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Kong Y, Jiang C, Wei G, Sun K, Wang R, Qiu T. Small Molecule Inhibitors as Therapeutic Agents Targeting Oncogenic Fusion Proteins: Current Status and Clinical. Molecules 2023; 28:4672. [PMID: 37375228 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic fusion proteins, arising from chromosomal rearrangements, have emerged as prominent drivers of tumorigenesis and crucial therapeutic targets in cancer research. In recent years, the potential of small molecular inhibitors in selectively targeting fusion proteins has exhibited significant prospects, offering a novel approach to combat malignancies harboring these aberrant molecular entities. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of small molecular inhibitors as therapeutic agents for oncogenic fusion proteins. We discuss the rationale for targeting fusion proteins, elucidate the mechanism of action of inhibitors, assess the challenges associated with their utilization, and provide a summary of the clinical progress achieved thus far. The objective is to provide the medicinal community with current and pertinent information and to expedite the drug discovery programs in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichao Kong
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Caihong Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Guifeng Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Kai Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Ruijie Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Ting Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
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Ambrosini-Spaltro A, Farnedi A, Calistri D, Rengucci C, Prisinzano G, Chiadini E, Capelli L, Angeli D, Bennati C, Valli M, De Luca G, Caruso D, Ulivi P, Rossi G. The role of next-generation sequencing in detecting gene FUSIONS with KNOWN and UNKNOWN partners: A single-center experience with methodologies' integration. Hum Pathol 2022; 123:20-30. [PMID: 35181377 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2022.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is becoming a new gold standard for determining molecular predictive biomarkers. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of NGS in detecting gene fusions, focusing on comparing gene fusions with known and unknown partners. METHODS We collected all gene fusions from a consecutive case series using an amplicon-based DNA/RNA NGS platform and subdivided them into two groups: gene fusions with known partners and gene fusions with unknown partners. Gene fusions involving ALK, ROS1 and RET were also examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). RESULTS Overall, 1174 malignancies underwent NGS analysis. NGS detected gene fusions in 67 cases (5.7%), further subdivided into 43 (64.2%) with known partners and 24 (35.8%) with unknown partners. Gene fusions were predominantly found in non-small cell lung carcinomas (52/67, 77.6%). Gene fusions with known partners frequently involved ALK (20/43, 46.5%) and MET (9/43, 20.9%), while gene fusions with unknown partners mostly involved RET (18/24, 75.0%). FISH/IHC confirmed rearrangement status in most (89.3%) of the gene fusions with known partners, but in only one (4.8%) of the gene fusions with unknown partners, with a significant difference (p<0.001). In 17 patients undergoing targeted therapy, the log-rank test revealed that the overall survival was higher in the known partner group than in the unknown partner group (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS NGS is a reliable method for detecting gene fusions with known partners, but it is less accurate in identifying gene fusions with unknown partners, for which further analyses (such as FISH) are required.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Farnedi
- Pathology Unit, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì, AUSL Romagna, Italy
| | - Daniele Calistri
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Claudia Rengucci
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Giovanna Prisinzano
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Elisa Chiadini
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Laura Capelli
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Davide Angeli
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Chiara Bennati
- Oncology Unit, Santa Maria Delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, AUSL Romagna, Italy
| | - Mirca Valli
- Pathology Unit, Infermi Hospital, Rimini, AUSL Romagna, Italy
| | | | - Dora Caruso
- Pathology Unit, Santa Maria Delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, AUSL Romagna, Italy
| | - Paola Ulivi
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per Lo Studio Dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Giulio Rossi
- Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy
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