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Hossain MA. Targeting the RAS upstream and downstream signaling pathway for cancer treatment. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 979:176727. [PMID: 38866361 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Cancer often involves the overactivation of RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) and PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathways due to mutations in genes like RAS, RAF, PTEN, and PIK3CA. Various strategies are employed to address the overactivation of these pathways, among which targeted therapy emerges as a promising approach. Directly targeting specific proteins, leads to encouraging results in cancer treatment. For instance, RTK inhibitors such as imatinib and afatinib selectively target these receptors, hindering ligand binding and reducing signaling initiation. These inhibitors have shown potent efficacy against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Other inhibitors, like lonafarnib targeting Farnesyltransferase and GGTI 2418 targeting geranylgeranyl Transferase, disrupt post-translational modifications of proteins. Additionally, inhibition of proteins like SOS, SH2 domain, and Ras demonstrate promising anti-tumor activity both in vivo and in vitro. Targeting downstream components with RAF inhibitors such as vemurafenib, dabrafenib, and sorafenib, along with MEK inhibitors like trametinib and binimetinib, has shown promising outcomes in treating cancers with BRAF-V600E mutations, including myeloma, colorectal, and thyroid cancers. Furthermore, inhibitors of PI3K (e.g., apitolisib, copanlisib), AKT (e.g., ipatasertib, perifosine), and mTOR (e.g., sirolimus, temsirolimus) exhibit promising efficacy against various cancers such as Invasive Breast Cancer, Lymphoma, Neoplasms, and Hematological malignancies. This review offers an overview of small molecule inhibitors targeting specific proteins within the RAS upstream and downstream signaling pathways in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Arafat Hossain
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, 8100, Bangladesh.
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2
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Golivi Y, Kumari S, Farran B, Alam A, Peela S, Nagaraju GP. Small molecular inhibitors: Therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104053. [PMID: 38849028 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC), a disease with high heterogeneity and a dense stromal microenvironment, presents significant challenges and a bleak prognosis. Recent breakthroughs have illuminated the crucial interplay among RAS, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and hedgehog pathways in PC progression. Small molecular inhibitors have emerged as a potential solution with their advantages of oral administration and the ability to target intracellular and extracellular sites effectively. However, despite the US FDA approving over 100 small-molecule targeted antitumor drugs, challenges such as low response rates and drug resistance persist. This review delves into the possibility of using small molecules to treat persistent or spreading PC, highlighting the challenges and the urgent need for a diverse selection of inhibitors to develop more effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuvasri Golivi
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali University, Banasthali, RJ 304 022, India
| | - Seema Kumari
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GIS, GITAM, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530045, India
| | - Batoul Farran
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Afroz Alam
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali University, Banasthali, RJ 304 022, India
| | - Sujatha Peela
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, 532001, India
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
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Xu Y, Song J, Gao J, Zhang H. Identification of Biomarkers Associated with Oxidative Stress and Immune Cells in Acute Pancreatitis. J Inflamm Res 2024; 17:4077-4091. [PMID: 38948197 PMCID: PMC11214539 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s459044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Oxidative stress promotes disease progression by stimulating the humoral and cellular immune responses. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying oxidative stress and immune responses in acute pancreatitis (AP) have not been extensively studied. Patients and Methods We analyzed the GSE194331 dataset and oxidative stress-related genes (OSRGs). We identified differentially expressed immune cell-associated OSRGs (DE-ICA-OSRGs) by overlapping key module genes from weighted gene co-expression network analysis, OSRGs, and DEGs between AP and normal samples. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to investigate the functions of DE-ICA-OSRGs. We then filtered diagnostic genes using receiver operating characteristic curves and investigated their molecular mechanisms using single-gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). We also explored the correlation between diagnostic genes and differential immune cells. Finally, we constructed a transcription factor-microRNA-messenger RNA (TF-miRNA-mRNA) network of biomarkers. Results In this study, three DE-ICA-OSRGs (ARG1, NME8 and VNN1) were filtered by overlapping key module genes, OSRGs and DEGs. Functional enrichment results revealed that DE-ICA-OSRGs were involved in the cellular response to reactive oxygen species and arginine biosynthesis. Latterly, a total of two diagnostic genes (ARG1 and VNN1) were derived and their expression was higher in the AP group than in the normal group. The single-gene GSEA enrichment results revealed that diagnostic genes were mainly enriched in macroautophagy and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. Correlation analysis revealed that CD8 T cells, resting memory T CD4 cells, and resting NK cells were negatively correlated with ARG1, and neutrophils were positively correlated with ARG1, which was consistent with that of VNN1. The TF-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network included 11 miRNAs, 2 mRNAs, 10 transcription factors (TFs), and 26 pairs of regulatory relationships, like NFKB1-has-miR-2909-VNN1. Conclusion In this study, two immune cell oxidative stress-related AP diagnostic genes (ARG1 and VNN1) were screened to offer a new reference for the diagnosis of patients with AP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dongying People’s Hospital(Dongying Hospital of Shandong Provincial Hospital Group), Dongying, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dongying People’s Hospital(Dongying Hospital of Shandong Provincial Hospital Group), Dongying, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dongying People’s Hospital(Dongying Hospital of Shandong Provincial Hospital Group), Dongying, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongjing Zhang
- Community Health Service Center in Hekou District, Dongying, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
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4
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Beč A, Persoons L, Daelemans D, Starčević K, Vianello R, Hranjec M. Biological activity and computational analysis of novel acrylonitrile derived benzazoles as potent antiproliferative agents for pancreatic adenocarcinoma with antioxidative properties. Bioorg Chem 2024; 147:107326. [PMID: 38653153 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Continuing our research into the anticancer properties of acrylonitriles, we present a study involving the design, synthesis, computational analysis, and biological assessment of novel acrylonitriles derived from methoxy, hydroxy, and N-substituted benzazole. Our aim was to examine how varying the number of methoxy and hydroxy groups, as well as the N-substituents on the benzimidazole core, influences their biological activity. The newly synthesized acrylonitriles exhibited strong and selective antiproliferative effects against the Capan-1 pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line, with IC50 values ranging from 1.2 to 5.3 μM. Consequently, these compounds were further evaluated in three other pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines, while their impact on normal PBMC cells was also investigated to determine selectivity. Among these compounds, the monohydroxy-substituted benzimidazole derivative 27 emerged with the most profound and broad-spectrum anticancer antiproliferative activity being emerged as a promising lead candidate. Moreover, a majority of the acrylonitriles in this series exhibited significant antioxidative activity, surpassing that of the reference molecule BHT, as demonstrated by the FRAP assay (ranging from 3200 to 5235 mmolFe2+/mmolC). Computational analysis highlighted the prevalence of electron ionization in conferring antioxidant properties, with computed ionization energies correlating well with observed activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Beč
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Marulićev trg 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Leentje Persoons
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Daelemans
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kristina Starčević
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Robert Vianello
- Laboratory for the Computational Design and Synthesis of Functional Materials, Division of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Marijana Hranjec
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Marulićev trg 19, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Chintamaneni PK, Pindiprolu SKSS, Swain SS, Karri VVSR, Nesamony J, Chelliah S, Bhaskaran M. Conquering chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer: Exploring novel drug therapies and delivery approaches amidst desmoplasia and hypoxia. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216782. [PMID: 38453046 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer poses a significant challenge within the field of oncology due to its aggressive behaviour, limited treatment choices, and unfavourable outlook. With a mere 10% survival rate at the 5-year mark, finding effective interventions becomes even more pressing. The intricate relationship between desmoplasia and hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment further complicates matters by promoting resistance to chemotherapy and impeding treatment efficacy. The dense extracellular matrix and cancer-associated fibroblasts characteristic of desmoplasia create a physical and biochemical barrier that impedes drug penetration and fosters an immunosuppressive milieu. Concurrently, hypoxia nurtures aggressive tumor behaviour and resistance to conventional therapies. a comprehensive exploration of emerging medications and innovative drug delivery approaches. Notably, advancements in nanoparticle-based delivery systems, local drug delivery implants, and oxygen-carrying strategies are highlighted for their potential to enhance drug accessibility and therapeutic outcomes. The integration of these strategies with traditional chemotherapies and targeted agents reveals the potential for synergistic effects that amplify treatment responses. These emerging interventions can mitigate desmoplasia and hypoxia-induced barriers, leading to improved drug delivery, treatment efficacy, and patient outcomes in pancreatic cancer. This review article delves into the dynamic landscape of emerging anticancer medications and innovative drug delivery strategies poised to overcome the challenges imposed by desmoplasia and hypoxia in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavan Kumar Chintamaneni
- Department of Pharmaceutics, GITAM School of Pharmacy, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Rudraram, 502329 Telangana, India.
| | | | - Swati Swagatika Swain
- Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Jerry Nesamony
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Toledo HSC, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Selvam Chelliah
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX-77004, USA
| | - Mahendran Bhaskaran
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Toledo HSC, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA.
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Sun X, Song H, Sun X, Liao C, Wang G, Xu Y, Li L, Han Y, Xu C, Wang W, Cai S, Liang H, Yu H. A 15-Inflammation-Related Gene Signature Predicts the Prognosis of Patients With Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancer Invest 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38616304 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2024.2340577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation promotes the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and PDAC-related inflammatory tumor microenvironment facilitates tumor growth and metastasis. Thus, we aimed to study the association between inflammatory response and prognosis in patients with PDAC. We conducted the whole transcriptomic sequencing using tissue samples collected from patients diagnosed with PDAC (n = 106) recruited from Shandong Cancer Hospital. We first constructed a prognostic signature using 15 inflammation-related genes in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort (n = 177) and further validated it in an independent International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) cohort (n = 90) and our in-house cohort. PDAC patients with a higher risk score had poorer overall survival (OS) (P < 0.001; HR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.94-4.70). The association between the prognostic signature and OS remained significant in the multivariable Cox regression adjusting for age, sex, alcohol exposure, diabetes, and stage (P < 0.001; HR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.73-4.89). This gene signature also robustly predicted prognosis in the ICGC cohort (P = 0.01; HR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.14-3.30) and our cohort (P < 0.001; HR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.45-3.97). Immune subtype C3 (inflammatory) was enriched and CD8+ T cells were higher in patients with a lower risk score (P < 0.05). Furthermore, PDAC patients with higher risk scores were more sensitive to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and PARP inhibitors (P < 0.05). In sum, we identified a novel gene signature that was associated with inflammatory response for risk stratification, prognosis prediction, and therapy guidance in PDAC patients. Future studies are warranted to validate the clinical utility of the signature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hao Song
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoran Sun
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | | | | | - Yu Xu
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Leo Li
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yusheng Han
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Chunwei Xu
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Wenxian Wang
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Shangli Cai
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Hua Liang
- Qingdao Central Hospital, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Hao Yu
- Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, P. R. China
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7
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Cepni B, Tessonnier T, Dokic I, Brons S, Tawk B, Mairani A, Abdollahi A, Debus J, Herfarth K, Liermann J. Evaluation of Helium Ion Radiotherapy in Combination with Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Cancer In Vitro. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1497. [PMID: 38672579 PMCID: PMC11049166 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers. New treatment strategies are highly warranted. Particle radiotherapy could offer a way to overcome the radioresistant nature of pancreatic cancer because of its biological and physical characteristics. Within particles, helium ions represent an attractive therapy option to achieve the highest possible conformity while at the same time protecting the surrounding normal tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic efficacy of helium ion irradiation in pancreatic cancer in vitro. METHODS Human pancreatic cancer cell lines AsPC-1, BxPC-3 and Panc-1 were irradiated with photons and helium ions at various doses and treated with gemcitabine. Photon irradiation was performed with a biological cabin X-ray irradiator, and helium ion irradiation was performed with a spread-out Bragg peak using the raster scanning technique at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center (HIT). The cytotoxic effect on pancreatic cancer cells was measured with clonogenic survival. The survival curves were compared to the predicted curves that were calculated via the modified microdosimetric kinetic model (mMKM). RESULTS The experimental relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of helium ion irradiation ranged from 1.0 to 1.7. The predicted survival curves obtained via mMKM calculations matched the experimental survival curves. Mainly additive cytotoxic effects were observed for the cell lines AsPC-1, BxPC-3 and Panc-1. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate the cytotoxic efficacy of helium ion radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer in vitro as well as the capability of mMKM calculation and its value for biological plan optimization in helium ion therapy for pancreatic cancer. A combined treatment of helium irradiation and chemotherapy with gemcitabine leads to mainly additive cytotoxic effects in pancreatic cancer cell lines. The data generated in this study may serve as the radiobiological basis for future experimental and clinical works using helium ion radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahar Cepni
- Heidelberg University School of Medicine, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (T.T.); (S.B.); (A.M.); (J.D.); (K.H.)
| | - Thomas Tessonnier
- Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (T.T.); (S.B.); (A.M.); (J.D.); (K.H.)
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center Heidelberg, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (I.D.); (B.T.); (A.A.)
- Division of Molecular and Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ivana Dokic
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center Heidelberg, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (I.D.); (B.T.); (A.A.)
- Division of Molecular and Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Brons
- Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (T.T.); (S.B.); (A.M.); (J.D.); (K.H.)
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bouchra Tawk
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center Heidelberg, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (I.D.); (B.T.); (A.A.)
- Division of Molecular and Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea Mairani
- Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (T.T.); (S.B.); (A.M.); (J.D.); (K.H.)
- Division of Molecular and Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Amir Abdollahi
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center Heidelberg, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (I.D.); (B.T.); (A.A.)
- Division of Molecular and Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Debus
- Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (T.T.); (S.B.); (A.M.); (J.D.); (K.H.)
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core-Center Heidelberg, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (I.D.); (B.T.); (A.A.)
- Division of Molecular and Translational Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (MFHD) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Herfarth
- Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (T.T.); (S.B.); (A.M.); (J.D.); (K.H.)
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jakob Liermann
- Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (T.T.); (S.B.); (A.M.); (J.D.); (K.H.)
- Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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8
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Gampala S, Moon HR, Wireman R, Peil J, Kiran S, Mitchell DK, Brewster K, Mang H, Masters A, Bach C, Smith-Kinnamen W, Doud EH, Rai R, Mosley AL, Quinney SK, Clapp DW, Hamdouchi C, Wikel J, Zhang C, Han B, Georgiadis MM, Kelley MR, Fishel ML. New Ref-1/APE1 targeted inhibitors demonstrating improved potency for clinical applications in multiple cancer types. Pharmacol Res 2024; 201:107092. [PMID: 38311014 PMCID: PMC10962275 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
AP endonuclease-1/Redox factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1 or Ref-1) is a multifunctional protein that is overexpressed in most aggressive cancers and impacts various cancer cell signaling pathways. Ref-1's redox activity plays a significant role in activating transcription factors (TFs) such as NFκB, HIF1α, STAT3 and AP-1, which are crucial contributors to the development of tumors and metastatic growth. Therefore, development of potent, selective inhibitors to target Ref-1 redox function is an appealing approach for therapeutic intervention. A first-generation compound, APX3330 successfully completed phase I clinical trial in adults with progressing solid tumors with favorable response rate, pharmacokinetics (PK), and minimal toxicity. These positive results prompted us to develop more potent analogs of APX3330 to effectively target Ref-1 in solid tumors. In this study, we present structure-activity relationship (SAR) identification and validation of lead compounds that exhibit a greater potency and a similar or better safety profile to APX3330. In order to triage and characterize the most potent and on-target second-generation Ref-1 redox inhibitors, we assayed for PK, mouse and human S9 fraction metabolic stability, in silico ADMET properties, ligand-based WaterLOGSY NMR measurements, pharmacodynamic markers, cell viability in multiple cancer cell types, and two distinct 3-dimensional (3D) cell killing assays (Tumor-Microenvironment on a Chip and 3D spheroid). To characterize the effects of Ref-1 inhibition in vivo, global proteomics was used following treatment with the top four analogs. This study identified and characterized more potent inhibitors of Ref-1 redox function (that outperformed APX3330 by 5-10-fold) with PK studies demonstrating efficacious doses for translation to clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silpa Gampala
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Hye-Ran Moon
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA; Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
| | - Randall Wireman
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jacqueline Peil
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sonia Kiran
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Dana K Mitchell
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Kylee Brewster
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Henry Mang
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Andi Masters
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Clinical Pharmacology Analytical Core, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Christine Bach
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Clinical Pharmacology Analytical Core, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Whitney Smith-Kinnamen
- Center for Proteome Analysis, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Emma H Doud
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Center for Proteome Analysis, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Ratan Rai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Amber L Mosley
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Center for Proteome Analysis, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sara K Quinney
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - D Wade Clapp
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Chafiq Hamdouchi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - James Wikel
- Apexian Pharmaceuticals, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Chi Zhang
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Biohealth Informatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Bumsoo Han
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA; Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
| | - Millie M Georgiadis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Mark R Kelley
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Melissa L Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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9
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Uehara M, Domoto T, Takenaka S, Takeuchi O, Shimasaki T, Miyashita T, Minamoto T. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β: the nexus of chemoresistance, invasive capacity, and cancer stemness in pancreatic cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2024; 7:4. [PMID: 38318525 PMCID: PMC10838383 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The treatment of pancreatic cancer remains a significant clinical challenge due to the limited number of patients eligible for curative (R0) surgery, failures in the clinical development of targeted and immune therapies, and the pervasive acquisition of chemotherapeutic resistance. Refractory pancreatic cancer is typified by high invasiveness and resistance to therapy, with both attributes related to tumor cell stemness. These malignant characteristics mutually enhance each other, leading to rapid cancer progression. Over the past two decades, numerous studies have produced evidence of the pivotal role of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3β in the progression of over 25 different cancer types, including pancreatic cancer. In this review, we synthesize the current knowledge on the pathological roles of aberrant GSK3β in supporting tumor cell proliferation and invasion, as well as its contribution to gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer. Importantly, we discuss the central role of GSK3β as a molecular hub that mechanistically connects chemoresistance, tumor cell invasion, and stemness in pancreatic cancer. We also discuss the involvement of GSK3β in the formation of desmoplastic tumor stroma and in promoting anti-cancer immune evasion, both of which constitute major obstacles to successful cancer treatment. Overall, GSK3β has characteristics of a promising therapeutic target to overcome chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Uehara
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Authors contributed equally
| | - Takahiro Domoto
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Authors contributed equally
| | - Satoshi Takenaka
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Toyama City Hospital, Toyama 939-8511, Japan
| | - Osamu Takeuchi
- Biomedical Laboratory, Department of Research, Kitasato University Kitasato Institute Hospital, Tokyo 108-8642, Japan
| | - Takeo Shimasaki
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Medical Research Institute, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada 920-0293, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Miyashita
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Toyama City Hospital, Toyama 939-8511, Japan
| | - Toshinari Minamoto
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-0934, Japan
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10
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Wall NR, Fuller RN, Morcos A, De Leon M. Pancreatic Cancer Health Disparity: Pharmacologic Anthropology. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5070. [PMID: 37894437 PMCID: PMC10605341 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PCa) remains a formidable global health challenge, with high mortality rates and limited treatment options. While advancements in pharmacology have led to improved outcomes for various cancers, PCa continues to exhibit significant health disparities, disproportionately affecting certain populations. This paper explores the intersection of pharmacology and anthropology in understanding the health disparities associated with PCa. By considering the socio-cultural, economic, and behavioral factors that influence the development, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of PCa, pharmacologic anthropology provides a comprehensive framework to address these disparities and improve patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan R. Wall
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Science, Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (R.N.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Ryan N. Fuller
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Science, Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (R.N.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Ann Morcos
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Science, Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (R.N.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Marino De Leon
- Division of Physiology, Department of Basic Science, Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA;
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11
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Hopkins MD, Costello IJ, Brandeburg ZC, Slay EL, Zanders LA, Dunn CE, Derewonko CA, Davitt CL, Reeder MA, Prichard K, Chiew B, McCluskey A, Sheaff RJ, Lamar AA. Expansion of a Synthesized Library of N-Benzyl Sulfonamides Derived from an Indole Core to Target Pancreatic Cancer. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300265. [PMID: 37421174 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
In an effort to further investigate previously observed activity of indolyl sulfonamides towards pancreatic cancer cell lines, a library of 44 compounds has been synthesized. The biological activity of the compounds has been determined using two different screening assay techniques against 7 pancreatic cancer cell lines and 9 non-pancreatic cancer cell lines. In the first assay, the cytotoxicity of the compounds was evaluated using a traditional (48 hour compound exposure) method. An in silico investigation was conducted to determine if the compounds might be inducing cell death by inhibiting the S100A2-p53 protein-protein interaction. In the second assay, the potential role of the compounds as metabolic inhibitors of ATP production was evaluated using a rapid screening (1-2 hour compound exposure) method. IC50 values of the hit compounds were obtained and four compounds displayed sub-micromolar potency against PANC-1 cells. The investigation has provided several compounds that display selective in vitro activity toward pancreatic cancer that warrant further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan D Hopkins
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, 74104, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Ian J Costello
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, 74104, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Zachary C Brandeburg
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, 74104, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Emily L Slay
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, 74104, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Levi A Zanders
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, 74104, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Caroline E Dunn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, 74104, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Carina A Derewonko
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, 74104, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Colin L Davitt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, 74104, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Madison A Reeder
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, 74104, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Kate Prichard
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Beatrice Chiew
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam McCluskey
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, 2308, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert J Sheaff
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, 74104, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Angus A Lamar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, 74104, Tulsa, OK, USA
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12
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Kim ES, Kim SY, Moon A. C-Reactive Protein Signaling Pathways in Tumor Progression. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2023; 31:473-483. [PMID: 37562952 PMCID: PMC10468419 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2023.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Many cancers arise from sites of chronic inflammation, which creates an inflammatory microenvironment surrounding the tumor. Inflammatory substances secreted by cells in the inflammatory environment can induce the proliferation and survival of cancer cells, thereby promoting cancer metastasis and angiogenesis. Therefore, it is important to identify the role of inflammatory factors in cancer progression. This review summarizes the signaling pathways and roles of C-reactive protein (CRP) in various cancer types, including breast, liver, renal, and pancreatic cancer, and the tumor microenvironment. Mounting evidence suggests the role of CRP in breast cancer, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is typically associated with a worse prognosis. Increased CRP in the inflammatory environment contributes to enhanced invasiveness and tumor formation in TNBC cells. CRP promotes endothelial cell formation and angiogenesis and contributes to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. In pancreatic and kidney cancers, CRP contributes to tumor progression. In liver cancer, CRP regulates inflammatory responses and lipid metabolism. CRP modulates the activity of various signaling molecules in macrophages and monocytes present in the tumor microenvironment, contributing to tumor development, the immune response, and inflammation. In the present review, we overviewed the role of CRP signaling pathways and the association between inflammation and cancer in various types of cancer. Identifying the interactions between CRP signaling pathways and other inflammatory mediators in cancer progression is crucial for understanding the complex relationship between inflammation and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Sook Kim
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women’s University, Seoul 01369, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Young Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Duksung Women’s University, Seoul 01369, Republic of Korea
| | - Aree Moon
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women’s University, Seoul 01369, Republic of Korea
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13
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Peng M, Ying Y, Zhang Z, Liu L, Wang W. Reshaping the Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment at Different Stages with Chemotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092448. [PMID: 37173915 PMCID: PMC10177210 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The dynamic tumor microenvironment, especially the immune microenvironment, during the natural progression and/or chemotherapy treatment is a critical frontier in understanding the effects of chemotherapy on pancreatic cancer. Non-stratified pancreatic cancer patients always receive chemotherapeutic strategies, including neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy, predominantly according to their physical conditions and different disease stages. An increasing number of studies demonstrate that the pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment could be reshaped by chemotherapy, an outcome caused by immunogenic cell death, selection and/or education of preponderant tumor clones, adaptive gene mutations, and induction of cytokines/chemokines. These outcomes could in turn impact the efficacy of chemotherapy, making it range from synergetic to resistant and even tumor-promoting. Under chemotherapeutic impact, the metastatic micro-structures in the primary tumor may be built to leak tumor cells into the lymph or blood vasculature, and micro-metastatic/recurrent niches rich in immunosuppressive cells may be recruited by cytokines and chemokines, which provide housing conditions for these circling tumor cells. An in-depth understanding of how chemotherapy reshapes the tumor microenvironment may lead to new therapeutic strategies to block its adverse tumor-promoting effects and prolong survival. In this review, reshaped pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironments due to chemotherapy were reflected mainly in immune cells, pancreatic cancer cells, and cancer-associated fibroblast cells, quantitatively, functionally, and spatially. Additionally, small molecule kinases and immune checkpoints participating in this remodeling process caused by chemotherapy are suggested to be blocked reasonably to synergize with chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maozhen Peng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ying Ying
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wenquan Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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14
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Ferguson R, Aughton K, Evans A, Shaw V, Armstrong J, Ware A, Bennett L, Costello E, Greenhalf W. Mutant K-Ras in Pancreatic Cancer: An Insight on the Role of Wild-Type N-Ras and K-Ras-Dependent Cell Cycle Regulation. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:2505-2520. [PMID: 36975534 PMCID: PMC10047412 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45030164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of K-Ras independence may explain the failure of targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer (PC). In this paper, active N as well as K-Ras was shown in all human cell lines tested. In a cell line dependent on mutant K-Ras, it was shown that depleting K-Ras reduced total Ras activity, while cell lines described as independent had no significant decline in total Ras activity. The knockdown of N-Ras showed it had an important role in controlling the relative level of oxidative metabolism, but only K-Ras depletion caused a decrease in G2 cyclins. Proteasome inhibition reversed this, and other targets of APC/c were also decreased by K-Ras depletion. K-Ras depletion did not cause an increase in ubiquitinated G2 cyclins but instead caused exit from the G2 phase to slow relative to completion of the S-phase, suggesting that the mutant K-Ras may inhibit APC/c prior to anaphase and stabilise G2 cyclins independently of this. We propose that, during tumorigenesis, cancer cells expressing wild-type N-Ras protein are selected because the protein protects cancer cells from the deleterious effects of the cell cycle-independent induction of cyclins by mutant K-Ras. Mutation independence results when N-Ras activity becomes adequate to drive cell division, even in cells where K-Ras is inhibited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Ferguson
- Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5TR, UK
| | - Karen Aughton
- Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5TR, UK
| | - Anthony Evans
- Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5TR, UK
| | - Victoria Shaw
- Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5TR, UK
| | - Jane Armstrong
- Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5TR, UK
| | - Adam Ware
- Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5TR, UK
| | - Laura Bennett
- Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5TR, UK
| | - Eithne Costello
- Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5TR, UK
| | - William Greenhalf
- Liverpool Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5TR, UK
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15
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Identification of m6A/m5C/m1A-associated LncRNAs for prognostic assessment and immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3661. [PMID: 36871072 PMCID: PMC9985641 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30865-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylation of RNA plays an important role in cancer. Classical forms of such modifications include N6-methyladenine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), and N1-methyladenine (m1A). Methylation-regulated long non-coding (lnc) RNAs are involved in various biological processes, such as tumor proliferation, apoptosis, immune escape, invasion, and metastasis. Therefore, we performed an analysis of transcriptomic and clinical data of pancreatic cancer samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Using the co-expression method, we summarized 44 m6A/m5C/m1A-related genes and obtained 218 methylation-associated lncRNAs. Next, with COX regression, we screened 39 lncRNAs that are strongly associated with prognosis and found that their expression differed significantly between normal tissues and pancreatic cancer samples (P < 0.001). We then used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to construct a risk model comprising seven lncRNAs. In validation set, the nomogram generated by combining clinical characteristics accurately predicted the survival probability of pancreatic cancer patients at 1, 2, and 3 years after diagnosis (AUC = 0.652, 0.686, and 0.740, respectively). Tumor microenvironment analysis showed that the high-risk group had significantly more resting memory CD4 T cells, M0 macrophages, and activated dendritic cells and fewer naïve B cells, plasma cells, and CD8 T cells than the low-risk group (both P < 0.05). Most immune-checkpoint genes were significantly different between the high- and low-risk groups (P < 0.05). The Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion score showed that high-risk patients benefited more from treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (P < 0.001). Overall survival was also lower in high-risk patients with more tumor mutations than in low-risk patients with fewer mutations (P < 0.001). Finally, we explored the sensitivity of the high- and low-risk groups to seven candidate drugs. Our findings indicated that m6A/m5C/m1A-associated lncRNAs are potentially useful biomarkers for the early diagnosis and estimating the prognosis of, and ascertaining the responses to immunotherapy in, patients with pancreatic cancer.
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16
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Identification and Validation of Potentially Clinically Relevant CpG Regions within the Class 2 Tumor Suppressor Gene SFRP1 in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030683. [PMID: 36765639 PMCID: PMC9913221 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In pancreatic cancer treatment, tumor stage-dependent chemotherapies are used to prolong overall survival. By measuring DNA promoter hypermethylation in the plasma of patients with stage IV pancreatic cancer, it was recently shown that promoter DNA methylation of the tumor suppressor gene SFRP1 has a high value for predicting failure of drug treatment with gemcitabine. In this study, we therefore aimed to identify as precisely as possible the region in the SFRP1 promoter that is frequently hypermethylated in pancreatic cancer tissue. First, we used the TCGA data set to define CpG-rich regions flanking the SFRP1 transcription start site that were significantly more methylated in pancreatic cancer compared to normal pancreatic acinar tissue. A core CpG island was identified that exhibited abundant tumor DNA methylation and anti-correlation of SFRP1 mRNA expression. To validate our in silico results, we performed bisulfide conversion followed by DNA pyrosequencing of 28 matched formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) pancreatic cancer cases and six pancreatic cancer cell lines. A defined block of seven CpG sites within the core CpG island was identified, which confirmed our in silico results by showing significantly higher SFRP1 methylation in pancreatic cancer specimens than in normal pancreatic tissue. By selecting this core CpG island, we were able to determine a median overall survival benefit for the low SFRP1 methylation group compared to the high SFRP1 methylation group (702 versus 517 days, p = 0.01) in the TCGA pancreatic cancer cohort. We propose a compact pyrosequencing assay that can be used in the future to further investigate the prognostic value of SFRP1 promoter hypermethylation in predicting pancreatic cancer chemoresistance. Therefore, instead of DNA analysis from blood (liquid biopsy), DNA easily extractable from cancer tissue blocks (FFPE material) could be used.
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17
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Li Z, Xu X, Wang Y, Kong L, Han C. Carrier-free nanoplatforms from natural plants for enhanced bioactivity. J Adv Res 2022:S2090-1232(22)00215-6. [PMID: 36208834 PMCID: PMC10403678 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural plants as well as traditional Chinese medicine have made outstanding contributions to the health and reproduction of human beings and remain the basis and major resource for drug innovation. Carrier-free nanoplatforms completely self-assembled by pure molecules or therapeutic components have attracted increasing attention due to their advantages of improved pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics, reduced toxicity, and high drug loading. In recent years, carrier-free nanoplatforms produced by self-assembly from natural plants have contributed to progress in a variety of therapeutic modalities. Notably, these nanoplatforms based on the interactions of components from different natural plants improve efficiency and depress toxicity. AIM OF REVIEW In this review, different types of self-assembled nanoplatforms are first summarized, mainly including nanoassemblies of pure small molecules isolated from different plants, extracellular vesicles separated from fresh plants, charcoal nanocomponents obtained from charred plants, and nanoaggregates from plants formulae decoctions. Key Scientific Concepts of Review: We mainly focus on composition, self-assembly mechanisms, biological activity and modes of action. Finally, a future perspective of existing challenges with respect to the clinical application of plant-based carrier-free nanoplatforms is discussed, which may be instructive to further develop effective carrier-free nanoplatforms from natural plants in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongrui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, 101 longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166, PR China
| | - Xiao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Lingyi Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China.
| | - Chao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China.
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18
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Dai H, Abdullah R, Wu X, Li F, Ma Y, Lu A, Zhang G. Pancreatic Cancer: Nucleic Acid Drug Discovery and Targeted Therapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:855474. [PMID: 35652096 PMCID: PMC9149368 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.855474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal cancers with an almost 10% 5-year survival rate. Because PC is implicated in high heterogeneity, desmoplastic tumor-microenvironment, and inefficient drug-penetration, the chemotherapeutic strategy currently recommended for the treatment of PC has limited clinical benefit. Nucleic acid-based targeting therapies have become strong competitors in the realm of drug discovery and targeted therapy. A vast evidence has demonstrated that antibody-based or alternatively aptamer-based strategy largely contributed to the elevated drug accumulation in tumors with reduced systematic cytotoxicity. This review describes the advanced progress of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), messenger RNA (mRNAs), and aptamer-drug conjugates (ApDCs) in the treatment of PC, revealing the bright application and development direction in PC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Dai
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Razack Abdullah
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute for the Advancement of Chinese medicine (IACM) .Ltd, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaoqiu Wu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fangfei Li
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery, HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuan Ma
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery, HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China
| | - Aiping Lu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery, HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery, HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China
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19
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Joseph V, Levine M. Ronald C.D. Breslow (1931-2017): A career in review. Bioorg Chem 2021; 115:104868. [PMID: 34523507 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Reviewed herein are key research accomplishments of Professor Ronald Charles D. Breslow (1931-2017) throughout his more than 60 year research career. These accomplishments span a wide range of topics, most notably physical organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and bioorganic chemistry. These topics are reviewed, as are topics of molecular electronics and origin of chirality, which combine to make up the bulk of this review. Also reviewed briefly are Breslow's contributions to the broader chemistry profession, including his work for the American Chemical Society and his work promoting gender equity. Throughout the article, efforts are made to put Breslow's accomplishments in the context of other work being done at the time, as well as to include subsequent iterations and elaborations of the research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Joseph
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Ariel University, Israel
| | - Mindy Levine
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Ariel University, Israel.
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20
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Alzhrani R, Alsaab HO, Vanamal K, Bhise K, Tatiparti K, Barari A, Sau S, Iyer AK. Overcoming the Tumor Microenvironmental Barriers of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas for Achieving Better Treatment Outcomes. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2021; 4:2000262. [PMID: 34212073 PMCID: PMC8240487 DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202000262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive disease with the lowest survival rate among all solid tumors. The lethality of PDAC arises from late detection and propensity of the tumor to metastasize and develop resistance against chemo and radiation therapy. A highly complex tumor microenvironment composed of dense stroma, immune cells, fibroblast, and disorganized blood vessels, is the main obstacle to current PDAC therapy. Despite the tremendous success of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancers, PDAC remains one of the poorest responders of ICIs therapy. The immunologically "cold" phenotype of PDAC is attributed to the low mutational burden, high infiltration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and T-regs, contributing to a significant immunotherapy resistance mechanism. Thus, the development of innovative strategies for turning immunologically "cold" tumor into "hot" ones is an unmet need to improve the outcome of PDAC ICIs therapies. Other smart strategies, such as nanomedicines, sonic Hedgehog inhibitor, or smoothened inhibitor, are discussed to enhance chemotherapeutic agents' efficiency by disrupting the PDAC stroma. This review highlights the current challenges and various preclinical and clinical strategies to overcome current PDAC therapy difficulties, thus significantly advancing PDAC research knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami Alzhrani
- Use-Inspired Biomaterials and Integrated Nano Delivery Systems Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit 48201, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hashem O. Alsaab
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kushal Vanamal
- Use-Inspired Biomaterials and Integrated Nano Delivery Systems Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit 48201, United States
| | - Ketki Bhise
- Use-Inspired Biomaterials and Integrated Nano Delivery Systems Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit 48201, United States
| | - Katyayani Tatiparti
- Use-Inspired Biomaterials and Integrated Nano Delivery Systems Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit 48201, United States
| | - Ayatakshi Barari
- Use-Inspired Biomaterials and Integrated Nano Delivery Systems Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit 48201, United States
| | - Samaresh Sau
- Use-Inspired Biomaterials and Integrated Nano Delivery Systems Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit 48201, United States
| | - Arun K. Iyer
- Use-Inspired Biomaterials and Integrated Nano Delivery Systems Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit 48201, United States
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
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21
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Wang W, Cui J, Ma H, Lu W, Huang J. Targeting Pyrimidine Metabolism in the Era of Precision Cancer Medicine. Front Oncol 2021; 11:684961. [PMID: 34123854 PMCID: PMC8194085 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.684961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic rewiring is considered as a primary feature of cancer. Malignant cells reprogram metabolism pathway in response to various intrinsic and extrinsic drawback to fuel cell survival and growth. Among the complex metabolic pathways, pyrimidine biosynthesis is conserved in all living organism and is necessary to maintain cellular fundamental function (i.e. DNA and RNA biosynthesis). A wealth of evidence has demonstrated that dysfunction of pyrimidine metabolism is closely related to cancer progression and numerous drugs targeting pyrimidine metabolism have been approved for multiple types of cancer. However, the non-negligible side effects and limited efficacy warrants a better strategy for negating pyrimidine metabolism in cancer. In recent years, increased studies have evidenced the interplay of oncogenic signaling and pyrimidine synthesis in tumorigenesis. Here, we review the recent conceptual advances on pyrimidine metabolism, especially dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), in the framework of precision oncology medicine and prospect how this would guide the development of new drug precisely targeting the pyrimidine metabolism in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiqiang Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
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22
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Vetvicka D, Sivak L, Jogdeo CM, Kumar R, Khan R, Hang Y, Oupický D. Gene silencing delivery systems for the treatment of pancreatic cancer: Where and what to target next? J Control Release 2021; 331:246-259. [PMID: 33482273 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite intensive research efforts and development of numerous new anticancer drugs and treatment strategies over the past decades, there has been only very limited improvement in overall patient survival and in effective treatment options for pancreatic cancer. Current chemotherapy improves survival in terms of months and death rates in pancreatic cancer patients are almost equivalent to incidence rates. It is imperative to develop new therapeutic approaches. Among them, gene silencing shows promise of effectiveness in both tumor cells and stromal cells by inhibiting tumor-promoting genes. This review summarizes potential targets for gene silencing in both pancreatic cancer cells and abundant stromal cells focusing on non-viral delivery systems for small RNAs and discusses the potential immunological implications. The review concludes with the importance of multifactorial therapy of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Vetvicka
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States; Institute of Biophysics and Informatics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Salmovska 1, Prague 2 12000, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Sivak
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, Brno CZ-61300, Czech Republic
| | - Chinmay M Jogdeo
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Raj Kumar
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Rubayat Khan
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Yu Hang
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - David Oupický
- Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States.
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23
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Crosstalk between miRNAs and signaling pathways involved in pancreatic cancer and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 901:174006. [PMID: 33711308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with 5-year survival rates below 8%. Most patients with PC and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) die after relapse and cancer progression as well as resistance to treatment. Pancreatic tumors contain a high desmoplastic stroma that forms a rigid mass and has a potential role in tumor growth and metastasis. PC initiates from intraepithelial neoplasia lesions leading to invasive cancer through various pathways. These lesions harbor particular changes in signaling pathways involved in the tumorigenesis process. These events affect both the epithelial cells, including the tumor and the surrounding stroma, and eventually lead to the formation of complex signaling networks. Genetic studies of PC have revealed common molecular features such as the presence of mutations in KRAS gene in more than 90% of patients, as well as the inactivation or deletion mutations of some tumor suppressor genes including TP53, CDKN2A, and SMAD4. In recent years, studies have also identified different roles of microRNAs in PC pathogenesis as well as their importance in PC diagnosis and treatment, and their involvement in various signaling pathways. In this study, we discussed the most common pathways involved in PC and PDAC as well as their role in tumorigenesis and progression. Furthermore, the miRNAs participating in the regulation of these signaling pathways in PC progression are summarized in this study. Therefore, understanding more about pathways involved in PC can help with the development of new and effective therapies in the future.
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24
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Heyder RS, Sunbul FS, Almuqbil RM, Fines CB, da Rocha SRP. Poly(anhydride-ester) gemcitabine: Synthesis and particle engineering of a high payload hydrolysable polymeric drug for cancer therapy. J Control Release 2021; 330:1178-1190. [PMID: 33212118 PMCID: PMC10939058 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Gemcitabine (GMT) is a nucleoside analog used in the treatment of a variety of solid tumors. GMT was chemically modified with a hydrolysable linker, and subsequently incorporated into a poly(anhydride-ester) backbone via melt-polymerization, with the active antimetabolite GMT, thus, becoming the repeat unit that makes up this new material, a biodegradable polymer. Characterization of the structure of polymeric GMT (polyGMT) revealed the incorporation of an average 26 molecules of GMT per polymer chain, which corresponds to a drug loading of 58%w/w. The glass transition temperature of the formed polyGMT was determined to be 123 °C. PolyGMT was engineered into nanoparticles (NPs) using a dialysis-based method, with a resulting geometric diameter of 206 ± 38 nm. The particles are easily dispersible and stable in aqueous-based media, with a hydrodynamic diameter of 229 ± 28 nm. The prepared hydrolysable polyGMT NPs demonstrate ultra-long release profile due to the hydrophobic nature of the linker, and as per characteristic erosion behavior of polymers with anhydride-ester bonds. Accelerated in vitro release studies demonstrate the recovery of free GMT upon hydrolysis, with biological activity as assessed by cytotoxicity assays performed in adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial (A549) and highly metastatic murine osteosarcoma (K7M2) cells lines. The characteristics of polyGMT, including its thermal properties and built in hydrolysable structure, are thus conducive for use in the preparation of drug delivery systems. Engineered structures prepared with polyGMT can maintain their morphology at ambient and physiologically relevant conditions, and free GMT is recovered as the anhydride and ester bonds are hydrolyzed. This work is innovative as for the first time we demonstrate the ability to polymerize GMT in a hydrolysable polymer structure, and engineer NPs of this polymeric chemotherapy. The synthetic strategy allows for tuning of the polymer hydrophobicity and thus potentialize its behavior, including degradation profile, by varying the linker chemistry. Such controlled release hydrolysable polymers with very high drug loading and controlled erosion profiles are relevant as they may offer new opportunities in drug delivery applications for the treatment of malignant neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo S Heyder
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering and Sciences - School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, United States
| | - Fatemah S Sunbul
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering and Sciences - School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, United States
| | - Rashed M Almuqbil
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering and Sciences - School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, United States
| | - Cory B Fines
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering and Sciences - School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, United States
| | - Sandro R P da Rocha
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering and Sciences - School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, United States.
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