1
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Chavan T, Kanabar D, Patel K, Laflamme TM, Riyazi M, Spratt DE, Muth A. Structural modification of the propyl linker of cjoc42 in combination with sulfonate ester and triazole replacements for enhanced gankyrin binding and anti-proliferative activity. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 110:117836. [PMID: 39029437 PMCID: PMC11342405 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117836] [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: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Liver cancer is a complex disease that involves various oncoproteins and the inactivation of tumor suppressor proteins (TSPs). Gankyrin is one such oncoprotein, first identified in human hepatocellular carcinoma, that is known to inactivate multiple TSPs, leading to proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells. Despite this, there has been limited development of small molecule gankyrin binders for the treatment of liver cancer. In this study, we are reporting the structure-based design of gankyrin-binding small molecules which inhibit the proliferation of HuH6 and HepG2 cells while also increasing the levels of certain TSPs, such as Rb and p53. Interestingly the first molecule to exhibit inhibition by 3D structure stabilization is seen. These results suggest a possible mechanism for small-molecule inhibition of gankyrin and demonstrate that gankyrin is a viable therapeutic target for the treatment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejashri Chavan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, USA
| | - Dipti Kanabar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, USA
| | - Kinjal Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, USA
| | - Taylor M Laflamme
- Gustaf H. Carlson School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Clark University, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
| | - Maryam Riyazi
- Gustaf H. Carlson School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Clark University, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
| | - Donald E Spratt
- Gustaf H. Carlson School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Clark University, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
| | - Aaron Muth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, USA.
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2
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Zhang J, Zhou L, Zhao S, El-Deiry WS. Regorafenib synergizes with TAS102 against multiple gastrointestinal cancers and overcomes cancer stemness, trifluridine-induced angiogenesis, ERK1/2 and STAT3 signaling regardless of KRAS or BRAF mutational status. Oncotarget 2024; 15:424-438. [PMID: 38953895 PMCID: PMC11218792 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28602] [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: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Single-agent TAS102 (trifluridine/tipiracil) and regorafenib are FDA-approved treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We previously reported that regorafenib combined with a fluoropyrimidine can delay disease progression in clinical case reports of multidrug-resistant mCRC patients. We hypothesized that the combination of TAS102 and regorafenib may be active in CRC and other gastrointestinal (GI) cancers and may in the future provide a treatment option for patients with advanced GI cancer. We investigated the therapeutic effect of TAS102 in combination with regorafenib in preclinical studies employing cell culture, colonosphere assays that enrich for cancer stem cells, and in vivo. TAS102 in combination with regorafenib has synergistic activity against multiple GI cancers in vitro including colorectal and gastric cancer, but not liver cancer cells. TAS102 inhibits colonosphere formation and this effect is potentiated by regorafenib. In vivo anti-tumor effects of TAS102 plus regorafenib appear to be due to anti-proliferative effects, necrosis and angiogenesis inhibition. Growth inhibition by TAS102 plus regorafenib occurs in xenografted tumors regardless of p53, KRAS or BRAF mutations, although more potent tumor suppression was observed with wild-type p53. Regorafenib significantly inhibits TAS102-induced angiogenesis and microvessel density in xenografted tumors, as well inhibits TAS102-induced ERK1/2 activation regardless of RAS or BRAF status in vivo. TAS102 plus regorafenib is a synergistic drug combination in preclinical models of GI cancer, with regorafenib suppressing TAS102-induced increase in microvessel density and p-ERK as contributing mechanisms. The TAS102 plus regorafenib drug combination may be further tested in gastric and other GI cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, RI 02912, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, RI 02912, USA
- The Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University and Lifespan Health System, RI 02912, USA
- Cancer Center at Brown University, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, RI 02912, USA
| | - Lanlan Zhou
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, RI 02912, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, RI 02912, USA
- The Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University and Lifespan Health System, RI 02912, USA
- Cancer Center at Brown University, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, RI 02912, USA
| | - Shuai Zhao
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, RI 02912, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, RI 02912, USA
- The Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University and Lifespan Health System, RI 02912, USA
- Cancer Center at Brown University, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, RI 02912, USA
| | - Wafik S. El-Deiry
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, RI 02912, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, RI 02912, USA
- The Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University and Lifespan Health System, RI 02912, USA
- Cancer Center at Brown University, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, RI 02912, USA
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, Lifespan Health System and Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, RI 02912, USA
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3
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Auberle C, Gao F, Sloan M, Morgensztern D, Winkler L, Ward JP, Devarakonda S, Rearden TP, Govindan R, Waqar SN. A pilot study of nintedanib in molecularly selected patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. J Thorac Dis 2024; 16:3782-3793. [PMID: 38983151 PMCID: PMC11228753 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-23-1717] [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: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Background Nintedanib is a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the response rate for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with mutations in TP53, VEGFR1-3, PDGFR-A, PDGFR-B, and FGFR1-3 treated with nintedanib as part of an open-label, single-arm pilot study. Methods Patients with advanced NSCLC previously treated with platinum-doublet chemotherapy with the above mutations were enrolled. Exclusion criteria included necrotic tumors with invasion of blood vessels, history of recent thromboembolic events, increased risk of bleeding or thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and weight loss >10% within past 6 months. Nintedanib was administered at a dose of 200 mg orally twice daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and correlating outcomes with specific mutations. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02299141. Results Between 2015 and 2019, 20 patients were enrolled with a median age was 66 years, 15 (75%) were females, 15 (75%) had adenocarcinoma, and 17 patients had a TP53 mutation (85%). Seventeen (85%) had received prior immunotherapy and 11 (55%) had received at least three prior lines of systemic therapy. The ORR was 15% with three partial responses (PR), while 12 patients had stable disease (SD), with disease control rate (DCR) consisting of a PR and SD greater than or equal to 16 weeks of 65% (n=13). Median PFS was 4.3 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8-7.9] and median overall survival (OS) was 11.3 months (95% CI: 3.5-44.2). Three patients experienced prolonged clinical benefit from nintedanib, remaining on treatment for over 1 year and all three had a TP53 mutation and received prior immunotherapy. The most common adverse events of any grade included nausea (80%), fatigue (70%), diarrhea (60%), and anorexia (60%). Conclusions In this pilot study in heavily pretreated and molecularly selected patients with metastatic NSCLC, nintedanib showed modest activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Auberle
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Feng Gao
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Mark Sloan
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daniel Morgensztern
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Linda Winkler
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jeffrey P Ward
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Timothy P Rearden
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ramaswamy Govindan
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Saiama N Waqar
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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4
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Garbo S, D'Andrea D, Colantoni A, Fiorentino F, Mai A, Ramos A, Tartaglia GG, Tancredi A, Tripodi M, Battistelli C. m6A modification inhibits miRNAs' intracellular function, favoring their extracellular export for intercellular communication. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114369. [PMID: 38878288 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114369] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Epitranscriptomics represents a further layer of gene expression regulation. Specifically, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulates RNA maturation, stability, degradation, and translation. Regarding microRNAs (miRNAs), while it has been reported that m6A impacts their biogenesis, the functional effects on mature miRNAs remain unclear. Here, we show that m6A modification on specific miRNAs weakens their coupling to AGO2, impairs their function on target mRNAs, determines their delivery into extracellular vesicles (EVs), and provides functional information to receiving cells. Mechanistically, the intracellular functional impairment is caused by m6A-mediated inhibition of AGO2/miRNA interaction, the EV loading is favored by m6A-mediated recognition by the RNA-binding protein (RBP) hnRNPA2B1, and the EV-miRNA function in the receiving cell requires their FTO-mediated demethylation. Consequently, cells express specific miRNAs that do not impact endogenous transcripts but provide regulatory information for cell-to-cell communication. This highlights that a further level of complexity should be considered when relating cellular dynamics to specific miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Garbo
- Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniel D'Andrea
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Campus, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Fiorentino
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science, RNA Systems Biology Lab, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies Sapienza University of Rome, Ple. Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Andres Ramos
- Research Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6XA, UK
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Tancredi
- Dipartimento Metodi e Modelli per l'Economia, il Territorio e la Finanza MEMOTEF, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tripodi
- Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Cecilia Battistelli
- Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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5
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Royo F, Garcia-Vallicrosa C, Azparren-Angulo M, Bordanaba-Florit G, Lopez-Sarrio S, Falcon-Perez JM. Three-Dimensional Hepatocyte Spheroids: Model for Assessing Chemotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1200. [PMID: 38927406 PMCID: PMC11201042 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061200] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Three-dimensional cellular models provide a more comprehensive representation of in vivo cell properties, encompassing physiological characteristics and drug susceptibility. METHODS Primary hepatocytes were seeded in ultra-low attachment plates to form spheroids, with or without tumoral cells. Spheroid structure, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were analyzed using histological staining techniques. In addition, extracellular vesicles were isolated from conditioned media by differential ultracentrifugation. Spheroids were exposed to cytotoxic drugs, and both spheroid growth and cell death were measured by microscopic imaging and flow cytometry with vital staining, respectively. RESULTS Concerning spheroid structure, an active outer layer forms a boundary with the media, while the inner core comprises a mass of cell debris. Hepatocyte-formed spheroids release vesicles into the extracellular media, and a decrease in the concentration of vesicles in the culture media can be observed over time. When co-cultured with tumoral cells, a distinct distribution pattern emerges over the primary hepatocytes, resulting in different spheroid conformations. Tumoral cell growth was compromised upon antitumoral drug challenges. CONCLUSIONS Treatment of mixed spheroids with different cytotoxic drugs enables the characterization of drug effects on both hepatocytes and tumoral cells, determining drug specificity effects on these cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Royo
- Exosomes Laboratory and Metabolomics Platform, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain; (C.G.-V.); (M.A.-A.); (G.B.-F.); (S.L.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Garcia-Vallicrosa
- Exosomes Laboratory and Metabolomics Platform, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain; (C.G.-V.); (M.A.-A.); (G.B.-F.); (S.L.-S.)
| | - Maria Azparren-Angulo
- Exosomes Laboratory and Metabolomics Platform, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain; (C.G.-V.); (M.A.-A.); (G.B.-F.); (S.L.-S.)
| | - Guillermo Bordanaba-Florit
- Exosomes Laboratory and Metabolomics Platform, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain; (C.G.-V.); (M.A.-A.); (G.B.-F.); (S.L.-S.)
| | - Silvia Lopez-Sarrio
- Exosomes Laboratory and Metabolomics Platform, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain; (C.G.-V.); (M.A.-A.); (G.B.-F.); (S.L.-S.)
| | - Juan Manuel Falcon-Perez
- Exosomes Laboratory and Metabolomics Platform, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain; (C.G.-V.); (M.A.-A.); (G.B.-F.); (S.L.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
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6
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Zheng S, Chan SW, Liu F, Liu J, Chow PKH, Toh HC, Hong W. Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Drug Therapeutic Status, Advances and Challenges. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1582. [PMID: 38672664 PMCID: PMC11048862 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081582] [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: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer, accounting for ~90% of liver neoplasms. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths and the seventh most common cancer worldwide. Although there have been rapid developments in the treatment of HCC over the past decade, the incidence and mortality rates of HCC remain a challenge. With the widespread use of the hepatitis B vaccine and antiviral therapy, the etiology of HCC is shifting more toward metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Early-stage HCC can be treated with potentially curative strategies such as surgical resection, liver transplantation, and radiofrequency ablation, improving long-term survival. However, most HCC patients, when diagnosed, are already in the intermediate or advanced stages. Molecular targeted therapy, followed by immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, has been a revolution in HCC systemic treatment. Systemic treatment of HCC especially for patients with compromised liver function is still a challenge due to a significant resistance to immune checkpoint blockade, tumor heterogeneity, lack of oncogenic addiction, and lack of effective predictive and therapeutic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunzhen Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceuticals, Postdoctoral Scientific Research Workstation, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Science, Jinan 250098, China;
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (S.W.C.); (W.H.)
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China;
| | - Siew Wee Chan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (S.W.C.); (W.H.)
| | - Fei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceuticals, Postdoctoral Scientific Research Workstation, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Science, Jinan 250098, China;
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China;
| | - Pierce Kah Hoe Chow
- Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore;
- Academic Clinical Programme for Surgery, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Han Chong Toh
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore 168583, Singapore;
| | - Wanjin Hong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (S.W.C.); (W.H.)
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7
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Sanchez-Martin A, Sanchon-Sanchez P, Romero MR, Marin JJG, Briz O. Impact of tumor suppressor genes inactivation on the multidrug resistance phenotype of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115209. [PMID: 37499450 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The response of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to pharmacological treatments is unsatisfactory and heterogeneous. Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) by genetic and epigenetic events is frequent in HCC. This study aimed at investigating the impact of frequently altered TSGs on HCC chemoresistance. TSG alterations were screened by in silico analysis of TCGA-LIHC database, and their relationship with survival was investigated. These TSGs were silenced in HCC-derived cell lines using CRISPR/Cas9. TLDA was used to determine the expression of a panel of 94 genes involved in the resistome. Drug sensitivity, cell proliferation, colony formation and cell migration were assessed. The in silico study revealed the down-regulation of frequently inactivated TSGs in HCC (ARID1A, PTEN, CDH1, and the target of p53, CDKN1A). The presence of TP53 and ARID1A variants and the low expression of PTEN and CDH1 correlated with a worse prognosis of HCC patients. In PLC/PRF/5 cells, ARID1A knockout (ARID1AKO) induced increased sensitivity to cisplatin, doxorubicin, and cabozantinib, without affecting other characteristics of malignancy. PTENKO and E-CadKO showed minimal changes in malignancy, resistome, and drug response. In p53KO HepG2 cells, enhanced malignant properties and higher resistance to cisplatin, doxorubicin, sorafenib, and regorafenib were found. This was associated with changes in the resistome. In conclusion, the altered expression and function of several TSGs are involved in the heterogeneity of HCC chemoresistance and other features of malignancy, contributing to the poor prognosis of these patients. Individual identification of pharmacological vulnerabilities is required to select the most appropriate treatment for each patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabel Sanchez-Martin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Paula Sanchon-Sanchez
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta R Romero
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose J G Marin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Oscar Briz
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
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8
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Gnocchi D, Nikolic D, Paparella RR, Sabbà C, Mazzocca A. Cellular Adaptation Takes Advantage of Atavistic Regression Programs during Carcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3942. [PMID: 37568758 PMCID: PMC10416974 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Adaptation of cancer cells to extreme microenvironmental conditions (i.e., hypoxia, high acidity, and reduced nutrient availability) contributes to cancer resilience. Furthermore, neoplastic transformation can be envisioned as an extreme adaptive response to tissue damage or chronic injury. The recent Systemic-Evolutionary Theory of the Origin of Cancer (SETOC) hypothesizes that cancer cells "revert" to "primitive" characteristics either ontogenically (embryo-like) or phylogenetically (single-celled organisms). This regression may confer robustness and maintain the disordered state of the tissue, which is a hallmark of malignancy. Changes in cancer cell metabolism during adaptation may also be the consequence of altered microenvironmental conditions, often resulting in a shift toward lactic acid fermentation. However, the mechanisms underlying the robust adaptive capacity of cancer cells remain largely unknown. In recent years, cancer cells' metabolic flexibility has received increasing attention among researchers. Here, we focus on how changes in the microenvironment can affect cancer cell energy production and drug sensitivity. Indeed, changes in the cellular microenvironment may lead to a "shift" toward "atavistic" biologic features, such as the switch from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to lactic acid fermentation, which can also sustain drug resistance. Finally, we point out new integrative metabolism-based pharmacological approaches and potential biomarkers for early detection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Antonio Mazzocca
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari School of Medicine, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.G.); (D.N.); (R.R.P.); (C.S.)
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9
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Weng YS, Chiang IT, Tsai JJ, Liu YC, Hsu FT. In Reply to Yeh et al. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 116:696-697. [PMID: 37270255 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yueh-Shan Weng
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - I-Tsang Chiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan; Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan; Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jai-Jen Tsai
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hospital, Yilan, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Cardinal Tien Junior College of Healthcare and Management, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chang Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan; Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan; Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Fei-Ting Hsu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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10
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Che L, Huang J, Lin JX, Xu CY, Wu XM, Du ZB, Wu JS, Lin ZN, Lin YC. Aflatoxin B1 exposure triggers hepatic lipotoxicity via p53 and perilipin 2 interaction-mediated mitochondria-lipid droplet contacts: An in vitro and in vivo assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 445:130584. [PMID: 37055989 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most toxic mycotoxins widely found in food contaminants, and its target organ is the liver. It poses a major food security and public health threat worldwide. However, the lipotoxicity mechanism of AFB1 exposure-induced liver injury remains unclear and requires further elucidation. Herein, we investigated the potential hepatic lipotoxicity of AFB1 exposure using in vitro and in vivo models to assess the public health hazards of high dietary AFB1 exposure. We demonstrated that low-dose of AFB1 (1.25 μM for 48 h, about one-fifth of the IC50 in HepG2 and HepaRG cells, IC50 are 5.995 μM and 5.266 μM, respectively) exposure significantly induced hepatic lipotoxicity, including abnormal lipid droplets (LDs) growth, mitochondria-LDs contacts increase, lipophagy disruption, and lipid accumulation. Mechanistically, we showed that AFB1 exposure promoted the mitochondrial p53 (mito-p53) and LDs-associated protein perilipin 2 (PLIN2) interaction-mediated mitochondria-LDs contacts, resulting in lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Mito-p53-targeted inhibition, knockdown of PLIN2, and rapamycin application efficiently promoted the lysosome-dependent lipophagy and alleviated the hepatic lipotoxicity and liver injury induced by AFB1 exposure. Overall, our study found that mito-p53 and PLIN2 interaction mediates three organelles-mitochondria, LDs, and lysosomal networks to regulate lipid homeostasis in AFB1 exposure-induced hepatotoxicity, revealing how this unique trio of organelles works together and provides a novel insight into the targeted intervention in inter-organelle lipid sensing and trafficking for alleviating hazardous materials-induced hepatic lipotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Che
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jin-Xian Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Chi-Yu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xin-Mou Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Ze-Bang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jia-Shen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zhong-Ning Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Yu-Chun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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11
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Metabolism as a New Avenue for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043710. [PMID: 36835122 PMCID: PMC9964410 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is today the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, despite the decreased incidence of chronic hepatitis infections. This is due to the increased diffusion of metabolic diseases such as the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The current protein kinase inhibitor therapies in HCC are very aggressive and not curative. From this perspective, a shift in strategy toward metabolic therapies may represent a promising option. Here, we review current knowledge on metabolic dysregulation in HCC and therapeutic approaches targeting metabolic pathways. We also propose a multi-target metabolic approach as a possible new option in HCC pharmacology.
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12
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Expression and Function of BMP and Activin Membrane-Bound Inhibitor (BAMBI) in Chronic Liver Diseases and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043473. [PMID: 36834884 PMCID: PMC9964332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BAMBI (bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor) is a transmembrane pseudoreceptor structurally related to transforming growth factor (TGF)-β type 1 receptors (TGF-β1Rs). BAMBI lacks a kinase domain and functions as a TGF-β1R antagonist. Essential processes such as cell differentiation and proliferation are regulated by TGF-β1R signaling. TGF-β is the best-studied ligand of TGF-βRs and has an eminent role in inflammation and fibrogenesis. Liver fibrosis is the end stage of almost all chronic liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and at the moment, there is no effective anti-fibrotic therapy available. Hepatic BAMBI is downregulated in rodent models of liver injury and in the fibrotic liver of patients, suggesting that low BAMBI has a role in liver fibrosis. Experimental evidence convincingly demonstrated that BAMBI overexpression is able to protect against liver fibrosis. Chronic liver diseases have a high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and BAMBI was shown to exert tumor-promoting as well as tumor-protective functions. This review article aims to summarize relevant studies on hepatic BAMBI expression and its role in chronic liver diseases and HCC.
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13
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Reflections on the Biology of Cell Culture Models: Living on the Edge of Oxidative Metabolism in Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032717. [PMID: 36769044 PMCID: PMC9916950 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032717] [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: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, the study of cell metabolism is a hot topic in cancer research. Many studies have used 2D conventional cell cultures for their simplicity and the facility to infer mechanisms. However, the limitations of bidimensional cell cultures to recreate architecture, mechanics, and cell communication between tumor cells and their environment, have forced the development of other more realistic in vitro methodologies. Therefore, the explosion of 3D culture techniques and the necessity to reduce animal experimentation to a minimum has attracted the attention of researchers in the field of cancer metabolism. Here, we revise the limitations of actual culture models and discuss the utility of several 3D culture techniques to resolve those limitations.
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14
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Clinical Significance of Combined Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Markers Expression and Role of Rac1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021765. [PMID: 36675278 PMCID: PMC9865966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated in cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis. We aimed to evaluate the correlations between clinicopathological characteristics and EMT markers in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent surgical resection and to identify the key regulator in EMT process. Fresh-frozen HCC tissues and adjacent nontumor liver tissues from 30 patients who underwent surgical resection were provided by the Gachon University Gil Medical Center Bio Bank. Human HCC cell lines, Hep3B, SNU449, and Huh7 cells were transfected with Rac1 siRNA and exposed to hypoxic conditions. The combined EMT markers expression (down-expression of E-cadherin and overexpression of p21-activated kinases 1 (PAK1)/Snail) by Western blot in HCC tissues when compared to adjacent nontumor liver tissues was significantly associated with macrovascular invasion (p = 0.021), microvascular invasion (p = 0.001), large tumor size (p = 0.021), and advanced tumor stage (p = 0.015). Patients with combined EMT markers expression showed early recurrence and poor overall survival. In vitro studies showed that Rac1 knockdown decreased the expression of EMT markers including PAK1 and Snail in hypoxia-induced Hep3B cells and suppressed the migration and invasion of hypoxia-induced HCC cells. Rac1 may be a potential therapeutic target for inhibition of EMT process through the inhibition of PAK1 and Snail in HCC.
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15
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Gnocchi D, Sabbà C, Mazzocca A. Lactic acid fermentation: A maladaptive mechanism and an evolutionary throwback boosting cancer drug resistance. Biochimie 2023; 208:180-185. [PMID: 36638953 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
After four decades of research primarily focused on tumour genetics, the importance of metabolism in tumour biology is receiving renewed attention. Cancer cells undergo energy, biosynthetic and metabolic rewiring, which involves several pathways with a prevalent change from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to lactic acid fermentation, known as the Warburg effect. During carcinogenesis, microenvironmental changes can trigger the transition from OXPHOS to lactic acid fermentation, an ancient form of energy supply, mimicking the behaviour of certain anaerobic unicellular organisms according to "atavistic" models of cancer. However, the role of this transition as a mechanism of cancer drug resistance is unclear. Here, we hypothesise that the metabolic rewiring of cancer cells to fermentation can be triggered, enhanced, and sustained by exposure to chronic or high-dose chemotherapy, thereby conferring resistance to drug therapy. We try to expand on the idea that metabolic reprogramming from OXPHOS to lactate fermentation in drug-resistant tumour cells occurs as a general phenotypic mechanism in any type of cancer, regardless of tumour cell heterogeneity, biodiversity, and genetic characteristics. This metabolic response may therefore represent a common feature in cancer biology that could be exploited for therapeutic purposes to overcome chemotherapy resistance, which is currently a major challenge in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Gnocchi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari School of Medicine, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Sabbà
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari School of Medicine, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Mazzocca
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari School of Medicine, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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16
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Suk FM, Wu CY, Chiu WC, Chien CY, Chen TL, Liao YJ. HMGCS2 Mediation of Ketone Levels Affects Sorafenib Treatment Efficacy in Liver Cancer Cells. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27228015. [PMID: 36432116 PMCID: PMC9697984 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27228015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Primary liver cancer is the fifth leading death of cancers in men, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for approximately 90% of all primary liver cancer cases. Sorafenib is a first-line drug for advanced-stage HCC patients. Sorafenib is a multi-target kinase inhibitor that blocks tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Despite sorafenib treatment extending survival, some patients experience side effects, and sorafenib resistance does occur. 3-Hydroxymethyl glutaryl-CoA synthase 2 (HMGCS2) is the rate-limiting enzyme for ketogenesis, which synthesizes the ketone bodies, β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB) and acetoacetate (AcAc). β-HB is the most abundant ketone body which is present in a 4:1 ratio compared to AcAc. Recently, ketone body treatment was found to have therapeutic effects against many cancers by causing metabolic alternations and cancer cell apoptosis. Our previous publication showed that HMGCS2 downregulation-mediated ketone body reduction promoted HCC clinicopathological progression through regulating c-Myc/cyclin D1 and caspase-dependent signaling. However, whether HMGCS2-regulated ketone body production alters the sensitivity of human HCC to sorafenib treatment remains unclear. In this study, we showed that HMGCS2 downregulation enhanced the proliferative ability and attenuated the cytotoxic effects of sorafenib by activating expressions of phosphorylated (p)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p-P38, and p-AKT. In contrast, HMGCS2 overexpression decreased cell proliferation and enhanced the cytotoxic effects of sorafenib in HCC cells by inhibiting ERK activation. Furthermore, we showed that knockdown HMGCS2 exhibited the potential migratory ability, as well as decreasing zonula occludens protein (ZO)-1 and increasing c-Myc expression in both sorafenib-treated Huh7 and HepG2 cells. Although HMGCS2 overexpression did not alter the migratory effect, expressions of ZO-1, c-Myc, and N-cadherin decreased in sorafenib-treated HMGCS2-overexpressing HCC cells. Finally, we investigated whether ketone treatment influences sorafenib sensitivity. We showed that β-HB pretreatment decreased cell proliferation and enhanced antiproliferative effect of sorafenib in both Huh7 and HepG2 cells. In conclusion, this study defined the impacts of HMGCS2 expression and ketone body treatment on influencing the sorafenib sensitivity of liver cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fat-Moon Suk
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11696, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ying Wu
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Chun Chiu
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Research Center of Geriatric Nutrition, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Nutrition, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11696, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ying Chien
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11696, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Lang Chen
- Department of Family Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jen Liao
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-2736-1661 (ext. 3333)
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17
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Yu Q, Chen Z, Liu M, Meng Y, Li X, Li B, Du J. Exploring the potential targets of Sanshimao formula for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment by a method of network pharmacology combined with molecular biology. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 297:115531. [PMID: 35840058 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The Sanshimao (SSM) formula is an effective prescription for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy in the clinical setting. This prescription is made up of four herbals, Maorenshen, Shijianchuan, Shishangbai and Shidachuan, which are used for detoxification and removing blood stasis. However, its mechanism in the treatment of HCC remains ambiguous. AIM OF THE STUDY To explore the potential targets of SSM against HCC by network pharmacology analysis and verify the data using molecular biological methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS We screened active components and potential targets by data mining, constructed a network, and performed functional analysis and pathway enrichment to explore the therapeutic targets of SSM for HCC treatment. Then, the effects of SSM on HCC cells were studied to validate the data from network pharmacology analysis. RESULTS Eighty-eight common targets were obtained by mapping 932 HCC-related genes, and 325 targets corresponded to 11 active components of SSM. They were enriched in various biological processes, such as the response to inorganic substances, response to toxic substances and apoptotic signalling pathway, and multi-pathways involved pathways in cancer, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, and AGE-RAGE signalling pathway in diabetic complications, as evaluated by the analysis of advanced functions and pathways. TP53, JUN, HSP90AA1, EGFR, AR and MAPK1 might be the core targets closely related to the effects of SSM on HCC according to PPI analysis. Treatment with SSM decreased cell viability and migration, promoted apoptosis and inhibited the EGFR/FAK/AKT signalling pathway. CONCLUSION This research preliminarily indicates that SSM treats HCC via multiple components and pathways. EGFR/FAK/AKT are promising therapeutic targets of SSM for HCC treatment. This provides objective evidence for further mechanistic research and the future development and clinical application of SSM in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Yu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minglin Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongbin Meng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bai Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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18
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Heterogeneity, inherent and acquired drug resistance in patient-derived organoid models of primary liver cancer. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2022; 45:1019-1036. [PMID: 36036881 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00707-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to elucidate the applicability of tumor organoids for inherent drug resistance of primary liver cancer (PLC) and mechanisms of acquired drug resistance. METHODS PLC tissues were used to establish organoids, organoid-derived xenograft (ODX) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Acquired drug resistance was induced in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) organoids. Gene expression profiling was performed by RNA-sequencing. RESULTS Fifty-two organoids were established from 153 PLC patients. Compared with establishing PDX models, establishing organoids of HCC showed a trend toward a higher success rate (29.0% vs. 23.7%) and took less time (13.0 ± 4.7 vs. 25.1 ± 5.4 days, p = 2.28 × 10-13). Larger tumors, vascular invasion, higher serum AFP levels, advanced stages and upregulation of stemness- and proliferation-related genes were significantly associated with the successful establishment of HCC organoids and PDX. Organoids and ODX recapitulated PLC histopathological features, but were enriched in more aggressive cell types. PLC organoids were mostly resistant to lenvatinib in vitro but sensitive to lenvatinib in ODX models. Stemness- and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related gene sets were found to be upregulated, whereas liver development- and liver specific molecule-related gene sets were downregulated in acquired sorafenib-resistant organoids. Targeting the mTOR signaling pathway was effective in treating acquired sorafenib-resistant HCC organoids, possibly via inducing phosphorylated S6 kinase. Genes upregulated in acquired sorafenib-resistant HCC organoids were associated with an unfavorable prognosis. CONCLUSIONS HCC organoids perform better than PDX for drug screening. Acquired sorafenib resistance in organoids promotes HCC aggressiveness via facilitating stemness, retro-differentiation and EMT. Phosphorylated S6 kinase may be predictive for drug resistance in HCC.
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Gnocchi D, Kurzyk A, Mintrone A, Lentini G, Sabbà C, Mazzocca A. Inhibition of LPAR6 overcomes sorafenib resistance by switching glycolysis into oxidative phosphorylation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochimie 2022; 202:180-189. [PMID: 35952946 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most threatening tumours in the world today. Pharmacological treatments for HCC mainly rely on protein kinase inhibitors, such as sorafenib and regorafenib. Even so, these approaches exhibit side effects and acquired drug resistance, which is an obstacle to HCC treatment. We have previously shown that selective lysophosphatidic acid receptor 6 (LPAR6) chemical antagonists inhibit HCC growth. Here, we investigated whether LPAR6 mediates resistance to sorafenib by affecting energy metabolism in HCC. To uncover the role of LPAR6 in drug resistance and cancer energy metabolism, we used a gain-of-function and loss-of-function approach in 2D tissue and 3D spheroids. LPAR6 was ectopically expressed in HLE cells (HLE-LPAR6) and knocked down in HepG2 (HepG2 LPAR6-shRNA). Measurements of oxygen consumption and lactate and pyruvate production were performed to assess the energy metabolism response of HCC cells to sorafenib treatment. We found that LPAR6 mediates the resistance of HCC cells to sorafenib by promoting lactic acid fermentation at the expense of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and that the selective LPAR6 antagonist 9-xanthenyl acetate (XAA) can effectively overcome this resistance. Our study shows for the first time that an LPAR6-mediated metabolic mechanism supports sorafenib resistance in HCC and proposes a pharmacological approach to overcome it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Gnocchi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari School of Medicine, Piazza G. Cesare, 11 - 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Agata Kurzyk
- Department of Cancer Biology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Roentgena 5, 02-781, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Antonella Mintrone
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari School of Medicine, Piazza G. Cesare, 11 - 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lentini
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona, 4 - 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Sabbà
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari School of Medicine, Piazza G. Cesare, 11 - 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Mazzocca
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari School of Medicine, Piazza G. Cesare, 11 - 70124, Bari, Italy.
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Rawal P, Tripathi D, Nain V, Kaur S. VEGF‑mediated tumour growth and EMT in 2D and 3D cell culture models of hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:315. [PMID: 35949600 PMCID: PMC9353766 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on tumorigenic properties in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures of hepatoma cells. The proliferation and invasion of hepatoma cells was assessed using wound healing, chemotaxis Transwell, invasion, tube-forming and hanging drop assays in both 2D and 3D cultures. The expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness markers were analysed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) for mRNA expression and immunofluorescence assay for protein expression. To validate the role of VEGF in tumour growth, a VEGF receptor (VEGFR) inhibitor (sorafenib) was used. The results demonstrated that the hepatoma cells formed 3D spheroids that differed in size and density in the absence and presence of the growth factor, VEGF. In all spheroids, invasion and angiogenesis were more aggressive in 3D cultures in comparison to 2D conditions following treatment with VEGF. Mechanistically, the VEGF-mediated increase in the levels of EMT markers, including Vimentin, N-cadherin 2 (Cadherin 2) and Thy-1 Cell Surface Antigen was observed in the 2D and 3D cultures. Sorafenib treatment for 24 h culminated in a marked reduction in cell migration, cell-cell adhesion, spheroid compaction and EMT gene expression in 3D models as compared to the 2D models. On the whole, the findings of the present study suggested that as compared to the 2D cell cultures, 3D cell cultures model may be used as a more realistic model for the study of tumour growth and invasion in the presence of angiogenic factors, as well as for tumour inhibitor screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preety Rawal
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201312, India
| | - Dinesh Tripathi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi 110070, India
| | - Vikrant Nain
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201312, India
| | - Savneet Kaur
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi 110070, India
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Ning Z, Zhao Y, Yan X, Hua Y, Meng Z. Flower-like Composite Material Delivery of Co-Packaged Lenvatinib and Bufalin Prevents the Migration and Invasion of Cholangiocarcinoma. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12122048. [PMID: 35745387 PMCID: PMC9230555 DOI: 10.3390/nano12122048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The co-delivery of multiple drugs using nanocarriers has been recognized as a promising strategy for cancer treatment to enhance therapeutic efficacy. In this study, a monodisperse mesoporous silica nanoparticle (mSiO2) is prepared and functionalized into high-efficiency loaded Lenvatinib and Bufalin for targeted delivery to Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). mSiO2 was synthesized on solid silica nanoparticles by oil–water interface method, and highly monodisperse mSiO2 with uniform morphology was obtained. mSiO2 was then sequentially modified by polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the targeting molecule folic acid (FA). mSiO2-FA was designed as co-delivery system for Lenvatinib (Le) and Bufalin (Bu) to increase drug availability and highly target tumor cells. Compared with unfunctionalized mSiO2, mSiO2-FA can more efficiently enter human CCA cell lines (9810 cells) and enhance intracellular drug delivery. Moreover, drug-loaded mSiO2-FA (Le/Bu@mSiO2-FA) significantly inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of 9810 cells. In vivo, the nanocomplex significantly reduced the tumor load in CCA tumor-bearing mouse models compared to Le or Bu alone. The current work provides a useful strategy for highly targeted and multidrug-resistance reversal therapy for CCA.
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Wang H, He X, Fang D, Wang X, Guan J, Shi ZW, Chen X. Gemcitabine-facilitated modulation of the tumor microenvironment and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade generate a synergistic antitumor effect in a murine hepatocellular carcinoma model. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2022; 46:101853. [PMID: 34923183 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2021.101853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gemcitabine can alter the immunogenic microenvironments, and the effect of gemcitabine plus programmed death-1 (PD-1)/ programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is investigated. METHODS Subcutaneous H22-green fluorescent protein (GFP) cells inoculation model was constructed and treated with gemcitabine, anti-PD-1 antibody (αPD-1), or the combination every four days when the tumor volumes reached about 50 mm3. Four days after the final treatment, primary tumor tissues were resected and dissociated, which were further subcutaneously injected on the contralateral side to construct the HCC relapse model. The infiltrated proportion of immune cells and PD-1 expression were quantified by flow cytometry. The relative content of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, interleukin (IL)-12p70, and interferon (IFN)-γ were detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Tumor volume and the number of tumor-free mice were evaluated. RESULTS Gemcitabine treatment can effectively increase the total proportion of infiltrating immune cells, reduce the proportion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and macrophages, and increase T cells proportion without significant growth inhibition. While after gemcitabine treatment, PD-L1 expression on tumor cells and PD-1 on T cells were significantly up-regulated. Subcutaneous tumors volume were reduced considerably after gemcitabine plus αPD-1 treatment compared with gemcitabine (P<0.01) or αPD-1 monotherapy (P<0.001) with the increased proportion of IL-2+CD8+T, CD8+T central memory cells (TCM), CD4 TCM, up-regulated IL12p70 and IFN-γ secretion, and down-regulated TGF-β. Gemcitabine plus αPD-1 blockade could inhibit the relapse tumor model as indicated with down-regulated tumor volume and increased number of tumor-free mice. CONCLUSION Gemcitabine up-regulates the proportion of intratumor CD8+T and the relative expression of PD-1/PD-L1, and the combination of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade can further inhibit the growth and the relapse of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui Province, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei 230011, China
| | - Xue He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui Province, China
| | - Dong Fang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei 230011, China
| | - Xian Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Jing Guan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui Province, China
| | - Zhen-Wang Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei 230011, China.
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui Province, China.
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Zhang C, Wu LW, Li ZD, Zhang MM, Wu J, Du FH, Zeng LH, Li YL. DYRK1A suppression attenuates HIF‑1α accumulation and enhances the anti‑liver cancer effects of regorafenib and sorafenib under hypoxic conditions. Int J Oncol 2022; 60:45. [PMID: 35244188 PMCID: PMC8923653 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia promotes drug resistance and induces the expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)‑1α in liver cancer cells. However, to date, no selective HIF‑1α inhibitor has been clinically approved. The aim of this study is to investigate a drug‑targetable molecule that can regulate HIF‑1α under hypoxia. The present study demonstrated that hyperactivation of dual‑specificity tyrosine‑phosphorylation‑regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A)/HIF‑1α signaling was associated with an increased risk of liver cancer. In addition, DYRK1A knockdown using small interfering RNA transfection or treatment with harmine, a natural alkaloid, significantly reduced the protein expression levels of HIF‑1α in liver cancer cells under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Conversely, DYRK1A overexpression‑vector transfection in liver cancer cell lines notably induced HIF‑1α expression under the same conditions. Furthermore, DYRK1A was shown to interact and activate STAT3 under hypoxia to regulate HIF‑1α expression. These findings indicated that DYRK1A may be a potential upstream activator of HIF‑1α and positively regulate HIF‑1α via the STAT3 signaling pathway in liver cancer cells. Additionally, treatment with harmine attenuated the proliferative ability of liver cancer cells under hypoxic conditions using sulforhodamine B and colony formation assay. Furthermore, DYRK1A knockdown could significantly enhance the anti‑liver cancer effects of regorafenib and sorafenib under hypoxia. Co‑treatment with harmine and either regorafenib or sorafenib also promoted cell death via the STAT3/HIF‑1α/AKT signaling pathway under hypoxia using PI staining and western blotting. Overall, the results from the present study suggested that DYRK1A/HIF‑1α signaling may be considered a novel pathway involved in chemoresistance, thus providing a potentially effective therapeutic regimen for treating liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Lin-Wen Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Di Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Man-Man Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Jie Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical and Materials Engineering and Institute for Advanced Studies, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Jiangsu 318000, P.R. China
| | - Fei-Hua Du
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Ling-Hui Zeng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Yang-Ling Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
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Contreras L, Rodríguez-Gil A, Muntané J, de la Cruz J. Broad Transcriptomic Impact of Sorafenib and Its Relation to the Antitumoral Properties in Liver Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051204. [PMID: 35267509 PMCID: PMC8909169 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051204] [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: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most frequent cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. While ablation, resection and orthotopic liver transplantation are indicated at an early stage of the disease, Sorafenib (Sfb) is the current most administrated first-line treatment for advanced HCC, even though its therapeutic benefit is limited due to the appearance of resistance. Deep knowledge on the molecular consequences of Sfb-treatment is essentially required for optimizing novel therapeutic strategies to improve the outcomes for patients with advanced HCC. In this study, we analyzed differential gene expression changes in two well characterized liver cancer cell lines upon a Sfb-treatment, demonstrating that both lines responded similarly to the treatment. Our results provide valuable information on the molecular action of Sfb on diverse cellular fundamental processes such as DNA repair, translation and proteostasis and identify rationalization issues that could provide a different therapeutic perspective to Sfb. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent and essentially incurable cancers in its advanced stages. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor Sorafenib (Sfb) remains the globally accepted treatment for advanced HCC. However, the extent of its therapeutic benefit is limited. Sfb exerts antitumor activity through its cytotoxic, anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic roles in HCC cells. To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects, we used RNA sequencing to generate comprehensive transcriptome profiles of HepG2 and SNU423, hepatoblastoma- (HB) and HCC-derived cell lines, respectively, following a Sfb treatment at a pharmacological dose. This resulted in similar alterations of gene expression in both cell lines. Genes functionally related to membrane trafficking, stress-responsible and unfolded protein responses, circadian clock and activation of apoptosis were predominantly upregulated, while genes involved in cell growth and cycle, DNA replication and repair, ribosome biogenesis, translation initiation and proteostasis were downregulated. Our results suggest that Sfb causes primary effects on cellular stress that lead to upregulation of selective responses to compensate for its negative effect and restore homeostasis. No significant differences were found specifically affecting each cell line, indicating the robustness of the Sfb mechanism of action despite the heterogeneity of liver cancer. We discuss our results on terms of providing rationalization for possible strategies to improve Sfb clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Contreras
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, E-41013 Seville, Spain; (L.C.); (A.R.-G.)
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, E-41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Alfonso Rodríguez-Gil
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, E-41013 Seville, Spain; (L.C.); (A.R.-G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Universidad de Sevilla, E-41009 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jordi Muntané
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, E-41013 Seville, Spain; (L.C.); (A.R.-G.)
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Universidad de Sevilla, E-41009 Sevilla, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.M.); (J.d.l.C.); Tel.: +34-955-923-122 (J.M.); +34-923-126 (J.d.l.C.)
| | - Jesús de la Cruz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, E-41013 Seville, Spain; (L.C.); (A.R.-G.)
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, E-41012 Seville, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.M.); (J.d.l.C.); Tel.: +34-955-923-122 (J.M.); +34-923-126 (J.d.l.C.)
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Okamura S, Shimose S, Niizeki T, Kamachi N, Noda Y, Shirono T, Iwamoto H, Nakano M, Kuromatsu R, Koga H, Torimura T. Association between contrast enhancement on contrast-enhanced CT and lenvatinib effectiveness in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Clin Oncol 2022; 16:8. [PMID: 34881028 PMCID: PMC8647186 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2021.2442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the degree of contrast enhancement on contrast-enhanced (CE)-CT can predict the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with lenvatinib (LEN). A total of 67 consecutive patients with LEN-treated HCC were retrospectively analysed. In the pretreatment CE-CT, the CT values were measured using a region of interest within the main nodule and the liver parenchyma in the arterial phase, and the macroscopic degree of contrast enhancement of the tumour area was quantified by calculating the enhancement ratio (ER) of the liver parenchyma. The associations of pretreatment ER with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were then investigated. There were 20, 27 and 20 patients in the ER ≥1.5, 1.0≤ ER <1.5 and ER <1.0 groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in the PFS and OS among the three ER groups (PFS, P=0.63; OS, P=0.455). The ER <1.0 group had significantly more patients with larger tumour diameters, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C with extrahepatic metastases, and higher des-γ-carboxy prothrombin values compared with the ER ≥1.0 group, suggesting that ER <1.0 reflected more aggressive types of HCC. The multivariate analysis revealed tumour size and α-fetoprotein as independent predictors of shorter PFS. Albumin-bilirubin grade 2 and BCLC stage C were significant predictors of poor OS, whereas the ER was confirmed as a non-significant predictor of both PFS and OS. Only non-alternating LEN and transarterial therapy (AT) were identified as independent predictors of unfavourable OS in patients with BCLC stage B HCC. Therefore, LEN has a strong therapeutic effect on HCC, regardless of the degree of contrast enhancement. Furthermore, AT may prolong the OS of LEN-treated patients with BCLC stage B HCC, regardless of tumour vascularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shusuke Okamura
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Shigeo Shimose
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Takashi Niizeki
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Naoki Kamachi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Yu Noda
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Tomotake Shirono
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Hideki Iwamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Masahito Nakano
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Ryoko Kuromatsu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Hironori Koga
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
| | - Takuji Torimura
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan
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26
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Shi T, Iwama H, Fujita K, Kobara H, Nishiyama N, Fujihara S, Goda Y, Yoneyama H, Morishita A, Tani J, Yamada M, Nakahara M, Takuma K, Masaki T. Evaluating the Effect of Lenvatinib on Sorafenib-Resistant Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13071. [PMID: 34884875 PMCID: PMC8657692 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222313071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Sorafenib has been used as a first-line systemic treatment for over a decade. However, resistance to sorafenib limits patient response and presents a major hurdle during HCC treatment. Lenvatinib has been approved as a first-line systemic treatment for advanced HCC and is the first agent to achieve non-inferiority against sorafenib. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the inhibition efficacy of lenvatinib in sorafenib-resistant HCC cells. Only a few studies have been conducted on this topic. Two human HCC cell lines, Huh-7 and Hep-3B, were used to establish sorafenib resistance, and in vitro and in vivo studies were employed. Lenvatinib suppressed sorafenib-resistant HCC cell proliferation mainly by inducing G1 cell cycle arrest through ERK signaling. Hep-3B sorafenib-resistant cells showed partial cross-resistance to lenvatinib, possibly due to the contribution of poor autophagic responsiveness. Overall, the findings suggest that the underlying mechanism of lenvatinib in overcoming sorafenib resistance in HCC involves FGFR4-ERK signaling. Lenvatinib may be a suitable second-line therapy for unresectable HCC patients who have developed sorafenib resistance and express FGFR4.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/blood supply
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement/genetics
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms/blood supply
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/mortality
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics
- Phenylurea Compounds/pharmacology
- Quinolines/pharmacology
- Sorafenib/pharmacology
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki 761-0793, Japan; (K.F.); (H.K.); (N.N.); (S.F.); (Y.G.); (H.Y.); (A.M.); (J.T.); (M.Y.); (M.N.); (K.T.)
| | - Hisakazu Iwama
- Life Science Research Center, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki 761-0793, Japan;
| | - Koji Fujita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki 761-0793, Japan; (K.F.); (H.K.); (N.N.); (S.F.); (Y.G.); (H.Y.); (A.M.); (J.T.); (M.Y.); (M.N.); (K.T.)
| | - Hideki Kobara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki 761-0793, Japan; (K.F.); (H.K.); (N.N.); (S.F.); (Y.G.); (H.Y.); (A.M.); (J.T.); (M.Y.); (M.N.); (K.T.)
| | - Noriko Nishiyama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki 761-0793, Japan; (K.F.); (H.K.); (N.N.); (S.F.); (Y.G.); (H.Y.); (A.M.); (J.T.); (M.Y.); (M.N.); (K.T.)
| | - Shintaro Fujihara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki 761-0793, Japan; (K.F.); (H.K.); (N.N.); (S.F.); (Y.G.); (H.Y.); (A.M.); (J.T.); (M.Y.); (M.N.); (K.T.)
| | - Yasuhiro Goda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki 761-0793, Japan; (K.F.); (H.K.); (N.N.); (S.F.); (Y.G.); (H.Y.); (A.M.); (J.T.); (M.Y.); (M.N.); (K.T.)
| | - Hirohito Yoneyama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki 761-0793, Japan; (K.F.); (H.K.); (N.N.); (S.F.); (Y.G.); (H.Y.); (A.M.); (J.T.); (M.Y.); (M.N.); (K.T.)
| | - Asahiro Morishita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki 761-0793, Japan; (K.F.); (H.K.); (N.N.); (S.F.); (Y.G.); (H.Y.); (A.M.); (J.T.); (M.Y.); (M.N.); (K.T.)
| | - Joji Tani
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki 761-0793, Japan; (K.F.); (H.K.); (N.N.); (S.F.); (Y.G.); (H.Y.); (A.M.); (J.T.); (M.Y.); (M.N.); (K.T.)
| | - Mari Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki 761-0793, Japan; (K.F.); (H.K.); (N.N.); (S.F.); (Y.G.); (H.Y.); (A.M.); (J.T.); (M.Y.); (M.N.); (K.T.)
| | - Mai Nakahara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki 761-0793, Japan; (K.F.); (H.K.); (N.N.); (S.F.); (Y.G.); (H.Y.); (A.M.); (J.T.); (M.Y.); (M.N.); (K.T.)
| | - Kei Takuma
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki 761-0793, Japan; (K.F.); (H.K.); (N.N.); (S.F.); (Y.G.); (H.Y.); (A.M.); (J.T.); (M.Y.); (M.N.); (K.T.)
| | - Tsutomu Masaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki 761-0793, Japan; (K.F.); (H.K.); (N.N.); (S.F.); (Y.G.); (H.Y.); (A.M.); (J.T.); (M.Y.); (M.N.); (K.T.)
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27
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Deng S, Solinas A, Calvisi DF. Cabozantinib for HCC Treatment, From Clinical Back to Experimental Models. Front Oncol 2021; 11:756672. [PMID: 34722310 PMCID: PMC8548824 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.756672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Patients with early-stage HCC can be treated successfully with surgical resection or liver transplantation. However, the usual late diagnosis of HCC precludes curative treatments, and systemic therapies are the only viable option for inoperable patients. Sorafenib, an orally available multikinase inhibitor, is a systemic therapy approved for treating patients with advanced HCC yet providing limited benefits. Consequently, new drugs have been developed to overcome sorafenib resistance and improve patients' prognoses. A new promising strategy is using c-MET inhibitors, such as cabozantinib, as activation of c-MET occurs in up to 40% of HCC patients. In particular, cabozantinib, in combination with the checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab, is currently in phase 3 clinical trial for HCC, and the results are eagerly awaited. Herein, we summarize and review the drugs approved for the treatment of advanced HCC, mainly focusing on the clinical and preclinical efficacy evaluation of cabozantinib. Also, we report the available preclinical data on cabozantinib-based combination therapies for HCC, current obstacles for cabozantinib therapy, and the future directions for cabozantinib-based treatment for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Deng
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Antonio Solinas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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28
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Wang JH, Zeng Z, Sun J, Chen Y, Gao X. A novel small-molecule antagonist enhances the sensitivity of osteosarcoma to cabozantinib in vitro and in vivo by targeting DNMT-1 correlated with disease severity in human patients. Pharmacol Res 2021; 173:105869. [PMID: 34481973 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Advanced osteosarcoma (OSA) is highly aggressive and can lead to distant metastasis or recurrence. Here, a novel small-molecule inhibitor/antagonist of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT-1) named DI-1 (inhibitor of DNMT-1) was explored to enhance the antitumor effect of a molecular-targeted agent, cabozantinib, on OSA cell lines. In patients with OSA, expression of DNMT-1 was negatively related with that of microRNA (miR)-34a and associated with a poor prognosis. In OSA cell lines (OSA cell line U2OS and an OSA cell line U2OSR resistance to cabozantinib), DI-1 treatment enhanced miR-34a expression by inhibiting hypermethylation of the promoter region of miR-34a mediated by DNMT-1. DI-1 enhanced the sensitivity of OSA cells (U2OS, 143B and MG63) to cabozantinib and other molecular-targeted agents by enhancing miR-34a expression and repressing activation of the Notch pathway. Mechanistically, DI-1 repressed recruitment of DNMT-1 to the promoter region of miR-34a and, in turn, decreased the methylation rate in the promoter region of miR-34a in OSA cells. These results suggest that repressing DNMT-1 activation by DI-1 enhances miR-34a expression in OSA cells and could be a promising therapeutic strategy for OSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hai Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshe East Road, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China.
| | - Zhen Zeng
- Department of Liver Disease, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China.
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Liver Disease, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China.
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Liver Disease, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China.
| | - Xudong Gao
- Department of Liver Disease, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China.
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29
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Xu Q. Human Three-Dimensional Hepatic Models: Cell Type Variety and Corresponding Applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:730008. [PMID: 34631680 PMCID: PMC8497968 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.730008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to retained hepatic phenotypes and functions, human three-dimensional (3D) hepatic models established with diverse hepatic cell types are thought to recoup the gaps in drug development and disease modeling limited by a conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture system and species-specific variability in drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters. Primary human hepatocytes, human hepatic cancer cell lines, and human stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells are three main hepatic cell types used in current models and exhibit divergent hepatic phenotypes. Primary human hepatocytes derived from healthy hepatic parenchyma resemble in vivo-like genetic and metabolic profiling. Human hepatic cancer cell lines are unlimitedly reproducible and tumorigenic. Stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells derived from patients are promising to retain the donor's genetic background. It has been suggested in some studies that unique properties of cell types endue them with benefits in different research fields of in vitro 3D modeling paradigm. For instance, the primary human hepatocyte was thought to be the gold standard for hepatotoxicity study, and stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells have taken a main role in personalized medicine and regenerative medicine. However, the comprehensive review focuses on the hepatic cell type variety, and corresponding applications in 3D models are sparse. Therefore, this review summarizes the characteristics of different cell types and discusses opportunities of different cell types in drug development, liver disease modeling, and liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Xu
- School of Chinese Medicine, and Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
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Karmacharya U, Guragain D, Chaudhary P, Jee JG, Kim JA, Jeong BS. Novel Pyridine Bioisostere of Cabozantinib as a Potent c-Met Kinase Inhibitor: Synthesis and Anti-Tumor Activity against Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189685. [PMID: 34575841 PMCID: PMC8468607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Two novel bioisosteres of cabozantinib, 3 and 4, were designed and synthesized. The benzene ring in the center of the cabozantinib structure was replaced by trimethylpyridine (3) and pyridine (4), respectively. Surprisingly, the two compounds showed extremely contrasting mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met) inhibitory activities at 1 μM concentration (4% inhibition of 3 vs. 94% inhibition of 4). The IC50 value of compound 4 was 4.9 nM, similar to that of cabozantinib (5.4 nM). A ligand-based docking study suggested that 4 includes the preferred conformation for the binding to c-Met in the conformational ensemble, but 3 does not. The anti-proliferative activity of compound 4 against hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B and Huh7) and non-small-cell lung cancer (A549 and H1299) cell lines was better than that of cabozantinib, whereas 3 did not show a significant anti-proliferative activity. Moreover, the tumor selectivity of compound 4 toward hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines was higher than that of cabozantinib. In the xenograft chick tumor model, compound 4 inhibited Hep3B tumor growth to a much greater extent than cabozantinib. The present study suggests that compound 4 may be a good therapeutic candidate against hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ujjwala Karmacharya
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Korea; (U.K.); (D.G.); (P.C.)
| | - Diwakar Guragain
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Korea; (U.K.); (D.G.); (P.C.)
| | - Prakash Chaudhary
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Korea; (U.K.); (D.G.); (P.C.)
| | - Jun-Goo Jee
- College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea;
| | - Jung-Ae Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Korea; (U.K.); (D.G.); (P.C.)
- Correspondence: (J.-A.K.); (B.-S.J.); Tel.: +82-53-810-2816 (J.-A.K.); +82-53-810-2814 (B.-S.J.)
| | - Byeong-Seon Jeong
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Korea; (U.K.); (D.G.); (P.C.)
- Correspondence: (J.-A.K.); (B.-S.J.); Tel.: +82-53-810-2816 (J.-A.K.); +82-53-810-2814 (B.-S.J.)
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Wang H, Chen X, Calvisi DF. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): the most promising therapeutic targets in the preclinical arena based on tumor biology characteristics. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:645-658. [PMID: 34477018 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1976142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant liver tumor characterized by high molecular heterogeneity, which has hampered the development of effective targeted therapies severely. Recent experimental data have unraveled novel promising targets for HCC treatment. AREAS COVERED : Eligible articles were retrieved from PubMed and Web of Science databases up to July 2021. This review summarizes the established targeted therapies for advanced HCC, focusing on the strategies to overcome drug resistance and the search for combinational treatments. In addition, conventional biomarkers holding the promises for HCC treatments and novel therapeutic targets from the research field are discussed. EXPERT OPINION : HCC is a molecularly complex disease, with several and distinct pathways playing critical roles in different tumor subtypes. Experimental models recapitulating the features of each tumor subset would be highly beneficial to design novel and more effective therapies against this disease. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of combinatorial drug synergism and the role of the tumor microenvironment in HCC will lead to improved therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haichuan Wang
- Liver Transplantation Division, Department of Liver Surgery and Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Atwa SM, Odenthal M, El Tayebi HM. Genetic Heterogeneity, Therapeutic Hurdle Confronting Sorafenib and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4343. [PMID: 34503153 PMCID: PMC8430643 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the latest advances in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening and treatment modalities, HCC is still representing a global burden. Most HCC patients present at later stages to an extent that conventional curative options are ineffective. Hence, systemic therapy represented by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, sorafenib, in the first-line setting is the main treatment modality for advanced-stage HCC. However, in the two groundbreaking phase III clinical trials, the SHARP and Asia-Pacific trials, sorafenib has demonstrated a modest prolongation of overall survival in almost 30% of HCC patients. As HCC develops in an immune-rich milieu, particular attention has been placed on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as a novel therapeutic modality for HCC. Yet, HCC therapy is hampered by the resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs and the subsequent tumor recurrence. HCC is characterized by substantial genomic heterogeneity that has an impact on cellular response to the applied therapy. And hence, this review aims at giving an insight into the therapeutic impact and the different mechanisms of resistance to sorafenib and ICIs as well as, discussing the genomic heterogeneity associated with such mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M. Atwa
- Pharmaceutical Biology Department, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11865, Egypt;
- Molecular Pharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Margarete Odenthal
- Institute for Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, 50924 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Hend M. El Tayebi
- Molecular Pharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
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Actinomycin D Arrests Cell Cycle of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines and Induces p53-Dependent Cell Death: A Study of the Molecular Mechanism Involved in the Protective Effect of IRS-4. PHARMACEUTICALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 14:ph14090845. [PMID: 34577545 PMCID: PMC8472101 DOI: 10.3390/ph14090845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Actinomycin D (ActD) is an FDA-approved NCI oncology drug that specifically targets and downregulates stem cell transcription factors, which leads to a depletion of stem cells within the tumor bulk. Recently, our research group demonstrated the importance of IRS-4 in the development of liver cancer. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of IRS-4 against ActD. For this study, three hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG2, Huh7, and Chang cells) were used to study the mechanism of actinomycin D. Most assays were carried out in the Hep G2 cell line, due to the high expression of stem cell biomarkers. We found that ActD caused HepG2 cell necroptosis characterized by DNA fragmentation, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c depletion, and decreased the levels of reduced glutathione. However, we did not observe a clear increase in apoptosis markers such as annexin V presence, caspase 3 activation, or PARP fragmentation. ActD produced an activation of MAP kinases (ERK, p38, and JNK) and AKT. ActD-induced activation of AKT and MAP kinases produced an activation of the Rb-E2F cascade together with a blockage of cell cycle transitions, due to c-jun depletion. ActD led to the inhibition of pCdK1 and pH3 along with DNA fragmentation resulting in cell cycle arrest and the subsequent activation of p53-dependent cell death in the HepG2 cell line. Only JNK and AKT inhibitors were protective against the effects of ActD. N-Acetyl-L-cysteine also had a protective effect as it restored GSH levels. A likely mechanism for this is IRS-4 stimulating GCL-GSH and inhibiting the Brk-CHK1-p53 pathway. The assessment of the IRS-4 in cancer biopsies could be of interest to carry out a personalized treatment with ActD.
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Gunaydin Akyildiz A, Boran T, Jannuzzi AT, Alpertunga B. Mitochondrial dynamics imbalance and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to the molecular cardiotoxic effects of lenvatinib. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2021; 423:115577. [PMID: 34019861 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Lenvatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) approved for the treatment of resistant differentiated thyroid cancer, advanced renal cell carcinoma, unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, and endometrial carcinoma. Although it is successful in cancer treatment, it can cause life-threatening side effects such as cardiotoxicity. The molecular mechanism of cardiotoxicity caused by lenvatinib is not fully known. In this study, the molecular mechanism of lenvatinib's cardiotoxicity was investigated focusing on mitochondrial toxicity in the H9c2 cardiomyoblastic cell line. Lenvatinib inhibited cell viability at 48 and 72 h exposure with three selected concentrations (1.25 μM, 5 μM and 10 μM); and inhibited intracellular ATP after 72 h exposure compared to the control group. Mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased after 48 h and did not show significant changes after 72 h exposure. Evaluated with real-time PCR, mitochondrial dynamics (Mfn1, Mfn2, OPA1, DRP1, Fis1) expression levels after lenvatinib treatment significantly changed. Lenvatinib triggered the tendency from fusion to fission in mitochondria after 48 h exposure, and increased both fusion and fission after 72 h. The mtDNA ratio increased after 48 h and decreased after 72 h. ASK1, JNK and AMPKα2 increased. UCP2 showed downregulation, SOD2 level showed upregulation and Cat levels decreased after drug treatment. Nrf1 and Nrf2 also changed concentration-dependently. Protein carbonyl levels increased significantly after lenvatinib treatments indicating oxidative stress. The protein levels of the electron transport chain complexes, LONP1, UCP2, and P21 showed significant differences after lenvatinib treatment. The outcome of our study is expected to be a contribution to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of TKI-induced cardiotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysenur Gunaydin Akyildiz
- Istanbul University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, 34116 Beyazit, Istanbul, Turkey; Bezmialem Vakif University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Vatan Street, 34093 Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tugce Boran
- Istanbul University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, 34116 Beyazit, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayse Tarbin Jannuzzi
- Istanbul University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, 34116 Beyazit, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Buket Alpertunga
- Istanbul University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, 34116 Beyazit, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Synthesis of sorafenib analogues incorporating a 1,2,3-triazole ring and cytotoxicity towards hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Bioorg Chem 2021; 112:104831. [PMID: 33831675 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A series of 1,2,3-triazole-containing Sorafenib analogues, in which the aryl urea moiety of Sorafenib (1) was replaced with a 1,2,3-triazole ring linking a substituted phenoxy fragment, were prepared successfully via Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and nucleophilic aromatic substitution. The studies of cytotoxicity towards human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, HepG2 and Huh7, indicated that p-tert-butylphenoxy analogue 2m showed significant inhibitory activity against Huh7 with IC50 = 5.67 ± 0.57 µM. More importantly, 2m showed low cytotoxicity against human embryonal lung fibroblast cell line, MRC-5, with IC50 > 100 µM, suggesting its highly selective cytotoxic activity (SI > 17.6) towards Huh7 which is much superior to that of Sorafenib (SI = 6.73). The molecular docking studies revealed that the analogue 2m bound B-RAF near the binding position of Sorafenib, while it interacted VEGFR2 efficiently at the same binding position of Sorafenib. However, 2m exhibited moderate inhibitory activity toward B-RAF, implying that its anti-Huh7 effect might not strictly relate to inhibition of B-RAF. Wound healing and BrdU cell proliferation assays confirmed anti-cell migration and anti-cell proliferative activities towards Huh7. With its inhibitory efficiency and high safety profile, 2m has been identified as a promising candidate for the treatment of HCC.
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