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Al-Ghazzawi K, Wessolly M, Dalbah S, Ketteler P, Kiefer T, Bechrakis N, Leyla J, Ting S, Biewald E, Mairinger FD. PDGF, NGF, and EGF as main contributors to tumorigenesis in high-risk retinoblastoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1144951. [PMID: 37965463 PMCID: PMC10642836 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1144951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common form of eye cancer experienced in childhood. Its aggressive malignancy is associated with excellent survival rates in high-income countries; however, the prognosis in third-world countries is less favorable. Early diagnosis can maximize the patient's visual outcomes and their survival rate. Therapy should be conducted in highly specialized treatment centers. Intravenous chemotherapy (IVC) in bilaterally affected children currently forms the majority of therapy. Local destructive procedures and local chemotherapies such as intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) or intravitreal chemotherapy can be taken into consideration depending on the extent and size of the tumor. Nonetheless, children and parents remain under constant stress, revisiting doctors for medical treatment and fearing vision loss and even enucleation of the eye. Adequate molecular patient stratification to improve targeted therapy is still lacking. This retrospective study analyzed formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens from a cohort of 21 RB samples. A total of 11 of those samples showed undifferentiated retinoblastoma (URB) histopathological risk features, and the other 10 showed differentiated retinoblastoma (DRB) histopathological grading. RNA from all samples was isolated and analyzed via digital gene expression patterns. Conductors of cell survival and DNA repair were dominant in the DRB samples. In contrast, the agents responsible for cell-cycle progression and apoptosis were overexpressed in URB samples. Our work reveals the importance of molecular mechanisms within the immune system subjected to histologic subtypes of RB, providing more detailed background on their genetic behavior. This is of great interest for therapeutic strategies, such as targeted immune- and gene-based therapies, for retinoblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Al-Ghazzawi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Michael Wessolly
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sami Dalbah
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Petra Ketteler
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tobias Kiefer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Jabbarli Leyla
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Saskia Ting
- Institute of Pathology Nordhessen, Kassel, Germany
| | - Eva Biewald
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Fabian D. Mairinger
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Miao L, Liu Y, Ali NM, Dong Y, Zhang B, Cui X. Bufalin serves as a pharmaceutic that mitigates drug resistance. Drug Metab Rev 2023:1-10. [PMID: 37114332 DOI: 10.1080/03602532.2023.2206065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsic or acquired drug resistance of tumor cells is the main cause of tumor chemotherapy failure and tumor-related death. Bufalin (BF) is the main active monomer component extracted from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Toad venom (secretions of glands behind the ears and epidermis of bufo gargarizans and Bufo Melanostictus Schneider). It is a cardiotonic steroid with broad-spectrum anti-cancer effects and has been widely used against various malignant tumors in clinical practice. Pharmacological studies also found that BF has the effect of reversing drug resistance, which provides a new perspective for the application of Traditional Chinese Medicine as a chemosensitizer in cancer therapy. This article provides an extensive search and summary of published research on mitigating drug resistance to BF and reviews its potential mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxuan Miao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P.R. China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P.R. China
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, P.R. China
| | - Nasra Mohamoud Ali
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P.R. China
| | - Yan Dong
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P.R. China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P.R. China
| | - Xiaonan Cui
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P.R. China
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Hossain SM, Eccles MR. Phenotype Switching and the Melanoma Microenvironment; Impact on Immunotherapy and Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021601. [PMID: 36675114 PMCID: PMC9864717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, a highly heterogeneous tumor, is comprised of a functionally diverse spectrum of cell phenotypes and subpopulations, including stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Melanoma has been shown to dynamically shift between different transcriptional states or phenotypes. This is referred to as phenotype switching in melanoma, and it involves switching between quiescent and proliferative cell cycle states, and dramatic shifts in invasiveness, as well as changes in signaling pathways in the melanoma cells, and immune cell composition in the TME. Melanoma cell plasticity is associated with altered gene expression in immune cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts, as well as changes in extracellular matrix, which drive the metastatic cascade and therapeutic resistance. Therefore, resistance to therapy in melanoma is not only dependent on genetic evolution, but it has also been suggested to be driven by gene expression changes and adaptive phenotypic cell plasticity. This review discusses recent findings in melanoma phenotype switching, immunotherapy resistance, and the balancing of the homeostatic TME between the different melanoma cell subpopulations. We also discuss future perspectives of the biology of neural crest-like state(s) in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sultana Mehbuba Hossain
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Michael R. Eccles
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Correspondence:
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Trinder SM, McKay C, Power P, Topp M, Chan B, Valvi S, McCowage G, Govender D, Kirby M, Ziegler DS, Manoharan N, Hassall T, Kellie S, Heath J, Alvaro F, Wood P, Laughton S, Tsui K, Dodgshun A, Eisenstat DD, Endersby R, Luen SJ, Koh ES, Sim HW, Kong B, Gottardo NG, Whittle JR, Khuong-Quang DA, Hansford JR. BRAF-mediated brain tumors in adults and children: A review and the Australian and New Zealand experience. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1154246. [PMID: 37124503 PMCID: PMC10140567 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1154246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway signaling pathway is one of the most commonly mutated pathways in human cancers. In particular, BRAF alterations result in constitutive activation of the rapidly accelerating fibrosarcoma-extracellular signal-regulated kinase-MAPK significant pathway, leading to cellular proliferation, survival, and dedifferentiation. The role of BRAF mutations in oncogenesis and tumorigenesis has spurred the development of targeted agents, which have been successful in treating many adult cancers. Despite advances in other cancer types, the morbidity and survival outcomes of patients with glioma have remained relatively stagnant. Recently, there has been recognition that MAPK dysregulation is almost universally present in paediatric and adult gliomas. These findings, accompanying broad molecular characterization of gliomas, has aided prognostication and offered opportunities for clinical trials testing targeted agents. The use of targeted therapies in this disease represents a paradigm shift, although the biochemical complexities has resulted in unexpected challenges in the development of effective BRAF inhibitors. Despite these challenges, there are promising data to support the use of BRAF inhibitors alone and in combination with MEK inhibitors for patients with both low-grade and high-grade glioma across age groups. Safety and efficacy data demonstrate that many of the toxicities of these targeted agents are tolerable while offering objective responses. Newer clinical trials will examine the use of these therapies in the upfront setting. Appropriate duration of therapy and durability of response remains unclear in the glioma patient cohort. Longitudinal efficacy and toxicity data are needed. Furthermore, access to these medications remains challenging outside of clinical trials in Australia and New Zealand. Compassionate access is limited, and advocacy for mechanism of action-based drug approval is ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Trinder
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology/Haematology, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Campbell McKay
- Children’s Cancer Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Phoebe Power
- Sydney Children’s Hospital, Children’s Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Monique Topp
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bosco Chan
- Michael Rice Cancer Centre, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Santosh Valvi
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology/Haematology, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Geoffrey McCowage
- Department of Oncology, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australasian Children’s Cancer Trials, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Dinisha Govender
- Department of Oncology, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Kirby
- Michael Rice Cancer Centre, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - David S. Ziegler
- Sydney Children’s Hospital, Children’s Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Neevika Manoharan
- Sydney Children’s Hospital, Children’s Cancer Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Hassall
- Queensland Children’s Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stewart Kellie
- Westmead Children’s Hospital, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - John Heath
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Frank Alvaro
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, John Hunter Children's Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Paul Wood
- Monash Medical Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen Laughton
- Starship Blood and Cancer Centre, Starship Children’s Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Karen Tsui
- Starship Blood and Cancer Centre, Starship Children’s Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrew Dodgshun
- Children’s Haematology/Oncology Centre, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - David D. Eisenstat
- Children’s Cancer Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Raelene Endersby
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Stephen J. Luen
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eng-Siew Koh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Liverpool and Macarther Cancer Therapy Centres, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Hao-Wen Sim
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Benjamin Kong
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas G. Gottardo
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology/Haematology, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - James R. Whittle
- Personalised Oncology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Jordan R. Hansford
- Michael Rice Cancer Centre, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- South Australia ImmunoGENomics Cancer Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Jordan R. Hansford,
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Conciatori F, Salvati E, Ciuffreda L, Shirasawa S, Falcone I, Cognetti F, Ferretti G, Zeuli M, Del Bufalo D, Bazzichetto C, Milella M. Fibroblast-Induced Paradoxical PI3K Pathway Activation in PTEN-Competent Colorectal Cancer: Implications for Therapeutic PI3K/mTOR Inhibition. Front Oncol 2022; 12:862806. [PMID: 35719951 PMCID: PMC9203999 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.862806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Tumor-microenvironment interactions are important determinants of drug resistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). We, therefore, set out to understand how interactions between genetically characterized CRC cells and stromal fibroblasts might influence response to molecularly targeted inhibitors. Techniques Sensitivity to PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors of CRC cell lines, with known genetic background, was investigated under different culture conditions [serum-free medium, fibroblasts’ conditioned medium (CM), direct co-culture]. Molecular pathway activation was monitored using Western Blot analysis. Immunoprecipitation was used to detect specific mTOR complex activation. Immunofluorescence was used to analyze cellular PTEN distribution, while different mutant PTEN plasmids were used to map the observed function to specific PTEN protein domains. Results Exposure to fibroblast-CM resulted in increased growth-inhibitory response to double PI3K/mTOR inhibitors in PTEN-competent CRC cell lines harboring KRAS and PI3K mutations. Such functional effect was attributable to fibroblast-CM induced paradoxical PI3K/mTORC1 pathway activation, occurring in the presence of a functional PTEN protein. At a molecular level, fibroblast-CM induced C-tail phosphorylation and cytoplasmic redistribution of the PTEN protein, thereby impairing its lipid phosphatase function and favored the formation of active, RAPTOR-containing, mTORC1 complexes. However, PTEN’s lipid phosphatase function appeared to be dispensable, while complex protein-protein interactions, also involving PTEN/mTOR co-localization and subcellular distribution, were crucial for both mTORC1 activation and sensitivity to double PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. Data Interpretation Microenvironmental cues, in particular soluble factors produced by stromal fibroblasts, profoundly influence PI3K pathway signaling and functional response to specific inhibitors in CRC cells, depending on their mutational background and PTEN status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Conciatori
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Erica Salvati
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology -National Research Council (BPM-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovica Ciuffreda
- Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation (SAFU), Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Senji Shirasawa
- Central Research Institute for Advanced Molecular Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Italia Falcone
- Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation (SAFU), Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Cognetti
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Ferretti
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Zeuli
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Del Bufalo
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Bazzichetto
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona School of Medicine and Verona University Hospital Trust, Verona, Italy
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IGF1R/IR Mediates Resistance to BRAF and MEK Inhibitors in BRAF-Mutant Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225863. [PMID: 34831014 PMCID: PMC8616282 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Melanoma accounts for only 4% of skin cancer, but is the major cause of skin cancer related deaths. The use of dabrafenib (BRAF inhibitor) and trametinib (MEK inhibitor), two FDA approved drugs to treat patients with BRAFV600E melanoma, is limited in the clinic due to the development of resistance. The IGF family of receptors is known to play a crucial role in cancer progression. In our in vitro screening, we identified that the activation of Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and Insulin Receptor (IR) mediates resistance to dabrafenib and trametinib. Patients with high levels of IGF1R and IR have worse survival outcomes compared to patients with low levels of these receptors. We demonstrate that combining dabrafenib and trametinib with an IGF1R/IR inhibitor, BMS-754807, in vitro and in vivo, is efficacious and inhibits proliferation and tumor growth. This research opens up avenues for the development of novel and potent IGF1R/IR inhibitors for patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma. Abstract The use of BRAF and MEK inhibitors for patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma is limited as patients relapse on treatment as quickly as 6 months due to acquired resistance. We generated trametinib and dabrafenib resistant melanoma (TDR) cell lines to the MEK and BRAF inhibitors, respectively. TDR cells exhibited increased viability and maintenance of downstream p-ERK and p-Akt as compared to parental cells. Receptor tyrosine kinase arrays revealed an increase in p-IGF1R and p-IR in the drug resistant cells versus drug sensitive cells. RNA-sequencing analysis identified IGF1R and INSR upregulated in resistant cell lines compared to parental cells. Analysis of TCGA PanCancer Atlas (skin cutaneous melanoma) showed that patients with a BRAF mutation and high levels of IGF1R and INSR had a worse overall survival. BMS-754807, an IGF1R/IR inhibitor, suppressed cell proliferation along with inhibition of intracellular p-Akt in TDR cells. Dual inhibition of IGF1R and INSR using siRNA reduced cell proliferation. The combination of dabrafenib, trametinib, and BMS-754807 treatment reduced in vivo xenograft tumor growth. Examining the role of IGF1R and IR in mediating resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitors will expand possible treatment options to aid in long-term success for BRAF-mutant melanoma patients.
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Tsai K, Tullis B, Jensen T, Graff T, Reynolds P, Arroyo J. Differential expression of mTOR related molecules in the placenta from gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia patients. Reprod Biol 2021; 21:100503. [PMID: 33826986 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2021.100503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is involved in the function and growth of the placenta during pregnancy. The mTOR pathway responds to nutrient availability and growth factors that regulate protein expression and cell growth. Disrupted mTOR signaling is associated with the development of several obstetric complications. The purpose of this study was to identify the differential placental expression of various mTOR-associated proteins in the placenta during normal gestation (Control), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia (PE). Immunohistochemistry localized activated proteins (phospho; p) mTOR, pp70, p4EBP1, pAKT and pERK. Real-time PCR array was performed to show differing placental expression of additional mTOR-associated genes. Western blot was performed for pAMPK protein. We observed: 1) increased pmTOR during GDM and decreased pmTOR during IUGR and PE, 2) increased pp70 during IUGR and decreased pp70 during GDM and PE, 3) increased p4EBP1 during GDM, IUGR, and PE, 4) increased pAKT during GDM, 5) increased pERK during IUGR, 6) differential placental expression of mTOR pathway associated genes and increased pAMPK during GDM and PE. We conclude that regulation of the mTOR pathway is uniquely involved in the development of these obstetric complications. Insights into this pathway may provide avenues that if modify may help alleviate these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kary Tsai
- Lung and Placenta Research Laboratory, Brigham Young University, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Benton Tullis
- Lung and Placenta Research Laboratory, Brigham Young University, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Tyler Jensen
- Lung and Placenta Research Laboratory, Brigham Young University, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Taylor Graff
- Lung and Placenta Research Laboratory, Brigham Young University, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Paul Reynolds
- Lung and Placenta Research Laboratory, Brigham Young University, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Juan Arroyo
- Lung and Placenta Research Laboratory, Brigham Young University, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Provo, UT, USA.
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Guerra B, Recio C, Aranda-Tavío H, Guerra-Rodríguez M, García-Castellano JM, Fernández-Pérez L. The Mevalonate Pathway, a Metabolic Target in Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:626971. [PMID: 33718197 PMCID: PMC7947625 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.626971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A hallmark of cancer cells includes a metabolic reprograming that provides energy, the essential building blocks, and signaling required to maintain survival, rapid growth, metastasis, and drug resistance of many cancers. The influence of tumor microenviroment on cancer cells also results an essential driving force for cancer progression and drug resistance. Lipid-related enzymes, lipid-derived metabolites and/or signaling pathways linked to critical regulators of lipid metabolism can influence gene expression and chromatin remodeling, cellular differentiation, stress response pathways, or tumor microenviroment, and, collectively, drive tumor development. Reprograming of lipid metabolism includes a deregulated activity of mevalonate (MVA)/cholesterol biosynthetic pathway in specific cancer cells which, in comparison with normal cell counterparts, are dependent of the continuous availability of MVA/cholesterol-derived metabolites (i.e., sterols and non-sterol intermediates) for tumor development. Accordingly, there are increasing amount of data, from preclinical and epidemiological studies, that support an inverse association between the use of statins, potent inhibitors of MVA biosynthetic pathway, and mortality rate in specific cancers (e.g., colon, prostate, liver, breast, hematological malignances). In contrast, despite the tolerance and therapeutic efficacy shown by statins in cardiovascular disease, cancer treatment demands the use of relatively high doses of single statins for a prolonged period, thereby limiting this therapeutic strategy due to adverse effects. Clinically relevant, synergistic effects of tolerable doses of statins with conventional chemotherapy might enhance efficacy with lower doses of each drug and, probably, reduce adverse effects and resistance. In spite of that, clinical trials to identify combinatory therapies that improve therapeutic window are still a challenge. In the present review, we revisit molecular evidences showing that deregulated activity of MVA biosynthetic pathway has an essential role in oncogenesis and drug resistance, and the potential use of MVA pathway inhibitors to improve therapeutic window in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borja Guerra
- Molecular and Translational Pharmacology Lab, Institute for Biomedical and Health Research (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Carlota Recio
- Molecular and Translational Pharmacology Lab, Institute for Biomedical and Health Research (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Haidée Aranda-Tavío
- Molecular and Translational Pharmacology Lab, Institute for Biomedical and Health Research (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Miguel Guerra-Rodríguez
- Molecular and Translational Pharmacology Lab, Institute for Biomedical and Health Research (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - José M García-Castellano
- Molecular and Translational Pharmacology Lab, Institute for Biomedical and Health Research (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Leandro Fernández-Pérez
- Molecular and Translational Pharmacology Lab, Institute for Biomedical and Health Research (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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Kun E, Tsang YTM, Ng CW, Gershenson DM, Wong KK. MEK inhibitor resistance mechanisms and recent developments in combination trials. Cancer Treat Rev 2020; 92:102137. [PMID: 33340965 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2020.102137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway plays a vital role in cellular processes such as gene expression, cell proliferation, cell survival, and apoptosis. Also known as the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway, the MAPK pathway has been implicated in approximately one-third of all cancers. Mutations in RAS or RAF genes such as KRAS and BRAF are common, and these mutations typically promote malignancies by over-activating MEK and ERK downstream, which drives sustained cell proliferation and uninhibited cell growth. Development of drugs targeting this pathway has been a research area of great interest, especially drugs targeting the inhibition of MEK. In vitro and clinical studies have shown promise for certain MEK inhibitors (MEKi) , and MEKi have become the first treatment option for certain cancers. Despite promising results, not all patients have a response to MEKi, and mechanisms of resistance typically arise in patients who do have a positive initial response. This paper summarizes recent developments regarding MEKi, the mechanisms of adaptive resistance to MEKi, and the potential solutions to the issue of adaptive MEKi resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kun
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Y T M Tsang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - C W Ng
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - D M Gershenson
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - K K Wong
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA.
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10
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Kim EJ, Kim YJ, Lee HI, Jeong SH, Nam HJ, Cho JH. Upregulation of Peroxiredoxin-2 in Well-Differentiated Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors and Its Utility as a Biomarker for Predicting the Response to Everolimus. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9111104. [PMID: 33182509 PMCID: PMC7696978 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9111104] [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: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs) account for 2–3% of pancreatic malignancies. Peroxiredoxins (Prdxs), which are major cellular antioxidants, are involved in multiple oncogenic signaling pathways. We investigated the role of peroxiredoxin-2 in QGP-1 human pNEN cell line and patient-derived pNEN tissue. To validate the cancer stem cell-like cell characteristics of QGP-1 cells in spheroid culture, in vitro analyses and xenografting were performed. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining was conducted to verify the overexpression of Prdx2 in pNEN tissue. Prdx2 expression was high at the mRNA and protein levels in QGP-1 cells. Prdx2 was also overexpressed in patient-derived pNEN tissue. Silencing of Prdx2 using siRNA induced overexpression and phosphorylation of ERK and AKT in QGP-1. Cell proliferation was increased by treating QGP-1 cells with siPrdx2, and the IC50 of everolimus increased suggesting resistance to everolimus. Interestingly, QGP-1 spheroid cells, which exhibited cancer stem cell-like features, exhibited lower expression of Prdx2 and mTOR. The results suggest that Prdx2 expression level and its activity may be a potential predictive biomarker for therapeutic response or resistance to everolimus in pNEN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eui Joo Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gil Medical Center, College of Medicine Gachon University, Incheon 21565, Korea; (E.J.K.); (Y.J.K.); (H.J.N.)
| | - Yoon Jae Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gil Medical Center, College of Medicine Gachon University, Incheon 21565, Korea; (E.J.K.); (Y.J.K.); (H.J.N.)
| | - Hye In Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 06273, Korea;
| | - Seok-Hoo Jeong
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary’s Hospital, Incheon 22711, Korea;
| | - Hyo Jung Nam
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gil Medical Center, College of Medicine Gachon University, Incheon 21565, Korea; (E.J.K.); (Y.J.K.); (H.J.N.)
| | - Jae Hee Cho
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 06273, Korea;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2019-3310
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11
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Merrill NM, Vandecan NM, Day KC, Palmbos PL, Day ML, Udager AM, Merajver SD, Soellner MB. MEK is a promising target in the basal subtype of bladder cancer. Oncotarget 2020; 11:3921-3932. [PMID: 33216841 PMCID: PMC7646827 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27767] [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: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
While many resources exist for the drug screening of bladder cancer cell lines in 2D culture, it is widely recognized that screening in 3D culture is more representative of in vivo response. Importantly, signaling changes between 2D and 3D culture can result in changes to drug response. To address the need for 3D drug screening of bladder cancer cell lines, we screened 17 bladder cancer cell lines using a library of 652 investigational small-molecules and 3 clinically relevant drug combinations in 3D cell culture. Our goal was to identify compounds and classes of compounds with efficacy in bladder cancer. Utilizing established genomic and transcriptomic data for these bladder cancer cell lines, we correlated the genomic molecular parameters with drug response, to identify potentially novel groups of tumors that are vulnerable to specific drugs or classes of drugs. Importantly, we demonstrate that MEK inhibitors are a promising targeted therapy for the basal subtype of bladder cancer, and our data indicate that drug screening of 3D cultures provides an important resource for hypothesis generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan M Merrill
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nathalie M Vandecan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kathleen C Day
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Phillip L Palmbos
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mark L Day
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Aaron M Udager
- University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sofia D Merajver
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Matthew B Soellner
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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12
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Luchini C, Paolino G, Mattiolo P, Piredda ML, Cavaliere A, Gaule M, Melisi D, Salvia R, Malleo G, Shin JI, Cargnin S, Terrazzino S, Lawlor RT, Milella M, Scarpa A. KRAS wild-type pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: molecular pathology and therapeutic opportunities. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:227. [PMID: 33115526 PMCID: PMC7594413 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01732-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly disease, whose main molecular trait is the MAPK pathway activation due to KRAS mutation, which is present in 90% of cases.The genetic landscape of KRAS wild type PDAC can be divided into three categories. The first is represented by tumors with an activated MAPK pathway due to BRAF mutation that occur in up to 4% of cases. The second includes tumors with microsatellite instability (MSI) due to defective DNA mismatch repair (dMMR), which occurs in about 2% of cases, also featuring a high tumor mutational burden. The third category is represented by tumors with kinase fusion genes, which marks about 4% of cases. While therapeutic molecular targeting of KRAS is an unresolved challenge, KRAS-wild type PDACs have potential options for tailored treatments, including BRAF antagonists and MAPK inhibitors for the first group, immunotherapy with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents for the MSI/dMMR group, and kinase inhibitors for the third group.This calls for a complementation of the histological diagnosis of PDAC with a routine determination of KRAS followed by a comprehensive molecular profiling of KRAS-negative cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Luchini
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Gaetano Paolino
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Paola Mattiolo
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Maria L Piredda
- ARC-Net Research Center, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cavaliere
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, VR, Italy
| | - Marina Gaule
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, VR, Italy
| | - Davide Melisi
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, VR, Italy
| | - Roberto Salvia
- Department of Surgery, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Malleo
- Department of Surgery, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Jae Il Shin
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, 03722, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sarah Cargnin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Interdepartmental Research Center of Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics (CRIFF), University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Salvatore Terrazzino
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Interdepartmental Research Center of Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics (CRIFF), University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Rita T Lawlor
- ARC-Net Research Center, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, VR, Italy.
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
- ARC-Net Research Center, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
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13
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BRAF status modulates Interelukin-8 expression through a CHOP-dependent mechanism in colorectal cancer. Commun Biol 2020; 3:546. [PMID: 33004975 PMCID: PMC7530707 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01263-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation might substantially contribute to the limited therapeutic success of current systemic therapies in colorectal cancer (CRC). Amongst cytokines involved in CRC biology, the proinflammatory chemokine IL-8 has recently emerged as a potential prognostic/predictive biomarker. Here, we show that BRAF mutations and PTEN-loss are associated with high IL-8 levels in CRC models in vitro and that BRAF/MEK/ERK, but not PI3K/mTOR, targeting controls its production in different genetic contexts. In particular, we identified a BRAF/ERK2/CHOP axis affecting IL-8 transcription, through regulation of CHOP subcellular localization, and response to targeted inhibitors. Moreover, RNA Pol II and an open chromatin status in the CHOP-binding region of the IL-8 gene promoter cooperate towards increased IL-8 expression, after a selective BRAF inhibition. Overall, our data show that IL-8 production is finely and differentially regulated depending on the tumor genetic context and might be targeted for therapeutic purposes in molecularly defined subgroups of CRC patients. Conciatori et al find that BRAF mutations and PTEN-loss promote IL-8 production in colorectal cancer cell (CRC) lines and identify a genetic-context-dependent BRAF/ERK2/CHOP molecular axis that controls IL-8 transcription. These data may assist in the identification of drugs to target CRC.
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14
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PTEN Function at the Interface between Cancer and Tumor Microenvironment: Implications for Response to Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155337. [PMID: 32727102 PMCID: PMC7432882 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mounting preclinical and clinical evidence indicates that rewiring the host immune system in favor of an antitumor microenvironment achieves remarkable clinical efficacy in the treatment of many hematological and solid cancer patients. Nevertheless, despite the promising development of many new and interesting therapeutic strategies, many of these still fail from a clinical point of view, probably due to the lack of prognostic and predictive biomarkers. In that respect, several data shed new light on the role of the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome 10 (PTEN) in affecting the composition and function of the tumor microenvironment (TME) as well as resistance/sensitivity to immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on PTEN functions in different TME compartments (immune and stromal cells) and how they can modulate sensitivity/resistance to different immunological manipulations and ultimately influence clinical response to cancer immunotherapy.
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15
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Guglielmi L, Nardella M, Musa C, Cifola I, Porru M, Cardinali B, Iannetti I, Di Pietro C, Bolasco G, Palmieri V, Vilardo L, Panini N, Bonaventura F, Papi M, Scavizzi F, Raspa M, Leonetti C, Falcone G, Felsani A, D’Agnano I. Circulating miRNAs in Small Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by a Human Melanoma Xenograft in Mouse Brains. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061635. [PMID: 32575666 PMCID: PMC7352810 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of liquid biomarkers remains a major challenge to improve the diagnosis of melanoma patients with brain metastases. Circulating miRNAs packaged into tumor-secreted small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) contribute to tumor progression. To investigate the release of tumor-secreted miRNAs by brain metastasis, we developed a xenograft model where human metastatic melanoma cells were injected intracranially in nude mice. The comprehensive profiles of both free miRNAs and those packaged in sEVs secreted by the melanoma cells in the plasma demonstrated that most (80%) of the sEV-associated miRNAs were also present in serum EVs from a cohort of metastatic melanomas, included in a publicly available dataset. Remarkably, among them, we found three miRNAs (miR-224-5p, miR-130a-3p and miR-21-5p) in sEVs showing a trend of upregulation during melanoma progression. Our model is proven to be valuable for identifying miRNAs in EVs that are unequivocally secreted by melanoma cells in the brain and could be associated to disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Guglielmi
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), CNR, 20090 Segrate, Italy; (L.G.); (I.C.); (L.V.)
| | - Marta Nardella
- Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Carla Musa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | - Ingrid Cifola
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), CNR, 20090 Segrate, Italy; (L.G.); (I.C.); (L.V.)
| | - Manuela Porru
- UOSD SAFU–IRCCS-Regina Elena Cancer Institute, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (C.L.)
| | - Beatrice Cardinali
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | - Ilaria Iannetti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | - Chiara Di Pietro
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | | | - Valentina Palmieri
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (V.P.); (M.P.)
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Vilardo
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), CNR, 20090 Segrate, Italy; (L.G.); (I.C.); (L.V.)
| | - Nicolò Panini
- Laboratory of Cancer Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy;
| | - Fabrizio Bonaventura
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (V.P.); (M.P.)
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Scavizzi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | - Marcello Raspa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | - Carlo Leonetti
- UOSD SAFU–IRCCS-Regina Elena Cancer Institute, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (C.L.)
| | - Germana Falcone
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), CNR, 00015 Monterotond, Italy; (C.M.); (B.C.); (I.I.); (C.D.P.); (F.B.); (F.S.); (M.R.); (G.F.)
| | | | - Igea D’Agnano
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), CNR, 20090 Segrate, Italy; (L.G.); (I.C.); (L.V.)
- Correspondence:
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16
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Ahmad S, He Q, Williams KP, Scott JE. Identification of a Triple Drug Combination That Is Synergistically Cytotoxic for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells Using a Novel Combination Discovery Approach. SLAS DISCOVERY 2020; 25:923-938. [PMID: 32441190 DOI: 10.1177/2472555220924478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a very aggressive form of breast cancer with few molecularly targeted therapies. We used a novel unbiased approach to identify higher-order synergistic or enhancer combinations of marketed kinase inhibitor drugs that inhibit cell viability of TNBC cell lines. We mixed all 33 kinase-targeted drugs on the market at the time of this study, which allowed for all possible combinations to exist in the initial mixture. A kinase inhibitor group dropout approach was used to identify active groups and then single active drugs. After only three rounds of deconvolution, we identified five single drugs to test further. After further testing, we focused on one novel subset consisting of three kinase inhibitor drugs: dasatinib, afatinib, and trametinib (DAT) that target src family kinases, HER2/EGFR, and MEK, respectively. The DAT combination potently inhibited the proliferation of three TNBC cell lines and modestly inhibited a fourth. However, it was not significantly more potent or synergistic than other two drug combinations of these drugs. The cytotoxic activities of all possible combinations of these three drugs were also analyzed. Compared with all two-way combinations, the three-way DAT combination generated the most cytotoxicity and the highest synergies for two of the four cell lines tested, with possibly mild synergy in a third cell line. These data indicated that the DAT combination should be evaluated for efficacy in an in vivo model of TNBC and may provide a novel combination of existing drugs for the treatment of a subset of TNBC cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Ahmad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE), North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Qingping He
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE), North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kevin P Williams
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE), North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John E Scott
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE), North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
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17
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Bresin A, Cristofoletti C, Caprini E, Cantonetti M, Monopoli A, Russo G, Narducci MG. Preclinical Evidence for Targeting PI3K/mTOR Signaling with Dual-Inhibitors as a Therapeutic Strategy against Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 140:1045-1053.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.08.454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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18
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Bexelius TS, Wasti A, Chisholm JC. Mini-Review on Targeted Treatment of Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor. Front Oncol 2020; 10:518. [PMID: 32373525 PMCID: PMC7186354 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a devastating disease which most commonly affects adolescents, with a male predominance. Despite the best multimodality treatment efforts, most patients will ultimately not survive more than 3-5 years after diagnosis. Some research trials in soft-tissue sarcoma and Ewing sarcoma include DSRCT patients but few studies have been tailored to the specific clinical needs and underlying cytogenetic abnormalities characterizing this disease such as the typical EWSR1-WT1 gene fusion. Downstream activation of EWSR1-WT1 gene fusion includes signaling pathways of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and insulin growth factor (IGF)-1. Other biological pathways that are activated and expressed in DSRCT cells include endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), androgen receptor pathway, c-KIT, MET, and transforming growth factor (TGF) beta. Investigation of somatic mutations, copy number alterations (CNA), and chromosomes in DSRCT samples suggests that deregulation of mesenchymal-epithelial reverse transition (MErT)/epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and DNA damage repair (DDR) may be important in DSRCT. This mini review looks at known druggable targets in DSRCT and existing clinical evidence for targeted treatments, particularly multityrosine kinase inhibitors such as pazopanib, imatinib, and sorafenib alone or in combination with other agents such as mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitors. The aim is to increase shared knowledge about current available treatments and identify gaps in research to further efforts toward clinical development of targeted agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas S. Bexelius
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom
- Department of Women and Children Health at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ajla Wasti
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Julia C. Chisholm
- Children and Young People's Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, United Kingdom
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
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19
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Bruun J, Kryeziu K, Eide PW, Moosavi SH, Eilertsen IA, Langerud J, Røsok B, Totland MZ, Brunsell TH, Pellinen T, Saarela J, Bergsland CH, Palmer HG, Brudvik KW, Guren T, Dienstmann R, Guren MG, Nesbakken A, Bjørnbeth BA, Sveen A, Lothe RA. Patient-Derived Organoids from Multiple Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases Reveal Moderate Intra-patient Pharmacotranscriptomic Heterogeneity. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:4107-4119. [PMID: 32299813 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-3637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Molecular tumor heterogeneity may have important implications for the efficacy of targeted therapies in metastatic cancers. Inter-metastatic heterogeneity of sensitivity to anticancer agents has not been well explored in colorectal cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We established a platform for ex vivo pharmacogenomic profiling of patient-derived organoids (PDO) from resected colorectal cancer liver metastases. Drug sensitivity testing (n = 40 clinically relevant agents) and gene expression profiling were performed on 39 metastases from 22 patients. RESULTS Three drug-response clusters were identified among the colorectal cancer metastases, based primarily on sensitivities to EGFR and/or MDM2 inhibition, and corresponding with RAS mutations and TP53 activity. Potentially effective therapies, including off-label use of drugs approved for other cancer types, could be nominated for eighteen patients (82%). Antimetabolites and targeted agents lacking a decisive genomic marker had stronger differential activity than most approved chemotherapies. We found limited intra-patient drug sensitivity heterogeneity between PDOs from multiple (2-5) liver metastases from each of ten patients. This was recapitulated at the gene expression level, with a highly proportional degree of transcriptomic and pharmacological variation. One PDO with a multi-drug resistance profile, including resistance to EGFR inhibition in a RAS-mutant background, showed sensitivity to MEK plus mTOR/AKT inhibition, corresponding with low-level PTEN expression. CONCLUSIONS Intra-patient inter-metastatic pharmacological heterogeneity was not pronounced and ex vivo drug screening may identify novel treatment options for metastatic colorectal cancer. Variation in drug sensitivities was reflected at the transcriptomic level, suggesting potential to develop gene expression-based predictive signatures to guide experimental therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarle Bruun
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, the Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kushtrim Kryeziu
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, the Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Peter W Eide
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, the Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Seyed H Moosavi
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, the Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Ina A Eilertsen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, the Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Jonas Langerud
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, the Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Bård Røsok
- K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Max Z Totland
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, the Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tuva H Brunsell
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, the Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Ullevål Hospital-Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Teijo Pellinen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jani Saarela
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Christian H Bergsland
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, the Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Hector G Palmer
- Stem Cells and Cancer Group, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain. CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kristoffer W Brudvik
- K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tormod Guren
- K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rodrigo Dienstmann
- Stem Cells and Cancer Group, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain. CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marianne G Guren
- K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arild Nesbakken
- K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Ullevål Hospital-Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjørn Atle Bjørnbeth
- K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anita Sveen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, the Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild A Lothe
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, the Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. .,K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Clinic for Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
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20
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Liu Y, Yang EJ, Shi C, Mou PK, Zhang B, Wu C, Lyu J, Shim JS. Histone Acetyltransferase (HAT) P300/CBP Inhibitors Induce Synthetic Lethality in PTEN-Deficient Colorectal Cancer Cells through Destabilizing AKT. Int J Biol Sci 2020; 16:1774-1784. [PMID: 32398948 PMCID: PMC7211175 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.42197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PTEN, a tumor suppressor, is found loss of function in many cancers, including colorectal cancer. To identify the synthetic lethal compounds working with PTEN deficiency, we performed a synthetic lethality drug screening with PTEN-isogenic colorectal cancer cells. From the screening, we found that PTEN-/- colorectal cancer cells were sensitive to anacardic acid, a p300/CBP histone acetyltransferase (HAT) inhibitor. Anacardic acid significantly reduced the viability of PTEN-/- cells not in PTEN+/+ cells via inducing apoptosis. Inhibition of HAT activity of p300/CBP by anacardic acid reduced the acetylation of histones at the promoter region and inhibited the transcription of Hsp70 family of proteins. The down-regulation of Hsp70 family proteins led to the reduction of AKT-Hsp70 complex formation, AKT destabilization and decreased the level of phosphorylated AKT at Ser473, all of which are vital for the survival of PTEN-/- colorectal cells. The synthetic lethality effect of anacardic acid was further validated in tumor xenograft mice models, where PTEN-/- colorectal tumors showed greater sensitivity to anacardic acid treatment than PTEN+/+ tumors. These data suggest that anacardic acid induced synthetic lethality by inhibiting HAT activity of p300/CBP, thereby reducing Hsp70 transcription and destabilizing AKT in PTEN deficient colorectal cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Joong Sup Shim
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, 999078, Macau
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21
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Cervello M, Emma MR, Augello G, Cusimano A, Giannitrapani L, Soresi M, Akula SM, Abrams SL, Steelman LS, Gulino A, Belmonte B, Montalto G, McCubrey JA. New landscapes and horizons in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:3053-3094. [PMID: 32018226 PMCID: PMC7041742 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the sixth most frequent form of cancer and leads to the fourth highest number of deaths each year. HCC results from a combination of environmental factors and aging as there are driver mutations at oncogenes which occur during aging. Most of HCCs are diagnosed at advanced stage preventing curative therapies. Treatment in advanced stage is a challenging and pressing problem, and novel and well-tolerated therapies are urgently needed. We will discuss further advances beyond sorafenib that target additional signaling pathways and immune checkpoint proteins. The scenario of possible systemic therapies for patients with advanced HCC has changed dramatically in recent years. Personalized genomics and various other omics approaches may identify actionable biochemical targets, which are activated in individual patients, which may enhance therapeutic outcomes. Further studies are needed to identify predictive biomarkers and aberrantly activated signaling pathways capable of guiding the clinician in choosing the most appropriate therapy for the individual patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melchiorre Cervello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria R. Emma
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Augello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Cusimano
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Lydia Giannitrapani
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Soresi
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Shaw M. Akula
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Stephen L. Abrams
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Linda S. Steelman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Alessandro Gulino
- Tumour Immunology Unit, Human Pathology Section, Department of Health Science, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumour Immunology Unit, Human Pathology Section, Department of Health Science, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Montalto
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - James A. McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
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22
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Eduati F, Jaaks P, Wappler J, Cramer T, Merten CA, Garnett MJ, Saez‐Rodriguez J. Patient-specific logic models of signaling pathways from screenings on cancer biopsies to prioritize personalized combination therapies. Mol Syst Biol 2020; 16:e8664. [PMID: 32073727 PMCID: PMC7029724 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20188664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanistic modeling of signaling pathways mediating patient-specific response to therapy can help to unveil resistance mechanisms and improve therapeutic strategies. Yet, creating such models for patients, in particular for solid malignancies, is challenging. A major hurdle to build these models is the limited material available that precludes the generation of large-scale perturbation data. Here, we present an approach that couples ex vivo high-throughput screenings of cancer biopsies using microfluidics with logic-based modeling to generate patient-specific dynamic models of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis signaling pathways. We used the resulting models to investigate heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer patients, showing dissimilarities especially in the PI3K-Akt pathway. Variation in model parameters reflected well the different tumor stages. Finally, we used our dynamic models to efficaciously predict new personalized combinatorial treatments. Our results suggest that our combination of microfluidic experiments and mathematical model can be a novel tool toward cancer precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Eduati
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)Genome Biology UnitHeidelbergGermany
- European Molecular Biology LaboratoryEuropean Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL‐EBI)HinxtonUK
- Joint Research Centre for Computational Biomedicine (JRC‐COMBINE)Faculty of MedicineRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhovenThe Netherlands
| | | | - Jessica Wappler
- Department SurgeryMolecular Tumor BiologyRWTH University HospitalAachenGermany
| | - Thorsten Cramer
- Department SurgeryMolecular Tumor BiologyRWTH University HospitalAachenGermany
- ESCAM – European Surgery Center Aachen MaastrichtAachenGermany
- ESCAM – European Surgery Center Aachen MaastrichtMaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Christoph A Merten
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)Genome Biology UnitHeidelbergGermany
| | | | - Julio Saez‐Rodriguez
- European Molecular Biology LaboratoryEuropean Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL‐EBI)HinxtonUK
- Joint Research Centre for Computational Biomedicine (JRC‐COMBINE)Faculty of MedicineRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
- Institute for Computational BiomedicineFaculty of MedicineBIOQUANT‐CenterHeidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
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23
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Bazzichetto C, Conciatori F, Luchini C, Simionato F, Santoro R, Vaccaro V, Corbo V, Falcone I, Ferretti G, Cognetti F, Melisi D, Scarpa A, Ciuffreda L, Milella M. From Genetic Alterations to Tumor Microenvironment: The Ariadne's String in Pancreatic Cancer. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020309. [PMID: 32012917 PMCID: PMC7072496 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The threatening notoriety of pancreatic cancer mainly arises from its negligible early diagnosis, highly aggressive progression, failure of conventional therapeutic options and consequent very poor prognosis. The most important driver genes of pancreatic cancer are the oncogene KRAS and the tumor suppressors TP53, CDKN2A, and SMAD4. Although the presence of few drivers, several signaling pathways are involved in the oncogenesis of this cancer type, some of them with promising targets for precision oncology. Pancreatic cancer is recognized as one of immunosuppressive phenotype cancer: it is characterized by a fibrotic-desmoplastic stroma, in which there is an intensive cross-talk between several cellular (e.g., fibroblasts, myeloid cells, lymphocytes, endothelial, and myeloid cells) and acellular (collagen, fibronectin, and soluble factors) components. In this review; we aim to describe the current knowledge of the genetic/biological landscape of pancreatic cancer and the composition of its tumor microenvironment; in order to better direct in the intrinsic labyrinth of this complex tumor type. Indeed; disentangling the genetic and molecular characteristics of cancer cells and the environment in which they evolve may represent the crucial step towards more effective therapeutic strategies
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Bazzichetto
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (V.V.); (I.F.); (G.F.); (F.C.)
| | - Fabiana Conciatori
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (V.V.); (I.F.); (G.F.); (F.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-52665185
| | - Claudio Luchini
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Francesca Simionato
- Division of Oncology, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy; (F.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Raffaela Santoro
- Medicine-Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy; (R.S.); (D.M.)
| | - Vanja Vaccaro
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (V.V.); (I.F.); (G.F.); (F.C.)
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy; (V.C.); (A.S.)
| | - Italia Falcone
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (V.V.); (I.F.); (G.F.); (F.C.)
| | - Gianluigi Ferretti
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (V.V.); (I.F.); (G.F.); (F.C.)
| | - Francesco Cognetti
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (V.V.); (I.F.); (G.F.); (F.C.)
| | - Davide Melisi
- Medicine-Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy; (R.S.); (D.M.)
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy; (V.C.); (A.S.)
| | - Ludovica Ciuffreda
- SAFU, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Michele Milella
- Division of Oncology, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy; (F.S.); (M.M.)
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24
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Translational Landscape of mTOR Signaling in Integrating Cues Between Cancer and Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1223:69-80. [PMID: 32030685 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-35582-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) represents a critical hub for the regulation of different processes in both normal and tumor cells. Furthermore, it is now well established the role of mTOR in integrating and shaping different environmental paracrine and autocrine stimuli in tumor microenvironment (TME) constituents. Recently, further efforts have been employed to understand how the mTOR signal transduction mechanisms modulate the sensitivity and resistance to targeted therapies, also for its involvement of mTOR also in modulating angiogenesis and tumor immunity. Indeed, interest in mTOR targeting was increased to improve immune response against cancer and to develop new long-term efficacy strategies, as demonstrated by clinical success of mTOR and immune checkpoint inhibitor combinations. In this chapter, we will describe the role of mTOR in modulating TME elements and the implication in its targeting as a great promise in clinical trials.
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25
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Braicu C, Buse M, Busuioc C, Drula R, Gulei D, Raduly L, Rusu A, Irimie A, Atanasov AG, Slaby O, Ionescu C, Berindan-Neagoe I. A Comprehensive Review on MAPK: A Promising Therapeutic Target in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101618. [PMID: 31652660 PMCID: PMC6827047 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 476] [Impact Index Per Article: 95.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is an important bridge in the switch from extracellular signals to intracellular responses. Alterations of signaling cascades are found in various diseases, including cancer, as a result of genetic and epigenetic changes. Numerous studies focused on both the homeostatic and the pathologic conduct of MAPK signaling; however, there is still much to be deciphered in terms of regulation and action models in both preclinical and clinical research. MAPK has implications in the response to cancer therapy, particularly the activation of the compensatory pathways in response to experimental MAPK inhibition. The present paper discusses new insights into MAPK as a complex cell signaling pathway with roles in the sustenance of cellular normal conduit, response to cancer therapy, and activation of compensatory pathways. Unfortunately, most MAPK inhibitors trigger resistance due to the activation of compensatory feed-back loops in tumor cells and tumor microenvironment components. Therefore, novel combinatorial therapies have to be implemented for cancer management in order to restrict the possibility of alternative pathway activation, as a perspective for developing novel therapies based on integration in translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Braicu
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Mihail Buse
- MEDFUTURE-Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Constantin Busuioc
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Rares Drula
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Diana Gulei
- MEDFUTURE-Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Lajos Raduly
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | | | - Alexandru Irimie
- Department of Surgery, The Oncology Institute "Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta", 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Department of Surgical Oncology and Gynecological Oncology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Atanas G Atanasov
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland.
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 23 Acad. G. Bonchev str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | - Ondrej Slaby
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 601 77 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Comprehensive Cancer Care, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, 601 77 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Calin Ionescu
- th Surgical Department, Municipal Hospital, 400139, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Department of Surgery, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- MEDFUTURE-Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Department of Functional Genomics and Experimental Pathology, The Oncology Institute Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta, Republicii 34 Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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26
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Gkountakos A, Sartori G, Falcone I, Piro G, Ciuffreda L, Carbone C, Tortora G, Scarpa A, Bria E, Milella M, Rosell R, Corbo V, Pilotto S. PTEN in Lung Cancer: Dealing with the Problem, Building on New Knowledge and Turning the Game Around. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11081141. [PMID: 31404976 PMCID: PMC6721522 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common malignancy and cause of cancer deaths worldwide, owing to the dismal prognosis for most affected patients. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted in chromosome 10 (PTEN) acts as a powerful tumor suppressor gene and even partial reduction of its levels increases cancer susceptibility. While the most validated anti-oncogenic duty of PTEN is the negative regulation of the PI3K/mTOR/Akt oncogenic signaling pathway, further tumor suppressor functions, such as chromosomal integrity and DNA repair have been reported. PTEN protein loss is a frequent event in lung cancer, but genetic alterations are not equally detected. It has been demonstrated that its expression is regulated at multiple genetic and epigenetic levels and deeper delineation of these mechanisms might provide fertile ground for upgrading lung cancer therapeutics. Today, PTEN expression is usually determined by immunohistochemistry and low protein levels have been associated with decreased survival in lung cancer. Moreover, available data involve PTEN mutations and loss of activity with resistance to targeted treatments and immunotherapy. This review discusses the current knowledge about PTEN status in lung cancer, highlighting the prevalence of its alterations in the disease, the regulatory mechanisms and the implications of PTEN on available treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasios Gkountakos
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Giulia Sartori
- Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Italia Falcone
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Geny Piro
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovica Ciuffreda
- SAFU Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmine Carbone
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Tortora
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
- Center for Applied Research on Cancer (ARC-NET), University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Emilio Bria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Medical Oncology, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Rafael Rosell
- Germans Trias i Pujol, Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
- Center for Applied Research on Cancer (ARC-NET), University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
| | - Sara Pilotto
- Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
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27
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Luongo F, Colonna F, Calapà F, Vitale S, Fiori ME, De Maria R. PTEN Tumor-Suppressor: The Dam of Stemness in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1076. [PMID: 31366089 PMCID: PMC6721423 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PTEN is one of the most frequently inactivated tumor suppressor genes in cancer. Loss or variation in PTEN gene/protein levels is commonly observed in a broad spectrum of human cancers, while germline PTEN mutations cause inherited syndromes that lead to increased risk of tumors. PTEN restrains tumorigenesis through different mechanisms ranging from phosphatase-dependent and independent activities, subcellular localization and protein interaction, modulating a broad array of cellular functions including growth, proliferation, survival, DNA repair, and cell motility. The main target of PTEN phosphatase activity is one of the most significant cell growth and pro-survival signaling pathway in cancer: PI3K/AKT/mTOR. Several shreds of evidence shed light on the critical role of PTEN in normal and cancer stem cells (CSCs) homeostasis, with its loss fostering the CSC compartment in both solid and hematologic malignancies. CSCs are responsible for tumor propagation, metastatic spread, resistance to therapy, and relapse. Thus, understanding how alterations of PTEN levels affect CSC hallmarks could be crucial for the development of successful therapeutic approaches. Here, we discuss the most significant findings on PTEN-mediated control of CSC state. We aim to unravel the role of PTEN in the regulation of key mechanisms specific for CSCs, such as self-renewal, quiescence/cell cycle, Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal-Transition (EMT), with a particular focus on PTEN-based therapy resistance mechanisms and their exploitation for novel therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Luongo
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Colonna
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Calapà
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Vitale
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Micol E Fiori
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.
- Scientific Vice-Direction, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli"-I.R.C.C.S., Largo Francesco Vito 1-8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
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28
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Bazzichetto C, Conciatori F, Pallocca M, Falcone I, Fanciulli M, Cognetti F, Milella M, Ciuffreda L. PTEN as a Prognostic/Predictive Biomarker in Cancer: An Unfulfilled Promise? Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040435. [PMID: 30925702 PMCID: PMC6520939 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying putative biomarkers of clinical outcomes in cancer is crucial for successful enrichment, and for the selection of patients who are the most likely to benefit from a specific therapeutic approach. Indeed, current research in personalized cancer therapy focuses on the possibility of identifying biomarkers that predict prognosis, sensitivity or resistance to therapies. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a tumor suppressor gene that regulates several crucial cell functions such as proliferation, survival, genomic stability and cell motility through both enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Despite its undisputed role as a tumor suppressor, assessment of PTEN status in sporadic human tumors has yet to provide clinically robust prognostic, predictive or therapeutic information. This is possibly due to the exceptionally complex regulation of PTEN function, which involves genetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational events. This review shows a brief summary of the regulation and function of PTEN and discusses its controversial aspects as a prognostic/predictive biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Bazzichetto
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome, La Sapienza, Rome 00185, Italy.
| | - Fabiana Conciatori
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
| | - Matteo Pallocca
- SAFU, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
| | - Italia Falcone
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Fanciulli
- SAFU, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
| | - Francesco Cognetti
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
| | - Michele Milella
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona School of Medicine and Verona University Hospital Trust, Verona 37126, Italy.
| | - Ludovica Ciuffreda
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
- SAFU, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy.
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Chiarini F, Evangelisti C, Lattanzi G, McCubrey JA, Martelli AM. Advances in understanding the mechanisms of evasive and innate resistance to mTOR inhibition in cancer cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2019; 1866:1322-1337. [PMID: 30928610 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The development of drug-resistance by neoplastic cells is recognized as a major cause of targeted therapy failure and disease progression. The mechanistic (previously mammalian) target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a highly conserved Ser/Thr kinase that acts as the catalytic subunit of two structurally and functionally distinct large multiprotein complexes, referred to as mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2. Both mTORC1 and mTORC2 play key roles in a variety of healthy cell types/tissues by regulating physiological anabolic and catabolic processes in response to external cues. However, a body of evidence identified aberrant activation of mTOR signaling as a common event in many human tumors. Therefore, mTOR is an attractive target for therapeutic targeting in cancer and this fact has driven the development of numerous mTOR inhibitors, several of which have progressed to clinical trials. Nevertheless, mTOR inhibitors have met with a very limited success as anticancer therapeutics. Among other reasons, this failure was initially ascribed to the activation of several compensatory signaling pathways that dampen the efficacy of mTOR inhibitors. The discovery of these regulatory feedback mechanisms greatly contributed to a better understanding of cancer cell resistance to mTOR targeting agents. However, over the last few years, other mechanisms of resistance have emerged, including epigenetic alterations, compensatory metabolism rewiring and the occurrence of mTOR mutations. In this article, we provide the reader with an updated overview of the mechanisms that could explain resistance of cancer cells to the various classes of mTOR inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Chiarini
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics, 40136 Bologna, BO, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Camilla Evangelisti
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics, 40136 Bologna, BO, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Giovanna Lattanzi
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics, 40136 Bologna, BO, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - James A McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.
| | - Alberto M Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, BO, Italy.
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Ciołczyk-Wierzbicka D, Zarzycka M, Gil D, Laidler P. mTOR inhibitor Everolimus-induced apoptosis in melanoma cells. J Cell Commun Signal 2019; 13:357-368. [PMID: 30848427 PMCID: PMC6732148 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-019-00510-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive, therapy-resistant skin cancer. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), the serine/threonine kinase which integrates both intracellular and extracellular signals, plays a crucial role in coordinating the balance between the growth and death of cells. The object of this study is a comparison of the influence of mTOR inhibitor everolimus in the concentration range between 20 nM and 10 μM, used individually and in combination with selected downstream protein kinases inhibitors: LY294002 (PI3K), U0126 (ERK1/2), AS-703026 (MEK) and MK-2206 (AKT) on the expression of pro-survival proteins: p-Bcl-2 (S70), p-Bcl-2 (T56), Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, activity of caspase-3, proliferation and induction of apoptosis in melanoma cells. Current results clearly show that the nanomolar concentration of the mTOR inhibitor everolimus in combination with the inhibitor of MAP kinase (AS-703026) or AKT kinase (MK-2206) is effective in inducing apoptosis and reducing proliferation of melanoma cells. The herein research results confirm the hypothesis on the important role of mTOR signaling in cancer progression, and gives hope that implementation of successful combination of its inhibitors will find recognition and application in cancer treatment in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Zarzycka
- Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, ul. Kopernika 7, 31-034, Kraków, Poland
| | - Dorota Gil
- Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, ul. Kopernika 7, 31-034, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Laidler
- Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, ul. Kopernika 7, 31-034, Kraków, Poland
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Wang H, Ma Z, Liu X, Zhang C, Hu Y, Ding L, Qi P, Wang J, Lu S, Li Y. MiR-183-5p is required for non-small cell lung cancer progression by repressing PTEN. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 111:1103-1111. [PMID: 30841423 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause in all cancer deaths. A low survival rate and high recurrence rate of lung cancer make the endeavor to identify new, more effective therapies a primary goal. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regarded as regulators of tumorigenesis and it is known that miR-183-5p is significantly upregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), suggesting it has an oncogenic function in lung cancer. In this study, we found that miR-183-5p could promote lung carcinogenesis by directly targeting phosphatase tensin (PTEN). Further experiments indicated that miR-183-5p could suppress p53 and activate AKT signaling through phosphorylation. Moreover, our data indicated that miR-183-5p promoted tumor metastasis and tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, these results showed that miR-183-5p is required for NSCLC development through the suppressing PTEN, and might be a promising target in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Wang
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Zhongliang Ma
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xiaomin Liu
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Caiyan Zhang
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yanping Hu
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lei Ding
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Pengfei Qi
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Ju Wang
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shengdi Lu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200233, China.
| | - Yanli Li
- Lab for Noncoding RNA & Cancer, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
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van Weelden G, Bobiński M, Okła K, van Weelden WJ, Romano A, Pijnenborg JMA. Fucoidan Structure and Activity in Relation to Anti-Cancer Mechanisms. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:E32. [PMID: 30621045 PMCID: PMC6356449 DOI: 10.3390/md17010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fucoidan is a natural derived compound found in different species of brown algae and in some animals, that has gained attention for its anticancer properties. However, the exact mechanism of action is currently unknown. Therefore, this review will address fucoidans structure, the bioavailability, and all known different pathways affected by fucoidan, in order to formulate fucoidans structure and activity in relation to its anti-cancer mechanisms. The general bioactivity of fucoidan is difficult to establish due to factors like species-related structural diversity, growth conditions, and the extraction method. The main pathways influenced by fucoidan are the PI3K/AKT, the MAPK pathway, and the caspase pathway. PTEN seems to be important in the fucoidan-mediated effect on the AKT pathway. Furthermore, the interaction with VEGF, BMP, TGF-β, and estrogen receptors are discussed. Also, fucoidan as an adjunct seems to have beneficial effects, for both the enhanced effectiveness of chemotherapy and reduced toxicity in healthy cells. In conclusion, the multipotent character of fucoidan is promising in future anti-cancer treatment. However, there is a need for more specified studies of the structure⁻activity relationship of fucoidan from the most promising seaweed species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geert van Weelden
- Faculty of Science, (Medical) Biology, Radboud University, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- The First Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Marcin Bobiński
- The First Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Karolina Okła
- The First Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Willem Jan van Weelden
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Johanna M A Pijnenborg
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Semaphorin 5A drives melanoma progression: role of Bcl-2, miR-204 and c-Myb. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:278. [PMID: 30454024 PMCID: PMC6245779 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0933-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, is characterized by high rates of metastasis, drug resistance and mortality. Here we investigated the role of Semaphorin 5A (Sema5A) on the properties associated with melanoma progression and the factors involved in Sema5A regulation. Methods Western blotting, qRT-PCR, Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, immunohistochemistry of melanoma patient specimens and xenograft tissues, in vitro Transwell assay for cell migration and invasion evaluation, in vitro capillary-like structure formation analysis. Results A significant correlation of Sema5A mRNA expression and melanoma progression was observed by analyzing GEO profile dataset. Endogenous Sema5A protein was detected in 95% of human melanoma cell lines tested, in 70% of metastatic specimens from patients affected by melanoma, and 16% of in situ melanoma specimens showed a focal positivity. We demonstrated that Sema5A regulates in vitro cell migration and invasion and the formation of vasculogenic structures. We also found an increase of Sema5A at both mRNA and protein level after forced expression of Bcl-2. By use of transcriptional and proteasome inhibitors, we showed that Bcl-2 increases the stability of Sema5A mRNA and protein. Moreover, by ChIP we demonstrated that Sema5A expression is under the control of the transcription factor c-Myb and that c-Myb recruitment on Sema5A promoter is increased after Bcl-2 overexpression. Finally, a concomitant decrease in the expression of Sema5A, Bcl-2 and c-Myb proteins was observed in melanoma cells after miR-204 overexpression. Conclusion Overall our data provide evidences supporting the role of Sema5A in melanoma progression and the involvement of Bcl-2, miR-204 and c-Myb in regulating its expression. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-018-0933-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Role of mTOR Signaling in Tumor Microenvironment: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19082453. [PMID: 30126252 PMCID: PMC6121402 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway regulates major processes by integrating a variety of exogenous cues, including diverse environmental inputs in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In recent years, it has been well recognized that cancer cells co-exist and co-evolve with their TME, which is often involved in drug resistance. The mTOR pathway modulates the interactions between the stroma and the tumor, thereby affecting both the tumor immunity and angiogenesis. The activation of mTOR signaling is associated with these pro-oncogenic cellular processes, making mTOR a promising target for new combination therapies. This review highlights the role of mTOR signaling in the characterization and the activity of the TME’s elements and their implications in cancer immunotherapy.
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Del Curatolo A, Conciatori F, Cesta Incani U, Bazzichetto C, Falcone I, Corbo V, D'Agosto S, Eramo A, Sette G, Sperduti I, De Luca T, Marabese M, Shirasawa S, De Maria R, Scarpa A, Broggini M, Del Bufalo D, Cognetti F, Milella M, Ciuffreda L. Therapeutic potential of combined BRAF/MEK blockade in BRAF-wild type preclinical tumor models. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:140. [PMID: 29986755 PMCID: PMC6038340 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0820-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Mounting evidence suggests that RAF-mediated MEK activation plays a crucial role in paradox MAPK (re)activation, leading to resistance and therapeutic failure with agents hitting a single step along the MAPK cascade. Methods We examined the molecular and functional effects of single and combined BRAF (dabrafenib), pan-RAF (RAF265), MEK (trametinib) and EGFR/HER2 (lapatinib) inhibition, using Western Blot and conservative isobologram analysis to assess functional synergism, and explored genetic determinants of synergistic interactions. Immunoprecipitation based assays were used to detect the interaction between BRAF and CRAF. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparing quantitative variables. Results Here we demonstrated that a combination of MEK and BRAF inhibitors overcomes paradoxical MAPK activation (induced by BRAF inhibitors) in BRAF-wt/RAS-mut NSCLC and PDAC in vitro. This results in growth inhibitory synergism, both in vitro and in vivo, in the majority (65%) of the cellular models analyzed, encompassing cell lines and patient-derived cancer stem cells and organoids. However, RAS mutational status is not the sole determinant of functional synergism between RAF and MEK inhibitors, as demonstrated in KRAS isogenic tumor cell line models. Moreover, in EGFR-driven contexts, paradoxical MAPK (re)activation in response to selective BRAF inhibition was dependent on EGFR family signaling and could be offset by simultaneous EGFR/HER-2 blockade. Conclusions Overall, our data indicate that RAF inhibition-induced paradoxical MAPK activation could be exploited for therapeutic purposes by simultaneously targeting both RAF and MEK (and potentially EGFR family members) in appropriate molecular contexts. KRAS mutation per se does not effectively predict therapeutic synergism and other biomarkers need to be developed to identify patients potentially deriving benefit from combined BRAF/MEK targeting. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-018-0820-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anais Del Curatolo
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.,ARC-Net Research Centre and Department of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Fabiana Conciatori
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.,University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Ursula Cesta Incani
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Bazzichetto
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.,University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Italia Falcone
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- ARC-Net Research Centre and Department of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Sabrina D'Agosto
- ARC-Net Research Centre and Department of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Adriana Eramo
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sette
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Sperduti
- Biostatistics, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Teresa De Luca
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirko Marabese
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Milan, Italy
| | - Senji Shirasawa
- Central Research Institute for Advanced Molecular Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Institute of General Pathology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- ARC-Net Research Centre and Department of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Massimo Broggini
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Milan, Italy
| | - Donatella Del Bufalo
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Cognetti
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ludovica Ciuffreda
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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Zhang J, Xiang Z, Malaviarachchi PA, Yan Y, Baltz NJ, Emanuel PD, Liu YL. PTEN is indispensable for cells to respond to MAPK inhibitors in myeloid leukemia. Cell Signal 2018; 50:72-79. [PMID: 29964149 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Constitutively activated MAPK and AKT signaling pathways are often found in solid tumors and leukemias. PTEN is one of the tumor suppressors that are frequently found deficient in patients with late-stage cancers or leukemias. In this study we demonstrate that a MAPK inhibitor, PD98059, inhibits both AKT and ERK phosphorylation in a human myeloid leukemia cell line (TF-1), but not in PTEN-deficient leukemia cells (TF-1a). Ectopic expression of wild-type PTEN in myeloid leukemia cells restored cytokine responsiveness at physiological concentrations of GM-CSF (<0.02 ng/mL) and significantly improved cell sensitivity to MAPK inhibitor. We also found that Early Growth Response 1 (EGR1) was constitutively over-expressed in cytokine-independent TF-1a cells, and ectopic expression of PTEN down-regulated EGR1 expression and restored dynamics of EGR1 expression in response to GM-CSF stimulation. Data from primary bone marrow cells from mice with Pten deletion further supports that PTEN is indispensible for myeloid leukemia cells in response to MAPK inhibitors. Finally, We demonstrate that the absence of EGR1 expression dynamics in response to GM-CSF stimulation is one of the mechanisms underlying drug resistance to MAPK inhibitors in leukemia cells with PTEN deficiency. Our data suggest a novel mechanism of PTEN in regulating expression of EGR1 in hematopoietic cells in response to cytokine stimulation. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that PTEN is dispensable for myeloid leukemia cells in response to MAPK inhibitors, and PTEN regulates EGR1 expression and contributes to the cytokine sensitivity in leukemia cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingliao Zhang
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR 72205, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Hematology and Blood Disease Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Zhifu Xiang
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Priyangi A Malaviarachchi
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Yan Yan
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Nicholas J Baltz
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Peter D Emanuel
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR 72205, United States.
| | - Y Lucy Liu
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR 72205, United States.
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The perfect personalized cancer therapy: cancer vaccines against neoantigens. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:86. [PMID: 29678194 PMCID: PMC5910567 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0751-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the advent of Immune Checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and of CAR-T adoptive T-cells, the new frontier in Oncology is Cancer Immunotherapy because of its ability to provide long term clinical benefit in metastatic disease in several solid and liquid tumor types. It is now clear that ICI acts by unmasking preexisting immune responses as well as by inducing de novo responses against tumor neoantigens. Thanks to theprogress made in genomics technologies and the evolution of bioinformatics, neoantigens represent ideal targets, due to their specific expression in cancer tissue and the potential lack of side effects. In this review, we discuss the promise of preclinical and clinical results with mutation-derived neoantigen cancer vaccines (NCVs) along with the current limitations from bioinformatics prediction to manufacturing an effective new therapeutic approach.
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Abstract
Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is the kinase subunit of two structurally and functionally distinct large multiprotein complexes, referred to as mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2. mTORC1 and mTORC2 play key physiological roles as they control anabolic and catabolic processes in response to external cues in a variety of tissues and organs. However, mTORC1 and mTORC2 activities are deregulated in widespread human diseases, including cancer. Cancer cells take advantage of mTOR oncogenic signaling to drive their proliferation, survival, metabolic transformation, and metastatic potential. Therefore, mTOR lends itself very well as a therapeutic target for innovative cancer treatment. mTOR was initially identified as the target of the antibiotic rapamycin that displayed remarkable antitumor activity in vitro Promising preclinical studies using rapamycin and its derivatives (rapalogs) demonstrated efficacy in many human cancer types, hence supporting the launch of numerous clinical trials aimed to evaluate the real effectiveness of mTOR-targeted therapies. However, rapamycin and rapalogs have shown very limited activity in most clinical contexts, also when combined with other drugs. Thus, novel classes of mTOR inhibitors with a stronger antineoplastic potency have been developed. Nevertheless, emerging clinical data suggest that also these novel mTOR-targeting drugs may have a weak antitumor activity. Here, we summarize the current status of available mTOR inhibitors and highlight the most relevant results from both preclinical and clinical studies that have provided valuable insights into both their efficacy and failure.
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mTOR Cross-Talk in Cancer and Potential for Combination Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10010023. [PMID: 29351204 PMCID: PMC5789373 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays an essential role in sensing and integrating a variety of exogenous cues to regulate cellular growth and metabolism, in both physiological and pathological conditions. mTOR functions through two functionally and structurally distinct multi-component complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, which interact with each other and with several elements of other signaling pathways. In the past few years, many new insights into mTOR function and regulation have been gained and extensive genetic and pharmacological studies in mice have enhanced our understanding of how mTOR dysfunction contributes to several diseases, including cancer. Single-agent mTOR targeting, mostly using rapalogs, has so far met limited clinical success; however, due to the extensive cross-talk between mTOR and other pathways, combined approaches are the most promising avenues to improve clinical efficacy of available therapeutics and overcome drug resistance. This review provides a brief and up-to-date narrative on the regulation of mTOR function, the relative contributions of mTORC1 and mTORC2 complexes to cancer development and progression, and prospects for mTOR inhibition as a therapeutic strategy.
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Chang J, Tang N, Fang Q, Zhu K, Liu L, Xiong X, Zhu Z, Zhang B, Zhang M, Tao J. Inhibition of COX-2 and 5-LOX regulates the progression of colorectal cancer by promoting PTEN and suppressing PI3K/AKT pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 517:1-7. [PMID: 29339153 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.01.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
For colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, local and systemic inflammatory responses have been extensively reported to closely associate with patient survival. However, the specific signaling pathways responsible for carcinogenic responses are unclear. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a negative regulator of PI3K/AKT pathway that is gradually inactivated in cancers through mutation, loss of heterozygosity and others epigenetic mechanisms. In addition, COX and LOX metabolic pathways of arachidonic acid (AA) play a crucial role in promoting adenoma development. The aim of this study is to clarify the relationship of COX, LOX and PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway. Results showed that the over-expressed COX and LOX in cancer cells can be targeted to decrease the expression of PTEN. After using corresponding inhibitors, this condition was significantly improved and promoted apoptosis, inhibited invasion, proliferation and the production of reactive oxygen species. And for COX-2-/- or 5-LOX-/- ApcMin/+ mice, the PI3K/AKT pathway was further inhibited via promoting PTEN. Furthermore, weakened oxidative stress, inhibited adenoma growth, and improved survival rate. All findings indicated that PTEN was indirectly targeted by these enzyme inhibitors and acted as the potential therapeutic target for colorectal cancer therapy. In short, COX-2 or 5-LOX deletion and its inhibitors enhanced activity of PTEN and suppressed cell and adenoma progression through PI3K/AKT pathway in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Chang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Wuhan First Hospital, China
| | - Nan Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Qi Fang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China
| | - Kongfan Zhu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China
| | - Xingcheng Xiong
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China
| | - Zhongchao Zhu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China
| | - Bixiang Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Mingzhi Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jing Tao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China.
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Kim C, Giaccone G. MEK inhibitors under development for treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2017; 27:17-30. [DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2018.1415324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chul Kim
- Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Giuseppe Giaccone
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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Ciuffreda L, Del Curatolo A, Falcone I, Conciatori F, Bazzichetto C, Cognetti F, Corbo V, Scarpa A, Milella M. Lack of growth inhibitory synergism with combined MAPK/PI3K inhibition in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer. Ann Oncol 2017; 28:2896-2898. [PMID: 28666315 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdx335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- L Ciuffreda
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome.
| | - A Del Curatolo
- ARC-Net Research Centre and Department of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona
| | - I Falcone
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome
| | - F Conciatori
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome; University of Rome, La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - C Bazzichetto
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome; University of Rome, La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - F Cognetti
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome
| | - V Corbo
- ARC-Net Research Centre and Department of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona
| | - A Scarpa
- ARC-Net Research Centre and Department of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona
| | - M Milella
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome.
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