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Hiltunen J, Helminen L, Paakinaho V. Glucocorticoid receptor action in prostate cancer: the role of transcription factor crosstalk. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1437179. [PMID: 39027480 PMCID: PMC11254642 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1437179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies and is primarily driven by aberrant androgen receptor (AR) signaling. While AR-targeted therapies form the cornerstone of prostate cancer treatment, they often inadvertently activate compensatory pathways, leading to therapy resistance. This resistance is frequently mediated through changes in transcription factor (TF) crosstalk, reshaping gene regulatory programs and ultimately weakening treatment efficacy. Consequently, investigating TF interactions has become crucial for understanding the mechanisms driving therapy-resistant cancers. Recent evidence has highlighted the crosstalk between the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and AR, demonstrating that GR can induce prostate cancer therapy resistance by replacing the inactivated AR, thereby becoming a driver of the disease. In addition to this oncogenic role, GR has also been shown to act as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer. Owing to this dual role and the widespread use of glucocorticoids as adjuvant therapy, it is essential to understand GR's actions across different stages of prostate cancer development. In this review, we explore the current knowledge of GR in prostate cancer, with a specific focus on its crosstalk with other TFs. GR can directly and indirectly interact with a variety of TFs, and these interactions vary significantly depending on the type of prostate cancer cells. By highlighting these crosstalk interactions, we aim to provide insights that can guide the research and development of new GR-targeted therapies to mitigate its harmful effects in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ville Paakinaho
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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2
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Hu J, Hong Y, Xie X, Yuan Y, Liu W, Fu B. Dexamethasone inhibits androgen receptor-negative prostate cancer cell proliferation via the GR-FOXO3a-GAS5 axis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27568. [PMID: 38496836 PMCID: PMC10944237 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have shown that glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has inconsistent effects on the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, we found dexamethasone inhibited the proliferation of androgen receptor-negative prostate cancer cells, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be illustrated. Methods GR expression and its prognosis role were analyzed based on the TCGA dataset. Bioinformatic analysis was performed to identify the candidate of GR downstream, which includes FOXO3a. After overexpressing FOXO3a in PC-3 cells, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and migration assays were performed to evaluate cell proliferation and migration ability. Regulation of FOXO3a on GAS5 was also analyzed by JASPAR and PCR. Results GR had low expression in prostate cancer and predicted poor prognosis. FOXO3a was identified as the downstream of GR to inhibit the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. Moreover, FOXO3a directly induces GAS5 expression, forming the GR-FOXO3a-GAS5 signaling pathway. Conclusion Our study showed that GR played a role as a tumor suppressor gene in androgen receptor-negative prostate cancer cells via the GR-FOXO3a-GAS5 axis. Our results suggested patients with prostate cancer should be classified and develop a treatment plan according to the expression of AR and GR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieping Hu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, China
| | - Yanyan Hong
- Department of Nursing, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, China
| | - Xun Xie
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, China
| | - Yuyang Yuan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, China
| | - Weipeng Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, China
| | - Bin Fu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, China
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3
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Helminen L, Huttunen J, Tulonen M, Aaltonen N, Niskanen E, Palvimo J, Paakinaho V. Chromatin accessibility and pioneer factor FOXA1 restrict glucocorticoid receptor action in prostate cancer. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:625-642. [PMID: 38015476 PMCID: PMC10810216 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of prostate cancer relies predominantly on the inhibition of androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Despite the initial effectiveness of the antiandrogen therapies, the cancer often develops resistance to the AR blockade. One mechanism of the resistance is glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated replacement of AR function. Nevertheless, the mechanistic ways and means how the GR-mediated antiandrogen resistance occurs have remained elusive. Here, we have discovered several crucial features of GR action in prostate cancer cells through genome-wide techniques. We detected that the replacement of AR by GR in enzalutamide-exposed prostate cancer cells occurs almost exclusively at pre-accessible chromatin sites displaying FOXA1 occupancy. Counterintuitively to the classical pioneer factor model, silencing of FOXA1 potentiated the chromatin binding and transcriptional activity of GR. This was attributed to FOXA1-mediated repression of the NR3C1 (gene encoding GR) expression via the corepressor TLE3. Moreover, the small-molecule inhibition of coactivator p300's enzymatic activity efficiently restricted GR-mediated gene regulation and cell proliferation. Overall, we identified chromatin pre-accessibility and FOXA1-mediated repression as important regulators of GR action in prostate cancer, pointing out new avenues to oppose steroid receptor-mediated antiandrogen resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Helminen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jasmin Huttunen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Melina Tulonen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Niina Aaltonen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Einari A Niskanen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jorma J Palvimo
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ville Paakinaho
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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4
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Wu K, Liu Z, Liang J, Zhu Y, Wang X, Li X. Discovery of a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activity signature correlates with immune cell infiltration in adrenocortical carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007528. [PMID: 37793855 PMCID: PMC10551943 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and highly aggressive endocrine malignancy, of which >40% present with glucocorticoid excess. Glucocorticoids and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling have long been thought to suppress immunity and promote tumor progression by acting on immune cells. Here, we provide new insights into the interaction between GR signaling activity and the immune signature of ACC as a potential explanation for immune escape and resistance to immunotherapy. METHODS First, GR immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (CD4 T, CD8 T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells and macrophages) were performed in 78 primary ACC tissue specimens. Quantitative data of immune cell infiltration in ACC were correlated with clinical characteristics. Second, we discovered a GR activity signature (GRsig) using GR-targeted gene networks derived from global gene expression data of primary ACC. Finally, we identified two GRsig-related subtypes based on the GRsig and assessed the differences in immune characteristics and prognostic stratification between the two subtypes. RESULTS GR was expressed in 90% of the ACC tumors, and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes were the most common infiltrating cell type in ACC specimens (88%, 8.6 cells/high power field). GR expression positively correlated with CD8+ T cell (Phi=0.342, p<0.001), CD4+ T cell (Phi=0.280, p<0.001), NK cell (Phi=0.280, p<0.001), macrophage (Phi=0.285, p<0.001), and dendritic cell (Phi=0.397, p<0.001) infiltration. Clustering heatmap analysis also displayed high immune cell infiltration in GR high-expressing tumors and low immune cell infiltration in GR-low tumors. High GR expression and high immune cell infiltration were significantly associated with better survival. Glucocorticoid excess is associated with low immune cell abundance and unfavorable prognosis. A GRsig comprizing n=34 GR-associated genes was derived from Gene Expression Omnibus/The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data sets and used to define two GRsig-related subtypes in the TCGA cohort. We demonstrated distinct differences in the immune landscape and clinical outcomes between the two subtypes. CONCLUSION GR expression positively correlates with tumor-infiltrating immune cells in ACC. The GRsig could serve as a prognostic biomarker and may be helpful for prognosis prediction and response to immunotherapy. Consequently, targeting the GR signaling pathway might be pivotal and should be investigated in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kan Wu
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhihong Liu
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiayu Liang
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuchun Zhu
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xianding Wang
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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5
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Buonaiuto R, Neola G, Cecere SC, Caltavituro A, Cefaliello A, Pietroluongo E, De Placido P, Giuliano M, Arpino G, De Angelis C. Glucocorticoid Receptor and Ovarian Cancer: From Biology to Therapeutic Intervention. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040653. [PMID: 37189400 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death from gynecological malignancies worldwide. Fortunately, recent advances in OC biology and the discovery of novel therapeutic targets have led to the development of novel therapeutic agents that may improve the outcome of OC patients. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a ligand-dependent transcriptional factor known for its role in body stress reactions, energy homeostasis and immune regulation. Notably, evidence suggests that GR may play a relevant role in tumor progression and may affect treatment response. In cell culture models, administration of low levels of glucocorticoids (GCs) suppresses OC growth and metastasis. Conversely, high GR expression has been associated with poor prognostic features and long-term outcomes in patients with OC. Moreover, both preclinical and clinical data have shown that GR activation impairs the effectiveness of chemotherapy by inducing the apoptotic pathways and cell differentiation. In this narrative review, we summarize data related to the function and role of GR in OC. To this aim, we reorganized the controversial and fragmented data regarding GR activity in OC and herein describe its potential use as a prognostic and predictive biomarker. Moreover, we explored the interplay between GR and BRCA expression and reviewed the latest therapeutic strategies such as non-selective GR antagonists and selective GR modulators to enhance chemotherapy sensitivity, and to finally provide new treatment options in OC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Buonaiuto
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Neola
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sabrina Chiara Cecere
- Oncologia Clinica Sperimentale Uro-Ginecologica, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Aldo Caltavituro
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Amedeo Cefaliello
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Erica Pietroluongo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro De Placido
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Giuliano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Grazia Arpino
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmine De Angelis
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
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6
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Sakellakis M, Flores LJ. Is the glucocorticoid receptor a key player in prostate cancer?: A literature review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e29716. [PMID: 35866830 PMCID: PMC9302310 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000029716] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids act through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and exert pleiotropic effects in different cancer types. In prostate cancer cells, GR and androgen receptor (AR) share overlapping transcriptomes and cistromes. Under enzalutamide treatment, GR signaling can bypass AR activation and promote castration resistance via the expression of a subset of AR-target genes. However, GR-dependent growth under enhanced antiandrogen inhibition occurs only in a subset of primed cells. On the other hand, glucocorticoids have been used successfully in the treatment of prostate cancer for many years. In the context of AR signaling, GR competes with AR for DNA-binding and has the potential to halt the proliferation rate of prostate cancer cells. Their target genes overlap by <50% and they execute unique functions in vivo. In addition, even when AR and GR upregulate the same transcriptional target gene, the effect might not be identical in magnitude. Besides being able to drive tumor proliferation, GR is also a key player in prostate cancer cell survival. Stimulation of GR activity can undermine the effects of enhanced antiandrogen treatment, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. GR activation in prostate cancer can increase prosurvival gene expression. Identifying the full spectrum of GR activity will inform the optimal use of glucocorticosteroids in prostate cancer. It will also determine the best strategies to target the protumorigenic effects of GR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minas Sakellakis
- Department of Genitourinary Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States
- *Correspondence: Minas Sakellakis, Department of Genitourinary Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030 (e-mail: )
| | - Laura Jacqueline Flores
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, United States
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7
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Glucocorticoid and PD-1 Cross-Talk: Does the Immune System Become Confused? Cells 2021; 10:cells10092333. [PMID: 34571982 PMCID: PMC8468592 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligands, PD-L1/2, control T cell activation and tolerance. While PD-1 expression is induced upon T cell receptor (TCR) activation or cytokine signaling, PD-L1 is expressed on B cells, antigen presenting cells, and on non-immune tissues, including cancer cells. Importantly, PD-L1 binding inhibits T cell activation. Therefore, the modulation of PD-1/PD-L1 expression on immune cells, both circulating or in a tumor microenvironment and/or on the tumor cell surface, is one mechanism of cancer immune evasion. Therapies that target PD-1/PD-L1, blocking the T cell-cancer cell interaction, have been successful in patients with various types of cancer. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are often administered to manage the side effects of chemo- or immuno-therapy, exerting a wide range of immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. However, GCs may also have tumor-promoting effects, interfering with therapy. In this review, we examine GC signaling and how it intersects with PD-1/PD-L1 pathways, including a discussion on the potential for GC- and PD-1/PD-L1-targeted therapies to "confuse" the immune system, leading to a cancer cell advantage that counteracts anti-cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, combination therapies should be utilized with an awareness of the potential for opposing effects on the immune system.
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8
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Cheng H, Tang S, Lian X, Meng H, Gu X, Jiang J, Li X. The Differential Antitumor Activity of 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine in Prostate Cancer DU145, 22RV1, and LNCaP Cells. J Cancer 2021; 12:5593-5604. [PMID: 34405020 PMCID: PMC8364635 DOI: 10.7150/jca.56709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is a DNA methyltransferase-mediated epigenetic modification affecting gene expression. This process is involved in the initiation and development of malignant disease. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza), a classic DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, possesses antitumor proliferation activity. However, whether 5-Aza induces cytotoxicity in solid tumors warrants further investigated. In this study, human prostate cancer (CaP) cells were treated with 5-Aza and subjected to cell viability and cytotoxicity analysis. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction assay were utilized to test the gene expression and methylation status of the p53 and p21 gene promoters. The results showed that 5-Aza differentially inhibited spontaneous proliferation, arrested the cell cycle at S phase in DU145, at G1 phase in 22RV1 and LNCaP cells, and G2 phase in normal RWPE-1 cells, as well as induced the expression of phospho-H2A.X and tumor suppressive mammary serine protease inhibitor (maspin) in all three types of CaP cells. 5-Aza also increased p53 and p21 transcription through promoter demethylation, and decreased the expression of oncogene c-Myc in 22RV1 and LNCaP cells. Western blotting analysis showed that the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage was detected in DU145 and 22RV1 cells. Moreover, there were no significant changes in p53, p21 and c-Myc expression in DU145 cells following treatment with 5-Aza. Thus, in responsible for its apoptotic induction and DNA damage, the mechanism of the antitumor activities of 5-Aza may involve in an increase of tumor suppressive maspin, upregulation of wild type p53-mediated p21 expression and a decrease of oncogene c-Myc level in 22RV1 and LNCaP cells, and enhancing the tumor suppressive maspin expression in DU145 cells. These results enriched our understanding of the multifaceted antitumor activity of 5-Aza, and provided the expression basis of biomarkers for its possible clinical application in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Cheng
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Blvd., Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China
| | - Sijie Tang
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Blvd., Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China.,Dept of Urology, the Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Blvd., Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China
| | - Xueqi Lian
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Blvd., Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China
| | - Hong Meng
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Detroit 48201, MI, USA
| | - Xiang Gu
- Dept of Urology, the Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Blvd., Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China
| | - Jiajia Jiang
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Blvd., Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China
| | - Xiaohua Li
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Blvd., Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China.,The Laboratory of Clinical Genomics, Hefei KingMed Diagnostics Ltd., 2800 Chuangxin Blvd., Building H4, Hefei 230088, China.,National Center for Gene Testing Technology Application & Demonstration(Hefei), 2800 Chuangxin Blvd., Building H4, Hefei 230088, China
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9
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Paakinaho V, Palvimo JJ. Genome-wide crosstalk between steroid receptors in breast and prostate cancers. Endocr Relat Cancer 2021; 28:R231-R250. [PMID: 34137734 PMCID: PMC8345902 DOI: 10.1530/erc-21-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Steroid receptors (SRs) constitute an important class of signal-dependent transcription factors (TFs). They regulate a variety of key biological processes and are crucial drug targets in many disease states. In particular, estrogen (ER) and androgen receptors (AR) drive the development and progression of breast and prostate cancer, respectively. Thus, they represent the main specific drug targets in these diseases. Recent evidence has suggested that the crosstalk between signal-dependent TFs is an important step in the reprogramming of chromatin sites; a signal-activated TF can expand or restrict the chromatin binding of another TF. This crosstalk can rewire gene programs and thus alter biological processes and influence the progression of disease. Lately, it has been postulated that there may be an important crosstalk between the AR and the ER with other SRs. Especially, progesterone (PR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) can reprogram chromatin binding of ER and gene programs in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, GR can take the place of AR in antiandrogen-resistant prostate cancer cells. Here, we review the current knowledge of the crosstalk between SRs in breast and prostate cancers. We emphasize how the activity of ER and AR on chromatin can be modulated by other SRs on a genome-wide scale. We also highlight the knowledge gaps in the interplay of SRs and their complex interactions with other signaling pathways and suggest how to experimentally fill in these gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ville Paakinaho
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jorma J Palvimo
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Correspondence should be addressed to J J Palvimo:
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10
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Prekovic S, Schuurman K, Mayayo-Peralta I, Manjón AG, Buijs M, Yavuz S, Wellenstein MD, Barrera A, Monkhorst K, Huber A, Morris B, Lieftink C, Chalkiadakis T, Alkan F, Silva J, Győrffy B, Hoekman L, van den Broek B, Teunissen H, Debets DO, Severson T, Jonkers J, Reddy T, de Visser KE, Faller W, Beijersbergen R, Altelaar M, de Wit E, Medema R, Zwart W. Glucocorticoid receptor triggers a reversible drug-tolerant dormancy state with acquired therapeutic vulnerabilities in lung cancer. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4360. [PMID: 34272384 PMCID: PMC8285479 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24537-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) regulates gene expression, governing aspects of homeostasis, but is also involved in cancer. Pharmacological GR activation is frequently used to alleviate therapy-related side-effects. While prior studies have shown GR activation might also have anti-proliferative action on tumours, the underpinnings of glucocorticoid action and its direct effectors in non-lymphoid solid cancers remain elusive. Here, we study the mechanisms of glucocorticoid response, focusing on lung cancer. We show that GR activation induces reversible cancer cell dormancy characterised by anticancer drug tolerance, and activation of growth factor survival signalling accompanied by vulnerability to inhibitors. GR-induced dormancy is dependent on a single GR-target gene, CDKN1C, regulated through chromatin looping of a GR-occupied upstream distal enhancer in a SWI/SNF-dependent fashion. These insights illustrate the importance of GR signalling in non-lymphoid solid cancer biology, particularly in lung cancer, and warrant caution for use of glucocorticoids in treatment of anticancer therapy related side-effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Prekovic
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Karianne Schuurman
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Isabel Mayayo-Peralta
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna G Manjón
- Division of Cell Biology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Buijs
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Selçuk Yavuz
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Max D Wellenstein
- Division of Tumour Biology and Immunology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Barrera
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, and Centre for Genomic & Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Centre, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kim Monkhorst
- Department of Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Huber
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ben Morris
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Robotics and Screening Centre, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cor Lieftink
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Robotics and Screening Centre, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Theofilos Chalkiadakis
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ferhat Alkan
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joana Silva
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- Semmelweis University Department of Bioinformatics and 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Budapest, Hungary.,TTK Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Liesbeth Hoekman
- Mass spectrometry/Proteomics Facility, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bram van den Broek
- Division of Cell Biology and BioImaging Facility, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Teunissen
- Division of Gene Regulation, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Donna O Debets
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tesa Severson
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Jonkers
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy Reddy
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, and Centre for Genomic & Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Centre, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Karin E de Visser
- Division of Tumour Biology and Immunology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - William Faller
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roderick Beijersbergen
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Robotics and Screening Centre, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten Altelaar
- Mass spectrometry/Proteomics Facility, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elzo de Wit
- Division of Gene Regulation, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rene Medema
- Division of Cell Biology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wilbert Zwart
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
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11
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Genetic Variation and Immunohistochemical Localization of the Glucocorticoid Receptor in Breast Cancer Cases from the Breast Cancer Care in Chicago Cohort. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102261. [PMID: 34068181 PMCID: PMC8152982 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glucocorticoid, one of the primary mediators of stress, acts via its receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor (GCR/NR3C1), to regulate a myriad of physiological processes. We measured the genetic variation and protein expression of GCR, and the genes that regulate GCR function or response and examined whether these alterations were associated with breast cancer clinicopathological characteristics. METHOD We used samples from a multiracial cohort of breast cancer patients to assess the association between breast cancer characteristics and the genetic variants of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GCR/NR3C1, FKBP5, Sgk1, IL-6, ADIPOQ, LEPR, SOD2, CAT, and BCL2. RESULTS Several SNPs were associated with breast cancer characteristics, but statistical significance was lost after adjustment for multiple comparisons. GCR was detected in all normal breast tissues and was predominantly located in the nuclei of the myoepithelial cell layer, whereas the luminal layer was negative for GCR. GCR expression was significantly decreased in all breast cancer tissue types, compared to nontumor tissue, but was not associated with breast cancer characteristics. We found that high nuclear GCR expression was associated with basal cell marker cytokeratin 5/6 positivity. CONCLUSION GCR expression is reduced in breast cancer tissue and correlates with the basal cell marker CK5/6.
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12
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Devlies W, Handle F, Devos G, Joniau S, Claessens F. Preclinical Models in Prostate Cancer: Resistance to AR Targeting Therapies in Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:915. [PMID: 33671614 PMCID: PMC7926818 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is an androgen-driven tumor. Different prostate cancer therapies consequently focus on blocking the androgen receptor pathway. Clinical studies reported tumor resistance mechanisms by reactivating and bypassing the androgen pathway. Preclinical models allowed the identification, confirmation, and thorough study of these pathways. This review looks into the current and future role of preclinical models to understand resistance to androgen receptor-targeted therapies. Increasing knowledge on this resistance will greatly improve insights into tumor pathophysiology and future treatment strategies in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wout Devlies
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (G.D.); (S.J.)
| | - Florian Handle
- Division of Experimental Urology, Department of Urology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Gaëtan Devos
- Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (G.D.); (S.J.)
| | - Steven Joniau
- Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (G.D.); (S.J.)
| | - Frank Claessens
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
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Treveil A, Sudhakar P, Matthews ZJ, Wrzesiński T, Jones EJ, Brooks J, Ölbei M, Hautefort I, Hall LJ, Carding SR, Mayer U, Powell PP, Wileman T, Di Palma F, Haerty W, Korcsmáros T. Regulatory network analysis of Paneth cell and goblet cell enriched gut organoids using transcriptomics approaches. Mol Omics 2021; 16:39-58. [PMID: 31819932 DOI: 10.1039/c9mo00130a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The epithelial lining of the small intestine consists of multiple cell types, including Paneth cells and goblet cells, that work in cohort to maintain gut health. 3D in vitro cultures of human primary epithelial cells, called organoids, have become a key model to study the functions of Paneth cells and goblet cells in normal and diseased conditions. Advances in these models include the ability to skew differentiation to particular lineages, providing a useful tool to study cell type specific function/dysfunction in the context of the epithelium. Here, we use comprehensive profiling of mRNA, microRNA and long non-coding RNA expression to confirm that Paneth cell and goblet cell enrichment of murine small intestinal organoids (enteroids) establishes a physiologically accurate model. We employ network analysis to infer the regulatory landscape altered by skewing differentiation, and using knowledge of cell type specific markers, we predict key regulators of cell type specific functions: Cebpa, Jun, Nr1d1 and Rxra specific to Paneth cells, Gfi1b and Myc specific for goblet cells and Ets1, Nr3c1 and Vdr shared between them. Links identified between these regulators and cellular phenotypes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suggest that global regulatory rewiring during or after differentiation of Paneth cells and goblet cells could contribute to IBD aetiology. Future application of cell type enriched enteroids combined with the presented computational workflow can be used to disentangle multifactorial mechanisms of these cell types and propose regulators whose pharmacological targeting could be advantageous in treating IBD patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Treveil
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7UZ, UK.
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14
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Iftikhar A, Islam M, Shepherd S, Jones S, Ellis I. Cancer and Stress: Does It Make a Difference to the Patient When These Two Challenges Collide? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020163. [PMID: 33418900 PMCID: PMC7825104 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Head and neck cancers are the sixth most common cancer in the world. The burden of the disease has remained challenging over recent years despite the advances in treatments of other malignancies. The very use of the word malignancy brings about a stress response in almost all adult patients. Being told you have a tumour is not a word anyone wants to hear. We have embarked on a study which will investigate the effect of stress pathways on head and neck cancer patients and which signalling pathways may be involved. In the future, this will allow clinicians to better manage patients with head and neck cancer and reduce the patients’ stress so that this does not add to their tumour burden. Abstract A single head and neck Cancer (HNC) is a globally growing challenge associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis itself can affect the patients profoundly let alone the complex and disfiguring treatment. The highly important functions of structures of the head and neck such as mastication, speech, aesthetics, identity and social interactions make a cancer diagnosis in this region even more psychologically traumatic. The emotional distress engendered as a result of functional and social disruption is certain to negatively affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The key biological responses to stressful events are moderated through the combined action of two systems, the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) which releases glucocorticoids and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) which releases catecholamines. In acute stress, these hormones help the body to regain homeostasis; however, in chronic stress their increased levels and activation of their receptors may aid in the progression of cancer. Despite ample evidence on the existence of stress in patients diagnosed with HNC, studies looking at the effect of stress on the progression of disease are scarce, compared to other cancers. This review summarises the challenges associated with HNC that make it stressful and describes how stress signalling aids in the progression of cancer. Growing evidence on the relationship between stress and HNC makes it paramount to focus future research towards a better understanding of stress and its effect on head and neck cancer.
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15
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Font-Díaz J, Jiménez-Panizo A, Caelles C, Vivanco MDM, Pérez P, Aranda A, Estébanez-Perpiñá E, Castrillo A, Ricote M, Valledor AF. Nuclear receptors: Lipid and hormone sensors with essential roles in the control of cancer development. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 73:58-75. [PMID: 33309851 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors that act as biological sensors and use a combination of mechanisms to modulate positively and negatively gene expression in a spatial and temporal manner. The highly orchestrated biological actions of several NRs influence the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of many different cell types. Synthetic ligands for several NRs have been the focus of extensive drug discovery efforts for cancer intervention. This review summarizes the roles in tumour growth and metastasis of several relevant NR family members, namely androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor (ER), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), thyroid hormone receptor (TR), retinoic acid receptors (RARs), retinoid X receptors (RXRs), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), and liver X receptors (LXRs). These studies are key to develop improved therapeutic agents based on novel modes of action with reduced side effects and overcoming resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Font-Díaz
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, School of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08028, Spain; Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, 08028, Spain
| | - Alba Jiménez-Panizo
- Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, 08028, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, School of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08028, Spain
| | - Carme Caelles
- Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, 08028, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08028, Spain
| | - María dM Vivanco
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research Technology Alliance, BRTA, Bizkaia Technology Park, Derio, 48160, Spain
| | - Paloma Pérez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV)-CSIC, Valencia, 46010, Spain
| | - Ana Aranda
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28029, Spain
| | - Eva Estébanez-Perpiñá
- Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, 08028, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, School of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08028, Spain
| | - Antonio Castrillo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28029, Spain; Unidad de Biomedicina, (Unidad Asociada al CSIC), Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (CSIC-UAM), Universidad de Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, 35001, Spain
| | - Mercedes Ricote
- Area of Myocardial Pathophysiology, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, 28029, Spain
| | - Annabel F Valledor
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, School of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08028, Spain; Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, 08028, Spain.
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Verma S, Prajapati KS, Kushwaha PP, Shuaib M, Kumar Singh A, Kumar S, Gupta S. Resistance to second generation antiandrogens in prostate cancer: pathways and mechanisms. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2020; 3:742-761. [PMID: 35582225 PMCID: PMC8992566 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2020.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Androgen deprivation therapy targeting the androgens/androgen receptor (AR) signaling continues to be the mainstay treatment of advanced-stage prostate cancer. The use of second-generation antiandrogens, such as abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide, has improved the survival of prostate cancer patients; however, a majority of these patients progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The mechanisms of resistance to antiandrogen treatments are complex, including specific mutations, alternative splicing, and amplification of oncogenic proteins resulting in dysregulation of various signaling pathways. In this review, we focus on the major mechanisms of acquired resistance to second generation antiandrogens, including AR-dependent and AR-independent resistance mechanisms as well as other resistance mechanisms leading to CRPC emergence. Evolving knowledge of resistance mechanisms to AR targeted treatments will lead to additional research on designing more effective therapies for advanced-stage prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiv Verma
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- The Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Kumari Sunita Prajapati
- School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Microbial Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151001, India
| | - Prem Prakash Kushwaha
- School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Microbial Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151001, India
| | - Mohd Shuaib
- School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Microbial Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151001, India
| | - Atul Kumar Singh
- School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Microbial Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151001, India
| | - Shashank Kumar
- School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Microbial Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151001, India
| | - Sanjay Gupta
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- The Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Microbial Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151001, India
- Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Divison of General Medical Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Urology, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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17
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Derlin T, Sommerlath Sohns JM, Schmuck S, Henkenberens C, von Klot CAJ, Ross TL, Bengel FM. Influence of short-term dexamethasone on the efficacy of 177 Lu-PSMA-617 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Prostate 2020; 80:619-631. [PMID: 32187729 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Corticosteroids alone or in combination therapy are associated with favorable biochemical responses in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We speculated that the intermittent addition of dexamethasone may also enhance the antitumor effect of radioligand therapy (RLT) with 177 Lu-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-617. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventy-one patients with mCRPC were treated with 1 to 5 cycles of 177 Lu-PSMA-617 (6.0-7.4 GBq per cycle) at 6 to 8 weeks intervals. Based on the clinical decision (eg, in the case of vertebral metastases), 56% of patients received 4 mg of dexamethasone for the first 5 days of each cycle. Biochemical response rates, PSA decline and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed after one, three, and five cycles of RLT. RESULTS PSA response rates were not significantly different between patients receiving 177 Lu-PSMA-617 plus dexamethasone and those receiving 177 Lu-PSMA-617 alone after one, three, and five cycles (33% vs 39%, P = .62; 45% vs 45%, P = 1.0; and 38% vs 42%, P = .81). However, there was a nonsignificant trend for a more pronounced PSA decline in patients with bone metastases receiving adjunct dexamethasone (-21% ± 50% vs +11% ± 90%, P = .08; -21% ± 69% vs +22% ± 116%, P = .07; -13% ± 76% vs +32% ± 119%, P = .07). Median PFS tended to be longer in patients with bone metastases receiving 177 Lu-PSMA-617 plus dexamethasone (146 vs 81 days; hazard ratio: 0.87 [95% confidence interval: 0.47-1.61]; P = .20). Multiple regression analysis showed that age (P = .0110), alkaline phosphatase levels (P = .0380) and adjunct dexamethasone (P = .0285) were independent predictors of changes in PSA in patients with bone metastases. CONCLUSIONS We observed high response rates to 177 Lu-PSMA-617 RLT in men with mCRPC. The short-term addition of dexamethasone to 177 Lu-PSMA-617 had no striking antitumor effect but might enhance biochemical responses in patients with bone metastases. Future trials are warranted to test this hypothesis in a prospective setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten Derlin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Sebastian Schmuck
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Radiology, DIAKOVERE Friederikenstift, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | - Tobias L Ross
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank M Bengel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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18
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Zhang WF, Li T, Lin SX. Meta-Analysis of steroid-converting enzymes and related receptors in prostate cancer suggesting novel combined therapies. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 198:105559. [PMID: 31783154 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is essential for prostate cancer (PC) progression and treatment. Experiments have demonstrated that the intratumoral androgen levels are not affected by circulating androgen levels, but rather modulated by local steroid-converting enzyme activities. The expression modulation status of human steroid-converting enzymes and nuclear receptors are of great promise to identify novel therapeutic targets. Meta-analysis was performed with 9 cohorts (1093 specimens) from Gene Expression Omnibus, 16 cohorts (933 specimens) from Oncomine and the TCGA cohort (550 specimens). We found significant up regulation of 5α-reductase type 1 and type 3 in both primary and metastatic PC, together with the down regulation of AKR1C2 in primary PC, contributing to the high intratumoral DHT levels. The expression of AR in metastatic PC was up regulated, indicating the importance of AR signaling in the progression of this cancer. The down regulations of HSD11B1 and NR3C1 in primary and metastatic PC may diminish the anti-inflammation and anti-proliferation effects of glucocorticoids signaling. Furthermore, the decrease of progesterone receptor (PGR) expression in primary and metastatic PC was also observed, relieving the suppression effect of PGR on PC proliferation. The clinical evidences of the remarkable expression modulation of steroid-converting enzymes and receptors in PC may indicate novel combined treatment against this highly incident cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Fa Zhang
- Axe Molecular Endocrinology and Nephrology, CHU Research Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, Laval University, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 4G2, Canada.
| | - Tang Li
- Axe Molecular Endocrinology and Nephrology, CHU Research Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, Laval University, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 4G2, Canada; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China.
| | - Sheng-Xiang Lin
- Axe Molecular Endocrinology and Nephrology, CHU Research Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, Laval University, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 4G2, Canada.
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19
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Lucafò M, Franzin M, Decorti G, Stocco G. A patent review of anticancer glucocorticoid receptor modulators (2014-present). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2020; 30:313-324. [PMID: 32148111 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2020.1740206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Natural and synthetic glucocorticoids are widely employed in different diseases, among which are hematological and solid tumors. Their use is however associated with a number of serious side effects and by the occurrence of resistance. With the aim of separating their gene transactivating effect, more linked to side effects, from transrepressive properties, associated with therapeutic efficacy, a number of selective glucocorticoid modulators have been identified.Areas covered: This review summarizes the patent applications from 2014 to present in the field of selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators employed in cancer therapy. Only few patents have been identified, that concern the identification of new molecules or the method of use of already patented compounds. In addition, a discussion of the mechanism of action of these compounds is included.Expert opinion: Only a very limited number of patents have been applied that concern selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators and their use in cancer. Biological information is scarce for most of these patents; more research is necessary in this field in particular concerning clinical data in order to understand whether it is actually possible to improve the efficacy and therapeutic index of these compounds in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lucafò
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Martina Franzin
- PhD Course in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuliana Decorti
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health I.R.C.C.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gabriele Stocco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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20
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Zhang Y, Wu Y, Jia Z, Cao D, Yang N, Wang Y, Cao X, Jiang J. Long non-coding RNA polymorphisms on 8q24 are associated with the prognosis of gastric cancer in a Chinese population. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8600. [PMID: 32117633 PMCID: PMC7039120 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gastric cancer (GC) remains the third leading cause of cancer death in China. Although genome-wide association studies have identified the association between several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on 8q24 and the risk of GC, the role of these SNPs in the prognosis of GC in Chinese populations has not yet been fully evaluated. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the association between long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) polymorphisms on 8q24 and the prognosis of GC. Methods We genotyped 726 surgically resected GC patients to explore the association between eight SNPs in the lncRNAs CCAT1 (rs10087719, rs7816475), PCAT1 (rs1026411), PRNCR1 (rs12682421, rs13252298), and CASC8 (rs1562430, rs4871789, rs6983267) transcribed from the 8q24 locus and the prognosis of GC in a Chinese population. Results We found that the patients carrying rs12682421 AA genotypes survived for a shorter time than those with the GG/GA genotype (HR = 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.09-1.78]). Compared with the CC/CT genotype, the TT genotype of rs1562430 was associated with an increased risk of death (HR = 1.38, 95% CI [1.06-1.80]). Furthermore, the results also identified the rs1026411 SNP as an independent prognostic factor for poor survival in GC patients. Patients carrying AA/AG variant genotypes had a 36% increased risk of death compared to those carrying the GG genotype (HR = 1.36, 95% CI [1.06-1.74]). These findings suggested that the rs12682421, rs1026411 and rs1562430 SNPs may contribute to the survival of GC and be prognostic markers for GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyu Zhang
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yanhua Wu
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhifang Jia
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Donghui Cao
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Na Yang
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yueqi Wang
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xueyuan Cao
- Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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21
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Nivolumab-Induced, Late-Onset, Steroid-Sensitive, High-Grade Pneumonitis and Durable Tumor Suppression in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report. Case Rep Oncol Med 2019; 2019:6759472. [PMID: 31949965 PMCID: PMC6944973 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6759472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Nivolumab, an antiprogrammed death-1 checkpoint inhibitor, has been approved for use in unresectable/metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Nivolumab-induced pneumonitis, a rare, but often severe and potentially life-threatening immune-related adverse event, has been reported, typically, early during the treatment. Due to its low incidence, more studies are needed to better elucidate this condition and its possible effects on cancer progression. We now present a 57-year-old Hispanic male patient with metastatic RCC-clear cell type who, after his 34th cycle of nivolumab (16 months after being on nivolumab), developed a late-onset, immune-related adverse event (IRAE) including a grade 3 pneumonitis, which resolved completely, clinically, and on serial lung imaging with steroids and drug discontinuation. His cancer remained stable with no progression for 18 months despite discontinuation of nivolumab which showed tumor progression resistance. This case report is aimed at providing further information regarding the rare phenomena of a late-onset IRAE, in particular, a grade 3 nivolumab-induced pneumonitis which also responded rapidly to treatment, as well as at discussing this immunotherapy's durable tumor suppressive effect and a possible associated factor to this phenomenon.
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22
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Bartlett AA, Lapp HE, Hunter RG. Epigenetic Mechanisms of the Glucocorticoid Receptor. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2019; 30:807-818. [PMID: 31699238 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been shown to be important for mediating cellular responses to stress and circulating glucocorticoids. Ligand-dependent transcriptional changes induced by GR are observed across numerous tissues. However, the mechanisms by which GR achieves cell and tissue-specific effects are less clear. Epigenetic mechanisms have been proposed to explain some of these differences as well as some of the lasting, even transgenerational, effects of stress and glucocorticoid action. GR functions in tandem with epigenetic cellular machinery to coordinate transcription and shape chromatin structure. Here, we describe GR interactions with these effectors and how GR acts to reshape the epigenetic landscape in response to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Bartlett
- Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Hannah E Lapp
- Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Richard G Hunter
- Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125, USA.
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23
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Transcriptomic Network Interactions in Human Skin Treated with Topical Glucocorticoid Clobetasol Propionate. J Invest Dermatol 2019; 139:2281-2291. [PMID: 31247200 PMCID: PMC6814545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are the most frequently used anti-inflammatory drugs in dermatology. However, the molecular signature of glucocorticoids and their receptor in human skin is largely unknown. Our validated bioinformatics analysis of human skin transcriptome induced by topical glucocorticoid clobetasol propionate (CBP) in healthy volunteers identified numerous unreported glucocorticoid-responsive genes, including over a thousand noncoding RNAs. We observed sexual and racial dimorphism in the CBP response including a shift toward IFN-α/IFN-γ and IL-6/Jak/Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 signaling in female skin; and a larger response to CBP in African-American skin. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis unveiled a dense skin network of 41 transcription factors including circadian Kruppel-like factor 9 (KLF9), and ∼260 of their target genes enriched for functional pathways representative of the entire CBP transcriptome. Using keratinocytes with Kruppel-like factor 9 knockdown, we revealed a feedforward loop in glucocorticoid receptor signaling, previously unreported. Interestingly, many of the CBP-regulated transcription factors were involved in the control of development, metabolism, circadian clock; and 80% of them were associated with skin aging showing similarities between glucocorticoid-treated and aged skin. Overall, these findings indicate that glucocorticoid receptor acts as an important regulator of gene expression in skin-both at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional level-via multiple mechanisms including regulation of noncoding RNAs and multiple core transcription factors.
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Zgajnar NR, De Leo SA, Lotufo CM, Erlejman AG, Piwien-Pilipuk G, Galigniana MD. Biological Actions of the Hsp90-binding Immunophilins FKBP51 and FKBP52. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9020052. [PMID: 30717249 PMCID: PMC6406450 DOI: 10.3390/biom9020052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunophilins are a family of proteins whose signature domain is the peptidylprolyl-isomerase domain. High molecular weight immunophilins are characterized by the additional presence of tetratricopeptide-repeats (TPR) through which they bind to the 90-kDa heat-shock protein (Hsp90), and via this chaperone, immunophilins contribute to the regulation of the biological functions of several client-proteins. Among these Hsp90-binding immunophilins, there are two highly homologous members named FKBP51 and FKBP52 (FK506-binding protein of 51-kDa and 52-kDa, respectively) that were first characterized as components of the Hsp90-based heterocomplex associated to steroid receptors. Afterwards, they emerged as likely contributors to a variety of other hormone-dependent diseases, stress-related pathologies, psychiatric disorders, cancer, and other syndromes characterized by misfolded proteins. The differential biological actions of these immunophilins have been assigned to the structurally similar, but functionally divergent enzymatic domain. Nonetheless, they also require the complementary input of the TPR domain, most likely due to their dependence with the association to Hsp90 as a functional unit. FKBP51 and FKBP52 regulate a variety of biological processes such as steroid receptor action, transcriptional activity, protein conformation, protein trafficking, cell differentiation, apoptosis, cancer progression, telomerase activity, cytoskeleton architecture, etc. In this article we discuss the biology of these events and some mechanistic aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia R Zgajnar
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental/CONICET, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.
| | - Sonia A De Leo
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.
| | - Cecilia M Lotufo
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental/CONICET, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.
| | - Alejandra G Erlejman
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.
| | | | - Mario D Galigniana
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental/CONICET, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina.
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The Role of Glucocorticoid Receptor Signaling in Bladder Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10120484. [PMID: 30518063 PMCID: PMC6315905 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10120484] [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: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous preclinical studies have indicated that the activation of glucocorticoid receptor signaling results in inhibition of the growth of various types of tumors. Indeed, several glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone and prednisone, have been prescribed for the treatment of, for example, hematological malignancies and castration-resistant prostate cancer. By contrast, the role of glucocorticoid-mediated glucocorticoid receptor signaling in the progression of bladder cancer remains far from being fully understood. Nonetheless, emerging evidence implies its unique functions in urothelial cancer cells. Moreover, the levels of glucocorticoid receptor expression have been documented to significantly associate with the prognosis of patients with bladder cancer. This review summarizes the available data suggesting the involvement of glucocorticoid-mediated glucocorticoid receptor signaling in urothelial tumor outgrowth and highlights the potential underlying molecular mechanisms. The molecules/pathways that contribute to modulating glucocorticoid receptor activity and function in bladder cancer cells are also discussed.
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Prekovic S, van den Broeck T, Linder S, van Royen ME, Houtsmuller AB, Handle F, Joniau S, Zwart W, Claessens F. Molecular underpinnings of enzalutamide resistance. Endocr Relat Cancer 2018; 25:R545–R557. [PMID: 30306781 DOI: 10.1530/erc-17-0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is among the most common adult malignancies, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men. As PCa is hormone dependent, blockade of the androgen receptor (AR) signaling is an effective therapeutic strategy for men with advanced metastatic disease. The discovery of enzalutamide, a compound that effectively blocks the AR axis and its clinical application has led to a significant improvement in survival time. However, the effect of enzalutamide is not permanent, and resistance to treatment ultimately leads to development of lethal disease, for which there currently is no cure. This review will focus on the molecular underpinnings of enzalutamide resistance, bridging the gap between the preclinical and clinical research on novel therapeutic strategies for combating this lethal stage of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Prekovic
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - T van den Broeck
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - S Linder
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M E van Royen
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Erasmus Optical Imaging Centre, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A B Houtsmuller
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Erasmus Optical Imaging Centre, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - F Handle
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - S Joniau
- Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - W Zwart
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - F Claessens
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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SPOP promotes ATF2 ubiquitination and degradation to suppress prostate cancer progression. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:145. [PMID: 29996942 PMCID: PMC6042370 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0809-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Next-generation sequencing of the exome and genome of prostate cancers has identified numerous genetic alterations. SPOP (Speckle-type POZ Protein) is one of the most frequently mutated genes in primary prostate cancer, suggesting that SPOP may be a potential driver of prostate cancer. The aim of this work was to investigate how SPOP mutations contribute to prostate cancer development and progression. Methods To identify molecular mediators of the tumor suppressive function of SPOP, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen in a HeLa cDNA library using the full-length SPOP as bait. Immunoprecipitation and Western Blotting were used to analyze the interaction between SPOP and ATF2. Cell migration and invasion were determined by Transwell assays. Immunohistochemistry were used to analyze protein levels in patients’ tumor samples. Results Here we identified ATF2 as a bona fide substrate of the SPOP-CUL3-RBX1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. SPOP recognizes multiple Ser/Thr (S/T)-rich degrons in ATF2 and triggers ATF2 degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Strikingly, prostate cancer-associated mutants of SPOP are defective in promoting ATF2 degradation in prostate cancer cells and contribute to facilitating prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Conclusion SPOP promotes ATF2 ubiquitination and degradation, and ATF2 is an important mediator of SPOP inactivation-induced cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-018-0809-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Guo J, Ma K, Xia HM, Chen QK, Li L, Deng J, Sheng J, Hong YY, Hu JP. Androgen receptor reverts dexamethasone‑induced inhibition of prostate cancer cell proliferation and migration. Mol Med Rep 2018; 17:5887-5893. [PMID: 29436611 PMCID: PMC5866034 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the role of androgen receptor in the effect of dexamethasone on cell proliferation and migration of multiple prostate cancer cells. The prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, 22Rv1, C4-2 and PC3 were cultured in vitro. For glucocorticoid-induced experiments, the cells were transferred and cultured in RPMI-1640 medium with 10% charcoal-stripped serum from RPMI-1640 medium with 10% fetal bovine serum for at least 24 h. The effects of dexamethasone on the proliferation and migration of various cell lines were analyzed by MTT and migration assays. Dexamethasone exhibited no effect on LNCaP, C4-2 and 22Rv1 cell lines, but suppressed proliferation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR)+ androgen receptor (AR)− PC3 cell line. Dexamethasone suppressed PC3 cell migration, and did not affect migration of PC3-AR9 cells. Dexamethasone positively or negatively regulated proliferation of various prostate cancer cells based on AR and GR expression profiles. The data presented in the present study indicates that androgen receptor reverts the dexamethasone-induced inhibition of prostate cancer cell proliferation and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Guo
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Ke Ma
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250355, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Mei Xia
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Qing-Ke Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Jun Deng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Jing Sheng
- Department of Nursing, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Yan Hong
- Department of Nursing, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Jie-Ping Hu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
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Shah N, Wang P, Wongvipat J, Karthaus WR, Abida W, Armenia J, Rockowitz S, Drier Y, Bernstein BE, Long HW, Freedman ML, Arora VK, Zheng D, Sawyers CL. Regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor via a BET-dependent enhancer drives antiandrogen resistance in prostate cancer. eLife 2017; 6:e27861. [PMID: 28891793 PMCID: PMC5593504 DOI: 10.7554/elife.27861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In prostate cancer, resistance to the antiandrogen enzalutamide (Enz) can occur through bypass of androgen receptor (AR) blockade by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). In contrast to fixed genomic alterations, here we show that GR-mediated antiandrogen resistance is adaptive and reversible due to regulation of GR expression by a tissue-specific enhancer. GR expression is silenced in prostate cancer by a combination of AR binding and EZH2-mediated repression at the GR locus, but is restored in advanced prostate cancers upon reversion of both repressive signals. Remarkably, BET bromodomain inhibition resensitizes drug-resistant tumors to Enz by selectively impairing the GR signaling axis via this enhancer. In addition to revealing an underlying molecular mechanism of GR-driven drug resistance, these data suggest that inhibitors of broadly active chromatin-readers could have utility in nuanced clinical contexts of acquired drug resistance with a more favorable therapeutic index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neel Shah
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis ProgramMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
- The Louis V. Gerstner Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sloan Kettering InstituteMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Neurology, Genetics and NeuroscienceAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxUnited States
| | - John Wongvipat
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis ProgramMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Wouter R Karthaus
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis ProgramMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Wassim Abida
- Department of MedicineMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Joshua Armenia
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis ProgramMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Shira Rockowitz
- Department of Neurology, Genetics and NeuroscienceAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxUnited States
| | - Yotam Drier
- Department of PathologyMassachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Bradley E Bernstein
- Department of PathologyMassachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Henry W Long
- Department of Medical OncologyDana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Matthew L Freedman
- Department of Medical OncologyDana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Vivek K Arora
- Division of Medical OncologyWashington University School of MedicineSt LouisUnited States
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Genetics and NeuroscienceAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxUnited States
| | - Charles L Sawyers
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis ProgramMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkUnited States
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Antoniassi JQ, Fochi RA, Góes RM, Vilamaior PSL, Taboga SR. Corticosterone influences gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) prostatic morphophysiology and alters its proliferation and apoptosis rates. Int J Exp Pathol 2017; 98:134-146. [PMID: 28664583 PMCID: PMC5573771 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are hormones that are widely used in medicine; but although side effects are generally recognised, little is known about the precise mechanisms that is implicated in many of these side effects. Furthermore, GCs are highly correlated with stress and behaviour disorders. This study evaluated the effects of the glucocorticoid corticosterone on the ventral prostate of the Mongolian gerbil. Male gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) (n = 5) received intraperitoneal injections of saline or corticosterone in doses of 0.5 mg/kg/day and 1.5 mg/kg/day for 5 days; while some of the animals were killed immediately after the treatment, the others were killed 5 days after the treatment period. The data show that corticosterone influences the structure and functionality of this organ. This hormone has anti-proliferative and anti-apoptotic properties in the prostate. In addition, the frequencies of the androgen (AR), oestrogen (ERα, ERβ) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors changed. The frequencies of AR, GR and ERβ decreased in the Ct1/5 group; in the groups with rest period, the frequencies of GR increased and ERβ decreased in the epithelium. Changes in the proliferative index, apoptotic index and receptor activity may have contributed to the emergence of prostatic morphological alterations, such as the presence of cellular debris and inflammatory cells. Different doses of corticosterone had variable effects on the prostate, with a higher dose showing subtler effects and a lower dose showing more striking effects. The corticosterone effects on nuclear receptors were reverted or attenuated after a rest period, which was not observed for proliferation and apoptosis. In summary, we have demonstrated that corticosterone might influence the prostatic morphophysiology and that these changes may be linked in some way to the altered receptor distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Quilles Antoniassi
- Department of Structural and Functional BiologyInstitute of BiologyState University of Campinas (UNICAMP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Ricardo Alexandre Fochi
- Department of BiologyInstitute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences (IBILCE)University Estadual Paulista (UNESP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Rejane Maira Góes
- Department of BiologyInstitute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences (IBILCE)University Estadual Paulista (UNESP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Patricia Simone Leite Vilamaior
- Department of BiologyInstitute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences (IBILCE)University Estadual Paulista (UNESP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Sebastião Roberto Taboga
- Department of Structural and Functional BiologyInstitute of BiologyState University of Campinas (UNICAMP)São PauloBrazil
- Department of BiologyInstitute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences (IBILCE)University Estadual Paulista (UNESP)São PauloBrazil
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Dean M, Murphy BT, Burdette JE. Phytosteroids beyond estrogens: Regulators of reproductive and endocrine function in natural products. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 442:98-105. [PMID: 27986590 PMCID: PMC5276729 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Foods and botanical supplements can interfere with the endocrine system through the presence of phytosteroids - chemicals that interact with steroids receptors. Phytoestrogens are well studied, but compounds such as kaempferol, apigenin, genistein, ginsenoside Rf, and glycyrrhetinic acid have been shown to interact with non-estrogen nuclear receptors. These compounds can have agonist, antagonist, or mixed agonist/antagonist activity depending on compound, receptor, cell line or tissue, and concentration. Some phytosteroids have also been shown to inhibit steroid metabolizing enzymes, resulting in biological effects through altered endogenous steroid concentrations. An interesting example, compound A (4-[1-chloro-2-(methylamino)ethyl]phenyl acetate hydrochloride (1:1)) is a promising selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator (SGRM) based on a phytosteroid isolated from Salsola tuberculatiformis Botschantzev. Given that $6.9 billion of herbal supplements are sold each year, is clear that further identification and characterization of phytosteroids is needed to ensure the safe and effective use of botanical supplements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Dean
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brian T Murphy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Joanna E Burdette
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Center for Biomolecular Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Comparing the rules of engagement of androgen and glucocorticoid receptors. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:2217-2228. [PMID: 28168446 PMCID: PMC5425506 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2467-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Despite the diverse physiological activities of androgens and glucocorticoids, the corresponding receptors are very close members of the nuclear-receptor super family. Their action mechanisms show striking similarities, since both receptors recognize very similar DNA-response elements and recruit the same coactivators to their target genes. The specificity of the responses lies mainly in the tissue-specific expression of the receptors and in their ligand specificity. In cells, where both receptors are expressed, the mechanisms leading to the difference in target genes are less obvious. They lie in part in subtle variations of the DNA-binding sites, in cooperativity with other transcription factors and in differential allosteric signals from the DNA and ligand to other receptor domains. We will highlight the different suggestions that might explain the DNA sequence selectivity and will compare the possible allosteric routes between the response elements and the different functions in the transactivation process. The interplay of androgen and glucocorticoid receptors is also highly relevant in clinical settings, where both receptors are therapeutically targeted. We will discuss the possibility that the glucocorticoid and androgen receptors can play partially redundant roles in castration-resistant prostate cancer.
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Zhou L, Zhong Y, Yang FH, Li ZB, Zhou J, Liu XH, Li M, Hu F. Kaiso represses the expression of glucocorticoid receptor via a methylation-dependent mechanism and attenuates the anti-apoptotic activity of glucocorticoids in breast cancer cells. BMB Rep 2017; 49:167-72. [PMID: 26424557 PMCID: PMC4915231 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2016.49.3.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Kaiso is a Pox Virus and Zinc Finger (POZ-ZF) transcription factor with bi-modal DNA-binding specificity. Here, we demonstrated that Kaiso expression is inversely correlated with glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression in breast carcinomas. Knockdown of Kaiso increased GR expression, while overexpression of Kaiso inhibited GR expression in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, Kaiso repressed GR proximal promoter-reporter activity in a dose-dependent manner. Remarkably, ChIP experiments demonstrated that endogenous Kaiso was associated with the GR promoter sequence in a methylation-dependent manner. Since glucocorticoids inhibit chemotherapyinduced apoptosis and have been widely used as a co-treatment of patients with breast cancer, we assessed the role of Kasio in GR-mediated anti-apoptotic effects. We found that overexpression of Kaiso attenuated the anti-apoptotic effects of glucocorticoids in breast cancer cells. Our findings suggest that GR is a putative target gene of Kaiso and suggest Kaiso to be a potential therapeutic target in GC-combination chemotherapy in breast cancer. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(3): 167-172]
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Medicine Laboratory; Department of Anatomy Histology and Embryology, Institute of Neuroscience, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan 410219, China
| | - Yan Zhong
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Fang-Hui Yang
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan 410219, China
| | - Zi-Bo Li
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan 410219, China
| | - Jiang Zhou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan 410219, China
| | - Xie-Hong Liu
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan 410219, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan 410219, China
| | - Fang Hu
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
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Lee JH, Kang M, Wang H, Naik G, Mobley JA, Sonpavde G, Garvey WT, Darley-Usmar VM, Ponnazhagan S. Endostatin inhibits androgen-independent prostate cancer growth by suppressing nuclear receptor-mediated oxidative stress. FASEB J 2017; 31:1608-1619. [PMID: 28069826 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201601178r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Androgen-deprivation therapy has been identified to induce oxidative stress in prostate cancer (PCa), leading to reactivation of androgen receptor (AR) signaling in a hormone-refractory manner. Thus, antioxidant therapies have gained attention as adjuvants for castration-resistant PCa. Here, we report for the first time that human endostatin (ES) prevents androgen-independent growth phenotype in PCa cells through its molecular targeting of AR and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and downstream pro-oxidant signaling. This reversal after ES treatment significantly decreased PCa cell proliferation through down-regulation of GR and up-regulation of manganese superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione levels. Proteome and biochemical analyses of ES-treated PCa cells further indicated a significant up-regulation of enzymes in the major reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging machinery, including catalase, glutathione synthetase, glutathione reductase, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, biliverdin reductase, and thioredoxin reductase, resulting in a concomitant reduction of intracellular ROS. ES further augmented the antioxidant system through up-regulation of glucose influx, the pentose phosphate pathway, and NAD salvaging pathways. This shift in cancer cell redox homeostasis by ES significantly decreased the effect of protumorigenic oxidative machinery on androgen-independent PCa growth, suggesting that ES can suppress GR-induced resistant phenotype upon AR antagonism and that the dual targeting action of ES on AR and GR can be further translated to PCa therapy.-Lee, J. H., Kang, M., Wang, H., Naik, G., Mobley, J. A., Sonpavde, G., Garvey, W. T., Darley-Usmar, V. M., Ponnazhagan, S. Endostatin inhibits androgen-independent prostate cancer growth by suppressing nuclear receptor-mediated oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo Hyoung Lee
- Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Minsung Kang
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Gurudatta Naik
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - James A Mobley
- Department of Surgery, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; and
| | - Guru Sonpavde
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - W Timothy Garvey
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Victor M Darley-Usmar
- Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Hu J, Chen Q. The role of glucocorticoid receptor in prostate cancer progression: from bench to bedside. Int Urol Nephrol 2016; 49:369-380. [PMID: 27987128 DOI: 10.1007/s11255-016-1476-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are a common class of adjuvant drugs for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) combined with antitumour or antiandrogen agents. Glucocorticoids are administered clinically because they ameliorate toxic side effects and have inhibitory effects on adrenal androgen production, acting as a pituitary suppressant. However, their effects on prostate cancer cells especially the castration resistance prostate cancer cells are poorly defined. Glucocorticoids exert effects depend to a great extent on glucocorticoid receptor. In addition to a number of glucocorticoid receptor isoforms determined, it is found that the actions of glucocorticoids through GRα are influenced by other isoforms, such as GRβ and GRγ. Recently, studies found GR confers resistance to androgen deprivation therapy, and various glucocorticoids exert distinct efficacy in CRPC. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms of glucocorticoids and its clinical appliances on the basis of present evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieping Hu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Qingke Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China.
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Lesovaya E, Yemelyanov A, Swart AC, Swart P, Haegeman G, Budunova I. Discovery of Compound A--a selective activator of the glucocorticoid receptor with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity. Oncotarget 2016; 6:30730-44. [PMID: 26436695 PMCID: PMC4741564 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are among the most effective anti-inflammatory drugs, and are widely used for cancer therapy. Unfortunately, chronic treatment with glucocorticoids results in multiple side effects. Thus, there was an intensive search for selective glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activators (SEGRA), which retain therapeutic potential of glucocorticoids, but with fewer adverse effects. GR regulates gene expression by transactivation (TA), by binding as homodimer to gene promoters, or transrepression (TR), via diverse mechanisms including negative interaction between monomeric GR and other transcription factors. It is well accepted that metabolic and atrophogenic effects of glucocorticoids are mediated by GR TA. Here we summarized the results of extensive international collaboration that led to discovery and characterization of Compound A (CpdA), a unique SEGRA with a proven “dissociating” GR ligand profile, preventing GR dimerization and shifting GR activity towards TR both in vitro and in vivo. We outlined here the unusual story of compound's discovery, and presented a comprehensive overview of CpdA ligand properties, its anti-inflammatory effects in numerous animal models of inflammation and autoimmune diseases, as well as its anti-cancer effects. Finally, we presented mechanistic analysis of CpdA and glucocorticoid effects in skin, muscle, bone, and regulation of glucose and fat metabolism to explain decreased CpdA side effects compared to glucocorticoids. Overall, the results obtained by our and other laboratories underline translational potential of CpdA and its derivatives for treatment of inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Lesovaya
- Department of Chemical Carcinogenesis, N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Yemelyanov
- Pulmonary Division, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Amanda C Swart
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Pieter Swart
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | | | - Irina Budunova
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Sundahl N, Clarisse D, Bracke M, Offner F, Berghe WV, Beck IM. Selective glucocorticoid receptor-activating adjuvant therapy in cancer treatments. Oncoscience 2016; 3:188-202. [PMID: 27713909 PMCID: PMC5043069 DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although adverse effects and glucocorticoid resistance cripple their chronic use, glucocorticoids form the mainstay therapy for acute and chronic inflammatory disorders, and play an important role in treatment protocols of both lymphoid malignancies and as adjuvant to stimulate therapy tolerability in various solid tumors. Glucocorticoid binding to their designate glucocorticoid receptor (GR), sets off a plethora of cell-specific events including therapeutically desirable effects, such as cell death, as well as undesirable effects, including chemotherapy resistance, systemic side effects and glucocorticoid resistance. In this context, selective GR agonists and modulators (SEGRAMs) with a more restricted GR activity profile have been developed, holding promise for further clinical development in anti-inflammatory and potentially in cancer therapies. Thus far, the research into the prospective benefits of selective GR modulators in cancer therapy limped behind. Our review discusses how selective GR agonists and modulators could improve the therapy regimens for lymphoid malignancies, prostate or breast cancer. We summarize our current knowledge and look forward to where the field should move to in the future. Altogether, our review clarifies novel therapeutic perspectives in cancer modulation via selective GR targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Sundahl
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research (LECR), Department of Radiation Oncology & Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dorien Clarisse
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research (LECR), Department of Radiation Oncology & Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium; Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab (NRL), VIB Medical Biotechnology Center, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marc Bracke
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research (LECR), Department of Radiation Oncology & Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fritz Offner
- Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Vanden Berghe
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Ilse M Beck
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research (LECR), Department of Radiation Oncology & Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
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Du M, Jiao S, Bien SA, Gala M, Abecasis G, Bezieau S, Brenner H, Butterbach K, Caan BJ, Carlson CS, Casey G, Chang-Claude J, Conti DV, Curtis KR, Duggan D, Gallinger S, Haile RW, Harrison TA, Hayes RB, Hoffmeister M, Hopper JL, Hudson TJ, Jenkins MA, Küry S, Le Marchand L, Leal SM, Newcomb PA, Nickerson DA, Potter JD, Schoen RE, Schumacher FR, Seminara D, Slattery ML, Hsu L, Chan AT, White E, Berndt SI, Peters U. Fine-Mapping of Common Genetic Variants Associated with Colorectal Tumor Risk Identified Potential Functional Variants. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157521. [PMID: 27379672 PMCID: PMC4933364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with colorectal cancer risk. These SNPs may tag correlated variants with biological importance. Fine-mapping around GWAS loci can facilitate detection of functional candidates and additional independent risk variants. We analyzed 11,900 cases and 14,311 controls in the Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium and the Colon Cancer Family Registry. To fine-map genomic regions containing all known common risk variants, we imputed high-density genetic data from the 1000 Genomes Project. We tested single-variant associations with colorectal tumor risk for all variants spanning genomic regions 250-kb upstream or downstream of 31 GWAS-identified SNPs (index SNPs). We queried the University of California, Santa Cruz Genome Browser to examine evidence for biological function. Index SNPs did not show the strongest association signals with colorectal tumor risk in their respective genomic regions. Bioinformatics analysis of SNPs showing smaller P-values in each region revealed 21 functional candidates in 12 loci (5q31.1, 8q24, 11q13.4, 11q23, 12p13.32, 12q24.21, 14q22.2, 15q13, 18q21, 19q13.1, 20p12.3, and 20q13.33). We did not observe evidence of additional independent association signals in GWAS-identified regions. Our results support the utility of integrating data from comprehensive fine-mapping with expanding publicly available genomic databases to help clarify GWAS associations and identify functional candidates that warrant more onerous laboratory follow-up. Such efforts may aid the eventual discovery of disease-causing variant(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Du
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States of America
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MD); (UP)
| | - Shuo Jiao
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Stephanie A. Bien
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Manish Gala
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Goncalo Abecasis
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | | | - Hermann Brenner
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Butterbach
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bette J. Caan
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of Northern California, Oakland, CA, United States of America
| | - Christopher S. Carlson
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Graham Casey
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Jenny Chang-Claude
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David V. Conti
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Keith R. Curtis
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - David Duggan
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Steven Gallinger
- Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert W. Haile
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Tabitha A. Harrison
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Richard B. Hayes
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Michael Hoffmeister
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - John L. Hopper
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas J. Hudson
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Departments of Medical Biophysics and Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mark A. Jenkins
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sébastien Küry
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Loic Le Marchand
- Epidemiology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, United States of America
| | - Suzanne M. Leal
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Polly A. Newcomb
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Deborah A. Nickerson
- Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - John D. Potter
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Robert E. Schoen
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Fredrick R. Schumacher
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Daniela Seminara
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Martha L. Slattery
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America
| | - Li Hsu
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Andrew T. Chan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Emily White
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Sonja I. Berndt
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Ulrike Peters
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MD); (UP)
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McBeth L, Nwaneri AC, Grabnar M, Demeter J, Nestor-Kalinoski A, Hinds TD. Glucocorticoid receptor beta increases migration of human bladder cancer cells. Oncotarget 2016; 7:27313-24. [PMID: 27036026 PMCID: PMC5053652 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is observed worldwide having been associated with a host of environmental and lifestyle risk factors. Recent investigations on anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid signaling point to a pathway that may impact bladder cancer. Here we show an inverse effect on the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) isoform signaling that may lead to bladder cancer. We found similar GRα expression levels in the transitional uroepithelial cancer cell lines T24 and UMUC-3. However, the T24 cells showed a significant (p < 0.05) increased expression of GRβ compared to UMUC-3, which also correlated with higher migration rates. Knockdown of GRβ in the T24 cells resulted in a decreased migration rate. Mutational analysis of the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of human GRβ revealed that miR144 might positively regulate expression. Indeed, overexpression of miR144 increased GRβ by 3.8 fold. In addition, miR144 and GRβ were upregulated during migration. We used a peptide nucleic acid conjugated to a cell penetrating-peptide (Sweet-P) to block the binding site for miR144 in the 3'UTR of GRβ. Sweet-P effectively prevented miR144 actions and decreased GRβ expression, as well as the migration of the T24 human bladder cancer cells. Therefore, GRβ may have a significant role in bladder cancer, and possibly serve as a therapeutic target for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucien McBeth
- Center for Hypertension and Personalized Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Assumpta C. Nwaneri
- Center for Hypertension and Personalized Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Maria Grabnar
- Center for Hypertension and Personalized Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Jonathan Demeter
- Center for Hypertension and Personalized Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Andrea Nestor-Kalinoski
- Advanced Microscopy and Imaging Center, Department of Surgery, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Terry D. Hinds
- Center for Hypertension and Personalized Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
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Timcodar (VX-853) Is a Non-FKBP12 Binding Macrolide Derivative That Inhibits PPARγ and Suppresses Adipogenesis. PPAR Res 2016; 2016:6218637. [PMID: 27190501 PMCID: PMC4848453 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6218637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutrient overload and genetic factors have led to a worldwide epidemic of obesity that is the underlying cause of diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. In this study, we used macrolide drugs such as FK506, rapamycin, and macrolide derived, timcodar (VX-853), to determine their effects on lipid accumulation during adipogenesis. Rapamycin and FK506 bind to FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs), such as FKBP12, which causes suppression of the immune system and inhibition of mTOR. Rapamycin has been previously reported to inhibit the adipogenic process and lipid accumulation. However, rapamycin treatment in rodents caused immune suppression and glucose resistance, even though the mice lost weight. Here we show that timcodar (1 μM), a non-FKBP12-binding drug, significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited lipid accumulation during adipogenesis. A comparison of the same concentration of timcodar (1 μM) and rapamycin (1 μM) showed that both are inhibitors of lipid accumulation during adipogenesis. Importantly, timcodar potently (p < 0.01) suppressed transcriptional regulators of adipogenesis, PPARγ and C/EBPα, resulting in the inhibition of genes involved in lipid accumulation. These studies set the stage for timcodar as a possible antiobesity therapy, which is rapidly emerging as a pandemic.
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Haploinsufficiency for NR3C1, the gene encoding the glucocorticoid receptor, in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms. Blood 2016; 127:3040-53. [PMID: 27060168 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2015-09-671040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and highly aggressive leukemia for which knowledge on disease mechanisms and effective therapies are currently lacking. Only a handful of recurring genetic mutations have been identified and none is specific to BPDCN. In this study, through molecular cloning in an index case that presented a balanced t(3;5)(q21;q31) and molecular cytogenetic analyses in a further 46 cases, we identify monoallelic deletion of NR3C1 (5q31), encoding the glucocorticoid receptor (GCR), in 13 of 47 (28%) BPDCN patients. Targeted deep sequencing in 36 BPDCN cases, including 10 with NR3C1 deletion, did not reveal NR3C1 point mutations or indels. Haploinsufficiency for NR3C1 defined a subset of BPDCN with lowered GCR expression and extremely poor overall survival (P = .0006). Consistent with a role for GCR in tumor suppression, functional analyses coupled with gene expression profiling identified corticoresistance and loss-of-EZH2 function as major downstream consequences of NR3C1 deletion in BPDCN. Subsequently, more detailed analyses of the t(3;5)(q21;q31) revealed fusion of NR3C1 to a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) gene (lincRNA-3q) that encodes a novel, nuclear, noncoding RNA involved in the regulation of leukemia stem cell programs and G1/S transition, via E2F. Overexpression of lincRNA-3q was a consistent feature of malignant cells and could be abrogated by bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) protein inhibition. Taken together, this work points to NR3C1 as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor in a subset of BPDCN and identifies BET inhibition, acting at least partially via lncRNA blockade, as a novel treatment option in BPDCN.
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42
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Taylor KM, Ray DW, Sommer P. Glucocorticoid receptors in lung cancer: new perspectives. J Endocrinol 2016; 229:R17-28. [PMID: 26795718 DOI: 10.1530/joe-15-0496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Proper expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) plays an essential role in the development of the lung. GR expression and signalling in the lung is manipulated by administration of synthetic glucocorticoids (Gcs) for the treatment of neonatal, childhood and adult lung diseases. In lung cancers, Gcs are also commonly used as co-treatment during chemotherapy. This review summarises the effect of Gc monotherapy and co-therapy on lung cancers in vitro, in mouse models of lung cancer, in xenograft, ex vivo and in vivo The disparity between the effects of pre-clinical and in vivo Gc therapy is commented on in light of the recent discovery of GR as a novel tumour suppressor gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerryn M Taylor
- Division of GeneticsSchool of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - David W Ray
- Manchester Centre for Nuclear Hormone Research and DiseaseInstitute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Paula Sommer
- Division of GeneticsSchool of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Panza S, Malivindi R, Chemi F, Rago V, Giordano C, Barone I, Bonofiglio D, Gelsomino L, Giordano F, Andò S, Catalano S. Glucocorticoid Receptor as a Potential Target to Decrease Aromatase Expression and Inhibit Leydig Tumor Growth. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2016; 186:1328-39. [PMID: 26968343 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2015.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Leydig cell tumors are the most frequent interstitial neoplasms of the testis with increased incidence in recent years. They are hormonally active and are considered one of the steroid-secreting tumors. Although usually benign, the malignant phenotype responds poorly to conventional chemotherapy or radiation, highlighting the need to identify new therapeutic targets for treatment. Here, we identified a novel glucocorticoid-mediated mechanism that controls cell growth in Leydig cell tumors. We found that a synthetic glucocorticoid receptor agonist, dexamethasone, reduces cell proliferation in rat Leydig tumor cells by decreasing the expression and the enzymatic activity of the estrogen-producing enzyme aromatase. This inhibitory effect relies on the ability of activated glucocorticoid receptor to regulate the aromatase gene transcriptional activity through the recruitment of nuclear receptor corepressor protein and silencing mediator of retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors to a newly identified putative glucocorticoid responsive element within the aromatase promoter II. Our in vivo studies reveal a reduction of tumor growth, after dexamethasone treatment, in animal xenografts. Tumors from dexamethasone-treated mice exhibit a decrease in the expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and the aromatase enzyme. Our data demonstrate that activated glucocorticoid receptor, decreasing aromatase expression, induces Leydig tumor regression both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that glucocorticoid receptor might be a potential target for the therapy of Leydig cell tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Panza
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Rocco Malivindi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Francesca Chemi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Vittoria Rago
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Cinzia Giordano
- Health Center, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Ines Barone
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Daniela Bonofiglio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Luca Gelsomino
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Francesca Giordano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Andò
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy; Health Center, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy.
| | - Stefania Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy.
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Kroon J, Puhr M, Buijs JT, van der Horst G, Hemmer DM, Marijt KA, Hwang MS, Masood M, Grimm S, Storm G, Metselaar JM, Meijer OC, Culig Z, van der Pluijm G. Glucocorticoid receptor antagonism reverts docetaxel resistance in human prostate cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2016; 23:35-45. [PMID: 26483423 PMCID: PMC4657186 DOI: 10.1530/erc-15-0343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Resistance to docetaxel is a major clinical problem in advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Although glucocorticoids (GCs) are frequently used in combination with docetaxel, it is unclear to what extent GCs and their receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), contribute to the chemotherapy resistance. In this study, we aim to elucidate the role of the GR in docetaxel-resistant PCa in order to improve the current PCa therapies. GR expression was analyzed in a tissue microarray of primary PCa specimens from chemonaive and docetaxel-treated patients, and in cultured PCa cell lines with an acquired docetaxel resistance (PC3-DR, DU145-DR, and 22Rv1-DR). We found a robust overexpression of the GR in primary PCa from docetaxel-treated patients and enhanced GR levels in cultured docetaxel-resistant human PCa cells, indicating a key role of the GR in docetaxel resistance. The capability of the GR antagonists (RU-486 and cyproterone acetate) to revert docetaxel resistance was investigated and revealed significant resensitization of docetaxel-resistant PCa cells for docetaxel treatment in a dose- and time-dependent manner, in which a complete restoration of docetaxel sensitivity was achieved in both androgen receptor (AR)-negative and AR-positive cell lines. Mechanistically, we demonstrated down-regulation of Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 upon GR antagonism, thereby defining potential treatment targets. In conclusion, we describe the involvement of the GR in the acquisition of docetaxel resistance in human PCa. Therapeutic targeting of the GR effectively resensitizes docetaxel-resistant PCa cells. These findings warrant further investigation of the clinical utility of the GR antagonists in the management of patients with advanced and docetaxel-resistant PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kroon
- Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Puhr
- Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen T Buijs
- Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Geertje van der Horst
- Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daniëlle M Hemmer
- Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Koen A Marijt
- Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ming S Hwang
- Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Motasim Masood
- Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Grimm
- Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Storm
- Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Josbert M Metselaar
- Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Zoran Culig
- Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gabri van der Pluijm
- Department of UrologyLeiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Targeted TherapeuticsMIRA Institute for Biological Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The NetherlandsDepartment of UrologyMedical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Clinical OncologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The NetherlandsDivision of Experimental MedicineImperial College London, London, UKDepartment of PharmaceuticsUtrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of EndocrinologyLeiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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45
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Abstract
Steroid receptors for androgens and estrogens have essential roles in prostate and breast cancers. Recently, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activity has also been proposed as having an important role in these cancers. Underscoring the cooperative nature of nuclear receptor activity, data now suggest that GR function in prostate and breast cancers is dependent on the tumor's concomitant androgen or estrogen receptor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Kach
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 2115, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Suzanne D Conzen
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 2115, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. Ben May Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave. MC 2115, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Russell Z Szmulewitz
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 2115, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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46
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McBeth L, Grabnar M, Selman S, Hinds TD. Involvement of the Androgen and Glucocorticoid Receptors in Bladder Cancer. Int J Endocrinol 2015; 2015:384860. [PMID: 26347776 PMCID: PMC4546983 DOI: 10.1155/2015/384860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is encountered worldwide having been associated with a host of environmental and lifestyle risk factors. The disease has a male to female prevalence of 3 : 1. This disparity has raised the possibility of the androgen receptor (AR) pathway being involved in the genesis of the disease; indeed, research has shown that AR is involved in and is likely a driver of bladder cancer. Similarly, an inflammatory response has been implicated as a major player in bladder carcinogenesis. Consistent with this concept, recent work on anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid signaling points to a pathway that may impact bladder cancer. The glucocorticoid receptor- (GR-) α isoform has an important role in suppressing inflammatory processes, which may be attenuated by AR in the development of bladder cancer. In addition, a GR isoform that is inhibitory to GRα, GRβ, is proinflammatory and has been shown to induce cancer growth. In this paper, we review the evidence of inflammatory mediators and the relationship of AR and GR isoforms as they relate to the propensity for bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucien McBeth
- Center for Hypertension and Personalized Medicine, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Maria Grabnar
- Center for Hypertension and Personalized Medicine, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Steven Selman
- Department of Urology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Terry D. Hinds
- Center for Hypertension and Personalized Medicine, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
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47
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Pihlajamaa P, Sahu B, Jänne OA. Determinants of Receptor- and Tissue-Specific Actions in Androgen Signaling. Endocr Rev 2015; 36:357-84. [PMID: 26052734 DOI: 10.1210/er.2015-1034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The physiological androgens testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone regulate the development and maintenance of primary and secondary male sexual characteristics through binding to the androgen receptor (AR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor. In addition, a number of nonreproductive tissues of both genders are subject to androgen regulation. AR is also a central target in the treatment of prostate cancer. A large number of studies over the last decade have characterized many regulatory aspects of the AR pathway, such as androgen-dependent transcription programs, AR cistromes, and coregulatory proteins, mostly in cultured cells of prostate cancer origin. Moreover, recent work has revealed the presence of pioneer/licensing factors and chromatin modifications that are important to guide receptor recruitment onto appropriate chromatin loci in cell lines and in tissues under physiological conditions. Despite these advances, current knowledge related to the mechanisms responsible for receptor- and tissue-specific actions of androgens is still relatively limited. Here, we review topics that pertain to these specificity issues at different levels, both in cultured cells and tissues in vivo, with a particular emphasis on the nature of the steroid, the response element sequence, the AR cistromes, pioneer/licensing factors, and coregulatory proteins. We conclude that liganded AR and its DNA-response elements are required but are not sufficient for establishment of tissue-specific transcription programs in vivo, and that AR-selective actions over other steroid receptors rely on relaxed rather than increased stringency of cis-elements on chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Päivi Pihlajamaa
- Department of Physiology (P.P., B.S., O.A.J.), and Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology (P.P., B.S.), Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Biswajyoti Sahu
- Department of Physiology (P.P., B.S., O.A.J.), and Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology (P.P., B.S.), Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli A Jänne
- Department of Physiology (P.P., B.S., O.A.J.), and Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology (P.P., B.S.), Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
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48
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Baida G, Bhalla P, Kirsanov K, Lesovaya E, Yakubovskaya M, Yuen K, Guo S, Lavker RM, Readhead B, Dudley JT, Budunova I. REDD1 functions at the crossroads between the therapeutic and adverse effects of topical glucocorticoids. EMBO Mol Med 2015; 7:42-58. [PMID: 25504525 PMCID: PMC4309667 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201404601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous atrophy is the major adverse effect of topical glucocorticoids; however, its molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we identify stress-inducible mTOR inhibitor REDD1 (regulated in development and DNA damage response 1) as a major molecular target of glucocorticoids, which mediates cutaneous atrophy. In REDD1 knockout (KO) mice, all skin compartments (epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous fat), epidermal stem, and progenitor cells were protected from atrophic effects of glucocorticoids. Moreover, REDD1 knockdown resulted in similar consequences in organotypic raft cultures of primary human keratinocytes. Expression profiling revealed that gene activation by glucocorticoids was strongly altered in REDD1 KO epidermis. In contrast, the down-regulation of genes involved in anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid response was strikingly similar in wild-type and REDD1 KO mice. Integrative bioinformatics analysis of our and published gene array data revealed similar changes of gene expression in epidermis and in muscle undergoing glucocorticoid-dependent and glucocorticoid-independent atrophy. Importantly, the lack of REDD1 did not diminish the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids in preclinical model. Our findings suggest that combining steroids with REDD1 inhibitors may yield a novel, safer glucocorticoid-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleb Baida
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Pankaj Bhalla
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kit Yuen
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shuchi Guo
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert M Lavker
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ben Readhead
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joel T Dudley
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Irina Budunova
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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49
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Jiang Y, Li Z, Liu Y, Liu X, Chang Q, Liao Y, Pan R. Neuroprotective effect of water extract of Panax ginseng on corticosterone-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells and its underlying molecule mechanisms. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2015; 159:102-112. [PMID: 25446601 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.10.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2014] [Revised: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Family Araliaceae) is an important medicinal plant which has been employed as a panacea for more than 2,000 years in China. It has the actions of invigorating primordial qi, recovering pulse and desertion, engendering liquid, and calming spirit. The water extract of Panax ginseng (WEG) has been used to treat kinds of central nervous system disorders, such as depression, insomnia, Alzheimer׳s disease and Parkinson׳s disease. Our previous work has demonstrated that WEG possessed antidepressant-like activities in both acute and chronic stress models of depression. Nevertheless, there are no studies on the cytoprotection and potential mechanisms of WEG on corticosterone-induced apoptosis. The present study focuses on cytoprotection against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells and its underlying molecule mechanisms of the antidepressant-like effect of WEG. MATERIALS AND METHODS The PC12 cells were treated with 250 μmol/L corticosterone in the absence or presence of WEG for 24h, then 3-(4,5-dimethy thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) detection, Hoechst33342 staining and TUNEL staining were investigated to confirm the neuroprotection of WEG. Then, mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i), reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration, and the expression level of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), histone deactylase 6 (HDAC6), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), growth arrest and DNA damage inducible protein 153 (GADD153), X-box DNA-binding protein-1 (XBP-1), caspase-12, cytochrome C, inhibitor of caspase-activated deoxyribonuclease (ICAD), caspase-3 and caspase-9 were assessed by Western Blot analysis to understand the molecule mechanisms of neuroprotection of WEG. RESULTS WEG partly reversed corticosterone-induced damage in PC12 cells, which increased cell viability, decreased LDH release, and attenuated corticosterone-induced apoptosis as compared with the corticosterone-treated group. Mechanistically, compared with the corticosterone-treated group, WEG strongly attenuated [Ca(2+)]i overload and ROS level, and restored mitochondrial function, including mPTP and MMP. Furthermore, WEG strongly up-regulated the expression of GR and HDAC6, and down-regulated the expression of Hsp90, cytochrome C, ICAD, caspase-3, caspase-9 as well as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related proteins, such as GADD153, GRP78, XBP-1, and caspase-12. CONCLUSION WEG possessed neuroprotection against corticosterone-induced damage in PC12 cells, and the underlying molecule mechanisms was depended on the intervening of HDAC6 and HSP90 of the GR-related function proteins, and subsequent restoration of ER and mitochondria functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumao Jiang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zongyang Li
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yamin Liu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xinmin Liu
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qi Chang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yonghong Liao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ruile Pan
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China.
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50
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Abstract
Unlike other steroid hormone receptors, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is not considered an oncogene. In breast cancer, the estrogen receptor (ER) drives cell growth, proliferation, and metastasis, and the androgen receptor (AR) plays a similar role in prostate cancer. Accordingly, treatment of these diseases has focused on blocking steroid hormone receptor function. In contrast, glucocorticoids (GCs) work through GR to arrest growth and induce apoptosis in lymphoid tissue. Glucocorticoids are amazingly effective in this role, and have been deployed as the cornerstone of lymphoid cancer treatment for decades. Unfortunately, not all patients respond to GCs and dosage is restricted by immediate and long term side effects. In this chapter we review the treatment protocols that employ glucocorticoids as a curative agent, elaborate on what is known about their mechanism of action in these cancers, and also summarize the palliative uses of glucocorticoids for other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles A Pufall
- Department of Biochemistry, Carver College of Medicine, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, 51 Newton Road, Bowen Science Building, Room 4-430, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA,
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