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Borea F, Franczak MA, Garcia M, Perrino M, Cordua N, Smolenski RT, Peters GJ, Dziadziuszko R, Santoro A, Zucali PA, Giovannetti E. Target Therapy in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Hope or Mirage? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119165. [PMID: 37298116 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare neoplasm that is typically diagnosed in a locally advanced stage, making it not eligible for radical surgery and requiring systemic treatment. Chemotherapy with platinum compounds and pemetrexed has been the only approved standard of care for approximately 20 years, without any relevant therapeutic advance until the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Nevertheless, the prognosis remains poor, with an average survival of only 18 months. Thanks to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor biology, targeted therapy has become an essential therapeutic option in several solid malignancies. Unfortunately, most of the clinical trials evaluating potentially targeted drugs for MPM have failed. This review aims to present the main findings of the most promising targeted therapies in MPM, and to explore possible reasons leading to treatments failures. The ultimate goal is to determine whether there is still a place for continued preclinical/clinical research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Borea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marika A Franczak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Maria Garcia
- Faculty of Experimental Science, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223 Madrid, Spain
| | - Matteo Perrino
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Humanitas Cancer Center, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Cordua
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Humanitas Cancer Center, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Ryszard T Smolenski
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Godefridus J Peters
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Rafal Dziadziuszko
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy and Early Phase Clinical Trials Centre, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Armando Santoro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Humanitas Cancer Center, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo A Zucali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Humanitas Cancer Center, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, 56017 Pisa, Italy
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Jhanwar SC, Xu XL, Elahi AH, Abramson DH. Cancer genomics of lung cancer including malignant mesothelioma: A brief overview of current status and future prospects. Adv Biol Regul 2020; 78:100723. [PMID: 32992231 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2020.100723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cancer as a genetic disease is by now well recognized. Genomic analysis of cancer cells, therefore, has greatly enhanced our ability to identify genetic alterations associated with various cancer types, including both lympho-hematopoietic as well as solid tumors. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), based on the specific diagnostic genetic abnormality has served as a prototype disease to clearly demonstrate the significance of the genomic analysis of cancer in identifying targeted therapy. Such a success has provided extra ordinary opportunities to investigate the role of genetic abnormalities and the pathways amenable to targeted therapy, not only in blood cancers but solid tumors such as Lung, Brain, Colon, Renal, Breast cancers as well as other epithelial and mesenchymal tumors. The main focus of this presentation is to illustrate the role of genomic analysis in targeting lung cancer, based on abnormalities or the pathways deregulated in tumor cells from individual patients. Lung cancer is one of the most common epithelial cancers associated with chronic inflammation due to cigarette smoking and other environmental carcinogens, and includes four distinct histologic type; non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and squamous cell lung cancer. According to current estimates, 1.3 million cases of lung cancer are expected to be diagnosed worldwide annually, resulting in one million deaths. Since the discovery that patient's tumors with specific mutations in the EGFR may be sensitive to targeted therapeutic approach and the subsequent realization that the such mutations in the gene are not as prevalent, several cancer centers including ours initiated intense efforts to find other mutations or genomic alterations, which may serve as targets of specific therapy. Such efforts have successfully resulted in a battery of genes such as KRAS, ALK, C-MET, HER-2/neu, ROS1, etc., which have helped oncologists to triage the patients for personalized therapies. A significant proportion of patients with lung cancer, however, do not show any of the above genetic abnormalities. Approximately 90% of lung cancers exhibit RB1 mutation/deletion and or KRAS mutations, therefore, the signaling pathways, which regulate multistep tumorigenesis in lung cancer, are important for the treatment of histologic subtypes of lung cancer, which includes NSCLC & SCLC. Equally important was the findings that similar signaling pathways are also shared by other solid tumor types. We have investigated the role of these pathways to target these cancers and develop new strategies to treat lung, brain and related cancers. In addition, our translational studies in other tumor types such as NF2 related malignancies, specifically, Malignant Mesothelioma (MM), in which NF2 related pathway amenable to targeted therapies was identified. Selected examples representing experimental approaches will be discussed to illustrate the critical role of translational research in developing novel therapeutics for the successful and durable responses in some of these cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh C Jhanwar
- Departments of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275, York Avenue, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Xiaoliang Leon Xu
- Departments of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275, York Avenue, New York, NY, USA
| | - Abul H Elahi
- Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA
| | - David H Abramson
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275, York Avenue, New York, NY, USA
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Blanquart C, Jaurand MC, Jean D. The Biology of Malignant Mesothelioma and the Relevance of Preclinical Models. Front Oncol 2020; 10:388. [PMID: 32269966 PMCID: PMC7109283 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma (MM), especially its more frequent form, malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), is a devastating thoracic cancer with limited therapeutic options. Recently, clinical trials that used immunotherapy strategies have yielded promising results, but the benefits are restricted to a limited number of patients. To develop new therapeutic strategies and define predictors of treatment response to existing therapy, better knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of MM tumors and sound preclinical models are needed. This review aims to provide an overview of our present knowledge and issues on both subjects. MM shows a complex pattern of molecular changes, including genetic, chromosomic, and epigenetic alterations. MM is also a heterogeneous cancer. The recently described molecular classifications for MPM could better consider inter-tumor heterogeneity, while histo-molecular gradients are an interesting way to consider both intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneities. Classical preclinical models are based on use of MM cell lines in culture or implanted in rodents, i.e., xenografts in immunosuppressed mice or isografts in syngeneic rodents to assess the anti-tumor immune response. Recent developments are tumoroids, patient-derived xenografts (PDX), xenografts in humanized mice, and genetically modified mice (GEM) that carry mutations identified in human MM tumor cells. Multicellular tumor spheroids are an interesting in vitro model to reduce animal experimentation; they are more accessible than tumoroids. They could be relevant, especially if they are co-cultured with stromal and immune cells to partially reproduce the human microenvironment. Even if preclinical models have allowed for major advances, they show several limitations: (i) the anatomical and biological tumor microenvironments are incompletely reproduced; (ii) the intra-tumor heterogeneity and immunological contexts are not fully reconstructed; and (iii) the inter-tumor heterogeneity is insufficiently considered. Given that these limitations vary according to the models, preclinical models must be carefully selected depending on the objectives of the experiments. New approaches, such as organ-on-a-chip technologies or in silico biological systems, should be explored in MM research. More pertinent cell models, based on our knowledge on mesothelial carcinogenesis and considering MM heterogeneity, need to be developed. These endeavors are mandatory to implement efficient precision medicine for MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Blanquart
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, CRCINA, Nantes, France.,Labex IGO, Immunology Graft Oncology, Nantes, France
| | - Marie-Claude Jaurand
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Paris, France
| | - Didier Jean
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Paris, France
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Li C, Rezov V, Joensuu E, Vartiainen V, Rönty M, Yin M, Myllärniemi M, Koli K. Pirfenidone decreases mesothelioma cell proliferation and migration via inhibition of ERK and AKT and regulates mesothelioma tumor microenvironment in vivo. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10070. [PMID: 29968778 PMCID: PMC6030186 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28297-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. It is characterized by prominent extracellular matrix, mesenchymal tumor cell phenotypes and chemoresistance. In this study, the ability of pirfenidone to alter mesothelioma cell proliferation and migration as well as mesothelioma tumor microenvironment was evaluated. Pirfenidone is an anti-fibrotic drug used in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and has also anti-proliferative activities. Mesothelioma cell proliferation was decreased by pirfenidone alone or in combination with cisplatin. Pirfenidone also decreased significantly Transwell migration/invasion and 3D collagen invasion. This was associated with increased BMP pathway activity, decreased GREM1 expression and downregulation of MAPK/ERK and AKT/mTOR signaling. The canonical Smad-mediated TGF-β signaling was not affected by pirfenidone. However, pirfenidone blocked TGF-β induced upregulation of ERK and AKT pathways. Treatment of mice harboring mesothelioma xenografts with pirfenidone alone did not reduce tumor proliferation in vivo. However, pirfenidone modified the tumor microenvironment by reducing the expression of extracellular matrix associated genes. In addition, GREM1 expression was downregulated by pirfenidone in vivo. By reducing two major upregulated pathways in mesothelioma and by targeting tumor cells and the microenvironment pirfenidone may present a novel anti-fibrotic and anti-cancer adjuvant therapy for mesothelioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Li
- Research Programs Unit, Translational Cancer Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow, China
| | - Veronika Rezov
- Research Programs Unit, Translational Cancer Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emmi Joensuu
- Research Programs Unit, Translational Cancer Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ville Vartiainen
- Research Programs Unit, Translational Cancer Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Heart and Lung Center and HUH diagnostics, Pulmonary Medicine, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko Rönty
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Fimlab laboratories, Pathology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Miao Yin
- Research Programs Unit, Translational Cancer Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marjukka Myllärniemi
- University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Heart and Lung Center and HUH diagnostics, Pulmonary Medicine, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katri Koli
- Research Programs Unit, Translational Cancer Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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Xu D, Liang SQ, Yang H, Lüthi U, Riether C, Berezowska S, Marti TM, Hall SRR, Bruggmann R, Kocher GJ, Schmid RA, Peng RW. Increased sensitivity to apoptosis upon endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced activation of the unfolded protein response in chemotherapy-resistant malignant pleural mesothelioma. Br J Cancer 2018; 119:65-75. [PMID: 29921948 PMCID: PMC6035279 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-018-0145-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Standard treatment for advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cisplatin/pemetrexed (MTA) regimen; however, this is confronted by drug resistance. Proteotoxic stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a hallmark of cancer and some rely on this stress signalling in response to cytotoxic chemotherapeutics. We hypothesise that ER stress and the adaptive unfolded protein response (UPR) play a role in chemotherapy resistance of MPM. METHODS In vitro three-dimensional (3D) and ex vivo organotypic culture were used to enrich a chemotherapy-resistant population and recapitulate an in vivo MPM microenvironment, respectively. Markers of ER stress, the UPR and apoptosis were assessed at mRNA and protein levels. Cell viability was determined based on acid phosphatase activity. RESULTS MPM cells with de novo and/or acquired chemotherapy resistance displayed low ER stress, which rendered the cells hypersensitive to agents that induce ER stress and alter the UPR. Bortezomib, an FDA-approved proteasome inhibitor, selectively impairs chemotherapy-resistant MPM cells by activating the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4-mediated UPR and augmenting apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS We provide the first evidence for ER stress and the adaptive UPR signalling in chemotherapy resistance of MPM, which suggests that perturbation of the UPR by altering ER stress is a novel strategy to treat chemotherapy-refractory MPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo Xu
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Shun-Qing Liang
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Haitang Yang
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ursina Lüthi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carsten Riether
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Thomas M Marti
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sean R R Hall
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rémy Bruggmann
- Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gregor J Kocher
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ralph A Schmid
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland. .,Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Ren-Wang Peng
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland. .,Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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Pattarozzi A, Carra E, Favoni RE, Würth R, Marubbi D, Filiberti RA, Mutti L, Florio T, Barbieri F, Daga A. The inhibition of FGF receptor 1 activity mediates sorafenib antiproliferative effects in human malignant pleural mesothelioma tumor-initiating cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:119. [PMID: 28545562 PMCID: PMC5445511 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0573-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, characterized by rapid progression and high mortality. Persistence of tumor-initiating cells (TICs, or cancer stem cells) after cytotoxic drug treatment is responsible for tumor relapse, and represents one of the main reasons for the poor prognosis of mesothelioma. In fact, identification of the molecules affecting TIC viability is still a significant challenge. Methods TIC-enriched cultures were obtained from 10 human malignant pleural mesotheliomas and cultured in vitro. Three fully characterized tumorigenic cultures, named MM1, MM3, and MM4, were selected and used to assess antiproliferative effects of the multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib. Cell viability was investigated by MTT assay, and cell cycle analysis as well as induction of apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry. Western blotting was performed to reveal the modulation of protein expression and the phosphorylation status of pathways associated with sorafenib treatment. Results We analyzed the molecular mechanisms of the antiproliferative effects of sorafenib in mesothelioma TIC cultures. Sorafenib inhibited cell cycle progression in all cultures, but only in MM3 and MM4 cells was this effect associated with Mcl-1-dependent apoptosis. To investigate the mechanisms of sorafenib-mediated antiproliferative activity, TICs were treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) causing, in MM3 and MM4 cells, MEK, ERK1/2, Akt, and STAT3 phosphorylation. These effects were abolished by sorafenib only in bFGF-treated cells, while a modest inhibition occurred after EGF stimulation, suggesting that sorafenib effects are mainly due to FGF receptor (FGFR) inhibition. Indeed, FGFR1 phosphorylation was inhibited by sorafenib. Moreover, in MM1 cells, which release high levels of bFGF and showed autocrine activation of FGFR1 and constitutive phosphorylation/activation of MEK-ERK1/2, sorafenib induced a more effective antiproliferative response, confirming that the main target of the drug is the inhibition of FGFR1 activity. Conclusions These results suggest that, in malignant pleural mesothelioma TICs, bFGF signaling is the main target of the antiproliferative response of sorafenib, acting directly on the FGFR1 activation. Patients with constitutive FGFR1 activation via an autocrine loop may be more sensitive to sorafenib treatment and the analysis of this possibility warrants further clinical investigation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13287-017-0573-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pattarozzi
- Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI) and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Elisa Carra
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Via L.B. Alberti, 2, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto E Favoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Via L.B. Alberti, 2, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Würth
- Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI) and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Daniela Marubbi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Via L.B. Alberti, 2, 16132, Genova, Italy.,IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Largo R. Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Luciano Mutti
- Biomedical Research Centre, University of Salford, The Crescent, Salford, Manchester, M5 4WT, UK
| | - Tullio Florio
- Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI) and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132, Genova, Italy.
| | - Federica Barbieri
- Department of Internal Medicine (DiMI) and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132, Genova, Italy.
| | - Antonio Daga
- IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Largo R. Benzi, 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
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Quercetin and Cisplatin combined treatment altered cell cycle and mitogen activated protein kinase expressions in malignant mesotelioma cells. Altern Ther Health Med 2016; 16:281. [PMID: 27514524 PMCID: PMC4982421 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1267-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Background Malignant mesothelioma is a locally aggressive and highly lethal neoplasm of pleural, peritoneal and pericardial mesothelial cells without successful therapy. Previously, we reported that Quercetin in combination with Cisplatin inhibits cell proliferation and activates caspase-9 and -3 enzymes in different malignant mesothelioma cell lines. Moreover, Quercetin + Cisplatin lead to accumulation of both SPC111 and SPC212 cell lines in S phase. Methods In present work, 84 genes involved in cell growth and proliferation have analysed by using RT2-PCR array system and protein profile of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) family proteins investigated by western blots. Results Our results showed that Quercetin and Quercetin + Cisplatin modulated gene expression of cyclins, cyclin dependent kinases and cyclin dependent kinases inhibitors. In addition genes involved in JNK, p38 and MAPK/ERK pathways were up regulated. Moreover, while p38 and JNK phosphorylations were increased, ERK phosphorylations were decreased after using Quercetin + Cisplatin. Conclusion This research has clarified our previous results and detailed mechanism of anti-carcinogenic potential of Quercetin alone and incombination with Cisplatin on malignant mesothelioma cells.
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Quercetin induces caspase-dependent extrinsic apoptosis through inhibition of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling in HER2-overexpressing BT-474 breast cancer cells. Oncol Rep 2016; 36:31-42. [PMID: 27175602 PMCID: PMC4899028 DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.4786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Flavonoids are assumed to exert beneficial effects in different types of cancers at high concentrations. Yet, their molecular mechanisms of action remain unknown. The present study aimed to examine the effect of quercetin on proliferation and apoptosis in HER2-expressing breast cancer cells. The anti-proliferative effects of quercetin were examined by proliferation, MTT and clonogenic survival assays. The effect of quercetin on expression of apoptotic molecules was determined by western blotting. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to measure signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) transcriptional activity. ELISA assay was performed to measure intracellular MMP-9 levels. Immunocytochemistry was performed to evaluate the nuclear STAT3 level. The results revealed that quercetin inhibited the proliferation of BT-474 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Quercetin also inhibited clonogenic survival (anchorage-dependent and -independent) of BT-474 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These growth inhibitions were accompanied with an increase in sub-G0/G1 apoptotic populations. Quercetin induced caspase-dependent extrinsic apoptosis upregulating the levels of cleaved caspase-8 and cleaved caspase-3, and inducing the cleavage of poly(ADP‑ribose) polymerase (PARP). In contrast, quercetin did not induce apoptosis via intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis pathway since this compound did not decrease the mitochondrial membrane potential and did not affect the levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX). Quercetin reduced the expression of phospho-JAK1 and phospho-STAT3 and decreased STAT3-dependent luciferase reporter gene activity in the BT-474 cells. Quercetin inhibited MMP-9 secretion and decreased the nuclear translocation of STAT3. Our study indicates that quercetin induces apoptosis at concentrations >20 µM through inhibition of STAT3 signaling and could serve as a useful compound to prevent or treat HER2-overexpressing breast cancer.
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Andujar P, Lacourt A, Brochard P, Pairon JC, Jaurand MC, Jean D. Five years update on relationships between malignant pleural mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos and other elongated mineral particles. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2016; 19:151-172. [PMID: 27705546 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2016.1193361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite the reduction of global asbestos consumption and production due to the ban or restriction of asbestos uses in more than 50 countries since the 1970s, malignant mesothelioma remains a disease of concern. Asbestos is still used, imported, and exported in several countries, and the number of mesothelioma deaths may be expected to increase in the next decades in these countries. Asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for malignant pleural mesothelioma, but other types of exposures are linked to the occurrence of this type of cancer. Although recent treatments improve the quality of life of patients with mesothelioma, malignant pleural mesothelioma remains an aggressive disease. Recent treatments have not resulted in appreciable improvement in survival, and thus development of more efficient therapies is urgently needed. The development of novel therapeutic strategies is dependent on our level of knowledge of the physiopathological and molecular changes that mesothelial cells acquired during the neoplastic process. During the past 5 years, new findings have been published on the etiology, epidemiology, molecular changes, and innovative treatments of malignant pleural mesothelioma. This review aims to update the findings of recent investigations on etiology, epidemiology, and molecular changes with a focus on (1) attributable risk of asbestos exposure in men and women and (2) coexposure to other minerals and other elongated mineral particles or high aspect ratio nanoparticles. Recent data obtained on genomic and gene alterations, pathways deregulations, and predisposing factors are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Andujar
- a Institut Santé Travail Paris-Est , Université Paris-Est , Créteil , France
- b CHI Créteil , Service de Pneumologie et Pathologie Professionnelle, DHU A-TVB , Créteil , France
- c INSERM U955 , Equipe 4 , Créteil , France
- d Universite Paris-Est Créteil , Faculté de Médecine , Créteil , France
| | - Aude Lacourt
- e INSERM U1219 , EPICENE , Bordeaux , France
- f ISPED , Université de Bordeaux , Bordeaux , France
| | - Patrick Brochard
- f ISPED , Université de Bordeaux , Bordeaux , France
- g CHU Bordeaux , Bordeaux , France
| | - Jean-Claude Pairon
- a Institut Santé Travail Paris-Est , Université Paris-Est , Créteil , France
- b CHI Créteil , Service de Pneumologie et Pathologie Professionnelle, DHU A-TVB , Créteil , France
- c INSERM U955 , Equipe 4 , Créteil , France
- d Universite Paris-Est Créteil , Faculté de Médecine , Créteil , France
| | - Marie-Claude Jaurand
- h INSERM , UMR-1162, Génomique fonctionnelle des tumeurs solides , Paris , France
- i Université Paris Descartes , Labex Immuno-Oncology , Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris , France
- j Université Paris Diderot , IUH , Paris , France
- k Université Paris 13 , Sorbonne Paris Cité , Bobigny , France
| | - Didier Jean
- h INSERM , UMR-1162, Génomique fonctionnelle des tumeurs solides , Paris , France
- i Université Paris Descartes , Labex Immuno-Oncology , Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris , France
- j Université Paris Diderot , IUH , Paris , France
- k Université Paris 13 , Sorbonne Paris Cité , Bobigny , France
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Seo HS, Ku JM, Choi HS, Woo JK, Jang BH, Go H, Shin YC, Ko SG. Apigenin induces caspase-dependent apoptosis by inhibiting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling in HER2-overexpressing SKBR3 breast cancer cells. Mol Med Rep 2015; 12:2977-84. [PMID: 25936427 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Phytoestrogens have been demonstrated to inhibit tumor induction; however, their molecular mechanisms of action have remained elusive. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a phytoestrogen, apigenin, on proliferation and apoptosis of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-expressing breast cancer cell line SKBR3. Proliferation assay, MTT assay, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, western blot analysis, immunocytochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and ELISA assay were used in the present study. The results of the present study indicated that apigenin inhibited the proliferation of SKBR3 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. This inhibition of growth was accompanied by an increase in the sub-G0/G1 apoptotic population. Furthermore, apigenin enhanced the expression levels of cleaved caspase-8 and -3, and induced the cleavage of poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase in SKBR3 cells, confirming that apigenin promotes apoptosis via a caspase-dependent pathway. Apigenin additionally reduced the expression of phosphorylated (p)-janus kinase 2 and p-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), inhibited CoCl2-induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and decreased the nuclear localization of STAT3. The STAT3 inhibitor S31-201 decreased the cellular proliferation rate and reduced the expression of p-STAT3 and VEGF. Therefore, these results suggested that apigenin induced apoptosis via the inhibition of STAT3 signaling in SKBR3 cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that apigenin may be a potentially useful compound for the prevention or treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Sook Seo
- Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Pharmacogenomics and Center for Clinical Research and Genomics, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun‑gu, Seoul 130‑701, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Mo Ku
- Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Pharmacogenomics and Center for Clinical Research and Genomics, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun‑gu, Seoul 130‑701, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Seok Choi
- Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Pharmacogenomics and Center for Clinical Research and Genomics, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun‑gu, Seoul 130‑701, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Kyu Woo
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Yeonsu‑gu, Incheon 406‑840, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Hyoung Jang
- Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Pharmacogenomics and Center for Clinical Research and Genomics, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun‑gu, Seoul 130‑701, Republic of Korea
| | - Hoyeon Go
- Department of Oriental Medicine, Semyung University, College of Korean Medicine, Jecheon, Chungbuk 390‑711, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Cheol Shin
- Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Pharmacogenomics and Center for Clinical Research and Genomics, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun‑gu, Seoul 130‑701, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Gyu Ko
- Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Pharmacogenomics and Center for Clinical Research and Genomics, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun‑gu, Seoul 130‑701, Republic of Korea
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11
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Assis LVMD, Isoldi MC. Overview of the biochemical and genetic processes in malignant mesothelioma. J Bras Pneumol 2015; 40:429-42. [PMID: 25210967 PMCID: PMC4201175 DOI: 10.1590/s1806-37132014000400012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a highly aggressive form of cancer, has a long latency period, and is resistant to chemotherapy. It is extremely fatal, with a mean survival of less than one year. The development of MM is strongly correlated with exposure to asbestos and with other factors, such as erionite and simian virus 40 [corrected]. Although various countries have banned the use of asbestos, MM has proven to be difficult to control and there appears to be a trend toward an increase in its incidence in the years to come. In Brazil, MM has not been widely studied from a genetic or biochemical standpoint. In addition, there have been few epidemiological studies of the disease, and the profile of its incidence has yet to be well established in the Brazilian population. The objective of this study was to review the literature regarding the processes of malignant transformation, as well as the respective mechanisms of tumorigenesis, in MM.
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12
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Hudson AL, Weir C, Moon E, Harvie R, Klebe S, Clarke SJ, Pavlakis N, Howell VM. Establishing a panel of chemo-resistant mesothelioma models for investigating chemo-resistance and identifying new treatments for mesothelioma. Sci Rep 2014; 4:6152. [PMID: 25141917 PMCID: PMC4139953 DOI: 10.1038/srep06152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesothelioma is inherently chemo-resistant with only 50% of patients responding to the standard of care treatments, and consequently it has a very grim prognosis. The aim of this study was to establish a panel of chemo-resistant mesothelioma models with clinically relevant levels of resistance as tools for investigating chemo-resistance and identifying new treatments for mesothelioma. Chemo-resistant cell lines were established in vitro and characterized in vivo using syngeneic Fischer rats. Tumors derived from all chemo-resistant cell lines were immunohistochemically classified as mesothelioma. Homozygous deletion of p16INK4A/p14ARF and increased expression of several ATP-binding cassette transporters were demonstrated, consistent with findings in human mesothelioma. Further, the acquisition of chemo-resistance in vitro resulted in changes to tumor morphology and overall survival. In conclusion, these models display many features corresponding with the human disease, and provide the first series of matched parental and chemo-resistant models for in vitro and in vivo mesothelioma studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Hudson
- 1] Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia [2] Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chris Weir
- 1] Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia [2] Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Moon
- 1] Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia [2] Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rozelle Harvie
- 1] Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia [2] Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sonja Klebe
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Flinders University and SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Stephen J Clarke
- 1] Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia [2] Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nick Pavlakis
- 1] Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia [2] Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Viive M Howell
- 1] Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia [2] Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
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13
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Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare disease which can develop in pleura, pericardium or peritoneum and in which the therapies available have limited efficacy and are associated with various side effects. Therefore, there is a need for more targeted and more effective therapies which are able to halt the disease progression. Among them immune therapies actively or passively directed against various structures of the MM cells seem to be particularly promising given their inhibitory potential demonstrated in both experimental and early clinical studies. Mesothelin in particular seem to be not only a biomarker of disease activity but also a therapeutic target. This review discusses the immune therapies currently investigated for MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Antonela Antoniu
- Palliative Care-Interdisciplinary Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T Popa", 16 Universitaţii Str, 700115, Iaşi, Romania
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14
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The role of key genes and pathways involved in the tumorigenesis of Malignant Mesothelioma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2014; 1845:232-47. [PMID: 24491449 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2014.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is a very aggressive cancer with low survival rates and often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Several players have been implicated in the development of this cancer, such as asbestos, erionite and the simian virus 40 (SV40). Here, we have reviewed the involvement of erionite, SV40, as well as, the role of several genes (p16(INK4a), p14(ARF), NF2, LATS2, SAV, CTNNB1 and among others), the pathways (RAS, PI3K, Wnt, BCL and Hippo), and their respective roles in the development of MM.
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15
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Carra E, Barbieri F, Marubbi D, Pattarozzi A, Favoni RE, Florio T, Daga A. Sorafenib selectively depletes human glioblastoma tumor-initiating cells from primary cultures. Cell Cycle 2013; 12:491-500. [PMID: 23324350 DOI: 10.4161/cc.23372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastomas are grade IV brain tumors characterized by high aggressiveness and invasiveness, giving patients a poor prognosis. We investigated the effects of the multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib on six cultures isolated from human glioblastomas and maintained in tumor initiating cells-enriching conditions. These cell subpopulations are thought to be responsible for tumor recurrence and radio- and chemo-resistance, representing the perfect target for glioblastoma therapy. Sorafenib reduces proliferation of glioblastoma cultures, and this effect depends, at least in part, on the inhibition of PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways, both involved in gliomagenesis. Sorafenib significantly induces apoptosis/cell death via downregulation of the survival factor Mcl-1. We provide evidence that sorafenib has a selective action on glioblastoma stem cells, causing enrichment of cultures in differentiated cells, downregulation of the expression of stemness markers required to maintain malignancy (nestin, Olig2 and Sox2) and reducing cell clonogenic ability in vitro and tumorigenic potential in vivo. The selectivity of sorafenib effects on glioblastoma stem cells is confirmed by the lower sensitivity of glioblastoma cultures after differentiation as compared with the undifferentiated counterpart. Since current GBM therapy enriches the tumor in cancer stem cells, the evidence of a selective action of sorafenib on these cells is therapeutically relevant, even if, so far, results from first phase II clinical trials did not demonstrate its efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Carra
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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16
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Preclinical strategies targeted at non-small-cell lung cancer signalling pathways with striking translational fallout. Drug Discov Today 2013; 18:11-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2012.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Revised: 06/22/2012] [Accepted: 07/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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17
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Würth R, Pattarozzi A, Gatti M, Bajetto A, Corsaro A, Parodi A, Sirito R, Massollo M, Marini C, Zona G, Fenoglio D, Sambuceti G, Filaci G, Daga A, Barbieri F, Florio T. Metformin selectively affects human glioblastoma tumor-initiating cell viability: A role for metformin-induced inhibition of Akt. Cell Cycle 2012; 12:145-56. [PMID: 23255107 DOI: 10.4161/cc.23050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cell theory postulates that a small population of tumor-initiating cells is responsible for the development, progression and recurrence of several malignancies, including glioblastoma. In this perspective, tumor-initiating cells represent the most relevant target to obtain effective cancer treatment. Metformin, a first-line drug for type II diabetes, was reported to possess anticancer properties affecting the survival of cancer stem cells in breast cancer models. We report that metformin treatment reduced the proliferation rate of tumor-initiating cell-enriched cultures isolated from four human glioblastomas. Metformin also impairs tumor-initiating cell spherogenesis, indicating a direct effect on self-renewal mechanisms. Interestingly, analyzing by FACS the antiproliferative effects of metformin on CD133-expressing subpopulation, a component of glioblastoma cancer stem cells, a higher reduction of proliferation was observed as compared with CD133-negative cells, suggesting a certain degree of cancer stem cell selectivity in its effects. In fact, glioblastoma cell differentiation strongly reduced sensitivity to metformin treatment. Metformin effects in tumor-initiating cell-enriched cultures were associated with a powerful inhibition of Akt-dependent cell survival pathway, while this pathway was not affected in differentiated cells. The specificity of metformin antiproliferative effects toward glioblastoma tumor-initiating cells was confirmed by the lack of significant inhibition of normal human stem cells (umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells) in vitro proliferation after metformin exposure. Altogether, these data clearly suggest that metformin exerts antiproliferative activity on glioblastoma cells, showing a higher specificity toward tumor-initiating cells, and that the inhibition of Akt pathway may represent a possible intracellular target of this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Würth
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
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