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Tee WV, Lim SJM, Berezovsky IN. Toward the Design of Allosteric Effectors: Gaining Comprehensive Control of Drug Properties and Actions. J Med Chem 2024; 67:17191-17206. [PMID: 39326868 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01043] [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: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
While the therapeutic potential of allosteric drugs is increasingly realized, the discovery of effectors is largely incidental. The rational design of allosteric effectors requires new state-of-the-art approaches to account for the distinct characteristics of allosteric ligands and their modes of action. We present a broadly applicable computational framework for obtaining allosteric site-effector pairs, providing targeted, highly specific, and tunable regulation to any functional site. We validated the framework using the main protease from SARS-CoV-2 and the K-RasG12D oncoprotein. High-throughput per-residue quantification of the energetics of allosteric signaling and effector binding revealed known drugs capable of inducing the required modulation upon binding. Starting from fragments of known well-characterized drugs, allosteric effectors and binding sites were designed and optimized simultaneously to achieve targeted and specific signaling to distinct functional sites, such as, for example, the switch regions of K-RasG12D. The generic framework proposed in this work will be instrumental in developing allosteric therapies aligned with a precision medicine approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ven Tee
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01, Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Sylvester J M Lim
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01, Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Igor N Berezovsky
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01, Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences (DBS), National University of Singapore (NUS), 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117579, Singapore
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2
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Wang J, Yang J, Narang A, He J, Wolfgang C, Li K, Zheng L. Consensus, debate, and prospective on pancreatic cancer treatments. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:92. [PMID: 39390609 PMCID: PMC11468220 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01613-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 09/25/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most aggressive solid tumors. As a systemic disease, despite the improvement of multi-modality treatment strategies, the prognosis of pancreatic cancer was not improved dramatically. For resectable or borderline resectable patients, the surgical strategy centered on improving R0 resection rate is consensus; however, the role of neoadjuvant therapy in resectable patients and the optimal neoadjuvant therapy of chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy in borderline resectable patients were debated. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy of gemcitabine/capecitabine or mFOLFIRINOX is recommended regardless of the margin status. Chemotherapy as the first-line treatment strategy for advanced or metastatic patients included FOLFIRINOX, gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel, or NALIRIFOX regimens whereas 5-FU plus liposomal irinotecan was the only standard of care second-line therapy. Immunotherapy is an innovative therapy although anti-PD-1 antibody is currently the only agent approved by for MSI-H, dMMR, or TMB-high solid tumors, which represent a very small subset of pancreatic cancers. Combination strategies to increase the immunogenicity and to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment may sensitize pancreatic cancer to immunotherapy. Targeted therapies represented by PARP and KRAS inhibitors are also under investigation, showing benefits in improving progression-free survival and objective response rate. This review discusses the current treatment modalities and highlights innovative therapies for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junke Wang
- Division of Biliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
- Department of Oncology and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Jie Yang
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Amol Narang
- Department of Oncology and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Jin He
- Department of Oncology and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Christopher Wolfgang
- Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine and NYU-Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Keyu Li
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
- Department of Oncology and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
- The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of Oncology and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
- The Pancreatic Cancer Precision Medicine Center of Excellence Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
- The Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
- The Multidisciplinary Gastrointestinal Cancer Laboratories Program, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
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3
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Whaby M, Ketavarapu G, Koide A, Mazzei M, Mintoo M, Glasser E, Patel U, Nasarre C, Sale MJ, McCormick F, Koide S, O'Bryan JP. Inhibition and degradation of NRAS with a pan-NRAS monobody. Oncogene 2024:10.1038/s41388-024-03186-y. [PMID: 39379700 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03186-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2024] [Revised: 09/27/2024] [Accepted: 10/01/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
The RAS family GTPases are the most frequently mutated oncogene family in human cancers. Activating mutations in either of the three RAS isoforms (HRAS, KRAS, or NRAS) are found in nearly 20% of all human tumors with NRAS mutated in ~25% of melanomas. Despite remarkable advancements in therapies targeted against mutant KRAS, NRAS-specific pharmacologics are lacking. Thus, development of inhibitors of NRAS would address a critical unmet need to treating primary tumors harboring NRAS mutations as well as BRAF-mutant melanomas, which frequently develop resistance to clinically approved BRAF inhibitors through NRAS mutation. Building upon our previous studies with the monobody NS1 that recognizes HRAS and KRAS but not NRAS, here we report the development of a monobody that specifically binds to both GDP and GTP-bound states of NRAS and inhibits NRAS-mediated signaling in a mutation-agnostic manner. Further, this monobody can be formatted into a genetically encoded NRAS-specific degrader. Our study highlights the feasibility of developing NRAS selective inhibitors for therapeutic efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Whaby
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Gayatri Ketavarapu
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Akiko Koide
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Megan Mazzei
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Mubashir Mintoo
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Eliezra Glasser
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Unnatiben Patel
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cecile Nasarre
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Matthew J Sale
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Frank McCormick
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shohei Koide
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - John P O'Bryan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA.
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Levine AB, Hawkins CE. Molecular markers for pediatric low-grade glioma. Childs Nerv Syst 2024:10.1007/s00381-024-06639-7. [PMID: 39379532 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06639-7] [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: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decade, our understanding of the molecular drivers of pediatric low-grade glioma (PLGG) has expanded dramatically. These tumors are predominantly driven by RAS/MAPK pathway activating alterations (fusions and point mutations), most frequently in BRAF, FGFR1, and NF1. Furthermore, additional second hits in tumor suppressor genes (TP53, ATRX, CDKN2A) can portend more aggressive behaviour. Accordingly, comprehensive molecular profiling-specifically genetic sequencing, often plus copy number profiling-has become critical for guiding the diagnosis and management of PLGG. In this review, we discuss the most important genetic alterations that inform on classification and prognosis of PLGG, highlighting their diagnostic and therapeutic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian B Levine
- Department of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cynthia E Hawkins
- Department of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Nicolle R, Canivet C, Palazzo L, Napoléon B, Ayadi M, Pignolet C, Cros J, Gourgou S, Selves J, Torrisani J, Dusetti N, Cordelier P, Buscail L, Bournet B. Predictive genomic and transcriptomic analysis on endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration materials from primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a prospective multicentre study. EBioMedicine 2024; 109:105373. [PMID: 39383608 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 08/24/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 10/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We apply endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy to cytopathologically diagnose and sample nucleic acids from primary tumours regardless of the disease stage. METHODS 397 patients with proven pancreatic adenocarcinoma were included and followed up in a multicentre prospective study. DNA and mRNA were extracted from materials of primary tumours obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy and analysed using targeted deep sequencing and RNAseq respectively. FINDINGS The variant allele frequency of the KRAS mutation was used to evaluate the tumour cellularity, ranging from 15 to 20% in all cells, regardless of the tumour stage. The molecular profile of metastatic primary tumours significantly differed from other types of tumours, more frequently having TP53 mutations (p = 0.0002), less frequently having RNF43 mutations, and possessing more basal-like mRNA component (p = 0.001). Molecular markers associated with improved overall survival were: mutations in homologous recombination deficiency genes in patients who received first-line platinum-based chemotherapy (p = 0.025) and wild-type TP53 gene in patients with locally advanced tumours who received radio-chemotherapy (p = 0.01). The GemPred transcriptomic profile was associated with a significantly better overall survival in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer who received a gemcitabine-based first-line treatment (p = 0.019). INTERPRETATION The combination of genomic and transcriptomic analyses of primary pancreatic tumours enables us to distinguish metastatic tumours from other tumour types. Our molecular strategy may assist in predicting overall survival outcomes for platinum or gemcitabine-based chemotherapies, as well as radio-chemotherapy. FUNDING Institut National Du Cancer (BCB INCa_7294), CHU of Toulouse, Inserm and Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (CIT program).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rémy Nicolle
- Université Paris Cité, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation (CRI), INSERM, U1149, CNRS, ERL 8252, Paris F-75018, France
| | - Cindy Canivet
- Service de Gastroentérologie et Pancréatologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse-Rangueil (CHU), Toulouse, France
| | | | - Bertrand Napoléon
- Service de Gastroentérologie, Hôpital Privé Jean Mermoz, Ramsay Générale de Santé, Lyon, France
| | - Mira Ayadi
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs, Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Camille Pignolet
- Université Paris Cité, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation (CRI), INSERM, U1149, CNRS, ERL 8252, Paris F-75018, France
| | - Jérôme Cros
- Université Paris Cité, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation (CRI), INSERM, U1149, CNRS, ERL 8252, Paris F-75018, France; Université Paris Cité, Service d'Anatomopathologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Beaujon/Bichat (APHP), Clichy/Paris, France
| | - Sophie Gourgou
- Institut du Cancer de Montpellier-Val d'Aurelle, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Janick Selves
- Service d'Anatomopathologie, Institut Universitaire du Cancer-Oncopole de Toulouse, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU), Toulouse, France
| | - Jérôme Torrisani
- Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CRCT, Université de Toulouse, Inserm, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Nelson Dusetti
- Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de Marseille, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Université Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Pierre Cordelier
- Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CRCT, Université de Toulouse, Inserm, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Louis Buscail
- Service de Gastroentérologie et Pancréatologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse-Rangueil (CHU), Toulouse, France; Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CRCT, Université de Toulouse, Inserm, CNRS, Toulouse, France.
| | - Barbara Bournet
- Service de Gastroentérologie et Pancréatologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse-Rangueil (CHU), Toulouse, France; Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CRCT, Université de Toulouse, Inserm, CNRS, Toulouse, France
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6
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Urrutia S, Takahashi K. Precision medicine in AML: overcoming resistance. Int J Hematol 2024; 120:439-454. [PMID: 39085680 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-024-03827-8] [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: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
The development of molecularly targeted therapy for acute myeloid leukemia is progressing at an accelerated pace. Therapies targeting FLT3, IDH1, IDH2, and BCL2 have been approved in the last 5 years. As we exploit these biological vulnerabilities, various mechanisms of resistance arise. Emergence of competing clones with different genetic drivers and acquisition of constitutional mutations in the target renders therapies ineffective, and enzymatic isoform changes can lead to reappearance of the disease phenotype. Understanding the timing and circumstances of resistance origination will allow clinicians to develop combinatorial and sequential therapeutic approaches to deepen responses and improve survival. The objective of this review is to illustrate the biological underpinnings of each therapy and the landscape of resistance mechanisms and discuss strategies to overcome on- and off-target resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Urrutia
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1901 East Road, 4SCR6.2085, Houston, TX, 77030-4009, USA
| | - Koichi Takahashi
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
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7
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Liu Y, Li Y, Li G, Wang A, Chu H. Insight of the molecular mechanism of inhibitors located at different allosteric sites regulating the activity of wild type and mutant KRAS (G12). Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 760:110137. [PMID: 39216733 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.110137] [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: 07/30/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
As the important hub of many cellular signaling networks, KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue) has been identified as a tumor biomarker. It is the frequently mutated oncogene in human cancers, and KRAS protein activation caused by mutations, such as G12D, has been found in many human tumors tissues. Although, there are two specific allosteric sites (AS1 and AS2) on the KRAS protein that can be used as the targets for inhibitor development, the difference of regulatory mechanisms between two individual allosteric sites still not be reported. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations combined with molecular mechanics generalized born surface area (MM/GBSA) analysis, we found that both of the inhibitors, located at AS1 and AS2, were able to reduce the binding free energy between wild type, mutant KRAS (G12/D/V/S/C) and GTP remarkably, however the effect of inhibitors on the binding free energy between wild type, mutant KRAS and GDP was limited. In addition, the degree of decrease of binding free energy between KRAS and GTP caused by inhibitors at AS2 was significantly greater than that caused by inhibitors at AS1. Further analysis revealed that both inhibitors at AS1 and AS2 were able to regulate the fluctuation of Switch Ⅰ and Switch Ⅱ to expand the pocket of the orthosteric site (GTP binding site), thereby reducing the binding of KRAS to GTP. Noteworthy there was significant differences in the regulatory preferences on Switch Ⅰ and Switch Ⅱ between two type inhibitor. The inhibitor at AS2 mainly regulated Switch Ⅱ to affect the pocket of the orthosteric site, while the inhibitor at AS1 mainly expand the pocket of the orthosteric site by regulating the fluctuation of Switch Ⅰ. Our study compared the differences between two type inhibitors in regulating the KRAS protein activity and revealed the advantages of the AS2 as the small molecule drug target, aiming to provide theoretical guidance for the research of novel KRAS protein inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Biology and Chemistry, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China; Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Yan Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Biology and Chemistry, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China; Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Guohui Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Biology and Chemistry, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China; Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Anhui Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Biology and Chemistry, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China; Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China.
| | - Huiying Chu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Biology and Chemistry, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China; Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China.
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8
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Than MT, O'Hara M, Stanger BZ, Reiss KA. KRAS-Driven Tumorigenesis and KRAS-Driven Therapy in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:1378-1388. [PMID: 39118358 PMCID: PMC11444872 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and is projected to be the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths by 2030. Mutations in KRAS are found in the vast majority of PDAC cases and plays an important role in the development of the disease. KRAS drives tumor cell proliferation and survival through activating the MAPK pathway to drive cell cycle progression and to lead to MYC-driven cellular programs. Moreover, activated KRAS promotes a protumorigenic microenvironment through forming a desmoplastic stroma and by impairing antitumor immunity. Secretion of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and protumorigenic macrophages results in an immunosuppressive environment while secretion of secrete sonic hedgehog and TGFβ drive fibroblastic features characteristic of PDAC. Recent development of several small molecules to directly target KRAS marks an important milestone in precision medicine. Many molecules show promise in preclinical models of PDAC and in early phase clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the underlying cell intrinsic and extrinsic roles of KRAS in PDAC tumorigenesis, the pharmacologic development of KRAS inhibition, and therapeutic strategies to target KRAS in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh T Than
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Abramson Cancer Center and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Mark O'Hara
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Abramson Cancer Center and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ben Z Stanger
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Abramson Cancer Center and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kim A Reiss
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Abramson Cancer Center and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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9
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Healy FM, Turner AL, Marensi V, MacEwan DJ. Mediating kinase activity in Ras-mutant cancer: potential for an individualised approach? Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1441938. [PMID: 39372214 PMCID: PMC11450236 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1441938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 10/08/2024] Open
Abstract
It is widely acknowledged that there is a considerable number of oncogenic mutations within the Ras superfamily of small GTPases which are the driving force behind a multitude of cancers. Ras proteins mediate a plethora of kinase pathways, including the MAPK, PI3K, and Ral pathways. Since Ras was considered undruggable until recently, pharmacological targeting of pathways downstream of Ras has been attempted to varying success, though drug resistance has often proven an issue. Nuances between kinase pathway activation in the presence of various Ras mutants are thought to contribute to the resistance, however, the reasoning behind activation of different pathways in different Ras mutational contexts is yet to be fully elucidated. Indeed, such disparities often depend on cancer type and disease progression. However, we are in a revolutionary age of Ras mutant targeted therapy, with direct-targeting KRAS-G12C inhibitors revolutionising the field and achieving FDA-approval in recent years. However, these are only beneficial in a subset of patients. Approximately 90% of Ras-mutant cancers are not KRAS-G12C mutant, and therefore raises the question as to whether other distinct amino acid substitutions within Ras may one day be targetable in a similar manner, and indeed whether better understanding of the downstream pathways these various mutants activate could further improve therapy. Here, we discuss the favouring of kinase pathways across an array of Ras-mutant oncogenic contexts and assess recent advances in pharmacological targeting of various Ras mutants. Ultimately, we will examine the utility of individualised pharmacological approaches to Ras-mediated cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona M. Healy
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Amy L. Turner
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa Marensi
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Chester Medical School, University of Chester, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - David J. MacEwan
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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10
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Cox AD, Der CJ. KRAS takes the road to destruction. Science 2024; 385:1274-1275. [PMID: 39298611 DOI: 10.1126/science.ads2150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
A single small molecule degrades numerous KRAS variants involved in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne D Cox
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Channing J Der
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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11
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Popow J, Farnaby W, Gollner A, Kofink C, Fischer G, Wurm M, Zollman D, Wijaya A, Mischerikow N, Hasenoehrl C, Prokofeva P, Arnhof H, Arce-Solano S, Bell S, Boeck G, Diers E, Frost AB, Goodwin-Tindall J, Karolyi-Oezguer J, Khan S, Klawatsch T, Koegl M, Kousek R, Kratochvil B, Kropatsch K, Lauber AA, McLennan R, Olt S, Peter D, Petermann O, Roessler V, Stolt-Bergner P, Strack P, Strauss E, Trainor N, Vetma V, Whitworth C, Zhong S, Quant J, Weinstabl H, Kuster B, Ettmayer P, Ciulli A. Targeting cancer with small-molecule pan-KRAS degraders. Science 2024; 385:1338-1347. [PMID: 39298590 DOI: 10.1126/science.adm8684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Mutations in the Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) protein are highly prevalent in cancer. However, small-molecule concepts that address oncogenic KRAS alleles remain elusive beyond replacing glycine at position 12 with cysteine (G12C), which is clinically drugged through covalent inhibitors. Guided by biophysical and structural studies of ternary complexes, we designed a heterobifunctional small molecule that potently degrades 13 out of 17 of the most prevalent oncogenic KRAS alleles. Compared with inhibition, KRAS degradation results in more profound and sustained pathway modulation across a broad range of KRAS mutant cell lines, killing cancer cells while sparing models without genetic KRAS aberrations. Pharmacological degradation of oncogenic KRAS was tolerated and led to tumor regression in vivo. Together, these findings unveil a new path toward addressing KRAS-driven cancers with small-molecule degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Popow
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - William Farnaby
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5JJ, UK
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | | | | | | | - Melanie Wurm
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - David Zollman
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5JJ, UK
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Andre Wijaya
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5JJ, UK
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | | | | | - Polina Prokofeva
- Proteomics and Bioanalytics, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | | | | | - Sammy Bell
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Ridgefield, CT 06877, USA
| | - Georg Boeck
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Emelyne Diers
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Aileen B Frost
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5JJ, UK
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Jake Goodwin-Tindall
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | | | - Shakil Khan
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5JJ, UK
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | | | - Manfred Koegl
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Roland Kousek
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Arnel A Lauber
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ross McLennan
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5JJ, UK
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Sabine Olt
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniel Peter
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Patrick Strack
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Strauss
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole Trainor
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Vesna Vetma
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5JJ, UK
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Claire Whitworth
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Siying Zhong
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Jens Quant
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Bernhard Kuster
- Proteomics and Bioanalytics, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Peter Ettmayer
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5JJ, UK
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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12
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Bian Y, Shan G, Bi G, Liang J, Hu Z, Sui Q, Shi H, Zheng Z, Yao G, Wang Q, Fan H, Zhan C. Targeting ALDH1A1 to enhance the efficacy of KRAS-targeted therapy through ferroptosis. Redox Biol 2024; 77:103361. [PMID: 39317105 PMCID: PMC11465744 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103361] [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: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
KRAS is among the most commonly mutated oncogenes in human malignancies. Although the advent of sotorasib and adagrasib, has lifted the "undruggable" stigma of KRAS, the resistance to KRAS inhibitors quickly becomes a major issue. Here, we reported that aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 (ALDH1A1), an enzyme in retinoic acid biosynthesis and redox balance, increases in response to KRAS inhibitors and confers resistance in a range of cancer types. KRAS inhibitors' efficacy is significantly improved in sensitive or drug-resistant cells, patient-derived organoids (PDO), and xenograft models by ALDH1A1 knockout, loss of enzyme function, or inhibitor. Furthermore, we discovered that ALDH1A1 suppresses the efficacy of KRAS inhibitors by counteracting ferroptosis. ALDH1A1 detoxicates deleterious aldehydes, boosts the synthesis of NADH and retinoic acid (RA), and improves RARA function. ALDH1A1 also activates the CREB1/GPX4 pathway, stimulates the production of lipid droplets in a pH-dependent manner, and subsequently prevents ferroptosis induced by KRAS inhibitors. Meanwhile, we established that GTF2I is dephosphorylated at S784 via ERK by KRAS inhibitors, which hinders its nuclear translocation and mediates ALDH1A1's upregulation in response to KRAS inhibitors. In summary, the results offer valuable insights into targeting ALDH1A1 to enhance the effectiveness of KRAS-targeted therapy through ferroptosis in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyi Bian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangyao Shan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoshu Bi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaqi Liang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengyang Hu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qihai Sui
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haochun Shi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaolin Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangyu Yao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hong Fan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University (Xiamen Branch), Xiamen, China.
| | - Cheng Zhan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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13
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Lilja J, Kaivola J, Conway JRW, Vuorio J, Parkkola H, Roivas P, Dibus M, Chastney MR, Varila T, Jacquemet G, Peuhu E, Wang E, Pentikäinen U, Martinez D Posada I, Hamidi H, Najumudeen AK, Sansom OJ, Barsukov IL, Abankwa D, Vattulainen I, Salmi M, Ivaska J. SHANK3 depletion leads to ERK signalling overdose and cell death in KRAS-mutant cancers. Nat Commun 2024; 15:8002. [PMID: 39266533 PMCID: PMC11393128 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52326-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The KRAS oncogene drives many common and highly fatal malignancies. These include pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancer, where various activating KRAS mutations have made the development of KRAS inhibitors difficult. Here we identify the scaffold protein SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domain 3 (SHANK3) as a RAS interactor that binds active KRAS, including mutant forms, competes with RAF and limits oncogenic KRAS downstream signalling, maintaining mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) activity at an optimal level. SHANK3 depletion breaches this threshold, triggering MAPK/ERK signalling hyperactivation and MAPK/ERK-dependent cell death in KRAS-mutant cancers. Targeting this vulnerability through RNA interference or nanobody-mediated disruption of the SHANK3-KRAS interaction constrains tumour growth in vivo in female mice. Thus, inhibition of SHANK3-KRAS interaction represents an alternative strategy for selective killing of KRAS-mutant cancer cells through excessive signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Lilja
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Jasmin Kaivola
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - James R W Conway
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Joni Vuorio
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna Parkkola
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Pekka Roivas
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Michal Dibus
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Megan R Chastney
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Taru Varila
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Guillaume Jacquemet
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
- Turku Bioimaging, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Emilia Peuhu
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
- Institute of Biomedicine, Cancer Research Laboratory FICAN West, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Emily Wang
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ulla Pentikäinen
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Hellyeh Hamidi
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Arafath K Najumudeen
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- CRUK Scotland Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Owen J Sansom
- CRUK Scotland Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Igor L Barsukov
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Daniel Abankwa
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4365, Esch- sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Ilpo Vattulainen
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marko Salmi
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Johanna Ivaska
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland.
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, FI-20520, Turku, Finland.
- Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
- Foundation for the Finnish Cancer Institute, Tukholmankatu 8, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland.
- Western Finnish Cancer Center, University of Turku, Turku, FI-20520, Finland.
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14
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Zhang Y, Shen Y, Wu J, Zhang J, Cao C, Mo J, Bao Y. The Study of PIK3CA Hotspot Mutations and Co-Occurring with EGFR, KRAS, and TP53 Mutations in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2024; 17:755-763. [PMID: 39282132 PMCID: PMC11402363 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s468352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective PIK3CA-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with other genetic mutations and may influence treatment strategies and clinical outcomes. We aimed to characterize PIK3CA mutations co-occurring with several major driver mutations using data from published cohorts and our medical center. Materials and Methods We analyzed NSCLC patients harboring PIK3CA mutations from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) databases and retrospectively identified NSCLC patients with PIK3CA-mutants at a single medical center from our electronic records. The Log rank test was used to determine the association between PIK3CA mutations and overall survival (OS) in NSCLC patients. Results Common hotspot mutations in PIK3CA were found in exon 9 (c.1633G > A, E545K, and c.1624G > A, E542K) and exon 20 (c.3140A > G, H1047R) in all cohorts. Co-occurring mutations of PIK3CA with EGFR, KRAS, and TP53 have been frequently observed in patients with NSCLC, with different percentages in these datasets generated by different background. PIK3CA mutations were observed to be significantly associated with poor OS in lung adenocarcinomas patients in the MSKCC cohort (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.519, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.301-0.896; P <0.05). Conclusion PIK3CA co-occurring mutations in other genes may represent distinct subsets of NSCLC. Further elucidation of the roles of PIK3CA hotspot mutations combined with other driver mutations, including EGFR and KRAS, is needed to guide effective treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- YuXuan Zhang
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, People's Republic of China
- The Key Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhong Shen
- Transfusion Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayuan Wu
- The Key Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Zhang
- The Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenxi Cao
- The Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Juanfen Mo
- The Key Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Bao
- The Key Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
- The Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
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15
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Si Q, Bai M, Wang X, Wang T, Qin Y. Photonanozyme-Kras-ribosome combination treatment of non-small cell lung cancer after COVID-19. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1420463. [PMID: 39308869 PMCID: PMC11412844 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1420463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
With the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), reductions in T-cell function and exhaustion have been observed in patients post-infection of COVID-19. T cells are key mediators of anti-infection and antitumor, and their exhaustion increases the risk of compromised immune function and elevated susceptibility to cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common subtype of lung cancer with high incidence and mortality. Although the survival rate after standard treatment such as surgical treatment and chemotherapy has improved, the therapeutic effect is still limited due to drug resistance, side effects, and recurrence. Recent advances in molecular biology and immunology enable the development of highly targeted therapy and immunotherapy for cancer, which has driven cancer therapies into individualized treatments and gradually entered clinicians' views for treating NSCLC. Currently, with the development of photosensitizer materials, phototherapy has been gradually applied to the treatment of NSCLC. This review provides an overview of recent advancements and limitations in different treatment strategies for NSCLC under the background of COVID-19. We discuss the latest advances in phototherapy as a promising treatment method for NSCLC. After critically examining the successes, challenges, and prospects associated with these treatment modalities, their profound prospects were portrayed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoyan Si
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mingjian Bai
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianyu Wang
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Qin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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16
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Fernández-García F, Fernández-Rodríguez A, Fustero-Torre C, Piñeiro-Yáñez E, Wang H, Lechuga CG, Callejas S, Álvarez R, López-García A, Esteban-Burgos L, Salmón M, San Román M, Guerra C, Ambrogio C, Drosten M, Santamaría D, Al-Shahrour F, Dopazo A, Barbacid M, Musteanu M. Type I interferon signaling pathway enhances immune-checkpoint inhibition in KRAS mutant lung tumors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2402913121. [PMID: 39186651 PMCID: PMC11388366 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2402913121] [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: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. KRAS oncogenes are responsible for at least a quarter of lung adenocarcinomas, the main subtype of lung cancer. After four decades of intense research, selective inhibitors of KRAS oncoproteins are finally reaching the clinic. Yet, their effect on overall survival is limited due to the rapid appearance of drug resistance, a likely consequence of the high intratumoral heterogeneity characteristic of these tumors. In this study, we have attempted to identify those functional alterations that result from KRAS oncoprotein expression during the earliest stages of tumor development. Such functional changes are likely to be maintained during the entire process of tumor progression regardless of additional co-occurring mutations. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of murine alveolar type 2 cells expressing a resident Kras oncogene revealed impairment of the type I interferon pathway, a feature maintained throughout tumor progression. This alteration was also present in advanced murine and human tumors harboring additional mutations in the p53 or LKB1 tumor suppressors. Restoration of type I interferon (IFN) signaling by IFN-β or constitutive active stimulator of interferon genes (STING) expression had a profound influence on the tumor microenvironment, switching them from immunologically "cold" to immunologically "hot" tumors. Therefore, enhancement of the type I IFN pathway predisposes KRAS mutant lung tumors to immunotherapy treatments, regardless of co-occurring mutations in p53 or LKB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Fernández-García
- Experimental Oncology Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Ana Fernández-Rodríguez
- Experimental Oncology Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Coral Fustero-Torre
- Bioinformatics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Elena Piñeiro-Yáñez
- Bioinformatics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Haiyun Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Carmen G Lechuga
- Experimental Oncology Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Sergio Callejas
- Genomic Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Rebeca Álvarez
- Genomic Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Alejandra López-García
- Experimental Oncology Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Laura Esteban-Burgos
- Experimental Oncology Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Marina Salmón
- Experimental Oncology Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Marta San Román
- Experimental Oncology Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Carmen Guerra
- Experimental Oncology Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid 28029, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Chiara Ambrogio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy
| | - Matthias Drosten
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca 37007, Spain
| | - David Santamaría
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca 37007, Spain
| | - Fátima Al-Shahrour
- Bioinformatics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Ana Dopazo
- Genomic Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid 28029, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Mariano Barbacid
- Experimental Oncology Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid 28029, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Monica Musteanu
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid 28040, Spain
- Cancer and Obesity Group, Health Research Institute of San Carlos, Madrid 28040, Spain
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17
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Zheng Q, Zhang Z, Guiley KZ, Shokat KM. Strain-release alkylation of Asp12 enables mutant selective targeting of K-Ras-G12D. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:1114-1122. [PMID: 38443470 PMCID: PMC11357986 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01565-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
K-Ras is the most commonly mutated oncogene in human cancer. The recently approved non-small cell lung cancer drugs sotorasib and adagrasib covalently capture an acquired cysteine in K-Ras-G12C mutation and lock it in a signaling-incompetent state. However, covalent inhibition of G12D, the most frequent K-Ras mutation particularly prevalent in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, has remained elusive due to the lack of aspartate-targeting chemistry. Here we present a set of malolactone-based electrophiles that exploit ring strain to crosslink K-Ras-G12D at the mutant aspartate to form stable covalent complexes. Structural insights from X-ray crystallography and exploitation of the stereoelectronic requirements for attack of the electrophile allowed development of a substituted malolactone that resisted attack by aqueous buffer but rapidly crosslinked with the aspartate-12 of K-Ras in both GDP and GTP state. The GTP-state targeting allowed effective suppression of downstream signaling, and selective inhibition of K-Ras-G12D-driven cancer cell proliferation in vitro and xenograft growth in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinheng Zheng
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ziyang Zhang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Keelan Z Guiley
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kevan M Shokat
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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18
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Thatikonda V, Lyu H, Jurado S, Kostyrko K, Bristow CA, Albrecht C, Alpar D, Arnhof H, Bergner O, Bosch K, Feng N, Gao S, Gerlach D, Gmachl M, Hinkel M, Lieb S, Jeschko A, Machado AA, Madensky T, Marszalek ED, Mahendra M, Melo-Zainzinger G, Molkentine JM, Jaeger PA, Peng DH, Schenk RL, Sorokin A, Strauss S, Trapani F, Kopetz S, Vellano CP, Petronczki M, Kraut N, Heffernan TP, Marszalek JR, Pearson M, Waizenegger IC, Hofmann MH. Co-targeting SOS1 enhances the antitumor effects of KRAS G12C inhibitors by addressing intrinsic and acquired resistance. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:1352-1370. [PMID: 39103541 PMCID: PMC11424490 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00800-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Combination approaches are needed to strengthen and extend the clinical response to KRASG12C inhibitors (KRASG12Ci). Here, we assessed the antitumor responses of KRASG12C mutant lung and colorectal cancer models to combination treatment with a SOS1 inhibitor (SOS1i), BI-3406, plus the KRASG12C inhibitor, adagrasib. We found that responses to BI-3406 plus adagrasib were stronger than to adagrasib alone, comparable to adagrasib with SHP2 (SHP2i) or EGFR inhibitors and correlated with stronger suppression of RAS-MAPK signaling. BI-3406 plus adagrasib treatment also delayed the emergence of acquired resistance and elicited antitumor responses from adagrasib-resistant models. Resistance to KRASG12Ci seemed to be driven by upregulation of MRAS activity, which both SOS1i and SHP2i were found to potently inhibit. Knockdown of SHOC2, a MRAS complex partner, partially restored response to KRASG12Ci treatment. These results suggest KRASG12C plus SOS1i to be a promising strategy for treating both KRASG12Ci naive and relapsed KRASG12C-mutant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venu Thatikonda
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV, Vienna, Austria.
- Exscientia, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Hengyu Lyu
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Christopher A Bristow
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ningping Feng
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sisi Gao
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Annette A Machado
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Ethan D Marszalek
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mikhila Mahendra
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Jessica M Molkentine
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - David H Peng
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Alexey Sorokin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Scott Kopetz
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher P Vellano
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Timothy P Heffernan
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joseph R Marszalek
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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19
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Guan P, Chen J, Mo C, Fukawa T, Zhang C, Cai X, Li M, Hong JH, Chan JY, Ng CCY, Lee JY, Wong SF, Liu W, Zeng X, Wang P, Xiao R, Rajasegaran V, Myint SS, Lim AMS, Yeong JPS, Tan PH, Ong CK, Xu T, Du Y, Bai F, Yao X, Teh BT, Tan J. Comprehensive molecular characterization of collecting duct carcinoma for therapeutic vulnerability. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:2132-2145. [PMID: 39122888 PMCID: PMC11393068 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00102-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Collecting duct carcinoma (CDC) is an aggressive rare subtype of kidney cancer with unmet clinical needs. Little is known about its underlying molecular alterations and etiology, primarily due to its rarity, and lack of preclinical models. This study aims to comprehensively characterize molecular alterations in CDC and identify its therapeutic vulnerabilities. Through whole-exome and transcriptome sequencing, we identified KRAS hotspot mutations (G12A/D/V) in 3/13 (23%) of the patients, in addition to known TP53, NF2 mutations. 3/13 (23%) patients carried a mutational signature (SBS22) caused by aristolochic acid (AA) exposures, known to be more prevalent in Asia, highlighting a geologically specific disease etiology. We further discovered that cell cycle-related pathways were the most predominantly dysregulated pathways. Our drug screening with our newly established CDC preclinical models identified a CDK9 inhibitor LDC000067 that specifically inhibited CDC tumor growth and prolonged survival. Our study not only improved our understanding of oncogenic molecular alterations of Asian CDC, but also identified cell-cycle machinery as a therapeutic vulnerability, laying the foundation for clinical trials to treat patients with such aggressive cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyong Guan
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 60 Biopolis Street, Genome, Singapore, 138672, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jianfeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Chengqiang Mo
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Tomoya Fukawa
- Department of Urology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Xiuyu Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Mei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Jing Han Hong
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jason Yongsheng Chan
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Cedric Chuan Young Ng
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jing Yi Lee
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Suet Far Wong
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Wei Liu
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Xian Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Peili Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Rong Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Vikneswari Rajasegaran
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Swe Swe Myint
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Abner Ming Sun Lim
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Joe Poh Sheng Yeong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Puay Hoon Tan
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Division of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Luma Medical Centre, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Choon Kiat Ong
- Lymphoma Genomic Translational Research Laboratory, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Urology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Yiqing Du
- Department of Urology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Fan Bai
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xin Yao
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, P. R. China.
| | - Bin Tean Teh
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 60 Biopolis Street, Genome, Singapore, 138672, Republic of Singapore.
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
- SingHealth/Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
| | - Jing Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
- Hainan Academy of Medical Science, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, PR China.
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20
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Pollin G, Lomberk GA, Mathison AJ, Zimmermann MT, Urrutia R. Mutant KRAS inhibitors enter the scene of precision therapeutics for pancreatic cancer. J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 15:1996-2001. [PMID: 39279937 PMCID: PMC11399826 DOI: 10.21037/jgo-24-326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Pollin
- The RASopathies Program, Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Gwen A Lomberk
- The RASopathies Program, Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Angela J Mathison
- The RASopathies Program, Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Michael T Zimmermann
- The RASopathies Program, Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Raul Urrutia
- The RASopathies Program, Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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21
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Nokin MJ, Mira A, Patrucco E, Ricciuti B, Cousin S, Soubeyran I, San José S, Peirone S, Caizzi L, Vietti Michelina S, Bourdon A, Wang X, Alvarez-Villanueva D, Martínez-Iniesta M, Vidal A, Rodrigues T, García-Macías C, Awad MM, Nadal E, Villanueva A, Italiano A, Cereda M, Santamaría D, Ambrogio C. RAS-ON inhibition overcomes clinical resistance to KRAS G12C-OFF covalent blockade. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7554. [PMID: 39215000 PMCID: PMC11364849 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51828-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Selective KRASG12C inhibitors have been developed to covalently lock the oncogene in the inactive GDP-bound state. Two of these molecules, sotorasib and adagrasib, are approved for the treatment of adult patients with KRASG12C-mutated previously treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Drug treatment imposes selective pressures leading to the outgrowth of drug-resistant variants. Mass sequencing from patients' biopsies identified a number of acquired KRAS mutations -both in cis and in trans- in resistant tumors. We demonstrate here that disease progression in vivo can also occur due to adaptive mechanisms and increased KRAS-GTP loading. Using the preclinical tool tri-complex KRASG12C-selective covalent inhibitor, RMC-4998 (also known as RM-029), that targets the active GTP-bound (ON) state of the oncogene, we provide a proof-of-concept that the clinical stage KRASG12C(ON) inhibitor RMC-6291 alone or in combination with KRASG12C(OFF) drugs can be an alternative potential therapeutic strategy to circumvent resistance due to increased KRAS-GTP loading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Julie Nokin
- INSERM U1312, University of Bordeaux, IECB, Pessac, France
- Laboratory of Biology of Tumor and Development (LBTD), GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Alessia Mira
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Enrico Patrucco
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Biagio Ricciuti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sophie Cousin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Sonia San José
- INSERM U1312, University of Bordeaux, IECB, Pessac, France
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Serena Peirone
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, Milan, Italy
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, c/o IRCCS, Str. Prov. le 142, km 3.95, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Livia Caizzi
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, c/o IRCCS, Str. Prov. le 142, km 3.95, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Sandra Vietti Michelina
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Xinan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Alvarez-Villanueva
- Chemoresistance and Predictive Factors Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE), Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Martínez-Iniesta
- Chemoresistance and Predictive Factors Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE), Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - August Vidal
- Chemoresistance and Predictive Factors Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE), Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Telmo Rodrigues
- Comparative Pathology Unit, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carmen García-Macías
- Comparative Pathology Unit, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mark M Awad
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ernest Nadal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO); Preclinical and Experimental Research in Thoracic Tumors (PReTT) Group, Oncobell Program, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Villanueva
- Chemoresistance and Predictive Factors Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE), Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO); Preclinical and Experimental Research in Thoracic Tumors (PReTT) Group, Oncobell Program, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoine Italiano
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Matteo Cereda
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, Milan, Italy.
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, c/o IRCCS, Str. Prov. le 142, km 3.95, Candiolo, Torino, Italy.
| | - David Santamaría
- INSERM U1312, University of Bordeaux, IECB, Pessac, France.
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Chiara Ambrogio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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22
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Jungholm O, Trkulja C, Moche M, Srinivasa SP, Christakopoulou MN, Davidson M, Reymer A, Jardemark K, Fogaça RL, Ashok A, Jeffries G, Ampah-Korsah H, Strandback E, Andréll J, Nyman T, Nouairia G, Orwar O. Novel druggable space in human KRAS G13D discovered using structural bioinformatics and a P-loop targeting monoclonal antibody. Sci Rep 2024; 14:19656. [PMID: 39179604 PMCID: PMC11344056 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70217-9] [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: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
KRAS belongs to a family of small GTPases that act as binary switches upstream of several signalling cascades, controlling proliferation and survival of cells. Mutations in KRAS drive oncogenesis, especially in pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers (CRC). Although historic attempts at targeting mutant KRAS with small molecule inhibitors have proven challenging, there are recent successes with the G12C, and G12D mutations. However, clinically important RAS mutations such as G12V, G13D, Q61L, and A146T, remain elusive drug targets, and insights to their structural landscape is of critical importance to develop novel, and effective therapeutic concepts. We present a fully open, P-loop exposing conformer of KRAS G13D by X-ray crystallography at 1.4-2.4 Å resolution in Mg2+-free phosphate and malonate buffers. The G13D conformer has the switch-I region displaced in an upright position leaving the catalytic core fully exposed. To prove that this state is druggable, we developed a P-loop-targeting monoclonal antibody (mAb). The mAb displayed high-affinity binding to G13D and was shown using high resolution fluorescence microscopy to be spontaneously taken up by G13D-mutated HCT 116 cells (human CRC derived) by macropinocytosis. The mAb inhibited KRAS signalling in phosphoproteomic and genomic studies. Taken together, the data propose novel druggable space of G13D that is reachable in the cellular context. It is our hope that these findings will stimulate attempts to drug this fully open state G13D conformer using mAbs or other modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Jungholm
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carolina Trkulja
- Oblique Therapeutics AB, 41346, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Fluicell AB, Flöjelbergsgatan 8C, 431 37, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Martin Moche
- Protein Science Facility, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sreesha P Srinivasa
- Oblique Therapeutics AB, 41346, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Manipal Center for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | | | - Max Davidson
- Oblique Therapeutics AB, 41346, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Reymer
- Oblique Therapeutics AB, 41346, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kent Jardemark
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Gavin Jeffries
- Fluicell AB, Flöjelbergsgatan 8C, 431 37, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henry Ampah-Korsah
- Protein Science Facility, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emilia Strandback
- Protein Science Facility, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Juni Andréll
- Protein Science Facility, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Nyman
- Protein Science Facility, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ghada Nouairia
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Owe Orwar
- Oblique Therapeutics AB, 41346, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
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23
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Dhillon G, Llaurado-Fernandez M, Tessier-Cloutier B, Sy K, Bassiouny D, Han G, Wong NKY, McRae K, Kinloch M, Pors J, Hopkins L, Covens A, Köbel M, Lee CH, Carey MS. Ovarian carcinosarcomas: p53 status defines two distinct patterns of oncogenesis and outcomes. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1408196. [PMID: 39220645 PMCID: PMC11361923 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1408196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Ovarian carcinosarcoma (OCS) is a rare and lethal type of ovarian cancer. Despite its incredibly poor prognosis, it has received little research attention. In this study, we aim to evaluate the molecular features of OCS and elucidate their clinical significance. Study methods We examined 30 OCS by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and targeted panel sequencing collected from a single institution (2003-2013) as the initial molecularly characterized cohort (Cohort A). From November 2016 to April 2023, we collected an additional 67 OCS cases from three institutions across British Columbia and Alberta as the contemporary cohort (Cohort B) for clinical correlation. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall and progression-free survival, and differences in survival rates were compared using the log-rank test. All tests were two-sided. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The majority of OCS (82%) in the initial Cohort A were p53-mutated, and the carcinomatous component displayed the histological and molecular features of a high-grade tubo-ovarian serous carcinoma (HGSC-like). In a minority of OCS, the epithelial components were characteristics of endometrioid or clear cell carcinomas, and IHC staining was wild type for p53. In the contemporary Cohort B, we observed the same histological findings related to the p53 IHC staining pattern. The median overall survival of the p53-mutated HGSC-like OCS (47 patients) was significantly higher (43.5 months) compared with that of the p53 wild-type OCS (10 patients, 8.8 months; P < 0.01). Pathogenic BRCA1/2 germline/somatic mutations were observed in 7 patients (17.5%) of HGSC-like OCS, and all these patients were alive at 3 years from diagnosis compared to a 51% 3-year survival among the patients with BRCA1/2 wild-type HGSC-like OCS (33 patients) (p = 0.022). Majority of patients (6/7) with BRCA1/2-mutated OCS received poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor as maintenance therapy in this cohort. Conclusions Most OCSs have a morphologic and molecular profile resembling HGSC; however, some OCSs display a molecular profile that suggests origin through non-serous oncogenic pathways. This molecular distinction has both prognostic and treatment (predictive) implications. These findings underscore the importance of routine p53 IHC testing on all OCS and BRCA1/2 testing on p53-mutated OCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurdial Dhillon
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Basile Tessier-Cloutier
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Keiyan Sy
- Department of Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dina Bassiouny
- Department of Pathology, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Guangming Han
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Surrey, BC, Canada
| | - Nelson K. Y. Wong
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kathryn McRae
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mary Kinloch
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Jennifer Pors
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Laura Hopkins
- Division of Gynaecologic Oncology, Saskatoon Cancer Centre, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Allan Covens
- Division of Gynaecologic Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Martin Köbel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Cheng-Han Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Mark S. Carey
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Clinical Research, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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24
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Silverman I, Gerber M, Shaykevich A, Stein Y, Siegman A, Goel S, Maitra R. Structural modifications and kinetic effects of KRAS interactions with HRAS and NRAS: an in silico comparative analysis of KRAS mutants. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1436976. [PMID: 39184150 PMCID: PMC11342451 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1436976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The RAS genes which code for KRAS, HRAS, and NRAS are three of the most frequently mutated oncogenes responsible for cancer deaths. Tumorigenesis is one of the most significant outcomes of deregulation of RAS GTPases. Although the structures have been extensively studied, there is still more to be discovered about the actual binding conformations of the three isoforms, especially when mutated, to design an inhibitory drug. Recent studies have identified important interactions between the three isoforms that affect the oncogenic strength of the others when they are mutated. In this study, we utilize molecular dynamics simulations to examine the modifications of the structural property, mechanism, and kinetic energy of KRAS when interacting individually and with HRAS and NRAS. Notably, we found that WT-KRAS' orientation when bound to WT-HRAS vs. WT-NRAS is rotated 180°, with mutants demonstrating a similar binding pattern. The binding sites of the isoforms with KRAS share similarities with those involved in the GDP/GTP active site and site of KRAS dimerization. Thus, the isoform interaction can serve as an inhibitory method of KRAS actions. This study advances the understanding of inhibiting RAS-driven cancers through a novel isoform interaction approach only recently discovered, which has been proven to be an effective alternate therapeutic approach. We developed a blueprint of the interaction which would be beneficial in the development of KRAS mutant-specific and pan-KRAS mutant inhibitory drugs that mimic the isoform interactions. Our results support the direct interaction inhibition mechanism of mutant KRAS when bound to WT-HRAS and WT-NRAS by the isoforms' hypervariable region binding to the G-domain of KRAS. Furthermore, our results support the approach of reducing the effects of oncogenic KRAS by altering the concentration of the isoforms or a drug alternative based on the overall structural and kinetic stability, as well as the binding strength of the mutant-isoform complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Silverman
- Department of Biology, Yeshiva University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michael Gerber
- Department of Biology, Yeshiva University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Aaron Shaykevich
- Department of Biology, Yeshiva University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yitzchak Stein
- Department of Biology, Yeshiva University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alexander Siegman
- Department of Biology, Yeshiva University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sanjay Goel
- Department of Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Radhashree Maitra
- Department of Biology, Yeshiva University, New York, NY, United States
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25
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Mozzarelli AM, Simanshu DK, Castel P. Functional and structural insights into RAS effector proteins. Mol Cell 2024; 84:2807-2821. [PMID: 39025071 PMCID: PMC11316660 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.06.027] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
RAS proteins are conserved guanosine triphosphate (GTP) hydrolases (GTPases) that act as molecular binary switches and play vital roles in numerous cellular processes. Upon GTP binding, RAS GTPases adopt an active conformation and interact with specific proteins termed RAS effectors that contain a conserved ubiquitin-like domain, thereby facilitating downstream signaling. Over 50 effector proteins have been identified in the human proteome, and many have been studied as potential mediators of RAS-dependent signaling pathways. Biochemical and structural analyses have provided mechanistic insights into these effectors, and studies using model organisms have complemented our understanding of their role in physiology and disease. Yet, many critical aspects regarding the dynamics and biological function of RAS-effector complexes remain to be elucidated. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms and functions of known RAS effector proteins, provide structural perspectives on RAS-effector interactions, evaluate their significance in RAS-mediated signaling, and explore their potential as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro M Mozzarelli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter NYU Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dhirendra K Simanshu
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - Pau Castel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter NYU Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
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26
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Vernieri C, Ligorio F, Tripathy D, Longo VD. Cyclic fasting-mimicking diet in cancer treatment: Preclinical and clinical evidence. Cell Metab 2024; 36:1644-1667. [PMID: 39059383 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
In preclinical tumor models, cyclic fasting and fasting-mimicking diets (FMDs) produce antitumor effects that become synergistic when combined with a wide range of standard anticancer treatments while protecting normal tissues from treatment-induced adverse events. More recently, results of phase 1/2 clinical trials showed that cyclic FMD is safe, feasible, and associated with positive metabolic and immunomodulatory effects in patients with different tumor types, thus paving the way for larger clinical trials to investigate FMD anticancer activity in different clinical contexts. Here, we review the tumor-cell-autonomous and immune-system-mediated mechanisms of fasting/FMD antitumor effects, and we critically discuss new metabolic interventions that could synergize with nutrient starvation to boost its anticancer activity and prevent or reverse tumor resistance while minimizing toxicity to patients. Finally, we highlight potential future applications of FMD approaches in combination with standard anticancer strategies as well as strategies to implement the design and conduction of clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Vernieri
- Medical Oncology and Hematology-Oncology Department, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; IFOM ETS, the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139 Milan, Italy.
| | - Francesca Ligorio
- Medical Oncology and Hematology-Oncology Department, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Debu Tripathy
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1354, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA
| | - Valter D Longo
- IFOM ETS, the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139 Milan, Italy; Longevity Institute, Davis School of Gerontology and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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27
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Haldar SD, Azad NS. Unlocking the promise of RAS inhibition in pancreatic cancer. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 21:535-536. [PMID: 38877211 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-024-00951-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Saurav D Haldar
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nilofer S Azad
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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28
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Li Y, Yang L, Li X, Zhang X. Inhibition of GTPase KRAS G12D: a review of patent literature. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:701-721. [PMID: 38884569 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2369630] [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: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION KRAS is a critical oncogenic protein intricately involved in tumor progression, and the difficulty in targeting KRAS has led it to be classified as an 'undruggable target.' Among the various KRAS mutations, KRASG12D is highly prevalent and represents a promising therapeutic target, yet there are currently no approved inhibitors for it. AREA COVERED This review summarizes numerous patents and literature featuring inhibitors or degraders of KRASG12D through searching relevant information in PubMed, SciFinder and Web of Science databases from 2021 to February 2024, providing an overview of the research progress on inhibiting KRASG12D in terms of design strategies, chemical structures, biological activities, and clinical advancements. EXPERT OPINION Since the approval of AMG510 (Sotorasib), there has been an increasing focus on the inhibition of KRASG12D, leading to numerous reports of related inhibitors and degraders. Among them, MRTX1133, as the first KRASG12D inhibitor to enter clinical trials, has demonstrated excellent tumor suppression in various KRASG12D-bearing human tumor xenograft models. It is important to note, however, that understanding the mechanisms of acquired resistance caused by KRAS inhibition and developing additional combination therapies is crucial. Moreover, seeking covalent inhibition of KRASG12D also holds significant potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Li
- Department of Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Le Yang
- Department of Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoran Li
- Department of Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- AceMapAI Joint Lab, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaojin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- AceMapAI Joint Lab, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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Lyu H, Chamberlin HM. Functional distinction in oncogenic Ras variant activity in Caenorhabditis elegans. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050577. [PMID: 38946472 PMCID: PMC11340813 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050577] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Ras genes are important oncogenes that are frequently mutated in cancer. Human oncogenic variants exhibit functional distinctions in terms of their representation in different cancer types, impact on cellular targets and sensitivity to pharmacological treatments. However, how these distinct variants influence and respond to the cellular networks in which they are embedded is poorly understood. To identify novel participants in the complex interplay between Ras genotype and cell interaction networks in vivo, we have developed and tested an experimental framework using a simple vulva-development assay in the nematode C. elegans. Using this system, we evaluated a set of Ras oncogenic substitution changes at G12, G13 and Q61. We found that these variants fall into distinct groups based on phenotypic differences, sensitivity to gene dosage and inhibition of the downstream kinase MEK and their response to genetic modulators that influence Ras activity in a non-autonomous manner. Together, our results demonstrated that oncogenic C. elegans Ras variants exhibit clear distinctions in how they interface with the vulva-development network and showed that extracellular modulators yield variant-restricted effects in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haimeng Lyu
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Helen M. Chamberlin
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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30
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Harris E, Thawani R. Current perspectives of KRAS in non-small cell lung cancer. Curr Probl Cancer 2024; 51:101106. [PMID: 38879917 DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2024.101106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
NSCLC has a diverse genomic background with mutations in key proto-oncogenic drivers including Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Roughly 40% of adenocarcinoma harbor Kras activating mutations regardless of smoking history. Most KRAS mutations are located at G12, which include G12C (roughly 40%), G12V (roughly 20%), and G12D (roughly 15%). KRAS mutated NSCLC have higher tumor mutational burden and some have increased PD-1 expression, which has resulted in better responses to immunotherapy than other oncogenes. While initial treatment for metastatic NSCLC still relies on chemo-immunotherapy, directly targeting KRAS has proven to be efficacious in treating patients with KRAS mutated metastatic NSCLC. To date, two G12C inhibitors have been FDA-approved, namely sotorasib and adagrasib. In this review, we summarize the different drug combinations used to target KRAS G12c, upcoming G12D inhibitors and novel therapies targeting KRAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Harris
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60637. USA
| | - Rajat Thawani
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60637. USA.
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Vallés‐Martí A, de Goeij‐de Haas RR, Henneman AA, Piersma SR, Pham TV, Knol JC, Verheij J, Dijk F, Halfwerk H, Giovannetti E, Jiménez CR, Bijlsma MF. Kinase activities in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with prognostic and therapeutic avenues. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:2020-2041. [PMID: 38650175 PMCID: PMC11306541 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13625] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease with a limited number of known driver mutations but considerable cancer cell heterogeneity. Phosphoproteomics provides a direct read-out of aberrant signaling and the resultant clinically relevant phenotype. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics and phosphoproteomics were applied to 42 PDAC tumors. Data encompassed over 19 936 phosphoserine or phosphothreonine (pS/T; in 5412 phosphoproteins) and 1208 phosphotyrosine (pY; in 501 phosphoproteins) sites and a total of 3756 proteins. Proteome data identified three distinct subtypes with tumor intrinsic and stromal features. Subsequently, three phospho-subtypes were apparent: two tumor intrinsic (Phos1/2) and one stromal (Phos3), resembling known PDAC molecular subtypes. Kinase activity was analyzed by the Integrative iNferred Kinase Activity (INKA) scoring. Phospho-subtypes displayed differential phosphorylation signals and kinase activity, such as FGR and GSK3 activation in Phos1, SRC kinase family and EPHA2 in Phos2, and EGFR, INSR, MET, ABL1, HIPK1, JAK, and PRKCD in Phos3. Kinase activity analysis of an external PDAC cohort supported our findings and underscored the importance of PI3K/AKT and ERK pathways, among others. Interestingly, unfavorable patient prognosis correlated with higher RTK, PAK2, STK10, and CDK7 activity and high proliferation, whereas long survival was associated with MYLK and PTK6 activity, which was previously unknown. Subtype-associated activity profiles can guide therapeutic combination approaches in tumor and stroma-enriched tissues, and emphasize the critical role of parallel signaling pathways. In addition, kinase activity profiling identifies potential disease markers with prognostic significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Vallés‐Martí
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical CenterVU UniversityAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- OncoProteomics LaboratoryCancer Center AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Cancer BiologyCancer Center AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Pharmacology LaboratoryCancer Center AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Richard R. de Goeij‐de Haas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical CenterVU UniversityAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- OncoProteomics LaboratoryCancer Center AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Alex A. Henneman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical CenterVU UniversityAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- OncoProteomics LaboratoryCancer Center AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Sander R. Piersma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical CenterVU UniversityAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- OncoProteomics LaboratoryCancer Center AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Thang V. Pham
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical CenterVU UniversityAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- OncoProteomics LaboratoryCancer Center AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Jaco C. Knol
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical CenterVU UniversityAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- OncoProteomics LaboratoryCancer Center AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Joanne Verheij
- Department of PathologyAmsterdam University Medical CenterThe Netherlands
| | - Frederike Dijk
- Department of PathologyAmsterdam University Medical CenterThe Netherlands
| | - Hans Halfwerk
- Department of PathologyAmsterdam University Medical CenterThe Netherlands
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical CenterVU UniversityAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Pharmacology LaboratoryCancer Center AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start‐Up UnitFondazione Pisana per la ScienzaSan Giuliano TermeItaly
| | - Connie R. Jiménez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical CenterVU UniversityAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- OncoProteomics LaboratoryCancer Center AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Maarten F. Bijlsma
- Cancer BiologyCancer Center AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical CenterUniversity of AmsterdamThe Netherlands
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32
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Erhart CC, Cefalì M, Mangan D, Kasenda B, Wannesson L. Prognostic value of KRAS G12C in advanced non-small cell lung cancer with high PD-L1 expression treated with upfront immunotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Swiss Med Wkly 2024; 154:3695. [PMID: 39137343 DOI: 10.57187/s.3695] [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: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM This study aims to evaluate the prognostic role of the KRAS G12C mutation in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and PD-L1 expression ≥50% who are treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of clinical studies fulfilling the following criteria: (1) enrolling patients with advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with high PD-L1 tumour expression receiving first-line therapy with anti-PD-(L)1 immune checkpoint inhibitors; (2) comparing the outcomes of patients with the KRAS G12C mutation to those without this mutation, and (3) reporting overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS). The electronic databases Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane and Google Scholar, along with reference lists, were systematically searched. RESULTS We identified four publications that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 469 patients. Of these, two studies reported hazard ratios (HR) for PFS, resulting in a final pooled patient sample of 163 for the meta-analysis. In patients with non-small cell lung cancer who received anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapy, the presence of a KRAS G12C mutation was associated with improved PFS compared to patients with KRAS wild-type tumours, with a pooled hazard ratio of 0.39 and a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) of 0.25-0.63. Among all patients with KRAS mutations, those harbouring a KRAS G12C mutation had improved PFS compared to patients with any other KRAS mutation (pooled HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.19-0.57). CONCLUSIONS Patients with non-small cell lung cancer who have the KRAS G12C mutation and high PD-L1 expression demonstrate favourable PFS with first-line PD-(L)1 immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy compared to patients with KRASwt or other KRAS mutations and high PD-L1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline-Claudia Erhart
- Facoltà di Scienze Biomediche, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Marco Cefalì
- Istituto Oncologico della Svizzera Italiana (IOSI), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Dylan Mangan
- Division of Population Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Luciano Wannesson
- Facoltà di Scienze Biomediche, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
- Centro Oncológico del Nordeste (CONEA), Resistencia, Argentina
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33
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Gerstberger T, Berger H, Büttner FH, Gmachl M, Kessler D, Koegl M, Lucas S, Martin LJ, Mayer M, McConnell DB, Mitzner S, Scholz G, Treu M, Wolkerstorfer B, Zahn S, Zak KM, Jaeger PA, Ettmayer P. Chasing Red Herrings: Palladium Metal Salt Impurities Feigning KRAS Activity in Biochemical Assays. J Med Chem 2024; 67:11701-11711. [PMID: 39009041 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02381] [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: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Identifying promising chemical starting points for small molecule inhibitors of active, GTP-loaded KRAS "on" remains of great importance to clinical oncology and represents a significant challenge in medicinal chemistry. Here, we describe broadly applicable learnings from a KRAS hit finding campaign: While we initially identified KRAS inhibitors in a biochemical high-throughput screen, we later discovered that compound potencies were all but assay artifacts linked to metal salts interfering with KRAS AlphaScreen assay technology. The source of the apparent biochemical KRAS inhibition was ultimately traced to unavoidable palladium impurities from chemical synthesis. This discovery led to the development of a Metal Ion Interference Set (MIIS) for up-front assay development and testing. Profiling of the MIIS across 74 assays revealed a reduced interference liability of label-free biophysical assays and, as a result, provided general estimates for luminescence- and fluorescence-based assay susceptibility to metal salt interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Gerstberger
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Helmut Berger
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Frank H Büttner
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Str. 65, D-88397 Biberach, Germany
| | - Michael Gmachl
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dirk Kessler
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Manfred Koegl
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Lucas
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Laetitia J Martin
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Moriz Mayer
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Darryl B McConnell
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sophie Mitzner
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Guido Scholz
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Treu
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Wolkerstorfer
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Zahn
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Krzysztof M Zak
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp A Jaeger
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Ettmayer
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, Dr. Boehringer Gasse 5-11, A-1121 Vienna, Austria
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34
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Li W, Yin Z, Li X, Ma D, Yi S, Zhang Z, Zou C, Bu K, Dai M, Yue J, Chen Y, Zhang X, Zhang S. A hybrid quantum computing pipeline for real world drug discovery. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16942. [PMID: 39043787 PMCID: PMC11266395 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67897-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Quantum computing, with its superior computational capabilities compared to classical approaches, holds the potential to revolutionize numerous scientific domains, including pharmaceuticals. However, the application of quantum computing for drug discovery has primarily been limited to proof-of-concept studies, which often fail to capture the intricacies of real-world drug development challenges. In this study, we diverge from conventional investigations by developing a hybrid quantum computing pipeline tailored to address genuine drug design problems. Our approach underscores the application of quantum computation in drug discovery and propels it towards more scalable system. We specifically construct our versatile quantum computing pipeline to address two critical tasks in drug discovery: the precise determination of Gibbs free energy profiles for prodrug activation involving covalent bond cleavage, and the accurate simulation of covalent bond interactions. This work serves as a pioneering effort in benchmarking quantum computing against veritable scenarios encountered in drug design, especially the covalent bonding issue present in both of the case studies, thereby transitioning from theoretical models to tangible applications. Our results demonstrate the potential of a quantum computing pipeline for integration into real world drug design workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weitang Li
- Tencent Quantum Lab, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Zhi Yin
- AceMapAI Biotechnology, Suzhou, 215000, China.
- School of Science, Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo, 315211, China.
| | - Xiaoran Li
- AceMapAI Biotechnology, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | | | - Shuang Yi
- AceMapAI Biotechnology, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | | | - Chenji Zou
- Tencent Quantum Lab, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Kunliang Bu
- Tencent Quantum Lab, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Maochun Dai
- Tencent Quantum Lab, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Jie Yue
- Tencent Quantum Lab, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Yuzong Chen
- AceMapAI Joint Lab, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Xiaojin Zhang
- AceMapAI Joint Lab, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
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35
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Mondal K, Posa MK, Shenoy RP, Roychoudhury S. KRAS Mutation Subtypes and Their Association with Other Driver Mutations in Oncogenic Pathways. Cells 2024; 13:1221. [PMID: 39056802 PMCID: PMC11274496 DOI: 10.3390/cells13141221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The KRAS mutation stands out as one of the most influential oncogenic mutations, which directly regulates the hallmark features of cancer and interacts with other cancer-causing driver mutations. However, there remains a lack of precise information on their cooccurrence with mutated variants of KRAS and any correlations between KRAS and other driver mutations. To enquire about this issue, we delved into cBioPortal, TCGA, UALCAN, and Uniport studies. We aimed to unravel the complexity of KRAS and its relationships with other driver mutations. We noticed that G12D and G12V are the prevalent mutated variants of KRAS and coexist with the TP53 mutation in PAAD and CRAD, while G12C and G12V coexist with LUAD. We also noticed similar observations in the case of PIK3CA and APC mutations in CRAD. At the transcript level, a positive correlation exists between KRAS and PIK3CA and between APC and KRAS in CRAD. The existence of the co-mutation of KRAS and other driver mutations could influence the signaling pathway in the neoplastic transformation. Moreover, it has immense prognostic and predictive implications, which could help in better therapeutic management to treat cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koushik Mondal
- Division of Basic & Translational Research, Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre & Research Institute, MG Road, Kolkata 700063, West Bengal, India
- Department of Cancer Immunology, SwasthyaNiketan Integrated Healthcare & Research Foundation, Koramangala, Bengaluru 560034, Karnataka, India
| | - Mahesh Kumar Posa
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jagatpura, Jaipur 302017, Rajasthan, India;
| | - Revathi P. Shenoy
- Department of Biochemistry, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India;
| | - Susanta Roychoudhury
- Division of Basic & Translational Research, Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre & Research Institute, MG Road, Kolkata 700063, West Bengal, India
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S.C.Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
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36
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HAMILTON GERHARD, EGGERSTORFER MARIETHERESE, STICKLER SANDRA. Development of PROTACS degrading KRAS and SOS1. Oncol Res 2024; 32:1257-1264. [PMID: 39055890 PMCID: PMC11267056 DOI: 10.32604/or.2024.051653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Kirsten rat sarcoma virus-son of sevenless 1 (KRAS-SOS1) axis drives tumor growth preferentially in pancreatic, colon, and lung cancer. Now, KRAS G12C mutated tumors can be successfully treated with inhibitors that covalently block the cysteine of the switch II binding pocket of KRAS. However, the range of other KRAS mutations is not amenable to treatment and the G12C-directed agents Sotorasib and Adragrasib show a response rate of only approximately 40%, lasting for a mean period of 8 months. One approach to increase the efficacy of inhibitors is their inclusion into proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), which degrade the proteins of interest and exhibit much higher antitumor activity through multiple cycles of activity. Accordingly, PROTACs have been developed based on KRAS- or SOS1-directed inhibitors coupled to either von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) or Cereblon (CRBN) ligands that invoke the proteasomal degradation. Several of these PROTACs show increased activity in vitro and in vivo compared to their cognate inhibitors but their toxicity in normal tissues is not clear. The CRBN PROTACs containing thalidomide derivatives cannot be tested in experimental animals. Resistance to such PROTACS arises through downregulation or inactivation of CRBN or factors of the functional VHL E3 ubiquitin ligase. Although highly active KRAS and SOS1 PROTACs have been formulated their clinical application remains difficult.
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Affiliation(s)
- GERHARD HAMILTON
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | | | - SANDRA STICKLER
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
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37
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Liu B, Zhou H, Tan L, Siu KTH, Guan XY. Exploring treatment options in cancer: Tumor treatment strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:175. [PMID: 39013849 PMCID: PMC11252281 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01856-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Traditional therapeutic approaches such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy have burdened cancer patients with onerous physical and psychological challenges. Encouragingly, the landscape of tumor treatment has undergone a comprehensive and remarkable transformation. Emerging as fervently pursued modalities are small molecule targeted agents, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), cell-based therapies, and gene therapy. These cutting-edge treatment modalities not only afford personalized and precise tumor targeting, but also provide patients with enhanced therapeutic comfort and the potential to impede disease progression. Nonetheless, it is acknowledged that these therapeutic strategies still harbour untapped potential for further advancement. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the merits and limitations of these treatment modalities holds the promise of offering novel perspectives for clinical practice and foundational research endeavours. In this review, we discussed the different treatment modalities, including small molecule targeted drugs, peptide drugs, antibody drugs, cell therapy, and gene therapy. It will provide a detailed explanation of each method, addressing their status of development, clinical challenges, and potential solutions. The aim is to assist clinicians and researchers in gaining a deeper understanding of these diverse treatment options, enabling them to carry out effective treatment and advance their research more efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beilei Liu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hongyu Zhou
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Licheng Tan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kin To Hugo Siu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, China.
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
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38
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Cornilescu G, Bindu L, Sternicki L, Chao FA, Gillette WK, Fer N, Colombus J, Castillo J, Bonilla PA, Van QN, Larsen E, Hong M, Burgan W, Turbyville T, Nissley DV, Liu M, Quinn R, Jean-Francois FL. Natural Product Graveoline Modulates Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homologue (KRAS) Membrane Association: Insights from Advanced Spectroscopic Studies. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1983-1995. [PMID: 39022364 PMCID: PMC11249638 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The KRAS gene plays a pivotal role in numerous cancers by encoding a GTPase that upon association with the plasma membrane activates the MAPK pathway, promoting cellular proliferation. In our study, we investigated small molecules that disrupt KRAS's membrane interaction, hypothesizing that such disruption could in turn inhibit mutant RAS signaling. Native mass spectrometry screening of KRAS-FMe identified compounds with a preference for interacting with the hypervariable region (HVR), and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) further refined our selection to graveoline as a compound exhibiting preferential HVR binding. Subsequent nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis showed that graveoline's interaction with KRAS depends on C-terminal O-methylation. Moreover, our findings revealed multiple interaction sites, suggesting weak engagement with the KRAS G domain. Using nanodiscs as a membrane mimetic, further characterization through NMR and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) studies demonstrated graveoline's ability to perturb KRAS membrane interaction in a biochemical setting. Our biophysical approach sheds light on the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying KRAS-ligand interactions, providing valuable insights into understanding the KRAS-associated pathophysiology. These findings contribute to the translational aspect of our study, offering potential avenues for further research targeting KRAS membrane association with the potential to lead to a new class of RAS therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Cornilescu
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Lakshman Bindu
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Louise Sternicki
- Griffith
Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia
| | - Fa-An Chao
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - William K. Gillette
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Nicole Fer
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - John Colombus
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Jean Castillo
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Pedro Andrade Bonilla
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Que N. Van
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Erik Larsen
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Min Hong
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - William Burgan
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Thomas Turbyville
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Dwight V. Nissley
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Miaomiao Liu
- Griffith
Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia
| | - Ronald Quinn
- Griffith
Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia
| | - Frantz L. Jean-Francois
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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39
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Chan A, Haley RM, Najar MA, Gonzalez-Martinez D, Bugaj LJ, Burslem GM, Mitchell MJ, Tsourkas A. Lipid-mediated intracellular delivery of recombinant bioPROTACs for the rapid degradation of undruggable proteins. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5808. [PMID: 38987546 PMCID: PMC11237011 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50235-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, targeted degradation has emerged as a powerful therapeutic modality. Relying on "event-driven" pharmacology, proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) can degrade targets and are superior to conventional inhibitors against undruggable proteins. Unfortunately, PROTAC discovery is limited by warhead scarcity and laborious optimization campaigns. To address these shortcomings, analogous protein-based heterobifunctional degraders, known as bioPROTACs, have been developed. Compared to small-molecule PROTACs, bioPROTACs have higher success rates and are subject to fewer design constraints. However, the membrane impermeability of proteins severely restricts bioPROTAC deployment as a generalized therapeutic modality. Here, we present an engineered bioPROTAC template able to complex with cationic and ionizable lipids via electrostatic interactions for cytosolic delivery. When delivered by biocompatible lipid nanoparticles, these modified bioPROTACs can rapidly degrade intracellular proteins, exhibiting near-complete elimination (up to 95% clearance) of targets within hours of treatment. Our bioPROTAC format can degrade proteins localized to various subcellular compartments including the mitochondria, nucleus, cytosol, and membrane. Moreover, substrate specificity can be easily reprogrammed, allowing modular design and targeting of clinically-relevant proteins such as Ras, Jnk, and Erk. In summary, this work introduces an inexpensive, flexible, and scalable platform for efficient intracellular degradation of proteins that may elude chemical inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Chan
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca M Haley
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mohd Altaf Najar
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David Gonzalez-Martinez
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lukasz J Bugaj
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - George M Burslem
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael J Mitchell
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrew Tsourkas
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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40
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Tang Y, Pu X, Yuan X, Pang Z, Li F, Wang X. Targeting KRASG12D mutation in non-small cell lung cancer: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Cancer Gene Ther 2024; 31:961-969. [PMID: 38734764 PMCID: PMC11257988 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00778-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Lung malignant tumors are a type of cancer with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for over 80% of all lung malignant tumors, and most patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poor prognosis. Over the past decades, various oncogenic driver alterations associated with lung cancer have been identified, each of which can potentially serve as a therapeutic target. Rat sarcoma (RAS) genes are the most commonly mutated oncogenes in human cancers, with Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) being the most common subtype. The role of KRAS oncogene in NSCLC is still not fully understood, and its impact on prognosis remains controversial. Despite the significant advancements in targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) that have transformed the treatment landscape of advanced NSCLC in recent years, targeting KRAS (both directly and indirectly) remains challenging and is still under intensive research. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the development of targeted drugs targeting the NSCLC KRASG12C mutant subtype. However, research progress on target drugs for the more common KRASG12D subtype has been slow, and currently, no specific drugs have been approved for clinical use, and many questions remain to be answered, such as the mechanisms of resistance in this subtype of NSCLC, how to better utilize combination strategies with multiple treatment modalities, and whether KRASG12D inhibitors offer substantial efficacy in the treatment of advanced NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yining Tang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu University, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xi Pu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu University, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao Yuan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu University, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhonghao Pang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212000, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu University, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212000, Jiangsu, China.
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41
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Preston WA, Drill E, Boerner T, Gelfer R, Harding JJ, O'Reilly EM, Cercek A, Abou-Alfa G, Park W, Balachandran VP, Drebin J, Soares KC, Wei A, Kingham TP, D'Angelica MI, Jarnagin WR. Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Genomic Variables Associated With Anatomic Location and Outcome. JCO Precis Oncol 2024; 8:e2400206. [PMID: 38986041 PMCID: PMC11239138 DOI: 10.1200/po.24.00206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to define genomic differences between perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PCA) and distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCA) and identify genomic determinants of survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS Consecutive patients with ECA with tissue for targeted next-generation sequencing were analyzed, stratified by anatomic site (PCA/DCA), disease extent, and treatment. Associations between genomic alterations, clinicopathologic features, and outcomes were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression to compare survival. RESULTS In total, 224 patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2022 (n = 127 PCA; n = 97 DCA) met inclusion criteria. The median survival was 29 months (43 after resection and 17 from diagnosis for unresectable disease). Compared with PCA, DCA was enriched in TP53alt (alterations; 69% v 33%; Q < 0.01), epigenetic pathway alterations (45% v 29%; Q = 0.041), and had more total altered pathways (median 3 v 2; Q < 0.01). KRASalt frequency was similar between PCA (36%) and DCA (37%); however, DCA was enriched in KRAS G12D (19% v 9%; P = .002). No other clinicopathologic or genomic variables distinguished subtypes. In resected patients, no genomic alterations were associated with outcome. However, in unresectable patients, CDKN2Aalt (hazard ratio [HR], 2.59 [1.48 to 4.52]) and APCalt (HR, 5.11 [1.96 to 13.3]) were associated with reduced survival. For the entire cohort, irresectability (HR, 3.13 [2.25 to 4.36]), CDKN2Aalt (HR, 1.80 [1.80 to 2.68]), and APCalt (HR, 2.00 [1.04 to 3.87]) were associated with poor survival. CONCLUSION CDKN2Aalt and APCalt were associated with poor survival in ECA, primarily in advanced disease. As PCA and DCA were genetically similar, coanalysis of PCA and DCA in future genomic studies is reasonable.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Preston
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Esther Drill
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Thomas Boerner
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Rebecca Gelfer
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - James J Harding
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Eileen M O'Reilly
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- The David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Andrea Cercek
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Ghassan Abou-Alfa
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Wungki Park
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY
- The David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Vinod P Balachandran
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- The David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Jeffrey Drebin
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Kevin C Soares
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- The David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Alice Wei
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- The David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - T Peter Kingham
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Michael I D'Angelica
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - William R Jarnagin
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
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42
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Moye AL, Dost AF, Ietswaart R, Sengupta S, Ya V, Aluya C, Fahey CG, Louie SM, Paschini M, Kim CF. Early-stage lung cancer is driven by a transitional cell state dependent on a KRAS-ITGA3-SRC axis. EMBO J 2024; 43:2843-2861. [PMID: 38755258 PMCID: PMC11251082 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00113-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Glycine-12 mutations in the GTPase KRAS (KRASG12) are an initiating event for development of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). KRASG12 mutations promote cell-intrinsic rewiring of alveolar type-II progenitor (AT2) cells, but to what extent such changes interplay with lung homeostasis and cell fate pathways is unclear. Here, we generated single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) profiles from AT2-mesenchyme organoid co-cultures, mice, and stage-IA LUAD patients, identifying conserved regulators of AT2 transcriptional dynamics and defining the impact of KRASG12D mutation with temporal resolution. In AT2WT organoids, we found a transient injury/plasticity state preceding AT2 self-renewal and AT1 differentiation. Early-stage AT2KRAS cells exhibited perturbed gene expression dynamics, most notably retention of the injury/plasticity state. The injury state in AT2KRAS cells of patients, mice, and organoids was distinguishable from AT2WT states via altered receptor expression, including co-expression of ITGA3 and SRC. The combination of clinically relevant KRASG12D and SRC inhibitors impaired AT2KRAS organoid growth. Together, our data show that an injury/plasticity state essential for lung repair is co-opted during AT2 self-renewal and LUAD initiation, suggesting that early-stage LUAD may be susceptible to interventions that target specifically the oncogenic nature of this cell state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron L Moye
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antonella Fm Dost
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Hubrecht Institute, Oncode Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Shreoshi Sengupta
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - VanNashlee Ya
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chrystal Aluya
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caroline G Fahey
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard University and Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sharon M Louie
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margherita Paschini
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carla F Kim
- Stem Cell Program and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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43
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Yang J, Wang QL, Wang GN, Ye JC, Li ZQ, Wang JY, Liang ZH, Li SX, Sun C, Liao WT, Gao YJ, Wang J, Mao Y, Yu C, Feng GK, Zeng MS. A pan-KRAS degrader for the treatment of KRAS-mutant cancers. Cell Discov 2024; 10:70. [PMID: 38937452 PMCID: PMC11211324 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-024-00699-4] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
KRAS mutations are highly prevalent in a wide range of lethal cancers, and these mutant forms of KRAS play a crucial role in driving cancer progression and conferring resistance to treatment. While there have been advancements in the development of small molecules to target specific KRAS mutants, the presence of undruggable mutants and the emergence of secondary mutations continue to pose challenges in the clinical treatment of KRAS-mutant cancers. In this study, we developed a novel molecular tool called tumor-targeting KRAS degrader (TKD) that effectively targets a wide range of KRAS mutants. TKD is composed of a KRAS-binding nanobody, a cell-penetrating peptide selectively targeting cancer cells, and a lysosome-binding motif. Our data revealed that TKD selectively binds to KRAS in cancer cells and effectively induces KRAS degradation via a lysosome-dependent process. Functionally, TKD suppresses tumor growth with no obvious side effects and enhances the antitumor effects of PD-1 antibody and cetuximab. This study not only provides a strategy for developing drugs targeting "undruggable" proteins but also reveals that TKD is a promising therapeutic for treating KRAS-mutant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiao-Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guan-Nan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jia-Cong Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zi-Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing-Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhao-Hui Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shu-Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Cong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen-Ting Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi-Jun Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Mao
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunjing Yu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guo-Kai Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Mu-Sheng Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Chetta M, Basile A, Tarsitano M, Rivieccio M, Oro M, Capitanio N, Bukvic N, Priolo M, Rosati A. The Target Therapy Hyperbole: "KRAS (p.G12C)"-The Simplification of a Complex Biological Problem. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2389. [PMID: 39001451 PMCID: PMC11240669 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog (KRAS) gene variations are linked to the development of numerous cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The lack of typical drug-binding sites has long hampered the discovery of therapeutic drugs targeting KRAS. Since "CodeBreaK 100" demonstrated Sotorasib's early safety and efficacy and led to its approval, especially in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the subsequent identification of specific inhibitors for the p.G12C mutation has offered hope. However, the CodeBreaK 200 study found no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between patients treated with Docetaxel and Sotorasib (AMG 510), adding another degree of complexity to this ongoing challenge. The current study compares the three-dimensional structures of the two major KRAS isoforms, KRAS4A and KRAS4B. It also investigates the probable structural changes caused by the three major mutations (p.G12C, p.G12D, and p.G12V) within Sotorasib's pocket domain. The computational analysis demonstrates that the wild-type and mutant isoforms have distinct aggregation propensities, resulting in the creation of alternate oligomeric configurations. This study highlights the increased complexity of the biological issue of using KRAS as a therapeutic target. The present study stresses the need for a better understanding of the structural dynamics of KRAS and its mutations to design more effective therapeutic approaches. It also emphasizes the potential of computational approaches to shed light on the complicated molecular pathways that drive KRAS-mediated oncogenesis. This study adds to the ongoing efforts to address the therapeutic hurdles presented by KRAS in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Chetta
- U.O.C. Medical and Laboratory Genetics, A.O.R.N., Cardarelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.T.); (M.R.); (M.O.); (M.P.)
| | - Anna Basile
- StressBioLab, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Schola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (A.B.); (A.R.)
| | - Marina Tarsitano
- U.O.C. Medical and Laboratory Genetics, A.O.R.N., Cardarelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.T.); (M.R.); (M.O.); (M.P.)
| | - Maria Rivieccio
- U.O.C. Medical and Laboratory Genetics, A.O.R.N., Cardarelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.T.); (M.R.); (M.O.); (M.P.)
| | - Maria Oro
- U.O.C. Medical and Laboratory Genetics, A.O.R.N., Cardarelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.T.); (M.R.); (M.O.); (M.P.)
| | - Nazzareno Capitanio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Nenad Bukvic
- Medical Genetics Section, University Hospital Consortium Corporation Polyclinics of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Manuela Priolo
- U.O.C. Medical and Laboratory Genetics, A.O.R.N., Cardarelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.T.); (M.R.); (M.O.); (M.P.)
| | - Alessandra Rosati
- StressBioLab, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Schola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (A.B.); (A.R.)
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Piazza GA, Chandrasekaran P, Maxuitenko YY, Budhwani KI. Assessment of KRAS G12C inhibitors for colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1412435. [PMID: 38978742 PMCID: PMC11228624 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1412435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly prevalent and lethal cancer worldwide. Approximately 45% of CRC patients harbor a gain-in-function mutation in KRAS. KRAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene accounting for approximately 25% of all human cancers. Gene mutations in KRAS cause constitutive activation of the KRAS protein and MAPK/AKT signaling, resulting in unregulated proliferation and survival of cancer cells and other aspects of malignant transformation, progression, and metastasis. While KRAS has long been considered undruggable, the FDA recently approved two direct acting KRAS inhibitors, Sotorasib and Adagrasib, that covalently bind and inactivate KRASG12C. Both drugs showed efficacy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) diagnosed with a KRASG12C mutation, but for reasons not well understood, were considerably less efficacious for CRC patients diagnosed with the same mutation. Thus, it is imperative to understand the basis for resistance to KRASG12C inhibitors, which will likely be the same limitations for other mutant specific KRAS inhibitors in development. This review provides an update on clinical trials involving CRC patients treated with KRASG12C inhibitors as a monotherapy or combined with other drugs. Mechanisms that contribute to resistance to KRASG12C inhibitors and the development of novel RAS inhibitors with potential to escape such mechanisms of resistance are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary A Piazza
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | | | - Yulia Y Maxuitenko
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Karim I Budhwani
- CerFlux, Birmingham, AL, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Fuentes-Mateos R, García-Navas R, Fernández-Infante C, Hernández-Cano L, Calzada-Nieto N, Juan AOS, Guerrero C, Santos E, Fernández-Medarde A. Combined HRAS and NRAS ablation induces a RASopathy phenotype in mice. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:332. [PMID: 38886790 PMCID: PMC11184836 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01717-4] [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: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HRASKO/NRASKO double knockout mice exhibit exceedingly high rates of perinatal lethality due to respiratory failure caused by a significant lung maturation delay. The few animals that reach adulthood have a normal lifespan, but present areas of atelectasis mixed with patches of emphysema and normal tissue in the lung. METHODS Eight double knockout and eight control mice were analyzed using micro-X-ray computerized tomography and a Small Animal Physiological Monitoring system. Tissues and samples from these mice were analyzed using standard histological and Molecular Biology methods and the significance of the results analyzed using a Student´s T-test. RESULTS The very few double knockout mice surviving up to adulthood display clear craniofacial abnormalities reminiscent of those seen in RASopathy mouse models, as well as thrombocytopenia, bleeding anomalies, and reduced platelet activation induced by thrombin. These surviving mice also present heart and spleen hyperplasia, and elevated numbers of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the spleen. Mechanistically, we observed that these phenotypic alterations are accompanied by increased KRAS-GTP levels in heart, platelets and primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts from these animals. CONCLUSIONS Our data uncovers a new, previously unidentified mechanism capable of triggering a RASopathy phenotype in mice as a result of the combined removal of HRAS and NRAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Fuentes-Mateos
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer-Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca) and CIBERONC, Campus Unamuno, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Present address: Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Rósula García-Navas
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer-Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca) and CIBERONC, Campus Unamuno, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Cristina Fernández-Infante
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IMBCC), USAL-CSIC. Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Luis Hernández-Cano
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IMBCC), USAL-CSIC. Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Present address: Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Nuria Calzada-Nieto
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer-Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca) and CIBERONC, Campus Unamuno, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Andrea Olarte-San Juan
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer-Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca) and CIBERONC, Campus Unamuno, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carmen Guerrero
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IMBCC), USAL-CSIC. Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Eugenio Santos
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer-Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca) and CIBERONC, Campus Unamuno, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Alberto Fernández-Medarde
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer-Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca) and CIBERONC, Campus Unamuno, University of Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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Xu D, Yin S, Shu Y. NF2: An underestimated player in cancer metabolic reprogramming and tumor immunity. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:133. [PMID: 38879686 PMCID: PMC11180135 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00627-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a tumor suppressor gene implicated in various tumors, including mesothelioma, schwannomas, and meningioma. As a member of the ezrin, radixin, and moesin (ERM) family of proteins, merlin, which is encoded by NF2, regulates diverse cellular events and signalling pathways, such as the Hippo, mTOR, RAS, and cGAS-STING pathways. However, the biological role of NF2 in tumorigenesis has not been fully elucidated. Furthermore, cross-cancer mutations may exert distinct biological effects on tumorigenesis and treatment response. In addition to the functional inactivation of NF2, the codeficiency of other genes, such as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A/B (CDKN2A/B), BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1), and large tumor suppressor 2 (LATS2), results in unique tumor characteristics that should be considered in clinical treatment decisions. Notably, several recent studies have explored the metabolic and immunological features associated with NF2, offering potential insights into tumor biology and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. In this review, we consolidate the current knowledge on NF2 and examine the potential connection between cancer metabolism and tumor immunity in merlin-deficient malignancies. This review may provide a deeper understanding of the biological roles of NF2 and guide possible therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo Xu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shiyuan Yin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongqian Shu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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48
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Yang Q, To KKW, Hu G, Fu K, Yang C, Zhu S, Pan C, Wang F, Luo K, Fu L. BI-2865, a pan-KRAS inhibitor, reverses the P-glycoprotein induced multidrug resistance in vitro and in vivo. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:325. [PMID: 38872211 PMCID: PMC11170860 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01698-4] [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: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multidrug resistance (MDR) limits successful cancer chemotherapy. P-glycoprotein (P-gp), BCRP and MRP1 are the key triggers of MDR. Unfortunately, no MDR modulator was approved by FDA to date. Here, we will investigate the effect of BI-2865, a pan-KRAS inhibitor, on reversing MDR induced by P-gp, BCRP and MRP1 in vitro and in vivo, and its reversal mechanisms will be explored. METHODS The cytotoxicity of BI-2865 and its MDR removal effect in vitro were tested by MTT assays, and the corresponding reversal function in vivo was assessed through the P-gp mediated KBv200 xenografts in mice. BI-2865 induced alterations of drug discharge and reservation in cells were estimated by experiments of Flow cytometry with fluorescent doxorubicin, and the chemo-drug accumulation in xenografts' tumor were analyzed through LC-MS. Mechanisms of BI-2865 inhibiting P-gp substrate's efflux were analyzed through the vanadate-sensitive ATPase assay, [125I]-IAAP-photolabeling assay and computer molecular docking. The effects of BI-2865 on P-gp expression and KRAS-downstream signaling were detected via Western blotting, Flow cytometry and/or qRT-PCR. Subcellular localization of P-gp was visualized by Immunofluorescence. RESULTS We found BI-2865 notably fortified response of P-gp-driven MDR cancer cells to the administration of chemo-drugs including paclitaxel, vincristine and doxorubicin, while such an effect was not observed in their parental sensitive cells and BCRP or MRP1-driven MDR cells. Importantly, the mice vivo combination study has verified that BI-2865 effectively improved the anti-tumor action of paclitaxel without toxic injury. In mechanism, BI-2865 prompted doxorubicin accumulating in carcinoma cells by directly blocking the efflux function of P-gp, which more specifically, was achieved by BI-2865 competitively binding to the drug-binding sites of P-gp. What's more, at the effective MDR reversal concentrations, BI-2865 neither varied the expression and location of P-gp nor reduced its downstream AKT or ERK1/2 signaling activity. CONCLUSIONS This study uncovered a new application of BI-2865 as a MDR modulator, which might be used to effectively, safely and specifically improve chemotherapeutic efficacy in the clinical P-gp mediated MDR refractory cancers.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Animals
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Multiple/drug effects
- Mice
- Cell Line, Tumor
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1/metabolism
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1/antagonists & inhibitors
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1/genetics
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Mice, Nude
- Doxorubicin/pharmacology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Female
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihong Yang
- People's Hospital of Longhua, Shenzhen, 518109, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
| | - Kenneth Kin Wah To
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Guilin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Kai Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
| | - Chuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
| | - Shuangli Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
| | - Can Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China
| | - Kewang Luo
- People's Hospital of Longhua, Shenzhen, 518109, China.
| | - Liwu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P. R. China.
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Zhang J, Wang X, Huang Q, Ye J, Wang J. Genetically Encoded Epoxide Warhead for Precise and Versatile Covalent Targeting of Proteins. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:16173-16183. [PMID: 38819260 PMCID: PMC11177858 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Genetically encoding a proximal reactive warhead into the protein binder/drug has emerged as an efficient strategy for covalently binding to protein targets, enabling broad applications. To expand the reactivity scope for targeting the diverse natural residues under physiological conditions, the development of a genetically encoded reactive warhead with excellent stability and broad reactivity is highly desired. Herein, we reported the genetic encoding of epoxide-containing tyrosine (EPOY) for developing covalent protein drugs. Our study demonstrates that EPOY, when incorporated into a nanobody (KN035), can cross-link with different side chains (mutations) at the same position of PD-L1 protein. Significantly, a single genetically encoded reactive warhead that is capable of covalent and site-specific targeting to 10 different nucleophilic residues was achieved for the first time. This would largely expand the scope of covalent warhead and inspire the development of covalent warheads for both small-molecule drugs and protein drugs. Furthermore, we incorporate the EPOY into a designed ankyrin repeat protein (DarpinK13) to create the covalent binders of KRAS. This covalent KRAS binder holds the potential to achieve pan-covalent targeting of KRAS based on the structural similarity among all oncogenic KRAS mutants while avoiding off-target binding to NRAS/HRAS through a covalent interaction with KRAS-specific residues (H95 and E107). We envision that covalently targeting to H95 will be a promising strategy for the development of covalent pan-KRAS inhibitors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jinsong Ye
- Department of Chemistry,
Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, College of
Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Chemistry,
Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, College of
Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
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50
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Klomp JA, Klomp JE, Stalnecker CA, Bryant KL, Edwards AC, Drizyte-Miller K, Hibshman PS, Diehl JN, Lee YS, Morales AJ, Taylor KE, Peng S, Tran NL, Herring LE, Prevatte AW, Barker NK, Hover LD, Hallin J, Chowdhury S, Coker O, Lee HM, Goodwin CM, Gautam P, Olson P, Christensen JG, Shen JP, Kopetz S, Graves LM, Lim KH, Wang-Gillam A, Wennerberg K, Cox AD, Der CJ. Defining the KRAS- and ERK-dependent transcriptome in KRAS-mutant cancers. Science 2024; 384:eadk0775. [PMID: 38843331 PMCID: PMC11301402 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk0775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
How the KRAS oncogene drives cancer growth remains poorly understood. Therefore, we established a systemwide portrait of KRAS- and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent gene transcription in KRAS-mutant cancer to delineate the molecular mechanisms of growth and of inhibitor resistance. Unexpectedly, our KRAS-dependent gene signature diverges substantially from the frequently cited Hallmark KRAS signaling gene signature, is driven predominantly through the ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, and accurately reflects KRAS- and ERK-regulated gene transcription in KRAS-mutant cancer patients. Integration with our ERK-regulated phospho- and total proteome highlights ERK deregulation of the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) and other components of the cell cycle machinery as key processes that drive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) growth. Our findings elucidate mechanistically the critical role of ERK in driving KRAS-mutant tumor growth and in resistance to KRAS-ERK MAPK targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A. Klomp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Klomp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Clint A. Stalnecker
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kirsten L. Bryant
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - A. Cole Edwards
- Cell Biology & Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kristina Drizyte-Miller
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Priya S. Hibshman
- Cell Biology & Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - J. Nathaniel Diehl
- Curriculum in Genetics & Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ye S. Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Alexis J. Morales
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Khalilah E. Taylor
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Sen Peng
- Illumina, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Nhan L. Tran
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
| | - Laura E. Herring
- Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alex W. Prevatte
- Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Natalie K. Barker
- Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Jill Hallin
- Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Saikat Chowdhury
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Oluwadara Coker
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hey Min Lee
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Craig M. Goodwin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Prson Gautam
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Peter Olson
- Mirati Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | | | - John P. Shen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Scott Kopetz
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lee M. Graves
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kian-Huat Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Andrea Wang-Gillam
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Krister Wennerberg
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Adrienne D. Cox
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Cell Biology & Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Channing J. Der
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Cell Biology & Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics & Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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