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Liu Y, Li Z, Zhang J, Liu W, Guan S, Zhan Y, Fang Y, Li Y, Deng H, Shen Z. DYNLL1 accelerates cell cycle via ILF2/CDK4 axis to promote hepatocellular carcinoma development and palbociclib sensitivity. Br J Cancer 2024:10.1038/s41416-024-02719-2. [PMID: 38824222 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02719-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disorder of cell cycle represents as a major driver of hepatocarcinogenesis and constitutes an attractive therapeutic target. However, identifying key genes that respond to cell cycle-dependent treatments still facing critical challenges in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Increasing evidence indicates that dynein light chain 1 (DYNLL1) is closely related to cell cycle progression and plays a critical role in tumorigenesis. In this study, we explored the role of DYNLL1 in the regulation of cell cycle progression in HCC. METHODS We analysed clinical specimens to assess the expression and predictive value of DYNLL1 in HCC. The oncogenic role of DYNLL1 was determined by gain or loss-of-function experiments in vitro, and xenograft tumour, liver orthotopic, and DEN/CCl4-induced mouse models in vivo. Mass spectrometry analysis, RNA sequencing, co-immunoprecipitation assays, and forward and reverse experiments were performed to clarify the mechanism by which DYNLL1 activates the interleukin-2 enhancer-binding factor 2 (ILF2)/CDK4 signalling axis. Finally, the sensitivity of HCC cells to palbociclib and sorafenib was assessed by apoptosis, cell counting kit-8, and colony formation assays in vitro, and xenograft tumour models and liver orthotopic models in vivo. RESULTS DYNLL1 was significantly higher in HCC tissues than that in normal liver tissues and closely related to the clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with HCC. Importantly, DYNLL1 was identified as a novel hepatocarcinogenesis gene from both in vitro and in vivo evidence. Mechanistically, DYNLL1 could interact with ILF2 and facilitate the expression of ILF2, then ILF2 could interact with CDK4 mRNA and delay its degradation, which in turn activates downstream G1/S cell cycle target genes CDK4. Furthermore, palbociclib, a selective CDK4/6 inhibitor, represents as a promising therapeutic strategy for DYNLL1-overexpressed HCC, alone or particularly in combination with sorafenib. CONCLUSIONS Our work uncovers a novel function of DYNLL1 in orchestrating cell cycle to promote HCC development and suggests a potential synergy of CDK4/6 inhibitor and sorafenib for the treatment of HCC patients, especially those with increased DYNLL1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuechen Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
| | - Zhenkang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
| | - Jinchao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
| | - Shenyuan Guan
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
| | - Yizhi Zhan
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
| | - Yuan Fang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
| | - Yongsheng Li
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China.
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China.
| | - Haijun Deng
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China.
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China.
| | - Zhiyong Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China.
- Department of General Surgery & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Nanfang Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China.
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2
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Farouk F, Ibrahim IM, Sherif S, Abdelhamed HG, Sharaky M, Al-Karmalawy AA. Investigating the effect of polymerase inhibitors on cellular proliferation: Computational studies, cytotoxicity, CDK1 inhibitory potential, and LC-MS/MS cancer cell entrapment assays. Chem Biol Drug Des 2024; 103:e14500. [PMID: 38467555 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14500] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Directly acting antivirals (DAAs) are a breakthrough in the treatment of HCV. There are controversial reports on their tendency to induce hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in HCV patients. Numerous reports have concluded that the HCC is attributed to patient-related factors while others are inclined to attribute this as a DAA side-effect. This study aims to investigate the effect of polymerase inhibitor DAAs, especially daclatasivir (DLT) on cellular proliferation as compared to ribavirin (RBV). The interaction of DAAs with variable cell-cycle proteins was studied in silico. The binding affinities to multiple cellular targets were investigated and the molecular dynamics were assessed. The in vitro effect of the selected candidate DLT on cancer cell proliferation was determined and the CDK1 inhibitory potential in was evaluated. Finally, the cellular entrapment of the selected candidates was assessed by an in-house developed and validated LC-MS/MS method. The results indicated that polymerase inhibitor antiviral agents, especially DLT, may exert an anti-proliferative potential against variable cancer cell lines. The results showed that the effect may be achieved via potential interaction with the multiple cellular targets, including the CDK1, resulting in halting of the cellular proliferation. DLT exhibited a remarkable cell permeability in the liver cancer cell line which permits adequate interaction with the cellular targets. In conclusion, the results reveal that the polymerase inhibitor (DLT) may have an anti-proliferative potential against liver cancer cells. These results may pose DLT as a therapeutic choice for patients suffering from HCV and are liable to HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faten Farouk
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M Ibrahim
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Salma Sherif
- Faculty of Women for Arts, Science and Education, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Marwa Sharaky
- Pharmacology Unit, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A Al-Karmalawy
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, Giza, Egypt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University-Egypt, New Damietta, Egypt
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3
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Manoharan S, Saha S, Murugesan K, Santhakumar A, Perumal E. Natural bioactive compounds and STAT3 against hepatocellular carcinoma: An update. Life Sci 2024; 337:122351. [PMID: 38103726 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122351] [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: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a challenging and very fatal liver cancer. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway is a crucial regulator of tumor development and are ubiquitously active in HCC. Therefore, targeting STAT3 has emerged as a promising approach for preventing and treating HCC. Various natural bioactive compounds (NBCs) have been proven to target STAT3 and have the potential to prevent and treat HCC as STAT3 inhibitors. Numerous kinds of STAT3 inhibitors have been identified, including small molecule inhibitors, peptide inhibitors, and oligonucleotide inhibitors. Due to the undesirable side effects of the conventional therapeutic drugs against HCC, the focus is shifted to NBCs derived from plants and other natural sources. NBCs can be broadly classified into the categories of terpenes, alkaloids, carotenoids, and phenols. Most of the compounds belong to the family of terpenes, which prevent tumorigenesis by inhibiting STAT3 nuclear translocation. Further, through STAT3 inhibition, terpenes downregulate matrix metalloprotease 2 (MMP2), matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), modulating metastasis. Terpenes also suppress the anti-apoptotic proteins and cell cycle markers. This review provides comprehensive information related to STAT3 abrogation by NBCs in HCC with in vitro and in vivo evidences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suryaa Manoharan
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India
| | - Shreejit Saha
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India
| | - Krishnasanthiya Murugesan
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India
| | - Aksayakeerthana Santhakumar
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India
| | - Ekambaram Perumal
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, India.
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4
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Zhan K, Yang X, Li S, Bai Y. Correlation of endoplasmic reticulum stress patterns with the immune microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma: a prognostic signature analysis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1270774. [PMID: 38143739 PMCID: PMC10748430 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1270774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds The extended duration of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) can impact the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the efficacy of immunotherapies by interacting with immune cells that have infiltrated the tumor microenvironment (TME). Methods and results The study utilized a training cohort of 364 HCC patients with complete information from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) database, and a validation cohort of 231 HCC patients from the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) database. The genes related to ERS exhibiting a strong correlation with overall survival (OS) were identified using univariate Cox regression analysis. A 13-gene predictive signature was then produced through the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression approach. The data revealed that the ERS-associated gene signature effectively stratified patients into high- or low-risk groups regarding OS in both the training and validation cohorts (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.00029, respectively). Using the multivariate method, it is still an independent prognostic factor in both the training and validation cohorts (P < 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively). Moreover, several metabolic pathways were identified to be enriched among the 13 genes in the predictive signature. When the ERS-associated gene signature was combined with the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, the ERS nomogram performed better than either the gene signature or the TNM stage alone (C-index values: 0.731, 0.729, and 0.573, respectively). Further analysis revealed that patients in the high-risk group exhibited increased infiltration of immune cells. Additionally, GP6 was downregulated in HCC tissues among these signature genes (P < 0.05), which was related to poor OS. Conclusions The data suggest that this novel ERS-associated gene signature could contribute to personalized cancer management for HCC. Moreover, targeting GP6 inhibition might be a potential method for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Jinshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Bai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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5
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Pu C, Liu Y, Deng R, Xu Q, Wang S, Zhang H, Luo D, Ma X, Tong Y, Li R. Development of PROTAC degrader probe of CDK4/6 based on DCAF16. Bioorg Chem 2023; 138:106637. [PMID: 37276679 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of breast cancer has greatly evolved during the last decades, but triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) with a higher degree of malignancy cannot be directly and effectively treated. Abnormal cell cycle is generally found in human breast cancer and other malignant tumors, and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 4/6, a cell cycle-related regulatory nuclear protein, is deemed as an effective target for breast cancer treatment so far. Since DCAF16 E3 ligase is also mainly distributed in the nucleus, in this study, by combining Palbociclib and DCAF16 E3 ligase ligand KB02 with different linkers, a series of DCAF16 based CDK4/6 degraders were designed and synthesized. Among them, compound A4 showed potent inhibitory activity against CDK4/6, and decreased the level of CDK4/6 protein in MDA-MB-231 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, the toxicity of A4 in normal cells showed 7 times lower than that of Palbociclib, and A4 exhibits therapeutic potential in MDA-MB-231 xenograft models in vivo. These findings indicate that A4, as a novel CDK4/6 degrader based on DCAF16, is worthy of further investigating for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlan Pu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Yuanyuan Liu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Sichuan Center of Medical Product Technical Inspection, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Rui Deng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qingjia Xu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shirui Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hongjia Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xinyu Ma
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yu Tong
- West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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6
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Karaś K, Karwaciak I, Chałaśkiewicz K, Sałkowska A, Pastwińska J, Bachorz RA, Ratajewski M. Anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor AT7519. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:115002. [PMID: 37311277 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancerous tumors and one of the leading causes of death among cancer-related disorders. Chemotherapy is ineffective in HCC patients, and the number of drugs that are in use is limited. Thus, new molecules are needed that could increase the effectiveness of anti-HCC regimens. Here, we show that AT7519, a CDK inhibitor, exerts positive effects on HCC cells: it inhibits proliferation, migration and clonogenicity. Detailed analysis of the transcriptomes of cells treated with this compound indicated that AT7519 affects a substantial portion of genes that are associated with HCC development and progression. Moreover, we showed that the concomitant use of AT7519 with gefitinib or cabozantinib sensitized HCC cells to these drugs. Thus, our research indicates that AT7519 is worth considering in monotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients or in combination with other drugs, e.g., gefitinib or cabozantinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja Karaś
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Iwona Karwaciak
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Chałaśkiewicz
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna Sałkowska
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Joanna Pastwińska
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Rafał A Bachorz
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232, Lodz, Poland
| | - Marcin Ratajewski
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland.
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7
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Moussaoui M, Baassi M, Baammi S, Soufi H, Salah M, Daoud R, El Allali A, Belghiti ME, Belaaouad S. In silico design of novel CDK2 inhibitors through QSAR, ADMET, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:13646-13662. [PMID: 37203327 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2212304] [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: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The present study aims to investigate about the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) of a series of Thiazole derivatives reported as anticancer agents (hepatocellular carcinoma), using principally the electronic descriptors calculated by the DFT method and by applying the multiple linear regression method. The developed model showed good statistical parameters (R2 = 0.725, R2adj = 0.653, MSE = 0.060, R2test = 0.827, Q2cv = 0.536). The energy EHOMO orbital, electronic energy (TE), shape coefficient (I), number of rotatable bonds (NROT), and index of refraction (n) were revealed to be the main descriptors influencing the anti-cancer activity. Further, new Thiazole derivatives have been designed and their activities and pharmacokinetic properties have been predicted using the validated QSAR model. The designed molecules were then assessed to molecular docking (MD), and molecular dynamic (MDs) simulation accompanied by the calculation of the binding affinity using MMPBSA script according to 100 ns a simulation trajectory, to study both their affinity and their stability towards CDK2 as a target protein for the cancer disease treatment. This research concluded with the identification of four new CDK2 inhibitors which are A1, A3, A5, and A6 showing good pharmacokinetic properties. The MDs results revealed that the newly designed compound A5 remained stable in the active center of the discovered CDK2 protein, indicating its potential as a novel inhibitor for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The current findings may eventually contribute to the development of robust CDK2 inhibitors in the future.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Moussaoui
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Materials, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sick, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Mouna Baassi
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Materials, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sick, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Soukayna Baammi
- African Genome Centre (AGC), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir, Morocco
| | - Hatim Soufi
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Materials, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sick, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Mohammed Salah
- Team of Chemoinformatics Research and Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemistry, Department of chemistry, Faculty of Science, University Chouaib Doukkali, El Jadida, Morocco
| | - Rachid Daoud
- African Genome Centre (AGC), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir, Morocco
| | - Achraf El Allali
- African Genome Centre (AGC), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir, Morocco
| | - M E Belghiti
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Materials, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sick, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
- Laboratory of Nernest Technology, Sherbrook, Quebec, Canada
| | - Said Belaaouad
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Materials, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sick, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
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8
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Federico A, Kern J, Varelas X, Monti S. Structure Learning for Gene Regulatory Networks. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011118. [PMID: 37200395 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Inference of biological network structures is often performed on high-dimensional data, yet is hindered by the limited sample size of high throughput "omics" data typically available. To overcome this challenge, often referred to as the "small n, large p problem," we exploit known organizing principles of biological networks that are sparse, modular, and likely share a large portion of their underlying architecture. We present SHINE-Structure Learning for Hierarchical Networks-a framework for defining data-driven structural constraints and incorporating a shared learning paradigm for efficiently learning multiple Markov networks from high-dimensional data at large p/n ratios not previously feasible. We evaluated SHINE on Pan-Cancer data comprising 23 tumor types, and found that learned tumor-specific networks exhibit expected graph properties of real biological networks, recapture previously validated interactions, and recapitulate findings in literature. Application of SHINE to the analysis of subtype-specific breast cancer networks identified key genes and biological processes for tumor maintenance and survival as well as potential therapeutic targets for modulating known breast cancer disease genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Federico
- Section of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joseph Kern
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Xaralabos Varelas
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stefano Monti
- Section of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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9
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Khan SU, Fatima K, Singh U, Singh PP, Malik F. Small molecule '4ab' induced autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated death of aggressive cancer cells grown under adherent and floating conditions. Med Oncol 2023; 40:121. [PMID: 36939976 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-01963-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis is the leading cause of death in cancer patients and a major challenging aspect of cancer biology. Various adaptive molecular signaling pathways play a crucial role in cancer metastasis and later in the formation of secondary tumors. Aggressive cancer cells like triple negative breast cancer (TNBCs) are more inclined to undergo metastasis hence having a high recurrence rate and potential of micro-metastasis. Tumor cells in circulation known as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offer an attractive drug target to treat metastatic disease. Cell cycle regulation and stress response of CTCs in blood has a crucial role in their survival and progression and thus may be considered therapeutically active hotspots. The cyclin D/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) pathway regulates cell cycle checkpoints, a process that is frequently dysregulated in cancer cells. Selective CDK inhibitors can limit the phosphorylation of cell cycle regulatory proteins by inducing cell cycle phase arrest, and thus may be an effective therapeutic strategy for aggressive cancer cells in their dividing phase at the primary or secondary site. However, during the floating condition, cancer cells halt their multiplication process and proceed through the various steps of metastasis. Current study showed that a novel CDK inhibitor 4ab induced autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in agressive cancer cells grown under adherent and floating conditions resulting in paraptosis. Further, our results showed that 4ab efficiently induced cell death in aggressive cancer cells through ER stress-mediated activation of JNK signaling. Additionally, was observed that treatment of 4ab in tumor-bearing mice displayed a significant reduction in tumor burden and micro-metastasis. The outcome of these studies showed that 4ab can be a potential anti-tumor and anti-metastatic agent. Graphical representation of 4ab: image representing the effect of 4ab on death-inducing pathways in aggressive cancer cells. 4ab induces ER stress and activates autophagy leading to vacuolation of there by causing apoptosis in aggressive cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Ullah Khan
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanat Nagar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190005, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
| | - Kaneez Fatima
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanat Nagar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190005, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Umed Singh
- Medicinal Chemistry CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India
| | - Parvinder Paul Singh
- Medicinal Chemistry CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India
| | - Fayaz Malik
- Division of Cancer Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanat Nagar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190005, India.
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10
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Wang M, Qiu ZH, Wang YZ, Lian B, Bai JK, Zhou YJ, Ji HJ. Analysis of the expression and prognostic significance of DDK complex in Hepatocarcinoma. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:19. [PMID: 36609254 PMCID: PMC9817372 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10475-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common and lethal malignancies worldwide. Although DBF4-dependent kinase (DDK) complex composed of CDC7 kinase and its regulatory subunit DBF4 has been shown to be overexpressed in primary tumors and promotes tumor development, while its role and prognostic value in HCC remain largely unknown. In the present study, the expression of DBF4 and CDC7 and their relationship with clinical characteristics were comprehensively analyzed. METHODS The mRNA expression profiles of HCC and the corresponding clinical data of HCC patients were downloaded from TCGA and GEO databases, respectively. The differences in DBF4 and CDC7 expression in tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues were analyzed. HCC-derived tissue microarray (TMA) was used to evaluate and score the expression of CDC7 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. The Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox regression method were used to analyze the relationship between overall survival and clinical characteristics of the patients. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to analyze the pathway enrichment of DBF4 and CDC7. RESULTS DBF4 and CDC7 had similar expression patterns in HCC patients. Detailly, compared with adjacent tissues, both mRNA and protein of DBF4 and CDC7 were significantly higher in HCC, and their expression was positively correlated with AJCC_T stage, clinical stage and G stage (grade) of liver cancer patients, and higher DBF4 or CDC7 expression predicted a worse prognosis in HCC patients with shorter overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and progress-free survival (PFS). Cox regression analysis suggested that both DBF4 and CDC7 were independent risk factors for the prognosis of HCC patients in TCGA dataset. GSEA suggested that both DBF4 and CDC7 were positively correlated with cell cycle and DNA replication. Finally, the prognostic value of CDC7 was furtherly confirmed by TMA-based IHC staining results. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that DDK complex was significantly increased in HCC. Both DBF4 and CDC7 may be potential diagnostic and prognostic markers for HCC, and high expression of DDK members predicts a worse prognosis in patients with HCC, which may be associated with high tumor cell proliferation rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- grid.268079.20000 0004 1790 6079School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, No.7166, Baotongxi Street, Weifang, 261053 China
| | - Zu-Hua Qiu
- grid.268079.20000 0004 1790 6079School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, No.7166, Baotongxi Street, Weifang, 261053 China
| | - Yu-Zhuo Wang
- grid.268079.20000 0004 1790 6079School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, No.7166, Baotongxi Street, Weifang, 261053 China
| | - Bo Lian
- grid.268079.20000 0004 1790 6079School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, No.7166, Baotongxi Street, Weifang, 261053 China
| | - Jing-Kun Bai
- grid.268079.20000 0004 1790 6079School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, No.7166, Baotongxi Street, Weifang, 261053 China
| | - Yong-Jie Zhou
- grid.412901.f0000 0004 1770 1022Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.1, Keyuan 4 Road, Chengdu, 610041 China
| | - Hong-Jie Ji
- grid.268079.20000 0004 1790 6079School of Life Science and Technology, Weifang Medical University, No.7166, Baotongxi Street, Weifang, 261053 China
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11
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Mughal MJ, Bhadresha K, Kwok HF. CDK inhibitors from past to present: A new wave of cancer therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 88:106-122. [PMID: 36565895 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Deregulation of the cell cycle machinery, which has been linked to dysregulation of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), is a defining characteristic of cancer, eventually promoting abnormal proliferation that feeds tumorigenesis and disease development. In this regard, several CDK inhibitors (CDKIs) have been developed during the last few decades (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation CDKIs) to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. 1st and 2nd generation CDKIs have not received much clinical attention for the treatment of cancer patients because of their limited specificity and high toxicity. However, the recent development of combination strategies allowed us to reduce the toxicity and side effects of these CDKIs, paving the way for their potential application in clinical settings. The 3rd generation CDKIs have yielded the most promising results at the preclinical and clinical levels, propelling them into the advanced stages of clinical trials against multiple malignancies, especially breast cancer, and revolutionizing traditional treatment strategies. In this review, we discuss the most-investigated candidates from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generations of CDKIs, their basic mechanisms of action, the reasons for their failure in the past, and their current clinical development for the treatment of different malignancies. Additionally, we briefly highlighted the most recent clinical trial results and advances in the development of 3rd generation FDA-approved selective CDK4/6 inhibitors that combat the most prevalent cancer. Overall, this review will provide a thorough knowledge of CDKIs from the past to the present, allowing researchers to rethink and develop innovative cancer therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Jameel Mughal
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR; MOE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Kinjal Bhadresha
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR; Hematology/Oncology Division, School of Medicine, Indiana University Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Hang Fai Kwok
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR; MOE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR.
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12
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D'costa M, Bothe A, Das S, Udhaya Kumar S, Gnanasambandan R, George Priya Doss C. CDK regulators—Cell cycle progression or apoptosis—Scenarios in normal cells and cancerous cells. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2023; 135:125-177. [PMID: 37061330 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Serine/threonine kinases called cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) interact with cyclins and CDK inhibitors (CKIs) to control the catalytic activity. CDKs are essential controllers of RNA transcription and cell cycle advancement. The ubiquitous overactivity of the cell cycle CDKs is caused by a number of genetic and epigenetic processes in human cancer, and their suppression can result in both cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. This review focused on CDKs, describing their kinase activity, their role in phosphorylation inhibition, and CDK inhibitory proteins (CIP/KIP, INK 4, RPIC). We next compared the role of different CDKs, mainly p21, p27, p57, p16, p15, p18, and p19, in the cell cycle and apoptosis in cancer cells with respect to normal cells. The current work also draws attention to the use of CDKIs as therapeutics, overcoming the pharmacokinetic barriers of pan-CDK inhibitors, analyze new chemical classes that are effective at attacking the CDKs that control the cell cycle (cdk4/6 or cdk2). It also discusses CDKI's drawbacks and its combination therapy against cancer patients. These findings collectively demonstrate the complexity of cancer cell cycles and the need for targeted therapeutic intervention. In order to slow the progression of the disease or enhance clinical outcomes, new medicines may be discovered by researching the relationship between cell death and cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria D'costa
- Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Anusha Bothe
- Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Soumik Das
- Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Udhaya Kumar
- Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - R Gnanasambandan
- Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - C George Priya Doss
- Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
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13
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Computational modeling of potential milciclib derivatives inhibitor-CDK2 binding through global docking and accelerated molecular dynamics simulations. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2022.101069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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14
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Mitochondrial-Related Transcriptome Feature Correlates with Prognosis, Vascular Invasion, Tumor Microenvironment, and Treatment Response in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:1592905. [PMID: 35535359 PMCID: PMC9078845 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1592905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common subtype of primary liver cancer, which was highly correlated with metabolic dysfunction. Nevertheless, the association between nuclear mitochondrial-related transcriptome and HCC remained unclear. Materials and Methods A total of 147 nuclear mitochondrial-related genes (NMRGs) were downloaded from the MITOMAP: A Human Mitochondrial Genome Database. The training dataset was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), while validation datasets were retrieved from the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The univariate and multivariate, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analyses were applied to construct a NMRG signature, and the value of area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was utilized to assess the signature and nomogram. Then, data from the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) were used for the evaluation of chemotherapy response in HCC. Results Functional enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HCC and paired normal tissue samples demonstrated that mitochondrial dysfunction was significantly associated with HCC development. Survival analysis showed a total of 35 NMRGs were significantly correlated with overall survival (OS) of HCC, and the LASSO Cox regression analysis further identified a 25-NMRG signature and corresponding prognosis score based on their transcriptional profiling. HCC patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups according to the median prognosis score, and high-risk patients had significantly worse OS (median OS: 27.50 vs. 83.18 months, P < 0.0001). The AUC values for OS at 1, 3, and 5 years were 0.79, 0.77, and 0.77, respectively. The prognostic capacity of NMRG signature was verified in the GSE14520 dataset and ICGC-HCC cohort. Besides, the NMRG signature outperformed each NMRG and clinical features in prognosis prediction and could also differentiate whether patients presented with vascular invasions (VIs) or not. Subsequently, a prognostic nomogram (C-index: 0.753, 95% CI: 0.703~0.804) by the integration of age, tumor metastasis, and NMRG prognosis score was constructed with the AUC values for OS at 1, 3, and 5 years were 0.82, 0.81, and 0.82, respectively. Notably, significant enrichment of regulatory and follicular helper T cells in high-risk group indicated the potential treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitors for these patients. Interestingly, the NMRG signature could also identify the potential responders of sorafenib or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment. Additionally, HCC patients in high-risk group appeared to be more sensitive to cisplatin, vorinostat, and methotrexate, reversely, patients in low-risk group had significantly higher sensitivity to paclitaxel and bleomycin instead. Conclusions In summary, the development of NMRG signature provided a more comprehensive understanding of mitochondrial dysfunction in HCC, helped predict prognosis and tumor microenvironment, and provided potential targeted therapies for HCC patients with different NMRG prognosis scores.
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15
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Zhang P, Yang X, Zha Z, Zhu Y, Zhang G, Li G. CBX3 regulated by miR-139 promotes the development of HCC by regulating cell cycle progression. Cell Cycle 2022; 21:1740-1752. [PMID: 35471148 PMCID: PMC9302499 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2022.2068329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a major primary liver cancer, is one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that chromobox protein homolog 3 (CBX3) functions as an oncogene in different cancers. However, its expression profiles and biological functions in HCC remain unknown. Data on CBX3 expression in HCC acquired from the GEO and TCGA databases were analyzed. The biological functions of CBX3 in HCC were examined by in vitro experiments. Bioinformatics analysis, qRT-PCR and western blotting were performed to explore the mechanism of CBX3 in HCC. CBX3 mRNA was upregulated in HCC tissues, and overexpression of CBX3 mRNA was negatively correlated with malignancies and poor prognosis in HCC patients. CBX3 knockdown decreased growth, migration and invasion of HCC cells in vitro. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis and experimental observation indicated that CBX3 expression was correlated with cell cycle regulatory proteins in HCC cells. Finally, starBase predicted that miR-139 could directly target CBX3 in HCC. Confirmatory experiments verified that miR-139 overexpression attenuated HCC cell proliferation and migration, and these effects could be reversed by overexpressing CBX3. Our results showed that the miR-139/CBX3 axis may be involved in HCC development by regulating cell cycle progression and may be a promising target in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhongming Zha
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yumeng Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guoqiang Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Luoyang, Digestive Diseases Institute, Digestive Disease Center of Luoyang City, Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guotao Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Henan, Zhengzhou, China
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16
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17
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Kasperska A, Borowczak J, Szczerbowski K, Stec E, Ahmadi N, Szylber Ł. Current challenges in targeting tumor desmoplasia to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2021; 21:919-931. [PMID: 34525931 DOI: 10.2174/1568009621666210825101456] [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: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Desmoplasia is crucial for the development, progression and treatment of immune-resistant malignancies. and treatment of immune-resistant malignancies. Targeting desmoplasia-related metabolic pathways appears to be an interesting approach to expand our stock of disposable anti-tumor agents.CXCL12/CXCR4 axis inhibition reduces fibrosis, alleviates immunosuppression and significantly enhances the efficacy of PD-1 immunotherapy. CD40L substitute therapy may increase the activity of T-cells, downregulate CD40+, prolong patients' survival and prevent cancer progression. Although FAPα antagonists used in preclinical models did not lead to permanent cure, an alleviation of immune-resistance, modification of desmoplasia and a decrease in angiogenesis were observed. Targeting DDR2 may enhance the effect of anti-PD-1 treatment in multiple neoplasm cell lines and has the ability to overcome the adaptation to BRAF-targeted therapy in melanoma. Reprogramming desmoplasia could potentially cooperate not only with present treatment, but also other potential therapeutic targets. We present the most promising metabolic pathways related to desmoplasia and discuss the emerging strategies to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kasperska
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun. Poland
| | - Jędrzej Borowczak
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun. Poland
| | - Krzysztof Szczerbowski
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun. Poland
| | - Ewa Stec
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun. Poland
| | - Navid Ahmadi
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge. United Kingdom
| | - Łukasz Szylber
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun. Poland
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18
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Zhang X, Wang Q, Luo Y, Song M, Zhou Z, Zeng L, Hu M, Yang C. Cyclin-dependent kinase 15 upregulation is correlated with poor prognosis for patients with breast cancer. J Int Med Res 2021; 49:300060521999552. [PMID: 34162268 PMCID: PMC8236788 DOI: 10.1177/0300060521999552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the clinical significance of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 15 in breast cancer. Methods This prospective observational study enrolled 154 patients with breast cancer. Tumor tissues and paired paracancerous normal tissues were collected. Additionally, 85 samples of benign breast lesions were obtained from patients with mammary gland hyperplasia. Patient characteristics were recorded, and CDK15, human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)2, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and Ki67 immunohistochemical expression were determined. Results The rate of strong CDK15 expression was 63.6% (98/154) in breast cancer tissues, which was remarkably higher than that in benign breast lesions (34.1%, 29/85). Similarly, the ratio of strong CDK15 expression was markedly higher in tumor tissues (63.6%, 98/15) than in paracancerous normal tissues (27.3%, 42/154). Pearson’s analysis showed that the CDK15 expression score was positively correlated with HER2 and Ki67. Patients with high CDK15 expression showed markedly higher ratios of TNM stage III to IV, lymph node metastasis, and increased tumor diameters but a significantly lower rate of ductal carcinoma in situ. The median survival time of these patients was significantly shorter. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis showed that low CDK15 expression predicted longer survival times. Conclusion Upregulated CDK15 predicted poor clinical outcomes in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiquan Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yijun Luo
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Meijiao Song
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zhiyong Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Lin Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Meng Hu
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Chuyan Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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19
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Sivasudhan E, Blake N, Lu ZL, Meng J, Rong R. Dynamics of m6A RNA Methylome on the Hallmarks of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:642443. [PMID: 33869193 PMCID: PMC8047153 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.642443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological data consistently rank hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, often posing severe economic burden on health care. While the molecular etiopathogenesis associated with genetic and epigenetic modifications has been extensively explored, the biological influence of the emerging field of epitranscriptomics and its associated aberrant RNA modifications on tumorigenesis is a largely unexplored territory with immense potential for discovering new therapeutic approaches. In particular, the underlying cellular mechanisms of different hallmarks of hepatocarcinogenesis that are governed by the complex dynamics of m6A RNA methylation demand further investigation. In this review, we reveal the up-to-date knowledge on the mechanistic and functional link between m6A RNA methylation and pathogenesis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enakshi Sivasudhan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Blake
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Zhi-Liang Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China.,Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jia Meng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China.,Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Rong Rong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China.,Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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20
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Zhu Y, Ke KB, Xia ZK, Li HJ, Su R, Dong C, Zhou FM, Wang L, Chen R, Wu SG, Zhao H, Gu P, Leung KS, Wong MH, Lu G, Zhang JY, Jiang BH, Qiu JG, Shi XN, Lin MCM. Discovery of vanoxerine dihydrochloride as a CDK2/4/6 triple-inhibitor for the treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Med 2021; 27:15. [PMID: 33579185 PMCID: PMC7879659 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-021-00269-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cyclin-dependent kinases 2/4/6 (CDK2/4/6) play critical roles in cell cycle progression, and their deregulations are hallmarks of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods We used the combination of computational and experimental approaches to discover a CDK2/4/6 triple-inhibitor from FDA approved small-molecule drugs for the treatment of HCC. Results We identified vanoxerine dihydrochloride as a new CDK2/4/6 inhibitor, and a strong cytotoxicdrugin human HCC QGY7703 and Huh7 cells (IC50: 3.79 μM for QGY7703and 4.04 μM for Huh7 cells). In QGY7703 and Huh7 cells, vanoxerine dihydrochloride treatment caused G1-arrest, induced apoptosis, and reduced the expressions of CDK2/4/6, cyclin D/E, retinoblastoma protein (Rb), as well as the phosphorylation of CDK2/4/6 and Rb. Drug combination study indicated that vanoxerine dihydrochloride and 5-Fu produced synergistic cytotoxicity in vitro in Huh7 cells. Finally, in vivo study in BALB/C nude mice subcutaneously xenografted with Huh7 cells, vanoxerine dihydrochloride (40 mg/kg, i.p.) injection for 21 days produced significant anti-tumor activity (p < 0.05), which was comparable to that achieved by 5-Fu (10 mg/kg, i.p.), with the combination treatment resulted in synergistic effect. Immunohistochemistry staining of the tumor tissues also revealed significantly reduced expressions of Rb and CDK2/4/6in vanoxerinedihydrochloride treatment group. Conclusions The present study isthe first report identifying a new CDK2/4/6 triple inhibitor vanoxerine dihydrochloride, and demonstrated that this drug represents a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhu
- Biomedical Engineering Research Center, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.,Department of Cadre Medical Branch, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650118, Yunnan, China
| | - Kun-Bin Ke
- Department of Urology, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650000, China
| | - Zhong-Kun Xia
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Hong-Jian Li
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory On Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rong Su
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650000, China
| | - Chao Dong
- Department of the Second Medical Oncology, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Tumor Hospital, Kunming, 650000, China
| | - Feng-Mei Zhou
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Physiology, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650504, Yunnan, China
| | - Shi-Guo Wu
- Department of Teaching and Research of Formulas of Chinese Medicine, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650000, Yunnan, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Urology, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650000, China
| | - Peng Gu
- Department of Urology, The 1st Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650000, China
| | - Kwong-Sak Leung
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Man-Hon Wong
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Gang Lu
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory On Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jian-Ying Zhang
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Bing-Hua Jiang
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Jian-Ge Qiu
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Xi-Nan Shi
- Department of Pathology, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650504, Yunnan, China. .,Department ofMedicine, Southwest Guizhou Vocational and Technical College for Nationalities, Xingyi, 562400, Guizhou, China.
| | - Marie Chia-Mi Lin
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
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Guo JC, Yang YJ, Guo M, Zhang JQ, Zheng JF, Liu Z. Involvement of CDK11B-mediated SPDEF ubiquitination and SPDEF-mediated microRNA-448 activation in the oncogenicity and self-renewal of hepatocellular carcinoma stem cells. Cancer Gene Ther 2020; 28:1136-1149. [PMID: 33328586 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-020-00261-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence has suggested the crucial role cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) in the biology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a lethal malignancy with high morbidity and mortality. Hence, this study explored the modulatory effect of the putative cyclin-dependent kinase 11B (CDK11B)-mediated ubiquitination on HCC stem cells. The expression of CDK11B, SAM pointed domain-containing ETS transcription factor (SPDEF) and DOT1-like histone lysine methyltransferase (DOT1L) was determined by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis in HCC tissues and cells. The interaction among CDK11B, SPDEF, miR-448, and DOT1L was analyzed by Co-IP, ubiquitination-IP and ChIP assays, whereas their effects on the biological characteristics of HCC stem cells were assessed by sphere formation and colony formation assays. An in vivo xenograft tumor model was developed for validating the regulation of CDK11B in oncogenicity of HCC stem cells. We characterized the aberrant upregulation of CDK11B and downregulation SPDEF in HCC tissues and cells. CDK11B degraded SPDEF through ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, whereas SPDEF could bind to the miR-448 promoter and inhibit the expression of DOT1L by activating miR-448, whereby promoting self-renewal of HCC stem cells. Knockdown of CDK11B attenuated the self-renewal capability of HCC stem cells and their oncogenicity in vivo. These findings highlighted that blocking the CDK11B-induced degradation of SPDEF and enhancing miR-448-dependent inhibition of DOT1L may delay the progression of HCC by restraining self-renewal capability of HCC stem cells, representing novel targets for HCC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Cheng Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, 570208, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Jun Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, 570208, P. R. China.
| | - Min Guo
- Psychological Research Center, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, 570311, P. R. China
| | - Jian-Quan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, Haikou, 570208, P. R. China.
| | - Jin-Fang Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, 570311, P. R. China
| | - Zhuo Liu
- School of Public Health, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, P. R. China
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22
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A review on kinases phosphorylating the carboxyl-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II-Biological functions and inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2020; 104:104318. [PMID: 33142427 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) plays a major role in gene transcription for eukaryote. One of the major modes of regulation in eukaryotes is the phosphorylation of the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA Pol II. The current study found that the phosphorylation of Ser2, Ser5, Ser7, Thr4 and Tyr1 among the heptapeptide repeats of CTD plays a key role in the transcription process. We therefore review the biological functions and inhibitors of kinases that phosphorylate these amino acid residues including transcriptional cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs), bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), Polo-like kinases 3 (Plk3) and Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene 1 and 2 (c-Abl1/2).
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23
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Digiacomo G, Fumarola C, La Monica S, Bonelli MA, Cretella D, Alfieri R, Cavazzoni A, Galetti M, Bertolini P, Missale G, Petronini PG. Simultaneous Combination of the CDK4/6 Inhibitor Palbociclib With Regorafenib Induces Enhanced Anti-tumor Effects in Hepatocarcinoma Cell Lines. Front Oncol 2020; 10:563249. [PMID: 33072590 PMCID: PMC7539564 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.563249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced hepatocarcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Alterations of the cyclin D-CDK4/6-Rb pathway occur frequently in HCC, providing the rationale for its targeting at least in a molecular subset of HCC. In a panel of HCC cell lines, we investigated whether the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib might improve the efficacy of regorafenib, a powerful multi-kinase inhibitor approved as second-line treatment for advanced HCC after sorafenib failure and currently under clinical investigation as first-line therapy in combination with immunotherapy. In Rb-proficient cells, the simultaneous drug combination, but not the sequential schedules, inhibited cell proliferation, either in short or in long-term experiments, and induced cell death more strongly than individual treatments. Moreover, the combination significantly reduced spheroid cell growth and inhibited cell migration/invasion. The superior efficacy of palbociclib plus regorafenib emerged also under hypoxia and was associated with a significant down-regulation of CDK4/6-Rb-myc and mTORC1/p70S6K signaling. Moreover, regorafenib suppressed palbociclib-induced expression of cyclin D1 contributing to the cytotoxic effects of the combination. Besides these inhibitory effects on cell viability/proliferation, palbociclib and regorafenib reduced glucose uptake, although this effect was dependent on the cell model and on the oxygen availability (normoxia or hypoxia). Palbociclib and regorafenib combination impaired glucose uptake and utilization, down-regulating basal and hypoxia-induced expression of HIF-1α, HIF-2α, GLUT-1, and MCT4 proteins as well as the activity/expression of glycolytic enzymes (HK2, PFKP, aldolase A, PKM2). In addition, regorafenib alone reduced mitochondrial respiration. The combined treatment impaired glucose metabolism and respiration without enhancing the effects of the single agents. Our findings provide pre-clinical evidence for the effectiveness of palbociclib and regorafenib combination in HCC cell models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Fumarola
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia La Monica
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Mara A Bonelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Daniele Cretella
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Roberta Alfieri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Cavazzoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Maricla Galetti
- Istituto Nazionale per l'Assicurazione contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro (INAIL) Research, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Bertolini
- Paediatric Hematology Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Gabriele Missale
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
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24
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Huang A, Yang XR, Chung WY, Dennison AR, Zhou J. Targeted therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:146. [PMID: 32782275 PMCID: PMC7419547 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00264-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 318] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The last 3 years have seen the emergence of promising targeted therapies for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sorafenib has been the mainstay of treatment for a decade and newer modalities were ineffective and did not confer any increased therapeutic benefit until the introduction of lenvatinib which was approved based on its non-inferiority to sorafenib. The subsequent success of regorafenib in HCC patients who progress on sorafenib treatment heralded a new era of second-line treatment and was quickly followed by ramucirumab, cabozantinib, and the most influential, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Over the same period combination therapies, including anti-angiogenesis agents with ICIs, dual ICIs and targeted agents in conjunction with surgery or other loco-regional therapies, have been extensively investigated and have shown promise and provided the basis for exciting clinical trials. Work continues to develop additional novel therapeutic agents which could potentially augment the presently available options and understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for drug resistance, with the goal of improving the survival of patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ao Huang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin-Rong Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Yuan Chung
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Ashley R Dennison
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. .,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Fudan University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. .,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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25
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Golkowski M, Lau HT, Chan M, Kenerson H, Vidadala VN, Shoemaker A, Maly DJ, Yeung RS, Gujral TS, Ong SE. Pharmacoproteomics Identifies Kinase Pathways that Drive the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Drug Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cell Syst 2020; 11:196-207.e7. [PMID: 32755597 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2020.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex and deadly disease lacking druggable genetic mutations. The limited efficacy of systemic treatments for advanced HCC implies that predictive biomarkers and drug targets are urgently needed. Most HCC drugs target protein kinases, indicating that kinase-dependent signaling networks drive HCC progression. To identify HCC signaling networks that determine responses to kinase inhibitors (KIs), we apply a pharmacoproteomics approach integrating kinome activity in 17 HCC cell lines with their responses to 299 KIs, resulting in a comprehensive dataset of pathway-based drug response signatures. By profiling patient HCC samples, we identify signatures of clinical HCC drug responses in individual tumors. Our analyses reveal kinase networks promoting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and drug resistance, including a FZD2-AXL-NUAK1/2 signaling module, whose inhibition reverses the EMT and sensitizes HCC cells to drugs. Our approach identifies cancer drug targets and molecular signatures of drug response for personalized oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Golkowski
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ho-Tak Lau
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Marina Chan
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Heidi Kenerson
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Anna Shoemaker
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Dustin J Maly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Raymond S Yeung
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Taranjit S Gujral
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
| | - Shao-En Ong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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26
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Yasukawa M, Ando Y, Yamashita T, Matsuda Y, Shoji S, Morioka MS, Kawaji H, Shiozawa K, Machitani M, Abe T, Yamada S, Kaneko MK, Kato Y, Furuta Y, Kondo T, Shirouzu M, Hayashizaki Y, Kaneko S, Masutomi K. CDK1 dependent phosphorylation of hTERT contributes to cancer progression. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1557. [PMID: 32214089 PMCID: PMC7096428 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15289-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The telomerase reverse transcriptase is upregulated in the majority of human cancers and contributes directly to cell transformation. Here we report that hTERT is phosphorylated at threonine 249 during mitosis by the serine/threonine kinase CDK1. Clinicopathological analyses reveal that phosphorylation of hTERT at threonine 249 occurs more frequently in aggressive cancers. Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, we introduce substitution mutations at threonine 249 in the endogenous hTERT locus and find that phosphorylation of threonine 249 is necessary for hTERT-mediated RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) activity but dispensable for reverse transcriptase and terminal transferase activities. Cap Analysis of Gene Expression (CAGE) demonstrates that hTERT phosphorylation at 249 regulates the expression of specific genes that are necessary for cancer cell proliferation and tumor formation. These observations indicate that phosphorylation at threonine 249 regulates hTERT RdRP and contributes to cancer progression in a telomere independent manner. Regulated telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) activity is common in human tumors. Here, the authors show that hTERT is phosphorylated by CDK1 and that this event is necessary for hTERT-mediated RNA dependent RNA polymerase activity but not for reverse transcriptase and terminal transferase activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mami Yasukawa
- Division of Cancer Stem Cell, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Yoshinari Ando
- Division of Cancer Stem Cell, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Taro Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Yoko Matsuda
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan.,Oncology Pathology, Department of Pathology and Host-Defense, Kagawa University, Kagawa, 761-0793, Japan
| | - Shisako Shoji
- Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Masaki Suimye Morioka
- Preventive Medicine and Applied Genomics Unit, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Hideya Kawaji
- Preventive Medicine and Applied Genomics Unit, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan.,RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, Wako, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Kumiko Shiozawa
- Division of Rare Cancer Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Machitani
- Division of Cancer Stem Cell, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Takaya Abe
- Animal Resource Development Unit, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan.,Genetic Engineering Team, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Shinji Yamada
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Mika K Kaneko
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Yukinari Kato
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan.,New Industry Creation Hatchery Center, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8579, Japan
| | - Yasuhide Furuta
- Animal Resource Development Unit, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan.,Genetic Engineering Team, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Tadashi Kondo
- Division of Rare Cancer Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Mikako Shirouzu
- Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | | | - Shuichi Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Kenkichi Masutomi
- Division of Cancer Stem Cell, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
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27
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Cervello M, Emma MR, Augello G, Cusimano A, Giannitrapani L, Soresi M, Akula SM, Abrams SL, Steelman LS, Gulino A, Belmonte B, Montalto G, McCubrey JA. New landscapes and horizons in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:3053-3094. [PMID: 32018226 PMCID: PMC7041742 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the sixth most frequent form of cancer and leads to the fourth highest number of deaths each year. HCC results from a combination of environmental factors and aging as there are driver mutations at oncogenes which occur during aging. Most of HCCs are diagnosed at advanced stage preventing curative therapies. Treatment in advanced stage is a challenging and pressing problem, and novel and well-tolerated therapies are urgently needed. We will discuss further advances beyond sorafenib that target additional signaling pathways and immune checkpoint proteins. The scenario of possible systemic therapies for patients with advanced HCC has changed dramatically in recent years. Personalized genomics and various other omics approaches may identify actionable biochemical targets, which are activated in individual patients, which may enhance therapeutic outcomes. Further studies are needed to identify predictive biomarkers and aberrantly activated signaling pathways capable of guiding the clinician in choosing the most appropriate therapy for the individual patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melchiorre Cervello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria R. Emma
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Augello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Cusimano
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Lydia Giannitrapani
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Soresi
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Shaw M. Akula
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Stephen L. Abrams
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Linda S. Steelman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Alessandro Gulino
- Tumour Immunology Unit, Human Pathology Section, Department of Health Science, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumour Immunology Unit, Human Pathology Section, Department of Health Science, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Montalto
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - James A. McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
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28
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Huo D, Jiang S, Qin Z, Feng Y, Yang R, Lv L, Li Y. Omethoate induces pharyngeal cancer cell proliferation and G1/S cell cycle progression by activation of Akt/GSK-3β/cyclin D1 signaling pathway. Toxicology 2019; 427:152298. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2019.152298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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29
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Masaki T, Morishita A. Previous and current knowledge on cell cycle-related molecules in hepatocellular carcinoma: Potential therapeutic targets of cell cycle-related molecules in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatol Res 2019; 49:1094-1096. [PMID: 31721376 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tsutomu Masaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Asahiro Morishita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan
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30
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Li JJ, Yan YY, Sun HM, Liu Y, Su CY, Chen HB, Zhang JY. Anti-Cancer Effects of Pristimerin and the Mechanisms: A Critical Review. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:746. [PMID: 31354475 PMCID: PMC6640652 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
As a quinonemethide triterpenoid extracted from species of the Celastraceae and Hippocrateaceae, pristimerin has been shown potent anti-cancer effects. Specifically, it was found that pristimerin can affect many tumor-related processes, such as apoptosis, autophagy, migration and invasion, vasculogenesis, and drug resistance. Various molecular targets or signaling pathways are also involved, such as cyclins, reactive oxygen species (ROS), microRNA, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and PI3K/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. In this review, we will focus on the research about pristimerin-induced anti-cancer activities to achieve a deeper understanding of the targets and mechanisms, which offer evidences suggesting that pristimerin can be a potent anti-cancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Jun Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Yan Yan
- Institute of Respiratory and Occupational Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer, Medical College, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China.,School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Yun Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chao-Yue Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hu-Biao Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jian-Ye Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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