1
|
Zhang R, Zheng Y, Xiang F, Zhou J. Inducing or enhancing protein-protein interaction to develop drugs: Molecular glues with various biological activity. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 277:116756. [PMID: 39191033 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116756] [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: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, molecular glues (MGs) have gradually attracted the attention of the pharmaceutical community with the advent of MG degraders such as IMiDs and indisulam. Such molecules degrade the target protein by promoting the interaction between the target protein and E3 ligase. In addition, as a chemical inducer, MGs promote the dimerization of homologous proteins and heterologous proteins to form ternary complexes, which have great prospects in regulating biological activities. This review focuses on the application of MGs in the field of drug development including protein-protein interaction (PPI) stability and protein degradation. We thoroughly analyze the structure of various MGs and the interactions between MGs and various biologically active molecules, thus providing new perspectives for the development of PPI stabilizers and new degraders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rongyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua, 321004, PR China
| | - Yirong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua, 321004, PR China
| | - Fengjiao Xiang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua, 321004, PR China
| | - Jinming Zhou
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, Jinhua, 321004, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang Q, Song Y, Yuan S, Zhu Y, Wang W, Chu L. Prodrug activation by 4,4'-bipyridine-mediated aromatic nitro reduction. Nat Commun 2024; 15:8643. [PMID: 39368987 PMCID: PMC11455939 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52604-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Unleashing prodrugs through nitro-reduction is a promising strategy in cancer treatment. In this study, we present a unique bioorthogonal reaction for aromatic nitro reduction, mediated by 4,4'-bipyridine. The reaction is a rare example of organocatalyst-mediated bioorthogonal reaction. This bioorthogonal reaction demonstrates broad substrate scope and proceeds at low micromolar concentrations under biocompatible conditions. Our mechanistic study reveals that water is essential for the reaction to proceed at biorelevant substrate concentrations. We illustrate the utility of our reaction for controlled prodrug activation in mammalian cells, bacteria, and mouse models. Furthermore, a nitro-reduction-annulation cascade is developed for the synthesis of indole derivatives in living cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yikang Song
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Shuowei Yuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yaoji Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ling Chu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Baek K, Metivier RJ, Roy Burman SS, Bushman JW, Yoon H, Lumpkin RJ, Abeja DM, Lakshminarayan M, Yue H, Ojeda S, Verano AL, Gray NS, Donovan KA, Fischer ES. Unveiling the hidden interactome of CRBN molecular glues with chemoproteomics. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.11.612438. [PMID: 39314457 PMCID: PMC11419069 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.11.612438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation and induced proximity refer to strategies that leverage the recruitment of proteins to facilitate their modification, regulation or degradation. As prospective design of glues remains challenging, unbiased discovery methods are needed to unveil hidden chemical targets. Here we establish a high throughput affinity purification mass spectrometry workflow in cell lysates for the unbiased identification of molecular glue targets. By mapping the targets of 20 CRBN-binding molecular glues, we identify 298 protein targets and demonstrate the utility of enrichment methods for identifying novel targets overlooked using established methods. We use a computational workflow to estimate target confidence and perform a biochemical screen to identify a lead compound for the new non-ZF target PPIL4. Our study provides a comprehensive inventory of targets chemically recruited to CRBN and delivers a robust and scalable workflow for identifying new drug-induced protein interactions in cell lysates.
Collapse
|
4
|
Sardina F, Carsetti C, Giorgini L, Fattorini G, Cestra G, Rinaldo C. Cul-4 inhibition rescues spastin levels and reduces defects in hereditary spastic paraplegia models. Brain 2024; 147:3534-3546. [PMID: 38551087 PMCID: PMC11449140 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are degenerative motor neuron diseases characterized by progressive spasticity and weakness in the lower limbs. The most common form of HSP is due to SPG4 gene haploinsufficiency. SPG4 encodes the microtubule severing enzyme spastin. Although, there is no cure for SPG4-HSP, strategies to induce a spastin recovery are emerging as promising therapeutic approaches. Spastin protein levels are regulated by poly-ubiquitination and proteasomal-mediated degradation, in a neddylation-dependent manner. However, the molecular players involved in this regulation are unknown. Here, we show that the Cullin-4-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase complex (CRL4) regulates spastin stability. Inhibition of CRL4 increases spastin levels by preventing its poly-ubiquitination and subsequent degradation in spastin-proficient and in patient derived SPG4 haploinsufficient cells. To evaluate the role of CRL4 complex in spastin regulation in vivo, we developed a Drosophila melanogaster model of SPG4 haploinsufficiency which show alterations of synapse morphology and locomotor activity, recapitulating phenotypical defects observed in patients. Downregulation of the CRL4 complex, highly conserved in Drosophila, rescues spastin levels and the phenotypical defects observed in flies. As a proof of concept of possible pharmacological treatments, we demonstrate a recovery of spastin levels and amelioration of the SPG4-HSP-associated defects both in the fly model and in patient-derived cells by chemical inactivation of the CRL4 complex with NSC1892. Taken together, these findings show that CRL4 contributes to spastin stability regulation and that it is possible to induce spastin recovery and rescue of SPG4-HSP defects by blocking the CRL4-mediated spastin degradation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sardina
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), c/o University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Carsetti
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), c/o University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovica Giorgini
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), c/o University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gaia Fattorini
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), c/o University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Cestra
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), c/o University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00179, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Rinaldo
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), c/o University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zaman SU, Pagare PP, Huang B, Rilee G, Ma Z, Zhang Y, Li J. Novel PROTAC probes targeting FOSL1 degradation to eliminate head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cancer stem cells. Bioorg Chem 2024; 151:107613. [PMID: 39002513 PMCID: PMC11365795 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Previously, we identified that AP-1 transcription factor FOSL1 is required to maintain cancer stem cells (CSCs) in HNSCC, and an AP-1 inhibitor, T-5224, can eliminate HNSCC CSCs. However, its potency is relatively low, and furthermore, whether T-5224 eradicates CSCs through targeting FOSL1 and whether FOSL1 serves as an effective target for eliminating CSCs in HNSCC, require further validation. We first found that T-5224 can bind to FOSL1 directly. As a proof-of-principle, several cereblon (CRBN)-recruiting PROTACs were designed and synthesized using T-5224 as a warhead for more effective of targeting FOSL1. The top compound can potently degrade FOSL1 in HNSCC, thereby effectively eliminating CSCs to suppress HNSCC tumorigenesis, with around 30 to 100-fold improved potency over T-5224. In summary, our study further validates FOSL1 as an effective target for eliminating CSCs in HNSCC and suggests that PROTACs may provide a unique molecular tool for the development of novel molecules for targeting FOSL1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shadid U Zaman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States.
| | - Piyusha P Pagare
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States.
| | - Boshi Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States.
| | - Grace Rilee
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States.
| | - Zhikun Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States; Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States.
| | - Jiong Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States; Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States; Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu J, Liu Y, Tang J, Gong Q, Yan G, Fan H, Zhang X, Pu C. Recent advances in dual PROTACs degrader strategies for disease treatment. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 279:116901. [PMID: 39341095 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2024] [Revised: 09/18/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) is regarded as an emerging therapeutic strategy with unlimited potential because of its mechanism of inducing target protein degradation though harnessing ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Recently, researchers are combining the advantages of PROTACs and dual-targeted drugs to explore some new types of dual PROTACs degraders. The utilization of dual PROTACs not only enhances the efficiency of selective degradation for two or more distinct proteins, but also facilitates synergistic interactions between target proteins to optimize therapeutic efficacy as well as overcome resistance. In this review, we briefly investigate the innovative strategies of dual degraders based on bivalent or trivalent "Y-type" PROTACs in recent years, outline their design principles, degradation effects, and anticancer activities. Moreover, their advantages and limitations compared with traditional PROTACs will be discussed and provide the outlook on the associated challenges. Meaningfully, the development and application of these dual-targeted PROTACs may point out new directions for replacing numerous combination regimens in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianyu Liu
- Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, China
| | - Yanzhuo Liu
- Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, China
| | - Jiao Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xindu District People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, China
| | - Qianyuan Gong
- Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, China
| | - Guoyi Yan
- School of pharmacy, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, China
| | - Hengrui Fan
- Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, China
| | - Xueping Zhang
- Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, The Affiliated Women's and Children's Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Chunlan Pu
- Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hassan MM, Li YD, Ma MW, Teng M, Byun WS, Puvar K, Lumpkin R, Sandoval B, Rutter JC, Jin CY, Wang MY, Xu S, Schmoker AM, Cheong H, Groendyke BJ, Qi J, Fischer ES, Ebert BL, Gray NS. Exploration of the tunability of BRD4 degradation by DCAF16 trans-labelling covalent glues. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 279:116904. [PMID: 39341093 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2024] [Revised: 09/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
Chemically induced proximity modalities such as targeted protein degradation (TPD) hold promise for expanding the number of proteins that can be manipulated pharmacologically. However, current TPD strategies are often limited to proteins with preexisting ligands. Molecular glues (e.g. glutarimide ligands for CUL4CRBN), offer the potential to target undruggable proteins. Yet, their rational design is largely unattainable due to the unpredictability of the 'gain-of-function' nature of the glue interaction upon chemical modification of ligands. We recently reported a covalent trans-labelling glue mechanism which we named 'Template-assisted covalent modification', where an electrophile decorated BRD4 inhibitor was effectively delivered to a cysteine residue on DCAF16 due to an electrophile-induced BRD4-DCAF16 interaction. Herein, we report our efforts to evaluate how various electrophilic modifications to the BRD4 binder, JQ1, affect DCAF16 recruitment and subsequent BRD4 degradation efficiency. We discovered a moderate correlation between the electrophile-induced BRD4-DCAF16 ternary complex formation and BRD4 degradation. Moreover, we show that a more solvent-exposed warhead presentation optimally recruits DCAF16 and promotes BRD4 degradation. The diversity of covalent attachments in this class of BRD4 degraders suggests a high tolerance and tunability for the BRD4-DCAF16 interaction. This offers a new avenue for rational glue design by introducing covalent warheads to known binders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Murtaza Hassan
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; SPARK Translational Research Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yen-Der Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michelle W Ma
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mingxing Teng
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pathology & Immunology, and Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Woong Sub Byun
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kedar Puvar
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ryan Lumpkin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brittany Sandoval
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Justine C Rutter
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Cyrus Y Jin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michelle Y Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shawn Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna M Schmoker
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hakyung Cheong
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian J Groendyke
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jun Qi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Benjamin L Ebert
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jobin C, Harvey M, Lacouture A, Weidmann C, Neveu B, Pouliot F, Audet-Walsh É. Protocol for transducing human primary epithelial prostate cells and patient-derived organoids with high efficiency. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:103200. [PMID: 39028619 PMCID: PMC11315182 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103200] [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: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) are now used to study many diseases, including prostate cancer. Here, we present a protocol for the transduction of human epithelial prostate cells and PDOs. We describe the steps for producing lentiviruses and transducing PDOs with high efficiency to obtain either overexpression or knockdown of specific genes. More generally, this protocol represents an efficient lentiviral transduction technique to study cell biology using various organoid models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Jobin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, QC, Canada; Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Mario Harvey
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, QC, Canada; Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Aurélie Lacouture
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, QC, Canada; Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Cindy Weidmann
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, QC, Canada; Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Bertrand Neveu
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Oncology Research Division, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Frédéric Pouliot
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Oncology Research Division, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Department of Surgery, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Étienne Audet-Walsh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, QC, Canada; Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sievers J, Voget R, Lu F, Garchitorena KM, Ng YLD, Chau CH, Steinebach C, Figg WD, Krönke J, Gütschow M. Revisiting the antiangiogenic mechanisms of fluorinated thalidomide derivatives. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 110:129858. [PMID: 38917956 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Introduction of fluorine into bioactive molecules has attracted much attention in drug development. For example, tetrafluorination of the phthalimide moiety of immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) has a strong beneficial effect on the ability to inhibit angiogenesis. The neomorphic activity of E3 ligase complexes is induced by the binding of IMiDs to cereblon. We investigated that a set of eight thalidomide analogs, comprising non- and tetrafluorinated counterparts, did not induce the degradation of neomorphic substrates (IKZF3, GSPT1, CK1α, SALL4). Hence, the antiangiogenic activity of fluorinated IMiDs was not triggered by neosubstrate degradation features. A fluorine scanning of non-traditional IMiDs of the benzamido glutarimide chemotype was performed. By measuring the endothelial cell tube formation, no angiogenesis inhibitors were identified, confirming the narrow structure-activity window of IMiD-induced antiangiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Sievers
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Rabea Voget
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Feiteng Lu
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Cancer Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, D-12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kathleen M Garchitorena
- Molecular Pharmacology Section, Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yuen Lam Dora Ng
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Cancer Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, D-12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Cindy H Chau
- Molecular Pharmacology Section, Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christian Steinebach
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - William D Figg
- Molecular Pharmacology Section, Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jan Krönke
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Cancer Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, D-12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zaman SU, Pagare PP, Ma H, Hoyle RG, Zhang Y, Li J. Novel PROTAC probes targeting KDM3 degradation to eliminate colorectal cancer stem cells through inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. RSC Med Chem 2024:d4md00122b. [PMID: 39281802 PMCID: PMC11393732 DOI: 10.1039/d4md00122b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that the KDM3 family of histone demethylases (KDM3A and KDM3B) epigenetically control the functional properties of colorectal cancer stem cells (CSCs) through Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Meanwhile, a broad-spectrum histone demethylase inhibitor, IOX1, suppresses Wnt-induced colorectal tumorigenesis predominantly through inhibiting the enzymatic activity of KDM3. In this work, several cereblon (CRBN)-recruiting PROTACs with various linker lengths were designed and synthesized using IOX1 as a warhead to target KDM3 proteins for degradation. Two of the synthesized PROTACs demonstrated favorable degradation profile and selectivity towards KDM3A and KDM3B. Compound 4 demonstrated favorable in vitro metabolic profile in liver enzymes as well as no hERG-associated cardiotoxicity. Compound 4 also showed dramatic ability in suppressing oncogenic Wnt signaling to eliminate colorectal CSCs and inhibit tumor growth, with around 10- to 35-fold increased potency over IOX1. In summary, this study suggests that PROTACs provide a unique molecular tool for the development of novel small molecules from the IOX1 skeleton for selective degradation of KDM3 to eliminate colorectal CSCs via suppressing oncogenic Wnt signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shadid U Zaman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia 23298-0540 USA
| | - Piyusha P Pagare
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia 23298-0540 USA
| | - Hongguang Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia 23298-0540 USA
| | - Rosalie G Hoyle
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia 23298-0540 USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia 23298-0540 USA
| | - Jiong Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia 23298-0540 USA
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia 23298-0540 USA
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia 23298-0540 USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Jang JH, Kim JY, Lee TJ. Recent advances in anticancer mechanisms of molecular glue degraders: focus on RBM39-dgrading synthetic sulfonamide such as indisulam, E7820, tasisulam, and chloroquinoxaline sulfonamide. Genes Genomics 2024:10.1007/s13258-024-01565-z. [PMID: 39271535 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-024-01565-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic sulfonamide anticancer drugs, including E7820, indisulam, tasisulam, and chloroquinoxaline sulfonamide, exhibit diverse mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential, functioning as molecular glue degraders. E7820 targets RBM39, affecting RNA splicing and angiogenesis by suppressing integrin α2. Phase I studies have demonstrated some stability in advanced solid malignancies; however, further efficacy studies are required. Indisulam causes G1 cell cycle arrest and delays the G1/S transition by modulating splicing through RBM39 degradation via DCAF15. Despite its limited initial efficacy, it shows promise in combination therapies, particularly for hematopoietic malignancies and gliomas. Tasisulam inhibits VEGF signaling, suppresses angiogenesis, and induces apoptosis. Although early trials indicated broad activity, safety concerns have halted its development. Chloroquinoxaline sulfonamide, initially investigated for cell cycle arrest and topoisomerase II inhibition, was discontinued owing to its limited efficacy and toxicity, despite promising initial results. Recent studies revealed the structural interaction of E7820 with DCAF15 and RBM39, although phase II trials on myeloid malignancies have shown limited efficacy. Indisulam is effective against glioblastoma and neuroblastoma, with potential synergy in combination therapies and metabolic disruption. Recent research on tasisulam reveals its potential in cancer therapy by targeting RBM39 degradation through DCAF15-mediated pathways. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to new treatments that affect alternative splicing and improve cancer therapies Overall, although these drugs exhibit promising mechanisms of action, further research is required to optimize their clinical efficacy and safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hoon Jang
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, 42415, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo-Young Kim
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, 42415, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Jin Lee
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, 42415, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Winter GE. Extrapolating Lessons from Targeted Protein Degradation to Other Proximity-Inducing Drugs. ACS Chem Biol 2024. [PMID: 39264973 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.4c00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is an emerging pharmacologic strategy. It relies on small-molecule "degraders" that induce proximity of a component of an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and a target protein to induce target ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Essentially, degraders thus expand the function of E3 ligases, allowing them to degrade proteins they would not recognize in the absence of the small molecule. Over the past decade, insights gained from identifying, designing, and characterizing various degraders have significantly enhanced our understanding of TPD mechanisms, precipitating in rational degrader discovery strategies. In this Account, I aim to explore how these insights can be extrapolated to anticipate both opportunities and challenges of utilizing the overarching concept of proximity-inducing pharmacology to manipulate other cellular circuits for the dissection of biological mechanisms and for therapeutic purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georg E Winter
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tracy WF, Davies GHM, Jia L, Evans ED, Sun Z, Buenviaje J, Khambatta G, Yu S, Shi L, Shanmugasundaram V, Moreno J, Cherney EC, Davies HML. Asymmetric Dirhodium-Catalyzed Modification of Immunomodulatory Imide Drugs and Their Biological Assessment. ACS Med Chem Lett 2024; 15:1575-1583. [PMID: 39291008 PMCID: PMC11403733 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.4c00297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Cereblon (CRBN) has been successfully co-opted to affect the targeted degradation of "undruggable" proteins with immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs). IMiDs act as molecule glues that facilitate ternary complex formation between CRBN and a target protein, leading to ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Subtle structural modifications often cause profound and sometimes unpredictable changes in the degradation selectivity. Herein, we successfully utilize enantioselective cyclopropanation and cyclopropenation on intact glutarimides to enable the preparation of stereochemically and regiochemically matched molecular pairs for structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis across several classical CRBN neosubstrates. The resulting glutarimide analogs were found to reside in unique chemical space when compared to other IMiDs in the public domain. SAR studies revealed that, in addition to the more precedented impacts of regiochemistry, stereochemical modifications far from the glutarimide can lead to divergent neosubstrate selectivity. These findings emphasize the importance of enabling enantioselective methods for glutarimide-containing compounds to tune the degradation selectivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William F Tracy
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Geraint H M Davies
- Small Molecule Drug Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02143, United States
| | - Lei Jia
- Small Molecule Drug Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Ethan D Evans
- Small Molecule Drug Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, Redwood City, California 94063, United States
| | - Zhenghang Sun
- Small Molecule Drug Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Jennifer Buenviaje
- Small Molecule Drug Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Gody Khambatta
- Small Molecule Drug Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Shan Yu
- Small Molecule Drug Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Lihong Shi
- Small Molecule Drug Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | | | - Jesus Moreno
- Small Molecule Drug Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Emily C Cherney
- Small Molecule Drug Discovery, Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Huw M L Davies
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Li L, Huang Z, Huang Y, Li Y, Ma X, Li P, Du W, Wang H, Zhao Y, Zeng S, Peng Y, Zhang G. Pomalidomide sensitizes lung cancer cells to TRAIL/CDDP-induced apoptosis via directly targeting electron transfer flavoprotein alpha subunit. Bioorg Chem 2024; 153:107815. [PMID: 39265523 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 09/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) represented by thalidomide exhibit benefits when combined with other chemotherapeutic drugs for patients with lung cancer, which inspired the exploration of combining pomalidomide with another agent to treat lung cancer as it is more potent than thalidomide. However, the drugs that can be combined with pomalidomide to benefit patients and related mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we performed a proteomic analysis based on the streptavidin pull-down to identify the potential target of pomalidomide in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this work, electron transfer flavoprotein alpha subunit (ETFA), an important enzyme involved in electron transport in the respiratory chains was identified as a crucial cellular target of pomalidomide in NCI-H460 cells. Using apoptosis model and combination analyses, we found that pomalidomide directly targeted ETFA, and increased ATP generation, thereby significantly promoting tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis. Specific knockdown of ETFA could effectively eliminate the promoting effect of pomalidomide on energy production. Furthermore, respiratory chain inhibitors can effectively block cell apoptosis induced by TRAIL and pomalidomide. These results suggested that pomalidomide may promote apoptosis by facilitating energy production by targeting ETFA and thus enhanced the anticancer effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. It is noteworthy that pomalidomide noticeably increased the anticancer efficacy of cisplatin (CDDP) in NCI-H460 xenograft model with the main mechanisms by inducing apoptosis. Collectively, our data not only provide new insights into the anticancer mechanisms of pomalidomide but also reflect translational prospects of combining pomalidomide with CDDP for NSCLC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liangping Li
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China; School of Pharmacy, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, China
| | - Zetian Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Yuying Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang 550002, Guizhou, China
| | - Yongkun Li
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Xuesong Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Pingping Li
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Wenqing Du
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Yufei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Shulan Zeng
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Yan Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Guohai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Guangxi Ethnic Medicine, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ichiyama K, Long J, Kobayashi Y, Horita Y, Kinoshita T, Nakamura Y, Kominami C, Georgopoulos K, Sakaguchi S. Transcription factor Ikzf1 associates with Foxp3 to repress gene expression in Treg cells and limit autoimmunity and anti-tumor immunity. Immunity 2024; 57:2043-2060.e10. [PMID: 39111316 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
The master transcription factor of regulatory T (Treg) cells, forkhead box protein P3 (Foxp3), controls Treg cell function by targeting certain genes for activation or repression, but the specific mechanisms by which it mediates this activation or repression under different conditions remain unclear. We found that Ikzf1 associates with Foxp3 via its exon 5 (IkE5) and that IkE5-deficient Treg cells highly expressed genes that would otherwise be repressed by Foxp3 upon T cell receptor stimulation, including Ifng. Treg-specific IkE5-deletion caused interferon-γ (IFN-γ) overproduction, which destabilized Foxp3 expression and impaired Treg suppressive function, leading to systemic autoimmune disease and strong anti-tumor immunity. Pomalidomide, which degrades IKZF1 and IKZF3, induced IFN-γ overproduction in human Treg cells. Mechanistically, the Foxp3-Ikzf1-Ikzf3 complex competed with epigenetic co-activators, such as p300, for binding to target gene loci via chromatin remodeling. Therefore, the Ikzf1 association with Foxp3 is essential for the gene-repressive function of Foxp3 and could be exploited to treat autoimmune disease and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Ichiyama
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Jia Long
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Medical Innovations, Osaka Research Center for Drug Discovery, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuji Horita
- Joint Research Chair of Immune-therapeutic Drug Discovery, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Research Management, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokushima, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kinoshita
- Joint Research Chair of Immune-therapeutic Drug Discovery, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Research Management, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yamami Nakamura
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Chizuko Kominami
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Katia Georgopoulos
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Shimon Sakaguchi
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Li P, Hu X, Fan Z, Sun S, Ran Q, Wei T, Wei P, Jiang Q, Yan J, Yang N, Jia C, Yang T, Mao Y, Cai X, Xu T, Zhao Z, Qian X, Qin W, Zhuang X, Fan F, Xiao J, Zheng Z, Li S. Novel potent molecular glue degraders against broad range of hematological cancer cell lines via multiple neosubstrates degradation. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:77. [PMID: 39218923 PMCID: PMC11367868 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01592-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeted protein degradation of neosubstrates plays a crucial role in hematological cancer treatment involving immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs) therapy. Nevertheless, the persistence of inevitable drug resistance and hematological toxicities represents a significant obstacle to their clinical effectiveness. METHODS Phenotypic profiling of a small molecule compounds library in multiple hematological cancer cell lines was conducted to screen for hit degraders. Molecular dynamic-based rational design and cell-based functional assays were conducted to develop more potent degraders. Multiple myeloma (MM) tumor xenograft models were employed to investigate the antitumor efficacy of the degraders as single or combined agents with standard of care agents. Unbiased proteomics was employed to identify multiple therapeutically relevant neosubstrates targeted by the degraders. MM patient-derived cell lines (PDCs) and a panel of solid cancer cell lines were utilized to investigate the effects of candidate degrader on different stage of MM cells and solid malignancies. Unbiased proteomics of IMiDs-resistant MM cells, cell-based functional assays and RT-PCR analysis of clinical MM specimens were utilized to explore the role of BRD9 associated with IMiDs resistance and MM progression. RESULTS We identified a novel cereblon (CRBN)-dependent lead degrader with phthalazinone scaffold, MGD-4, which induced the degradation of Ikaros proteins. We further developed a novel potent candidate, MGD-28, significantly inhibited the growth of hematological cancer cells and induced the degradation of IKZF1/2/3 and CK1α with nanomolar potency via a Cullin-CRBN dependent pathway. Oral administration of MGD-4 and MGD-28 effectively inhibited MM tumor growth and exhibited significant synergistic effects with standard of care agents. MGD-28 exhibited preferentially profound cytotoxicity towards MM PDCs at different disease stages and broad antiproliferative activity in multiple solid malignancies. BRD9 modulated IMiDs resistance, and the expression of BRD9 was significant positively correlated with IKZF1/2/3 and CK1α in MM specimens at different stages. We also observed pronounced synergetic efficacy between the BRD9 inhibitor and MGD-28 for MM treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our findings present a strategy for the multi-targeted degradation of Ikaros proteins and CK1α against hematological cancers, which may be expanded to additional targets and indications. This strategy may enhance efficacy treatment against multiple hematological cancers and solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengyun Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Xiaotong Hu
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Zhiya Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Shiyang Sun
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Qijie Ran
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
- Department of Hematology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command, Wuhan, 430012, China
| | - Ting Wei
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Pengli Wei
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Qiyu Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Jian Yan
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Ning Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Changkai Jia
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Tingting Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yaqiu Mao
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Xu Cai
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Tingting Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhao
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Xiaohong Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Weijie Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Feng Fan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Junhai Xiao
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China.
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Zhibing Zheng
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China.
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Song Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- State Key Laboratory of National Security Specially Needed Medicines, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Tsai JM, Nowak RP, Ebert BL, Fischer ES. Targeted protein degradation: from mechanisms to clinic. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:740-757. [PMID: 38684868 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00729-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation refers to the use of small molecules to induce the selective degradation of proteins. In its most common form, this degradation is achieved through ligand-mediated neo-interactions between ubiquitin E3 ligases - the principal waste disposal machines of a cell - and the protein targets of interest, resulting in ubiquitylation and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Notable advances have been made in biological and mechanistic understanding of serendipitously discovered degraders. This improved understanding and novel chemistry has not only provided clinical proof of concept for targeted protein degradation but has also led to rapid growth of the field, with dozens of investigational drugs in active clinical trials. Two distinct classes of protein degradation therapeutics are being widely explored: bifunctional PROTACs and molecular glue degraders, both of which have their unique advantages and challenges. Here, we review the current landscape of targeted protein degradation approaches and how they have parallels in biological processes. We also outline the ongoing clinical exploration of novel degraders and provide some perspectives on the directions the field might take.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Tsai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Radosław P Nowak
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute of Structural Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Benjamin L Ebert
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Rajkumar SV. Multiple myeloma: 2024 update on diagnosis, risk-stratification, and management. Am J Hematol 2024; 99:1802-1824. [PMID: 38943315 PMCID: PMC11404783 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.27422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
DISEASE OVERVIEW Multiple myeloma accounts for approximately 10% of hematologic malignancies. DIAGNOSIS The diagnosis requires ≥10% clonal bone marrow plasma cells or a biopsy proven plasmacytoma plus evidence of one or more multiple myeloma defining events (MDE): CRAB (hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia, or lytic bone lesions) attributable to the plasma cell disorder, bone marrow clonal plasmacytosis ≥60%, serum involved/uninvolved free light chain (FLC) ratio ≥100 (provided involved FLC is ≥100 mg/L and urine monoclonal protein is ≥200 mg/24 h), or >1 focal lesion on magnetic resonance imaging. RISK STRATIFICATION The presence of del(17p), t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), gain 1q, del 1p, or p53 mutation is considered high-risk multiple myeloma. Presence of any two high risk factors is considered double-hit myeloma; three or more high risk factors is triple-hit myeloma. RISK-ADAPTED INITIAL THERAPY In patients who are candidates for autologous stem cell transplantation, induction therapy consists of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody plus bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone (VRd) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Selected standard risk patients can delay transplant until first relapse. Frail patients who not candidates for transplant are treated with VRd for approximately 8-12 cycles followed by maintenance or alternatively with daratumumab, lenalidomide, dexamethasone (DRd) until progression. MAINTENANCE THERAPY Standard risk patients need lenalidomide maintenance, while bortezomib plus lenalidomide maintenance is needed for high-risk myeloma. MANAGEMENT OF RELAPSED DISEASE A triplet regimen is usually needed at relapse, with the choice of regimen varying with each successive relapse. Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy and bispecific antibodies are additional options.
Collapse
|
19
|
Huang HT, Lumpkin RJ, Tsai RW, Su S, Zhao X, Xiong Y, Chen J, Mageed N, Donovan KA, Fischer ES, Sellers WR. Ubiquitin-specific proximity labeling for the identification of E3 ligase substrates. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:1227-1236. [PMID: 38514884 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01590-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Protein ubiquitylation controls diverse processes within eukaryotic cells, including protein degradation, and is often dysregulated in disease. Moreover, small-molecule degraders that redirect ubiquitylation activities toward disease targets are an emerging and promising therapeutic class. Over 600 E3 ubiquitin ligases are expressed in humans, but their substrates remain largely elusive, necessitating the development of new methods for their discovery. Here we report the development of E3-substrate tagging by ubiquitin biotinylation (E-STUB), a ubiquitin-specific proximity labeling method that biotinylates ubiquitylated substrates in proximity to an E3 ligase of interest. E-STUB accurately identifies the direct ubiquitylated targets of protein degraders, including collateral targets and ubiquitylation events that do not lead to substrate degradation. It also detects known substrates of E3 ligase CRBN and VHL with high specificity. With the ability to elucidate proximal ubiquitylation events, E-STUB may facilitate the development of proximity-inducing therapeutics and act as a generalizable method for E3-substrate mapping.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Tsang Huang
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ryan J Lumpkin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ryan W Tsai
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Shuyao Su
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xu Zhao
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yuan Xiong
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James Chen
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nada Mageed
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William R Sellers
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Xue Z, Qin L, Xuan H, Luo K, Huang M, Xie L, Su Y, Xu L, Harsh J, Dale B, Shi X, Chen X, Kaniskan HÜ, Jin J, Wen H. A potent and selective ENL degrader suppresses oncogenic gene expression and leukemia progression. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eado1432. [PMID: 39196923 PMCID: PMC11352836 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado1432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/30/2024]
Abstract
The histone acylation reader eleven-nineteen leukemia (ENL) plays a pivotal role in sustaining oncogenesis in acute leukemias, particularly in mixed-lineage leukemia-rearranged (MLL-r) leukemia. ENL relies on its reader domain to recognize histone lysine acylation promoting oncogenic gene expression and leukemia progression. Here, we report the development of MS41, a highly potent and selective von Hippel-Lindau-recruiting ENL degrader that effectively inhibits the growth of ENL-dependent leukemia cells. MS41-induced ENL degradation reduces the chromatin occupancy of ENL-associated transcription elongation machinery, resulting in the suppression of key oncogenic gene expression programs and the activation of differentiation genes. MS41 is well-tolerated in vivo and substantially suppresses leukemia progression in a xenograft mouse model of MLL-r leukemia. Notably, MS41 also induces the degradation of mutant ENL proteins identified in Wilms' tumors. Our findings emphasize the therapeutic potential of pharmacological ENL degradation for treating ENL-dependent cancers, making MS41 not only a valuable chemical probe but also potential anticancer therapeutic for further development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyu Xue
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Lihuai Qin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, New York, USA
| | - Hongwen Xuan
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Kaixiu Luo
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, New York, USA
| | - Mengying Huang
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Ling Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yangzhou Su
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Longxia Xu
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Josiah Harsh
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Brandon Dale
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, New York, USA
| | - Xiaobing Shi
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Xian Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - H Ümit Kaniskan
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, New York, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, New York, USA
| | - Hong Wen
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Malek E, Rana PS, Swamydas M, Daunov M, Miyagi M, Murphy E, Ignatz-Hoover JJ, Metheny L, Kim SJ, Driscoll JJ. The TGFβ type I receptor kinase inhibitor vactosertib in combination with pomalidomide in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: a phase 1b trial. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7388. [PMID: 39191755 PMCID: PMC11350185 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51442-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Functional blockade of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) signalling pathway improves the efficacy of cytotoxic and immunotherapies. Here, we conducted a phase 1b study (ClinicalTrials.gov., NCT03143985) to determine the primary endpoints of safety, tolerability, and maximal tolerated dose (200 mg twice daily) for the orally-available TGFβ type I receptor kinase inhibitor vactosertib in combination with pomalidomide in relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients who had received ≥2 lines of chemoimmunotherapy. Secondary endpoints demonstrated sustained clinical responses, favorable pharmacokinetic parameters and a 6-month progression-free survival of 82%. Vactosertib combined with pomalidomide was well-tolerated at all dose levels and displayed a manageable adverse event profile. Exploratory analysis indicated that vactosertib co-treatment with pomalidomide also reduced TGFβ levels in patient bone marrow as well as the level of CD8+ T-cells that expressed the immunoinhibitory marker PD-1. In vitro experiments indicated that vactosertib+pomalidomide co-treatment decreased the viability of MM cell lines and patient tumor cells, and increased CD8+ T-cell cytotoxic activity. Vactosertib is a safe therapeutic that demonstrates tumor-intrinsic activity and can overcome immunosuppressive challenges within the tumor microenvironment to reinvigorate T-cell fitness. Vactosertib offers promise to improve immunotherapeutic responses in heavily-pretreated MM patients refractory to conventional agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Malek
- Adult Hematologic Malignancies & Stem Cell Transplant Section, Seidman Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Priyanka S Rana
- Adult Hematologic Malignancies & Stem Cell Transplant Section, Seidman Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Muthulekha Swamydas
- Adult Hematologic Malignancies & Stem Cell Transplant Section, Seidman Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Michael Daunov
- Adult Hematologic Malignancies & Stem Cell Transplant Section, Seidman Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Masaru Miyagi
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Elena Murphy
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - James J Ignatz-Hoover
- Adult Hematologic Malignancies & Stem Cell Transplant Section, Seidman Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Leland Metheny
- Adult Hematologic Malignancies & Stem Cell Transplant Section, Seidman Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - James J Driscoll
- Adult Hematologic Malignancies & Stem Cell Transplant Section, Seidman Cancer Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Xia X, Yang Z, Lu Q, Liu Z, Wang L, Du J, Li Y, Yang DH, Wu S. Reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment to improve CAR-T cell-based cancer immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:175. [PMID: 39187850 PMCID: PMC11346058 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02079-8] [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: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In many hematologic malignancies, the adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has demonstrated notable success; nevertheless, further improvements are necessary to optimize treatment efficacy. Current CAR-T therapies are particularly discouraging for solid tumor treatment. The immunosuppressive microenvironment of tumors affects CAR-T cells, limiting the treatment's effectiveness and safety. Therefore, enhancing CAR-T cell infiltration capacity and resolving the immunosuppressive responses within the tumor microenvironment could boost the anti-tumor effect. Specific strategies include structurally altering CAR-T cells combined with targeted therapy, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. Overall, monitoring the tumor microenvironment and the status of CAR-T cells is beneficial in further investigating the viability of such strategies and advancing CAR-T cell therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueting Xia
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Zongxin Yang
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Qisi Lu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
- Foresea Life Insurance Guangzhou General Hospital, Guangzhou, 511300, China
| | - Zhenyun Liu
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Jinwen Du
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Yuhua Li
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China.
| | - Dong-Hua Yang
- New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mineola, NY, 11501, USA.
| | - Shaojie Wu
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Feng Y, Hu X, Wang X. Targeted protein degradation in hematologic malignancies: clinical progression towards novel therapeutics. Biomark Res 2024; 12:85. [PMID: 39169396 PMCID: PMC11340087 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00638-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapies, such as small molecule kinase inhibitors, have made significant progress in the treatment of hematologic malignancies by directly modulating protein activity. However, issues such as drug toxicity, drug resistance due to target mutations, and the absence of key active sites limit the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs. Targeted protein degradation (TPD) presents an emergent and rapidly evolving therapeutic approach that selectively targets proteins of interest (POI) based on endogenous degradation processes. With an event-driven pharmacology of action, TPD achieves efficacy with catalytic amounts, avoiding drug-related toxicity. Furthermore, TPD has the unique mode of degrading the entire POI, such that resistance derived from mutations in the targeted protein has less impact on its degradation function. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glue degraders (MGDs) are the most maturely developed TPD techniques. In this review, we focus on both preclinical experiments and clinical trials to provide a comprehensive summary of the safety and clinical effectiveness of PROTACs and MGDs in hematologic malignancies over the past two decades. In addition, we also delineate the challenges and opportunities associated with these burgeoning degradation techniques. TPD, as an approach to the precise degradation of specific proteins, provides an important impetus for its future application in the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yupiao Feng
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Xinting Hu
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.
- Taishan Scholars Program of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Lind J, Aksoy O, Prchal-Murphy M, Fan F, Fulciniti M, Stoiber D, Bakiri L, Wagner EF, Zwickl-Traxler E, Sattler M, Kollmann K, Vallet S, Podar K. Dual therapeutic targeting of MYC and JUNB transcriptional programs for enhanced anti-myeloma activity. Blood Cancer J 2024; 14:138. [PMID: 39160158 PMCID: PMC11333473 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-024-01117-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of transcription factors (TFs) leading to uncontrolled proliferation of tumor cells within the microenvironment represents a hallmark of cancer. However, the biological and clinical impact of transcriptional interference, particularly in multiple myeloma (MM) cells, remains poorly understood. The present study shows for the first time that MYC and JUNB, two crucial TFs implicated in MM pathogenesis, orchestrate distinct transcriptional programs. Specifically, our data revealed that expression levels of MYC, JUNB, and their respective downstream targets do not correlate and that their global chromatin-binding patterns are not significantly overlapping. Mechanistically, MYC expression was not affected by JUNB knockdown, and conversely, JUNB expression and transcriptional activity were not affected by MYC knockdown. Moreover, suppression of MYC levels in MM cells via targeting the master regulator BRD4 by either siRNA-mediated knockdown or treatment with the novel proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) MZ-1 overcame bone marrow (BM) stroma cell/IL-6-induced MYC- but not MEK-dependent JUNB-upregulation and transcriptional activity. Consequently, targeting of the two non-overlapping MYC- and JUNB-transcriptoms by MZ-1 in combination with genetic or pharmacological JUNB-targeting approaches synergistically enhanced MM cell death, both in 2D and our novel dynamic 3D models of the BM milieu as well as in murine xenografts. In summary, our data emphasize the opportunity to employ MYC and JUNB dual-targeting treatment strategies in MM as another exciting approach to further improve patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judith Lind
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Hematology, Department of Basic and Translational Oncology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Osman Aksoy
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Hematology, Department of Basic and Translational Oncology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Michaela Prchal-Murphy
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fengjuan Fan
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mariateresa Fulciniti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dagmar Stoiber
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Latifa Bakiri
- Genes & Disease Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna (MUW), Vienna, Austria
| | - Erwin F Wagner
- Genes & Disease Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna (MUW), Vienna, Austria
- Genes & Disease Group, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna (MUW), Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Martin Sattler
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karoline Kollmann
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sonia Vallet
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Hematology, Department of Basic and Translational Oncology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
- Division of Internal Medicine 2, University Hospital Krems, Krems/ Donau, Austria
| | - Klaus Podar
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Hematology, Department of Basic and Translational Oncology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria.
- Division of Internal Medicine 2, University Hospital Krems, Krems/ Donau, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Li M. IKZF2 Degradation: It's Time to Take into Account it When Designing Cereblon-Based PROTACs. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202400365. [PMID: 38802326 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) has become a very important means of protein degradation and a new way of disease treatment. In particular, PROTACs constructed with ligands for E3 ligase cereblon account for more than 90 % of the PROTACs currently in clinical research. Notably, CRBN ligands themselves are a class of molecular glue compounds capable of degrading neo-substrate proteins. Compared to the target proteins degradation, the degradation of neo-substrates, especially IKZF2, has not received enough attention. Therefore, this review summarizes the currently published IKZF2 degraders derived from articles and patents, which are conducive to the design of PROTACs with desired IKZF2 degradation from the perspective of medicinal chemistry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minglei Li
- Chemical Biology Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Institute of Materia Medical, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, Shandong, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Institute of Materia Medical, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery System, Key Laboratory for Biotechnology Drugs of National Health Commission (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences), Key Lab for Rare & Uncommon Diseases of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250117, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Gough SM, Flanagan JJ, Teh J, Andreoli M, Rousseau E, Pannone M, Bookbinder M, Willard R, Davenport K, Bortolon E, Cadelina G, Gordon D, Pizzano J, Macaluso J, Soto L, Corradi J, Digianantonio K, Drulyte I, Morgan A, Quinn C, Békés M, Ferraro C, Chen X, Wang G, Dong H, Wang J, Langley DR, Houston J, Gedrich R, Taylor IC. Oral Estrogen Receptor PROTAC Vepdegestrant (ARV-471) Is Highly Efficacious as Monotherapy and in Combination with CDK4/6 or PI3K/mTOR Pathway Inhibitors in Preclinical ER+ Breast Cancer Models. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:3549-3563. [PMID: 38819400 PMCID: PMC11325148 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-3465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Estrogen receptor (ER) alpha signaling is a known driver of ER-positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) breast cancer. Combining endocrine therapy (ET) such as fulvestrant with CDK4/6, mTOR, or PI3K inhibitors has become a central strategy in the treatment of ER+ advanced breast cancer. However, suboptimal ER inhibition and resistance resulting from the ESR1 mutation dictates that new therapies are needed. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A medicinal chemistry campaign identified vepdegestrant (ARV-471), a selective, orally bioavailable, and potent small molecule PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) degrader of ER. We used biochemical and intracellular target engagement assays to demonstrate the mechanism of action of vepdegestrant, and ESR1 wild-type (WT) and mutant ER+ preclinical breast cancer models to demonstrate ER degradation-mediated tumor growth inhibition (TGI). RESULTS Vepdegestrant induced ≥90% degradation of wild-type and mutant ER, inhibited ER-dependent breast cancer cell line proliferation in vitro, and achieved substantial TGI (87%-123%) in MCF7 orthotopic xenograft models, better than those of the ET agent fulvestrant (31%-80% TGI). In the hormone independent (HI) mutant ER Y537S patient-derived xenograft (PDX) breast cancer model ST941/HI, vepdegestrant achieved tumor regression and was similarly efficacious in the ST941/HI/PBR palbociclib-resistant model (102% TGI). Vepdegestrant-induced robust tumor regressions in combination with each of the CDK4/6 inhibitors palbociclib, abemaciclib, and ribociclib; the mTOR inhibitor everolimus; and the PI3K inhibitors alpelisib and inavolisib. CONCLUSIONS Vepdegestrant achieved greater ER degradation in vivo compared with fulvestrant, which correlated with improved TGI, suggesting vepdegestrant could be a more effective backbone ET for patients with ER+/HER2- breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jessica Teh
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | | | | | | | | | - Ryan Willard
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Leofal Soto
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - John Corradi
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | | | - Ieva Drulyte
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Materials and Structural Analysis, Eindhoven, Netherlands.
| | | | - Connor Quinn
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - Miklós Békés
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | | | - Xin Chen
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - Gan Wang
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - Hanqing Dong
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - Jing Wang
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | | | - John Houston
- Arvinas Operations, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Wang B, Li M, Cao D, Sun Q, Yu W, Ma J, Ren H, Xu G, Zhou L. Lys-63-specific deubiquitinase BRCC36 enhances the sensitivity of multiple myeloma cells to lenalidomide by inhibiting lysosomal degradation of cereblon. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:349. [PMID: 39136771 PMCID: PMC11335271 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05390-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological tumor in adults. Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), such as thalidomide and lenalidomide (Len), are effective drugs for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Len can recruit IKZF1 and IKZF3 to cereblon (CRBN), a substrate receptor of the cullin 4-RING E3 ligase (CRL4), promote their ubiquitination and degradation, and finally inhibit the proliferation of myeloma cells. However, MM patients develop resistance to IMiDs over time, leading to disease recurrence and deterioration. To explore the possible approaches that may enhance the sensitivity of IMiDs to MM, in this study, we used the proximity labeling technique TurboID and quantitative proteomics to identify Lys-63-specific deubiquitinase BRCC36 as a CRBN-interacting protein. Biochemical experiments demonstrated that BRCC36 in the BRISC complex protects CRBN from lysosomal degradation by specifically cleaving the K63-linked polyubiquitin chain on CRBN. Further studies found that a small-molecule compound SHIN1, which binds to BRISC complex subunit SHMT2, can upregulate CRBN by elevating BRCC36. The combination of SHIN1 and Len can further increase the sensitivity of MM cells to IMiDs. Therefore, this study provides the basis for the exploration of a possible strategy for the SHIN1 and Len combination treatment for MM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Busong Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Prevention and Treatment of Hyperlipidemic Diseases, Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Min Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Prevention and Treatment of Hyperlipidemic Diseases, Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dan Cao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Prevention and Treatment of Hyperlipidemic Diseases, Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qing Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Prevention and Treatment of Hyperlipidemic Diseases, Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenjun Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Prevention and Treatment of Hyperlipidemic Diseases, Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingjing Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou Dushu Lake Hospital, Medical Center of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haigang Ren
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuropathology, Department of Pharmacology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Guoqiang Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Prevention and Treatment of Hyperlipidemic Diseases, Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Liang Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Development, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Prevention and Treatment of Hyperlipidemic Diseases, Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kim JJ, Kim SJ, Lim S, Lee ST, Choi JR, Shin S, Hwang DY. Enhancing mutation detection in multiple myeloma with an error-corrected ultra-sensitive NGS assay without plasma cell enrichment. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:282. [PMID: 39135074 PMCID: PMC11318258 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03470-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Risk stratification in multiple myeloma (MM) patients is crucial, and molecular genetic studies play a significant role in achieving this objective. Enrichment of plasma cells for next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis has been employed to enhance detection sensitivity. However, these methods often come with limitations, such as high costs and low throughput. In this study, we explore the use of an error-corrected ultrasensitive NGS assay called positional indexing sequencing (PiSeq-MM). This assay can detect somatic mutations in MM patients without relying on plasma cell enrichment. METHOD Diagnostic bone marrow aspirates (BMAs) and blood samples from 14 MM patients were used for exploratory and validation sets. RESULTS PiSeq-MM successfully detected somatic mutations in all BMAs, outperforming conventional NGS using plasma cells. It also identified 38 low-frequency mutations that were missed by conventional NGS, enhancing detection sensitivity below the 5% analytical threshold. When tested in an actual clinical environment, plasma cell enrichment failed in most BMAs (14/16), but the PiSeq-MM enabled mutation detection in all BMAs. There was concordance between PiSeq-MM using BMAs and ctDNA analysis in paired blood samples. CONCLUSION This research provides valuable insights into the genetic landscape of MM and highlights the advantages of error-corrected NGS for detecting low-frequency mutations. Although the current standard method for mutation analysis is plasma cell-enriched BMAs, total BMA or ctDNA testing with error correction is a viable alternative when plasma cell enrichment is not feasible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Ju Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yongin, Korea
| | - Soo-Jeong Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hemato-Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yongin, Korea
| | - Seoyoung Lim
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea PLUS Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Tae Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Hospital, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea
- Dxome, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Rak Choi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Hospital, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea
- Dxome, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Saeam Shin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Hospital, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea.
| | - Doh Yu Hwang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Stokes ME, Wenzl K, Huang CC, Ortiz M, Hsu CC, Maurer MJ, Stong N, Nakayama Y, Wu L, Chiu H, Polonskaia A, Danziger SA, Towfic F, Parker J, King RL, Link BK, Slager SL, Sarangi V, Asmann YW, Novak JP, Sudhindra A, Ansell SM, Habermann TM, Hagner PR, Nowakowski GS, Cerhan JR, Novak AJ, Gandhi AK. Transcriptomic classification of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma identifies a high-risk activated B-cell-like subpopulation with targetable MYC dysregulation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6790. [PMID: 39117654 PMCID: PMC11310352 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50830-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunochemotherapy has been the mainstay of treatment for newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (ndDLBCL) yet is inadequate for many patients. In this work, we perform unsupervised clustering on transcriptomic features from a large cohort of ndDLBCL patients and identify seven clusters, one called A7 with poor prognosis, and develop a classifier to identify these clusters in independent ndDLBCL cohorts. This high-risk cluster is enriched for activated B-cell cell-of-origin, low immune infiltration, high MYC expression, and copy number aberrations. We compare and contrast our methodology with recent DLBCL classifiers to contextualize our clusters and show improved prognostic utility. Finally, using pre-clinical models, we demonstrate a mechanistic rationale for IKZF1/3 degraders such as lenalidomide to overcome the low immune infiltration phenotype of A7 by inducing T-cell trafficking into tumors and upregulating MHC I and II on tumor cells, and demonstrate that TCF4 is an important regulator of MYC-related biology in A7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Stokes
- Informatics and Predictive Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ, USA
| | - Kerstin Wenzl
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - C Chris Huang
- Translational Medicine Hematology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ, USA
| | - María Ortiz
- Informatics and Predictive Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, Seville, Spain
| | - Chih-Chao Hsu
- Translational Medicine Hematology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ, USA
| | - Matthew J Maurer
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Nicholas Stong
- Informatics and Predictive Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ, USA
| | - Yumi Nakayama
- Translational Medicine Hematology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ, USA
| | - Lei Wu
- Translational Medicine Hematology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ, USA
| | - Hsiling Chiu
- Translational Medicine Hematology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ, USA
| | - Ann Polonskaia
- Translational Medicine Hematology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ, USA
| | | | - Fadi Towfic
- BMS at the time the study was conducted, Prometheus Biosciences, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Joel Parker
- LifeEDIT Therapeutics, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca L King
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Brian K Link
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplant, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Susan L Slager
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Yan W Asmann
- Department of Health Science Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Akshay Sudhindra
- Clinical Research and Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Patrick R Hagner
- Translational Medicine Hematology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Anne J Novak
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Anita K Gandhi
- Translational Medicine Hematology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ramberger E, Sapozhnikova V, Ng YLD, Dolnik A, Ziehm M, Popp O, Sträng E, Kull M, Grünschläger F, Krüger J, Benary M, Müller S, Gao X, Murgai A, Haji M, Schmidt A, Lutz R, Nogai A, Braune J, Laue D, Langer C, Khandanpour C, Bassermann F, Döhner H, Engelhardt M, Straka C, Hundemer M, Beule D, Haas S, Keller U, Einsele H, Bullinger L, Knop S, Mertins P, Krönke J. The proteogenomic landscape of multiple myeloma reveals insights into disease biology and therapeutic opportunities. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:1267-1284. [PMID: 38942927 PMCID: PMC11358022 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00784-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy of the bone marrow. Despite therapeutic advances, MM remains incurable, and better risk stratification as well as new therapies are therefore highly needed. The proteome of MM has not been systematically assessed before and holds the potential to uncover insight into disease biology and improved prognostication in addition to genetic and transcriptomic studies. Here we provide a comprehensive multiomics analysis including deep tandem mass tag-based quantitative global (phospho)proteomics, RNA sequencing, and nanopore DNA sequencing of 138 primary patient-derived plasma cell malignancies encompassing treatment-naive MM, plasma cell leukemia and the premalignancy monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, as well as healthy controls. We found that the (phospho)proteome of malignant plasma cells are highly deregulated as compared with healthy plasma cells and is both defined by chromosomal alterations as well as posttranscriptional regulation. A prognostic protein signature was identified that is associated with aggressive disease independent of established risk factors in MM. Integration with functional genetics and single-cell RNA sequencing revealed general and genetic subtype-specific deregulated proteins and pathways in plasma cell malignancies that include potential targets for (immuno)therapies. Our study demonstrates the potential of proteogenomics in cancer and provides an easily accessible resource for investigating protein regulation and new therapeutic approaches in MM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Ramberger
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Berlin, DKFZ and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Valeriia Sapozhnikova
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Berlin, DKFZ and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yuen Lam Dora Ng
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Dolnik
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Ziehm
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Popp
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eric Sträng
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Miriam Kull
- Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Florian Grünschläger
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Josefine Krüger
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Sina Müller
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Xiang Gao
- Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Arunima Murgai
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Berlin, DKFZ and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mohamed Haji
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annika Schmidt
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Raphael Lutz
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Axel Nogai
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Braune
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominik Laue
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Cyrus Khandanpour
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Florian Bassermann
- Department of Medicine III, Technical University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Hartmut Döhner
- Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | - Michael Hundemer
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Simon Haas
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Berlin, DKFZ and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Keller
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Berlin, DKFZ and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lars Bullinger
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Berlin, DKFZ and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Knop
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
- Nuremberg General Hospital, Nuremberg, Germany.
- Paracelsus Medical School, Nuremberg, Germany.
| | - Philipp Mertins
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Jan Krönke
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Berlin, DKFZ and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Samuel VP, Moglad E, Afzal M, Kazmi I, Alzarea SI, Ali H, Almujri SS, Abida, Imran M, Gupta G, Chinni SV, Tiwari A. Exploring Ubiquitin-specific proteases as therapeutic targets in Glioblastoma. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 260:155443. [PMID: 38981348 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) remains a formidable challenge and requires new treatment strategies. The vital part of the Ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in cellular regulation has positioned it as a potentially crucial target in GB treatment, given its dysregulation oncolines. The Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) in the UPS system were considered due to the garden role in the cellular processes associated with oncolines and their vital function in the apoptotic process, cell cycle regulation, and autophagy. The article provides a comprehensive summary of the evidence base for targeting USPs as potential factors for neoplasm treatment. The review considers the participation of the UPS system in the development, resulting in the importance of p53, Rb, and NF-κB, and evaluates specific goals for therapeutic administration using midnight proteasomal inhibitors and small molecule antagonists of E1 and E2 enzymes. Despite the slowed rate of drug creation, recent therapeutic discoveries based on USP system dynamics hold promise for specialized therapies. The review concludes with an analysis of future wanderers and the feasible effects of targeting USPs on personalized GB therapies, which can improve patient hydration in this current and unattractive therapeutic landscape. The manuscript emphasizes the possibility of USP oncogene therapy as a promising alternative treatment line for GB. It stresses the direct creation of research on the medical effectiveness of the approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vijaya Paul Samuel
- Department of Anatomy, RAK College of Medicine, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, the United Arab Emirates
| | - Ehssan Moglad
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Afzal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, P.O. Box 6231, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sami I Alzarea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72341, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haider Ali
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, India; Department of Pharmacology, Kyrgyz State Medical College, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | - Salem Salman Almujri
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Aseer 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abida
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha 91911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohd Imran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha 91911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Centre for Research Impact & Outcome-Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Suresh V Chinni
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience, and Nursing, MAHSA University, Jenjarom, Selangor 42610, Malaysia
| | - Abhishek Tiwari
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Academy, IFTM University, Lodhipur-Rajpur, Moradabad 244102, India.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Brodermann MH, Henderson EK, Sellar RS. The emerging role of targeted protein degradation to treat and study cancer. J Pathol 2024; 263:403-417. [PMID: 38886898 DOI: 10.1002/path.6301] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The evolution of cancer treatment has provided increasingly targeted strategies both in the upfront and relapsed disease settings. Small-molecule inhibitors and immunotherapy have risen to prominence with chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, checkpoint inhibitors, kinase inhibitors, and monoclonal antibody therapies being deployed across a range of solid organ and haematological malignancies. However, novel approaches are required to target transcription factors and oncogenic fusion proteins that are central to cancer biology and have generally eluded successful drug development. Thalidomide analogues causing protein degradation have been a cornerstone of treatment in multiple myeloma, but a lack of in-depth mechanistic understanding initially limited progress in the field. When the protein cereblon (CRBN) was found to mediate thalidomide analogues' action and CRBN's neo-targets were identified, existing and novel drug development accelerated, with applications outside multiple myeloma, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, and acute leukaemias. Critically, transcription factors were the first canonical targets described. In addition to broadening the application of protein-degrading drugs, resistance mechanisms are being overcome and targeted protein degradation is widening the scope of druggable proteins against which existing approaches have been ineffective. Examples of targeted protein degraders include molecular glues and proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs): heterobifunctional molecules that bind to proteins of interest and cause proximity-induced ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation via a linked E3 ligase. Twenty years since their inception, PROTACs have begun progressing through clinical trials, with early success in targeting the oestrogen receptor and androgen receptor in breast and prostate cancer respectively. This review explores important developments in targeted protein degradation to both treat and study cancer. It also considers the potential advantages and challenges in the translational aspects of developing new treatments. © 2024 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth K Henderson
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rob S Sellar
- Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Zhang Z, Li Y, Yang J, Li J, Lin X, Liu T, Yang S, Lin J, Xue S, Yu J, Tang C, Li Z, Liu L, Ye Z, Deng Y, Li Z, Chen K, Ding H, Luo C, Lin H. Dual-site molecular glues for enhancing protein-protein interactions of the CDK12-DDB1 complex. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6477. [PMID: 39090085 PMCID: PMC11294606 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50642-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) stabilization with molecular glues plays a crucial role in drug discovery, albeit with significant challenges. In this study, we propose a dual-site approach, targeting the PPI region and its dynamic surroundings. We conduct molecular dynamics simulations to identify critical sites on the PPI that stabilize the cyclin-dependent kinase 12 - DNA damage-binding protein 1 (CDK12-DDB1) complex, resulting in further cyclin K degradation. This exploration leads to the creation of LL-K12-18, a dual-site molecular glue, which enhances the glue properties to augment degradation kinetics and efficiency. Notably, LL-K12-18 demonstrates strong inhibition of gene transcription and anti-proliferative effects in tumor cells, showing significant potency improvements in MDA-MB-231 (88-fold) and MDA-MB-468 cells (307-fold) when compared to its precursor compound SR-4835. These findings underscore the potential of dual-site approaches in disrupting CDK12 function and offer a structural insight-based framework for the design of cyclin K molecular glues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zemin Zhang
- The School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuanqing Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions of Fujian Province University, the Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jiacheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiongqiang Lin
- The School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ting Liu
- The School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shiling Yang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions of Fujian Province University, the Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jin Lin
- The School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shengyu Xue
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiamin Yu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Cailing Tang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziteng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Liu
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, China
| | - Zhengzheng Ye
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanan Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhihai Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaixian Chen
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.
| | - Cheng Luo
- The School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, School of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.
| | - Hua Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions of Fujian Province University, the Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Song Y, Zhang Y, Wang Z, Lin Y, Cao X, Han X, Li G, Hou A, Han S. CCL2 mediated IKZF1 expression promotes M2 polarization of glioma-associated macrophages through CD84-SHP2 pathway. Oncogene 2024; 43:2737-2749. [PMID: 39112517 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03118-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
The proneural-mesenchymal (PN-MES) transformation of glioma stem cells (GSCs) can significantly increase proliferation, invasion, chemotherapy tolerance, and recurrence. M2-like polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) has a strong immunosuppressive effect, promoting tumor malignancy and angiogenesis. There is limited understanding on the interactions between GSCs and TAMs as well as their associated molecular mechanisms. In the present study, bioinformatics analysis, GSC and TAM co-culture, determination of TAM polarization phenotypes, and other in vitro experiments confirmed that CCL2 secreted by MES-GSCs promotes TAM-M2 polarization via the IKZF1-CD84-SHP2 pathway and PN-MES transformation of GSCs via the IKZF1-LRG1 pathway in TAMs. IKZF1 inhibitors could significantly reduce tumor volumes in animal glioma models and improve survival, as well as suppress TAM-M2 polarization and the GSC malignant phenotype. The results of this study indicate the important interaction between TAMs and GSCs in the glioma microenvironment as well as its role in tumor progression. The findings also suggest a novel target for follow-up clinical transformation research on the regulation of TAM function and GSCs malignant phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifu Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Yaochuan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Zixun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Yibin Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Xu Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Xiaodi Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Guangyu Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Ana Hou
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China.
| | - Sheng Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Liu Y, Mo CC, Hartley-Brown MA, Sperling AS, Midha S, Yee AJ, Bianchi G, Piper C, Tattersall A, Nadeem O, Laubach JP, Richardson PG. Targeting Ikaros and Aiolos: reviewing novel protein degraders for the treatment of multiple myeloma, with a focus on iberdomide and mezigdomide. Expert Rev Hematol 2024; 17:445-465. [PMID: 39054911 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2024.2382897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) is evolving rapidly. Quadruplet regimens incorporating proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), and CD38 monoclonal antibodies have emerged as standard-of-care options for newly diagnosed MM, and numerous novel therapies have been approved for relapsed/refractory MM. However, there remains a need for novel options in multiple settings, including refractoriness to frontline standards of care. AREAS COVERED Targeting degradation of IKZF1 and IKZF3 - Ikaros and Aiolos - through modulation of cereblon, an E3 ligase substrate recruiter/receptor, is a key mechanism of action of the IMiDs and the CELMoD agents. Two CELMoD agents, iberdomide and mezigdomide, have demonstrated substantial preclinical and clinical activity in MM and have entered phase 3 investigation. Using a literature search methodology comprising searches of PubMed (unlimited time-frame) and international hematology/oncology conference abstracts (2019-2023), this paper reviews the importance of Ikaros and Aiolos in MM, the mechanism of action of the IMiDs and CELMoD agents and their relative potency for targeting Ikaros and Aiolos, and preclinical and clinical data on iberdomide and mezigdomide. EXPERT OPINION Emerging data suggest that iberdomide and mezigdomide have promising activity, including in IMiD-resistant settings and, pending phase 3 findings, may provide additional treatment options for patients with MM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jerome Lipper Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Clifton C Mo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jerome Lipper Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Monique A Hartley-Brown
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jerome Lipper Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Hematology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adam S Sperling
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jerome Lipper Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Hematology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shonali Midha
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jerome Lipper Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Hematology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew J Yee
- Massachusetts General Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giada Bianchi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jerome Lipper Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Hematology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Catherine Piper
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jerome Lipper Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alice Tattersall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jerome Lipper Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Omar Nadeem
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jerome Lipper Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jacob P Laubach
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jerome Lipper Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paul G Richardson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jerome Lipper Center for Multiple Myeloma Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Li YD, Ma MW, Hassan MM, Hunkeler M, Teng M, Puvar K, Rutter JC, Lumpkin RJ, Sandoval B, Jin CY, Schmoker AM, Ficarro SB, Cheong H, Metivier RJ, Wang MY, Xu S, Byun WS, Groendyke BJ, You I, Sigua LH, Tavares I, Zou C, Tsai JM, Park PMC, Yoon H, Majewski FC, Sperling HT, Marto JA, Qi J, Nowak RP, Donovan KA, Słabicki M, Gray NS, Fischer ES, Ebert BL. Template-assisted covalent modification underlies activity of covalent molecular glues. Nat Chem Biol 2024:10.1038/s41589-024-01668-4. [PMID: 39075252 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01668-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Molecular glues are proximity-inducing small molecules that have emerged as an attractive therapeutic approach. However, developing molecular glues remains challenging, requiring innovative mechanistic strategies to stabilize neoprotein interfaces and expedite discovery. Here we unveil a trans-labeling covalent molecular glue mechanism, termed 'template-assisted covalent modification'. We identified a new series of BRD4 molecular glue degraders that recruit CUL4DCAF16 ligase to the second bromodomain of BRD4 (BRD4BD2). Through comprehensive biochemical, structural and mutagenesis analyses, we elucidated how pre-existing structural complementarity between DCAF16 and BRD4BD2 serves as a template to optimally orient the degrader for covalent modification of DCAF16Cys58. This process stabilizes the formation of BRD4-degrader-DCAF16 ternary complex and facilitates BRD4 degradation. Supporting generalizability, we found that a subset of degraders also induces GAK-BRD4BD2 interaction through trans-labeling of GAK. Together, our work establishes 'template-assisted covalent modification' as a mechanism for covalent molecular glues, which opens a new path to proximity-driven pharmacology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Der Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michelle W Ma
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Muhammad Murtaza Hassan
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Chem-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Moritz Hunkeler
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mingxing Teng
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pathology & Immunology, and Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kedar Puvar
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Justine C Rutter
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ryan J Lumpkin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brittany Sandoval
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cyrus Y Jin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna M Schmoker
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott B Ficarro
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Blais Proteomics Center and Center for Emergent Drug Targets, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hakyung Cheong
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca J Metivier
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michelle Y Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shawn Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Woong Sub Byun
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Chem-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Brian J Groendyke
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Inchul You
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Chem-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Logan H Sigua
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isidoro Tavares
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Blais Proteomics Center and Center for Emergent Drug Targets, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charles Zou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan M Tsai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paul M C Park
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Hojong Yoon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Felix C Majewski
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Chem-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Haniya T Sperling
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jarrod A Marto
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Blais Proteomics Center and Center for Emergent Drug Targets, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jun Qi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Radosław P Nowak
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mikołaj Słabicki
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Chem-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Benjamin L Ebert
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Vetma V, Perez LC, Eliaš J, Stingu A, Kombara A, Gmaschitz T, Braun N, Ciftci T, Dahmann G, Diers E, Gerstberger T, Greb P, Kidd G, Kofink C, Puoti I, Spiteri V, Trainor N, Weinstabl H, Westermaier Y, Whitworth C, Ciulli A, Farnaby W, McAulay K, Frost AB, Chessum N, Koegl M. Confounding Factors in Targeted Degradation of Short-Lived Proteins. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:1484-1494. [PMID: 38958654 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.4c00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation has recently emerged as a novel option in drug discovery. Natural protein half-life is expected to affect the efficacy of degrading agents, but to what extent it influences target protein degradation has not been systematically explored. Using simple mathematical modeling of protein degradation, we find that the natural half-life of a target protein has a dramatic effect on the level of protein degradation induced by a degrader agent which can pose significant hurdles to screening efforts. Moreover, we show that upon screening for degraders of short-lived proteins, agents that stall protein synthesis, such as GSPT1 degraders and generally cytotoxic compounds, deceptively appear as protein-degrading agents. This is exemplified by the disappearance of short-lived proteins such as MCL1 and MDM2 upon GSPT1 degradation and upon treatment with cytotoxic agents such as doxorubicin. These findings have implications for target selection as well as for the type of control experiments required to conclude that a novel agent works as a bona fide targeted protein degrader.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vesna Vetma
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, 1 James Lindsay Place, DD1 5JJ Dundee, Scotland, U.K
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dow Street, DD1 5EH Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | - Laura Casares Perez
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, 1 James Lindsay Place, DD1 5JJ Dundee, Scotland, U.K
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dow Street, DD1 5EH Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | - Ján Eliaš
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Stingu
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anju Kombara
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Nina Braun
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Tuncay Ciftci
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Dahmann
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Emelyne Diers
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dow Street, DD1 5EH Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | | | - Peter Greb
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Giorgia Kidd
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, 1 James Lindsay Place, DD1 5JJ Dundee, Scotland, U.K
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dow Street, DD1 5EH Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | | | - Ilaria Puoti
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, 1 James Lindsay Place, DD1 5JJ Dundee, Scotland, U.K
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dow Street, DD1 5EH Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | - Valentina Spiteri
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, 1 James Lindsay Place, DD1 5JJ Dundee, Scotland, U.K
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dow Street, DD1 5EH Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | - Nicole Trainor
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dow Street, DD1 5EH Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | | | | | - Claire Whitworth
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dow Street, DD1 5EH Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, 1 James Lindsay Place, DD1 5JJ Dundee, Scotland, U.K
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dow Street, DD1 5EH Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | - William Farnaby
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, 1 James Lindsay Place, DD1 5JJ Dundee, Scotland, U.K
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dow Street, DD1 5EH Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | - Kirsten McAulay
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, 1 James Lindsay Place, DD1 5JJ Dundee, Scotland, U.K
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dow Street, DD1 5EH Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | - Aileen B Frost
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, 1 James Lindsay Place, DD1 5JJ Dundee, Scotland, U.K
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dow Street, DD1 5EH Dundee, Scotland, U.K
| | - Nicola Chessum
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| | - Manfred Koegl
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, 1221 Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Reboud-Ravaux M. [Protein induced proximity and targeted degradations by new degraders: concepts, developments, challenges for clinical applications]. Biol Aujourdhui 2024; 218:41-54. [PMID: 39007776 DOI: 10.1051/jbio/2024007] [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: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The review is focused on recent drug discovery advances based on targeted protein degradation strategies. This new area of research has exploded leading to the development of potential drugs useful in a large variety of human diseases. They first target disease relevant proteins difficult to counteract with other classical strategies and extend now to aggregates, organelles, nucleic acids or lipidic droplets. These degraders engaged either the ubiquitin-proteasome system for PROTACs and molecular glues (first generation), or the lysosomal system via endosome-lysosome degradation (LYTACs) and autophagy-lysosome degradation (ATTEC, AUTAC, AUTOTAC) (following generations of degraders). PROTACs have expanded from the orthodox heterobifunctional ones to new derivatives such as homo-PROTACs, pro-PROTACs, CLIPTACs, HaloPROTACs, PHOTOTACs, Bac-PROTACs, AbTACs, ARN-PROTACs. The small molecular-weight molecular glues induce the formation of new ternary complexes which implicate the targeted protein and an ubiquitin ligase E3 allowing the protein ubiquinitation followed by its proteasomal degradation. Lysosomal degraders (LYTAC, ATTEC, AUTAC, AUTOTAC) specifically recognize extracellular and membrane proteins or dysfunctional organelles and transport them into lysosomes where they are degraded. They overcome the limitations observed with proteasomal degradations induced by PROTAC and molecular glues and demonstrate their potential to treat human diseases, especially neurodegenerative ones. Pharmaceutical companies are engaged at the world level to develop these new potential drugs targeting cancers, immuno-inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases as well as a variety of other ones. Efficiency and risks for these novel therapeutic strategies are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michèle Reboud-Ravaux
- Sorbonne Université, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (IBPS), CNRS UMR 8256, Inserm ERL U1164, 7 quai Saint-Bernard, 75252 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Davis LN, Walker ZJ, Reiman LT, Parzych SE, Stevens BM, Jordan CT, Forsberg PA, Sherbenou DW. MYC Inhibition Potentiates CD8+ T Cells Against Multiple Myeloma and Overcomes Immunomodulatory Drug Resistance. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:3023-3035. [PMID: 38723281 PMCID: PMC11250500 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-24-0256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), such as lenalidomide and pomalidomide, are a cornerstone of multiple myeloma (MM) therapies, yet the disease inevitably becomes refractory. IMiDs exert cytotoxicity by inducing cereblon-dependent proteasomal degradation of IKZF1 and IKZF3, resulting in downregulation of the oncogenic transcription factors IRF4 and MYC. To date, clinical IMiD resistance independent of cereblon or IKZF1/3 has not been well explored. Here, we investigated the roles of IRF4 and MYC in this context. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Using bone marrow aspirates from patients with IMiD-naïve or refractory MM, we examined IKZF1/3 protein levels and IRF4/MYC gene expression following ex vivo pomalidomide treatment via flow cytometry and qPCR. We also assessed exvivo sensitivity to the MYC inhibitor MYCi975 using flow cytometry. RESULTS We discovered that although pomalidomide frequently led to IKZF1/3 degradation in MM cells, it did not affect MYC gene expression in most IMiD-refractory samples. We subsequently demonstrated that MYCi975 exerted strong anti-MM effects in both IMiD-naïve and -refractory samples. Unexpectedly, we identified a cluster of differentiation 8+ (CD8+ T) cells from patients with MM as crucial effectors of MYCi975-induced cytotoxicity in primary MM samples, and we discovered that MYCi975 enhanced the cytotoxic functions of memory CD8+ T cells. We lastly observed synergy between MYCi975 and pomalidomide in IMiD-refractory samples, suggesting that restoring MYC downregulation can re-sensitize refractory MM to IMiDs. CONCLUSIONS Our study supports the concept that MYC represents an Achilles' heel in MM across disease states and that MYCi975 may be a promising therapeutic for patients with MM, particularly in combination with IMiDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine N. Davis
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Zachary J. Walker
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lauren T. Reiman
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sarah E. Parzych
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Brett M. Stevens
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Craig T. Jordan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Peter A. Forsberg
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Daniel W. Sherbenou
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Oya Y, Imaizumi K, Mitsudomi T. The next-generation KRAS inhibitors…What comes after sotorasib and adagrasib? Lung Cancer 2024; 194:107886. [PMID: 39047616 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) is one of the first driver oncogenes identified in human cancer in the early 1980s. However, it has been deemed 'undruggable' for nearly four decades until the discovery of KRAS G12C covalent inhibitors, which marked a pivotal breakthrough. Currently, sotorasib and adagrasib have been approved by the US FDA to treat patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring KRAS G12C mutation. However, their efficacy is somewhat limited compared to that of other targeted therapies owing to intrinsic resistance or early acquisition of resistance. While G12C is the predominant subtype of KRAS mutations in NSCLC, G12D/V is prevalent in colorectal and pancreatic cancers. These facts have spurred active research to develop more potent KRAS G12C inhibitors as well as inhibitors targeting non-G12C KRAS mutations. Novel approaches, such as molecular shielding or targeted protein degradation, are also under development. Combining KRAS inhibitors with inhibitors of the receptor-tyrosine kinase-RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is underway to counteract redundant feedback mechanisms. Additionally, immunological approaches utilizing T-cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cell therapy or vaccines, and Hapimmune antibodies are ongoing. This review delineates the recent advancements in KRAS inhibitor development in the post-sotorasib/adagrasib era, with a focus on NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Oya
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Fujita Health University, Japan
| | | | - Tetsuya Mitsudomi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Izumi City General Hospital, Japan; Kindai University, Faculty of Medicine, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Bolomsky A, Ceribelli M, Scheich S, Rinaldi K, Huang DW, Chakraborty P, Pham L, Wright GW, Hsiao T, Morris V, Choi J, Phelan JD, Holewinski RJ, Andresson T, Wisniewski J, Riley D, Pittaluga S, Hill E, Thomas CJ, Muppidi J, Young RM. IRF4 requires ARID1A to establish plasma cell identity in multiple myeloma. Cancer Cell 2024; 42:1185-1201.e14. [PMID: 38906156 PMCID: PMC11233249 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy that exploits transcriptional networks driven by IRF4. We employ a multi-omics approach to discover IRF4 vulnerabilities, integrating functional genomics screening, spatial proteomics, and global chromatin mapping. ARID1A, a member of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, is required for IRF4 expression and functionally associates with IRF4 protein on chromatin. Deleting Arid1a in activated murine B cells disrupts IRF4-dependent transcriptional networks and blocks plasma cell differentiation. Targeting SWI/SNF activity leads to rapid loss of IRF4-target gene expression and quenches global amplification of oncogenic gene expression by MYC, resulting in profound toxicity to MM cells. Notably, MM patients with aggressive disease bear the signature of SWI/SNF activity, and SMARCA2/4 inhibitors remain effective in immunomodulatory drug (IMiD)-resistant MM cells. Moreover, combinations of SWI/SNF and MEK inhibitors demonstrate synergistic toxicity to MM cells, providing a promising strategy for relapsed/refractory disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arnold Bolomsky
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michele Ceribelli
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sebastian Scheich
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kristina Rinaldi
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Da Wei Huang
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Papiya Chakraborty
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Lisette Pham
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - George W Wright
- Biometric Research Branch, DCTD, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tony Hsiao
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Vivian Morris
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jaewoo Choi
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - James D Phelan
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ronald J Holewinski
- Protein Mass Spectrometry Group, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Thorkell Andresson
- Protein Mass Spectrometry Group, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Jan Wisniewski
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Deanna Riley
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Stefania Pittaluga
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Elizabeth Hill
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Craig J Thomas
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jagan Muppidi
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ryan M Young
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Costacurta M, Sandow JJ, Maher B, Susanto O, Vervoort SJ, Devlin JR, Garama D, Condina MR, Steele JR, Kahrood HV, Gough D, Johnstone RW, Shortt J. Mapping the IMiD-dependent cereblon interactome using BioID-proximity labelling. FEBS J 2024. [PMID: 38975872 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs) are central components of therapy for multiple myeloma (MM). IMiDs bind cereblon (CRBN), an adaptor for the CUL4-DDB1-RBX1 E3 ligase to change its substrate specificity and induce degradation of 'neosubstrate' transcription factors that are essential to MM cells. Mechanistic studies to date have largely focussed on mediators of therapeutic activity and insight into clinical IMiD toxicities is less developed. We adopted BioID2-dependent proximity labelling (BioID2-CRBN) to characterise the CRBN interactome in the presence and absence of various IMiDs and the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib. We aimed to leverage this technology to further map CRBN interactions beyond what has been achieved by conventional proteomic techniques. In support of this approach, analysis of cells expressing BioID2-CRBN following IMiD treatment displayed biotinylation of known CRBN interactors and neosubstrates. We observed that bortezomib alone significantly modifies the CRBN interactome. Proximity labelling also suggested that IMiDs augment the interaction between CRBN and proteins that are not degraded, thus designating 'neointeractors' distinct from previously disclosed 'neosubstrates'. Here we identify Non-Muscle Myosin Heavy Chain IIA (MYH9) as a putative CRBN neointeractor that may contribute to the haematological toxicity of IMiDs. These studies provide proof of concept for proximity labelling technologies in the mechanistic profiling of IMiDs and related E3-ligase-modulating drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Costacurta
- Monash Haematology, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
- Blood Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Jarrod J Sandow
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Belinda Maher
- Monash Haematology, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
- Blood Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Olivia Susanto
- Monash Haematology, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
- Blood Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Stephin J Vervoort
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Devlin
- Translational Haematology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Daniel Garama
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Mark R Condina
- Mass Dynamics, Melbourne, Australia
- Clinical & Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Joel R Steele
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Monash Bioinformatics Platform, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Hossein V Kahrood
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Daniel Gough
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- Translational Haematology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jake Shortt
- Monash Haematology, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
- Blood Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Translational Haematology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Ting PY, Borikar S, Kerrigan JR, Thomsen NM, Aghania E, Hinman AE, Reyes A, Pizzato N, Fodor BD, Wu F, Belew MS, Mao X, Wang J, Chitnis S, Niu W, Hachey A, Cobb JS, Savage NA, Burke A, Paulk J, Dovala D, Lin J, Clifton MC, Ornelas E, Ma X, Ware NF, Sanchez CC, Taraszka J, Terranova R, Knehr J, Altorfer M, Barnes SW, Beckwith REJ, Solomon JM, Dales NA, Patterson AW, Wagner J, Bouwmeester T, Dranoff G, Stevenson SC, Bradner JE. A molecular glue degrader of the WIZ transcription factor for fetal hemoglobin induction. Science 2024; 385:91-99. [PMID: 38963839 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk6129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent, life-threatening condition attributable to a heritable mutation in β-hemoglobin. Therapeutic induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) can ameliorate disease complications and has been intently pursued. However, safe and effective small-molecule inducers of HbF remain elusive. We report the discovery of dWIZ-1 and dWIZ-2, molecular glue degraders of the WIZ transcription factor that robustly induce HbF in erythroblasts. Phenotypic screening of a cereblon (CRBN)-biased chemical library revealed WIZ as a previously unknown repressor of HbF. WIZ degradation is mediated by recruitment of WIZ(ZF7) to CRBN by dWIZ-1, as resolved by crystallography of the ternary complex. Pharmacological degradation of WIZ was well tolerated and induced HbF in humanized mice and cynomolgus monkeys. These findings establish WIZ degradation as a globally accessible therapeutic strategy for SCD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Fabian Wu
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Xiaohong Mao
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jian Wang
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Wei Niu
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ashley Burke
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - James Lin
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Xiaolei Ma
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Judith Knehr
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Basu AA, Zhang C, Riha IA, Magassa A, Campos MA, Caldwell AG, Ko F, Zhang X. A CRISPR activation screen identifies FBXO22 supporting targeted protein degradation. Nat Chem Biol 2024:10.1038/s41589-024-01655-9. [PMID: 38965383 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01655-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) represents a potent chemical biology paradigm that leverages the cellular degradation machinery to pharmacologically eliminate specific proteins of interest. Although multiple E3 ligases have been discovered to facilitate TPD, there exists a compelling requirement to diversify the pool of E3 ligases available for such applications. Here we describe a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based transcriptional activation screen focused on human E3 ligases, with the goal of identifying E3 ligases that can facilitate heterobifunctional compound-mediated target degradation. Through this approach, we identified a candidate proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC), 22-SLF, that induces the degradation of FK506-binding protein 12 when the transcription of FBXO22 gene is activated. Subsequent mechanistic investigations revealed that 22-SLF interacts with C227 and/or C228 in F-box protein 22 (FBXO22) to achieve target degradation. Lastly, we demonstrated the versatility of FBXO22-based PROTACs by effectively degrading additional endogenous proteins, including bromodomain-containing protein 4 and the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ananya A Basu
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Chenlu Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Isabella A Riha
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Assa Magassa
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Miguel A Campos
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Alana G Caldwell
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Felicia Ko
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Center for Human Immunobiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Grothusen GP, Chang R, Cao Z, Zhou N, Mittal M, Datta A, Wulfridge P, Beer T, Wang B, Zheng N, Tang HY, Sarma K, Greenberg RA, Shi J, Busino L. DCAF15 control of cohesin dynamics sustains acute myeloid leukemia. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5604. [PMID: 38961054 PMCID: PMC11222469 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49882-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The CRL4-DCAF15 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex is targeted by the aryl-sulfonamide molecular glues, leading to neo-substrate recruitment, ubiquitination, and proteasomal degradation. However, the physiological function of DCAF15 remains unknown. Using a domain-focused genetic screening approach, we reveal DCAF15 as an acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-biased dependency. Loss of DCAF15 results in suppression of AML through compromised replication fork integrity and consequent accumulation of DNA damage. Accordingly, DCAF15 loss sensitizes AML to replication stress-inducing therapeutics. Mechanistically, we discover that DCAF15 directly interacts with the SMC1A protein of the cohesin complex and destabilizes the cohesin regulatory factors PDS5A and CDCA5. Loss of PDS5A and CDCA5 removal precludes cohesin acetylation on chromatin, resulting in uncontrolled chromatin loop extrusion, defective DNA replication, and apoptosis. Collectively, our findings uncover an endogenous, cell autonomous function of DCAF15 in sustaining AML proliferation through post-translational control of cohesin dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grant P Grothusen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Renxu Chang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zhendong Cao
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nan Zhou
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Monika Mittal
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Arindam Datta
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Phillip Wulfridge
- Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Thomas Beer
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Baiyun Wang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ning Zheng
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hsin-Yao Tang
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kavitha Sarma
- Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Roger A Greenberg
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Junwei Shi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Luca Busino
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Bell LE, Bardelle C, Packer MJ, Kastl J, Holdgate GA, Davies G. Characterisation of high throughput screening outputs for small molecule degrader discovery. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2024; 29:100162. [PMID: 38797285 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2024.100162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation is an important mechanism carried out by the cellular machinery, one that is gaining momentum as an exploitable strategy for the development of drug-like compounds. Molecules which are able to induce proximity between elusive therapeutic targets of interest and E3 ligases which subsequently leads to proteasomal degradation of the target are beginning to decrease the percentage of the human proteome described as undruggable. Therefore, having the ability to screen for, and understand the mechanism of, such molecules is becoming an increasingly attractive scientific focus. We have established a number of cascade experiments including cell-based assays and orthogonal triage steps to provide annotation to the selectivity and mechanism of action for compounds identified as putative degraders from a primary high throughput screen against a high value oncology target. We will describe our current position, using PROTACs as proof-of-concept, on the analysis of these novel outputs and highlight challenges encountered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lillie E Bell
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-BioCenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria; Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Catherine Bardelle
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, UK
| | | | - Johanna Kastl
- Assay.Works GmbH, Am Biopark 11, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Geoffrey A Holdgate
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, UK.
| | - Gareth Davies
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, UK
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Federspiel JD, Catlin NR, Nowland WS, Stethem CM, Mathialagan N, Fernandez Ocaña M, Bowman CJ. Differential Analysis of Cereblon Neosubstrates in Rabbit Embryos Using Targeted Proteomics. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100797. [PMID: 38866076 PMCID: PMC11263748 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation is the selective removal of a protein of interest through hijacking intracellular protein cleanup machinery. This rapidly growing field currently relies heavily on the use of the E3 ligase cereblon (CRBN) to target proteins for degradation, including the immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide which work through a molecular glue mechanism of action with CRBN. While CRBN recruitment can result in degradation of a specific protein of interest (e.g., efficacy), degradation of other proteins (called CRBN neosubstrates) also occurs. Degradation of one or more of these CRBN neosubstrates is believed to play an important role in thalidomide-related developmental toxicity observed in rabbits and primates. We identified a set of 25 proteins of interest associated with CRBN-related protein homeostasis and/or embryo/fetal development. We developed a targeted assay for these proteins combining peptide immunoaffinity enrichment and high-resolution mass spectrometry and successfully applied this assay to rabbit embryo samples from pregnant rabbits dosed with three IMiDs. We confirmed previously reported in vivo decreases in neosubstrates like SALL4, as well as provided evidence of neosubstrate changes for proteins only examined in vitro previously. While there were many proteins that were similarly decreased by all three IMiDs, no compound had the exact same neosubstrate degradation profile as another. We compared our data to previous literature reports of IMiD-induced degradation and known developmental biology associations. Based on our observations, we recommend monitoring at least a major subset of these neosubstrates in a developmental test system to improve CRBN-binding compound-specific risk assessment. A strength of our assay is that it is configurable, and the target list can be readily adapted to focus on only a subset of proteins of interest or expanded to incorporate new findings as additional information about CRBN biology is discovered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel D Federspiel
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer, Inc, Andover, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Natasha R Catlin
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer, Inc, Groton, Connecticut, USA
| | - William S Nowland
- Drug Safety Research & Development, Pfizer, Inc, Groton, Connecticut, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Chang X, Qu F, Li C, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Xie Y, Fan Z, Bian J, Wang J, Li Z, Xu X. Development and therapeutic potential of GSPT1 molecular glue degraders: A medicinal chemistry perspective. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:1727-1767. [PMID: 38314926 DOI: 10.1002/med.22024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Unprecedented therapeutic targeting of previously undruggable proteins has now been achieved by molecular-glue-mediated proximity-induced degradation. As a small GTPase, G1 to S phase transition 1 (GSPT1) interacts with eRF1, the translation termination factor, to facilitate the process of translation termination. Studied demonstrated that GSPT1 plays a vital role in the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and MYC-driven lung cancer. Thus, molecular glue (MG) degraders targeting GSPT1 is a novel and promising approach for treating AML and MYC-driven cancers. In this Perspective, we briefly summarize the structural and functional aspects of GSPT1, highlighting the latest advances and challenges in MG degraders, as well as some representative patents. The structure-activity relationships, mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic features of MG degraders are emphasized to provide a comprehensive compendium on the rational design of GSPT1 MG degraders. We hope to provide an updated overview, and design guide for strategies targeting GSPT1 for the treatment of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiujin Chang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fangui Qu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunxiao Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingtian Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanqing Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xie
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhongpeng Fan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinlei Bian
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jubo Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyu Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xi Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Bhowmick K, von Suskil M, Al-Odat OS, Elbezanti WO, Jonnalagadda SC, Budak-Alpdogan T, Pandey MK. Pathways to therapy resistance: The sheltering effect of the bone marrow microenvironment to multiple myeloma cells. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33091. [PMID: 39021902 PMCID: PMC11252793 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a malignant expansion of plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM), resulting in a disease characterized by symptoms of end organ damage from light chain secretion, crowding of the BM, and bone lesions. Although the past two decades have been characterized by numerous novel therapies emerging, the disease remains incurable due to intrinsic or acquired drug resistance. A major player in MM's drug resistance arises from its intimate relationship with the BM microenvironment (BMME). Through stress-inducing conditions, soluble messengers, and physical adhesion to BM elements, the BMME activates numerous pathways in the myeloma cell. This not only propagates myeloma progression through survival and growth signals, but also specific mechanisms to circumvent therapeutic actions. In this review, we provide an overview of the BMME, the role of individual components in MM survival, and various therapy-specific resistance mechanisms reported in the literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kuntal Bhowmick
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Max von Suskil
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Omar S. Al-Odat
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Weam Othman Elbezanti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
- Department of Hematology, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Subash C. Jonnalagadda
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Science and Mathematics, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, USA
| | - Tulin Budak-Alpdogan
- Department of Hematology, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Manoj K. Pandey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Kagiou C, Cisneros JA, Farnung J, Liwocha J, Offensperger F, Dong K, Yang K, Tin G, Horstmann CS, Hinterndorfer M, Paulo JA, Scholes NS, Sanchez Avila J, Fellner M, Andersch F, Hannich JT, Zuber J, Kubicek S, Gygi SP, Schulman BA, Winter GE. Alkylamine-tethered molecules recruit FBXO22 for targeted protein degradation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5409. [PMID: 38926334 PMCID: PMC11208438 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49739-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) relies on small molecules to recruit proteins to E3 ligases to induce their ubiquitylation and degradation by the proteasome. Only a few of the approximately 600 human E3 ligases are currently amenable to this strategy. This limits the actionable target space and clinical opportunities and thus establishes the necessity to expand to additional ligases. Here we identify and characterize SP3N, a specific degrader of the prolyl isomerase FKBP12. SP3N features a minimal design, where a known FKBP12 ligand is appended with a flexible alkylamine tail that conveys degradation properties. We found that SP3N is a precursor and that the alkylamine is metabolized to an active aldehyde species that recruits the SCFFBXO22 ligase for FKBP12 degradation. Target engagement occurs via covalent adduction of Cys326 in the FBXO22 C-terminal domain, which is critical for ternary complex formation, ubiquitylation and degradation. This mechanism is conserved for two recently reported alkylamine-based degraders of NSD2 and XIAP, thus establishing alkylamine tethering and covalent hijacking of FBXO22 as a generalizable TPD strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chrysanthi Kagiou
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jose A Cisneros
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jakob Farnung
- Department of Molecular Machines and Signaling, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Joanna Liwocha
- Department of Molecular Machines and Signaling, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Fabian Offensperger
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kevin Dong
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ka Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gary Tin
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina S Horstmann
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Hinterndorfer
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Joao A Paulo
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Natalie S Scholes
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Juan Sanchez Avila
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Fellner
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Andersch
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - J Thomas Hannich
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Zuber
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Kubicek
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brenda A Schulman
- Department of Molecular Machines and Signaling, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Georg E Winter
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|