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Menges CW, Hassan D, Cheung M, Bellacosa A, Testa JR. Alterations of the AKT Pathway in Sporadic Human Tumors, Inherited Susceptibility to Cancer, and Overgrowth Syndromes. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2024. [PMID: 39192048 DOI: 10.1007/82_2024_278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The AKT kinases are critical signaling molecules that regulate cellular physiology upon the activation of tyrosine kinase receptors and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K). AKT kinases govern many cellular processes considered hallmarks of cancer, including cell proliferation and survival, cell size, tumor invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. AKT signaling is regulated by multiple tumor suppressors and oncogenic proteins whose loss or activation, respectively, leads to dysregulation of this pathway, thereby contributing to oncogenesis. Herein, we review the enormous body of literature documenting how the AKT pathway becomes hyperactivated in sporadic human tumors and various hereditary cancer syndromes. We also discuss the role of activating mutations of AKT pathway genes in various chimeric overgrowth disorders, including Proteus syndrome, hypoglycemia with hypertrophy, CLOVES and SOLAMEN syndromes, and hemimegalencephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig W Menges
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
- Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories Professional Scientific Services, Lancaster, PA, 17601, USA
| | - Dalal Hassan
- Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Mitchell Cheung
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Alfonso Bellacosa
- Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
| | - Joseph R Testa
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA.
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2
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Tomuleasa C, Tigu AB, Munteanu R, Moldovan CS, Kegyes D, Onaciu A, Gulei D, Ghiaur G, Einsele H, Croce CM. Therapeutic advances of targeting receptor tyrosine kinases in cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:201. [PMID: 39138146 PMCID: PMC11323831 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01899-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), a category of transmembrane receptors, have gained significant clinical attention in oncology due to their central role in cancer pathogenesis. Genetic alterations, including mutations, amplifications, and overexpression of certain RTKs, are critical in creating environments conducive to tumor development. Following their discovery, extensive research has revealed how RTK dysregulation contributes to oncogenesis, with many cancer subtypes showing dependency on aberrant RTK signaling for their proliferation, survival and progression. These findings paved the way for targeted therapies that aim to inhibit crucial biological pathways in cancer. As a result, RTKs have emerged as primary targets in anticancer therapeutic development. Over the past two decades, this has led to the synthesis and clinical validation of numerous small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), now effectively utilized in treating various cancer types. In this manuscript we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the RTKs in the context of cancer. We explored the various alterations and overexpression of specific receptors across different malignancies, with special attention dedicated to the examination of current RTK inhibitors, highlighting their role as potential targeted therapies. By integrating the latest research findings and clinical evidence, we seek to elucidate the pivotal role of RTKs in cancer biology and the therapeutic efficacy of RTK inhibition with promising treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciprian Tomuleasa
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
- Department of Hematology, Ion Chiricuta Clinical Cancer Center, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov 3, 050044, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Adrian-Bogdan Tigu
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov 3, 050044, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Raluca Munteanu
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov 3, 050044, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian-Silviu Moldovan
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - David Kegyes
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov 3, 050044, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Onaciu
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Diana Gulei
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gabriel Ghiaur
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Department of Leukemia, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Medfuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Medizinische Klinik II, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Carlo M Croce
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Hu S, Li S, Xu Y, Huang X, Mai Z, Chen Y, Xiao H, Ning W, Gaus S, Savkovic V, Lethaus B, Zimmerer R, Acharya A, Ziebolz D, Schmalz G, Huang S, Zhao J, Hu X. The antitumor effects of herbal medicine Triphala on oral cancer by inactivating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway: based on the network pharmacology, molecular docking, in vitro and in vivo experimental validation. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 128:155488. [PMID: 38493718 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This research aimed to investigate the anti-tumor effects and underlying genetic mechanisms of herbal medicine Triphala (TRP) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS The target genes of Triphala (TRP) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) were identified, and subsequent functional enrichment analysis was conducted to determine the enriched signaling pathways. Based on these genes, a protein-protein interaction network was constructed to identify the top 10 genes with the highest degree. Genes deregulated in OSCC tumor samples were identified to be hub genes among the top 10 genes. In vitro experiments were performed to investigate the influence of TRP extracts on the cell metabolic activity, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and proliferation of two OSCC cell lines (CAL-27 and SCC-9). The functional rescue assay was conducted to investigate the effect of applying the inhibitor and activator of an enriched pathway on the phenotypes of cancer cells. In addition, the zebrafish xenograft tumor model was established to investigate the influence of TRP extracts on tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. RESULTS The target genes of TRP in OSCC were prominently enriched in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, with the identification of five hub genes (JUN, EGFR, ESR1, RELA, and AKT1). TRP extracts significantly inhibited cell metabolic activity, migration, invasion, and proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in OSCC cells. Notably, the application of TRP extracts exhibited the capacity to downregulate mRNA and phosphorylated protein levels of AKT1 and ESR1, while concomitantly inducing upregulation of mRNA and phosphorylated protein levels in the remaining three hub genes (EGFR, JUN, and RELA). The functional rescue assay demonstrated that the co-administration of TRP and the PI3K activator 740Y-P effectively reversed the impact of TRP on the phenotypes of OSCC cells. Conversely, the combination of TRP and the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 further enhanced the effect of TRP on the phenotypes of OSCC cells. Remarkably, treatment with TRP in zebrafish xenograft models demonstrated a significant reduction in both tumor growth and metastatic spread. CONCLUSIONS Triphala exerted significant inhibitory effects on cell metabolic activity, migration, invasion, and proliferation in OSCC cell lines, accompanied by the induction of apoptosis, which was mediated through the inactivation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaonan Hu
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Simin Li
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Yuzhen Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian 271000, China
| | - Xiuhong Huang
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Zhaoyi Mai
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Yuanxin Chen
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Hui Xiao
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Wanchen Ning
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Sebastian Gaus
- Department of Cranio Maxillofacial Surgery, University Clinic Leipzig, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Vuk Savkovic
- Department of Cranio Maxillofacial Surgery, University Clinic Leipzig, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Bernd Lethaus
- Department of Cranio Maxillofacial Surgery, University Clinic Leipzig, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Zimmerer
- Department of Cranio Maxillofacial Surgery, University Clinic Leipzig, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Aneesha Acharya
- Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Pune 411018, India
| | - Dirk Ziebolz
- Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Gerhard Schmalz
- Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Shaohong Huang
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China.
| | - Jianjiang Zhao
- Shenzhen Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518118, China.
| | - Xianda Hu
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Beijing Tibetan Hospital, China Tibetology Research Center, Beijing 100029, China; Institute for the History of Chinese Medicine and Medical Literature, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
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Murciano-Goroff YR, Uppal M, Chen M, Harada G, Schram AM. Basket Trials: Past, Present, and Future. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CANCER BIOLOGY 2024; 8:59-80. [PMID: 38938274 PMCID: PMC11210107 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cancerbio-061421-012927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Large-scale tumor molecular profiling has revealed that diverse cancer histologies are driven by common pathways with unifying biomarkers that can be exploited therapeutically. Disease-agnostic basket trials have been increasingly utilized to test biomarker-driven therapies across cancer types. These trials have led to drug approvals and improved the lives of patients while simultaneously advancing our understanding of cancer biology. This review focuses on the practicalities of implementing basket trials, with an emphasis on molecularly targeted trials. We examine the biologic subtleties of genomic biomarker and patient selection, discuss previous successes in drug development facilitated by basket trials, describe certain novel targets and drugs, and emphasize practical considerations for participant recruitment and study design. This review also highlights strategies for aiding patient access to basket trials. As basket trials become more common, steps to ensure equitable implementation of these studies will be critical for molecularly targeted drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manik Uppal
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Monica Chen
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Guilherme Harada
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alison M Schram
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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Ragupathi A, Kim C, Jacinto E. The mTORC2 signaling network: targets and cross-talks. Biochem J 2024; 481:45-91. [PMID: 38270460 PMCID: PMC10903481 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20220325] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin, mTOR, controls cell metabolism in response to growth signals and stress stimuli. The cellular functions of mTOR are mediated by two distinct protein complexes, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2. Rapamycin and its analogs are currently used in the clinic to treat a variety of diseases and have been instrumental in delineating the functions of its direct target, mTORC1. Despite the lack of a specific mTORC2 inhibitor, genetic studies that disrupt mTORC2 expression unravel the functions of this more elusive mTOR complex. Like mTORC1 which responds to growth signals, mTORC2 is also activated by anabolic signals but is additionally triggered by stress. mTORC2 mediates signals from growth factor receptors and G-protein coupled receptors. How stress conditions such as nutrient limitation modulate mTORC2 activation to allow metabolic reprogramming and ensure cell survival remains poorly understood. A variety of downstream effectors of mTORC2 have been identified but the most well-characterized mTORC2 substrates include Akt, PKC, and SGK, which are members of the AGC protein kinase family. Here, we review how mTORC2 is regulated by cellular stimuli including how compartmentalization and modulation of complex components affect mTORC2 signaling. We elaborate on how phosphorylation of its substrates, particularly the AGC kinases, mediates its diverse functions in growth, proliferation, survival, and differentiation. We discuss other signaling and metabolic components that cross-talk with mTORC2 and the cellular output of these signals. Lastly, we consider how to more effectively target the mTORC2 pathway to treat diseases that have deregulated mTOR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Ragupathi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A
| | - Christian Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A
| | - Estela Jacinto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, U.S.A
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Zhong Z, Wang T, Zang R, Zang Y, Feng Y, Yan S, Geng C, Zhu N, Wang Q. Dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PF-04979064 regulates tumor growth in gastric cancer and enhances drug sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to 5-FU. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:116086. [PMID: 38159377 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116086] [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: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is characterized by high tumor heterogeneity, increased surgical difficulty, and limited chemotherapy efficacy, and it is associated with a poor prognosis. The abnormal proliferation of cells involves abnormal activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Inhibition of this signaling pathway can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis. This study evaluated the effect of PF-04979064, a dual inhibitor of PI3K and mTOR, on human GC cells. PF-04979064 significantly inhibited the proliferation of human gastric adenocarcinoma AGS cells and the undifferentiated GC cell line HGC-27, promoting cell apoptosis. Combination treatment with PF-04979064 and the GC first-line clinical drug 5-FU showed synergistic effects, and PF-04979064 markedly increased the sensitivity of GC cells to chemotherapy drugs. Western blot results showed that PF-04979064 significantly inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in GC cells, whereas RNA seq results demonstrated substantial alterations in gene expression profiles upon treatment with PF-04979064. This study provides insight into the effects of PF-04979064, thereby establishing a solid foundation for its potential clinical application in the treatment of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyuan Zhong
- School of Medical Laboratory, WeiFang Medical University, No.7166, Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong, 261053, China
| | - Tengkai Wang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Ruochen Zang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Yufei Zang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Yaoyao Feng
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Shujun Yan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Qingdao), 758 Hefei Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266035, China
| | - Congcong Geng
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Na Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Qingdao), 758 Hefei Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266035, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Qingdao), 758 Hefei Road, Qingdao, Shandong, 266035, China.
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Nayak V, Patra S, Singh KR, Ganguly B, Kumar DN, Panda D, Maurya GK, Singh J, Majhi S, Sharma R, Pandey SS, Singh RP, Kerry RG. Advancement in precision diagnosis and therapeutic for triple-negative breast cancer: Harnessing diagnostic potential of CRISPR-cas & engineered CAR T-cells mediated therapeutics. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 235:116573. [PMID: 37437865 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, disrupted regulatory pathways, and the accumulation of genetic mutations. These mutations across different types of cancer lead to disruptions in signaling pathways and alterations in protein expression related to cellular growth and proliferation. This review highlights the AKT signaling cascade and the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) regulating cascade as promising for novel nanotheranostic interventions. Through synergizing state-of-the-art gene editing tools like the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-Cas system with nanomaterials and targeting AKT, there is potential to enhance cancer diagnostics significantly. Furthermore, the integration of modified CAR-T cells into multifunctional nanodelivery systems offers a promising approach for targeted cancer inhibition, including the eradication of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Within the context of highly aggressive and metastatic Triple-negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), this review specifically focuses on devising innovative nanotheranostics. For both pre-clinical and post-clinical TNBC detection, the utilization of the CRISPR-Cas system, guided by RNA (gRNA) and coupled with a fluorescent reporter specifically designed to detect TNBC's mutated sequence, could be promising. Additionally, a cutting-edge approach involving the engineering of TNBC-specific iCAR and syn-Notch CAR T-cells, combined with the co-delivery of a hybrid polymeric nano-liposome encapsulating a conditionally replicative adenoviral vector (CRAdV) against CSCs, could present an intriguing intervention strategy. This review thus paves the way for exciting advancements in the field of nanotheranostics for the treatment of TNBC and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinayak Nayak
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research- National Institute on Foot and Mouth Disease- International Center for Foot and Mouth Disease, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Sushmita Patra
- Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi-Mumbai 410210, India
| | - Kshitij Rb Singh
- Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 2-4 Hibikino, Wakamatsu, Kitakyushu, Japan.
| | - Bristy Ganguly
- Fish Health Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Das Nishant Kumar
- PG Department of Biotechnology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Deepak Panda
- PG Department of Biotechnology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Ganesh Kumar Maurya
- Zoology Section, Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Jay Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sanatan Majhi
- PG Department of Biotechnology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Rohit Sharma
- Department of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shyam S Pandey
- Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 2-4 Hibikino, Wakamatsu, Kitakyushu, Japan.
| | - Ravindra Pratap Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, India.
| | - Rout George Kerry
- PG Department of Biotechnology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
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8
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Hatano N, Kamada M, Kojima R, Okuno Y. Network-based prediction approach for cancer-specific driver missense mutations using a graph neural network. BMC Bioinformatics 2023; 24:383. [PMID: 37817080 PMCID: PMC10565986 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-023-05507-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In cancer genomic medicine, finding driver mutations involved in cancer development and tumor growth is crucial. Machine-learning methods to predict driver missense mutations have been developed because variants are frequently detected by genomic sequencing. However, even though the abnormalities in molecular networks are associated with cancer, many of these methods focus on individual variants and do not consider molecular networks. Here we propose a new network-based method, Net-DMPred, to predict driver missense mutations considering molecular networks. Net-DMPred consists of the graph part and the prediction part. In the graph part, molecular networks are learned by a graph neural network (GNN). The prediction part learns whether variants are driver variants using features of individual variants combined with the graph features learned in the graph part. RESULTS Net-DMPred, which considers molecular networks, performed better than conventional methods. Furthermore, the prediction performance differed by the molecular network structure used in learning, suggesting that it is important to consider not only the local network related to cancer but also the large-scale network in living organisms. CONCLUSIONS We propose a network-based machine learning method, Net-DMPred, for predicting cancer driver missense mutations. Our method enables us to consider the entire graph architecture representing the molecular network because it uses GNN. Net-DMPred is expected to detect driver mutations from a lot of missense mutations that are not known to be associated with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narumi Hatano
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mayumi Kamada
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Ryosuke Kojima
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasushi Okuno
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
- HPC- and AI-driven Drug Development Platform Division, RIKEN Center for Computational Science(R-CCS), Kobe, Japan.
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9
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Menteş M, Yandım C. Identification of PPA1 inhibitor candidates for potential repurposing in cancer medicine. J Cell Biochem 2023; 124:1646-1663. [PMID: 37733630 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30475] [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: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Inorganic pyrophosphatase 1 (PPA1) is pivotal to cellular metabolism as it facilitates the hydrolysis of PPi-a by-product of various metabolic processes that influence cell growth and differentiation. Overexpression of PPA1 enzyme has been linked to diminished patient survival and was shown to influence tumor cell dynamics, thereby positioning it as a potential therapy target for a variety of cancers including colorectal cancer, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and lung adenocarcinoma. Despite this therapeutic promise, there are no known inhibitors of PPA1 as of today. In this study, we searched for potential PPA1 inhibitors using a molecular docking screen of 30 470 compounds with a history of clinical trials and/or US Food and Drug Administration approval. We specifically targeted the active pocket that coincides with the established catalytic domain. Our screen identified promising hits, which we further subjected to ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) filtering. Subsequent molecular dynamics (MD) analyses were conducted on devazepide, quinotolast, and tarazepide-the three substances that successfully navigated all filters. MD analyses reinforced the stability of the protein-ligand complexes and confirmed ligand binding, as substantiated by our root mean square deviation, radius of gyration and secondary structures of proteins analyses. Furthermore, Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area calculations post-MD identified devazepide and quinotolast as showing higher binding affinities; being supported by principal component analysis, free energy landscape, and dynamic cross-correlation matrix results. Overall, our study reveals devazepide and quinotolast as potential candidates for PPA1 inhibition which could be considered for repurposing studies that need further experimental validation. These results not only reveal a potential for clinical repurposing for PPA1 inhibition but they also offer valuable insights into the development of future compounds for targeting the crucial PPA1 enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muratcan Menteş
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, İzmir University of Economics, Balçova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cihangir Yandım
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, İzmir University of Economics, Balçova, İzmir, Turkey
- İzmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Dokuz Eylül University Health Campus, İnciraltı, İzmir, Turkey
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10
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Sirico M, D’Angelo A, Gianni C, Casadei C, Merloni F, De Giorgi U. Current State and Future Challenges for PI3K Inhibitors in Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:703. [PMID: 36765661 PMCID: PMC9913212 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (PKB/AKT)-mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) axis is a key signal transduction system that links oncogenes and multiple receptor classes which are involved in many essential cellular functions. Aberrant PI3K signalling is one of the most commonly mutated pathways in cancer. Consequently, more than 40 compounds targeting key components of this signalling network have been tested in clinical trials among various types of cancer. As the oncogenic activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway often occurs alongside mutations in other signalling networks, combination therapy should be considered. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the knowledge of the PI3K pathway and discuss the current state and future challenges of targeting this pathway in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Sirico
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Alberto D’Angelo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
- Department of Oncology, Royal United Hospital, Bath BA1 3NG, UK
| | - Caterina Gianni
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Chiara Casadei
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Filippo Merloni
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Ugo De Giorgi
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
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Wang S, Wei J, Li S, Luo Y, Li Y, Wang X, Shen W, Luo D, Liu D. PPA1, an energy metabolism initiator, plays an important role in the progression of malignant tumors. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1012090. [PMID: 36505776 PMCID: PMC9733535 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1012090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPA1) encoded by PPA1 gene belongs to Soluble Pyrophosphatases (PPase) family and is expressed widely in various tissues of Homo sapiens, as well as significantly in a variety of malignancies. The hydrolysis of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) to produce orthophosphate (Pi) not only dissipates the negative effects of PPi accumulation, but the energy released by this process also serves as a substitute for ATP. PPA1 is highly expressed in a variety of tumors and is involved in proliferation, invasion, and metastasis during tumor development, through the JNK/p53, Wnt/β-catenin, and PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathways. Because of its remarkable role in tumor development, PPA1 may serve as a biological target for adjuvant therapy of tumor malignancies. Further, PPA1 is a potential biomarker to predict survival in patients with cancer, where the assessment of its transcriptional regulation can provide an in-depth understanding. Herein, we describe the signaling pathways through which PPA1 regulates malignant tumor progression and provide new insights to establish PPA1 as a biomarker for tumor diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuying Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Zunyi), Zunyi, China,College of Clinical Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jianmei Wei
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University (The First People' s Hospital of Zunyi), Zunyi, China
| | - Shunwei Li
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Zunyi), Zunyi, China
| | - Yuyin Luo
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Zunyi), Zunyi, China,College of Clinical Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Yifei Li
- College of Clinical Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Xianglin Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Zunyi), Zunyi, China,College of Clinical Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Wenzhi Shen
- Key Laboratory of Precision Oncology in Universities of Shandong, Institute of Precision Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China,*Correspondence: Daishun Liu, ; Dehong Luo, ; Wenzhi Shen,
| | - Dehong Luo
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Zunyi), Zunyi, China,*Correspondence: Daishun Liu, ; Dehong Luo, ; Wenzhi Shen,
| | - Daishun Liu
- College of Clinical Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China,*Correspondence: Daishun Liu, ; Dehong Luo, ; Wenzhi Shen,
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WDR72 Enhances the Stemness of Lung Cancer Cells by Activating the AKT/HIF-1α Signaling Pathway. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:5059588. [PMID: 36385964 PMCID: PMC9663245 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5059588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Lung cancer is a common malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality rate. Lung cancer stem cells are crucial in the development of lung cancer. In this study, we investigate WD repeat-containing protein 72 (WDR72) on lung cancer cell stemness and explore its underlying mechanism. Methods WDR72 expression was investigated in lung cancer tissues and lung cancer stem cells by Western blot and RT-qPCR. The stemness of lung cancer stem cells was verified by the sphere-forming experiment and the abundance of stem cell markers. For the purpose of determining lung cancer stem cell growth, metastasis, and apoptosis, the CCK-8 assay, colony formation, Transwell migration, and flow cytometry were carried out. The ability of tumorigenesis in vivo was explored by xenograft tumor mouse models. Results Up-regulation of WDR72 was found in lung cancer tissues and lung cancer stem cells. WDR72 overexpression significantly activated the AKT/HIF-1α signaling pathway. Application of PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor LY29004 was able to counteract the impacts of WDR72 upregulation on genes related to stemness, growth, migration, and apoptosis in lung cancer stem cells. The sphere formation of lung cancer stem cells was significantly diminished after inhibiting the AKT/HIF-1α pathway. The promotion of WDR72 overexpression on lung cancer stem cell proliferation and metastasis was also eliminated by LY29004 treatment. Conclusion WDR72 activates the AKT/HIF-1α signaling pathway to enhance the stemness of lung cancer stem cells and promote the growth and metastasis of lung cancer.
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