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Chen X, Ma R, Wu W, Gao R, Shu Y, Dong M, Guo M, Tang D, Li D, Ji S. Wighteone, a prenylated flavonoid from licorice, inhibits growth of SW480 colorectal cancer cells by allosteric inhibition of Akt. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 330:118195. [PMID: 38641080 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118195] [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: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Licorice is a frequently used herbal medicine worldwide, and is used to treat cough, hepatitis, cancer and influenza in clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Modern pharmacological studies indicate that prenylated flavonoids play an important role in the anti-tumor activity of licorice, especially the tumors in stomach, lung, colon and liver. Wighteone is one of the main prenylated flavonoids in licorice, and its possible effect and target against colorectal cancer have not been investigated. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to investigate the anti-colorectal cancer effect and underlying mechanism of wighteone. MATERIALS AND METHODS SW480 human colorectal cancer cells were used to evaluate the in vitro anti-colorectal cancer activity and Akt regulation effect of wighteone by flow cytometry, phosphoproteomic and Western blot analysis. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay, molecular docking and dynamics simulation, and kinase activity assay were used to investigate the direct interaction between wighteone and Akt. A nude mouse xenograft model with SW480 cells was used to verify the in vivo anti-colorectal cancer activity of wighteone. RESULTS Wighteone inhibited phosphorylation of Akt and its downstream kinases in SW480 cells, which led to a reduction in cell viability. Wighteone had direct interaction with both PH and kinase domains of Akt, which locked Akt in a "closed" conformation with allosteric inhibition, and Gln79, Tyr272, Arg273 and Lys297 played the most critical role due to their hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions with wighteone. Based on Akt overexpression or activation in SW480 cells, further mechanistic studies suggested that wighteone-induced Akt inhibition led to cycle arrest, apoptosis and autophagic death of SW480 cells. Moreover, wighteone exerted in vivo anti-colorectal cancer effect and Akt inhibition activity in the nude mouse xenograft model. CONCLUSION Wighteone could inhibit growth of SW480 cells through allosteric inhibition of Akt, which led to cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and autophagic death. The results contributed to understanding of the anti-tumor mechanism of licorice, and also provided a rationale to design novel Akt allosteric inhibitors for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
| | - Ruili Ma
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
| | - Weiguo Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
| | - Ran Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
| | - Yikang Shu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
| | - Mingxin Dong
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510640, China.
| | - Mengzhe Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
| | - Daoquan Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
| | - Danhua Li
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
| | - Shuai Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China.
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Shen NX, Luo MY, Gu WM, Gong M, Lei HM, Bi L, Wang C, Zhang MC, Zhuang G, Xu L, Zhu L, Chen HZ, Shen Y. GSTO1 aggravates EGFR-TKIs resistance and tumor metastasis via deglutathionylation of NPM1 in lung adenocarcinoma. Oncogene 2024:10.1038/s41388-024-03096-z. [PMID: 38969770 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03096-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Despite significantly improved clinical outcomes in EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma, all patients develop acquired resistance and malignancy on the treatment of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Understanding the resistance mechanisms is crucial to uncover novel therapeutic targets to improve the efficacy of EGFR-TKI treatment. Here, integrated analysis using RNA-Seq and shRNAs metabolic screening reveals glutathione S-transferase omega 1 (GSTO1) as one of the key metabolic enzymes that is required for EGFR-TKIs resistance in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Aberrant upregulation of GSTO1 confers EGFR-TKIs resistance and tumor metastasis in vitro and in vivo dependent on its active-site cysteine 32 (C32). Pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of GSTO1 restores sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs and synergistically enhances tumoricidal effects. Importantly, nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) cysteine 104 is deglutathionylated by GSTO1 through its active C32 site, which leads to activation of the AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, clinical data illustrates that GSTO1 level is positively correlated with NPM1 level, NF-κB-mediated transcriptions and progression of human lung adenocarcinoma. Overall, our study highlights a novel mechanism of GSTO1 mediating EGFR-TKIs resistance and malignant progression via protein deglutathionylation, and GSTO1/NPM1/AKT/NF-κB axis as a potential therapeutic vulnerability in lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning-Xiang Shen
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Clinical and Translational Science by Chinese Ministry of Education & Shanghai, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ming-Yu Luo
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Clinical and Translational Science by Chinese Ministry of Education & Shanghai, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Wei-Ming Gu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Clinical and Translational Science by Chinese Ministry of Education & Shanghai, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Miaomiao Gong
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Clinical and Translational Science by Chinese Ministry of Education & Shanghai, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Hui-Min Lei
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Clinical and Translational Science by Chinese Ministry of Education & Shanghai, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ling Bi
- Department of Medical Oncology & Cancer Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Clinical and Translational Science by Chinese Ministry of Education & Shanghai, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Mo-Cong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Clinical and Translational Science by Chinese Ministry of Education & Shanghai, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Guanglei Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Lu Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Clinical and Translational Science by Chinese Ministry of Education & Shanghai, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Liang Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Clinical and Translational Science by Chinese Ministry of Education & Shanghai, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Hong-Zhuan Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Clinical and Translational Science by Chinese Ministry of Education & Shanghai, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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Bullock KK, Richmond A. Beyond Anti-PD-1/PD-L1: Improving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Responses in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2189. [PMID: 38927895 PMCID: PMC11201651 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122189] [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: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The introduction of anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (anti-PD-1) to the clinical management of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a breakthrough for a disease whose treatment has long relied on the standards of chemotherapy and surgery. Nevertheless, few TNBC patients achieve a durable remission in response to anti-PD-1, and there is a need to develop strategies to maximize the potential benefit of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) for TNBC patients. In the present review, we discuss three conceptual strategies to improve ICI response rates in TNBC patients. The first effort involves improving patient selection. We discuss proposed biomarkers of response and resistance to anti-PD-1, concluding that an optimal biomarker will likely be multifaceted. The second effort involves identifying existing targeted therapies or chemotherapies that may synergize with ICI. In particular, we describe recent efforts to use inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT or RAS/MAPK/ERK pathways in combination with ICI. Third, considering the possibility that targeting the PD-1 axis is not the most promising strategy for TNBC treatment, we describe ongoing efforts to identify novel immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ann Richmond
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
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Pervanidis KA, D'Angelo GD, Weisner J, Brandherm S, Rauh D. Akt Inhibitor Advancements: From Capivasertib Approval to Covalent-Allosteric Promises. J Med Chem 2024; 67:6052-6063. [PMID: 38592948 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Akt kinase is vital in cell growth, survival, metabolism, and migration. Dysregulation of Akt signaling is implicated in cancer and metabolic disorders. In the context of cancer, overactive Akt promotes cell survival and proliferation. This has spurred extensive research into developing Akt inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents to disrupt aberrant Akt signaling. Akt inhibitors are classified into three main types: ATP-competitive, allosteric, and covalent-allosteric inhibitors (CAAIs). ATP-competitive inhibitors compete with ATP for binding to Akt, allosteric inhibitors interact with the Pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, and covalent-allosteric inhibitors form covalent bonds, making them more potent and selective. Notably, capivasertib (AZD5363), a potent ATP-competitive Akt inhibitor, received FDA approval in November 2023 for use in combination with the estrogen receptor degrader fulvestrant to treat breast cancer. Challenges remain, including improving selectivity, identifying biomarkers to tailor treatments, and enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. Particularly covalent-allosteric inhibitors hold promise for future more effective and personalized treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosmas Alexandros Pervanidis
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University and Drug Discovery Hub Dortmund (DDHD), Zentrum für Integrierte Wirkstoffforschung (ZIW), Otto-Hahn-Strasse 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Giovanni Danilo D'Angelo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University and Drug Discovery Hub Dortmund (DDHD), Zentrum für Integrierte Wirkstoffforschung (ZIW), Otto-Hahn-Strasse 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Jörn Weisner
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University and Drug Discovery Hub Dortmund (DDHD), Zentrum für Integrierte Wirkstoffforschung (ZIW), Otto-Hahn-Strasse 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
- KyDo Therapeutics, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 15, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Sven Brandherm
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University and Drug Discovery Hub Dortmund (DDHD), Zentrum für Integrierte Wirkstoffforschung (ZIW), Otto-Hahn-Strasse 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
- KyDo Therapeutics, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 15, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Daniel Rauh
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University and Drug Discovery Hub Dortmund (DDHD), Zentrum für Integrierte Wirkstoffforschung (ZIW), Otto-Hahn-Strasse 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
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McCrury M, Swafford K, Shuttleworth SL, Mehdi SH, Acharya B, Saha D, Naceanceno K, Byrum SD, Storey AJ, Xu YZ, Doshier C, Patel V, Post GR, De Loose A, Rodriguez A, Shultz LD, Zhan F, Yoon D, Frett B, Kendrick S. Bifunctional Inhibitor Reveals NEK2 as a Therapeutic Target and Regulator of Oncogenic Pathways in Lymphoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:316-329. [PMID: 37816504 PMCID: PMC10932871 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0299] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Expression of the serine/threonine kinase never in mitosis gene A (NIMA)-related kinase 2 (NEK2) is essential for entry into mitosis via its role in facilitating centrosome separation. Its overactivity can lead to tumorigenesis and drug resistance through the activation of several oncogenic pathways, including AKT. Although the cancer-enabling activities of NEK2 are documented in many malignancies, including correlations with poor survival in myeloma, breast, and non-small cell lung cancer, little is known about the role of NEK2 in lymphoma. Here, in tumors from patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common, aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma, we found a high abundance of NEK2 mRNA and protein associated with an inferior overall survival. Using our recently developed NEK2 inhibitor, NBI-961, we discovered that DLBCL cell lines and patient-derived cells exhibit a dependency on NEK2 for their viability. This compromised cell fitness was directly attributable to efficient NEK2 inhibition and proteasomal degradation by NBI-961. In a subset of particularly sensitive DLBCL cells, NBI-961 induced G2/mitosis arrest and apoptosis. In contrast, an existing indirect NEK2 inhibitor, INH154, did not prevent NEK2 autophosphorylation, induce NEK2 proteasomal degradation, or affect cell viability. Global proteomics and phospho-proteomics revealed that NEK2 orchestrates cell-cycle and apoptotic pathways through regulation of both known and new signaling molecules. We show the loss of NEK2-sensitized DLBCL to the chemotherapy agents, doxorubicin and vincristine, and effectively suppressed tumor growth in mice. These studies establish the oncogenic activity of NEK2 in DLBCL and set the foundation for development of anti-NEK2 therapeutic strategies in this frequently refractory and relapse-prone cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mason McCrury
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Kennith Swafford
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Sydnye L. Shuttleworth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Syed Hassan Mehdi
- Myeloma Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Baku Acharya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Debasmita Saha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Kevin Naceanceno
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Stephanie D. Byrum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Aaron J. Storey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Ying-Zhi Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Claire Doshier
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Vijay Patel
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Ginell R. Post
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Annick De Loose
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Analiz Rodriguez
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | | | - Fenghuang Zhan
- Myeloma Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Donghoon Yoon
- Myeloma Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Brendan Frett
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Samantha Kendrick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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He Y, Jiang S, Zhong Y, Wang X, Cui Y, Liang J, Sun Y, Zhu Z, Huang Z, Mao X. USP7 promotes non-small-cell lung cancer cell glycolysis and survival by stabilizing and activating c-Abl. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1509. [PMID: 38082439 PMCID: PMC10713873 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abelson tyrosine kinase (c-Abl) is frequently mutated and highly expressed, and promotes non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survival, metastasis and tumorigenesis. c-Abl could also be modified through ubiquitination, but the underlying mechanism is not well understood. METHODS Mass spectrometry assays were performed to search c-Abl deubiquitination enzymes. The molecular mechanism was determined using Co-IP assays, pull-down assays, Western blotting upon gene knockdown or overexpression. Cell lines and animal models were used to investigate the role of c-Abl and USP7 in NSCLC. EdU staining assay and Transwell assay were performed to evaluate the proliferation and migration ability of NSCLC cells, respectively. RESULTS Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) is found to upregulate c-Abl via the deubiquitinase screen. USP7 interacts with c-Abl and decreases its K48-linked polyubiquitination, thereby increasing the stability of c-Abl. In addition to the wild-type one, c-Abl mutants can also be deubiquitinated and stabilized by USP7. Moreover, USP7 promotes c-Abl accumulation in cytoplasm by increasing its binding to 14-3-3α/β and activates the oncogenic c-Abl signalling pathway. Furthermore, the USP7/c-Abl axis promotes NSCLC cell glycolysis by direct phosphorylating and stabilizing hexokinase-2 (HK2). Knockdown of USP7 or c-Abl suppresses NSCLC cell glycolysis and reduces lactate production. Further studies revealed that overexpression of USP7 facilitates NSCLC cell growth and metastasis as well as xenograft growth in nude mice, while these activities are suppressed with USP7 or c-Abl being knocked down. CONCLUSIONS USP7 is a deubiquitinase of c-Abl and upregulates its oncogenic activity. USP7 promotes NSCLC cell metabolism by activating c-Abl and HK2. Targeting the USP7/c-Abl/HK2 axis might be a potential strategy to the precision therapy of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanming He
- Department of Hematology, The Key Laboratory of Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouP. R. China
- Guangdong and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouP. R. China
| | - Shuoyi Jiang
- Guangdong and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouP. R. China
| | - Yueya Zhong
- Guangdong and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouP. R. China
| | - Xiaoge Wang
- Guangdong and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouP. R. China
| | - Yaoli Cui
- Guangdong and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouP. R. China
| | - Jingpei Liang
- Guangdong and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouP. R. China
| | - Yuening Sun
- Department of Hematology, The Key Laboratory of Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouP. R. China
- Guangdong and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical SciencesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouP. R. China
| | - Zhigang Zhu
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of GeriatricsGuangzhou First People's Hospital, College of Medicine, South China University of TechnologyGuangzhouGuangdongP. R. China
| | - Zhenqian Huang
- Department of Hematology, The Key Laboratory of Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouP. R. China
| | - Xinliang Mao
- Department of Hematology, The Key Laboratory of Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouP. R. China
- GMU‐GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macau Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and DiseasesGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouP. R. China
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O'donnell J, Zhao Z, Buckingham L, Hao T, Suo H, Zhang X, Fan Y, John C, Deng B, Shen X, Sun W, Secord AA, Zhou C, Bae-Jump VL. Ipatasertib exhibits anti‑tumorigenic effects and enhances sensitivity to paclitaxel in endometrial cancer in vitro and in vivo. Int J Oncol 2023; 63:103. [PMID: 37503790 PMCID: PMC10552741 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2023.5551] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer and one of the only cancers for which incidence and mortality is steadily increasing. Although curable with surgery in the early stages, endometrial cancer presents a significant clinical challenge in the metastatic and recurrent setting with few novel treatment strategies emerging in the past fifty years. Ipatasertib (IPAT) is an orally bioavailable pan‑AKT inhibitor, which targets all three AKT isoforms and has demonstrated anti‑tumor activity in pre‑clinical models, with clinical trials emerging for many cancer types. In the present study, the MTT assay was employed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of IPAT or IPAT in combination with paclitaxel (PTX) in endometrial cancer cell lines and primary cultures of endometrial cancer. The effect of IPAT and PTX on the growth of endometrial tumors was evaluated in a transgenic mouse model of endometrial cancer. Apoptosis was assessed using cleaved caspase assays and cellular stress was assessed using ROS, JC1 and tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester assays. The protein expression levels of markers of apoptosis and cellular stress, and DNA damage were evaluated using western blotting and immunohistochemistry. IPAT significantly inhibited cell proliferation, caused cell cycle G1 phase arrest, and induced cellular stress and mitochondrial apoptosis in a dose dependent manner in human endometrial cancer cell lines. Combined treatment with low doses of IPAT and PTX led to synergistic inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of cleaved caspase 3 activity in the human endometrial cancer cell lines and the primary cultures. Furthermore, IPAT effectively reduced tumor growth, accompanied by decreased protein expression levels of Ki67 and phosphorylation of S6 in the Lkb1fl/flp53fl/fl mouse model of endometrioid endometrial cancer. The combination of IPAT and PTX resulted in increased expression of phosphorylated‑H2AX and KIF14, markers of DNA damage and microtubule dysfunction respectively, as compared with IPAT alone, PTX alone or placebo‑treated mice. The results of the present study provide a biological rationale to evaluate IPAT and the combination of IPAT and PTX in future clinical trials for endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian O'donnell
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ziyi Zhao
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100006, P.R. China
| | - Lindsey Buckingham
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Tianran Hao
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Hongyan Suo
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100006, P.R. China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100006, P.R. China
| | - Yali Fan
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100006, P.R. China
| | - Catherine John
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Boer Deng
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100006, P.R. China
| | - Xiaochang Shen
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100006, P.R. China
| | - Wenchuan Sun
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Angeles Alvarez Secord
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705
| | - Chunxiao Zhou
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Victoria L. Bae-Jump
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Li L, Guo Y, Lu Y, Xu Y, Lu Y, Zhu X, Dong X, Che J. An updated patent review of AKT inhibitors (2020 - present). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:549-564. [PMID: 37864349 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2273895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Protein kinase B (Akt), an essential protein in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, plays a crucial role in tumor progression. Over the past two years, different types of Akt modulators have continued to emerge in the patent literature. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on the patent literature covering small molecule inhibitors, peptides, PROTACs, and antisense nucleic acids targetingAkt from 2020 to present. Also, we discuss the outcomes of several clinical trials, combination strategies for different mechanisms, and the application of Akt regulators in other non-oncology indications.Our search for relevant information was conducted using various databases, including the European Patent Office, SciFinder, andPubMed, from 01.2020 to 04.2023. EXPERT OPINION In recent years, some combination therapeutic strategies involvingAkt inhibitors have shown promising clinical outcomes. Future research can be directed toward developing new applications of Akt inhibitors, which may have implications for other diseases beyond cancer. New attempts suggest that targeting allosteric sites may be a potential solution to the problem of isoform selectivity.Furthermore, directly knocking out Akt protein by using the degraderssuggests a promising direction for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linjie Li
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yu Guo
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yang Lu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yaping Xu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xiuping Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xiaowu Dong
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P. R. China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jinxin Che
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
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9
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Xiang R, Lu M, Wu T, Yang C, Jia Y, Liu X, Deng M, Ge Y, Xu J, Cai T, Ling Y, Zhou Y. Discovery of a high potent PIM kinase inhibitor for acute myeloid leukemia based on N-pyridinyl amide scaffold by optimizing the fragments toward to Lys67 and Asp128/Glu171. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115514. [PMID: 37262997 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite the recent development of PIM inhibitors based on N-(pyridin-3-yl)acetamide scaffold for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the structural-activity relationship (SAR) associated with the effects of positional isomerization of N toward to Lys67 and freedom of solvent fragment toward to Asp128/Glu171 still remains an open question. In this work, a structurally novel compound based on N-pyridinyl amide was designed by fragment hybridization and then our SAR exploration revealed that the positional isomerization would lead to a decrease in activity, while increase of the freedom of solvent fragment by breaking the intramolecular hydrogen bond unprecedentedly leads to an increase in activity. These studies finally resulted in the screening out of a potent PIM inhibitor FD1024 (compound 24) which exerts strong antiproliferative activity against the tested AML cell lines and achieves profound antitumor efficacy in mice at well-tolerated dose schedules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Xiang
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Mingzhu Lu
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Tianze Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Chengbin Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yu Jia
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Xiaofeng Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Mingli Deng
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Yu Ge
- SD Chem, Inc., San Diego, CA, 92128, USA
| | - Jun Xu
- ABA Chemicals Co., Ltd., Taicang, Jiangsu, 215400, China
| | - Tong Cai
- ABA Chemicals Co., Ltd., Taicang, Jiangsu, 215400, China
| | - Yun Ling
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yaming Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
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10
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Amiran MR, Taghdir M, Joozdani FA. Molecular insights into the behavior of the allosteric and ATP-competitive inhibitors in interaction with AKT1 protein: A molecular dynamics study. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:124853. [PMID: 37172698 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
AKT1 is a family of serine/threonine kinases that play a key role in regulating cell growth, proliferation, metabolism, and survival. Two significant classes of AKT1 inhibitors (allosteric and ATP-competitive) are used in clinical development, and both of them could be effective in specific conditions. In this study, we investigated the effect of several different inhibitors on two conformations of the AKT1 by computational approach. We studied the effects of four inhibitors, including MK-2206, Miransertib, Herbacetin, and Shogaol, on the inactive conformation of AKT1 protein and the effects of four inhibitors, Capivasertib, AT7867, Quercetin, and Oridonin molecules on the active conformation of AKT1 protein. The results of simulations showed that each inhibitor creates a stable complex with AKT1 protein, although AKT1/Shogaol and AKT1/AT7867 complexes showed less stability than other complexes. Based on RMSF calculations, the fluctuation of residues in the mentioned complexes is higher than in other complexes. As compared to other complexes in either of its two conformations, MK-2206 has a stronger binding free energy affinity in the inactive conformation, -203.446 kJ/mol. MM-PBSA calculations showed that the van der Waals interactions contribute more than the electrostatic interactions to the binding energy of inhibitors to AKT1 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Amiran
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115_111, Iran
| | - Majid Taghdir
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115_111, Iran.
| | - Farzane Abasi Joozdani
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115_111, Iran
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Petsri K, Yokoya M, Racha S, Thongsom S, Thepthanee C, Innets B, Ei ZZ, Hotta D, Zou H, Chanvorachote P. Novel Synthetic Derivative of Renieramycin T Right-Half Analog Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Cancer Stem Cells via Targeting the Akt Signal in Lung Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065345. [PMID: 36982418 PMCID: PMC10049402 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Akt is a key regulatory protein of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and is responsible for cancer aggressiveness and metastasis. Targeting Akt is beneficial for the development of cancer drugs. renieramycin T (RT) has been reported to have Mcl-1 targeting activity, and the study of the structure-activity relationships (SARs) demonstrated that cyanide and the benzene ring are essential for its effects. In this study, novel derivatives of the RT right-half analog with cyanide and the modified ring were synthesized to further investigate the SARs for improving the anticancer effects of RT analogs and evaluate CSC-suppressing activity through Akt inhibition. Among the five derivatives, a compound with a substituted thiazole structure (DH_25) exerts the most potent anticancer activity in lung cancer cells. It has the ability to induce apoptosis, which is accompanied by an increase in PARP cleavage, a decrease in Bcl-2, and a diminishment of Mcl-1, suggesting that residual Mcl-1 inhibitory effects exist even after modifying the benzene ring to thiazole. Furthermore, DH_25 is found to induce CSC death, as well as a decrease in CSC marker CD133, CSC transcription factor Nanog, and CSC-related oncoprotein c-Myc. Notably, an upstream member of these proteins, Akt and p-Akt, are also downregulated, indicating that Akt can be a potential target of action. Computational molecular docking showing a high-affinity interaction between DH_25 and an Akt at the allosteric binding site supports that DH_25 can bind and inhibit Akt. This study has revealed a novel SAR and CSC inhibitory effect of DH_25 via Akt inhibition, which may encourage further development of RT compounds for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korrakod Petsri
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Masashi Yokoya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1, Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-8588, Japan
| | - Satapat Racha
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Interdisciplinary Program in Pharmacology, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Sunisa Thongsom
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Chorpaka Thepthanee
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Bhurichaya Innets
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Zin Zin Ei
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Daiki Hotta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1, Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-8588, Japan
| | - Hongbin Zou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Pithi Chanvorachote
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +66-2-2188-344
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12
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Occhiuzzi MA, Lico G, Ioele G, De Luca M, Garofalo A, Grande F. Recent advances in PI3K/PKB/mTOR inhibitors as new anticancer agents. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 246:114971. [PMID: 36462440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The biochemical role of the PI3K/PKB/mTOR signalling pathway in cell-cycle regulation is now well known. During the onset and development of different forms of cancer it becomes overactive reducing apoptosis and allowing cell proliferation. Therefore, this pathway has become an important target for the treatment of various forms of malignant tumors, including breast cancer and follicular lymphoma. Recently, several more or less selective inhibitors targeting these proteins have been identified. In general, drugs that act on multiple targets within the entire pathway are more efficient than single targeting inhibitors. Multiple inhibitors exhibit high potency and limited drug resistance, resulting in promising anticancer agents. In this context, the present survey focuses on small molecule drugs capable of modulating the PI3K/PKB/mTOR signalling pathway, thus representing drugs or drug candidates to be used in the pharmacological treatment of different forms of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gernando Lico
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Ioele
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Michele De Luca
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Antonio Garofalo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Fedora Grande
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy.
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13
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Tsang T, He Q, Cohen EB, Stottrup C, Lien EC, Zhang H, Lau CG, Chin YR. Upregulation of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Activity and Stemness as Resistance Mechanisms to Akt Inhibitors in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5006. [PMID: 36291790 PMCID: PMC9599323 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The PI3K/Akt pathway is frequently deregulated in human cancers, and multiple Akt inhibitors are currently under clinical evaluation. Based on the experience from other molecular targeted therapies, however, it is likely that acquired resistance will be developed in patients treated with Akt inhibitors. We established breast cancer models of acquired resistance by prolonged treatment of cells with allosteric or ATP-competitive Akt inhibitors. Phospho-Receptor tyrosine kinase (Phospho-RTK) arrays revealed hyper-phosphorylation of multiple RTKS, including EGFR, Her2, HFGR, EhpB3 and ROR1, in Akt-inhibitor-resistant cells. Importantly, resistance can be overcome by treatment with an EGFR inhibitor. We further showed that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are enriched in breast tumor cells that have developed resistance to Akt inhibitors. Several candidates of CSC regulators, such as ID4, are identified by RNA sequencing. Cosmic analysis indicated that sensitivity of tumor cells to Akt inhibitors can be predicted by ID4 and stem cell/epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway targets. These findings indicate the potential of targeting the EGFR pathway and CSC program to circumvent Akt inhibitor resistance in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Tsang
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Qingling He
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Emily B. Cohen
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Casey Stottrup
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Evan C. Lien
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Huiqi Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - C. Geoffrey Lau
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Y. Rebecca Chin
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
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14
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López-Cade I, García-Barberán V, Cabañas Morafraile E, Díaz-Tejeiro C, Saiz-Ladera C, Sanvicente A, Pérez Segura P, Pandiella A, Győrffy B, Ocaña A. Genomic mapping of copy number variations influencing immune response in breast cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:975437. [PMID: 36119512 PMCID: PMC9476651 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.975437] [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: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of genomic alterations that influence the immune response within the tumor microenvironment is mandatory in order to identify druggable vulnerabilities. In this article, by interrogating public genomic datasets we describe copy number variations (CNV) present in breast cancer (BC) tumors and corresponding subtypes, associated with different immune populations. We identified regulatory T-cells associated with the Basal-like subtype, and type 2 T-helper cells with HER2 positive and the luminal subtype. Using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) for the Type 2 T-helper cells, the most relevant processes included the ERBB2 signaling pathway and the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR) signaling pathway, and for CD8+ T-cells, cellular response to growth hormone stimulus or the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Amplification of ERBB2, GRB2, GRB7, and FGF receptor genes strongly correlated with the presence of type 2 T helper cells. Finally, only 8 genes were highly upregulated and present in the cellular membrane: MILR1, ACE, DCSTAMP, SLAMF8, CD160, IL2RA, ICAM2, and SLAMF6. In summary, we described immune populations associated with genomic alterations with different BC subtypes. We observed a clear presence of inhibitory cells, like Tregs or Th2 when specific chromosomic regions were amplified in basal-like or HER2 and luminal groups. Our data support further evaluation of specific therapeutic strategies in specific BC subtypes, like those targeting Tregs in the basal-like subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor López-Cade
- Experimental Therapeutics Unit, Hospital Clínico San Carlos (HCSC), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa García-Barberán
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Hospital Clínico San Carlos (HCSC), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Cabañas Morafraile
- Center for Biological Research, Margarita Salas Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas (CIB)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Díaz-Tejeiro
- Experimental Therapeutics Unit, Hospital Clínico San Carlos (HCSC), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Saiz-Ladera
- Experimental Therapeutics Unit, Hospital Clínico San Carlos (HCSC), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Adrián Sanvicente
- Experimental Therapeutics Unit, Hospital Clínico San Carlos (HCSC), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Pérez Segura
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos (HCSC), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Atanasio Pandiella
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer [IBMCC-Centro de Investigacion del Cancer (CIC)], Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- Department of Bioinformatics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- 2Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Termeszettudomanyi Kutatokozpont (TTK) Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Alberto Ocaña
- Experimental Therapeutics Unit, Hospital Clínico San Carlos (HCSC), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Translational Research Unit, Albacete University Hospital, Albacete, Spain
- Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Castilla-La Mancha University (CRIB-UCLM), Albacete, Spain
- *Correspondence: Alberto Ocaña,
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15
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Toson B, Fortes IS, Roesler R, Andrade SF. Targeting Akt/PKB in pediatric tumors: A review from preclinical to clinical trials. Pharmacol Res 2022; 183:106403. [PMID: 35987481 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The serine/threonine kinase Akt is a major player in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, and its modulation impacts multiple cellular processes such as growth, proliferation, and survival. Several abnormalities in this pathway have been documented over the years, and these alterations were shown to have great implications in tumorigenesis and resistance to chemotherapy. Thus, multiple Akt inhibitors have been developed and tested in adult tumors, and some of them are currently undergoing phase I, II, and III clinical trials for distinct cancers that arise during adulthood. Despite that, the impact of these inhibitors is still not fully understood in pediatric tumors, and Akt-specific targeting seems to be a promising approach to treat children affected by cancers. This review summarizes recent available evidence of Akt inhibitors in pediatric cancers, from both preclinical and clinical studies. In short, we demonstrate the impact that Akt inhibition provides in tumorigenesis, and we suggest targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, alone or in combination with other inhibitors, is a feasible tool to achieve better outcomes in pediatric tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Toson
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Isadora S Fortes
- Pharmaceutical Synthesis Group (PHARSG), College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Ipiranga, 2752, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Saulo F Andrade
- Pharmaceutical Synthesis Group (PHARSG), College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Ipiranga, 2752, Porto Alegre, RS 90610-000, Brazil.
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Hörnschemeyer J, Kirschstein T, Reichart G, Sasse C, Venus J, Einsle A, Porath K, Linnebacher M, Köhling R, Lange F. Studies on Biological and Molecular Effects of Small-Molecule Kinase Inhibitors on Human Glioblastoma Cells and Organotypic Brain Slices. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12081258. [PMID: 36013437 PMCID: PMC9409734 DOI: 10.3390/life12081258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor. Multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations in several major signaling pathways—including the phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/AKT/mTOR and the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway—could be found. We therefore aimed to investigate the biological and molecular effects of small-molecule kinase inhibitors that may interfere with those pathways. For this purpose, patient-derived glioblastoma cells were challenged with dactolisib, ipatasertib, MK-2206, regorafenib, or trametinib. To determine the effects of the small-molecule kinase inhibitors, assays of cell proliferation and apoptosis and immunoblot analyses were performed. To further investigate the effects of ipatasertib on organotypic brain slices harboring glioblastoma cells, the tumor growth was estimated. In addition, the network activity in brain slices was assessed by electrophysiological field potential recordings. Multi-kinase inhibitor regorafenib and both MK-2206 and dactolisib were very effective in all preclinical tumor models, while with respect to trametinib, two cell lines were found to be highly resistant. Only in HROG05 cells, ipatasertib showed anti-tumoral effects in vitro and in organotypic brain slices. Additionally, ipatasertib diminished synchronous network activity in organotypic brain slices. Overall, our data suggest that ipatasertib was only effective in selected tumor models, while especially regorafenib and MK-2206 presented a uniform response pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hörnschemeyer
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Timo Kirschstein
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Gesine Reichart
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Christin Sasse
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Jakob Venus
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Anne Einsle
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Katrin Porath
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Michael Linnebacher
- Clinic for General Surgery, Molecular Oncology and Immunotherapy, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Köhling
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Falko Lange
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Correspondence:
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