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Yu L, Deng Y, Wang X, Santos C, Davis IJ, Earp HS, Liu P. Co-targeting JAK1/STAT6/GAS6/TAM signaling improves chemotherapy efficacy in Ewing sarcoma. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5292. [PMID: 38906855 PMCID: PMC11192891 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49667-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a pediatric bone and soft tissue tumor treated with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Despite intensive multimodality therapy, ~50% patients eventually relapse and die of the disease due to chemoresistance. Here, using phospho-profiling, we find Ewing sarcoma cells treated with chemotherapeutic agents activate TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MERTK) kinases to augment Akt and ERK signaling facilitating chemoresistance. Mechanistically, chemotherapy-induced JAK1-SQ phosphorylation releases JAK1 pseudokinase domain inhibition allowing for JAK1 activation. This alternative JAK1 activation mechanism leads to STAT6 nuclear translocation triggering transcription and secretion of the TAM kinase ligand GAS6 with autocrine/paracrine consequences. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of either JAK1 by filgotinib or TAM kinases by UNC2025 sensitizes Ewing sarcoma to chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo. Excitingly, the TAM kinase inhibitor MRX-2843 currently in human clinical trials to treat AML and advanced solid tumors, enhances chemotherapy efficacy to further suppress Ewing sarcoma tumor growth in vivo. Our findings reveal an Ewing sarcoma chemoresistance mechanism with an immediate translational value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Yu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Yu Deng
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Charlene Santos
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Ian J Davis
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Pengda Liu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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Vaidya B, Gupta P, Biswas S, Laha JK, Roy I, Sharma SS. Effect of Clemizole on Alpha-Synuclein-Preformed Fibrils-Induced Parkinson's Disease Pathology: A Pharmacological Investigation. Neuromolecular Med 2024; 26:19. [PMID: 38703217 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-024-08785-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with mitochondrial dysfunctions and oxidative stress. However, to date, therapeutics targeting these pathological events have not managed to translate from bench to bedside for clinical use. One of the major reasons for the lack of translational success has been the use of classical model systems that do not replicate the disease pathology and progression with the same degree of robustness. Therefore, we employed a more physiologically relevant model involving alpha-synuclein-preformed fibrils (PFF) exposure to SH-SY5Y cells and Sprague Dawley rats. We further explored the possible involvement of transient receptor potential canonical 5 (TRPC5) channels in PD-like pathology induced by these alpha-synuclein-preformed fibrils with emphasis on amelioration of oxidative stress and mitochondrial health. We observed that alpha-synuclein PFF exposure produced neurobehavioural deficits that were positively ameliorated after treatment with the TRPC5 inhibitor clemizole. Furthermore, Clemizole also reduced p-alpha-synuclein and diminished oxidative stress levels which resulted in overall improvements in mitochondrial biogenesis and functions. Finally, the results of the pharmacological modulation were further validated using siRNA-mediated knockdown of TRPC5 channels, which also decreased p-alpha-synuclein expression. Together, the results of this study could be superimposed in the future for exploring the beneficial effects of TRPC5 channel modulation for other neurodegenerative disorders and synucleopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhupesh Vaidya
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
| | - Pankaj Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology (Process Chemistry), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S. A. S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
| | - Soumojit Biswas
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
| | - Joydev K Laha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology (Process Chemistry), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S. A. S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
| | - Ipsita Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India
| | - Shyam Sunder Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, 160062, India.
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Wardas B, Schneider JG, Klugbauer N, Flockerzi V, Beck A. Englerin A Inhibits T-Type Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels at Low Micromolar Concentrations. Mol Pharmacol 2023; 104:144-153. [PMID: 37399325 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.122.000651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Englerin A (EA) is a potent agonist of tetrameric transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) ion channels containing TRPC4 and TRPC5 subunits. TRPC proteins form cation channels that are activated by plasma membrane receptors. They convert extracellular signals such as angiotensin II into cellular responses, whereupon Na+ and Ca2+ influx and depolarization of the plasma membrane occur. Via depolarization, voltage-gated Ca2+ (CaV) channels can be activated, further increasing Ca2+ influx. We investigated the extent to which EA also affects the functions of CaV channels using the high-voltage-activated L-type Ca2+ channel CaV1.2 and the low-voltage-activated T-type Ca2+ channels CaV3.1, CaV3.2, and CaV3.3. After expression of cDNAs in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells, EA inhibited currents through all T-type channels at half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 7.5 to 10.3 μM. In zona glomerulosa cells of the adrenal gland, angiotensin II-induced elevation of cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration leads to aldosterone release. We identified transcripts of low- and high-voltage-activated CaV channels and of TRPC1 and TRPC5 in the human adrenocortical (HAC15) zona glomerulosa cell line. Although no EA-induced TRPC activity was measurable, Ca2+ channel blockers distinguished T- and L-type Ca2+ currents. EA blocked 60% of the CaV current in HAC15 cells and T- and L-type channels analyzed at -30 mV and 10 mV were inhibited with IC50 values of 2.3 and 2.6 μM, respectively. Although the T-type blocker Z944 reduced basal and angiotensin II-induced 24-hour aldosterone release, EA was not effective. In summary, we show here that EA blocks CaV1.2 and T-type CaV channels at low-micromolar concentrations. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In this study we showed that englerin A (EA), a potent agonist of tetrameric transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC)4- or TRPC5-containing channels and currently under investigation to treat certain types of cancer, also inhibits the L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ (CaV) channel CaV1.2 and the T-type CaV channels CaV3.1, CaV3.2, and CaV3.3 channels at low micromolar concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Wardas
- Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie/PZMS, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany (B.W., V.F., A.B.); Department of Internal Medicine II, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes und Medizinische Fakultät der Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany (J.G.S.); Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg (J.G.S.); and Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany (N.K.)
| | - Jochen G Schneider
- Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie/PZMS, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany (B.W., V.F., A.B.); Department of Internal Medicine II, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes und Medizinische Fakultät der Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany (J.G.S.); Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg (J.G.S.); and Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany (N.K.)
| | - Norbert Klugbauer
- Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie/PZMS, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany (B.W., V.F., A.B.); Department of Internal Medicine II, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes und Medizinische Fakultät der Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany (J.G.S.); Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg (J.G.S.); and Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany (N.K.)
| | - Veit Flockerzi
- Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie/PZMS, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany (B.W., V.F., A.B.); Department of Internal Medicine II, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes und Medizinische Fakultät der Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany (J.G.S.); Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg (J.G.S.); and Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany (N.K.)
| | - Andreas Beck
- Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie/PZMS, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany (B.W., V.F., A.B.); Department of Internal Medicine II, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes und Medizinische Fakultät der Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany (J.G.S.); Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg (J.G.S.); and Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany (N.K.)
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Vaidya B, Gupta P, Laha JK, Roy I, Sharma SS. Amelioration of Parkinson's disease by pharmacological inhibition and knockdown of redox sensitive TRPC5 channels: Focus on mitochondrial health. Life Sci 2023:121871. [PMID: 37352915 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Transient receptor potential canonical 5 (TRPC5) channels are redox-sensitive cation-permeable channels involved in temperature and mechanical sensation. Increased expression and over-activation of these channels has been implicated in several central nervous system disorders such as epilepsy, depression, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, Huntington's disease and stroke. TRPC5 channel activation causes increased calcium influx which in turn activates numerous downstream signalling pathways involved in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders. Therefore, we hypothesized that pharmacological blockade and knockdown of TRPC5 channels could attenuate the behavioural deficits and molecular changes seen in CNS disease models such as MPTP/MPP+ induced Parkinson's disease (PD). MATERIALS AND METHODS In the present study, PD was induced after bilateral intranigral infusion of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) to the Sprague Dawley rats. Additionally, SH-SY5Y neurons were exposed to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) to further determine the role of TRPC5 channels in PD. KEY FINDINGS We used clemizole hydrochloride, a potent TRPC5 channel blocker, to reverse the behavioural deficits, molecular changes and biochemical parameters in MPTP/MPP+-induced-PD. Furthermore, knockdown of TRPC5 expression using siRNA also closely phenocopies these effects. We further observed restoration of tyrosine hydroxylase levels and improved mitochondrial health following clemizole treatment and TRPC5 knockdown. These changes were accompanied by diminished calcium influx, reduced levels of reactive oxygen species and decreased apoptotic signalling in the PD models. SIGNIFICANCE These findings collectively suggest that increased expression of TRPC5 channels is a potential risk factor for PD and opens a new therapeutic window for the development of pharmacological agents targeting neurodegeneration and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhupesh Vaidya
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Pankaj Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology (Process Chemistry), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S. A. S. Nagar, Punjab 160062, India
| | - Joydev K Laha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology (Process Chemistry), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S. A. S. Nagar, Punjab 160062, India
| | - Ipsita Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Shyam Sunder Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India.
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Shifting from a Biological-Agnostic Approach to a Molecular-Driven Strategy in Rare Cancers: Ewing Sarcoma Archetype. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030874. [PMID: 36979853 PMCID: PMC10045500 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas of the thoracic cavity are rare entities that predominantly affect children and young adults. They can be very heterogeneous encompassing several different histological entities. Ewing Sarcoma (ES) can potentially arise from every bone, soft tissue, or visceral site in the body. However, it represents an extremely rare finding when it affects the thoracic cavity. It represents the second most frequent type of thoracic sarcoma, after chondrosarcoma. ES arises more frequently in sites that differ from the thoracic cavity, but it displays the same biological features and behavior of extra-thoracic ones. Current management of ES often requires a multidisciplinary treatment approach including surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy, as it can guarantee local and distant disease control, at least transiently, although the long-term outcome remains poor. Unfortunately, due to the paucity of clinical trials purposely designed for this rare malignancy, there are no optimal strategies that can be used for disease recurrence. As a result of its complex biological features, ES might be suitable for emerging biology-based therapeutic strategies. However, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving tumor growth and treatment resistance, including those related to oncogenic pathways, epigenetic landscape, and immune microenvironment, is necessary in order to develop new valid therapeutic opportunities. Here, we provide an overview of the most recent therapeutic advances for ES in both the preclinical and clinical settings. We performed a review of the current available literature and of the ongoing clinical trials focusing on new treatment strategies, after failure of conventional multimodal treatments.
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Robles AJ, Dai W, Haldar S, Ma H, Anderson VM, Overacker RD, Risinger AL, Loesgen S, Houghton PJ, Cichewicz RH, Mooberry SL. Altertoxin II, a Highly Effective and Specific Compound against Ewing Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246176. [PMID: 34944795 PMCID: PMC8699301 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A screening program designed to identify natural products with selective cytotoxic effects against cell lines representing different types of pediatric solid tumors led to the identification of altertoxin II as a highly potent and selective cytotoxin against Ewing sarcoma cell lines. Altertoxin II, but not the related compounds altertoxin I and alteichin, was highly effective against every Ewing sarcoma cell line tested, with an average 25-fold selectivity for these cells as compared to cells representing other pediatric and adult cancers. Mechanism of action studies revealed that altertoxin II causes DNA double-strand breaks, a rapid DNA damage response, and cell cycle accumulation in the S phase. Our studies also demonstrate that the potent effects of altertoxin II are partially dependent on the progression through the cell cycle, because the G1 arrest initiated by a CDK4/6 inhibitor decreased antiproliferative potency more than 10 times. Importantly, the cell-type-selective DNA-damaging effects of altertoxin II in Ewing sarcoma cells occur independently of its ability to bind directly to DNA. Ultimately, we found that altertoxin II has a dose-dependent in vivo antitumor efficacy against a Ewing sarcoma xenograft, suggesting that it has potential as a therapeutic drug lead and will be useful to identify novel targets for Ewing-sarcoma-specific therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Robles
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.J.R.); (A.L.R.)
- Mays Cancer Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA;
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Wentao Dai
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Science Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA; (W.D.); (S.H.); (H.M.); (V.M.A.)
| | - Saikat Haldar
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Science Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA; (W.D.); (S.H.); (H.M.); (V.M.A.)
| | - Hongyan Ma
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Science Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA; (W.D.); (S.H.); (H.M.); (V.M.A.)
| | - Victoria M. Anderson
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Science Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA; (W.D.); (S.H.); (H.M.); (V.M.A.)
| | - Ross D. Overacker
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (R.D.O.); (S.L.)
| | - April L. Risinger
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.J.R.); (A.L.R.)
- Mays Cancer Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA;
| | - Sandra Loesgen
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (R.D.O.); (S.L.)
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA
| | - Peter J. Houghton
- Mays Cancer Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA;
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Robert H. Cichewicz
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Science Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA; (W.D.); (S.H.); (H.M.); (V.M.A.)
- Correspondence: (R.H.C.); (S.L.M.); Tel.: +1-405-325-6969 (R.H.C.); +1-210-567-4788 (S.L.M.); Fax: +1-405-325-6111 (R.H.C.); +1-210-567-4300 (S.L.M.)
| | - Susan L. Mooberry
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (A.J.R.); (A.L.R.)
- Mays Cancer Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA;
- Correspondence: (R.H.C.); (S.L.M.); Tel.: +1-405-325-6969 (R.H.C.); +1-210-567-4788 (S.L.M.); Fax: +1-405-325-6111 (R.H.C.); +1-210-567-4300 (S.L.M.)
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Flores G, Grohar PJ. One oncogene, several vulnerabilities: EWS/FLI targeted therapies for Ewing sarcoma. J Bone Oncol 2021; 31:100404. [PMID: 34976713 PMCID: PMC8686064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbo.2021.100404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
EWS/FLI is the defining mutation of Ewing sarcoma. This oncogene drives malignant transformation and progression and occurs in a genetic background characterized by few other recurrent cooperating mutations. In addition, the tumor is absolutely dependent on the continued expression of EWS/FLI to maintain the malignant phenotype. However, EWS/FLI is a transcription factor and therefore a challenging drug target. The difficulty of directly targeting EWS/FLI stems from unique features of this fusion protein as well as the network of interacting proteins required to execute the transcriptional program. This network includes interacting proteins as well as upstream and downstream effectors that together reprogram the epigenome and transcriptome. While the vast number of proteins involved in this process challenge the development of a highly specific inhibitors, they also yield numerous therapeutic opportunities. In this report, we will review how this vast EWS-FLI transcriptional network has been exploited over the last two decades to identify compounds that directly target EWS/FLI and/or associated vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Flores
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, USA
| | - Patrick J Grohar
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, 3501 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Su S, Chen J, Jiang Y, Wang Y, Vital T, Zhang J, Laggner C, Nguyen KT, Zhu Z, Prevatte AW, Barker NK, Herring LE, Davis IJ, Liu P. SPOP and OTUD7A Control EWS-FLI1 Protein Stability to Govern Ewing Sarcoma Growth. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2004846. [PMID: 34060252 PMCID: PMC8292909 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202004846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Chromosomal translocation results in development of an Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1-Friend leukemia integration 1 (EWS-FLI1) fusion oncogene in the majority of Ewing sarcoma. The persistent dependence of the tumor for this oncoprotein points to EWS-FLI1 as an ideal drug target. Although EWS-FLI1 transcriptional targets and binding partners are evaluated, the mechanisms regulating EWS-FLI1 protein stability remain elusive. Speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) and OTU domain-containing protein 7A (OTUD7A) are identified as the bona fide E3 ligase and deubiquitinase, respectively, that control EWS-FLI1 protein turnover in Ewing sarcoma. Casein kinase 1-mediated phosphorylation of the VTSSS degron in the FLI1 domain enhances SPOP activity to degrade EWS-FLI1. Opposing this process, OTUD7A deubiquitinates and stabilizes EWS-FLI1. Depletion of OTUD7A in Ewing sarcoma cell lines reduces EWS-FLI1 protein abundance and impedes Ewing sarcoma growth in vitro and in mice. Performing an artificial-intelligence-based virtual drug screen of a 4-million small molecule library, 7Ai is identified as a potential OTUD7A catalytic inhibitor. 7Ai reduces EWS-FLI1 protein levels and decreases Ewing sarcoma growth in vitro and in a xenograft mouse model. This study supports the therapeutic targeting of OTUD7A as a novel strategy for Ewing sarcoma bearing EWS-FLI1 and related fusions, and may also be applicable to other cancers dependent on aberrant FLI1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Su
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsSchool of MedicineThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
| | - Jianfeng Chen
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsSchool of MedicineThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
| | - Yao Jiang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
- Present address:
Cancer CenterUnion HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan430022China
| | - Ying Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsSchool of MedicineThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
| | - Tamara Vital
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
- Department of GeneticsThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
- Department of PediatricsThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC 27599USA
| | - Jiaming Zhang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
- Present address:
Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and ImmunityHarvard School of Dental MedicineBostonMA02215USA
| | | | | | - Zhichuan Zhu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsSchool of MedicineThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
| | - Alex W. Prevatte
- UNC Proteomics Core FacilityDepartment of PharmacologyThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
| | - Natalie K. Barker
- UNC Proteomics Core FacilityDepartment of PharmacologyThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
| | - Laura E. Herring
- UNC Proteomics Core FacilityDepartment of PharmacologyThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
| | - Ian J. Davis
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
- Department of GeneticsThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
- Department of PediatricsThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC 27599USA
| | - Pengda Liu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsSchool of MedicineThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNC27599USA
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Abu-Izneid T, Rauf A, Shariati MA, Khalil AA, Imran M, Rebezov M, Uddin MS, Mahomoodally MF, Rengasamy KRR. Sesquiterpenes and their derivatives-natural anticancer compounds: An update. Pharmacol Res 2020; 161:105165. [PMID: 32835868 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Sesquiterpenes belong to the largest group of plant secondary metabolites, which consist of three isoprene building units. These compounds are widely distributed in various angiosperms, a few gymnosperms and bryophytes. Sesquiterpenes and their allied derivatives are bio-synthesized in various plant parts including leaves, fruits and roots. These plant-based metabolites are predominantly identified in the Asteraceae family, wherein up to 5000 complexes have been documented to date. Sesquiterpenes and their derivatives are characteristically associated with plant defence mechanisms owing to their antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral activities. Over the last two decades, these compounds have been reportedly demonstrated health promoting perspectives against a wide range of metabolic syndromes i.e. hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular complications, neural disorders, diabetes, and cancer. The high potential of sesquiterpenes and their derivatives against various cancers like breast, colon, bladder, pancreatic, prostate, cervical, brain, liver, blood, ovarium, bone, endometrial, oral, lung, eye, stomach and kidney are the object of this review. Predominantly, it recapitulates the literature elucidating sesquiterpenes and their derivatives while highlighting the mechanistic approaches associated with their potent anticancer activities such as modulating nuclear factor kappa (NF-kB) activity, inhibitory action against lipid peroxidation and retarding the production of reactive oxygen & nitrogen species (ROS&RNS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tareq Abu-Izneid
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdur Rauf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad Ali Shariati
- K.G. Razumovsky Moscow State University of Technologies and Management (the First Cossack University), Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Anees Ahmed Khalil
- University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Imran
- University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Maksim Rebezov
- V. M. Gorbatov Federal Research Center for Food Systems of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Md Sahab Uddin
- Pharmakon Neuroscience Research Network, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Viet Nam; Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius
| | - Kannan R R Rengasamy
- Bionanotechnology Research Group, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Faculty of Pharmacy, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
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10
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Wilson BAP, Thornburg CC, Henrich CJ, Grkovic T, O'Keefe BR. Creating and screening natural product libraries. Nat Prod Rep 2020; 37:893-918. [PMID: 32186299 PMCID: PMC8494140 DOI: 10.1039/c9np00068b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Covering: up to 2020The National Cancer Institute of the United States (NCI) has initiated a Cancer Moonshot program entitled the NCI Program for Natural Product Discovery. As part of this effort, the NCI is producing a library of 1 000 000 partially purified natural product fractions which are being plated into 384-well plates and provided to the research community free of charge. As the first 326 000 of these fractions have now been made available, this review seeks to describe the general methods used to collect organisms, extract those organisms, and create a prefractionated library. Importantly, this review also details both cell-based and cell-free bioassay methods and the adaptations necessary to those methods to productively screen natural product libraries. Finally, this review briefly describes post-screen dereplication and compound purification and scale up procedures which can efficiently identify active compounds and produce sufficient quantities of natural products for further pre-clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brice A P Wilson
- Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201, USA.
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11
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Current Approaches for Personalized Therapy of Soft Tissue Sarcomas. Sarcoma 2020; 2020:6716742. [PMID: 32317857 PMCID: PMC7152984 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6716742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a highly heterogeneous group of cancers of mesenchymal origin with diverse morphologies and clinical behaviors. While surgical resection is the standard treatment for primary STS, advanced and metastatic STS patients are not eligible for surgery. Systemic treatments, including standard chemotherapy and newer chemical agents, still play the most relevant role in the management of the disease. Discovery of specific genetic alterations in distinct STS subtypes allowed better understanding of mechanisms driving their pathogenesis and treatment optimization. This review focuses on the available targeted drugs or drug combinations based on genetic aberration involved in STS development including chromosomal translocations, oncogenic mutations, gene amplifications, and their perspectives in STS treatment. Furthermore, in this review, we discuss the possible use of chemotherapy sensitivity and resistance assays (CSRA) for the adjustment of treatment for individual patients. In summary, current trends in personalized management of advanced and metastatic STS are based on combination of both genetic testing and CSRA.
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12
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Knott MML, Hölting TLB, Ohmura S, Kirchner T, Cidre-Aranaz F, Grünewald TGP. Targeting the undruggable: exploiting neomorphic features of fusion oncoproteins in childhood sarcomas for innovative therapies. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2019; 38:625-642. [PMID: 31970591 PMCID: PMC6994515 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-019-09839-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
While sarcomas account for approximately 1% of malignant tumors of adults, they are particularly more common in children and adolescents affected by cancer. In contrast to malignancies that occur in later stages of life, childhood tumors, including sarcoma, are characterized by a striking paucity of somatic mutations. However, entity-defining fusion oncogenes acting as the main oncogenic driver mutations are frequently found in pediatric bone and soft-tissue sarcomas such as Ewing sarcoma (EWSR1-FLI1), alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (PAX3/7-FOXO1), and synovial sarcoma (SS18-SSX1/2/4). Since strong oncogene-dependency has been demonstrated in these entities, direct pharmacological targeting of these fusion oncogenes has been excessively attempted, thus far, with limited success. Despite apparent challenges, our increasing understanding of the neomorphic features of these fusion oncogenes in conjunction with rapid technological advances will likely enable the development of new strategies to therapeutically exploit these neomorphic features and to ultimately turn the "undruggable" into first-line target structures. In this review, we provide a broad overview of the current literature on targeting neomorphic features of fusion oncogenes found in Ewing sarcoma, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, and synovial sarcoma, and give a perspective for future developments. Graphical abstract Scheme depicting the different targeting strategies of fusion oncogenes in pediatric fusion-driven sarcomas. Fusion oncogenes can be targeted on their DNA level (1), RNA level (2), protein level (3), and by targeting downstream functions and interaction partners (4).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian M L Knott
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tilman L B Hölting
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Shunya Ohmura
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Kirchner
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florencia Cidre-Aranaz
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas G P Grünewald
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Thalkirchner Str. 36, 80337, Munich, Germany.
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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13
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Grant CV, Carver CM, Hastings SD, Ramachandran K, Muniswamy M, Risinger AL, Beutler JA, Mooberry SL. Triple-negative breast cancer cell line sensitivity to englerin A identifies a new, targetable subtype. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2019; 177:345-355. [PMID: 31230251 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-019-05324-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) represent a heterogeneous group of tumors. The lack of targeted therapies combined with the inherently aggressive nature of TNBCs results in a higher relapse rate and poorer overall survival. We evaluated the heterogeneity of TNBC cell lines for TRPC channel expression and sensitivity to cation-disrupting drugs. METHODS The TRPC1/4/5 agonist englerin A was used to identify a group of TNBC cell lines sensitive to TRPC1/4/5 activation and intracellular cation disruption. Quantitative RT-PCR, the sulforhodamine B assay, pharmacological inhibition, and siRNA-mediated knockdown approaches were employed. Epifluorescence imaging was performed to measure intracellular Ca2+ and Na+ levels. Mitochondrial membrane potential changes were monitored by confocal imaging. RESULTS BT-549 and Hs578T cells express high levels of TRPC4 and TRPC1/4, respectively, and are exquisitely, 2000- and 430-fold, more sensitive to englerin A than other TNBC cell lines. While englerin A caused a slow Na+ and nominal Ca2+ accumulation in Hs578T cells, it elicited rapid increases in cytosolic Ca2+ levels that triggered mitochondrial depolarization in BT-549 cells. Interestingly, BT-549 and Hs578T cells were also more sensitive to digoxin as compared to other TNBC cell lines. Collectively, these data reveal TRPC1/4 channels as potential biomarkers of TNBC cell lines with dysfunctional mechanisms of cation homeostasis and therefore sensitivity to cardiac glycosides. CONCLUSIONS The sensitivity of BT-549 and Hs578T cells to englerin A and digoxin suggests a subset of TNBCs are highly susceptible to cation disruption and encourages investigation of TRPC1 and TRPC4 as potential new biomarkers of sensitivity to cardiac glycosides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corena V Grant
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Chase M Carver
- Department of Cell and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Shayne D Hastings
- Department of Cell and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Karthik Ramachandran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Madesh Muniswamy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - April L Risinger
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7979 Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - John A Beutler
- Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Susan L Mooberry
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX, USA. .,Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7979 Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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14
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Casey DL, Lin TY, Cheung NKV. Exploiting Signaling Pathways and Immune Targets Beyond the Standard of Care for Ewing Sarcoma. Front Oncol 2019; 9:537. [PMID: 31275859 PMCID: PMC6593481 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) family of tumors includes bone and soft tissue tumors that are often characterized by a specific translocation between chromosome 11 and 22, resulting in the EWS-FLI1 fusion gene. With the advent of multi-modality treatment including cytotoxic chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, the prognosis for patients with ES has substantially improved. However, a therapeutic plateau is now reached for both localized and metastatic disease over the last two decades. Burdened by the toxicity limits associated with the current frontline systemic therapy, there is an urgent need for novel targeted therapeutic strategies. In this review, we discuss the current treatment paradigm of ES, and explore preclinical evidence and emerging treatments directed at tumor signaling pathways and immune targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana L Casey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tsung-Yi Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nai-Kong V Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
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15
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Hsing M, Wang Y, Rennie PS, Cox ME, Cherkasov A. ETS transcription factors as emerging drug targets in cancer. Med Res Rev 2019; 40:413-430. [PMID: 30927317 DOI: 10.1002/med.21575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The ETS family of proteins consists of 28 transcription factors, many of which have been implicated in development and progression of a variety of cancers. While one family member, ERG, has been rigorously studied in the context of prostate cancer where it plays a critical role, other ETS factors keep emerging as potential hallmark oncodrivers. In recent years, numerous studies have reported initial discoveries of small molecule inhibitors of ETS proteins and opened novel avenues for ETS-directed cancer therapies. This review summarizes the state of the art data on therapeutic targeting of ETS family members and highlights the corresponding drug discovery strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hsing
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paul S Rennie
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael E Cox
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Artem Cherkasov
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and the Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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16
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Cheung SY, Henrot M, Al-Saad M, Baumann M, Muller H, Unger A, Rubaiy HN, Mathar I, Dinkel K, Nussbaumer P, Klebl B, Freichel M, Rode B, Trainor S, Clapcote SJ, Christmann M, Waldmann H, Abbas SK, Beech DJ, Vasudev NS. TRPC4/TRPC5 channels mediate adverse reaction to the cancer cell cytotoxic agent (-)-Englerin A. Oncotarget 2018; 9:29634-29643. [PMID: 30038709 PMCID: PMC6049859 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
(-)-Englerin A (EA) is a natural product which has potent cytotoxic effects on renal cell carcinoma cells and other types of cancer cell but not non-cancer cells. Although selectively cytotoxic to cancer cells, adverse reaction in mice and rats has been suggested. EA is a remarkably potent activator of ion channels formed by Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 4 and 5 proteins (TRPC4 and TRPC5) and TRPC4 is essential for EA-mediated cancer cell cytotoxicity. Here we specifically investigated the relevance of TRPC4 and TRPC5 to the adverse reaction. Injection of EA (2 mg.kg-1 i.p.) adversely affected mice for about 1 hour, manifesting as a marked reduction in locomotor activity, after which they fully recovered. TRPC4 and TRPC5 single knockout mice were partially protected and double knockout mice fully protected. TRPC4/TRPC5 double knockout mice were also protected against intravenous injection of EA. Importance of TRPC4/TRPC5 channels was further suggested by pre-administration of Compound 31 (Pico145), a potent and selective small-molecule inhibitor of TRPC4/TRPC5 channels which did not cause adverse reaction itself but prevented adverse reaction to EA. EA was detected in the plasma but not the brain and so peripheral mechanisms were implicated but not identified. The data confirm the existence of adverse reaction to EA in mice and suggest that it depends on a combination of TRPC4 and TRPC5 which therefore overlaps partially with TRPC4-dependent cancer cell cytotoxicity. The underlying nature of the observed adverse reaction to EA, as a consequence of TRPC4/TRPC5 channel activation, remains unclear and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sin Ying Cheung
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, England, UK
| | - Matthias Henrot
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mohammad Al-Saad
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | | | - Heiko Muller
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Anke Unger
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Hussein N Rubaiy
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, England, UK
| | - Ilka Mathar
- Institute of Pharmacology, Universität Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Dinkel
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | | | - Bert Klebl
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Marc Freichel
- Institute of Pharmacology, Universität Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Baptiste Rode
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, England, UK
| | - Sebastian Trainor
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, England, UK
| | - Steven J Clapcote
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Mathias Christmann
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Herbert Waldmann
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany.,Technische Universität Dortmund, Fakultät für Chemie und Chemische Biologie, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Syed Khawar Abbas
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, England, UK
| | - David J Beech
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, England, UK
| | - Naveen S Vasudev
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, England, UK
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17
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Rubaiy HN, Ludlow MJ, Siems K, Norman K, Foster R, Wolf D, Beutler JA, Beech DJ. Tonantzitlolone is a nanomolar potency activator of transient receptor potential canonical 1/4/5 channels. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:3361-3368. [PMID: 29859013 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The diterpene ester tonantzitlolone (TZL) is a natural product, which displays cytotoxicity towards certain types of cancer cell such as renal cell carcinoma cells. The effect is similar to that of (-)-englerin A, and so, although it is chemically distinct, we investigated whether TZL also targets transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels of the 1, 4 and 5 type (TRPC1/4/5 channels). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The effects of TZL on renal cell carcinoma A498 cells natively expressing TRPC1 and TRPC4, modified HEK293 cells overexpressing TRPC4, TRPC5, TRPC4-TRPC1 or TRPC5-TRPC1 concatemer, TRPC3 or TRPM2, or CHO cells overexpressing TRPV4 were studied by determining changes in intracellular Ca2+ , or whole-cell or excised membrane patch-clamp electrophysiology. KEY RESULTS TZL induced an elevation of intracellular Ca2+ in A498 cells, similar to that evoked by englerin A. TZL activated overexpressed channels with EC50 values of 123 nM (TRPC4), 83 nM (TRPC5), 140 nM (TRPC4-TRPC1) and 61 nM (TRPC5-TRPC1). These effects of TZL were reversible on wash-out and potently inhibited by the TRPC1/4/5 inhibitor Pico145. TZL activated TRPC5 channels when bath-applied to excised outside-out but not inside-out patches. TZL failed to activate endogenous store-operated Ca2+ entry or overexpressed TRPC3, TRPV4 or TRPM2 channels in HEK 293 cells. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS TZL is a novel potent agonist for TRPC1/4/5 channels, which should be useful for testing the functionality of this type of ion channel and understanding how TRPC1/4/5 agonists achieve selective cytotoxicity against certain types of cancer cell.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - John A Beutler
- Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
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18
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Goss KL, Gordon DJ. Gene expression signature based screening identifies ribonucleotide reductase as a candidate therapeutic target in Ewing sarcoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:63003-63019. [PMID: 27557498 PMCID: PMC5325343 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a critical need in cancer therapeutics to identify targeted therapies that will improve outcomes and decrease toxicities compared to conventional, cytotoxic chemotherapy. Ewing sarcoma is a highly aggressive bone and soft tissue cancer that is caused by the EWS-FLI1 fusion protein. Although EWS-FLI1 is specific for cancer cells, and required for tumorigenesis, directly targeting this transcription factor has proven challenging. Consequently, targeting unique dependencies or key downstream mediators of EWS-FLI1 represent important alternative strategies. We used gene expression data derived from a genetically defined model of Ewing sarcoma to interrogate the Connectivity Map and identify a class of drugs, iron chelators, that downregulate a significant number of EWS-FLI1 target genes. We then identified ribonucleotide reductase M2 (RRM2), the iron-dependent subunit of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), as one mediator of iron chelator toxicity in Ewing sarcoma cells. Inhibition of RNR in Ewing sarcoma cells caused apoptosis in vitro and attenuated tumor growth in an in vivo, xenograft model. Additionally, we discovered that the sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma cells to inhibition or suppression of RNR is mediated, in part, by high levels of SLFN11, a protein that sensitizes cells to DNA damage. This work demonstrates a unique dependency of Ewing sarcoma cells on RNR and supports further investigation of RNR inhibitors, which are currently used in clinical practice, as a novel approach for treating Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli L Goss
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - David J Gordon
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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19
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Rubaiy HN, Seitz T, Hahn S, Choidas A, Habenberger P, Klebl B, Dinkel K, Nussbaumer P, Waldmann H, Christmann M, Beech DJ. Identification of an (-)-englerin A analogue, which antagonizes (-)-englerin A at TRPC1/4/5 channels. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:830-839. [PMID: 29247460 PMCID: PMC5811624 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE (-)-Englerin A (EA) is a potent cytotoxic agent against renal carcinoma cells. It achieves its effects by activation of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC)4/TRPC1 heteromeric channels. It is also an agonist at channels formed by the related protein, TRPC5. Here, we sought an EA analogue, which might enable a better understanding of these effects of EA. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH An EA analogue, A54, was synthesized by chemical elaboration of EA. The effects of EA and A54 on the activity of human TRPC4 or TRPC5 channels overexpressed on A498 and HEK 293 cells were investigated, firstly, by measuring intracellular Ca2+ and, secondly, current using whole-cell patch clamp recordings. KEY RESULTS A54 had weak or no agonist activity at endogenous TRPC4/TRPC1 channels in A498 cells or TRPC4 or TRPC5 homomeric channels overexpressed in HEK 293 cells. A54 strongly inhibited EA-mediated activation of TRPC4/TRPC1 or TRPC5 and weakly inhibited activation of TRPC4. Studies of TRPC5 showed that A54 shifted the EA concentration-response curve to the right without changing its slope, consistent with competitive antagonism. In contrast, Gd3+ -activated TRPC5 or sphingosine-1-phosphate-activated TRPC4 channels were not inhibited but potentiated by A54. A54 did not activate TRPC3 channels or affect the activation of these channels by the agonist 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS This study has revealed a new tool compound for EA and TRPC1/4/5 channel research, which could be useful for characterizing endogenous TRPC1/4/5 channels and understanding EA-binding sites and their physiological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tobias Seitz
- Institute of Chemistry and BiochemistryFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Sven Hahn
- Institute of Chemistry and BiochemistryFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | | | | | - Bert Klebl
- Lead Discovery Center GmbHDortmundGermany
| | | | | | | | - Mathias Christmann
- Institute of Chemistry and BiochemistryFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
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20
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Yu H, Ge Y, Guo L, Huang L. Potential approaches to the treatment of Ewing's sarcoma. Oncotarget 2018; 8:5523-5539. [PMID: 27740934 PMCID: PMC5354928 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) is a highly aggressive and metastatic tumor in children and young adults caused by a chromosomal fusion between the Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 (EWSR1) gene and the transcription factor FLI1 gene. ES is managed with standard treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Although the 5-year survival rate for primary ES has improved, the survival rate for ES patients with metastases or recurrence remains low. Several novel molecular targets in ES have recently been identified and investigated in preclinical and clinical settings, and targeting the function of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), the fusion protein EWS-FLI1 and mTOR has shown promise. There has also been increasing interest in the immune responses of ES patients. Immunotherapies using T cells, NK cells, cancer vaccines and monoclonal antibodies have been considered for ES, especially for recurrent patients. Because understanding the pathogenesis of ES is extremely important for the development of novel treatments, this review focuses on the mechanisms and functions of targeted therapies and immunotherapies in ES. It is anticipated that integrating the knowledge obtained from basic research and translational and clinical studies will lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjiu Yu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China.,Department of VIP, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Yonggui Ge
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Lianying Guo
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Lin Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, P.R. China
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21
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Dai X, Theobard R, Cheng H, Xing M, Zhang J. Fusion genes: A promising tool combating against cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2018; 1869:149-160. [PMID: 29357299 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The driving roles of fusion genes during tumorigenesis have been recognized for decades, with efficacies demonstrated in clinical diagnosis and targeted therapy. With advances in sequencing technologies and computational biology, a surge in the identification of fusion genes has been witnessed during the past decade. The discovery and presence of splicing based fusions in normal tissues have challenged our canonical conceptions on fusion genes and offered us novel medical opportunities. The specificity of fusion genes to neoplastic tissues and their diverse functionalities during carcinogenesis foster them as promising tools in the battle against cancer. It is time to re-visit and comb through our cutting-edge knowledge on fusion genes to accelerate clinical translation of these internal markers. Urged as such, we are encouraged to categorize fusion events according to mechanisms leading to their generation, oncological consequences and clinical implications, offer insights on fusion occurrence across tumors from the system level, highlight feasible practices in fusion-related pharmaceutical development, and identify understudied yet important niches that may lead future research trend in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Dai
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
| | - Rutaganda Theobard
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Hongye Cheng
- School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Mengtao Xing
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Jianying Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences & Henan Key Laboratory of Tumor Epidemiology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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22
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Na + entry through heteromeric TRPC4/C1 channels mediates (-)Englerin A-induced cytotoxicity in synovial sarcoma cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16988. [PMID: 29209034 PMCID: PMC5717101 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17303-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The sesquiterpene (-)Englerin A (EA) is an organic compound from the plant Phyllanthus engleri which acts via heteromeric TRPC4/C1 channels to cause cytotoxicity in some types of cancer cell but not normal cells. Here we identified selective cytotoxicity of EA in human synovial sarcoma cells (SW982 cells) and investigated the mechanism. EA induced cation channel current (Icat) in SW982 cells with biophysical characteristics of heteromeric TRPC4/C1 channels. Inhibitors of homomeric TRPC4 channels were weak inhibitors of the Icat and EA-induced cytotoxicity whereas a potent inhibitor of TRPC4/C1 channels (Pico145) strongly inhibited Icat and cytotoxicity. Depletion of TRPC1 converted Icat into a current with biophysical and pharmacological properties of homomeric TRPC4 channels and depletion of TRPC1 or TRPC4 suppressed the cytotoxicity of EA. A Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitor (ouabain) potentiated EA-induced cytotoxicity and direct Na+ loading by gramicidin-A caused Pico145-resistant cytotoxicity in the absence of EA. We conclude that EA has a potent cytotoxic effect on human synovial sarcoma cells which is mediated by heteromeric TRPC4/C1 channels and Na+ loading.
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23
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Goss KL, Koppenhafer SL, Harmoney KM, Terry WW, Gordon DJ. Inhibition of CHK1 sensitizes Ewing sarcoma cells to the ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor gemcitabine. Oncotarget 2017; 8:87016-87032. [PMID: 29152060 PMCID: PMC5675612 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a bone and soft tissue sarcoma that occurs in children and young adults. The EWS-FLI1 gene fusion is the driver mutation in most Ewing sarcoma tumors and functions, in part, as an aberrant transcription factor. We recently identified that Ewing sarcoma cells are sensitive to inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), which catalyzes the formation of deoxyribonucleotides from ribonucleotides. In this report, we show that Ewing sarcoma cells are sensitive to treatment with clofarabine, which is a nucleoside analogue and allosteric inhibitor of RNR. However, clofarabine is a reversible inhibitor of RNR and we found that the effect of clofarabine is limited when using a short (6-hour) drug treatment. Gemcitabine, on the other hand, is an irreversible inhibitor of the RRM1 subunit of RNR and this drug induces apoptosis in Ewing sarcoma cells when used in both 6-hour and longer drug treatments. Treatment of Ewing sarcoma cells with gemcitabine also results in activation of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1), which is a critical mediator of cell survival in the setting of impaired DNA replication. Notably, inhibition of CHK1 function in Ewing sarcoma cells using a small-molecule CHK1 inhibitor, or siRNA knockdown, in combination with gemcitabine results in increased toxicity both in vitro and in vivo in a mouse xenograft experiment. Overall, our results provide insight into Ewing sarcoma biology and identify a candidate therapeutic target, and drug combination, in Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli L Goss
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
| | - Stacia L Koppenhafer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
| | - Kathryn M Harmoney
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
| | - William W Terry
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
| | - David J Gordon
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
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24
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Wu Z, Zhao S, Fash DM, Li Z, Chain WJ, Beutler JA. Englerins: A Comprehensive Review. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2017; 80:771-781. [PMID: 28170253 PMCID: PMC6198806 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b01167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In the decade since the discovery of englerin A (1) and its potent activity in cancer models, this natural product and its analogues have been the subject of numerous chemical, biological, and preclinical studies by many research groups. This review summarizes published findings and proposes further research directions required for entry of an englerin analogue into clinical trials for kidney cancer and other conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Senzhi Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - David M. Fash
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Zhenwu Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - William J. Chain
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - John A. Beutler
- Molecular Targets Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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25
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Batova A, Altomare D, Creek KE, Naviaux RK, Wang L, Li K, Green E, Williams R, Naviaux JC, Diccianni M, Yu AL. Englerin A induces an acute inflammatory response and reveals lipid metabolism and ER stress as targetable vulnerabilities in renal cell carcinoma. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172632. [PMID: 28296891 PMCID: PMC5351975 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is among the top ten most common forms of cancer and is the most common malignancy of the kidney. Clear cell renal carcinoma (cc-RCC), the most common type of RCC, is one of the most refractory cancers with an incidence that is on the rise. Screening of plant extracts in search of new anti-cancer agents resulted in the discovery of englerin A, a guaiane sesquiterpene with potent cytotoxicity against renal cancer cells and a small subset of other cancer cells. Though a few cellular targets have been identified for englerin A, it is still not clear what mechanisms account for the cytotoxicity of englerin A in RCC, which occurs at concentrations well below those used to engage the targets previously identified. Unlike any prior study, the current study used a systems biology approach to explore the mechanism(s) of action of englerin A. Metabolomics analyses indicated that englerin A profoundly altered lipid metabolism by 24 h in cc-RCC cell lines and generated significant levels of ceramides that were highly toxic to these cells. Microarray analyses determined that englerin A induced ER stress signaling and an acute inflammatory response, which was confirmed by quantitative PCR and Western Blot analyses. Additionally, fluorescence confocal microscopy revealed that englerin A at 25 nM disrupted the morphology of the ER confirming the deleterious effect of englerin A on the ER. Collectively, our findings suggest that cc-RCC is highly sensitive to disruptions in lipid metabolism and ER stress and that these vulnerabilities can be targeted for the treatment of cc-RCC and possibly other lipid storing cancers. Furthermore, our results suggest that ceramides may be a mediator of some of the actions of englerin A. Lastly, the acute inflammatory response induced by englerin A may mediate anti-tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Batova
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Diego Altomare
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kim E. Creek
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Robert K. Naviaux
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
- The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Lin Wang
- The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Kefeng Li
- The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Erica Green
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Richard Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Jane C. Naviaux
- The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Mitchell Diccianni
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Alice L. Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
- Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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26
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Grohar PJ, Janeway KA, Mase LD, Schiffman JD. Advances in the Treatment of Pediatric Bone Sarcomas. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2017; 37:725-735. [PMID: 28561686 PMCID: PMC6066791 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_175378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Bone tumors make up a significant portion of noncentral nervous system solid tumor diagnoses in pediatric oncology patients. Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma, both with distinct clinical and pathologic features, are the two most commonly encountered bone cancers in pediatrics. Although mutations in the germline have classically been more associated with osteosarcoma, there is recent evidence germline alterations in patients with Ewing sarcoma also play a significant role in pathogenesis. Treatment advances in this patient population have lagged behind that of other pediatric malignancies, particularly targeted interventions directed at the biologic underpinnings of disease. Recent advances in biologic and genomic understanding of these two cancers has expanded the potential for therapeutic advancement and prevention. In Ewing sarcoma, directed focus on inhibition of EWSR1-FLI1 and its effectors has produced promising results. In osteosarcoma, instead of a concentrated focus on one particular change, largely due to tumor heterogeneity, a more diversified approach has been adopted including investigations of growth factors inhibitors, signaling pathway inhibitors, and immune modulation. Continuing recently made treatment advances relies on clinical trial design and enrollment. Clinical trials should include incorporation of biological findings; specifically, for Ewing sarcoma, assessment of alternative fusions and, for osteosarcoma, stratification utilizing biomarkers. Expanded cancer genomics knowledge, particularly with solid tumors, as it relates to heritability and incorporation of family history has led to early identification of patients with cancer predisposition. In these patients through application of cost-effective evidence-based screening techniques the ultimate goal of cancer prevention is becoming a realization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Grohar
- From the Van Andel Research Institute/Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Katherine A Janeway
- From the Van Andel Research Institute/Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Luke D Mase
- From the Van Andel Research Institute/Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Joshua D Schiffman
- From the Van Andel Research Institute/Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
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27
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Grohar PJ, Janeway KA, Mase LD, Schiffman JD. Advances in the Treatment of Pediatric Bone Sarcomas. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2017; 37. [PMID: 28561686 PMCID: PMC6066791 DOI: 10.14694/edbk_175378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Bone tumors make up a significant portion of noncentral nervous system solid tumor diagnoses in pediatric oncology patients. Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma, both with distinct clinical and pathologic features, are the two most commonly encountered bone cancers in pediatrics. Although mutations in the germline have classically been more associated with osteosarcoma, there is recent evidence germline alterations in patients with Ewing sarcoma also play a significant role in pathogenesis. Treatment advances in this patient population have lagged behind that of other pediatric malignancies, particularly targeted interventions directed at the biologic underpinnings of disease. Recent advances in biologic and genomic understanding of these two cancers has expanded the potential for therapeutic advancement and prevention. In Ewing sarcoma, directed focus on inhibition of EWSR1-FLI1 and its effectors has produced promising results. In osteosarcoma, instead of a concentrated focus on one particular change, largely due to tumor heterogeneity, a more diversified approach has been adopted including investigations of growth factors inhibitors, signaling pathway inhibitors, and immune modulation. Continuing recently made treatment advances relies on clinical trial design and enrollment. Clinical trials should include incorporation of biological findings; specifically, for Ewing sarcoma, assessment of alternative fusions and, for osteosarcoma, stratification utilizing biomarkers. Expanded cancer genomics knowledge, particularly with solid tumors, as it relates to heritability and incorporation of family history has led to early identification of patients with cancer predisposition. In these patients through application of cost-effective evidence-based screening techniques the ultimate goal of cancer prevention is becoming a realization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Grohar
- From the Van Andel Research Institute/Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Katherine A Janeway
- From the Van Andel Research Institute/Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Luke D Mase
- From the Van Andel Research Institute/Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Joshua D Schiffman
- From the Van Andel Research Institute/Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
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28
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Gaunt HJ, Vasudev NS, Beech DJ. Transient receptor potential canonical 4 and 5 proteins as targets in cancer therapeutics. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2016; 45:611-620. [PMID: 27289383 PMCID: PMC5045487 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-016-1142-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Revised: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Novel approaches towards cancer therapy are urgently needed. One approach might be to target ion channels mediating Ca2+ entry because of the critical roles played by Ca2+ in many cell types, including cancer cells. There are several types of these ion channels, but here we address those formed by assembly of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) proteins, particularly those which involve two closely related members of the family: TRPC4 and TRPC5. We focus on these proteins because recent studies point to roles in important aspects of cancer: drug resistance, transmission of drug resistance through extracellular vesicles, tumour vascularisation, and evoked cancer cell death by the TRPC4/5 channel activator (−)-englerin A. We conclude that further research is both justified and necessary before these proteins can be considered as strong targets for anti-cancer cell drug discovery programmes. It is nevertheless already apparent that inhibitors of the channels would be unlikely to cause significant adverse effects, but, rather, have other effects which may be beneficial in the context of cancer and chemotherapy, potentially including suppression of innate fear, visceral pain and pathological cardiac remodelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J Gaunt
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, LIGHT Building, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Naveen S Vasudev
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, LIGHT Building, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - David J Beech
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, LIGHT Building, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
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29
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Fash DM, Peer CJ, Li Z, Talisman IJ, Hayavi S, Sulzmaier FJ, Ramos JW, Sourbier C, Neckers L, Figg WD, Beutler JA, Chain WJ. Synthesis of a stable and orally bioavailable englerin analogue. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:2641-4. [PMID: 27107948 PMCID: PMC4862412 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Synthesis of analogues of englerin A with a reduced propensity for hydrolysis of the glycolate moiety led to a compound which possessed the renal cancer cell selectivity of the parent and was orally bioavailable in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Fash
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States
| | - Cody J Peer
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, United States
| | - Zhenwu Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States
| | - Ian J Talisman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States
| | - Sima Hayavi
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, United States
| | - Florian J Sulzmaier
- The University of Hawaii Cancer Center, 701 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States
| | - Joe W Ramos
- The University of Hawaii Cancer Center, 701 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States
| | - Carole Sourbier
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, United States
| | - Leonard Neckers
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, United States
| | - W Douglas Figg
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, United States
| | - John A Beutler
- Molecular Targets Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, United States.
| | - William J Chain
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, United States; The University of Hawaii Cancer Center, 701 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States.
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