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Del Bufalo D, Damia G. Overview of BH3 mimetics in ovarian cancer. Cancer Treat Rev 2024; 129:102771. [PMID: 38875743 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2024.102771] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Ovarian carcinoma is the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related death, still with a dismal five-year prognosis, mainly due to late diagnosis and the emergence of resistance to cytotoxic and targeted agents. Bcl-2 family proteins have a key role in apoptosis and are associated with tumor development/progression and response to therapy in different cancer types, including ovarian carcinoma. In tumors, evasion of apoptosis is a possible mechanism of resistance to therapy. BH3 mimetics are small molecules that occupy the hydrophobic pocket on pro-survival proteins, allowing the induction of apoptosis, and are currently under study as single agents and/or in combination with cytotoxic and targeted agents in solid tumors. Here, we discuss recent advances in targeting anti-apoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family for the treatment of ovarian cancer, focusing on BH3 mimetics, and how these approaches could potentially offer an alternative/complementary way to treat patients and overcome or delay resistance to current treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Del Bufalo
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Damia
- Laboratory of Gynecological Preclinical Oncology, Experimental Oncology Department, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via M. Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy.
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2
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Krauklis SA, Hussain J, Murphy KM, Dray EL, Ousley CG, Justyna K, Distefano MD, Steelman AJ, McKim DB. Mononuclear phagocyte morphological response to chemoattractants is dependent on geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2024; 327:E55-E68. [PMID: 38717364 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00359.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Statins are used to treat hypercholesterolemia and function by inhibiting the production of the rate-limiting metabolite mevalonate. As such, statin treatment not only inhibits de novo synthesis of cholesterol but also isoprenoids that are involved in prenylation, the posttranslational lipid modification of proteins. The immunomodulatory effects of statins are broad and often conflicting. Previous work demonstrated that statins increased survival and inhibited myeloid cell trafficking in a murine model of sepsis, but the exact mechanisms underlying this phenomenon were unclear. Herein, we investigated the role of prenylation in chemoattractant responses. We found that simvastatin treatment abolished chemoattractant responses induced by stimulation by C5a and FMLP. The inhibitory effect of simvastatin treatment was unaffected by the addition of either farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) or squalene but was reversed by restoring geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). Treatment with prenyltransferase inhibitors showed that the chemoattractant response to both chemoattractants was dependent on geranylgeranylation. Proteomic analysis of C15AlkOPP-prenylated proteins identified several geranylgeranylated proteins involved in chemoattractant responses, including RHOA, RAC1, CDC42, and GNG2. Chemoattractant responses in THP-1 human macrophages were also geranylgeranylation dependent. These studies provide data that help clarify paradoxical findings on the immunomodulatory effects of statins. Furthermore, they establish the role of geranylgeranylation in mediating the morphological response to chemoattractant C5a.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The immunomodulatory effect of prenylation is ill-defined. We investigated the role of prenylation on the chemoattractant response to C5a. Simvastatin treatment inhibits the cytoskeletal remodeling associated with a chemotactic response. We showed that the chemoattractant response to C5a was dependent on geranylgeranylation, and proteomic analysis identified several geranylgeranylated proteins that are involved in C5a receptor signaling and cytoskeletal remodeling. Furthermore, they establish the role of geranylgeranylation in mediating the response to chemoattractant C5a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Krauklis
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
- Department of Animal Sciences,University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
| | - Jamal Hussain
- Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
- Department of Animal Sciences,University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
| | - Katherine M Murphy
- Department of Animal Sciences,University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
| | - Evan L Dray
- Department of Animal Sciences,University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
| | - Carey G Ousley
- Department of Animal Sciences,University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
| | - Katarzyna Justyna
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Mark D Distefano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Andrew J Steelman
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
- Department of Animal Sciences,University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
| | - Daniel B McKim
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
- Department of Animal Sciences,University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States
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Kubota CS, Myers SL, Seppälä TT, Burkhart RA, Espenshade PJ. In vivo CRISPR screening identifies geranylgeranyl diphosphate as a pancreatic cancer tumor growth dependency. Mol Metab 2024; 85:101964. [PMID: 38823776 PMCID: PMC11217740 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101964] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cancer cells must maintain lipid supplies for their proliferation and do so by upregulating lipogenic gene programs. The sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) act as modulators of lipid homeostasis by acting as transcriptional activators of genes required for fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis and uptake. SREBPs have been recognized as chemotherapeutic targets in multiple cancers, however it is not well understood which SREBP target genes are essential for tumorigenesis. In this study, we examined the requirement of SREBP target genes for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor growth. METHODS Here we constructed a custom CRISPR knockout library containing known SREBP target genes and performed in vitro 2D culture and in vivo orthotopic xenograft CRISPR screens using a patient-derived PDAC cell line. In vitro, we grew cells in medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) or 10% lipoprotein-deficient serum (LPDS) to examine differences in gene essentiality in different lipid environments. In vivo, we injected cells into the pancreata of nude mice and collected tumors after 4 weeks. RESULTS We identified terpenoid backbone biosynthesis genes as essential for PDAC tumor development. Specifically, we identified the non-sterol isoprenoid product of the mevalonate pathway, geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), as an essential lipid for tumor growth. Mechanistically, we observed that restricting mevalonate pathway activity using statins and SREBP inhibitors synergistically induced apoptosis and caused disruptions in small G protein prenylation that have pleiotropic effects on cellular signaling pathways. Finally, we demonstrated that geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase 1 (GGPS1) knockdown significantly reduces tumor burden in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that PDAC tumors selectively require GGPP over other lipids such as cholesterol and fatty acids and that this is a targetable vulnerability of pancreatic cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casie S Kubota
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Stephanie L Myers
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Molecular & Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Toni T Seppälä
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Richard A Burkhart
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Peter J Espenshade
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Giovanis Institute for Translational Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Fonseca J, Vaz JA, Ricardo S. The Potential of Mushroom Extracts to Improve Chemotherapy Efficacy in Cancer Cells: A Systematic Review. Cells 2024; 13:510. [PMID: 38534354 PMCID: PMC10969097 DOI: 10.3390/cells13060510] [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: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance is a challenge in cancer treatment, limiting the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Mushroom extracts have shown potential as treatments for cancer therapies, offering a possible solution to overcome chemoresistance. This systematic review aimed to explore the role of mushroom extracts in enhancing chemotherapy and reversing chemoresistance in cancer cells. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases, following the PRISMA guidelines, and registered on PROSPERO. The extracts acted by inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells, as well as enhancing the effect of chemotherapy. The mechanisms by which they acted included regulating anti-apoptotic proteins, inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, inhibiting the ERK1/2 pathway, modulating microRNAs and regulating p-glycoprotein. These results highlight the potential of mushroom extracts to modulate multiple mechanisms in order to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. This work sheds light on the use of mushroom extracts as an aid to chemotherapy to combat chemoresistance. Although studies are limited, the diversity of mushrooms and their bioactive compounds show promising results for innovative strategies to treat cancer more effectively. It is crucial to carry out further studies to better understand the therapeutic potential of mushroom extracts to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Fonseca
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Toxicologic Pathology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (UCIBIO-IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal;
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Josiana A. Vaz
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Sara Ricardo
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
- Differentiation and Cancer Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
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Krishnappa S, Karthik Y, Pratap GK, Shantaram M, Umarajashekhar A, Soumya J, Bhatt B, Sayed SM, Alhelaify SS, Aharthy OM, Mushtaq M. Exploration of bioactive compounds from Olea dioica in Western Ghats of Karnataka using GC-MS. 3 Biotech 2024; 14:63. [PMID: 38344286 PMCID: PMC10853147 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03888-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Bioactive compounds in plants are essential for the formation of novel chemotherapeutic drugs, which have been used in Ayurveda to treat a variety of illnesses. Indian medicinal herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of illnesses, such as fever, cancer, snake bites, rheumatism, skin problems, and neurodegenerative diseases. GC-MS was used to locate and categorize bioactive components in Olea dioica leaves. The results showed that presence of octanoic acid, methyl ester, decanoic acid, methyl ester, desulphosinigrin, l-gala-l-ido-octose, methyl tetradecanoate, Tetradecanoic acid, 6-benzoxazolesulfonamide, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-, 10-chloro-5-methoxy-5H-dibenzo[a,d][7]annulene, pentadecanoic acid, oleic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, hexanedioic acid, dioctyl ester, and squalene. The methanol extract of Olea dioica was effective against a wide spectrum of pathogenic bacteria at four different concentrations, with the highest activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Xanthomonas campestris, and Salmonella typhimurium. It also showed moderate activity against Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptomyces pneumonia, and Pseudomonas syringae. The pharmacological properties of O. dioica, as well as their variety and comprehensive phytochemistry, could be exploited as a potent antimicrobial agent for future therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasa Krishnappa
- Department of Studies and Research in Biochemistry, Mangalore University, Jnana Kaveri, Chikka Aluvara, Kodagu, Karnataka India
| | - Yalpi Karthik
- Department of Studies and Research in Microbiology, Mangalore University, Jnana Kaveri, Chikka Aluvara, Kodagu, Karnataka India
| | - G. K. Pratap
- Department of Studies and Research in Biochemistry, Mangalore University, Jnana Kaveri, Chikka Aluvara, Kodagu, Karnataka India
| | - Manjula Shantaram
- Department of Studies and Research in Biochemistry, Mangalore University, Jnana Kaveri, Chikka Aluvara, Kodagu, Karnataka India
| | - Alavala Umarajashekhar
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology and Bio-Energy Agricultural College JilleleSircilla, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India
| | - J. Soumya
- Department of Microbiology, Government Degree College, Bodhan, Kakatiya University, Warangal, India
| | - Bhagyashree Bhatt
- MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Bajhol, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173229 India
| | - Samy M. Sayed
- Department of Science and Technology, University College-Ranyah, Taif University, B.O. Box 11099, 21944 Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seham Sater Alhelaify
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, 21944 Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ohud Muslat Aharthy
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, 21944 Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muntazir Mushtaq
- MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Bajhol, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173229 India
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Ishikawa T, Irie N, Tashiro J, Osaki T, Warita T, Warita K, Naito M. Comparison of the anticancer effects of various statins on canine oral melanoma cells. Vet Comp Oncol 2024; 22:156-161. [PMID: 38044042 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12946] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Canine oral melanoma is a highly malignant cancer with a poor prognosis. Statins, commonly used drugs for treating dyslipidemia, exhibit pleiotropic anticancer effects and marked anti-proliferative effects against melanoma cells. The anticancer effects among statins vary; in human cancers, lipophilic statins have shown stronger anticancer effects compared with hydrophilic statins. However, data on the differences in the effects of various statins on canine cancer cells are lacking, hence the optimal statins for treating canine melanoma remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the most effective statin by comparing the anticancer effects of hydrophilic rosuvastatin and lipophilic atorvastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin and pitavastatin on three canine oral melanoma cell lines. Time-dependent measurement of cell confluence showed that lipophilic statins had a stronger anti-proliferative effect on all cell lines than hydrophilic rosuvastatin. Quantification of lactate dehydrogenase release, an indicator of cytotoxicity, showed that lipophilic statins more effectively induced cell death than hydrophilic rosuvastatin. Lipophilic statins affected both inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of cell death. The anticancer effects of statins on canine oral melanoma cells differed in the following ascending order of IC50 values: pitavastatin < fluvastatin = simvastatin < atorvastatin < rosuvastatin. The required concentration of pitavastatin was approximately 1/20th that of rosuvastatin. Among the statins used in this study, pitavastatin had the highest anticancer effect. Our results suggest lipophilic pitavastatin as the optimal statin for treating canine oral melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuro Ishikawa
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
| | - Nanami Irie
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Jiro Tashiro
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Osaki
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Tomoko Warita
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Warita
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Munekazu Naito
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
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Marks MP, Giménez CA, Isaja L, Vera MB, Borzone FR, Pereyra-Bonnet F, Romorini L, Videla-Richardson GA, Chasseing NA, Calvo JC, Vellón L. Role of hydroxymethylglutharyl-coenzyme A reductase in the induction of stem-like states in breast cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:106. [PMID: 38418798 PMCID: PMC10902018 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05607-7] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE De novo synthesis of cholesterol and its rate-limiting enzyme, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutharyl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), is deregulated in tumors and critical for tumor cell survival and proliferation. However, the role of HMGCR in the induction and maintenance of stem-like states in tumors remains unclear. METHODS A compiled public database from breast cancer (BC) patients was analyzed with the web application SurvExpress. Cell Miner was used for the analysis of HMGCR expression and statin sensitivity of the NCI-60 cell lines panel. A CRISPRon system was used to induce HMGCR overexpression in the luminal BC cell line MCF-7 and a lentiviral pLM-OSKM system for the reprogramming of MCF-7 cells. Comparisons were performed by two-tailed unpaired t-test for two groups and one- or two-way ANOVA. RESULTS Data from BC patients showed that high expression of several members of the cholesterol synthesis pathway were associated with lower recurrence-free survival, particularly in hormone-receptor-positive BC. In silico and in vitro analysis showed that HMGCR is expressed in several BC cancer cell lines, which exhibit a subtype-dependent response to statins in silico and in vitro. A stem-like phenotype was demonstrated upon HMGCR expression in MCF-7 cells, characterized by expression of the pluripotency markers NANOG, SOX2, increased CD44 +/CD24low/ -, CD133 + populations, and increased mammosphere formation ability. Pluripotent and cancer stem cell lines showed high expression of HMGCR, whereas cell reprogramming of MCF-7 cells did not increase HMGCR expression. CONCLUSION HMGCR induces a stem-like phenotype in BC cells of epithelial nature, thus affecting tumor initiation, progression and statin sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Paula Marks
- Laboratorio de Células Madre/Stem Cells Lab (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla Alejandra Giménez
- Instituto de Ciencias Básicas y Medicina Experimental, Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano, Potosí 4265, C1199ACL, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CASPR Biotech, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CASPR Biotech, San Francisco, USA
| | - Luciana Isaja
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada a Las Neurociencias (LIAN), Fundación Para La Lucha Contra Las Enfermedades Neurológicas de La Infancia (FLENI), Ruta 9, Km 53, B1625, Buenos Aires, Escobar, Argentina
| | - Mariana Belén Vera
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada a Las Neurociencias (LIAN), Fundación Para La Lucha Contra Las Enfermedades Neurológicas de La Infancia (FLENI), Ruta 9, Km 53, B1625, Buenos Aires, Escobar, Argentina
| | - Francisco Raúl Borzone
- Laboratorio de Células Madre/Stem Cells Lab (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico Pereyra-Bonnet
- Instituto de Ciencias Básicas y Medicina Experimental, Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano, Potosí 4265, C1199ACL, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CASPR Biotech, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CASPR Biotech, San Francisco, USA
| | - Leonardo Romorini
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada a Las Neurociencias (LIAN), Fundación Para La Lucha Contra Las Enfermedades Neurológicas de La Infancia (FLENI), Ruta 9, Km 53, B1625, Buenos Aires, Escobar, Argentina
| | - Guillermo Agustín Videla-Richardson
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada a Las Neurociencias (LIAN), Fundación Para La Lucha Contra Las Enfermedades Neurológicas de La Infancia (FLENI), Ruta 9, Km 53, B1625, Buenos Aires, Escobar, Argentina
| | - Norma Alejandra Chasseing
- Laboratorio de Células Madre/Stem Cells Lab (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología, (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Carlos Calvo
- Laboratorio de Células Madre/Stem Cells Lab (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciano Vellón
- Laboratorio de Células Madre/Stem Cells Lab (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Crispim M, Verdaguer IB, Hernández A, Kronenberger T, Fenollar À, Yamaguchi LF, Alberione MP, Ramirez M, de Oliveira SS, Katzin AM, Izquierdo L. Beyond the MEP Pathway: A novel kinase required for prenol utilization by malaria parasites. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011557. [PMID: 38277417 PMCID: PMC10849223 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011557] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A proposed treatment for malaria is a combination of fosmidomycin and clindamycin. Both compounds inhibit the methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, the parasitic source of farnesyl and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (FPP and GGPP, respectively). Both FPP and GGPP are crucial for the biosynthesis of several essential metabolites such as ubiquinone and dolichol, as well as for protein prenylation. Dietary prenols, such as farnesol (FOH) and geranylgeraniol (GGOH), can rescue parasites from MEP inhibitors, suggesting the existence of a missing pathway for prenol salvage via phosphorylation. In this study, we identified a gene in the genome of P. falciparum, encoding a transmembrane prenol kinase (PolK) involved in the salvage of FOH and GGOH. The enzyme was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and its FOH/GGOH kinase activities were experimentally validated. Furthermore, conditional knockout parasites (Δ-PolK) were created to investigate the biological importance of the FOH/GGOH salvage pathway. Δ-PolK parasites were viable but displayed increased susceptibility to fosmidomycin. Their sensitivity to MEP inhibitors could not be rescued by adding prenols. Additionally, Δ-PolK parasites lost their capability to utilize prenols for protein prenylation. Experiments using culture medium supplemented with whole/delipidated human plasma in transgenic parasites revealed that human plasma has components that can diminish the effectiveness of fosmidomycin. Mass spectrometry tests indicated that both bovine supplements used in culture and human plasma contain GGOH. These findings suggest that the FOH/GGOH salvage pathway might offer an alternate source of isoprenoids for malaria parasites when de novo biosynthesis is inhibited. This study also identifies a novel kind of enzyme related to isoprenoid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcell Crispim
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignasi Bofill Verdaguer
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Agustín Hernández
- Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Integrated Unit for Research in Biodiversity (BIOTROP-CCBS), Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Thales Kronenberger
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry and Tuebingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Excellence Cluster "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections" (CMFI), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Àngel Fenollar
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - María Pía Alberione
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Ramirez
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Alejandro Miguel Katzin
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luis Izquierdo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
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Almeida-Nunes DL, Silvestre R, Dinis-Oliveira RJ, Ricardo S. Enhancing Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer: The Emerging Role of Metformin and Statins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:323. [PMID: 38203494 PMCID: PMC10779012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010323] [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: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer metastization is accompanied by the development of malignant ascites, which are associated with poor prognosis. The acellular fraction of this ascitic fluid contains tumor-promoting soluble factors, bioactive lipids, cytokines, and extracellular vesicles, all of which communicate with the tumor cells within this peritoneal fluid. Metabolomic profiling of ovarian cancer ascites has revealed significant differences in the pathways of fatty acids, cholesterol, glucose, and insulin. The proteins involved in these pathways promote tumor growth, resistance to chemotherapy, and immune evasion. Unveiling the key role of this liquid tumor microenvironment is crucial for discovering more efficient treatment options. This review focuses on the cholesterol and insulin pathways in ovarian cancer, identifying statins and metformin as viable treatment options when combined with standard chemotherapy. These findings are supported by clinical trials showing improved overall survival with these combinations. Additionally, statins and metformin are associated with the reversal of T-cell exhaustion, positioning these drugs as potential combinatory strategies to improve immunotherapy outcomes in ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Luísa Almeida-Nunes
- Differentiation and Cancer Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S) of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
- 1H-TOXRUN—One Health Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal;
| | - Ricardo Silvestre
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira
- 1H-TOXRUN—One Health Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal;
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- FOREN—Forensic Science Experts, 1400-136 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara Ricardo
- Differentiation and Cancer Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S) of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
- 1H-TOXRUN—One Health Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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10
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Juarez D, Buono R, Matulis SM, Gupta VA, Duong M, Yudiono J, Paul M, Mallya S, Diep G, Hsin P, Lu A, Suh SM, Dong VM, Roberts AW, Leverson JD, Jalaluddin M, Liu Z, Bueno OF, Boise LH, Fruman DA. Statin-induced Mitochondrial Priming Sensitizes Multiple Myeloma Cells to BCL2 and MCL-1 Inhibitors. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:2497-2509. [PMID: 37956312 PMCID: PMC10704957 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax promotes apoptosis in blood cancer cells and is approved for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. However, multiple myeloma cells are frequently more dependent on MCL-1 for survival, conferring resistance to venetoclax. Here we report that mevalonate pathway inhibition with statins can overcome resistance to venetoclax in multiple myeloma cell lines and primary cells. In addition, statins sensitize to apoptosis induced by MCL-1 inhibitor, S63845. In retrospective analysis of venetoclax clinical studies in multiple myeloma, background statin use was associated with a significantly enhanced rate of stringent complete response and absence of progressive disease. Statins sensitize multiple myeloma cells to venetoclax by upregulating two proapoptotic proteins: PUMA via a p53-independent mechanism and NOXA via the integrated stress response. These findings provide rationale for prospective testing of statins with venetoclax regimens in multiple myeloma. SIGNIFICANCE BH3 mimetics including venetoclax hold promise for treatment of multiple myeloma but rational combinations are needed to broaden efficacy. This study presents mechanistic and clinical data to support addition of pitavastatin to venetoclax regimens in myeloma. The results open a new avenue for repurposing statins in blood cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Juarez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Roberta Buono
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Shannon M. Matulis
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology and the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Vikas A. Gupta
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology and the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Madeleine Duong
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Jacob Yudiono
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Madhuri Paul
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Sharmila Mallya
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Grace Diep
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Peter Hsin
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Alexander Lu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Sang Mi Suh
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Vy M. Dong
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lawrence H. Boise
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology and the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - David A. Fruman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
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11
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Hussain J, Ousley CG, Krauklis SA, Dray EL, Drnevich J, McKim DB. Prophylactic simvastatin increased survival during endotoxemia and inhibited granulocyte trafficking in a cell-intrinsic manner. Immunobiology 2023; 228:152411. [PMID: 37329824 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2023.152411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Cross sectional studies have shown that statin-users have improved odds of surviving severe sepsis. Meanwhile controlled clinical trials failed to demonstrate improved sepsis survival with acute statin administration following hospitalization. Here, a lethal murine peritoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxemia model was used to assess the efficacy of chronic versus acute simvastatin on survival. Mirroring clinical observations, chronic but not acute treatment with simvastatin significantly increased survival. At a pre-mortality time point in LPS-treated mice, chronic simvastatin suppressed granulocyte trafficking in to the lungs and peritoneum without otherwise suppressing emergency myelopoiesis, myeloid cells in circulation, or inflammatory cytokines. Chronic simvastatin treatment significantly downregulated inflammatory chemokine gene signature in the lungs of LPS-treated mice. Thus, it was unclear if simvastatin was inhibiting granulocyte chemotaxis in a cell intrinsic or extrinsic manner. Adoptive transfer of fluorescently labeled granulocytes from statin and vehicle treated mice into LPS-treated mice showed that simvastatin inhibited lung-granulocyte trafficking in a cell intrinsic manner. Congruent with this, chemotaxis experiments using in vitro macrophages and ex vivo granulocytes demonstrated that simvastatin inhibited chemotaxis in a cell-intrinsic manner. Collectively, chronic but not acute simvastatin treatment improved survival in murine endotoxemia, and this was associated with cell-intrinsic inhibition of granulocyte chemotaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamal Hussain
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States; Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States
| | - Carey G Ousley
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States
| | - Steven A Krauklis
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States; Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States
| | - Evan L Dray
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States
| | - Jenny Drnevich
- Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States
| | - Daniel B McKim
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States; Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States; Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States; Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States.
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12
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Jung D, Bachmann HS. Regulation of protein prenylation. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114915. [PMID: 37236024 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenyltransferases (PTases) are known to play a role in embryonic development, normal tissue homeostasis and cancer by posttranslationally modifying proteins involved in these processes. They are being discussed as potential drug targets in an increasing number of diseases, ranging from Alzheimer's disease to malaria. Protein prenylation and the development of specific PTase inhibitors (PTIs) have been subject to intense research in recent decades. Recently, the FDA approved lonafarnib, a specific farnesyltransferase inhibitor that acts directly on protein prenylation; and bempedoic acid, an ATP citrate lyase inhibitor that might alter intracellular isoprenoid composition, the relative concentrations of which can exert a decisive influence on protein prenylation. Both drugs represent the first approved agent in their respective substance class. Furthermore, an overwhelming number of processes and proteins that regulate protein prenylation have been identified over the years, many of which have been proposed as molecular targets for pharmacotherapy in their own right. However, certain aspects of protein prenylation, such as the regulation of PTase gene expression or the modulation of PTase activity by phosphorylation, have attracted less attention, despite their reported influence on tumor cell proliferation. Here, we want to summarize the advances regarding our understanding of the regulation of protein prenylation and the potential implications for drug development. Additionally, we want to suggest new lines of investigation that encompass the search for regulatory elements for PTases, especially at the genetic and epigenetic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Jung
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Hagen S Bachmann
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.
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13
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Ivermectin Augments the Anti-Cancer Activity of Pitavastatin in Ovarian Cancer Cells. Diseases 2023; 11:diseases11010049. [PMID: 36975598 PMCID: PMC10047003 DOI: 10.3390/diseases11010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that pitavastatin has the potential to be used to treat ovarian cancer, although relatively high doses are likely to be necessary. One solution to this problem is to identify drugs that are synergistic with pitavastatin, thereby reducing the dose that is necessary to have a therapeutic effect. Here, we tested combinations of pitavastatin with the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin in six ovarian cancer cell lines. When tested on its own, ivermectin inhibited the growth of the cells but only with modest potency (IC50 = 10–20 µM). When the drugs were combined and assessed in cell growth assays, ivermectin showed synergy with pitavastatin in 3 cell lines and this was most evident in COV-318 cells (combination index ~ 0.6). Ivermectin potentiated the reduction in COV-318 cell viability caused by pitavastatin by 20–25% as well as potentiating apoptosis induced by pitavastatin, assessed by activation of caspase-3/7 (2–4 fold) and annexin-labelling (3–5 fold). These data suggest that ivermectin may be useful in the treatment of ovarian cancer when combined with pitavastatin, but methods to achieve an adequate ivermectin concentration in tumour tissue will be necessary.
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14
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The Second Nutrition and Cancer Networking Meeting Nutrition and Breast Cancer: Translating Evidence into Practice. Proc Nutr Soc 2023; 82:58-62. [PMID: 36503526 DOI: 10.1017/s002966512200283x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The 2nd Nutrition and Cancer Networking Meeting 'Nutrition and Breast Cancer: Translating Evidence into Practice' was held at Newcastle University in May 2022, with support from the Nutrition Society and British Association for Cancer Research. The first meeting in this series was held in Sheffield in 2019. The aim of this joint meeting was to bring together researchers with an interest in nutrition and breast cancer, with the programme spanning topics from risk and prevention to nutrition during treatment and beyond. Several key themes emerged, including the importance of engaging patients in the development of interventions and trials, making trials more accessible to diverse communities; training of clinical staff in nutrition and latest evidence; wider range of compounds should be considered in food composition tables; and alternative trial designs can be considered for prevention research to reduce financial burden and increase power.
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15
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Xia L, Ding S, Wang X, Zhang X, Zhu L, Zhang H, Li H. Advances in ovarian cancer treatment using a combination of statins with other drugs. Front Pharmacol 2023; 13:1048484. [PMID: 36686716 PMCID: PMC9845598 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1048484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
New anti-cancer drugs are constantly being developed, especially targeted drugs. Although these drugs have achieved significant clinical efficacy, they do not play a significant role in ovarian cancer. Moreover, the research cycle and costs of such drugs are often huge. The repositioning of conventional drugs has gradually become a concern. Statins, as traditional lipid-lowering drugs, play a role mainly by inhibiting HMGCR. In recent years, epidemiological studies and in vitro experiments have confirmed its anti-cancer effect, especially the effect of anti-ovarian cancer. The mutation rate of TP53 in ovarian cancer is as high as 95%, while HMGCR is often highly expressed in TP53 mutant tumors. However, the effect of prospective clinical trials is not ideal. This result seems understandable considering that it seems unrealistic for a lipid-lowering drug to completely inhibit tumor growth. Therefore, statins play more synergistic roles in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Because ovarian cancer is a highly heterogeneous tumor, it may be a good choice to deeply understand the mechanism of statins in the treatment of ovarian cancer and achieve precise treatment by combining it with other drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Xia
- Department of Pathology, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Shichao Ding
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Xuezhen Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Hairong Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Jinan, China,*Correspondence: Hairong Zhang, ; Huirong Li,
| | - Huirong Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Jinan, China,*Correspondence: Hairong Zhang, ; Huirong Li,
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16
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Bofill Verdaguer I, Sussmann RAC, Santiago VF, Palmisano G, Moura GC, Mesquita JT, Yamaguchi LF, Kato MJ, Katzin AM, Crispim M. Isoprenoid alcohols utilization by malaria parasites. Front Chem 2022; 10:1035548. [PMID: 36531309 PMCID: PMC9751614 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1035548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is the etiological agent of human malaria, one of the most widespread diseases in tropical and subtropical regions. Drug resistance is one of the biggest problems in controlling the disease, which leads to the need to discover new antimalarial compounds. One of the most promissory drugs purposed is fosmidomycin, an inhibitor of the biosynthesis of isoprene units by the methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, which in some cases failed in clinical studies. Once formed, isoprene units are condensed to form longer structures such as farnesyl and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, which are necessary for Heme O and A formation, ubiquinone, and dolichyl phosphate biosynthesis as well as for protein isoprenylation. Even though the natural substrates of polyprenyl transferases and synthases are polyprenyl pyrophosphates, it was already demonstrated that isoprenoid alcohols (polyprenols) such as farnesol (FOH) and geranylgeraniol (GGOH) can rescue parasites from fosmidomycin. This study better investigated how this rescue phenomenon occurs by performing drug-rescue assays. Similarly, to FOH and GGOH, it was observed that phytol (POH), a 20-carbon plant isoprenoid, as well as unsaponifiable lipid extracts from foods rescue parasites from the antimalarial effect of fosmidomycin. Contrarily, neither dolichols nor nonaprenol rescue parasites from fosmidomycin. Considering this, here we characterized the transport of FOH, GGOH, and POH. Once incorporated, it was observed that these substances are phosphorylated, condensed into longer isoprenoid alcohols, and incorporated into proteins and dolichyl phosphates. Through proteomic and radiolabelling approaches, it was found that prenylated proteins are naturally attached to several isoprenoids, derived from GGOH, dolichol, and POH if exogenously added. Furthermore, the results suggest the presence of at least two promiscuous protein prenyltransferases in the parasite: one enzyme which can use FPP among other unidentified substrates and another enzyme that can use GGPP, phytyl pyrophosphate (PPP), and dolichols, among other substrates not identified here. Thus, further evidence was obtained for dolichols and other isoprenoid products attached to proteins. This study helps to better understand the apicoplast-targeting antimalarial mechanism of action and a novel post-translational modification of proteins in P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignasi Bofill Verdaguer
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo A C Sussmann
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Environmental Sciences, Institute of Humanities, Arts and Sciences, Federal University of Southern Bahia, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Verônica Feijoli Santiago
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Cândido Moura
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Tonini Mesquita
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lydia Fumiko Yamaguchi
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Massuo Jorge Kato
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alejandro Miguel Katzin
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcell Crispim
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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17
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Pitavastatin and Ivermectin Enhance the Efficacy of Paclitaxel in Chemoresistant High-Grade Serous Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184357. [PMID: 36139522 PMCID: PMC9496819 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The main challenge in high-grade serous carcinoma management is to unveil therapeutic approaches to overcome chemoresistance. Drug combinations and repurposing of non-oncological agents are attractive strategies that allow for higher efficacy, decreased toxicity, and the overcoming of chemoresistance. Several non-oncological drugs display an effective anti-cancer activity and have been studied to be repurposed in multi-drug resistant neoplasms. The purpose of our study was to explore whether combining Paclitaxel with repurposed drugs (Pitavastatin, Metformin, Ivermectin, Itraconazole and Alendronate) led to a therapeutic benefit. Our results showed that the combination of Paclitaxel with Pitavastatin or Ivermectin demonstrates the highest cytotoxic effect and the strongest synergism among all combinations for two chemoresistant cell lines. Thus, the combination of these repurposed drugs with Paclitaxel could be a particularly valuable strategy to treat ovarian cancer patients with intrinsic or acquired chemoresistance. Abstract Chemotherapy is a hallmark in high-grade serous carcinoma management; however, chemoresistance and side effects lead to therapeutic interruption. Combining repurposed drugs with chemotherapy has the potential to improve antineoplastic efficacy, since drugs can have independent mechanisms of action and suppress different pathways simultaneously. This study aimed to explore whether the combination of Paclitaxel with repurposed drugs led to a therapeutic benefit. Thus, we evaluated the cytotoxic effects of Paclitaxel alone and in combination with several repurposed drugs (Pitavastatin, Metformin, Ivermectin, Itraconazole and Alendronate) in two tumor chemoresistant (OVCAR8 and OVCAR8 PTX R P) and a non-tumoral (HOSE6.3) cell lines. Cellular viability was assessed using Presto Blue assay, and the synergistic interactions were evaluated using Chou–Talalay, Bliss Independence and Highest Single Agent reference models. The combination of Paclitaxel with Pitavastatin or Ivermectin showed the highest cytotoxic effect and the strongest synergism among all combinations for both chemoresistant cell lines, resulting in a chemotherapeutic effect superior to both drugs alone. Almost all the repurposed drugs in combination with Paclitaxel presented a safe pharmacological profile in non-tumoral cells. Overall, we suggest that Pitavastatin and Ivermectin could act synergistically in combination with Paclitaxel, being promising two-drug combinations for high-grade serous carcinoma management.
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Dewidar SA, Hamdy O, Eltantawy A, El-Mesery M, El Gayar AM, Soliman MM. Effect of concomitant use of pitavastatin with neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols in breast cancer patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Saudi Pharm J 2022; 30:1486-1496. [PMID: 36387337 PMCID: PMC9649354 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Preclinical studies have demonstrated the possible anticancer effects of statins, but the synergistic effect of concomitant statin use with standard chemotherapy protocols in patients with breast cancer has not yet been investigated. Aim The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of concomitant pitavastatin use with neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols in patients with breast cancer. Methods This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 70 adult female patients with pathologically-proven invasive breast cancer were randomized to receive or not receive pitavastatin (2 mg) oral tablets once daily concomitantly with standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols for 6 months. The primary outcomes of this study were changes in tumor size and changes to the Ki67 index. In addition, secondary outcomes were changes in cyclin D1 and cleaved caspase-3 serum levels. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04705909). Results Patients in the pitavastatin group showed significantly higher median (IQR) reductions in tumor size [−19.8 (−41.5, 9.5)] compared to those in the control group [−5.0 (−15.5, 0.0), p = 0.0009]. The change in Ki67 from baseline to the end of therapy was similar between the two groups (p = 0.12). By the end of therapy, the cyclin D1 levels in the pitavastatin group were significantly decreased [median (IQR) change of − 10.0 (−20.2, −2.9) from baseline], whereas the control group showed an increase in cyclin D1 levels [14.8 (4.1, 56.4)]. The median (IQR) caspase−3 was elevated in the pitavastatin group 1.6 (0.2, 2.2), and decreased in the control group (−0.2 (−1.1, 0.0), p = 0.0002). Subgroup analysis of the pitavastatin group revealed that patients with positive human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2) had higher median (IQR) reductions in Ki67 [−35.0 (−70.0, −12.5)] than those with negative HER2 [2.5 (−15.0, 10.0), p = 0.04]. All patients who achieved a complete pathological response (n = 9) exhibited an HER2-neu positive receptor at baseline. Conclusion Concomitant use of pitavastatin with standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols may improve neoadjuvant chemotherapy responses in patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar A. Dewidar
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Omar Hamdy
- Surgical Oncology Department, Oncology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Eltantawy
- Medical Oncology Unit, Oncology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Mesery
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Amal M. El Gayar
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Moetaza M. Soliman
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- Corresponding author at: Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
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19
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Laka K, Makgoo L, Mbita Z. Cholesterol-Lowering Phytochemicals: Targeting the Mevalonate Pathway for Anticancer Interventions. Front Genet 2022; 13:841639. [PMID: 35391801 PMCID: PMC8981032 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.841639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There are a plethora of cancer causes and the road to fully understanding the carcinogenesis process remains a dream that keeps changing. However, a list of role players that are implicated in the carcinogens process is getting lengthier. Cholesterol is known as bad sterol that is heavily linked with cardiovascular diseases; however, it is also comprehensively associated with carcinogenesis. There is an extensive list of strategies that have been used to lower cholesterol; nevertheless, the need to find better and effective strategies remains vastly important. The role played by cholesterol in the induction of the carcinogenesis process has attracted huge interest in recent years. Phytochemicals can be dubbed as magic tramp cards that humans could exploit for lowering cancer-causing cholesterol. Additionally, the mechanisms that are regulated by phytochemicals can be targeted for anticancer drug development. One of the key role players in cancer development and suppression, Tumour Protein 53 (TP53), is crucial in regulating the biogenesis of cholesterol and is targeted by several phytochemicals. This minireview covers the role of p53 in the mevalonate pathway and how bioactive phytochemicals target the mevalonate pathway and promote p53-dependent anticancer activities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zukile Mbita
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa
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The Evolution of Pharmacological Activities Bouea macrophylla Griffith In Vivo and In Vitro Study: A Review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020238. [PMID: 35215350 PMCID: PMC8880147 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bouea macrophylla Griffith (B. macrophylla) is one of the many herbal plants found in Asia, and its fruit is plum mango. This plant is rich in secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, tannins, polyphenolic compounds, and many others. Due to its bioactive components, plum mango has powerful antioxidants that have therapeutic benefits for many common ailments, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. This review describes the evolution of plum mango’s phytochemical properties and pharmacological activities including in vitro and in vivo studies. The pharmacological activities of B. macrophylla Griffith reviewed in this article are antioxidant, anticancer, antihyperglycemic, antimicrobial, and antiphotoaging. Each of these pharmacological activities described and studied the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms of action. Interestingly, plum mango seeds show good pharmacological activity where the seed is the part of the plant that is a waste product. This can be an advantage because of its economic value as a herbal medicine. Overall, the findings described in this review aim to allow this plant to be explored and utilized more widely, especially as a new drug discovery.
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Jawad M, Ibrahim S, Kumar M, Burgert C, Li WW, Richardson A. Identification of foods that affect the anti‑cancer activity of pitavastatin in cells. Oncol Lett 2022; 23:73. [DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Jawad
- The Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Suad Ibrahim
- The Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Mayur Kumar
- The Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Charlie Burgert
- The Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Wen-Wu Li
- The Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Alan Richardson
- The Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, UK
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22
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He J, Siu MKY, Ngan HYS, Chan KKL. Aberrant Cholesterol Metabolism in Ovarian Cancer: Identification of Novel Therapeutic Targets. Front Oncol 2021; 11:738177. [PMID: 34820325 PMCID: PMC8606538 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.738177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol is an essential substance in mammalian cells, and cholesterol metabolism plays crucial roles in multiple biological functions. Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism is a metabolic hallmark in several cancers, beyond the Warburg effect. Reprogrammed cholesterol metabolism has been reported to enhance tumorigenesis, metastasis and chemoresistance in multiple cancer types, including ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is one of the most aggressive malignancies worldwide. Alterations in metabolic pathways are characteristic features of ovarian cancer; however, the specific role of cholesterol metabolism remains to be established. In this report, we provide an overview of the key proteins involved in cholesterol metabolism in ovarian cancer, including the rate-limiting enzymes in cholesterol biosynthesis, and the proteins involved in cholesterol uptake, storage and trafficking. Also, we review the roles of cholesterol and its derivatives in ovarian cancer and the tumor microenvironment, and discuss promising related therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangnan He
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, SAR China
| | - Michelle K Y Siu
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, SAR China
| | - Hextan Y S Ngan
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, SAR China
| | - Karen K L Chan
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, SAR China
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A comprehensive review on the lipid and pleiotropic effects of pitavastatin. Prog Lipid Res 2021; 84:101127. [PMID: 34509516 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2021.101127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, or statins, are administered as first line therapy for hypercholesterolemia, both in primary and secondary prevention. There is a growing body of evidence showing that beyond their lipid-lowering effect, statins have a number of additional beneficial properties. Pitavastatin is a unique lipophilic statin with a strong effect on lowering plasma total cholesterol and triacylglycerol. It has been reported to have pleiotropic effects such as decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress, regulating angiogenesis and osteogenesis, improving endothelial function and arterial stiffness, and reducing tumor progression. Based on the available studies considering the risk of statin-associated muscle symptoms it seems to be also the safest statin. The unique lipid and non-lipid effects of pitavastatin make this molecule a particularly interesting option for the management of different human diseases. In this review, we first summarized the lipid effects of pitavastatin and then strive to unravel the diverse pleiotropic effects of this molecule.
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Van Vo G, Guest PC, Nguyen NH. Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities of Bouea macrophylla Ethanol Extract. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2343:215-228. [PMID: 34473325 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1558-4_14] [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] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
The Bouea macrophylla (B. macrophylla) tree is widely grown throughout South East Asia and has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of various illnesses. This chapter presents a protocol for preparation of ethanol extracts of B. macrophylla leaves and evaluation of the potential antimicrobial and anticancer activities in vitro. The extract displayed antibacterial activity against nine out of the ten target microorganisms tested. In addition, the extract was capable of inhibiting the proliferation of HeLa and HCT116 cells, thus demonstrating some anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giau Van Vo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Research Center for Genetics and Reproductive Health, School of Medicine, Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
| | - Paul C Guest
- Laboratory of Neuroproteomics, Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Ngoc Hong Nguyen
- CirTech Institute, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
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Chen YH, Huang YC, Yang SF, Yen HH, Tsai HD, Hsieh MC, Hsiao YH. Pitavastatin and metformin synergistically activate apoptosis and autophagy in pancreatic cancer cells. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2021; 36:1491-1503. [PMID: 33886150 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Metformin is the standard first-line of treatment for hyperglycemia in Type 2 diabetes, whereas pitavastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug used to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Both these agents evidently exert anticancer effects on pancreatic cancer; however, it remains unclear whether cotreatment using them has additive or synergistic anticancer effects on pancreatic cancer. Thus, we herein used the ASPC-1 and PANC-1 cells and treated them with metformin and/or pitavastatin. We performed the cell viability assay, transwell migration assay, and cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to determine protein levels. We found that cotreatment with metformin (30 mM) and pitavastatin (10 μM) significantly reduced cell viability; caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest; upregulated the expression levels of Bax, PCNA, cleaved PARP-1, cleaved caspase-3, LC3 II, and p27 Kip1 /p21Cip1 ; and inhibited cell migration. The combination index value for cell viability indicated a synergistic interaction between metformin and pitavastatin. Moreover, cotreating the cells with metformin (30 mM) and pitavastatin (10 μM) could preserve mitochondrial function, activate AMPK, and inhibit PI3K/mTOR than treatment with metformin or pitavastatin alone. These findings clearly indicated that metformin plus pitavastatin had a synergistic anticancer effect on pancreatic cancer cells, potentially caused due to the activation of AMPK and inhibition of PI3K/mTOR signaling. Altogether, our results provide that use of metformin plus pitavastatin maybe serve as a chemotherapeutic agent for human pancreatic cancer in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Hui Chen
- Women's Health Research Laboratory, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chih Huang
- Department of Research, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsu-Heng Yen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Der Tsai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chia Hsieh
- Intelligent Diabetes Metabolism and Exercise Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsuan Hsiao
- Women's Health Research Laboratory, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
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Tilija Pun N, Jeong CH. Statin as a Potential Chemotherapeutic Agent: Current Updates as a Monotherapy, Combination Therapy, and Treatment for Anti-Cancer Drug Resistance. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14050470. [PMID: 34065757 PMCID: PMC8156779 DOI: 10.3390/ph14050470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is incurable because progressive phenotypic and genotypic changes in cancer cells lead to resistance and recurrence. This indicates the need for the development of new drugs or alternative therapeutic strategies. The impediments associated with new drug discovery have necessitated drug repurposing (i.e., the use of old drugs for new therapeutic indications), which is an economical, safe, and efficacious approach as it is emerged from clinical drug development or may even be marketed with a well-established safety profile and optimal dosing. Statins are inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase in cholesterol biosynthesis and are used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and obesity. As cholesterol is linked to the initiation and progression of cancer, statins have been extensively used in cancer therapy with a concept of drug repurposing. Many studies including in vitro and in vivo have shown that statin has been used as monotherapy to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. Moreover, it has been used as a combination therapy to mediate synergistic action to overcome anti-cancer drug resistance as well. In this review, the recent explorations are done in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials to address the action of statin either single or in combination with anti-cancer drugs to improve the chemotherapy of the cancers were discussed. Here, we discussed the emergence of statin as a lipid-lowering drug; its use to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis as a monotherapy; and its use in combination with anti-cancer drugs for its synergistic action to overcome anti-cancer drug resistance. Furthermore, we discuss the clinical trials of statins and the current possibilities and limitations of preclinical and clinical investigations.
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Nagayama D, Saiki A, Shirai K. The Anti-Cancer Effect of Pitavastatin May Be a Drug-Specific Effect: Subgroup Analysis of the TOHO-LIP Study. Vasc Health Risk Manag 2021; 17:169-173. [PMID: 33953560 PMCID: PMC8092348 DOI: 10.2147/vhrm.s306540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The significance of statin treatment for the reduction of cardiovascular (CV) disease has been reported, whereas other reports have also described anti-cancer properties associated with the class effect of statins. However, the differences in anti-cancer effect of various types of statins have rarely been examined. Pitavastatin is a statin with a different chemical structure and pharmacokinetics from other statins, and the mechanism of the specific anti-cancer effect of pitavastatin has been reported in in vivo therapeutic models. We previously revealed that pitavastatin therapy was superior to atorvastatin therapy in the prevention of CV events, despite similar LDL-cholesterol-lowering effect in the TOHO Lipid Intervention Trial Using Pitavastatin (TOHO-LIP). Furthermore, in subgroup analysis of the TOHO-LIP study, cumulative 240-week incidence of new cancer cases tended to be lower in the pitavastatin group compared to the atorvastatin group [0.32% (1/312) vs 1.94% (6/310), log-rank P=0.051]. This finding might reveal the superiority of pitavastatin to prevent carcinogenesis. The molecular mechanism by which pitavastatin suppresses the incidence of any-organ cancer is gradually elucidated, and new combination of cancer treatments with pitavastatin will be developed in the future to further enhance the anti-cancer activity and reduce the side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiji Nagayama
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nagayama Clinic, Tochigi, Japan.,Center of Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolism, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Atsuhito Saiki
- Center of Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolism, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kohji Shirai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mihama Hospital, Chiba, Japan
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Cholesterol-lowering drug pitavastatin targets lung cancer and angiogenesis via suppressing prenylation-dependent Ras/Raf/MEK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. Anticancer Drugs 2021; 31:377-384. [PMID: 32011362 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic agents that target both tumor cell and vascular endothelial cell may achieve additional anti-tumor efficacy, particularly in lung cancer due to the critical roles of angiogenesis during lung cancer progression and metastasis. In this work, we showed that pitavastatin, a novel cholesterol-lowering drug, potently inhibited lung cancer cells and angiogenesis. This was achieved by the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation of lung cancer cells and human lung tumor-associated endothelial cell. Pitavastatin was not only effective to chemo-sensitive but also chemo-resistant lung cancer cells. This was also consistent with the finding that pitavastatin significantly enhanced cisplatin's efficacy in lung cancer xenograft model without causing toxicity in mice. We further showed that pitavastatin inhibited lung tumor angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo through suppressing human lung tumor-associated endothelial cell migration and morphogenesis without affecting adhesion. Mechanistically, we showed that pitavastatin acted on lung cancer cells and human lung tumor-associated endothelial cell through suppressing prenylation-dependent Ras/Raf/MEK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. Our work is the first to demonstrate the inhibitory effects of pitavastatin on Ras-mediated signaling. Our findings provide pre-clinical evidence to repurpose pitavastatin for the treatment of lung cancer.
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Manzano-León N, Garcia-Lopez P. Statins as adjuvants in the treatment of ovarian cancer: Controversy and misunderstanding. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 896:173915. [PMID: 33513335 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.173915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is frequently detected in advanced stages when the chances of survival are very low. Although chemotherapy is the treatment of choice, it is often rapidly compromised by the development of chemoresistance in patients. There are few pharmacological alternatives for managing chemoresistant ovarian cancer and statins have been suggested as an alternative, but their use is considered controversial. We present an overview of the most relevant epidemiological, in vitro and in vivo studies on the effects of statins in mono- or polytherapy for ovarian cancer. We conclude that the negative or inconclusive results of some epidemiological studies on statin-based cancer treatment are probably due, in large part, to the low doses given to patients, equivalent to those prescribed for hypercholesterolemia. Higher concentrations are well tolerated in animal models and by most patients in clinical trials. Future research is necessary to explore this possibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Manzano-León
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Av. San Fernando 22. Col. Sección XVI, C.P. 14080, CDMX, Mexico.
| | - Patricia Garcia-Lopez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Subdirección de Investigación Básica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Av. San Fernando 22. Col. Sección XVI, C.P. 14080, CDMX, Mexico.
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30
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Juarez D, Fruman DA. Targeting the Mevalonate Pathway in Cancer. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:525-540. [PMID: 33358111 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The mevalonate synthesis inhibitors, statins, are mainstay therapeutics for cholesterol management and cardiovascular health. Thirty years of research have uncovered supportive roles for the mevalonate pathway in numerous cellular processes that support oncogenesis, most recently macropinocytosis. Central to the diverse mechanisms of statin sensitivity is an acquired dependence on one mevalonate pathway output, protein geranylgeranylation. New chemical prenylation probes and the discovery of a novel geranylgeranyl transferase hold promise to deepen our understanding of statin mechanisms of action. Further, insights into statin selection and the counterproductive role of dietary geranylgeraniol highlight how we should assess statins in the clinic. Lastly, rational combination strategies preview how statins will enter the oncology toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Juarez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - David A Fruman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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31
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Xu B, Muramatsu T, Inazawa J. Suppression of MET Signaling Mediated by Pitavastatin and Capmatinib Inhibits Oral and Esophageal Cancer Cell Growth. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 19:585-597. [PMID: 33443139 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite increasing knowledge on oral and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC and ESCC), specific medicines against both have not yet been developed. Here, we aimed to find novel anticancer drugs through functional cell-based screening of an FDA-approved drug library against OSCC and ESCC. Pitavastatin, an HMGCR inhibitor, emerged as an anticancer drug that inhibits tumor growth by downregulating AKT and ERK signals in OSCC and ESCC cells. One of the mechanisms by which pitavastatin inhibits cell growth might be the suppression of MET signaling through immature MET due to dysfunction of the Golgi apparatus. Moreover, the sensitivity of tumor growth to pitavastatin might be correlated with GGPS1 expression levels. In vivo therapeutic models revealed that the combination of pitavastatin with capmatinib, a MET-specific inhibitor, dramatically reduced tumor growth. Our findings suggest that GGPS1 expression could be a biomarker in cancer therapy with pitavastatin, and the combination of pitavastatin with capmatinib might be a promising therapeutic strategy in OSCC and ESCC. IMPLICATIONS: This study provides new insight into the mechanism of pitavastatin as an anticancer drug and suggests that the combination of pitavastatin with capmatinib is a useful therapeutic strategy in OSCC and ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Xu
- Department of Molecular Cytogenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoki Muramatsu
- Department of Molecular Cytogenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan. .,Laboratory for Integrated Research Projects on Intractable Diseases, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Johji Inazawa
- Department of Molecular Cytogenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan. .,Bioresource Research Center, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
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Guillaumond F, Vasseur S. Nutriments et cancer : alliés ou ennemis ? CAHIERS DE NUTRITION ET DE DIÉTÉTIQUE 2020; 55:276-294. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cnd.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
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Borini Etichetti CM, Arel Zalazar E, Cocordano N, Girardini J. Beyond the Mevalonate Pathway: Control of Post-Prenylation Processing by Mutant p53. Front Oncol 2020; 10:595034. [PMID: 33224889 PMCID: PMC7674641 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.595034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Missense mutations in the TP53 gene are among the most frequent alterations in human cancer. Consequently, many tumors show high expression of p53 point mutants, which may acquire novel activities that contribute to develop aggressive tumors. An unexpected aspect of mutant p53 function was uncovered by showing that some mutants can increase the malignant phenotype of tumor cells through alteration of the mevalonate pathway. Among metabolites generated through this pathway, isoprenoids are of particular interest, since they participate in a complex process of posttranslational modification known as prenylation. Recent evidence proposes that mutant p53 also enhances this process through transcriptional activation of ICMT, the gene encoding the methyl transferase responsible for the last step of protein prenylation. In this way, mutant p53 may act at different levels to promote prenylation of key proteins in tumorigenesis, including several members of the RAS and RHO families. Instead, wild type p53 acts in the opposite way, downregulating mevalonate pathway genes and ICMT. This oncogenic circuit also allows to establish potential connections with other metabolic pathways. The demand of acetyl-CoA for the mevalonate pathway may pose limitations in cell metabolism. Likewise, the dependence on S-adenosyl methionine for carboxymethylation, may expose cells to methionine stress. The involvement of protein prenylation in tumor progression offers a novel perspective to understand the antitumoral effects of mevalonate pathway inhibitors, such as statins, and to explore novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Evelyn Arel Zalazar
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, IDICER, CONICET-UNR, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Nabila Cocordano
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, IDICER, CONICET-UNR, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Javier Girardini
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, IDICER, CONICET-UNR, Rosario, Argentina
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Nunes M, Henriques Abreu M, Bartosch C, Ricardo S. Recycling the Purpose of Old Drugs to Treat Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207768. [PMID: 33092251 PMCID: PMC7656306 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The main challenge in ovarian cancer treatment is the management of recurrences. Facing this scenario, therapy selection is based on multiple factors to define the best treatment sequence. Target therapies, such as bevacizumab and polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, improved patient survival. However, despite their achievements, ovarian cancer survival remains poor; these therapeutic options are highly costly and can be associated with potential side effects. Recently, it has been shown that the combination of repurposed, conventional, chemotherapeutic drugs could be an alternative, presenting good patient outcomes with few side effects and low costs for healthcare institutions. The main aim of this review is to strengthen the importance of repurposed drugs as therapeutic alternatives, and to propose an in vitro model to assess the therapeutic value. Herein, we compiled the current knowledge on the most promising non-oncological drugs for ovarian cancer treatment, focusing on statins, metformin, bisphosphonates, ivermectin, itraconazole, and ritonavir. We discuss the primary drug use, anticancer mechanisms, and applicability in ovarian cancer. Finally, we propose the use of these therapies to perform drug efficacy tests in ovarian cancer ex vivo cultures. This personalized testing approach could be crucial to validate the existing evidences supporting the use of repurposed drugs for ovarian cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Nunes
- Differentiation and Cancer Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S) of the University of Porto/Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
- Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (PCCC), 4200-162 Porto, Portugal; (M.H.A.); (C.B.)
| | - Miguel Henriques Abreu
- Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (PCCC), 4200-162 Porto, Portugal; (M.H.A.); (C.B.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), 4200-162 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Bartosch
- Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (PCCC), 4200-162 Porto, Portugal; (M.H.A.); (C.B.)
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), 4200-162 Porto, Portugal
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group, Research Center—Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), 4200-162 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Ricardo
- Differentiation and Cancer Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S) of the University of Porto/Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (Ipatimup), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
- Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (PCCC), 4200-162 Porto, Portugal; (M.H.A.); (C.B.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Sciences, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-225-570-700
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Göbel A, Zinna VM, Dell'Endice S, Jaschke N, Kuhlmann JD, Wimberger P, Rachner TD. Anti-tumor effects of mevalonate pathway inhibition in ovarian cancer. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:703. [PMID: 32727400 PMCID: PMC7388525 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07164-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer remains the most fatal gynecological malignancy. Current therapeutic options are limited due to late diagnosis in the majority of the cases, metastatic spread to the peritoneal cavity and the onset of chemo-resistance. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches are required. Statins and amino-bisphosphonates are inhibitors of the mevalonate pathway, which is a fundamental pathway of cellular metabolism, essential for cholesterol production and posttranslational protein farnesylation and geranylgeranylation. While this pathway has emerged as a promising treatment target in several human malignancies, its potential as a therapeutic approach in ovarian cancer is still not fully understood. METHODS Human ovarian cancer cell lines (IGROV-1, A2780, A2780cis) were treated with increasing concentrations (0.5-100 μM) of statins (simvastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin) and zoledronic acid. Effects on cell vitality and apoptosis were assessed using Cell Titer Blue®, Caspase 3/7 Glo®, clonogenic assays as well as cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (cPARP) detection. The inhibition of the mevalonate pathway was confirmed using Western Blot of unprenylated Ras and Rap1a proteins. Quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA were used to analyze modulations on several key regulators of ovarian cancer tumorigenesis. RESULTS The treatment of IGROV-1 and A2780 cells with statins and zoledronic acid reduced vitality (by up to 80%; p < 0.001) and induced apoptosis by up to 8-folds (p < 0.001) in a dose-dependent fashion. Rescue experiments using farnesyl pyrophosphate or geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate evidenced that blocked geranylgeranylation is the major underlying mechanism of the pro-apoptotic effects. Gene expression of the tumor-promoting cytokines and mediators, such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL)-8, and IL-6 were significantly suppressed by statins and zoledronic acid by up to 90% (p < 0.001). For all readouts, simvastatin was most potent of all agents used. Cisplatin-resistant A2780cis cells showed a relative resistance to statins and zoledronic acid. However, similar to the effects in A2780 cells, simvastatin and zoledronic acid significantly induced caspase 3/7 activation (6-folds; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our in vitro findings point to promising anti-tumor effects of statins and zoledronic acid in ovarian cancer and warrant additional validation in preclinical and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Göbel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Valentina M Zinna
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stefania Dell'Endice
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nikolai Jaschke
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jan Dominik Kuhlmann
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Pauline Wimberger
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Tilman D Rachner
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Chen YH, Chen YC, Lin CC, Hsieh YP, Hsu CS, Hsieh MC. Synergistic Anticancer Effects of Gemcitabine with Pitavastatin on Pancreatic Cancer Cell Line MIA PaCa-2 in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:4645-4665. [PMID: 32606957 PMCID: PMC7306478 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s247876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with an overall 5-year survival rate of 9.3%, and this malignancy is expected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030. Gemcitabine resistance develops within weeks of PDAC patient’s chemotherapeutic initiation. Statins, including pitavastatin, have been indicated to have anticancer effects in numerous human cancer cell lines. Thus, in this study, we hypothesized that a combination of gemcitabine and pitavastatin may have a greater anticancer effect than gemcitabine alone on the human pancreatic carcinoma cell line MIA PaCa-2. Methods The anticancer effects of gemcitabine with pitavastatin were evaluated using human MIA PaCa-2 cell line in vitro and in vivo Balb/c murine xenograft tumor model. Cell viability was assessed with CCK-8, and cell migration was stained by crystal violet. Cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential were examined by flow cytometry. Activation of drug transporters (hENTs, hCNTs), intracellular drug activating (dCK) and inhibition of inactivating enzymes (RRMs) pathways were assessed by Western blotting analysis. Molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy also were assessed by Western blotting. Results We observed that gemcitabine and pitavastatin synergistically suppressed the proliferation of MIA PaCa-2 cells through causing sub-G1 and S phase cell cycle arrest. Activation of apoptosis/necrosis was confirmed by annexin V/propidium iodide double staining, which showed increasing levels of active caspase 3, cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and the RIP1–RIP3–MLKL complex. Moreover, gemcitabine–pitavastatin-mediated S phase arrest downregulated cyclin A2/CDK2 and upregulated p21/p27 in MIA PaCa-2 cells. Furthermore, this combination improved drug cellular metabolism pathway, mitochondria function and activated autophagy as part of the cell death mechanism. In vivo, gemcitabine-pitavastatin effectively inhibited tumor growth in a nude mouse mode of Mia PaCa-2 xenografts without observed adverse effect. Conclusion Combined gemcitabine–pitavastatin may be an effective novel treatment option for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Hui Chen
- Diabetes Research Laboratory, Department of Research, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.,Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Chen
- Diabetes Research Laboratory, Department of Research, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chen Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Science, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Health and Nutrition, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Peng Hsieh
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Sheng Hsu
- Frontier Molecular Medical Research Center in Children, Changhua Christian Children Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chia Hsieh
- Diabetes Research Laboratory, Department of Research, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.,Intelligent Diabetes Metabolism and Exercise Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Potential Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities of an Ethanol Extract from Bouea macrophylla. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25081996. [PMID: 32344601 PMCID: PMC7221966 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Bouea macrophylla is a tree widely grown throughout South East Asia. It is used in folk medicine for the treatment of various illnesses. The present study aimed to identify the chemical constituents and to test the antimicrobial and anticancer activities of an ethanol extract from B. macrophylla leaves. The extract exhibited excellent antibacterial properties against 9 out of 10 target microorganisms. including four Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Vibrio cholera, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and four Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, and Bacillus cereus), as well as a fungus (Candida albicans). In addition, the extract was also tested on HeLa and human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116) cells to evaluate its cytostatic effects. The ethanol extract was able to inhibit the proliferation of HeLa and HCT116 cells, showing IC50 = 24 ± 0.8 and 28 ± 0.9 µg/mL, respectively, whereas the IC50 values of doxorubicin (standard) were 13.6 ± 1.3 and 15.8 ± 1.1 µg/mL respectively. Also, we identified various bioactive compounds in the extract such as polyphenols, flavonoids, caryophyllene, phytol, and trans-geranylgeraniol by GC-MS, which could contribute to the extract's biological activities. Therefore, our findings strongly indicate that the constituents of the B. macrophylla ethanol extract could be active against the tested bacteria and fungi as well as cancer cells. Further investigation is needed to understand the mechanisms mediating the antimicrobial and anticancer effects and identify signaling pathways that could be targeted for therapeutic application.
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Cholesterol and beyond - The role of the mevalonate pathway in cancer biology. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1873:188351. [PMID: 32007596 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a multifaceted global disease. Transformation of a normal to a malignant cell takes several steps, including somatic mutations, epigenetic alterations, metabolic reprogramming and loss of cell growth control. Recently, the mevalonate pathway has emerged as a crucial regulator of tumor biology and a potential therapeutic target. This pathway controls cholesterol production and posttranslational modifications of Rho-GTPases, both of which are linked to several key steps of tumor progression. Inhibitors of the mevalonate pathway induce pleiotropic antitumor-effects in several human malignancies, identifying the pathway as an attractive candidate for novel therapies. In this review, we will provide an overview about the role and regulation of the mevalonate pathway in certain aspects of cancer initiation and progression and its potential for therapeutic intervention in oncology.
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Screening a library of approved drugs reveals that prednisolone synergizes with pitavastatin to induce ovarian cancer cell death. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9632. [PMID: 31270377 PMCID: PMC6610640 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46102-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The survival rate for patients with ovarian cancer has changed little in the past three decades since the introduction of platinum-based chemotherapy and new drugs are needed. Statins are drugs used for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Recent work from our laboratory has shown that pitavastatin has potential as a treatment for ovarian cancer if dietary geranylgeraniol is controlled. However, relatively high doses of statins are required to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, increasing the risk of myopathy, the most common adverse effect associated with statins. This makes it desirable to identify drugs which reduce the dose of pitavastatin necessary to treat cancer. A drug-repositioning strategy was employed to identify suitable candidates. Screening a custom library of 100 off-patent drugs for synergistic activity with pitavastatin identified prednisolone as the most prominent hit. Prednisolone potentiated the activity of pitavastatin in several assays measuring the growth, survival or apoptosis in several ovarian cancer cells lines. Prednisolone, alone or in some cases in combination with pitavastatin, reduced the expression of genes encoding enzymes in the mevalonate pathway, providing a mechanistic explanation for the synergy.
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40
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Mo H, Jeter R, Bachmann A, Yount ST, Shen CL, Yeganehjoo H. The Potential of Isoprenoids in Adjuvant Cancer Therapy to Reduce Adverse Effects of Statins. Front Pharmacol 2019; 9:1515. [PMID: 30662405 PMCID: PMC6328495 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The mevalonate pathway provides sterols for membrane structure and nonsterol intermediates for the post-translational modification and membrane anchorage of growth-related proteins, including the Ras, Rac, and Rho GTPase family. Mevalonate-derived products are also essential for the Hedgehog pathway, steroid hormone signaling, and the nuclear localization of Yes-associated protein and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif, all of which playing roles in tumorigenesis and cancer stem cell function. The phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 pathway, p53 with gain-of-function mutation, and oncoprotein MYC upregulate the mevalonate pathway, whereas adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and tumor suppressor protein RB are the downregulators. The rate-limiting enzyme, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), is under a multivalent regulation. Sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 mediates the sterol-controlled transcriptional downregulation of HMGCR. UbiA prenyltransferase domain-containing protein-1 regulates the ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation of HMGCR, which is accelerated by 24, 25-dihydrolanosterol and the diterpene geranylgeraniol. Statins, competitive inhibitors of HMGCR, deplete cells of mevalonate-derived intermediates and consequently inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. Clinical application of statins is marred by dose-limiting toxicities and mixed outcomes on cancer risk, survival and mortality, partially resulting from the statin-mediated compensatory upregulation of HMGCR and indiscriminate inhibition of HMGCR in normal and tumor cells. Tumor HMGCR is resistant to the sterol-mediated transcriptional control; consequently, HMGCR is upregulated in cancers derived from adrenal gland, blood and lymph, brain, breast, colon, connective tissue, embryo, esophagus, liver, lung, ovary, pancreas, prostate, skin, and stomach. Nevertheless, tumor HMGCR remains sensitive to isoprenoid-mediated degradation. Isoprenoids including monoterpenes (carvacrol, L-carvone, geraniol, perillyl alcohol), sesquiterpenes (cacalol, farnesol, β-ionone), diterpene (geranylgeranyl acetone), “mixed” isoprenoids (tocotrienols), and their derivatives suppress the growth of tumor cells with little impact on non-malignant cells. In cancer cells derived from breast, colon, liver, mesothelium, prostate, pancreas, and skin, statins and isoprenoids, including tocotrienols, geraniol, limonene, β-ionone and perillyl alcohol, synergistically suppress cell proliferation and associated signaling pathways. A blend of dietary lovastatin and δ-tocotrienol, each at no-effect doses, suppress the growth of implanted murine B16 melanomas in C57BL6 mice. Isoprenoids have potential as adjuvant agents to reduce the toxicities of statins in cancer prevention or therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanbiao Mo
- Department of Nutrition, Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Rayna Jeter
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Andrea Bachmann
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Sophie T Yount
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Chwan-Li Shen
- Department of Pathology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Hoda Yeganehjoo
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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FBXL7 Upregulation Predicts a Poor Prognosis and Associates with a Possible Mechanism for Paclitaxel Resistance in Ovarian Cancer. J Clin Med 2018; 7:jcm7100330. [PMID: 30301218 PMCID: PMC6209951 DOI: 10.3390/jcm7100330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Paclitaxel (PTX) is a common regimen used to treat patients with ovarian cancer. Although approximately 60% of ovarian cancer patients exhibit a pathologic complete response (pCR), approximately 40% of patients appear to be insensitive to PTX adjuvant therapy. Thus, identifying a useful biomarker to predict pCR would be of great help to ovarian cancer patients who decide to receive PTX treatment. We found that FBXL7 was downregulated in OVSAHO (PTX-sensitive) but upregulated in KURAMOCHI (PTX-resistant) cells after PTX treatment at cytotoxic concentrations. Moreover, our data showed that the fold change of FBXL7 expression post-treatment with PTX was causally correlated with the 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of PTX in a panel of ovarian cancer cell lines. In assessments of progression-free survival probability, high levels of FBXL7 transcript strongly predicted a poor prognosis and unfavorable response to PTX-based chemotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer. The knockdown of FBXL7 predominantly enhanced the cytotoxic effectiveness of PTX on the PTX-resistant KURAMOCHI cells. FBXL7 may be a useful biomarker for predicting complete pathologic response in ovarian cancer patients who decide to receive post-operative PTX therapy.
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Montagnani Marelli M, Marzagalli M, Fontana F, Raimondi M, Moretti RM, Limonta P. Anticancer properties of tocotrienols: A review of cellular mechanisms and molecular targets. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:1147-1164. [PMID: 30066964 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin E is composed of two groups of compounds: α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols (TPs), and the corresponding unsaturated tocotrienols (TTs). TTs are found in natural sources such as red palm oil, annatto seeds, and rice bran. In the last decades, TTs (specifically, γ-TT and δ-TT) have gained interest due to their health benefits in chronic diseases, based on their antioxidant, neuroprotective, cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory activities. Several in vitro and in vivo studies pointed out that TTs also exert a significant antitumor activity in a wide range of cancer cells. Specifically, TTs were shown to exert antiproliferative/proapoptotic effects and to reduce the metastatic or angiogenic properties of different cancer cells; moreover, these compounds were reported to specifically target the subpopulation of cancer stem cells, known to be deeply involved in the development of resistance to standard therapies. Interestingly, recent studies pointed out that TTs exert a synergistic antitumor effect on cancer cells when given in combination with either standard antitumor agents (i.e., chemotherapeutics, statins, "targeted" therapies) or natural compounds with anticancer activity (i.e., sesamin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, ferulic acid). Based on these observations, different TT synthetic derivatives and formulations were recently developed and demonstrated to improve TT water solubility and to reduce TT metabolism in cancer cells, thus increasing their biological activity. These promising results, together with the safety of TT administration in healthy subjects, suggest that these compounds might represent a new chemopreventive or anticancer treatment (i.e., in combination with standard therapies) strategy. Clinical trials aimed at confirming this antitumor activity of TTs are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Montagnani Marelli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Monica Marzagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Fontana
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Michela Raimondi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberta Manuela Moretti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Abdullah MI, de Wolf E, Jawad MJ, Richardson A. The poor design of clinical trials of statins in oncology may explain their failure - Lessons for drug repurposing. Cancer Treat Rev 2018; 69:84-89. [PMID: 29936313 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2018.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Statins are widely used to treat hypercholesterolaemia. However, by inhibiting the production of mevalonate, they also reduce the production of several isoprenoids that are necessary for the function of small GTPase oncogenes such as Ras. As such, statins offer an attractive way to inhibit an "undruggable" target, suggesting that they may be usefully repurposed to treat cancer. However, despite numerous studies, there is still no consensus whether statins are useful in the oncology arena. Numerous preclinical studies have provided evidence justifying the evaluation of statins in cancer patients. Some retrospective studies of patients taking statins to control cholesterol have identified a reduced risk of cancer mortality. However, prospective clinical studies have mostly not been successful. We believe that this has occurred because many of the prospective clinical trials have been poorly designed. Many of these trials have failed to take into account some or all of the factors identified in preclinical studies that are likely to be necessary for statins to be efficacious. We suggest an improved trial design which takes these factors into account. Importantly, we suggest that the design of clinical trials of drugs which are being considered for repurposing should not assume it is appropriate to use them in the same way as they are used in their original indication. Rather, such trials deserve to be informed by preclinical studies that are comparable to those for any novel drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwan I Abdullah
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QB, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth de Wolf
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QB, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammed J Jawad
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QB, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Richardson
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QB, United Kingdom; School of Pharmacy, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QB, United Kingdom.
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Gbelcová H, Rimpelová S, Knejzlík Z, Šáchová J, Kolář M, Strnad H, Repiská V, D'Acunto WC, Ruml T, Vítek L. Isoprenoids responsible for protein prenylation modulate the biological effects of statins on pancreatic cancer cells. Lipids Health Dis 2017; 16:250. [PMID: 29262834 PMCID: PMC5738693 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-017-0641-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Statin treatment of hypercholesterolemia is accompanied also with depletion of the mevalonate intermediates, including farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) necessary for proper function of small GTPases. These include Ras proteins, prevalently mutated in pancreatic cancer. In our study, we evaluated the effect of three key intermediates of the mevalonate pathway on GFP-K-Ras protein localization and the gene expression profile in pancreatic cancer cells after exposure to individual statins. Methods These effects were tested on MiaPaCa-2 human pancreatic cancer cells carrying a K-Ras activating mutation (G12C) after exposure to individual statins (20 μM). The effect of statins (atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, cerivastatin, rosuvastatin, and pitavastatin) and mevalonate intermediates on GFP-K-Ras protein translocation was analyzed using fluorescence microscopy. The changes in gene expression induced in MiaPaCa-2 cells treated with simvastatin, FPP, GGPP, and their combinations with simvastatin were examined by whole genome DNA microarray analysis. Results All tested statins efficiently inhibited K-Ras protein trafficking from cytoplasm to the cell membrane of the MiaPaCa-2 cells. The inhibitory effect of statins on GFP-K-Ras protein trafficking was partially prevented by addition of any of the mevalonate pathway’s intermediates tested. Expressions of genes involved in metabolic and signaling pathways modulated by simvastatin treatment was normalized by the concurrent addition of FPP or GGPP. K-Ras protein trafficking within the pancreatic cancer cells is effectively inhibited by the majority of statins; the inhibition is eliminated by isoprenoid intermediates of the mevalonate pathway. Conclusions Our data indicate that the anticancer effects of statins observed in numerous studies to a large extent are mediated through isoprenoid intermediates of the mevalonate pathway, as they influence expression of genes involved in multiple intracellular pathways. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12944-017-0641-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Gbelcová
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Silvie Rimpelová
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Knejzlík
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Šáchová
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Kolář
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hynek Strnad
- Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vanda Repiská
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Walter Cosimo D'Acunto
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Ruml
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Libor Vítek
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, and 4th Department of Internal Medicine, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
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De Wolf E, De Wolf C, Richardson A. ABT-737 and pictilisib synergistically enhance pitavastatin-induced apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells. Oncol Lett 2017; 15:1979-1984. [PMID: 29434898 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
There is considerable interest in redeploying drugs for use in combination with other oncology therapeutics. The single-agent activity of statins in ovarian cancer has been widely reported, however the drug concentration required to cause cell death is considerably higher than that achieved in patients receiving statin treatment for hypercholesterolemia. Unfortunately, statins can cause myopathy when administered in high doses. One solution to this is to identify drugs that could be used in combination with statins to reduce the dose required and those that may potentially reduce the incidence of adverse side effects. When the BH3 mimetic ABT-737, or the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor pictilisib, were combined with pitavastatin in cell growth assays using Ovcar-3 and Igrov-1 cells, the drug combinations were more effective than pitavastatin alone. In support of this, ABT-737 or pictilisib markedly increased cell death induced by pitavastatin in several ovarian cancer cell lines. The drugs were also synergistic in apoptosis assays. These observations suggested that either BH3 mimetics or pictilisib in combination with pitavastatin could be used in a subset of ovarian tumours, particularly those sensitive to BH3 mimetics, and phosphatase and tensin homolog inhibition, in the treatment of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth De Wolf
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Christopher De Wolf
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Alan Richardson
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QB, UK.,School of Pharmacy, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent ST5 5BG, UK
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Abdullah MI, Abed MN, Richardson A. Inhibition of the mevalonate pathway augments the activity of pitavastatin against ovarian cancer cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8090. [PMID: 28808351 PMCID: PMC5556066 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08649-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Only 40% of patients with advanced ovarian cancer survive more than 5 years. We have previously shown that pitavastatin induces regression of ovarian cancer xenografts in mice. To evaluate whether the response of ovarian cancer cells to pitavastatin is potentiated by farnesyl diphosphate synthase inhibitors or geranylgeraniol transferase I inhibitors, we evaluated combinations of pitavastatin with zoledronic acid, risedronate and GGTI-2133 in a panel of ovarian cancer cells. Pitavastatin (IC50 = 0.6–14 μM), zoledronic acid (IC50 = 21–57 μM), risedronate (IC50 > 100 μM) or GGTI-2133 (IC50 > 25 μM) inhibited the growth of ovarian cancer cell cultures. Combinations of pitavastatin with zoledronic acid displayed additive or synergistic effects in cell growth assays in 10 of 11 cell lines evaluated as well as in trypan blue exclusion, cellular ATP or caspase 3/7, 8 and 9 assays. Pitavastatin reduced levels of GGT-IIβ and the membrane localization of several small GTPases and this was potentiated by zoledronic acid. siRNA to GGT-Iβ and GGT-IIβ used in combination, but not when used individually, significantly increased the sensitivity of cells to pitavastatin. These data suggest that zoledronic acid, a drug already in clinical use, may be usefully combined with pitavastatin in the treatment of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwan Ibrahim Abdullah
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Keele University, Thornborrow Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, UK
| | - Mohammed Najim Abed
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Keele University, Thornborrow Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, UK
| | - Alan Richardson
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Keele University, Thornborrow Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, UK. .,School of Pharmacy, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom.
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