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Wang L, Yang S, Zhu G, Li J, Meng G, Chen X, Zhang M, Wang S, Li X, Pan Y, Huang Y, Wang L, Wu Y. Immunopeptidome mining reveals a novel ERS-induced target in T1D. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:604-619. [PMID: 38689020 PMCID: PMC11143349 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01150-0] [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: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoreactive CD8+ T cells play a key role in type 1 diabetes (T1D), but the antigen spectrum that activates autoreactive CD8+ T cells remains unclear. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) has been implicated in β-cell autoantigen generation. Here, we analyzed the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-associated immunopeptidome (MIP) of islet β-cells under steady and ERS conditions and found that ERS reshaped the MIP of β-cells and promoted the MHC-I presentation of a panel of conventional self-peptides. Among them, OTUB258-66 showed immunodominance, and the corresponding autoreactive CD8+ T cells were diabetogenic in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. High glucose intake upregulated pancreatic OTUB2 expression and amplified the OTUB258-66-specific CD8+ T-cell response in NOD mice. Repeated OTUB258-66 administration significantly reduced the incidence of T1D in NOD mice. Interestingly, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with T1D, but not from healthy controls, showed a positive IFN-γ response to human OTUB2 peptides. This study provides not only a new explanation for the role of ERS in promoting β-cell-targeted autoimmunity but also a potential target for the prevention and treatment of T1D. The data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD041227.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Inflammatory Disease Research in Universities of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Shushu Yang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Gaohui Zhu
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Gang Meng
- Department of Pathology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Mengjun Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmacy, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Shufeng Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiangqian Li
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yu Pan
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Yi Huang
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Infection and Immunity, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Yuzhang Wu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Tomás-Velázquez A, López-Gutiérrez JC, de Andrea C, Reyes-Múgica M, Salgado CM, Redondo P. Alpelisib decreases nevocytes of congenital melanocytic nevi. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2024; 38:1147-1151. [PMID: 38071601 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple, large or giant congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are uncommon and affected patients can show progressive growth and thickening, associate neurocutaneous melanocytosis or develop melanoma. Current treatment modalities are mostly complex surgeries that frequently do not solve the disease and its risks completely. Thus, investigation on new treatment options for CMN and its complications must continue. MAPK pathway inhibitors are being investigated, also targeting PI3K-AKT. Omipalisib (PI3K inhibitor, with no indications approved yet) has been studied for CMN in vitro and in mice with promising results. However, alpelisib, a PI3K inhibitor approved with an adequate safety profile for patients with severe manifestations of PROS (PIK3CA-Related Overgrowth Spectrum), had not yet been tested for CMN. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of alpelisib in nevocytes of congenital melanocytic nevi. METHODS Nevomelanocytic tissue samples of 10 patients were collected prospectively and, following a previously reported preclinical ex vivo model, explants were placed in organotypic culture for 5 days, with or without alpelisib. Consecutively, tissue sections were stained and using scanned images with Qupath and ImageJ softwares, representative regions from the dermis were analysed (using Wilcoxon test and Spearman's correlation). RESULTS When comparing alpelisib-treated explants with respect to control explants, we found a decrease in cell density (p = 0.0273), in density of SOX10+-cells (p = 0.0391) and also in the % of S-100+ area (p = 0.0078), in alpelisib samples. The three markers showed a positive correlation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study provides first-time evidence that alpelisib induces nevocyte reduction in CMN from patient-derived explants, probably inducted by autophagy. Alpelisib is an approved drug with an adequate safety profile used in another mosaicism affecting PI3K (PROS). Further studies are needed to evaluate its efficacy in treating CMN and potentially, their complications, either with local or systemic administration, alone or in combination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carlos de Andrea
- Department of Pathology, University Clinic of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Miguel Reyes-Múgica
- Department of Pathology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Claudia M Salgado
- Department of Pathology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Pedro Redondo
- Department of Dermatology, University Clinic of Navarra, Madrid, Spain
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Zhou Y, Tao L, Qiu J, Xu J, Yang X, Zhang Y, Tian X, Guan X, Cen X, Zhao Y. Tumor biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:132. [PMID: 38763973 PMCID: PMC11102923 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01823-2] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor biomarkers, the substances which are produced by tumors or the body's responses to tumors during tumorigenesis and progression, have been demonstrated to possess critical and encouraging value in screening and early diagnosis, prognosis prediction, recurrence detection, and therapeutic efficacy monitoring of cancers. Over the past decades, continuous progress has been made in exploring and discovering novel, sensitive, specific, and accurate tumor biomarkers, which has significantly promoted personalized medicine and improved the outcomes of cancer patients, especially advances in molecular biology technologies developed for the detection of tumor biomarkers. Herein, we summarize the discovery and development of tumor biomarkers, including the history of tumor biomarkers, the conventional and innovative technologies used for biomarker discovery and detection, the classification of tumor biomarkers based on tissue origins, and the application of tumor biomarkers in clinical cancer management. In particular, we highlight the recent advancements in biomarker-based anticancer-targeted therapies which are emerging as breakthroughs and promising cancer therapeutic strategies. We also discuss limitations and challenges that need to be addressed and provide insights and perspectives to turn challenges into opportunities in this field. Collectively, the discovery and application of multiple tumor biomarkers emphasized in this review may provide guidance on improved precision medicine, broaden horizons in future research directions, and expedite the clinical classification of cancer patients according to their molecular biomarkers rather than organs of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lei Tao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiahao Qiu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- School of Medicine, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China
| | - Xinyu Tian
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinqi Guan
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaobo Cen
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yinglan Zhao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Dinter L, Karitzky PC, Schulz A, Wurm AA, Mehnert MC, Sergon M, Tunger A, Lesche M, Wehner R, Müller A, Käubler T, Niessner H, Dahl A, Beissert S, Schmitz M, Meier F, Seliger B, Westphal D. BRAF and MEK inhibitor combinations induce potent molecular and immunological effects in NRAS-mutant melanoma cells: Insights into mode of action and resistance mechanisms. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:1057-1072. [PMID: 38078628 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
About 25% of melanoma harbor activating NRAS mutations, which are associated with aggressive disease therefore requiring a rapid antitumor intervention. However, no efficient targeted therapy options are currently available for patients with NRAS-mutant melanoma. MEK inhibitors (MEKi) appear to display a moderate antitumor activity and also immunological effects in NRAS-mutant melanoma, providing an ideal backbone for combination treatments. In our study, the MEKi binimetinib, cobimetinib and trametinib combined with the BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) encorafenib, vemurafenib and dabrafenib were investigated for their ability to inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis and alter the expression of immune modulatory molecules in sensitive NRAS-mutant melanoma cells using two- and three-dimensional cell culture models as well as RNA sequencing analyses. Furthermore, NRAS-mutant melanoma cells resistant to the three BRAFi/MEKi combinations were established to characterize the mechanisms contributing to their resistance. All BRAFi induced a stress response in the sensitive NRAS-mutant melanoma cells thereby significantly enhancing the antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity of the MEKi analyzed. Furthermore, BRAFi/MEKi combinations upregulated immune relevant molecules, such as ICOS-L, components of antigen-presenting machinery and the "don't eat me signal" molecule CD47 in the melanoma cells. The BRAFi/MEKi-resistant, NRAS-mutant melanoma cells counteracted the molecular and immunological effects of BRAFi/MEKi by upregulating downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway molecules, inhibiting apoptosis and promoting immune escape mechanisms. Together, our study reveals potent molecular and immunological effects of BRAFi/MEKi in sensitive NRAS-mutant melanoma cells that may be exploited in new combinational treatment strategies for patients with NRAS-mutant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Dinter
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Paula C Karitzky
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander Schulz
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander A Wurm
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Department of Translational Medical Oncology, NCT Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, NCT Dresden, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marie-Christin Mehnert
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Mildred Sergon
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Antje Tunger
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mathias Lesche
- DRESDEN-Concept Genome Center, Technology Platform at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rebekka Wehner
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anja Müller
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Theresa Käubler
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Heike Niessner
- Department of Dermatology, Oncology, University Medical Center, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Dahl
- DRESDEN-Concept Genome Center, Technology Platform at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Beissert
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Schmitz
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Friedegund Meier
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Skin Cancer Center at the University Cancer Center Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Medical School "Theodor Fontane", Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dana Westphal
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
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Tan S, Hu H, Xin X, Wu D. A clinical and biologic review of congenital melanocytic nevi. J Dermatol 2024; 51:12-22. [PMID: 37955315 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.17025] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are the result of aberrations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway caused by postzygotic somatic mutations. The estimated incidence of newborns with CMN is 1%-2%. The main complications of CMN include proliferative nodules, melanomas, and neurocutaneous melanosis, and the latter two are the most troublesome issues to address. Treatments are primarily taken into account for aesthetic purposes and the reduction of melanoma risk. Due to the much lower incidence of malignant transformation observed in recent studies than in previous data, clinical management paradigms for CMN patients have gradually shifted towards conservative observation and close monitoring. Surgery and lasers are still the main treatments, and targeted therapy may be a promising strategy to help manage complications. With the increase in awareness of mental health, increasing focus has been placed on the quality of life (QoL) and psychological issues of both CMN patients and their parents. Recent studies have revealed that families coping with CMN might endure intense pressure, a major loss in QoL, and psychological problems after diagnosis and during treatment. Here, we sought to present an overview of genetic basis, complications, treatments, and psychological issues related to CMN and hope to provide better management for patients with CMN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songtao Tan
- Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haoyue Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Xin
- Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Di Wu
- Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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6
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Ryan CJ, Devakumar LPS, Pettitt SJ, Lord CJ. Complex synthetic lethality in cancer. Nat Genet 2023; 55:2039-2048. [PMID: 38036785 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01557-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
The concept of synthetic lethality has been widely applied to identify therapeutic targets in cancer, with varying degrees of success. The standard approach normally involves identifying genetic interactions between two genes, a driver and a target. In reality, however, most cancer synthetic lethal effects are likely complex and also polygenic, being influenced by the environment in addition to involving contributions from multiple genes. By acknowledging and delineating this complexity, we describe in this article how the success rate in cancer drug discovery and development could be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colm J Ryan
- Conway Institute and School of Computer Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Lovely Paul Solomon Devakumar
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - Stephen J Pettitt
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - Christopher J Lord
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
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7
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Estabrooks T, Gurinovich A, Pietruska J, Lewis B, Harvey G, Post G, Lambert L, Miller A, Rodrigues L, White ME, Lopes C, London CA, Megquier K. Identification of genomic alterations with clinical impact in canine splenic hemangiosarcoma. Vet Comp Oncol 2023; 21:623-633. [PMID: 37734854 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12925] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is an aggressive cancer of endothelial cells with short survival times. Understanding the genomic landscape of HSA may aid in developing therapeutic strategies for dogs and may also inform therapies for the rare and aggressive human cancer angiosarcoma. The objectives of this study were to build a framework for leveraging real-world genomic and clinical data that could provide the foundation for precision medicine in veterinary oncology, and to determine the relationships between genomic and clinical features in canine splenic HSA. One hundred and nine dogs with primary splenic HSA treated by splenectomy that had tumour sequencing via the FidoCure® Precision Medicine Platform targeted sequencing panel were enrolled. Patient signalment, weight, metastasis at diagnosis and overall survival time were retrospectively evaluated. The incidence of genomic alterations in individual genes and their relationship to patient variables including outcome were assessed. Somatic mutations in TP53 (n = 44), NRAS (n = 20) and PIK3CA (n = 19) were most common. Survival was associated with presence of metastases at diagnosis and germline variants in SETD2 and NOTCH1. Age at diagnosis was associated with somatic NRAS mutations and breed. TP53 and PIK3CA somatic mutations were found in larger dogs, while germline SETD2 variants were found in smaller dogs. We identified both somatic mutations and germline variants associated with clinical variables including age, breed and overall survival. These genetic changes may be useful prognostic factors and provide insight into the genomic landscape of hemangiosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Estabrooks
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Jodie Pietruska
- MassBio, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Gerald Post
- One Health Company, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Cheryl A London
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kate Megquier
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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8
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Pan T, Wu Y, Zhang X, Wang J, Wang X, Gu Q, Xu C, Fan Y, Li X, Xie P, Liu Q, Hu Z. Lens epithelial cell-derived exosome inhibits angiogenesis in ocular pathological neovascularization through its delivery of miR-146a-5p. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23192. [PMID: 37682530 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301020rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal ocular neovascularization, a major pathology of eye diseases, leads to severe visual loss. The role of lens epithelial cell (LEC)-derived exosomes (Lec-exo) is largely unknown. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether Lec-exo can inhibit abnormal ocular neovascularization and explore the possible mechanisms. In our study, we proved the first evidence that exosomes derived from LECs attenuated angiogenesis in both oxygen-induced retinopathy and laser-induced choroidal neovascularization mice models. Further in vitro experiments proved that Lec-exo inhibited proliferation, migration, and tube formation capability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in high glucose condition. Further high-throughput miRNAs sequencing analysis detected that miR-146a-5p was enriched in Lec-exo. Mechanistically, exosomal miR-146a-5p was delivered to endothelial cells and bound to the NRAS coding sequence, which subsequently inactivated AKT/ERK signaling pathway. We successfully elucidated the function of Lec-exo in inhibiting abnormal ocular neovascularization, which may offer a promising strategy for treatment of abnormal ocular neovascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingfan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xingxing Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qinyuan Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Changlin Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinsheng Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, China
| | - Ping Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qinghuai Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zizhong Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Ciołczyk-Wierzbicka D, Krawczyk A, Zarzycka M, Zemanek G, Wierzbicki K. Three generations of mTOR kinase inhibitors in the activation of the apoptosis process in melanoma cells. J Cell Commun Signal 2023; 17:975-989. [PMID: 37097377 PMCID: PMC10409930 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-023-00748-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Many signaling pathways are involved in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and this serine/threonine kinase regulates the most important cellular processes such as cell proliferation, autophagy, and apoptosis. The subject of this research was the effect of protein kinase inhibitors involved in the AKT, MEK, and mTOR kinase signaling pathways on the expression of pro-survival proteins, activity of caspase-3, proliferation, and induction of apoptosis in melanoma cells. The following inhibitors were used: protein kinase inhibitors such as AKT-MK-2206, MEK-AS-703026, mTOR-everolimus and Torkinib, as well as dual PI3K and mTOR inhibitor-BEZ-235 and Omipalisib, and mTOR1/2-OSI-027 inhibitor in single-mode and their combinations with MEK1/2 kinase inhibitor AS-703026. The obtained results confirm the synergistic effect of nanomolar concentrations of mTOR inhibitors, especially the dual PI3K and mTOR inhibitors (Omipalisib, BEZ-235) in combination with the MAP kinase inhibitor (AS-703026) in the activation of caspase 3, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of proliferation in melanoma cell lines. Our previous and current studies confirm the importance of the mTOR signal transduction pathway in the neoplastic transformation process. Melanoma is a case of a very heterogeneous neoplasm, which causes great difficulties in treating this neoplasm in an advanced stage, and the standard approach to this topic does not bring the expected results. There is a need for research on the search for new therapeutic strategies aimed at particular groups of patients. Effect of three generations of mTOR kinase inhibitors on caspase-3 activity, apoptosis and proliferation in melanoma cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Ciołczyk-Wierzbicka
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Ul. Kopernika 7, 31-034, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Krawczyk
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Ul. Kopernika 7, 31-034, Kraków, Poland
| | - Marta Zarzycka
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Ul. Kopernika 7, 31-034, Kraków, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Zemanek
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Ul. Kopernika 7, 31-034, Kraków, Poland
| | - Karol Wierzbicki
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantology, Institute of Cardiology, Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Ul. Prądnicka 80, 31-202, Kraków, Poland
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10
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Phadke MS, Smalley KS. Targeting NRAS Mutations in Advanced Melanoma. J Clin Oncol 2023; 41:2661-2664. [PMID: 36947724 PMCID: PMC10414701 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.00205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Manali S. Phadke
- Department of Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Keiran S.M. Smalley
- Department of Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
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11
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Howell R, Davies J, Clarke MA, Appios A, Mesquita I, Jayal Y, Ringham-Terry B, Boned Del Rio I, Fisher J, Bennett CL. Localized immune surveillance of primary melanoma in the skin deciphered through executable modeling. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd1992. [PMID: 37043573 PMCID: PMC10096595 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add1992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
While skin is a site of active immune surveillance, primary melanomas often escape detection. Here, we have developed an in silico model to determine the local cross-talk between melanomas and Langerhans cells (LCs), the primary antigen-presenting cells at the site of melanoma development. The model predicts that melanomas fail to activate LC migration to lymph nodes until tumors reach a critical size, which is determined by a positive TNF-α feedback loop within melanomas, in line with our observations of murine tumors. In silico drug screening, supported by subsequent experimental testing, shows that treatment of primary tumors with MAPK pathway inhibitors may further prevent LC migration. In addition, our in silico model predicts treatment combinations that bypass LC dysfunction. In conclusion, our combined approach of in silico and in vivo studies suggests a molecular mechanism that explains how early melanomas develop under the radar of immune surveillance by LC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew A. Clarke
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Anna Appios
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Inês Mesquita
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Yashoda Jayal
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Ben Ringham-Terry
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Isabel Boned Del Rio
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
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12
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Nascentes Melo LM, Kumar S, Riess V, Szylo KJ, Eisenburger R, Schadendorf D, Ubellacker JM, Tasdogan A. Advancements in melanoma cancer metastasis models. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2023; 36:206-223. [PMID: 36478190 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13078] [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: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is a complex and deadly disease. Due to its complexity, the development of novel therapeutic strategies to inhibit metastatic melanoma remains an outstanding challenge. Our ability to study metastasis is advanced with the development of in vitro and in vivo models that better mimic the different steps of the metastatic cascade beginning from primary tumor initiation to final metastatic seeding. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of in vitro models, in vivo models, and in silico platforms to study the individual steps of melanoma metastasis. Furthermore, we highlight the advantages and limitations of each model and discuss the challenges of how to improve current models to enhance translation for melanoma cancer patients and future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen and German Cancer Consortium, Essen, Germany
| | - Valeria Riess
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen and German Cancer Consortium, Essen, Germany
| | - Krystina J Szylo
- Department of Molecular Metabolism, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robin Eisenburger
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen and German Cancer Consortium, Essen, Germany
| | - Dirk Schadendorf
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen and German Cancer Consortium, Essen, Germany
| | - Jessalyn M Ubellacker
- Department of Molecular Metabolism, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alpaslan Tasdogan
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen and German Cancer Consortium, Essen, Germany
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13
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Malone CF, Kim M, Alexe G, Engel K, Forman AB, Robichaud A, Conway AS, Goodale A, Meyer A, Khalid D, Thayakumar A, Hatcher JM, Gray NS, Piccioni F, Stegmaier K. Transcriptional Antagonism by CDK8 Inhibition Improves Therapeutic Efficacy of MEK Inhibitors. Cancer Res 2023; 83:285-300. [PMID: 36398965 PMCID: PMC9938728 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-4309] [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: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant RAS/MAPK signaling is a common driver of oncogenesis that can be therapeutically targeted with clinically approved MEK inhibitors. Disease progression on single-agent MEK inhibitors is common, however, and combination therapies are typically required to achieve significant clinical benefit in advanced cancers. Here we focused on identifying MEK inhibitor-based combination therapies in neuroblastoma with mutations that activate the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway, which are rare at diagnosis but frequent in relapsed neuroblastoma. A genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 functional genomic screen was deployed to identify genes that when knocked out sensitize RAS-mutant neuroblastoma to MEK inhibition. Loss of either CCNC or CDK8, two members of the mediator kinase module, sensitized neuroblastoma to MEK inhibition. Furthermore, small-molecule kinase inhibitors of CDK8 improved response to MEK inhibitors in vitro and in vivo in RAS-mutant neuroblastoma and other adult solid tumors. Transcriptional profiling revealed that loss of CDK8 or CCNC antagonized the transcriptional signature induced by MEK inhibition. When combined, loss of CDK8 or CCNC prevented the compensatory upregulation of progrowth gene expression induced by MEK inhibition. These findings propose a new therapeutic combination for RAS-mutant neuroblastoma and may have clinical relevance for other RAS-driven malignancies. SIGNIFICANCE Transcriptional adaptation to MEK inhibition is mediated by CDK8 and can be blocked by the addition of CDK8 inhibitors to improve response to MEK inhibitors in RAS-mutant neuroblastoma, a clinically challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare F. Malone
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Minjee Kim
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriela Alexe
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen Engel
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra B. Forman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amanda Robichaud
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy Saur Conway
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy Goodale
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ashleigh Meyer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Delan Khalid
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allen Thayakumar
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John M. Hatcher
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Corresponding author. Mailing address: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 360 Longwood Ave, LC6102, Boston, MA, 02215. Phone: (617) 632-4438
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14
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Gorry C, McCullagh L, O'Donnell H, Barrett S, Schmitz S, Barry M, Curtin K, Beausang E, Barry R, Coyne I. Neoadjuvant treatment for stage III and IV cutaneous melanoma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 1:CD012974. [PMID: 36648215 PMCID: PMC9844053 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012974.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous melanoma is amongst the most aggressive of all skin cancers. Neoadjuvant treatment is a form of induction therapy, given to shrink a cancerous tumour prior to the main treatment (usually surgery). The purpose is to improve survival and surgical outcomes. This review systematically appraises the literature investigating the use of neoadjuvant treatment for stage III and IV cutaneous melanoma. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of neoadjuvant treatment in adults with stage III or stage IV melanoma according to the seventh edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. SEARCH METHODS We searched the following databases up to 10 August 2021 inclusive: Cochrane Skin Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS and four trials registers, together with reference checking and contact with study authors to identify additional studies. We also handsearched proceedings from specific conferences from 2016 to 2020 inclusive. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of people with stage III and IV melanoma, comparing neoadjuvant treatment strategies (using targeted treatments, immunotherapies, radiotherapy, topical treatments or chemotherapy) with any of these agents or current standard of care (SOC), were eligible for inclusion. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methods. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and adverse effects (AEs). Secondary outcomes included time to recurrence (TTR), quality of life (QOL), and overall response rate (ORR). We used GRADE to evaluate the certainty of the evidence. MAIN RESULTS We included eight RCTs involving 402 participants. Studies enrolled adults, mostly with stage III melanoma, investigated immunotherapies, chemotherapy, or targeted treatments, and compared these with surgical excision with or without adjuvant treatment. Duration of follow-up and therapeutic regimens varied, which, combined with heterogeneity in the population and definitions of the endpoints, precluded meta-analysis of all identified studies. We performed a meta-analysis including three studies. We are very uncertain if neoadjuvant treatment increases OS when compared to no neoadjuvant treatment (hazard ratio (HR) 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15 to 1.21; 2 studies, 171 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Neoadjuvant treatment may increase the rate of AEs, but the evidence is very uncertain (26% versus 16%, risk ratio (RR) 1.58, 95% CI 0.97 to 2.55; 2 studies, 162 participants; very low-certainty evidence). We are very uncertain if neoadjuvant treatment increases TTR (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.17; 2 studies, 171 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Studies did not report ORR as a comparative outcome or measure QOL data. We are very uncertain whether neoadjuvant targeted treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib increases OS (HR 0.28, 95% CI 0.03 to 2.25; 1 study, 21 participants; very low-certainty evidence) or TTR (HR 0.02, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.22; 1 study, 21 participants; very low-certainty evidence) when compared to surgery. The study did not report comparative rates of AEs and overall response, and did not measure QOL. We are very uncertain if neoadjuvant immunotherapy with talimogene laherparepvec increases OS when compared to no neoadjuvant treatment (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.64; 1 study, 150 participants, very low-certainty evidence). It may have a higher rate of AEs, but the evidence is very uncertain (16.5% versus 5.8%, RR 2.84, 95% CI 0.96 to 8.37; 1 study, 142 participants; very low-certainty evidence). We are very uncertain if it increases TTR (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.79; 1 study, 150 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The study did not report comparative ORRs or measure QOL. OS was not reported for neoadjuvant immunotherapy (combined ipilimumab and nivolumab) when compared to the combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab as adjuvant treatment. There may be little or no difference in the rate of AEs between these treatments (9%, RR 1.0, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.34; 1 study, 20 participants; low-certainty evidence). The study did not report comparative ORRs or measure TTR and QOL. Neoadjuvant immunotherapy (combined ipilimumab and nivolumab) likely results in little to no difference in OS when compared to neoadjuvant nivolumab monotherapy (P = 0.18; 1 study, 23 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). It may increase the rate of AEs, but the certainty of this evidence is very low (72.8% versus 8.3%, RR 8.73, 95% CI 1.29 to 59; 1 study, 23 participants); this trial was halted early due to observation of disease progression preventing surgical resection in the monotherapy arm and the high rate of treatment-related AEs in the combination arm. Neoadjuvant combination treatment may lead to higher ORR, but the evidence is very uncertain (72.8% versus 25%, RR 2.91, 95% CI 1.02 to 8.27; 1 study, 23 participants; very low-certainty evidence). It likely results in little to no difference in TTR (P = 0.19; 1 study, 23 participants; low-certainty evidence). The study did not measure QOL. OS was not reported for neoadjuvant immunotherapy (combined ipilimumab and nivolumab) when compared to neoadjuvant sequential immunotherapy (ipilimumab then nivolumab). Only Grade 3 to 4 immune-related AEs were reported; fewer were reported with combination treatment, and the sequential treatment arm closed early due to a high incidence of severe AEs. The neoadjuvant combination likely results in a higher ORR compared to sequential neoadjuvant treatment (60.1% versus 42.3%, RR 1.42, 95% CI 0.87 to 2.32; 1 study, 86 participants; low-certainty evidence). The study did not measure TTR and QOL. No data were reported on OS, AEs, TTR, or QOL for the comparison of neoadjuvant interferon (HDI) plus chemotherapy versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant HDI plus chemotherapy may have little to no effect on ORR, but the evidence is very uncertain (33% versus 22%, RR 1.75, 95% CI 0.62 to 4.95; 1 study, 36 participants; very low-certainty evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We are uncertain if neoadjuvant treatment increases OS or TTR compared with no neoadjuvant treatment, and it may be associated with a slightly higher rate of AEs. There is insufficient evidence to support the use of neoadjuvant treatment in clinical practice. Priorities for research include the development of a core outcome set for neoadjuvant trials that are adequately powered, with validation of pathological and radiological responses as intermediate endpoints, to investigate the relative benefits of neoadjuvant treatment compared with adjuvant treatment with immunotherapies or targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Gorry
- National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Laura McCullagh
- National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Helen O'Donnell
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sarah Barrett
- Applied Radiation Therapy Trinity, Discipline of Radiation Therapy, Trinity St James's Cancer Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Susanne Schmitz
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Barry
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kay Curtin
- Melanoma Support Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eamon Beausang
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rupert Barry
- Department of Dermatology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Imelda Coyne
- School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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15
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Melanogenesis and the Targeted Therapy of Melanoma. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12121874. [PMID: 36551302 PMCID: PMC9775438 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pigment production is a unique character of melanocytes. Numerous factors are linked with melanin production, including genetics, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and inflammation. Understanding the mechanism of melanogenesis is crucial to identify new preventive and therapeutic strategies in the treatment of melanoma. Here, we reviewed the current available literatures on the mechanisms of melanogenesis, including the signaling pathways of UVR-induced pigment production, MC1R's central determinant roles and MITF as a master transcriptional regulator in melanogenesis. Moreover, we further highlighted the role of targeting BRAF, NRAS and MC1R in melanoma prevention and treatment. The combination therapeutics of immunotherapy and targeted kinase inhibitors are becoming the newest therapeutic option in advanced melanoma.
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16
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Hung MC, Wang WP, Chi YH. AKT phosphorylation as a predictive biomarker for PI3K/mTOR dual inhibition-induced proteolytic cleavage of mTOR companion proteins in small cell lung cancer. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:122. [PMID: 35918763 PMCID: PMC9344631 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00862-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Constitutive activation of PI3K signaling has been well recognized in a subset of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), the cancer type which has the most aggressive clinical course amongst pulmonary tumors. Whereas cancers that acquire a mutation/copy gain in PIK3CA or loss of PTEN have been implicated in enhanced sensitivity to inhibitors targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, the complexities of the pathway and corresponding feedback loops hamper clear predictions as to the response of tumors presenting these genomic features. Methods The correlation between the expression profile of proteins involved in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and cell viability in response to treatment with small molecule inhibitors targeting isoform-specific PI3Ks, AKT, and mTOR was assessed in 13 SCLC cancer cell lines. Athymic nude mice were used to determine the effect of PI3K/mTOR dual inhibition on the growth of xenograft SCLC tumors in vivo. The activation of caspase signaling and proteolytic cleavages of mTOR companion proteins were assessed using recombinant caspases assays and Western blot analyses. Results Our results indicate that the sensitivity of these SCLC cell lines to GSK2126458, a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, is positively correlated with the expression levels of phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) at Thr308 and Ser473. Inhibition of pan-class I PI3Ks or PI3K/mTOR dual inhibition was shown to induce proteolytic cleavage of RICTOR and RPTOR, which were respectively dependent on Caspase-6 and Caspase-3. A combination of a clinically approved PI3Kα-selective inhibitor and an mTORC1 inhibitor was shown to have synergistic effects in inducing the death of SCLC cells with high p-AKT. We observed no clear correlation between PTEN levels and the survival of SCLCs in response to PI3K/mTOR dual inhibition; however, PTEN depletion was shown to increase the susceptibility of low p-AKT SCLC cells to dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor-induced cell death as well as the proteolytic cleavage of RICTOR. Conclusions These results suggest the level of p-AKT can be a companion diagnostic biomarker for the treatment of SCLC involving the combinational use of clinically approved isoform-specific PI3K and mTOR inhibitors. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-022-00862-y.
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Caksa S, Baqai U, Aplin AE. The future of targeted kinase inhibitors in melanoma. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 239:108200. [PMID: 35513054 PMCID: PMC10187889 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-producing cells of the body and its incidence is rising. Targeted inhibitors that act against kinases in the MAPK pathway are approved for BRAF-mutant metastatic cutaneous melanoma and increase patients' survival. Response to these therapies is limited by drug resistance and is less durable than with immune checkpoint inhibition. Conversely, rare melanoma subtypes have few therapeutic options for advanced disease and MAPK pathway targeting agents show minimal anti-tumor effects. Nevertheless, there is a future for targeted kinase inhibitors in melanoma: in new applications such as adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy and in novel combinations with immunotherapies or other targeted therapies. Pre-clinical studies continue to identify tumor dependencies and their corresponding actionable drug targets, paving the way for rational targeted kinase inhibitor combinations as a personalized medicine approach for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Signe Caksa
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Usman Baqai
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Andrew E Aplin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
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18
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Lin L, Miao L, Lin H, Cheng J, Li M, Zhuo Z, He J. Targeting RAS in neuroblastoma: Is it possible? Pharmacol Ther 2022; 236:108054. [PMID: 34915055 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a common solid tumor in children and a leading cause of cancer death in children. Neuroblastoma exhibits genetic, morphological, and clinical heterogeneity that limits the efficacy of current monotherapies. With further research on neuroblastoma, the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma is found to be complex, and more and more treatment therapies are needed. The importance of personalized therapy is growing. Currently, various molecular features, including RAS mutations, are being used as targets for the development of new therapies for patients with neuroblastoma. A recent study found that RAS mutations are frequently present in recurrent neuroblastoma. RAS mutations have been shown to activate the MAPK pathway and play an important role in neuroblastoma. Treating RAS mutated neuroblastoma is a difficult challenge, but many preclinical studies have yielded effective results. At the same time, many of the therapies used to treat RAS mutated tumors also have good reference values for treating RAS mutated neuroblastoma. The success of KRAS-G12C inhibitors has greatly stimulated confidence in the direct suppression of RAS. This review describes the biological role of RAS and the frequency of RAS mutations in neuroblastoma. This paper focuses on the strategies, preclinical, and clinical progress of targeting carcinogenic RAS in neuroblastoma, and proposes possible prospects and challenges in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Lin
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Lei Miao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Huiran Lin
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
| | - Jiwen Cheng
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi, China
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenjian Zhuo
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China; Laboratory Animal Center, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Jing He
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structural Birth Defect Disease, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China.
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19
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Chousakos E, Katsoulas N, Kavantzas N, Stratigos A, Lazaris AC. The role of dual-specificity phosphatase 3 in melanocytic oncogenesis. Exp Dermatol 2022; 31:1466-1476. [PMID: 35899430 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14653] [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: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Dual-specificity phosphatase 3 (DUSP3), also known as Vaccinia H1-related phosphatase, is a protein tyrosine phosphatase that typically performs its major role in the regulation of multiple cellular functions through the dephosphorylation of its diverse and constantly expanding range of substrates. Many of the substrates described so far as well as alterations in the expression or the activity of DUSP3 itself are associated with the development and progression of various types of neoplasms, indicating that DUSP3 may be an important player in oncogenesis and a promising therapeutic target. This review focuses exclusively on DUSP3's contribution to either benign or malignant melanocytic oncogenesis, as many of the established culprit pathways and mechanisms constitute DUSP3's regulatory targets, attempting to synthesize the current knowledge on the matter. The spectrum of the DUSP3 interactions analyzed in this review covers substrates implicated in cellular growth, cell cycle, proliferation, survival, apoptosis, genomic stability/repair, adhesion and migration of tumor melanocytes. Furthermore, the speculations raised, based on the evidence to date, may be considered a fundament for potential research regarding the oncogenesis, evolution, management and therapeutics of melanocytic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanouil Chousakos
- 1st Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
| | - Nikolaos Katsoulas
- 1st Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
| | - Nikolaos Kavantzas
- 1st Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
| | - Alexandros Stratigos
- 1st Department of Dermatology-Venereology, "Andreas Syggros" Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
| | - Andreas C Lazaris
- 1st Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
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20
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Cai W, Nguyen MQ, Wilski NA, Purwin TJ, Vernon M, Tiago M, Aplin AE. A Genome-Wide Screen Identifies PDPK1 as a Target to Enhance the Efficacy of MEK1/2 Inhibitors in NRAS Mutant Melanoma. Cancer Res 2022; 82:2625-2639. [PMID: 35657206 PMCID: PMC9298960 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-3217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Melanomas frequently harbor activating NRAS mutations. However, limited advance has been made in developing targeted therapy options for patients with NRAS mutant melanoma. MEK inhibitors (MEKi) show modest efficacy in the clinic and their actions need to be optimized. In this study, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9-based screen and demonstrated that loss of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDPK1) enhances the efficacy of MEKi. The synergistic effects of PDPK1 loss and MEKi was validated in NRAS mutant melanoma cell lines using pharmacologic and molecular approaches. Combined PDPK1 inhibitors (PDPK1i) with MEKi suppressed NRAS mutant xenograft growth and induced gasdermin E-associated pyroptosis. In an immune-competent allograft model, PDPK1i+MEKi increased the ratio of intratumoral CD8+ T cells, delayed tumor growth, and prolonged survival; the combination treatment was less effective against tumors in immune-deficient mice. These data suggest PDPK1i+MEKi as an efficient immunostimulatory strategy against NRAS mutant melanoma. SIGNIFICANCE Targeting PDPK1 stimulates antitumor immunity and sensitizes NRAS mutant melanoma to MEK inhibition, providing rationale for the clinical development of a combinatorial approach for treating patients with melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijia Cai
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Mai Q. Nguyen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Nicole A. Wilski
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Timothy J. Purwin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Megane Vernon
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Manoela Tiago
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
| | - Andrew E. Aplin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107
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21
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Therapeutic targeting of TANK-binding kinase signaling towards anticancer drug development: Challenges and opportunities. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 207:1022-1037. [PMID: 35358582 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.03.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) plays a fundamental role in regulating the cellular responses and controlling several signaling cascades. It regulates inflammatory, interferon, NF-κB, autophagy, and Akt pathways. Post-translational modifications (PTM) of TBK1 control its action and subsequent cellular signaling. The dysregulation of the TBK1 pathway is correlated to many pathophysiological conditions, including cancer, that implicates the promising therapeutic advantage for targeting TBK1. The present study summarizes current updates on the molecular mechanisms and cancer-inducing roles of TBK1. Designed inhibitors of TBK1 are considered a potential therapeutic agent for several diseases, including cancer. Data from pre-clinical tumor models recommend that the targeting of TBK1 could be an attractive strategy for anti-tumor therapy. This review further highlighted the therapeutic potential of potent and selective TBK1 inhibitors, including Amlexanox, Compound II, BX795, MRT67307, SR8185 AZ13102909, CYT387, GSK8612, BAY985, and Domainex. These inhibitors may be implicated to facilitate therapeutic management of cancer and TBK1-associated diseases in the future.
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22
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Ma Y, Murgia N, Liu Y, Li Z, Sirakawin C, Konovalov R, Kovzel N, Xu Y, Kang X, Tiwari A, Mwangi PM, Sun D, Erfle H, Konopka W, Lai Q, Najam SS, Vinnikov IA. Neuronal miR-29a protects from obesity in adult mice. Mol Metab 2022; 61:101507. [PMID: 35490865 PMCID: PMC9114687 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Obesity, a growing threat to the modern society, represents an imbalance of metabolic queues that normally signal to the arcuate hypothalamic nucleus, a critical brain region sensing and regulating energy homeostasis. This is achieved by various neurons many of which developmentally originate from the proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-expressing lineage. Within the mature neurons originating from this lineage, we aimed to identify non-coding genes in control of metabolic function in the adulthood. Methods In this work, we used microRNA mimic delivery and POMCCre-dependent CRISPR-Cas9 knock-out strategies in young or aged mice. Importantly, we also used CRISPR guides directing suicide cleavage of Cas9 to limit the off-target effects. Results Here we found that mature neurons originating from the POMC lineage employ miR-29a to protect against insulin resistance obesity, hyperphagia, decreased energy expenditure and obesity. Moreover, we validated the miR-29 family as a prominent regulator of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway. Within the latter, we identified a direct target of miR-29a-3p, Nras, which was up-regulated in those and only those mature POMCCreCas9 neurons that were effectively transduced by anti-miR-29 CRISPR-equipped construct. Moreover, POMCCre-dependent co-deletion of Nras in mature neurons attenuated miR-29 depletion-induced obesity. Conclusions Thus, the first to our knowledge case of in situ Cre-dependent CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knock-out of microRNAs in a specific hypothalamic neuronal population helped us to decipher a critical metabolic circuit in adult mice. This work significantly extends our understanding about the involvement of neuronal microRNAs in homeostatic regulation. Delivery of miR-29a-3p to the arcuate hypothalamic nucleus attenuates obesity. Knock-out of genes in mature neurons by Cre-dependent CRISPR/Cas9 technique involving Cas9-cleaving sgRNAs to limit off-target effects. Deletion of miR-29a in mature PomcCre neurons leads to early-onset insulin resistance and later to hyperphagia and decreased energy expenditure. POMCCre-restricted deletion of miR-29a causes cell-autonomous Nras up-regulation leading to obesity. POMCCre-restricted knock-out of Nras, a direct target of miR-29a-3p, attenuates obesity in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ma
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nicola Murgia
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zixuan Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaweewan Sirakawin
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruslan Konovalov
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nikolai Kovzel
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuejia Kang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Anshul Tiwari
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Patrick Malonza Mwangi
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Donglei Sun
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Holger Erfle
- Advanced Biological Screening Facility, BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Witold Konopka
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Metabolism, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Łukasiewicz PORT Polish Center for Technology Development, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Qingxuan Lai
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Syeda Sadia Najam
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ilya A Vinnikov
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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23
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Chen N, Ma B, Guo S, Yin B, Zhang J, Deng G. microRNA-196b alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory injury by targeting NRAS. Mol Immunol 2022; 147:10-20. [PMID: 35489290 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.03.122] [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: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Bovine endometritis is a serious hazard to husbandry, so it is necessary to know the mechanism of endometritis. In past research, we found microRNAs (miRNAs) might be regulators in inflammation, including miR-196b, but the mechanism of miR-196b in bovine endometritis was unknown. Therefore, we tended to find out what role miR-196b would play in bovine endometritis. As a result, we found miR-196b up-regulated in the endometritis tissue and the high concentration lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bovine endometrial epithelial (BEND) cell line, but down-regulated in the low concentration. And, over-expression of miR-196b inhibited the expressions of some inflammatory factors, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and neuroblastoma RAS (NRAS)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway proteins. Furthermore, the dual-luciferase reporter assay and NRAS knockdown confirmed that miR-196b inhibited activation of the downstream pathway by directly targeting NRAS. In conclusion, we provide evidence that miR-196b alleviates LPS-induced inflammatory injury by targeting NRAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuoer Chen
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Ma
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai Guo
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoyi Yin
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinxin Zhang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Ganzhen Deng
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China.
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24
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Nardou K, Nicolas M, Kuttler F, Cisarova K, Celik E, Quinodoz M, Riggi N, Michielin O, Rivolta C, Turcatti G, Moulin AP. Identification of New Vulnerabilities in Conjunctival Melanoma Using Image-Based High Content Drug Screening. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061575. [PMID: 35326726 PMCID: PMC8946509 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that numerous similarities exist between the genomic landscapes of both conjunctival and cutaneous melanoma. Since alterations of several components of the MAP kinases, PI3K/mTOR, and cell cycle pathways have been reported in conjunctival melanoma, we decided to assess the sensitivity of conjunctival melanoma to targeted inhibition mostly of kinase inhibitors. A high content drug screening assay based on automated fluorescence microscopy was performed in three conjunctival melanoma cell lines with different genomic backgrounds with 489 kinase inhibitors and 53 other inhibitors. IC50 and apoptosis induction were respectively assessed for 53 and 48 compounds. The genomic background influenced the response to MAK and PI3K/mTOR inhibition, more specifically cell lines with BRAF V600E mutations were more sensitive to BRAF/MEK inhibition, while CRMM2 bearing the NRASQ61L mutation was more sensitive to PI3k/mTOR inhibition. All cell lines demonstrated sensitivity to cell cycle inhibition, being more pronounced in CRMM2, especially with polo-like inhibitors. Our data also revealed new vulnerabilities to Hsp90 and Src inhibition. This study demonstrates that the genomic background partially influences the response to targeted therapy and uncovers a large panel of potential vulnerabilities in conjunctival melanoma that may expand available options for the management of this tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katya Nardou
- Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, University of Lausanne, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland; (K.N.); (M.N.)
| | - Michael Nicolas
- Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, University of Lausanne, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland; (K.N.); (M.N.)
| | - Fabien Kuttler
- Biomolecular Screening Facility, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (F.K.); (G.T.)
| | - Katarina Cisarova
- Medical Genetics Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Elifnaz Celik
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (E.C.); (M.Q.); (C.R.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Quinodoz
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (E.C.); (M.Q.); (C.R.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Nicolo Riggi
- Experimental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Lausanne University, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Olivier Michielin
- Oncology Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Carlo Rivolta
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (E.C.); (M.Q.); (C.R.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Gerardo Turcatti
- Biomolecular Screening Facility, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (F.K.); (G.T.)
| | - Alexandre Pierre Moulin
- Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, University of Lausanne, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland; (K.N.); (M.N.)
- Correspondence:
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25
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Qian J, Li Z, Pei K, Li Z, Li C, Yan M, Qian M, Song Y, Zhang H, He Y. Effects of NRAS Mutations on Leukemogenesis and Targeting of Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:712484. [PMID: 35211470 PMCID: PMC8861515 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.712484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Through the advancements in recent decades, childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is gradually becoming a highly curable disease. However, the truth is there remaining relapse in ∼15% of ALL cases with dismal outcomes. RAS mutations, in particular NRAS mutations, were predominant mutations affecting relapse susceptibility. KRAS mutations targeting has been successfully exploited, while NRAS mutation targeting remains to be explored due to its complicated and compensatory mechanisms. Using targeted sequencing, we profiled RAS mutations in 333 primary and 18 relapsed ALL patients and examined their impact on ALL leukemogenesis, therapeutic potential, and treatment outcome. Cumulative analysis showed that RAS mutations were associated with a higher relapse incidence in children with ALL. In vitro cellular assays revealed that about one-third of the NRAS mutations significantly transformed Ba/F3 cells as measured by IL3-independent growth. Meanwhile, we applied a high-throughput drug screening method to characterize variable mutation-related candidate targeted agents and uncovered that leukemogenic-NRAS mutations might respond to MEK, autophagy, Akt, EGFR signaling, Polo−like Kinase, Src signaling, and TGF−β receptor inhibition depending on the mutation profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabi Qian
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Hematology/Oncology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Hematology and Oncology, The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institute of Pediatrics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Ministry of Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zifeng Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kunlin Pei
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziping Li
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunjie Li
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou, China
| | - Muxia Yan
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Maoxiang Qian
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institute of Pediatrics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Ministry of Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanbin Song
- Department of Hematologic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingyi He
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, China
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26
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Novel treatment strategy for NRAS-mutated melanoma through a selective inhibitor of CD147/VEGFR-2 interaction. Oncogene 2022; 41:2254-2264. [PMID: 35217792 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02244-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
More than 70% of human NRASmut melanomas are resistant to MEK inhibitors highlighting the crucial need for efficient therapeutic strategies for these tumors. CD147, a membrane receptor, is overexpressed in most cancers including melanoma and is associated with poor prognosis. We show here that CD147i, a specific inhibitor of CD147/VEGFR-2 interaction represents a potential therapeutic strategy for NRASmut melanoma cells. It significantly inhibited the malignant properties of NRASmut melanomas ex vivo and in vivo. Importantly, NRASmut patient's-derived xenografts, which were resistant to MEKi, became sensitive when combined with CD147i leading to decreased proliferation ex vivo and tumor regression in vivo. Mechanistic studies revealed that CD147i effects were mediated through STAT3 pathway. These data bring a proof of concept on the impact of the inhibition of CD147/VEGFR-2 interaction on melanoma progression and represents a new therapeutic opportunity for NRASmut melanoma when combined with MEKi.
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27
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Simbulan-Rosenthal CM, Haribabu Y, Vakili S, Kuo LW, Clark H, Dougherty R, Alobaidi R, Carney B, Sykora P, Rosenthal DS. Employing CRISPR-Cas9 to Generate CD133 Synthetic Lethal Melanoma Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2333. [PMID: 35216449 PMCID: PMC8877091 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is a lethal skin cancer containing melanoma-initiating cells (MIC) implicated in tumorigenesis, invasion, and drug resistance, and is characterized by the elevated expression of stem cell markers, including CD133. The siRNA knockdown of CD133 enhances apoptosis induced by the MEK inhibitor trametinib in melanoma cells. This study investigates the underlying mechanisms of CD133's anti-apoptotic activity in patient-derived BAKP and POT cells, harboring difficult-to-treat NRASQ61K and NRASQ61R drivers, after CRISPR-Cas9 CD133 knockout or Dox-inducible expression of CD133. MACS-sorted CD133(+) BAKP cells were conditionally reprogrammed to derive BAKR cells with sustained CD133 expression and MIC features. Compared to BAKP, CD133(+) BAKR exhibit increased cell survival and reduced apoptosis in response to trametinib or the chemotherapeutic dacarbazine (DTIC). CRISPR-Cas9-mediated CD133 knockout in BAKR cells (BAKR-KO) re-sensitized cells to trametinib. CD133 knockout in BAKP and POT cells increased trametinib-induced apoptosis by reducing anti-apoptotic BCL-xL, p-AKT, and p-BAD and increasing pro-apoptotic BAX. Conversely, Dox-induced CD133 expression diminished apoptosis in both trametinib-treated cell lines, coincident with elevated p-AKT, p-BAD, BCL-2, and BCL-xL and decreased activation of BAX and caspases-3 and -9. AKT1/2 siRNA knockdown or inhibition of BCL-2 family members with navitoclax (ABT-263) in BAKP-KO cells further enhanced caspase-mediated apoptotic PARP cleavage. CD133 may therefore activate a survival pathway where (1) increased AKT phosphorylation and activation induces (2) BAD phosphorylation and inactivation, (3) decreases BAX activation, and (4) reduces caspases-3 and -9 activity and caspase-mediated PARP cleavage, leading to apoptosis suppression and drug resistance in melanoma. Targeting nodes of the CD133, AKT, or BCL-2 survival pathways with trametinib highlights the potential for combination therapies for NRAS-mutant melanoma stem cells for the development of more effective treatments for patients with high-risk melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia M. Simbulan-Rosenthal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (Y.H.); (S.V.); (L.-W.K.); (H.C.); (R.D.); (R.A.); (B.C.); (P.S.)
| | - Yogameenakshi Haribabu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (Y.H.); (S.V.); (L.-W.K.); (H.C.); (R.D.); (R.A.); (B.C.); (P.S.)
| | - Sahar Vakili
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (Y.H.); (S.V.); (L.-W.K.); (H.C.); (R.D.); (R.A.); (B.C.); (P.S.)
| | - Li-Wei Kuo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (Y.H.); (S.V.); (L.-W.K.); (H.C.); (R.D.); (R.A.); (B.C.); (P.S.)
| | - Havens Clark
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (Y.H.); (S.V.); (L.-W.K.); (H.C.); (R.D.); (R.A.); (B.C.); (P.S.)
| | - Ryan Dougherty
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (Y.H.); (S.V.); (L.-W.K.); (H.C.); (R.D.); (R.A.); (B.C.); (P.S.)
| | - Ryyan Alobaidi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (Y.H.); (S.V.); (L.-W.K.); (H.C.); (R.D.); (R.A.); (B.C.); (P.S.)
| | - Bonnie Carney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (Y.H.); (S.V.); (L.-W.K.); (H.C.); (R.D.); (R.A.); (B.C.); (P.S.)
- Firefighters’ Burn and Surgical Laboratory, MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Peter Sykora
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (Y.H.); (S.V.); (L.-W.K.); (H.C.); (R.D.); (R.A.); (B.C.); (P.S.)
- Amelia Technologies, LLC, 1121 5th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - Dean S. Rosenthal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (Y.H.); (S.V.); (L.-W.K.); (H.C.); (R.D.); (R.A.); (B.C.); (P.S.)
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Abstract
Activating mutations in RAS genes are the most common genetic driver of human cancers. Yet, drugging this small GTPase has proven extremely challenging and therapeutic strategies targeting these recurrent alterations have long had limited success. To circumvent this difficulty, research has focused on the molecular dissection of the RAS pathway to gain a more-precise mechanistic understanding of its regulation, with the hope to identify new pharmacological approaches. Here, we review the current knowledge on the (dys)regulation of the RAS pathway, using melanoma as a paradigm. We first present a map of the main proteins involved in the RAS pathway, highlighting recent insights into their molecular roles and diverse mechanisms of regulation. We then overview genetic data pertaining to RAS pathway alterations in melanoma, along with insight into other cancers, that inform the biological function of members of the pathway. Finally, we describe the clinical implications of RAS pathway dysregulation in melanoma, discuss past and current approaches aimed at drugging the RAS pathway, and outline future opportunities for therapeutic development. Summary: This Review describes the molecular regulation of the RAS pathway, presents the clinical consequences of its pathological activation in human cancer, and highlights recent advances towards its therapeutic inhibition, using melanoma as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Al Mahi
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052 CNRS UMR5286, Tumor Escape, Resistance and Immunity Department, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Julien Ablain
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052 CNRS UMR5286, Tumor Escape, Resistance and Immunity Department, 69008 Lyon, France
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29
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Kohtamäki L, Arjama M, Mäkelä S, Ianevski P, Välimäki K, Juteau S, Ilmonen S, Ungureanu D, Kallioniemi O, Murumägi A, Hernberg M. High-throughput ex vivo drug testing identifies potential drugs and drug combinations for NRAS-positive malignant melanoma. Transl Oncol 2022; 15:101290. [PMID: 34837846 PMCID: PMC8633005 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapy options for patients with metastatic melanoma (MM) have considerably improved over the past decade. However, many patients still need effective therapy after unsuccessful immunotherapy, especially patients with BRAF-negative tumors who lack the option of targeted treatment second line. Therefore, the elucidation of efficient and personalized therapy options for these patients is required. In this study, three patient-derived cancer cells (PDCs) were established from NRAS Q61-positive MM patients. The response of PDCs and five established melanoma cell lines (two NRAS-positive, one wild type, and two BRAF V600-positive) was evaluated toward a panel of 527 oncology drugs using high-throughput drug sensitivity and resistance testing. The PDCs and cell lines displayed strong responses to MAPK inhibitors, as expected. Additionally, the PDCs and cell lines were responsive to PI3K/mTOR, mTOR, and PLK1 inhibitors among other effective drugs currently undergoing clinical trials. Combinations with a MEK inhibitor were tested with other targeted agents to identify effective synergies. MEK inhibitor showed synergy with multikinase inhibitor ponatinib, ABL inhibitor nilotinib, PI3K/mTOR inhibitor pictilisib, and pan-RAF inhibitor LY3009120. The application of the patients' cancer cells for functional drug testing ex vivo is one step further in the process of identifying potential agents and agent combinations to personalize treatment for patients with MM. Our preliminary study results suggest that this approach has the potential for larger-scale drug testing and personalized treatment applications in our expansion trial. Our results show that drug sensitivity and resistance testing may be implementable in the treatment planning of patients with MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Kohtamäki
- Helsinki University Hospital, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Helsinki and University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Mariliina Arjama
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Helsinki, Finland and University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Siru Mäkelä
- Helsinki University Hospital, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Helsinki and University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Philipp Ianevski
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Helsinki, Finland and University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katja Välimäki
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Helsinki, Finland and University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Susanna Juteau
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Suvi Ilmonen
- Helsinki University Hospital, Department of Surgery, Helsinki and University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Daniela Ungureanu
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Kallioniemi
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Helsinki, Finland and University of Helsinki, Finland; Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Astrid Murumägi
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Helsinki, Finland and University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Micaela Hernberg
- Helsinki University Hospital, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Helsinki and University of Helsinki, Finland
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30
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Kalal BS, Modi PK, Najar MA, Behera SK, Upadhya D, Prasad TSK, Pai VR. Hyperphosphorylation of HDAC2 promotes drug resistance in a novel dual drug resistant mouse melanoma cell line model: an in vitro study. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:5881-5901. [PMID: 35018231 PMCID: PMC8727796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant melanoma is very difficult to treat, and a novel approach is needed to overcome resistance. The present study aims at identifying the alternate pathways utilized in the dual drug-resistant mouse melanoma cells (B16F10R) for their survival and proliferation. The dual drug-resistant mouse melanoma, B16F10R, was established by treating the cells with a combination of U0126 (MEK1/2 inhibitor) and LY294002 (PI3K-AKT kinase inhibitor) in a dose-escalating manner till they attained a resistance fold factor of ≥2. The altered phosphoproteome in the B16F10R, as compared to the parental B16F10C, was analyzed using a high-resolution Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid mass spectrometer. Histone deacetylases 2 (HDAC2) was validated for its role in drug resistance by using its inhibitor, valproic acid (VPA). In the B16F10R cells, 363 altered phosphoproteins were identified, among which 126 were hyperphosphorylated, and 137 were hypophosphorylated (1.5-fold change). Pathway analysis shows the altered phosphoproteins are from RNA metabolism and cell cycle proteins. Inhibition of HDAC2 by VPA induces apoptosis in B16F10C and B16F10R. The present study highlights the role of HDAC2, a cell cycle regulator, in the development of resistance to dual drugs in murine melanoma. Therefore, designing leads for targeting HDAC2 along with key signaling pathways may be explored in treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhuvanesh Sukhlal Kalal
- Department of Biochemistry, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University)Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Prashant Kumar Modi
- Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University)Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Mohd Altaf Najar
- Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University)Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Santosh Kumar Behera
- Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University)Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Dinesh Upadhya
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education ManipalUdupi 576104, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Vinitha Ramanath Pai
- Department of Biochemistry, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University)Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
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31
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Khaddour K, Maahs L, Avila-Rodriguez AM, Maamar Y, Samaan S, Ansstas G. Melanoma Targeted Therapies beyond BRAF-Mutant Melanoma: Potential Druggable Mutations and Novel Treatment Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5847. [PMID: 34831002 PMCID: PMC8616477 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanomas exhibit the highest rate of somatic mutations among all different types of cancers (with the exception of BCC and SCC). The accumulation of a multimode of mutations in the driver oncogenes are responsible for the proliferative, invasive, and aggressive nature of melanomas. High-resolution and high-throughput technology has led to the identification of distinct mutational signatures and their downstream alterations in several key pathways that contribute to melanomagenesis. This has enabled the development of individualized treatments by targeting specific molecular alterations that are vital for cancer cell survival, which has resulted in improved outcomes in several cancers, including melanomas. To date, BRAF and MEK inhibitors remain the only approved targeted therapy with a high level of evidence in BRAFV600E/K mutant melanomas. The lack of approved precision drugs in melanomas, relative to other cancers, despite harboring one of the highest rates of somatic mutations, advocates for further research to unveil effective therapeutics. In this review, we will discuss potential druggable mutations and the ongoing research of novel individualized treatment approaches targeting non-BRAF mutations in melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karam Khaddour
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (L.M.); (A.M.A.-R.)
| | - Lucas Maahs
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (L.M.); (A.M.A.-R.)
| | - Ana Maria Avila-Rodriguez
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (L.M.); (A.M.A.-R.)
| | - Yazan Maamar
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Tishreen Lattakia, Lattakia 2217, Syria;
| | - Sami Samaan
- Department of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon;
| | - George Ansstas
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA
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32
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Pashirzad M, Khorasanian R, Fard MM, Arjmand MH, Langari H, Khazaei M, Soleimanpour S, Rezayi M, Ferns GA, Hassanian SM, Avan A. The Therapeutic Potential of MAPK/ERK Inhibitors in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2021; 21:932-943. [PMID: 34732116 DOI: 10.2174/1568009621666211103113339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The MAPK/ERK signaling pathway regulates cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, metastasis and drug resistance. Mutations and up-regulation of components of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, as well as over-activation of this critical signaling pathway, are frequently observed in colorectal carcinomas. Targeting the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, using specific pharmacological inhibitors, elicits potent anti-tumor effects, supporting the therapeutic potential of these inhibitors in the treatment of CRC. Several drugs have recently been developed for the inhibition of the MEK/ERK pathway in preclinical and clinical settings, such as MEK162 and MK-2206. MEK1/2 inhibitors demonstrate promising efficacy and anticancer activity for the treatment of this malignancy. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of CRC and the potential clinical value of synthetic inhibitors of this pathway in preventing CRC progression for a better understanding, and hence, better management of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehran Pashirzad
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
| | - Reihaneh Khorasanian
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
| | - Maryam Mahmoudi Fard
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
| | - Mohammad-Hassan Arjmand
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord. Iran
| | - Hadis Langari
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord. Iran
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
| | - Saman Soleimanpour
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
| | - Majid Rezayi
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord. Iran
| | - Gordon A Ferns
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Washington University, School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO. United States
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad. Iran
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33
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Cappello S, Sung HM, Ickes C, Gibhardt CS, Vultur A, Bhat H, Hu Z, Brafford P, Denger A, Stejerean-Todoran I, Köhn RM, Lorenz V, Künzel N, Salinas G, Stanisz H, Legler T, Rehling P, Schön MP, Lang KS, Helms V, Herlyn M, Hoth M, Kummerow C, Bogeski I. Protein Signatures of NK Cell-Mediated Melanoma Killing Predict Response to Immunotherapies. Cancer Res 2021; 81:5540-5554. [PMID: 34518212 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-0164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite impressive advances in melanoma-directed immunotherapies, resistance is common and many patients still succumb to metastatic disease. In this context, harnessing natural killer (NK) cells, which have thus far been sidelined in the development of melanoma immunotherapy, could provide therapeutic benefits for cancer treatment. To identify molecular determinants of NK cell-mediated melanoma killing (NKmK), we quantified NK-cell cytotoxicity against a panel of genetically diverse melanoma cell lines and observed highly heterogeneous susceptibility. Melanoma protein microarrays revealed a correlation between NKmK and the abundance and activity of a subset of proteins, including several metabolic factors. Oxidative phoshorylation, measured by oxygen consumption rate, negatively correlated with melanoma cell sensitivity toward NKmK, and proteins involved in mitochondrial metabolism and epithelial-mesenchymal transition were confirmed to regulate NKmK. Two- and three-dimensional killing assays and melanoma xenografts established that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis controls NKmK via regulation of NK cell-relevant surface proteins. A "protein-killing-signature" based on the protein analysis predicted NKmK of additional melanoma cell lines and the response of patients with melanoma to anti-PD-1 checkpoint therapy. Collectively, these findings identify novel NK cell-related prognostic biomarkers and may contribute to improved and personalized melanoma-directed immunotherapies. SIGNIFICANCE: NK-cell cytotoxicity assays and protein microarrays reveal novel biomarkers of NK cell-mediated melanoma killing and enable development of signatures to predict melanoma patient responsiveness to immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Cappello
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany.,Biophysics, Centre for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Hsu-Min Sung
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Ickes
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christine S Gibhardt
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Adina Vultur
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany.,The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Hilal Bhat
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Zhongwen Hu
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Patricia Brafford
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andreas Denger
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Ioana Stejerean-Todoran
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rixa-Mareike Köhn
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Verena Lorenz
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Künzel
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Gabriela Salinas
- NGS- Core Unit for Integrative Genomics, Institute for Human Genetics, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hedwig Stanisz
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Legler
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter Rehling
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael P Schön
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Karl S Lang
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Volkhard Helms
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Markus Hoth
- Biophysics, Centre for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Kummerow
- Biophysics, Centre for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ivan Bogeski
- Molecular Physiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany. .,Biophysics, Centre for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
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34
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Dan VM, Raveendran RS, Baby S. Resistance to Intervention: Paclitaxel in Breast Cancer. Mini Rev Med Chem 2021; 21:1237-1268. [PMID: 33319669 DOI: 10.2174/1389557520999201214234421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer stands as the most prevalent cancer in women globally, and contributes to the highest percentage of mortality due to cancer-related deaths in women. Paclitaxel (PTX) is heavily relied on as a frontline chemotherapy drug in breast cancer treatment, especially in advanced metastatic cancer. Generation of resistance to PTX often derails clinical management and adversely affects patient outcomes. Understanding the molecular mechanism of PTX resistance is necessary to device methods to aid in overcoming the resistance. Recent studies exploring the mechanism of development of PTX resistance have led to unveiling of a range novel therapeutic targets. PTX resistance pathways that involve major regulatory proteins/RNAs like RNF8/Twist/ROR1, TLR, ErbB3/ErbB2, BRCA1- IRIS, MENA, LIN9, MiRNA, FoxM1 and IRAK1 have expanded the complexity of resistance mechanisms, and brought newer insights into the development of drug targets. These resistance-related targets can be dealt with synthetic/natural therapeutics in combination with PTX. The present review encompasses the recent understanding of PTX resistance mechanisms in breast cancer and possible therapeutic combinations to overcome resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin Mohan Dan
- Microbiology Division, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Pacha-Palode 695562, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Reji Saradha Raveendran
- Microbiology Division, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Pacha-Palode 695562, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Sabulal Baby
- Phytochemistry and Phytopharmacology Division, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Pacha-Palode 695562, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
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35
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Chen K, Zhang Y, Qian L, Wang P. Emerging strategies to target RAS signaling in human cancer therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:116. [PMID: 34301278 PMCID: PMC8299671 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01127-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RAS mutations (HRAS, NRAS, and KRAS) are among the most common oncogenes, and around 19% of patients with cancer harbor RAS mutations. Cells harboring RAS mutations tend to undergo malignant transformation and exhibit malignant phenotypes. The mutational status of RAS correlates with the clinicopathological features of patients, such as mucinous type and poor differentiation, as well as response to anti-EGFR therapies in certain types of human cancers. Although RAS protein had been considered as a potential target for tumors with RAS mutations, it was once referred to as a undruggable target due to the consecutive failure in the discovery of RAS protein inhibitors. However, recent studies on the structure, signaling, and function of RAS have shed light on the development of RAS-targeting drugs, especially with the approval of Lumakras (sotorasib, AMG510) in treatment of KRASG12C-mutant NSCLC patients. Therefore, here we fully review RAS mutations in human cancer and especially focus on emerging strategies that have been recently developed for RAS-targeting therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Chen
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yalei Zhang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ling Qian
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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36
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Schubert L, Le AT, Estrada-Bernal A, Doak AE, Yoo M, Ferrara SE, Goodspeed A, Kinose F, Rix U, Tan AC, Doebele RC. Novel Human-Derived RET Fusion NSCLC Cell Lines Have Heterogeneous Responses to RET Inhibitors and Differential Regulation of Downstream Signaling. Mol Pharmacol 2021; 99:435-447. [PMID: 33795352 PMCID: PMC11033948 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.120.000207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rearranged during transfection (RET) rearrangements occur in 1% to 2% of lung adenocarcinomas as well as other malignancies and are now established targets for tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We developed three novel RET fusion-positive (RET+) patient-derived cancer cell lines, CUTO22 [kinesin 5B (KIF5B)-RET fusion], CUTO32 (KIF5B-RET fusion), and CUTO42 (echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4-RET fusion), to study RET signaling and response to therapy. We confirmed each of our cell lines expresses the RET fusion protein and assessed their sensitivity to RET inhibitors. We found that the CUTO22 and CUTO42 cell lines were sensitive to multiple RET inhibitors, whereas the CUTO32 cell line was >10-fold more resistant to three RET inhibitors. We discovered that our RET+ cell lines had differential regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (AKT) pathways. After inhibition of RET, the CUTO42 cells had robust inhibition of phosphorylated AKT (pAKT), whereas CUTO22 and CUTO32 cells had sustained AKT activation. Next, we performed a drug screen, which revealed that the CUTO32 cells were sensitive (<1 nM IC50) to inhibition of two cell cycle-regulating proteins, polo-like kinase 1 and Aurora kinase A. Finally, we show that two of these cell lines, CUTO32 and CUTO42, successfully establish xenografted tumors in nude mice. We demonstrated that the RET inhibitor BLU-667 was effective at inhibiting tumor growth in CUTO42 tumors but had a much less profound effect in CUTO32 tumors, consistent with our in vitro experiments. These data highlight the utility of new RET+ models to elucidate differences in response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and downstream signaling regulation. Our RET+ cell lines effectively recapitulate the interpatient heterogeneity observed in response to RET inhibitors and reveal opportunities for alternative or combination therapies. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: We have derived and characterized three novel rearranged during transfection (RET) fusion non-small cell lung cancer cell lines and demonstrated that they have differential responses to RET inhibition as well as regulation of downstream signaling, an area that has previously been limited by a lack of diverse cell line modes with endogenous RET fusions. These data offer important insight into regulation of response to RET tyrosine kinase inhibitors and other potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Schubert
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado (L.S., A.T.L., A.E.-B., A.E.D., M.Y., A.-C.T., R.C.D.); University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.E.F., A.G.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (A.G.); and Department of Thoracic Oncology (F.K.), Department of Drug Discovery (U.R.), and Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (A.-C.T.), Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Anh T Le
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado (L.S., A.T.L., A.E.-B., A.E.D., M.Y., A.-C.T., R.C.D.); University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.E.F., A.G.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (A.G.); and Department of Thoracic Oncology (F.K.), Department of Drug Discovery (U.R.), and Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (A.-C.T.), Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Adriana Estrada-Bernal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado (L.S., A.T.L., A.E.-B., A.E.D., M.Y., A.-C.T., R.C.D.); University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.E.F., A.G.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (A.G.); and Department of Thoracic Oncology (F.K.), Department of Drug Discovery (U.R.), and Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (A.-C.T.), Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Andrea E Doak
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado (L.S., A.T.L., A.E.-B., A.E.D., M.Y., A.-C.T., R.C.D.); University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.E.F., A.G.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (A.G.); and Department of Thoracic Oncology (F.K.), Department of Drug Discovery (U.R.), and Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (A.-C.T.), Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Minjae Yoo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado (L.S., A.T.L., A.E.-B., A.E.D., M.Y., A.-C.T., R.C.D.); University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.E.F., A.G.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (A.G.); and Department of Thoracic Oncology (F.K.), Department of Drug Discovery (U.R.), and Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (A.-C.T.), Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Sarah E Ferrara
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado (L.S., A.T.L., A.E.-B., A.E.D., M.Y., A.-C.T., R.C.D.); University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.E.F., A.G.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (A.G.); and Department of Thoracic Oncology (F.K.), Department of Drug Discovery (U.R.), and Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (A.-C.T.), Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Andrew Goodspeed
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado (L.S., A.T.L., A.E.-B., A.E.D., M.Y., A.-C.T., R.C.D.); University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.E.F., A.G.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (A.G.); and Department of Thoracic Oncology (F.K.), Department of Drug Discovery (U.R.), and Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (A.-C.T.), Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Fumi Kinose
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado (L.S., A.T.L., A.E.-B., A.E.D., M.Y., A.-C.T., R.C.D.); University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.E.F., A.G.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (A.G.); and Department of Thoracic Oncology (F.K.), Department of Drug Discovery (U.R.), and Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (A.-C.T.), Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Uwe Rix
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado (L.S., A.T.L., A.E.-B., A.E.D., M.Y., A.-C.T., R.C.D.); University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.E.F., A.G.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (A.G.); and Department of Thoracic Oncology (F.K.), Department of Drug Discovery (U.R.), and Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (A.-C.T.), Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Aik-Choon Tan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado (L.S., A.T.L., A.E.-B., A.E.D., M.Y., A.-C.T., R.C.D.); University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.E.F., A.G.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (A.G.); and Department of Thoracic Oncology (F.K.), Department of Drug Discovery (U.R.), and Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (A.-C.T.), Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Robert C Doebele
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado (L.S., A.T.L., A.E.-B., A.E.D., M.Y., A.-C.T., R.C.D.); University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (S.E.F., A.G.); Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (A.G.); and Department of Thoracic Oncology (F.K.), Department of Drug Discovery (U.R.), and Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics (A.-C.T.), Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
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NRAS mutant melanoma: Towards better therapies. Cancer Treat Rev 2021; 99:102238. [PMID: 34098219 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2021.102238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Genetic alterations affecting RAS proteins are commonly found in human cancers. Roughly a fourth of melanoma patients carry activating NRAS mutations, rendering this malignancy particularly challenging to treat. Although the development of targeted as well as immunotherapies led to a substantial improvement in the overall survival of non-NRASmut melanoma patients (e.g. BRAFmut), patients with NRASmut melanomas have an overall poorer prognosis due to the high aggressiveness of RASmut tumors, lack of efficient targeted therapies or rapidly emerging resistance to existing treatments. Understanding how NRAS-driven melanomas develop therapy resistance by maintaining cell cycle progression and survival is crucial to develop more effective and specific treatments for this group of melanoma patients. In this review, we provide an updated summary of currently available therapeutic options for NRASmut melanoma patients with a focus on combined inhibition of MAPK signaling and CDK4/6-driven cell cycle progression and mechanisms of the inevitably developing resistance to these treatments. We conclude with an outlook on the most promising novel therapeutic approaches for melanoma patients with constitutively active NRAS. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: An estimated 75000 patients are affected by NRASmut melanoma each year and these patients still have a shorter progression-free survival than BRAFmut melanomas. Both intrinsic and acquired resistance occur in NRAS-driven melanomas once treated with single or combined targeted therapies involving MAPK and CDK4/6 inhibitors and/or checkpoint inhibiting immunotherapy. Oncolytic viruses, mRNA-based vaccinations, as well as targeted triple-agent therapy are promising alternatives, which could soon contribute to improved progression-free survival of the NRASmut melanoma patient group.
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38
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El Tekle G, Bernasocchi T, Unni AM, Bertoni F, Rossi D, Rubin MA, Theurillat JP. Co-occurrence and mutual exclusivity: what cross-cancer mutation patterns can tell us. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:823-836. [PMID: 34031014 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the dysregulated proliferation of cells caused by acquired mutations in key driver genes. The most frequently mutated driver genes promote tumorigenesis in various organisms, cell types, and genetic backgrounds. However, recent cancer genomics studies also point to the existence of context-dependent driver gene functions, where specific mutations occur predominately or even exclusively in certain tumor types or genetic backgrounds. Here, we review examples of co-occurring and mutually exclusive driver gene mutation patterns across cancer genomes and discuss their underlying biology. While co-occurring driver genes typically activate collaborating oncogenic pathways, we identify two distinct biological categories of incompatibilities among the mutually exclusive driver genes depending on whether the mutated drivers trigger the same or divergent tumorigenic pathways. Finally, we discuss possible therapeutic avenues emerging from the study of incompatible driver gene mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geniver El Tekle
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, TI 6500, Switzerland
| | - Tiziano Bernasocchi
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, TI 6500, Switzerland
| | - Arun M Unni
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, TI 6500, Switzerland
| | - Davide Rossi
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, TI 6500, Switzerland; Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, TI 6500, Switzerland
| | - Mark A Rubin
- Department for BioMedical Research, Precision Oncology Laboratory, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Bern Center for Precision Medicine, University of Bern and Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Philippe Theurillat
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, TI 6500, Switzerland.
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Lee WS, Lavery L, Rousseaux MWC, Rutledge EB, Jang Y, Wan YW, Wu SR, Kim W, Al-Ramahi I, Rath S, Adamski CJ, Bondar VV, Tewari A, Soleimani S, Mota S, Yalamanchili HK, Orr HT, Liu Z, Botas J, Zoghbi HY. Dual targeting of brain region-specific kinases potentiates neurological rescue in Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. EMBO J 2021; 40:e106106. [PMID: 33709453 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020106106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A critical question in neurodegeneration is why the accumulation of disease-driving proteins causes selective neuronal loss despite their brain-wide expression. In Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), accumulation of polyglutamine-expanded Ataxin-1 (ATXN1) causes selective degeneration of cerebellar and brainstem neurons. Previous studies revealed that inhibiting Msk1 reduces phosphorylation of ATXN1 at S776 as well as its levels leading to improved cerebellar function. However, there are no regulators that modulate ATXN1 in the brainstem-the brain region whose pathology is most closely linked to premature death. To identify new regulators of ATXN1, we performed genetic screens and identified a transcription factor-kinase axis (ZBTB7B-RSK3) that regulates ATXN1 levels. Unlike MSK1, RSK3 is highly expressed in the human and mouse brainstems where it regulates Atxn1 by phosphorylating S776. Reducing Rsk3 rescues brainstem-associated pathologies and deficits, and lowering Rsk3 and Msk1 together improves cerebellar and brainstem function in an SCA1 mouse model. Our results demonstrate that selective vulnerability of brain regions in SCA1 is governed by region-specific regulators of ATXN1, and targeting multiple regulators could rescue multiple degenerating brain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Seok Lee
- Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Science Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Laura Lavery
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maxime W C Rousseaux
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eric B Rutledge
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics-Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Youjin Jang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ying-Wooi Wan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sih-Rong Wu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wonho Kim
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ismael Al-Ramahi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Smruti Rath
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carolyn J Adamski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vitaliy V Bondar
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ambika Tewari
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shirin Soleimani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Samantha Mota
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hari K Yalamanchili
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics-Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Harry T Orr
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics-Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Juan Botas
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics-Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, TX, USA
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Sakai H, Shiina I, Shinomiya T, Nagahara Y. BRAP2 inhibits the Ras/Raf/MEK and PI3K/Akt pathways in leukemia cells, thereby inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cell growth. Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:463. [PMID: 33747195 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1)-associated protein 2 (BRAP2) is a novel protein that binds to BRCA1 and is located in the cytoplasm. BRAP2 has been demonstrated to bind to regulators of the Ras-Raf-MEK and PI3K/Akt pathways, both of which are involved in carcinogenesis. This suggests that BRAP2 may be capable of regulating both pathways. In the present study, the role of BRAP2 in both pathways was clarified during apoptosis and cell proliferation in a leukemia cell line. A BRAP2-deficient leukemia cell line was generated using CRISPR/Cas9, the BRAP2-deficient and parental cells were treated with a Ras, pan-Raf or PI3K inhibitor, and the changes in signal transduction, apoptosis and cell proliferation were evaluated. BRAP2 knockout attenuated the inhibition of signal transduction of the Ras-Raf-MEK and PI3K/Akt pathways by the Ras, pan-Raf or PI3K inhibitor. BRAP2 deletion also suppressed the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the Ras and pan-Raf inhibitors. However, the loss of BRAP2 did not suppress the cytotoxicity of the PI3K inhibitor but did suppress the PI3K inhibitor-induced inhibition of cell proliferation. The present results indicated that BRAP2 induces apoptosis and the inhibition of cell proliferation via regulating the Ras-Raf-MEK and PI3K/Akt pathways. In leukemia cells, because the Ras-Raf-MEK and PI3K/Akt pathways are activated aberrantly, the simultaneous inhibition of both pathways is desired. The current results indicated that enhancement of the function of BRAP2 may represent a new target in leukemia treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroharu Sakai
- Division of Materials and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Technology, Tokyo Denki University, Hatoyama, Saitama 350-0394, Japan
| | - Isamu Shiina
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan
| | - Takahisa Shinomiya
- Division of Materials and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Technology, Tokyo Denki University, Hatoyama, Saitama 350-0394, Japan
| | - Yukitoshi Nagahara
- Division of Materials and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Technology, Tokyo Denki University, Hatoyama, Saitama 350-0394, Japan
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Mutations in kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) are the most frequently observed genomic alterations in human cancers. No KRAS targeting therapy has been approved despite more than three decades of efforts. Encouraging progress has been made in targeting KRASG12C with KRASG12C specific covalent inhibitors in the past few years. Herein, we review the recent breakthroughs in KRAS targeting. RECENT FINDINGS KRASG12C mutation was found in 14% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 3% of colorectal cancer. Recently, highly potent KRASG12C specific inhibitors have been developed and demonstrated potent activity in preclinical models. Early results from phase 1 clinical trials with sotorasib and MRTX849 show promising antitumor activity in NSCLC, colorectal cancer and other solid tumors harboring KRASG12C mutation. For the first time, the preclinical success of targeting KRAS has translated into clinical benefits, which holds the potential of transforming clinical management of KRAS mutated solid tumors. Additional efforts are needed to identify biomarkers that predict response to KRAS inhibition in patients with KRASG12C as well as to develop strategies to overcome resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongkai Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Marwan Fakih
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
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42
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Zhao J, Galvez C, Beckermann KE, Johnson DB, Sosman JA. Novel insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of NRAS mutant melanoma. EXPERT REVIEW OF PRECISION MEDICINE AND DRUG DEVELOPMENT 2021; 6:281-294. [PMID: 34485698 PMCID: PMC8415440 DOI: 10.1080/23808993.2021.1938545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION NRAS was the first mutated oncogene identified in melanoma and is currently the second most common driver mutation in this malignancy. For patients with NRASmutant advanced stage melanoma refractory to immunotherapy or with contraindications to immune-based regimens, there are few therapeutic options including low-efficacy chemotherapy regimens and binimetinib monotherapy. Here, we review recent advances in preclinical studies of molecular targets for NRAS mutant melanoma as well as the failures and successes of early-phase clinical trials. While there are no targeted therapies for NRAS-driven melanoma, there is great promise in approaches combining MEK inhibition with inhibitors of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK), inhibitors of autophagy pathways, and pan-RAF inhibitors. AREAS COVERED This review surveys new developments in all aspects of disease pathogenesis and potential treatment - including those that have failed, stalled, or progressed through various phases of preclinical and clinical development. EXPERT OPINION There are no currently approved targeted therapies for BRAF wild-type melanoma patients harboring NRAS driver mutations though an array of agents are in early phase clinical trials. The diverse strategies taken exploit combined MAP kinase signaling blockade with inhibition of cell cycle mediators, inhibition of the autophagy pathway, and alteration of kinases involved in actin cytoskeleton signaling. Future advances of developmental therapeutics into late stage trials may yield new options beyond immunotherapy for patients with advanced stage disease and NRAS mutation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Zhao
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Carlos Galvez
- Northwestern Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Kathryn Eby Beckermann
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, 1301 Medical Center Drive, Nashville, 37232, USA
| | - Douglas B Johnson
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, 1301 Medical Center Drive, Nashville, 37232, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Sosman
- Northwestern Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
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Gkiala A, Palioura S. Conjunctival Melanoma: Update on Genetics, Epigenetics and Targeted Molecular and Immune-Based Therapies. Clin Ophthalmol 2020; 14:3137-3152. [PMID: 33116365 PMCID: PMC7553763 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s271569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To present the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of conjunctival melanoma (CM) and review the existing literature on targeted molecular inhibitors as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors for the management of locally advanced and metastatic disease. Methods A comprehensive review of the literature was performed using the keywords "conjunctival melanoma", "immune checkpoint inhibitors", "BRAF inhibitors", "MEK inhibitors", "CTLA4 inhibitors", "PD1 inhibitors", "c-KIT mutations", "BRAF mutations", "NRAS mutations", "dabrafenib", "trametinib", "vemurafenib", "ipilimumab", "pembrolizumab", and "nivolumab". A total of 250 articles were reviewed and 120 were included in this report. Results Mutations of mediators in the MAP kinase pathway, such as RAS, BRAF, MEK and ERK, and mutations of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway play a major role in the pathogenesis of conjunctival melanoma. In addition, alterations of c-KIT, NF1, TERT, chemokine receptors as well as chromosomal copy number alterations and micro RNAs are thought to have a causative association with CM development. Targeted molecular inhibitors, such as BRAF and MEK inhibitors, are currently being implemented in the therapy of BRAF-mutated CM. Furthermore, immune checkpoint PD-1 and CTLA4 inhibitors with favorable clinical outcomes in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma have increased recurrence-free survival and reduced metastatic spread in CM cases. Conclusion The complex molecular mechanisms that contribute to the development of CM can be targeted both by molecular inhibitors of oncogenic pathways as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors in order to halt progression of the disease and increase survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Gkiala
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
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44
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Targeted therapies in melanoma beyond BRAF: targeting NRAS-mutated and KIT-mutated melanoma. Curr Opin Oncol 2020; 32:79-84. [PMID: 31833955 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Melanoma treatment have been revolutionized since 2010 by the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors, and, for BRAF-mutated melanoma, targeted therapies based on BRAF and MEK inhibitors, which is a model of effective targeted therapy in cancer. However, patients with BRAF wild type cannot benefit for such treatments. In this review, we will focus on the current clinical development of targeted therapies beyond BRAF, in NRAS-mutated and KIT-altered melanoma. RECENT FINDINGS In NRAS-mutated melanoma, targeted therapies based on MEK inhibition are being developed as monotherapy or in combination with MAPK, PI3K or CDK4/6 inhibitor. Targeted therapies of KIT-altered melanoma patients is based in KIT inhibitor (mostly imatinib, nilotinib), although for both melanoma subtypes, results are for now disappointing as compared with BRAF and MEK inhibitors in BRAF-mutated melanoma. SUMMARY Combined therapeutic targeted strategies are awaited in NRAS-mutated and KIT-altered melanoma and could provide additional benefit.
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Wei BR, Hoover SB, Peer CJ, Dwyer JE, Adissu HA, Shankarappa P, Yang H, Lee M, Peat TJ, Figg WD, Simpson RM. Efficacy, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Combined Targeted MEK and Dual mTORC1/2 Inhibition in a Preclinical Model of Mucosal Melanoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:2308-2318. [PMID: 32943547 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Melanomas arising in the mucous membranes are a rare and aggressive subtype. New treatment approaches are needed, yet accumulating sufficient evidence to improve patient outcomes is difficult. Clinical and pathological correlates between human and canine mucosal melanomas are substantial, and the relatively greater incidence of spontaneous naturally occurring mucosal melanoma in dogs represents a promising opportunity for predictive modeling. The genomic landscapes of human and canine mucosal melanoma appear highly diverse and generally lack recurring hotspot mutations associated with cutaneous melanomas. Although much remains to be determined, evidence indicates that Ras/MAPK and/or PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway activations are common in both species and may represent targets for therapeutic intervention. Sapanisertib, an mTORC1/2 inhibitor, was selected from a PI3K/mTOR inhibitor library to collaborate with MEK inhibition; the latter preclinical efficacy was demonstrated previously for canine mucosal melanoma. Combined inhibition of MEK and mTORC1/2, using trametinib and sapanisertib, produced apoptosis and cell-cycle alteration, synergistically reducing cell survival in canine mucosal melanoma cell lines with varying basal signaling activation levels. Compared with individual inhibitors, a staggered sapanisertib dose, coupled with daily trametinib, was optimal for limiting primary mucosal melanoma xenograft growth in mice, and tumor dissemination in a metastasis model, while minimizing hematologic and renal side effects. Inhibitors downmodulated respective signaling targets and the combination additionally suppressed pathway reciprocal crosstalk. The combination did not significantly change plasma sapanisertib pharmacokinetics; however, trametinib area under the curve was increased in the presence of sapanisertib. Targeting Ras/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal transduction pathways appear rational therapies for canine and human mucosal melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bih-Rong Wei
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.,Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland
| | - Shelley B Hoover
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Cody J Peer
- Clinical Pharmacology Program and the Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jennifer E Dwyer
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hibret A Adissu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Priya Shankarappa
- Clinical Pharmacology Program and the Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Howard Yang
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Maxwell Lee
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Tyler J Peat
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - William D Figg
- Clinical Pharmacology Program and the Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - R Mark Simpson
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
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Lu Y, Zhang EY, Liu J, Yu JJ. Inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin induces cell survival via MAPK in tuberous sclerosis complex. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2020; 15:209. [PMID: 32807195 PMCID: PMC7433150 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-020-01490-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder that cause tumors to form in many organs. These lesions may lead to epilepsy, autism, developmental delay, renal, and pulmonary failure. Loss of function mutations in TSC1 and TSC2 genes by aberrant activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTORC1) signaling pathway are the known causes of TSC. Therefore, targeting mTORC1 becomes a most available therapeutic strategy for TSC. Although mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin and Rapalogs have demonstrated exciting results in the recent clinical trials, however, tumors rebound and upon the discontinuation of the mTORC1 inhibition. Thus, understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for rapamycin-induced cell survival becomes an urgent need. Identification of additional molecular targets and development more effective remission-inducing therapeutic strategies are necessary for TSC patients. Results We have discovered an Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-evoked positive feedback loop that dampens the efficacy of mTORC1 inhibition. Mechanistically, mTORC1 inhibition increased MEK1-dependent activation of MAPK in TSC-deficient cells. Pharmacological inhibition of MAPK abrogated this feedback loop activation. Importantly, the combinatorial inhibition of mTORC1 and MAPK induces the death of TSC2-deficient cells. Conclusions Our results provide a rationale for dual targeting of mTORC1 and MAPK pathways in TSC and other mTORC1 hyperactive neoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Lu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way-ML 0564, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Erik Y Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way-ML 0564, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way-ML 0564, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.,Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Guangzhou Institute for Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jane J Yu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way-ML 0564, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
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Zhou QY, Wang LJ, Liu Y, Zhong XY, Dong JH, Zhou YL, Zhang XX. Ultrasensitive Multiplex Detection of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Based on Short-Chain Hybridization Combined with Online Preconcentration of Capillary Electrophoresis. Anal Chem 2020; 92:10620-10626. [PMID: 32643365 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c01675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Reliable multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detection at low abundance is of great significance for disease diagnosis and biomedical research. Herein, we have developed a novel and simple method for multiple SNPs detection combining solid-phase capture by specific hybridization with online preconcentration of capillary gel electrophoresis-laser-induced fluorescence (CGE-LIF). The method presents an excellent performance due to its favorable traits: the solid-phase short-chain hybridization ensures the high specificity of SNP detection; the effective separation ability of CGE can easily achieve multiplex detection; the simple online preconcentration significantly improves the detection sensitivity of fluorescent probe by nearly 100-fold. For a single SNP target, the assay achieves a limit of detection as low as 0.01-0.02% for three different NRAS mutations in the same codon. For multiple SNP targets, as low as 0.05% abundance can be easily realized. Our method is simple, efficient, ultrasensitive, and universal for multiple SNPs detection without complex enzymatic or chemical ligation reaction, which shows great potential in early clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Yu Zhou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Li-Juan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis, Ministry of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis, Ministry of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
| | - Xin-Ying Zhong
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jia-Hui Dong
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ying-Lin Zhou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xin-Xiang Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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48
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Yang K, Oak AS, Slominski RM, Brożyna AA, Slominski AT. Current Molecular Markers of Melanoma and Treatment Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103535. [PMID: 32429485 PMCID: PMC7278971 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a deadly skin cancer that becomes especially difficult to treat after it metastasizes. Timely identification of melanoma is critical for effective therapy, but histopathologic diagnosis can frequently pose a significant challenge to this goal. Therefore, auxiliary diagnostic tools are imperative to facilitating prompt recognition of malignant lesions. Melanoma develops as result of a number of genetic mutations, with UV radiation often acting as a mutagenic risk factor. Novel methods of genetic testing have improved detection of these molecular alterations, which subsequently revealed important information for diagnosis and prognosis. Rapid detection of genetic alterations is also significant for choosing appropriate treatment and developing targeted therapies for melanoma. This review will delve into the understanding of various mutations and the implications they may pose for clinical decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Yang
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (K.Y.); (A.S.O.)
| | - Allen S.W. Oak
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (K.Y.); (A.S.O.)
| | - Radomir M. Slominski
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Anna A. Brożyna
- Department of Human Biology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Toruń, Poland;
| | - Andrzej T. Slominski
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (K.Y.); (A.S.O.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Chemoprevention Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Veteran Administration Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Correspondence:
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49
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Nguyen MQ, Teh JLF, Purwin TJ, Chervoneva I, Davies MA, Nathanson KL, Cheng PF, Levesque MP, Dummer R, Aplin AE. Targeting PHGDH Upregulation Reduces Glutathione Levels and Resensitizes Resistant NRAS-Mutant Melanoma to MAPK Kinase Inhibition. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 140:2242-2252.e7. [PMID: 32389536 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Melanomas frequently harbor activating NRAS mutations leading to activation of MAPK kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling; however, the clinical efficacy of inhibitors to this pathway is limited by resistance. Tumors rewire metabolic pathways in response to stress signals such as targeted inhibitors and drug resistance, but most therapy-resistant preclinical models are generated in conditions that lack physiological metabolism. We generated human NRAS-mutant melanoma xenografts that were resistant to the MEK inhibitor (MEKi) PD0325901 in vivo. MEKi-resistant cells showed cross-resistance to the structurally distinct MEKi trametinib and elevated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation and downstream signaling. Additionally, we observed upregulation of the serine synthesis pathway and PHGDH, a key enzyme in this pathway. Suppressing PHGDH in MEKi-resistant cells together with MEKi treatment decreased oxidative stress tolerance and cell proliferation. Together, our data suggest targeting PHGDH as a potential strategy in overcoming MEKi resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Q Nguyen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jessica L F Teh
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Timothy J Purwin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Inna Chervoneva
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael A Davies
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Katherine L Nathanson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Phil F Cheng
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mitchell P Levesque
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrew E Aplin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Liu W, Stachura P, Xu HC, Umesh Ganesh N, Cox F, Wang R, Lang KS, Gopalakrishnan J, Häussinger D, Homey B, Lang PA, Pandyra AA. Repurposing the serotonin agonist Tegaserod as an anticancer agent in melanoma: molecular mechanisms and clinical implications. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:38. [PMID: 32085796 PMCID: PMC7035645 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-1539-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND New therapies are urgently needed in melanoma particularly in late-stage patients not responsive to immunotherapies and kinase inhibitors. METHODS Drug screening, IC50 determinations as well as synergy assays were detected by the MTT assay. Apoptosis using Annexin V and 7AAD staining was assessed using flow cytometry. TUNEL staining was performed using immunocytochemistry. Changes in phosphorylation of key molecules in PI3K/Akt/mTOR and other relevant pathways were detected by western blot as well as immunocytochemistry. To assess in vivo anti-tumor activity of Tegaserod, syngeneic intravenous and subcutaneous melanoma xenografts were used. Immunocytochemical staining was performed to detect expression of active Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase 8 and p-S6 in tumors. Evaluation of immune infiltrates was carried out by flow cytometry. RESULTS Using a screen of 770 pharmacologically active and/or FDA approved drugs, we identified Tegaserod (Zelnorm, Zelmac) as a compound with novel anti-cancer activity which induced apoptosis in murine and human malignant melanoma cell lines. Tegaserod (TM) is a serotonin receptor 4 agonist (HTR4) used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). TM's anti-melanoma apoptosis-inducing effects were uncoupled from serotonin signaling and attributed to PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling inhibition. Specifically, TM blunted S6 phosphorylation in both BRAFV600E and BRAF wildtype (WT) melanoma cell lines. TM decreased tumor growth and metastases as well as increased survival in an in vivo syngeneic immune-competent model. In vivo, TM also caused tumor cell apoptosis, blunted PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and decreased S6 phosphorylation. Furthermore TM decreased the infiltration of immune suppressive regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells and FOXP3 and ROR-γt positive CD4+ T cells. Importantly, TM synergized with Vemurafenib, the standard of care drug used in patients with late stage disease harboring the BRAFV600E mutation and could be additively or synergistically combined with Cobimetinib in both BRAFV600E and BRAF WT melanoma cell lines in inducing anti-cancer effects. CONCLUSION Taken together, we have identified a drug with anti-melanoma activity in vitro and in vivo that has the potential to be combined with the standard of care agent Vemurafenib and Cobimetinib in both BRAFV600E and BRAF WT melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Paweł Stachura
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Haifeng C Xu
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Nikkitha Umesh Ganesh
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Fiona Cox
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ruifeng Wang
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Karl S Lang
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Jay Gopalakrishnan
- Institute of Human Genetics, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Dieter Häussinger
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bernhard Homey
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Philipp A Lang
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Aleksandra A Pandyra
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany. .,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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