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Yin H, Tang Q, Xia H, Bi F. Targeting RAF dimers in RAS mutant tumors: From biology to clinic. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:1895-1923. [PMID: 38799634 PMCID: PMC11120325 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
RAS mutations occur in approximately 30% of tumors worldwide and have a poor prognosis due to limited therapies. Covalent targeting of KRAS G12C has achieved significant success in recent years, but there is still a lack of efficient therapeutic approaches for tumors with non-G12C KRAS mutations. A highly promising approach is to target the MAPK pathway downstream of RAS, with a particular focus on RAF kinases. First-generation RAF inhibitors have been authorized to treat BRAF mutant tumors for over a decade. However, their use in RAS-mutated tumors is not recommended due to the paradoxical ERK activation mainly caused by RAF dimerization. To address the issue of RAF dimerization, type II RAF inhibitors have emerged as leading candidates. Recent clinical studies have shown the initial effectiveness of these agents against RAS mutant tumors. Promisingly, type II RAF inhibitors in combination with MEK or ERK inhibitors have demonstrated impressive efficacy in RAS mutant tumors. This review aims to clarify the importance of RAF dimerization in cellular signaling and resistance to treatment in tumors with RAS mutations, as well as recent progress in therapeutic approaches to address the problem of RAF dimerization in RAS mutant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Yin
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiulin Tang
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hongwei Xia
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Feng Bi
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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George GV, Liu H, Jajosky AN, Oltvai ZN. Resolving Discrepancies in Idylla BRAF Mutational Assay Results Using Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:527. [PMID: 38790156 PMCID: PMC11121162 DOI: 10.3390/genes15050527] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BRAF mutation identification is important for the diagnosis and treatment of several tumor types, both solid and hematologic. Rapid identification of BRAF mutations is required to determine eligibility for targeted BRAF inhibitor therapy. The Idylla BRAF mutation assay is a rapid, multiplex allele-specific PCR test designed to detect the most common oncogenic BRAF V600 mutations in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples. Here, we describe the validation of the Idylla BRAF mutation assay in our laboratory. During routine clinical practice, we noticed cases in which BRAF V600 mutations were identified with unusual amplification curves, with three cases displaying a delayed amplification within a double amplification pattern and two false-positive calls. We therefore initiated a quality improvement effort to systematically and retrospectively evaluate next-generation sequencing (NGS)-tested cases with BRAF mutations identified within five amino acids of BRAF codon V600 and did not identify additional false-positive cases. We hypothesize that late amplification in a double amplification pattern may represent non-specific amplification, whereas cases displaying single delayed amplification curves may stem from the presence of either non-V600 variants, very low-level V600 variants, cytosine deamination artifacts, and/or non-specific amplification by an allele-specific PCR primer. Regardless, we recommend that Idylla BRAF cases with non-classical amplification curves undergo reflex NGS testing. These findings are likely relevant for other Idylla assays interrogating hotspot mutations in genes such as EGFR, IDH1/2, KRAS, and NRAS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zoltán N. Oltvai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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3
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Chen W, Park JI. Tumor Cell Resistance to the Inhibition of BRAF and MEK1/2. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14837. [PMID: 37834284 PMCID: PMC10573597 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BRAF is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes, with an overall frequency of about 50%. Targeting BRAF and its effector mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) is now a key therapeutic strategy for BRAF-mutant tumors, and therapies based on dual BRAF/MEK inhibition showed significant efficacy in a broad spectrum of BRAF tumors. Nonetheless, BRAF/MEK inhibition therapy is not always effective for BRAF tumor suppression, and significant challenges remain to improve its clinical outcomes. First, certain BRAF tumors have an intrinsic ability to rapidly adapt to the presence of BRAF and MEK1/2 inhibitors by bypassing drug effects via rewired signaling, metabolic, and regulatory networks. Second, almost all tumors initially responsive to BRAF and MEK1/2 inhibitors eventually acquire therapy resistance via an additional genetic or epigenetic alteration(s). Overcoming these challenges requires identifying the molecular mechanism underlying tumor cell resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitors and analyzing their specificity in different BRAF tumors. This review aims to update this information.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jong-In Park
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA;
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Liu Y, Li X, Pu Q, Fu R, Wang Z, Li Y, Li X. Innovative screening for functional improved aromatic amine derivatives: Toxicokinetics, free radical oxidation pathway and carcinogenic adverse outcome pathway. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 454:131541. [PMID: 37146326 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Aromatic amines, one of the most widely used low-cost antioxidants in rubbers, have been regarded as pollutants with human health concerns. To overcome this problem, this study developed a systematic molecular design, screening, and performance evaluation method to design functionally improved, environmentally friendly and synthesizable aromatic amine alternatives for the first time. Nine of 33 designed aromatic amine derivatives have improved antioxidant property (lower bond dissociation energy of N-H), and their environmental and bladder carcinogenicity impacts were evaluated through toxicokinetic model and molecular dynamics simulation. The environmental fate of the designed AAs-11-8, AAs-11-16, and AAs-12-2 after antioxidation (i.e., peroxyl radicals (ROO·), hydroxyl radicals (HO·), superoxide anion radicals (O2·-) and ozonation reaction) was also analyzed. Results showed that the by-products of AAs-11-8 and AAs-12-2 have less toxicity after antioxidation. In addition, human bladder carcinogenicity of the screened alternatives was also evaluated through adverse outcome pathway. The carcinogenic mechanisms were analyzed and verified through amino acid residue distribution characteristics, 3D-QSAR and 2D-QSAR models. AAs-12-2, with high antioxidation property, low environmental impacts and carcinogenicity, was screened as the optimum alternative for 3,5-Dimethylbenzenamine. This study provided theoretical support for designing environmentally friendly and functionally improved aromatic amine alternatives from toxicity evaluation and mechanism analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xinao Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Qikun Pu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Rui Fu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhonghe Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yu Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xixi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Ecological Effect and Risk Assessment of Chemicals, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollution Control (NRPOP) Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1B 3X5, Canada.
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Thomas R, Wiley CA, Droste EL, Robertson J, Inman BA, Breen M. Whole exome sequencing analysis of canine urothelial carcinomas without BRAF V595E mutation: Short in-frame deletions in BRAF and MAP2K1 suggest alternative mechanisms for MAPK pathway disruption. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010575. [PMID: 37079639 PMCID: PMC10153751 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular profiling studies have shown that 85% of canine urothelial carcinomas (UC) harbor an activating BRAF V595E mutation, which is orthologous to the V600E variant found in several human cancer subtypes. In dogs, this mutation provides both a powerful diagnostic marker and a potential therapeutic target; however, due to their relative infrequency, the remaining 15% of cases remain understudied at the molecular level. We performed whole exome sequencing analysis of 28 canine urine sediments exhibiting the characteristic DNA copy number signatures of canine UC, in which the BRAF V595E mutation was undetected (UDV595E specimens). Among these we identified 13 specimens (46%) harboring short in-frame deletions within either BRAF exon 12 (7/28 cases) or MAP2K1 exons 2 or 3 (6/28 cases). Orthologous variants occur in several human cancer subtypes and confer structural changes to the protein product that are predictive of response to different classes of small molecule MAPK pathway inhibitors. DNA damage response and repair genes, and chromatin modifiers were also recurrently mutated in UDV595E specimens, as were genes that are positive predictors of immunotherapy response in human cancers. Our findings suggest that short in-frame deletions within BRAF exon 12 and MAP2K1 exons 2 and 3 in UDV595E cases are alternative MAPK-pathway activating events that may have significant therapeutic implications for selecting first-line treatment for canine UC. We developed a simple, cost-effective capillary electrophoresis genotyping assay for detection of these deletions in parallel with the BRAF V595E mutation. The identification of these deletion events in dogs offers a compelling cross-species platform in which to study the relationship between somatic alteration, protein conformation, and therapeutic sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Thomas
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Claire A. Wiley
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Emma L. Droste
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - James Robertson
- Office of Research (Biostatistics), College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Brant A. Inman
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Matthew Breen
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
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Li P, Niu Y, Li S, Zu X, Xiao M, Yin L, Feng J, He J, Shen Y. Identification of an AXL kinase inhibitor in triple-negative breast cancer by structure-based virtual screening and bioactivity test. Chem Biol Drug Des 2021; 99:222-232. [PMID: 34679238 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the glandular epithelium of the breast, and more than 15% of the patients are triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Therefore, finding new targets and targeted therapeutic drugs for TNBC is urgent. Overexpression of the AXL is associated with motility and invasiveness of the TNBC cells, which is a potential target for breast cancer therapy. A compound Y041-5921 (IC50 = 6.069 μm for AXL kinase and IC50 = 4.1 μm for MDA-MB-231 cell line) was identified through structure-based virtual screening and bioassay test for the first time. The compound Y041-5921 could significantly inhibit the proliferation and invasion of the TNBC cells and the toxicity of Y041-5921 to normal immortalized breast epithelial cells was far lower than that of commonly used clinical chemotherapy drugs. Besides, it also had well inhibitory effect on the proliferation of many other malignant tumor cell lines (the IC50 value are 10.0 m, 7.1 m, 10.3 m, 11.4 m and 5.8 m for U251 cell, COLO cell, PC-9 cell, CAKI-1 cell and MG63 cell, respectively). The interaction mechanism between Y041-5921 and AXL was studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and binding free energy calculation, and the key residues whose energy contribution mainly comes from non-polar solvation interaction (such as Ala565, Lys567, Met598, Leu620, Pro621, Met623, Lys624, Arg676, Asn677 and Met679) were identified. The small molecule inhibitors Y041-5921 targeting AXL reported in this work will lay a foundation and provide a theoretical basis for the development of the TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Oncology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Oncology and Molecular Pathology of Hunan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yuzhen Niu
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, China
| | - Shuyan Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xuyu Zu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Oncology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Oncology and Molecular Pathology of Hunan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Maoyu Xiao
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Oncology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Oncology and Molecular Pathology of Hunan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Liyang Yin
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Oncology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Oncology and Molecular Pathology of Hunan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jianbo Feng
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Oncology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Oncology and Molecular Pathology of Hunan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jun He
- The Nanhua Affiliated Hospital, Department of Spine Surgery, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yingying Shen
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Oncology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Oncology and Molecular Pathology of Hunan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
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