WEHI-539, and S63845). We observed that the combination of BH3-mimetics targeting Bcl-xL with chemotherapeutic agents caused a marked increase in cell death and that this sensitivity to Bcl-xL inhibition correlated with Noxa expression levels. Interestingly, whereas co-targeting Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 led to massive cell death in all tested cell lines, down-regulation of Noxa promoted cell survival only in cell lines expressing higher levels of this BH3-only. Therefore, in glioma stem cells, the efficacy of Bcl-xL inhibition is closely associated with Mcl-1 activity and Noxa expression. Hence, a potentially effective strategy would consist of combining Bcl-xL inhibitors with chemotherapeutic agents capable of inducing Noxa, taking advantage of this pro-apoptotic factor.
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10
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Koessinger AL, Cloix C, Koessinger D, Heiland DH, Bock FJ, Strathdee K, Kinch K, Martínez-Escardó L, Paul NR, Nixon C, Malviya G, Jackson MR, Campbell KJ, Stevenson K, Davis S, Elmasry Y, Ahmed A, O'Prey J, Ichim G, Schnell O, Stewart W, Blyth K, Ryan KM, Chalmers AJ, Norman JC, Tait SWG. Increased apoptotic sensitivity of glioblastoma enables therapeutic targeting by BH3-mimetics. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:2089-2104. [PMID: 35473984 PMCID: PMC9525582 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-01001-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent malignant primary brain tumour in adults. GBM typically has a poor prognosis, mainly due to a lack of effective treatment options leading to tumour persistence or recurrence. We investigated the therapeutic potential of targeting anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins in GBM. Levels of anti-apoptotic BCL-xL and MCL-1 were consistently increased in GBM compared with non-malignant cells and tissue. Moreover, we found that relative to their differentiated counterparts, patient-derived GBM stem-like cells also displayed higher expression of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family members. High anti-apoptotic BCL-xL and MCL-1 expression correlated with heightened susceptibility of GBM to BCL-2 family protein-targeting BH3-mimetics. This is indicative of increased apoptotic priming. Indeed, GBM displayed an obligate requirement for MCL-1 expression in both tumour development and maintenance. Investigating this apoptotic sensitivity, we found that sequential inhibition of BCL-xL and MCL-1 led to robust anti-tumour responses in vivo, in the absence of overt toxicity. These data demonstrate that BCL-xL and MCL-1 pro-survival function is a fundamental prerequisite for GBM survival that can be therapeutically exploited by BH3-mimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Koessinger
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Catherine Cloix
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Dominik Koessinger
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Centre, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 64, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dieter Henrik Heiland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Centre, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 64, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Florian J Bock
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Department of Radiotherapy (MAASTRO), GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Karen Strathdee
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Kevin Kinch
- Department of Neuropathology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Laura Martínez-Escardó
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Nikki R Paul
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Colin Nixon
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Gaurav Malviya
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Mark R Jackson
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Kirsteen J Campbell
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Katrina Stevenson
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Sandeep Davis
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Yassmin Elmasry
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Asma Ahmed
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Jim O'Prey
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Gabriel Ichim
- Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL) INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France
| | - Oliver Schnell
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Centre, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 64, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - William Stewart
- Department of Neuropathology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Karen Blyth
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Kevin M Ryan
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Anthony J Chalmers
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Jim C Norman
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Stephen W G Tait
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK.
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK.
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11
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Mivebresib synergized with PZ703b, a novel Bcl-xl PROTAC degrader, induces apoptosis in bladder cancer cells via the mitochondrial pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 623:120-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.07.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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12
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Dual inhibition of BCL2L1 and MCL1 is highly effective against RET fusion-positive or MET exon 14 skipping mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 630:24-29. [PMID: 36126466 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs), especially lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs), harbor several driver mutations against which highly effective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are available. Although TKIs are generally effective against certain NSCLCs, primary or acquired resistance almost always develops. Driver mutations include RET fusion (∼1-2% of NSCLC cases) and MET exon 14 skipping mutation (METΔex14; ∼3-4%). Surprisingly, the LUAD cell line LC-2/ad with CCDC6-RET fusion thrived independently of RET signaling, and Hs-746T cells harboring METΔex14 plus amplification survived MET silencing. However, these two cell lines were highly sensitive to dual silencing of the representative anti-apoptotic BCL2 family members BCL2L1 and MCL1, undergoing extensive apoptosis in monolayer or 3D on-top culture systems. Moreover, we found that most LUAD cell lines and tissues expressed high levels of BCL2L1 and MCL1 mRNA but extremely low levels of BCL2. Together, these findings suggest that inhibiting BCL2L1 plus MCL1 may represent a new approach to treating LUAD cells irrespective of their driver mutations.
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13
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Lai HT, Naumova N, Marchais A, Gaspar N, Geoerger B, Brenner C. Insight into the interplay between mitochondria-regulated cell death and energetic metabolism in osteosarcoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:948097. [PMID: 36072341 PMCID: PMC9441498 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.948097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a pediatric malignant bone tumor that predominantly affects adolescent and young adults. It has high risk for relapse and over the last four decades no improvement of prognosis was achieved. It is therefore crucial to identify new drug candidates for OS treatment to combat drug resistance, limit relapse, and stop metastatic spread. Two acquired hallmarks of cancer cells, mitochondria-related regulated cell death (RCD) and metabolism are intimately connected. Both have been shown to be dysregulated in OS, making them attractive targets for novel treatment. Promising OS treatment strategies focus on promoting RCD by targeting key molecular actors in metabolic reprogramming. The exact interplay in OS, however, has not been systematically analyzed. We therefore review these aspects by synthesizing current knowledge in apoptosis, ferroptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy in OS. Additionally, we outline an overview of mitochondrial function and metabolic profiles in different preclinical OS models. Finally, we discuss the mechanism of action of two novel molecule combinations currently investigated in active clinical trials: metformin and the combination of ADI-PEG20, Docetaxel and Gemcitabine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Toan Lai
- CNRS, Institut Gustave Roussy, Aspects métaboliques et systémiques de l’oncogénèse pour de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Nataliia Naumova
- CNRS, Institut Gustave Roussy, Aspects métaboliques et systémiques de l’oncogénèse pour de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Antonin Marchais
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Nathalie Gaspar
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Birgit Geoerger
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Catherine Brenner
- CNRS, Institut Gustave Roussy, Aspects métaboliques et systémiques de l’oncogénèse pour de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- *Correspondence: Catherine Brenner,
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14
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No time to die? Intrinsic apoptosis signaling in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and therapeutic implications. Curr Opin Hematol 2022; 29:181-187. [PMID: 35787546 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Dysregulated apoptosis contributes to the pathogenesis of many hematologic malignancies. BH3-mimetics, antagonists of antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins, represent novel, and promising cancer drugs. While the acute myelosuppressive effects of Venetoclax, the first Food and Drug Administration approved BCL-2 inhibitor, are fairly well described, little is known about side effects of novel BH3-mimetics and effects of chronic Venetoclax treatment. RECENT FINDINGS Highly relevant publications focused on the effects of acute and chronic Venetoclax therapy, with focus on cell-type specific adaptive mechanisms, the emergence of clonal hematopoiesis, and the selection of BAX-mutated hematopoietic cells in patients treated with Venetoclax for a long period. Important advances were made in understanding primary and secondary Venetoclax resistance and prediction of Venetoclax response. Combination therapies of BH3-mimetics targeting different BCL-2 proteins are highly anticipated. However, human stem and progenitors require both MCL-1 and BCL-XL for survival, and serious myelosuppressive effects of combined MCL-1/BCL-XL inhibition can be expected. SUMMARY Long-term studies are indispensable to profile the chronic side effects of Venetoclax and novel BH3-mimetics and better balance their risk vs. benefit in cancer therapy. Combination therapies will be powerful, but potentially limited by severe myelosuppression. For precision medicine, a better knowledge of BCL-2 proteins in the healthy and diseased hematopoietic system is required.
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15
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What can we learn from mice lacking pro-survival BCL-2 proteins to advance BH3 mimetic drugs for cancer therapy? Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:1079-1093. [PMID: 35388168 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-00987-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In many human cancers the control of apoptosis is dysregulated, for instance as a result of the overexpression of pro-survival BCL-2 proteins. This promotes tumorigenesis by protecting nascent neoplastic cells from stress and renders malignant cells resistant to anti-cancer agents. Therefore, several BH3 mimetic drugs targeting distinct pro-survival proteins have been developed. The BCL-2 inhibitor Venetoclax/ABT-199, has been approved for treatment of certain blood cancers and tens of thousands of patients have already been treated effectively with this drug. To advance the clinical development of MCL-1 and BCL-XL inhibitors, a more detailed understanding of their distinct and overlapping roles in the survival of malignant as well as non-transformed cells in healthy tissues is required. Here, we discuss similarities and differences in pro-survival BCL-2 protein structure, subcellular localisation and binding affinities to the pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family members. We summarise the findings from gene-targeting studies in mice to discuss the specific roles of distinct pro-survival BCL-2 family members during embryogenesis and the survival of non-transformed cells in healthy tissues in adults. Finally, we elaborate how these findings align with or differ from the observations from the clinical development and use of BH3 mimetic drugs targeting different pro-survival BCL-2 proteins.
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16
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MEK and MCL-1 sequential inhibition synergize to enhance rhabdomyosarcoma treatment. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:172. [PMID: 35393436 PMCID: PMC8989976 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00959-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Targeted agents have emerged as promising molecules for cancer treatment, but most of them fail to achieve complete tumor regression or attain durable remissions due to tumor adaptations. We used dynamic BH3 profiling to identify targeted agents effectiveness and anti-apoptotic adaptations upon targeted treatment in rhabdomyosarcoma. We focused on studying the use of BH3 mimetics to specifically inhibit pro-survival BCL-2 family proteins, overwhelm resistance to therapy and prevent relapse. We observed that the MEK1/2 inhibitor trametinib rapidly depleted the pro-apoptotic protein NOXA, thus increasing MCL-1 availability. Indeed, we found that the MCL-1 inhibitor S63845 synergistically enhanced trametinib cytotoxicity in rhabdomyosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the combination of a BH3 mimetic targeting MCL-1 with trametinib improves efficiency on rhabdomyosarcoma by blocking tumor adaptation to treatment.
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17
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Increased PPARD Expression May Play a Protective Role in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. PPAR Res 2022; 2022:9414524. [PMID: 35342393 PMCID: PMC8941584 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9414524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ, encoded by gene PPARD, is overexpressed in a majority of human lung cancer subtypes, but its role in the tumor progression remains poorly understood. We have analyzed the expression of PPARD in lung adenocarcinoma (LA) and squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) datasets. The potential roles of PPARD in the pathological development of LA and LSCC were explored through literature-based pathway analysis and pathway enrichment analysis. In all LA datasets (
) and in seven out of nine LSCC studies, the levels of PPARD were increased as compared to control tissues (log-fold changes were
and
for LA and LSCC, respectively). On average, the expression levels of PPARD in LA were higher than those in LSCC (
). Pathway analysis showed that the overexpression of PPARD might play both positive and negative roles in the development of both LA and LSCC. Specifically, PPARD inhibits seven LSCC promoters and seven LA promoters and activates one LSCC inhibitor and another LA inhibitor. However, PPARD also activates six and one promoters of LA and LSCC, respectively, which would facilitate the development of LA/LSCC. Our results suggested a mixed role of PPARD in LA/LSCC, which may add new insights into the understanding of the PPARD-lung cancer relationship.
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18
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Ramesh P, Di Franco S, Atencia Taboada L, Zhang L, Nicotra A, Stassi G, Medema JP. BCL-XL inhibition induces an FGFR4-mediated rescue response in colorectal cancer. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110374. [PMID: 35172148 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneous therapy response observed in colorectal cancer is in part due to cancer stem cells (CSCs) that resist chemotherapeutic insults. The anti-apoptotic protein BCL-XL plays a critical role in protecting CSCs from cell death, where its inhibition with high doses of BH3 mimetics can induce apoptosis. Here, we screen a compound library for synergy with low-dose BCL-XL inhibitor A-1155463 to identify pathways that regulate sensitivity to BCL-XL inhibition and reveal that fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)4 inhibition effectively sensitizes to A-1155463 both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we identify a rescue response that is activated upon BCL-XL inhibition and leads to rapid FGF2 secretion and subsequent FGFR4-mediated post-translational stabilization of MCL-1. FGFR4 inhibition prevents MCL-1 upregulation and thereby sensitizes CSCs to BCL-XL inhibition. Altogether, our findings suggest a cell transferable induction of a FGF2/FGFR4 rescue response in CRC that is induced upon BCL-XL inhibition and leads to MCL-1 upregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashanthi Ramesh
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, AmsterdamUMC, University of Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Simone Di Franco
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lidia Atencia Taboada
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, AmsterdamUMC, University of Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Le Zhang
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, AmsterdamUMC, University of Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Annalisa Nicotra
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Jan Paul Medema
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, AmsterdamUMC, University of Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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19
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Liang YY, Niu FY, Xu AA, Jiang LL, Liu CS, Liang HP, Huang YF, Shao XF, Mo ZW, Yuan YW. Increased MCL-1 synthesis promotes irradiation-induced nasopharyngeal carcinoma radioresistance via regulation of the ROS/AKT loop. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:131. [PMID: 35136016 PMCID: PMC8827103 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04551-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare head and neck cancer; however, it is a common malignancy in southern China. Radiotherapy is the most important treatment strategy for NPC. However, although radiotherapy is a strong tool to kill cancer cells, paradoxically it also promotes aggressive phenotypes. Therefore, we mimicked the treatment process in NPC cells in vitro. Upon exposure to radiation, a subpopulation of NPC cells gradually developed resistance to radiation and displayed cancer stem-cell characteristics. Radiation-induced stemness largely depends on the accumulation of the antiapoptotic myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL-1) protein. Upregulated MCL-1 levels were caused by increased stability and more importantly, enhanced protein synthesis. We showed that repeated ionizing radiation resulted in persistently enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production at a higher basal level, further promoting protein kinase B (AKT) signaling activation. Intracellular ROS and AKT activation form a positive feedback loop in the process of MCL-1 protein synthesis, which in turn induces stemness and radioresistance. AKT/MCL-1 axis inhibition attenuated radiation-induced resistance, providing a potential target to reverse radiation therapy-induced radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Ying Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fei-Yu Niu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section 3, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - An-An Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Li Jiang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Shan Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui-Ping Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Fan Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xun-Fan Shao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Wen Mo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Ya-Wei Yuan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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20
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Abdul Rahman SF, Azlan A, Lo KW, Azzam G, Mohana-Kumaran N. Dual inhibition of anti-apoptotic proteins BCL-XL and MCL-1 enhances cytotoxicity of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Discov Oncol 2022; 13:9. [PMID: 35201512 PMCID: PMC8814124 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-022-00470-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the many strategies that cancer cells evade death is through up-regulation of the BCL-2 anti-apoptotic proteins. Hence, these proteins have become attractive therapeutic targets. Given that different cell populations rely on different anti-apoptotic proteins for survival, it is crucial to determine which proteins are important for Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell survival. Here we determined the survival requirements for the NPC cells using a combination of the CRISPR/Cas9 technique and selective BH3-mimetics. A human apoptosis RT2 Profiler PCR Array was first employed to profile the anti-apoptotic gene expressions in NPC cell lines HK-1 and C666-1. The HK-1 cells expressed all the anti-apoptotic genes (MCL-1, BFL-1, BCL-2, BCL-XL, and BCL-w). Similarly, the C666-1 cells expressed all the anti-apoptotic genes except BFL-1 (undetectable level). Notably, both cell lines highly expressed MCL-1. Deletion of MCL-1 sensitized the NPC cells to BCL-XL selective inhibitor A-1331852, suggesting that MCL-1 and BCL-XL may be important for NPC cell survival. Co-inhibition of MCL-1 and BCL-2 with MCL-1 selective inhibitor S63845 and BCL-2 selective inhibitor ABT-199 inhibited NPC cell proliferation but the effect on cell viability was more profound with co-inhibition of MCL-1 and BCL-XL with S63845 and A-1331852, implying that MCL-1 and BCL-XL are crucial for NPC cell survival. Furthermore, co-inhibition of MCL-1 and BCL-XL inhibited the growth and invasion of NPC spheroids. Deletion of BFL-1 sensitized NPC cells to A-1331852 suggesting that BFL-1 may play a role in NPC cell survival. Taken together co-inhibition of BCL-XL and MCL-1/BFL-1 could be potential treatment strategies for NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Azali Azlan
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Kwok-Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology and State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Central Ave, Hong Kong
| | - Ghows Azzam
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia
- Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute, 43000, Selangor, Malaysia
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21
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Särchen V, Shanmugalingam S, Kehr S, Reindl LM, Greze V, Wiedemann S, Boedicker C, Jacob M, Bankov K, Becker N, Wehner S, Theilen TM, Gretser S, Gradhand E, Kummerow C, Ullrich E, Vogler M. Pediatric multicellular tumor spheroid models illustrate a therapeutic potential by combining BH3 mimetics with Natural Killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:11. [PMID: 35013156 PMCID: PMC8748928 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00812-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The induction of apoptosis is a direct way to eliminate tumor cells and improve cancer therapy. Apoptosis is tightly controlled by the balance of pro- and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. BH3 mimetics neutralize the antiapoptotic function of Bcl-2 proteins and are highly promising compounds inducing apoptosis in several cancer entities including pediatric malignancies. However, the clinical application of BH3 mimetics in solid tumors is impeded by the frequent resistance to single BH3 mimetics and the anticipated toxicity of high concentrations or combination treatments. One potential avenue to increase the potency of BH3 mimetics is the development of immune cell-based therapies to counteract the intrinsic apoptosis resistance of tumor cells and sensitize them to immune attack. Here, we describe spheroid cultures of pediatric cancer cells that can serve as models for drug testing. In these 3D models, we were able to demonstrate that activated allogeneic Natural Killer (NK) cells migrated into tumor spheroids and displayed cytotoxicity against a wide range of pediatric cancer spheroids, highlighting their potential as anti-tumor effector cells. Next, we investigated whether treatment of tumor spheroids with subtoxic concentrations of BH3 mimetics can increase the cytotoxicity of NK cells. Notably, the cytotoxic effects of NK cells were enhanced by the addition of BH3 mimetics. Treatment with either the Bcl-XL inhibitor A1331852 or the Mcl-1 inhibitor S63845 increased the cytotoxicity of NK cells and reduced spheroid size, while the Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-199 had no effect on NK cell-mediated killing. Taken together, this is the first study to describe the combination of BH3 mimetics targeting Bcl-XL or Mcl-1 with NK cell-based immunotherapy, highlighting the potential of BH3 mimetics in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinzenz Särchen
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Senthan Shanmugalingam
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sarah Kehr
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lisa Marie Reindl
- Children's Hospital, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Victoria Greze
- Children's Hospital, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sara Wiedemann
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Cathinka Boedicker
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Maureen Jacob
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Katrin Bankov
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nina Becker
- Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sibylle Wehner
- Children's Hospital, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Till M Theilen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Steffen Gretser
- Department of Pediatric and Perinatal Pathology, Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Elise Gradhand
- Department of Pediatric and Perinatal Pathology, Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Carsten Kummerow
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Saarland, Germany
| | - Evelyn Ullrich
- Children's Hospital, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Experimental Immunology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Meike Vogler
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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22
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Thummuri D, Khan S, Underwood PW, Zhang P, Wiegand J, Zhang X, Budamagunta V, Sobh A, Tagmount A, Loguinov A, Riner AN, Akki AS, Williamson E, Hromas R, Vulpe CD, Zheng G, Trevino JG, Zhou D. Overcoming Gemcitabine Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer Using the BCL-X L-Specific Degrader DT2216. Mol Cancer Ther 2022; 21:184-192. [PMID: 34667112 PMCID: PMC8742767 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Although gemcitabine is the standard of care for most patients with pancreatic cancer, its efficacy is limited by the development of resistance. This resistance may be attributable to the evasion of apoptosis caused by the overexpression of BCL-2 family antiapoptotic proteins. In this study, we investigated the role of BCL-XL in gemcitabine resistance to identify a combination therapy to more effectively treat pancreatic cancer. We used CRISPR-Cas9 screening to identify the key genes involved in gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer cell dependencies on different BCL-2 family proteins and the efficacy of the combination of gemcitabine and DT2216 (a BCL-XL proteolysis targeting chimera or PROTAC) were determined by MTS, Annexin-V/PI, colony formation, and 3D tumor spheroid assays. The therapeutic efficacy of the combination was investigated in several patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models of pancreatic cancer. We identified BCL-XL as a key mediator of gemcitabine resistance. The combination of gemcitabine and DT2216 synergistically induced cell death in multiple pancreatic cancer cell lines in vitro In vivo, the combination significantly inhibited tumor growth and prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice compared with the individual agents in pancreatic cancer PDX models. Their synergistic antitumor activity is attributable to DT2216-induced degradation of BCL-XL and concomitant suppression of MCL-1 by gemcitabine. Our results suggest that DT2216-mediated BCL-XL degradation augments the antitumor activity of gemcitabine and their combination could be more effective for pancreatic cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Thummuri
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Sajid Khan
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Patrick W Underwood
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Peiyi Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Janet Wiegand
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Vivekananda Budamagunta
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Amin Sobh
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Abderrahmane Tagmount
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Alexander Loguinov
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Andrea N Riner
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Ashwin S Akki
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Elizabeth Williamson
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Robert Hromas
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Christopher D Vulpe
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Guangrong Zheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jose G Trevino
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
- Division of Surgical Oncology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Daohong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
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23
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Diepstraten ST, Anderson MA, Czabotar PE, Lessene G, Strasser A, Kelly GL. The manipulation of apoptosis for cancer therapy using BH3-mimetic drugs. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:45-64. [PMID: 34663943 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00407-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that is regulated by the balance between prosurvival and proapoptotic BCL-2 protein family members. Evasion of apoptosis is a hallmark of cancer that arises when this balance is tipped in favour of survival. One form of anticancer therapeutic, termed 'BH3-mimetic drugs', has been developed to directly activate the apoptosis machinery in malignant cells. These drugs bind to and inhibit specific prosurvival BCL-2 family proteins, thereby mimicking their interaction with the BH3 domains of proapoptotic BCL-2 family proteins. The BCL-2-specific inhibitor venetoclax is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and many regulatory authorities worldwide for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and acute myeloid leukaemia. BH3-mimetic drugs targeting other BCL-2 prosurvival proteins have been tested in preclinical models of cancer, and drugs targeting MCL-1 or BCL-XL have advanced into phase I clinical trials for certain cancers. As with all therapeutics, efficacy and tolerability need to be carefully balanced to achieve a therapeutic window whereby there is significant anticancer activity with an acceptable safety profile. In this Review, we outline the current state of BH3-mimetic drugs targeting various prosurvival BCL-2 family proteins and discuss emerging data regarding primary and acquired resistance to these agents and approaches that may overcome this. We highlight issues that need to be addressed to further advance the clinical application of BH3-mimetic drugs, both alone and in combination with additional anticancer agents (for example, standard chemotherapeutic drugs or inhibitors of oncogenic kinases), for improved responses in patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah T Diepstraten
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mary Ann Anderson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter E Czabotar
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Guillaume Lessene
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andreas Strasser
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Gemma L Kelly
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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24
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Computational design of an apoptogenic protein that binds BCL-xL and MCL-1 simultaneously and potently. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:3019-3029. [PMID: 35782728 PMCID: PMC9218148 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of cancer cells is their ability to evade apoptosis, which confers survival advantages and resistance to anti-cancer drugs. Cancers often exhibit overexpression of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins, the loss of which triggers apoptosis. In particular, the inhibition of both BCL-xL and MCL-1, but neither one individually, synergistically enhances apoptotic cell death. Here, we report computational design to produce a protein that inhibits both BCL-xL and MCL-1 simultaneously. To a reported artificial three-helix bundle whose second helix was designed to bind MCL-1, we added a fourth helix and designed it to bind BCL-xL. After structural validation of the design and further structure-based sequence design, we produced a dual-binding protein that interacts with both BCL-xL and MCL-1 with apparent dissociation constants of 820 pM and 196 pM, respectively. Expression of this dual binder in a subset of cancer cells induced apoptotic cell death at levels significantly higher than those induced by the pro-apoptotic BIM protein. With a genetic fusion of a mitochondria-targeting sequence or the BH3 sequence of BIM, the activity of the dual binder was enhanced even further. These data suggest that targeted delivery of this dual binder alone or as a part of a modular protein to cancers in the form of protein, mRNA, or DNA may be an effective way to induce cancer cell apoptosis.
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25
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Fu D, Pfannenstiel L, Demelash A, Phoon YP, Mayell C, Cabrera C, Liu C, Zhao J, Dermawan J, Patil D, DeVecchio J, Kalady M, Souers AJ, Phillips DC, Li X, Gastman B. MCL1 nuclear translocation induces chemoresistance in colorectal carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:63. [PMID: 35042842 PMCID: PMC8766550 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04334-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and deadliest forms of cancer. Myeloid Cell Leukemia 1 (MCL1), a pro-survival member of the Bcl-2 protein family is associated with chemo-resistance in CRC. The ability of MCL1 to inhibit apoptosis by binding to the BH3 domains of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members is a well-studied means by which this protein confers resistance to multiple anti-cancer therapies. We found that specific DNA damaging chemotherapies promote nuclear MCL1 translocation in CRC models. In p53null CRC, this process is associated with resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, the mechanism of which is distinct from the classical mitochondrial protection. We previously reported that MCL1 has a noncanonical chemoresistance capability, which requires a novel loop domain that is distinct from the BH3-binding domain associated with anti-apoptotic function. Herein we disclose that upon treatment with specific DNA-damaging chemotherapy, this loop domain binds directly to alpha-enolase which in turn binds to calmodulin; we further show these protein−protein interactions are critical in MCL1’s nuclear import and chemoresistance. We additionally observed that in chemotherapy-treated p53−/− CRC models, MCL1 nuclear translocation confers sensitivity to Bcl-xL inhibitors, which has significant translational relevance given the co-expression of these proteins in CRC patient samples. Together these findings indicate that chemotherapy-induced MCL1 translocation represents a novel resistance mechanism in CRC, while also exposing an inherent and targetable Bcl-xL co-dependency in these cancers. The combination of chemotherapy and Bcl-xL inhibitors may thus represent a rational means of treating p53−/− CRC via exploitation of this unique MCL1-based chemoresistance mechanism.
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26
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Senichkin VV, Pervushin NV, Zamaraev AV, Sazonova EV, Zuev AP, Streletskaia AY, Prikazchikova TA, Zatsepin TS, Kovaleva OV, Tchevkina EM, Zhivotovsky B, Kopeina GS. Bak and Bcl-xL Participate in Regulating Sensitivity of Solid Tumor Derived Cell Lines to Mcl-1 Inhibitors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010181. [PMID: 35008345 PMCID: PMC8750033 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Apoptosis is one of the best-known types of programmed cell death. This process is regulated by a number of genes and proteins, among which the Bcl-2 protein family plays a key role. This family includes anti- and proapoptotic proteins. Cancer cell resistance to apoptosis is commonly associated with overexpression of the antiapoptotic members of Bcl-2 family proteins, in particular, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Mcl-1. Subsequently, these proteins represent perspective targets for anticancer therapy. Here, using an inhibitory approach, we found that Bak and Bcl-xL regulate sensitivity of cancer cells to Mcl-1 inhibition. Abstract BH3 mimetics represent a promising tool in cancer treatment. Recently, the drugs targeting the Mcl-1 protein progressed into clinical trials, and numerous studies are focused on the investigation of their activity in various preclinical models. We investigated two BH3 mimetics to Mcl-1, A1210477 and S63845, and found their different efficacies in on-target doses, despite the fact that both agents interacted with the target. Thus, S63845 induced apoptosis more effectively through a Bak-dependent mechanism. There was an increase in the level of Bcl-xL protein in cells with acquired resistance to Mcl-1 inhibition. Cell lines sensitive to S63845 demonstrated low expression of Bcl-xL. Tumor tissues from patients with lung adenocarcinoma were characterized by decreased Bcl-xL and increased Bak levels of both mRNA and proteins. Concomitant inhibition of Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 demonstrated dramatic cytotoxicity in six of seven studied cell lines. We proposed that co-targeting Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 might lead to a release of Bak, which cannot be neutralized by other anti-apoptotic proteins. Surprisingly, in Bak-knockout cells, inhibition of Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL still resulted in pronounced cell death, arguing against a sole role of Bak in the studied phenomenon. We demonstrate that Bak and Bcl-xL are co-factors for, respectively, sensitivity and resistance to Mcl-1 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viacheslav V. Senichkin
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (V.V.S.); (N.V.P.); (A.V.Z.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.Z.); (A.Y.S.)
| | - Nikolay V. Pervushin
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (V.V.S.); (N.V.P.); (A.V.Z.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.Z.); (A.Y.S.)
| | - Alexey V. Zamaraev
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (V.V.S.); (N.V.P.); (A.V.Z.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.Z.); (A.Y.S.)
| | - Elena V. Sazonova
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (V.V.S.); (N.V.P.); (A.V.Z.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.Z.); (A.Y.S.)
| | - Anton P. Zuev
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (V.V.S.); (N.V.P.); (A.V.Z.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.Z.); (A.Y.S.)
| | - Alena Y. Streletskaia
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (V.V.S.); (N.V.P.); (A.V.Z.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.Z.); (A.Y.S.)
| | | | - Timofei S. Zatsepin
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 121205 Skolkovo, Russia; (T.A.P.); (T.S.Z.)
- Faculty of Chemistry, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga V. Kovaleva
- NN Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, Department of Oncogenes Regulation, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (O.V.K.); (E.M.T.)
| | - Elena M. Tchevkina
- NN Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, Department of Oncogenes Regulation, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (O.V.K.); (E.M.T.)
| | - Boris Zhivotovsky
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (V.V.S.); (N.V.P.); (A.V.Z.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.Z.); (A.Y.S.)
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence: (B.Z.); (G.S.K.)
| | - Gelina S. Kopeina
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (V.V.S.); (N.V.P.); (A.V.Z.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.Z.); (A.Y.S.)
- Correspondence: (B.Z.); (G.S.K.)
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27
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Targeting the Intrinsic Apoptosis Pathway: A Window of Opportunity for Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010051. [PMID: 35008216 PMCID: PMC8750516 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Prostate cancer treatment has improved over the last 20 years; despite this, approximately 33,000 men died from the disease in the United States in 2020. In view of this, new treatment options are urgently needed for advanced prostate cancer. Eradicating cancer cells by triggering apoptosis (a form of cell death) is an attractive strategy, and a novel class of drugs, called BH3 mimetics, have been designed to do this. They have been shown to work for blood cancers and may also have a role in solid cancers. Herein, we discuss cell death, focusing on the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, and consider how BH3 mimetics may be used to help treat prostate cancer. Abstract Despite major improvements in the management of advanced prostate cancer over the last 20 years, the disease remains invariably fatal, and new effective therapies are required. The development of novel hormonal agents and taxane chemotherapy has improved outcomes, although primary and acquired resistance remains problematic. Inducing cancer cell death via apoptosis has long been an attractive goal in the treatment of cancer. Apoptosis, a form of regulated cell death, is a highly controlled process, split into two main pathways (intrinsic and extrinsic), and is stimulated by a multitude of factors, including cellular and genotoxic stress. Numerous therapeutic strategies targeting the intrinsic apoptosis pathway are in clinical development, and BH3 mimetics have shown promising efficacy for hematological malignancies. Utilizing these agents for solid malignancies has proved more challenging, though efforts are ongoing. Molecular characterization and the development of predictive biomarkers is likely to be critical for patient selection, by identifying tumors with a vulnerability in the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. This review provides an up-to-date overview of cell death and apoptosis, specifically focusing on the intrinsic pathway. It summarizes the latest approaches for targeting the intrinsic apoptosis pathway with BH3 mimetics and discusses how these strategies may be leveraged to treat prostate cancer.
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28
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Müller D, Mazzeo P, Koch R, Bösherz MS, Welter S, von Hammerstein-Equord A, Hinterthaner M, Cordes L, Belharazem D, Marx A, Ströbel P, Küffer S. Functional apoptosis profiling identifies MCL-1 and BCL-xL as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in advanced thymomas and thymic carcinomas. BMC Med 2021; 19:300. [PMID: 34781947 PMCID: PMC8594228 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-021-02158-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multi-omics studies have shown a high and lack of common driver mutations in most thymomas (TH) and thymic carcinomas (TC) that hamper the development of novel treatment approaches. However, deregulation of apoptosis has been proposed as a common hallmark of TH and TC. BH3 profiling can be utilized to study the readiness of living cancer cells to undergo apoptosis and their dependency on pro-survival BCL-2 family proteins. METHODS We screened a cohort of 62 TH and TC patient samples for expression of BCL-2 family proteins and used the TC cell line 1889c and native TH for dynamic BH3 profiling and treatment with BH3 mimetics. RESULTS Immunohistochemical overexpression of MCL-1 and BCL-xL was a strong prognostic marker of TH and TC, and BH3 profiling indicated a strong dependency on MCL-1 and BCL-xL in TH. Single inhibition of MCL-1 resulted in increased binding of BIM to BCL-xL as an escape mechanism that the combined inhibition of both factors could overcome. Indeed, the inhibition of MCL-1 and BCL-xL in combination induced apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner in untreated and MCL-1-resistant 1889c cells. CONCLUSION TH and TC are exquisitely dependent on the pro-survival factors MCL-1 and BCL-xL, making them ideal candidates for co-inhibition by BH3 mimetics. Since TH show a heterogeneous dependency on BCL-2 family proteins, upfront BH3 profiling could select patients and tailor the optimal therapy with the least possible toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Müller
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Paolo Mazzeo
- Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Raphael Koch
- Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mark-Sebastian Bösherz
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Welter
- Thoracic Surgery Department, Lung Clinic Hemer, Hemer, Germany
| | | | - Marc Hinterthaner
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lucia Cordes
- Thoracic Surgery Department, Lung Clinic Hemer, Hemer, Germany
| | - Djeda Belharazem
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Stefan Küffer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
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Fairlie WD, Lee EF. Targeting the BCL-2-regulated apoptotic pathway for the treatment of solid cancers. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2397-2410. [PMID: 34581776 PMCID: PMC8589438 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The deregulation of apoptosis is a key contributor to tumourigenesis as it can lead to the unwanted survival of rogue cells. Drugs known as the BH3-mimetics targeting the pro-survival members of the BCL-2 protein family to induce apoptosis in cancer cells have achieved clinical success for the treatment of haematological malignancies. However, despite our increasing knowledge of the pro-survival factors mediating the unwanted survival of solid tumour cells, and our growing BH3-mimetics armamentarium, the application of BH3-mimetic therapy in solid cancers has not reached its full potential. This is mainly attributed to the need to identify clinically safe, yet effective, combination strategies to target the multiple pro-survival proteins that typically mediate the survival of solid tumours. In this review, we discuss current and exciting new developments in the field that has the potential to unleash the full power of BH3-mimetic therapy to treat currently recalcitrant solid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- W. Douglas Fairlie
- Cell Death and Survival Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
- Cell Death and Survival Laboratory, School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Erinna F. Lee
- Cell Death and Survival Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
- Cell Death and Survival Laboratory, School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia
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30
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Paysant H, Hedir S, Justaud F, Weiswald LB, El Dine AN, Soulieman A, Hachem A, Elie N, Brotin E, Denoyelle C, Bignon J, Roussi F, Jouanne M, Tasseau O, Roisnel T, Voisin-Chiret AS, Grée R, Levoin N, Poulain L. Structural revision of the Mcl-1 inhibitor MIM1: synthesis and biological studies on ovarian cancer cells with evaluation of designed analogues. Org Biomol Chem 2021; 19:8968-8987. [PMID: 34596646 DOI: 10.1039/d1ob01521d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the area of cancer research, the development of new and potent inhibitors of anti-apoptotic proteins is a very active and promising topic. The small molecule MIM1 has been reported earlier as one of the first selective inhibitors of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1. In the present paper, we first revised the structure of this molecule based on extensive physicochemical analyses. Then we designed and synthesized a focused library of analogues for the corrected structure of MIM1. Next, these molecules were subjected to a panel of in cellulo biological studies, allowing the identification of dual Bcl-xL/Mcl-1 inhibitors, as well as selective Mcl-1 inhibitors. These results have been complemented by fluorescence polarization assays with the Mcl-1 protein. Preliminary structure-activity relationships were discussed and extensive molecular modelling studies allowed us to propose a rationale for the biological activity of this series of new inhibitors, in particular for the selectivity of inhibition of Mcl-1 versus Bcl-xL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hippolyte Paysant
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE "Unité de Recherche Interdisciplinaire pour la Prévention et le Traitement des Cancers", Caen, France.,UNICANCER, Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer F. Baclesse, 3 avenue du Général Harris, 14076, Caen, France
| | - Siham Hedir
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE "Unité de Recherche Interdisciplinaire pour la Prévention et le Traitement des Cancers", Caen, France.,UNICANCER, Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer F. Baclesse, 3 avenue du Général Harris, 14076, Caen, France
| | - Frédéric Justaud
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes), UMR 6226, F-35000, Rennes, France.
| | - Louis Bastien Weiswald
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE "Unité de Recherche Interdisciplinaire pour la Prévention et le Traitement des Cancers", Caen, France.,UNICANCER, Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer F. Baclesse, 3 avenue du Général Harris, 14076, Caen, France
| | - Assaad Nasr El Dine
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes), UMR 6226, F-35000, Rennes, France. .,Laboratoire de Chimie Médicinale et de Produits Naturels, Université Libanaise, Faculté des Sciences et PRASE-EDST, Hadath, Beyrouth, Liban
| | - Ali Soulieman
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes), UMR 6226, F-35000, Rennes, France. .,Laboratoire de Chimie Médicinale et de Produits Naturels, Université Libanaise, Faculté des Sciences et PRASE-EDST, Hadath, Beyrouth, Liban
| | - Ali Hachem
- Laboratoire de Chimie Médicinale et de Produits Naturels, Université Libanaise, Faculté des Sciences et PRASE-EDST, Hadath, Beyrouth, Liban
| | - Nicolas Elie
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, SF 4206 ICORE, CMABIO3, Caen, France
| | - Emilie Brotin
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE "Unité de Recherche Interdisciplinaire pour la Prévention et le Traitement des Cancers", Caen, France.,UNICANCER, Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer F. Baclesse, 3 avenue du Général Harris, 14076, Caen, France.,Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, SF 4206 ICORE, CMABIO3, Caen, France.,Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, SF4206 ICORE, Plateforme ImpedanCELL, Caen, France
| | - Christophe Denoyelle
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE "Unité de Recherche Interdisciplinaire pour la Prévention et le Traitement des Cancers", Caen, France.,UNICANCER, Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer F. Baclesse, 3 avenue du Général Harris, 14076, Caen, France.,Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, SF 4206 ICORE, CMABIO3, Caen, France.,Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, SF4206 ICORE, Plateforme ImpedanCELL, Caen, France
| | - Jérôme Bignon
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles CNRS UPR 2301, Université Paris Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Fanny Roussi
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles CNRS UPR 2301, Université Paris Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Marie Jouanne
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Centre d'Etudes et de Recherche sur le Médicament de Normandie (CERMN), 14000 Caen, France
| | - Olivier Tasseau
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes), UMR 6226, F-35000, Rennes, France.
| | - Thierry Roisnel
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes), UMR 6226, F-35000, Rennes, France.
| | - Anne Sophie Voisin-Chiret
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Centre d'Etudes et de Recherche sur le Médicament de Normandie (CERMN), 14000 Caen, France
| | - René Grée
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes), UMR 6226, F-35000, Rennes, France.
| | - Nicolas Levoin
- Bioprojet-Biotech, 4 rue du Chesnay Beauregard, BP 96205, 35762, Saint Grégoire, France
| | - Laurent Poulain
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE "Unité de Recherche Interdisciplinaire pour la Prévention et le Traitement des Cancers", Caen, France.,UNICANCER, Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer F. Baclesse, 3 avenue du Général Harris, 14076, Caen, France
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31
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Guo T, Gu C, Li B, Xu C. Dual inhibition of FGFR4 and BCL-xL inhibits multi-resistant ovarian cancer with BCL2L1 gain. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:19750-19759. [PMID: 34351305 PMCID: PMC8386571 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aim: Overexpression of BCL2L1 (BCL-xL) was associated with platinum resistance in ovarian cancer (OvCa). However, role of copy number (CN) gain of BCL2L1 in OvCa remains elusive. Methods: In silico analyses of multiple public datasets were perform. Validation was carried out in our tissue microarray (TMA) of OvCa cases. In vitro and in vivo assays was performed to explore potential targeted compound against BCL2L1-gained OvCa. Results: BCL2L1 was gained in ~60% of OvCa. BCL2L1 was differentially expressed between healthy and cancerous ovarian cases. BCL2L1 gain was not prognostic either in overall or in progression-free survival but higher BCL2L1 expression was associated with worsened survival, indicating biological distinction between CN gain and overexpression of the gene. BCL2L1 gain was associated with multi-resistance to various drug with no significant sensitivity to any single agent. Only CRISPR-mediated BCL2L1 knockout, but not shRNA could be inhibitive. Combined genetic silencing of FGFR4/NCAM and BCL2L1 with shRNA induced potent inhibition of BCL2L1-gained OvCa with durable effect. Combined inhibition of FGFR/BCL-xL was required for inhibiting BCL2L1-gained OvCa in vitro and in vivo. Only dual inhibition of FGFR/BCL-xL without platinum was tolerable in vivo. Conclusion: Gain of BCL2L1 is associated with resistance to multiple anti-cancer agents in OvCa. Dual inhibition of FGFR4 and BCL-xL showed potent effect and tolerable toxicity, holding promise to further translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Guo
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Chao Gu
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Congjian Xu
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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32
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Sakuma Y, Hirai S, Sumi T, Tada M, Kojima T, Niki T, Yamaguchi M. MCL1 inhibition enhances the efficacy of docetaxel against airway-derived squamous cell carcinoma cells. Exp Cell Res 2021; 406:112763. [PMID: 34358524 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
MCL1 is an anti-apoptotic BCL2 family member that is often overexpressed in various malignant tumors. However, few reports have described the role of MCL1 in squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) derived from airways including the lung. In this study, we examined whether MCL1 could be a novel druggable target for airway-derived SqCC, for which effective molecular targeted drugs are unavailable. We searched the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database and found that high MCL1 mRNA expression was significantly associated with shorter survival in patients with lower airway (lung) or upper airway (head and neck) derived SqCC. We also explored the Expression Atlas database and learned that authentic lung SqCC cell lines expressing both TP63 and KRT5 mRNA were extremely sparse among the publicly available "lung SqCC cell lines", with an exception being HARA cells. HARA cells were highly dependent on MCL1 for survival, and MCL1-depleted cells were not able to grow, and even declined in number, upon docetaxel (DTX) exposure in vitro and in vivo. Similar in vitro experimental findings, including those in a 3D culture model, were also obtained using Detroit 562 pharyngeal SqCC cells. These findings suggested that combined treatment with MCL1 silencing plus DTX appears highly effective against airway-derived SqCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Sakuma
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan.
| | - Sachie Hirai
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Sumi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Makoto Tada
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Takashi Kojima
- Department of Cell Science, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Toshiro Niki
- Division of Integrative Pathology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan
| | - Miki Yamaguchi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1, West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
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33
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Manzella G, Moonamale DC, Römmele M, Bode P, Wachtel M, Schäfer BW. A combinatorial drug screen in PDX-derived primary rhabdomyosarcoma cells identifies the NOXA - BCL-XL/MCL-1 balance as target for re-sensitization to first-line therapy in recurrent tumors. Neoplasia 2021; 23:929-938. [PMID: 34329950 PMCID: PMC8329430 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2021.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
First-line therapy for most pediatric sarcoma is based on chemotherapy in combination with radiotherapy and surgery. A significant number of patients experience drug resistance and development of relapsed tumors. Drugs that have the potential to re-sensitize relapsed tumor cells toward chemotherapy treatment are therefore of great clinical interest. Here, we used a drug profiling platform with PDX-derived primary rhabdomyosarcoma cells to screen a large drug library for compounds re-sensitizing relapse tumor cells toward standard chemotherapeutics used in rhabdomyosarcoma therapy. We identified ABT-263 (navitoclax) as most potent compound enhancing general chemosensitivity and used different pharmacologic and genetic approaches in vitro and in vivo to detect the NOXA-BCL-XL/MCL-1 balance to be involved in modulating drug response. Our data therefore suggests that players of the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic cascade are major targets for stimulation of response toward first-line therapies in rhabdomyosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Manzella
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Devmini C Moonamale
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michaela Römmele
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter Bode
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Wachtel
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat W Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
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34
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Basu A. The interplay between apoptosis and cellular senescence: Bcl-2 family proteins as targets for cancer therapy. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 230:107943. [PMID: 34182005 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell death by apoptosis and permanent cell cycle arrest by senescence serve as barriers to the development of cancer. Chemotherapeutic agents not only induce apoptosis, they can also induce senescence known as therapy-induced senescence (TIS). There are, however, controversies whether TIS improves or worsens therapeutic outcome. Unlike apoptosis, which permanently removes cancer cells, senescent cells are metabolically active, and can contribute to tumor progression and relapse. If senescent cells are not cleared by the immune system or if cancer cells escape senescence, they may acquire resistance to apoptotic stimuli and become highly aggressive. Thus, there have been significant efforts in developing senolytics, drugs that target these pro-survival molecules to eliminate senescent cells. The anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins not only protect against cell death by apoptosis, but they also allow senescent cells to survive. While combining senolytics with chemotherapeutic drugs is an attractive approach, there are also limitations. Moreover, members of the Bcl-2 family have distinct effects on apoptosis and senescence. The purpose of this review article is to discuss recent literatures on how members of the Bcl-2 family orchestrate the interplay between apoptosis and senescence, and the challenges and progress in targeting these Bcl-2 family proteins for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alakananda Basu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA.
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35
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A novel BH3-mimetic, AZD0466, targeting BCL-XL and BCL-2 is effective in pre-clinical models of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:122. [PMID: 34050131 PMCID: PMC8163735 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00505-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer with treatment limited to Cisplatin and Pemetrexed chemotherapy. Recently, we showed that drugs targeting the BCL-2-regulated apoptosis pathway could kill MPM cell lines in vitro, and control tumor growth in vivo. These studies showed BCL-XL was the dominant pro-survival BCL-2 family member correlating with its high-level expression in cells and patient tumor samples. In this study we show another inhibitor, AZD4320 that targets BCL-XL (and BCL-2), can also potently kill MPM tumor cells in vitro (EC50 values in the 200 nM range) and this effect is enhanced by co-inhibition of MCL-1 using AZD5991. Moreover, we show that a novel nanoparticle, AZD0466, where AZD4320 is chemically conjugated to a PEGylated poly-lysine dendrimer, was as effective as standard-of-care chemotherapy, Cisplatin, at inhibiting tumor growth in mouse xenograft studies, and this effect was enhanced when both drugs were combined. Critically, the degree of thrombocytopenia, an on-target toxicity associated with BCL-XL inhibition, was significantly reduced throughout the treatment period compared to other BCL-XL-targeting BH3-mimetics. These pre-clinical findings provide a rationale for the future clinical evaluation for novel BH3-mimetic formulations in MPM, and indeed, other solid tumor types dependent on BCL-XL.
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36
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Senichkin VV, Pervushin NV, Zuev AP, Zhivotovsky B, Kopeina GS. Targeting Bcl-2 Family Proteins: What, Where, When? BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2021; 85:1210-1226. [PMID: 33202206 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297920100090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Proteins of the Bcl-2 family are known as regulators of apoptosis, one of the most studied forms of programmed cell death. The Bcl-2 protein family is represented by both pro- and antiapoptotic members. Antiapoptotic proteins are often exploited by tumor cells to avoid their death, thus playing an important role in carcinogenesis and in acquisition of resistance to various therapeutic agents. Therefore, antiapoptotic proteins represent attractive targets for cancer therapy. A detailed investigation of interactions between Bcl-2 family proteins resulted in the development of highly selective inhibitors of individual antiapoptotic members. These agents are currently being actively studied at the preclinical and clinical stages and represent a promising therapeutic strategy, which is highlighted by approval of venetoclax, a selective inhibitor of Bcl-2, for medical use. Meanwhile, inhibition of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins has significant therapeutic potential that is yet to be revealed. In the coming era of precision medicine, a detailed study of the mechanisms responsible for the sensitivity or resistance of tumor cells to various therapeutic agents, as well as the search for the most effective combinations, is of great importance. Here, we discuss mechanisms of how the Bcl-2 family proteins function, principles of their inhibition by small molecules, success of this approach in cancer therapy, and, eventually, biochemical features that can be exploited to improve the use of Bcl-2 family inhibitors as anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V V Senichkin
- Faculty of Basic Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russia
| | - N V Pervushin
- Faculty of Basic Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russia
| | - A P Zuev
- Faculty of Basic Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russia
| | - B Zhivotovsky
- Faculty of Basic Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russia.,Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - G S Kopeina
- Faculty of Basic Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russia.
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37
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Grohmann C, Walker F, Devlin M, Luo MX, Chüeh AC, Doherty J, Vaillant F, Ho GY, Wakefield MJ, Weeden CE, Kamili A, Murray J, Po'uha ST, Weinstock J, Kane SR, Faux MC, Broekhuizen E, Zheng Y, Shield-Artin K, Kershaw NJ, Tan CW, Witchard HM, Ebert G, Charman SA, Street I, Kavallaris M, Haber M, Fletcher JI, Asselin-Labat ML, Scott CL, Visvader JE, Lindeman GJ, Watson KG, Burgess AW, Lessene G. Preclinical small molecule WEHI-7326 overcomes drug resistance and elicits response in patient-derived xenograft models of human treatment-refractory tumors. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:268. [PMID: 33712556 PMCID: PMC7955127 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03269-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Targeting cell division by chemotherapy is a highly effective strategy to treat a wide range of cancers. However, there are limitations of many standard-of-care chemotherapies: undesirable drug toxicity, side-effects, resistance and high cost. New small molecules which kill a wide range of cancer subtypes, with good therapeutic window in vivo, have the potential to complement the current arsenal of anti-cancer agents and deliver improved safety profiles for cancer patients. We describe results with a new anti-cancer small molecule, WEHI-7326, which causes cell cycle arrest in G2/M, cell death in vitro, and displays efficacious anti-tumor activity in vivo. WEHI-7326 induces cell death in a broad range of cancer cell lines, including taxane-resistant cells, and inhibits growth of human colon, brain, lung, prostate and breast tumors in mice xenografts. Importantly, the compound elicits tumor responses as a single agent in patient-derived xenografts of clinically aggressive, treatment-refractory neuroblastoma, breast, lung and ovarian cancer. In combination with standard-of-care, WEHI-7326 induces a remarkable complete response in a mouse model of high-risk neuroblastoma. WEHI-7326 is mechanistically distinct from known microtubule-targeting agents and blocks cells early in mitosis to inhibit cell division, ultimately leading to apoptotic cell death. The compound is simple to produce and possesses favorable pharmacokinetic and toxicity profiles in rodents. It represents a novel class of anti-cancer therapeutics with excellent potential for further development due to the ease of synthesis, simple formulation, moderate side effects and potent in vivo activity. WEHI-7326 has the potential to complement current frontline anti-cancer drugs and to overcome drug resistance in a wide range of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Grohmann
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia.
| | - Francesca Walker
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Mark Devlin
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre building, Melbourne, 3000, Australia
- Cancer Therapeutics CRC, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Meng-Xiao Luo
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Anderly C Chüeh
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
- Cancer Therapeutics CRC, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Judy Doherty
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre building, Melbourne, 3000, Australia
- Cancer Therapeutics CRC, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - François Vaillant
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Gwo-Yaw Ho
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Matthew J Wakefield
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Clare E Weeden
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Alvin Kamili
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jayne Murray
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Sela T Po'uha
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Janet Weinstock
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Serena R Kane
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Maree C Faux
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Esmee Broekhuizen
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Ye Zheng
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Kristy Shield-Artin
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Nadia J Kershaw
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Chin Wee Tan
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Helen M Witchard
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Gregor Ebert
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Susan A Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Ian Street
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Cancer Therapeutics CRC, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bionano Science and Technology, Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jamie I Fletcher
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Marie-Liesse Asselin-Labat
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Clare L Scott
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre building, Melbourne, 3000, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Jane E Visvader
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Geoffrey J Lindeman
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre building, Melbourne, 3000, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine, Parkville, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Keith G Watson
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia
| | - Antony W Burgess
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia.
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.
| | - Guillaume Lessene
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia.
- The University of Melbourne, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia.
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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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Filippou A, Pehkonen H, Karhemo PR, Väänänen J, Nieminen AI, Klefström J, Grénman R, Mäkitie AA, Joensuu H, Monni O. ANO1 Expression Orchestrates p27Kip1/MCL1-Mediated Signaling in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051170. [PMID: 33803266 PMCID: PMC7967175 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Our aim was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of how ANO1 contributes to oncogenic processes in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). We explored transcriptional programs influenced by ANO1 knockdown in patient-derived UT-SCC cell lines with 11q13 amplification and ANO1 overexpression. ANO1 depletion led to downregulation of broad pro-survival BCL2 family protein members, including MCL1, and simultaneously induced upregulation of the cell cycle inhibitor p27Kip1 and its redistribution from the cytoplasm into the nucleus in the studied HNSCC cells. Gene set enrichment analysis highlighted pathways associated with perturbed cell cycle and apoptosis in the ANO1-depleted samples. Silencing of ANO1 and application of an ANO1-targeting small-molecule inhibitor led to ANO1 degradation and reduction of cell viability. These findings suggest that ANO1 has drug target potential that deserves further evaluation in preclinical in vivo models. Abstract Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous group of tumors that derive from the mucosal epithelium of the upper aerodigestive tract and present high mortality rate. Lack of efficient targeted-therapies and biomarkers towards patients’ stratification are caveats in the disease treatment. Anoctamin 1 (ANO1) gene is amplified in 30% of HNSCC cases. Evidence suggests involvement of ANO1 in proliferation, migration, and evasion of apoptosis; however, the exact mechanisms remain elusive. Aim of this study was to unravel the ANO1-dependent transcriptional programs and expand the existing knowledge of ANO1 contribution to oncogenesis and drug response in HNSCC. We cultured two HNSCC cell lines established from primary tumors harboring amplification and high expression of ANO1 in three-dimensional collagen. Differential expression analysis of ANO1-depleted HNSCC cells demonstrated downregulation of MCL1 and simultaneous upregulation of p27Kip1 expression. Suppressing ANO1 expression led to redistribution of p27Kip1 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and associated with a cell cycle arrested phenotype. ANO1 silencing or pharmacological inhibition resulted in reduction of cell viability and ANO1 protein levels, as well as suppression of pro-survival BCL2 family proteins. Collectively, these data provide insights of ANO1 involvement in HNSCC carcinogenesis and support the rationale that ANO1 is an actionable drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artemis Filippou
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (A.F.); (H.P.); (P.-R.K.); (J.V.)
| | - Henna Pehkonen
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (A.F.); (H.P.); (P.-R.K.); (J.V.)
| | - Piia-Riitta Karhemo
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (A.F.); (H.P.); (P.-R.K.); (J.V.)
| | - Juho Väänänen
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (A.F.); (H.P.); (P.-R.K.); (J.V.)
| | - Anni I. Nieminen
- Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program and Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Juha Klefström
- Finnish Cancer Institute, FICAN South Helsinki University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Reidar Grénman
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland;
| | - Antti A. Mäkitie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00130 Helsinki, Finland;
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heikki Joensuu
- Department of Oncology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Outi Monni
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (A.F.); (H.P.); (P.-R.K.); (J.V.)
- Department of Oncology, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-407639302
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It's time to die: BH3 mimetics in solid tumors. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1868:118987. [PMID: 33600840 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.118987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The removal of cells by apoptosis is an essential process regulating tissue homeostasis. Cancer cells acquire the ability to circumvent apoptosis and survive in an unphysiological tissue context. Thereby, the Bcl-2 protein family plays a key role in the initiation of apoptosis, and overexpression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins is one of the molecular mechanisms protecting cancer cells from apoptosis. Recently, small molecules targeting the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins have been identified, and with venetoclax the first of these BH3 mimetics has been approved for the treatment of leukemia. In solid tumors the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL are frequently overexpressed or genetically amplified. In this review, we summarize the role of Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL in solid tumors and compare the different BH3 mimetics targeting Mcl-1 or Bcl-xL.
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Arulananda S, Lee EF, Fairlie WD, John T. The role of BCL-2 family proteins and therapeutic potential of BH3-mimetics in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2020; 21:413-424. [PMID: 33238762 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2021.1856660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: With limited recent therapeutic changes, malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is associated with poor survival and death within 12 months, making it one of the most lethal malignancies. Due to unregulated asbestos use in developing countries and home renovation exposures, cases of MPM are likely to present for decades. As MPM is largely driven by dysregulation of tumor suppressor genes, researchers have examined other mechanisms of subverting tumor proliferation and spread. Over-expression of pro-survival BCL-2 family proteins impairs cells from undergoing apoptosis, and BH3-mimetics targeting them are a novel treatment option across various cancers, though have not been widely investigated in MPM.Areas covered: This review provides an overview of MPM and its current treatment landscape. It summarizes the role of BCL-2 family proteins in tumorigenesis and the therapeutic potential of BH3-mimetics . Finally, it discusses the role of BCL-2 proteins in MPM and the pre-clinical rationale for investigating BH3-mimetics as a therapeutic strategy.Expert opinion: As a disease without readily actionable oncogene driver mutations and with modest benefit from immune checkpoint inhibition, novel therapeutic options are urgently needed for MPM. Hence, BH3-mimetics provide a promising treatment option, with evidence supporting dependence on pro-survival BCL-2 proteins for MPM cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surein Arulananda
- Department of Medical Oncology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia.,Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Erinna F Lee
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
| | - W Douglas Fairlie
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas John
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
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42
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Hartman ML, Gajos-Michniewicz A, Talaj JA, Mielczarek-Lewandowska A, Czyz M. BH3 mimetics potentiate pro-apoptotic activity of encorafenib in BRAF V600E melanoma cells. Cancer Lett 2020; 499:122-136. [PMID: 33259900 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BRAFV600- and MEK1/2-targeting therapies rarely produce durable response in melanoma patients. We investigated five BRAFV600E melanoma cell lines derived from drug-naïve tumor specimens to assess cell death response to encorafenib (Braftovi), a recently FDA-approved BRAFV600 inhibitor. Drug-naïve cell lines (i) did not harbor damaging alterations in genes encoding core apoptotic machinery, but they differed in (ii) mitochondrial priming as demonstrated by whole-cell BH3 profiling, and (iii) levels of selected anti-apoptotic proteins. Encorafenib modulated the balance between apoptosis-regulating proteins as it upregulated BIM and BMF, and attenuated NOXA, but did not affect the levels of pro-survival proteins except for MCL-1 and BCL-XL in selected cell lines. Induction of apoptosis could be predicted using Dynamic BH3 profiling. The extent of apoptosis was dependent on both (i) cell-intrinsic proximity to the apoptotic threshold (initial mitochondrial priming) and (ii) the abundance of encorafenib-induced BIM (iBIM; drug-induced change in priming). While co-inhibition of MCL-1 and BCL-XL/BCL-2 was indispensable for apoptosis in drug-naïve cells, encorafenib altered cell dependence to MCL-1, and reliance on BCL-XL/BCL-2 was additionally found in cell lines that were highly primed to apoptosis by encorafenib. This translated into robust apoptosis when encorafenib was combined with selective BH3 mimetics. Our study provides a mechanistic insight into the role of proteins from the BCL-2 family in melanoma cell response to targeted therapy, and presents preclinical evidence that (i) MCL-1 is a druggable target to potentiate encorafenib activity, whereas (ii) pharmacological inhibition of BCL-XL/BCL-2 might be relevant but only for a narrow group of encorafenib-treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz L Hartman
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Anna Gajos-Michniewicz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215, Lodz, Poland
| | - Julita A Talaj
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215, Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Malgorzata Czyz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215, Lodz, Poland
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43
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Arulananda S, O'Brien M, Evangelista M, Harris TJ, Steinohrt NS, Jenkins LJ, Walkiewicz M, O'Donoghue RJJ, Poh AR, Thapa B, Williams DS, Leong T, Mariadason JM, Li X, Cebon J, Lee EF, John T, Fairlie WD. BCL-XL is an actionable target for treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Cell Death Discov 2020; 6:114. [PMID: 33298868 PMCID: PMC7603509 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-020-00348-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite having one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers, there have been no new approved treatments for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in over a decade. Standard-of-care treatment relies on Cisplatin plus Pemetrexed chemotherapy. Here, we tested a suite of BH3-mimetic drugs targeting BCL-2 pro-survival proteins of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. We found BCL-XL is the dominant pro-survival protein in a panel of cell lines in vitro, though potent, synergistic cell killing occurred with MCL-1 co-targeting. This correlates with high-level expression of BCL-XL and MCL-1 in cell lines and a large cohort of patient tumour samples. BCL-XL inhibition combined with Cisplatin also enhanced cell killing. In vivo BCL-XL inhibition was as effective as Cisplatin, and the combination enhanced tumour growth control and survival. Genetic ablation of MCL-1 also enhanced the effects of BCL-XL inhibitors, in vivo. Combined, these data provide a compelling rationale for the clinical investigation of BH3-mimetics targeting BCL-XL in MPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surein Arulananda
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Megan O'Brien
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Marco Evangelista
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Tiffany J Harris
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Nikita S Steinohrt
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Laura J Jenkins
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Marzena Walkiewicz
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Robert J J O'Donoghue
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashleigh R Poh
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Bibhusal Thapa
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - David S Williams
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.,Department of Clinical Pathology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pathology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Trishe Leong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.,Department of Clinical Pathology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pathology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - John M Mariadason
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Jonathan Cebon
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Erinna F Lee
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia. .,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
| | - Thomas John
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia. .,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Medical Oncology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia. .,Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - W D Fairlie
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia. .,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
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Sejic N, George LC, Tierney RJ, Chang C, Kondrashova O, MacKinnon RN, Lan P, Bell AI, Lessene G, Long HM, Strasser A, Shannon-Lowe C, Kelly GL. BCL-XL inhibition by BH3-mimetic drugs induces apoptosis in models of Epstein-Barr virus-associated T/NK-cell lymphoma. Blood Adv 2020; 4:4775-4787. [PMID: 33017468 PMCID: PMC7556124 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020002446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated T- and natural killer (NK)-cell malignancies, such as extranodal NK-/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL), exhibit high chemoresistance and, accordingly, such patients have a poor prognosis. The rare nature of such cancers and nonmalignant T/NK lymphoproliferative disorders, such as chronic active EBV (CAEBV), has limited our understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases. Here, we characterize a panel of ENKTL- and CAEBV-derived cell lines that had been established from human tumors to be used as preclinical models of these diseases. These cell lines were interleukin-2 dependent and found to carry EBV in a latency II gene-expression pattern. All cell lines demonstrated resistance to cell death induction by DNA damage-inducing agents, the current standard of care for patients with these malignancies. This resistance was not correlated with the function of the multidrug efflux pump, P-glycoprotein. However, apoptotic cell death could be consistently induced following treatment with A-1331852, a BH3-mimetic drug that specifically inhibits the prosurvival protein BCL-XL. A-1331852-induced apoptosis was most efficacious when prosurvival MCL-1 was additionally targeted, either by BH3-mimetics or genetic deletion. Xenograft models established from the ENKTL cell line SNK6 provided evidence that A-1331852 treatment could be therapeutically beneficial in vivo. The data here suggest that therapeutic targeting of BCL-XL would be effective for patients with EBV-driven T/NK proliferative diseases, however, MCL-1 could be a potential resistance factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nenad Sejic
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy and
| | - Lindsay C George
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rosemary J Tierney
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Chang
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Olga Kondrashova
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Ruth N MacKinnon
- Victorian Cancer Cytogenetics Service, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia; and
- Department of Medicine (St. Vincent's) and
| | - Ping Lan
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew I Bell
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Guillaume Lessene
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Andreas Strasser
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Gemma L Kelly
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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45
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Shanja-Grabarz X, Coste A, Entenberg D, Di Cristofano A. Real-time, high-resolution imaging of tumor cells in genetically engineered and orthotopic models of thyroid cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2020; 27:529-539. [PMID: 32698130 PMCID: PMC7450603 DOI: 10.1530/erc-20-0295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Genetically engineered and orthotopic xenograft mouse models have been instrumental for increasing our understanding of thyroid cancer progression and for the development of novel therapeutic approaches in a setting that is more physiologically relevant than the classical subcutaneous flank implants. However, the anatomical location of the thyroid gland precludes a non-invasive analysis at the cellular level of the interactions between tumor cells and the surrounding microenvironment and does not allow a real-time evaluation of the response of tumor cells to drug treatments. As a consequence, such studies have generally only relied on endpoint approaches, limiting the amount and depth of the information that could be gathered. Here we describe the development of an innovative approach to imaging specific aspects of thyroid cancer biology, based on the implantation of a permanent, minimally invasive optical window that allows high-resolution, multi-day, intravital imaging of the behavior and cellular dynamics of thyroid tumors in the mouse. We show that this technology allows visualization of fluorescently tagged tumor cells both in immunocompetent, genetically engineered mouse models of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) and in immunocompromised mice carrying orthotopic implanted human or mouse ATC cells. Furthermore, the use of recipient mice in which endothelial cells and macrophages are fluorescently labeled allows the detection of the spatial and functional relationship between tumor cells and their microenvironment. Finally, we show that ATC cells expressing a fluorescent biosensor for caspase 3 activity can be effectively utilized to evaluate, in real-time, the efficacy and kinetics of action of novel small molecule therapeutics. This novel approach to intravital imaging of thyroid cancer represents a platform that will allow, for the first time, the longitudinal, in situ analysis of tumor cell responses to therapy and of their interaction with the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xhesika Shanja-Grabarz
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Anouchka Coste
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - David Entenberg
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Antonio Di Cristofano
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
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46
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Abdul Rahman SF, Xiang Lian BS, Mohana-Kumaran N. Targeting the B-cell lymphoma 2 anti-apoptotic proteins for cervical cancer treatment. Future Oncol 2020; 16:2235-2249. [PMID: 32715755 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-0389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) anti-apoptotic proteins have become attractive therapeutic targets especially with the development of BH3-mimetics which selectively target these proteins. However, it is important to note that expression levels of the anti-apoptotic proteins and their relevance in inhibiting apoptosis varies between different cell lineages. This addiction to certain anti-apoptotic proteins for survival, can be determined with various techniques and targeted effectively with selective BH3-mimetics. Studies have highlighted that anti-apoptotic proteins BCL-XL and MCL-1 are crucial for cervical cancer cell survival. Co-targeting BCL-XL and MCL-1 with selective BH3-mimetics yielded promising results in cervical cancer cell lines. In this review, we focus on the expression levels of the anti-apoptotic proteins in cervical cancer tissues and how to possibly target them with BH3-mimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benedict Shi Xiang Lian
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science & Technology, Nara Institute of Science & Technology (NAIST), Ikoma, Nara 630-0101, Japan
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Qin J, Xie F, Wang F, Lu H. mRNA Expression of FGFR1 as Potential Marker for Predicting Prognosis of Surgical Resection of Small Cell Lung Cancer may be better than Protein Expression and Gene Amplification. J Cancer 2020; 11:4691-4699. [PMID: 32626515 PMCID: PMC7330682 DOI: 10.7150/jca.44476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) alterations have been described in many cancers, including lung cancer, but the role has not been elucidated specifically in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The present study aimed to identify the frequency of FGFR1 alterations among Chinese patients with surgically resected SCLC and the association with the clinicopathological characteristics and the survival were also investigated. Methods: FGFR1 protein expression, FGFR1 amplification, FGFR1 mutations, and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively in primary tumors from 33 patients with resected SCLC. Results: 7/33(21.2%) of the specimens were positive for FGFR1 protein expression. FGFR1 amplification was identified in 4/28 cases (14.3%). If the cut-off value was determined to be 3.5, FGFR1 mRNA positivity was considered in 7/33 cases (21.2%). However, no mutation was detected in the 33 SCLC postoperative tissue specimens. No significant association was observed between FGFR1 protein expression or amplification and clinicalcharacteristics or prognosis. There was a distinct trend for mRNA level and poor prognosis, including recurrence-free survival (RFS) (p = 0.07) and overall survival (OS) (p= 0.08), but they did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: As novel FGFR1-targeted therapies are developed, FISH, IHC, especially mRNA were detected, which should be considered as biomarkers of FGFR1 pathway dysregulation in SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Qin
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology (lung and esophagus), Institute of Cancer Research and Basic Medical Sciences of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 310022, P.R. China.,Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Institute of Cancer Research and Basic Medical Sciences of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 310022, P.R. China
| | - Fajun Xie
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology (lung and esophagus), Institute of Cancer Research and Basic Medical Sciences of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 310022, P.R. China.,Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Institute of Cancer Research and Basic Medical Sciences of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 310022, P.R. China
| | - Fenfang Wang
- Graduate School, WenZhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, P.R. China
| | - Hongyang Lu
- Graduate School, WenZhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, P.R. China.,Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology (lung and esophagus), Institute of Cancer Research and Basic Medical Sciences of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 310022, P.R. China.,Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Institute of Cancer Research and Basic Medical Sciences of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 310022, P.R. China
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48
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Teh CE, Robbins AK, Henstridge DC, Dewson G, Diepstraten ST, Kelly G, Febbraio MA, Gabriel SS, O'Reilly LA, Strasser A, Gray DHD. MCL-1 is essential for survival but dispensable for metabolic fitness of FOXP3 + regulatory T cells. Cell Death Differ 2020; 27:3374-3385. [PMID: 32612106 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-020-0585-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for maintaining immunological tolerance. Given their importance in immune-related diseases, cancer and obesity, there is increasing interest in targeting the Treg cell compartment therapeutically. New pharmacological inhibitors that specifically target the prosurvival protein MCL-1 may provide this opportunity, as Treg cells are particularly reliant upon this protein. However, there are two distinct isoforms of MCL-1; one located at the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) that is required to antagonize apoptosis, and another at the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) that is reported to maintain IMM structure and metabolism via ATP production during oxidative phosphorylation. We set out to elucidate the relative importance of these distinct biological functions of MCL-1 in Treg cells to assess whether MCL-1 inhibition might impact upon the metabolism of cells able to resist apoptosis. Conditional deletion of Mcl1 in FOXP3+ Treg cells resulted in a lethal multiorgan autoimmunity due to the depletion of the Treg cell compartment. This striking phenotype was completely rescued by concomitant deletion of the apoptotic effector proteins BAK and BAX, indicating that apoptosis plays a pivotal role in the homeostasis of Treg cells. Notably, MCL-1-deficient Treg cells rescued from apoptosis displayed normal metabolic capacity. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of MCL-1 in Treg cells resistant to apoptosis did not perturb their metabolic function. We conclude that Treg cells require MCL-1 only to antagonize apoptosis and not for metabolism. Therefore, MCL-1 inhibition could be used to manipulate Treg cell survival for clinical benefit without affecting the metabolic fitness of cells resisting apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charis E Teh
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Alissa K Robbins
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Darren C Henstridge
- Cellular and Molecular Metabolism Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
| | - Grant Dewson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Sarah T Diepstraten
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Gemma Kelly
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Mark A Febbraio
- Cellular and Molecular Metabolism Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah S Gabriel
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lorraine A O'Reilly
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Andreas Strasser
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Daniel H D Gray
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
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49
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Targeting BCL-2 proteins in pediatric cancer: Dual inhibition of BCL-XL and MCL-1 leads to rapid induction of intrinsic apoptosis. Cancer Lett 2020; 482:19-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.02.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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50
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Mukherjee N, Skees J, Todd KJ, West DA, Lambert KA, Robinson WA, Amato CM, Couts KL, Van Gulick R, MacBeth M, Nassar K, Tan AC, Zhai Z, Fujita M, Bagby SM, Dart CR, Lambert JR, Norris DA, Shellman YG. MCL1 inhibitors S63845/MIK665 plus Navitoclax synergistically kill difficult-to-treat melanoma cells. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:443. [PMID: 32513939 PMCID: PMC7280535 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2646-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Current treatment for patients with metastatic melanoma include molecular-targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, a subset of melanomas are difficult-to-treat. These melanomas include those without the genetic markers for targeted therapy, non-responsive to immunotherapy, and those who have relapsed or exhausted their therapeutic options. Therefore, it is necessary to understand and explore other biological processes that may provide new therapeutic approaches. One of most appealing is targeting the apoptotic/anti-apoptotic system that is effective against leukemia. We used genetic knockdown and pharmacologic approaches of BH3 mimetics to target anti-apoptotic BCL2 family members and identified MCL1 and BCLXL as crucial pro-survival members in melanoma. We then examined the effects of combining BH3 mimetics to target MCL1 and BCLXL in vitro and in vivo. These include clinical-trial-ready compounds such as ABT-263 (Navitoclax) and S63845/S64315 (MIK655). We used cell lines derived from patients with difficult-to-treat melanomas. In vitro, the combined inhibition of MCL1 and BCLXL resulted in significantly effective cell killing compared to single-agent treatment (p < 0.05) in multiple assays, including sphere assays. The combination-induced cell death was independent of BIM, and NOXA. Recapitulated in our mouse xenograft model, the combination inhibited tumor growth, reduced sphere-forming capacity (p < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively), and had tolerable toxicity (p > 0.40). Taken together, this study suggests that dual targeting of MCL1 and BCLXL should be considered as a treatment option for difficult-to-treat melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabanita Mukherjee
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Jenette Skees
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Kaleb J Todd
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Drake A West
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Karoline A Lambert
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - William A Robinson
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Carol M Amato
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Kasey L Couts
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Robert Van Gulick
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Morgan MacBeth
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Kelsey Nassar
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Aik-Choon Tan
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, US
| | - Zili Zhai
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Mayumi Fujita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Stacey M Bagby
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Chiara R Dart
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - James R Lambert
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8104, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - David A Norris
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dermatology Section, Denver, CO, 80220, US
| | - Yiqun G Shellman
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US.
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, US.
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