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Gruszka R, Zakrzewski J, Nowosławska E, Grajkowska W, Zakrzewska M. Identification and validation of miRNA-target genes network in pediatric brain tumors. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17922. [PMID: 39095557 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68945-z] [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: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in miRNA levels have been observed in various types of cancer, impacting numerous cellular processes and increasing their potential usefulness in combination therapies also in brain tumors. Recent advances in understanding the genetics and epigenetics of brain tumours point to new aberrations and associations, making it essential to continually update knowledge and classification. Here we conducted molecular analysis of 123 samples of childhood brain tumors (pilocytic astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, ependymoma), focusing on identification of genes that could potentially be regulated by crucial representatives of OncomiR-1: miR-17-5p and miR-20a-5p. On the basis of microarray gene expression analysis and qRTPCR profiling, we selected six (WEE1, CCND1, VEGFA, PTPRO, TP53INP1, BCL2L11) the most promising target genes for further experiments. The WEE1, CCND1, PTPRO, TP53INP1 genes showed increased expression levels in all tested entities with the lowest increase in the pilocytic astrocytoma compared to the ependymoma and medulloblastoma. The obtained results indicate a correlation between gene expression and the WHO grade and subtype. Furthermore, our analysis showed that the integration between genomic and epigenetic pathways should now point the way to further molecular research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Gruszka
- Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Jakub Zakrzewski
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Aleja T. Kosciuszki 4, 90-419, Lodz, Poland
| | - Emilia Nowosławska
- Department of Neurosurgery, Polish Mother Memorial Hospital Research Institute in Lodz, Rzgowska 281/289, 93-338, Lodz, Poland
| | - Wiesława Grajkowska
- Department of Pathology, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Av. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Zakrzewska
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska 251, 92-216, Lodz, Poland
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Santos JC, Profitós-Pelejà N, Ribeiro ML, Roué G. Antitumor Activity of Simvastatin in Preclinical Models of Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225601. [PMID: 36428695 PMCID: PMC9688202 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225601] [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: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare and aggressive subtype of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that remains incurable with standard therapy. Statins are well-tolerated, inexpensive, and widely prescribed as cholesterol-lowering agents to treat hyperlipidemia and to prevent cardiovascular diseases through the blockage of the mevalonate metabolic pathway. These drugs have also shown promising anti-cancer activity through pleiotropic effects including the induction of lymphoma cell death. However, their potential use as anti-MCL agents has not been evaluated so far. AIM The present study aimed to investigate the activity of simvastatin on MCL cells. METHODS We evaluated the cytotoxicity of simvastatin in MCL cell lines by CellTiter-Glo and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. Cell proliferation and mitotic index were assessed by direct cell recounting and histone H3-pSer10 immunostaining. Apoptosis induction and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were evaluated by flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion properties were determined by transwell assay. The antitumoral effect of simvastatin in vivo was evaluated in a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) MCL xenograft model. RESULTS We show that treatment with simvastatin induced a 2 to 6-fold LDH release, inhibited more than 50% of cell proliferation, and enhanced the caspase-independent ROS-mediated death of MCL cells. The effective impairment of MCL cell survival was accompanied by the inhibition of AKT and mTOR phosphorylation. Moreover, simvastatin strongly decreased MCL cell migration and invasion ability, leading to a 55% tumor growth inhibition and a consistent diminution of bone marrow and spleen metastasis in vivo. CONCLUSION Altogether, these data provide the first preclinical insight into the effect of simvastatin against MCL cells, suggesting that this agent might be considered for repurpose as a precise MCL therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Carvalho Santos
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.C.S.); (G.R.); Tel.: +34-935572800 (ext. 4081) (J.C.S.); +34-935572835 (G.R.)
| | - Núria Profitós-Pelejà
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Marcelo Lima Ribeiro
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Molecular Biology, Sao Francisco University Medical School, Braganca Paulista 01246-100, SP, Brazil
| | - Gaël Roué
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.C.S.); (G.R.); Tel.: +34-935572800 (ext. 4081) (J.C.S.); +34-935572835 (G.R.)
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Wang H, Chen Y, Li P, Chen Y, Yu D, Tan Q, Liu X, Guo Z. Biphasic effects of statins on neuron cell functions under oxygen-glucose deprivation and normal culturing conditions via different mechanisms. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2022; 10:e01001. [PMID: 36029136 PMCID: PMC9419152 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
While there is a growing interest in the use of statins, HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors, to treat neurodegenerative diseases, statins are associated with conflicting effects within the central nervous system (CNS) without clear evidence of the underlying mechanisms. This study systematically investigated effects of four statins (atorvastatin, pitavastatin, cerivastatin, and lovastatin) on neuronal cells under pathological condition using an in vitro model depicting ischemic injury, as well as tested under physiological condition. All four statins at micromolar concentrations display toxic effects on neuron cells under physiological condition. Atorvastatin and cerivastatin but not pitavastatin or lovastatin at nanomolar concentrations display protective effects on neuron cells under ischemic injury condition, via decreased ischemic injury‐induced oxidative stress, oxidative damage, and inflammation. Mechanistically, atorvastatin, pitavastatin, and lovastatin induces neuron cell apoptosis via prenylation‐independent manner. Other mechanisms are involved in the pro‐apoptotic effect of cerivastatin. Prenylation is not involved in the protective effects of statins under ischemic injury condition. Our work provides better understanding on the multiple differential effects of statins on neuron cells under physiological condition and ischemic injury, and elucidate their underlying mechanisms, which may be of relevance to the influence of statins in CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Department of Neurology, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Neurology, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Neurology, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Neurology, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Danfang Yu
- Department of Neurology, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Tan
- Department of Neurology, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Department of Neurology, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhenli Guo
- Department of Neurology, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan, China
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Buchou C, Laud-Duval K, van der Ent W, Grossetête S, Zaidi S, Gentric G, Corbé M, Müller K, Del Nery E, Surdez D, Delattre O. Upregulation of the Mevalonate Pathway through EWSR1-FLI1/EGR2 Regulatory Axis Confers Ewing Cells Exquisite Sensitivity to Statins. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092327. [PMID: 35565457 PMCID: PMC9100622 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The objective of this project was to search for new dependencies in Ewing sarcoma, a deadly disease for which new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. A pharmacological screening of off-patent approved drugs (FDA agency) and the investigation of downstream targets of EGR2 were performed. The two approaches showed the MVA pathway as a major dependency in Ewing sarcoma and statin, an inhibitor of this pathway, as a potential new therapeutic agent for the treatment of Ewing sarcoma. Abstract Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is an aggressive primary bone cancer in children and young adults characterized by oncogenic fusions between genes encoding FET-RNA-binding proteins and ETS transcription factors, the most frequent fusion being EWSR1-FLI1. We show that EGR2, an Ewing-susceptibility gene and an essential direct target of EWSR1-FLI1, directly regulates the transcription of genes encoding key enzymes of the mevalonate (MVA) pathway. Consequently, Ewing sarcoma is one of the tumors that expresses the highest levels of mevalonate pathway genes. Moreover, genome-wide screens indicate that MVA pathway genes constitute major dependencies of Ewing cells. Accordingly, the statin inhibitors of HMG-CoA-reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme of the MVA pathway, demonstrate cytotoxicity in EwS. Statins induce increased ROS and lipid peroxidation levels, as well as decreased membrane localization of prenylated proteins, such as small GTP proteins. These metabolic effects lead to an alteration in the dynamics of S-phase progression and to apoptosis. Statin-induced effects can be rescued by downstream products of the MVA pathway. Finally, we further show that statins impair tumor growth in different Ewing PDX models. Altogether, the data show that statins, which are off-patent, well-tolerated, and inexpensive compounds, should be strongly considered in the therapeutic arsenal against this deadly childhood disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlie Buchou
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity & Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Laboratory, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Center, Institut Curie Research Center, 26 rue d’ULM, 75005 Paris, France; (C.B.); (K.L.-D.); (W.v.d.E.); (S.G.); (S.Z.); (D.S.)
| | - Karine Laud-Duval
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity & Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Laboratory, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Center, Institut Curie Research Center, 26 rue d’ULM, 75005 Paris, France; (C.B.); (K.L.-D.); (W.v.d.E.); (S.G.); (S.Z.); (D.S.)
| | - Wietske van der Ent
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity & Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Laboratory, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Center, Institut Curie Research Center, 26 rue d’ULM, 75005 Paris, France; (C.B.); (K.L.-D.); (W.v.d.E.); (S.G.); (S.Z.); (D.S.)
| | - Sandrine Grossetête
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity & Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Laboratory, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Center, Institut Curie Research Center, 26 rue d’ULM, 75005 Paris, France; (C.B.); (K.L.-D.); (W.v.d.E.); (S.G.); (S.Z.); (D.S.)
| | - Sakina Zaidi
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity & Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Laboratory, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Center, Institut Curie Research Center, 26 rue d’ULM, 75005 Paris, France; (C.B.); (K.L.-D.); (W.v.d.E.); (S.G.); (S.Z.); (D.S.)
| | - Géraldine Gentric
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Stress and Cancer Laboratory, PSL Research University, Institut Curie Research Center, 26 rue d’ULM, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Maxime Corbé
- Department of Translational Research, The Biophenics High-Content Screening Laboratory, PSL Research University, Institut Curie Research Center, 26 rue d’ULM, 75005 Paris, France; (M.C.); (K.M.); (E.D.N.)
| | - Kévin Müller
- Department of Translational Research, The Biophenics High-Content Screening Laboratory, PSL Research University, Institut Curie Research Center, 26 rue d’ULM, 75005 Paris, France; (M.C.); (K.M.); (E.D.N.)
| | - Elaine Del Nery
- Department of Translational Research, The Biophenics High-Content Screening Laboratory, PSL Research University, Institut Curie Research Center, 26 rue d’ULM, 75005 Paris, France; (M.C.); (K.M.); (E.D.N.)
| | - Didier Surdez
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity & Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Laboratory, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Center, Institut Curie Research Center, 26 rue d’ULM, 75005 Paris, France; (C.B.); (K.L.-D.); (W.v.d.E.); (S.G.); (S.Z.); (D.S.)
- Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, 8008 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Delattre
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity & Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Laboratory, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Center, Institut Curie Research Center, 26 rue d’ULM, 75005 Paris, France; (C.B.); (K.L.-D.); (W.v.d.E.); (S.G.); (S.Z.); (D.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Statins and Gliomas: A Systematic Review of the Preclinical Studies and Meta-Analysis of the Clinical Literature. Drugs 2022; 82:293-310. [PMID: 35122635 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-021-01668-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gliomas represent most common primary brain tumors. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common subtype and carries a poor prognosis. There is growing interest in the anti-glioma properties of statins. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the preclinical literature and to meta-analyze existing clinical studies to determine what benefit, if any, statins may confer in the context of glioma. METHODS The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science libraries were queried in May 2021. Preclinical studies were included if they investigated the anti-cancer effects of statins in glioma in vitro and in vivo. Clinical studies were included if they reported incidence rates of glioma by statin use, or mortality outcomes among GBM patients by statin use. Pooled point estimates were calculated using a random-effects model. RESULTS In total, 64 publications, 51 preclinical and 13 clinical, were included. Preclinical studies indicated that statins inhibited glioma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. These effects were time- and concentration-dependent. Synergistic anti-glioma effects were observed when statins were combined with other anti-cancer therapies. Clinical observational studies showed an inverse, albeit non-statistically significant, association between statin use and incidence rate of glioma (HR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.62-1.13, I2 = 72%, p-heterogeneity = 0.003, 6 studies). Statin use was not associated with better overall survival following GBM surgery (HR = 1.05, 95% CI 0.85-1.30, I2 = 30%, p-heterogeneity = 0.23, 4 studies). CONCLUSION Statins were potent anti-cancer drugs that suppressed glioma growth through various mechanisms in vitro; these effects have translated into the clinical realm, clinically but not statistically, in terms of glioma incidence but not GBM survival.
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Tian H, Qiang T, Wang J, Ji L, Li B. Simvastatin regulates the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of human acute myeloid leukemia cells via miR-19a-3p/HIF-1α axis. Bioengineered 2021; 12:11898-11908. [PMID: 34895042 PMCID: PMC8809937 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1999552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Statins are mainly used to lower plasma cholesterol level. In addition, the anti-leukemia effect of statins has been reported, but the mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the bioregulation of simvastatin and its mechanism in acute leukemia cell lines. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 analysis. Apoptosis was detected through flow cytometry. Cell invasion and migration both were observed by transwell and wound healing separately. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used for determination of genes and proteins. We found that that simvastatin could regulate the biological functions of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, including its proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis, which may be carried out by down-regulating miR-19a-3p. Overexpression of miR-19a-3p had the opposite effect in AML cells, suggesting simvastatin-inhibited AML by reducing miR-19a-3p expression. Following researches showed that HIF-1α was directly regulated by the target of miR-19a-3p. Simvastatin could reverse the adverse effects caused by miR-19a-3p mimics. Conversely, the increased expression of Mcl-1, the inhibition of caspase-3 could promote the growth of AML cells. In conclusion, simvastatin could inhibit the proliferation, migration, invasion and promote apoptosis in AML cells through miR-19a-3p/HIF-1α axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Tian
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Baoji People's Hospital, Baoji City, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Tiao Qiang
- Department of Laboratory, Yanan University Hospital, Yanan City, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Jinbo Wang
- Department of Laboratory, Baoji People's Hospital, Baoji City, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Li Ji
- Department of Laboratory, Baoji People's Hospital, Baoji City, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Hanzhong People's Hospital, Hanzhong City, Shanxi Province, China
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Medeiros M, Candido MF, Valera ET, Brassesco MS. The multifaceted NF-kB: are there still prospects of its inhibition for clinical intervention in pediatric central nervous system tumors? Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6161-6200. [PMID: 34333711 PMCID: PMC11072991 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03906-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the basic biology and pathogenesis of pediatric central nervous system (CNS) malignancies, patients still have an extremely unfavorable prognosis. Over the years, a plethora of natural and synthetic compounds has emerged for the pharmacologic intervention of the NF-kB pathway, one of the most frequently dysregulated signaling cascades in human cancer with key roles in cell growth, survival, and therapy resistance. Here, we provide a review about the state-of-the-art concerning the dysregulation of this hub transcription factor in the most prevalent pediatric CNS tumors: glioma, medulloblastoma, and ependymoma. Moreover, we compile the available literature on the anti-proliferative effects of varied NF-kB inhibitors acting alone or in combination with other therapies in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials. As the wealth of basic research data continues to accumulate, recognizing NF-kB as a therapeutic target may provide important insights to treat these diseases, hopefully contributing to increase cure rates and lower side effects related to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Medeiros
- Department of Cell Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina Ferreira Candido
- Department of Cell Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elvis Terci Valera
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - María Sol Brassesco
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, FFCLRP-USP, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Bairro Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, CEP 14040-901, Brazil.
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Afshari AR, Mollazadeh H, Henney NC, Jamialahmad T, Sahebkar A. Effects of statins on brain tumors: a review. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 73:116-133. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Xie Y, Lu Q, Lenahan C, Yang S, Zhou D, Qi X. Whether statin use improves the survival of patients with glioblastoma?: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e18997. [PMID: 32118710 PMCID: PMC7478415 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000018997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastomas are malignant brain tumors associated with high mortality and poor prognosis. Evidence from preclinical studies suggests that statins have an antitumor role, but their effects on the survival of patients with glioblastoma remain controversial. This meta-analysis attempts to assess the association between statins and glioblastoma. METHODS We searched 4 databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library) for articles that evaluate the effect of statins on the survival of patients with glioblastoma. Two reviewers were asked to assess the quality of the studies and extract the data regarding progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULT A total of 5 studies met the inclusion criteria with 430 statin users and 2089 nonstatin users. All 5 studies were retrospectively analyzed. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. There was no benefit of statins found pertaining to the survival of glioblastoma patients in both PFS (HR, 0.97; CI, 0.84-1.13) and OS (HR, 0.98; CI, 0.87-1.11). In a subgroup defined by the patterns of statin use, it was determined that usage before glioblastoma diagnosis favored the OS of patients (HR, 0.85). The result, however, failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION Use of statins was not associated with prolonged survival of patients with glioblastoma. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qin Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Cameron Lenahan
- Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM
- Center for Neuroscience Research, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
| | - Shuxu Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | | | - Xuchen Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
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Lovastatin Enhances Cytotoxicity of Temozolomide via Impairing Autophagic Flux in Glioblastoma Cells. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:2710693. [PMID: 31662972 PMCID: PMC6778891 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2710693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance to temozolomide (TMZ) contributes to the majority of tumor recurrence and treatment failure in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Autophagy has been reported to play a role in chemoresistance in various types of cancer, including GBM. The anticancer effect of statins is arousing great research interests and has been demonstrated to modulate autophagic function. In this study, we investigated the combinational effects of lovastatin and TMZ on treating U87 and U251 GBM cell lines. Cytotoxicity was measured by MTT and colony formation assays; apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry; the cellular autophagic function was detected by the EGFP-mRFP-LC3 reporter and western blot assay. The results showed that lovastatin might enhance the cytotoxicity of TMZ, increase the TMZ-induced cellular apoptosis, and impair the autophagic flux in GBM cells. Lovastatin triggered autophagy initiation possibly by inhibiting the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, lovastatin might impair the autophagosome-lysosome fusion machinery by suppressing LAMP2 and dynein. These results suggested that lovastatin could enhance the chemotherapy efficacy of TMZ in treating GBM cells. The mechanism may be associated with impaired autophagic flux and thereby the enhancement of cellular apoptosis. Combining TMZ with lovastatin could be a promising strategy for GBM treatment.
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Anti-leukemic effects of simvastatin on NRASG12D mutant acute myeloid leukemia cells. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:5859-5866. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-05019-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Fracassi A, Marangoni M, Rosso P, Pallottini V, Fioramonti M, Siteni S, Segatto M. Statins and the Brain: More than Lipid Lowering Agents? Curr Neuropharmacol 2019; 17:59-83. [PMID: 28676012 PMCID: PMC6341496 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x15666170703101816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Statins represent a class of medications widely prescribed to efficiently treat dyslipidemia. These drugs inhibit 3-βhydroxy 3β-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A reductase (HMGR), the rate-limiting enzyme of mevalonate (MVA) pathway. Besides cholesterol, MVA pathway leads to the production of several other compounds, which are essential in the regulation of a plethora of biological activities, including in the central nervous system. For these reasons, statins are able to induce pleiotropic actions, and acquire increased interest as potential and novel modulators in brain processes, especially during pathological conditions. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this review is to summarize and examine the current knowledge about pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of statins in the brain. In addition, effects of statin on brain diseases are discussed providing the most up-to-date information. METHODS Relevant scientific information was identified from PubMed database using the following keywords: statins and brain, central nervous system, neurological diseases, neurodegeneration, brain tumors, mood, stroke. RESULTS 315 scientific articles were selected and analyzed for the writing of this review article. Several papers highlighted that statin treatment is effective in preventing or ameliorating the symptomatology of a number of brain pathologies. However, other studies failed to demonstrate a neuroprotective effect. CONCLUSION Even though considerable research studies suggest pivotal functional outcomes induced by statin therapy, additional investigation is required to better determine the pharmacological effectiveness of statins in the brain, and support their clinical use in the management of different neuropathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Marco Segatto
- Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University, viale del Policlinico 155, 00186 Rome, Italy; E-mail:
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Seliger C, Schaertl J, Gerken M, Luber C, Proescholdt M, Riemenschneider MJ, Leitzmann MF, Hau P, Klinkhammer-Schalke M. Use of statins or NSAIDs and survival of patients with high-grade glioma. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207858. [PMID: 30507932 PMCID: PMC6277074 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High-grade glioma (HGG) is associated with a limited prognosis. Drug repurposing has become of increasing interest to improve standard therapy. Statins and NSAIDs inhibit glioma cell growth in vitro and in vivo, but data on statin and NSAID treatment in relation to survival of patients with HGG are sparse. Methods We performed multivariable adjusted Cox-regression analyses among 1,093 patients with HGG from a regional cancer registry to obtain Hazard Ratios (HRs) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) according to treatment with statins or NSAIDs. Data on dose and duration of treatment was mostly lacking in our analysis, therefore we were not able to perform dose-response analyses. Results Use of statins was unrelated to OS or PFS of glioma patients. Use of aspirin was associated with prolonged OS and PFS in patients with WHO grade III, but not WHO grade IV glioma. Use of other NSAIDs (diclofenac, ibuprofen) or non-NSAID analgesics (paracetamol) was mostly unrelated to survival of glioma patients. Use of selective COX-2 inhibitors and metamizol was related to inferior patient survival in parts of the analyses. Conclusions Use of statins or NSAIDS, including aspirin, was not associated with prolonged OS or PFS of patients with WHO grade IV glioma in our selected cohort. There was an indication for improved survival in patients with WHO grade III glioma using aspirin, but further studies are needed to confirm our first observation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Seliger
- Department of Neurology, Regensburg University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany
- Wilhelm Sander-NeuroOncology Unit, Regensburg University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Julia Schaertl
- Department of Neurology, Regensburg University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Gerken
- Tumor Center, Institute for Quality Assurance and Health Services Research, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christian Luber
- Department of Neurology, Regensburg University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Proescholdt
- Wilhelm Sander-NeuroOncology Unit, Regensburg University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery, Regensburg University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Markus J. Riemenschneider
- Wilhelm Sander-NeuroOncology Unit, Regensburg University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Neuropathology, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael F. Leitzmann
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter Hau
- Department of Neurology, Regensburg University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany
- Wilhelm Sander-NeuroOncology Unit, Regensburg University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Monika Klinkhammer-Schalke
- Tumor Center, Institute for Quality Assurance and Health Services Research, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Hanif F, Perveen K, Malhi SM, Jawed H, Simjee SU. Verapamil potentiates anti-glioblastoma efficacy of temozolomide by modulating apoptotic signaling. Toxicol In Vitro 2018; 52:306-313. [PMID: 30003979 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant and invasive tumor of the CNS. Although temozolomide (TMZ) has improved the survival, long-lasting responses have not been reported. Therefore, there is a need to develop improved treatments, one of which might be newly identified drugs which can be used in combination therapy with low doses of standard drugs. Verapamil (VP) a known antihypertensive drug has been shown to enhance the activity of bis-chloroethylnitrosourea (BCNU), a drug used to treat GBM. Since, TMZ has replaced BCNU as the standard GBM chemotherapy; therefore, we aimed to study in vitro interaction of VP and TMZ against GBM. Anti-proliferative and apoptotic activities were studied using MTT, TUNEL assay and DAPI staining. Synergy was assessed using combination index method. Apoptotic markers were evaluated by RT-PCR, and immunocytochemistry. Both VP and TMZ significantly inhibited the growth of U87 cells in dose dependent manner. The combine effect of TMZ with VP was synergistic with a CDI value of <1. Combination of TMZ and VP increased the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 expression and thus shifted the equilibrium of cells towards apoptosis. Our findings suggest that the synergistic growth inhibition that was observed in combination treatment group may in part relate to increase in apoptosis. The combine administration of VP and TMZ may be therapeutically exploited for the management of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farina Hanif
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus, SUPARCO Road, Karachi, Pakistan; Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
| | - Kahkashan Perveen
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan; Department of Biochemistry, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Saima M Malhi
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus, SUPARCO Road, Karachi, Pakistan; H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
| | - Huma Jawed
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan; Mohammad Ali Jinnah University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Shabana U Simjee
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan; H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
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15
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Do statins, ACE inhibitors or sartans improve outcome in primary glioblastoma? J Neurooncol 2018; 138:163-171. [PMID: 29423540 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-018-2786-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastomas are malignant brain tumors with poor prognosis. Lately, data from clinical studies assessing the role of co-medications in different cancer types suggested reduced mortality and potential anti-tumor activity for statins, angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (sartans). Here, we analysed the association of co-treatment with statins, ACEI or sartans with outcome in a cohort of 810 patients enrolled in the phase III CENTRIC and phase II CORE trials on the role of the integrin antagonist, cilengitide, in newly diagnosed glioblastoma with or without O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analysed for each medication in the pooled patient group. No association was found for co-medication with either drug for PFS or OS. Median OS was 22.1 (statins) versus 22.2 (control) months (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.81-1.39, p = 0.69), 20.4 (ACEI) versus 22.6 (control) months (HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.96-1.62, p = 0.10), and 21.7 (sartans) versus 22.3 (control) months (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.61-1.21, p = 0.38). None of the comparisons showed a signal for different PFS or OS when analyses were controlled for MGMT promoter methylation or treatment group (TMZ/RT → TMZ vs. RT + CIL + TMZ → TMZ + CIL). This secondary analysis of two large glioblastoma trials thus was unable to detect evidence for an association of the use of statins, ACEI or sartans with outcome in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. These data challenge the rationale for prospective studies on the possible role of these non-tumor-specific drugs within the concept of drug repurposing.
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16
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Suhaili SH, Karimian H, Stellato M, Lee TH, Aguilar MI. Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization: a focus on the role of mitochondrial membrane structural organization. Biophys Rev 2017; 9:443-457. [PMID: 28823106 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-017-0308-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis is important in regulating cell death turnover and is mediated by the intrinsic and death receptor-based extrinsic pathways which converge at the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) leading to mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). MOMP results in the release of apoptotic proteins that further activate the downstream pathway of apoptosis. Thus, tight regulation of MOMP is crucial in controlling apoptosis, and a lack of control may lead to tissue and organ malformation and the development of cancers. Despite a growing number of studies focusing on the structure and activity of the proteins involved in mediating MOMP, such as the Bcl-2 family proteins, the mechanism of MOMP is not well understood. In particular, the crucial role of the various structural properties and changes in lipid components of the MOM in mediating the recruitment and activation of different Bcl-2 proteins remains poorly understood. Furthermore, the factors that control the changes in mitochondrial membrane integrity from the initiation to the final disruption of MOM have yet to be clearly defined. In this review, we provide an overview of studies that focus on the mitochondrial membrane with a biophysical analysis of the interactions of the Bcl-2 proteins with the mitochondrial membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti Haji Suhaili
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Hamed Karimian
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Matthew Stellato
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Tzong-Hsien Lee
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Marie-Isabel Aguilar
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
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Mevalonate Cascade Inhibition by Simvastatin Induces the Intrinsic Apoptosis Pathway via Depletion of Isoprenoids in Tumor Cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44841. [PMID: 28344327 PMCID: PMC5366866 DOI: 10.1038/srep44841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The mevalonate (MEV) cascade is responsible for cholesterol biosynthesis and the formation of the intermediate metabolites geranylgeranylpyrophosphate (GGPP) and farnesylpyrophosphate (FPP) used in the prenylation of proteins. Here we show that the MEV cascade inhibitor simvastatin induced significant cell death in a wide range of human tumor cell lines, including glioblastoma, astrocytoma, neuroblastoma, lung adenocarcinoma, and breast cancer. Simvastatin induced apoptotic cell death via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. In all cancer cell types tested, simvastatin-induced cell death was not rescued by cholesterol, but was dependent on GGPP- and FPP-depletion. We confirmed that simvastatin caused the translocation of the small Rho GTPases RhoA, Cdc42, and Rac1/2/3 from cell membranes to the cytosol in U251 (glioblastoma), A549 (lung adenocarcinoma) and MDA-MB-231(breast cancer). Simvastatin-induced Rho-GTP loading significantly increased in U251 cells which were reversed with MEV, FPP, GGPP. In contrast, simvastatin did not change Rho-GTP loading in A549 and MDA-MB-231. Inhibition of geranylgeranyltransferase I by GGTi-298, but not farnesyltransferase by FTi-277, induced significant cell death in U251, A549, and MDA-MB-231. These results indicate that MEV cascade inhibition by simvastatin induced the intrinsic apoptosis pathway via inhibition of Rho family prenylation and depletion of GGPP, in a variety of different human cancer cell lines.
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18
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Oliveira KA, Dal-Cim T, Lopes FG, Ludka FK, Nedel CB, Tasca CI. Atorvastatin Promotes Cytotoxicity and Reduces Migration and Proliferation of Human A172 Glioma Cells. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:1509-1523. [PMID: 28181188 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0423-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Malignant gliomas have resistance mechanisms to chemotherapy that enable tumor invasiveness and aggressiveness. Alternative therapies in cancer treatment, as statins, have been suggested to decrease proliferation, inhibit cell migration, and induce cell death. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin (ATOR) on cell viability, migration, proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy in A172 human glioma cells. Temozolomide (TMZ), a chemotherapic used to glioma treatment, was tested as a comparison to cytotoxic effects on gliomas. Cell viability was also assessed in primary culture of cortical astrocytes. ATOR treatment (0.1 to 20 μM) did not alter astrocytic viability. However, in glioma cells, ATOR showed cytotoxic effect at 10 and 20 μM concentrations. TMZ (500 μM) reduced cell viability similarly to ATOR, and drug association did not show additive effect on cell viability. ATOR, TMZ, and their association decreased cell migration. ATOR also decreased glioma cell proliferation. ATOR increased apoptosis, and TMZ association showed a potentiation effect, enhancing it. ATOR and TMZ treatment increased acidic vesicular organelle (AVO) presence in A172 cells, an indicative of autophagy. ATOR effect of reducing A172 cell viability did not alter glutamate transport and glutamine synthetase activity, but it was partially prevented through antagonism of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. Our data shows a cytotoxic effect of ATOR on glioma cells, whereas no toxicity was observed to astrocytes. ATOR showed similar cytotoxic effect as TMZ to glioma cells, and it may be a safer drug, regarding side effect induction, than chemotherapic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen A Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040900, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Tharine Dal-Cim
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Flávia G Lopes
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Fabiana K Ludka
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040900, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Curso de Farmácia, Universidade do Contestado, Canoinhas, Brazil
| | - Cláudia B Nedel
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Carla I Tasca
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Florianópolis, Brazil.
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040900, Florianópolis, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Florianópolis, Brazil.
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19
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Demonfort Nkamga V, Armstrong N, Drancourt M. In vitro susceptibility of cultured human methanogens to lovastatin. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2016; 49:176-182. [PMID: 27955920 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2016.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Lovastatin is a prodrug that is hydrolysed in vivo to β-hydroxy acid lovastatin, which inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-Co-A) reductase (HMGR), thereby lowering cholesterol in humans. A side effect of lovastatin is inhibition of isoprenoid synthesis and cell membrane formation in methanogenic Archaea, which are members of the human digestive tract microbiota and are emerging pathogens. In this study, the in vitro susceptibility of the human-associated methanogens Methanobrevibacter smithii, Methanobrevibacter oralis, Methanobrevibacter massiliense, Methanobrevibacter arboriphilus and Methanomassiliicoccus luminyensis to lovastatin (1-4 µg/mL) was tested in the presence of five gut anaerobes aiming to metabolise lovastatin into β-hydroxy acid lovastatin as confirmed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. Five days of incubation with lovastatin had no measurable effect on the growth of the five gut anaerobes but significantly reduced CH4 production and methanogen growth as measured by quantitative PCR (P <0.01). Quantitative PCR analyses indicated that compared with controls, β-hydroxy acid lovastatin significantly increased the expression of the genes mta and mcrA implicated in methanogenesis and significantly decreased the expression of the fno gene implicated in methanogenesis. Expression of the HMGR gene (hmg) implicated in cell wall synthesis was significantly increased by β-hydroxy acid lovastatin (P <0.01). These results strongly suggest that in the presence of gut anaerobes, lovastatin yields β-hydroxy acid lovastatin, which inhibits methane production and growth of methanogens by affecting their cell membrane biosynthesis. Lovastatin is the first licensed drug to exclusively affect the growth of methanogens whilst protecting the bacterial microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Demonfort Nkamga
- Aix-Marseille Université, URMITE, UMR 63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Nicholas Armstrong
- Aix-Marseille Université, URMITE, UMR 63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Michel Drancourt
- Aix-Marseille Université, URMITE, UMR 63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille 13005, France.
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20
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Mullen PJ, Yu R, Longo J, Archer MC, Penn LZ. The interplay between cell signalling and the mevalonate pathway in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2016; 16:718-731. [PMID: 27562463 DOI: 10.1038/nrc.2016.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 406] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The mevalonate (MVA) pathway is an essential metabolic pathway that uses acetyl-CoA to produce sterols and isoprenoids that are integral to tumour growth and progression. In recent years, many oncogenic signalling pathways have been shown to increase the activity and/or the expression of MVA pathway enzymes. This Review summarizes recent advances and discusses unique opportunities for immediately targeting this metabolic vulnerability in cancer with agents that have been approved for other therapeutic uses, such as the statin family of drugs, to improve outcomes for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Mullen
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1L7
| | - Rosemary Yu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1L7
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1L7
| | - Joseph Longo
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1L7
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1L7
| | - Michael C Archer
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1L7
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3E2
| | - Linda Z Penn
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1L7
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1L7
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21
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Apoptosis induced by temozolomide and nimustine in glioblastoma cells is supported by JNK/c-Jun-mediated induction of the BH3-only protein BIM. Oncotarget 2016; 6:33755-68. [PMID: 26418950 PMCID: PMC4741800 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The outcome of cancer therapy strongly depends on the complex network of cell signaling pathways, including transcription factor activation following drug exposure. Here we assessed whether and how the MAP kinase (MAPK) cascade and its downstream target, the transcription factor AP-1, influence the sensitivity of malignant glioma cells to the anticancer drugs temozolomide (TMZ) and nimustine (ACNU). Both drugs induce apoptosis in glioma cells at late times following treatment. Activation of the MAPK cascade precedes apoptosis, as shown by phosphorylation of Jun kinase (JNK) and c-Jun, a main component of AP-1. Pharmacological inhibition and siRNA mediated knockdown of JNK and c-Jun reduced the level of apoptosis in LN-229 glioma cells treated with TMZ or ACNU. Analyzing the underlying molecular mechanism, we identified the pro-apoptotic gene BIM as a critical target of AP-1, which is upregulated following TMZ and ACNU. Importantly, shRNA mediated downregulation of BIM in the malignant glioma cell lines LN-229 and U87MG led to an attenuated cleavage of caspase-9 and, consequently, reduced the level of apoptosis following TMZ and ACNU treatment. Overall, we identified JNK/c-Jun activation and BIM induction as a late pro-apoptotic response of glioma cells treated with alkylating anticancer drugs.
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Ostrowski SM, Johnson K, Siefert M, Shank S, Sironi L, Wolozin B, Landreth GE, Ziady AG. Simvastatin inhibits protein isoprenylation in the brain. Neuroscience 2016; 329:264-74. [PMID: 27180285 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.04.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/30/2016] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, or statins, may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Statin action in patients with AD, as in those with heart disease, is likely to be at least partly independent of the effects of statins on cholesterol. Statins can alter cellular signaling and protein trafficking through inhibition of isoprenylation of Rho, Cdc42, and Rab family GTPases. The effects of statins on protein isoprenylation in vivo, particularly in the central nervous system, are poorly studied. We utilized two-dimensional gel electrophoresis approaches to directly monitor the levels of isoprenylated and non-isoprenylated forms of Rho and Rab family GTPases. We report that simvastatin significantly inhibits RhoA and Rab4, and Rab6 isoprenylation at doses as low as 50nM in vitro. We also provide the first in vivo evidence that statins inhibit the isoprenylation of RhoA in the brains of rats and RhoA, Cdc42, and H-Ras in the brains of mice treated with clinically relevant doses of simvastatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Ostrowski
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kachael Johnson
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Matthew Siefert
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Sam Shank
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Luigi Sironi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, and Centro Cardiologico Monzino, Milan, Italy
| | - Benjamin Wolozin
- Departments of Pharmacology and Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gary E Landreth
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Assem G Ziady
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Chen BK, Chiu HF, Yang CY. Statins are Associated With a Reduced Risk of Brain Cancer: A Population-Based Case-Control Study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e3392. [PMID: 27124024 PMCID: PMC4998687 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000003392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate whether statin utilization is associated with brain cancer risk.A population-based case-control study was conducted using nationally representative claims data from the National Health Insurance Bureau in Taiwan. Cases included all patients 50 years and older who received an index diagnosis of brain cancer between 2004 and 2011. Our controls were matched by age, sex, and index date. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multiple logistic regression.We examined 213 brain cancer cases and 852 controls. The unadjusted ORs for any statin prescription was 0.77 (95% CI = 0.50-1.18) and the adjusted OR was 0.59 (95% CI = 0.37-0.96). Compared with no use of statins, the adjusted ORs were 0.68 (95% CI = 0.38-1.24) for the group having been prescribed with statins with cumulative defined daily dose (DDD) below 144.67 DDDs and 0.50 (95% CI = 0.28-0.97) for the group with the cumulative statin use of 144.67 DDDs or more.The results of this study suggest that statins may reduce the risk of brain cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian K Chen
- From the Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (BKC); Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine (H-FC); Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung (C-YY); and Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, National Health Research Institute, Miaoli (C-YY), Taiwan
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Trenin AS. [Microbial metabolites that inhibit sterol biosynthesis, their chemical diversity and characteristics of mode of action]. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2015; 39:633-57. [PMID: 25696927 DOI: 10.1134/s1068162013060095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitors of sterol biosynthesis (ISB) are widespread in nature and characterized by appreciable diversity both in their chemical structure and mode of action. Many of these inhibitors express noticeable biological activity and approved themselves in development of various pharmaceuticals. In this review there is a detailed description of biologically active microbial metabolites with revealed chemical structure that have ability to inhibit sterol biosynthesis. Inhibitors of mevalonate pathway in fungous and mammalian cells, exhibiting hypolipidemic or antifungal activity, as well as inhibitors of alternative non-mevalonate (pyruvate gliceraldehyde phosphate) isoprenoid pathway, which are promising in the development of affective antimicrobial or antiparasitic drugs, are under consideration in this review. Chemical formulas of the main natural inhibitors and their semi-synthetic derivatives are represented. Mechanism of their action at cellular and biochemical level is discussed. Special attention is given to inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (group of lovastatin) and inhibitors of acyl-CoA-cholesterol-acyl transferase (ACAT) that possess hypolipidemic activity and could be affective in the treatment of atherosclerosis. In case of inhibitors of late stages of sterol biosynthesis (after squalene formation) special attention is paid to compounds possessing evident antifungal and antitumoral activity. Explanation of mechanism of anticancer and antiviral action of microbial ISB, as well as the description of their ability to induce apoptosis is given.
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Ye J, Han Y, Chen X, Xie J, Liu X, Qiao S, Wang C. l-Carnitine attenuates H2O2-induced neuron apoptosis via inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Neurochem Int 2014; 78:86-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2014.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Revised: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Mignard V, Lalier L, Paris F, Vallette FM. Bioactive lipids and the control of Bax pro-apoptotic activity. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1266. [PMID: 24874738 PMCID: PMC4047880 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Lipids are key regulators of cell physiology through the control of many aspects of cellular life and survival. In particular, lipids have been implicated at different levels and through many different mechanisms in the cell death program called apoptosis. Here, we discuss the action of lipids in the regulation of the activation and the integration of Bax into the mitochondrial outer membrane, a key pro-apoptotic member of the BCL-2 family. We describe how, during apoptosis, lipids can act simultaneously or in parallel as receptors or ligands for Bax to stimulate or inhibit its pro-death activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Mignard
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie Nantes Angers, Nantes, France
- Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - L Lalier
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie Nantes Angers, Nantes, France
- Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, Nantes, France
| | - F Paris
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie Nantes Angers, Nantes, France
- Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, Nantes, France
| | - F M Vallette
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie Nantes Angers, Nantes, France
- Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest, Nantes, France
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Sławińska-Brych A, Zdzisińska B, Kandefer-Szerszeń M. Fluvastatin inhibits growth and alters the malignant phenotype of the C6 glioma cell line. Pharmacol Rep 2014; 66:121-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2014.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2012] [Revised: 07/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Jafari M, Rezaei M, Kalantari H, Hashemitabar M. Determination of Cell Death Induced by Lovastatin on Human Colon Cell Line HT29 Using the Comet Assay. Jundishapur J Nat Pharm Prod 2013; 8:187-91. [PMID: 24624212 PMCID: PMC3941886 DOI: 10.17795/jjnpp-10951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Revised: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Apoptosis or programmed cell death is an essential process for elimination of damaged cells. Also, induction of apoptosis is fundamental for treating cancer. Screening for agents that induce apoptosis in tumor cells help in the development of novel agents for cancer treatment. Numerous studies suggest that the exposure of tumor cells to statins can lead to cell death via two separate processes: apoptosis or necrosis. Severe fragmentation of DNA during apoptosis can be readily measured by the neutral comet assay. Migration of DNA fragments of apoptotic cells by the electrical field can produce comet-like images. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the type of cell death induced by lovastatin on human colon tumor cells by using the neutral comet assay and to evaluate the utility of this method for detection of apoptosis. Materials and Methods HT29 cells were grown in DMEM medium then exposed to different concentrations of lovastatin, and DNA fragmentation associated with apoptosis was detected by the neutral comet assay method. Results Lovastatin induced an apoptotic response in the HT29 cell line and produced a comet pattern similar to the positive control. Conclusions This study showed that lovastatin can induce apoptosis in the HT29 cell line and confirmed the utility of comet assay for detection of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Jafari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishpur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
| | - Mohsen Rezaei
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishpur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
| | - Heibatullah Kalantari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishpur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
| | - Mahmoud Hashemitabar
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishpur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
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Wood WG, Igbavboa U, Muller WE, Eckert GP. Statins, Bcl-2, and apoptosis: cell death or cell protection? Mol Neurobiol 2013; 48:308-14. [PMID: 23821030 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-013-8496-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 06/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Statins have proven their effectiveness in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. This class of drugs has also attracted attention as a potential treatment for dissimilar diseases such as certain types of cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. What appears to be a contradiction is that, in the case of cancer, it has been suggested that statins increase apoptosis and alter levels of Bcl-2 family members (e.g., reduce Bcl-2 and increase Bax), whereas studies mainly using noncancerous cells report opposite effects. This review examined studies reporting on the effects of statins on Bcl-2 family members, apoptosis, cell death, and cell protection. Much, but not all, of the evidence supporting the pro-apoptotic effects of statins is based on data in cancer cell lines and the use of relatively high drug concentrations. Studies indicating an anti-apoptotic effect of statins are fewer in number and generally used much lower drug concentrations and normal cells. Those conclusions are not definitive, and certainly, there is a need for additional research to determine if statin repositioning is justified for noncardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Gibson Wood
- Department of Pharmacology, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Medical Center, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA,
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Zhu Y, Casey PJ, Kumar AP, Pervaiz S. Deciphering the signaling networks underlying simvastatin-induced apoptosis in human cancer cells: evidence for non-canonical activation of RhoA and Rac1 GTPases. Cell Death Dis 2013; 4:e568. [PMID: 23559002 PMCID: PMC3641326 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2013.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Although statins are known to inhibit proliferation and induce death in a number of cancer cell types, the mechanisms through which downregulation of the mevalonate (MVA) pathway activates death signaling remain poorly understood. Here we set out to unravel the signaling networks downstream of the MVA pathway that mediate the death-inducing activity of simvastatin. Consistent with previous reports, exogenously added geranylgeranylpyrophosphate, but not farnesylpyrophosphate, prevented simvastatin's growth-inhibitory effect, thereby suggesting the involvement of geranylgeranylated proteins such as Rho GTPases in the anticancer activity of simvastatin. Indeed, simvastatin treatment led to increased levels of unprenylated Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA), Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) and cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42). Intriguingly, instead of inhibiting the functions of Rho GTPases as was expected with loss of prenylation, simvastatin caused a paradoxical increase in the GTP-bound forms of RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42. Furthermore, simvastatin disrupted the binding of Rho GTPases with the cytosolic inhibitor Rho GDIα, which provides a potential mechanism for GTP loading of the cytosolic Rho GTPases. We also show that the unprenylated RhoA- and Rac1-GTP retained at least part of their functional activities, as evidenced by the increase in intracellular superoxide production and JNK activation in response to simvastatin. Notably, blocking superoxide production attenuated JNK activation as well as cell death induced by simvastatin. Finally, we provide evidence for the involvement of the B-cell lymphoma protein 2 family, Bcl-2-interacting mediator (Bim), in a JNK-dependent manner, in the apoptosis-inducing activity of simvastatin. Taken together, our data highlight the critical role of non-canonical regulation of Rho GTPases and involvement of downstream superoxide-mediated activation of JNK pathway in the anticancer activity of simvastatin, which would have potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhu
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Gaist D, Andersen L, Hallas J, Sørensen HT, Schrøder HD, Friis S. Use of statins and risk of glioma: a nationwide case-control study in Denmark. Br J Cancer 2013; 108:715-20. [PMID: 23322196 PMCID: PMC3593536 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2012.536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Laboratory studies and a single case–control study have suggested a protective effect of statins on the risk of glioma. We wished to investigate the influence of statin use on the risk of glioma in a population-based setting. Methods: We conducted a nationwide case–control study in Denmark based on population-based medical registries. We identified all patients aged 20 to 85 years with a first diagnosis of histologically verified glioma during 2000–2009. These cases were matched on birth year and sex with population controls. Prior use of statins since 1995 was classified into short-term use (<5 years) and long-term use (5+ years). We used conditional logistic regression to compute odds ratios (ORs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), for glioma associated with statin use, adjusted for potential confounders. Results: A total of 2656 cases and 18 480 controls were included in the study. The risk of glioma was reduced among long-term statin users (OR=0.76; 95% CI: 0.59–0.98) compared with never users of statins, and was inversely related to the intensity of statin treatment among users (OR=0.71; 95% CI: 0.44–1.15 for highest intensity). The inverse association between long-term statin treatment and glioma risk was more pronounced among men aged ⩽60 years (OR=0.40; 95% CI: 0.17–0.91) compared with men aged 60+ years (OR=0.71; 95% CI: 0.49–1.03). An inverse association was also observed among women aged ⩽60 years (OR=0.28; 95% CI: 0.06–1.25), but not among women over age 60 years (OR=1.23; 95% CI: 0.82–1.85). Conclusion: Long-term statin use may reduce the risk of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Gaist
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
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Staedler D, Chapuis-Bernasconi C, Dehmlow H, Fischer H, Juillerat-Jeanneret L, Aebi JD. Cytotoxic Effects of Combination of Oxidosqualene Cyclase Inhibitors with Atorvastatin in Human Cancer Cells. J Med Chem 2012; 55:4990-5002. [DOI: 10.1021/jm300256z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Staedler
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Chapuis-Bernasconi
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Henrietta Dehmlow
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Pharmaceutical Division, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Holger Fischer
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Pharmaceutical Division, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lucienne Juillerat-Jeanneret
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Johannes D. Aebi
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Pharmaceutical Division, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
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Osmak M. Statins and cancer: current and future prospects. Cancer Lett 2012; 324:1-12. [PMID: 22542807 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Revised: 04/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Statins are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-methylglutaryl (HMG) CoA reductase. They exhibit effects beyond cholesterol reduction, including anticancer activity. This review presents the effects of statins in vitro and their possible molecular anticancer mechanisms and critically discusses the data regarding the role of statins in cancer prevention. Finally, this review focuses on the use of statins combined with other chemotherapeutics to increase the effectiveness of cancer treatments. Despite rare and inconclusive clinical data, the preclinical results strongly suggest that such combined treatment could be a promising new strategy for the treatment of certain tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Osmak
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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35
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Misirkic M, Janjetovic K, Vucicevic L, Tovilovic G, Ristic B, Vilimanovich U, Harhaji-Trajkovic L, Sumarac-Dumanovic M, Micic D, Bumbasirevic V, Trajkovic V. Inhibition of AMPK-dependent autophagy enhances in vitro antiglioma effect of simvastatin. Pharmacol Res 2012; 65:111-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2011.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2011] [Revised: 08/09/2011] [Accepted: 08/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Gazzerro P, Proto MC, Gangemi G, Malfitano AM, Ciaglia E, Pisanti S, Santoro A, Laezza C, Bifulco M. Pharmacological actions of statins: a critical appraisal in the management of cancer. Pharmacol Rev 2011; 64:102-46. [PMID: 22106090 DOI: 10.1124/pr.111.004994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 316] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Statins, among the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide, are cholesterol-lowering agents used to manage and prevent cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases. Recently, a multifaceted action in different physiological and pathological conditions has been also proposed for statins, beyond anti-inflammation and neuroprotection. Statins have been shown to act through cholesterol-dependent and -independent mechanisms and are able to affect several tissue functions and modulate specific signal transduction pathways that could account for statin pleiotropic effects. Typically, statins are prescribed in middle-aged or elderly patients in a therapeutic regimen covering a long life span during which metabolic processes, aging, and concomitant novel diseases, including cancer, could occur. In this context, safety, toxicity, interaction with other drugs, and the state of health have to be taken into account in subjects treated with statins. Some evidence has shown a dichotomous effect of statins with either cancer-inhibiting or -promoting effects. To date, clinical trials failed to demonstrate a reduced cancer occurrence in statin users and no sufficient data are available to define the long-term effects of statin use over a period of 10 years. Moreover, results from clinical trials performed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of statins in cancer did not suggest statin use as chemotherapeutic or adjuvant agents. Here, we reviewed the pharmacology of the statins, providing a comprehensive update of the current knowledge of their effects on tissues, biological processes, and pathological conditions, and we dissected the disappointing evidence on the possible future use of statin-based drugs in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Gazzerro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, 84084 Fisciano (Salerno), Italy
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Yanae M, Tsubaki M, Satou T, Itoh T, Imano M, Yamazoe Y, Nishida S. Statin-induced apoptosis via the suppression of ERK1/2 and Akt activation by inhibition of the geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate biosynthesis in glioblastoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2011; 30:74. [PMID: 21831290 PMCID: PMC3163617 DOI: 10.1186/1756-9966-30-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2011] [Accepted: 08/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Statins are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. The inhibition of this key enzyme in the mevalonate pathway leads to suppression of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanism of apoptosis induction by statins is not well understood in glioblastoma. In the present study, we attempted to elucidate the mechanism by which statins induce apoptosis in C6 glioma cells. METHODS The cytotoxicity of statins toward the C6 glioma cells were evaluated using a cell viability assay. The enzyme activity of caspase-3 was determined using activity assay kits. The effects of statins on signal transduction molecules were determined by western blot analyses. RESULTS We found that statins inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in these cells. We also observed an increase in caspase-3 activity. The apoptosis induced by statins was not inhibited by the addition of farnesyl pyrophosphate, squalene, ubiquinone, and isopentenyladenine, but by geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate (GGPP). Furthermore, statins decreased the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and Akt. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that statins induce apoptosis when GGPP biosynthesis is inhibited and consequently decreases the level of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and Akt. The results of this study also indicate that statins could be used as anticancer agents in glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Yanae
- Division of Pharmacotherapy, Kinki University School of Pharmacy, Kowakae, Higashi-Osaka, Japan
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38
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Antitumor effects of atorvastatin in the chemoprevention of rat mammary carcinogenesis. Biologia (Bratisl) 2011. [DOI: 10.2478/s11756-011-0077-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Guan H, Song L, Cai J, Huang Y, Wu J, Yuan J, Li J, Li M. Sphingosine kinase 1 regulates the Akt/FOXO3a/Bim pathway and contributes to apoptosis resistance in glioma cells. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19946. [PMID: 21625639 PMCID: PMC3097221 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2011] [Accepted: 04/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism through which Sphingosine kinase-1 (SPHK1) exerts its anti-apoptosis activity in glioma cancer cells. We here report that dysregulation of SPHK1 alters the sensitivity of glioma to apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Further mechanistic study examined the expression of Bcl-2 family members, including Bcl-2, Mcl-1, Bax and Bim, in SPHK1-overexpressing glioma cells and revealed that only pro-apoptotic Bim was downregulated by SPHK1. Moreover, the transcriptional level of Bim was also altered by SPHK1 in glioma cells. We next confirmed the correlation between SPHK1 and Bim expression in primary glioma specimens. Importantly, increasing SPHK1 expression in glioma cells markedly elevated Akt activity and phosphorylated inactivation of FOXO3a, which led to downregulation of Bim. A pharmacological approach showed that these effects of SPHK1 were dependent on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Furthermore, effects of SPHK1 on Akt/FOXO3a/Bim pathway could be reversed by SPHK1 specific RNA interference or SPHK1 inhibitor. Collectively, our results indicate that regulation of the Akt/FOXO3a/Bim pathway may be a novel mechanism by which SPHK1 protects glioma cells from apoptosis, thereby involved in glioma tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Guan
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Libing Song
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Junchao Cai
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Microbiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongbo Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Microbiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jueheng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Microbiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Functional Molecules from Oceanic Microorganisms (Sun Yat-sen University), Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Mengfeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Microbiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Gabriely G, Yi M, Narayan RS, Niers JM, Wurdinger T, Imitola J, Ligon KL, Kesari S, Esau C, Stephens RM, Tannous BA, Krichevsky AM. Human glioma growth is controlled by microRNA-10b. Cancer Res 2011; 71:3563-72. [PMID: 21471404 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-3568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA) expression profiling studies revealed a number of miRNAs dysregulated in the malignant brain tumor glioblastoma. Molecular functions of these miRNAs in gliomagenesis are mainly unknown. We show that inhibition of miR-10b, a miRNA not expressed in human brain and strongly upregulated in both low-grade and high-grade gliomas, reduces glioma cell growth by cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. These cellular responses are mediated by augmented expression of the direct targets of miR-10b, including BCL2L11/Bim, TFAP2C/AP-2γ, CDKN1A/p21, and CDKN2A/p16, which normally protect cells from uncontrolled growth. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas expression data set reveals a strong positive correlation between numerous genes sustaining cellular growth and miR-10b levels in human glioblastomas, while proapoptotic genes anticorrelate with the expression of miR-10b. Furthermore, survival of glioblastoma patients expressing high levels of miR-10 family members is significantly reduced in comparison to patients with low miR-10 levels, indicating that miR-10 may contribute to glioma growth in vivo. Finally, inhibition of miR-10b in a mouse model of human glioma results in significant reduction of tumor growth. Altogether, our experiments validate an important role of miR-10b in gliomagenesis, reveal a novel mechanism of miR-10b-mediated regulation, and suggest the possibility of its future use as a therapeutic target in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina Gabriely
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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Tapia-Pérez JH, Kirches E, Mawrin C, Firsching R, Schneider T. Cytotoxic effect of different statins and thiazolidinediones on malignant glioma cells. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2010; 67:1193-201. [DOI: 10.1007/s00280-010-1535-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Novel chemo-sensitizing agent, ERW1227B, impairs cellular motility and enhances cell death in glioblastomas. J Neurooncol 2010; 103:207-19. [PMID: 20824305 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-010-0379-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2009] [Accepted: 08/19/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastomas display variable phenotypes that include increased drug-resistance associated with enhanced migratory and anti-apoptotic characteristics. These shared characteristics contribute to failure of clinical treatment regimens. Identification of novel compounds that promote cell death and impair cellular motility is a logical strategy to develop more effective clinical protocols. We recently described the ability of the small molecule, KCC009, a tissue transglutaminase (TG2) inhibitor, to sensitize glioblastoma cells to chemotherapy. In the current study, we synthesized a series of related compounds that show variable ability to promote cell death and impair motility in glioblastomas, irrespective of their ability to inhibit TG2. Each compound has a 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroisoxazole component that presumably reacts with nucleophilic cysteine thiol residues in the active sites of proteins that have an affinity to the small molecule. Our studies focused on the effects of the compound, ERW1227B. Treatment of glioblastoma cells with ERW1227B was associated with both down-regulation of the PI-3 kinase/Akt pathway, which enhanced cell death; as well as disruption of focal adhesive complexes and intracellular actin fibers, which impaired cellular mobility. Bioassays as well as time-lapse photography of glioblastoma cells treated with ERW1227B showed cell death and rapid loss of cellular motility. Mice studies with in vivo glioblastoma models demonstrated the ability of ERW1227B to sensitize tumor cells to cell death after treatment with either chemotherapy or radiation. The above findings identify ERW1227B as a potential novel therapeutic agent in the treatment of glioblastomas.
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43
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Cytotoxic effects of statins and thiazolidinediones on meningioma cells. J Neurooncol 2010; 102:383-93. [DOI: 10.1007/s11060-010-0351-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2010] [Accepted: 08/09/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Lovastatin induces neuronal differentiation and apoptosis of embryonal carcinoma and neuroblastoma cells: enhanced differentiation and apoptosis in combination with dbcAMP. Mol Cell Biochem 2010; 345:1-11. [PMID: 20694854 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-010-0553-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2010] [Accepted: 07/23/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Differentiation-based therapeutics are an underutilized but a potentially significant treatment option for cancer patients. We show that lovastatin, a competitive inhibitor of the rate-limiting enzyme of mevalonate synthesis HMG-CoA reductase, is able to induce tumour cell differentiation and apoptosis in vitro. We used embryonal carcinoma (EC) and neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines and found that lovastatin promoted apoptosis and induced expression of the neuronal differentiation markers, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and growth-associated protein 43. The apoptotic and differentiation responses were time and dose-dependant and rescued by the co-administration of mevalonate. The expression of TH is regulated primarily by a cyclic AMP (cAMP) response element (CRE) in its promoter. Lovastatin enhanced the expression of a CRE-driven luciferase construct in P19 cells. Furthermore, combining lovastatin with 1 mM dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate treatments induced higher expression from the CRE construct, enhanced differentiation and cytotoxicity. This study suggests the potential of combining these therapeutic approaches in EC and NB patients.
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Activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase is required for mevastatin-induced apoptosis of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma cells. Anticancer Drugs 2010. [DOI: 10.1097/cad.0b013e32833c4b3b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Wood WG, Eckert GP, Igbavboa U, Müller WE. Statins and neuroprotection: a prescription to move the field forward. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2010; 1199:69-76. [PMID: 20633110 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05359.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There is growing interest in the use of statins, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, for treating specific neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis) and possibly traumatic brain injury. Neither is there a consensus on the efficacy of statins in treating the aforementioned diseases nor are the mechanisms of the purported statin-induced neuroprotection well-understood. Part of the support for statin-induced neuroprotection comes from studies using animal models and cell culture. Important information has resulted from that work but there continues to be a lack of progress on basic issues pertaining to statins and brain that impedes advancement in understanding how statins alter brain function. For example, there are scant data on the pharmacokinetics of lipophilic and hydrophilic statins in brain, statin-induced neuroprotection versus cell death, and statins and brain isoprenoids. The purpose of this mini-review will be to examine those aforementioned issues and to identify directions of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Gibson Wood
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
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The role of statins in neurosurgery. Neurosurg Rev 2010; 33:259-70; discussion 270. [DOI: 10.1007/s10143-010-0259-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2009] [Revised: 01/22/2010] [Accepted: 03/06/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Lovastatin enhances gefitinib activity in glioblastoma cells irrespective of EGFRvIII and PTEN status. J Neurooncol 2008; 90:9-17. [DOI: 10.1007/s11060-008-9627-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2007] [Accepted: 05/28/2008] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Lovastatin sensitized human glioblastoma cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. J Neurooncol 2007; 86:273-83. [PMID: 17928957 PMCID: PMC2174520 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-007-9475-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2007] [Accepted: 09/18/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Synergy study with chemotherapeutic agents is a common in vitro strategy in the search for effective cancer therapy. For non-chemotherapeutic agents, efficacious synergistic effects are uncommon. Here, we have examined two non-chemotherapeutic agents for synergistic effects: lovastatin and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) for synergistic effects; on three human malignant glioblastoma cell lines, M059K, M59J, and A172. Cells treated with lovastatin plus TRAIL for 48 h showed 50% apoptotic cell death, whereas TRAIL alone (1,000 ng/ml) did not, suggesting that lovastatin sensitized the glioblastoma cells to TRAIL attack. Cell cycle analysis indicated that lovastatin increased G0–G1 arrest in these cells. Annexin V study demonstrated that apoptosis was the predominant mode of cell death. We conclude that the combination of lovastatin and TRAIL enhances apoptosis synergistically. Moreover, lovastatin sensitized glioblastoma cells to TRAIL, suggesting a new strategy to treat glioblastoma.
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Cerezo-Guisado MI, Alvarez-Barrientos A, Argent R, García-Marín LJ, Bragado MJ, Lorenzo MJ. c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase signalling pathway mediates lovastatin-induced rat brain neuroblast apoptosis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2007; 1771:164-76. [PMID: 17251057 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2006.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2006] [Revised: 12/05/2006] [Accepted: 12/07/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that lovastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, induces apoptosis in rat brain neuroblasts. c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) are implicated in regulation of neuronal apoptosis. In this work, we investigated the role of JNK and p38 MAPK in neuroblast apoptosis induced by lovastatin. We found that lovastatin induced the activation of JNK, but not p38 MAPK. It also induced c-Jun phosphorylation with a subsequent increase in activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding, AP-1-mediated gene expression and BimEL protein levels. The effects of lovastatin were prevented by mevalonate. Pre-treatment with iJNK-I (a selective JNK inhibitor) prevented the effect of lovastatin on both neuroblast apoptosis and the activation of the JNK cascade. Furthermore, we found that the activation of the JNK signalling pathway triggered by lovastatin is accompanied by caspase-3 activation which is also inhibited by iJNK-I pre-treatment. Finally, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, SB203580, had no effect on lovastatin-induced neuroblast apoptosis. Taken together, our data suggest that the activation of the JNK/c-Jun/BimEL signalling pathway plays a crucial role in lovastatin-induced neuroblast apoptosis. Our findings may also contribute to elucidate the intracellular mechanisms involved in the central nervous system side effects associated with statin therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Isabel Cerezo-Guisado
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Veterinaria, Avda de la Universidad s/n, Apdo. Correos 643, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
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