1
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Travaglini S, Silvestrini G, Attardi E, Fanciulli M, Scalera S, Antonelli S, Maurillo L, Palmieri R, Divona M, Ciuffreda L, Savi A, Paterno G, Ottone T, Barbieri C, Maciejewski JP, Gurnari C, Ciliberto G, Voso MT. Evolution of transcriptomic profiles in relapsed inv(16) acute myeloid leukemia. Leuk Res 2024; 145:107568. [PMID: 39180902 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2024.107568] [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: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with inv(16) is typically associated with a favourable prognosis. However, up to 40 % of patients will eventually experience disease relapse. Herein, we dissected the genomic and transcriptomic profile of inv(16) AML to identify potential prognostic markers and therapeutic vulnerabilities. Sequencing data from 222 diagnostic samples, including 44 relapse/refractory patients, revealed a median of 1 concomitant additional mutation, cooperating with inv(16) in leukemogenesis. Notably, the mutational landscape at diagnosis did not differ significantly between patients experiencing primary induction failure or relapse when compared to the rest of the cohort, except for an increase in the mutational burden in the relapse/refractory group. RNA-Seq of unpaired diagnostic(n=7) and relapse(n=6) samples allowed the identification of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) as one of the most significantly downregulated pathways at relapse. Considering that OXPHOS could be targeted by Venetoclax/Azacitidine combination, we explored its biological effects on an inv(16) cell-line ME-1, but there was no additional advantage in terms of cell death over Azacitidine alone. To enhance Venetoclax efficacy, we tested in vitro effects of Metformin as a potential drug able to enhance chemosensitivity of AML cells by inhibiting the mitochondrial transfer. By challenging ME-1 with this combination, we observed a significant synergistic interaction at least similar to that of Venetoclax/Azacitidine. In conclusions, we identified a downregulated expression of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) at relapse in AML with inv(16), and explored the in vitro effects of metformin as a potential drug to enhance chemosensitivity in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Travaglini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Giorgia Silvestrini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, PhD in Immunology, Molecular Medicine and Applied Biotechnology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Attardi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, PhD in Immunology, Molecular Medicine and Applied Biotechnology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Fanciulli
- SAFU Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Scalera
- Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Silvia Antonelli
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Maurillo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Palmieri
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariadomenica Divona
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy; Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovica Ciuffreda
- SAFU Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Savi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Tiziana Ottone
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy; Santa Lucia Foundation, I.R.C.C.S., Neuro-Oncohematology, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Jaroslaw P Maciejewski
- Translational Hematology and Oncology Research Department, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Carmelo Gurnari
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy; Translational Hematology and Oncology Research Department, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Voso
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy; Santa Lucia Foundation, I.R.C.C.S., Neuro-Oncohematology, Rome, Italy.
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2
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Lee J, Kida K, Koh J, Liu H, Manyam GC, Gi YJ, Rampa DR, Multani AS, Wang J, Jayachandran G, Lee DW, Reuben JM, Sahin A, Huo L, Tripathy D, Im SA, Ueno NT. The DNA repair pathway as a therapeutic target to synergize with trastuzumab deruxtecan in HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate-resistant HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:236. [PMID: 39164784 PMCID: PMC11337831 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03143-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-HER2 therapies, including the HER2 antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) and trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), have led to improved survival outcomes in patients with HER2-overexpressing (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer. However, intrinsic or acquired resistance to anti-HER2-based therapies remains a clinical challenge in these patients, as there is no standard of care following disease progression. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms of resistance to T-DM1 and T-DXd in HER2+ BC patients and preclinical models and identify targets whose inhibition enhances the antitumor activity of T-DXd in HER2-directed ADC-resistant HER2+ breast cancer in vitro and in vivo. METHODS Targeted DNA and whole transcriptome sequencing were performed in breast cancer patient tissue samples to investigate genetic aberrations that arose after anti-HER2 therapy. We generated T-DM1 and T-DXd-resistant HER2+ breast cancer cell lines. To elucidate their resistance mechanisms and to identify potential synergistic kinase targets for enhancing the efficacy of T-DXd, we used fluorescence in situ hybridization, droplet digital PCR, Western blotting, whole-genome sequencing, cDNA microarray, and synthetic lethal kinome RNA interference screening. In addition, cell viability, colony formation, and xenograft assays were used to determine the synergistic antitumor effect of T-DXd combinations. RESULTS We found reduced HER2 expression in patients and amplified DNA repair-related genes in patients after anti-HER2 therapy. Reduced ERBB2 gene amplification in HER2-directed ADC-resistant HER2+ breast cancer cell lines was through DNA damage and epigenetic mechanisms. In HER2-directed ADC-resistant HER2+ breast cancer cell lines, our non-biased RNA interference screening identified the DNA repair pathway as a potential target within the canonical pathways to enhance the efficacy of T-DXd. We validated that the combination of T-DXd with ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related inhibitor, elimusertib, led to significant breast cancer cell death in vitro (P < 0.01) and in vivo (P < 0.01) compared to single agents. CONCLUSIONS The DNA repair pathways contribute to HER2-directed ADC resistance. Our data justify exploring the combination treatment of T-DXd with DNA repair-targeting drugs to treat HER2-directed ADC-resistant HER2+ breast cancer in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jangsoon Lee
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research and Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, University of Hawai'I Cancer Center, 701 Ilalo Street, Room 622, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA.
- Present address: Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawai'I Cancer Center, 701 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA.
| | - Kumiko Kida
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research and Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Present address: Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, St. Luke's International Hospital, 9-1, Akashicho, Chuouku, Tokyo, 104-8560, Japan
| | - Jiwon Koh
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Huey Liu
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research and Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ganiraju C Manyam
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Young Jin Gi
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research and Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, University of Hawai'I Cancer Center, 701 Ilalo Street, Room 622, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA
| | - Dileep R Rampa
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, University of Hawai'I Cancer Center, 701 Ilalo Street, Room 622, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA
| | - Asha S Multani
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gitanjali Jayachandran
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dae-Won Lee
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-Ro Jongro-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - James M Reuben
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Aysegul Sahin
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lei Huo
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Debu Tripathy
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research and Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Seock-Ah Im
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-Ro Jongro-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Naoto T Ueno
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research and Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, University of Hawai'I Cancer Center, 701 Ilalo Street, Room 622, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA.
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3
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Aloss K, Leroy Viana PH, Bokhari SMZ, Giunashvili N, Schvarcz CA, Bócsi D, Koós Z, Benyó Z, Hamar P. Ivermectin Synergizes with Modulated Electro-hyperthermia and Improves Its Anticancer Effects in a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Mouse Model. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:2496-2506. [PMID: 39144564 PMCID: PMC11320741 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, with limited treatment options. Modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) is a novel adjuvant cancer therapy that induces selective cancer damage. However, mEHT upregulates heat shock protein beta 1 (HSPB1), a cancer-promoting stress chaperone molecule. Thus, we investigated whether ivermectin (IVM), an anthelmintic drug, may synergize with mEHT and enhance its anticancer effects by inhibiting HSPB1 phosphorylation. Isogenic 4T1 TNBC cells were inoculated into BALB/c mice and treated with mEHT, IVM, or a combination of both. IVM synergistically improved the tumor growth inhibition achieved by mEHT. Moreover, IVM downregulated mEHT-induced HSPB1 phosphorylation. Thus, the strongest cancer tissue damage was observed in the mEHT + IVM-treated tumors, coupled with the strongest apoptosis induction and proliferation inhibition. In addition, there was no significant body weight loss in mice treated with mEHT and IVM, indicating that this combination was well-tolerated. In conclusion, mEHT combined with IVM is a new, effective, and safe option for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenan Aloss
- Institute
of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26., Budapest 1085, Hungary
- Department
of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis
University, Budapest 1089, Hungary
| | | | | | - Nino Giunashvili
- Institute
of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26., Budapest 1085, Hungary
| | - Csaba András Schvarcz
- Institute
of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26., Budapest 1085, Hungary
- HUN-REN-SU
Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Diseases Research Group, Tűzoltó utca 37-47., Budapest 1094, Hungary
| | - Dániel Bócsi
- Institute
of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26., Budapest 1085, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Koós
- Institute
of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26., Budapest 1085, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Benyó
- Institute
of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26., Budapest 1085, Hungary
- HUN-REN-SU
Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Diseases Research Group, Tűzoltó utca 37-47., Budapest 1094, Hungary
| | - Péter Hamar
- Institute
of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Üllői út 26., Budapest 1085, Hungary
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4
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Lou J, Zhou Q, Lyu X, Cen X, Liu C, Yan Z, Li Y, Tang H, Liu Q, Ding J, Lu Y, Huang H, Xie H, Zhao Y. Discovery of a Covalent Inhibitor That Overcame Resistance to Venetoclax in AML Cells Overexpressing BFL-1. J Med Chem 2024; 67:10795-10830. [PMID: 38913996 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00291] [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: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Clinical and biological studies have shown that overexpression of BFL-1 is one contributing factor to venetoclax resistance. The resistance might be overcome by a potent BFL-1 inhibitor, but such an inhibitor is rare. In this study, we show that 56, featuring an acrylamide moiety, inhibited the BFL-1/BID interaction with a Ki value of 105 nM. More interestingly, 56 formed an irreversible conjugation adduct at the C55 residue of BFL-1. 56 was a selective BFL-1 inhibitor, and its MCL-1 binding affinity was 10-fold weaker, while it did not bind BCL-2 and BCL-xL. Mechanistic studies showed that 56 overcame venetoclax resistance in isogenic AML cell lines MOLM-13-OE and MV4-11-OE, which both overexpressed BFL-1. More importantly, 56 and venetoclax combination promoted stronger apoptosis induction than either single agent. Collectively, our data show that 56 overcame resistance to venetoclax in AML cells overexpressing BFL-1. These attributes make 56 a promising candidate for future optimization.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Sulfonamides/pharmacology
- Sulfonamides/chemistry
- Sulfonamides/chemical synthesis
- Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/pharmacology
- Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/chemistry
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Minor Histocompatibility Antigens/metabolism
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Drug Discovery
- Structure-Activity Relationship
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd. Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qianqian Zhou
- Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd. Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xilin Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd. Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xinyi Cen
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd. Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ziqin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd. Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd. Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Haotian Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd. Shanghai 201203, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China
| | - Qiupei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd. Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jian Ding
- Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd. Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ye Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd. Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - He Huang
- Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hua Xie
- Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd. Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China
| | - Yujun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Rd. Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceuticals, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinan 250101, China
- Key Laboratory of Protection, Development and Utilization of Medicinal Resources in Liupanshan Area, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
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5
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Bajpai P, Agarwal S, Afaq F, Al Diffalha S, Chandrashekar DS, Kim HG, Shelton A, Miller CR, Singh SK, Singh R, Varambally S, Nagaraju GP, Manne A, Paluri R, Khushman M, Manne U. Combination of dual JAK/HDAC inhibitor with regorafenib synergistically reduces tumor growth, metastasis, and regorafenib-induced toxicity in colorectal cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:192. [PMID: 38992681 PMCID: PMC11238352 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03106-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment with regorafenib, a multiple-kinase inhibitor, to manage metastatic colorectal cancers (mCRCs) shows a modest improvement in overall survival but is associated with severe toxicities. Thus, to reduce regorafenib-induced toxicity, we used regorafenib at low concentration along with a dual JAK/HDAC small-molecule inhibitor (JAK/HDACi) to leverage the advantages of both JAK and HDAC inhibition to enhance antitumor activity. The therapeutic efficacy and safety of the combination treatment was evaluated with CRC models. METHODS The cytotoxicity of JAK/HDACi, regorafenib, and their combination were tested with normal colonic and CRC cells exhibiting various genetic backgrounds. Kinomic, ATAC-seq, RNA-seq, cell cycle, and apoptosis analyses were performed to evaluate the cellular functions/molecular alterations affected by the combination. Efficacy of the combination was assessed using patient-derived xenograft (PDX) and experimental metastasis models of CRC. To evaluate the interplay between tumor, its microenvironment, and modulation of immune response, MC38 syngeneic mice were utilized. RESULTS The combination therapy decreased cell viability; phosphorylation of JAKs, STAT3, EGFR, and other key kinases; and inhibited deacetylation of histone H3K9, H4K8, and alpha tubulin proteins. It induced cell cycle arrest at G0-G1 phase and apoptosis of CRC cells. Whole transcriptomic analysis showed that combination treatment modulated molecules involved in apoptosis, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, and focal adhesion pathways. It synergistically reduces PDX tumor growth and experimental metastasis, and, in a syngeneic mouse model, the treatment enhances the antitumor immune response as evidenced by higher infiltration of CD45 and cytotoxic cells. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that combination increased the bioavailability of regorafenib. CONCLUSIONS The combination treatment was more effective than with regorafenib or JAK/HDACi alone, and had minimal toxicity. A clinical trial to evaluate this combination for treatment of mCRCs is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prachi Bajpai
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sumit Agarwal
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Farrukh Afaq
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sameer Al Diffalha
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Hyung-Gyoon Kim
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Abigail Shelton
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - C Ryan Miller
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Santosh K Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rajesh Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sooryanarayana Varambally
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Ashish Manne
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ravi Paluri
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Moh'd Khushman
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis/Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Upender Manne
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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6
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Webb RJ, Cuff C, Berger L. Glutathione-Mediated Metal Tolerance in an Amphibian Chytrid Fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:1583-1591. [PMID: 38726969 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The spread of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which causes the disease chytridiomycosis, has resulted in amphibian declines and extinctions worldwide. Some susceptible amphibian species can persist in contaminated habitats, prompting the hypothesis that B. dendrobatidis might be sensitive to heavy metals. We tested a panel of 12 metals to rank their toxicity to B. dendrobatidis zoospores and zoosporangia during a 6-h exposure. To better understand the mechanism for metal detoxification, we also evaluated whether glutathione is required for metal tolerance by depleting cellular glutathione before metal exposure. In addition, we investigated whether prior exposure to low metal concentrations impacted tolerance of subsequent exposure, as well as identifying metal combinations that may act synergistically. Silver (Ag), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) were particularly toxic to B. dendrobatidis, with zoospore minimum lethal concentration values of 0.01 mM (Ag), 0.025 mM (Cd), and 0.5 mM (Cu). These three metals along with zinc (Zn) were also inhibitory to zoosporangia, with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 0.005 mM (Ag), 0.04 mM (Cd), 0.075 mM (Cu), and 0.04 mM (Zn). The fungicidal effects of several metals was reduced when assays were conducted in nutrient medium compared with synthetic pond water, highlighting the need for careful in vitro assay design and interpretation. Glutathione depletion strongly influenced tolerance of Cd and Ag (85% and 75% less growth, respectively) and moderately influenced tolerance of Cu, Zn, and lead (37%, 18%, and 14% less growth, respectively), indicating the importance of glutathione for metal detoxification. In general, the minimum metal concentrations that inhibited growth of B. dendrobatidis far exceeded values detected in contaminated amphibian habitats in Australia, suggesting that metal contamination alone may not have a strong protective effect against chytridiomycosis. We discuss future research directions to futher understand the potential for dissolved metals to create chytrid refuges. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1583-1591. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Webb
- Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Lee Berger
- Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
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7
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Zhao D, Huang P, Yu L, He Y. Pharmacokinetics-Pharmacodynamics Modeling for Evaluating Drug-Drug Interactions in Polypharmacy: Development and Challenges. Clin Pharmacokinet 2024; 63:919-944. [PMID: 38888813 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-024-01391-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Polypharmacy is commonly employed in clinical settings. The potential risks of drug-drug interactions (DDIs) can compromise efficacy and pose serious health hazards. Integrating pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) models into DDIs research provides a reliable method for evaluating and optimizing drug regimens. With advancements in our comprehension of both individual drug mechanisms and DDIs, conventional models have begun to evolve towards more detailed and precise directions, especially in terms of the simulation and analysis of physiological mechanisms. Selecting appropriate models is crucial for an accurate assessment of DDIs. This review details the theoretical frameworks and quantitative benchmarks of PK and PD modeling in DDI evaluation, highlighting the establishment of PK/PD modeling against a backdrop of complex DDIs and physiological conditions, and further showcases the potential of quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) in this field. Furthermore, it explores the current advancements and challenges in DDI evaluation based on models, emphasizing the role of emerging in vitro detection systems, high-throughput screening technologies, and advanced computational resources in improving prediction accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310000, China
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ping Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Li Yu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310000, China.
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8
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Berckmans Y, Ene HM, Ben-Meir K, Martinez-Conde A, Wouters R, Van den Ende B, Van Mechelen S, Monin R, Frechtel-Gerzi R, Gabay H, Dor-On E, Haber A, Weinberg U, Vergote I, Giladi M, Coosemans A, Palti Y. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) induce homologous recombination deficiency in ovarian cancer cells, thus mitigating drug resistance. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1402851. [PMID: 38993641 PMCID: PMC11238040 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1402851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of mortality among gynecological malignancies. Carboplatin and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) are often implemented in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Homologous recombination deficient (HRD) tumors demonstrate increased sensitivity to these treatments; however, many ovarian cancer patients are homologous recombination proficient (HRP). TTFields are non-invasive electric fields that induce an HRD-like phenotype in various cancer types. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of TTFields applied together with carboplatin or PARPi (olaparib or niraparib) in preclinical ovarian cancer models. Methods A2780 (HRP), OVCAR3 (HRD), and A2780cis (platinum-resistant) human ovarian cancer cells were treated in vitro with TTFields (1 V/cm RMS, 200 kHz, 72 h), alone or with various drug concentrations. Treated cells were measured for cell count, colony formation, apoptosis, DNA damage, expression of DNA repair proteins, and cell cycle. In vivo, ID8-fLuc (HRP) ovarian cancer cells were inoculated intraperitoneally to C57BL/6 mice, which were then treated with either sham, TTFields (200 kHz), olaparib (50 mg/kg), or TTFields plus olaparib; over a period of four weeks. Tumor growth was analyzed using bioluminescent imaging at treatment cessation; and survival analysis was performed. Results The nature of TTFields-drug interaction was dependent on the drug's underlying mechanism of action and on the genetic background of the cells, with synergistic interactions between TTFields and carboplatin or PARPi seen in HRP and resistant cells. Treated cells demonstrated elevated levels of DNA damage, accompanied by G2/M arrest, and induction of an HRD-like phenotype. In the tumor-bearing mice, TTFields and olaparib co-treatment resulted in reduced tumor volume and a survival benefit relative to olaparib monotherapy and to control. Conclusion By inducing an HRD-like phenotype, TTFields sensitize HRP and resistant ovarian cancer cells to treatment with carboplatin or PARPi, potentially mitigating a-priori and de novo drug resistance, a major limitation in ovarian cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yani Berckmans
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Roxanne Wouters
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Oncoinvent AS, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bieke Van den Ende
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara Van Mechelen
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ignace Vergote
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gynecologic Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - An Coosemans
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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9
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Papp O, Jordán V, Hetey S, Balázs R, Kaszás V, Bartha Á, Ordasi NN, Kamp S, Farkas B, Mettetal J, Dry JR, Young D, Sidders B, Bulusu KC, Veres DV. Network-driven cancer cell avatars for combination discovery and biomarker identification for DNA damage response inhibitors. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2024; 10:68. [PMID: 38906870 PMCID: PMC11192759 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-024-00394-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Combination therapy is well established as a key intervention strategy for cancer treatment, with the potential to overcome monotherapy resistance and deliver a more durable efficacy. However, given the scale of unexplored potential target space and the resulting combinatorial explosion, identifying efficacious drug combinations is a critical unmet need that is still evolving. In this paper, we demonstrate a network biology-driven, simulation-based solution, the Simulated Cell™. Integration of omics data with a curated signaling network enables the accurate and interpretable prediction of 66,348 combination-cell line pairs obtained from a large-scale combinatorial drug sensitivity screen of 684 combinations across 97 cancer cell lines (BAC = 0.62, AUC = 0.7). We highlight drug combination pairs that interact with DNA Damage Response pathways and are predicted to be synergistic, and deep network insight to identify biomarkers driving combination synergy. We demonstrate that the cancer cell 'avatars' capture the biological complexity of their in vitro counterparts, enabling the identification of pathway-level mechanisms of combination benefit to guide clinical translatability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orsolya Papp
- Turbine Simulated Cell Technologies, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | - Róbert Balázs
- Turbine Simulated Cell Technologies, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Valér Kaszás
- Turbine Simulated Cell Technologies, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Árpád Bartha
- Turbine Simulated Cell Technologies, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nóra N Ordasi
- Turbine Simulated Cell Technologies, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Bálint Farkas
- Turbine Simulated Cell Technologies, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jerome Mettetal
- Oncology Bioscience, Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan R Dry
- Early Data Science, Oncology Data Science, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Duncan Young
- Search and Evaluation, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ben Sidders
- Early Data Science, Oncology Data Science, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Krishna C Bulusu
- Early Data Science, Oncology Data Science, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
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10
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Pandey G, Mazzacurati L, Rowsell TM, Horvat NP, Amin NE, Zhang G, Akuffo AA, Colin-Leitzinger CM, Haura EB, Kuykendall AT, Zhang L, Epling-Burnette PK, Reuther GW. SHP2 inhibition displays efficacy as a monotherapy and in combination with JAK2 inhibition in preclinical models of myeloproliferative neoplasms. Am J Hematol 2024; 99:1040-1055. [PMID: 38440831 PMCID: PMC11096011 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.27282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocytosis, and primary myelofibrosis, are clonal hematopoietic neoplasms driven by mutationally activated signaling by the JAK2 tyrosine kinase. Although JAK2 inhibitors can improve MPN patients' quality of life, they do not induce complete remission as disease-driving cells persistently survive therapy. ERK activation has been highlighted as contributing to JAK2 inhibitor persistent cell survival. As ERK is a component of signaling by activated RAS proteins and by JAK2 activation, we sought to inhibit RAS activation to enhance responses to JAK2 inhibition in preclinical MPN models. We found the SHP2 inhibitor RMC-4550 significantly enhanced growth inhibition of MPN cell lines in combination with the JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib, effectively preventing ruxolitinib persistent growth, and the growth and viability of established ruxolitinib persistent cells remained sensitive to SHP2 inhibition. Both SHP2 and JAK2 inhibition diminished cellular RAS-GTP levels, and their concomitant inhibition enhanced ERK inactivation and increased apoptosis. Inhibition of SHP2 inhibited the neoplastic growth of MPN patient hematopoietic progenitor cells and exhibited synergy with ruxolitinib. RMC-4550 antagonized MPN phenotypes and increased survival of an MPN mouse model driven by MPL-W515L. The combination of RMC-4550 and ruxolitinib, which was safe and tolerated in healthy mice, further inhibited disease compared to ruxolitinib monotherapy, including extending survival. Given SHP2 inhibitors are undergoing clinical evaluation in patients with solid tumors, our preclinical findings suggest that SHP2 is a candidate therapeutic target with potential for rapid translation to clinical assessment to improve current targeted therapies for MPN patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Pandey
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Lucia Mazzacurati
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Tegan M. Rowsell
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL USA
| | | | - Narmin E. Amin
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Guolin Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Afua A. Akuffo
- Department of Immunology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL USA
| | | | - Eric B. Haura
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL USA
| | | | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL USA
| | | | - Gary W. Reuther
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL USA
- Department of Malignant Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL USA
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11
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Zhou YT, Chu JH, Zhao SH, Li GL, Fu ZY, Zhang SJ, Gao XH, Ma W, Shen K, Gao Y, Li W, Yin YM, Zhao C. Quantitative systems pharmacology modeling of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer for translational efficacy evaluation and combination assessment across therapeutic modalities. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:1287-1304. [PMID: 38360930 PMCID: PMC11130324 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01232-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
HER2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) is highly aggressive and a major threat to human health. Despite the significant improvement in patients' prognosis given the drug development efforts during the past several decades, many clinical questions still remain to be addressed such as efficacy when combining different therapeutic modalities, best treatment sequences, interindividual variability as well as resistance and potential coping strategies. To better answer these questions, we developed a mechanistic quantitative systems pharmacology model of the pathophysiology of HER2+ mBC that was extensively calibrated and validated against multiscale data to quantitatively predict and characterize the signal transduction and preclinical tumor growth kinetics under different therapeutic interventions. Focusing on the second-line treatment for HER2+ mBC, e.g., antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), small molecule inhibitors/TKI and chemotherapy, the model accurately predicted the efficacy of various drug combinations and dosing regimens at the in vitro and in vivo levels. Sensitivity analyses and subsequent heterogeneous phenotype simulations revealed important insights into the design of new drug combinations to effectively overcome various resistance scenarios in HER2+ mBC treatments. In addition, the model predicted a better efficacy of the new TKI plus ADC combination which can potentially reduce drug dosage and toxicity, while it also shed light on the optimal treatment ordering of ADC versus TKI plus capecitabine regimens, and these findings were validated by new in vivo experiments. Our model is the first that mechanistically integrates multiple key drug modalities in HER2+ mBC research and it can serve as a high-throughput computational platform to guide future model-informed drug development and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ting Zhou
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Jia-Hui Chu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Shu-Han Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Ge-Li Li
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215000, China
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Zi-Yi Fu
- Department of Breast Disease Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Su-Jie Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xue-Hu Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co. Ltd, Shanghai, 200245, China
| | - Wen Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Kai Shen
- Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co. Ltd, Shanghai, 200245, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- QSPMed Technologies, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yong-Mei Yin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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12
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Huang Y, Osouli A, Pham J, Mancino V, O'Grady C, Khan T, Chaudhuri B, Pastor-Soler NM, Hallows KR, Chung EJ. Investigation of Basolateral Targeting Micelles for Drug Delivery Applications in Polycystic Kidney Disease. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:2749-2761. [PMID: 38652072 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01397] [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: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a complex disorder characterized by uncontrolled renal cyst growth, leading to kidney function decline. The multifaceted nature of ADPKD suggests that single-pathway interventions using individual small molecule drugs may not be optimally effective. As such, a strategy encompassing combination therapy that addresses multiple ADPKD-associated signaling pathways could offer synergistic therapeutic results. However, severe off-targeting side effects of small molecule drugs pose a major hurdle to their clinical transition. To address this, we identified four drug candidates from ADPKD clinical trials, bardoxolone methyl (Bar), octreotide (Oct), salsalate (Sal), and pravastatin (Pra), and incorporated them into peptide amphiphile micelles containing the RGD peptide (GRGDSP), which binds to the basolateral surface of renal tubules via integrin receptors on the extracellular matrix. We hypothesized that encapsulating drug combinations into RGD micelles would enable targeting to the basolateral side of renal tubules, which is the site of disease, via renal secretion, leading to superior therapeutic benefits compared to free drugs. To test this, we first evaluated the synergistic effect of drug combinations using the 20% inhibitory concentration for each drug (IC20) on renal proximal tubule cells derived from Pkd1flox/-:TSLargeT mice. Next, we synthesized and characterized the RGD micelles encapsulated with drug combinations and measured their in vitro therapeutic effects via a 3D PKD growth model. Upon both IV and IP injections in vivo, RGD micelles showed a significantly higher accumulation in the kidneys compared to NT micelles, and the renal access of RGD micelles was significantly reduced after the inhibition of renal secretion. Specifically, both Bar+Oct and Bar+Sal in the RGD micelle treatment showed enhanced therapeutic efficacy in ADPKD mice (Pkd1fl/fl;Pax8-rtTA;Tet-O-Cre) with a significantly lower KW/BW ratio and cyst index as compared to PBS and free drug-treated controls, while other combinations did not show a significant difference. Hence, we demonstrate that renal targeting through basolateral targeting micelles enhances the therapeutic potential of combination therapy in genetic kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Ali Osouli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Jessica Pham
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
- USC/UKRO Kidney Research Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
| | - Valeria Mancino
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
- USC/UKRO Kidney Research Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
| | - Colette O'Grady
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Taranatee Khan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Baishali Chaudhuri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Nuria M Pastor-Soler
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
- USC/UKRO Kidney Research Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
| | - Kenneth R Hallows
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
- USC/UKRO Kidney Research Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
| | - Eun Ji Chung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
- Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
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13
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Ho AN, Kiesel VA, Gates CE, Brosnan BH, Connelly SP, Glenny EM, Cozzo AJ, Hursting SD, Coleman MF. Exogenous Metabolic Modulators Improve Response to Carboplatin in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cells 2024; 13:806. [PMID: 38786030 PMCID: PMC11119195 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks targeted therapies, leaving cytotoxic chemotherapy as the current standard treatment. However, chemotherapy resistance remains a major clinical challenge. Increased insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling can potently blunt chemotherapy response, and lysosomal processes including the nutrient scavenging pathway autophagy can enable cancer cells to evade chemotherapy-mediated cell death. Thus, we tested whether inhibition of insulin receptor/insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor with the drug BMS-754807 and/or lysosomal disruption with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) could sensitize TNBC cells to the chemotherapy drug carboplatin. Using in vitro studies in multiple TNBC cell lines, in concert with in vivo studies employing a murine syngeneic orthotopic transplant model of TNBC, we show that BMS-754807 and HCQ each sensitized TNBC cells and tumors to carboplatin and reveal that exogenous metabolic modulators may work synergistically with carboplatin as indicated by Bliss analysis. Additionally, we demonstrate the lack of overt in vivo toxicity with our combination regimens and, therefore, propose that metabolic targeting of TNBC may be a safe and effective strategy to increase sensitivity to chemotherapy. Thus, we conclude that the use of exogenous metabolic modulators, such as BMS-754807 or HCQ, in combination with chemotherapy warrants additional study as a strategy to improve therapeutic responses in women with TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa N. Ho
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Violet A. Kiesel
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Claire E. Gates
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Bennett H. Brosnan
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Scott P. Connelly
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Elaine M. Glenny
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Alyssa J. Cozzo
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Stephen D. Hursting
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Michael Francis Coleman
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA
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14
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Xu S, Esmaeili S, Cardozo-Ojeda EF, Goyal A, White JM, Polyak SJ, Schiffer JT. Two-way pharmacodynamic modeling of drug combinations and its application to pairs of repurposed Ebola and SARS-CoV-2 agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0101523. [PMID: 38470112 PMCID: PMC10989026 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01015-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Existing pharmacodynamic (PD) mathematical models for drug combinations discriminate antagonistic, additive, multiplicative, and synergistic effects, but fail to consider how concentration-dependent drug interaction effects may vary across an entire dose-response matrix. We developed a two-way pharmacodynamic (TWPD) model to capture the PD of two-drug combinations. TWPD captures interactions between upstream and downstream drugs that act on different stages of viral replication, by quantifying upstream drug efficacy and concentration-dependent effects on downstream drug pharmacodynamic parameters. We applied TWPD to previously published in vitro drug matrixes for repurposed potential anti-Ebola and anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug pairs. Depending on the drug pairing, the model recapitulated combined efficacies as or more accurately than existing models and can be used to infer efficacy at untested drug concentrations. TWPD fits the data slightly better in one direction for all drug pairs, meaning that we can tentatively infer the upstream drug. Based on its high accuracy, TWPD could be used in concert with PK models to estimate the therapeutic effects of drug pairs in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Xu
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shadisadat Esmaeili
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - E. Fabian Cardozo-Ojeda
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ashish Goyal
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Judith M. White
- Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Stephen J. Polyak
- Virology Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Joshua T. Schiffer
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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15
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DeAngelo SL, Dziechciarz S, Solanki S, Shin M, Zhao L, Balia A, El-Derany MO, Das NK, Castillo C, Bell HN, Paulo JA, Zhang Y, Rossiter NJ, McCulla EC, He J, Talukder I, Schafer ZT, Neamati N, Mancias JD, Koutmos M, Shah YM. Recharacterization of RSL3 reveals that the selenoproteome is a druggable target in colorectal cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.29.587381. [PMID: 38617233 PMCID: PMC11014488 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.29.587381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent, non-apoptotic form of cell death resulting from the accumulation of lipid peroxides. Colorectal cancer (CRC) accumulates high levels of intracellular iron and reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby sensitizing cells to ferroptosis. The selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase (GPx4) is a key enzyme in the detoxification of lipid peroxides and can be inhibited by the compound (S)-RSL3 ([1S,3R]-RSL3). However, the stereoisomer (R)-RSL3 ([1R,3R]-RSL3), which does not inhibit GPx4, exhibits equipotent activity to (S)-RSL3 across a panel of CRC cell lines. Utilizing CRC cell lines with an inducible knockdown of GPx4, we demonstrate that (S)-RSL3 sensitivity does not align with GPx4 dependency. Subsequently, a biotinylated (S)-RSL3 was then synthesized to perform affinity purification-mass spectrometry (AP-MS), revealing that (S)-RSL3 acts as a pan-inhibitor of the selenoproteome, targeting both the glutathione and thioredoxin peroxidase systems as well as multiple additional selenoproteins. To investigate the therapeutic potential of broadly disrupting the selenoproteome as a therapeutic strategy in CRC, we employed further chemical and genetic approaches to disrupt selenoprotein function. The findings demonstrate that the selenoprotein inhibitor Auranofin can induce ferroptosis and/or oxidative cell death both in-vitro and in-vivo. Consistent with this data we observe that AlkBH8, a tRNA-selenocysteine methyltransferase required for the translational incorporation of selenocysteine, is essential for CRC growth. In summary, our research elucidates the complex mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in CRC and reveals that modulation of the selenoproteome provides multiple new therapeutic targets and opportunities in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen L DeAngelo
- Doctoral Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Sofia Dziechciarz
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Sumeet Solanki
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Myungsun Shin
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Liang Zhao
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Andrii Balia
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Marwa O El-Derany
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nupur K Das
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Cristina Castillo
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Hannah N Bell
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Joao A Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Yuezhong Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Nicholas J Rossiter
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Elizabeth C McCulla
- Doctoral Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jianping He
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| | - Indrani Talukder
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Zachary T Schafer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
| | - Nouri Neamati
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Joseph D Mancias
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Division of Radiation and Genome Stability, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. United States
| | - Markos Koutmos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Yatrik M Shah
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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16
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Maure A, Lawarée E, Fiorentino F, Pawlik A, Gona S, Giraud-Gatineau A, Eldridge MJG, Danckaert A, Hardy D, Frigui W, Keck C, Gutierrez C, Neyrolles O, Aulner N, Mai A, Hamon M, Barreiro LB, Brodin P, Brosch R, Rotili D, Tailleux L. A host-directed oxadiazole compound potentiates antituberculosis treatment via zinc poisoning in human macrophages and in a mouse model of infection. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002259. [PMID: 38683873 PMCID: PMC11081512 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Antituberculosis drugs, mostly developed over 60 years ago, combined with a poorly effective vaccine, have failed to eradicate tuberculosis. More worryingly, multiresistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) are constantly emerging. Innovative strategies are thus urgently needed to improve tuberculosis treatment. Recently, host-directed therapy has emerged as a promising strategy to be used in adjunct with existing or future antibiotics, by improving innate immunity or limiting immunopathology. Here, using high-content imaging, we identified novel 1,2,4-oxadiazole-based compounds, which allow human macrophages to control MTB replication. Genome-wide gene expression analysis revealed that these molecules induced zinc remobilization inside cells, resulting in bacterial zinc intoxication. More importantly, we also demonstrated that, upon treatment with these novel compounds, MTB became even more sensitive to antituberculosis drugs, in vitro and in vivo, in a mouse model of tuberculosis. Manipulation of heavy metal homeostasis holds thus great promise to be exploited to develop host-directed therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Maure
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 6047, Unit for Integrated Mycobacterial Pathogenomics, Paris, France
| | - Emeline Lawarée
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 6047, Unit for Integrated Mycobacterial Pathogenomics, Paris, France
| | - Francesco Fiorentino
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alexandre Pawlik
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 6047, Unit for Integrated Mycobacterial Pathogenomics, Paris, France
| | - Saideep Gona
- Department of Genetic Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | | | | | - Anne Danckaert
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, UTechS BioImaging-C2RT, Paris, France
| | - David Hardy
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Histopathology Platform, Paris, France
| | - Wafa Frigui
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 6047, Unit for Integrated Mycobacterial Pathogenomics, Paris, France
| | - Camille Keck
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 6047, Unit for Integrated Mycobacterial Pathogenomics, Paris, France
| | - Claude Gutierrez
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Olivier Neyrolles
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Nathalie Aulner
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, UTechS BioImaging-C2RT, Paris, France
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute, Cenci-bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mélanie Hamon
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Chromatine et Infection unit, Paris, France
| | - Luis B. Barreiro
- Department of Genetic Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Priscille Brodin
- Université de Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Roland Brosch
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 6047, Unit for Integrated Mycobacterial Pathogenomics, Paris, France
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovic Tailleux
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 6047, Unit for Integrated Mycobacterial Pathogenomics, Paris, France
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17
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Davis KP, Morales Y, Ende RJ, Peters R, McCabe AL, Mecsas J, Aldridge BB. Critical role of growth medium for detecting drug interactions in Gram-negative bacteria that model in vivo responses. mBio 2024; 15:e0015924. [PMID: 38364199 PMCID: PMC10936441 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00159-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The rise in infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria has necessitated a variety of clinical approaches, including the use of antibiotic combinations. Here, we tested the hypothesis that drug-drug interactions vary in different media, and determined which in vitro models best predict drug interactions in the lungs. We systematically studied pair-wise antibiotic interactions in three different media, CAMHB, (a rich lab medium standard for antibiotic susceptibility testing), a urine mimetic medium (UMM), and a minimal medium of M9 salts supplemented with glucose and iron (M9Glu) with three Gram-negative ESKAPE pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab), Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa). There were pronounced differences in responses to antibiotic combinations between the three bacterial species grown in the same medium. However, within species, PaO1 responded to drug combinations similarly when grown in all three different media, whereas Ab17978 and other Ab clinical isolates responded similarly when grown in CAMHB and M9Glu medium. By contrast, drug interactions in Kp43816, and other Kp clinical isolates poorly correlated across different media. To assess whether any of these media were predictive of antibiotic interactions against Kp in the lungs of mice, we tested three antibiotic combination pairs. In vitro measurements in M9Glu, but not rich medium or UMM, predicted in vivo outcomes. This work demonstrates that antibiotic interactions are highly variable across three Gram-negative pathogens and highlights the importance of growth medium by showing a superior correlation between in vitro interactions in a minimal growth medium and in vivo outcomes. IMPORTANCE Drug-resistant bacterial infections are a growing concern and have only continued to increase during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Though not routinely used for Gram-negative bacteria, drug combinations are sometimes used for serious infections and may become more widely used as the prevalence of extremely drug-resistant organisms increases. To date, reliable methods are not available for identifying beneficial drug combinations for a particular infection. Our study shows variability across strains in how drug interactions are impacted by growth conditions. It also demonstrates that testing drug combinations in tissue-relevant growth conditions for some strains better models what happens during infection and may better inform combination therapy selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen P. Davis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, & Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yoelkys Morales
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, & Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachel J. Ende
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, & Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ryan Peters
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, & Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anne L. McCabe
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, & Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Joan Mecsas
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, & Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bree B. Aldridge
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, & Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering, Medford, Massachusetts, USA
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18
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Abrahams B, Gerber A, Hiss DC. Combination Treatment with EGFR Inhibitor and Doxorubicin Synergistically Inhibits Proliferation of MCF-7 Cells and MDA-MB-231 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3066. [PMID: 38474312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25053066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in tumor progression and survival is often underplayed. Its expression and/or dysregulation is associated with disease advancement and poor patient outcome as well as drug resistance in breast cancer. EGFR is often overexpressed in breast cancer and particularly triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which currently lacks molecular targets. We examined the synergistic potential of an EGFR inhibitor (EGFRi) in combination with doxorubicin (Dox) in estrogen-positive (ER+) MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 TNBC cell lines. The exposure of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 to EGFRi produced an IC50s of 6.03 µM and 3.96 µM, respectively. Dox induced MDA-MB-231 (IC50 9.67 µM) and MCF-7 (IC50 1.4 µM) cytotoxicity. Combinations of EGFRi-Dox significantly reduced the IC50 in MCF-7 (0.46 µM) and MBA-MB 231 (0.01 µM). Synergistic drug interactions in both cell lines were confirmed using the Bliss independence model. Pro-apoptotic Caspase-3/7 activation occurred in MCF-7 at 0.1-10 µM of EGFRi and Dox single treatments, whilst 1 μM Dox yielded a more potent effect on MDA-MB-231. EGFRi and Dox individually and in combination downregulated the EGFR gene expression in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 (p < 0.001). This study demonstrates EGFRi's potential for eliciting synergistic interactions with Dox, causing enhanced growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, and downregulation of EGFR in both cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beynon Abrahams
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
| | - Anthonie Gerber
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
| | - Donavon Charles Hiss
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
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19
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Horvath RM, Brumme ZL, Sadowski I. Small molecule inhibitors of transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases impose HIV-1 latency, presenting "block and lock" treatment strategies. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0107223. [PMID: 38319085 PMCID: PMC10923280 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01072-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Current antiretroviral therapy for HIV-1 infection does not represent a cure for infection as viral rebound inevitably occurs following discontinuation of treatment. The "block and lock" therapeutic strategy is intended to enforce proviral latency and durably suppress viremic reemergence in the absence of other intervention. The transcription-associated cyclin-dependent protein kinases (tCDKs) are required for expression from the 5´ HIV-1 long-terminal repeat, but the therapeutic potential of inhibiting these kinases for enforcing HIV-1 latency has not been characterized. Here, we expanded previous observations to directly compare the effect of highly selective small molecule inhibitors of CDK7 (YKL-5-124), CDK9 (LDC000067), and CDK8/19 (Senexin A), and found each of these prevented HIV-1 provirus expression at concentrations that did not cause cell toxicity. Inhibition of CDK7 caused cell cycle arrest, whereas CDK9 and CDK8/19 inhibitors did not, and could be continuously administered to establish proviral latency. Upon discontinuation of drug administration, HIV immediately rebounded in cells that had been treated with the CDK9 inhibitor, while proviral latency persisted for several days in cells that had been treated with CDK8/19 inhibitors. These results identify the mediator kinases CDK8/CDK19 as potential "block and lock" targets for therapeutic suppression of HIV-1 provirus expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley M. Horvath
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Molecular Epigenetics Group, LSI, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Zabrina L. Brumme
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ivan Sadowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Molecular Epigenetics Group, LSI, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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20
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Cisneros WJ, Walter M, Soliman SH, Simons LM, Cornish D, Halle AW, Kim EY, Wolinsky SM, Shilatifard A, Hultquist JF. Release of P-TEFb from the Super Elongation Complex promotes HIV-1 latency reversal. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.01.582881. [PMID: 38464055 PMCID: PMC10925308 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.01.582881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
The persistence of HIV-1 in long-lived latent reservoirs during suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains one of the principal barriers to a functional cure. Blocks to transcriptional elongation play a central role in maintaining the latent state, and several latency reversal strategies focus on the release of positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) from sequestration by negative regulatory complexes, such as the 7SK complex and BRD4. Another major cellular reservoir of P-TEFb is in Super Elongation Complexes (SECs), which play broad regulatory roles in host gene expression. Still, it is unknown if the release of P-TEFb from SECs is a viable latency reversal strategy. Here, we demonstrate that the SEC is not required for HIV-1 replication in primary CD4+ T cells and that a small molecular inhibitor of the P-TEFb/SEC interaction (termed KL-2) increases viral transcription. KL-2 acts synergistically with other latency reversing agents (LRAs) to reactivate viral transcription in several cell line models of latency in a manner that is, at least in part, dependent on the viral Tat protein. Finally, we demonstrate that KL-2 enhances viral reactivation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from people living with HIV on suppressive ART, most notably in combination with inhibitor of apoptosis protein antagonists (IAPi). Taken together, these results suggest that the release of P-TEFb from cellular SECs may be a novel route for HIV-1 latency reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J. Cisneros
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Havey Institute for Global Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Miriam Walter
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Shimaa H.A. Soliman
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lacy M. Simons
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Havey Institute for Global Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Daphne Cornish
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Havey Institute for Global Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ariel W. Halle
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Havey Institute for Global Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Eun-Young Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Steven M. Wolinsky
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Judd F. Hultquist
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Havey Institute for Global Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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21
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Chao Y, Chen Y, Zheng W, Demanelis K, Liu Y, Connelly JA, Wang H, Li S, Wang QJ. Synthetic lethal combination of CHK1 and WEE1 inhibition for treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer. Oncogene 2024; 43:789-803. [PMID: 38273024 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-02939-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
WEE1 and CHEK1 (CHK1) kinases are critical regulators of the G2/M cell cycle checkpoint and DNA damage response pathways. The WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 and the CHK1 inhibitor SRA737 are in clinical trials for various cancers, but have not been thoroughly examined in prostate cancer, particularly castration-resistant (CRPC) and neuroendocrine prostate cancers (NEPC). Our data demonstrated elevated WEE1 and CHK1 expressions in CRPC and NEPC cell lines and patient samples. AZD1775 resulted in rapid and potent cell killing with comparable IC50s across different prostate cancer cell lines, while SRA737 displayed time-dependent progressive cell killing with 10- to 20-fold differences in IC50s. Notably, their combination synergistically reduced the viability of all CRPC cell lines and tumor spheroids in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Importantly, in a transgenic mouse model of NEPC, both agents alone or in combination suppressed tumor growth, improved overall survival, and reduced the incidence of distant metastases, with SRA737 exhibiting remarkable single agent anticancer activity. Mechanistically, SRA737 synergized with AZD1775 by blocking AZD1775-induced feedback activation of CHK1 in prostate cancer cells, resulting in increased mitotic entry and accumulation of DNA damage. In summary, this preclinical study shows that CHK1 inhibitor SRA737 alone and its combination with AZD1775 offer potential effective treatments for CRPC and NEPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yapeng Chao
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yuzhou Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Wenxiao Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kathryn Demanelis
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jaclyn A Connelly
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Song Li
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Qiming Jane Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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22
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Facey COB, Hunsu VO, Zhang C, Osmond B, Opdenaker LM, Boman BM. CYP26A1 Links WNT and Retinoic Acid Signaling: A Target to Differentiate ALDH+ Stem Cells in APC-Mutant CRC. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:264. [PMID: 38254755 PMCID: PMC10813786 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
APC mutation is the main driving mechanism of CRC development and leads to constitutively activated WNT signaling, overpopulation of ALDH+ stem cells (SCs), and incomplete differentiation. We previously reported that retinoic acid (RA) receptors are selectively expressed in ALDH+ SCs, which provides a way to target cancer SCs with retinoids to induce differentiation. Hypotheses: A functional link exists between the WNT and RA pathways, and APC mutation generates a WNT:RA imbalance that decreases retinoid-induced differentiation and increases ALDH+ SCs. Accordingly, to restore parity in WNT:RA signaling, we induce wt-APC expression in APC-mutant CRC cells, and we assess the ability of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) to induce differentiation. We found that ATRA increased expression of the WNT target gene, CYP26A1, and inducing wt-APC reduced this expression by 50%. Thus, the RA and WNT pathways crosstalk to modulate CYP26A1, which metabolizes retinoids. Moreover, inducing wt-APC augments ATRA-induced cell differentiation by: (i) decreasing cell proliferation; (ii) suppressing ALDH1A1 expression; (iii) decreasing ALDH+ SCs; and (iv) increasing neuroendocrine cell differentiation. A novel CYP26A1-based network that links WNT and RA signaling was also identified by NanoString profiling/bioinformatics analysis. Furthermore, CYP26A1 inhibitors sensitized CRC cells to the anti-proliferative effect of drugs that downregulate WNT signaling. Notably, in wt-APC-CRCs, decreased CYP26A1 improved patient survival. These findings have strong potential for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline O. B. Facey
- Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (C.O.B.F.); (V.O.H.); (C.Z.); (B.O.); (L.M.O.)
| | - Victoria O. Hunsu
- Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (C.O.B.F.); (V.O.H.); (C.Z.); (B.O.); (L.M.O.)
- Department Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Chi Zhang
- Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (C.O.B.F.); (V.O.H.); (C.Z.); (B.O.); (L.M.O.)
- Department Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Brian Osmond
- Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (C.O.B.F.); (V.O.H.); (C.Z.); (B.O.); (L.M.O.)
- Department Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Lynn M. Opdenaker
- Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (C.O.B.F.); (V.O.H.); (C.Z.); (B.O.); (L.M.O.)
| | - Bruce M. Boman
- Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, Newark, DE 19713, USA; (C.O.B.F.); (V.O.H.); (C.Z.); (B.O.); (L.M.O.)
- Department Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Department Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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23
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Afaq F, Agarwal S, Bajpai P, Diffalha SA, Kim HG, Peter S, Khushman M, Chauhan SC, Mukherjee P, Varambally S, Manne U. Targeting of oncogenic AAA-ATPase TRIP13 reduces progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Neoplasia 2024; 47:100951. [PMID: 38039923 PMCID: PMC10716004 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2023.100951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone receptor-interacting protein 13 (TRIP13) is involved in cancer progression, but its role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is unknown. Thus, we assessed the expression, functional role, and mechanism of action of TRIP13 in PDAC. We further examined the efficacy of TRIP13 inhibitor, DCZ0415, alone or in combination with gemcitabine on malignant phenotypes, tumor progression, and immune response. We found that TRIP13 was overexpressed in human PDACs relative to corresponding normal pancreatic tissues. TRIP13 knockdown or treatment of PDAC cells with DCZ0415 reduced proliferation and colony formation, and induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Additionally, TRIP13 knockdown or targeting with DCZ0415 reduced the migration and invasion of PDAC cells by increasing E-cadherin and decreasing N-cadherin and vimentin. Pharmacologic targeting or silencing of TRIP13 also resulted in reduce expression of FGFR4 and STAT3 phosphorylation, and downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In immunocompromised mouse models of PDAC, knockdown of TRIP13 or treatment with DCZ0415 reduced tumor growth and metastasis. In an immunocompetent syngeneic PDAC model, DCZ0415 treatment enhanced the immune response by lowering expression of PD1/PDL1, increasing granzyme B/perforin expression, and facilitating infiltration of CD3/CD4 T-cells. Further, DCZ0415 potentiated the anti-metastatic and anti-tumorigenic activities of gemcitabine by reducing proliferation and angiogenesis and by inducing apoptosis and the immune response. These preclinical findings show that TRIP13 is involved in PDAC progression and targeting of TRIP13 augments the anticancer effect of gemcitabine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farrukh Afaq
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
| | - Sumit Agarwal
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
| | - Prachi Bajpai
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
| | - Sameer Al Diffalha
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
| | - Hyung-Gyoon Kim
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
| | - Shajan Peter
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
| | - Moh'd Khushman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University in St. Louis, USA
| | - Subhash C Chauhan
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, USA
| | - Priyabrata Mukherjee
- Department of Pathology, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Sooryanarayana Varambally
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
| | - Upender Manne
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
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24
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Wang L, Zhang T, Zheng Y, Li Y, Tang X, Chen Q, Mao W, Li W, Liu X, Zhu J. Combination of irinotecan silicasome nanoparticles with radiation therapy sensitizes immunotherapy by modulating the activation of the cGAS/STING pathway for colorectal cancer. Mater Today Bio 2023; 23:100809. [PMID: 37779919 PMCID: PMC10540048 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Our previous clinical trial (Identifier: NCT02605265) revealed that addition of irinotecan (IRIN) to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer could improve the curative effect. However, the adverse effects caused by IRIN limited the wide application of IRIN chemoradiotherapy. This study aimed to explore the mechanism under the synergistic effects of IRIN plus radiation therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and optimization of IRIN delivery via a silicasome nanocarrier in vivo. Our results revealed that compared with single IRIN or radiation treatment, IRIN combined with radiation therapy remarkably activated the intracellular cGAS/STING pathway, and promoted the expression levels of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). Further, a silicasome (mesoporous silica nanoparticle coated with lipid bilayer) nanocarrier was utilized to improve the delivery of IRIN with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects. In the MC38 CRC syngeneic tumor model, IRIN silicasome combined with radiation therapy demonstrated a greater antitumor efficacy than free IRIN plus radiation therapy. Flow cytometry showed the increased number of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and dendritic cells (DCs) in tumor in the IRIN silicasome plus radiation group. The immunofluorescence staining further confirmed the activated immune microenvironment with the elevated interferon-γ (IFN-γ) deposition. Besides, the antitumor effect of IRIN silicasome plus radiation therapy was synergistically enhanced by anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. These findings indicated that the combination of IRIN silicasome with radiation therapy could sensitize immunotherapy by manipulating the cGAS/STING pathway serving as a new strategy for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Tianyu Zhang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yile Zheng
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yuting Li
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Xiyuan Tang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Qianping Chen
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Wei Mao
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Weiwei Li
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Xiangsheng Liu
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Ji Zhu
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
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25
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Cordani N, Mologni L, Piazza R, Tettamanti P, Cogliati V, Mauri M, Villa M, Malighetti F, Di Bella C, Jaconi M, Cerrito MG, Cavaletti G, Lavitrano M, Cazzaniga ME. TWIST1 Upregulation Is a Potential Target for Reversing Resistance to the CDK4/6 Inhibitor in Metastatic Luminal Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16294. [PMID: 38003483 PMCID: PMC10671583 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors have significantly improved progression-free survival in hormone-receptor-positive (HR+), human-epidermal-growth-factor-receptor-type-2-negative (HER2-) metastatic luminal breast cancer (mLBC). Several studies have shown that in patients with endocrine-sensitive or endocrine-resistant LBC, the addition of CDK4/6 inhibitors to endocrine therapy significantly prolongs progression-free survival. However, the percentage of patients who are unresponsive or refractory to these therapies is as high as 40%, and no reliable and reproducible biomarkers have been validated to select a priori responders or refractory patients. The selection of mutant clones in the target oncoprotein is the main cause of resistance. Other mechanisms such as oncogene amplification/overexpression or mutations in other pathways have been described in several models. In this study, we focused on palbociclib, a selective CDK4/6 inhibitor. We generated a human MCF-7 luminal breast cancer cell line that was able to survive and proliferate at different concentrations of palbociclib and also showed cross-resistance to abemaciclib. The resistant cell line was characterized via RNA sequencing and was found to strongly activate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Among the top deregulated genes, we found a dramatic downregulation of the CDK4 inhibitor CDKN2B and an upregulation of the TWIST1 transcription factor. TWIST1 was further validated as a target for the reversal of palbociclib resistance. This study provides new relevant information about the mechanisms of resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors and suggests potential new markers for patients' follow-up care during treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Cordani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.); (R.P.); (P.T.); (M.M.); (M.V.); (F.M.); (M.G.C.); (G.C.); (M.L.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Luca Mologni
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.); (R.P.); (P.T.); (M.M.); (M.V.); (F.M.); (M.G.C.); (G.C.); (M.L.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Rocco Piazza
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.); (R.P.); (P.T.); (M.M.); (M.V.); (F.M.); (M.G.C.); (G.C.); (M.L.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Pietro Tettamanti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.); (R.P.); (P.T.); (M.M.); (M.V.); (F.M.); (M.G.C.); (G.C.); (M.L.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Viola Cogliati
- Phase 1 Research Centre, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy (C.D.B.); (M.J.)
| | - Mario Mauri
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.); (R.P.); (P.T.); (M.M.); (M.V.); (F.M.); (M.G.C.); (G.C.); (M.L.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Matteo Villa
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.); (R.P.); (P.T.); (M.M.); (M.V.); (F.M.); (M.G.C.); (G.C.); (M.L.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Federica Malighetti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.); (R.P.); (P.T.); (M.M.); (M.V.); (F.M.); (M.G.C.); (G.C.); (M.L.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Camillo Di Bella
- Phase 1 Research Centre, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy (C.D.B.); (M.J.)
| | - Marta Jaconi
- Phase 1 Research Centre, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy (C.D.B.); (M.J.)
| | - Maria Grazia Cerrito
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.); (R.P.); (P.T.); (M.M.); (M.V.); (F.M.); (M.G.C.); (G.C.); (M.L.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Guido Cavaletti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.); (R.P.); (P.T.); (M.M.); (M.V.); (F.M.); (M.G.C.); (G.C.); (M.L.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Marialuisa Lavitrano
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.); (R.P.); (P.T.); (M.M.); (M.V.); (F.M.); (M.G.C.); (G.C.); (M.L.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Marina Elena Cazzaniga
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.); (R.P.); (P.T.); (M.M.); (M.V.); (F.M.); (M.G.C.); (G.C.); (M.L.); (M.E.C.)
- Phase 1 Research Centre, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy (C.D.B.); (M.J.)
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26
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Yang C, Li F, Ren Y, Zhang Q, Jiao B, Zhang J, Huang J. Targeting Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Combining Copper Ionophore Disulfiram and JMJD3/UTX Inhibitor GSK J4. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5347. [PMID: 38001607 PMCID: PMC10670038 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15225347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The alcohol-averse drug disulfiram has been reported to have anti-tumor effects and is well suited for drug combinations. In order to identify potential drug combinations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we screened a bioactive compound library with the disulfiram copper chelation product CuET. The Jumonji domain-containing protein 3 (JMJD3) and the ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat protein X-linked (UTX) inhibitor GSK J4 were identified. To further understand the molecular mechanism underlying the efficient drug combination, we applied quantitative mass spectrometry to analyze the signaling pathway perturbation after drug treatment. The data revealed that the synergistic effect of GSK J4 and CuET was due to the interaction among JMJD3 and UTX, which may play important roles in maintaining endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis in tumor cells. Interestingly, our clinical data analysis showed that high expression of JMJD3 and UTX was associated with T stage and worse prognosis of ESCC patients, further supporting the importance of the above findings. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the combination of CuET and targeting JMJD3/UTX may be a safe, effective, and available treatment for ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canlin Yang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Taizhou People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou 225300, China; (C.Y.); (F.L.); (Y.R.)
- Taizhou People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Taizhou 225300, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Taizhou People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou 225300, China; (C.Y.); (F.L.); (Y.R.)
| | - Yuanyuan Ren
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Taizhou People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou 225300, China; (C.Y.); (F.L.); (Y.R.)
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- National Research Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; (Q.Z.); (B.J.)
| | - Bo Jiao
- National Research Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; (Q.Z.); (B.J.)
| | - Jianming Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Junxing Huang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Taizhou People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou 225300, China; (C.Y.); (F.L.); (Y.R.)
- Taizhou People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Taizhou 225300, China
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27
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Wang Q, Chao Y, Chen Y, Zheng W, Demanelis K, Liu Y, Connelly J, Wang H. Synthetic lethal combination of CHK1 and WEE1 inhibition for treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3564450. [PMID: 37987002 PMCID: PMC10659531 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3564450/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
WEE1 and CHEK1 (CHK1) kinases are critical regulators of the G2/M cell cycle checkpoint and DNA damage response pathways. The WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 and the CHK1 inhibitor SRA737 are in clinical trials for various cancers, but have not been examined in prostate cancer, particularly castration-resistant (CRPC) and neuroendocrine prostate cancers (NEPC). Our data demonstrated elevated WEE1 and CHK1 expressions in CRPC/NEPC cell lines and patient samples. AZD1775 resulted in rapid and potent cell killing with comparable IC50s across different prostate cancer cell lines, while SRA737 displayed time-dependent progressive cell killing with 10- to 20-fold differences in IC50s. Notably, their combination synergistically reduced the viability of all CRPC cell lines and tumor spheroids in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Importantly, in a transgenic mouse model of NEPC, both agents alone or in combination suppressed tumor growth, improved overall survival, and reduced the incidence of distant metastases, with SRA737 exhibiting remarkable single agent anticancer activity. Mechanistically, SRA737 synergized with AZD1775 by blocking AZD1775-induced feedback activation of CHK1 in prostate cancer cells, resulting in increased mitotic entry and accumulation of DNA damage. In summary, this preclinical study shows that CHK1 inhibitor SRA737 alone and its combination with AZD1775 offer potential effective treatments for CRPC and NEPC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Yu Liu
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
| | | | - Hong Wang
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
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28
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Eggertsen TG, Saucerman JJ. Virtual drug screen reveals context-dependent inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:2721-2735. [PMID: 37302817 PMCID: PMC10592153 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pathological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is a response to cardiac stress that typically leads to heart failure. Despite being a primary contributor to pathological cardiac remodelling, the therapeutic space that targets hypertrophy is limited. Here, we apply a network model to virtually screen for FDA-approved drugs that induce or suppress cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH A logic-based differential equation model of cardiomyocyte signalling was used to predict drugs that modulate hypertrophy. These predictions were validated against curated experiments from the prior literature. The actions of midostaurin were validated in new experiments using TGFβ- and noradrenaline (NE)-induced hypertrophy in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. KEY RESULTS Model predictions were validated in 60 out of 70 independent experiments from the literature and identify 38 inhibitors of hypertrophy. We additionally predict that the efficacy of drugs that inhibit cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is often context dependent. We predicted that midostaurin inhibits cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by TGFβ, but not noradrenaline, exhibiting context dependence. We further validated this prediction by cellular experiments. Network analysis predicted critical roles for the PI3K and RAS pathways in the activity of celecoxib and midostaurin, respectively. We further investigated the polypharmacology and combinatorial pharmacology of drugs. Brigatinib and irbesartan in combination were predicted to synergistically inhibit cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS This study provides a well-validated platform for investigating the efficacy of drugs on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and identifies midostaurin for consideration as an antihypertrophic drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor G. Eggertsen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia
| | - Jeffrey J. Saucerman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia
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29
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O'Brien E, Tse C, Tracy I, Reddin I, Selfe J, Gibson J, Tapper W, Pengelly RJ, Gao J, Aladowicz E, Petts G, Thway K, Popov S, Kelsey A, Underwood TJ, Shipley J, Walters ZS. Pharmacological EZH2 inhibition combined with retinoic acid treatment promotes differentiation and apoptosis in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:167. [PMID: 37858275 PMCID: PMC10588044 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01583-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are predominantly paediatric sarcomas thought to originate from muscle precursor cells due to impaired myogenic differentiation. Despite intensive treatment, 5-year survival for patients with advanced disease remains low (< 30%), highlighting a need for novel therapies to improve outcomes. Differentiation therapeutics are agents that induce differentiation of cancer cells from malignant to benign. The histone methyltransferase, Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) suppresses normal skeletal muscle differentiation and is highly expressed in RMS tumours. RESULTS We demonstrate combining inhibition of the epigenetic modulator EZH2 with the differentiating agent retinoic acid (RA) is more effective at reducing cell proliferation in RMS cell lines than single agents alone. In PAX3-FOXO1 positive RMS cells this is due to an RA-driven induction of the interferon pathway resulting in apoptosis. In fusion negative RMS, combination therapy led to an EZH2i-driven upregulation of myogenic signalling resulting in differentiation. In both subtypes, EZH2 is significantly associated with enrichment of trimethylated lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3) in genes that are downregulated in untreated RMS cells and upregulated with EZH2 inhibitor treatment. These results provide insight into the mechanism that drives the anti-cancer effect of the EZH2/RA single agent and combination treatment and indicate that the reduction of EZH2 activity combined with the induction of RA signalling represents a potential novel therapeutic strategy to treat both subtypes of RMS. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrate the potential utility of combining EZH2 inhibitors with differentiation agents for the treatment of paediatric rhabdomyosarcomas. As EZH2 inhibitors are currently undergoing clinical trials for adult and paediatric solid tumours and retinoic acid differentiation agents are already in clinical use this presents a readily translatable potential therapeutic strategy. Moreover, as inhibition of EZH2 in the poor prognosis FPRMS subtype results in an inflammatory response, it is conceivable that this strategy may also synergise with immunotherapies for a more effective treatment in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor O'Brien
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Carmen Tse
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Ian Tracy
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Ian Reddin
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Joanna Selfe
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Jane Gibson
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - William Tapper
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Reuben J Pengelly
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jinhui Gao
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Ewa Aladowicz
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Gemma Petts
- Department of Paediatric Pathology, University of Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Khin Thway
- Pathology Department, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sergey Popov
- Cellular Pathology Department, Cardiff and Vale UHB, Cardiff, UK
| | - Anna Kelsey
- Department of Paediatric Pathology, University of Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Timothy J Underwood
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Janet Shipley
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Zoë S Walters
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
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30
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Marocchi F, Palluzzi F, Nicoli P, Melixetian M, Lovati G, Bertalot G, Pece S, Ferrucci PF, Bossi D, Lanfrancone L. Actionable Genetic Screens Unveil Targeting of AURKA, MEK, and Fatty Acid Metabolism as an Alternative Therapeutic Approach for Advanced Melanoma. J Invest Dermatol 2023; 143:1993-2006.e10. [PMID: 37003468 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.03.1665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite the remarkable improvements achieved in the management of metastatic melanoma, there are still unmet clinical needs. A considerable fraction of patients does not respond to immune and/or targeted therapies owing to primary and acquired resistance, high-grade immune-related adverse events, and a lack of alternative treatment options. To design effective combination therapies, we set up a functional ex vivo preclinical assay on the basis of a drop-out genetic screen in metastatic melanoma patient-derived xenografts. We showed that this approach can be used to isolate actionable vulnerabilities predictive of drug efficacy. In particular, we highlighted that the dual targeting of AURKA and MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase employing the combination of alisertib and trametinib is highly effective in a cohort of metastatic melanoma patient-derived xenografts, both ex vivo and in vivo. Alisertib and trametinib combination therapy outperforms standard-of-care therapy in both BRAF-mutant patient-derived xenografts and targeted therapy-resistant models. Furthermore, alisertib and trametinib treatment modulates several critical cancer pathways, including an early metabolic reprogramming that leads to the transcriptional upregulation of the fatty acid oxidation pathway. This acquired trait unveiled an additional point of intervention for pharmacological targeting, and indeed, the triple combination of alisertib and trametinib with the fatty acid oxidation inhibitor etomoxir proved to be further beneficial, inducing tumor regression and remarkably prolonging the overall survival of the mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Marocchi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Fernando Palluzzi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Nicoli
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Marine Melixetian
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Lovati
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bertalot
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy; Unità Operativa Multizonale di Anatomia Patologica, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari, Trento, Italy; CISMED - Centre for Medical Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pece
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Pier Francesco Ferrucci
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Bossi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy; Institute of Oncology Research, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Luisa Lanfrancone
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy.
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31
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Fischer A, Masilamani AP, Schultze-Seemann S, Wolf I, Gratzke C, Fuchs H, Wolf P. Synergistic Cytotoxicity of a Toxin Targeting the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and the Glycosylated Triterpenoid SO1861 in Prostate Cancer. J Cancer 2023; 14:3039-3049. [PMID: 37859824 PMCID: PMC10583583 DOI: 10.7150/jca.85691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of advanced prostate cancer lacks specificity and curative intent. Therefore, the need for new targeted therapeutic approaches is high. In the present study, we generated the new targeted toxin EGF-PE24mutΔREDLK binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the surface of prostate cancer cells. It consists of the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) as binding domain and a de-immunized variant of Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE), called PE24mutΔREDLK, as toxin domain. The toxin domain contains a deletion of the C-terminal KDEL-like motif REDLK to prevent its transport from sorting endosomes via the KDEL receptor mediated pathway into the cytosol, where it can inhibit cellular protein biosynthesis and induce apoptosis. Indeed, REDLK deletion resulted in a strong decrease in cytotoxicity of the targeted toxin in prostate cancer cells compared to the parental targeted toxin EGF-PE24mut. However, addition of the plant glycosylated triterpenoid SO1861, which is known to mediate the release of biomolecules from endolysosomal compartments into the cytosol, resulted in an up to almost 7,000-fold enhanced synergistic cytotoxicity. Moreover, combination of PE24mutΔREDLK with SO1861 led to a cytotoxicity that was even 16- to 300-fold enhanced compared to that of EGF-PE24mut. Endolysosomal entrapment of the non-toxic targeted toxin EGF-PE24mutΔREDLK followed by activation through enhanced endosomal escape therefore represents a new promising approach for the future treatment of advanced prostate cancer with high efficacy and diminished side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Fischer
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anie Priscilla Masilamani
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Schultze-Seemann
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Isis Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty for Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Gratzke
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Fuchs
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry; Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Yang CW, Hsu HY, Lee YZ, Jan JT, Chang SY, Lin YL, Yang RB, Chao TL, Liang JJ, Lin SJ, Liao CC, Chang CS, Sytwu HK, Hung MS, Chen CT, Lee SJ. Natural fucoidans inhibit coronaviruses by targeting viral spike protein and host cell furin. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115688. [PMID: 37481137 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Fucoidans are a class of long chain sulfated polysaccharides and have multiple biological functions. Herein, four natural fucoidans extracted from Fucus vesiculosus, F. serratus, Laminaria japonica and Undaria pinnatifida, were tested for their HCoV-OC43 inhibition and found to demonstrate EC50 values ranging from 0.15 to 0.61 µg/mL. That from U. pinnatifida exhibited the most potent anti-HCoV-OC43 activity with an EC50 value of 0.15 ± 0.02 µg/mL, a potency largely independent of its sulfate content. Comparison of the gene expression profiles of fucoidan-treated and untreated cells infected with HCoV-OC43 revealed that fucoidan treatment effectively diminished HCoV-OC43 gene expressions associated with induced chemokines, cytokines and viral activities. Further studies using a highly fucoidan-resistant HCoV-OC43 determined that fucoidan inhibited HCoV-OC43 infection via interfering with viral entry and led to the identification of the specific site on the N-terminal region of spike protein, that located adjacent to the host cell receptor binding domain, targeted by the virus. Furthermore, in a SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus neutralization assay, fucoidan also blocked SARS-CoV-2 entry. In vitro and in vivo, fucoidan decreased SARS-CoV-2 viral loads and inhibited viral infection in Calu-3 or Vero E6 cells and SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters, respectively. Fucoidan was also found to inhibit furin activity, and reported furin inhibitors were found to inhibit viral infection by wild type HCoV-OC43 or SARS-CoV-2. Accordingly, we conclude that fucoidans inhibit coronaviral infection by targeting viral spike protein and host cell furin to interfere with viral entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Wei Yang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsing-Yu Hsu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yue-Zhi Lee
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jia-Tsrong Jan
- Genomic Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Sui-Yuan Chang
- Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Ling Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ruey-Bing Yang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tai-Ling Chao
- Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jian-Jong Liang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shu-Jing Lin
- Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chun-Che Liao
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chih-Shin Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Huey-Kang Sytwu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Shiu Hung
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chiung-Tong Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shiow-Ju Lee
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan, ROC.
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Alfano A, Cafferata EGA, Gangemi M, Nicola Candia A, Malnero CM, Bermudez I, Lopez MV, Ríos GD, Rotondaro C, Cuneo N, Curiel DT, Podhajcer OL, Lopez MV. In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacy of a Stroma-Targeted, Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Oncolytic Adenovirus in Different Preclinical Models of Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9992. [PMID: 37373140 PMCID: PMC10297998 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
More than one million women are diagnosed annually worldwide with a gynecological cancer. Most gynecological cancers are diagnosed at a late stage, either because a lack of symptoms, such as in ovarian cancer or limited accessibility to primary prevention in low-resource countries, such as in cervical cancer. Here, we extend the studies of AR2011, a stroma-targeted and tumor microenvironment responsive oncolytic adenovirus (OAdV), whose replication is driven by a triple hybrid promoter. We show that AR2011 was able to replicate and lyse in vitro fresh explants obtained from human ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and cervical cancer. AR2011 was also able to strongly inhibit the in vitro growth of ovarian malignant cells obtained from human ascites fluid. The virus could synergize in vitro with cisplatin even on ascites-derived cells obtained from patients heavily pretreated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. AR2011(h404), a dual transcriptionally targeted derived virus armed with hCD40L and h41BBL under the regulation of the hTERT promoter, showed a strong efficacy in vivo both on subcutaneous and intraperitoneally established human ovarian cancer in nude mice. Preliminary studies in an immunocompetent murine tumor model showed that AR2011(m404) expressing the murine cytokines was able to induce an abscopal effect. The present studies suggest that AR2011(h404) is a likely candidate as a novel medicine for intraperitoneal disseminated ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Alfano
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina; (A.A.); (E.G.A.C.); (M.G.); (A.N.C.); (M.V.L.); (G.D.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Eduardo G. A. Cafferata
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina; (A.A.); (E.G.A.C.); (M.G.); (A.N.C.); (M.V.L.); (G.D.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Mariela Gangemi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina; (A.A.); (E.G.A.C.); (M.G.); (A.N.C.); (M.V.L.); (G.D.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Alejandro Nicola Candia
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina; (A.A.); (E.G.A.C.); (M.G.); (A.N.C.); (M.V.L.); (G.D.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Cristian M. Malnero
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa, Lima 775, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1073AAO, Argentina; (C.M.M.); (I.B.)
| | - Ismael Bermudez
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa, Lima 775, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1073AAO, Argentina; (C.M.M.); (I.B.)
| | - Mauricio Vargas Lopez
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina; (A.A.); (E.G.A.C.); (M.G.); (A.N.C.); (M.V.L.); (G.D.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Gregorio David Ríos
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina; (A.A.); (E.G.A.C.); (M.G.); (A.N.C.); (M.V.L.); (G.D.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Cecilia Rotondaro
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina; (A.A.); (E.G.A.C.); (M.G.); (A.N.C.); (M.V.L.); (G.D.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Nicasio Cuneo
- Servicio de Ginecología, Departamento de Cirugía, Hospital Municipal de Oncología Maria Curie, Avenida Patricias Argentinas 750, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina;
| | - David T. Curiel
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Osvaldo L. Podhajcer
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina; (A.A.); (E.G.A.C.); (M.G.); (A.N.C.); (M.V.L.); (G.D.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Maria Veronica Lopez
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, Avenida Patricias Argentinas 435, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina; (A.A.); (E.G.A.C.); (M.G.); (A.N.C.); (M.V.L.); (G.D.R.); (C.R.)
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Martin B, Garman T, Laramee M, Wang A, Zhang X, Beck E, Wilson K, Klumpp-Thomas C, McKnight C, Xu X, Hagen N, Holland D, Dahmane N, Thomas CJ, Souweidane M. Preclinical validation of a novel therapeutic strategy for choroid plexus carcinoma. J Control Release 2023; 357:580-590. [PMID: 37054779 PMCID: PMC10174050 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC) is a rare infantile brain tumor with an aggressive clinical course that often leaves children with debilitating side effects due to aggressive and toxic chemotherapies. Development of novel therapeutical strategies for this disease have been extremely limited owing to the rarity of the disease and the paucity of biologically relevant substrates. We conducted the first high-throughput screen (HTS) on a human patient-derived CPC cell line (Children Cancer Hospital Egypt, CCHE-45) and identified 427 top hits highlighting key molecular targets in CPC. Furthermore, a combination screen with a wide variety of targets revealed multiple synergistic combinations that may pave the way for novel therapeutical strategies against CPC. Based on in vitro efficiency, central nervous system (CNS) penetrance ability and feasible translational potential, two combinations using a DNA alkylating or topoisomerase inhibitors in combination with an ataxia telangiectasia mutated and rad3 (ATR) inhibitor (topotecan/elimusertib and melphalan/elimusertib respectively) were validated in vitro and in vivo. Pharmacokinetic assays established increased brain penetrance with intra-arterial (IA) delivery over intra-venous (IV) delivery and demonstrated a higher CNS penetrance for the combination melphalan/elimusertib. The mechanisms of synergistic activity for melphalan/elimusertib were assessed through transcriptome analyses and showed dysregulation of key oncogenic pathways (e.g. MYC, mammalian target of rapamycin mTOR, p53) and activation of critical biological processes (e.g. DNA repair, apoptosis, hypoxia, interferon gamma). Importantly, IA administration of melphalan combined with elimusertib led to a significant increase in survival in a CPC genetic mouse model. In conclusion, this study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first that identifies multiple promising combinatorial therapeutics for CPC and emphasizes the potential of IA delivery for the treatment of CPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brice Martin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Tyler Garman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Madeline Laramee
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Amy Wang
- Division of National Toxicology, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Xiaohu Zhang
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Erin Beck
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Kelli Wilson
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Carleen Klumpp-Thomas
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Crystal McKnight
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Xin Xu
- Division of National Toxicology, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Natalie Hagen
- Division of National Toxicology, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - David Holland
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nadia Dahmane
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Craig J Thomas
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mark Souweidane
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Zarei M, Hajihassani O, Hue JJ, Graor HJ, Rothermel LD, Winter JM. Targeting wild-type IDH1 enhances chemosensitivity in pancreatic cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.29.534596. [PMID: 37034685 PMCID: PMC10081181 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.29.534596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive types of cancer, with a five-year overall survival rate of 11% among all-comers. Current systemic therapeutic options are limited to cytotoxic chemotherapies which have limited clinical efficacy and are often associated with development of drug resistance. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas showed that wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase (wtIDH1) is overexpressed in pancreatic tumors. In this study, we focus on the potential roles of wtIDH1 in pancreatic cancer chemoresistance. We found that treatment of pancreatic cancer cells with chemotherapy induced expression of wtIDH1, and this serves as a key resistance factor. The enzyme is protective to cancer cells under chemotherapy-induced oxidative stress by producing NADPH and alpha-ketoglutarate to maintain redox balance and mitochondrial function. An FDA-approved mutant IDH1 inhibitor, ivosidenib (AG-120), is actually a potent wtDH1 inhibitor under a nutrient-deprived microenvironment, reflective of the pancreatic cancer microenvironment. Suppression of wtIDH1 impairs redox balance, results in increased ROS levels, and enhances chemotherapy induced apoptosis in pancreatic cancer vis ROS damage in vitro. In vivo experiments further revealed that inhibiting wtIDH1 enhances chemotherapy anti-tumor effects in patient-derived xenografts and murine models of pancreatic cancer. Pharmacologic wtIDH1 inhibition with ivosidenib represents an attractive option for combination therapies with cytotoxic chemotherapy for patients with pancreatic cancer. Based on these data, we have initiated phase Ib trial combining ivosidenib and multi-agent chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer (NCT05209074).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Zarei
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Omid Hajihassani
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Jonathan J. Hue
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Hallie J. Graor
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Luke D. Rothermel
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Jordan M. Winter
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
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Hu X, Shui Y, Hirano H, Kusano K, Guo WZ, Fujino M, Li XK. PD-L1 antibody enhanced β-glucan antitumor effects via blockade of the immune checkpoints in a melanoma model. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:719-731. [PMID: 36053290 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03276-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
In the tumor microenvironment (TME), one of the major functions of tumor-recruited CD11b+ cells are the suppression of the T-cell-mediated anti-tumor immune response. β-glucan could convert the phenotype of tumor-recruited CD11b+ cells from the suppressive to the promotive, and enhanced their anti-tumor effects. However, β-glucan could enhance the PD-1/PD-L1 expression on CD11b+ cells, while PD-1 could inhibit macrophage phagocytosis and PD-L1 could induce a co-inhibitory signal in T-cells and lead to T-cell apoptosis and anergy. These protumor effects may be reversed by PD-1/PD-L1 block therapy. In the present study, we focused on the efficacy of β-glucan anti-tumor therapy combined with anti-PD-L1 mAb treatment, and the mechanism of their synergistic effects could be fully verified. We verified the effect of β-glucan (i.e., inflammatory cytokine secretion of TNF-α, IL-12, IL-6, IL-1β and the expression of immune checkpoint PD-1/PD-L1) in naïve mouse peritoneal exudate CD11b+ cells. In our mouse melanoma model, treatment with a PD-L1 blocking antibody with β-glucan synergized tumor regression. After treatment with β-glucan and anti-PD-L1 mAb antibody, tumor infiltrating leukocyte (TILs) not only showed a competent T-cell function (CD107a, perforin, IL-2, IFN-γ and Ki67) and CTL population, but also showed enhanced tumor-recruited CD11b+ cell activity (IL-12, IL-6, IL-1β and PD-1). This effect was also verified in the peritoneal exudate CD11b+ cells of tumor-bearing mice. PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy enhanced the β-glucan antitumor effects via the blockade of tumor-recruited CD11b+ cell immune checkpoints in the melanoma model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Hu
- Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Yifang Shui
- Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hiroshi Hirano
- Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | | | - Wen-Zhi Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Masayuki Fujino
- Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan. .,Laboratory Animal, and Pathogen Bank, Management Department of Biosafety, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan.
| | - Xiao-Kang Li
- Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan. .,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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Babaei M, Evers TMJ, Shokri F, Altucci L, de Lange ECM, Mashaghi A. Biochemical reaction network topology defines dose-dependent Drug-Drug interactions. Comput Biol Med 2023; 155:106584. [PMID: 36805215 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Drug combination therapy is a promising strategy to enhance the desired therapeutic effect, while reducing side effects. High-throughput pairwise drug combination screening is a commonly used method for discovering favorable drug interactions, but is time-consuming and costly. Here, we investigate the use of reaction network topology-guided design of combination therapy as a predictive in silico drug-drug interaction screening approach. We focused on three-node enzymatic networks, with general Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The results revealed that drug-drug interactions critically depend on the choice of target arrangement in a given topology, the nature of the drug, and the desired level of change in the network output. The results showed a negative correlation between antagonistic interactions and the dosage of drugs. Overall, the negative feedback loops showed the highest synergistic interactions (the lowest average combination index) and, intriguingly, required the highest drug doses compared to other topologies under the same condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrad Babaei
- Medical Systems Biophysics and Bioengineering, Systems Pharmacology and Pharmacy Division, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, 2333CC, the Netherlands; Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy.
| | - Tom M J Evers
- Medical Systems Biophysics and Bioengineering, Systems Pharmacology and Pharmacy Division, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, 2333CC, the Netherlands.
| | - Fereshteh Shokri
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333ZA, the Netherlands.
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy; BIOGEM, Molecular Biology and Genetics Research Institute, Ariano Irpino, Italy.
| | - Elizabeth C M de Lange
- Predictive Pharmacology, Systems Pharmacology and Pharmacy Division, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, 2333CC, the Netherlands.
| | - Alireza Mashaghi
- Medical Systems Biophysics and Bioengineering, Systems Pharmacology and Pharmacy Division, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, 2333CC, the Netherlands.
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Kamachi K, Ureshino H, Watanabe T, Yoshida-Sakai N, Fukuda-Kurahashi Y, Kawasoe K, Hoshiko T, Yamamoto Y, Kurahashi Y, Kimura S. Combination of a New Oral Demethylating Agent, OR2100, and Venetoclax for Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:297-308. [PMID: 36860654 PMCID: PMC9973401 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
The standard treatment for elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is venetoclax (Ven), a BCL-2-selective inhibitor, combined with hypomethylating agents (HMA) such as azacitidine or decitabine. This regimen results in low toxicity, high response rates, and potentially durable remission; however, because of low oral bioavailability, these conventional HMAs must be administered intravenously or subcutaneously. A combination of oral HMAs and Ven would provide a therapeutic advantage over parenteral administration of drugs and improve quality of life by reducing the number of hospital visits. Previously, we showed the promising oral bioavailability and antileukemia effects of a new HMA, OR2100 (OR21). Here, we investigated the efficacy and underlying mechanism of OR21 when used in combination with Ven to treat AML. OR21/Ven showed synergistic antileukemia effects in vitro, and significantly prolonged survival without increasing toxicity in a human leukemia xenograft mice model. RNA sequencing following combination therapy revealed downregulation of VAMP7, which is involved in autophagic maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis. Combination therapy led to accumulation of reactive oxygen species, leading to increased apoptosis. The data suggest that the combination of OR21 plus Ven is a promising candidate oral therapy for AML. Significance The standard treatment for elderly patients with AML is Ven combined with HMAs. OR21, a new oral HMA plus Ven showed synergistic antileukemia effects in vitro and vivo, suggesting that the combination of OR2100 plus Ven is a promising candidate oral therapy for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuharu Kamachi
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.,Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ureshino
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.,Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.,Department of Hematology and Oncology, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.,Corresponding Author: Hiroshi Ureshino, Saga University School of Medicine, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan. Phone: 819-5234-2366; Fax: 819-5234-2017; E-mail:
| | - Tatsuro Watanabe
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Nao Yoshida-Sakai
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Yuki Fukuda-Kurahashi
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.,OHARA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kawasoe
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Toshimi Hoshiko
- Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Yuta Yamamoto
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Yuki Kurahashi
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.,OHARA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinya Kimura
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.,Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
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39
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Jiang K, Huang Y, Chung EJ. Combining Metformin and Drug-Loaded Kidney-Targeting Micelles for Polycystic Kidney Disease. Cell Mol Bioeng 2023; 16:55-67. [PMID: 36660586 PMCID: PMC9842834 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-022-00753-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited kidney disease that leads to eventual renal failure. Metformin (MET), an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator already approved for type 2 diabetes, is currently investigated for ADPKD treatment. However, despite high tolerability, MET showed varying therapeutic efficacy in preclinical ADPKD studies. Thus, newer strategies have combined MET with other ADPKD small molecule drug candidates, thereby targeting multiple ADPKD-associated signaling pathways to enhance therapeutic outcomes through potential drug synergy. Unfortunately, the off-target side effects caused by these additional drug candidates pose a major hurdle. To address this, our group has previously developed kidney-targeting peptide amphiphile micelles (KMs), which displayed significant kidney accumulation in vivo, for delivering drugs to the site of the disease. Methods To mitigate the adverse effects of ADPKD drugs and evaluate their therapeutic potential in combination with MET, herein, we loaded KMs with ADPKD drug candidates including salsalate, octreotide, bardoxolone methyl, rapamycin, tolvaptan, and pioglitazone, and tested their in vitro therapeutic efficacy when combined with free MET. Specifically, after determining the 40% inhibitory concentration for each drug (IC40), the size, morphology, and surface charge of drug-loaded KMs were characterized. Next, drug-loaded KMs were applied in combination with MET to treat renal proximal tubule cells derived from Pkd1flox/-:TSLargeT mice in 2D proliferation and 3D cyst model. Results MET combined with all drug-loaded KMs demonstrated significantly enhanced efficacy as compared to free drugs in inhibiting cell proliferation and cyst growth. Notably, synergistic effects were found for MET and KMs loaded with either salsalate or rapamycin as determined by Bliss synergy scores. Conclusion Together, we show drug synergy using drug-loaded nanoparticles and free MET for the first time and present a novel nanomedicine-based combinatorial therapeutic approach for ADPKD with enhanced efficacy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-022-00753-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kairui Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, 1002 Childs Way, MCB 357, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, 1002 Childs Way, MCB 357, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
| | - Eun Ji Chung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, 1002 Childs Way, MCB 357, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
- Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
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40
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Wang Q, Hsiao JC, Yardeny N, Huang HC, O’Mara CM, Orth-He EL, Ball DP, Zhang Z, Bachovchin DA. The NLRP1 and CARD8 inflammasomes detect reductive stress. Cell Rep 2023; 42:111966. [PMID: 36649710 PMCID: PMC9942139 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The danger signals that activate the related nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat pyrin domain-containing 1 (NLRP1) and caspase activation and recruitment domain-containing 8 (CARD8) inflammasomes have not been fully established. We recently reported that the oxidized form of TRX1 binds to NLRP1 and represses inflammasome activation. These findings suggested that intracellular reductive stress, which would reduce oxidized TRX1 and thereby abrogate the NLRP1-TRX1 interaction, is an NLRP1 inflammasome-activating danger signal. However, no agents that induce reductive stress were known to test this premise. Here, we identify and characterize several radical-trapping antioxidants, including JSH-23, that induce reductive stress. We show that these compounds accelerate the proteasome-mediated degradation of the repressive N-terminal fragments of both NLRP1 and CARD8, releasing the inflammasome-forming C-terminal fragments from autoinhibition. Overall, this work validates chemical probes that induce reductive stress and establishes reductive stress as a danger signal sensed by both the NLRP1 and CARD8 inflammasomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghui Wang
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jeffrey C. Hsiao
- Pharmacology Program of the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Noah Yardeny
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hsin-Che Huang
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Claire M. O’Mara
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Elizabeth L. Orth-He
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Daniel P. Ball
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ze Zhang
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Daniel A. Bachovchin
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA,Pharmacology Program of the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA,Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA,Lead contact,Correspondence:
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41
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Horvath RM, Brumme ZL, Sadowski I. Inhibition of the TRIM24 bromodomain reactivates latent HIV-1. Sci Rep 2023; 13:556. [PMID: 36631514 PMCID: PMC9832417 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27765-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Expression of the HIV-1 genome by RNA Polymerase II is regulated at multiple steps, as are most cellular genes, including recruitment of general transcription factors and control of transcriptional elongation from the core promoter. We recently discovered that tripartite motif protein TRIM24 is recruited to the HIV-1 Long Terminal Repeat (LTR) by interaction with TFII-I and causes transcriptional elongation by stimulating association of PTEF-b/ CDK9. Because TRIM24 is required for stimulation of transcription from the HIV-1 LTR, we were surprised to find that IACS-9571, a specific inhibitor of the TRIM24 C-terminal bromodomain, induces HIV-1 provirus expression in otherwise untreated cells. IACS-9571 reactivates HIV-1 in T cell lines bearing multiple different provirus models of HIV-1 latency. Additionally, treatment with this TRIM24 bromodomain inhibitor encourages productive HIV-1 expression in newly infected cells and inhibits formation of immediate latent transcriptionally repressed provirus. IACS-9571 synergizes with PMA, ionomycin, TNF-α and PEP005 to activate HIV-1 expression. Furthermore, co-treatment of CD4 + T cells from individuals with HIV-1 on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with PEP005 and IACS-9571 caused robust provirus expression. Notably, IACS-9571 did not cause global activation of T cells; rather, it inhibited induction of IL2 and CD69 expression in human PBMCs and Jurkat T cells treated with PEP005 or PMA. These observations indicate the TRIM24 bromodomain inhibitor IACS-9571 represents a novel HIV-1 latency reversing agent (LRA), and unlike other compounds with this activity, causes partial suppression of T cell activation while inducing expression of latent provirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley M Horvath
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Epigenetics Group, LSI, University of British Columbia, UBC, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Zabrina L Brumme
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ivan Sadowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Epigenetics Group, LSI, University of British Columbia, UBC, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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42
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Davidov O, Rudas T. On the use of historical estimates. Stat Pap (Berl) 2023; 65:1-34. [PMID: 36643817 PMCID: PMC9821390 DOI: 10.1007/s00362-022-01375-z] [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: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The use of historical, i.e., already existing, estimates in current studies is common in a wide variety of application areas. Nevertheless, despite their routine use, the uncertainty associated with historical estimates is rarely properly accounted for in the analysis. In this communication, we review common practices and then provide a mathematical formulation and a principled frequentist methodology for addressing the problem of drawing inferences in the presence of historical estimates. Three distinct variants are investigated in detail; the corresponding limiting distributions are found and compared. The design of future studies, given historical data, is also explored and relations with a variety of other well-studied statistical problems discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ori Davidov
- Department of Statistics, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, 3498838 Haifa, Israel
| | - Tamás Rudas
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest, Hungary
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43
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Chandrasekar AP, Cummins NW, Natesampillai S, Misra A, Alto A, Laird G, Badley AD. The BCL-2 Inhibitor Venetoclax Augments Immune Effector Function Mediated by Fas Ligand, TRAIL, and Perforin/Granzyme B, Resulting in Reduced Plasma Viremia and Decreased HIV Reservoir Size during Acute HIV Infection in a Humanized Mouse Model. J Virol 2022; 96:e0173022. [PMID: 36448802 PMCID: PMC9769373 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01730-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The BCL-2 prosurvival protein is implicated in HIV persistence and is a potential therapeutic target for HIV eradication efforts. We now know that cells harboring HIV are preferentially enriched for high BCL-2 expression, enabling their survival, and that the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax promotes the death of actively replicating HIV-infected cells in vitro and ex vivo. Herein, we assess the effect of venetoclax on immune clearance of infected cells and show that BCL-2 inhibition significantly enhances target cell killing induced by Fas ligand, TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand), and perforin/granzyme B and synergistically enhances autologous NK (natural killer) and CD8 cells' killing of target cells. In a humanized mouse model of acute HIV infection, venetoclax monotherapy significantly decreases plasma viremia and normalizes CD4:CD8 ratios, and results in more mice with undetectable provirus levels than control. In this model, treatment was associated with leukopenia, as has been described clinically in patients receiving venetoclax for other indications. These data confirm meaningful anti-HIV effects of venetoclax during HIV infection but suggest that venetoclax use should be combined with ART (antiretroviral therapy) to reduce toxicity. IMPORTANCE This study is the first to examine the applicability of BCL-2 inhibition in the setting of active HIV infection in vivo. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that venetoclax significantly enhances target cell killing induced by Fas ligand, TRAIL, and perforin/granzyme B and synergistically enhances autologous NK and CD8 cells' killing of target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nathan W. Cummins
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Anisha Misra
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Alecia Alto
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Greg Laird
- Accelevir Diagnostics, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew D. Badley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Phytocannabinoids Act Synergistically with Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Reducing Inflammation in 2D and 3D In Vitro Models. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15121559. [PMID: 36559009 PMCID: PMC9787964 DOI: 10.3390/ph15121559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung inflammation is associated with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Treatment with FCBD:std (standard mix of cannabidiol [CBD], cannabigerol [CBG] and tetrahydrocannabivarin [THCV]) leads to a marked reduction in the inflammation of alveolar epithelial cells, but not in macrophages. In the present study, the combined anti-inflammatory effect of FCBD:std with two corticosteroids (dexamethasone and budesonide) and two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID; ibuprofen and diclofenac), was examined. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine protein levels. Gene expression was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) activity was determined in vitro. FCBD:std and diclofenac act synergistically, reducing IL-8 levels in macrophages and lung epithelial cells. FCBD:std plus diclofenac also reduced IL-6, IL-8 and CCL2 expression levels in co-cultures of macrophages and lung epithelial cells, in 2D and 3D models. Treatment by FCBD:std and/or NSAID reduced COX-1 and COX-2 gene expression but not their enzymatic activity. FCBD:std and diclofenac exhibit synergistic anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages and lung epithelial cells, yet this combined activity needs to be examined in pre-clinical studies and clinical trials.
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45
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Butner JD, Dogra P, Chung C, Pasqualini R, Arap W, Lowengrub J, Cristini V, Wang Z. Mathematical modeling of cancer immunotherapy for personalized clinical translation. NATURE COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE 2022; 2:785-796. [PMID: 38126024 PMCID: PMC10732566 DOI: 10.1038/s43588-022-00377-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Encouraging advances are being made in cancer immunotherapy modeling, especially in the key areas of developing personalized treatment strategies based on individual patient parameters, predicting treatment outcomes and optimizing immunotherapy synergy when used in combination with other treatment approaches. Here we present a focused review of the most recent mathematical modeling work on cancer immunotherapy with a focus on clinical translatability. It can be seen that this field is transitioning from pure basic science to applications that can make impactful differences in patients' lives. We discuss how researchers are integrating experimental and clinical data to fully inform models so that they can be applied for clinical predictions, and present the challenges that remain to be overcome if widespread clinical adaptation is to be realized. Lastly, we discuss the most promising future applications and areas that are expected to be the focus of extensive upcoming modeling studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D. Butner
- Mathematics in Medicine Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Prashant Dogra
- Mathematics in Medicine Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Caroline Chung
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Renata Pasqualini
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Cancer Biology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Wadih Arap
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - John Lowengrub
- Department of Mathematics, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Vittorio Cristini
- Mathematics in Medicine Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
- Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Imaging Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Physiology, Biophysics, and Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zhihui Wang
- Mathematics in Medicine Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
- Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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46
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Davis SL, Hartman SJ, Bagby SM, Schlaepfer M, Yacob BW, Tse T, Simmons DM, Diamond JR, Lieu CH, Leal AD, Cadogan EB, Hughes GD, Durant ST, Messersmith WA, Pitts TM. ATM kinase inhibitor AZD0156 in combination with irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil in preclinical models of colorectal cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:1107. [PMID: 36309653 PMCID: PMC9617348 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10084-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
AZD0156 is an oral inhibitor of ATM, a serine threonine kinase that plays a key role in DNA damage response (DDR) associated with double-strand breaks. Topoisomerase-I inhibitor irinotecan is used clinically to treat colorectal cancer (CRC), often in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5FU). AZD0156 in combination with irinotecan and 5FU was evaluated in preclinical models of CRC to determine whether low doses of AZD0156 enhance the cytotoxicity of irinotecan in chemotherapy regimens used in the clinic.
Methods
Anti-proliferative effects of single-agent AZD0156, the active metabolite of irinotecan (SN38), and combination therapy were evaluated in 12 CRC cell lines. Additional assessment with clonogenic assay, cell cycle analysis, and immunoblotting were performed in 4 selected cell lines. Four colorectal cancer patient derived xenograft (PDX) models were treated with AZD0156, irinotecan, or 5FU alone and in combination for assessment of tumor growth inhibition (TGI). Immunofluorescence was performed on tumor tissues. The DDR mutation profile was compared across in vitro and in vivo models.
Results
Enhanced effects on cellular proliferation and regrowth were observed with the combination of AZD0156 and SN38 in select models. In cell cycle analysis of these models, increased G2/M arrest was observed with combination treatment over either single agent. Immunoblotting results suggest an increase in DDR associated with irinotecan therapy, with a reduced effect noted when combined with AZD0156, which is more pronounced in some models. Increased TGI was observed with the combination of AZD0156 and irinotecan as compared to single-agent therapy in some PDX models. The DDR mutation profile was variable across models.
Conclusions
AZD0156 and irinotecan provide a rational and active combination in preclinical colorectal cancer models. Variability across in vivo and in vitro results may be related to the variable DDR mutation profiles of the models evaluated. Further understanding of the implications of individual DDR mutation profiles may help better identify patients more likely to benefit from treatment with the combination of AZD0156 and irinotecan in the clinical setting.
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Yang X, Chen T, Hu J, Wang J, Yang D. HKI-272 contributes to gemcitabine-mediated anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects through EGFR suppression in gallbladder cancer. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 27:126-140. [PMID: 36321135 PMCID: PMC9596964 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare malignancy of the biliary system and characterized by early metastasis and poor prognosis. To date, no efficient treatment is available for GBC patients. Based on the data from cBioPortal, TIMER, and GDSC, we performed an unbiased screening with 25 candidate compounds that predominantly target ErbB family and identified HKI-272, a highly selective EGFR/ErbB2 inhibitor, displayed decreased IC50 values in three GBC cell lines. HKI-272 not only promoted gemcitabine-mediated anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects and induced cell cycle arrest in GBC, but also enhanced gemcitabine-induced suppressive effects of GBC cell migration and invasion by inhibiting pathways downstream of EGFR. Furthermore, HKI-272, together with gemcitabine, effectively suppressed tumor growth and metastases in mouse models. Immunostaining and HE staining data from both primary tumor and lung metastasis indicated that the anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects were mediated through EGFR suppression. Moreover, the expression of EGFR, measured by both immunostaining and HE staining, was correlated with a poor prognosis in GBC. In addition, EGFR in tumor tissues are independent indicators for overall survival in GBC patients. Taken together, our findings suggest that HKI-272 could be a potential therapeutic agent and EGFR might serve as a potential biomarker for patients with GBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuli Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Jie Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
- Corresponding author Jian Wang, Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
| | - Dong Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211100, China
- Corresponding author Dong Yang, Department of Gastroenterology and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211100, China.
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48
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Zarei M, Hajihassani O, Hue JJ, Graor HJ, Loftus AW, Rathore M, Vaziri-Gohar A, Asara JM, Winter JM, Rothermel LD. Wild-type IDH1 inhibition enhances chemotherapy response in melanoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:283. [PMID: 36153582 PMCID: PMC9509573 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02489-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alternative treatment strategies in melanoma beyond immunotherapy and mutation-targeted therapy are urgently needed. Wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (wtIDH1) has recently been implicated as a metabolic dependency in cancer. The enzyme protects cancer cells under metabolic stress, including nutrient limited conditions in the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, IDH1 generates NADPH to maintain redox homeostasis and produces α-ketoglutarate to support mitochondrial function through anaplerosis. Herein, the role of wtIDH1 in melanoma is further explored. METHODS The expression of wtIDH1 was determined by qRT-PCR, and Western blot in melanoma cell lines and the effect of wtIDH1 on metabolic reprogramming in melanoma was interrogated by LC-MS. The impact of wtIDH1 inhibition alone and in combination with chemotherapy was determined in cell culture and mouse melanoma models. RESULTS Melanoma patients express higher levels of the wtIDH1 enzyme compared to normal skin tissue, and elevated wtIDH1 expression portends poor patient survival. Knockdown of IDH1 by RNA interference inhibited cell proliferation and migration under low nutrient levels. Suppression of IDH1 expression in melanoma also decreased NADPH and glutathione levels, resulting in increased reactive oxygen species. An FDA-approved inhibitor of mutant IDH1, ivosidenib (AG-120), exhibited potent anti-wtIDH1 properties under low magnesium and nutrient levels, reflective of the tumor microenvironment in natura. Thus, similar findings were replicated in murine models of melanoma. In light of the impact of wtIDH1 inhibition on oxidative stress, enzyme blockade was synergistic with conventional anti-melanoma chemotherapy in pre-clinical models. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the clinical potential of wtIDH1 inhibition as a novel and readily available combination treatment strategy for patients with advanced and refractory melanoma. Schematic shows increased wild-type IDH1 expression and activity as an adaptive response to metabolic stress induced by chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Zarei
- grid.67105.350000 0001 2164 3847Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA ,grid.443867.a0000 0000 9149 4843Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
| | - Omid Hajihassani
- grid.67105.350000 0001 2164 3847Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Jonathan J. Hue
- grid.443867.a0000 0000 9149 4843Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
| | - Hallie J. Graor
- grid.67105.350000 0001 2164 3847Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Alexander W. Loftus
- grid.443867.a0000 0000 9149 4843Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
| | - Moeez Rathore
- grid.67105.350000 0001 2164 3847Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Ali Vaziri-Gohar
- grid.67105.350000 0001 2164 3847Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - John M. Asara
- grid.239395.70000 0000 9011 8547Division of Signal Transduction and Mass Spectrometry Core, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Jordan M. Winter
- grid.67105.350000 0001 2164 3847Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA ,grid.443867.a0000 0000 9149 4843Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
| | - Luke D. Rothermel
- grid.67105.350000 0001 2164 3847Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA ,grid.443867.a0000 0000 9149 4843Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
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Understanding the Polyamine and mTOR Pathway Interaction in Breast Cancer Cell Growth. MEDICAL SCIENCES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 10:medsci10030051. [PMID: 36135836 PMCID: PMC9504347 DOI: 10.3390/medsci10030051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine are nutrient-like polycationic molecules involved in metabolic processes and signaling pathways linked to cell growth and cancer. One important pathway is the PI3K/Akt pathway where studies have shown that polyamines mediate downstream growth effects. Downstream of PI3K/Akt is the mTOR signaling pathway, a nutrient-sensing pathway that regulate translation initiation through 4EBP1 and p70S6K phosphorylation and, along with the PI3K/Akt, is frequently dysregulated in breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of intracellular polyamine modulation on mTORC1 downstream protein and general translation state in two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The effect of mTORC1 pathway inhibition on the growth and intracellular polyamines was also measured. Results showed that polyamine modulation alters 4EBP1 and p70S6K phosphorylation and translation initiation in the breast cancer cells. mTOR siRNA gene knockdown also inhibited cell growth and decreased putrescine and spermidine content. Co-treatment of inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis and mTORC1 pathway induced greater cytotoxicity and translation inhibition in the breast cancer cells. Taken together, these data suggest that polyamines promote cell growth in part through interaction with mTOR pathway. Similarly intracellular polyamine content appears to be linked to mTOR pathway regulation. Finally, dual inhibition of polyamine and mTOR pathways may provide therapeutic benefits in some breast cancers.
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Human Blood Serum Inhibits Ductal Carcinoma Cells BT474 Growth and Modulates Effect of HER2 Inhibition. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081914. [PMID: 36009461 PMCID: PMC9405390 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Trastuzumab, a HER2-targeted antibody, is widely used for targeted therapy of HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) patients; yet, not all of them respond to this treatment. We investigated here whether trastuzumab activity on the growth of HER2-overexpressing BT474 cells may interfere with human peripheral blood endogenous factors. Among 33 individual BC patient blood samples supplemented to the media, BT474 sensitivity to trastuzumab varied up to 14 times. In the absence of trastuzumab, human peripheral blood serum samples could inhibit growth of BT474, and this effect varied ~10 times for 50 individual samples. In turn, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) suppressed the trastuzumab effect on BT474 cell growth. Trastuzumab treatment increased the proportion of BT474 cells in the G0/G1 phases of cell cycle, while simultaneous addition of EGF decreased it, yet not to the control level. We used RNA sequencing profiling of gene expression to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in EGF- and human-sera-mediated attenuation of the trastuzumab effect on BT474 cell growth. Bioinformatic analysis of the molecular profiles suggested that trastuzumab acts similarly to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling axis, and the mechanism of EGF suppression of trastuzumab activity may be associated with parallel activation of PKC and transcriptional factors ETV1-ETV5.
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