1
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Farruggia G, Anconelli L, Galassi L, Voltattorni M, Rossi M, Lodeserto P, Blasi P, Orienti I. Nano-fenretinide demonstrates remarkable activity in acute promyeloid leukemia cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13737. [PMID: 38877119 PMCID: PMC11178801 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64629-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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by rearrangements of the retinoic acid receptor, RARα, which makes all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) highly effective in the treatment of this disease, inducing promyelocytes differentiation. Current therapy, based on ATRA in combination with arsenic trioxide, with or without chemotherapy, provides high rates of event-free survival and overall survival. However, a decline in the drug activity, due to increased ATRA metabolism and RARα mutations, is often observed over long-term treatments. Furthermore, dedifferentiation can occur providing relapse of the disease. In this study we evaluated fenretinide, a semisynthetic ATRA derivative, encapsulated in nanomicelles (nano-fenretinide) as an alternative treatment to ATRA in APL. Nano-fenretinide was prepared by fenretinide encapsulation in a self-assembling phospholipid mixture. Physico-chemical characterization was carried out by dinamic light scattering and spectrophotometry. The biological activity was evaluated by MTT assay, flow cytometry and confocal laser-scanning fluorescence microscopy. Nano-fenretinide induced apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL60) by an early increase of reactive oxygen species and a mitochondrial potential decrease. The fenretinide concentration that induced 90-100% decrease in cell viability was about 2.0 µM at 24 h, a concentration easily achievable in vivo when nano-fenretinide is administered by oral or intravenous route, as demonstrated in previous studies. Nano-fenretinide was effective, albeit at slightly higher concentrations, also in doxorubicin-resistant HL60 cells, while a comparison with TK6 lymphoblasts indicated a lack of toxicity on normal cells. The results indicate that nano-fenretinide can be considered an alternative therapy to ATRA in acute promyelocytic leukemia when decreased efficacy, resistance or recurrence of disease emerge after protracted treatments with ATRA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Farruggia
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
- National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Via Delle Medaglie d'Oro 305, 00136, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Anconelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Galassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Voltattorni
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Rossi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pietro Lodeserto
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Blasi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Isabella Orienti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
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2
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Wang D, Pei P, Shea FF, Bissonnette C, Nieto K, Din C, Liu Y, Schwendeman SP, Lin YX, Spinney R, Mallery SR. Fenretinide combines perturbation of signaling kinases, cell-extracellular matrix interactions and matrix metalloproteinase activation to inhibit invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Carcinogenesis 2022; 43:851-864. [PMID: 35974187 PMCID: PMC9587683 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgac070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Basement membrane invasion defines malignant transformation of surface premalignancy. Treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells with the synthetic vitamin A derivative, fenretinide (4HPR), induces numerous cancer-preventive effects including suppression of basement membrane invasion, elimination of anchorage-independent growth, disruption of actin cytoskeletal components and inhibition of the invasion-enabling focal adhesive kinase. The purpose of this study was to elucidate 4HPR's effects on additional invasion-relevant mechanisms including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation and function, cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) attachments and interaction with a kinase that is essential for the epithelial-myoepithelial transformation i.e. c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). Our data revealed that 4HPR binds with high affinity to the ATP-binding site of all three JNK isoforms with concurrent suppression of kinase function. Additional studies showed 4HPR treatment inhibited both OSCC cell-ECM adhesion and MMP activation and function. JNK downregulation and induced expression studies confirmed that the JNK3 isoform conveyed that largest impact on OSCC migration and invasion. Biodegradable polymeric implants formulated to preserve 4HPR's function and bioavailability were employed to assess 4HPR's chemopreventive impact on an OSCC tumor induction model. These studies revealed 4HPR local delivery significantly inhibited OSCC tumor size, mitotic indices and expression of the endothelial marker, erythroblast transformation-specific-related gene with concurrent increases in tumor apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3). Collectively, these data show that 4HPR suppresses invasion at multiple sites including 'outside-in' signaling, cell-ECM interactions and suppression of MMPs. These functions are also essential for physiologic function. Regulation is therefore essential and reinforces the pharmacologic advantage of local delivery chemopreventive formulations. .
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Affiliation(s)
- Daren Wang
- Division of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology & Radiology, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ping Pei
- Division of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology & Radiology, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Fortune F Shea
- Division of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology & Radiology, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Caroline Bissonnette
- Division of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology & Radiology, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Kari Nieto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Corrine Din
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yayuan Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Steven P Schwendeman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yan X Lin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Richard Spinney
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Susan R Mallery
- Division of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology & Radiology, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer, Columbus, OH, USA
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3
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Companioni O, Mir C, Garcia-Mayea Y, LLeonart ME. Targeting Sphingolipids for Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:745092. [PMID: 34737957 PMCID: PMC8560795 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.745092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids are an extensive class of lipids with different functions in the cell, ranging from proliferation to cell death. Sphingolipids are modified in multiple cancers and are responsible for tumor proliferation, progression, and metastasis. Several inhibitors or activators of sphingolipid signaling, such as fenretinide, safingol, ABC294640, ceramide nanoliposomes (CNLs), SKI-II, α-galactosylceramide, fingolimod, and sonepcizumab, have been described. The objective of this review was to analyze the results from preclinical and clinical trials of these drugs for the treatment of cancer. Sphingolipid-targeting drugs have been tested alone or in combination with chemotherapy, exhibiting antitumor activity alone and in synergism with chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo. As a consequence of treatments, the most frequent mechanism of cell death is apoptosis, followed by autophagy. Aslthough all these drugs have produced good results in preclinical studies of multiple cancers, the outcomes of clinical trials have not been similar. The most effective drugs are fenretinide and α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer). In contrast, minor adverse effects restricted to a few subjects and hepatic toxicity have been observed in clinical trials of ABC294640 and safingol, respectively. In the case of CNLs, SKI-II, fingolimod and sonepcizumab there are some limitations and absence of enough clinical studies to demonstrate a benefit. The effectiveness or lack of a major therapeutic effect of sphingolipid modulation by some drugs as a cancer therapy and other aspects related to their mechanism of action are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osmel Companioni
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Mir
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yoelsis Garcia-Mayea
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Matilde E LLeonart
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Spanish Biomedical Research Network Center in Oncology, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
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4
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The unfolding role of ceramide in coordinating retinoid-based cancer therapy. Biochem J 2021; 478:3621-3642. [PMID: 34648006 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipid-mediated regulation in cancer development and treatment is largely ceramide-centered with the complex sphingolipid metabolic pathways unfolding as attractive targets for anticancer drug discovery. The dynamic interconversion of sphingolipids is tightly controlled at the level of enzymes and cellular compartments in response to endogenous or exogenous stimuli, such as anticancer drugs, including retinoids. Over the past two decades, evidence emerged that retinoids owe part of their potency in cancer therapy to modulation of sphingolipid metabolism and ceramide generation. Ceramide has been proposed as a 'tumor-suppressor lipid' that orchestrates cell growth, cell cycle arrest, cell death, senescence, autophagy, and metastasis. There is accumulating evidence that cancer development is promoted by the dysregulation of tumor-promoting sphingolipids whereas cancer treatments can kill tumor cells by inducing the accumulation of endogenous ceramide levels. Resistance to cancer therapy may develop due to a disrupted equilibrium between the opposing roles of tumor-suppressor and tumor-promoter sphingolipids. Despite the undulating effect and complexity of sphingolipid pathways, there are emerging opportunities for a plethora of enzyme-targeted therapeutic interventions that overcome resistance resulting from perturbed sphingolipid pathways. Here, we have revisited the interconnectivity of sphingolipid metabolism and the instrumental role of ceramide-biosynthetic and degradative enzymes, including bioactive sphingolipid products, how they closely relate to cancer treatment and pathogenesis, and the interplay with retinoid signaling in cancer. We focused on retinoid targeting, alone or in combination, of sphingolipid metabolism nodes in cancer to enhance ceramide-based therapeutics. Retinoid and ceramide-based cancer therapy using novel strategies such as combination treatments, synthetic retinoids, ceramide modulators, and delivery formulations hold promise in the battle against cancer.
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5
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Soverini S, De Santis S, Monaldi C, Bruno S, Mancini M. Targeting Leukemic Stem Cells in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Is It Worth the Effort? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137093. [PMID: 34209376 PMCID: PMC8269304 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a classical example of stem cell cancer since it arises in a multipotent hematopoietic stem cell upon the acquisition of the t(9;22) chromosomal translocation, that converts it into a leukemic stem cell (LSC). The resulting BCR-ABL1 fusion gene encodes a deregulated tyrosine kinase that is recognized as the disease driver. Therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) eliminates progenitor and more differentiated cells but fails to eradicate quiescent LSCs. Thus, although many patients obtain excellent responses and a proportion of them can even attempt treatment discontinuation (treatment free remission [TFR]) after some years of therapy, LSCs persist, and represent a potentially dangerous reservoir feeding relapse and hampering TFR. Over the past two decades, intensive efforts have been devoted to the characterization of CML LSCs and to the dissection of the cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic mechanisms sustaining their persistence, in an attempt to find druggable targets enabling LSC eradication. Here we provide an overview and an update on these mechanisms, focusing in particular on the most recent acquisitions. Moreover, we provide a critical appraisal of the clinical relevance and feasibility of LSC targeting in CML.
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MESH Headings
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/antagonists & inhibitors
- Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/genetics
- Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/metabolism
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/enzymology
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/genetics
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/enzymology
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Soverini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale Università di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (S.D.S.); (C.M.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-214-3832
| | - Sara De Santis
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale Università di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (S.D.S.); (C.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Cecilia Monaldi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale Università di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (S.D.S.); (C.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Samantha Bruno
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale Università di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (S.D.S.); (C.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Manuela Mancini
- Istituto di Ematologia “Seràgnoli”, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
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6
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Vegi NM, Chakrabortty S, Zegota MM, Kuan SL, Stumper A, Rawat VPS, Sieste S, Buske C, Rau S, Weil T, Feuring-Buske M. Somatostatin receptor mediated targeting of acute myeloid leukemia by photodynamic metal complexes for light induced apoptosis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:371. [PMID: 31941913 PMCID: PMC6962389 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-57172-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by relapse and treatment resistance in a major fraction of patients, underlining the need of innovative AML targeting therapies. Here we analysed the therapeutic potential of an innovative biohybrid consisting of the tumor-associated peptide somatostatin and the photosensitizer ruthenium in AML cell lines and primary AML patient samples. Selective toxicity was analyzed by using CD34 enriched cord blood cells as control. Treatment of OCI AML3, HL60 and THP1 resulted in a 92, and 99 and 97% decrease in clonogenic growth compared to the controls. Primary AML cells demonstrated a major response with a 74 to 99% reduction in clonogenicity in 5 of 6 patient samples. In contrast, treatment of CD34+ CB cells resulted in substantially less reduction in colony numbers. Subcellular localization assays of RU-SST in OCI-AML3 cells confirmed strong co-localization of RU-SST in the lysosomes compared to the other cellular organelles. Our data demonstrate that conjugation of a Ruthenium complex with somatostatin is efficiently eradicating LSC candidates of patients with AML. This indicates that receptor mediated lysosomal accumulation of photodynamic metal complexes is a highly attractive approach for targeting AML cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naidu M Vegi
- Institute of Experimental Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University Hospital Ulm, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sabyasachi Chakrabortty
- Department of Chemistry, SRM University, AP - Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522502, India.,Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, D-55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Maksymilian M Zegota
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, D-55128, Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Seah Ling Kuan
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, D-55128, Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anne Stumper
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Vijay P S Rawat
- Institute of Experimental Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University Hospital Ulm, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefanie Sieste
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, D-55128, Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Buske
- Institute of Experimental Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University Hospital Ulm, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sven Rau
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tanja Weil
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, D-55128, Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michaela Feuring-Buske
- Institute of Experimental Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University Hospital Ulm, D-89081, Ulm, Germany. .,Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Ulm, D-89081, Ulm, Germany.
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7
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Liu L, Liu J, Wang H, Zhao H, Du Y. Fenretinide targeting of human colon cancer sphere cells through cell cycle regulation and stress-responsive activities. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:5339-5348. [PMID: 30250604 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to be the main cause of chemoresistance and the resultant low survival rate of patients with cancer. N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-retinamide, known as fenretinide or 4HPR, is a synthetic derivative of all-trans-retinoic acid. It is a promising anticancer agent, has minimal side effects and synergizes with other anticancer agents to reinforce their anticancer efficacy. The present study investigated whether fenretinide eliminated colon sphere cells. HT29 and HCT116 cells incubated in low-serum culture medium were more sensitive to fenretinide treatment than those incubated in full-serum medium. Colon spheres formed in serum-free medium demonstrated stem-like characteristics. The percentage of cluster of differentiation (CD) 44+ cells was significantly higher in sphere cells compared with parental cells. Sphere cells also demonstrated increased tumorigenic ability in non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Fenretinide inhibited the formation of colon spheres in HT29 and HCT116 cells. Microarray, cell cycle and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that fenretinide induced genes associated with cell cycle regulation and the stress response in fenretinide-treated HT29 sphere cells. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to investigate the effect of fenretinide on colon stem cells. Fenretinide was demonstrated to preferentially target colon sphere cells, which may possess certain stem-like characteristics. These results are an important addition to the current knowledge concerning fenretinide, and provide a foundation for its clinical application in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Liu
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM)/Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200025, P.R. China.,Graduate School of The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, P.R. China
| | - Jiansheng Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, P.R. China
| | - Haiwei Wang
- Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM)/Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200025, P.R. China
| | - Hui Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, SAR, P.R. China
| | - Yanzhi Du
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, P.R. China
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8
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Yan W, Du J, Du Y, Pu H, Liu S, He J, Zhang J, Hou J. Fenretinide targets the side population in myeloma cell line NCI-H929 and potentiates the efficacy of antimyeloma with bortezomib and dexamethasone regimen. Leuk Res 2016; 51:32-40. [PMID: 27821288 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2016.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2015] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Side population (SP) cells, a subset of enriched tumor initiating cells, have been demonstrated to have stem cell-like properties in multiple myeloma (MM) by us as well as other previous studies. A lack of agents targeting tumor initiating cells, however, represents a challenge in the treatment of MM. Previously, fenretinide, a well-tolerated vitamin A derivative, has been shown to exert effect on leukemic stem cells, but its actions against myeloma stem-like cells are still unknown. In this study, the effects of fenretinide on myeloma stem-like cells characteristic was comprehensively examined in SP and non-SP (MP) cells of NCI-H929 cell sorted by flow cytometry-based on Hoechst 33342 stain. We find that fenretinide is capable of eradicating MM SP and MP cells, but not normal bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) at physiologically achievable concentrations. Fenretinide alone exerted a selective cytotoxic effect on MM SP cells, as well as in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone. In particular, SP cells were highly sensitive to fenretinide, and in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone in colony formation and apoptosis assays. Accordingly, the apparent fenretinide-induced-apoptosis was linked to the rapid generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, we propose that fenretinide is a potent agent that targets tumor initiating cells and may be a promising therapeutic agent in MM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqing Yan
- Department of Hematology, The Myeloma & Lymphoma Center, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Hematology, The Myeloma & Lymphoma Center, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanzhi Du
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, China
| | - Honglei Pu
- Department of Hematology, The Myeloma & Lymphoma Center, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuyan Liu
- Department of Hematology, The Myeloma & Lymphoma Center, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie He
- Department of Hematology, The Myeloma & Lymphoma Center, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Hou
- Department of Hematology, The Myeloma & Lymphoma Center, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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9
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Chavez-Gonzalez A, Bakhshinejad B, Pakravan K, Guzman ML, Babashah S. Novel strategies for targeting leukemia stem cells: sounding the death knell for blood cancer. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2016; 40:1-20. [PMID: 27678246 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-016-0297-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells (CSCs), also known as tumor-initiating cells (TICs), are characterized by high self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation capacities. CSCs are thought to play indispensable roles in the initiation, progression and metastasis of many types of cancer. Leukemias are thought to be initiated and maintained by a specific sub-type of CSC, the leukemia stem cell (LSC). An important feature of LSCs is their resistance to standard therapy, which may lead to relapse. Increasing efforts are aimed at developing novel therapeutic strategies that selectively target LSCs, while sparing their normal counterparts and, thus, minimizing adverse treatment-associated side-effects. These LSC targeting therapies aim to eradicate LSCs through affecting mechanisms that control their survival, self-renewal, differentiation, proliferation and cell cycle progression. Some LSC targeting therapies have already been proven successful in pre-clinical studies and they are now being tested in clinical studies, mainly in combination with conventional treatment regimens. CONCLUSIONS A growing body of evidence indicates that the selective targeting of LSCs represents a promising approach to improve disease outcome. Beyond doubt, the CSC hypothesis has added a new dimension to the area of anticancer research, thereby paving the way for shaping a new trend in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Babak Bakhshinejad
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box: 14115-154, Tehran, Iran
| | - Katayoon Pakravan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box: 14115-154, Tehran, Iran
| | - Monica L Guzman
- Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Ave, Box 113, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Sadegh Babashah
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box: 14115-154, Tehran, Iran.
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10
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Bassani B, Bartolini D, Pagani A, Principi E, Zollo M, Noonan DM, Albini A, Bruno A. Fenretinide (4-HPR) Targets Caspase-9, ERK 1/2 and the Wnt3a/β-Catenin Pathway in Medulloblastoma Cells and Medulloblastoma Cell Spheroids. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154111. [PMID: 27367907 PMCID: PMC4930187 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB), a neuroectodermal tumor arising in the cerebellum, represents the most frequent childhood brain malignancy. Current treatments for MB combine radiation and chemotherapy and are often associated with relevant side effects; novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR, fenretinide), a synthetic analogue of all-trans retinoic acid, has emerged as a promising and well-tolerated cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent for various neoplasms, from breast cancer to neuroblastoma. Here we investigated the effects of 4-HPR on MB cell lines and identified the mechanism of action for a potential use in therapy of MB. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to evaluate 4-HPR induction of apoptosis and oxygen reactive species (ROS) production, as well as cell cycle effects. Functional analysis to determine 4-HPR ability to interfere with MB cell migration and invasion were performed. Western Blot analysis were used to investigate the crucial molecules involved in selected signaling pathways associated with apoptosis (caspase-9 and PARP-1), cell survival (ERK 1/2) and tumor progression (Wnt3a and β-catenin). We show that 4-HPR induces caspase 9-dependent cell death in DAOY and ONS-76 cells, associated with increased ROS generation, suggesting that free radical intermediates might be directly involved. We observed 4-HPR induction of cell cycle arrest in G1/S phase, inactivated β-catenin, and inhibition of MB cell migration and invasion. We also evaluated the ability of 4-HPR to target MB cancer-stem/cancer-initiating cells, using an MB spheroids model, followed by flow cytometry and quantitative real-time PCR. 4-HPR treatment reduced DAOY and ONS-76 spheroid formation, in term of number and size. Decreased expression of the surface markers CD133+ and ABCG2+ as well as Oct-4 and Sox-2 gene expression were observed on BTICs treated with 4-HPR further reducing BITIC invasive activities. Finally, we analyzed 4-HPR ability to inhibit MB tumor cell growth in vivo in nude mice. Taken together, our data suggest that 4-HPR targets both parental and MB tumor stem/initiating cell-like populations. Since 4-HPR exerts low toxicity, it could represent a valid compound in the treatment of human MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Bassani
- Scientific and Technological Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Arianna Pagani
- Scientific and Technological Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Principi
- Scientific and Technological Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Zollo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Douglas M. Noonan
- Scientific and Technological Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Adriana Albini
- Scientific and Technological Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Antonino Bruno
- Scientific and Technological Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy
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Bazi A, Keramati MR, Gholamin M. Role of Oxidative Stress in Modulating Unfolded Protein Response Activity in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cell Line. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2015; 20:63-7. [PMID: 26432458 PMCID: PMC4689283 DOI: 10.7508/ibj.2016.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Background: Recently, it has been revealed that tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) act through inducing both oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in chronic myeloid leukemia cells. However, ER stress signaling triggers both apoptotic and survival processes within cells. Nevertheless, mechanisms by which TKIs avoid the pro-survival effects are not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role of oxidative stress in activity of unfolded protein response (UPR) survival pathway within K562 cell line. Methods: The expression of UPR survival target genes, Xbp1, and Grp94 (glucose requiring protein 94) was studied in single and combined exposure to oxidative and ER stress in K562 cell line by quantitative and qualitative PCR. Results: The expression of UPR-related survival gene Grp94 was hampered by exposing to oxidative stress in cell induced with ER stress. Conclusion: Interaction of oxidative and ER stress may role as a mediator influencing UPR signaling activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Bazi
- Cancer Molecular Pathology Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Keramati
- Cancer Molecular Pathology Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mehran Gholamin
- Division of Human Genetics, Immunology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Abstract
Fenretinide, N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide, (4-HPR), a synthetic retinoid, owes its cancer-toxic effects in part to the generation of ceramide, a potent tumor-suppressing sphingolipid. As such, 4-HPR has garnered considerable interest as a chemotherapeutic. Cancer cells, however, via various metabolic routes, inactivate ceramide, and this can limit 4-HPR efficacy. As relatively little is known regarding 4-HPR-induced ceramide management in acute myelogeneous leukemia (AML), we undertook the present study to evaluate the impact of 4-HPR on ceramide production, metabolism, and cytotoxicity. In KG-1, HL-60, and HL-60/VCR (multidrug resistant) human leukemia cells, 4-HPR induced 15-, 2-, and 20-fold increases in ceramide (measured using [3H]palmitic acid), respectively. By use of specific inhibitors we show that ceramide was produced by sphingomyelinase and de novo pathways in response to 4-HPR exposure. HL-60/VCR cells metabolized ceramide to glucosylceramide (GC). 4-HPR exposure (1.25-10 μM) reduced viability in all cell lines, with approximate IC50's ranging from 1 to 8.0 μM. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated in response to 4-HPR treatment, and the concomitant cytotoxicity was reversed by addition of vitamin E. 4-HPR was not cytotoxic nor did it elicit ceramide formation in K562, a chronic myeloid leukemia cell line; however, K562 cells were sensitive to a cell-deliverable form of ceramide, C6-ceramide. Treatment of Molt-3, an acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, with 4-HPR revealed moderate ceramide production (5-fold over control), robust conversion of ceramide to GC and sphingomyelin, and resistance to 4-HPR and C6-ceramide. In conclusion, this work demonstrates diversity within and among leukemia in 4-HPR sensitivity and ceramide generation and subsequent metabolism. As such, knowledge of these metabolic pathways can provide guidance for enhancing ceramide-driven effects of 4-HPR in treatment of leukemia.
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Zhang B, Shimada Y, Kuroyanagi J, Ariyoshi M, Nomoto T, Shintou T, Umemoto N, Nishimura Y, Miyazaki T, Tanaka T. In vivo selective imaging and inhibition of leukemia stem-like cells using the fluorescent carbocyanine derivative, DiOC5(3). Biomaterials 2015; 52:14-25. [PMID: 25818410 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Elimination of leukemia stem cells (LSCs) is necessary for the destruction of malignant cell populations. Owing to the very small number of LSCs in leukemia cells, xenotransplantation studies are difficult in terms of functionally and pathophysiologically replicating clinical conditions of cell culture experiments. There is currently a limited number of lead compounds that target LSCs. Using the LSC-xenograft zebrafish screening method we previously developed, we found that the fluorescent compound 3,3'-dipentyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC5(3)) selectively marked LSCs and suppressed their proliferation in vivo and in vitro. DiOC5(3) had no obvious toxicity to human umbilical cord blood CD34+ progenitor cells and normal zebrafish. It accumulated in mitochondria through organic anion transporter polypeptides that are overexpressed in the plasma membrane of LSCs, and induced apoptosis via ROS overproduction. DiOC5(3) also inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB through the downregulation of LSC-selective pathways, as indicated from DNA microarray analysis. In summary, DiOC5(3) is a new type of anti-LSC compound available for diagnostic imaging and therapeutics that has the advantage of being a single fluorescent chemical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Shimada
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; Department of Systems Pharmacology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; Mie University Medical Zebrafish Research Center, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; Department of Bioinformatics, Mie University Life Science Research Center, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; Department of Omics Medicine, Mie University Industrial Technology Innovation, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Junya Kuroyanagi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Michiko Ariyoshi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Nomoto
- Corporate R&D Headquarters, Canon Inc, Ohta-ku, Tokyo 146-8501, Japan
| | - Taichi Shintou
- Corporate R&D Headquarters, Canon Inc, Ohta-ku, Tokyo 146-8501, Japan
| | - Noriko Umemoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; Department of Systems Pharmacology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Yuhei Nishimura
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; Department of Systems Pharmacology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; Mie University Medical Zebrafish Research Center, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; Department of Bioinformatics, Mie University Life Science Research Center, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; Department of Omics Medicine, Mie University Industrial Technology Innovation, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Takeshi Miyazaki
- Corporate R&D Headquarters, Canon Inc, Ohta-ku, Tokyo 146-8501, Japan
| | - Toshio Tanaka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; Department of Systems Pharmacology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; Mie University Medical Zebrafish Research Center, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; Department of Bioinformatics, Mie University Life Science Research Center, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; Department of Omics Medicine, Mie University Industrial Technology Innovation, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan.
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Ovarian and breast cancer spheres are similar in transcriptomic features and sensitive to fenretinide. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:510905. [PMID: 24222909 PMCID: PMC3816214 DOI: 10.1155/2013/510905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2013] [Revised: 08/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are resistant to chemotherapy and are ability to regenerate cancer cell populations, thus attracting much attention in cancer research. In this report, we first demonstrated that sphere cells from ovarian cancer cell line A2780 shared many features of CSCs, such as resistance to cisplatin and able to initiate tumors in an efficient manner. Then, we conducted cDNA microarray analysis on spheres from ovarian A2780 cells, and from breast MCF7 and SUM159 cells, and found that molecular pathways underlying spheres from these cancer cell lines were similar to a large extent, suggesting that similar mechanisms are involved in the genesis of CSCs in both ovarian and breast cancer types. In addition, we showed that spheres from these cancer types were highly sensitive to fenretinide, a stimulus of oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells. Thus, our results not only provide important insights into mechanisms underlying CSCs in ovarian and breast cancer, but also lead to the development of more sophisticated protocols of cancer therapy in near future.
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