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Wang P, Laster K, Jia X, Dong Z, Liu K. Targeting CRAF kinase in anti-cancer therapy: progress and opportunities. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:208. [PMID: 38111008 PMCID: PMC10726672 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01903-x] [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: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade is commonly dysregulated in human malignancies by processes driven by RAS or RAF oncogenes. Among the members of the RAF kinase family, CRAF plays an important role in the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway, as well as in the progression of cancer. Recent research has provided evidence implicating the role of CRAF in the physiological regulation and the resistance to BRAF inhibitors through MAPK-dependent and MAPK-independent mechanisms. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of solely targeting CRAF kinase activity remains controversial. Moreover, the kinase-independent function of CRAF may be essential for lung cancers with KRAS mutations. It is imperative to develop strategies to enhance efficacy and minimize toxicity in tumors driven by RAS or RAF oncogenes. The review investigates CRAF alterations observed in cancers and unravels the distinct roles of CRAF in cancers propelled by diverse oncogenes. This review also seeks to summarize CRAF-interacting proteins and delineate CRAF's regulation across various cancer hallmarks. Additionally, we discuss recent advances in pan-RAF inhibitors and their combination with other therapeutic approaches to improve treatment outcomes and minimize adverse effects in patients with RAF/RAS-mutant tumors. By providing a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted role of CRAF in cancers and highlighting the latest developments in RAF inhibitor therapies, we endeavor to identify synergistic targets and elucidate resistance pathways, setting the stage for more robust and safer combination strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penglei Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Kyle Laster
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xuechao Jia
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Zigang Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, AMS, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, AMS, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
- Basic Medicine Sciences Research Center, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
- Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
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Chen J, Shi P, Zhang J, Li Y, Ma J, Zhang Y, Liu H. CircRNA_0044556 diminishes the sensitivity of triple‑negative breast cancer cells to adriamycin by sponging miR‑145 and regulating NRAS. Mol Med Rep 2021; 25:51. [PMID: 34913063 PMCID: PMC8711030 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
CircRNAs are associated with adriamycin (ADM) resistance in triple‑negative breast cancer (TNBC), but the mechanism is unknown. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR was applied to quantify circular RNA (circRNA)_0044556, microRNA (miR)‑145 and NRAS proto‑oncogene, GTPase (NRAS) in TNBC tissues and cells with or without ADM treatment. Following ADM treatment, the effects of circRNA_0044556 on the viability, ADM resistance, apoptosis and migration of TNBC cells were investigated by cell function experiments (Cell Counting Kit‑8, flow cytometry and Transwell assays). The targeting relationship between circRNA_0044556 and miR‑145 was investigated via bioinformatics analysis, dual‑luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. The effects of the circRNA_0044556/miR‑145 axis on the TNBC cells were revealed by rescue experiments. Correlations among circRNA_0044556, miR‑145 and NRAS were analyzed by Pearson's correlation test. CircRNA_0044556 was highly expressed in TNBC tissues and cells with or without ADM‑resistance. The overexpression of circRNA_0044556 promoted cell viability, ADM‑resistance and migration, while inhibiting the apoptosis by sponging miR‑145. Upregulation of miR‑145 reversed the effects of circRNA_0044556 on the TNBC cells. CircRNA_0044556 was negatively correlated with miR‑145 yet positively correlated with NRAS, the target gene of miR‑145, in addition to the discovery suggesting the negative regulatory effects of circRNA_0044556 on miR‑145. CircRNA_0044556 diminished the sensitivity of TNBC cells to ADM via the miR‑145/NRAS axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Chen
- The Second Department of Breast Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, P.R. China
| | - Peng Shi
- The Second Department of Urology Surgery, Tangshan People's Hospital; 4Department of Breast Health Care, Maternal and Child Care Service Centre, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, P.R. China
| | - Jinghua Zhang
- Department of Breast Health Care, Maternal and Child Care Service Centre, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, P.R. China
| | - Yufeng Li
- Central Laboratory, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, P.R. China
| | - Jie Ma
- The First Department of Breast Surgery, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei 063000, P.R. China
| | - Yudong Zhang
- North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei 063210, P.R. China
| | - Hong Liu
- The Second Department of Breast Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, P.R. China
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Many Distinct Ways Lead to Drug Resistance in BRAF- and NRAS-Mutated Melanomas. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11050424. [PMID: 34063141 PMCID: PMC8148104 DOI: 10.3390/life11050424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced melanoma is a relentless tumor with a high metastatic potential. The combat of melanoma by using the targeted therapy is impeded because several major driver mutations fuel its growth (predominantly BRAF and NRAS). Both these mutated oncogenes strongly activate the MAPK (MEK/ERK) pathway. Therefore, specific inhibitors of these oncoproteins or MAPK pathway components or their combination have been used for tumor eradication. After a good initial response, resistant cells develop almost universally and need the drug for further expansion. Multiple mechanisms, sometimes very distant from the MAPK pathway, are responsible for the development of resistance. Here, we review many of the mechanisms causing resistance and leading to the dismal final outcome of mutated BRAF and NRAS therapy. Very heterogeneous events lead to drug resistance. Due to this, each individual mechanism would be in fact needed to be determined for a personalized therapy to treat patients more efficiently and causally according to molecular findings. This procedure is practically impossible in the clinic. Other approaches are therefore needed, such as combined treatment with more drugs simultaneously from the beginning of the therapy. This could eradicate tumor cells more rapidly and greatly diminish the possibility of emerging mechanisms that allow the evolution of drug resistance.
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