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Wang Y, Popovic Z, Charkoftaki G, Garcia-Milian R, Lam TT, Thompson DC, Chen Y, Vasiliou V. Multi-omics profiling reveals cellular pathways and functions regulated by ALDH1B1 in colon cancer cells. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 384:110714. [PMID: 37716420 PMCID: PMC10807983 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death globally. Although early screenings and advances in treatments have reduced mortality since 1970, identification of novel targets for therapeutic intervention is needed to address tumor heterogeneity and recurrence. Previous work identified aldehyde dehydrogenase 1B1 (ALDH1B1) as a critical factor in colon tumorigenesis. To investigate further, we utilized a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (SW480) in which the ALDH1B1 protein expression has been knocked down by 80% via shRNA. Through multi-omics (transcriptomics, proteomics, and untargeted metabolomics) analysis, we identified the impact of ALDH1B1 knocking down (KD) on molecular signatures in colon cancer cells. Suppression of ALDH1B1 expression resulted in 357 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 191 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and 891 differentially altered metabolites (DAMs). Functional annotation and enrichment analyses revealed that: (1) DEGs were enriched in integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling and growth and development pathways; (2) DEPs were mainly involved in apoptosis signaling and cellular stress response pathways; and (3) DAMs were associated with biosynthesis, intercellular and second messenger signaling. Collectively, the present study provides new molecular information associated with the cellular functions of ALDH1B1, which helps to direct future investigation of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yewei Wang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zeljka Popovic
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Georgia Charkoftaki
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rolando Garcia-Milian
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Bioinformatics Support Program, Cushing/Whitney Medical Library, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - TuKiet T Lam
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Keck MS & Proteomics Resource, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David C Thompson
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
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2
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Antony F, Kang X, Pundkar C, Wang C, Mishra A, Chen P, Babu RJ, Suryawanshi A. Targeting β-catenin using XAV939 nanoparticle promotes immunogenic cell death and suppresses conjunctival melanoma progression. Int J Pharm 2023; 640:123043. [PMID: 37172631 PMCID: PMC10399699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Many tumors dysregulate Wnt/β-catenin pathway to promote stem-cell-like phenotype, tumorigenesis, immunosuppression, and resistance to targeted cancer immunotherapies. Therefore, targeting this pathway is a promising therapeutic approach to suppress tumor progression and elicit robust anti-tumor immunity. In this study, using a nanoparticle formulation for XAV939 (XAV-Np), a tankyrase inhibitor that promotes β-catenin degradation, we investigated the effect of β-catenin inhibition on melanoma cell viability, migration, and tumor progression using a mouse model of conjunctival melanoma. XAV-Nps were uniform and displayed near-spherical morphology with size stability for upto 5 days. We show that XAV-Np treatment of mouse melanoma cells significantly suppresses cell viability, tumor cell migration, and tumor spheroid formation compared to control nanoparticle (Con-Np) or free XAV939-treated groups. Further, we demonstrate that XAV-Np promotes immunogenic cell death (ICD) of tumor cells with a significant extracellular release or expression of ICD molecules, including high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), calreticulin (CRT), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Finally, we show that local intra-tumoral delivery of XAV-Nps during conjunctival melanoma progression significantly suppresses tumor size and conjunctival melanoma progression compared to Con-Nps-treated animals. Collectively, our data suggest that selective inhibition of β-catenin in tumor cells using nanoparticle-based targeted delivery represents a novel approach to suppress tumor progression through increased tumor cell ICD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferrin Antony
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Xuejia Kang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Chetan Pundkar
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Chuanyu Wang
- Materials Research and Education Center, Materials Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Amarjit Mishra
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Pengyu Chen
- Materials Research and Education Center, Materials Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - R Jayachandra Babu
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Amol Suryawanshi
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
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3
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Vélez-Vargas LC, Santa-González GA, Uribe D, Henao-Castañeda IC, Pedroza-Díaz J. In Vitro and In Silico Study on the Impact of Chlorogenic Acid in Colorectal Cancer Cells: Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Interaction with β-Catenin and LRP6. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:276. [PMID: 37259421 PMCID: PMC9960681 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer mortality rate and highly altered proteins from the Wnt/β-catenin pathway increase the scientific community's interest in finding alternatives for prevention and treatment. This study aims to determine the biological effect of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on two colorectal cancer cell lines, HT-29 and SW480, and its interactions with β-catenin and LRP6 to elucidate a possible modulatory mechanism on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These effects were determined by propidium iodide and DiOC6 for mitochondrial membrane permeability, MitoTracker Red for mitochondrial ROS production, DNA content for cell distribution on cell cycle phases, and molecular docking for protein-ligand interactions and binding affinity. Here, it was found that CGA at 2000 µM significantly affects cell viability and causes DNA fragmentation in SW480 cells rather than in HT-29 cells, but in both cell lines, it induces ROS production. Additionally, CGA has similar affinity and interactions for LRP6 as niclosamide but has a higher affinity for both β-catenin sites than C2 and iCRT14. These results suggest a possible modulatory role of CGA over the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Catalina Vélez-Vargas
- Grupo de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Aplicadas, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Medellin 050012, Colombia
- Productos Naturales Marinos, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Gloria A. Santa-González
- Grupo de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Aplicadas, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Medellin 050012, Colombia
| | - Diego Uribe
- Grupo de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Aplicadas, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Medellin 050012, Colombia
| | - Isabel C. Henao-Castañeda
- Productos Naturales Marinos, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Johanna Pedroza-Díaz
- Grupo de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Aplicadas, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Medellin 050012, Colombia
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4
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Yang P, Zhu Y, Zheng Q, Meng S, Wu Y, Shuai W, Sun Q, Wang G. Recent advances of β-catenin small molecule inhibitors for cancer therapy: Current development and future perspectives. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114789. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Cuellar-Nuñez ML, Luzardo-Ocampo I, Lee-Martínez S, Larrauri-Rodríguez M, Zaldívar-Lelo de Larrea G, Pérez-Serrano RM, Camacho-Calderón N. Isothiocyanate-Rich Extracts from Cauliflower ( Brassica oleracea Var. Botrytis) and Radish ( Raphanus sativus) Inhibited Metabolic Activity and Induced ROS in Selected Human HCT116 and HT-29 Colorectal Cancer Cells. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192214919. [PMID: 36429638 PMCID: PMC9691161 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and radish contain isothiocyanates exhibiting chemoprotective effects in vitro and in vivo. This research aimed to assess the impact of cauliflower (CIE) and radish (RIE) isothiocyanate extracts on the metabolic activity, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and LDH production of selected human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HCT116 and HT-29 for early and late colon cancer development, respectively). Non-cancerous colon cells (CCD-33Co) were used as a cytotoxicity control. The CIE samples displayed the highest allyl isothiocyanate (AITC: 12.55 µg/g) contents, whereas RIE was the most abundant in benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC: 15.35 µg/g). Both extracts effectively inhibited HCT116 and HT-29 metabolic activity, but the CIE impact was higher than that of RIE on HCT116 (IC50: 0.56 mg/mL). Assays using the half-inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of all treatments, including AITC and BITC, displayed increased (p < 0.05) LDH (absorbance: 0.25-0.40 nm) and ROS release (1190-1697 relative fluorescence units) in both cell lines. BITC showed the highest in silico binding affinity with all the tested colorectal cancer molecular markers (NF-kB, β-catenin, and NRF2-NFE2). The theoretical evaluation of AITC and BITC bioavailability showed high values for both compounds. The results indicate that CIE and RIE extracts display chemopreventive effects in vitro, but additional experiments are needed to validate their effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mardey Liceth Cuellar-Nuñez
- Advanced Biomedical Research Center, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Queretaro 76140, Mexico
| | - Ivan Luzardo-Ocampo
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Queretaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Sarah Lee-Martínez
- Advanced Biomedical Research Center, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Queretaro 76140, Mexico
| | - Michelle Larrauri-Rodríguez
- Licenciatura en Medicina General, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Queretaro 76176, Mexico
| | | | - Rosa Martha Pérez-Serrano
- Advanced Biomedical Research Center, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Queretaro 76140, Mexico
| | - Nicolás Camacho-Calderón
- Advanced Biomedical Research Center, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Queretaro 76140, Mexico
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6
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Lozano A, Lujambio A. β-Catenin Is a Novel Target in YES-associated Protein-driven Cholangiocarcinoma. Gastroenterology 2022; 163:374-376. [PMID: 35661722 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.05.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Lozano
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; The Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Amaia Lujambio
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; The Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
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7
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Koelman EMR, Yeste-Vázquez A, Grossmann TN. Targeting the interaction of β-catenin and TCF/LEF transcription factors to inhibit oncogenic Wnt signaling. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 70:116920. [PMID: 35841828 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is crucially involved in embryonic development, stem cell maintenance and tissue renewal. Hyperactivation of this pathway is associated with the development and progression of various types of cancers. The transcriptional coactivator β-catenin represents a pivotal component of the pathway and its interaction with transcription factors of the TCF/LEF family is central to pathway activation. Inhibition of this crucial protein-protein interaction via direct targeting of β-catenin is considered a promising strategy for the inactivation of oncogenic Wnt signaling. This review summarizes advances in the development of Wnt antagonists that have been shown to directly bind β-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M R Koelman
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Yeste-Vázquez
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands
| | - Tom N Grossmann
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NL, The Netherlands.
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8
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Abstract
Craniopharyngioma (CP) is an intracranial benign tumor that behaves aggressively due to its location, infiltration of the surrounding nervous tissue and high capacity for recurrence. Treatment of choice is surgery followed or not by radiotherapy. Recent advances in molecular biology techniques and the better understanding of the genetic alterations of the two histological types of CP have open new therapeutic perspectives with targeted drugs. Adamantinomatous CP (ACP) is associated with activating mutations of the CTNNB1 gene. Such mutations are accompanied by intracellular accumulation of β-catenin, an oncogenic protein that activates the intracellular Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway, which regulates the transcription of genes involved in cell proliferation. Therefore, the use of molecular therapies directed against the activation of the Wnt/ β-catenin pathway could be an attractive and promising therapeutic option in the management of ACPs. On the other hand, papillary CP (PCP) is associated with activating mutations in the BRAF gene. This gene encodes a BRAF protein that plays an important role in the intracellular mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, which also regulates cell proliferation. The use of BRAF inhibitors either in monotherapy or in combination with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitors has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in isolated clinical cases of relapsed PCPs. A preliminary report of a recent phase II clinical trial has shown a therapeutic response in 93.7% of patients with BRAF V600E -mutated PCP, with an 85% reduction in tumor size. In the present review we comment on the efficacy and safety of the different drugs being used in patients with PCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Iglesias
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Calle Manuel de Falla 1, 28222, Madrid, Spain.
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9
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Wu PV, Rangaswami A. Current Approaches in Hepatoblastoma-New Biological Insights to Inform Therapy. Curr Oncol Rep 2022; 24:1209-1218. [PMID: 35438389 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-022-01230-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW As the most common pediatric primary liver cancer with rising incidence, hepatoblastoma remains challenging to treat. Here, we review the current understanding of the biology of hepatoblastoma and discuss how recent advances may lead to new treatment modalities. RECENT FINDINGS Standard chemotherapy regimens including cisplatin, in addition to surgery, have led to high cure rates among patients with low stage hepatoblastoma; however, metastatic and relapsed disease continue to have poor outcomes. Recent genomics and functional studies in cell lines and mouse models have established a central role for the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in tumorigenesis. Targeted agents and immunotherapy approaches are emerging as potential treatment avenues. With recent gains in knowledge of the genomic and transcriptomic landscape of hepatoblastoma, new therapeutic mechanisms can now be explored to improve outcomes for metastatic and relapsed hepatoblastoma and to reduce the toxicity of current treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng V Wu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1000 Welch Rd. Suite 300, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Arun Rangaswami
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, 550 16th St., 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
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Shah H, Pang L, Qian S, Sathish V. Iminodibenzyl induced redirected COX-2 activity inhibits breast cancer progression. NPJ Breast Cancer 2021; 7:122. [PMID: 34535685 PMCID: PMC8448825 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-021-00330-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Knocking down delta-5-desaturase (D5D) by siRNA or shRNA is a promising strategy to achieve 8-hydroxyoctanoic acid (8-HOA) production for cancer inhibition. However, the RNAi-based strategy to stimulate 8-HOA is restricted due to endonucleases mediated physiological degradation and off-target effects. Thus, to get persistent 8-HOA in the cancer cell, we recognized a D5D inhibitor Iminodibenzyl. Here, we have postulated that Iminodibenzyl, by inhibiting D5D activity, could shift the di-homo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) peroxidation from arachidonic acid to 8-HOA in high COX-2 microenvironment of 4T1 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. We observed that Iminodibenzyl stimulated 8-HOA caused HDAC activity reduction resulting in intrinsic apoptosis pathway activation. Additionally, reduced filopodia and lamellipodia, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers give rise to decreased cancer cell migration. In the orthotopic breast cancer model, the combination of Iminodibenzyl and DGLA reduced tumor size. From in vitro and in vivo studies, we concluded that Iminodibenzyl could reprogram COX-2 induced DGLA peroxidation to produce anti-cancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshit Shah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Lizhi Pang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Steven Qian
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Venkatachalem Sathish
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA.
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WNT Signaling as a Therapeutic Target for Glioblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168428. [PMID: 34445128 PMCID: PMC8395085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The WNT (Wingless/Integrated) signaling pathway is implicated in various stages of glioblastoma, which is an aggressive brain tumor for which therapeutic options are limited. WNT has been recognized as a hallmark of therapeutic challenge due to its context-dependent role and critical function in healthy tissue homeostasis. In this review, we deeply scrutinize the WNT signaling pathway and its involvement in the genesis of glioblastoma as well as its acquired therapy resistance. We also provide an analysis of the WNT pathway in terms of its therapeutic importance in addition to an overview of the current targeted therapies under clinical investigation.
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12
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Chatterjee A, Paul S, Bisht B, Bhattacharya S, Sivasubramaniam S, Paul MK. Advances in targeting the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway in cancer. Drug Discov Today 2021; 27:82-101. [PMID: 34252612 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
WNT/β-catenin signaling orchestrates various physiological processes, including embryonic development, growth, tissue homeostasis, and regeneration. Abnormal WNT/β-catenin signaling is associated with various cancers and its inhibition has shown effective antitumor responses. In this review, we discuss the pathway, potential targets for the development of WNT/β-catenin inhibitors, available inhibitors, and their specific molecular interactions with the target proteins. We also discuss inhibitors that are in clinical trials and describe potential new avenues for therapeutically targeting the WNT/β-catenin pathway. Furthermore, we introduce emerging strategies, including artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted tools and technology-based actionable approaches, to translate WNT/β-catenin inhibitors to the clinic for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avradip Chatterjee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Sayan Paul
- Department of Biotechnology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu 627012, India; Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore 560065, India
| | - Bharti Bisht
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shelley Bhattacharya
- Environmental Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology (Centre for Advanced Studies), Visva Bharati (A Central University), Santiniketan 731235, India
| | - Sudhakar Sivasubramaniam
- Department of Biotechnology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu 627012, India
| | - Manash K Paul
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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13
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De Wispelaere W, Annibali D, Tuyaerts S, Lambrechts D, Amant F. Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Uterine Leiomyosarcoma: What Can We Learn from Other Cancer Types? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092040. [PMID: 33922556 PMCID: PMC8122870 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The onset of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy over the last decade has transformed the therapeutic landscape in oncology. ICB has shown unprecedented clinical activity and durable responses in a variety of difficult-to-treat cancers. However, despite these promising long-term responses, a majority of patients fail to respond to single-agent therapy, demonstrating primary or acquired resistance. Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is a rare high-risk gynecological cancer with very limited treatment options. Despite research indicating a strong potential for ICB in uLMS, a clinical trial assessing the response to immunotherapy with single-agent nivolumab in advanced-stage uLMS showed no clinical benefit. Many mechanisms of resistance to ICB have been characterized in a variety of tumor types, and many more continue to be uncovered. However, the mechanisms of resistance to ICB in uLMS remain largely unexplored. By elucidating and targeting mechanisms of resistance, treatments can be tailored to improve clinical outcomes. Therefore, in this review we will explore what is known about the immunosuppressive microenvironment of uLMS, link these data to possible resistance mechanisms extrapolated from other cancer types, and discuss potential therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wout De Wispelaere
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven (University of Leuven) and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (W.D.W.); (D.A.); (S.T.)
| | - Daniela Annibali
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven (University of Leuven) and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (W.D.W.); (D.A.); (S.T.)
- Division of Oncogenomics, Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek—Netherlands Cancer Institute (AvL-NKI), 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Tuyaerts
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven (University of Leuven) and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (W.D.W.); (D.A.); (S.T.)
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology (LMMO), Department of Medical Oncology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Diether Lambrechts
- Laboratory for Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- VIB Center for Cancer Biology, Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Amant
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven (University of Leuven) and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (W.D.W.); (D.A.); (S.T.)
- Centre for Gynecologic Oncology Amsterdam (CGOA), Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek—Netherlands Cancer Institute, University Medical Center (UMC), 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven (UZ Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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14
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de Man SMA, van Amerongen R. Zooming in on the WNT/CTNNB1 Destruction Complex: Functional Mechanistic Details with Implications for Therapeutic Targeting. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 269:137-173. [PMID: 34486095 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_522] [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] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
WNT/CTNNB1 signaling is crucial for balancing cell proliferation and differentiation in all multicellular animals. CTNNB1 accumulation is the hallmark of WNT/CTNNB1 pathway activation and the key downstream event in both a physiological and an oncogenic context. In the absence of WNT stimulation, the cytoplasmic and nuclear levels of CTNNB1 are kept low because of its sequestration and phosphorylation by the so-called destruction complex, which targets CTNNB1 for proteasomal degradation. In the presence of WNT proteins, or as a result of oncogenic mutations, this process is impaired and CTNNB1 levels become elevated.Here we discuss recent advances in our understanding of destruction complex activity and inactivation, focusing on the individual components and interactions that ultimately control CTNNB1 turnover (in the "WNT off" situation) and stabilization (in the "WNT on" situation). We especially highlight the insights gleaned from recent quantitative, image-based studies, which paint an unprecedentedly detailed picture of the dynamic events that control destruction protein complex composition and function. We argue that these mechanistic details may reveal new opportunities for therapeutic intervention and could result in the destruction complex re-emerging as a target for therapy in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Madelon Ada de Man
- Developmental, Stem Cell and Cancer Biology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Renée van Amerongen
- Developmental, Stem Cell and Cancer Biology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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