1
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Weller J, Potthoff AL, Zeyen T, Schaub C, Duffy C, Schneider M, Herrlinger U. Current status of precision oncology in adult glioblastoma. Mol Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38899374 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13678] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The concept of precision oncology, the application of targeted drugs based on comprehensive molecular profiling, has revolutionized treatment strategies in oncology. This review summarizes the current status of precision oncology in glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults with a median survival below 2 years. Targeted treatments without prior target verification have consistently failed. Patients with BRAF V600E-mutated GBM benefit from BRAF/MEK-inhibition, whereas targeting EGFR alterations was unsuccessful due to poor tumor penetration, tumor cell heterogeneity, and pathway redundancies. Systematic screening for actionable molecular alterations resulted in low rates (< 10%) of targeted treatments. Efficacy was observed in one-third and currently appears to be limited to BRAF-, VEGFR-, and mTOR-directed treatments. Advancing precision oncology for GBM requires consideration of pathways instead of single alterations, new trial concepts enabling rapid and adaptive drug evaluation, a focus on drugs with sufficient bioavailability in the CNS, and the extension of target discovery and validation to the tumor microenvironment, tumor cell networks, and their interaction with immune cells and neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Weller
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Zeyen
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Christina Schaub
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Cathrina Duffy
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Ulrich Herrlinger
- Department of Neurooncology, Center for Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
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2
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Ezzati S, Salib S, Balasubramaniam M, Aboud O. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors in Glioblastoma: Current Status and Future Possibilities. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2316. [PMID: 38396993 PMCID: PMC10889328 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma, a grade 4 glioma as per the World Health Organization, poses a challenge in adult primary brain tumor management despite advanced surgical techniques and multimodal therapies. This review delves into the potential of targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with small-molecule inhibitors and antibodies as a treatment strategy. EGFR, a mutationally active receptor tyrosine kinase in over 50% of glioblastoma cases, features variants like EGFRvIII, EGFRvII and missense mutations, necessitating a deep understanding of their structures and signaling pathways. Although EGFR inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy in other cancers, their application in glioblastoma is hindered by blood-brain barrier penetration and intrinsic resistance. The evolving realm of nanodrugs and convection-enhanced delivery offers promise in ensuring precise drug delivery to the brain. Critical to success is the identification of glioblastoma patient populations that benefit from EGFR inhibitors. Tools like radiolabeled anti-EGFR antibody 806i facilitate the visualization of EGFR conformations, aiding in tailored treatment selection. Recognizing the synergistic potential of combination therapies with downstream targets like mTOR, PI3k, and HDACs is pivotal for enhancing EGFR inhibitor efficacy. In conclusion, the era of precision oncology holds promise for targeting EGFR in glioblastoma, contingent on tailored treatments, effective blood-brain barrier navigation, and the exploration of synergistic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawyon Ezzati
- California Northstate University College of Medicine, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (S.E.); (S.S.)
| | - Samuel Salib
- California Northstate University College of Medicine, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (S.E.); (S.S.)
| | | | - Orwa Aboud
- Department of Neurology, Department of Neurological Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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3
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YU Z, LI J, JIANG J, LI Y, LIN L, XIA Y, WANG L. [miRNA-128-3p inhibits malignant behavior of glioma cells by downregulating KLHDC8A expression]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2023; 43:1447-1459. [PMID: 37814858 PMCID: PMC10563106 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2023.09.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether miRNA-128-3p regulates malignant biological behavior of glioma cells by targeting KLHDC8A. METHODS Dual-luciferase reporter assays, qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to verify the targeting of miRNA-128-3p to KLHDC8A. Edu assay, flow cytometry, Transwell assay and would healing assay were used to determine the effects of changes in miRNA-128-3p and KLHDC8A expression levels on malignant behavior of glioma cells. Rescue experiment was carried out to verify that miRNA-128-3p regulated glioma cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration by targeting KLHDC8A. RESULTS The expression level of KLHDC8A was significantly increased in high-grade glioma tissue and was closely related to a poor survival outcome of the patients. Overexpression of KLHDC8A promoted glioma cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and miRNA-128-3p overexpression inhibited proliferative and metastatic capacities of glioma cells. Mechanistically, KLHDC8A expression was directly modulated by miRNA-128-3p, which, by targeting KLHDC8A, inhibited malignant behavior of glioma cells. CONCLUSION Upregulation of miRNA-128-3p inhibits uncontrolled growth of glioma cells by negatively regulating KLHDC8A expression and its downstream effectors, suggesting that the miRNA-128-3p-KLHDC8A axis may serve as a potential prognostic indicator and a therapeutic target for developing new strategies for glioma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengtao YU
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya School of Central South University, Haikou 570208, China中南大学湘雅医学院附属海口医院神经外科,海南 海口 570208
| | - Jiameng LI
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya School of Central South University, Haikou 570208, China中南大学湘雅医学院附属海口医院神经外科,海南 海口 570208
| | - Junwen JIANG
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya School of Central South University, Haikou 570208, China中南大学湘雅医学院附属海口医院神经外科,海南 海口 570208
| | - You LI
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya School of Central South University, Haikou 570208, China中南大学湘雅医学院附属海口医院神经外科,海南 海口 570208
| | - Long LIN
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya School of Central South University, Haikou 570208, China中南大学湘雅医学院附属海口医院神经外科,海南 海口 570208
| | - Ying XIA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya School of Central South University, Haikou 570208, China中南大学湘雅医学院附属海口医院神经外科,海南 海口 570208
| | - Lei WANG
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital and Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410006, China中南大学湘雅医学院附属肿瘤医院神经外科,湖南 长沙 410006
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4
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Lee D, Gimple RC, Wu X, Prager BC, Qiu Z, Wu Q, Daggubati V, Mariappan A, Gopalakrishnan J, Sarkisian MR, Raleigh DR, Rich JN. Superenhancer activation of KLHDC8A drives glioma ciliation and hedgehog signaling. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e163592. [PMID: 36394953 PMCID: PMC9843063 DOI: 10.1172/jci163592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma ranks among the most aggressive and lethal of all human cancers. Self-renewing, highly tumorigenic glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) contribute to therapeutic resistance and maintain cellular heterogeneity. Here, we interrogated superenhancer landscapes of primary glioblastoma specimens and patient-derived GSCs, revealing a kelch domain-containing gene, specifically Kelch domain containing 8A (KLHDC8A) with a previously unknown function as an epigenetically driven oncogene. Targeting KLHDC8A decreased GSC proliferation and self-renewal, induced apoptosis, and impaired in vivo tumor growth. Transcription factor control circuitry analyses revealed that the master transcriptional regulator SOX2 stimulated KLHDC8A expression. Mechanistically, KLHDC8A bound chaperonin-containing TCP1 (CCT) to promote the assembly of primary cilia to activate hedgehog signaling. KLHDC8A expression correlated with Aurora B/C Kinase inhibitor activity, which induced primary cilia and hedgehog signaling. Combinatorial targeting of Aurora B/C kinase and hedgehog displayed augmented benefit against GSC proliferation. Collectively, superenhancer-based discovery revealed KLHDC8A as what we believe to be a novel molecular target of cancer stem cells that promotes ciliogenesis to activate the hedgehog pathway, offering insights into therapeutic vulnerabilities for glioblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derrick Lee
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ryan C. Gimple
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Xujia Wu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Briana C. Prager
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Zhixin Qiu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Qiulian Wu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Vikas Daggubati
- Department of Radiation Oncology and
- Department of Neurological Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Aruljothi Mariappan
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jay Gopalakrishnan
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Matthew R. Sarkisian
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute and
- Preston A. Wells, Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - David R. Raleigh
- Department of Radiation Oncology and
- Department of Neurological Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jeremy N. Rich
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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5
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Lin B, Ziebro J, Smithberger E, Skinner KR, Zhao E, Cloughesy TF, Binder ZA, O’Rourke DM, Nathanson DA, Furnari FB, Miller CR. EGFR, the Lazarus target for precision oncology in glioblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2022; 24:2035-2062. [PMID: 36125064 PMCID: PMC9713527 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The Lazarus effect is a rare condition that happens when someone seemingly dead shows signs of life. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) represents a target in the fatal neoplasm glioblastoma (GBM) that through a series of negative clinical trials has prompted a vocal subset of the neuro-oncology community to declare this target dead. However, an argument can be made that the core tenets of precision oncology were overlooked in the initial clinical enthusiasm over EGFR as a therapeutic target in GBM. Namely, the wrong drugs were tested on the wrong patients at the wrong time. Furthermore, new insights into the biology of EGFR in GBM vis-à-vis other EGFR-driven neoplasms, such as non-small cell lung cancer, and development of novel GBM-specific EGFR therapeutics resurrects this target for future studies. Here, we will examine the distinct EGFR biology in GBM, how it exacerbates the challenge of treating a CNS neoplasm, how these unique challenges have influenced past and present EGFR-targeted therapeutic design and clinical trials, and what adjustments are needed to therapeutically exploit EGFR in this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Lin
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Julia Ziebro
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Erin Smithberger
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Pathobiology and Translational Sciences Program, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kasey R Skinner
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Neurosciences Curriculum, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Eva Zhao
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Timothy F Cloughesy
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Zev A Binder
- Department of Neurosurgery and Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Donald M O’Rourke
- Department of Neurosurgery and Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David A Nathanson
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Frank B Furnari
- Department of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- Ludwig Cancer Research, San Diego, California, USA
| | - C Ryan Miller
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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6
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Advances in Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapies for the Treatment of Primary Brain Tumors. Antibodies (Basel) 2022; 11:antib11020031. [PMID: 35645204 PMCID: PMC9149956 DOI: 10.3390/antib11020031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the care of cancer patients. A diverse set of strategies to overcome cancer immunosuppression and enhance the tumor-directed immune response are in clinical use, but have not achieved transformative benefits for brain tumor patients. Adoptive cell therapies, which employ a patient’s own immune cells to generate directed anti-tumor activity, are emerging technologies that hold promise to improve the treatment of primary brain tumors in children and adults. Here, we review recent advances in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies for the treatment of aggressive primary brain tumors, including glioblastoma and diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27M-mutant. We highlight current approaches, discuss encouraging investigational data, and describe key challenges in the development and implementation of these types of therapies in the neuro-oncology setting.
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7
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Zheng X, Tang Q, Ren L, Liu J, Li W, Fu W, Wang J, Du G. A narrative review of research progress on drug therapies for glioblastoma multiforme. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:943. [PMID: 34350258 PMCID: PMC8263870 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-8017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive, common, and lethal subtype of malignant gliomas originating from the central nervous system. Currently, the standard therapy for GBM is surgical resection combined with radiation and temozolomide (TMZ). However, the treatment only improves the 2-year survival rate from 10% to 26%, accompanied by more than 90% recurrence of GBM tumors at the original site. Low survival rate, serious side effects, and poor prognosis force people to find new therapies. Recent years, the combination of clinical drugs improves the survival rate of GBM patients, but new therapeutic drugs with high-efficiency and low-toxicity are still needed to be discovered. The successful use of immunotherapy in tumor brings hope for people to explore new methods in treating GBM. While the inability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), loss of lymphatic tissue drainage, and antigen-presenting cells in the central nervous system are major reasons for the failure of immunotherapy in the treatment of GBM. Glioma stem cells (GSCs) is a subtype of tumorigenic stem cells which has more specific tumorigenic potential indicating targeting GSCs may be expected to improve therapeutic efficacy. In this review, we discuss clinical drugs that have benefited patients with GBM, cancer immunotherapy for GBM, summarize new drug targets of GBM, and review strategies for increasing the passage of drugs through the BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjin Zheng
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qin Tang
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Liwen Ren
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyi Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wan Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Weiqi Fu
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jinhua Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Guanhua Du
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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8
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He Y, Li J, Koga T, Ma J, Dhawan S, Suzuki Y, Furnari F, Prabhu VV, Allen JE, Chen CC. Epidermal growth factor receptor as a molecular determinant of glioblastoma response to dopamine receptor D2 inhibitors. Neuro Oncol 2021; 23:400-411. [PMID: 32830856 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaa188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are ongoing clinical trials exploring the efficacy of dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) inhibition against glioblastomas, the most common primary brain tumor. Here we examine potential molecular determinants of this efficacy. METHODS The Cancer Genome Atlas glioblastoma database and other published mRNA profiles were used to analyze the DRD2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression pattern. In vitro and in vivo responses to DRD2 inhibitors were determined using patient-derived xenograft (PDX) glioblastoma models. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on clinically annotated glioblastoma samples derived from patients treated with ONC201. RESULTS Analysis of clinical glioblastoma specimens derived from independent patient cohorts revealed an inverse correlation between EGFR and DRD2 mRNA expression, with implication that signaling mediated by these proteins shares overlapping functions. In independent panels of PDX glioblastoma lines, high EGFR expression was associated with poor in vitro and in vivo response to DRD2 inhibitors, including haloperidol and ONC201. Moreover, ectopic expression of a constitutively active EGFR, variant (v)III, suppressed glioblastoma sensitivity to ONC201. DRD2 expression positively correlated with expression of rate-limiting enzymes for dopamine synthesis as well as dopamine secretion, suggesting contribution of autocrine DRD2 signaling. Analysis of specimens from patients treated with ONC201 (n = 15) showed an inverse correlation between the intensity of EGFR staining and clinical response. The median overall survival for patients with high and low EGFR staining was 162 and 373 days, respectively (0.037). CONCLUSIONS High EGFR expression is a determinant of poor glioblastoma response to DRD2. This finding should inform future clinical trial designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyu He
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Tomoyuki Koga
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jun Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Sanjay Dhawan
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Yuta Suzuki
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Frank Furnari
- Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | | | - Clark C Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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9
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Xu X, Liu Y, Li Y, Chen H, Zhang Y, Liu J, Deng S, Zheng Y, Sun X, Wang J, Chen T, Huang M, Ke Y. Selective exosome exclusion of miR-375 by glioma cells promotes glioma progression by activating the CTGF-EGFR pathway. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:16. [PMID: 33407703 PMCID: PMC7789663 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01810-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Exosomes are membrane-bound extracellular vesicles of 40–150 nm in size, that are produced by many cell types, and play an important role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Exosome secretion allows for the selective removal of harmful substances from cells. However, it remains unclear whether this process also takes place in glioma cells. Methods Herein, the role of the tumour-suppressor miR-375 was explored in human glioma cells. Immunoblotting and qRT-PCR experiments demonstrated a functional link between miR-375 and its target, connectivetissuegrowthfactor (CTGF), which led to the identification of the underlying molecular pathways. The exosomes secreted by glioma cells were extracted by ultracentrifugation and examined by transmission electron microscopy. Exosomal expression of miR-375 was then analysed by qRT-PCR; while the exosome secretion inhibitor, GW4869, was used to examine the biological significance of miR-375 release. Moreover, the dynamics of miR-375 release by glioma cells was investigated using fluorescently labelled exosomes. Finally, exosomal miR-375 release was examined in an orthotopic xenograft model in nude mice. Results MiR-375 expression was downregulated in gliomas. MiR-375 suppressed glioma proliferation, migration, and invasion by inhibiting the CTGF-epidermalgrowthfactorreceptor (EGFR) signalling pathway. MiR-375-containing exosomes were also identified in human peripheral blood samples from glioma patients, and their level correlated with disease progression status. Exosomal miR-375 secretion impacted the CTGF-EGFR pathway activity. Once secreted, exosomal miR-375 was not taken back up by glioma cells. Conclusions Exosomal miR-375 secretion allowed for sustained activation of the CTGF-EGFR oncogenic pathway, promoting the proliferation and invasion of glioma cells. These findings enhance our understanding of exosome biology and may inspire development of new glioma therapies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-020-01810-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangdong Xu
- The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Yang Liu
- The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Yan Li
- The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Huajian Chen
- The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Yuxuan Zhang
- The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Jie Liu
- The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Shaokang Deng
- The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Yaofeng Zheng
- The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Xinlin Sun
- The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Jihui Wang
- The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Taoliang Chen
- The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Min Huang
- The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China.
| | - Yiquan Ke
- The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China.
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10
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Ma S, Guo Z, Wang B, Yang M, Yuan X, Ji B, Wu Y, Chen S. A Computational Framework to Identify Biomarkers for Glioma Recurrence and Potential Drugs Targeting Them. Front Genet 2021; 12:832627. [PMID: 35116059 PMCID: PMC8804649 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.832627] [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: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Recurrence is still a major obstacle to the successful treatment of gliomas. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of recurrence may help for developing new drugs to combat gliomas recurrence. This study provides a strategy to discover new drugs for recurrent gliomas based on drug perturbation induced gene expression changes. Methods: The RNA-seq data of 511 low grade gliomas primary tumor samples (LGG-P), 18 low grade gliomas recurrent tumor samples (LGG-R), 155 glioblastoma multiforme primary tumor samples (GBM-P), and 13 glioblastoma multiforme recurrent tumor samples (GBM-R) were downloaded from TCGA database. DESeq2, key driver analysis and weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) were conducted to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), key driver genes and coexpression networks between LGG-P vs LGG-R, GBM-P vs GBM-R pairs. Then, the CREEDS database was used to find potential drugs that could reverse the DEGs and key drivers. Results: We identified 75 upregulated and 130 downregulated genes between LGG-P and LGG-R samples, which were mainly enriched in human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, and ECM-receptor interaction. A total of 262 key driver genes were obtained with frizzled class receptor 8 (FZD8), guanine nucleotide-binding protein subunit gamma-12 (GNG12), and G protein subunit β2 (GNB2) as the top hub genes. By screening the CREEDS database, we got 4 drugs (Paclitaxel, 6-benzyladenine, Erlotinib, Cidofovir) that could downregulate the expression of up-regulated genes and 5 drugs (Fenofibrate, Oxaliplatin, Bilirubin, Nutlins, Valproic acid) that could upregulate the expression of down-regulated genes. These drugs may have a potential in combating recurrence of gliomas. Conclusion: We proposed a time-saving strategy based on drug perturbation induced gene expression changes to find new drugs that may have a potential to treat recurrent gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhi Ma
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pathology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhen Guo
- Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of the Research and Development of Novel Pharmaceutical Preparations, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Geneis (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Min Yang
- Geneis (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | | | - Binbin Ji
- Geneis (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Geneis (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Size Chen
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Esophageal Cancer Precise Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
- Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Size Chen,
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11
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ERK-dependent suicide gene therapy for selective targeting of RTK/RAS-driven cancers. Mol Ther 2020; 29:1585-1601. [PMID: 33333291 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Suicide gene therapies provide a unique ability to target cancer cells selectively, often based on modification of viral tropism or transcriptional regulation of therapeutic gene expression. We designed a novel suicide gene therapy approach wherein the gene product (herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase or yeast cytosine deaminase) is phosphorylated and stabilized in expression by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which is overactive in numerous cancers with elevated expression or mutation of receptor tyrosine kinases or the GTPase RAS. In contrast to transcriptional strategies for selectivity, regulation of protein stability by ERK allows for high copy expression via constitutive viral promoters, while maintaining tumor selectivity in contexts of elevated ERK activity. Thus, our approach turns a signaling pathway often coopted by cancer cells for survival into a lethal disadvantage in the presence of a chimeric protein and prodrug, as highlighted by a series of in vitro and in vivo examples explored here.
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12
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Abstract
As a result of rapid progress in genome medicine technologies, such as the evolution of DNA sequencing and the development of molecular targeted drugs, the era of precision cancer medicine has begun. In 2019, a nationwide genome medicine system was established and cancer gene panel sequencing began being covered by national health insurance in Japan. However, patients with brain tumors have not benefited much from genome medicine, even though gliomas contain many potential molecular targets, such as alterations in EGFR, IDH1/2, BRAF, and Histone H3K27. Targeted therapies for these molecules are currently under enthusiastic development; however, such attempts have not yet achieved remarkable success. To date, only a limited number of targeted drugs for brain tumors such as immune checkpoint, neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK), and Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are available, and only in limited cases. Several obstacles remain in the development of drugs to treat brain tumors, including the difficulties in conducting clinical trials because of the relatively rare incidence and in drug delivery through the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Furthermore, general problems for numerous types of cancer, such as tumor heterogeneity, also exist for brain tumors. We hope that overcoming these issues could enable precision genome medicine to be more beneficial for patients with brain tumors such as malignant gliomas. In addition, careful consideration of ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSIs) is important as it is indispensable for maintaining good relationships with patients, which is one of the keys for genome medicine promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akitake Mukasa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University
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13
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Zhu X, Chen T, Yang H, Lv K. Lactate induced up-regulation of KLHDC8A (Kelch domain-containing 8A) contributes to the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of human glioma cells. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:11691-11702. [PMID: 32851798 PMCID: PMC7579713 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioma is a common type of malignant brain tumour with high mortality and relapse rate. However, the molecular mechanisms of glioma development have not been clarified. Differentially expressed genes in normal brain tissues and glioma tissues, low-grade and high-grade gliomas were screened out with GEO database analysis. We found that KLHDC8A (Kelch domain-containing 8A) expression level was significantly increased in high-grade glioma tissues and that high KLHDC8A expression was closely related with poor prognosis. Function assays indicated that KLHDC8A knockdown inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion, blocked the cell cycle and promoted apoptosis in glioma cells. Mechanistically, KLHDC8A regulated various functions in glioma by directly mediating Bcl2, BAX, p21, CDK2, MMP2 transcription and ERK and P38 MAPK activation. KLHDC8A overexpression enhances glioma tumorgenesis such as cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The ERK and P38 MAPK which activated by KLHDC8A overexpression could be reversed by U0126 and SB203580, respectively. Meanwhile, stimulation of lactate which produced by glycolysis is responsible for induction of KLHDC8A expression. Collectively, we demonstrated that KLHDC8A plays an important role in tumorgenesis of glioma, suggesting that it is a promising prognostic marker and a potential therapy target for the treatment of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Non-coding RNA Transformation Research of Anhui Higher Education Institutes (Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, China.,Non-coding RNA Research Center of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China.,Central Laboratory, The first affiliated hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Tianbing Chen
- Key Laboratory of Non-coding RNA Transformation Research of Anhui Higher Education Institutes (Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, China.,Non-coding RNA Research Center of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China.,Central Laboratory, The first affiliated hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Key Laboratory of Non-coding RNA Transformation Research of Anhui Higher Education Institutes (Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, China.,Non-coding RNA Research Center of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China.,Central Laboratory, The first affiliated hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Kun Lv
- Key Laboratory of Non-coding RNA Transformation Research of Anhui Higher Education Institutes (Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, China.,Non-coding RNA Research Center of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China.,Central Laboratory, The first affiliated hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
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14
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Castelo-Szekely V, De Matos M, Tusup M, Pascolo S, Ule J, Gatfield D. Charting DENR-dependent translation reinitiation uncovers predictive uORF features and links to circadian timekeeping via Clock. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:5193-5209. [PMID: 30982898 PMCID: PMC6547434 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The non-canonical initiation factor DENR promotes translation reinitiation on mRNAs harbouring upstream open reading frames (uORFs). Moreover, DENR depletion shortens circadian period in mouse fibroblasts, suggesting involvement of uORF usage and reinitiation in clock regulation. To identify DENR-regulated translation events transcriptome-wide and, in particular, specific core clock transcripts affected by this mechanism, we have used ribosome profiling in DENR-deficient NIH3T3 cells. We uncovered 240 transcripts with altered translation rate, and used linear regression analysis to extract 5' UTR features predictive of DENR dependence. Among core clock genes, we identified Clock as a DENR target. Using Clock 5' UTR mutants, we mapped the specific uORF through which DENR acts to regulate CLOCK protein biosynthesis. Notably, these experiments revealed an alternative downstream start codon, likely representing the bona fide CLOCK N-terminus. Our findings provide insights into uORF-mediated translational regulation that can regulate the mammalian circadian clock and gene expression at large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Castelo-Szekely
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Genopode, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mara De Matos
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Genopode, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marina Tusup
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Gloriastrasse 31, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Steve Pascolo
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Gloriastrasse 31, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jernej Ule
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - David Gatfield
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Genopode, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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15
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Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane glycoprotein and a member of the tyrosine kinase superfamily receptor. Gliomas are tumors originating from glial cells, which show a range of aggressiveness depending on grade and stage. Many EGFR gene alterations have been identified in gliomas, especially glioblastomas, including amplifications, deletions and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Glioblastomas are discussed as a separate entity due to their high correlation with EGFR mutants and the reported association of the latter with survival and response to treatment in this glioma subgroup. This review is a comprehensive report of EGFR gene alterations and their relations with several clinical factors in glioblastomas and other gliomas. It covers all EGFR gene alterations including point mutations, SNPs, methylations, copy number variations and amplifications, assessed with regard to different clinical variables, including response to therapy and survival. This review also discusses the current prognostic status of EGFR in glioblastomas and other gliomas, and highlights gaps in previous studies. This serves as an update for the medical community about the role of EGFR gene alterations in gliomas and specifically glioblastomas, as a means for targeted treatment and prognosis.
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16
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Roos A, Dhruv HD, Peng S, Inge LJ, Tuncali S, Pineda M, Millard N, Mayo Z, Eschbacher JM, Loftus JC, Winkles JA, Tran NL. EGFRvIII-Stat5 Signaling Enhances Glioblastoma Cell Migration and Survival. Mol Cancer Res 2018; 16:1185-1195. [PMID: 29724813 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-18-0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common brain malignancies in adults. Most GBM patients succumb to the disease less than 1 year after diagnosis due to the highly invasive nature of the tumor, which prevents complete surgical resection and gives rise to tumor recurrence. The invasive phenotype also confers radioresistant and chemoresistant properties to the tumor cells; therefore, there is a critical need to develop new therapeutics that target drivers of GBM invasion. Amplification of EGFR is observed in over 50% of GBM tumors, of which half concurrently overexpress the variant EGFRvIII, and expression of both receptors confers a worse prognosis. EGFR and EGFRvIII cooperate to promote tumor progression and invasion, in part, through activation of the Stat signaling pathway. Here, it is reported that EGFRvIII activates Stat5 and GBM invasion by inducing the expression of a previously established mediator of glioma cell invasion and survival: fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14). EGFRvIII-mediated induction of Fn14 expression is Stat5 dependent and requires activation of Src, whereas EGFR regulation of Fn14 is dependent upon Src-MEK/ERK-Stat3 activation. Notably, treatment of EGFRvIII-expressing GBM cells with the FDA-approved Stat5 inhibitor pimozide blocked Stat5 phosphorylation, Fn14 expression, and cell migration and survival. Because EGFR inhibitors display limited therapeutic efficacy in GBM patients, the EGFRvIII-Stat5-Fn14 signaling pathway represents a node of vulnerability in the invasive GBM cell populations.Implications: Targeting critical effectors in the EGFRvIII-Stat5-Fn14 pathway may limit GBM tumor dispersion, mitigate therapeutic resistance, and increase survival. Mol Cancer Res; 16(7); 1185-95. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Roos
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona
| | - Harshil D Dhruv
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Sen Peng
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Landon J Inge
- Norton Thoracic Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Serdar Tuncali
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona
| | - Michael Pineda
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Nghia Millard
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Zachary Mayo
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Jennifer M Eschbacher
- Department of Neuropathology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Joseph C Loftus
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona
| | - Jeffrey A Winkles
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nhan L Tran
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona.
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17
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Nowek K, Wiemer EA, Jongen-Lavrencic M. The versatile nature of miR-9/9 * in human cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 9:20838-20854. [PMID: 29755694 PMCID: PMC5945517 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
miR-9 and miR-9* (miR-9/9*) were first shown to be expressed in the nervous system and to function as versatile regulators of neurogenesis. The variable expression levels of miR-9/9* in human cancer prompted researchers to investigate whether these small RNAs may also have an important role in the deregulation of physiological and biochemical networks in human disease. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the involvement of miR-9/9* in various human malignancies focusing on their opposing roles in supporting or suppressing tumor development and metastasis. Importantly, it is shown that the capacity of miR-9/9* to impact tumor formation is independent from their influence on the metastatic potential of tumor cells. Moreover, data suggest that miR-9/9* may increase malignancy of one cancer cell population at the expense of another. The functional versatility of miR-9/9* emphasizes the complexity of studying miRNA function and the importance to perform functional studies of both miRNA strands in a relevant cellular context. The possible application of miR-9/9* as targets for miRNA-based therapies is discussed, emphasizing the need to obtain a better understanding of the functional properties of these miRNAs and to develop safe delivery methods to target specific cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Nowek
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erik A.C. Wiemer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mojca Jongen-Lavrencic
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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18
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Artesunate enhances the therapeutic response of glioma cells to temozolomide by inhibition of homologous recombination and senescence. Oncotarget 2018; 7:67235-67250. [PMID: 27626497 PMCID: PMC5341871 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a malignant brain tumor with a dismal prognosis, shows a high level of chemo- and radioresistance and, therefore, attempts to sensitize glioma cells are highly desired. Here, we addressed the question of whether artesunate (ART), a drug currently used in the treatment of malaria, enhances the killing response of glioblastoma cells to temozolomide (TMZ), which is the first-line therapeutic for GBM. We measured apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy and senescence, and the extent of DNA damage in glioblastoma cells. Further, we determined the tumor growth in nude mice. We show that ART enhances the killing effect of TMZ in glioblastoma cell lines and in glioblastoma stem-like cells. The DNA double-strand break level induced by TMZ was not clearly enhanced in the combined treatment regime. Also, we did not observe an attenuation of TMZ-induced autophagy, which is considered a survival mechanism. However, we observed a significant effect of ART on homologous recombination (HR) with downregulation of RAD51 protein expression and HR activity. Further, we found that ART is able to inhibit senescence induced by TMZ. Since HR and senescence are pro-survival mechanisms, its inhibition by ART appears to be a key node in enhancing the TMZ-induced killing response. Enhancement of the antitumor effect of TMZ by co-administration of ART was also observed in a mouse tumor model. In conclusion, the amelioration of TMZ-induced cell death upon ART co-treatment provides a rational basis for a combination regime of TMZ and ART in glioblastoma therapy.
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19
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Combes AN, Wilson S, Phipson B, Binnie BB, Ju A, Lawlor KT, Cebrian C, Walton SL, Smyth IM, Moritz KM, Kopan R, Oshlack A, Little MH. Haploinsufficiency for the Six2 gene increases nephron progenitor proliferation promoting branching and nephron number. Kidney Int 2017; 93:589-598. [PMID: 29217079 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The regulation of final nephron number in the kidney is poorly understood. Cessation of nephron formation occurs when the self-renewing nephron progenitor population commits to differentiation. Transcription factors within this progenitor population, such as SIX2, are assumed to control expression of genes promoting self-renewal such that homozygous Six2 deletion results in premature commitment and an early halt to kidney development. In contrast, Six2 heterozygotes were assumed to be unaffected. Using quantitative morphometry, we found a paradoxical 18% increase in ureteric branching and final nephron number in Six2 heterozygotes, despite evidence for reduced levels of SIX2 protein and transcript. This was accompanied by a clear shift in nephron progenitor identity with a distinct subset of downregulated progenitor genes such as Cited1 and Meox1 while other genes were unaffected. The net result was an increase in nephron progenitor proliferation, as assessed by elevated EdU (5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine) labeling, an increase in MYC protein, and transcriptional upregulation of MYC target genes. Heterozygosity for Six2 on an Fgf20-/- background resulted in premature differentiation of the progenitor population, confirming that progenitor regulation is compromised in Six2 heterozygotes. Overall, our studies reveal a unique dose response of nephron progenitors to the level of SIX2 protein in which the role of SIX2 in progenitor proliferation versus self-renewal is separable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander N Combes
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Sean Wilson
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Belinda Phipson
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brandon B Binnie
- Division of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Adler Ju
- Division of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kynan T Lawlor
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cristina Cebrian
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sarah L Walton
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Children's Health Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ian M Smyth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia; Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen M Moritz
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Children's Health Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Raphael Kopan
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Alicia Oshlack
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Melissa H Little
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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20
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Das Gupta S, Patel M, Wahler J, Bak MJ, Wall B, Lee MJ, Lin Y, Shih WJ, Cai L, Yang CS, Suh N. Differential Gene Regulation and Tumor-Inhibitory Activities of Alpha-, Delta-, and Gamma-Tocopherols in Estrogen-Mediated Mammary Carcinogenesis. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2017; 10:694-703. [PMID: 28972008 PMCID: PMC5826717 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-17-0190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite experimental evidence elucidating the antitumor activities of tocopherols, clinical trials with α-tocopherol (α-T) have failed to demonstrate its beneficial effects in cancer prevention. This study compared the chemopreventive efficacy of individual tocopherols (α-, δ-, and γ-T) and a γ-T-rich tocopherol mixture (γ-TmT) in the August-Copenhagen Irish (ACI) rat model of estrogen-mediated mammary cancer. Female ACI rats receiving 17β-estradiol (E2) implants were administered with 0.2% α-T, δ-T, γ-T, or γ-TmT for 30 weeks. Although α-T had no significant effects on mammary tumor growth in ACI rats, δ-T, γ-T, and γ-TmT reduced mammary tumor volume by 51% (P < 0.05), 60% (P < 0.01), and 59% (P < 0.01), respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that δ-T, γ-T, and γ-TmT reduced levels of the cell proliferation marker, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, in the rat mammary tumors. To gain further insight into the biological functions of different forms of tocopherols, RNA-seq analysis of the tumors was performed. Treatment with γ-T induced robust gene expression changes in the mammary tumors of ACI rats. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified "Cancer" as a top disease pathway and "Tumor growth" and "Metastasis" as the top signaling pathways modulated by γ-T. Although the results need further functional validation, this study presents an unbiased attempt to understand the differences between biological activities of individual forms of tocopherols at the whole transcriptome level. In conclusion, δ-T and γ-T have superior cancer preventive properties compared to α-T in the prevention of estrogen-mediated mammary carcinogenesis. Cancer Prev Res; 10(12); 694-703. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumyasri Das Gupta
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Misaal Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Joseph Wahler
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Min Ji Bak
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Brian Wall
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Mao-Jung Lee
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Yong Lin
- Department of Biostatistics, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Weichung Joe Shih
- Department of Biostatistics, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Li Cai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Chung S Yang
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Nanjoo Suh
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey.
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
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21
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Meng Q, Zhuang Y, Ying Z, Agrawal R, Yang X, Gomez-Pinilla F. Traumatic Brain Injury Induces Genome-Wide Transcriptomic, Methylomic, and Network Perturbations in Brain and Blood Predicting Neurological Disorders. EBioMedicine 2017; 16:184-194. [PMID: 28174132 PMCID: PMC5474519 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.01.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The complexity of the traumatic brain injury (TBI) pathology, particularly concussive injury, is a serious obstacle for diagnosis, treatment, and long-term prognosis. Here we utilize modern systems biology in a rodent model of concussive injury to gain a thorough view of the impact of TBI on fundamental aspects of gene regulation, which have the potential to drive or alter the course of the TBI pathology. TBI perturbed epigenomic programming, transcriptional activities (expression level and alternative splicing), and the organization of genes in networks centered around genes such as Anax2, Ogn, and Fmod. Transcriptomic signatures in the hippocampus are involved in neuronal signaling, metabolism, inflammation, and blood function, and they overlap with those in leukocytes from peripheral blood. The homology between genomic signatures from blood and brain elicited by TBI provides proof of concept information for development of biomarkers of TBI based on composite genomic patterns. By intersecting with human genome-wide association studies, many TBI signature genes and network regulators identified in our rodent model were causally associated with brain disorders with relevant link to TBI. The overall results show that concussive brain injury reprograms genes which could lead to predisposition to neurological and psychiatric disorders, and that genomic information from peripheral leukocytes has the potential to predict TBI pathogenesis in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingying Meng
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yumei Zhuang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Zhe Ying
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Rahul Agrawal
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Xia Yang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Fernando Gomez-Pinilla
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Abstract
Primary brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma, are associated with significant morbidity and are often recalcitrant to standard therapies. In recent years, brain tumors have been the focus of large-scale genomic sequencing efforts, providing unprecedented insight into the genomic aberrations and cellular signaling mechanisms that drive these cancers. Discoveries from these efforts have translated into novel diagnostic algorithms, biomarkers, and therapeutic strategies in Neuro-Oncology. However, the cellular mechanisms that drive brain tumors are heterogeneous and complex: applying this new knowledge to improve patient outcomes remains a challenge. Efforts to characterize and target these molecular vulnerabilities are evolving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Harrison
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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23
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Saha S, Venu Y, Bhattacharya D, Kompella SD, Madhusudana K, Chakravarty S, Ramakrishna S, Chaudhuri A. Combating Established Mouse Glioblastoma through Nicotinylated-Liposomes-Mediated Targeted Chemotherapy in Combination with Dendritic-Cell-Based Genetic Immunization. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 1:e1600009. [DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201600009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Soumen Saha
- Biomaterials Group; CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology; Uppal Road, Tarnaka Hyderabad 500007 Telangana India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR); 2 Rafi Marg New Delhi 110001 India
| | - Yakati Venu
- Biomaterials Group; CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology; Uppal Road, Tarnaka Hyderabad 500007 Telangana India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR); 2 Rafi Marg New Delhi 110001 India
| | - Dwaipayan Bhattacharya
- Chemical Biology Division; CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology; Uppal Road, Tarnaka Hyderabad 500007 Telangana India
| | - Shobha Deepthi Kompella
- Biomaterials Group; CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology; Uppal Road, Tarnaka Hyderabad 500007 Telangana India
| | - Kuncha Madhusudana
- Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology Division; CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology; Uppal Road, Tarnaka Hyderabad 500007 Telangana India
| | - Sumana Chakravarty
- Chemical Biology Division; CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology; Uppal Road, Tarnaka Hyderabad 500007 Telangana India
| | - Sistla Ramakrishna
- Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology Division; CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology; Uppal Road, Tarnaka Hyderabad 500007 Telangana India
| | - Arabinda Chaudhuri
- Biomaterials Group; CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology; Uppal Road, Tarnaka Hyderabad 500007 Telangana India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR); 2 Rafi Marg New Delhi 110001 India
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24
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Gilder AS, Wang L, Natali L, Karimi-Mostowfi N, Brifault C, Gonias SL. Pertussis Toxin Is a Robust and Selective Inhibitor of High Grade Glioma Cell Migration and Invasion. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168418. [PMID: 27977780 PMCID: PMC5158192 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In high grade glioma (HGG), extensive tumor cell infiltration of normal brain typically precludes identifying effective margins for surgical resection or irradiation. Pertussis toxin (PT) is a multimeric complex that inactivates diverse Gi/o G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Despite the broad continuum of regulatory events controlled by GPCRs, PT may be applicable as a therapeutic. We have shown that the urokinase receptor (uPAR) is a major driver of HGG cell migration. uPAR-initiated cell-signaling requires a Gi/o GPCR, N-formyl Peptide Receptor 2 (FPR2), as an essential co-receptor and is thus, PT-sensitive. Herein, we show that PT robustly inhibits migration of three separate HGG-like cell lines that express a mutated form of the EGF Receptor (EGFR), EGFRvIII, which is constitutively active. PT also almost completely blocked the ability of HGG cells to invade Matrigel. In the equivalent concentration range (0.01-1.0 μg/mL), PT had no effect on cell survival and only affected proliferation of one cell line. Neutralization of EGFRvIII expression in HGG cells, which is known to activate uPAR-initiated cell-signaling, promoted HGG cell migration. The increase in HGG cell migration, induced by EGFRvIII neutralization, was entirely blocked by silencing FPR2 gene expression or by treating the cells with PT. When U87MG HGG cells were cultured as suspended neurospheres in serum-free, growth factor-supplemented medium, uPAR expression was increased. HGG cells isolated from neurospheres migrated through Transwell membranes without loss of cell contacts; this process was inhibited by PT by >90%. PT also inhibited expression of vimentin by HGG cells; vimentin is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and worsened prognosis. We conclude that PT may function as a selective inhibitor of HGG cell migration and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Gilder
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, United States of America
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, United States of America
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Letizia Natali
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicki Karimi-Mostowfi
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, United States of America
| | - Coralie Brifault
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, United States of America
| | - Steven L. Gonias
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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25
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Beatty GL, O'Hara M. Chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells for the treatment of solid tumors: Defining the challenges and next steps. Pharmacol Ther 2016; 166:30-9. [PMID: 27373504 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has shown promise in CD19 expressing hematologic malignancies, but how to translate this success to solid malignancies remains elusive. Effective translation of CAR T cells to solid tumors will require an understanding of potential therapeutic barriers, including factors that regulate CAR T cells expansion, persistence, trafficking, and fate within tumors. Herein, we describe the current state of CAR T cells in solid tumors; define key barriers to CAR T cell efficacy and mechanisms underlying these barriers, outline potential avenues for overcoming these therapeutic obstacles, and discuss the future of translating CAR T cells for the treatment of patients with solid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory L Beatty
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Mark O'Hara
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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26
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Johnson LA, Scholler J, Ohkuri T, Kosaka A, Patel PR, McGettigan SE, Nace AK, Dentchev T, Thekkat P, Loew A, Boesteanu AC, Cogdill AP, Chen T, Fraietta JA, Kloss CC, Posey AD, Engels B, Singh R, Ezell T, Idamakanti N, Ramones MH, Li N, Zhou L, Plesa G, Seykora JT, Okada H, June CH, Brogdon JL, Maus MV. Rational development and characterization of humanized anti-EGFR variant III chimeric antigen receptor T cells for glioblastoma. Sci Transl Med 2015; 7:275ra22. [PMID: 25696001 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaa4963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 334] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are synthetic molecules designed to redirect T cells to specific antigens. CAR-modified T cells can mediate long-term durable remissions in B cell malignancies, but expanding this platform to solid tumors requires the discovery of surface targets with limited expression in normal tissues. The variant III mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRvIII) results from an in-frame deletion of a portion of the extracellular domain, creating a neoepitope. We chose a vector backbone encoding a second-generation CAR based on efficacy of a murine scFv-based CAR in a xenograft model of glioblastoma. Next, we generated a panel of humanized scFvs and tested their specificity and function as soluble proteins and in the form of CAR-transduced T cells; a low-affinity scFv was selected on the basis of its specificity for EGFRvIII over wild-type EGFR. The lead candidate scFv was tested in vitro for its ability to direct CAR-transduced T cells to specifically lyse, proliferate, and secrete cytokines in response to antigen-bearing targets. We further evaluated the specificity of the lead CAR candidate in vitro against EGFR-expressing keratinocytes and in vivo in a model of mice grafted with normal human skin. EGFRvIII-directed CAR T cells were also able to control tumor growth in xenogeneic subcutaneous and orthotopic models of human EGFRvIII(+) glioblastoma. On the basis of these results, we have designed a phase 1 clinical study of CAR T cells transduced with humanized scFv directed to EGFRvIII in patients with either residual or recurrent glioblastoma (NCT02209376).
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Johnson
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John Scholler
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Takayuki Ohkuri
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Akemi Kosaka
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Prachi R Patel
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Arben K Nace
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tzvete Dentchev
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Pramod Thekkat
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Andreas Loew
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Alina C Boesteanu
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Taylor Chen
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joseph A Fraietta
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Christopher C Kloss
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Avery D Posey
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Boris Engels
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Reshma Singh
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tucker Ezell
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Melissa H Ramones
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Na Li
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Li Zhou
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Gabriela Plesa
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John T Seykora
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hideho Okada
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Carl H June
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Marcela V Maus
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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27
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Jones KA, Gilder AS, Lam MS, Du N, Banki MA, Merati A, Pizzo DP, VandenBerg SR, Gonias SL. Selective coexpression of VEGF receptor 2 in EGFRvIII-positive glioblastoma cells prevents cellular senescence and contributes to their aggressive nature. Neuro Oncol 2015; 18:667-78. [PMID: 26420897 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nov243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In glioblastoma (GBM), the gene for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently amplified. EGFR mutations also are common, including a truncation mutation that yields a constitutively active variant called EGFR variant (v)III. EGFRvIII-positive GBM progresses rapidly; however, the reason for this is not clear because the activity of EGFRvIII is attenuated compared with EGF-ligated wild-type EGFR. We hypothesized that EGFRvIII-expressing GBM cells selectively express other oncogenic receptors that support tumor progression. METHODS Mining of The Cancer Genome Atlas prompted us to test whether GBM cells in culture, which express EGFRvIII, selectively express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)2. We also studied human GBM propagated as xenografts. We then applied multiple approaches to test the effects of VEGFR2 on GBM cell growth, apoptosis, and cellular senescence. RESULTS In human GBM, EGFR overexpression and EGFRvIII positivity were associated with increased VEGFR2 expression. In GBM cells in culture, EGFRvIII-initiated cell signaling increased expression of VEGFR2, which prevented cellular senescence and promoted cell cycle progression. The VEGFR-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor cediranib decreased tumor DNA synthesis, increased staining for senescence-associated β-galactosidase, reduced retinoblastoma phosphorylation, and increased p27(Kip1), all markers of cellular senescence. Similar results were obtained when VEGFR2 was silenced. CONCLUSIONS VEGFR2 expression by GBM cells supports cell cycle progression and prevents cellular senescence. Coexpression of VEGFR2 by GBM cells in which EGFR signaling is activated may contribute to the aggressive nature of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karra A Jones
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California (all authors)
| | - Andrew S Gilder
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California (all authors)
| | - Michael S Lam
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California (all authors)
| | - Na Du
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California (all authors)
| | - Michael A Banki
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California (all authors)
| | - Aran Merati
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California (all authors)
| | - Donald P Pizzo
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California (all authors)
| | - Scott R VandenBerg
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California (all authors)
| | - Steven L Gonias
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California (all authors)
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28
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Gonias SL, Hu J. Urokinase receptor and resistance to targeted anticancer agents. Front Pharmacol 2015; 6:154. [PMID: 26283964 PMCID: PMC4515545 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The urokinase receptor (uPAR) is a GPI-anchored membrane protein, which regulates protease activity at the cell surface and, in collaboration with a system of co-receptors, triggers cell-signaling and regulates gene expression within the cell. In normal tissues, uPAR gene expression is limited; however, in cancer, uPAR is frequently over-expressed and the gene may be amplified. Hypoxia, which often develops in tumors, further increases uPAR expression by cancer cells. uPAR-initiated cell-signaling promotes cancer cell migration, invasion, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stem cell-like properties, survival, and release from states of dormancy. Newly emerging data suggest that the pro-survival cell-signaling activity of uPAR may allow cancer cells to "escape" from the cytotoxic effects of targeted anticancer drugs. Herein, we review the molecular properties of uPAR that are responsible for its activity in cancer cells and its ability to counteract the activity of anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven L Gonias
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jingjing Hu
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego , San Diego, CA, USA
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29
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Glucose-dependent acetylation of Rictor promotes targeted cancer therapy resistance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:9406-11. [PMID: 26170313 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1511759112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells adapt their signaling in response to nutrient availability. To uncover the mechanisms regulating this process and its functional consequences, we interrogated cell lines, mouse tumor models, and clinical samples of glioblastoma (GBM), the highly lethal brain cancer. We discovered that glucose or acetate is required for epidermal growth factor receptor vIII (EGFRvIII), the most common growth factor receptor mutation in GBM, to activate mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) and promote tumor growth. Glucose or acetate promoted growth factor receptor signaling through acetyl-CoA-dependent acetylation of Rictor, a core component of the mTORC2 signaling complex. Remarkably, in the presence of elevated glucose levels, Rictor acetylation is maintained to form an autoactivation loop of mTORC2 even when the upstream components of the growth factor receptor signaling pathway are no longer active, thus rendering GBMs resistant to EGFR-, PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)-, or AKT (v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog)-targeted therapies. These results demonstrate that elevated nutrient levels can drive resistance to targeted cancer treatments and nominate mTORC2 as a central node for integrating growth factor signaling with nutrient availability in GBM.
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30
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Gilder AS, Jones KA, Hu J, Wang L, Chen CC, Carter BS, Gonias SL. Soluble Urokinase Receptor Is Released Selectively by Glioblastoma Cells That Express Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Variant III and Promotes Tumor Cell Migration and Invasion. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:14798-809. [PMID: 25837250 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.637488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic heterogeneity is characteristic of glioblastoma (GBM). In many GBMs, the EGF receptor gene (EGFR) is amplified and may be truncated to generate a constitutively active form of the receptor called EGFRvIII. EGFR gene amplification and EGFRvIII are associated with GBM progression, even when only a small fraction of the tumor cells express EGFRvIII. In this study, we show that EGFRvIII-positive GBM cells express significantly increased levels of cellular urokinase receptor (uPAR) and release increased amounts of soluble uPAR (suPAR). When mice were xenografted with human EGFRvIII-expressing GBM cells, tumor-derived suPAR was detected in the plasma, and the level was significantly increased compared with that detected in plasma samples from control mice xenografted with EGFRvIII-negative GBM cells. suPAR also was increased in plasma from patients with EGFRvIII-positive GBMs. Purified suPAR was biologically active when added to cultures of EGFRvIII-negative GBM cells, activating cell signaling and promoting cell migration and invasion. suPAR did not significantly stimulate cell signaling or migration of EGFRvIII-positive cells, probably because cell signaling was already substantially activated in these cells. The activities of suPAR were replicated by conditioned medium (CM) from EGFRvIII-positive GBM cells. When the CM was preincubated with uPAR-neutralizing antibody or when uPAR gene expression was silenced in cells used to prepare CM, the activity of the CM was significantly attenuated. These results suggest that suPAR may function as an important paracrine signaling factor in EGFRvIII-positive GBMs, inducing an aggressive phenotype in tumor cells that are EGFRvIII-negative.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lei Wang
- From the Departments of Pathology and
| | - Clark C Chen
- Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Bob S Carter
- Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
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31
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Klingler S, Guo B, Yao J, Yan H, Zhang L, Vaseva AV, Chen S, Canoll P, Horner JW, Wang YA, Paik JH, Ying H, Zheng H. Development of Resistance to EGFR-Targeted Therapy in Malignant Glioma Can Occur through EGFR-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms. Cancer Res 2015; 75:2109-19. [PMID: 25808866 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-3122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is highly amplified, mutated, and overexpressed in human malignant gliomas. Despite its prevalence and growth-promoting functions, therapeutic strategies to inhibit EGFR kinase activity have not been translated into profound beneficial effects in glioma clinical trials. To determine the roles of oncogenic EGFR signaling in gliomagenesis and tumor maintenance, we generated a novel glioma mouse model driven by inducible expression of a mutant EGFR (EGFR*). Using combined genetic and pharmacologic interventions, we revealed that EGFR*-driven gliomas were insensitive to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, although they could efficiently inhibit EGFR* autophosphorylation in vitro and in vivo. This is in contrast with the genetic suppression of EGFR* induction that led to significant tumor regression and prolonged animal survival. However, despite their initial response to genetic EGFR* extinction, all tumors would relapse and propagate independent of EGFR*. We further showed that EGFR*-independent tumor cells existed prior to treatment and were responsible for relapse following genetic EGFR* suppression. And, the addition of a PI3K/mTOR inhibitor could significantly delay relapse and prolong animal survival. Our findings shed mechanistic insight into EGFR drug resistance in glioma and provide a platform to test therapies targeting aberrant EGFR signaling in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Baofeng Guo
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Jun Yao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Haiyan Yan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ling Zhang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | | | - Sida Chen
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Peter Canoll
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - James W Horner
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Y Alan Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ji-Hye Paik
- Department of Pathology, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Haoqiang Ying
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Hongwu Zheng
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York.
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32
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Wykosky J, Hu J, Gomez GG, Taylor T, Villa GR, Pizzo D, VandenBerg SR, Thorne AH, Chen CC, Mischel PS, Gonias SL, Cavenee WK, Furnari FB. A urokinase receptor-Bim signaling axis emerges during EGFR inhibitor resistance in mutant EGFR glioblastoma. Cancer Res 2014; 75:394-404. [PMID: 25432173 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
EGFR is the most common genetically altered oncogene in glioblastoma (GBM), but small-molecule EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have failed to yield durable clinical benefit. Here, we show that in two novel model systems of acquired resistance to EGFR TKIs, elevated expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) drives signaling through the MAPK pathway, which results in suppression of the proapoptotic BCL2-family member protein BIM (BCL2L11). In patient-derived GBM cells and genetic GBM models, uPA is shown to suppress BIM levels through ERK1/2 phosphorylation, which can be reversed by siRNA-mediated knockdown of uPA. TKI-resistant GBMs are resensitized to EGFR TKIs by pharmacologic inhibition of MEK or a BH3 mimetic drug to replace BIM function. A link between the uPA-uPAR-ERK1/2 pathway and BIM has not been previously demonstrated in GBM, and involvement of this signaling axis in resistance provides rationale for a new strategy to target EGFR TKI-resistant GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Wykosky
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, California
| | - Jingjing Hu
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California. The Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - German G Gomez
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, California
| | - Tiffany Taylor
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, California
| | - Genaro R Villa
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, California
| | - Donald Pizzo
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Scott R VandenBerg
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Clark C Chen
- The Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Paul S Mischel
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, California. Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California. The Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Steven L Gonias
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California. The Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Webster K Cavenee
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, California. The Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Frank B Furnari
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, California. Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California. The Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
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Hu J, Muller KA, Furnari FB, Cavenee WK, VandenBerg SR, Gonias SL. Neutralizing the EGF receptor in glioblastoma cells stimulates cell migration by activating uPAR-initiated cell signaling. Oncogene 2014; 34:4078-88. [PMID: 25347738 PMCID: PMC4411189 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Revised: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In glioblastoma (GBM), the EGF receptor (EGFR) and Src family kinases (SFKs) contribute to an aggressive phenotype. EGFR may be targeted therapeutically; however, resistance to EGFR-targeting drugs such as Erlotinib and Gefitinib develops quickly. In many GBMs, a truncated form of the EGFR (EGFRvIII) is expressed. Although EGFRvIII is constitutively active and promotes cancer progression, its activity is attenuated compared with EGF-ligated wild-type EGFR, suggesting that EGFRvIII may function together with other signaling receptors in cancer cells to induce an aggressive phenotype. In this study, we demonstrate that in EGFRvIII-expressing GBM cells, the urokinase receptor (uPAR) functions as a major activator of SFKs, controlling phosphorylation of downstream targets, such as p130Cas and Tyr-845 in the EGFR in vitro and in vivo. When EGFRvIII expression in GBM cells was neutralized, either genetically or by treating the cells with Gefitinib, paradoxically, the cells demonstrated increased cell migration. The increase in cell migration was explained by a compensatory increase in expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator, which activates uPAR-dependent cell signaling. GBM cells that were selected for their ability to grow in vivo in the absence of EGFRvIII also demonstrated increased cell migration, due to activation of the uPAR signaling system. The increase in GBM cell migration, induced by genetic or pharmacologic targeting of the EGFR, was blocked by Dasatinib, highlighting the central role of SFKs in uPAR-promoted cell migration. These results suggest that compensatory activation of uPAR-dependent cell signaling, in GBM cells treated with targeted therapeutics, may adversely affect the course of the disease by promoting cell migration, which may be associated with tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Hu
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - K A Muller
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - F B Furnari
- 1] Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA [2] The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - W K Cavenee
- 1] The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA [2] Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - S R VandenBerg
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - S L Gonias
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Hu J, Jo M, Eastman BM, Gilder AS, Bui JD, Gonias SL. uPAR induces expression of transforming growth factor β and interleukin-4 in cancer cells to promote tumor-permissive conditioning of macrophages. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2014; 184:3384-93. [PMID: 25310970 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Revised: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells condition macrophages and other inflammatory cells in the tumor microenvironment so that these cells are more permissive for cancer growth and metastasis. Conditioning of inflammatory cells reflects, at least in part, soluble mediators (such as transforming growth factor β and IL-4) that are released by cancer cells and alter the phenotype of cells of the innate immune system. Signaling pathways in cancer cells that potentiate this activity are incompletely understood. The urokinase receptor (uPAR) is a cell-signaling receptor known to promote cancer cell survival, proliferation, metastasis, and cancer stem cell-like properties. The present findings show that uPAR expression in diverse cancer cells, including breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma cells, promotes the ability of these cells to condition co-cultured bone marrow-derived macrophages so that the macrophages express significantly increased levels of arginase 1, a biomarker of the alternatively activated M2 macrophage phenotype. Expression of transforming growth factor β was substantially increased in uPAR-expressing cancer cells via a mechanism that requires uPA-initiated cell signaling. uPAR also controlled expression of IL-4 in cancer cells via a mechanism that involves activation of ERK1/2. The ability of uPAR to induce expression of factors that condition macrophages in the tumor microenvironment may constitute an important mechanism by which uPAR promotes cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Hu
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Minji Jo
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Boryana M Eastman
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Andrew S Gilder
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Jack D Bui
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Steven L Gonias
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California.
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Wang X, Patel ND, Hui D, Pal R, Hafez MM, Sayed-Ahmed MM, Al-Yahya AA, Michaelis EK. Gene expression patterns in the hippocampus during the development and aging of Glud1 (Glutamate Dehydrogenase 1) transgenic and wild type mice. BMC Neurosci 2014; 15:37. [PMID: 24593767 PMCID: PMC3973933 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-15-37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Extraneuronal levels of the neurotransmitter glutamate in brain rise during aging. This is thought to lead to synaptic dysfunction and neuronal injury or death. To study the effects of glutamate hyperactivity in brain, we created transgenic (Tg) mice in which the gene for glutamate dehydrogenase (Glud1) is over-expressed in neurons and in which such overexpression leads to excess synaptic release of glutamate. In this study, we analyzed whole genome expression in the hippocampus, a region important for learning and memory, of 10 day to 20 month old Glud1 and wild type (wt) mice. Results During development, maturation and aging, both Tg and wt exhibited decreases in the expression of genes related to neurogenesis, neuronal migration, growth, and process elongation, and increases in genes related to neuro-inflammation, voltage-gated channel activity, and regulation of synaptic transmission. Categories of genes that were differentially expressed in Tg vs. wt during development were: synaptic function, cytoskeleton, protein ubiquitination, and mitochondria; and, those differentially expressed during aging were: synaptic function, vesicle transport, calcium signaling, protein kinase activity, cytoskeleton, neuron projection, mitochondria, and protein ubiquitination. Overall, the effects of Glud1 overexpression on the hippocampus transcriptome were greater in the mature and aged than the young. Conclusions Glutamate hyperactivity caused gene expression changes in the hippocampus at all ages. Some of these changes may result in premature brain aging. The identification of these genomic expression differences is important in understanding the effects of glutamate dysregulation on neuronal function during aging or in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinkun Wang
- Higuchi Biosciences Center, University of Kansas, 2099 Constant Ave,, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA.
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Wills MKB, Tong J, Tremblay SL, Moran MF, Jones N. The ShcD signaling adaptor facilitates ligand-independent phosphorylation of the EGF receptor. Mol Biol Cell 2014; 25:739-52. [PMID: 24430869 PMCID: PMC3952845 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e13-08-0434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Proto-oncogenic Src homology and collagen (Shc) proteins have been considered archetypal adaptors of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated signaling. We report that in addition to its role as an EGFR-binding partner and Grb2 platform, ShcD acts noncanonically to promote phosphorylation of select EGFR residues. Unexpectedly, Y1068, Y1148, and Y1173 are subject to ShcD-induced, cell-autonomous hyperphosphorylation in the absence of external stimuli. This response is not elicited by other Shc proteins and requires the intrinsic EGFR kinase, as well as the ShcD phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain. Assessments of Erk, Akt, phospholipase C 1γ, and FAK pathways reveal no apparent distal signaling targets of ShcD. Nevertheless, the capacity of cultured cells to repopulate a wounded monolayer is markedly accelerated by ShcD in an EGFR kinase-dependent manner. Furthermore, detection of overexpressed ShcD coincident with EGFR phosphorylation in human gliomas suggests a clinical application for these findings. We thus demonstrate unique and relevant synergy between ShcD and EGFR that is unprecedented among signaling adaptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie K. B. Wills
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jiefei Tong
- Program in Molecular Structure and Function, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Sylvie L. Tremblay
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Michael F. Moran
- Program in Molecular Structure and Function, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L6, Canada
| | - Nina Jones
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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Gomez GG, Volinia S, Croce CM, Zanca C, Li M, Emnett R, Gutmann DH, Brennan CW, Furnari FB, Cavenee WK. Suppression of microRNA-9 by mutant EGFR signaling upregulates FOXP1 to enhance glioblastoma tumorigenicity. Cancer Res 2014; 74:1429-39. [PMID: 24436148 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-2117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The EGF receptor (EGFR) is amplified and mutated in glioblastoma, in which its common mutation (ΔEGFR, also called EGFRvIII) has a variety of activities that promote growth and inhibit death, thereby conferring a strong tumor-enhancing effect. This range of activities suggested to us that ΔEGFR might exert its influence through pleiotropic effectors, and we hypothesized that microRNAs might serve such a function. Here, we report that ΔEGFR specifically suppresses one such microRNA, namely miR-9, through the Ras/PI3K/AKT axis that it is known to activate. Correspondingly, expression of miR-9 antagonizes the tumor growth advantage conferred by ΔEGFR. Silencing of FOXP1, a miR-9 target, inhibits ΔEGFR-dependent tumor growth and, conversely, de-repression of FOXP1, as a consequence of miR-9 inhibition, increases tumorigenicity. FOXP1 was sufficient to increase tumor growth in the absence of oncogenic ΔEGFR signaling. The significance of these findings is underscored by our finding that high FOXP1 expression predicts poor survival in a cohort of 131 patients with glioblastoma. Collectively, these data suggest a novel regulatory mechanism by which ΔEGFR suppression of miR-9 upregulates FOXP1 to increase tumorigenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- German G Gomez
- Authors' Affiliations: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; and Department of Neurosurgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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Nakada M, Kita D, Watanabe T, Hayashi Y, Hamada JI. The mechanism of chemoresistance against tyrosine kinase inhibitors in malignant glioma. Brain Tumor Pathol 2014; 31:198-207. [DOI: 10.1007/s10014-013-0174-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 12/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Zerrouqi A, Pyrzynska B, Brat DJ, Van Meir EG. P14ARF suppresses tumor-induced thrombosis by regulating the tissue factor pathway. Cancer Res 2014; 74:1371-8. [PMID: 24398474 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-1951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
How necrotic areas develop in tumors is incompletely understood but can impact progression. Recent findings suggest that the formation of vascular microthrombi contributes to tumor necrosis, prompting investigation of coagulation cascades. Here, we report that loss of tumor suppressor P14ARF can contribute to activating the clotting cascade in glioblastoma. P14ARF transcriptionally upregulated TFPI2, a Kunitz-type serine protease in the tissue factor pathway that inhibits the initiation of thrombosis reactions. P14ARF activation in tumor cells delayed their ability to activate plasma clotting. Mechanistically, P14ARF activated the TFPI2 promoter in a p53-independent manner that relied upon c-JUN, SP1, and JNK activity. Taken together, our results identify the critical signaling pathways activated by P14ARF to prevent vascular microthrombosis triggered by glioma cells. Stimulation of this pathway might be used as a therapeutic strategy to reduce aggressive phenotypes associated with necrotic tumors, including glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdessamad Zerrouqi
- Authors' Affiliations: Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurosurgery; Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Hematology and Medical Oncology, School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Ohno M, Ohkuri T, Kosaka A, Tanahashi K, June CH, Natsume A, Okada H. Expression of miR-17-92 enhances anti-tumor activity of T-cells transduced with the anti-EGFRvIII chimeric antigen receptor in mice bearing human GBM xenografts. J Immunother Cancer 2013; 1:21. [PMID: 24829757 PMCID: PMC4019893 DOI: 10.1186/2051-1426-1-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Expression of miR-17-92 enhances T-cell survival and interferon (IFN)-γ production. We previously reported that miR-17-92 is down-regulated in T-cells derived from glioblastoma (GBM) patients. We hypothesized that transgene-derived co-expression of miR17-92 and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) in T-cells would improve the efficacy of adoptive transfer therapy against GBM. Methods We constructed novel lentiviral vectors for miR-17-92 (FG12-EF1a-miR-17/92) and a CAR consisting of an epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII)-specific, single-chain variable fragment (scFv) coupled to the T-cell receptor CD3ζ chain signaling module and co-stimulatory motifs of CD137 (4-1BB) and CD28 in tandem (pELNS-3C10-CAR). Human T-cells were transduced with these lentiviral vectors, and their anti-tumor effects were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Results CAR-transduced T-cells (CAR-T-cells) exhibited potent, antigen-specific, cytotoxic activity against U87 GBM cells that stably express EGFRvIII (U87-EGFRvIII) and, when co-transduced with miR-17-92, exhibited improved survival in the presence of temozolomide (TMZ) compared with CAR-T-cells without miR-17-92 co-transduction. In mice bearing intracranial U87-EGFRvIII xenografts, CAR-T-cells with or without transgene-derived miR-17-92 expression demonstrated similar levels of therapeutic effect without demonstrating any uncontrolled growth of CAR-T-cells. However, when these mice were re-challenged with U87-EGFRvIII cells in their brains, mice receiving co-transduced CAR-T-cells exhibited improved protection compared with mice treated with CAR-T-cells without miR-17-92 co-transduction. Conclusion These results warrant the development of novel CAR-T-cell strategies that incorporate miR-17-92 to improve therapeutic potency, especially in patients with GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masasuke Ohno
- Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 1.19E Research Pavilion at the Hillman Cancer Center, 5117 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA ; Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan ; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Takayuki Ohkuri
- Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 1.19E Research Pavilion at the Hillman Cancer Center, 5117 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA ; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Akemi Kosaka
- Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 1.19E Research Pavilion at the Hillman Cancer Center, 5117 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA ; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kuniaki Tanahashi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Carl H June
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Atsushi Natsume
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Hideho Okada
- Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 1.19E Research Pavilion at the Hillman Cancer Center, 5117 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA ; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA ; Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA ; Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Ahn BJ, Pollack IF, Okada H. Immune-checkpoint blockade and active immunotherapy for glioma. Cancers (Basel) 2013; 5:1379-412. [PMID: 24202450 PMCID: PMC3875944 DOI: 10.3390/cancers5041379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Revised: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has made tremendous progress, including promising results in patients with malignant gliomas. Nonetheless, the immunological microenvironment of the brain and tumors arising therein is still believed to be suboptimal for sufficient antitumor immune responses for a variety of reasons, including the operation of “immune-checkpoint” mechanisms. While these mechanisms prevent autoimmunity in physiological conditions, malignant tumors, including brain tumors, actively employ these mechanisms to evade from immunological attacks. Development of agents designed to unblock these checkpoint steps is currently one of the most active areas of cancer research. In this review, we summarize recent progresses in the field of brain tumor immunology with particular foci in the area of immune-checkpoint mechanisms and development of active immunotherapy strategies. In the last decade, a number of specific monoclonal antibodies designed to block immune-checkpoint mechanisms have been developed and show efficacy in other cancers, such as melanoma. On the other hand, active immunotherapy approaches, such as vaccines, have shown encouraging outcomes. We believe that development of effective immunotherapy approaches should ultimately integrate those checkpoint-blockade agents to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic approaches. With these agents available, it is going to be quite an exciting time in the field. The eventual success of immunotherapies for brain tumors will be dependent upon not only an in-depth understanding of immunology behind the brain and brain tumors, but also collaboration and teamwork for the development of novel trials that address multiple layers of immunological challenges in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Ahn
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; E-Mail:
- Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Ian F. Pollack
- Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; E-Mail:
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Hideho Okada
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; E-Mail:
- Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; E-Mail:
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +1-412-623-3111; Fax: +1-412-623-1415
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Cloughesy TF, Cavenee WK, Mischel PS. Glioblastoma: from molecular pathology to targeted treatment. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 9:1-25. [PMID: 23937436 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-011110-130324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 384] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most lethal human cancers. Genomic analyses are defining the molecular architecture of GBM, uncovering relevant subsets of patients whose disease may require different treatments. Many pharmacological targets have been revealed, promising to transform patient care through targeted therapies. However, for most patients, clinical responses to targeted inhibitors are either not apparent or not durable. In this review, we address the challenge of developing more effective, molecularly guided approaches for the treatment of GBM patients. We summarize the current state of knowledge regarding molecular classifiers and examine their benefit for stratifying patients for treatment. We survey the molecular landscape of the disease, discussing the challenges raised by acquired drug resistance. Furthermore, we analyze the biochemical features of GBM, suggesting a next generation of drug targets, and we examine the contribution of tumor heterogeneity and its implications. We conclude with an analysis of the experimental approaches and their potential benefit to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy F Cloughesy
- Department of Neurology and Neuro-Oncology Program, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095;
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Babic I, Anderson ES, Tanaka K, Guo D, Masui K, Li B, Zhu S, Gu Y, Villa GR, Akhavan D, Nathanson D, Gini B, Mareninov S, Li R, Camacho CE, Kurdistani SK, Eskin A, Nelson SF, Yong WH, Cavenee WK, Cloughesy TF, Christofk HR, Black DL, Mischel PS. EGFR mutation-induced alternative splicing of Max contributes to growth of glycolytic tumors in brain cancer. Cell Metab 2013; 17:1000-1008. [PMID: 23707073 PMCID: PMC3679227 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2013.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2012] [Revised: 03/03/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Alternative splicing contributes to diverse aspects of cancer pathogenesis including altered cellular metabolism, but the specificity of the process or its consequences are not well understood. We characterized genome-wide alternative splicing induced by the activating EGFRvIII mutation in glioblastoma (GBM). EGFRvIII upregulates the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A1 splicing factor, promoting glycolytic gene expression and conferring significantly shorter survival in patients. HnRNPA1 promotes splicing of a transcript encoding the Myc-interacting partner Max, generating Delta Max, an enhancer of Myc-dependent transformation. Delta Max, but not full-length Max, rescues Myc-dependent glycolytic gene expression upon induced EGFRvIII loss, and correlates with hnRNPA1 expression and downstream Myc-dependent gene transcription in patients. Finally, Delta Max is shown to promote glioma cell proliferation in vitro and augment EGFRvIII expressing GBM growth in vivo. These results demonstrate an important role for alternative splicing in GBM and identify Delta Max as a mediator of Myc-dependent tumor cell metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Babic
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Erik S Anderson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; UCLA Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; UCLA Medical Scientist Training Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Kazuhiro Tanaka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe University, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Deliang Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Kenta Masui
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Bing Li
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shaojun Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yuchao Gu
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Genaro R Villa
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; UCLA Medical Scientist Training Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - David Akhavan
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; UCLA Medical Scientist Training Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - David Nathanson
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Beatrice Gini
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sergey Mareninov
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Carolina Espindola Camacho
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Siavash K Kurdistani
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ascia Eskin
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Stanley F Nelson
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - William H Yong
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Webster K Cavenee
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Timothy F Cloughesy
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Heather R Christofk
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Douglas L Black
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Paul S Mischel
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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Read RD, Fenton TR, Gomez GG, Wykosky J, Vandenberg SR, Babic I, Iwanami A, Yang H, Cavenee WK, Mischel PS, Furnari FB, Thomas JB. A kinome-wide RNAi screen in Drosophila Glia reveals that the RIO kinases mediate cell proliferation and survival through TORC2-Akt signaling in glioblastoma. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003253. [PMID: 23459592 PMCID: PMC3573097 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma, the most common primary malignant brain tumor, is incurable with current therapies. Genetic and molecular analyses demonstrate that glioblastomas frequently display mutations that activate receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and Pi-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways. In Drosophila melanogaster, activation of RTK and PI3K pathways in glial progenitor cells creates malignant neoplastic glial tumors that display many features of human glioblastoma. In both human and Drosophila, activation of the RTK and PI3K pathways stimulates Akt signaling along with other as-yet-unknown changes that drive oncogenesis. We used this Drosophila glioblastoma model to perform a kinome-wide genetic screen for new genes required for RTK- and PI3K-dependent neoplastic transformation. Human orthologs of novel kinases uncovered by these screens were functionally assessed in mammalian glioblastoma models and human tumors. Our results revealed that the atypical kinases RIOK1 and RIOK2 are overexpressed in glioblastoma cells in an Akt-dependent manner. Moreover, we found that overexpressed RIOK2 formed a complex with RIOK1, mTor, and mTor-complex-2 components, and that overexpressed RIOK2 upregulated Akt signaling and promoted tumorigenesis in murine astrocytes. Conversely, reduced expression of RIOK1 or RIOK2 disrupted Akt signaling and caused cell cycle exit, apoptosis, and chemosensitivity in glioblastoma cells by inducing p53 activity through the RpL11-dependent ribosomal stress checkpoint. These results imply that, in glioblastoma cells, constitutive Akt signaling drives RIO kinase overexpression, which creates a feedforward loop that promotes and maintains oncogenic Akt activity through stimulation of mTor signaling. Further study of the RIO kinases as well as other kinases identified in our Drosophila screen may reveal new insights into defects underlying glioblastoma and related cancers and may reveal new therapeutic opportunities for these cancers. Glioblastomas, the most common primary brain tumor, harbor mutations in receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as EGFR, and components of the Pi-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway. However, the genes that act downstream of RTK and PI3K signaling to drive glioblastoma remain unclear. To investigate the genetic and molecular basis of this disease, we created a glioblastoma model in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. To identify new genes involved in glioblastoma development, we performed a screen for the genes required for tumor cell proliferation using our Drosophila glioblastoma model and then functionally assessed the activity of human versions of novel genes identified in this screen. Our results revealed that the RIO kinases become overexpressed in human glioblastomas but not in normal human glial or neuronal cells. We found that overexpression of the RIO kinases promotes and maintains signals that drive tumor cell proliferation and survival in RTK- and PI3K-dependent human glioblastoma, and reduction of RIO kinase expression decreased proliferation and prompted cell death and chemosensitivity in glioblastoma cells. Therefore, disruption of the RIO kinases may provide new therapeutic opportunities to target glioblastoma and other RTK- or PI3K-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee D Read
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA.
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Peereboom DM, Ahluwalia MS, Ye X, Supko JG, Hilderbrand SL, Phuphanich S, Nabors LB, Rosenfeld MR, Mikkelsen T, Grossman SA. NABTT 0502: a phase II and pharmacokinetic study of erlotinib and sorafenib for patients with progressive or recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. Neuro Oncol 2013; 15:490-6. [PMID: 23328813 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nos322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The signal transduction pathways of epidermal growth factor receptor and Ras are both important in the growth of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We hypothesized that inhibition of both pathways would improve the survival time of patients with recurrent GBM. METHODS Patients with recurrent/progressive GBM with 0-2 prior chemotherapy regimens received erlotinib 150 mg once daily and sorafenib 400 mg twice daily until progression. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Pharmacokinetic sampling was performed during cycle 1. RESULTS The median overall survival was 5.7 months. Progression-free survival at 6 months was 14%. Toxicity was manageable. Clearance of erlotinib was markedly enhanced by sorafenib. CONCLUSION The study did not meet its objective of a 30% increase in overall survival time compared with historical controls. Erlotinib and sorafenib have significant pharmacokinetic interactions that may negatively impact the efficacy of the combination regimen.
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Taylor TE, Furnari FB, Cavenee WK. Targeting EGFR for treatment of glioblastoma: molecular basis to overcome resistance. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2012; 12:197-209. [PMID: 22268382 DOI: 10.2174/156800912799277557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2010] [Revised: 05/30/2011] [Accepted: 06/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (glioblastoma multiforme; GBM; WHO Grade IV) accounts for the majority of primary malignant brain tumors in adults. Amplification and mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene represent signature genetic abnormalities encountered in GBM. A range of potential therapies that target EGFR or its mutant constitutively active form, ΔEGFR, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and RNA-based agents, are currently in development or in clinical trials for the treatment of GBM. Data from experimental studies evaluating these therapies have been very promising; however, their efficacy in the clinic has so far been limited by both upfront and acquired drug resistance. This review discusses the current status of anti-EGFR agents and the recurrent problem of resistance to these agents that strongly indicates that a multiple target approach will provide a more favorable future for these types of targeted therapies in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- T E Taylor
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Lu Y, Chopp M, Zheng X, Katakowski M, Buller B, Jiang F. MiR-145 reduces ADAM17 expression and inhibits in vitro migration and invasion of glioma cells. Oncol Rep 2012; 29:67-72. [PMID: 23076445 PMCID: PMC3540808 DOI: 10.3892/or.2012.2084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2012] [Accepted: 06/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are important regulators of gene expression and have been suggested to play a key role in tumorigenesis. In this study, we show that miR-145 is significantly downregulated in glioma cell lines compared to normal brain tissue and negatively regulates tumorigenesis. Restoration of miR-145 in glioma cells significantly reduced in vitro proliferation, migration and invasion. Also, overexpression of miR-145 reduced ADAM17 and EGFR expression. In addition, we tested the hypothesis that the miR-145-mediated suppression of cell proliferation, migration and invasion is, at least in part, due to silencing of ADAM17 and EGFR gene expression. Using luciferase reporters carrying the 3′-untranslated region of ADAM17 combined with western blotting, we identified ADAM17 as a direct target of miR-145. Collectively, these results suggest that as a tumor suppressor, miR-145 inhibits not only tumor proliferation, but also cell migration and invasion, and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Lu
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
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Guillaudeau A, Durand K, Bessette B, Chaunavel A, Pommepuy I, Projetti F, Robert S, Caire F, Rabinovitch-Chable H, Labrousse F. EGFR soluble isoforms and their transcripts are expressed in meningiomas. PLoS One 2012; 7:e37204. [PMID: 22623992 PMCID: PMC3356382 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2011] [Accepted: 04/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) is involved in the oncogenesis of many tumors. In addition to the full-length EGFR (isoform a), normal and tumor cells produce soluble EGFR isoforms (sEGFR) that lack the intracellular domain. sEGFR isoforms b, c and d are encoded by EGFR variants 2 (v2), 3 (v3) and 4 (v4) mRNA resulting from gene alternative splicing. Accordingly, the results of EGFR protein expression analysis depend on the domain targeted by the antibodies. In meningiomas, EGFR expression investigations mainly focused on EGFR isoform a. sEGFR and EGFRvIII mutant, that encodes a constitutively active truncated receptor, have not been studied. In a 69 meningiomas series, protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry using extracellular domain targeted antibody (ECD-Ab) and intracellular domain targeted antibody (ICD-Ab). EGFRv1 to v4 and EGFRvIII mRNAs were quantified by RT-PCR and EGFR amplification revealed by MLPA. Results were analyzed with respect to clinical data, tumor resection (Simpson grade), histological type, tumor grade, and patient outcome.Immunochemical staining was stronger with ECD-Ab than with ICD-Ab. Meningiomas expressed EGFRv1 to -v4 mRNAs but not EGFRvIII mutant. Intermediate or high ECD-Ab staining and high EGFRv1 to v4 mRNA levels were associated to a better progression free survival (PFS). PFS was also improved in women, when tumor resection was evaluated as Simpson 1 or 2, in grade I vs. grade II and III meningiomas and when Ki67 labeling index was lower than 10%.Our results suggest that, EGFR protein isoforms without ICD and their corresponding mRNA variants are expressed in meningiomas in addition to the whole isoform a. EGFRvIII was not expressed. High expression levels seem to be related to a better prognosis. These results indicate that the oncogenetic mechanisms involving the EGFR pathway in meningiomas could be different from other tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karine Durand
- Department of Pathology, Dupuytren University Hospital, Limoges, France
| | - Barbara Bessette
- Department of Cellular Homeostasis and Pathology, Dupuytren University Hospital, Limoges, France
| | - Alain Chaunavel
- Department of Pathology, Dupuytren University Hospital, Limoges, France
| | - Isabelle Pommepuy
- Department of Pathology, Dupuytren University Hospital, Limoges, France
| | - Fabrice Projetti
- Department of Pathology, Dupuytren University Hospital, Limoges, France
| | - Sandrine Robert
- Department of Pathology, Dupuytren University Hospital, Limoges, France
| | - François Caire
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dupuytren University Hospital, Limoges, France
| | | | - François Labrousse
- Department of Pathology, Dupuytren University Hospital, Limoges, France
- * E-mail:
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Wookey PJ, McLean CA, Hwang P, Furness SGB, Nguyen S, Kourakis A, Hare DL, Rosenfeld JV. The expression of calcitonin receptor detected in malignant cells of the brain tumour glioblastoma multiforme and functional properties in the cell line A172. Histopathology 2012; 60:895-910. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2011.04146.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Crosstalk between the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor and EGF receptor variant III supports survival and growth of glioblastoma cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:15984-9. [PMID: 21896743 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1113416108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A truncated and constitutively active form of the EGF receptor, variant III (EGFRvIII), is a major determinant of tumor growth and progression in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Extensive bidirectional crosstalk occurs in the cell-signaling pathways downstream of the EGFR and the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR); however, crosstalk between EGFRvIII and uPAR has not been examined. Here, we show that uPAR does not regulate ERK activation in EGFRvIII-expressing GBM cells; however, in GBM cells isolated from four separate xenografts in which EGFRvIII expression was down-regulated in vivo, uPAR assumed a major role in sustaining ERK activation. Phosphorylation of Tyr-845 in the EGFR, which is mediated by Src family kinases, depended on uPAR in EGFRvIII-expressing GBM cells. Activation of the mitogenic and prosurvival transcription factor, STAT5b, downstream of EGFRvIII, also required uPAR. The EGFR-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors, erlotinib and gefitinib, blocked not only EGFRvIII signaling to ERK but also uPAR-dependent STAT5b activation. uPAR gene silencing in EGFRvIII-expressing GBM cells and in cells from tumors that escaped dependency on EGFRvIII decreased cell survival and proliferation. Xenografts of EGFRvIII-expressing cancer cell lines and a human GBM, which was propagated as a xenograft, were robustly immunopositive for uPAR and phospho-Tyr-845 by immunohistochemistry. A human GBM in which the EGFR gene was amplified without truncation was immunonegative for both uPAR and phospho-Tyr-845. These studies identify distinct cell-signaling activities for uPAR in GBM cells that express EGFRvIII and in cells released from dormancy when EGFRvIII is neutralized. uPAR and its crosstalk pathways with EGFRvIII emerge as logical targets for therapeutics development in GBM.
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