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Zhao C, Jin H, Lei Y, Li Q, Zhang Y, Lu Q. The dual effects of Benzo(a)pyrene/Benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide on DNA Methylation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175042. [PMID: 39084379 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is one of the most thoroughly studied polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) and a widespread organic pollutant in various areas of human life. Its teratogenic, immunotoxic and carcinogenic effects on organisms are well documented and widely recognized by researchers. In the body, BaP is enzymatically converted to form a more active benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE). BaP/BPDE has the potential to trigger gene mutations, influence epigenetic modifications and cause damage to cellular structures, ultimately contributing to disease onset and progression. However, there are different points of view when studying epigenetics using BaP/BPDE. On the one hand, it is claimed in cancer research that BaP/BPDE contributes to gene hypermethylation and, in particular, induces the hypermethylation of tumor's suppressor gene promoters, leading to gene silencing and subsequent cancer development. Conversely, studies in human and animal populations suggest that exposure to BaP results in genome-wide DNA hypomethylation, potentially leading to adverse outcomes in inflammatory diseases. This apparent contradiction has not been summarized in research for almost four decades. This article presents a comprehensive review of the current literature on the influence of BaP/BPDE on DNA methylation regulation. It demonstrates that BaP/BPDE exerts a dual-phase regulatory effect on methylation, which is influenced by factors such as the concentration and duration of BaP/BPDE exposure, experimental models and detection methods used in various studies. Acute/high concentration exposure to BaP/BPDE often results in global demethylation of DNA, which is associated with inhibition of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) after exposure. At certain specific gene loci (e.g., RAR-β), BPDE can form DNA adducts, recruiting DNMT3 and leading to hypermethylation at specific sites. By integrating these different mechanisms, our goal is to unravel the patterns and regulations of BaP/BPDE-induced DNA methylation changes and provide insights into future precision therapies targeting epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Changsha, China; Research Unit of Key Technologies of Immune-related Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China; Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yu Lei
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Changsha, China; Research Unit of Key Technologies of Immune-related Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China; Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qilin Li
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Changsha, China; Research Unit of Key Technologies of Immune-related Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China; Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Changsha, China; Research Unit of Key Technologies of Immune-related Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Dermatology, Nanjing, China; Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, China.
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Papadimitropoulou A, Makri M, Zoidis G. MYC the oncogene from hell: Novel opportunities for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 267:116194. [PMID: 38340508 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116194] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer comprises a heterogeneous disease, characterized by diverse features such as constitutive expression of oncogenes and/or downregulation of tumor suppressor genes. MYC constitutes a master transcriptional regulator, involved in many cellular functions and is aberrantly expressed in more than 70 % of human cancers. The Myc protein belongs to a family of transcription factors whose structural pattern is referred to as basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper. Myc binds to its partner, a smaller protein called Max, forming an Myc:Max heterodimeric complex that interacts with specific DNA recognition sequences (E-boxes) and regulates the expression of downstream target genes. Myc protein plays a fundamental role for the life of a cell, as it is involved in many physiological functions such as proliferation, growth and development since it controls the expression of a very large percentage of genes (∼15 %). However, despite the strict control of MYC expression in normal cells, MYC is often deregulated in cancer, exhibiting a key role in stimulating oncogenic process affecting features such as aberrant proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, genomic instability and oncogenic transformation. In this review we aim to meticulously describe the fundamental role of MYC in tumorigenesis and highlight its importance as an anticancer drug target. We focus mainly on the different categories of novel small molecules that act as inhibitors of Myc function in diverse ways hence offering great opportunities for an efficient cancer therapy. This knowledge will provide significant information for the development of novel Myc inhibitors and assist to the design of treatments that would effectively act against Myc-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Papadimitropoulou
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Maria Makri
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Grigoris Zoidis
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece.
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3
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Bauer N, Balourdas DI, Schneider JR, Zhang X, Berger LM, Berger BT, Schwalm MP, Klopp NA, Siveke JT, Knapp S, Joerger AC. Development of Potent Dual BET/HDAC Inhibitors via Pharmacophore Merging and Structure-Guided Optimization. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:266-279. [PMID: 38291964 PMCID: PMC10878397 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00427] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins and histone deacetylases (HDACs) are prime targets in cancer therapy. Recent research has particularly focused on the development of dual BET/HDAC inhibitors for hard-to-treat tumors, such as pancreatic cancer. Here, we developed a new series of potent dual BET/HDAC inhibitors by choosing starting scaffolds that enabled us to optimally merge the two functionalities into a single compound. Systematic structure-guided modification of both warheads then led to optimized binders that were superior in potency to both parent compounds, with the best molecules of this series binding to both BRD4 bromodomains as well as HDAC1/2 with EC50 values in the 100 nM range in cellular NanoBRET target engagement assays. For one of our lead molecules, we could also show the selective inhibition of HDAC1/2 over all other zinc-dependent HDACs. Importantly, this on-target activity translated into promising efficacy in pancreatic cancer and NUT midline carcinoma cells. Our lead molecules effectively blocked histone H3 deacetylation in pancreatic cancer cells and upregulated the tumor suppressor HEXIM1 and proapoptotic p57, both markers of BET inhibition. In addition, they have the potential to downregulate the oncogenic drivers of NUT midline carcinoma, as demonstrated for MYC and TP63 mRNA levels. Overall, this study expands the portfolio of available dual BET/class I HDAC inhibitors for future translational studies in different cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Bauer
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute
for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str.
15, 60438 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
| | - Dimitrios-Ilias Balourdas
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute
for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str.
15, 60438 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
| | - Joel R. Schneider
- Bridge
Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center,
University Hospital Essen, University of
Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Division
of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German
Cancer Consortium (DKTK Partner Site Essen) and German Cancer Research
Center, DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xin Zhang
- Bridge
Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center,
University Hospital Essen, University of
Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Division
of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German
Cancer Consortium (DKTK Partner Site Essen) and German Cancer Research
Center, DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lena M. Berger
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute
for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str.
15, 60438 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
| | - Benedict-Tilman Berger
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute
for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str.
15, 60438 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
| | - Martin P. Schwalm
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute
for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str.
15, 60438 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
- German
Translational Cancer Network (DKTK) Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Nick A. Klopp
- Bridge
Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center,
University Hospital Essen, University of
Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Division
of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German
Cancer Consortium (DKTK Partner Site Essen) and German Cancer Research
Center, DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jens T. Siveke
- Bridge
Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center,
University Hospital Essen, University of
Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Division
of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German
Cancer Consortium (DKTK Partner Site Essen) and German Cancer Research
Center, DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute
for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str.
15, 60438 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
- German
Translational Cancer Network (DKTK) Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Andreas C. Joerger
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute
for Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue-Str.
15, 60438 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
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Li X, Zheng C, Liu Y, Sun H, Qian Y, Fan H. Co-overexpression of BRD4 and CDK7 promotes cell proliferation and predicts poor prognosis in HCC. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24389. [PMID: 38293462 PMCID: PMC10826729 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of critical components of the trans-acting super-enhancers (SE) complex contributes to the continuous and robust transcription of oncogenes in human cancers. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting core-transcriptional components such as transcriptional bromodomain protein 4 (BRD4) and cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) have been developed and are currently undergoing preclinical and clinical testing in several malignant cancers. By analysis of TCGA data and clinical specimens, we demonstrated that BRD4 and CDK7 were frequently overexpressed in human HCCs and were associated with the poor prognosis. Shorter survival and poorly differentiated histology were linked to high BRD4 or CDK7 expression levels. Interestingly, co-overexpression of BRD4 and CDK7 was a more unfavorable prognostic factor in HCC. Treatment with JQ1 or THZ1 alone exhibited an inhibitory impact on the proliferation of HCC cells, while JQ1 synergized with THZ1 showed a more pronounced suppression. Concurrently, a combined JQ1 and THZ1 treatment abolished the transcription of oncogenes ETV4, MYC, NFE2L2. Our study suggested that BRD4 and CDK7 coupled can be a valuable biomarker in HCC diagnosis and the combination of JQ1 and THZ1 can be a promising therapeutic treatment against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxiu Li
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuqian Zheng
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanyan Qian
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong Fan
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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Shirbhate E, Singh V, Jahoriya V, Mishra A, Veerasamy R, Tiwari AK, Rajak H. Dual inhibitors of HDAC and other epigenetic regulators: A novel strategy for cancer treatment. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 263:115938. [PMID: 37989059 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
A significant advancement in the field of epigenetic drug discovery has been evidenced in recent years. Epigenetic alterations are hereditary, nevertheless reversible variations to DNA or histone adaptations that regulate gene function individualistically of the fundamental sequence. The design and synthesis of various drugs targeting epigenetic regulators open a new door for epigenetic-targeted therapies to parade worthwhile therapeutic potential for haematological and solid malignancies. Several ongoing clinical trials on dual targeting strategy are being conducted comprising HDAC inhibitory component and an epigenetic regulating agent. In this perspective, the review discusses the pharmacological aspects of HDAC and other epigenetic regulating factors as dual inhibitors as an emerging alternative approach for combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekta Shirbhate
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, 495 009, CG, India
| | - Vaibhav Singh
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, 495 009, CG, India
| | - Varsha Jahoriya
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, 495 009, CG, India
| | - Aditya Mishra
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, 495 009, CG, India
| | - Ravichandran Veerasamy
- Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Semeling, 08100, Bedong, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia
| | - Amit K Tiwari
- Cancer & System Therapeutics, UAMS College of Pharmacy, UAMS - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, AR, United States
| | - Harish Rajak
- Department of Pharmacy, Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, 495 009, CG, India.
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Hu R, Hou H, Li Y, Zhang M, Li X, Chen Y, Guo Y, Sun H, Zhao S, Liao M, Cao D, Yan Q, Chen X, Yin M. Combined BET and MEK Inhibition synergistically suppresses melanoma by targeting YAP1. Theranostics 2024; 14:593-607. [PMID: 38169595 PMCID: PMC10758063 DOI: 10.7150/thno.85437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The response rate to the MEK inhibitor trametinib in BRAF-mutated melanoma patients is less than 30%, and drug resistance develops rapidly, but the mechanism is still unclear. Yes1-associated transcriptional regulator (YAP1) is highly expressed in melanoma and may be related to MEK inhibitor resistance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of YAP1 in MEK inhibitor resistance in melanoma and to screen YAP1 inhibitors to further determine whether YAP1 inhibition reverses MEK inhibitor resistance. Methods: On the one hand, we analyzed paired melanoma and adjacent tissue samples using RNA-seq and found that the Hippo-YAP1 signaling pathway was the top upregulated pathway. On the other hand, we evaluated the transcriptomes of melanoma samples from patients before and after trametinib treatment and investigated the correlation between YAP1 expression and trametinib resistance. Then, we screened for inhibitors that repress YAP1 expression and investigated the mechanisms. Finally, we investigated the antitumor effect of YAP1 inhibition combined with MEK inhibition both in vitro and in vivo. Results: We found that YAP1 expression levels upon trametinib treatment in melanoma patients were correlated with resistance to trametinib. YAP1 was translocated into the nucleus after trametinib treatment in melanoma cells, which could render resistance to MEK inhibition. Thus, we screened for inhibitors that repress YAP1 expression and identified multiple bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitors, including NHWD-870, as hits. BET inhibition repressed YAP1 expression by decreasing BRD4 binding to the YAP1 promoter. Consistently, YAP1 overexpression was sufficient to reverse the proliferation defect caused by BRD4 depletion. In addition, the BET inhibitor NHWD-870 acted synergistically with trametinib to suppress melanoma growth in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: We identified a new vulnerability for MEK inhibitor-resistant melanomas, which activated Hippo pathway due to elevated YAP1 activity. Inhibition of BRD4 using BET inhibitors suppressed YAP1 expression and led to blunted melanoma growth when combined with treatment with the MEK inhibitor trametinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Hu
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huihui Hou
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Yao Li
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Minghui Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Yanzhong Chen
- The first clinical college of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Guo
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Hongyin Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Shuang Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Mengting Liao
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
- Health Management of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Dongsheng Cao
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Qin Yan
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Mingzhu Yin
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
- Clinical Research Center (CRC), Clinical Pathology Center (CPC), Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Center (CEDTC), Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing University, Wanzhou, Chongqing, China
- Translational Medicine Research Center (TMRC), School of Medicine Chongqing University, Shapingba, Chongqing, China
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Tzani A, Haemmig S, Cheng HS, Perez-Cremades D, Augusto Heuschkel M, Jamaiyar A, Singh S, Aikawa M, Yu P, Wang T, Ye S, Feinberg MW, Plutzky J. FAM222A, Part of the BET-Regulated Basal Endothelial Transcriptome, Is a Novel Determinant of Endothelial Biology and Angiogenesis-Brief Report. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:143-155. [PMID: 37942611 PMCID: PMC10840377 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.319909] [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: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND BETs (bromodomain and extraterminal domain-containing epigenetic reader proteins), including BRD4 (bromodomain-containing protein 4), orchestrate transcriptional programs induced by pathogenic stimuli, as intensively studied in cardiovascular disease and elsewhere. In endothelial cells (ECs), BRD4 directs induced proinflammatory, proatherosclerotic transcriptional responses; BET inhibitors, like JQ1, repress these effects and decrease atherosclerosis. While BET effects in pathogenic conditions have prompted therapeutic BET inhibitor development, BET action under basal conditions, including ECs, has remained understudied. To understand BET action in basal endothelial transcriptional programs, we first analyzed EC RNA-Seq data in the absence versus presence of JQ1 before using BET regulation to identify novel determinants of EC biology and function. METHODS RNA-Seq datasets of human umbilical vein ECs without and with JQ1 treatment were analyzed. After identifying C12orf34, also known as FAM222A (family with sequence similarity 222 member A), as a previously unreported, basally expressed, potently JQ1-induced EC gene, FAM222A was studied in endothelial and angiogenic responses in vitro using small-interference RNA silencing and lentiviral overexpression, in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo, including aortic sprouting, matrigel plug assays, and murine neonatal oxygen-induced retinopathy. RESULTS Resting EC RNA-Seq data indicate BETs direct transcriptional programs underlying core endothelial properties including migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis. BET inhibition in resting ECs also significantly induced a subset of mRNAs, including FAM222A-a unique BRD4-regulated gene with no reported EC role. Silencing endothelial FAM222A significantly decreased cellular proliferation, migration, network formation, aorta sprouting, and Matrigel plug vascularization through coordinated modulation of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and NOTCH mediator expression in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo; lentiviral FAM222A overexpression had opposite effects. In vivo, siFAM222A significantly repressed retinal revascularization in neonatal murine oxygen-induced retinopathy through similar angiogenic signaling modulation. CONCLUSIONS BET control over the basal endothelial transcriptome includes FAM222A, a novel, BRD4-regulated, key determinant of endothelial biology and angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aspasia Tzani
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Stefan Haemmig
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Henry S. Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Daniel Perez-Cremades
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Marina Augusto Heuschkel
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Anurag Jamaiyar
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Sasha Singh
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Masanori Aikawa
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Paul Yu
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Tianxi Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Sun Ye
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Mark W. Feinberg
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Jorge Plutzky
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
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8
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Dong N, Perez-Lamas L, Chavez JC. Emerging synthetic drugs for the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2023; 28:181-190. [PMID: 37649373 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2023.2250722] [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: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common aggressive lymphoma. Recent advances in immunotherapy such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy have significantly improved the outcomes in patients. Despite those advances, disease still recurs in many patients after multiple lines of therapy, and they eventually die. Many novel agents are under investigation. In this review, we focus on the synthetic drugs, usually small-molecule oral agents, that target a specific tumor-cell survival pathway. AREAS COVERED We discuss immunomodulatory drugs, cereblon E3 ligase modulators, Bruton tyrosine kinase degraders, B-cell lymphoma-2 inhibitors, Enhancer of Zeste 2 inhibitors, IRAK4 inhibitors/IRAK4 protein degraders, bromodomain and extraterminal inhibitors, cyclin-dependent kinase 9 inhibitors, and menin inhibitors. We focus on their mechanisms of action, activities in DLBCL, and, in some cases, toxicity. We also discuss the challenges in developing synthetic drugs in DLBCL. EXPERT OPINION Synthetic drugs hold great potential for treating DLBCL. Many phase 1/2 trials are ongoing. To maximize their clinical benefit, a better understanding of the biology of this heterogeneous group of diseases is needed, synergic combinations need to be identified, and the sequencing of therapies needs to be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Dong
- Department of Malignant Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, USA
| | | | - Julio C Chavez
- Department of Malignant Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, USA
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9
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Wang ZQ, Zhang ZC, Wu YY, Pi YN, Lou SH, Liu TB, Lou G, Yang C. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins: biological functions, diseases, and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:420. [PMID: 37926722 PMCID: PMC10625992 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01647-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BET proteins, which influence gene expression and contribute to the development of cancer, are epigenetic interpreters. Thus, BET inhibitors represent a novel form of epigenetic anticancer treatment. Although preliminary clinical trials have shown the anticancer potential of BET inhibitors, it appears that these drugs have limited effectiveness when used alone. Therefore, given the limited monotherapeutic activity of BET inhibitors, their use in combination with other drugs warrants attention, including the meaningful variations in pharmacodynamic activity among chosen drug combinations. In this paper, we review the function of BET proteins, the preclinical justification for BET protein targeting in cancer, recent advances in small-molecule BET inhibitors, and preliminary clinical trial findings. We elucidate BET inhibitor resistance mechanisms, shed light on the associated adverse events, investigate the potential of combining these inhibitors with diverse therapeutic agents, present a comprehensive compilation of synergistic treatments involving BET inhibitors, and provide an outlook on their future prospects as potent antitumor agents. We conclude by suggesting that combining BET inhibitors with other anticancer drugs and innovative next-generation agents holds great potential for advancing the effective targeting of BET proteins as a promising anticancer strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Zhao-Cong Zhang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yu-Yang Wu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ya-Nan Pi
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Sheng-Han Lou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Tian-Bo Liu
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Ge Lou
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
| | - Chang Yang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
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10
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Ma T, Chen Y, Yi ZG, Li YH, Bai J, Li LJ, Zhang LS. BET in hematologic tumors: Immunity, pathogenesis, clinical trials and drug combinations. Genes Dis 2023; 10:2306-2319. [PMID: 37554207 PMCID: PMC10404881 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins act as "readers" for lysine acetylation and facilitate the recruitment of transcriptional elongation complexes. BET protein is associated with transcriptional elongation of genes such as c-MYC and BCL-2, and is involved in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis. Meanwhile, BET inhibitors (BETi) have regulatory effects on immune checkpoints, immune cells, and cytokine expression. The role of BET proteins and BETi in a variety of tumors has been studied. This paper reviews the recent research progress of BET and BETi in hematologic tumors (mainly leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma) from cellular level studies, animal studies, clinical trials, drug combination, etc. BETi has a promising future in hematologic tumors, and future research directions may focus on the combination with other drugs to improve the efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Ma
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Yi
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Yan-Hong Li
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Jun Bai
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Li-Juan Li
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Lian-Sheng Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
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11
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Li XY, Yu JT, Dong YH, Shen XY, Hou R, Xie MM, Wei J, Hu XW, Dong ZH, Shan RR, Jin J, Shao W, Meng XM. Protein acetylation and related potential therapeutic strategies in kidney disease. Pharmacol Res 2023; 197:106950. [PMID: 37820854 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Kidney disease can be caused by various internal and external factors that have led to a continual increase in global deaths. Current treatment methods can alleviate but do not markedly prevent disease development. Further research on kidney disease has revealed the crucial function of epigenetics, especially acetylation, in the pathology and physiology of the kidney. Histone acetyltransferases (HATs), histone deacetylases (HDACs), and acetyllysine readers jointly regulate acetylation, thus affecting kidney physiological homoeostasis. Recent studies have shown that acetylation improves mechanisms and pathways involved in various types of nephropathy. The discovery and application of novel inhibitors and activators have further confirmed the important role of acetylation. In this review, we provide insights into the physiological process of acetylation and summarise its specific mechanisms and potential therapeutic effects on renal pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Yu Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ju-Tao Yu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yu-Hang Dong
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Shen
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Rui Hou
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Man-Man Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jie Wei
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao-Wei Hu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital, Hefei 230051, China
| | - Ze-Hui Dong
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Run-Run Shan
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Juan Jin
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Wei Shao
- School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Xiao-Ming Meng
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, the Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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12
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Petrashen AP, Verdesca AD, Kreiling JA, Sedivy JM. Regulation of the somatotropic axis by MYC-mediated miRNA repression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1269860. [PMID: 37908640 PMCID: PMC10615138 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1269860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor MYC is overexpressed in many human cancers and has a significant causal role in tumor incidence and progression. In contrast, Myc +/- heterozygous mice, which have decreased MYC expression, exhibit a 10-20% increase in lifespan and a decreased incidence or progression of several age-related diseases. Myc heterozygous mice were also reported to have decreased mTOR and IGF1 signaling, two pathways whose reduced activity is associated with longevity in diverse species. Given MYC's downstream role in these pathways, the downregulation of mTOR and IGF1 signaling in Myc heterozygotes suggests the presence of feedback loops within this regulatory network. In this communication we provide further evidence that the reduction of Myc expression in Myc +/- heterozygous mice provokes a female-specific decrease in circulating IGF1 as well as a reduction of IGF1 protein in the liver. In particular, reduced Myc expression led to upregulation of miRNAs that target the Igf1 transcript, thereby inhibiting its translation and leading to decreased IGF1 protein levels. Using Argonaute (AGO)-CLIP-sequencing we found enrichment of AGO binding in the Igf1 transcript at the target sites of let-7, miR-122, and miR-29 in female, but not male Myc heterozygotes. Upregulation of the liver-specific miR-122 in primary hepatocytes in culture and in vivo in mice resulted in significant downregulation of IGF1 protein, but not mRNA. Reduced levels of IGF1 increased GH production in the pituitary through a well-documented negative-feedback relationship. In line with this, we found that IGF1 levels in bone (where miR-122 is not expressed) were unchanged, consistent with the decreased incidence of osteoporosis in female Myc heterozygotes, despite decreased circulating IGF1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - John M. Sedivy
- Center on the Biology of Aging, Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
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13
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Ding N, You A, Zhao S, Yang H, Lai C, Ye F. EZH2 inhibitor Tazemetostat synergizes with JQ-1 in esophageal cancer by inhibiting c-Myc signaling pathway. Med Oncol 2023; 40:281. [PMID: 37634215 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02147-x] [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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
EZH2, a highly conserved histone methyltransferase, plays an essential role in tumorigenesis and development. The inhibitor of EZH2 tazemetostat has been approved to treat metastatic or locally advanced epithelioid sarcoma and recurrent or refractory follicular lymphoma. However, the effect of tazemetostat alone or in combination with other drugs in esophageal cancer has not been reported. In this study, we found that EZH2 was highly expressed in esophageal cancer at both mRNA and protein levels through transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. Furthermore, the results of CCK8, colony formation, cell cycle and cell apoptosis assays revealed that tazemetostat exerted an antitumour effect on esophageal cancer cells. Mechanistically, RNA-sequencing analysis of the tazemetostat-treated cells and vehicle-treated ones suggested that tazemetostat mainly inhibited the c-Myc signaling pathway and its targets, which was validated by western blotting. JQ-1, an inhibitor of bromodomain 4, was proven to attenuate c-Myc signaling in tumors. Thus, a therapeutic strategy based on tazemetostat in combination with JQ-1 is promising. The results demonstrated that tazemetostat and JQ-1 had a synergistic effect in vitro and in vivo for esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Ding
- Department of Medical Oncology, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Antitumor Drug Transformation Research, School of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, FuZhou, China
| | - Abin You
- Department of Medical Oncology, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Antitumor Drug Transformation Research, School of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, FuZhou, China
| | - Senxia Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Antitumor Drug Transformation Research, School of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hu Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Antitumor Drug Transformation Research, School of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Chunping Lai
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, FuZhou, China
| | - Feng Ye
- Department of Medical Oncology, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Antitumor Drug Transformation Research, School of Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, FuZhou, China.
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14
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Olson BM, Chaudagar K, Bao R, Saha SS, Hong C, Li M, Rameshbabu S, Chen R, Thomas A, Patnaik A. BET Inhibition Sensitizes Immunologically Cold Rb-Deficient Prostate Cancer to Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:751-764. [PMID: 37014264 PMCID: PMC10239341 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-22-0369] [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: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Non-T-cell-inflamed immunologically "cold" tumor microenvironments (TME) are associated with poor responsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and can be sculpted by tumor cell genomics. Here, we evaluated how retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor-suppressor loss-of-function (LOF), one of the most frequent alterations in human cancer and associated with lineage plasticity, poor prognosis, and therapeutic outcomes, alters the TME, and whether therapeutic strategies targeting the molecular consequences of Rb loss enhance ICB efficacy. We performed bioinformatics analysis to elucidate the impact of endogenous Rb LOF on the immune TME in human primary and metastatic tumors. Next, we used isogenic murine models of Rb-deficient prostate cancer for in vitro and in vivo mechanistic studies to examine how Rb loss and bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) domain inhibition (BETi) reprograms the immune landscape, and evaluated in vivo therapeutic efficacy of BETi, singly and in combination with ICB and androgen deprivation therapy. Rb loss was enriched in non-T-cell-inflamed tumors, and Rb-deficient murine tumors demonstrated decreased immune infiltration in vivo. The BETi JQ1 increased immune infiltration into the TME through enhanced tumor cell STING/NF-κB activation and type I IFN signaling within tumor cells, resulting in differential macrophage and T-cell-mediated tumor growth inhibition and sensitization of Rb-deficient prostate cancer to ICB. BETi can reprogram the immunologically cold Rb-deficient TME via STING/NF-κB/IFN signaling to sensitize Rb-deficient prostate cancer to ICB. These data provide the mechanistic rationale to test combinations of BETi and ICB in clinical trials of Rb-deficient prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M. Olson
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology; Emory University, Atlanta, GA
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Kiranj Chaudagar
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Riyue Bao
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Center for Research Informatics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Cancer Bioinformatics Services, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Sweta Sharma Saha
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Hong
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology; Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Marguerite Li
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology; Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Srikrishnan Rameshbabu
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Raymond Chen
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Alison Thomas
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology; Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Akash Patnaik
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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15
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Sah VR, Jespersen H, Karlsson J, Nilsson LM, Bergqvist M, Johansson I, Carneiro A, Helgadottir H, Levin M, Ullenhag G, Ståhlberg A, Olofsson Bagge R, Nilsson JA, Ny L. Chemokine Analysis in Patients with Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Suggests a Role for CCL21 Signaling in Combined Epigenetic Therapy and Checkpoint Immunotherapy. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:884-895. [PMID: 37377898 PMCID: PMC10194136 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Patients with metastatic uveal melanoma have limited therapeutic options and high mortality rate so new treatment options are needed. Patients and Methods We previously reported that patients treated with the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab and the histone deacetylase inhibitor entinostat in the PEMDAC trial, experienced clinical benefits if their tumor originated from iris or was wildtype for BAP1 tumor suppressor gene. Here we present the 2-year follow-up of the patients in the PEMDAC trial and identify additional factors that correlate with response or survival. Results Durable responses were observed in 4 patients, with additional 8 patients exhibiting a stable disease. The median overall survival was 13.7 months. Grade 3 adverse events were reported in 62% of the patients, but they were all manageable. No fatal toxicity was observed. Activity of thymidine kinase 1 in plasma was higher in patients with stable disease or who progressed on treatment, compared with those with partial response. Chemokines and cytokines were analyzed in plasma. Three chemokines were significantly different when comparing patients with and without response. One of the factors, CCL21, was higher in the plasma of responding patients before treatment initiation but decreased in the same patients upon treatment. In tumors, CCL21 was expressed in areas resembling tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). High plasma levels of CCL21 and presence of TLS-like regions in the tumor correlated with longer survival. Conclusions This study provides insight into durable responses in the PEMDAC trial, and describes dynamic changes of chemokines and cytokines in the blood of these patients. Significance The most significant finding from the 2-year follow-up study of the PEMDAC trial was that high CCL21 levels in blood was associated with response and survival. CCL21 was also expressed in TLS-like regions and presence of these regions was associated with longer survival. These analyses of soluble and tumor markers can inform on predictive biomarkers needing validation and become hypothesis generating for experimental research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasu R. Sah
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henrik Jespersen
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Joakim Karlsson
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Lisa M. Nilsson
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | - Iva Johansson
- Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ana Carneiro
- Department of Oncology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hildur Helgadottir
- Department of Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Max Levin
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gustav Ullenhag
- Department of Radiology, Oncology and Radiation Science, Section of Oncology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Ståhlberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Roger Olofsson Bagge
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jonas A. Nilsson
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Lars Ny
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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16
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Dimond A, Van de Pette M, Taylor-Bateman V, Brown K, Sardini A, Whilding C, Feytout A, Prinjha RK, Merkenschlager M, Fisher AG. Drug-induced loss of imprinting revealed using bioluminescent reporters of Cdkn1c. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5626. [PMID: 37024615 PMCID: PMC10079848 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32747-6] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is an epigenetically mediated mechanism that regulates allelic expression of genes based upon parent-of-origin and provides a paradigm for studying epigenetic silencing and release. Here, bioluminescent reporters for the maternally-expressed imprinted gene Cdkn1c are used to examine the capacity of chromatin-modifying drugs to reverse paternal Cdkn1c silencing. Exposure of reporter mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to 5-Azacytidine, HDAC inhibitors, BET inhibitors or GSK-J4 (KDM6A/B inhibitor) relieved repression of paternal Cdkn1c, either selectively or by inducing biallelic effects. Treatment of reporter fibroblasts with HDAC inhibitors or GSK-J4 resulted in similar paternal Cdkn1c activation, whereas BET inhibitor-induced loss of imprinting was specific to mESCs. Changes in allelic expression were generally not sustained in dividing cultures upon drug removal, indicating that the underlying epigenetic memory of silencing was maintained. In contrast, Cdkn1c de-repression by GSK-J4 was retained in both mESCs and fibroblasts following inhibitor removal, although this impact may be linked to cellular stress and DNA damage. Taken together, these data introduce bioluminescent reporter cells as tools for studying epigenetic silencing and disruption, and demonstrate that Cdkn1c imprinting requires distinct and cell-type specific chromatin features and modifying enzymes to enact and propagate a memory of silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Dimond
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
| | - Mathew Van de Pette
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Gleeson Building, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QR, UK
| | - Victoria Taylor-Bateman
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Karen Brown
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alessandro Sardini
- Whole Animal Physiology and Imaging, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Chad Whilding
- Microscopy Facility, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Amelie Feytout
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Rab K Prinjha
- Immunology and Epigenetics Research Unit, Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, Herts, UK
| | - Matthias Merkenschlager
- Lymphocyte Development Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Amanda G Fisher
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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17
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To KKW, Xing E, Larue RC, Li PK. BET Bromodomain Inhibitors: Novel Design Strategies and Therapeutic Applications. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28073043. [PMID: 37049806 PMCID: PMC10096006 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28073043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family of proteins consists of four conserved members (Brd2, Brd3, Brd4, and Brdt) that regulate numerous cancer-related and immunity-associated genes. They are epigenetic readers of histone acetylation with broad specificity. BET proteins are linked to cancer progression due to their interaction with numerous cellular proteins including chromatin-modifying factors, transcription factors, and histone modification enzymes. The spectacular growth in the clinical development of small-molecule BET inhibitors underscores the interest and importance of this protein family as an anticancer target. Current approaches targeting BET proteins for cancer therapy rely on acetylation mimics to block the bromodomains from binding chromatin. However, bromodomain-targeted agents are suffering from dose-limiting toxicities because of their effects on other bromodomain-containing proteins. In this review, we provided an updated summary about the evolution of small-molecule BET inhibitors. The design of bivalent BET inhibitors, kinase and BET dual inhibitors, BET protein proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), and Brd4-selective inhibitors are discussed. The novel strategy of targeting the unique C-terminal extra-terminal (ET) domain of BET proteins and its therapeutic significance will also be highlighted. Apart from single agent treatment alone, BET inhibitors have also been combined with other chemotherapeutic modalities for cancer treatment demonstrating favorable clinical outcomes. The investigation of specific biomarkers for predicting the efficacy and resistance of BET inhibitors is needed to fully realize their therapeutic potential in the clinical setting.
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Vatsa PP, Jindal Y, Bhadwalkar J, Chamoli A, Upadhyay V, Mandoli A. Role of epigenetics in OSCC: an understanding above genetics. Med Oncol 2023; 40:122. [PMID: 36941511 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-01992-0] [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: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023]
Abstract
Oral cavity cancer is categorized under head and neck cancer that frequently develops from squamous cells hence also known as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Although molecular markers for oral cavity cancer are already known, epigenetic signatures for the same haven't been explored much. Epigenetic and genetic alterations were initially thought to be discrete mechanisms driving the tumour but the whole exome sequencing of various cancers has revealed the interdependency of epigenetics and genetic alterations. The reversible nature of these epigenetic changes makes them an alluring target for cancer therapeutics. The primary epigenetic alterations in cancer include DNA methylation and histone modifications. These alterations are useful for patient early detection and prognostication. This review summarizes the epigenetic perspective to understand the etiology, epigenetic biomarkers, and epi-drugs for better predictive diagnosis and treatment of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka P Vatsa
- Department of Biotechnology, NIPER-Ahmedabad, Opposite Air Force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Yogita Jindal
- Department of Biotechnology, NIPER-Ahmedabad, Opposite Air Force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Janhavi Bhadwalkar
- Department of Biotechnology, NIPER-Ahmedabad, Opposite Air Force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Ambika Chamoli
- Department of Biotechnology, NIPER-Ahmedabad, Opposite Air Force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Vinal Upadhyay
- Department of Biotechnology, NIPER-Ahmedabad, Opposite Air Force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Amit Mandoli
- Department of Biotechnology, NIPER-Ahmedabad, Opposite Air Force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India.
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Characterizing crosstalk in epigenetic signaling to understand disease physiology. Biochem J 2023; 480:57-85. [PMID: 36630129 PMCID: PMC10152800 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20220550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics, the inheritance of genomic information independent of DNA sequence, controls the interpretation of extracellular and intracellular signals in cell homeostasis, proliferation and differentiation. On the chromatin level, signal transduction leads to changes in epigenetic marks, such as histone post-translational modifications (PTMs), DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility to regulate gene expression. Crosstalk between different epigenetic mechanisms, such as that between histone PTMs and DNA methylation, leads to an intricate network of chromatin-binding proteins where pre-existing epigenetic marks promote or inhibit the writing of new marks. The recent technical advances in mass spectrometry (MS) -based proteomic methods and in genome-wide DNA sequencing approaches have broadened our understanding of epigenetic networks greatly. However, further development and wider application of these methods is vital in developing treatments for disorders and pathologies that are driven by epigenetic dysregulation.
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20
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Rapino F, Natoli T, Limone F, O'Connor E, Blank J, Tegtmeyer M, Chen W, Norabuena E, Narula J, Hazelbaker D, Angelini G, Barrett L, O'Neil A, Beattie UK, Thanos JM, de Rivera H, Sheridan SD, Perlis RH, McCarroll SA, Stevens B, Subramanian A, Nehme R, Rubin LL. Small-molecule screen reveals pathways that regulate C4 secretion in stem cell-derived astrocytes. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:237-253. [PMID: 36563689 PMCID: PMC9860128 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the brain, the complement system plays a crucial role in the immune response and in synaptic elimination during normal development and disease. Here, we sought to identify pathways that modulate the production of complement component 4 (C4), recently associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia. To design a disease-relevant assay, we first developed a rapid and robust 3D protocol capable of producing large numbers of astrocytes from pluripotent cells. Transcriptional profiling of these astrocytes confirmed the homogeneity of this population of dorsal fetal-like astrocytes. Using a novel ELISA-based small-molecule screen, we identified epigenetic regulators, as well as inhibitors of intracellular signaling pathways, able to modulate C4 secretion from astrocytes. We then built a connectivity map to predict and validate additional key regulatory pathways, including one involving c-Jun-kinase. This work provides a foundation for developing therapies for CNS diseases involving the complement cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Rapino
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Ted Natoli
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Francesco Limone
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Leiden University Medical Center, LUMC, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Erin O'Connor
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Jack Blank
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Matthew Tegtmeyer
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - William Chen
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Erika Norabuena
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Juhi Narula
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Dane Hazelbaker
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Gabriella Angelini
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Lindy Barrett
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Alison O'Neil
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Ursula K Beattie
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Jessica M Thanos
- Center for Quantitative Health, Center for Genomic Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Heather de Rivera
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven D Sheridan
- Center for Quantitative Health, Center for Genomic Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roy H Perlis
- Center for Quantitative Health, Center for Genomic Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven A McCarroll
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Beth Stevens
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Neurology, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Ralda Nehme
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Lee L Rubin
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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Bromodomain Protein BRD4-Mediated Mutant p53 Transcription Promotes TNBC Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315163. [PMID: 36499487 PMCID: PMC9738555 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
TP53 is the most common mutated gene in human cancer. Mutant p53 protein loses its tumor-suppressor properties and gains oncogenic activity. Mutant p53 is a therapeutic target in a broad range of cancer types. However, how mutant p53 is epigenetically regulated during tumor progression remains elusive. In this study, we found that the upregulation of mutant p53 is mediated by bromodomain protein BRD4 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Inhibition of BRD4 with its inhibitor JQ1 or knockdown of BRD4 suppressed the transcription of mutant p53, which led to the re-expression of p21, the inhibition of S-phase entry, and colony formation in TNBC cells. BRD4 also positively regulated the transcription of wild-type p53, whereas JQ1 treatment and knockdown of BRD4 decreased the expression of p21 in MCF-7 cells. Knockdown of BRD4 resulted in attenuation of TNBC tumor growth in vivo. Taken together, our results uncover a novel regulatory mechanism of mutant p53 via BRD4, and suggest that the bromodomain inhibitor suppresses tumorigenesis through targeting mutant p53 in TNBC.
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Kling MJ, Kesherwani V, Mishra NK, Alexander G, McIntyre EM, Ray S, Challagundla KB, Joshi SS, Coulter DW, Chaturvedi NK. A novel dual epigenetic approach targeting BET proteins and HDACs in Group 3 (MYC-driven) Medulloblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:321. [DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02530-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Medulloblastoma (MB) patients with MYC oncogene amplification or overexpression exhibit extremely poor clinical outcomes and respond poorly to current therapies. Epigenetic deregulation is very common in MYC-driven MB. The bromodomain extra-terminal (BET) proteins and histone deacetylases (HDACs) are epigenetic regulators of MYC transcription and its associated tumorigenic programs. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of inhibiting the BET proteins and HDACs together in MB.
Methods
Using clinically relevant BET inhibitors (JQ1 or OTX015) and a pan-HDAC inhibitor (panobinostat), we evaluated the effects of combined inhibition on cell growth/survival in MYC-amplified MB cell lines and xenografts and examined underlying molecular mechanism(s).
Results
Co-treatment of JQ1 or OTX015 with panobinostat synergistically suppressed growth/survival of MYC-amplified MB cells by inducing G2 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Mechanistic investigation using RNA-seq revealed that co-treatment of JQ1 with panobinostat synergistically modulated global gene expression including MYC/HDAC targets. SYK and MSI1 oncogenes were among the top 50 genes synergistically downregulated by JQ1 and panobinostat. RT-PCR and western blot analyses confirmed that JQ1 and panobinostat synergistically inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of MSI1/SYK along with MYC expression. Reduced SYK/MSI expression after BET (specifically, BRD4) gene-knockdown further confirmed the epigenetic regulation of SYK and MSI1 genes. In addition, the combination of OTX015 and panobinostat significantly inhibited tumor growth in MYC-amplified MB xenografted mice by downregulating expression of MYC, compared to single-agent therapy.
Conclusions
Together, our findings demonstrated that dual-inhibition of BET and HDAC proteins of the epigenetic pathway can be a novel therapeutic approach against MYC-driven MB.
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23
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Singh T, Kaur P, Singh P, Singh S, Munshi A. Differential molecular mechanistic behavior of HDACs in cancer progression. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:171. [PMID: 35972597 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01770-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genetic aberration including mutation in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes transforms normal cells into tumor cells. Epigenetic modifications work concertedly with genetic factors in controlling cancer development. Histone acetyltransferases (HATs), histone deacetylases (HDACs), DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and chromatin structure modifier are prospective epigenetic regulators. Specifically, HDACs are histone modifiers regulating the expression of genes implicated in cell survival, growth, apoptosis, and metabolism. The majority of HDACs are highly upregulated in cancer, whereas some have a varied function and expression in cancer progression. Distinct HDACs have a positive and negative role in controlling cancer progression. HDACs are also significantly involved in tumor cells acquiring metastatic and angiogenic potential in order to withstand the anti-tumor microenvironment. HDACs' role in modulating metabolic genes has also been associated with tumor development and survival. This review highlights and discusses the molecular mechanisms of HDACs by which they regulate cell survival, apoptosis, metastasis, invasion, stemness potential, angiogenesis, and epithelial to mesenchymal transitions (EMT) in tumor cells. HDACs are the potential target for anti-cancer drug development and various inhibitors have been developed and FDA approved for a variety of cancers. The primary HDAC inhibitors with proven anti-cancer efficacy have also been highlighted in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tashvinder Singh
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Prabhsimran Kaur
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | | | - Sandeep Singh
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India.
| | - Anjana Munshi
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India.
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24
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Sah VR, Karlsson J, Jespersen H, Lindberg MF, Nilsson LM, Ny L, Nilsson JA. Epigenetic therapy to enhance therapeutic effects of PD-1 inhibition in therapy-resistant melanoma. Melanoma Res 2022; 32:241-248. [PMID: 34753889 PMCID: PMC9245557 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic skin melanoma but around half of all patients develop resistance early or late during treatment. The situation is even worse for patients with metastatic uveal melanoma (UM). Here we hypothesized that the immunotherapy of therapy-resistant skin melanoma or UM can be enhanced by epigenetic inhibitors. Cultured B16F10 cells and human UM cells were treated with the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) entinostat or BETi JQ1. Entinostat-induced HLA expression and PD-L1, but JQ1 did not. A syngeneic mouse model carrying B16-F10 melanoma cells was treated with PD-1 and CTLA4 inhibitors, which was curative. Co-treatment with the bioavailable BETi iBET726 impaired the immunotherapy effect. Monotherapy of a B16-F10 mouse model with anti-PD-1 resulted in a moderate therapeutic effect that could be enhanced by entinostat. Mice carrying PD-L1 knockout B16-F10 cells were also sensitive to entinostat. This suggests HDAC inhibition and immunotherapy could work in concert. Indeed, co-cultures of UM with HLA-matched melanoma-specific tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) resulted in higher TIL-mediated melanoma killing when entinostat was added. Further exploration of combined immunotherapy and epigenetic therapy in metastatic melanoma resistant to PD-1 inhibition is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasu R. Sah
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Joakim Karlsson
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Henrik Jespersen
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Mattias F. Lindberg
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lisa M. Nilsson
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Lars Ny
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jonas A. Nilsson
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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Corton JC, Liu J, Williams A, Cho E, Yauk CL. A gene expression biomarker identifies inhibitors of two classes of epigenome effectors in a human microarray compendium. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 365:110032. [PMID: 35777453 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110032] [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: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Biomarkers predictive of molecular and toxicological effects are needed to interpret emerging high-throughput transcriptomics (HTTr) data streams. To address the limited approaches available for identifying epigenotoxicants, we previously developed and validated an 81-gene biomarker that accurately predicts histone deacetylase inhibition (HDACi) in transcript profiles derived from chemically-treated TK6 cells. In the present study, we sought to determine if this biomarker (TGx-HDACi) could be used to identify HDACi chemicals in other cell lines using the Running Fisher correlation test. Using microarray comparisons derived from human cells exposed to HDACi, we found considerable heterogeneity in correlation with the TGx-HDACi biomarker dependent on chemical exposure conditions and tissue from which the cell line was derived. Using a defined set of conditions that overlapped with our earlier study, the biomarker was able to accurately identify HDACi chemicals (90-100% balanced accuracy). In an in silico screen of 2427 chemicals in 9660 chemical versus control comparisons, the biomarker coupled with the Running Fisher test was able to identify 14 additional HDACi chemicals as well as other chemicals not previously associated with HDACi. Most notable were 12 inhibitors of bromodomain (BRD) and extraterminal (BET) family proteins including BRD4 that bind to acetylated histones. The BET protein inhibitors could be distinguished from the HDACi based on differences in the expression of a small set of biomarker genes. Our results indicate that the TGx-HDACi biomarker will be useful for identifying inhibitors of two classes of epigenome effectors in HTTr screening studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Christopher Corton
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA.
| | - Jie Liu
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA.
| | - Andrew Williams
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Eunnara Cho
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Carole L Yauk
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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BRD4 promotes resection and homology-directed repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3016. [PMID: 35641523 PMCID: PMC9156784 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30787-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are one of the most toxic forms of DNA damage and represent a major source of genomic instability. Members of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) protein family are characterized as epigenetic readers that regulate gene expression. However, evidence suggests that BET proteins also play a more direct role in DNA repair. Here, we establish a cell-free system using Xenopus egg extracts to elucidate the gene expression-independent functions of BET proteins in DSB repair. We identify the BET protein BRD4 as a critical regulator of homologous recombination and describe its role in stimulating DNA processing through interactions with the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex and resection machinery. These results establish BRD4 as a multifunctional regulator of chromatin binding that links transcriptional activity and homology-directed repair. BRD4 is a multifunctional regulator of chromatin binding that plays a direct role in DNA double-strand break repair. BRD4 interacts with the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex and resection machinery to promote homologous recombination.
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Liu J, Li JN, Wu H, Liu P. The Status and Prospects of Epigenetics in the Treatment of Lymphoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:874645. [PMID: 35463343 PMCID: PMC9033274 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.874645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulation of gene transcription by epigenetic modifications is closely related to many important life processes and is a hot research topic in the post-genomic era. Since the emergence of international epigenetic research in the 1990s, scientists have identified a variety of chromatin-modifying enzymes and recognition factors, and have systematically investigated their three-dimensional structures, substrate specificity, and mechanisms of enzyme activity regulation. Studies of the human tumor genome have revealed the close association of epigenetic factors with various malignancies, and we have focused more on mutations in epigenetically related regulatory enzymes and regulatory recognition factors in lymphomas. A number of studies have shown that epigenetic alterations are indeed widespread in the development and progression of lymphoma and understanding these mechanisms can help guide clinical efforts. In contrast to chemotherapy which induces cytotoxicity, epigenetic therapy has the potential to affect multiple cellular processes simultaneously, by reprogramming cells to achieve a therapeutic effect in lymphoma. Epigenetic monotherapy has shown promising results in previous clinical trials, and several epigenetic agents have been approved for use in the treatment of lymphoma. In addition, epigenetic therapies in combination with chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy have been used in various clinical trials. In this review, we present several important epigenetic modalities of regulation associated with lymphoma, summarize the corresponding epigenetic drugs in lymphoma, and look at the future of epigenetic therapies in lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Nan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyu Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Panpan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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Dhuguru J, Ghoneim OA. Quinazoline Based HDAC Dual Inhibitors as Potential Anti-Cancer Agents. Molecules 2022; 27:2294. [PMID: 35408693 PMCID: PMC9000668 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the most devastating disease and second leading cause of death around the world. Despite scientific advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer which can include targeted therapy, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery in some cases, cancer cells appear to outsmart and evade almost any method of treatment by developing drug resistance. Quinazolines are the most versatile, ubiquitous and privileged nitrogen bearing heterocyclic compounds with a wide array of biological and pharmacological applications. Most of the anti-cancer agents featuring quinazoline pharmacophore have shown promising therapeutic activity. Therefore, extensive research is underway to explore the potential of these privileged scaffolds. In this context, a molecular hybridization approach to develop hybrid drugs has become a popular tool in the field of drug discovery, especially after witnessing the successful results during the past decade. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have emerged as an important anti-cancer target in the recent years given its role in cellular growth, gene regulation, and metabolism. Dual inhibitors, especially based on HDAC in particular, have become the center stage of current cancer drug development. Given the growing significance of dual HDAC inhibitors, in this review, we intend to compile the development of quinazoline based HDAC dual inhibitors as anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyothi Dhuguru
- Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, 1660 SpringHill Ave., Mobile, AL 36604, USA
| | - Ola A. Ghoneim
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Western New England University, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA 01119, USA;
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Carrasco K, Montersino C, Derviaux C, Saez-Ayala M, Hoffer L, Restouin A, Castellano R, Casassa J, Roche P, Pasquier E, Combes S, Morelli X, Collette Y, Betzi S. CRCM5484: A BET-BDII Selective Compound with Differential Anti-leukemic Drug Modulation. J Med Chem 2022; 65:5660-5674. [PMID: 35348328 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c02168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Differentially screening the Fr-PPIChem chemical library on the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) BRD4-BDII versus -BDI bromodomains led to the discovery of a BDII-selective tetrahydropyridothienopyrimidinone (THPTP)-based compound. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) and hit-to-lead approaches allowed us to develop CRCM5484, a potent inhibitor of BET proteins with a preferential and 475-fold selectivity for the second bromodomain of the BRD3 protein (BRD3-BDII) over its first bromodomain (BRD3-BDI). Its very low activity was demonstrated in various cell-based assays, corresponding with recent data describing other selective BDII compounds. However, screening on a drug sensitivity and resistance-profiling platform revealed its ability to modulate the anti-leukemic activity in combination with various FDA-approved and/or in-development drugs in a cell- and context-dependent differential manner. Altogether, the results confirm the originality of the THPTP molecular mode of action in the bromodomain (BD) cavity and its potential as a starting scaffold for the development of potent and selective bromodomain inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendall Carrasco
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille 13009, France
| | - Camille Montersino
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille 13009, France.,Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Plateforms HiTS & TrGET, Marseille 13009, France
| | - Carine Derviaux
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille 13009, France.,Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Plateforms HiTS & TrGET, Marseille 13009, France
| | - Magali Saez-Ayala
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille 13009, France
| | - Laurent Hoffer
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille 13009, France
| | - Audrey Restouin
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille 13009, France.,Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Plateforms HiTS & TrGET, Marseille 13009, France
| | - Rémy Castellano
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille 13009, France.,Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Plateforms HiTS & TrGET, Marseille 13009, France
| | - Justine Casassa
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille 13009, France
| | - Philippe Roche
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille 13009, France
| | - Eddy Pasquier
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille 13009, France
| | - Sébastien Combes
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille 13009, France
| | - Xavier Morelli
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille 13009, France.,Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Plateforms HiTS & TrGET, Marseille 13009, France
| | - Yves Collette
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille 13009, France.,Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Plateforms HiTS & TrGET, Marseille 13009, France
| | - Stéphane Betzi
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix-Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille 13009, France
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30
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Wu Q, Xuan YF, Su AL, Bao XB, Miao ZH, Wang YQ. TNKS inhibitors potentiate proliferative inhibition of BET inhibitors via reducing β-Catenin in colorectal cancer cells. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:1069-1087. [PMID: 35411247 PMCID: PMC8984892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited options for treatment. Targeting the bromodomain and extra terminal domain (BET) proteins by using BET inhibitors (BETis) could effectively interrupt the interaction with acetylated histones, inhibit genes transcription and have shown a certain effect on CRC inhibition. To improve the efficacy, the inhibitors of Tankyrases, which cause accumulation of AXIN through dePARsylation, in turn facilitate the degradation of β-Catenin and suppress the growth of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)-mutated CRCs, were tested together with BETi as a combination treatment. We examined the effects of BETi and Tankyrases inhibitor (TNKSi) together on the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of human CRCs cell lines with APC or CTNNB1 mutation, and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms affected by the double treatment. The result showed that the TNKSi could sensitize all tested CRC cell lines to BETi, and the synergistic effect was not only seen in cell proliferation inhibition, but also confirmed in decreased colony-forming ability and weaken EdU incorporation compared with monotherapy. Combined treatment resulted in enhanced G1 cell cycle arrest and increased apoptosis. In addition, we found β-Catenin was potentially inhibited by the combination and revealed that both BETi-induced transcriptional inhibition and TNKSi-mediated protein degradation all reduced the β-Catenin accumulation. In all, the synergistic effects suggest that combination of BETi and TNKSi could provide novel treatment opportunities for CRC, but both TNKSi and combination strategy need to be optimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesNo. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yi-Fei Xuan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesNo. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ai-Ling Su
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesNo. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xu-Bin Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ze-Hong Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesNo. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ying-Qing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Cancer Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesNo. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
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31
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Super enhancers as master gene regulators in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188697. [PMID: 35150791 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional deregulation of multiple oncogenes, tumor suppressors and survival pathways is a cancer cell hallmark. Super enhancers (SE) are long stretches of active enhancers in close linear proximity that ensure extraordinarily high expression levels of key genes associated with cell lineage, function and survival. SE landscape is intrinsically prone to changes and reorganization during the course of normal cell differentiation. This functional plasticity is typically utilized by cancer cells, which remodel their SE landscapes to ensure oncogenic transcriptional reprogramming. Multiple recent studies highlighted structural genetic mechanisms in non-coding regions that create new SE or hijack already existing ones. In addition, alterations in abundance/activity of certain SE-associated proteins or certain viral infections can elicit new super enhancers and trigger SE-driven transcriptional changes. For these reasons, SE profiling emerged as a powerful tool for discovering the core transcriptional regulatory circuits in tumor cells. This, in turn, provides new insights into cancer cell biology, and identifies main nodes of key cellular pathways to be potentially targeted. Since SEs are susceptible to inhibition, their disruption results in exponentially amassing 'butterfly' effect on gene expression and cell function. Moreover, many of SE elements are druggable, opening new therapeutic opportunities. Indeed, SE targeting drugs have been studied preclinically in various hematologic malignancies with promising effects. Herein, we review the unique features of SEs, present different cis- and trans-acting mechanisms through which hematologic tumor cells acquire SEs, and finally, discuss the potential of SE targeting in the therapy of hematologic malignancies.
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32
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Samanta S, Mahata R, Santra MK. The Cross-Talk between Epigenetic Gene Regulation and Signaling Pathways Regulates Cancer Pathogenesis. Subcell Biochem 2022; 100:427-472. [PMID: 36301502 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-07634-3_13] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cancer begins due to uncontrolled cell division. Cancer cells are insensitive to the signals that control normal cell proliferation. This uncontrolled cell division is due to the accumulation of abnormalities in different factors associated with the cell division, including different cyclins, cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors, and cellular signaling. Cellular signaling pathways are aberrantly activated in cancer mainly due to epigenetic regulation and post-translational regulation. In this chapter, the role of epigenetic regulation in aberrant activation of PI3K/AKT, Ras, Wnt, Hedgehog, Notch, JAK/STAT, and mTOR signaling pathways in cancer progression is discussed. The role of epigenetic regulators in controlling the upstream regulatory proteins and downstream effector proteins responsible for abnormal cellular signaling-mediated cancer progression is covered in this chapter. Similarly, the role of signaling pathways in controlling epigenetic gene regulation-mediated cancer progression is also discussed. We have tried to ascertain the current status of potential epigenetic drugs targeting several epigenetic regulators to prevent different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snigdha Samanta
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rumpa Mahata
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manas Kumar Santra
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
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33
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A synthetic resveratrol analog termed Q205 reactivates latent HIV-1 through activation of P-TEFb. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 197:114901. [PMID: 34971588 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The persistence of HIV-1 latent reservoir creates the major obstacle toward an HIV-1 cure. The "shock and kill" strategy aims to reverse HIV-1 proviral latency using latency-reversing agents (LRAs), thus boosting immune recognition and clearance to residual infected cells. Unfortunately, to date, none of these tested LRA candidates has been demonstrated effectiveness and/or safety in reactivation HIV-1 latency. The discovery and development of effective, safe and affordable LRA candidates are urgently needed for creating an HIV-1 functional cure. Here, we designed and synthesized a series of small-molecule phenoxyacetic acid derivatives based on the resveratrol scaffold and found one of them, named 5, 7-dimethoxy-2-(5-(methoxymethyl) furan-2-yl) quinazolin-4(3H)-one (Q205), effectively reactivated latent HIV-1 in latent HIV-1-infected cells without a corresponding increase in induction of potentially damaging cytokines. The molecular mechanism of Q205 is shown to increase the phosphorylation of the CDK9 T-loop at position Thr186, dissociate positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) from BRD4, and promote the Tat-mediated HIV-1 transcription and RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) C-terminal domain (CTD) on Ser (CTD-Ser2P) to bind to the HIV promoter. This study provides a unique insight into resveratrol modified derivatives as promising leads for preclinical LRAs, which in turn may help toward inhibitor design and chemical optimization for improving HIV-1 shock-and kill-based efforts.
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34
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Elamin G, Aljoundi A, Soliman ME. A synergistic multitargeted of BET and HDAC: an intra-molecular mechanism of communication in treatment of Waldenström macroglobulinemia. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2021.2005248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ghazi Elamin
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Aimen Aljoundi
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Mahmoud E.S. Soliman
- Molecular Bio-computation and Drug Design Laboratory, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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35
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Murano C, Suzuki S, Nakamura S, Takeda H, Fukui T, Yoshioka T. Vimentin-positive and Alpha-fetoprotein-elevated Nuclear Protein of the Testis Midline Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Intern Med 2021; 60:3645-3649. [PMID: 34053984 PMCID: PMC8666212 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.7019-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear protein of the testis (NUT) midline carcinoma (NMC) is a rare malignant tumor expressing NUT with BRD4/3 rearrangements and is sometimes misdiagnosed as germinoma, especially in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-elevated cases. A 28-year-old man had a mediastinal tumor with multiple bone metastases and elevated AFP levels. Imaging/laboratory findings led to a pathological diagnosis of extragonadal germinoma. After unsuccessful treatment with etoposide-cisplatin, he was re-diagnosed with sarcoma due to vimentin-positive findings. He was treated with adriamycin-ifosfamide, which resulted in disease-control. A posthumous examination clarified the NUT rearrangement. Even in cases with characteristic findings, such as elevated AFP levels and vimentin positivity, NMC should be considered as a differential diagnosis. We note, however, that adriamycin-ifosfamide has some efficacy in such cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Murano
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Japan
| | - Shuhei Suzuki
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Japan
| | - Sho Nakamura
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takeda
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Japan
| | - Tadahisa Fukui
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Japan
| | - Takashi Yoshioka
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Japan
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36
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BET Proteins as Attractive Targets for Cancer Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011102. [PMID: 34681760 PMCID: PMC8538173 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional dysregulation is a hallmark of cancer and can be an essential driver of cancer initiation and progression. Loss of transcriptional control can cause cancer cells to become dependent on certain regulators of gene expression. Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins are epigenetic readers that regulate the expression of multiple genes involved in carcinogenesis. BET inhibitors (BETis) disrupt BET protein binding to acetylated lysine residues of chromatin and suppress the transcription of various genes, including oncogenic transcription factors. Phase I and II clinical trials demonstrated BETis’ potential as anticancer drugs against solid tumours and haematological malignancies; however, their clinical success was limited as monotherapies. Emerging treatment-associated toxicities, drug resistance and a lack of predictive biomarkers limited BETis’ clinical progress. The preclinical evaluation demonstrated that BETis synergised with different classes of compounds, including DNA repair inhibitors, thus supporting further clinical development of BETis. The combination of BET and PARP inhibitors triggered synthetic lethality in cells with proficient homologous recombination. Mechanistic studies revealed that BETis targeted multiple essential homologous recombination pathway proteins, including RAD51, BRCA1 and CtIP. The exact mechanism of BETis’ anticancer action remains poorly understood; nevertheless, these agents provide a novel approach to epigenome and transcriptome anticancer therapy.
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37
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Feng L, Wang G, Chen Y, He G, Liu B, Liu J, Chiang CM, Ouyang L. Dual-target inhibitors of bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins in cancer: A review from medicinal chemistry perspectives. Med Res Rev 2021; 42:710-743. [PMID: 34633088 DOI: 10.1002/med.21859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), as the most studied member of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family, is a chromatin reader protein interpreting epigenetic codes through binding to acetylated histones and non-histone proteins, thereby regulating diverse cellular processes including cell cycle, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. As a promising drug target, BRD4 function is closely related to cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and liver fibrosis. Currently, clinical resistance to BET inhibitors has limited their applications but synergistic antitumor effects have been observed when used in combination with other tumor inhibitors targeting additional cellular components such as PLK1, HDAC, CDK, and PARP1. Therefore, designing dual-target inhibitors of BET bromodomains is a rational strategy in cancer treatment to increase potency and reduce drug resistance. This review summarizes the protein structures and biological functions of BRD4 and discusses recent advances of dual BET inhibitors from a medicinal chemistry perspective. We also discuss the current design and discovery strategies for dual BET inhibitors, providing insight into potential discovery of additional dual-target BET inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Gu He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng-Ming Chiang
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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38
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Bowry A, Kelly RDW, Petermann E. Hypertranscription and replication stress in cancer. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:863-877. [PMID: 34052137 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Replication stress results from obstacles to replication fork progression, including ongoing transcription, which can cause transcription-replication conflicts. Oncogenic signaling can promote global increases in transcription activity, also termed hypertranscription. Despite the widely accepted importance of oncogene-induced hypertranscription, its study remains neglected compared with other causes of replication stress and genomic instability in cancer. A growing number of recent studies are reporting that oncogenes, such as RAS, and targeted cancer treatments, such as bromodomain and extraterminal motif (BET) bromodomain inhibitors, increase global transcription, leading to R-loop accumulation, transcription-replication conflicts, and the activation of replication stress responses. Here we discuss our mechanistic understanding of hypertranscription-induced replication stress and the resulting cellular responses, in the context of oncogenes and targeted cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhil Bowry
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Richard D W Kelly
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Eva Petermann
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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39
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Ny L, Jespersen H, Karlsson J, Alsén S, Filges S, All-Eriksson C, Andersson B, Carneiro A, Helgadottir H, Levin M, Ljuslinder I, Olofsson Bagge R, Sah VR, Stierner U, Ståhlberg A, Ullenhag G, Nilsson LM, Nilsson JA. The PEMDAC phase 2 study of pembrolizumab and entinostat in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5155. [PMID: 34453044 PMCID: PMC8397717 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25332-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Preclinical studies have suggested that epigenetic therapy could enhance immunogenicity of cancer cells. We report the results of the PEMDAC phase 2 clinical trial (n = 29; NCT02697630) where the HDAC inhibitor entinostat was combined with the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma (UM). The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR), and was met with an ORR of 14%. The clinical benefit rate at 18 weeks was 28%, median progression free survival was 2.1 months and the median overall survival was 13.4 months. Toxicities were manageable, and there were no treatment-related deaths. Objective responses and/or prolonged survival were seen in patients with BAP1 wildtype tumors, and in one patient with an iris melanoma that exhibited a UV signature. Longer survival also correlated with low baseline ctDNA levels or LDH. In conclusion, HDAC inhibition and anti-PD1 immunotherapy results in durable responses in a subset of patients with metastatic UM.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT02697630 (registered 3 March 2016). EudraCT registration number: 2016-002114-50.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Ny
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Henrik Jespersen
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Oncology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Joakim Karlsson
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Samuel Alsén
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stefan Filges
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Bengt Andersson
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ana Carneiro
- Department of Hematology Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hildur Helgadottir
- Department of Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Max Levin
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Roger Olofsson Bagge
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Vasu R Sah
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Stierner
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anders Ståhlberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gustav Ullenhag
- Department of Oncology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lisa M Nilsson
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jonas A Nilsson
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
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40
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Duan YC, Zhang SJ, Shi XJ, Jin LF, Yu T, Song Y, Guan YY. Research progress of dual inhibitors targeting crosstalk between histone epigenetic modulators for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 222:113588. [PMID: 34107385 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal epigenetics is a critical hallmark of human cancers. Anticancer drug discovery directed at histone epigenetic modulators has gained impressive advances with six drugs available for cancer therapy and numerous other candidates undergoing clinical trials. However, limited therapeutic profile, drug resistance, narrow safety margin, and dose-limiting toxicities pose intractable challenges for their clinical utility. Because histone epigenetic modulators undergo intricate crosstalk and act cooperatively to shape an aberrant epigenetic profile, co-targeting histone epigenetic modulators with a different mechanism of action has rapidly emerged as an attractive strategy to overcome the limitations faced by the single-target epigenetic inhibitors. In this review, we summarize in detail the crosstalk of histone epigenetic modulators in regulating gene transcription and the progress of dual epigenetic inhibitors targeting this crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Chao Duan
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China.
| | - Shao-Jie Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Xiao-Jing Shi
- Laboratory Animal Center, Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Lin-Feng Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Tong Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Yu Song
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Guan
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan Province, PR China.
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Zhang S, Chen Y, Tian C, He Y, Tian Z, Wan Y, Liu T. Dual-target Inhibitors Based on BRD4: Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Cancer. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:1775-1795. [PMID: 32520674 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200610174453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, cancer continues being a dramatically increasing and serious threat to public health. Although many anti-tumor agents have been developed in recent years, the survival rate of patients is not satisfactory. The poor prognosis of cancer patients is closely related to the occurrence of drug resistance. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new strategies for cancer treatment. Multi-target therapies aim to have additive or synergistic effects and reduce the potential for the development of resistance by integrating different pharmacophores into a single drug molecule. Given the fact that majority of diseases are multifactorial in nature, multi-target therapies are being exploited with increasing intensity, which has brought improved outcomes in disease models and obtained several compounds that have entered clinical trials. Thus, it is potential to utilize this strategy for the treatment of BRD4 related cancers. This review focuses on the recent research advances of dual-target inhibitors based on BRD4 in the aspect of anti-tumor. METHODS We have searched the recent literatures about BRD4 inhibitors from the online resources and databases, such as pubmed, elsevier and google scholar. RESULTS In the recent years, many efforts have been taken to develop dual-target inhibitors based on BRD4 as anti-cancer agents, such as HDAC/BRD4 dual inhibitors, PLK1/BRD4 dual inhibitors and PI3K/BRD4 dual inhibitors and so on. Most compounds display good anti-tumor activities. CONCLUSION Developing new anti-cancer agents with new scaffolds and high efficiency is a big challenge for researchers. Dual-target inhibitors based on BRD4 are a class of important bioactive compounds. Making structural modifications on the active dual-target inhibitors according to the corresponding structure-activity relationships is of benefit to obtain more potent anti-cancer leads or clinical drugs. This review will be useful for further development of new dual-target inhibitors based on BRD4 as anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sitao Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271000, Shandong, China
| | - Yanzhao Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271000, Shandong, China
| | - Chengsen Tian
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu Normal University, Jinan, Shandong 250200, China
| | - Yujing He
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271000, Shandong, China
| | - Zeru Tian
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Yichao Wan
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecule, Ministry of Education, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Functional Application of Fine Polymers, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan 411201, China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271000, Shandong, China
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42
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Landmesser U, Poller W, Tsimikas S, Most P, Paneni F, Lüscher TF. From traditional pharmacological towards nucleic acid-based therapies for cardiovascular diseases. Eur Heart J 2021; 41:3884-3899. [PMID: 32350510 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid-based therapeutics are currently developed at large scale for prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), since: (i) genetic studies have highlighted novel therapeutic targets suggested to be causal for CVD; (ii) there is a substantial recent progress in delivery, efficacy, and safety of nucleic acid-based therapies; (iii) they enable effective modulation of therapeutic targets that cannot be sufficiently or optimally addressed using traditional small molecule drugs or antibodies. Nucleic acid-based therapeutics include (i) RNA-targeted therapeutics for gene silencing; (ii) microRNA-modulating and epigenetic therapies; (iii) gene therapies; and (iv) genome-editing approaches (e.g. CRISPR-Cas-based): (i) RNA-targeted therapeutics: several large-scale clinical development programmes, using antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) or short interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics for prevention and management of CVD have been initiated. These include ASO and/or siRNA molecules to lower apolipoprotein (a) [apo(a)], proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), apoCIII, ANGPTL3, or transthyretin (TTR) for prevention and treatment of patients with atherosclerotic CVD or TTR amyloidosis. (ii) MicroRNA-modulating and epigenetic therapies: novel potential therapeutic targets are continually arising from human non-coding genome and epigenetic research. First microRNA-based therapeutics or therapies targeting epigenetic regulatory pathways are in clinical studies. (iii) Gene therapies: EMA/FDA have approved gene therapies for non-cardiac monogenic diseases and LDL receptor gene therapy is currently being examined in patients with homozygous hypercholesterolaemia. In experimental studies, gene therapy has significantly improved cardiac function in heart failure animal models. (iv) Genome editing approaches: these technologies, such as using CRISPR-Cas, have proven powerful in stem cells, however, important challenges are remaining, e.g. low rates of homology-directed repair in somatic cells such as cardiomyocytes. In summary, RNA-targeted therapies (e.g. apo(a)-ASO and PCSK9-siRNA) are now in large-scale clinical outcome trials and will most likely become a novel effective and safe therapeutic option for CVD in the near future. MicroRNA-modulating, epigenetic, and gene therapies are tested in early clinical studies for CVD. CRISPR-Cas-mediated genome editing is highly effective in stem cells, but major challenges are remaining in somatic cells, however, this field is rapidly advancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulf Landmesser
- Department of Cardiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, CC11 (Cardiovascular Medicine), Charite-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Strasse 2, 10178 Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Poller
- Department of Cardiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, CC11 (Cardiovascular Medicine), Charite-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sotirios Tsimikas
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, BSB 1080, La Jolla, CA 92093-0682, USA
| | - Patrick Most
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Center for Translational Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.,Molecular and Translational Cardiology, Department of Medicine III, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 669, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Francesco Paneni
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zürich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland.,Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Research and Education, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, MOU2, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas F Lüscher
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zürich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland.,Research, Education and Development, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital Trust and Imperial College London, National Heart and Lung Institute, Guy Scadding Building, Dovehouse Street, London SW3 6LY, UK
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Shorstova T, Foulkes WD, Witcher M. Achieving clinical success with BET inhibitors as anti-cancer agents. Br J Cancer 2021; 124:1478-1490. [PMID: 33723398 PMCID: PMC8076232 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01321-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional upregulation of oncogenes is a driving force behind the progression of many tumours. However, until a decade ago, the concept of 'switching off' these oncogenic pathways represented a formidable challenge. Research has revealed that members of the bromo- and extra-terminal domain (BET) motif family are key activators of oncogenic networks in a spectrum of cancers; their function depends on their recruitment to chromatin through two bromodomains (BD1 and BD2). The advent of potent inhibitors of BET proteins (BETi), which target either one or both bromodomains, represents an important step towards the goal of suppressing oncogenic networks within tumours. Here, we discuss the biology of BET proteins, advances in BETi design and highlight potential biomarkers predicting their activity. We also outline the logic of incorporating BETi into combination therapies to enhance its efficacy. We suggest that understanding mechanisms of activity, defining predictive biomarkers and identifying potent synergies represents a roadmap for clinical success using BETi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Shorstova
- grid.414980.00000 0000 9401 2774Departments of Oncology and Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - William D. Foulkes
- grid.414980.00000 0000 9401 2774Departments of Oncology and Human Genetics, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Michael Witcher
- grid.414980.00000 0000 9401 2774Departments of Oncology and Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute and Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC Canada
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44
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Current status in the discovery of dual BET/HDAC inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 38:127829. [PMID: 33685790 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.127829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The development of desired multitarget agents may provide an attractive and cost-effective complement or alternative to drug combinations. Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) and histone deacetylase (HDAC), as important epigenetic modulators, are attractive targets in drug discovery and development. Considering the fact that BET and HDAC inhibitors exert a synergistic effect on cellular processes in cancer cells, the design of dual BET/HDAC inhibitors may be a rational strategy to improve the efficacy of their single-target drugs for tumor treatment. In the current review, we depict the development of dual BET/HDAC inhibitors and particularly highlight their structure-activity relationships (SARs), binding modes, and biological functions with the aim to facilitate rational drug design and develop more dual BET/HDAC inhibitors.
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45
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Wu S, Wang L, Zhang L, Xu X, Zhao J. Molecular dynamics insights into binding selectivity of inhibitors toward BRD4 and CBP. Chem Phys Lett 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2021.138435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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46
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Gene Transactivation and Transrepression in MYC-Driven Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073458. [PMID: 33801599 PMCID: PMC8037706 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC is a proto-oncogene regulating a large number of genes involved in a plethora of cellular functions. Its deregulation results in activation of MYC gene expression and/or an increase in MYC protein stability. MYC overexpression is a hallmark of malignant growth, inducing self-renewal of stem cells and blocking senescence and cell differentiation. This review summarizes the latest advances in our understanding of MYC-mediated molecular mechanisms responsible for its oncogenic activity. Several recent findings indicate that MYC is a regulator of cancer genome and epigenome: MYC modulates expression of target genes in a site-specific manner, by recruiting chromatin remodeling co-factors at promoter regions, and at genome-wide level, by regulating the expression of several epigenetic modifiers that alter the entire chromatin structure. We also discuss novel emerging therapeutic strategies based on both direct modulation of MYC and its epigenetic cofactors.
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47
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Shibasaki H, Kinoh H, Cabral H, Quader S, Mochida Y, Liu X, Toh K, Miyano K, Matsumoto Y, Yamasoba T, Kataoka K. Efficacy of pH-Sensitive Nanomedicines in Tumors with Different c-MYC Expression Depends on the Intratumoral Activation Profile. ACS NANO 2021; 15:5545-5559. [PMID: 33625824 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c00364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Effective inhibition of the protein derived from cellular myelocytomatosis oncogene (c-Myc) is one of the most sought-after goals in cancer therapy. While several c-Myc inhibitors have demonstrated therapeutic potential, inhibiting c-Myc has proven challenging, since c-Myc is essential for normal tissues and tumors may present heterogeneous c-Myc levels demanding contrasting therapeutic strategies. Herein, we developed tumor-targeted nanomedicines capable of treating both tumors with high and low c-Myc levels by adjusting their ability to spatiotemporally control drug action. These nanomedicines loaded homologues of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) motif inhibitor JQ1 as epigenetic c-Myc inhibitors through pH-cleavable bonds engineered for fast or slow drug release at intratumoral pH. In tumors with high c-Myc expression, the fast-releasing (FR) nanomedicines suppressed tumor growth more effectively than the slow-releasing (SR) ones, whereas, in the low c-Myc tumors, the efficacy of the nanomedicines was the opposite. By studying the tumor distribution and intratumoral activation of the nanomedicines, we found that, despite SR nanomedicines achieved higher accumulation than the FR counterparts in both c-Myc high and low tumors, the antitumor activity profiles corresponded with the availability of activated drugs inside the tumors. These results indicate the potential of engineered nanomedicines for c-Myc inhibition and spur the idea of precision pH-sensitive nanomedicine based on cancer biomarker levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Shibasaki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kinoh
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Horacio Cabral
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Sabina Quader
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Yuki Mochida
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Xueying Liu
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Kazuko Toh
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Kazuki Miyano
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tokyo Yamate Medical Center, 3-22-1, Hyakunin-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073, Japan
| | - Yu Matsumoto
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yamasoba
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kataoka
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
- Policy Alternative Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
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48
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Singh M, Kumar V, Sehrawat N, Yadav M, Chaudhary M, Upadhyay SK, Kumar S, Sharma V, Kumar S, Dilbaghi N, Sharma AK. Current paradigms in epigenetic anticancer therapeutics and future challenges. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 83:422-440. [PMID: 33766649 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Any alteration at the genetic or epigenetic level, may result in multiplex of diseases including tumorigenesis which ultimately results in the cancer development. Restoration of the normal epigenome by reversing the epigenetic alterations have been reported in tumors paving the way for development of an effective epigenetic treatment in cancer. However, delineating various epigenetic events has been a challenging task so far despite substantial progress in understanding DNA methylation and histone modifications during transcription of genes. Many inhibitors in the form of epigenetic drugs mostly targeting chromatin and histone modifying enzymes including DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzyme inhibitors and a histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitor, have been in use subsequent to the approval by FDA for cancer treatment. Similarly, other inhibitory drugs, such as FK228, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and MS-275, have been successfully tested in clinical studies. Despite all these advancements, still we see a hazy view as far as a promising epigenetic anticancer therapy is concerned. The challenges are to have more specific and effective inhibitors with negligible side effects. Moreover, the alterations seen in tumors are not well understood for which one has to gain deeper insight into the tumor pathology as well. Current review focusses on such epigenetic alterations occurring in cancer and the effective strategies to utilize such alterations for potential therapeutic use and treatment in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, 133207, Haryana, India
| | - Vikas Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, 133207, Haryana, India
| | - Nirmala Sehrawat
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, 133207, Haryana, India
| | - Mukesh Yadav
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, 133207, Haryana, India
| | - Mayank Chaudhary
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, 133207, Haryana, India
| | - Sushil K Upadhyay
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, 133207, Haryana, India
| | - Sunil Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, 133207, Haryana, India
| | - Varruchi Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Guru Gobind Singh College Sector-26, Chandigarh, UT, 160019, India
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Bio& Nanotechnology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, Haryana, 125001, India
| | - Neeraj Dilbaghi
- Department of Bio& Nanotechnology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, Haryana, 125001, India
| | - Anil K Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, 133207, Haryana, India.
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Zhao W, Yang H, Chai J, Xing L. RUNX2 as a promising therapeutic target for malignant tumors. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:2539-2548. [PMID: 33758548 PMCID: PMC7981165 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s302173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor runt-related protein 2 (RUNX2) has an important impact on the transformation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblasts. Further studies have shown that RUNX2 plays a key role in the invasion and metastasis of cancers. RUNX2 is a "key" molecule in the regulatory network comprised of multiple signaling pathways upstream and its target downstream molecules. Due to the complex regulatory mechanisms of RUNX2, the specific mechanism underlying the occurrence, development and prognosis of malignant tumors has not been fully understood. Currently, RUNX2 as a promising therapeutic target for cancers has become a research hotspot. Herein, we reviewed the current literature on the modulatory functions and mechanisms of RUNX2 in the development of malignant tumors, aiming to explore its potential clinical application in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhu Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, 250117, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Oncology, Binzhou People’s Hospital, Binzhou, 256610, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haiying Yang
- Department of Nursing, Binzhou People’s Hospital, Binzhou, 256610, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Chai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, 250117, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ligang Xing
- Department of Radiology, Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, 250117, People’s Republic of China
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50
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BET bromodomain inhibitors regulate keratinocyte plasticity. Nat Chem Biol 2021; 17:280-290. [PMID: 33462494 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-020-00716-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Although most acute skin wounds heal rapidly, non-healing skin ulcers represent an increasing and substantial unmet medical need that urgently requires effective therapeutics. Keratinocytes resurface wounds to re-establish the epidermal barrier by transitioning to an activated, migratory state, but this ability is lost in dysfunctional chronic wounds. Small-molecule regulators of keratinocyte plasticity with the potential to reverse keratinocyte malfunction in situ could offer a novel therapeutic approach in skin wound healing. Utilizing high-throughput phenotypic screening of primary keratinocytes, we identify such small molecules, including bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) protein family inhibitors (BETi). BETi induce a sustained activated, migratory state in keratinocytes in vitro, increase activation markers in human epidermis ex vivo and enhance skin wound healing in vivo. Our findings suggest potential clinical utility of BETi in promoting keratinocyte re-epithelialization of skin wounds. Importantly, this novel property of BETi is exclusively observed after transient low-dose exposure, revealing new potential for this compound class.
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