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Ye BJ, Li DF, Li XY, Hao JL, Liu DJ, Yu H, Zhang CD. Methylation synthetic lethality: Exploiting selective drug targets for cancer therapy. Cancer Lett 2024; 597:217010. [PMID: 38849016 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217010] [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: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
In cancer, synthetic lethality refers to the drug-induced inactivation of one gene and the inhibition of another in cancer cells by a drug, resulting in the death of only cancer cells; however, this effect is not present in normal cells, leading to targeted killing of cancer cells. Recent intensive epigenetic research has revealed that aberrant epigenetic changes are more frequently observed than gene mutations in certain cancers. Recently, numerous studies have reported various methylation synthetic lethal combinations involving DNA damage repair genes, metabolic pathway genes, and paralogs with significant results in cellular models, some of which have already entered clinical trials with promising results. This review systematically introduces the advantages of methylation synthetic lethality and describes the lethal mechanisms of methylation synthetic lethal combinations that have recently demonstrated success in cellular models. Furthermore, we discuss the future opportunities and challenges of methylation synthetic lethality in targeted anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Jie Ye
- Clinical Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Di-Fei Li
- Clinical Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Xin-Yun Li
- Clinical Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Jia-Lin Hao
- Central Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Di-Jie Liu
- Central Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Hang Yu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Chun-Dong Zhang
- Central Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China; Department of Surgical Oncology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China.
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2
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Assi G, Faour WH. Arginine deprivation as a treatment approach targeting cancer cell metabolism and survival: A review of the literature. Eur J Pharmacol 2023:175830. [PMID: 37277030 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175830] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Amino acid requirement of metabolically active cells is a key element in cellular survival. Of note, cancer cells were shown to have an abnormal metabolism and high-energy requirements including the high amino acid requirement needed for growth factor synthesis. Thus, amino acid deprivation is considered a novel approach to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and offer potential treatment prospects. Accordingly, arginine was proven to play a significant role in cancer cell metabolism and therapy. Arginine depletion induced cell death in various types of cancer cells. Also, the various mechanisms of arginine deprivation, e.g., apoptosis and autophagy were summarized. Finally, the adaptive mechanisms of arginine were also investigated. Several malignant tumors had high amino acid metabolic requirements to accommodate their rapid growth. Antimetabolites that prevent the production of amino acids were also developed as anticancer therapies and are currently under clinical investigation. The aim of this review is to provide a concise literature on arginine metabolism and deprivation, its effects in different tumors, its different modes of action, as well as the related cancerous escape mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghaith Assi
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon, P.O. Box 36
| | - Wissam H Faour
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon, P.O. Box 36.
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3
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Amleh A, Chen HP, Watad L, Abramovich I, Agranovich B, Gottlieb E, Ben-Dov IZ, Nechama M, Volovelsky O. Arginine depletion attenuates renal cystogenesis in tuberous sclerosis complex model. Cell Rep Med 2023:101073. [PMID: 37290438 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101073] [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: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cystic kidney disease is a leading cause of morbidity in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). We characterize the misregulated metabolic pathways using cell lines, a TSC mouse model, and human kidney sections. Our study reveals a substantial perturbation in the arginine biosynthesis pathway in TSC models with overexpression of argininosuccinate synthetase 1 (ASS1). The rise in ASS1 expression is dependent on the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity. Arginine depletion prevents mTORC1 hyperactivation and cell cycle progression and averts cystogenic signaling overexpression of c-Myc and P65. Accordingly, an arginine-depleted diet substantially reduces the TSC cystic load in mice, indicating the potential therapeutic effects of arginine deprivation for the treatment of TSC-associated kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athar Amleh
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hadass Pri Chen
- Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Nephrology, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Lana Watad
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ifat Abramovich
- The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Bella Agranovich
- The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Eyal Gottlieb
- The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Iddo Z Ben-Dov
- Department of Nephrology, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; Laboratory of Medical Transcriptomics, Department of Nephrology and Hypertension and Internal Medicine B, Hadassah - Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Morris Nechama
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Oded Volovelsky
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
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4
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Fouda AY, Xu Z, Suwanpradid J, Rojas M, Shosha E, Lemtalsi T, Patel C, Xing J, Zaidi SA, Zhi W, Stansfield BK, Cheng PNM, Narayanan SP, Caldwell RW, Caldwell RB. Targeting proliferative retinopathy: Arginase 1 limits vitreoretinal neovascularization and promotes angiogenic repair. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:745. [PMID: 36038541 PMCID: PMC9424300 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05196-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Current therapies for treatment of proliferative retinopathy focus on retinal neovascularization (RNV) during advanced disease and can trigger adverse side-effects. Here, we have tested a new strategy for limiting neurovascular injury and promoting repair during early-stage disease. We have recently shown that treatment with a stable, pegylated drug form of the ureohydrolase enzyme arginase 1 (A1) provides neuroprotection in acute models of ischemia/reperfusion injury, optic nerve crush, and ischemic stroke. Now, we have determined the effects of this treatment on RNV, vascular repair, and retinal function in the mouse oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Our studies in the OIR model show that treatment with pegylated A1 (PEG-A1), inhibits pathological RNV, promotes angiogenic repair, and improves retinal function by a mechanism involving decreased expression of TNF, iNOS, and VEGF and increased expression of FGF2 and A1. We further show that A1 is expressed in myeloid cells and areas of RNV in retinal sections from mice with OIR and human diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients and in blood samples from ROP patients. Moreover, studies using knockout mice with hemizygous deletion of A1 show worsened RNV and retinal injury, supporting the protective role of A1 in limiting the OIR-induced pathology. Collectively, A1 is critically involved in reparative angiogenesis and neuroprotection in OIR. Pegylated A1 may offer a novel therapy for limiting retinal injury and promoting repair during proliferative retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelrahman Y Fouda
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Zhimin Xu
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Jutamas Suwanpradid
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Modesto Rojas
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Esraa Shosha
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Tahira Lemtalsi
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Chintan Patel
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Ji Xing
- Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Department of Cellular Biology & Anatomy, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Syed A Zaidi
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Wenbo Zhi
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Brain K Stansfield
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Paul Ning-Man Cheng
- Bio-cancer Treatment International, 511-513, Bioinformatics Building, Hong Kong Science Park, Tai Po, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - S Priya Narayanan
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Department of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - R William Caldwell
- Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
| | - Ruth B Caldwell
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA. .,Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA. .,Department of Cellular Biology & Anatomy, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA. .,Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA, USA.
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5
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Hou X, Chen S, Zhang P, Guo D, Wang B. Targeted Arginine Metabolism Therapy: A Dilemma in Glioma Treatment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:938847. [PMID: 35898872 PMCID: PMC9313538 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.938847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts in the treatment of glioma which is the most common primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system, have not shown satisfactory results despite a comprehensive treatment model that combines various treatment methods, including immunotherapy. Cellular metabolism is a determinant of the viability and function of cancer cells as well as immune cells, and the interplay of immune regulation and metabolic reprogramming in tumors has become an active area of research in recent years. From the perspective of metabolism and immunity in the glioma microenvironment, we elaborated on arginine metabolic reprogramming in glioma cells, which leads to a decrease in arginine levels in the tumor microenvironment. Reduced arginine availability significantly inhibits the proliferation, activation, and function of T cells, thereby promoting the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Therefore, replenishment of arginine levels to enhance the anti-tumor activity of T cells is a promising strategy for the treatment of glioma. However, due to the lack of expression of argininosuccinate synthase, gliomas are unable to synthesize arginine; thus, they are highly dependent on the availability of arginine in the extracellular environment. This metabolic weakness of glioma has been utilized by researchers to develop arginine deprivation therapy, which ‘starves’ tumor cells by consuming large amounts of arginine in circulation. Although it has shown good results, this treatment modality that targets arginine metabolism in glioma is controversial. Exploiting a suitable strategy that can not only enhance the antitumor immune response, but also “starve” tumor cells by regulating arginine metabolism to cure glioma will be promising.
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Du Z, Li T, Huang J, Chen Y, Chen C. Arginase: Mechanisms and Clinical Application in Hematologic Malignancy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:905893. [PMID: 35814439 PMCID: PMC9260017 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.905893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Compared to normal tissues and cells, the metabolic patterns of tumor illnesses are more complex, and there are hallmarks of metabolic reprogramming in energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. When tumor cells are in a state of fast growth, they are susceptible to food shortage, resulting in growth suppression. Using this metabolic sensitivity of tumor cells to construct amino acid consumption therapy does not harm the function of normal cells, which is the focus of metabolic therapy research at the moment. As a non-essential amino acid, arginine is involved in numerous crucial biological processes, including the signaling system, cell proliferation, and material metabolism. Rapidly dividing tumor cells are more likely to be deficient in arginine; hence, utilizing arginase to consume arginine can suppress tumor growth. Due to the absence of arginine succinate synthase, arginine succinate lyase, and ornithine carbamoyl transferase in some blood tumors, arginases may be employed to treat blood tumors. By investigating the mechanism of arginase treatment and the mechanism of drug resistance in greater depth, arginase treatment becomes more successful in hematological cancers and a new anti-cancer agent in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zefan Du
- Department of Pediatrics, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tianwen Li
- Department of Pediatrics, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Junbin Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Chen, ; Chun Chen,
| | - Chun Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Chen, ; Chun Chen,
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7
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Tang F, Tie Y, Wei YQ, Tu CQ, Wei XW. Targeted and immuno-based therapies in sarcoma: mechanisms and advances in clinical trials. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188606. [PMID: 34371128 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Sarcomas represent a distinct group of rare malignant tumors with high heterogeneity. Limited options with clinical efficacy for the metastatic or local advanced sarcoma existed despite standard therapy. Recently, targeted therapy according to the molecular and genetic phenotype of individual sarcoma is a promising option. Among these drugs, anti-angiogenesis therapy achieved favorable efficacy in sarcomas. Inhibitors targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, mTOR, NTRK, metabolisms, and epigenetic drugs are under clinical evaluation for sarcomas bearing the corresponding signals. Immunotherapy represents a promising and favorable method in advanced solid tumors. However, most sarcomas are immune "cold" tumors, with only alveolar soft part sarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Cellular therapies with TCR-engineered T cells, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, and nature killer cells transfer show therapeutic potential. Identifying tumor-specific antigens and exploring immune modulation factors arguing the efficacy of these immunotherapies are the current challenges. This review focuses on the mechanisms, advances, and potential strategies of targeted and immune-based therapies in sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Tang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Orthopeadics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Tie
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu-Quan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chong-Qi Tu
- Department of Orthopeadics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Xia-Wei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Chen CL, Hsu SC, Ann DK, Yen Y, Kung HJ. Arginine Signaling and Cancer Metabolism. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3541. [PMID: 34298755 PMCID: PMC8306961 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Arginine is an amino acid critically involved in multiple cellular processes including the syntheses of nitric oxide and polyamines, and is a direct activator of mTOR, a nutrient-sensing kinase strongly implicated in carcinogenesis. Yet, it is also considered as a non- or semi-essential amino acid, due to normal cells' intrinsic ability to synthesize arginine from citrulline and aspartate via ASS1 (argininosuccinate synthase 1) and ASL (argininosuccinate lyase). As such, arginine can be used as a dietary supplement and its depletion as a therapeutic strategy. Strikingly, in over 70% of tumors, ASS1 transcription is suppressed, rendering the cells addicted to external arginine, forming the basis of arginine-deprivation therapy. In this review, we will discuss arginine as a signaling metabolite, arginine's role in cancer metabolism, arginine as an epigenetic regulator, arginine as an immunomodulator, and arginine as a therapeutic target. We will also provide a comprehensive summary of ADI (arginine deiminase)-based arginine-deprivation preclinical studies and an update of clinical trials for ADI and arginase. The different cell killing mechanisms associated with various cancer types will also be described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Lin Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan 350, Miaoli County, Taiwan;
| | - Sheng-Chieh Hsu
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu 30035, Taiwan;
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan 350, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - David K. Ann
- Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Research, Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
| | - Yun Yen
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
| | - Hsing-Jien Kung
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan 350, Miaoli County, Taiwan;
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
- Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Metabolic Reprogramming in Anticancer Drug Resistance: A Focus on Amino Acids. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:682-699. [PMID: 33736962 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Overcoming anticancer drug resistance is a major challenge in cancer therapy, requiring innovative strategies that consider the extensive tumor heterogeneity and adaptability. We provide recent evidence highlighting the key role of amino acid (AA) metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells and the supportive microenvironment in driving resistance to anticancer therapies. AAs sustain the acquisition of anticancer resistance by providing essential building blocks for biosynthetic pathways and for maintaining a balanced redox status, and modulating the epigenetic profile of both malignant and non-malignant cells. In addition, AAs support the reduced intrinsic susceptibility of cancer stem cells to antineoplastic therapies. These findings shed new light on the possibility of targeting nonresponding tumors by modulating AA availability through pharmacological or dietary interventions.
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Kuo MT, Chen HHW, Feun LG, Savaraj N. Targeting the Proline-Glutamine-Asparagine-Arginine Metabolic Axis in Amino Acid Starvation Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14010072. [PMID: 33477430 PMCID: PMC7830038 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Proline, glutamine, asparagine, and arginine are conditionally non-essential amino acids that can be produced in our body. However, they are essential for the growth of highly proliferative cells such as cancers. Many cancers express reduced levels of these amino acids and thus require import from the environment. Meanwhile, the biosynthesis of these amino acids is inter-connected but can be intervened individually through the inhibition of key enzymes of the biosynthesis of these amino acids, resulting in amino acid starvation and cell death. Amino acid starvation strategies have been in various stages of clinical applications. Targeting asparagine using asparaginase has been approved for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Targeting glutamine and arginine starvations are in various stages of clinical trials, and targeting proline starvation is in preclinical development. The most important obstacle of these therapies is drug resistance, which is mostly due to reactivation of the key enzymes involved in biosynthesis of the targeted amino acids and reprogramming of compensatory survival pathways via transcriptional, epigenetic, and post-translational mechanisms. Here, we review the interactive regulatory mechanisms that control cellular levels of these amino acids for amino acid starvation therapy and how drug resistance is evolved underlying treatment failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macus Tien Kuo
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Helen H. W. Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70428, Taiwan;
| | - Lynn G. Feun
- Department of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Niramol Savaraj
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Miami Veterans Affairs Heaithcare System, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
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