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Low expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, Bak and Smac indicates prolonged progression-free survival in chemotherapy-treated metastatic melanoma. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:124. [PMID: 32054850 PMCID: PMC7018795 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2309-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite the introduction of novel targeted therapies, chemotherapy still remains the primary treatment for metastatic melanoma in poorly funded healthcare environments or in case of disease relapse, with no reliable molecular markers for progression-free survival (PFS) available. As chemotherapy primarily eliminates cancer cells by apoptosis, we here evaluated if the expression of key apoptosis regulators (Bax, Bak, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Smac, Procaspase-9, Apaf-1, Procaspase-3 and XIAP) allows prognosticating PFS in stage III/IV melanoma patients. Following antibody validation, marker expression was determined by automated and manual scoring of immunohistochemically stained tissue microarrays (TMAs) constructed from treatment-naive metastatic melanoma biopsies. Interestingly and counter-intuitively, low expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, Bak and Smac indicated better prognosis (log-rank p < 0.0001, p = 0.0301 and p = 0.0227 for automated and p = 0.0422, p = 0.0410 and p = 0.0073 for manual scoring). These findings were independently validated in the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) metastatic melanoma cohort (TCGA-SKCM) at transcript level (log-rank p = 0.0004, p = 0.0104 and p = 0.0377). Taking expression heterogeneity between the markers in individual tumour samples into account allowed defining combinatorial Bax, Bak, Smac signatures that were associated with significantly increased PFS (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0028 at protein and transcript level, respectively). Furthermore, combined low expression of Bax, Bak and Smac allowed predicting prolonged PFS (> 12 months) on a case-by-case basis (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC AUC) = 0.79). Taken together, our results therefore suggest that Bax, Bak and Smac jointly define a signature with potential clinical utility in chemotherapy-treated metastatic melanoma.
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Navarro SD, Pessatto LR, Meza A, de Oliveira EJT, Auharek SA, Vilela LC, de Lima DP, de Azevedo RB, Kassuya CAL, Cáceres OIA, da Silva Gomes R, Beatriz A, Oliveira RJ, Martines MAU. Resorcinolic lipid 3-heptyl-3,4,6-trimethoxy-3H-isobenzofuran-1-one is a strategy for melanoma treatment. Life Sci 2018; 209:300-312. [PMID: 30102904 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Previous studies performed by our research group indicated that cytosporone analogues are capable of prevent or repair DNA damages. This work presents the evaluation of the activity of AMS35AA for metastatic murine melanoma cells (B16F10) in experimental model in vitro and, in pre-clinic assay of metastatic melanoma in vivo, using mice lineage C57BL/6. MAIN METHODS In vitro assays were performed: MTT and comet assay, flow cytometry evaluation, gene expression assay by RT-PCR, qualitative evaluation of cell death using B16F10 cells. In vivo assays: micronucleus and comet assay, splenic phagocytosis, melanoma murine model and histopathological analysis, using mice lineage C57BL/6 (n = 20). KEY FINDINGS In vitro results performed by MTT assay showed that AMS35AA is cytotoxic for B16F10 cells (p < 0.05). Based on comet assay the genotoxicity of the IC50 was determined (95.83 μg/mL) (p < 0.05). These data were corroborated by flow cytometry analysis after the treatment with AMS35AA, which indicates the cellular death by apoptosis (p < 0.05) and increasing of ATR, p53, p21 and GADD45 gene expressions verified using RT-PCR. With respect to in vivo results, it was observed that AMS35AA did not show genotoxic activity. Data of tumor volume ex vivo indicate reduction of tumor for the treated animals with AMS35AA up to 15.84×, which is superior to Dacarbazina (50 mg/Kg, p.c.; i.p.). SIGNIFICANCE In summary, the study showed that AMS35AA reveals relevant results regarding to cytotoxicity of B16F10 murine melanoma cells, inducing death by apoptosis via mitochondrial and/or mediated by DNA damages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Dynczuki Navarro
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Biodiversity, Pro Midwest Network, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Lucas Roberto Pessatto
- Research Center in Stem Cells, Cell Therapy and Genetic Toxicology (CeTroGen), "Maria Aparecida Pedrossian" University Hospital, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, General Biology Department, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Alisson Meza
- Graduate Program in Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Edwin José Torres de Oliveira
- Research Center in Stem Cells, Cell Therapy and Genetic Toxicology (CeTroGen), "Maria Aparecida Pedrossian" University Hospital, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, General Biology Department, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Sarah Alves Auharek
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lizia Colares Vilela
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Dênis Pires de Lima
- Graduate Program in Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Bentes de Azevedo
- Genetics and Morphology Department, Biosciences Institute, Brasilia University, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
| | | | - Osmar Ignacio Ayala Cáceres
- Graduate Program in Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Roberto da Silva Gomes
- Graduate Program in Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Synthesis and Molecular Modification Laboratory, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Technology, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Adilson Beatriz
- Graduate Program in Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Juliano Oliveira
- Research Center in Stem Cells, Cell Therapy and Genetic Toxicology (CeTroGen), "Maria Aparecida Pedrossian" University Hospital, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, General Biology Department, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil; Graduate Program in Health and Development of Midwest Region, Faculty of Medicine "Dr Hélio Mandetta", Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Marco Antonio Utrera Martines
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology and Biodiversity, Pro Midwest Network, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Graduate Program in Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
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El-Khattouti A, Selimovic D, Hannig M, Taylor EB, Abd Elmageed ZY, Hassan SY, Haikel Y, Kandil E, Leverkus M, Brodell RT, Megahed M, Hassan M. Imiquimod-induced apoptosis of melanoma cells is mediated by ER stress-dependent Noxa induction and enhanced by NF-κB inhibition. J Cell Mol Med 2015; 20:266-86. [PMID: 26578344 PMCID: PMC4727561 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is characterized by dysregulated intracellular signalling pathways including an impairment of the cell death machinery, ultimately resulting in melanoma resistance, survival and progression. This explains the tumour's extraordinary resistance to the standard treatment. Imiquimod is a topical immune response modifier (imidazoquinoline) with both antiviral and antitumour activities. The mechanism by which imiquimod triggers the apoptosis of melanoma cells has now been carefully elucidated. Imiquimod‐induced apoptosis is associated with the activation of apoptosis signalling regulating kinase1/c‐Jun‐N‐terminal kinase/p38 pathways and the induction of endoplasmic stress characterized by the activation of the protein kinase RNA‐like endoplasmic reticulum kinase signalling pathway, increase in intracellular Ca2+ release, degradation of calpain and subsequent cleavage of caspase‐4. Moreover, imiquimod triggers the activation of NF‐κB and the expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) such as, X‐linked IAP (XIAP) together with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Also, imiquimod triggers mitochondrial dysregulation characterized by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), the increase in cytochrome c release, and cleavage of caspase‐9, caspase‐3 and poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP). Inhibitors of specific pathways, permit the elucidation of possible mechanisms of imiquimod‐induced apoptosis. They demonstrate that inhibition of NF‐kB by the inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa‐B kinase (IKK) inhibitor Bay 11‐782 or knockdown of XIAP induces melanoma apoptosis in cells exposed to imiquimod. These findings support the use of either IKK inhibitors or IAP antagonists as adjuvant therapies to improve the effectiveness topical imiquimod in the treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Denis Selimovic
- Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, University Hospital of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Matthias Hannig
- Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, University Hospital of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Erin B Taylor
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | | | - Sofie Y Hassan
- Clinic of Dermatology, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Youssef Haikel
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Emad Kandil
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Martin Leverkus
- Clinic of Dermatology, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Robert T Brodell
- Department of Dermatology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Mosaad Megahed
- Clinic of Dermatology, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mohamed Hassan
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.,Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, University Hospital of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
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Drukker L, Margulis A, Chaouat M, Levitzki R, Maiorenko E, Ben Bassat H. Changes of PI3K/AKT/BCL2 signaling proteins in congenital Giant Nevi: melanocytes contribute to their increased survival and integrity. J Recept Signal Transduct Res 2013; 33:359-66. [PMID: 24069951 DOI: 10.3109/10799893.2013.838785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Congenital Giant Nevi (CGN) are rare melanocytic lesions with the potential to regress into malignant melanoma. Simultaneous up-regulation and cooperative interactions of signaling pathways are crucial events in the pathogenesis of melanocytes. Our study aimed to identify changes in the expression and activation of proteins controlling survival and/or apoptosis of the key signaling pathways PI3K/AKT/BCL2 and Wnt/β-catenin of CGN melanocytes. We applied a model of cultured melanocytes from paired CGN and normal appearing skin, and Western blot (WB) analyzed the expression and activation profile of survival and anti-apoptotic proteins of these signaling pathways, growth pattern, cell cycle and apoptosis. WB analysis demonstrated a significant higher expression level of activated AKT and of BCL2 proteins in the CGN melanocytes compared with paired melanocytes from normal appearing skin. A relative increase in the level of GSK3 and FOXO1 proteins, down stream targets of AKT, as well as of pβ-catenin was also detected in the CGN melanocytes compared with the controls. These changes were not affected by growth of the CGN melanocytes in reduced serum (starvation). Both cell populations shared a similar growth pattern, with no significant differences in the proportion of apoptotic cells and in cell cycle fractions. These data demonstrate for the first time, changes in signaling proteins of cultured CGN melanocytes. Further, suggesting that the changes in AKT/BCL2 signaling molecules might mediate growth and anti-apoptosis processes at least in part, thus increasing the survival potential of CGN melanocytes and maintaining their integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior Drukker
- Israel National Skin Bank-Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and
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Naliwaiko K, Luvizon AC, Donatti L, Chammas R, Mercadante AF, Zanata SM, Nakao LS. Guanosine promotes B16F10 melanoma cell differentiation through PKC-ERK 1/2 pathway. Chem Biol Interact 2008; 173:122-8. [PMID: 18456249 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2008.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2007] [Revised: 03/08/2008] [Accepted: 03/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is one of the most lethal cancers. Nowadays, several anti-melanoma therapies have been employed. However, the poor prognosis and/or the increased toxicity of those treatments clearly demonstrate the requirement of searching for new drugs or novel combined chemotherapeutic protocols, contemplating both effectiveness and low toxicity. Guanosine (Guo) has been used in combination with acriflavina to potentiate the latter's antitumor activity, through still unknown mechanisms. Here, we show that Guo induces B16F10 melanoma cell differentiation, attested by growth arrest, dendrite-like outgrowth and increased melanogenesis, and also reduced motility. A sustained ERK 1/2 phosphorylation was observed after Guo treatment and ERK inhibition led to blockage of dendritogenesis. Intracellular cyclic AMP was not involved in ERK activation, since its levels remained unchanged. Protein kinase C (PKC), in contrast to phospholipase C (PLC), inhibition completely prevented ERK activation. While the classical melanoma differentiation agent forskolin activates cAMP-PKA-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway in B16F10 cells, here we suggest that a cAMP-independent, PKC-ERK axis is involved in Guo-induced B16F10 differentiation. Altogether, our results show that Guo acts as a differentiating agent, with cytostatic rather than cytotoxic properties, leading to a decreased melanoma malignancy. Thus, we propose that Guo may be envisaged in combination with lower doses of conventional anti-melanoma drugs, in an attempt to prevent or diminish their adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katya Naliwaiko
- Department of Basic Pathology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
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