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Bahar ME, Kim HJ, Kim DR. Targeting the RAS/RAF/MAPK pathway for cancer therapy: from mechanism to clinical studies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:455. [PMID: 38105263 PMCID: PMC10725898 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01705-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic dissemination of solid tumors, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, underscores the urgent need for enhanced insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying metastasis, chemoresistance, and the mechanistic backgrounds of individuals whose cancers are prone to migration. The most prevalent signaling cascade governed by multi-kinase inhibitors is the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, encompassing the RAS-RAF-MAPK kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) pathway. RAF kinase is a primary mediator of the MAPK pathway, responsible for the sequential activation of downstream targets, such as MEK and the transcription factor ERK, which control numerous cellular and physiological processes, including organism development, cell cycle control, cell proliferation and differentiation, cell survival, and death. Defects in this signaling cascade are associated with diseases such as cancer. RAF inhibitors (RAFi) combined with MEK blockers represent an FDA-approved therapeutic strategy for numerous RAF-mutant cancers, including melanoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, and thyroid cancer. However, the development of therapy resistance by cancer cells remains an important barrier. Autophagy, an intracellular lysosome-dependent catabolic recycling process, plays a critical role in the development of RAFi resistance in cancer. Thus, targeting RAF and autophagy could be novel treatment strategies for RAF-mutant cancers. In this review, we delve deeper into the mechanistic insights surrounding RAF kinase signaling in tumorigenesis and RAFi-resistance. Furthermore, we explore and discuss the ongoing development of next-generation RAF inhibitors with enhanced therapeutic profiles. Additionally, this review sheds light on the functional interplay between RAF-targeted therapies and autophagy in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Entaz Bahar
- Department of Biochemistry and Convergence Medical Sciences and Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, South Korea
| | - Hyun Joon Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Sciences and Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, South Korea
| | - Deok Ryong Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Convergence Medical Sciences and Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, South Korea.
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Rejeski K, Duque-Afonso J, Lübbert M. AML1/ETO and its function as a regulator of gene transcription via epigenetic mechanisms. Oncogene 2021; 40:5665-5676. [PMID: 34331016 PMCID: PMC8460439 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01952-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The chromosomal translocation t(8;21) and the resulting oncofusion gene AML1/ETO have long served as a prototypical genetic lesion to model and understand leukemogenesis. In this review, we describe the wide-ranging role of AML1/ETO in AML leukemogenesis, with a particular focus on the aberrant epigenetic regulation of gene transcription driven by this AML-defining mutation. We begin by analyzing how structural changes secondary to distinct genomic breakpoints and splice changes, as well as posttranscriptional modifications, influence AML1/ETO protein function. Next, we characterize how AML1/ETO recruits chromatin-modifying enzymes to target genes and how the oncofusion protein alters chromatin marks, transcription factor binding, and gene expression. We explore the specific impact of these global changes in the epigenetic network facilitated by the AML1/ETO oncofusion on cellular processes and leukemic growth. Furthermore, we define the genetic landscape of AML1/ETO-positive AML, presenting the current literature concerning the incidence of cooperating mutations in genes such as KIT, FLT3, and NRAS. Finally, we outline how alterations in transcriptional regulation patterns create potential vulnerabilities that may be exploited by epigenetically active agents and other therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Rejeski
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital of the LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Freiburg Partner Site, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jesús Duque-Afonso
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Lübbert
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Freiburg Partner Site, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany. .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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Thomé CH, Ferreira GA, Pereira-Martins DA, Augusto Dos Santos G, Almeida-Silveira DR, Weinhäuser I, Antônio de Souza G, Houtsma R, Schuringa JJ, Rego EM, Faça VM. The Expression of NTAL and Its Protein Interactors Is Associated With Clinical Outcomes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Mol Cell Proteomics 2021; 20:100091. [PMID: 33971369 PMCID: PMC8220000 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2021.100091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-T cell activation linker (NTAL) membrane protein depletion from lipid rafts by alkylphospholipids or downregulation by shRNA knockdown decreases cell viability through regulation of the Akt/PI3K pathway in mantle cell lymphoma and acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. Here, we confirmed that the knockdown of NTAL in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines was associated with decreased cell proliferation and survival. Similarly, a xenograft model using AML cells transduced with NTAL-shRNA and transplanted into immunodeficient mice led to a 1.8-fold decrease in tumor burden. Using immunoprecipitation, LC-MS/MS analysis, and label-free protein quantification, we identified interactors of NTAL in two AML cell lines. By evaluating the gene expression signatures of the NTAL protein interactors using the PREdiction of Clinical Outcomes from Genomic Profiles database, we found that 12 NTAL interactors could predict overall survival in AML, in at least two independent cohorts. In addition, patients with AML exhibiting a high expression of NTAL and its interactors were associated with a leukemic granulocyte-macrophage progenitor-like state. Taken together, our data provide evidence that NTAL and its protein interactors are relevant to AML cell proliferation and survival and represent potential therapeutic targets for granulocyte-macrophage progenitor-like leukemias.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/genetics
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism
- Animals
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation
- Cell Survival
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/mortality
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Male
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Phosphorylation
- Protein Interaction Maps
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
- Survival Analysis
- Transcriptome
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Hassibe Thomé
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School and Center for Cell Based Therapy, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Germano Aguiar Ferreira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School and Center for Cell Based Therapy, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Diego Antonio Pereira-Martins
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School and Center for Cell Based Therapy, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Centre Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Guilherme Augusto Dos Santos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School and Center for Cell Based Therapy, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Douglas R Almeida-Silveira
- Hematology Division, LIM31, Medical School of University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Hematology, AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isabel Weinhäuser
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School and Center for Cell Based Therapy, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Centre Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Roos Houtsma
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Centre Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Jacob Schuringa
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Centre Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Eduardo M Rego
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School and Center for Cell Based Therapy, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Hematology Division, LIM31, Medical School of University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vitor M Faça
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School and Center for Cell Based Therapy, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
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Reduced SLIT2 is Associated with Increased Cell Proliferation and Arsenic Trioxide Resistance in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113134. [PMID: 33120864 PMCID: PMC7693375 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In solid tumors, the altered expression of embryonic genes such as the SLIT-ROBO family has been associated with poor prognosis, while little is known about their role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Previous studies reported frequent hypermethylation of SLIT2 mediated by the methyltransferase enzyme EZH2 and more recently the PML protein, which are commonly found to be aberrantly expressed in AML. Here, we aim to assess retrospectively the clinical relevance of the SLIT2 gene in acute promyelocytic leukemia, a homogenous subtype of AML. We demonstrated that reduced SLIT2 expression was associated with high leukocyte counts and reduced overall survival in different APL cohorts. STLI2 treatment decreased APL growth, while SLIT2 knockdown accelerated cell cycle progression and proliferation. Finally, reduced expression of SLIT2 in murine APL blasts resulted in fatal leukemia associated with increased leukocyte counts in vivo. These findings demonstrate that SLIT2 can be considered as a prognostic marker in APL, and a potential candidate for clinical studies of a more heterogeneous disease, such as AML. Abstract The SLIT-ROBO axis plays an important role in normal stem-cell biology, with possible repercussions on cancer stem cell emergence. Although the Promyelocytic Leukemia (PML) protein can regulate SLIT2 expression in the central nervous system, little is known about SLIT2 in acute promyelocytic leukemia. Hence, we aimed to investigate the levels of SLIT2 in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and assess its biological activity in vitro and in vivo. Our analysis indicated that blasts with SLIT2high transcript levels were associated with cell cycle arrest, while SLIT2low APL blasts displayed a more stem-cell like phenotype. In a retrospective analysis using a cohort of patients treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and anthracyclines, high SLIT2 expression was correlated with reduced leukocyte count (p = 0.024), and independently associated with improved overall survival (hazard ratio: 0.94; 95% confidence interval: 0.92–0.97; p < 0.001). Functionally, SLIT2-knockdown in primary APL blasts and cell lines led to increased cell proliferation and resistance to arsenic trioxide induced apoptosis. Finally, in vivo transplant of Slit2-silenced primary APL blasts promoted increased leukocyte count (p = 0.001) and decreased overall survival (p = 0.002) compared with the control. In summary, our data highlight the tumor suppressive function of SLIT2 in APL and its deteriorating effects on disease progression when downregulated.
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