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Occhiuto CJ, Moerland JA, Leal AS, Gallo KA, Liby KT. The Multi-Faceted Consequences of NRF2 Activation throughout Carcinogenesis. Mol Cells 2023; 46:176-186. [PMID: 36994476 PMCID: PMC10070161 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2023.2191] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The oxidative balance of a cell is maintained by the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) pathway. This cytoprotective pathway detoxifies reactive oxygen species and xenobiotics. The role of the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway as pro-tumorigenic or anti-tumorigenic throughout stages of carcinogenesis (including initiation, promotion, progression, and metastasis) is complex. This mini review focuses on key studies describing how the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway affects cancer at different phases. The data compiled suggest that the roles of KEAP1/NRF2 in cancer are highly dependent on context; specifically, the model used (carcinogen-induced vs genetic), the tumor type, and the stage of cancer. Moreover, emerging data suggests that KEAP1/NRF2 is also important for regulating the tumor microenvironment and how its effects are amplified either by epigenetics or in response to co-occurring mutations. Further elucidation of the complexity of this pathway is needed in order to develop novel pharmacological tools and drugs to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Occhiuto
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Jessica A. Moerland
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Ana S. Leal
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Kathleen A. Gallo
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Karen T. Liby
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Zhou L, Zhang W, Xiang Y, Qian Z, Zhou J, Ni L, Feng Y, Gao B. The apatinib and pemetrexed combination has antitumor and antiangiogenic effects against NSCLC. Open Life Sci 2023; 18:20220533. [PMID: 36910471 PMCID: PMC9993329 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0533] [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: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the first treatment choice. Angiogenesis inhibitors are effective for lung cancer treatment. This study explored whether chemotherapy combined with angiogenesis inhibitors could achieve better efficacy in NSCLC. The zebrafish A549 xenograft model was used to investigate the combined effect of apatinib and chemotherapeutic agents in NSCLC. Apatinib combined with pemetrexed demonstrated the highest antitumor effect compared with apatinib combined with gemcitabine or paclitaxel in vitro. In the zebrafish A549 xenograft model, apatinib and pemetrexed, alone or in combination, showed significant inhibition of tumor growth. Co-treatment with apatinib and pemetrexed demonstrated the best antitumor effects, suggesting that the combination of apatinib and pemetrexed might be a promising alternative therapy for patients with lung cancer. Apatinib combined with pemetrexed had enhanced antitumor effects compared with either one alone in the zebrafish model of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Wenchao Zhang
- Department of Allergy, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yi Xiang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Zijun Qian
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jianping Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Lei Ni
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yun Feng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Beili Gao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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Baldelli E, Mandarano M, Bellezza G, Petricoin EF, Pierobon M. Analysis of neuroendocrine clones in NSCLCs using an immuno-guided laser-capture microdissection-based approach. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100271. [PMID: 36046628 PMCID: PMC9421534 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Clonal evolution and lineage plasticity are key contributors to tumor heterogeneity and response to treatment in cancer. However, capturing signal transduction events in coexisting clones remains challenging from a technical perspective. In this study, we developed and tested a signal-transduction-based workflow to isolate and profile coexisting clones within a complex cellular system like non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Cooccurring clones were isolated under immunohistochemical guidance using laser-capture microdissection, and cell signaling activation portraits were measured using the reverse-phase protein microarray. To increase the translational potential of this work and capture druggable vulnerabilities within different clones, we measured expression/activation of a panel of key drug targets and downstream substrates of FDA-approved or investigational agents. We isolated intermixed clones, including poorly represented ones (<5% of cells), within the tumor microecology and identified molecular characteristics uniquely attributable to cancer cells that undergo lineage plasticity and neuroendocrine transdifferentiation in NSCLCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Baldelli
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Martina Mandarano
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Guido Bellezza
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Emanuel F. Petricoin
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Mariaelena Pierobon
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
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4
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Thomas DS, Cisneros LH, Anderson ARA, Maley CC. In Silico Investigations of Multi-Drug Adaptive Therapy Protocols. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2699. [PMID: 35681680 PMCID: PMC9179496 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The standard of care for cancer patients aims to eradicate the tumor by killing the maximum number of cancer cells using the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of a drug. MTD causes significant toxicity and selects for resistant cells, eventually making the tumor refractory to treatment. Adaptive therapy aims to maximize time to progression (TTP), by maintaining sensitive cells to compete with resistant cells. We explored both dose modulation (DM) protocols and fixed dose (FD) interspersed with drug holiday protocols. In contrast to previous single drug protocols, we explored the determinants of success of two-drug adaptive therapy protocols, using an agent-based model. In almost all cases, DM protocols (but not FD protocols) increased TTP relative to MTD. DM protocols worked well when there was more competition, with a higher cost of resistance, greater cell turnover, and when crowded proliferating cells could replace their neighbors. The amount that the drug dose was changed, mattered less. The more sensitive the protocol was to tumor burden changes, the better. In general, protocols that used as little drug as possible, worked best. Preclinical experiments should test these predictions, especially dose modulation protocols, with the goal of generating successful clinical trials for greater cancer control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S. Thomas
- Arizona Cancer Evolution Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (D.S.T.); (L.H.C.)
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- Biodesign Center for Biocomputing, Security and Society, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Luis H. Cisneros
- Arizona Cancer Evolution Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (D.S.T.); (L.H.C.)
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- Biodesign Center for Biocomputing, Security and Society, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | | | - Carlo C. Maley
- Arizona Cancer Evolution Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; (D.S.T.); (L.H.C.)
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- Biodesign Center for Biocomputing, Security and Society, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
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Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Targeting in Multiple Myeloma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115707. [PMID: 34071917 PMCID: PMC8198777 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM), a clonal plasma cell disorder, disrupts the bones’ hematopoiesis and microenvironment homeostasis and ability to mediate an immune response against malignant clones. Despite prominent survival improvement with newer treatment modalities since the 2000s, MM is still considered a non-curable disease. Patients experience disease recurrence episodes with clonal evolution, and with each relapse disease comes back with a more aggressive phenotype. Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) has been a major target for B cell clonal disorders and its role in clonal plasma cell disorders is under active investigation. BTK is a cytosolic kinase which plays a major role in the immune system and its related malignancies. The BTK pathway has been shown to provide survival for malignant clone and multiple myeloma stem cells (MMSCs). BTK also regulates the malignant clones’ interaction with the bone marrow microenvironment. Hence, BTK inhibition is a promising therapeutic strategy for MM patients. In this review, the role of BTK and its signal transduction pathways are outlined in the context of MM.
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Skálová H, Hájková N, Majerová B, Bártů M, Povýšil C, Tichá I. Impact of chemotherapy on the expression of claudins and cadherins in invasive breast cancer. Exp Ther Med 2019; 18:3014-3024. [PMID: 31572543 PMCID: PMC6755479 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of the expression profile of claudins in the molecular classification of breast cancer (BC) is currently under investigation. Claudins, together with cadherins, serve an important role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and influence the chemosensitivity of cancer cells. Adjuvant chemotherapy is administered following surgical resection in selected cases of BC. Previous neoadjuvant chemotherapy may change the molecular profile of a tumour and subsequently also its chemosensitivity. In the current study, the expression of claudin-1, −3 and −4, E- and N-cadherin and the standard BC biomarkers [oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and marker of proliferation Ki-67 (Ki-67)] in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from 62 patients with invasive BC was analysed using immunohistochemistry prior to and following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The results revealed increased expression of claudin-1 (P=0.03) and decreased expression of claudin-3 (P=0.005), PR (P<0.001) and Ki-67 (P=0.01) following the neoadjuvant therapy. No significant changes in the expression of ER, claudin-4 or E- and N-cadherin were observed following therapy. Furthermore, an association between the expression of claudin-1 and the standard BC markers (P<0.05) was identified. A high expression of claudin-1 was more frequently observed in the triple-negative BC cohort than in the cohort with positive ER, PR and/or HER2 before (P=0.04) and after chemotherapy (P=0.02). The expression of N-cadherin was associated with the expression of ER, PR, HER2 and tumour grade (P<0.05). A positive association between the expression of claudin-3 and E-cadherin (P=0.005) was observed. No association was found between the expression of E- and N-cadherin. In conclusion, significant changes in the expression of claudin-1 and −3 but not in the expression of claudin-4, E- and N-cadherin were observed in samples taken from patients with BC following chemotherapy. These findings indicate that claudins-1 and −3 serve a role in the response of BC to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Skálová
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, 12800 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Nikola Hájková
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, 12800 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Majerová
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 12108 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Bártů
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, 12800 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ctibor Povýšil
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, 12800 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Tichá
- Institute of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, 12800 Prague, Czech Republic
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The Adaptive Complexity of Cancer. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2018:5837235. [PMID: 30627563 PMCID: PMC6304530 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5837235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer treatment options are expanding to the benefit of significant segments of patients. However, their therapeutic power is not equally realized for all cancer patients due to drug toxicity and disease resistance. Overcoming these therapeutic challenges would require a better understanding of the adaptive survival mechanisms of cancer. In this respect, an integrated view of the disease as a complex adaptive system is proposed as a framework to explain the dynamic coupling between the various drivers underlying tumor growth and cancer resistance to therapy. In light of this system view of cancer, the immune system is in principal the most appropriate and naturally available therapeutic instrument that can thwart the adaptive survival mechanisms of cancer. In this respect, new cancer therapies should aim at restoring immunosurveillance by priming the induction of an effective immune response through a judicious targeting of immunosuppression, inflammation, and the tumor nutritional lifeline extended by the tumor microenvironment.
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