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Peruzzo R, Biasutto L, Szabò I, Leanza L. Impact of intracellular ion channels on cancer development and progression. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL : EBJ 2016; 45:685-707. [PMID: 27289382 PMCID: PMC5045486 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-016-1143-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer research is nowadays focused on the identification of possible new targets in order to try to develop new drugs for curing untreatable tumors. Ion channels have emerged as "oncogenic" proteins, since they have an aberrant expression in cancers compared to normal tissues and contribute to several hallmarks of cancer, such as metabolic re-programming, limitless proliferative potential, apoptosis-resistance, stimulation of neo-angiogenesis as well as cell migration and invasiveness. In recent years, not only the plasma membrane but also intracellular channels and transporters have arisen as oncological targets and were proposed to be associated with tumorigenesis. Therefore, the research is currently focusing on understanding the possible role of intracellular ion channels in cancer development and progression on one hand and, on the other, on developing new possible drugs able to modulate the expression and/or activity of these channels. In a few cases, the efficacy of channel-targeting drugs in reducing tumors has already been demonstrated in vivo in preclinical mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucia Biasutto
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Padua, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Ildikò Szabò
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Padua, Italy
| | - Luigi Leanza
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
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Lee CM, Hu TH, Lu SN, Wang JH, Hung CH, Chen CH, Yen YH. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of hepatitis C genotype 1 patients. J Formos Med Assoc 2016; 115:440-4. [PMID: 26786212 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2015.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE While new direct-acting antiviral therapies for hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the standard of care, interferon-α (IFN-α) remains a standard therapy in Taiwan based on its low cost and high response rate to IFN-α-based therapy. IFN-α exerts antiviral activity by inducing the expression of hundreds of genes that establish an antiviral state via Jak kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling. We quantified the transcript levels of JAK/STAT signaling genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HCV genotype 1 patients and estimated the correlation between transcript levels and patient responses to IFN-α-based therapy. METHODS A total of 100 HCV genotype 1 naïve patients were enrolled. All patients received response-guided therapy for 24-48 weeks with pegylated IFN-α and ribavirin. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected before treatment. Twenty patients with sustained virological responses (SVR) and 20 patients without SVR were selected for a JAK/STAT signaling genes transcript analysis using multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Transcripts that were upregulated or downregulated were further validated in 100 patients. RESULTS Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) expression was upregulated in SVR patients compared with non-SVR patients (relative quantification = 2.14) based on a multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. We further analyzed SOCS1 expression in 100 patients. We found that SOCS1 expression did not differ significantly between SVR and non-SVR patients. CONCLUSION Peripheral blood SOCS1 expression before treatment was not associated with SVR in HCV genotype 1 patients treated with pegylated IFN-α and ribavirin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan-Mo Lee
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hui Hu
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Nan Lu
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Houng Wang
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Hung Hung
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hung Chen
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hao Yen
- Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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Marous M, Bièche I, Paoletti X, Alt M, Razak A, Stathis A, Kamal M, Le Tourneau C. Designs of preoperative biomarkers trials in oncology: a systematic review of the literature. Ann Oncol 2015; 26:2419-28. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdv378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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Targeting BCL-2 to enhance vulnerability to therapy in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Oncogene 2015; 35:1877-87. [PMID: 26257067 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The last three decades have seen significant progress in our understanding of the role of the pro-survival protein BCL-2 and its family members in apoptosis and cancer. BCL-2 and other pro-survival family members including Mcl-1 and BCL-XL have been shown to have a key role in keeping pro-apoptotic 'effector' proteins BAK and BAX in check. They also neutralize a group of 'sensor' proteins (such as BIM), which are triggered by cytotoxic stimuli such as chemotherapy. BCL-2 proteins therefore have a central role as guardians against apoptosis, helping cancer cells to evade cell death. More recently, an increasing number of BH3 mimetics, which bind and neutralize BCL-2 and/or its pro-survival relatives, have been developed. The utility of targeting BCL-2 in hematological malignancies has become evident in early-phase studies, with remarkable clinical responses seen in heavily pretreated patients. As BCL-2 is overexpressed in ~75% of breast cancer, there has been growing interest in determining whether this new class of drug could show similar promise in breast cancer. This review summarizes our current understanding of the role of BCL-2 and its family members in mammary gland development and breast cancer, recent progress in the development of new BH3 mimetics as well as their potential for targeting estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.
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Shoshan-Barmatz V, Ben-Hail D, Admoni L, Krelin Y, Tripathi SS. The mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel 1 in tumor cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2014; 1848:2547-75. [PMID: 25448878 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2014.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Revised: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
VDAC1 is found at the crossroads of metabolic and survival pathways. VDAC1 controls metabolic cross-talk between mitochondria and the rest of the cell by allowing the influx and efflux of metabolites, ions, nucleotides, Ca2+ and more. The location of VDAC1 at the outer mitochondrial membrane also enables its interaction with proteins that mediate and regulate the integration of mitochondrial functions with cellular activities. As a transporter of metabolites, VDAC1 contributes to the metabolic phenotype of cancer cells. Indeed, this protein is over-expressed in many cancer types, and silencing of VDAC1 expression induces an inhibition of tumor development. At the same time, along with regulating cellular energy production and metabolism, VDAC1 is involved in the process of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by mediating the release of apoptotic proteins and interacting with anti-apoptotic proteins. The engagement of VDAC1 in the release of apoptotic proteins located in the inter-membranal space involves VDAC1 oligomerization that mediates the release of cytochrome c and AIF to the cytosol, subsequently leading to apoptotic cell death. Apoptosis can also be regulated by VDAC1, serving as an anchor point for mitochondria-interacting proteins, such as hexokinase (HK), Bcl2 and Bcl-xL, some of which are also highly expressed in many cancers. By binding to VDAC1, HK provides both a metabolic benefit and apoptosis-suppressive capacity that offer the cell a proliferative advantage and increase its resistance to chemotherapy. Thus, these and other functions point to VDAC1 as an excellent target for impairing the re-programed metabolism of cancer cells and their ability to evade apoptosis. Here, we review current evidence pointing to the function of VDAC1 in cell life and death, and highlight these functions in relation to both cancer development and therapy. In addressing the recently solved 3D structures of VDAC1, this review will point to structure-function relationships of VDAC as critical for deciphering how this channel can perform such a variety of roles, all of which are important for cell life and death. Finally, this review will also provide insight into VDAC function in Ca2+ homeostasis, protection against oxidative stress, regulation of apoptosis and involvement in several diseases, as well as its role in the action of different drugs. We will discuss the use of VDAC1-based strategies to attack the altered metabolism and apoptosis of cancer cells. These strategies include specific siRNA able to impair energy and metabolic homeostasis, leading to arrested cancer cell growth and tumor development, as well VDAC1-based peptides that interact with anti-apoptotic proteins to induce apoptosis, thereby overcoming the resistance of cancer cell to chemotherapy. Finally, small molecules targeting VDAC1 can induce apoptosis. VDAC1 can thus be considered as standing at the crossroads between mitochondrial metabolite transport and apoptosis and hence represents an emerging cancer drug target. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane channels and transporters in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varda Shoshan-Barmatz
- Department of Life Sciences, and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel.
| | - Danya Ben-Hail
- Department of Life Sciences, and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Lee Admoni
- Department of Life Sciences, and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Yakov Krelin
- Department of Life Sciences, and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Shambhoo Sharan Tripathi
- Department of Life Sciences, and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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Masood A, Azmi AS, Mohammad RM. Small molecule inhibitors of bcl-2 family proteins for pancreatic cancer therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2013; 3:1527-49. [PMID: 21760983 PMCID: PMC3134295 DOI: 10.3390/cancers3021527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a complex etiology and displays a wide range of cellular escape pathways that allow it to resist different treatment modalities. Crucial signaling molecules that function downstream of the survival pathways, particularly at points where several of these pathways crosstalk, provide valuable targets for the development of novel anti-cancer drugs. Bcl-2 family member proteins are anti-apoptotic molecules that are known to be overexpressed in most cancers including PC. The anti-apoptotic machinery has been linked to the observed resistance developed to chemotherapy and radiation and therefore is important from the targeted drug development point of view. Over the past ten years, our group has extensively studied a series of small molecule inhibitors of Bcl-2 against PC and provide solid preclinical platform for testing such novel drugs in the clinic. This review examines the efficacy, potency, and function of several small molecule inhibitor drugs targeted to the Bcl-2 family of proteins and their preclinical progress against PC. This article further focuses on compounds that have been studied the most and also discusses the anti-cancer potential of newer class of Bcl-2 drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashiq Masood
- Department of Internal Medicine/Pathology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, 4100 John R, HWCRC 732, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Asfar S. Azmi
- Department of Pathology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, 4100 John R, HWCRC 732, Detroit MI 48201, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Ramzi M. Mohammad
- Department of Internal Medicine/Pathology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, 4100 John R, HWCRC 732, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; E-Mail:
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, HWCRC 732, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +1-313-576-8329; Fax: +1-313-576-8389
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Lindeman GJ, Visvader JE. Targeting BCL-2 in breast cancer: exploiting a tumor lifeline to deliver a mortal blow? BREAST CANCER MANAGEMENT 2013. [DOI: 10.2217/bmt.12.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey J Lindeman
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Jane E Visvader
- ACRF Stem Cells & Cancer Division, The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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Shoshan-Barmatz V, Mizrachi D. VDAC1: from structure to cancer therapy. Front Oncol 2012; 2:164. [PMID: 23233904 PMCID: PMC3516065 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2012.00164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2012] [Accepted: 10/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we review current evidence pointing to the function of VDAC1 in cell life and death, and highlight these functions in relation to cancer. Found at the outer mitochondrial membrane, VDAC1 assumes a crucial position in the cell, controlling the metabolic cross-talk between mitochondria and the rest of the cell. Moreover, its location at the boundary between the mitochondria and the cytosol enables VDAC1 to interact with proteins that mediate and regulate the integration of mitochondrial functions with other cellular activities. As a metabolite transporter, VDAC1 contributes to the metabolic phenotype of cancer cells. This is reflected by VDAC1 over-expression in many cancer types, and by inhibition of tumor development upon silencing VDAC1 expression. Along with regulating cellular energy production and metabolism, VDAC1 is also a key protein in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, participating in the release of apoptotic proteins and interacting with anti-apoptotic proteins. The involvement of VDAC1 in the release of apoptotic proteins located in the inter-membranal space is discussed, as is VDAC1 oligomerization as an important step in apoptosis induction. VDAC also serves as an anchor point for mitochondria-interacting proteins, some of which are also highly expressed in many cancers, such as hexokinase (HK), Bcl2, and Bcl-xL. By binding to VDAC, HK provides both metabolic benefit and apoptosis-suppressive capacity that offers the cell a proliferative advantage and increases its resistance to chemotherapy. VDAC1-based peptides that bind specifically to HK, Bcl2, or Bcl-xL abolished the cell’s abilities to bypass the apoptotic pathway. Moreover, these peptides promote cell death in a panel of genetically characterized cell lines derived from different human cancers. These and other functions point to VDAC1 as a rational target for the development of a new generation of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varda Shoshan-Barmatz
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, Israel ; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Stem cells in breast tumours: Are they ready for the clinic? Eur J Cancer 2012; 48:2104-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2012.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Revised: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 03/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Bulut S, Erkal TS, Toksoz S, Tekinay AB, Tekinay T, Guler MO. Slow release and delivery of antisense oligonucleotide drug by self-assembled peptide amphiphile nanofibers. Biomacromolecules 2011; 12:3007-14. [PMID: 21707109 DOI: 10.1021/bm200641e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides provide a promising therapeutic approach for several disorders including cancer. Chemical stability, controlled release, and intracellular delivery are crucial factors determining their efficacy. Gels composed of nanofibrous peptide network have been previously suggested as carriers for controlled delivery of drugs to improve stability and to provide controlled release, but have not been used for oligonucleotide delivery. In this work, a self-assembled peptide nanofibrous system is formed by mixing a cationic peptide amphiphile (PA) with Bcl-2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN), G3139, through electrostatic interactions. The self-assembly of PA-ODN gel was characterized by circular dichroism, rheology, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). AFM and SEM images revealed establishment of the nanofibrous PA-ODN network. Due to the electrostatic interactions between PA and ODN, ODN release can be controlled by changing PA and ODN concentrations in the PA-ODN gel. Cellular delivery of the ODN by PA-ODN nanofiber complex was observed by using fluorescently labeled ODN molecule. Cells incubated with PA-ODN complex had enhanced cellular uptake compared to cells incubated with naked ODN. Furthermore, Bcl-2 mRNA amounts were lower in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in the presence of PA-ODN complex compared to naked ODN and mismatch ODN evidenced by quantitative RT-PCR studies. These results suggest that PA molecules can control ODN release, enhance cellular uptake and present a novel efficient approach for gene therapy studies and oligonucleotide based drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selma Bulut
- UNAM-Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
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