1
|
Wajapeyee N, Beamon TC, Gupta R. Roles and therapeutic targeting of ceramide metabolism in cancer. Mol Metab 2024; 83:101936. [PMID: 38599378 PMCID: PMC11031839 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ceramides are sphingolipids that act as signaling molecules involved in regulating cellular processes including apoptosis, proliferation, and metabolism. Deregulation of ceramide metabolism contributes to cancer development and progression. Therefore, regulation of ceramide levels in cancer cells is being explored as a new approach for cancer therapy. SCOPE OF THE REVIEW This review discusses the multiple roles of ceramides in cancer cells and strategies to modulate ceramide levels for cancer therapy. Ceramides attenuate cell survival signaling and metabolic pathways, while activating apoptotic mechanisms, making them tumor-suppressive. Approaches to increase ceramide levels in cancer cells include using synthetic analogs, inhibiting ceramide degradation, and activating ceramide synthesis. We also highlight combination therapies such as use of ceramide modulators with chemotherapies, immunotherapies, apoptosis inducers, and anti-angiogenics, which offer synergistic antitumor effects. Additionally, we also describe ongoing clinical trials evaluating ceramide nanoliposomes and analogs. Finally, we discuss the challenges of these therapeutic approaches including the complexity of ceramide metabolism, targeted delivery, cancer heterogeneity, resistance mechanisms, and long-term safety. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Ceramide-based therapy is a potentially promising approach for cancer therapy. However, overcoming hurdles in pharmacokinetics, specificity, and resistance is needed to optimize its efficacy and safety. This requires comprehensive preclinical/clinical studies into ceramide signaling, formulations, and combination therapies. Ceramide modulation offers opportunities for developing novel cancer treatments, but a deeper understanding of ceramide biology is vital to advance its clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Narendra Wajapeyee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
| | - Teresa Chiyanne Beamon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Romi Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Performance of Oleic Acid and Soybean Oil in the Preparation of Oil-in-Water Microemulsions for Encapsulating a Highly Hydrophobic Molecule. COLLOIDS AND INTERFACES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/colloids5040050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This work analyzes the dispersion of a highly hydrophobic molecule, (9Z)-N-(1,3-dihydroxyoctadecan-2-yl)octadec-9-enamide (ceramide-like molecule), with cosmetic and pharmaceutical interest, by exploiting oil-in-water microemulsions. Two different oils, oleic acid and soybean oil, were tested as an oil phase while mixtures of laureth-5-carboxylic acid (Akypo) and 2-propanol were used for the stabilization of the dispersions. This allowed us to obtain stable aqueous-based formulations with a relatively reduced content of oily phase (around 3% w/w), that may enhance the bioavailability of this molecule by its solubilization in nanometric oil droplets (with a size range of 30–80 nm), that allow the incorporation of a ceramide-like molecule of up to 3% w/w, to remain stable for more than a year. The nanometric size of the droplet containing the active ingredient and the stability of the formulations provide the basis for evaluating the efficiency of microemulsions in preparing formulations to enhance the distribution and availability of ceramide-like molecules, helping to reach targets in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.
Collapse
|
3
|
Tallima H, Azzazy HME, El Ridi R. Cell surface sphingomyelin: key role in cancer initiation, progression, and immune evasion. Lipids Health Dis 2021; 20:150. [PMID: 34717628 PMCID: PMC8557557 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-021-01581-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell surface biochemical changes, notably excessive increase in outer leaflet sphingomyelin (SM) content, are important in cancer initiation, growth, and immune evasion. Innumerable reports describe methods to initiate, promote, or enhance immunotherapy of clinically detected cancer, notwithstanding the challenges, if not impossibility, of identification of tumor-specific, or associated antigens, the lack of tumor cell surface membrane expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I alpha and β2 microglobulin chains, and lack of expression or accessibility of Fas and other natural killer cell immune checkpoint molecules. Conversely, SM synthesis and hydrolysis are increasingly implicated in initiation of carcinogenesis and promotion of metastasis. Surface membrane SM readily forms inter- and intra- molecular hydrogen bond network, which excessive tightness would impair cell-cell contact inhibition, inter- and intra-cellular signals, metabolic pathways, and susceptibility to host immune cells and mediators. The present review aims at clarifying the tumor immune escape mechanisms, which face common immunotherapeutic approaches, and attracting attention to an entirely different, neglected, key aspect of tumorigenesis associated with biochemical changes in the cell surface that lead to failure of contact inhibition, an instrumental tumorigenesis mechanism. Additionally, the review aims to provide evidence for surface membrane SM levels and roles in cells resistance to death, failure to respond to growth suppressor signals, and immune escape, and to suggest possible novel approaches to cancer control and cure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hatem Tallima
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Cairo, 11835, Egypt. .,Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt.
| | - Hassan M E Azzazy
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Cairo, 11835, Egypt
| | - Rashika El Ridi
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gao F, Chen X, Lu J, Hu S, Xu H, Shi Y, Feng M, Ding J, Liu H, Luo C, Xie Z, Wang J. Discovery of novel ceramide analogs with favorable pharmacokinetic properties and combination with AKT inhibitor against colon cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 215:113274. [PMID: 33592537 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Ceramides have emerged as potential therapeutic option with novel mechanism to affect the proliferation, differentiation, senescence, and apoptosis of cancer cells through regulation of multiple signal transduction. Aiming at the improvement of the apoptosis activity and pharmacokinetic profiles of ceramides, a novel series of ceramide analogs were developed through structure simplification and conformation restriction. Among them, compound 12 bearing an alkoxyl naphthyl motif, with favorable rat pharmacokinetic properties, showed better anti-proliferative activity against various colon cancer cells (IC50 ∼20 μM) than other ceramide analogues, as well as the synergistic effect combined with AKT inhibitor MK2206. Additionally, we demonstrated that this combination therapy promoted caspase 3-dependent apoptotic pathway and intensified cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Furthermore, the combination of compound 12 and MK2206 displayed synergistic anti-tumor effect in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaoxu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Junyan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shulei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yuqiang Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Mingshun Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Jian Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Cheng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Zuoquan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Jiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dhanasekaran S, Venugopal D, Al-Dayan N, Ravinayagam V, Mohammed AA. Emerging insights into mitochondria-specific targeting and drug delivering strategies: Recent milestones and therapeutic implications. Saudi J Biol Sci 2020; 27:3581-3592. [PMID: 33304169 PMCID: PMC7714987 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are a major intracellular organelle for drug targeting due to its functional roles in cellular metabolism and cell signaling for proliferation and cell death. Mitochondria-targeted treatment strategy could be promising to improve the therapeutic efficacy of cancer while minimizing the adverse side effects. Over the last decades, several studies have explored and focused on mitochondrial functions, which has led to the emergence of mitochondria-specific therapies. Molecules in the mitochondria are considered to be prime targets, and a wide range of molecular strategies have been designed for targeting mitochondria compared with that of the cytosol. In this review, we focused on the molecular mechanisms of mitochondria-specific ligand targeting and selective drug action strategies for targeting mitochondria, including those premised on mitochondrial targeting of signal peptides (MTS), cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), and use of lipophilic cations. Furthermore, most research has concentrated on specific conjugation of ligands to therapeutic molecules to enhance their effectiveness. There are several variations for the ideal design and development for mitochondrial-targeted drugs, such as selecting a suitable ligand and linker targets. However, some challenges related to drug solubility and selectivity could be resolved using the nanocarrier system. Nanoparticles yield excellent advantages for targeting and transmitting therapeutic drugs, and they offer elegant platforms for mitochondria-specific drug delivery. We explain many of the advanced and proven strategies for multifunctional mitochondria-specific targets, which should contribute to achieving better anticancer therapies in a promising future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sugapriya Dhanasekaran
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Wadi-Al Dawaser, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Divya Venugopal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Wadi-Al Dawaser, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Noura Al-Dayan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vijaya Ravinayagam
- Deanship of Scientific Research & Department of Nano-Medicine Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arif Ahmed Mohammed
- Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research, Department of Biochemistry, College of Science Building-5, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cataldi S, Arcuri C, Lazzarini A, Nakashidze I, Ragonese F, Fioretti B, Ferri I, Conte C, Codini M, Beccari T, Curcio F, Albi E. Effect of 1α,25(OH) 2 Vitamin D 3 in Mutant P53 Glioblastoma Cells: Involvement of Neutral Sphingomyelinase1. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3163. [PMID: 33126474 PMCID: PMC7694157 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is one the most aggressive primary brain tumors in adults, and, despite the fact that radiation and chemotherapy after surgical approaches have been the treatments increasing the survival rates, the prognosis of patients remains poor. Today, the attention is focused on highlighting complementary treatments that can be helpful in improving the classic therapeutic approaches. It is known that 1α,25(OH)2 vitamin D3, a molecule involved in bone metabolism, has many serendipidy effects in cells. It targets normal and cancer cells via genomic pathway by vitamin D3 receptor or via non-genomic pathways. To interrogate possible functions of 1α,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 in multiforme glioblastoma, we used three cell lines, wild-type p53 GL15 and mutant p53 U251 and LN18 cells. We demonstrated that 1α,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 acts via vitamin D receptor in GL15 cells and via neutral sphingomyelinase1, with an enrichment of ceramide pool, in U251 and LN18 cells. Changes in sphingomyelin/ceramide content were considered to be possibly responsible for the differentiating and antiproliferative effect of 1α,25(OH)2 vitamin D in U251 and LN18 cells, as shown, respectively, in vitro by immunofluorescence and in vivo by experiments of xenotransplantation in eggs. This is the first time 1α,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 is interrogated for the response of multiforme glioblastoma cells in dependence on the p53 mutation, and the results define neutral sphingomyelinase1 as a signaling effector.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuela Cataldi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (S.C.); (I.N.); (C.C.); (M.C.); (T.B.)
| | - Cataldo Arcuri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy;
| | | | - Irina Nakashidze
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (S.C.); (I.N.); (C.C.); (M.C.); (T.B.)
| | - Francesco Ragonese
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, Via Elce di Sotto 8, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (F.R.); (B.F.)
| | - Bernard Fioretti
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, Via Elce di Sotto 8, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (F.R.); (B.F.)
| | - Ivana Ferri
- Division of Pathological Anatomy and Histology, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Carmela Conte
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (S.C.); (I.N.); (C.C.); (M.C.); (T.B.)
| | - Michela Codini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (S.C.); (I.N.); (C.C.); (M.C.); (T.B.)
| | - Tommaso Beccari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (S.C.); (I.N.); (C.C.); (M.C.); (T.B.)
| | - Francesco Curcio
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta Albi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (S.C.); (I.N.); (C.C.); (M.C.); (T.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Leuti A, Fazio D, Fava M, Piccoli A, Oddi S, Maccarrone M. Bioactive lipids, inflammation and chronic diseases. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2020; 159:133-169. [PMID: 32628989 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous bioactive lipids are part of a complex network that modulates a plethora of cellular and molecular processes involved in health and disease, of which inflammation represents one of the most prominent examples. Inflammation serves as a well-conserved defence mechanism, triggered in the event of chemical, mechanical or microbial damage, that is meant to eradicate the source of damage and restore tissue function. However, excessive inflammatory signals, or impairment of pro-resolving/anti-inflammatory pathways leads to chronic inflammation, which is a hallmark of chronic pathologies. All main classes of endogenous bioactive lipids - namely eicosanoids, specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators, lysoglycerophopsholipids and endocannabinoids - have been consistently involved in the chronic inflammation that characterises pathologies such as cancer, diabetes, atherosclerosis, asthma, as well as autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders and inflammatory bowel diseases. This review gathers the current knowledge concerning the involvement of endogenous bioactive lipids in the pathogenic processes of chronic inflammatory pathologies.
Collapse
|
8
|
Shrestha B, Tang L, Romero G. Nanoparticles‐Mediated Combination Therapies for Cancer Treatment. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.201900076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Binita Shrestha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Texas at San Antonio One UTSA Circle San Antonio TX 78249 USA
| | - Liang Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Texas at San Antonio One UTSA Circle San Antonio TX 78249 USA
| | - Gabriela Romero
- Department of Chemical Engineering University of Texas at San Antonio One UTSA Circle San Antonio TX 78249 USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Knapp P, Chomicz K, Świderska M, Chabowski A, Jach R. Unique Roles of Sphingolipids in Selected Malignant and Nonmalignant Lesions of Female Reproductive System. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:4376583. [PMID: 31187044 PMCID: PMC6521305 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4376583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cancer develops as a result of the loss of self-control mechanisms by a cell; it gains the ability to induce angiogenesis, becomes immortal and resistant to cell death, stops responding to growth suppressor signals, and becomes capable of invasion and metastasis. Sphingolipids-a family of membrane lipids-are known to play important roles in the regulation of cell proliferation, the response to chemotherapeutic agents, and/or prevention of cancer. Despite the underlying functions of sphingolipids in cancer biology, their metabolism in different malignant tumors is poorly investigated. Some studies showed marked differences in ceramide content between the tumor and the respective healthy tissue. Interestingly, the level of this sphingolipid could be either low or elevated, suggesting that the alterations in ceramide metabolism in cancer tissue may depend on the biology of the tumor. These processes are indeed related to the type of cancer, its stage, and histology status. In this paper we present the unique roles of bioactive sphingolipid derivative in selected gynecologic malignant and nonmalignant lesions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Knapp
- Department of Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland
| | - Karolina Chomicz
- Ist Medical Faculty with Stomatology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Adrian Chabowski
- Department of Physiology, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland
| | - Robert Jach
- Jagiellonian University Medical College Gynecology and Obstetrics, Krakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Shaw J, Costa-Pinheiro P, Patterson L, Drews K, Spiegel S, Kester M. Novel Sphingolipid-Based Cancer Therapeutics in the Personalized Medicine Era. Adv Cancer Res 2018; 140:327-366. [PMID: 30060815 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2018.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipids are bioactive lipids that participate in a wide variety of biological mechanisms, including cell death and proliferation. The myriad of pro-death and pro-survival cellular pathways involving sphingolipids provide a plethora of opportunities for dysregulation in cancers. In recent years, modulation of these sphingolipid metabolic pathways has been in the forefront of drug discovery for cancer therapeutics. About two decades ago, researchers first showed that standard of care treatments, e.g., chemotherapeutics and radiation, modulate sphingolipid metabolism to increase endogenous ceramides, which kill cancer cells. Strikingly, resistance to these treatments has also been linked to altered sphingolipid metabolism, favoring lipid species that ultimately lead to cell survival. To this end, many inhibitors of sphingolipid metabolism have been developed to further define not only our understanding of these pathways but also to potentially serve as therapeutic interventions. Therefore, understanding how to better use these new drugs that target sphingolipid metabolism, either alone or in combination with current cancer treatments, holds great potential for cancer control. While sphingolipids in cancer have been reviewed previously (Hannun & Obeid, 2018; Lee & Kolesnick, 2017; Morad & Cabot, 2013; Newton, Lima, Maceyka, & Spiegel, 2015; Ogretmen, 2018; Ryland, Fox, Liu, Loughran, & Kester, 2011) in this chapter, we present a comprehensive review on how standard of care therapeutics affects sphingolipid metabolism, the current landscape of sphingolipid inhibitors, and the clinical utility of sphingolipid-based cancer therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Shaw
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Pedro Costa-Pinheiro
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Logan Patterson
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Kelly Drews
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Sarah Spiegel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Mark Kester
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States; University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wang T, Feng L, Yang S, Liu Y, Zhang N. Ceramide lipid-based nanosuspension for enhanced delivery of docetaxel with synergistic antitumor efficiency. Drug Deliv 2017; 24:800-810. [PMID: 28502199 PMCID: PMC8241063 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2016.1225853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ceramide (CE), a bioactive lipid with tumor suppression, has been widely used as a drug carrier and enhancer for cancer therapy. CE-based combination therapy was prone to be attractive in cancer therapy. In our previous study, the combination of CE and docetaxel (DTX) was proved to be an effective strategy for cancer therapy. To further improve the antitumor efficiency of DTX, the CE lipid-based nanosuspensions (LNS) was prepared for the delivery of DTX to exhibit synergistic therapeutic effect. The enhanced delivery and synergistic therapeutic effect of DTX-loaded CE-LNS (CE + DTX-LNS) were evaluated. CE + DTX-LNS exhibited spherical or ellipsoidal shape, uniform particle size distribution (108.1 ± 3.8 nm), sustained release characteristics and good stability in vitro. Notably, CE + DTX-LNS could effectively co-localize CE and DTX into same tumor cell and subsequently play synergistic cell damage effect compared with CE-LNS + DTX-LNS (p < 0.05). The in vivo fluorescence imaging results showed that CE + DTX-LNS could effectively prolong the in vivo circulation time and enhance the accumulation in tumor sites. Moreover, the antitumor efficacy of CE + DTX-LNS observed in B16 murine melanoma model was 93.94 ± 2.77%, significantly higher than that of CE-LNS, DTX-LNS, Duopafei® (p < 0.01) and CE-LNS + DTX-LNS (p < 0.05), respectively, demonstrating that co-delivery of CE and DTX into same tumor cell was the basis for enhanced synergistic therapeutic effect. Furthermore, histological examination of Blank-LNS showed no visible tissue toxicity compared to normal saline. Consequently, CE-LNS could effectively delivery DTX and CE + DTX-LNS exhibit synergistic inhibition of tumor growth due to the co-localization of CE and DTX. CE-LNS hold great potential to be an appropriate carrier for CE-based combination chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Wang
- a School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shandong University , Ji'nan , People's Republic of China
| | - Lixia Feng
- a School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shandong University , Ji'nan , People's Republic of China
| | - Shaomei Yang
- a School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shandong University , Ji'nan , People's Republic of China
| | - Yongjun Liu
- a School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shandong University , Ji'nan , People's Republic of China
| | - Na Zhang
- a School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shandong University , Ji'nan , People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Knapp P, Bodnar L, Błachnio-Zabielska A, Świderska M, Chabowski A. Plasma and ovarian tissue sphingolipids profiling in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2017; 147:139-144. [PMID: 28800942 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2017.07.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The role of lipids in carcinogenesis through induction of abnormal cell lines in the human body is currently undisputable. Based on the literature, bioactive sphingolipids play an essential role in the development and progression of cancer and are involved in the metastatic process. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of selected sphingolipids in patients with advanced ovarian cancer (AOC, FIGO III/IV, high grade ovarian cancer). METHODS Seventy-four patients with ovarian cancer were enrolled. Plasma concentrations of C16-Cer, C18:1-Cer and C18-Cer were assessed by LC/MS/MS. The content of tissue sphingolipids was measured using a UHPLC/MS/MS. RESULTS Plasma concentration of 3 ceramides: C16-Cer, C18:1-Cer and C18-Cer was significantly elevated in women with advanced ovarian cancer compared to control group (P=0.031; 0.022; 0.020; respectively). There were increases in concentration of 5 ceramides: C16-Cer, C18:1-Cer, C18-Cer, C24:1-Cer, C24-Cer (P=0.025; 0.049; 0.032; 0.005; 0.013, respectively) and S1P (P=0.004) in ovarian tissue of women with advanced ovarian cancer compared to healthy individuals. Importantly, significantly higher risk of ovarian cancer when the plasma concentration of C16-Cer>311.88ng/100μl (AUC: 0.76, P=0.0261); C18:1-Cer>4.75ng/100μl (AUC: 0.77, P=0.0160) and C18-Cer>100.76ng/100μl (AUC:0.77, P=0.0136) was noticed. CONCLUSIONS Bioactive sphingolipids play an essential role in the development and progression of cancer and they also take part in the process of metastasizing. This study suggests that some sphingolipids can be used as potential biomarkers of advanced ovarian cancer and that they can play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Knapp
- Department of Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology, Medical University of Bialystok, 24a Sklodowskiej-Curie Str., 15-276 Bialystok, Poland.
| | - Lubomir Bodnar
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine in Warsaw, 128 Szaserow Str., 04-141 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Błachnio-Zabielska
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Metabolic Disorders, Medical University of Bialystok, 2c Mickiewicza Str., 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; Department of Physiology, Medical University of Bialystok, 2c Mickiewicza Str., 15-222 Bialystok, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Świderska
- Department of Physiology, Medical University of Bialystok, 2c Mickiewicza Str., 15-222 Bialystok, Poland.
| | - Adrian Chabowski
- Department of Physiology, Medical University of Bialystok, 2c Mickiewicza Str., 15-222 Bialystok, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Singh MS, Tammam SN, Shetab Boushehri MA, Lamprecht A. MDR in cancer: Addressing the underlying cellular alterations with the use of nanocarriers. Pharmacol Res 2017; 126:2-30. [PMID: 28760489 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug resistance (MDR) is associated with a wide range of pathological changes at different cellular and intracellular levels. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively exploited as the carriers of MDR reversing payloads to resistant tumor cells. However, when properly formulated in terms of chemical composition and physicochemical properties, NPs can serve as beyond delivery systems and help overcome MDR even without carrying a load of chemosensitizers or MDR reversing molecular cargos. Whether serving as drug carriers or beyond, a wise design of the nanoparticulate systems to overcome the cellular and intracellular alterations underlying the resistance is imperative. Within the current review, we will initially discuss the cellular changes occurring in resistant cells and how such changes lead to chemotherapy failure and cancer cell survival. We will then focus on different mechanisms through which nanosystems with appropriate chemical composition and physicochemical properties can serve as MDR reversing units at different cellular and intracellular levels according to the changes that underlie the resistance. Finally, we will conclude by discussing logical grounds for a wise and rational design of MDR reversing nanoparticulate systems to improve the cancer therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manu S Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmceutics, University of Bonn, Germany
| | - Salma N Tammam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmceutics, University of Bonn, Germany; Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, German University of Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Alf Lamprecht
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmceutics, University of Bonn, Germany; Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Engineering (EA4267), University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.
| |
Collapse
|