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Miyahira AK, Kamran SC, Jamaspishvili T, Marshall CH, Maxwell KN, Parolia A, Zorko NA, Pienta KJ, Soule HR. Disrupting prostate cancer research: Challenge accepted; report from the 2023 Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy Meeting. Prostate 2024; 84:993-1015. [PMID: 38682886 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The 2023 Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy (CHPCA) Meeting, themed "Disrupting Prostate Cancer Research: Challenge Accepted," was convened at the University of California, Los Angeles, Luskin Conference Center, in Los Angeles, CA, from June 22 to 25, 2023. METHODS The 2023 marked the 10th Annual CHPCA Meeting, a discussion-oriented scientific think-tank conference convened annually by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, which centers on innovative and emerging research topics deemed pivotal for advancing critical unmet needs in prostate cancer research and clinical care. The 2023 CHPCA Meeting was attended by 81 academic investigators and included 40 talks across 8 sessions. RESULTS The central topic areas covered at the meeting included: targeting transcription factor neo-enhancesomes in cancer, AR as a pro-differentiation and oncogenic transcription factor, why few are cured with androgen deprivation therapy and how to change dogma to cure metastatic prostate cancer without castration, reducing prostate cancer morbidity and mortality with genetics, opportunities for radiation to enhance therapeutic benefit in oligometastatic prostate cancer, novel immunotherapeutic approaches, and the new era of artificial intelligence-driven precision medicine. DISCUSSION This article provides an overview of the scientific presentations delivered at the 2023 CHPCA Meeting, such that this knowledge can help in facilitating the advancement of prostate cancer research worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea K Miyahira
- Science Department, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Sophia C Kamran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tamara Jamaspishvili
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Catherine H Marshall
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kara N Maxwell
- Department of Medicine-Hematology/Oncology and Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Medicine Service, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Abhijit Parolia
- Department of Pathology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Nicholas A Zorko
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kenneth J Pienta
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Howard R Soule
- Science Department, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Santa Monica, California, USA
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Yamamoto V, Ha DP, Liu Z, Huang M, Samanta S, Neamati N, Lee AS. GRP78 inhibitor YUM70 upregulates 4E-BP1 and suppresses c-MYC expression and viability of oncogenic c-MYC tumors. Neoplasia 2024; 55:101020. [PMID: 38991376 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2024.101020] [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: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
The 78-kDa glucose regulated protein (GRP78) commonly upregulated in a wide variety of tumors is an important prognostic marker and a promising target for suppressing tumorigenesis and treatment resistance. While GRP78 is well established as a major endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone with anti-apoptotic properties and a master regulator of the unfolded protein response, its new role as a regulator of oncoprotein expression is just emerging. MYC is dysregulated in about 70 % of human cancers and is the most commonly activated oncoprotein. However, despite recent advances, therapeutic targeting of MYC remains challenging. Here we identify GRP78 as a new target for suppression of MYC expression. Using multiple MYC-dependent cancer models including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and their cisplatin-resistant clones, breast and pancreatic adenocarcinoma, our studies revealed that GRP78 knockdown by siRNA or inhibition of its activity by small molecule inhibitors (YUM70 or HA15) reduced c-MYC expression, leading to onset of apoptosis and loss of cell viability. This was observed in 2D cell culture, 3D spheroid and in xenograft models. Mechanistically, we determined that the suppression of c-MYC is at the post-transcriptional level and that YUM70 and HA15 treatment potently upregulated the eukaryotic translation inhibitor 4E-BP1, which targets eIF4E critical for c-MYC translation initiation. Furthermore, knock-down of 4E-BP1 via siRNA rescued YUM70-mediated c-MYC suppression. As YUM70 is also capable of suppressing N-MYC expression, this study offers a new approach to suppress MYC protein expression through knockdown or inhibition of GRP78.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicky Yamamoto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States
| | - Dat P Ha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States
| | - Ze Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States
| | - Miller Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States
| | - Soma Samanta
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Nouri Neamati
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Amy S Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States.
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Kotulkar M, Barbee J, Paine-Cabrera D, Robarts D, O'Neil M, Apte U. Role of HNF4α-cMyc Interaction in CDE Diet-Induced Liver Injury and Regeneration. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:1218-1229. [PMID: 38588852 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) is a nuclear factor essential for liver function that regulates the expression of cMyc and plays an important role during liver regeneration. This study investigated the role of the HNF4α-cMyc interaction in regulating liver injury and regeneration using the choline-deficient and ethionine-supplemented (CDE) diet model. Wild-type (WT), hepatocyte-specific HNF4α-knockout (KO), cMyc-KO, and HNF4α-cMyc double KO (DKO) mice were fed a CDE diet for 1 week to induce subacute liver injury. To study regeneration, normal chow diet was fed for 1 week after CDE diet. WT mice exhibited significant liver injury and decreased HNF4α mRNA and protein expression after CDE diet. HNF4α deletion resulted in significantly higher injury with increased inflammation, fibrosis, proliferation, and hepatic progenitor cell activation compared with WT mice after CDE diet but indicated similar recovery. Deletion of cMyc lowered liver injury with activation of inflammatory genes compared with WT and HNF4α-KO mice after CDE diet. DKO mice had a phenotype comparable to that of the HNF4α-KO mice after CDE diet and a complete recovery. DKO mice exhibited a significant increase in hepatic progenitor cell markers both after injury and recovery phase. Taken together, these data show that HNF4α protects against inflammatory and fibrotic changes after CDE diet-induced injury, which is driven by cMyc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Julia Barbee
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Diego Paine-Cabrera
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Dakota Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Maura O'Neil
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
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Yang FF, Zhao TT, Milaneh S, Zhang C, Xiang DJ, Wang WL. Small molecule targeted therapies for endometrial cancer: progress, challenges, and opportunities. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:1828-1848. [PMID: 38911148 PMCID: PMC11187550 DOI: 10.1039/d4md00089g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common malignancy among women worldwide, and its recurrence makes it a common cause of cancer-related death. Surgery and external radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of strategies are the cornerstone of therapy for EC patients. However, adjuvant treatment strategies face certain drawbacks, such as resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs; therefore, it is imperative to explore innovative therapeutic strategies to improve the prognosis of EC. With the development of pathology and pathophysiology, several biological targets associated with EC have been identified, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR, PARP, GSK-3β, STAT-3, and VEGF. In this review, we summarize the progress of small molecule targeted therapies in terms of both basic research and clinical trials and provide cases of small molecules combined with fluorescence properties in the clinical applications of integrated diagnosis and treatment. We hope that this review will facilitate the further understanding of the regulatory mechanism governing the dysregulation of oncogenic signaling in EC and provide insights into the possible future directions of targeted therapeutic regimens for EC treatment by developing new agents with fluorescence properties for the clinical applications of integrated diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei-Fei Yang
- Yixing People's Hospital Yixing Jiangsu 214200 China
| | - Tian-Tian Zhao
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University Wuxi 214122 China
| | - Slieman Milaneh
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University Wuxi 214122 China
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industries, Higher Institute of Applied Science and Technology Damascus Syria
| | - Chun Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University Wuxi 214122 China
| | - Da-Jun Xiang
- Xishan People's Hospital of Wuxi City Wuxi Jiangsu 214105 China
| | - Wen-Long Wang
- Yixing People's Hospital Yixing Jiangsu 214200 China
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University Wuxi 214122 China
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Li Y, Jiang F, Zhu S, Jia H, Li C. STAT3 drives the malignant progression of low-grade gliomas through modulating the expression of STAT1, FOXO1, and MYC. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1419072. [PMID: 38948079 PMCID: PMC11211654 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1419072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Low-grade glioma (LGG) is a prevalent and lethal primary brain malignancy, with most patients succumbing to recurrence and progression. The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family has long been implicated in tumor initiation and progression. However, a comprehensive evaluation of the expression status and overall function of STAT genes in LGG remains largely unreported. In this study, we investigated the association between the expression of STAT family genes and the progression of LGG. Through a comprehensive analysis that combined bioinformatics screening and validation assays, we determined that STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5A were upregulated and contributed to the malignant progression of LGG. Notably, our findings suggest that STAT3 is a critical prognostic marker that regulates the progression of LGG. STAT3 emerged as the most significant prognostic indicator governing the advancement of LGG. Additionally, our inquiry into the STAT3-binding proteins and differentially expressed-correlated genes (DEGs) revealed that STAT3 played a pivotal role in the progression of LGG by stimulating the expression of STAT1, FOXO1, and MYC. In summary, our recent study conducted a thorough analysis of the STAT family genes and revealed that directing therapeutic interventions towards STAT3 holds potential as a viable strategy for treating patients with LGG.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hongwei Jia
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People’s Hospital, Xuzhou, China
| | - Changwei Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People’s Hospital, Xuzhou, China
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Chang CP, Yeh TK, Chen CT, Wang WP, Chen YT, Tsai CH, Chen YF, Ke YY, Wang JY, Chen CP, Hsieh TC, Wu MH, Huang CL, Chen YP, Zhuang H, Chi YH. Discovery of a Long Half-Life AURKA Inhibitor to Treat MYC-Amplified Solid Tumors as a Monotherapy and in Combination with Everolimus. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:766-779. [PMID: 38592383 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0602] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Aurora kinase inhibitors, such as alisertib, can destabilize MYC-family oncoproteins and have demonstrated compelling antitumor efficacy. In this study, we report 6K465, a novel pyrimidine-based Aurora A inhibitor, that reduces levels of c-MYC and N-MYC oncoproteins more potently than alisertib. In an analysis of the antiproliferative effect of 6K465, the sensitivities of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and breast cancer cell lines to 6K465 were strongly associated with the protein levels of c-MYC and/or N-MYC. We also report DBPR728, an acyl-based prodrug of 6K465 bearing fewer hydrogen-bond donors, that exhibited 10-fold improved oral bioavailability. DBPR728 induced durable tumor regression of c-MYC- and/or N-MYC-overexpressing xenografts including SCLC, triple-negative breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and medulloblastoma using a 5-on-2-off or once-a-week dosing regimen on a 21-day cycle. A single oral dose of DBPR728 at 300 mg/kg induced c-MYC reduction and cell apoptosis in the tumor xenografts for more than 7 days. The inhibitory effect of DBPR728 at a reduced dosing frequency was attributed to its uniquely high tumor/plasma ratio (3.6-fold within 7 days) and the long tumor half-life of active moiety 6K465. Furthermore, DBPR728 was found to synergize with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus to suppress c-MYC- or N-MYC-driven SCLC. Collectively, these results suggest DBPR728 has the potential to treat cancers overexpressing c-MYC and/or N-MYC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Ping Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
- Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Teng-Kuang Yeh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Tong Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ping Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ting Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hua Tsai
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Fu Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Yu Ke
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Ya Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ping Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Chih Hsieh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Mine-Hsine Wu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Lung Huang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Ping Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Hong Zhuang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Hui Chi
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Shi H, Carter OWL, Ponte F, Imberti C, Gomez-Gonzalez MA, Cacho-Nerin F, Quinn PD, Parker JE, Sicilia E, Huang H, Sadler PJ. A Photodynamic and Photochemotherapeutic Platinum-Iridium Charge-Transfer Conjugate for Anticancer Therapy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202400476. [PMID: 38656762 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The novel hetero-dinuclear complex trans,trans,trans-[PtIV(py)2(N3)2(OH)(μ-OOCCH2CH2CONHCH2-bpyMe)IrIII(ppy)2]Cl (Pt-Ir), exhibits charge transfer between the acceptor photochemotherapeutic Pt(IV) (Pt-OH) and donor photodynamic Ir(III) (Ir-NH2) fragments. It is stable in the dark, but undergoes photodecomposition more rapidly than the Pt(IV) parent complex (Pt-OH) to generate Pt(II) species, an azidyl radical and 1O2. The Ir(III)* excited state, formed after irradiation, can oxidise NADH to NAD⋅ radicals and NAD+. Pt-Ir is highly photocytotoxic towards cancer cells with a high photocytotoxicity index upon irradiation with blue light (465 nm, 4.8 mW/cm2), even with short light-exposure times (10-60 min). In contrast, the mononuclear Pt-OH and Ir-NH2 subunits and their simple mixture are much less potent. Cellular Pt accumulation was higher for Pt-Ir compared to Pt-OH. Irradiation of Pt-Ir in cancer cells damages nuclei and releases chromosomes. Synchrotron-XRF revealed ca. 4× higher levels of intracellular platinum compared to iridium in Pt-Ir treated cells under dark conditions. Luminescent Pt-Ir distributes over the whole cell and generates ROS and 1O2 within 1 h of irradiation. Iridium localises strongly in small compartments, suggestive of complex cleavage and excretion via recycling vesicles (e.g. lysosomes). The combination of PDT and PACT motifs in one molecule, provides Pt-Ir with a novel strategy for multimodal phototherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huayun Shi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, U.K
| | - Oliver W L Carter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, U.K
| | - Fortuna Ponte
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, via Pietro Bucci, 87036, Arcavacata Rende, Cs, Italy
| | - Cinzia Imberti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, U.K
| | | | - Fernando Cacho-Nerin
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, U.K
| | - Paul D Quinn
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, U.K
| | - Julia E Parker
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, U.K
| | - Emilia Sicilia
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, via Pietro Bucci, 87036, Arcavacata Rende, Cs, Italy
| | - Huaiyi Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, U.K
- School of Pharmaceutical Science (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Peter J Sadler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, U.K
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Winer H, Li W, Rodrigues G, Gower T, Meyer TJ, Hixon J, Durum SK. Mechanism of co-operation of mutant IL-7Rα and mutant NRAS in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: role of MYC. Haematologica 2024; 109:1726-1740. [PMID: 38031763 PMCID: PMC11141644 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2023.283559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive leukemia which can be derived from either T-cell or B-cell precursors. With current treatments, the survival rate is high, but the treatments are highly toxic with severe side effects. Individual mutations in IL7Ra and RAS pathways have been previously shown to be prevalent in ALL, and especially in relapsed patients. The relationship of IL-7Ra and RAS was investigated by transducing immature mouse thymocytes with the combination of these mutants. The resultant ALL cells were analyzed to identify the regulators and the oncoproteins that are up-regulated or down-regulated by the combination of IL7Ra with NRAS. Leukemia cells showed a significant increase in IL7Ra-mediated BCL2 expression, and an increase in MYC protein levels was mainly induced by NRAS signaling. MYC was both necessary and sufficient to replace mutant NRAS, and drugs targeting the MYC pathway showed a therapeutic benefit in IL-7Ra/NRAS T-ALL. We suggest that MYC protein stability can be regulated by PLK-1 kinase, which was increased mainly by the NRAS signal. These studies identify novel pathways of oncogenesis and new targets for intervention that could lead to better therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hila Winer
- Cytokines and Immunity Section, Cancer Innovation Laboratory (CIL), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Frederick, MD
| | - Wenqing Li
- Cytokines and Immunity Section, Cancer Innovation Laboratory (CIL), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Frederick, MD
| | - Gisele Rodrigues
- Cytokines and Immunity Section, Cancer Innovation Laboratory (CIL), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Frederick, MD
| | - Tim Gower
- Cytokines and Immunity Section, Cancer Innovation Laboratory (CIL), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Frederick, MD
| | - Thomas Joshua Meyer
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource (CCBR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Frederick, MD
| | - Julie Hixon
- Cytokines and Immunity Section, Cancer Innovation Laboratory (CIL), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Frederick, MD
| | - Scott K Durum
- Cytokines and Immunity Section, Cancer Innovation Laboratory (CIL), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Frederick, MD.
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Atallah-Yunes SA, Habermann TM, Khurana A. Targeted therapy in Burkitt lymphoma: Small molecule inhibitors under investigation. Br J Haematol 2024; 204:2165-2172. [PMID: 38577716 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Multiagent chemoimmunotherapy remains the standard of care treatment for Burkitt lymphoma leading to a cure in the majority of cases. However, frontline treatment regimens are associated with a significant risk of treatment related toxicity especially in elderly and immunocompromised patients. Additionally, prognosis remains dismal in refractory/relapsed Burkitt lymphoma. Thus, novel therapies are required to not only improve outcomes in relapsed/refractory Burkitt lymphoma but also minimize frontline treatment related toxicities. Recurrent genomic changes and signalling pathway alterations that have been implicated in the Burkitt lymphomagenesis include cell cycle dysregulation, cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, epigenetic dysregulation and tonic B-cell receptor-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (BCR-PI3K) signalling. Here, we will discuss novel targeted therapy approaches using small molecule inhibitors that could pave the way to the future treatment landscape based on the understanding of recurrent genomic changes and signalling pathway alterations in the lymphomagenesis of adult Burkitt lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas M Habermann
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Arushi Khurana
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Hwang SP, Denicourt C. The impact of ribosome biogenesis in cancer: from proliferation to metastasis. NAR Cancer 2024; 6:zcae017. [PMID: 38633862 PMCID: PMC11023387 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcae017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The dysregulation of ribosome biogenesis is a hallmark of cancer, facilitating the adaptation to altered translational demands essential for various aspects of tumor progression. This review explores the intricate interplay between ribosome biogenesis and cancer development, highlighting dynamic regulation orchestrated by key oncogenic signaling pathways. Recent studies reveal the multifaceted roles of ribosomes, extending beyond protein factories to include regulatory functions in mRNA translation. Dysregulated ribosome biogenesis not only hampers precise control of global protein production and proliferation but also influences processes such as the maintenance of stem cell-like properties and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, contributing to cancer progression. Interference with ribosome biogenesis, notably through RNA Pol I inhibition, elicits a stress response marked by nucleolar integrity loss, and subsequent G1-cell cycle arrest or cell death. These findings suggest that cancer cells may rely on heightened RNA Pol I transcription, rendering ribosomal RNA synthesis a potential therapeutic vulnerability. The review further explores targeting ribosome biogenesis vulnerabilities as a promising strategy to disrupt global ribosome production, presenting therapeutic opportunities for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sseu-Pei Hwang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Catherine Denicourt
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Huayamares SG, Loughrey D, Kim H, Dahlman JE, Sorscher EJ. Nucleic acid-based drugs for patients with solid tumours. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:407-427. [PMID: 38589512 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-024-00883-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The treatment of patients with advanced-stage solid tumours typically involves a multimodality approach (including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy), which is often ultimately ineffective. Nucleic acid-based drugs, either as monotherapies or in combination with standard-of-care therapies, are rapidly emerging as novel treatments capable of generating responses in otherwise refractory tumours. These therapies include those using viral vectors (also referred to as gene therapies), several of which have now been approved by regulatory agencies, and nanoparticles containing mRNAs and a range of other nucleotides. In this Review, we describe the development and clinical activity of viral and non-viral nucleic acid-based treatments, including their mechanisms of action, tolerability and available efficacy data from patients with solid tumours. We also describe the effects of the tumour microenvironment on drug delivery for both systemically administered and locally administered agents. Finally, we discuss important trends resulting from ongoing clinical trials and preclinical testing, and manufacturing and/or stability considerations that are expected to underpin the next generation of nucleic acid agents for patients with solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian G Huayamares
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David Loughrey
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hyejin Kim
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - James E Dahlman
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Eric J Sorscher
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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12
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Cyberski TF, Singh A, Korzinkin M, Mishra V, Pun F, Shen L, Wing C, Cheng X, Baird B, Miao Y, Elkabets M, Kochanny S, Guo W, Dyer E, Pearson AT, Juloori A, Lingen M, Cole G, Zhavoronkov A, Agrawal N, Izumchenko E, Rosenberg AJ. Acquired resistance to immunotherapy and chemoradiation in MYC amplified head and neck cancer. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:114. [PMID: 38783041 PMCID: PMC11116544 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00606-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The proto-oncogene MYC encodes a nuclear transcription factor that has an important role in a variety of cellular processes, such as cell cycle progression, proliferation, metabolism, adhesion, apoptosis, and therapeutic resistance. MYC amplification is consistently observed in aggressive forms of several solid malignancies and correlates with poor prognosis and distant metastases. While the tumorigenic effects of MYC in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are well known, the molecular mechanisms by which the amplification of this gene may confer treatment resistance, especially to immune checkpoint inhibitors, remains under-investigated. Here we present a unique case of a patient with recurrent/metastatic (R/M) HNSCC who, despite initial response to nivolumab-based treatment, developed rapidly progressive metastatic disease after the acquisition of MYC amplification. We conducted comparative transcriptomic analysis of this patient's tumor at baseline and upon progression to interrogate potential molecular processes through which MYC may confer resistance to immunotherapy and/or chemoradiation and used TCGA-HNSC dataset and an institutional cohort to further explore clinicopathologic features and key molecular networks associated with MYC amplification in HNSCC. This study highlights MYC amplification as a potential mechanism of immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance and suggest its use as a predictive biomarker and potential therapeutic target in R/M HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Cyberski
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alka Singh
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Vasudha Mishra
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Frank Pun
- Insilico Medicine, Pak Shek Kok, Hong Kong
| | - Le Shen
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Claudia Wing
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xiangying Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brandon Baird
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yuxuan Miao
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Sara Kochanny
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Wenji Guo
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Emma Dyer
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexander T Pearson
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Aditya Juloori
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mark Lingen
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Grayson Cole
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Nishant Agrawal
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Evgeny Izumchenko
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Ari J Rosenberg
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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13
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Toure MA, Motoyama K, Xiang Y, Urgiles J, Kabinger F, Koglin AS, Iyer RS, Gagnon K, Kumar A, Ojeda S, Harrison DA, Rees MG, Roth JA, Ott CJ, Schiavoni R, Whittaker CA, Levine SS, White FM, Calo E, Richters A, Koehler AN. Targeted Degradation of CDK9 Potently Disrupts the MYC Transcriptional Network. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.14.593352. [PMID: 38952800 PMCID: PMC11216368 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.14.593352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) coordinates signaling events that regulate RNA polymerase II (Pol II) pause-release states. It is an important co-factor for transcription factors, such as MYC, that drive aberrant cell proliferation when their expression is deregulated. CDK9 modulation offers an approach for attenuating dysregulation in such transcriptional programs. As a result, numerous drug development campaigns to inhibit CDK9 kinase activity have been pursued. More recently, targeted degradation has emerged as an attractive approach. However, comprehensive evaluation of degradation versus inhibition is still critically needed to assess the biological contexts in which degradation might offer superior therapeutic benefits. We validated that CDK9 inhibition triggers a compensatory mechanism that dampens its effect on MYC expression and found that this feedback mechanism was absent when the kinase is degraded. Importantly, CDK9 degradation is more effective than its inhibition for disrupting MYC transcriptional regulatory circuitry likely through the abrogation of both enzymatic and scaffolding functions of CDK9. Highlights - KI-CDK9d-32 is a highly potent and selective CDK9 degrader. - KI-CDK9d-32 leads to rapid downregulation of MYC protein and mRNA transcripts levels. - KI-CDK9d-32 represses canonical MYC pathways and leads to a destabilization of nucleolar homeostasis. - Multidrug resistance ABCB1 gene emerged as the strongest resistance marker for the CDK9 PROTAC degrader.
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14
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Liao J, Chen R, Lin B, Deng R, Liang Y, Zeng J, Ma S, Qiu X. Cross-Talk between the TGF-β and Cell Adhesion Signaling Pathways in Cancer. Int J Med Sci 2024; 21:1307-1320. [PMID: 38818471 PMCID: PMC11134594 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.96274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is strongly associated with the cell adhesion signaling pathway in cell differentiation, migration, etc. Mechanistically, TGF-β is secreted in an inactive form and localizes to the extracellular matrix (ECM) via the latent TGF-β binding protein (LTBP). However, it is the release of mature TGF-β that is essential for the activation of the TGF-β signaling pathway. This progress requires specific integrins (one of the main groups of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs)) to recognize and activate the dormant TGF-β. In addition, TGF-β regulates cell adhesion ability through modulating CAMs expression. The aberrant activation of the TGF-β signaling pathway, caused by abnormal expression of key regulatory molecules (such as Smad proteins, certain transcription factors, and non-coding RNAs), promotes tumor invasive and metastasis ability via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during the late stages of tumorigenesis. In this paper, we summarize the crosstalk between TGF-β and cell adhesion signaling pathway in cancer and its underlying molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Liao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Medical Bioactive Molecular Developmental and Translational Research, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, China
| | - Rentang Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Medical Bioactive Molecular Developmental and Translational Research, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, China
| | - Bihua Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Medical Bioactive Molecular Developmental and Translational Research, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, China
| | - Runhua Deng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Medical Bioactive Molecular Developmental and Translational Research, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, China
| | - Yanfang Liang
- Department of Pathology, Binhaiwan Central Hospital of Dongguan, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523905, China
| | - Jincheng Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Medical Bioactive Molecular Developmental and Translational Research, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, China
| | - Sha Ma
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, China
| | - Xianxiu Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Medical Bioactive Molecular Developmental and Translational Research, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523808, China
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15
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Hsia YJ, Lin ZM, Zhang T, Chou TC. Butyrate increases methylglyoxal production through regulation of the JAK2/Stat3/Nrf2/Glo1 pathway in castration‑resistant prostate cancer cells. Oncol Rep 2024; 51:71. [PMID: 38577936 PMCID: PMC11019463 DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are characterized by increased glycolysis, known as the Warburg effect, which leads to increased production of cytotoxic methylglyoxal (MGO) and apoptotic cell death. Cancer cells often activate the protective nuclear factor erythroid 2‑related factor2 (Nrf2)/glyoxalase1 (Glo1) system to detoxify MGO. The effects of sodium butyrate (NaB), a product of gut microbiota, on Nrf2/Glos/MGO pathway and the underlying mechanisms in prostate cancer (PCa) cells were investigated in the present study. Treatment with NaB induced the cell death and reduced the proliferation of PCa cells (DU145 and LNCap). Moreover, the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase/Nrf2/Glo1 pathway was greatly inhibited by NaB, thereby accumulating MGO-derived adduct hydroimidazolone (MG-H1). In response to a high amount of MGO, the expression of Nrf2 and Glo1 was attenuated, coinciding with an increased cellular death. NaB also markedly inhibited the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) pathway. Conversely, co‑treatment with Colivelin, a Stat3 activator, significantly reversed the effects of NaB on Glo1 expression, MG-H1 production, and the cell migration and viability. As expected, overexpression of Stat3 or Glo1 reduced NaB‑induced cell death. The activation of calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II gamma and reactive oxygen species production also contributed to the anticancer effect of NaB. The present study, for the first time, demonstrated that NaB greatly increases MGO production through suppression of the JAK2/Stat3/Nrf2/Glo1 pathway in DU145 cells, a cell line mimicking castration‑resistant PCa (CRPC), suggesting that NaB may be a potential agent for PCa therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Jan Hsia
- Dental Department and Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei 23142, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Zhang-Min Lin
- Cathay Medical Research Institute, Cathay General Hospital, New Taipei 22174, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Taolan Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
- School of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Chinese Traditional Medicine Research Platform of Major Epidemic Treatment Base, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Tz-Chong Chou
- Cathay Medical Research Institute, Cathay General Hospital, New Taipei 22174, Taiwan, R.O.C
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan, R.O.C
- Department of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan, R.O.C
- China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40400, Taiwan, R.O.C
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16
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Yang L, Du YE, Liao F, Huang T, Liu Y, Liu J, Wang C, Zhan Z, Cao Y, Wang Z, Chen W. A novel combined therapeutic strategy of Nano-EN-IR@Lip mediated photothermal therapy and stem cell inhibition for gastric cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116486. [PMID: 38520865 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Recurrence and metastasis of gastric cancer is a major therapeutic challenge for treatment. The presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is a major obstacle to the success of current cancer therapy, often leading to treatment resistance and tumor recurrence and metastasis. Therefore, it is important to develop effective strategies to eradicate CSCs. In this study, we developed a combined therapeutic strategy of photothermal therapy (PTT) and gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) inhibition by successfully synthesizing nanoliposomes loaded with IR780 (photosensitizer) and EN4 (c-Myc inhibitor). The nanocomposites are biocompatible and exhibit superior photoacoustic (PA) imaging properties. Under laser irradiation, IR780-mediated PTT effectively and rapidly killed tumor cells, while EN4 synergistically inhibited the self-renewal and stemness of GCSCs by suppressing the expression and activity of the pluripotent transcription factor c-Myc, preventing the tumor progression of gastric cancer. This Nano-EN-IR@Lip is expected to be a novel clinical nanomedicine for the integration of gastric cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Yan-E Du
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Fangli Liao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Tong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Institute of Ultrasound Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yadong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Institute of Ultrasound Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Junzhao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Institute of Ultrasound Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Can Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Institute of Ultrasound Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhu Zhan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Institute of Ultrasound Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhigang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Institute of Ultrasound Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Weixian Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China.
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17
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Yu H, Wang Z, Dong Y, Li L, Fan X, Zheng N, Jiang J, Lin C, Lu C, Li K, Feng M. AXIN1/MYC Axis Mediated the Osimertinib Resistance in EGFR Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2024; 262:269-276. [PMID: 38233113 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.2024.j002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Osimertinib, a promising and approved third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), is a standard strategy for EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, developed resistance is unavoidable, which reduces its long-term effectiveness. In this study, RNA sequencing was performed to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The PrognoScan database and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) were used to identify the key genes for clinical prognosis and gene correlation respectively. Protein expression was determined by western blot analysis. Cell viability assay and Ki67 staining were used to evaluate the effect of osimertinib on tumor cells. Finally, we screened out two hub genes, myelocytomatosis oncogene (Myc) and axis inhibition protein 1 (Axin1), upregulated in three osimertinib-resistant cell lines through RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Next, cell experiment confirmed that expression of C-MYC and AXIN1 were elevated in different EGFR mutant NSCLC cell lines with acquired resistance to osimertinib, compared with their corresponding parental cell lines. Furthermore, we demonstrated that AXIN1 upregulated the expression of C-MYC and mediated the acquired resistance of EGFR mutant NSCLC cells to osimertinib in vitro. In conclusion, AXIN1 affected the sensitivity of EGFR mutant NSCLC to osimertinib via regulating C-MYC expression in vitro. Targeting AXIN1/MYC signaling may be a potential new strategy for overcoming acquired resistance to osimertinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyue Yu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University
| | - Zhiguo Wang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University
| | - Yan Dong
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University
| | - Li Li
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)
| | - Xianming Fan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University
| | - Nan Zheng
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)
| | - Ji Jiang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)
| | - Caiyu Lin
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)
| | - Conghua Lu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)
| | - Kunlin Li
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)
| | - Mingxia Feng
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University)
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18
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Sandhya S, Talukdar J, Gogoi G, Dey KS, Das B, Baishya D. Impact of coconut kernel extract on carcinogen-induced skin cancer model: Oxidative stress, C-MYC proto-oncogene and tumor formation. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29385. [PMID: 38665592 PMCID: PMC11043960 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29385] [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: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed at analysing the effects of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) kernel extract (CKE) on oxidative stress, C-MYC proto-oncogene, and tumour formation in a skin cancer model. Tumorigenesis was induced by dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)/12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). In vitro antioxidant activity of CKE was assessed using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), total phenolic and flavonoid content assays. CKE showed a higher antioxidant activity then ascorbic acid (*P < 0.05, ****P < 0.0001). HPLC and NMR study of the CKE revealed the presence of lauric acid (LA). Following the characterization of CKE, mice were randomly assigned to receive DMBA/TPA Induction and CKE treatment at different doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) of body weight. LA 100 mg/kg of body weight used as standard. Significantly, the CKE200 and control groups' mice did not develop tumors; however, the CKE100 and CKE50 treated groups did develop tumors less frequently than the DMBA/TPA-treated mice. Histopathological analysis revealed that the epidermal layer in DMBA-induced mice was thicker and had squamous pearls along with a hyperplasia/dysplasia lesion, indicating skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), whereas the epidermal layers in CKE200-treated and control mice were normal. Additionally, the CKE treatment demonstrated a significant stimulatory effect on the activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as an inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidase (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001) and c-MYC protein expression (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001). In conclusion, CKE prevents the growth of tumors on mouse skin by reducing oxidative stress and suppressing c-MYC overexpression brought on by DMBA/TPA induction. This makes it an effective dietary antioxidant with anti-tumor properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorra Sandhya
- Department of Bioengineering and Technology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India
- Department of Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, KaviKrishna Laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati Research Park, Assam, India
| | - Joyeeta Talukdar
- Department of Bioengineering and Technology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India
- Department of Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, KaviKrishna Laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati Research Park, Assam, India
| | - Gayatri Gogoi
- Department of Pathology, Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Assam, India
| | | | - Bikul Das
- Department of Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, KaviKrishna Laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati Research Park, Assam, India
- Department of Stem Cell and Infection, Thoreau Lab for Global Health, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Debabrat Baishya
- Department of Bioengineering and Technology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India
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19
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Liu H, Xiong H, Li C, Xu M, Yun Y, Ruan Y, Tang L, Zhang T, Su D, Sun X. 131I Induced In Vivo Proteolysis by Photoswitchable azoPROTAC Reinforces Internal Radiotherapy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2310865. [PMID: 38678537 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202310865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Photopharmacology, incorporating photoswitches such as azobenezes into drugs, is an emerging therapeutic method to realize spatiotemporal control of pharmacological activity by light. However, most photoswitchable molecules are triggered by UV light with limited tissue penetration, which greatly restricts the in vivo application. Here, this study proves that 131I can trigger the trans-cis photoisomerization of a reported azobenezen incorporating PROTACs (azoPROTAC). With the presence of 50 µCi mL-1 131I, the azoPROTAC can effectively down-regulate BRD4 and c-Myc levels in 4T1 cells at a similar level as it does under light irradiation (405 nm, 60 mW cm-2). What's more, the degradation of BRD4 can further benefit the 131I-based radiotherapy. The in vivo experiment proves that intratumoral co-adminstration of 131I (300 µCi) and azoPROTC (25 mg kg-1) via hydrogel not only successfully induce protein degradation in 4T1 tumor bearing-mice but also efficiently inhibit tumor growth with enhanced radiotherapeutic effect and anti-tumor immunological effect. This is the first time that a radioisotope is successfully used as a trigger in photopharmacology in a mouse model. It believes that this study will benefit photopharmacology in deep tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Technology Medical Transformation (Mianyang Central Hospital), Mianyang, 621000, China
| | - Hehua Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Changjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Mengxia Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yuyang Yun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yiling Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Lijun Tang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Guangzhou Road 300, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Radiopharmaceuticals, Nuclear Medicine Clinical Translation Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Dan Su
- Key Laboratory of Drug Safety Evaluation and Research of Zhejiang Province, Department of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Xiaolian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
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20
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Hasan Bou Issa L, Fléchon L, Laine W, Ouelkdite A, Gaggero S, Cozzani A, Tilmont R, Chauvet P, Gower N, Sklavenitis-Pistofidis R, Brinster C, Thuru X, Touil Y, Quesnel B, Mitra S, Ghobrial IM, Kluza J, Manier S. MYC dependency in GLS1 and NAMPT is a therapeutic vulnerability in multiple myeloma. iScience 2024; 27:109417. [PMID: 38510131 PMCID: PMC10952034 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109417] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematological malignancy in which MYC alterations contribute to the malignant phenotype. Nevertheless, MYC lacks therapeutic druggability. Here, we leveraged large-scale loss-of-function screens and conducted a small molecule screen to identify genes and pathways with enhanced essentiality correlated with MYC expression. We reported a specific gene dependency in glutaminase (GLS1), essential for the viability and proliferation of MYC overexpressing cells. Conversely, the analysis of isogenic models, as well as cell lines dataset (CCLE) and patient datasets, revealed GLS1 as a non-oncogenic dependency in MYC-driven cells. We functionally delineated the differential modulation of glutamine to maintain mitochondrial function and cellular biosynthesis in MYC overexpressing cells. Furthermore, we observed that pharmaceutical inhibition of NAMPT selectively affects MYC upregulated cells. We demonstrate the effectiveness of combining GLS1 and NAMPT inhibitors, suggesting that targeting glutaminolysis and NAD synthesis may be a promising strategy to target MYC-driven MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lama Hasan Bou Issa
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Léa Fléchon
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - William Laine
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Aicha Ouelkdite
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Silvia Gaggero
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Adeline Cozzani
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Remi Tilmont
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Paul Chauvet
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Gower
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | | | - Carine Brinster
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Xavier Thuru
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Yasmine Touil
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Bruno Quesnel
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Suman Mitra
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Irene M. Ghobrial
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jérôme Kluza
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Salomon Manier
- Canther, INSERM UMR-S1277 and CNRS UMR9020, Lille University, 59000 Lille, France
- Department of Hematology, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
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21
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Wu Z, Liu X, Xie F, Ma C, Lam EWF, Kang N, Jin D, Yan J, Jin B. Comprehensive pan-cancer analysis identifies the RNA-binding protein LRPPRC as a novel prognostic and immune biomarker. Life Sci 2024; 343:122527. [PMID: 38417544 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
AIMS RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play pivotal roles in carcinogenesis and immunotherapy. Leucine-rich pentapeptide repeat-containing protein (LRPPRC) is crucial for RNA polyadenylation, transport, and stability. Although recent studies have suggested LRPPRC's potential role in tumor progression, its significance in tumor prognosis, diagnosis, and immunology remains unclear. MAIN METHODS We comprehensively analyzed LRPPRC expression in tumors using various databases, including Human Transcriptome Cell Atlas (HTCA), University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC), Human Protein Atlas (HPA), Sangerbox, TISIDB, GeneMANIA, GSCALite, and CellMiner. We examined the correlation between LRPPRC expression level and prognosis, immune infiltration, immunotherapy, methylation, biological function, and drug sensitivity. Single-cell analysis was performed using Tumor Immune Single Cell Hub (TISCH) and CancerSEA software. Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were categorized based on LRPPRC levels for functional and immune infiltration analyses. The role of LRPPRC in cancer was validated using in vitro experiments. KEY FINDINGS Our findings revealed that LRPPRC was highly expressed in almost all cancer types, indicating its significant prognostic and diagnostic potential. Notably, LRPPRC was associated with diverse immune features, such as immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint genes, tumor mutational burden, and microsatellite instability, suggesting its value in guiding immunotherapy strategies. Within AML, the high-expression group had lower levels of immune cells, including CD8+ T cells. In vitro experiments confirmed the inhibitory effects of LRPPRC knockdown on AML cell proliferation. SIGNIFICANCE This study highlights LRPPRC as a reliable pan-cancer prognostic and immune biomarker, particularly in AML. It lays the groundwork for future research on LRPPRC-targeted cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Wu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China; Department of Hematology, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Translational Medicine, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Dalian Key Laboratory of Hematology, Diamond Bay Institute of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, Liaoning, China
| | - Xinyue Liu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China
| | - Fang Xie
- Department of Hematology, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Translational Medicine, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Dalian Key Laboratory of Hematology, Diamond Bay Institute of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, Liaoning, China
| | - Chao Ma
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China
| | - Eric W-F Lam
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Ning Kang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China
| | - Di Jin
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China.
| | - Jinsong Yan
- Department of Hematology, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Translational Medicine, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Dalian Key Laboratory of Hematology, Diamond Bay Institute of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, Liaoning, China.
| | - Bilian Jin
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Nucleic Acid Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China.
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22
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Wang X, Cornish AE, Do MH, Brunner JS, Hsu TW, Xu Z, Malik I, Edwards C, Capistrano KJ, Zhang X, Ginsberg MH, Finley LWS, Lim MS, Horwitz SM, Li MO. Onco-Circuit Addiction and Onco-Nutrient mTORC1 Signaling Vulnerability in a Model of Aggressive T Cell Malignancy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.03.587917. [PMID: 38617314 PMCID: PMC11014592 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.03.587917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
How genetic lesions drive cell transformation and whether they can be circumvented without compromising function of non-transformed cells are enduring questions in oncology. Here we show that in mature T cells-in which physiologic clonal proliferation is a cardinal feature- constitutive MYC transcription and Tsc1 loss in mice modeled aggressive human malignancy by reinforcing each other's oncogenic programs. This cooperation was supported by MYC-induced large neutral amino acid transporter chaperone SLC3A2 and dietary leucine, which in synergy with Tsc1 deletion overstimulated mTORC1 to promote mitochondrial fitness and MYC protein overexpression in a positive feedback circuit. A low leucine diet was therapeutic even in late-stage disease but did not hinder T cell immunity to infectious challenge, nor impede T cell transformation driven by constitutive nutrient mTORC1 signaling via Depdc5 loss. Thus, mTORC1 signaling hypersensitivity to leucine as an onco-nutrient enables an onco-circuit, decoupling pathologic from physiologic utilization of nutrient acquisition pathways.
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23
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Zhao W, Ouyang C, Huang C, Zhang J, Xiao Q, Zhang F, Wang H, Lin F, Wang J, Wang Z, Jiang B, Li Q. ELP3 stabilizes c-Myc to promote tumorigenesis. J Mol Cell Biol 2024; 15:mjad059. [PMID: 37771073 PMCID: PMC11054291 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjad059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
ELP3, the catalytic subunit of the Elongator complex, is an acetyltransferase and associated with tumor progression. However, the detail of ELP3 oncogenic function remains largely unclear. Here, we found that ELP3 stabilizes c-Myc to promote tumorigenesis in an acetyltransferase-independent manner. Mechanistically, ELP3 competes with the E3-ligase FBXW7β for c-Myc binding, resulting in the inhibition of FBXW7β-mediated ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of c-Myc. ELP3 knockdown diminishes glycolysis and glutaminolysis and dramatically retards cell proliferation and xenograft growth by downregulating c-Myc, and such effects are rescued by the reconstitution of c-Myc expression. Moreover, ELP3 and c-Myc were found overexpressed with a positive correlation in colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Taken together, we elucidate a new function of ELP3 in promoting tumorigenesis by stabilizing c-Myc, suggesting that inhibition of ELP3 is a potential strategy for treating c-Myc-driven carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Neuroscience, Fujian Key Laboratory of Brain Tumors Diagnosis and Precision Treatment, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Brain Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China
| | - Cong Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Chen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jiaojiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Qiao Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Fengqiong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Huihui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Furong Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jinyang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zhanxiang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Neuroscience, Fujian Key Laboratory of Brain Tumors Diagnosis and Precision Treatment, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Brain Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Qinxi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
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24
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Liu W, Cheng H, Huang Z, Li Y, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Jin T, Sun Y, Deng Z, Zhang Q, Lou F, Cao S, Wang H, Niu X. The correlation between clinical outcomes and genomic analysis with high risk factors for the progression of osteosarcoma. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:939-955. [PMID: 37727135 PMCID: PMC10994228 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13526] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare but aggressive malignancy. Despite previous reports, molecular characterization of this disease is not well understood, and little is known regarding OS in Chinese patients. Herein, we analyzed the genomic signatures of 73 Chinese OS cases. TP53, NCOR1, LRP1B, ATRX, RB1, and TFE3 were the most frequently mutated gene in our OS cohort. In addition, the genomic analysis of Western OS patients was performed. Notably, there were remarkable disparities in mutational landscape, base substitution pattern, and tumor mutational burden between the Chinese and Western OS cohorts. Specific molecular mechanisms, including DNA damage repair (DDR) gene mutations, copy number variation (CNV) presence, aneuploidy, and intratumoral heterogeneity, were associated with disease progression. Additionally, 30.1% of OS patients carried clinically actionable alterations, which were mainly enriched in PI3K, MAPK, DDR, and RTK signaling pathways. A specific molecular subtype incorporating DDR alterations and CNVs was significantly correlated with distant metastasis-free survival and event-free survival, and this correlation was observed in all subgroups with different characteristics. These findings comprehensively elucidated the genomic profile and revealed novel prognostic factors in OS, which would contribute to understanding this disease and promoting precision medicine of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifeng Liu
- Department of Orthopaedic Oncology Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan HospitalPeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Fourth Medical College of Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- National Center for OrthopeadicsBeijingChina
| | | | - Zhen Huang
- Department of Orthopaedic Oncology Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan HospitalPeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Fourth Medical College of Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- National Center for OrthopeadicsBeijingChina
| | - Yaping Li
- Acornmed Biotechnology Co., Ltd.BeijingChina
| | | | - Yongkun Yang
- Department of Orthopaedic Oncology Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan HospitalPeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Fourth Medical College of Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- National Center for OrthopeadicsBeijingChina
| | - Tao Jin
- Department of Orthopaedic Oncology Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan HospitalPeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Fourth Medical College of Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- National Center for OrthopeadicsBeijingChina
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Orthopaedic Oncology Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan HospitalPeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Fourth Medical College of Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- National Center for OrthopeadicsBeijingChina
| | - Zhiping Deng
- Department of Orthopaedic Oncology Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan HospitalPeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Fourth Medical College of Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- National Center for OrthopeadicsBeijingChina
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedic Oncology Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan HospitalPeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Fourth Medical College of Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- National Center for OrthopeadicsBeijingChina
| | - Feng Lou
- Acornmed Biotechnology Co., Ltd.BeijingChina
| | - Shanbo Cao
- Acornmed Biotechnology Co., Ltd.BeijingChina
| | - Huina Wang
- Acornmed Biotechnology Co., Ltd.BeijingChina
| | - Xiaohui Niu
- Department of Orthopaedic Oncology Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan HospitalPeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Fourth Medical College of Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- National Center for OrthopeadicsBeijingChina
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25
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Chan KI, Zhang S, Li G, Xu Y, Cui L, Wang Y, Su H, Tan W, Zhong Z. MYC Oncogene: A Druggable Target for Treating Cancers with Natural Products. Aging Dis 2024; 15:640-697. [PMID: 37450923 PMCID: PMC10917530 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0520] [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: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Various diseases, including cancers, age-associated disorders, and acute liver failure, have been linked to the oncogene, MYC. Animal testing and clinical trials have shown that sustained tumor volume reduction can be achieved when MYC is inactivated, and different combinations of therapeutic agents including MYC inhibitors are currently being developed. In this review, we first provide a summary of the multiple biological functions of the MYC oncoprotein in cancer treatment, highlighting that the equilibrium points of the MYC/MAX, MIZ1/MYC/MAX, and MAD (MNT)/MAX complexes have further potential in cancer treatment that could be used to restrain MYC oncogene expression and its functions in tumorigenesis. We also discuss the multifunctional capacity of MYC in various cellular cancer processes, including its influences on immune response, metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, multidrug resistance, and intestinal flora. Moreover, we summarize the MYC therapy patent landscape and emphasize the potential of MYC as a druggable target, using herbal medicine modulators. Finally, we describe pending challenges and future perspectives in biomedical research, involving the development of therapeutic approaches to modulate MYC or its targeted genes. Patients with cancers driven by MYC signaling may benefit from therapies targeting these pathways, which could delay cancerous growth and recover antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Iong Chan
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Guodong Li
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Yida Xu
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Liao Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, China
| | - Yitao Wang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Huanxing Su
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Wen Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
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26
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El Baba R, Herbein G. EZH2-Myc Hallmark in Oncovirus/Cytomegalovirus Infections and Cytomegalovirus' Resemblance to Oncoviruses. Cells 2024; 13:541. [PMID: 38534385 DOI: 10.3390/cells13060541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Approximately 15-20% of global cancer cases are attributed to virus infections. Oncoviruses employ various molecular strategies to enhance replication and persistence. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), acting as an initiator or promoter, enables immune evasion, supporting tumor growth. HCMV activates pro-oncogenic pathways within infected cells and direct cellular transformation. Thus, HCMV demonstrates characteristics reminiscent of oncoviruses. Cumulative evidence emphasizes the crucial roles of EZH2 and Myc in oncogenesis and stemness. EZH2 and Myc, pivotal regulators of cellular processes, gain significance in the context of oncoviruses and HCMV infections. This axis becomes a central focus for comprehending the mechanisms driving virus-induced oncogenesis. Elevated EZH2 expression is evident in various cancers, making it a prospective target for cancer therapy. On the other hand, Myc, deregulated in over 50% of human cancers, serves as a potent transcription factor governing cellular processes and contributing to tumorigenesis; Myc activates EZH2 expression and induces global gene expression. The Myc/EZH2 axis plays a critical role in promoting tumor growth in oncoviruses. Considering that HCMV has been shown to manipulate the Myc/EZH2 axis, there is emerging evidence suggesting that HCMV could be regarded as a potential oncovirus due to its ability to exploit this critical pathway implicated in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranim El Baba
- Department Pathogens & Inflammation-EPILAB EA4266, University of Franche-Comté UFC, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Georges Herbein
- Department Pathogens & Inflammation-EPILAB EA4266, University of Franche-Comté UFC, 25000 Besançon, France
- Department of Virology, CHU Besançon, 25030 Besançon, France
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27
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Ye M, Fang Y, Chen L, Song Z, Bao Q, Wang F, Huang H, Xu J, Wang Z, Xiao R, Han M, Gao S, Liu H, Jiang B, Qing G. Therapeutic targeting nudix hydrolase 1 creates a MYC-driven metabolic vulnerability. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2377. [PMID: 38493213 PMCID: PMC10944511 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46572-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells must rewire nucleotide synthesis to satisfy the demands of unbridled proliferation. Meanwhile, they exhibit augmented reactive oxygen species (ROS) production which paradoxically damages DNA and free deoxy-ribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs). How these metabolic processes are integrated to fuel tumorigenesis remains to be investigated. MYC family oncoproteins coordinate nucleotide synthesis and ROS generation to drive the development of numerous cancers. We herein perform a Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-based functional screen targeting metabolic genes and identified nudix hydrolase 1 (NUDT1) as a MYC-driven dependency. Mechanistically, MYC orchestrates the balance of two metabolic pathways that act in parallel, the NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4)-ROS pathway and the Polo like kinase 1 (PLK1)-NUDT1 nucleotide-sanitizing pathway. We describe LC-1-40 as a potent, on-target degrader that depletes NUDT1 in vivo. Administration of LC-1-40 elicits excessive nucleotide oxidation, cytotoxicity and therapeutic responses in patient-derived xenografts. Thus, pharmacological targeting of NUDT1 represents an actionable MYC-driven metabolic liability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhui Ye
- Department of Urology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yingzhe Fang
- Department of Urology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zemin Song
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Qing Bao
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Fei Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Hao Huang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Ziwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Ruijing Xiao
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Meng Han
- Protein Chemistry and Proteomics Facility, Tsinghua University Technology Center for Protein Research, Beijing, 10084, China
| | - Song Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Hudan Liu
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Baishan Jiang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Guoliang Qing
- Department of Urology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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28
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Papadimitropoulou A, Makri M, Zoidis G. MYC the oncogene from hell: Novel opportunities for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 267:116194. [PMID: 38340508 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116194] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer comprises a heterogeneous disease, characterized by diverse features such as constitutive expression of oncogenes and/or downregulation of tumor suppressor genes. MYC constitutes a master transcriptional regulator, involved in many cellular functions and is aberrantly expressed in more than 70 % of human cancers. The Myc protein belongs to a family of transcription factors whose structural pattern is referred to as basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper. Myc binds to its partner, a smaller protein called Max, forming an Myc:Max heterodimeric complex that interacts with specific DNA recognition sequences (E-boxes) and regulates the expression of downstream target genes. Myc protein plays a fundamental role for the life of a cell, as it is involved in many physiological functions such as proliferation, growth and development since it controls the expression of a very large percentage of genes (∼15 %). However, despite the strict control of MYC expression in normal cells, MYC is often deregulated in cancer, exhibiting a key role in stimulating oncogenic process affecting features such as aberrant proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, genomic instability and oncogenic transformation. In this review we aim to meticulously describe the fundamental role of MYC in tumorigenesis and highlight its importance as an anticancer drug target. We focus mainly on the different categories of novel small molecules that act as inhibitors of Myc function in diverse ways hence offering great opportunities for an efficient cancer therapy. This knowledge will provide significant information for the development of novel Myc inhibitors and assist to the design of treatments that would effectively act against Myc-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Papadimitropoulou
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Maria Makri
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Grigoris Zoidis
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece.
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Wu S, Dai X, Zhu Z, Fan D, Jiang S, Dong Y, Chen B, Xie Q, Yao Z, Li Q, Thorne RF, Lu Y, Gu H, Hu W. Reciprocal regulation of lncRNA MEF and c-Myc drives colorectal cancer tumorigenesis. Neoplasia 2024; 49:100971. [PMID: 38301392 PMCID: PMC10847691 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2024.100971] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
More than half of all cancers demonstrate aberrant c-Myc expression, making this arguably the most important human oncogene. Deregulated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are also commonly implicated in tumorigenesis, and some limited examples have been established where lncRNAs act as biological tuners of c-Myc expression and activity. Here, we demonstrate that the lncRNA denoted c-Myc Enhancing Factor (MEF) enjoys a cooperative relationship with c-Myc, both as a transcriptional target and driver of c-Myc expression. Mechanistically, MEF functions by binding to and stabilizing the expression of hnRNPK in colorectal cancer cells. The MEF-hnRNPK interaction serves to disrupt binding between hnRNPK and the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM25, which attenuates TRIM25-dependent hnRNPK ubiquitination and proteasomal destruction. In turn, the stabilization of hnRNPK through MEF enhances c-Myc expression by augmenting the translation c-Myc. Moreover, modulating the expression of MEF in shRNA-mediated knockdown and overexpression studies revealed that MEF expression is essential for colorectal cancer cell proliferation and survival, both in vitro and in vivo. From the clinical perspective, we show that MEF expression is differentially increased in colorectal cancer tissues compared to normal adjacent tissues. Further, correlations exist between MEF, c-Myc, and hnRNPK suggesting the MEF-c-Myc positive feedback loop is active in patients. Together these data demonstrate that MEF is a pivotal partner of the c-Myc network and propose MEF as a valuable therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Wu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Xiangyu Dai
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230027, China; Translational Research Institute, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Academy of Medical Science, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Zhipu Zhu
- Translational Research Institute, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Academy of Medical Science, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Dianhui Fan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Su Jiang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Yi Dong
- Translational Research Institute, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Academy of Medical Science, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Bing Chen
- Translational Research Institute, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Academy of Medical Science, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Qi Xie
- Translational Research Institute, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Academy of Medical Science, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Zhihui Yao
- Translational Research Institute, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Academy of Medical Science, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Qun Li
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Rick Francis Thorne
- Translational Research Institute, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Academy of Medical Science, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Yao Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.
| | - Hao Gu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230027, China.
| | - Wanglai Hu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230027, China; Translational Research Institute, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Academy of Medical Science, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.
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Sun R, Shao X, Akter F, Zahid KR, Yao S, Ma L, Xu G. PRIM2: A Marker of MYC-driven Hyper-proliferation, Disease Progression, Tumor Aggressiveness and Poor Survival in Glioma Patients. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2024; 21:186-202. [PMID: 38423596 PMCID: PMC10905270 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20440] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Gliomas are the most prevalent brain tumors with metabolic alterations playing a pivotal role in disease progression. However, the precise coordination of metabolic alterations with tumor-promoting cellular mechanisms, leading to tumor initiation, progression, and aggressiveness, resulting in poor outcomes, remains poorly understood in gliomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a metabolism-targeted differential gene expression analysis using glioma patients' expression profiling data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. In addition, pathway enrichment analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), transcription factor prediction, network construction, and correlation analyses were performed. Survival analyses were performed in R. All results were validated using independent GEO expression datasets. RESULTS Metabolism-targeted analysis identified 5 hits involved in diverse metabolic processes linking them to disease aggressiveness in gliomas. Subsequently, we established that cell cycle progression and hyper-proliferation are key drivers of tumor progression and aggressiveness in gliomas. One of the identified metabolic hits, DNA primase 2 (PRIM2), a gene involved in DNA replication was found directly associated with cell cycle progression in gliomas. Furthermore, our analysis indicated that PRIM2, along with other cell cycle-related genes, is under the control of and regulated by the oncogenic MYC transcription factor in gliomas. In addition, PRIM2 expression alone is enough to predict MYC-driven cell cycle progression and is associated with tumor progression, aggressive disease state, and poor survival in glioma patients. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight PRIM2 as a marker of MYC-driven cell cycle progression and hyper-proliferation, disease onset and progression, tumor aggressiveness, and poor survival in glioma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronghui Sun
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The General Hospital of Chinese PLA Central Theater Command, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Xiaodong Shao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Farhana Akter
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, U.S.A
| | - Kashif Rafiq Zahid
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, U.S.A
| | - Shun Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Lianting Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, The General Hospital of Chinese PLA Central Theater Command, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Guozheng Xu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China;
- Department of Neurosurgery, The General Hospital of Chinese PLA Central Theater Command, Wuhan, P.R. China
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31
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Dymerska D, Marusiak AA. Drivers of cancer metastasis - Arise early and remain present. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189060. [PMID: 38151195 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189060] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Cancer and its metastases arise from mutations of genes, drivers that promote a tumor's growth. Analyses of driver events provide insights into cancer cell history and may lead to a better understanding of oncogenesis. We reviewed 27 metastatic research studies, including pan-cancer studies, individual cancer studies, and phylogenetic analyses, and summarized our current knowledge of metastatic drivers. All of the analyzed studies had a high level of consistency of driver mutations between primary tumors and metastasis, indicating that most drivers appear early in cancer progression and are maintained in metastatic cells. Additionally, we reviewed data from around 50,000 metastatic cancer patients and compiled a list of genes altered in metastatic lesions. We performed Gene Ontology analysis and confirmed that the most significantly enriched processes in metastatic lesions were the epigenetic regulation of gene expression, signal transduction, cell cycle, programmed cell death, DNA damage, hypoxia and EMT. In this review, we explore the most recent discoveries regarding genetic factors in the advancement of cancer, specifically those that drive metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmara Dymerska
- Laboratory of Molecular OncoSignalling, IMol Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Anna A Marusiak
- Laboratory of Molecular OncoSignalling, IMol Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
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El Hassab MA, El-Hafeez AAA, Almahli H, Elsayed ZM, Eldehna WM, Hassan GS, Abou-Seri SM. Phthalimide-tethered isatins as novel poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors: Design, synthesis, biological evaluations, and molecular modeling investigations. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024; 357:e2300599. [PMID: 38100160 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Humanity is currently facing various diseases with significant mortality rates, particularly those associated with malignancies. Numerous enzymes and proteins have been identified as highly promising targets for the treatment of cancer. The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) family comprises 17 members which are essential in DNA damage repair, allowing the survival of cancer cells. Unlike other PARP family members, PARP-1 and, to a lesser extent, PARP-2 show more than 90% activity in response to DNA damage. PARP-1 levels were shown to be elevated in various tumor cells, including breast, lung, ovarian, and prostate cancer and melanomas. Accordingly, novel series of phthalimide-tethered isatins (6a-n, 10a-e, and 11a-e) were synthesized as potential PARP-1 inhibitors endowed with anticancer activity. All the synthesized molecules were assessed against PARP-1, where compounds 6f and 10d showed nanomolar activities with IC50 = 15.56 ± 2.85 and 13.65 ± 1.42 nM, respectively. Also, the assessment of the antiproliferative effects of the synthesized isatins was conducted on four cancer cell lines: leukemia (K-562), liver (HepG2), and breast (MCF-7 and HCC1937) cancers. Superiorly, compounds 6f and 10d demonstrated submicromolar IC50 values against breast cancer MCF-7 (IC50 = 0.92 ± 0.18 and 0.67 ± 0.12 µM, respectively) and HCC1937 (IC50 = 0.88 ± 0.52 and 0.53 ± 0.11 µM, respectively) cell lines. In addition, compounds 6f and 10d induced arrest in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle as compared to untreated cells. Finally, in silico studies, including docking and molecular dynamic simulations, were performed to justify the biological results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud A El Hassab
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Salman International University (KSIU), Ras Sudr, South Sinai, Egypt
| | - Amer Ali Abd El-Hafeez
- Cancer Biology Department, Pharmacology and Experimental Oncology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hadia Almahli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Zainab M Elsayed
- Scientific Research and Innovation Support Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Wagdy M Eldehna
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
- School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo, Badr City, Egypt
| | - Ghaneya S Hassan
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, School of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Egypt
| | - Sahar M Abou-Seri
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Ma J, Li L, Ma B, Liu T, Wang Z, Ye Q, Peng Y, Wang B, Chen Y, Xu S, Wang K, Dang F, Wang X, Zeng Z, Jian Y, Ren Z, Fan Y, Li X, Liu J, Gao Y, Wei W, Li L. MYC induces CDK4/6 inhibitors resistance by promoting pRB1 degradation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1871. [PMID: 38424044 PMCID: PMC10904810 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45796-w] [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: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) show anticancer activity in certain human malignancies, such as breast cancer. However, their application to other tumor types and intrinsic resistance mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we demonstrate that MYC amplification confers resistance to CDK4/6i in bladder, prostate and breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, MYC binds to the promoter of the E3 ubiquitin ligase KLHL42 and enhances its transcription, leading to RB1 deficiency by inducing both phosphorylated and total pRB1 ubiquitination and degradation. We identify a compound that degrades MYC, A80.2HCl, which induces MYC degradation at nanomolar concentrations, restores pRB1 protein levels and re-establish sensitivity of MYC high-expressing cancer cells to CDK4/6i. The combination of CDK4/6i and A80.2HCl result in marked regression in tumor growth in vivo. Altogether, these results reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying MYC-induced resistance to CDK4/6i and suggest the utilization of the MYC degrading molecule A80.2HCl to potentiate the therapeutic efficacy of CDK4/6i.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Ma
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Bohan Ma
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Tianjie Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Zixi Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Qi Ye
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Yunhua Peng
- Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Yule Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Shan Xu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Fabin Dang
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Xinyang Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Zixuan Zeng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Yanlin Jian
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Zhihua Ren
- Kintor Parmaceutical, Inc, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yizeng Fan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Xudong Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Wenyi Wei
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, 710061, China.
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
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Tan AW, Tong X, Alvarez-Cubela S, Chen P, Santana AG, Morales AA, Tian R, Infante R, Nunes de Paiva V, Kulandavelu S, Benny M, Dominguez-Bendala J, Wu S, Young KC, Rodrigues CO, Schmidt AF. c-Myc Drives inflammation of the maternal-fetal interface, and neonatal lung remodeling induced by intra-amniotic inflammation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 11:1245747. [PMID: 38481391 PMCID: PMC10933046 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1245747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Intra-amniotic inflammation (IAI) is associated with increased risk of preterm birth and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), but the mechanisms by which IAI leads to preterm birth and BPD are poorly understood, and there are no effective therapies for preterm birth and BPD. The transcription factor c-Myc regulates various biological processes like cell growth, apoptosis, and inflammation. We hypothesized that c-Myc modulates inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface, and neonatal lung remodeling. The objectives of our study were 1) to determine the kinetics of c-Myc in the placenta, fetal membranes and neonatal lungs exposed to IAI, and 2) to determine the role of c-Myc in modulating inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface, and neonatal lung remodeling induced by IAI. Methods: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: 1) Intra-amniotic saline injections only (control), 2) Intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injections only, and 3) Intra-amniotic LPS injections with c-Myc inhibitor 10058-F4. c-Myc expression, markers of inflammation, angiogenesis, immunohistochemistry, and transcriptomic analyses were performed on placenta and fetal membranes, and neonatal lungs to determine kinetics of c-Myc expression in response to IAI, and effects of prenatal systemic c-Myc inhibition on lung remodeling at postnatal day 14. Results: c-Myc was upregulated in the placenta, fetal membranes, and neonatal lungs exposed to IAI. IAI caused neutrophil infiltration and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation in the placenta and fetal membranes, and neonatal lung remodeling with pulmonary hypertension consistent with a BPD phenotype. Prenatal inhibition of c-Myc with 10058-F4 in IAI decreased neutrophil infiltration and NET formation, and improved neonatal lung remodeling induced by LPS, with improved alveolarization, increased angiogenesis, and decreased pulmonary vascular remodeling. Discussion: In a rat model of IAI, c-Myc regulates neutrophil recruitment and NET formation in the placenta and fetal membranes. c-Myc also participates in neonatal lung remodeling induced by IAI. Further studies are needed to investigate c-Myc as a potential therapeutic target for IAI and IAI-associated BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- April W. Tan
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Xiaoying Tong
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Silvia Alvarez-Cubela
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Pingping Chen
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Aline Guimarães Santana
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL, United States
| | - Alejo A. Morales
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Runxia Tian
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Rae Infante
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Vanessa Nunes de Paiva
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Shathiyah Kulandavelu
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Merline Benny
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Juan Dominguez-Bendala
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Shu Wu
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Karen C. Young
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Claudia O. Rodrigues
- Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Augusto F. Schmidt
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Holtz Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL, United States
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Zhang Q, Shi Y, Liu S, Yang W, Chen H, Guo N, Sun W, Zhao Y, Ren Y, Ren Y, Jia L, Yang J, Yun Y, Chen G, Wang L, Wu C. EZH2/G9a interact to mediate drug resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer by regulating the SMAD4/ERK/c-Myc signaling axis. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113714. [PMID: 38306271 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is the leading problem in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy. The contribution of histone methylation in mediating malignant phenotypes of NSCLC is well known. However, the role of histone methylation in NSCLC drug-resistance mechanisms remains unclear. Here, our data show that EZH2 and G9a, two histone methyltransferases, are involved in the drug resistance of NSCLC. Gene manipulation results indicate that the combination of EZH2 and G9a promotes tumor growth and mediates drug resistance in a complementary manner. Importantly, clinical study demonstrates that co-expression of both enzymes predicts a poor outcome in patients with NSCLC. Mechanistically, G9a and EZH2 interact and promote the silencing of the tumor-suppressor gene SMAD4, activating the ERK/c-Myc signaling pathway. Finally, SU08, a compound targeting both EZH2 and G9a, is demonstrated to sensitize resistant cells to therapeutic drugs by regulating the SMAD4/ERK/c-Myc signaling axis. These findings uncover the resistance mechanism and a strategy for reversing NSCLC drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyue Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yajie Shi
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Sen Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Weiming Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Huiping Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Ning Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Wanyu Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yongshan Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yuxiang Ren
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yong Ren
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of People's Liberation Army, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Lina Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Jingyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yi Yun
- Biobank Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Guoliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Chunfu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
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Zhou C, Ma H, Yu W, Zhou Y, Zhang X, Meng Y, Chen C, Zhang J, Shi G. ANP32B inhibition suppresses the growth of prostate cancer cells by regulating c-Myc signaling. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 698:149543. [PMID: 38266312 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
ANP32B is a histone chaperone that interacts with various transcription factors that regulate cancer cell proliferation, immigration, and apoptosis. c-Myc, a well-known oncogenic protein, is a principal player in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer (PC). The means by which ANP32B and c-Myc act remain unknown. We downloaded clinical data from the GEO, TCGA, and other databases to explore ANP32B expression and its effects on the survival of PC and normal tissues. ANP32B-knockdown cell lines were used to evaluate how ANP32B affected cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Gene set enrichment analysis and RNAseq were employed to define how ANP32B regulated PC pathways. Immunohistochemical measures were used to detect the expression levels of relevant proteins in xenografts and PC tissues. ANP32B expression increased in PC tissues; ANP32B knockdown inhibited cell growth but this was rescued by c-Myc signaling. ANP32B is thus a PC oncogene and may serve as a valuable therapeutic target when seeking to treat PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhou
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, No. 801, Heqing Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, PR China.
| | - Hangbin Ma
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, No. 801, Heqing Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, PR China.
| | - Wandong Yu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, No. 801, Heqing Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Yinghao Zhou
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, No. 801, Heqing Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Xuehu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, No. 801, Heqing Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Yibo Meng
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, No. 801, Heqing Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Chenchen Chen
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, No. 801, Heqing Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, No. 801, Heqing Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, PR China.
| | - Guowei Shi
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, No. 801, Heqing Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, PR China.
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Lang C, Megyesfalvi Z, Lantos A, Oberndorfer F, Hoda MA, Solta A, Ferencz B, Fillinger J, Solyom-Tisza A, Querner AS, Egger F, Boettiger K, Klikovits T, Timelthaler G, Renyi-Vamos F, Aigner C, Hoetzenecker K, Laszlo V, Schelch K, Dome B. C-Myc protein expression indicates unfavorable clinical outcome in surgically resected small cell lung cancer. World J Surg Oncol 2024; 22:57. [PMID: 38369463 PMCID: PMC10875875 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-024-03315-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND By being highly involved in the tumor evolution and disease progression of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), Myc family members (C-Myc, L-Myc, and N-Myc) might represent promising targetable molecules. Our aim was to investigate the expression pattern and prognostic relevance of these oncogenic proteins in an international cohort of surgically resected SCLC tumors. METHODS Clinicopathological data and surgically resected tissue specimens from 104 SCLC patients were collected from two collaborating European institutes. Tissue sections were stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for all three Myc family members and the recently introduced SCLC molecular subtype-markers (ASCL1, NEUROD1, POU2F3, and YAP1). RESULTS IHC analysis showed C-Myc, L-Myc, and N-Myc positivity in 48%, 63%, and 9% of the specimens, respectively. N-Myc positivity significantly correlated with the POU2F3-defined molecular subtype (r = 0.6913, p = 0.0056). SCLC patients with C-Myc positive tumors exhibited significantly worse overall survival (OS) (20 vs. 44 months compared to those with C-Myc negative tumors, p = 0.0176). Ultimately, in a multivariate risk model adjusted for clinicopathological and treatment confounders, positive C-Myc expression was confirmed as an independent prognosticator of impaired OS (HR 1.811, CI 95% 1.054-3.113, p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS Our study provides insights into the clinical aspects of Myc family members in surgically resected SCLC tumors. Notably, besides showing that positivity of Myc family members varies across the patients, we also reveal that C-Myc protein expression independently correlates with worse survival outcomes. Further studies are warranted to investigate the role of Myc family members as potential prognostic and predictive markers in this hard-to-treat disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Lang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, A-1090, Austria
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Pulmonology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zsolt Megyesfalvi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, A-1090, Austria.
- National Korányi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology-Semmelweis University, Ráth György u. 7-9, Budapest, 1122, Hungary.
| | - Andras Lantos
- National Korányi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Mir Alireza Hoda
- Department of Thoracic Surgery; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, A-1090, Austria
| | - Anna Solta
- Department of Thoracic Surgery; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, A-1090, Austria
| | - Bence Ferencz
- National Korányi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology-Semmelweis University, Ráth György u. 7-9, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Janos Fillinger
- National Korányi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Alessandro Saeed Querner
- Department of Thoracic Surgery; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, A-1090, Austria
| | - Felix Egger
- Department of Thoracic Surgery; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, A-1090, Austria
| | - Kristiina Boettiger
- Department of Thoracic Surgery; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, A-1090, Austria
| | - Thomas Klikovits
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Clinic Floridsdorf, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerald Timelthaler
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ferenc Renyi-Vamos
- National Korányi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology-Semmelweis University, Ráth György u. 7-9, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
- National Institute of Oncology and National Tumor Biology Laboratory, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Clemens Aigner
- Department of Thoracic Surgery; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, A-1090, Austria
| | - Konrad Hoetzenecker
- Department of Thoracic Surgery; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, A-1090, Austria
| | - Viktoria Laszlo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, A-1090, Austria
- National Korányi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology-Semmelweis University, Ráth György u. 7-9, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Karin Schelch
- Department of Thoracic Surgery; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, A-1090, Austria
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Balazs Dome
- Department of Thoracic Surgery; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, A-1090, Austria.
- National Korányi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology-Semmelweis University, Ráth György u. 7-9, Budapest, 1122, Hungary.
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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Li C, Sun C, Mahapatra KD, Riihilä P, Knuutila J, Nissinen L, Lapins J, Kähäri VM, Homey B, Sonkoly E, Pivarcsi A. Long noncoding RNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 is overexpressed in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and exon 2 is critical for its oncogenicity. Br J Dermatol 2024; 190:415-426. [PMID: 37930852 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljad419] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is one of the most common and fastest increasing forms of cancer worldwide with metastatic potential. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of RNA molecules with essential regulatory functions in both physiological and pathological processes. OBJECTIVES To investigate the function and mode of action of lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) in cSCC. METHODS Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and single-molecule in situ hybridization were used to quantify the expression level of PVT1 in normal skin, premalignant skin lesions, actinic keratosis (AK) and primary and metastatic cSCCs. The function of PVT1 in cSCC was investigated both in vivo (tumour xenografts) and in vitro (competitive cell growth assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assay, colony formation assay and tumour spheroid formation assay) upon CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout of the entire PVT1 locus, the knockout of exon 2 of PVT1, and locked nucleic acid (LNA) gapmer-mediated PVT1 knockdown. RNA sequencing analysis was conducted to identify genes and processes regulated by PVT1. RESULTS We identified PVT1 as a lncRNA upregulated in cSCC in situ and cSCC, associated with the malignant phenotype of cSCC. We showed that the expression of PVT1 in cSCC was regulated by MYC. Both CRISPR-Cas9 deletion of the entire PVT1 locus and LNA gapmer-mediated knockdown of PVT1 transcript impaired the malignant behaviour of cSCC cells, suggesting that PVT1 is an oncogenic transcript in cSCC. Furthermore, knockout of PVT1 exon 2 inhibited cSCC tumour growth both in vivo and in vitro, demonstrating that exon 2 is a critical element for the oncogenic role of PVT1. Mechanistically, we showed that PVT1 was localized in the cell nucleus and its deletion resulted in cellular senescence, increased cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (p21/CDKN1A) expression and cell cycle arrest. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed a previously unrecognized role for exon 2 of PVT1 in its oncogenic role and that PVT1 suppresses cellular senescence in cSCC. PVT1 may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in cSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Li
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (IMBIM)
| | - Chengxi Sun
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (IMBIM)
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Shandong, China
| | | | - Pilvi Riihilä
- Department of Dermatology
- FICAN West Cancer Research Laboratory, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Jaakko Knuutila
- Department of Dermatology
- FICAN West Cancer Research Laboratory, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Liisa Nissinen
- Department of Dermatology
- FICAN West Cancer Research Laboratory, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Jan Lapins
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Veli-Matti Kähäri
- Department of Dermatology
- FICAN West Cancer Research Laboratory, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Bernhard Homey
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Enikö Sonkoly
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (IMBIM)
- Dermatology and Venereology Division, Department of Medicine Solna
- Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andor Pivarcsi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (IMBIM)
- Dermatology and Venereology Division, Department of Medicine Solna
- Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Venkatraman S, Balasubramanian B, Thuwajit C, Meller J, Tohtong R, Chutipongtanate S. Targeting MYC at the intersection between cancer metabolism and oncoimmunology. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1324045. [PMID: 38390324 PMCID: PMC10881682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1324045] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
MYC activation is a known hallmark of cancer as it governs the gene targets involved in various facets of cancer progression. Of interest, MYC governs oncometabolism through the interactions with its partners and cofactors, as well as cancer immunity via its gene targets. Recent investigations have taken interest in characterizing these interactions through multi-Omic approaches, to better understand the vastness of the MYC network. Of the several gene targets of MYC involved in either oncometabolism or oncoimmunology, few of them overlap in function. Prominent interactions have been observed with MYC and HIF-1α, in promoting glucose and glutamine metabolism and activation of antigen presentation on regulatory T cells, and its subsequent metabolic reprogramming. This review explores existing knowledge of the role of MYC in oncometabolism and oncoimmunology. It also unravels how MYC governs transcription and influences cellular metabolism to facilitate the induction of pro- or anti-tumoral immunity. Moreover, considering the significant roles MYC holds in cancer development, the present study discusses effective direct or indirect therapeutic strategies to combat MYC-driven cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Venkatraman
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Brinda Balasubramanian
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Chanitra Thuwajit
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jaroslaw Meller
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Rutaiwan Tohtong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somchai Chutipongtanate
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Milk, microbiome, Immunity and Lactation research for Child Health (MILCH) and Novel Therapeutics Lab, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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40
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Yan F, Jiang V, Jordan A, Che Y, Liu Y, Cai Q, Xue Y, Li Y, McIntosh J, Chen Z, Vargas J, Nie L, Yao Y, Lee HH, Wang W, Bigcal JR, Badillo M, Meena J, Flowers C, Zhou J, Zhao Z, Simon LM, Wang M. The HSP90-MYC-CDK9 network drives therapeutic resistance in mantle cell lymphoma. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:14. [PMID: 38326887 PMCID: PMC10848414 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00484-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Brexucabtagene autoleucel CAR-T therapy is highly efficacious in overcoming resistance to Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) in mantle cell lymphoma. However, many patients relapse post CAR-T therapy with dismal outcomes. To dissect the underlying mechanisms of sequential resistance to BTKi and CAR-T therapy, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing analysis for 66 samples from 25 patients treated with BTKi and/or CAR-T therapy and conducted in-depth bioinformatics™ analysis. Our analysis revealed that MYC activity progressively increased with sequential resistance. HSP90AB1 (Heat shock protein 90 alpha family class B member 1), a MYC target, was identified as early driver of CAR-T resistance. CDK9 (Cyclin-dependent kinase 9), another MYC target, was significantly upregulated in Dual-R samples. Both HSP90AB1 and CDK9 expression were correlated with MYC activity levels. Pharmaceutical co-targeting of HSP90 and CDK9 synergistically diminished MYC activity, leading to potent anti-MCL activity. Collectively, our study revealed that HSP90-MYC-CDK9 network is the primary driving force of therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Yan
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vivian Jiang
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Alexa Jordan
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yuxuan Che
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qingsong Cai
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yu Xue
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Yijing Li
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joseph McIntosh
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhihong Chen
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jovanny Vargas
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lei Nie
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yixin Yao
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Heng-Huan Lee
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - JohnNelson R Bigcal
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria Badillo
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jitendra Meena
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Christopher Flowers
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jia Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Lukas M Simon
- Therapeutic Innovation Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Michael Wang
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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El-Kadi RA, AbdelKader NF, Zaki HF, Kamel AS. Influence of β-catenin signaling on neurogenesis in neuropsychiatric disorders: Anxiety and depression. Drug Dev Res 2024; 85:e22157. [PMID: 38349261 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
It has been proven that stress, mainly in the early years of life, can lead to anxiety and mood problems. Current treatments for psychiatric disorders are not enough, and some of them show intolerable side effects, emphasizing the urgent need for new treatment targets. Hence, a better understanding of the different brain networks, which are involved in the response to anxiety and depression, may evoke treatments with more specific targets. One of these targets is β-catenin that regulates brain circuits. β-Catenin has a dual response toward stress, which may influence coping or vulnerability to stress response. Indeed, β-catenin signaling involves several processes such as inflammation-directed brain repair, inflammation-induced brain damage, and neurogenesis. Interestingly, β-catenin reduction is accompanied by low neurogenesis, which leads to anxiety and depression. However, in another state, this reduction activates a compensatory mechanism that enhances neurogenesis to protect against depression but may precipitate anxiety. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanism of β-catenin could enhance our knowledge about anxiety and depression's pathophysiology, potentially improving clinical results by targeting it. Herein, the different states of β-catenin were discussed, shedding light on possible drugs that showed action on psychiatric disorders through β-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Noha F AbdelKader
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hala F Zaki
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S Kamel
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Jari M, Abdoli S, Bazi Z, Shamsabadi FT, Roshanmehr F, Shahbazi M. Enhancing protein production and growth in chinese hamster ovary cells through miR-107 overexpression. AMB Express 2024; 14:16. [PMID: 38302631 PMCID: PMC10834913 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-024-01670-y] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are widely employed as host cells for biopharmaceutical production. The manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals poses several challenges, including restricted growth potential and inadequate productivity of the host cells. MicroRNAs play a crucial role in regulating gene expression and are considered highly promising tools for cell engineering to enhance protein production. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of miR-107, which is recognized as an onco-miR, on erythropoietin-producing CHO cells (CHO-hEPO). To assess the impact of miR-107 on CHO cells, a DNA plasmid containing miR-107 was introduced to CHO-hEPO cells through transfection. Cell proliferation and viability were assessed using the trypan blue dye exclusion method. Cell cycle analysis was conducted by utilizing propidium iodide (PI) staining. The quantification of EPO was determined using an immunoassay test. Moreover, the impact of miR-107 on the expression of downstream target genes was evaluated using qRT-PCR. Our findings highlight and underscore the substantial impact of transient miR-107 overexpression, which led to a remarkable 2.7-fold increase in EPO titers and a significant 1.6-fold increase in the specific productivity of CHO cells (p < 0.01). Furthermore, this intervention resulted in significant enhancements in cell viability and growth rate (p < 0.05). Intriguingly, the overexpression of miR‑107 was linked to the downregulation of LATS2, PTEN, and TSC1 genes while concurrently driving upregulation in transcript levels of MYC, YAP, mTOR, and S6K genes within transgenic CHO cells. In conclusion, this study collectively underscores the feasibility of utilizing cancer-associated miRNAs as a powerful tool for CHO cell engineering. However, more in-depth exploration is warranted to unravel the precise molecular intricacies of miR-107's effects in the context of CHO cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Jari
- Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Shastkola Road, Falsafi Complex, Gorgan, Zip code: 4934174611, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Shahriyar Abdoli
- Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Shastkola Road, Falsafi Complex, Gorgan, Zip code: 4934174611, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Zahra Bazi
- Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Shastkola Road, Falsafi Complex, Gorgan, Zip code: 4934174611, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Tash Shamsabadi
- Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Shastkola Road, Falsafi Complex, Gorgan, Zip code: 4934174611, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Farnaz Roshanmehr
- Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Shastkola Road, Falsafi Complex, Gorgan, Zip code: 4934174611, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Majid Shahbazi
- Medical Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Shastkola Road, Falsafi Complex, Gorgan, Zip code: 4934174611, Iran.
- AryaTina Gene (ATG) Biopharmaceutical Company Gorgan, Gorgan, Iran.
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Almasmoum HA. Molecular complexity of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a molecular perspective and therapeutic implications. J Appl Genet 2024; 65:57-72. [PMID: 38001281 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-023-00804-5] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) stands as a formidable challenge in the landscape of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. This review illuminates the remarkable strides made in comprehending DLBCL's molecular intricacies and devising targeted treatments. DLBCL, the most prevalent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, has seen transformative progress in its characterization. Genetic investigations, led by high-throughput sequencing, have unveiled recurrent mutations in genes such as MYC, BCL2, and BCL6, casting light on the underlying genetic chaos propelling DLBCL's aggressiveness. A pivotal facet of this understanding centers on cell signaling pathways. Dysregulation of B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, JAK/STAT, Wnt/β-Catenin, and Toll-like receptor pathways plays a critical role in DLBCL pathogenesis, offering potential therapeutic targets. DLBCL's complex tumor microenvironment (TME) cannot be overlooked. The dynamic interplay among tumor cells, immune cells, stromal components, and the extracellular matrix profoundly influences DLBCL's course and response to therapies. Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and histone changes, add another layer of intricacy. Aberrant epigenetic regulation plays a significant role in lymphomagenesis, offering prospects for epigenetic-based therapies. Promisingly, these molecular insights have spurred the development of personalized treatments. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies, guided by genomic profiling and molecular classification, are emerging as game-changers in DLBCL management. In conclusion, this review underscores the remarkable strides in understanding DLBCL's molecular underpinnings, spanning genetics, cell signaling, the tumor microenvironment, and epigenetics. These advances pave the way for more effective, personalized treatments, renewing hope for DLBCL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hibah Ali Almasmoum
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
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Li Q, Guo H, Xu J, Li X, Wang D, Guo Y, Qing G, Van Vlierberghe P, Liu H. A helicase-independent role of DHX15 promotes MYC stability and acute leukemia cell survival. iScience 2024; 27:108571. [PMID: 38161423 PMCID: PMC10755364 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108571] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
DHX15 has been implicated in RNA splicing and ribosome biogenesis, primarily functioning as an RNA helicase. To systematically assess the cellular role of DHX15, we conducted proteomic analysis to investigate the landscape of DHX15 interactome, and identified MYC as a binding partner. DHX15 co-localizes with MYC in cells and directly interacts with MYC in vitro. Importantly, DHX15 contributes to MYC protein stability at the post-translational level and independent of its RNA binding capacity. Mechanistic investigation reveals that DHX15 interferes the interaction between MYC and FBXW7, thereby preventing MYC polyubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation. Consequently, the abrogation of DHX15 drastically inhibits MYC-mediated transcriptional output. While DHX15 depletion blocks T cell development and leukemia cell survival as we recently reported, overexpression of MYC significantly rescues the phenotypic defects. These findings shed light on the essential role of DHX15 in mammalian cells and suggest that maintaining sufficient MYC expression is a significant contributor to DHX15-mediated cellular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qilong Li
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Hao Guo
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Xinlu Li
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Donghai Wang
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Ying Guo
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Guoliang Qing
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | | | - Hudan Liu
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
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Malik S, Pradeep SP, Kumar V, Xiao Y, Deng Y, Fan R, Vasquez JC, Singh V, Bahal R. Antitumor efficacy of a sequence-specific DNA-targeted γPNA-based c-Myc inhibitor. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101354. [PMID: 38183981 PMCID: PMC10829792 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Targeting oncogenes at the genomic DNA level can open new avenues for precision medicine. Significant efforts are ongoing to target oncogenes using RNA-targeted and protein-targeted platforms, but no progress has been made to target genomic DNA for cancer therapy. Here, we introduce a gamma peptide nucleic acid (γPNA)-based genomic DNA-targeted platform to silence oncogenes in vivo. γPNAs efficiently invade the mixed sequences of genomic DNA with high affinity and specificity. As a proof of concept, we establish that γPNA can inhibit c-Myc transcription in multiple cell lines. We evaluate the in vivo efficacy and safety of genomic DNA targeting in three pre-clinical models. We also establish that anti-transcription γPNA in combination with histone deacetylase inhibitors and chemotherapeutic drugs results in robust antitumor activity in cell-line- and patient-derived xenografts. Overall, this strategy offers a unique therapeutic platform to target genomic DNA to inhibit oncogenes for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shipra Malik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Sai Pallavi Pradeep
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Vikas Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Yong Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanxiang Deng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Yale Stem Cell Center and Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Rong Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Yale Stem Cell Center and Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Human and Translational Immunology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Juan C Vasquez
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Vijender Singh
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
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Li M, Yu J, Ju L, Wang Y, Jin W, Zhang R, Xiang W, Ji M, Du W, Wang G, Qian K, Zhang Y, Xiao Y, Wang X. USP43 stabilizes c-Myc to promote glycolysis and metastasis in bladder cancer. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:44. [PMID: 38218970 PMCID: PMC10787741 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06446-7] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
A hallmark of tumor cells, including bladder cancer (BLCA) cells, is metabolic reprogramming toward aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect). The classical oncogene MYC, which is crucial in regulating glycolysis, is amplified and activated in BLCA. However, direct targeting of the c-Myc oncoprotein, which regulates glycolytic metabolism, presents great challenges and necessitates the discovery of a more clarified regulatory mechanism to develop selective targeted therapy. In this study, a siRNA library targeting deubiquitinases identified a candidate enzyme named USP43, which may regulate glycolytic metabolism and c-Myc transcriptional activity. Further investigation using functional assays and molecular studies revealed a USP43/c-Myc positive feedback loop that contributes to the progression of BLCA. Moreover, USP43 stabilizes c-Myc by deubiquitinating c-Myc at K148 and K289 primarily through deubiquitinase activity. Additionally, upregulation of USP43 protein in BLCA increased the chance of interaction with c-Myc and interfered with FBXW7 access and degradation of c-Myc. These findings suggest that USP43 is a potential therapeutic target for indirectly targeting glycolytic metabolism and the c-Myc oncoprotein consequently enhancing the efficacy of bladder cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Li
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingtian Yu
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lingao Ju
- Department of Biological Repositories, Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Urological Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yejinpeng Wang
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wan Jin
- Department of Biological Repositories, Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Urological Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Euler Technology, ZGC Life Sciences Park, Beijing, China
| | - Renjie Zhang
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wan Xiang
- Department of Biological Repositories, Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Urological Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng Ji
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenzhi Du
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Biological Repositories, Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Urological Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaiyu Qian
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Biological Repositories, Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Urological Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Euler Technology, ZGC Life Sciences Park, Beijing, China.
- Center for Quantitative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yu Xiao
- Department of Biological Repositories, Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Hubei Key Laboratory of Urological Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Xinghuan Wang
- Department of Urology, Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.
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47
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Coulter DW, Chhonker YS, Kumar D, Kesherwani V, Aldhafiri WN, McIntyre EM, Alexander G, Ray S, Joshi SS, Li R, Murry DJ, Chaturvedi NK. Marinopyrrole derivative MP1 as a novel anti-cancer agent in group 3 MYC-amplified Medulloblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:18. [PMID: 38200580 PMCID: PMC10782703 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-02944-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma (MB) patients with MYC oncogene amplification or overexpression exhibit extremely poor prognoses and therapy resistance. However, MYC itself has been one of the most challenging targets for cancer treatment. Here, we identify a novel marinopyrrole natural derivative, MP1, that shows desirable anti-MYC and anti-cancer activities in MB. METHODS In this study, using MYC-amplified (Group 3) and non-MYC amplified MB cell lines in vitro and in vivo, we evaluated anti-cancer efficacies and molecular mechanism(s) of MP1. RESULTS MP1 significantly suppressed MB cell growth and sphere counts and induced G2 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a MYC-dependent manner. Mechanistically, MP1 strongly downregulated the expression of MYC protein. Our results with RNA-seq revealed that MP1 significantly modulated global gene expression and inhibited MYC-associated transcriptional targets including translation/mTOR targets. In addition, MP1 inhibited MYC-target metabolism, leading to declined energy levels. The combination of MP1 with an FDA-approved mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus synergistically inhibited MB cell growth/survival by downregulating the expression of MYC and mTOR signaling components. Our results further showed that as single agents, both MP1 and temsirolimus, were able to significantly inhibit tumor growth and MYC expression in subcutaneously or orthotopically MYC-amplified MB bearing mice. In combination, there were further anti-MB effects on the tumor growth and MYC expression in mice. CONCLUSION These preclinical findings highlight the promise of marinopyrrole MP1 as a novel MYC inhibition approach for MYC-amplified MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don W Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Yashpal S Chhonker
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Devendra Kumar
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Varun Kesherwani
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Wafaa N Aldhafiri
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Erin M McIntyre
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Gracey Alexander
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Sutapa Ray
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Shantaram S Joshi
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Rongshi Li
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Daryl J Murry
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Nagendra K Chaturvedi
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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Panja S, Truica MI, Yu CY, Saggurthi V, Craige MW, Whitehead K, Tuiche MV, Al-Saadi A, Vyas R, Ganesan S, Gohel S, Coffman F, Parrott JS, Quan S, Jha S, Kim I, Schaeffer E, Kothari V, Abdulkadir SA, Mitrofanova A. Mechanism-centric regulatory network identifies NME2 and MYC programs as markers of Enzalutamide resistance in CRPC. Nat Commun 2024; 15:352. [PMID: 38191557 PMCID: PMC10774320 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44686-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneous response to Enzalutamide, a second-generation androgen receptor signaling inhibitor, is a central problem in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) management. Genome-wide systems investigation of mechanisms that govern Enzalutamide resistance promise to elucidate markers of heterogeneous treatment response and salvage therapies for CRPC patients. Focusing on the de novo role of MYC as a marker of Enzalutamide resistance, here we reconstruct a CRPC-specific mechanism-centric regulatory network, connecting molecular pathways with their upstream transcriptional regulatory programs. Mining this network with signatures of Enzalutamide response identifies NME2 as an upstream regulatory partner of MYC in CRPC and demonstrates that NME2-MYC increased activities can predict patients at risk of resistance to Enzalutamide, independent of co-variates. Furthermore, our experimental investigations demonstrate that targeting MYC and its partner NME2 is beneficial in Enzalutamide-resistant conditions and could provide an effective strategy for patients at risk of Enzalutamide resistance and/or for patients who failed Enzalutamide treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukanya Panja
- Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ, 07107, USA
| | - Mihai Ioan Truica
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Christina Y Yu
- Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ, 07107, USA
| | - Vamshi Saggurthi
- Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ, 07107, USA
| | - Michael W Craige
- Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ, 07107, USA
| | - Katie Whitehead
- Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ, 07107, USA
| | - Mayra V Tuiche
- Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ, 07107, USA
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers School of Graduate Studies, Newark, NJ, 07039, USA
| | - Aymen Al-Saadi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rutgers School of Engineering, New Brunswick, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Riddhi Vyas
- Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ, 07107, USA
| | - Shridar Ganesan
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Suril Gohel
- Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ, 07107, USA
| | - Frederick Coffman
- Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ, 07107, USA
| | - James S Parrott
- Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ, 07107, USA
| | - Songhua Quan
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Shantenu Jha
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rutgers School of Engineering, New Brunswick, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Isaac Kim
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
- Department of Urology, Yale School of Medicine, New Heaven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Edward Schaeffer
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Vishal Kothari
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Sarki A Abdulkadir
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Antonina Mitrofanova
- Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ, 07107, USA.
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
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Eames A, Chandrasekaran S. Leveraging metabolic modeling and machine learning to uncover modulators of quiescence depth. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae013. [PMID: 38292544 PMCID: PMC10825626 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Quiescence, a temporary withdrawal from the cell cycle, plays a key role in tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Quiescence is increasingly viewed as a continuum between shallow and deep quiescence, reflecting different potentials to proliferate. The depth of quiescence is altered in a range of diseases and during aging. Here, we leveraged genome-scale metabolic modeling (GEM) to define the metabolic and epigenetic changes that take place with quiescence deepening. We discovered contrasting changes in lipid catabolism and anabolism and diverging trends in histone methylation and acetylation. We then built a multi-cell type machine learning model that accurately predicts quiescence depth in diverse biological contexts. Using both machine learning and genome-scale flux simulations, we performed high-throughput screening of chemical and genetic modulators of quiescence and identified novel small molecule and genetic modulators with relevance to cancer and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec Eames
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sriram Chandrasekaran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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50
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Singh VK, Rajak N, Giri R, Garg N. Advances in non-covalent based inhibitors targeting Myc: a promising approach for cancer treatment. Future Med Chem 2024; 16:101-103. [PMID: 38084612 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vipendra Kumar Singh
- School of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, VPO Kamand, Mandi-175075, HP, India
| | - Naina Rajak
- Faculty of Ayurveda, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Rajanish Giri
- School of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, VPO Kamand, Mandi-175075, HP, India
| | - Neha Garg
- Faculty of Ayurveda, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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