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Xie Y, Zhou T, Li X, Zhao K, Bai W, Hou X, Liu Z, Ni B, Zhang Z, Yan J, Wang Y, Jiang W, Wang H, Chang A, Gao S, Zhao T, Yang S, Huang C, Liu J, Hao J. Targeting ESE3/EHF With Nifurtimox Inhibits CXCR2 + Neutrophil Infiltration and Overcomes Pancreatic Cancer Resistance to Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy. Gastroenterology 2024; 167:281-297. [PMID: 38492894 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.02.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Because pancreatic cancer responds poorly to chemotherapy and immunotherapy, it is necessary to identify novel targets and compounds to overcome resistance to treatment. METHODS This study analyzed genomic single nucleotide polymorphism sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics. Ehf-knockout mice, KPC (LSL-KrasG12D/+, LSL-Trp53R172H/+ and Pdx1-Cre) mice, CD45.1+ BALB/C nude mice, and CD34+ humanized mice were also used as subjects. Multiplexed immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry were performed to investigate the proportion of tumor-infiltrated C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2)+ neutrophils. In addition, multiplexed cytokines assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to examine the mechanism. RESULTS The TP53 mutation-mediated loss of tumoral EHF increased the recruitment of CXCR2+ neutrophils, modulated their spatial distribution, and further induced chemo- and immunotherapy resistance in clinical cohorts and preclinical syngeneic mice models. Mechanistically, EHF deficiency induced C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) transcription to enhance in vitro and in vivo CXCR2+ neutrophils migration. Moreover, CXCL1 or CXCR2 blockade completely abolished the effect, indicating that EHF regulated CXCR2+ neutrophils migration in a CXCL1-CXCR2-dependent manner. The depletion of CXCR2+ neutrophils also blocked the in vivo effects of EHF deficiency on chemotherapy and immunotherapy resistance. The single-cell RNA-sequencing results of PDAC treated with Nifurtimox highlighted the therapeutic significance of Nifurtimox by elevating the expression of tumoral EHF and decreasing the weightage of CXCL1-CXCR2 pathway within the microenvironment. Importantly, by simultaneously inhibiting the JAK1/STAT1 pathway, it could significantly suppress the recruitment and function of CXCR2+ neutrophils, further sensitizing PDAC to chemotherapy and immunotherapies. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrated the role of EHF in the recruitment of CXCR2+ neutrophils and the promising role of Nifurtimox in sensitizing pancreatic cancer to chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/immunology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Receptors, Interleukin-8B/genetics
- Receptors, Interleukin-8B/metabolism
- Receptors, Interleukin-8B/antagonists & inhibitors
- Humans
- Neutrophil Infiltration/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Neutrophils/immunology
- Neutrophils/metabolism
- Neutrophils/drug effects
- Mice
- Chemokine CXCL1/metabolism
- Chemokine CXCL1/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Mice, Knockout
- Tumor Microenvironment
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Mice, Nude
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Signal Transduction
- Mutation
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/immunology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Xie
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Tianxing Zhou
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Xueyang Li
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China; Department of Breast Oncoplastic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Kaili Zhao
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Weiwei Bai
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Xupeng Hou
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China; Department of Breast Oncoplastic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Ziyun Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China; Department of Breast Oncoplastic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Bo Ni
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhaoyu Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingrui Yan
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenna Jiang
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongwei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Antao Chang
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Song Gao
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Tiansuo Zhao
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Shengyu Yang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Chongbiao Huang
- Senior Ward, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China; Department of Breast Oncoplastic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, China.
| | - Jihui Hao
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.
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Kaufman CD, Farré C, Biscari L, Pérez AR, Alloatti A. Trypanosoma cruzi, Chagas disease and cancer: putting together the pieces of a complex puzzle. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1260423. [PMID: 38188016 PMCID: PMC10768204 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1260423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Considering the extensive and widespread impact on individuals, cancer can presently be categorized as a pandemic. In many instances, the development of tumors has been linked to endemic microbe infections. Among parasitic infections, Trypanosoma cruzi stands out as one of the most extensively discussed protozoans in the literature that explores the association between diseases of parasite origin and cancer. However, the effective association remains an unsolved paradox. Both the parasite, along with protozoan-derived molecules, and the associated antiparasitic immune response can induce alterations in various host cell pathways, leading to modifications in cell cycle, metabolism, glycosylation, DNA mutations, or changes in neuronal signaling. Furthermore, the presence of the parasite can trigger cell death or a senescent phenotype and modulate the immune system, the metastatic cascade, and the formation of new blood vessels. The interaction among the parasite (and its molecules), the host, and cancer undoubtedly encompasses various mechanisms that operate differentially depending on the context. Remarkably, contrary to expectations, the evidence tilts the balance toward inhibiting tumor growth or resisting tumor development. This effect is primarily observed in malignant cells, rather than normal cells, indicating a selective or specific component. Nevertheless, nonspecific bystander mechanisms, such as T. cruzi's adjuvancy or the presence of proinflammatory cytokines, may also play a significant role in this phenomenon. This work aims to elucidate this complex scenario by synthesizing the main findings presented in the literature and by proposing new questions and answers, thereby adding pieces to this challenging puzzle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Daniela Kaufman
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Farré
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Lucía Biscari
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Ana Rosa Pérez
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Andrés Alloatti
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
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Pan Z, Zhou C, Bai X, Wang F, Hong J, Fang JY, Huang Y, Sheng C. Discovery of New Fusobacterium nucleatum Inhibitors to Attenuate Migratory Capability of Colon Cancer Cells by the Drug Repositioning Strategy. J Med Chem 2023; 66:15699-15714. [PMID: 37983010 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies revealed that intestinal microbiota played important roles in colorectal cancer (CRC) carcinogenesis. Particularly, Fusobacterium nucleatum was confirmed to promote the proliferation and metastasis of CRC. Therefore, targeting F. nucleatum may be a potential preventive and therapeutic approach for CRC. Herein, 2,272 off-patent drugs were screened inhibitory activity against F. nucleatum. Among the hits, nitisinone was identified as a promising anti-F. nucleatum lead compound. Further optimization of nitisinone led to the discovery of more potent derivatives. Particularly, compounds 19q and 22c showed potent anti-F. nucleatum activity (MIC50 = 1 and 2 μg/mL, respectively) with low cytotoxicity. Among them, compound 19q effectively attenuated the migratory ability of MC-38 cells induced by F. nucleatum. Preliminary mechanism studies suggested that nitisinone and its derivatives might act by downregulating nitroreductase and tryptophanase. Thus, the development of small molecule F. nucleatum inhibitors represents an effective strategy to treat CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhizhi Pan
- College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Xueren Road 2, Dali 671000, China
| | - Chenchen Zhou
- College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Xueren Road 2, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xuexin Bai
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Fangfang Wang
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jie Hong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Jing-Yuan Fang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yahui Huang
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- The Center for Basic Research and Innovation of Medicine and Pharmacy (MOE), School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, China
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Čėnas N, Nemeikaitė-Čėnienė A, Kosychova L. Single- and Two-Electron Reduction of Nitroaromatic Compounds by Flavoenzymes: Mechanisms and Implications for Cytotoxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168534. [PMID: 34445240 PMCID: PMC8395237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitroaromatic compounds (ArNO2) maintain their importance in relation to industrial processes, environmental pollution, and pharmaceutical application. The manifestation of toxicity/therapeutic action of nitroaromatics may involve their single- or two-electron reduction performed by various flavoenzymes and/or their physiological redox partners, metalloproteins. The pivotal and still incompletely resolved questions in this area are the identification and characterization of the specific enzymes that are involved in the bioreduction of ArNO2 and the establishment of their contribution to cytotoxic/therapeutic action of nitroaromatics. This review addresses the following topics: (i) the intrinsic redox properties of ArNO2, in particular, the energetics of their single- and two-electron reduction in aqueous medium; (ii) the mechanisms and structure-activity relationships of reduction in ArNO2 by flavoenzymes of different groups, dehydrogenases-electrontransferases (NADPH:cytochrome P-450 reductase, ferredoxin:NADP(H) oxidoreductase and their analogs), mammalian NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase, bacterial nitroreductases, and disulfide reductases of different origin (glutathione, trypanothione, and thioredoxin reductases, lipoamide dehydrogenase), and (iii) the relationships between the enzymatic reactivity of compounds and their activity in mammalian cells, bacteria, and parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narimantas Čėnas
- Institute of Biochemistry of Vilnius University, Saulėtekio 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +370-5-223-4392
| | - Aušra Nemeikaitė-Čėnienė
- State Research Institute Center for Innovative Medicine, Santariškių St. 5, LT-08406 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Lidija Kosychova
- Institute of Biochemistry of Vilnius University, Saulėtekio 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania;
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5
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Pezeshki PS, Moeinafshar A, Ghaemdoust F, Razi S, Keshavarz-Fathi M, Rezaei N. Advances in pharmacotherapy for neuroblastoma. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:2383-2404. [PMID: 34254549 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1953470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuroblastoma is the most prevalent cancer type diagnosed within the first year after birth and accounts for 15% of deaths from pediatric cancer. Despite the improvements in survival rates of patients with neuroblastoma, the incidence of the disease has increased over the last decade. Neuroblastoma tumor cells harbor a vast range of variable and heterogeneous histochemical and genetic alterations which calls for the need to administer individualized and targeted therapies to induce tumor regression in each patient. AREAS COVERED This paper provides reviews the recent clinical trials which used chemotherapeutic and/or targeted agents as either monotherapies or in combination to improve the response rate in patients with neuroblastoma, and especially high-risk neuroblastoma. It also reviews some of the prominent preclinical studies which can provide the rationale for future clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION Although some distinguished advances in pharmacotherapy have been made to improve the survival rate and reduce adverse events in patients with neuroblastoma, a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of tumorigenesis, resistance to therapies or relapse, identifying biomarkers of response to each specific drug, and developing predictive preclinical models of the tumor can lead to further breakthroughs in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parmida Sadat Pezeshki
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aysan Moeinafshar
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faezeh Ghaemdoust
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Razi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Keshavarz-Fathi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Stockholm, Sweden
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Ornell KJ, Mistretta KS, Ralston CQ, Coburn JM. Development of a stacked, porous silk scaffold neuroblastoma model for investigating spatial differences in cell and drug responsiveness. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:1272-1290. [PMID: 33336667 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01153c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Development of in vitro, preclinical cancer models that contain cell-driven microenvironments remains a challenge. Engineering of millimeter-scale, in vitro tumor models with spatially distinct regions that can be independently assessed to study tumor microenvironments has been limited. Here, we report the use of porous silk scaffolds to generate a high cell density neuroblastoma (NB) model that can spatially recapitulate changes resulting from cell and diffusion driven changes. Using COMSOL modeling, a scaffold holder design that facilitates stacking of thin, 200 μm silk scaffolds into a thick, bulk millimeter-scale tumor model (2, 4, 6, and 8 stacked scaffolds) and supports cell-driven oxygen gradients was developed. Cell-driven oxygen gradients were confirmed through pimonidazole staining. Post-culture, the stacked scaffolds were separated for analysis on a layer-by-layer basis. The analysis of each scaffold layer demonstrated decreasing DNA and increasing expression of hypoxia related genes (VEGF, CAIX, and GLUT1) from the exterior scaffolds to the interior scaffolds. Furthermore, the expression of hypoxia related genes at the interior of the stacks was comparable to that of a single scaffold cultured under 1% O2 and at the exterior of the stacks was comparable to that of a single scaffold cultured under 21% O2. The four-stack scaffold model underwent further evaluation to determine if a hypoxia activated drug, tirapazamine, induced reduced cell viability within the internal stacks (region of reduced oxygen) as compared with the external stacks. Decreased DNA content was observed in the internal stacks as compared to the external stacks when treated with tirapazamine, which suggests the internal scaffold stacks had higher levels of hypoxia than the external scaffolds. This stacked silk scaffold system presents a method for creating a single culture model capable of generating controllable cell-driven microenvironments through different stacks that can be individually assessed and used for drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J Ornell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Katelyn S Mistretta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Coulter Q Ralston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Jeannine M Coburn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA.
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Zhang Q, Chen Z, Yuan W, Tang YQ, Zhu J, Wu W, Ren H, Wang H, Zheng W, Zhang Z, Kong E. Nifurtimox Hampered the Progression of Astroglioma In vivo Via Manipulating the AKT-GSK3β axis. Curr Mol Med 2021; 20:723-732. [PMID: 32271693 DOI: 10.2174/1566524020666200409124258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Astroglioma, one major form of brain tumors, has remained principally tough to handle for decades, due to the complexity of tumor pathology and the poor response to chemo- and radio-therapies. METHODS Our previous study demonstrated that nifurtimox could regulate the signaling axis of AKT-GSK3β in various tumor types including the astroglioma U251 cells. Intriguingly, earlier case studies suggested that nifurtimox could possibly permeate the blood brain barrier and arrest neuroblastoma in the brain. These observations jointly encouraged us to explore whether nifurtimox would hinder the growth of astroglioma in vivo. RESULTS Our results exhibited that nifurtimox could competently hinder the development of astroglioma in the mouse brain as compared to temozolomide, the first line of drug for brain tumors. Meanwhile the surviving rate, as well as the body-weight was dramatically upregulated upon nifurtimox treatment, as compared to that of temozolomide. These findings offered nifurtimox as a better alternative drug in treating astroglioma in vivo. CONCLUSION Persistently, the manipulation of the signaling axis of AKT-GSK3β in astroglioma was found in line with earlier findings in neuroblastoma when treated with nifurtimox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxia Zhang
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhenshuai Chen
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yu-Qing Tang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China
| | - Jiangli Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, China
| | - Wentao Wu
- Tianjin Ocelean Pharma, Tianjin, China
| | | | - Hui Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Therapy, Xinxiang, China
| | - Weiyi Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China
| | - Zhongjian Zhang
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Eryan Kong
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
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Zafar A, Wang W, Liu G, Wang X, Xian W, McKeon F, Foster J, Zhou J, Zhang R. Molecular targeting therapies for neuroblastoma: Progress and challenges. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:961-1021. [PMID: 33155698 PMCID: PMC7906923 DOI: 10.1002/med.21750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to identify novel therapies for childhood cancers. Neuroblastoma is the most common pediatric solid tumor, and accounts for ~15% of childhood cancer‐related mortality. Neuroblastomas exhibit genetic, morphological and clinical heterogeneity, which limits the efficacy of existing treatment modalities. Gaining detailed knowledge of the molecular signatures and genetic variations involved in the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma is necessary to develop safer and more effective treatments for this devastating disease. Recent studies with advanced high‐throughput “omics” techniques have revealed numerous genetic/genomic alterations and dysfunctional pathways that drive the onset, growth, progression, and resistance of neuroblastoma to therapy. A variety of molecular signatures are being evaluated to better understand the disease, with many of them being used as targets to develop new treatments for neuroblastoma patients. In this review, we have summarized the contemporary understanding of the molecular pathways and genetic aberrations, such as those in MYCN, BIRC5, PHOX2B, and LIN28B, involved in the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma, and provide a comprehensive overview of the molecular targeted therapies under preclinical and clinical investigations, particularly those targeting ALK signaling, MDM2, PI3K/Akt/mTOR and RAS‐MAPK pathways, as well as epigenetic regulators. We also give insights on the use of combination therapies involving novel agents that target various pathways. Further, we discuss the future directions that would help identify novel targets and therapeutics and improve the currently available therapies, enhancing the treatment outcomes and survival of patients with neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atif Zafar
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.,Drug Discovery Institute, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gang Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chemical Biology Program, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Xinjie Wang
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Wa Xian
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Stem Cell Center, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Frank McKeon
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Stem Cell Center, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer Foster
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Section of Hematology-Oncology Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jia Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chemical Biology Program, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Ruiwen Zhang
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.,Drug Discovery Institute, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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Bahmad HF, Elajami MK, El Zarif T, Bou-Gharios J, Abou-Antoun T, Abou-Kheir W. Drug repurposing towards targeting cancer stem cells in pediatric brain tumors. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2020; 39:127-148. [PMID: 31919619 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-019-09840-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [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] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In the pediatric population, brain tumors represent the most commonly diagnosed solid neoplasms and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. They include low-grade gliomas (LGGs), medulloblastomas (MBs), and other embryonal, ependymal, and neuroectodermal tumors. The mainstay of treatment for most brain tumors includes surgical intervention, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. However, resistance to conventional therapy is widespread, which contributes to the high mortality rates reported and lack of improvement in patient survival despite advancement in therapeutic research. This has been attributed to the presence of a subpopulation of cells, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), which reside within the tumor bulk and maintain self-renewal and recurrence potential of the tumor. An emerging promising approach that enables identifying novel therapeutic strategies to target CSCs and overcome therapy resistance is drug repurposing or repositioning. This is based on using previously approved drugs with known pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics for indications other than their traditional ones, like cancer. In this review, we provide a synopsis of the drug repurposing methodologies that have been used in pediatric brain tumors, and we argue how this selective compilation of approaches, with a focus on CSC targeting, could elevate drug repurposing to the next level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisham F Bahmad
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, DTS Bldg, Room 116-B, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mohamad K Elajami
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, DTS Bldg, Room 116-B, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Talal El Zarif
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, DTS Bldg, Room 116-B, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jolie Bou-Gharios
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, DTS Bldg, Room 116-B, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Tamara Abou-Antoun
- School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos Campus, CHSC 6101, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - Wassim Abou-Kheir
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, DTS Bldg, Room 116-B, Beirut, Lebanon.
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10
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Circ-CUX1 Accelerates the Progression of Neuroblastoma via miR-16-5p/DMRT2 Axis. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:2840-2855. [PMID: 33000435 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-020-03132-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) played pivotal roles in the initiation and progression of cancers. CircRNA cut like homeobox 1 (circ-CUX1; hsa_circ_0132813) has been reported to contribute to neuroblastoma (NB) development by previous study. Furthermore, previous works reported that microRNA-16-5p (miR-16-5p) was down-regulated while doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 2 (DMRT2) was up-regulated in NB. The interaction and functional association between miR-16-5p and circ-CUX1 or DMRT2 were investigated in this study. Cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, colony formation, migration and invasion of NB cells were examined by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, colony formation assay and transwell migration and invasion assays. The glycolysis was analyzed through measuring the consumption of glucose and the production of lactate and ATP. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and RNA-pull down assay were utilized to confirm the interaction between miR-16-5p and circ-CUX1 or DMRT2. Tumor xenograft assay was performed to explore the function of circ-CUX1 in xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Circ-CUX1 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis of NB cells. miR-16-5p was a direct target of circ-CUX1, and miR-16-5p overexpression-mediated effects in NB cells were partly alleviated by the introduction of circ-CUX1 overexpression plasmid. DMRT2 was a target of miR-16-5p in NB cells, and the introduction of anti-miR-16-5p overturned the influences of DMRT2 interference on the proliferation, migration and invasion and glycolysis of NB cells. Circ-CUX1 silencing restrained xenograft tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, circ-CUX1 accelerated the proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis of NB cells through targeting miR-16-5p/DMRT2 signaling cascade.
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11
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Toward a repositioning of the antibacterial drug nifuroxazide for cancer treatment. Drug Discov Today 2019; 24:1930-1936. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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12
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Kong E, Zhu J, Wu W, Ren H, Jiao X, Wang H, Zhang Z. Nifurtimox Inhibits the Progression of Neuroblastoma in vivo. J Cancer 2019; 10:2194-2204. [PMID: 31258723 PMCID: PMC6584410 DOI: 10.7150/jca.27851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma was one of the most life-threatening cancer developed in children, yet the conventional therapies currently used leave an unmet gap for clinical requirements. Temozolomide is the first line of drug in the treatment of neuroblastorma nowadays. Giving the fact that temozolomide treatment offered limited healing effect and patients responded divergently, an alternative beneficial path is urgently requested. Nifurtimox, a drug against Trypanosoma cruzi, was happened to find competent in treating a patient who carried aggressive neuroblastoma. Although in vitro studies demonstrated that nifurtimox has cytotoxic features against tumor cells, a systematic investigation in vivo is generally inadequate. Here we exhibited that nifurtimox could suppress the progression of neuroblastoma in vivo, while maintain the health condition to a great extent. Importantly, as comparing to temozolomide, nifurtimox presented a stronger effect on inhibiting tumor development, strongly suggesting that nifurtimox is a preferential alternative drug in treating neuroblastoma. Additionally, it was shown that Akt-GSK3β signaling cascade was involved in tumor arrest induced by nifurtimox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eryan Kong
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jiangli Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, China
| | - Wentao Wu
- Tianjin Ocelean Pharma, Tianjin, China
| | | | - Xuemiao Jiao
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Therapy, and.,Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhongjian Zhang
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
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13
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Nakagawara A, Li Y, Izumi H, Muramori K, Inada H, Nishi M. Neuroblastoma. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2018; 48:214-241. [PMID: 29378002 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyx176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is one of the most common solid tumors in children and has a diverse clinical behavior that largely depends on the tumor biology. Neuroblastoma exhibits unique features, such as early age of onset, high frequency of metastatic disease at diagnosis in patients over 1 year of age and the tendency for spontaneous regression of tumors in infants. The high-risk tumors frequently have amplification of the MYCN oncogene as well as segmental chromosome alterations with poor survival. Recent advanced genomic sequencing technology has revealed that mutation of ALK, which is present in ~10% of primary tumors, often causes familial neuroblastoma with germline mutation. However, the frequency of gene mutations is relatively small and other aberrations, such as epigenetic abnormalities, have also been proposed. The risk-stratified therapy was introduced by the Japan Neuroblastoma Study Group (JNBSG), which is now moving to the Neuroblastoma Committee of Japan Children's Cancer Group (JCCG). Several clinical studies have facilitated the reduction of therapy for children with low-risk neuroblastoma disease and the significant improvement of cure rates for patients with intermediate-risk as well as high-risk disease. Therapy for patients with high-risk disease includes intensive induction chemotherapy and myeloablative chemotherapy, followed by the treatment of minimal residual disease using differentiation therapy and immunotherapy. The JCCG aims for better cures and long-term quality of life for children with cancer by facilitating new approaches targeting novel driver proteins, genetic pathways and the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Life Science Research Institute, Saga Medical Center Koseikan
| | - Hideki Izumi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Life Science Research Institute, Saga Medical Center Koseikan
| | | | - Hiroko Inada
- Department of Pediatrics, Saga Medical Center Koseikan
| | - Masanori Nishi
- Department of Pediatrics, Saga University, Saga 849-8501, Japan
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14
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Calabrese FM, Clima R, Pignataro P, Lasorsa VA, Hogarty MD, Castellano A, Conte M, Tonini GP, Iolascon A, Gasparre G, Capasso M. A comprehensive characterization of rare mitochondrial DNA variants in neuroblastoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:49246-49258. [PMID: 27351283 PMCID: PMC5226504 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Neuroblastoma, a tumor of the developing sympathetic nervous system, is a common childhood neoplasm that is often lethal. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have been found in most tumors including neuroblastoma. We extracted mtDNA data from a cohort of neuroblastoma samples that had undergone Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) and also used snap-frozen samples in which mtDNA was entirely sequenced by Sanger technology. We next undertook the challenge of determining those mutations that are relevant to, or arisen during tumor development. The bioinformatics pipeline used to extract mitochondrial variants from matched tumor/blood samples was enriched by a set of filters inclusive of heteroplasmic fraction, nucleotide variability, and in silico prediction of pathogenicity. Results Our in silico multistep workflow applied both on WES and Sanger-sequenced neuroblastoma samples, allowed us to identify a limited burden of somatic and germline mitochondrial mutations with a potential pathogenic impact. Conclusions The few singleton germline and somatic mitochondrial mutations emerged, according to our in silico analysis, do not appear to impact on the development of neuroblastoma. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that most mitochondrial somatic mutations can be considered as ‘passengers’ and consequently have no discernible effect in this type of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosanna Clima
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences-DIMEC, Medical Genetics Unit, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Piero Pignataro
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Napoli, Italy
| | - Vito Alessandro Lasorsa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Napoli, Italy
| | - Michael D Hogarty
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Aurora Castellano
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department, IRCCS, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Conte
- Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Gian Paolo Tonini
- Pediatric Research Institute (IRP) - Fondazione Città della Speranza, Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Padua, Italy
| | - Achille Iolascon
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gasparre
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences-DIMEC, Medical Genetics Unit, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mario Capasso
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Napoli, Italy.,IRCCS SDN, Istituto di Ricerca Diagnostica e Nucleare, Naples, Italy
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15
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Li Y, Liu TT, Jin HT, Zhang PP, Qin D, Zhang QQ, Wu WT, Yang CP, Wang AP. A comparison of toxicity and toxicokinetics in rats and dogs following twenty-eight-day, repeat-dose oral administration of nifurtimox. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2017; 6:544-553. [PMID: 30090523 PMCID: PMC6062185 DOI: 10.1039/c7tx00061h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nifurtimox has been an important treatment for trypanosomiasis for many years, but new research indicates that the drug may also be an effective therapy for malignant neuroblastoma. However, there have been few published reports evaluating the toxicity of nifurtimox in different species. Therefore, to further understand its toxicity and toxicokinetic profiles, Sprague Dawley rats and beagle dogs were orally administered nifurtimox at 0, 25, 75 and 150 mg kg-1 day-1, and 0, 30, 60 and 120 mg kg-1 day-1, respectively, for 28 days, which was followed by a 28-day recovery period. Significant decreases in the body weight and food consumption were observed in rats given 75 and 150 mg kg-1 day-1, but no significant difference was observed in either body weight or food consumption in dogs. No notable gender difference was observed in the rats in our study. The mean Cmax and AUC0-t increased with the exposure time in rats, and systemic exposure on day 28 was notably higher than that on day 1 for each dosing group. In contrast, in dogs the mean Cmax and AUC0-t increased significantly in the 120 mg kg-1 day-1 group only. Other findings in rats included a dose-dependent increase in total bilirubin and urea, a significant increase in the kidney organ coefficient, a decrease in heart and thymus weights, and a decrease in the weight of testes and epididymides tissue in males administered 75 and 150 mg kg-1 day-1, with dead sperms observed in the epididymides and a loss of necrotic cells. Furthermore, the brains of rats administered 150 mg kg-1 day-1 nifurtimox revealed cerebral tissue softening. In dogs there were no treatment-related changes in organ weights during the dosing period. However, deciduous spermatoblasts were observed in the seminiferous tubules and there was a lack of long sperms in the epididymides. The findings from this study demonstrate inter-species differences in nifurtimox toxicity and toxicokinetics. These results are relevant to the evaluation of the wider clinical applications of this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Li
- New Drug Safety Evaluation Center , Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China 100050 . ;
| | - Tian-Tian Liu
- New Drug Safety Evaluation Center , Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China 100050 . ;
| | - Hong-Tao Jin
- New Drug Safety Evaluation Center , Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China 100050 . ;
- Beijing Union-Genius Pharmaceutical Technology Co. , Ltd , Beijing , China 100176
| | - Piao-Piao Zhang
- New Drug Safety Evaluation Center , Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China 100050 . ;
| | - Dan Qin
- New Drug Safety Evaluation Center , Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China 100050 . ;
| | - Qian-Qian Zhang
- New Drug Safety Evaluation Center , Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China 100050 . ;
| | - Wen-Tao Wu
- Hengtaijiukang Pharmaceutical Technology Co. , Ltd , Tianjin , China 300384
| | - Cui-Ping Yang
- New Drug Safety Evaluation Center , Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China 100050 . ;
- Beijing Union-Genius Pharmaceutical Technology Co. , Ltd , Beijing , China 100176
| | - Ai-Ping Wang
- New Drug Safety Evaluation Center , Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China 100050 . ;
- Beijing Union-Genius Pharmaceutical Technology Co. , Ltd , Beijing , China 100176
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Li Q, Lin Q, Kim H, Yun Z. The anti-protozoan drug nifurtimox preferentially inhibits clonogenic tumor cells under hypoxic conditions. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:1084-1095. [PMID: 28560059 PMCID: PMC5446476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor hypoxia is an independent prognostic indicator of tumor malignant progression and poor patient survival. Therefore, eradication of hypoxic tumor cells is of paramount importance for successful disease control. In this study, we have made a new discovery that nifurtimox, a clinically approved drug to treat Chagas disease caused by the parasitic protozoan trypanosomes, can function as a hypoxia-activated cytotoxin. We have found that nifurtimox preferentially kill clonogenic tumor cells especially under the hypoxic conditions of ≤0.1% O2. Mechanistically, nifurtimox becomes activated after tumor cells enter into a fully hypoxic state, as shown by the stabilization of the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α (HIF-1α). Nifurtimox specifically induces the formation of 53BP1 foci, a hallmark of DNA double-stranded breaks, in hypoxic tumor cells. Hypoxia-dependent activation of nifurtimox involves P450 (cytochrome) oxidoreductase. The anti-protozoan drug nifurtimox holds promise as a new hypoxia-activated cytotoxin with the potential to preferentially eliminates severely hypoxic tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quhuan Li
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale School of MedicineNew Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Visiting Scholar from School of Bioscience and Bioengineering, South China University of TechnologyGuangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qun Lin
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale School of MedicineNew Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Hoon Kim
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale School of MedicineNew Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Zhong Yun
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale School of MedicineNew Haven, CT 06510, USA
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17
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Coulter DW, McGuire TR, Sharp JG, McIntyre EM, Dong Y, Wang X, Gray S, Alexander GR, Chatuverdi NK, Joshi SS, Chen X, Vennerstrom JL. Treatment of a chemoresistant neuroblastoma cell line with the antimalarial ozonide OZ513. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:867. [PMID: 27821095 PMCID: PMC5100253 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2872-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evaluate the anti-tumor activity of ozonide antimalarials using a chemoresistant neuroblastoma cell line, BE (2)-c. METHODS The activity of 12 ozonides, artemisinin, and two semisynthetic artemisinins were tested for activity against two neuroblastoma cell-lines (BE (2)-c and IMR-32) and the Ewing's Sarcoma cell line A673 in an MTT viability assay. Time course data indicated that peak effect was seen 18 h after the start of treatment thus 18 h pre-treatment was used for all subsequent experiments. The most active ozonide (OZ513) was assessed in a propidium iodide cell cycle flow cytometry analysis which measured cell cycle transit and apoptosis. Metabolic effects of OZ513 in BE (2)-c cells was evaluated. Western blots for the apoptotic proteins cleaved capase-3 and cleaved PARP, the highly amplified oncogene MYCN, and the cell cycle regulator CyclinD1, were performed. These in-vitro experiments were followed by an in-vivo experiment in which NOD-scid gamma immunodeficient mice were injected subcutaneously with 1 × 106 BE (2)-c cells followed by immediate treatment with 50-100 mg/kg/day doses of OZ513 administered IP three times per week out to 23 days after injection of tumor. Incidence of tumor development, time to tumor development, and rate of tumor growth were assessed in DMSO treated controls (N = 6), and OZ513 treated mice (N = 5). RESULTS It was confirmed that five commonly used chemotherapy drugs had no cytotoxic activity in BE (2)-c cells. Six of 12 ozonides tested were active in-vitro at concentrations achievable in vivo with OZ513 being most active (IC50 = 0.5 mcg/ml). OZ513 activity was confirmed in IMR-32 and A673 cells. The Ao peak on cell-cycle analysis was increased after treatment with OZ513 in a concentration dependent fashion which when coupled with results from western blot analysis which showed an increase in cleaved capase-3 and cleaved PARP supported an increase in apoptosis. There was a concentration dependent decline in the MYCN and a cyclinD1 protein indicative of anti-proliferative activity and cell cycle disruption. OXPHOS metabolism was unaffected by OZ513 treatment while glycolysis was increased. There was a significant delay in time to tumor development in mice treated with OZ513 and a decline in the rate of tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS The antimalarial ozonide OZ513 has effective in-vitro and in-vivo activity against a pleiotropic drug resistant neuroblastoma cell-line. Treatment with OZ513 increased apoptotic markers and glycolysis with a decline in the MYCN oncogene and the cell cycle regulator cyclinD1. These effects suggest adaptation to cellular stress by mechanism which remain unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don W Coulter
- College of Medicine, Division of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Timothy R McGuire
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - John G Sharp
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Erin M McIntyre
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Yuxiang Dong
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Xiaofang Wang
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Shawn Gray
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Gracey R Alexander
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Nagendra K Chatuverdi
- College of Medicine, Division of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Shantaram S Joshi
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jonathan L Vennerstrom
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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