Inhibitory effects of imatinib mesylate on human epidermal melanocytes

Two cases of imatinib induced oral pigmentation affecting the palate

BACKGROUND

Medication-related oral pigmentation is a unique yet benign finding in the dental setting. As new antineoplastic agents emerge, it is likely that this documented manifestation will continue to grow.

CASE DESCRIPTION

Here, we describe two case presentations of imatinib-related hyperpigmentation of the palate. Both patients had been on imatinib, an antineoplastic agent for 10-14 years and presented with asymptomatic diffuse blue-black discoloration of the hard palate. Both cases demonstrated biopsy-proven pigment changes localized to the superficial connective tissue with evidence of melanin and hemosiderin deposits. Of note, this is a benign finding that does not require intervention.

CONCLUSION

These two cases illustrate intraoral findings associated with imatinib. Increased awareness of this side effect will enable clinicians to appropriately council patients regarding the benign nature of this process.

Rapamycin vs TORin-1 or Gleevec vs Nilotinib: Simple chemical evolution that converts PAK1-blockers to TOR-blockers or vice versa?

Both PAK1 (RAC/CDC42-activating kinase 1) and TOR (Target of Rapamycin) are among the major oncogenic/ageing kinases. However, they play the opposite role in our immune system, namely immune system is suppressed by PAK1, while it requires TOR. Thus, PAK1-blockers, would be more effective for therapy of cancers, than TOR-blockers. Since 2015 when we discovered genetically that PDGF-induced melanogenesis depends on "PAK1", we are able to screening a series of PAK1-blockers as melanogenesis-inhibitors which could eventually promote longevity. Interestingly, rapamycin, the first TOR-inhibitor, promotes melanogenesis, clearly indicating that TOR suppresses melanogenesis. However, a new TOR-inhibitor called TORin-1 no longer suppresses immune system, and blocks melanogenesis in cell culture. These observations strongly indicate that TORin-1 acts as PAK1-blockers, instead of TOR-blockers, in vivo. Thus, it is most likely that melanogenesis in cell culture could enable us to discriminate PAK1-blockers from TORblockers.

Stem Cell Factor-Inducible MITF-M Expression in Therapeutics for Acquired Skin Hyperpigmentation

Rationale: Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor M (MITF-M) plays important roles in the pigment production, differentiation and survival of melanocytes. Stem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor KIT stimulate MITF-M activity via phosphorylation at the post-translation level. However, the phosphorylation shortens half-life of MITF-M protein over the course of minutes. Here, we investigated novel hypotheses of (i) whether SCF/KIT can regulate MITF-M activity through gene expression as the alternative process, and (ii) whether chemical inhibition of KIT activity can mitigate the acquired pigmentation in skin by targeting the expression of MITF-M. Methods: We employed melanocyte cultures in vitro and pigmented skin samples in vivo, and applied immunoblotting, RT-PCR, siRNA-based gene knockdown and confocal microscopy. Results: The protein and mRNA levels of MITF-M in epidermal melanocytes and the promoter activity of MITF-M in B16-F0 melanoma cells demonstrated that SCF/KIT could trigger the expression of MITF-M de novo, following the phosphorylation-dependent proteolysis of pre-existing MITF-M protein. SCF/KIT regulated the transcription abilities of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB), CREB-regulated co-activator 1 (CRTC1) and SRY-related HMG-box 10 (SOX10) but not β-catenin at the MITF-M promoter. Meanwhile, chemical inhibition of KIT activity abolished SCF-induced melanin production in epidermal melanocyte cultures, as well as protected the skin from UV-B-induced hyperpigmentation in HRM2 mice or brownish guinea pigs, in which it down-regulated the expression of MITF-M de novo at the promoter level. Conclusion: We propose the targeting of SCF/KIT-inducible MITF-M expression as a strategy in the therapeutics for acquired pigmentary disorders.

The Genetics of Human Skin and Hair Pigmentation

Human skin and hair color are visible traits that can vary dramatically within and across ethnic populations. The genetic makeup of these traits-including polymorphisms in the enzymes and signaling proteins involved in melanogenesis, and the vital role of ion transport mechanisms operating during the maturation and distribution of the melanosome-has provided new insights into the regulation of pigmentation. A large number of novel loci involved in the process have been recently discovered through four large-scale genome-wide association studies in Europeans, two large genetic studies of skin color in Africans, one study in Latin Americans, and functional testing in animal models. The responsible polymorphisms within these pigmentation genes appear at different population frequencies, can be used as ancestry-informative markers, and provide insight into the evolutionary selective forces that have acted to create this human diversity.

KIT as a therapeutic target for non-oncological diseases

KIT is a receptor tyrosine kinase that after binding to its ligand stem cell factor activates signaling cascades linked to biological processes such as proliferation, differentiation, migration and cell survival. Based on studies performed on SCF and/or KIT mutant animals that presented anemia, sterility, and/or pigmentation disorders, KIT signaling was mainly considered to be involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis, gametogenesis, and melanogenesis. More recently, novel animal models and ameliorated cellular and molecular techniques have led to the discovery of a widen repertoire of tissue compartments and functions that are being modulated by KIT. This is the case for the lung, heart, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, kidney, liver, and bone. For this reason, the tyrosine kinase inhibitors that were originally developed for the treatment of hemato-oncological diseases are being currently investigated for the treatment of non-oncological disorders such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and alzheimer's disease, among others. The beneficial effects of some of these tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been proven to depend on KIT inhibition. This review will focus on KIT expression and regulation in healthy and pathologic conditions other than cancer. Moreover, advances in the development of anti-KIT therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and their application will be discussed.

Depigmentation efficacy of galacturonic acid through tyrosinase regulation in B16 murine melanoma cells and a three-dimensional human skin equivalent

Sugar is a well-known cosmetic ingredient for moisturizing skin with minimal side-effects. Several reports have demonstrated an antimelanogenic effect of sugar in melanocytes. We evaluated the whitening efficacy of galacturonic acid (GA), the main component of pectin, as an anti-melanogenic agent. GA significantly suppressed melanin synthesis and secretion in a concentration-dependent manner in α-melanocyte stimulating hormone-treated B16 melanoma cells, and inhibited tyrosinase activity and expression at a dose of 10 mmol/L. In a three-dimensional human skin equivalent (MelanoDerm), GA clearly brightened tissue colour. Haematoxylin and eosin and Fontana-Masson (F&M) staining of tissue sections revealed decreased melanin production without skin tissue collapse in the presence of GA. Interestingly, GA dramatically suppressed gene expression of the melanogenic proteins tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TYRP)-1 and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, but not TYRP-2. The results support the utility of GA as an effective candidate antimelanogenic agent.

Oral Effects and Early Implant Survival Results After Imatinib Discontinuation Therapy for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia: A Case Report

Introduction

Little is known regarding the success, failure, or complication rates of advanced implant procedures in patients after discontinuation therapy of long-term medications for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). This case report presents initial results of a case involving implant placement in the mandible and maxilla as well as reduction of palatal oral pigmentation in a patient discontinuing long-term tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy for CML.

Case Presentation

A 57-year-old male was referred to the Department of Periodontics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, for an assessment of edentulous areas (tooth sites #3 and #14) and failing tooth #19. Previous medical treatment included oral administration (>10 years) of TKI for the treatment of CML. Systemic complications arising from long-term TKI therapy were treated with discontinuation of this medication. Concurrently, after multispecialty dental and medical consultation, extraction of tooth #19 with immediate implant placement and bilateral sinus augmentation with simultaneous implant placement were successfully performed during three separate surgical appointments. Additionally, marked reduction of oral palatal pigmentation was observed during the surgical and restorative phases after TKI discontinuation.

Conclusions

Patients with a history of long-term TKIs for CML are at risk for developing complications that result in discontinuation of therapy. Long-term benefits of therapy may allow these patients to enjoy remission with an extended and improved quality of life. Patients undergoing discontinuation therapy may seek dental care. Therefore, dental providers need to understand these systemic interactions and, with multispecialty consultation, may help effectively treat these individuals.

Managing Cutaneous Side Effects From Targeted Molecular Inhibitors for Melanoma and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

BACKGROUND

Targeted anticancer therapies can cause cutaneous adverse events different from classical chemotherapeutic toxicities.

OBJECTIVE

To review the literature on dermatologic adverse events (DAEs) of targeted molecular inhibitors for melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers with a focus on management options.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive literature search related to the side effects and management of these side effects from vemurafenib, dabrafenib, trametinib (BRAF inhibitors), pembrolizumab (antiprogrammed-death-receptor-1 antibody), imatinib (tyrosine kinase inhibitor), ipilimumab (anticytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 antibody), cetuximab (epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor), sorafenib (multikinase inhibitor), and vismodegib (smoothened receptor inhibitor).

RESULTS

No large controlled studies specifically examining the management of DAEs of targeted molecular inhibitors exist, although there are case report-based recommendations and algorithms developed by expert panels to manage these adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Many options for managing the cutaneous side effects of targeted molecular inhibitors are similar to those used in general dermatology practice. When used effectively, drug dosing and patient quality of life may be optimized.