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Mao JX, Li JJ, Lu XY, Zhong HX, Zhao YY, Zhu LY, Fu H, Ding GS, Teng F, Chen M, Guo WY. Dichotomous roles of ADAR1 in liver hepatocellular carcinoma and kidney renal cell carcinoma: Unraveling the complex tumor microenvironment and prognostic significance. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 136:112340. [PMID: 38820962 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) is an RNA-editing enzyme that significantly impacts cancer progression and various biological processes. The expression of ADAR1 mRNA has been examined in multiple cancer types using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset, revealing distinct patterns in kidney chromophobe (KICH), kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP), and liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) compared to normal controls. However, the reasons for these differential expressions remain unclear. METHODS In this study, we performed RT-PCR and western blotting (WB) to validate ADAR1 expression patterns in clinical tissue samples. Survival analysis and immune microenvironment analysis (including immune score and stromal score) were conducted using TCGA data to determine the specific cell types associated with ADAR1, as well as the key genes in those cell types. The relationship between ADAR1 and specific cell types' key genes was verified by immunohistochemistry (IHC), using clinical liver and kidney cancer samples. RESULTS Our validation analysis revealed that ADAR1 expression was downregulated in KICH, KIRC, and KIRP, while upregulated in LIHC compared to normal tissues. Notably, a significant correlation was found between ADAR1 mRNA expression and patient prognosis, particularly in KIRC, KIRP, and LIHC. Interestingly, we observed a positive correlation between ADAR1 expression and stromal scores in KIRC, whereas a negative correlation was observed in LIHC. Cell type analysis highlighted distinct relationships between ADAR1 expression and the two stromal cell types, blood endothelial cells (BECs) and lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), and further determined the signature gene claudin-5 (CLDN5), in KIRC and LIHC. Moreover, ADAR1 was inversely related with CLDN5 in KIRC (n = 26) and LIHC (n = 30) samples, verified via IHC. CONCLUSIONS ADAR1 plays contrasting roles in LIHC and KIRC, associated with the enrichment of BECs and LECs within tumors. This study sheds light on the significant roles of stromal cells within the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) and provides new insights for future research in tumor immunotherapy and precision medicine.
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MESH Headings
- Adenosine Deaminase/genetics
- Adenosine Deaminase/metabolism
- Humans
- Tumor Microenvironment
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality
- Kidney Neoplasms/genetics
- Kidney Neoplasms/pathology
- Kidney Neoplasms/metabolism
- Kidney Neoplasms/mortality
- Carcinoma, Renal Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Renal Cell/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology
- RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- Prognosis
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Female
- Male
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Middle Aged
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Xi Mao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Jing-Jing Li
- Department of Liver Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Xin-Yi Lu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Han-Xiang Zhong
- Department of Liver Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Yuan-Yu Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Li-Ye Zhu
- Department of Immunology and Medical Immunology State Key Laboratory, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hong Fu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Guo-Shan Ding
- Department of Liver Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Fei Teng
- Department of Liver Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Ming Chen
- Department of Urology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
| | - Wen-Yuan Guo
- Department of Liver Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
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Elkady H, Mahdy HA, Taghour MS, Dahab MA, Elwan A, Hagras M, Hussein MH, Ibrahim IM, Husein DZ, Elkaeed EB, Alsfouk AA, Metwaly AM, Eissa IH. New thiazolidine-2,4-diones as potential anticancer agents and apoptotic inducers targeting VEGFR-2 kinase: Design, synthesis, in silico and in vitro studies. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2024; 1868:130599. [PMID: 38521471 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2024.130599] [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: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND VEGFR-2 has emerged as a prominent positive regulator of cancer progression. AIM Discovery of new anticancer agents and apoptotic inducers targeting VEGFR-2. METHODS Design and synthesis of new thiazolidine-2,4-diones followed by extensive in vitro studies, including VEGFR-2 inhibition assay, MTT assay, apoptosis analysis, and cell migration assay. In silico investigations including docking, MD simulations, ADMET, toxicity, and DFT studies were performed. RESULTS Compound 15 showed the strongest VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 0.066 μM. Additionally, most of the synthesized compounds showed anti-proliferative activity against HepG2 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines at the micromolar range with IC50 values ranging from 0.04 to 4.71 μM, relative to sorafenib (IC50 = 2.24 ± 0.06 and 3.17 ± 0.01 μM against HepG2 and MCF-7, respectively). Also, compound 15 showed selectivity indices of 1.36 and 2.08 against HepG2 and MCF-7, respectively. Furthermore, compound 15 showed a significant apoptotic effect and arrested the cell cycle of MCF-7 cells at the S phase. Moreover, compound 15 had a significant inhibitory effect on the ability of MCF-7 cells to heal from. Docking studies revealed that the synthesized thiazolidine-2,4-diones have a binding pattern approaching sorafenib. MD simulations indicated the stability of compound 15 in the active pocket of VEGFR-2 for 200 ns. ADMET and toxicity studies indicated an acceptable pharmacokinetic profile. DFT studies confirmed the ability of compound 15 to interact with VEGFR-2. CONCLUSION Compound 15 has promising anticancer activity targeting VEGFR-2 with significant activity as an apoptosis inducer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazem Elkady
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
| | - Hazem A Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
| | - Mohammed S Taghour
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Alaa Elwan
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Hagras
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
| | - Mona H Hussein
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M Ibrahim
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt.
| | - Dalal Z Husein
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, New Valley University, El-Kharja 72511, Egypt.
| | - Eslam B Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Aisha A Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ahmed M Metwaly
- Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt; Biopharmaceutical Products Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria 21934, Egypt.
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
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3
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Shaw P, Dwivedi SKD, Bhattacharya R, Mukherjee P, Rao G. VEGF signaling: Role in angiogenesis and beyond. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189079. [PMID: 38280470 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189079] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a crucial process for tissue development, repair, and tumor survival. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key driver secreted by cancer cells, promoting neovascularization. While VEGF's role in angiogenesis is well-documented, its influence on the other aspects in tumor microenvironemt is less discussed. This review elaborates on VEGF's impact on intercellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment, including how VEGF affects pericyte proliferation and migration and mediates interactions between tumor-associated macrophages and cancer cells, resulting in PDL-1-mediated immunosuppression and Nrf2-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The review discusses VEGF's involvement in intra-organelle crosstalk, tumor metabolism, stemness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. It also provides insights into current anti-VEGF therapies and their limitations in cancer treatment. Overall, this review aims to provide a thorough overview of the current state of knowledge concerning VEGF signaling and its impact, not only on angiogenesis but also on various other oncogenic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallab Shaw
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Shailendra Kumar Dhar Dwivedi
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Resham Bhattacharya
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Priyabrata Mukherjee
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Geeta Rao
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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4
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Fitzgerald KN, Motzer RJ, Lee CH. Adjuvant therapy options in renal cell carcinoma - targeting the metastatic cascade. Nat Rev Urol 2023; 20:179-193. [PMID: 36369389 PMCID: PMC10921989 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00666-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is primarily managed with nephrectomy, which is performed with curative intent. However, disease recurs in ~20% of patients. Treatment with adjuvant therapies is used after surgery with the intention of curing additional patients by disrupting the establishment, maturation or survival of micrometastases, processes collectively referred to as the metastatic cascade. Immune checkpoint inhibitors and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have shown efficacy in the treatment of metastatic RCC, increasing the interest in the utility of these agents in the adjuvant setting. Pembrolizumab, an inhibitor of the immune checkpoint PD1, is now approved by the FDA and is under review by European regulatory agencies for the adjuvant treatment of patients with localized resected clear cell RCC based on the results of the KEYNOTE-564 trial. However, the optimal use of immunotherapy and VEGFR-targeting TKIs for adjuvant treatment of RCC is not completely understood. These agents disrupt the metastatic cascade at multiple steps, providing biological rationale for further investigating the applications of these therapeutics in the adjuvant setting. Clinical trials to evaluate adjuvant therapeutics in RCC are ongoing, and clinical considerations must guide the practical use of immunotherapy and TKI agents for the adjuvant treatment of localized resected RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly N Fitzgerald
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert J Motzer
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chung-Han Lee
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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5
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Elwan A, Abdallah AE, Mahdy HA, Dahab MA, Taghour MS, Elkaeed EB, Mehany ABM, Nabeeh A, Adel M, Alsfouk AA, Elkady H, Eissa IH. Modified Benzoxazole-Based VEGFR-2 Inhibitors and Apoptosis Inducers: Design, Synthesis, and Anti-Proliferative Evaluation. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27155047. [PMID: 35956997 PMCID: PMC9370530 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27155047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This work is one of our efforts to discover potent anticancer agents. We modified the most promising derivative of our previous work concerned with the development of VEGFR-2 inhibitor candidates. Thirteen new compounds based on benzoxazole moiety were synthesized and evaluated against three human cancer cell lines, namely, breast cancer (MCF-7), colorectal carcinoma (HCT116), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2). The synthesized compounds were also evaluated against VEGFR-2 kinase activity. The biological testing fallouts showed that compound 8d was more potent than standard sorafenib. Such compound showed IC50 values of 3.43, 2.79, and 2.43 µM against the aforementioned cancer cell lines, respectively, compared to IC50 values of 4.21, 5.30, and 3.40 µM reported for sorafenib. Compound 8d also was found to exert exceptional VEGFR-2 inhibition activity with an IC50 value of 0.0554 μM compared to sorafenib (0.0782 μM). In addition, compound 8h revealed excellent cytotoxic effects with IC50 values of 3.53, 2.94, and 2.76 µM against experienced cell lines, respectively. Furthermore, compounds 8a and 8e were found to inhibit VEGFR-2 kinase activity with IC50 values of 0.0579 and 0.0741 μM, exceeding that of sorafenib. Compound 8d showed a significant apoptotic effect and arrested the HepG2 cells at the pre-G1 phase. In addition, it exerted a significant inhibition for TNF-α (90.54%) and of IL-6 (92.19%) compared to dexamethasone (93.15%). The molecular docking studies showed that the binding pattern of the new compounds to VEGFR-2 kinase was similar to that of sorafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Elwan
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Abdallah E. Abdallah
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Hazem A. Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A. Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S. Taghour
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
- Correspondence: (M.S.T.); (H.E.); (I.H.E.)
| | - Eslam B. Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed B. M. Mehany
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Nabeeh
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Adel
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Aisha A. Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hazem Elkady
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
- Correspondence: (M.S.T.); (H.E.); (I.H.E.)
| | - Ibrahim H. Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
- Correspondence: (M.S.T.); (H.E.); (I.H.E.)
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6
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Azab AE, Alesawy MS, Eldehna WM, Elwan A, Eissa IH. New [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-c]quinazoline derivatives as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 inhibitors and apoptosis inducers: Design, synthesis, docking, and antiproliferative evaluation. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2200133. [PMID: 35822666 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202200133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In continuation of our previous efforts in the field of design and synthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2 inhibitors, a new series of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-c]quinazoline derivatives were designed and synthesized as modified analogs of some reported VEGFR-2 inhibitors. The synthesized compounds were designed to have the essential pharmacophoric features of VEGFR-2 inhibitors. Antiproliferative activities of the synthesized compounds were investigated against two tumor cell lines (HepG2 and HCT-116) using sorafenib as a positive control. Compound 10k emerged as the most promising antiproliferative agent with IC50 values of 4.88 and 5.21 µM against HepG2 and HCT-116 cells, respectively. Also, it showed the highest inhibitory activity against VEGFR-2 with an IC50 value of 53.81 nM compared to sorafenib (IC50 = 44.34 nM). Cell cycle analysis revealed that compound 10k can arrest HepG2 cells at both the S and G2/M phases. In addition, this compound produced a tenfold increase in apoptotic cells compared to the control. Furthermore, the effect of compound 10k on the expression level of BAX, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 was assessed. This compound caused a 3.35-fold increase in BAX expression levels and a 1.25-fold reduction in Bcl-2 expression levels. The BAX/Bcl-2 ratio was calculated to be 4.57, indicating a promising apoptotic effect. It also showed a significant increase in the level of caspase-3 (4.12-fold) compared to the control cells. In silico docking, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity, and toxicity studies were performed for the synthesized compounds to investigate their binding patterns against the proposed biological target (VEGFR-2) and to assess the drug-likeness characters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed E Azab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed S Alesawy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Wagdy M Eldehna
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.,School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alaa Elwan
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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7
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Iacovelli R, Arduini D, Ciccarese C, Pierconti F, Strusi A, Piro G, Carbone C, Foschi N, Daniele G, Tortora G. Targeting hypoxia-inducible factor pathways in sporadic and Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome-related kidney cancers. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 176:103750. [PMID: 35728738 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103750] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hereditary and sporadic renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) are often associated with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)-gene inactivation. Patients with VHL disease have an increased risk of RCC, leading to bilateral nephrectomy and dialysis. In patients with advanced RCC, no standard second-lines are available after progression to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and new agents are required to manage progression. HIFs have emerged as a promising target for metastatic RCC patients who have progressed to ICI-based combinations, as well as for those with RCC and VHL syndrome where the goal is to delay surgery and/or and preserve kidney function and avoid dialysis. This review describes the available evidence supporting the use of the small-molecule HIF-2 alpha inhibitor, belzutifan (MK-6482), as well as other new anti-HIF molecules that have demonstrated significant efficacy in VHL disease-related RCCs as well as for sporadic RCC that has progressed after the use of ICI-based combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Iacovelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Arduini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Ciccarese
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Pierconti
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Faculty of Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Strusi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Geny Piro
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmine Carbone
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nazario Foschi
- Department of Urology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Daniele
- Phase 1 Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Tortora
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Faculty of Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Chen Z, Ma Y, Guo Z, Song D, Chen Z, Sun M. Ubiquitin-specific protease 1 acts as an oncogene and promotes lenvatinib efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma by stabilizing c-kit. Ann Hepatol 2022; 27:100669. [PMID: 35045360 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2022.100669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) act as proto-oncogenes or tumor suppressors in a wide variety of cancers. In this study, we intended to explore the role of USP1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS The clinical significance of USP1 in HCC was analyzed based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data and immunohistochemical staining. siRNAs and lentivirus were used to knock down and overexpress indicated genes, respectively. qRT-PCR and immunoblotting were performed to examine mRNA and protein expression, respectively. CCK8, colony formation and PI/Annexin V-APC staining were performed to examine cellular function. Immunoprecipitation, coomassie blue staining, mass spectrum and immunoblotting were conducted to evaluate the interaction between USP1 and c-kit. RESULTS USP1 was over-expressed in HCC patients. Patients with high expression of USP1 had shorter overall and disease free survival than those with low expression of USP1. Functional results showed that USP1 was critical for HCC cell growth and proliferation. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting results suggested that USP1 interacted with c-kit and promoted the stability of c-kit, which is an important target of lenvatinib in HCC. Knockdown of c-kit reversed the oncogenic function of USP1 on HCC cell growth. Lastly, USP1 upregulation conferred higher sensitivity of HCC cells to lenvatinib treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that USP1 acted as an oncogene in HCC. It also promoted lenvatinib efficacy by stabilizing c-kit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangbin Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Yifei Ma
- Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Zhitang Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China
| | | | - Zili Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
| | - Min Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China.
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9
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Lu M, Zhang X, Gao X, Sun S, Wei X, Hu X, Huang C, Xu H, Wang B, Zhang W, Li Z, Feng X, Zheng J, Zhang Q. Lenvatinib enhances T cell immunity and the efficacy of adoptive chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells by decreasing myeloid-derived suppressor cells in cancer. Pharmacol Res 2021; 174:105829. [PMID: 34411731 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lenvatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of several cancers. However, its regulatory activity and related mechanisms on T cell antitumour immunity need to be further investigated. METHODS The antitumour activity of lenvatinib in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice was compared to determine the role of T cell immunity. The antitumour activity of T cells was analysed by cytokine production and adoptive T cell therapy. The immunosuppressive effects of MDSCs on T cells were determined by detecting cytokine production in T cells after being cocultured with MDSCs. The adjuvant immunotherapy effect of lenvatinib was determined by combination therapy with CAR-T cells targeted carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) in a murine renal cancer model. RESULTS The antitumour activity of lenvatinib was greater in immunocompetent mice than in immunodeficient mice and was attenuated by CD8+T cell depletion. Lenvatinib increased proliferation, tumour infiltration and antitumour activity of T cells. Importantly, adoptive transfer of lenvatinib-treated T cells showed a long-term antitumour response in vivo. Mechanistically, lenvatinib upregulated T cell-related chemokines (CXCL10 and CCL8) in tumours and decreased the frequency and immunosuppressive activity of MDSCs. Furthermore, lenvatinib enhanced the efficacy of CAR-T cells in a murine renal cancer model. CONCLUSION Our study revealed novel antitumour mechanisms of lenvatinib by enhancing T cell-mediated antitumour immunity. These findings are of great significance for guiding the clinical use of lenvatinib and provide a good candidate for future combination therapy with T-cell therapies or other immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Lu
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Xiaokang Zhang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Xiaoge Gao
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Shishuo Sun
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Xiaohuan Wei
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Xiaolei Hu
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Chao Huang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Heng Xu
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Bixi Wang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Zhen Li
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Xinhui Feng
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Junnian Zheng
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, PR China; Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - Qing Zhang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, PR China; Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, PR China.
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10
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Rizzo A, Ricci AD, Gadaleta-Caldarola G, Brandi G. First-line immune checkpoint inhibitor-based combinations in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: current management and future challenges. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 15:1245-1251. [PMID: 34431725 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2021.1973431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immunotherapy has recently taken on an extremely important role in medical oncology, as first- or later-line treatment in several tumor types, and recent years have seen the emerging of clinical trials assessing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AREAS COVERED Herein, we provide an overview of recently published studies exploring the dual immune checkpoint blockade or the combination of ICIs plus biological treatments as first-line treatment in HCC patients with advanced disease, especially focusing on the biological rationale behind these therapeutic strategies, and ongoing active and recruiting clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION Results of studies on monotherapy with ICIs have suggested that this strategy could be beneficial only in a minority of patients; conversely, the recently published IMbrave150 study has reported an overall survival benefit in HCC receiving the combination of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab compared to sorafenib as first-line treatment. A wide number of clinical trials is evaluating ICI-based combinations in advanced HCC, a strategy which is supported by robust preclinical and early-phase clinical data, and results of these studies are highly awaited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Rizzo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Medical Oncology, Medical Oncology Unit, "Mons. R. Dimiccoli" Hospital, Barletta (BT), ASL BT, Italy
| | - Angela Dalia Ricci
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Medical Oncology, Medical Oncology Unit, "Mons. R. Dimiccoli" Hospital, Barletta (BT), ASL BT, Italy
| | - Gennaro Gadaleta-Caldarola
- Department of Medical Oncology, Medical Oncology Unit, "Mons. R. Dimiccoli" Hospital, Barletta (BT), ASL BT, Italy
| | - Giovanni Brandi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
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11
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Millet-Boureima C, He S, Le TBU, Gamberi C. Modeling Neoplastic Growth in Renal Cell Carcinoma and Polycystic Kidney Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3918. [PMID: 33920158 PMCID: PMC8070407 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) share several characteristics, including neoplastic cell growth, kidney cysts, and limited therapeutics. As well, both exhibit impaired vasculature and compensatory VEGF activation of angiogenesis. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Ras/Raf/ERK pathways play important roles in regulating cystic and tumor cell proliferation and growth. Both RCC and ADPKD result in hypoxia, where HIF-α signaling is activated in response to oxygen deprivation. Primary cilia and altered cell metabolism may play a role in disease progression. Non-coding RNAs may regulate RCC carcinogenesis and ADPKD through their varied effects. Drosophila exhibits remarkable conservation of the pathways involved in RCC and ADPKD. Here, we review the progress towards understanding disease mechanisms, partially overlapping cellular and molecular dysfunctions in RCC and ADPKD and reflect on the potential for the agile Drosophila genetic model to accelerate discovery science, address unresolved mechanistic aspects of these diseases, and perform rapid pharmacological screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Millet-Boureima
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada; (C.M.-B.); (S.H.); (T.B.U.L.)
| | - Stephanie He
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada; (C.M.-B.); (S.H.); (T.B.U.L.)
| | - Thi Bich Uyen Le
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada; (C.M.-B.); (S.H.); (T.B.U.L.)
- Haematology-Oncology Research Group, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Chiara Gamberi
- Department of Biology, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC 29528-6054, USA
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De Mattia E, Cecchin E, Guardascione M, Foltran L, Di Raimo T, Angelini F, D’Andrea M, Toffoli G. Pharmacogenetics of the systemic treatment in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:3870-3896. [PMID: 31413525 PMCID: PMC6689804 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i29.3870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of primary liver cancers. To date, most patients with HCC are diagnosed at an advanced tumor stage, excluding them from potentially curative therapies (i.e., resection, liver transplantation, percutaneous ablation). Treatments with palliative intent include chemoembolization and systemic therapy. Among systemic treatments, the small-molecule multikinase inhibitor sorafenib has been the only systemic treatment available for advanced HCC over 10 years. More recently, other small-molecule multikinase inhibitors (e.g., regorafenib, lenvatinib, cabozantinib) have been approved for HCC treatment. The promising immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., nivolumab, pembrolizumab) are still under investigation in Europe while in the US nivolumab has already been approved by FDA in sorafenib refractory or resistant patients. Other molecules, such as the selective CDK4/6inhibitors (e.g., palbociclib, ribociclib), are in earlier stages of clinical development, and the c-MET inhibitor tivantinib did not show positive results in a phase III study. However, even if the introduction of targeted agents has led to great advances in patient response and survival with an acceptable toxicity profile, a remarkable inter-individual heterogeneity in therapy outcome persists and constitutes a significant problem in disease management. Thus, the identification of biomarkers that predict which patients will benefit from a specific intervention could significantly affect decision-making and therapy planning. Germ-line variants have been suggested to play an important role in determining outcomes of HCC systemic therapy in terms of both toxicity and treatment efficacy. Particularly, a number of studies have focused on the role of genetic polymorphisms impacting the drug metabolic pathway and membrane translocation as well as the drug mechanism of action as predictive/prognostic markers of HCC treatment. The aim of this review is to summarize and critically discuss the pharmacogenetic literature evidences, with particular attention to sorafenib and regorafenib, which have been used longer than the others in HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena De Mattia
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano (PN) 33081, Italy
| | - Erika Cecchin
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano (PN) 33081, Italy
| | - Michela Guardascione
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano (PN) 33081, Italy
| | - Luisa Foltran
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano (PN) 33081, Italy
| | - Tania Di Raimo
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano (PN) 33081, Italy
- Medical Oncology and Anatomic Pathology Unit, “San Filippo Neri Hospital”, Rome 00135, Italy
| | - Francesco Angelini
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano (PN) 33081, Italy
- Medical Oncology and Anatomic Pathology Unit, “San Filippo Neri Hospital”, Rome 00135, Italy
| | - Mario D’Andrea
- Department of Oncology, “San Filippo Neri Hospital”, Rome 00135, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Toffoli
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano (PN) 33081, Italy
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