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Zhang K, Shi Y, Jin Z, He J. Advances in tumor vascular growth inhibition. Clin Transl Oncol 2024; 26:2084-2096. [PMID: 38504070 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-024-03432-5] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Tumor growth and metastasis require neovascularization, which is dependent on a complex array of factors, such as the production of various pro-angiogenic factors by tumor cells, intercellular signaling, and stromal remodeling. The hypoxic, acidic tumor microenvironment is not only conducive to tumor cell proliferation, but also disrupts the equilibrium of angiogenic factors, leading to vascular heterogeneity, which further promotes tumor development and metastasis. Anti-angiogenic strategies to inhibit tumor angiogenesis has, therefore, become an important focus for anti-tumor therapy. The traditional approach involves the use of anti-angiogenic drugs to inhibit tumor neovascularization by targeting upstream and downstream angiogenesis-related pathways or pro-angiogenic factors, thereby inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis. This review explores the mechanisms involved in tumor angiogenesis and summarizes currently used anti-angiogenic drugs, including monoclonal antibody, and small-molecule inhibitors, as well as the progress and challenges associated with their use in anti-tumor therapy. It also outlines the opportunities and challenges of treating tumors using more advanced anti-angiogenic strategies, such as immunotherapy and nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keyong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuanyuan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Ze Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jian He
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
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2
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Bilen MA, Vo BT, Liu Y, Greenwald R, Davarpanah AH, McGuire D, Shiradkar R, Li L, Nazha B, Brown JT, Williams S, Session W, Russler G, Caulfield S, Joshi SS, Narayan VM, Filson CP, Ogan K, Kucuk O, Carthon BC, Del Balzo L, Cohen A, Boyanton A, Prokhnevska N, Cardenas MA, Sobierajska E, Jansen CS, Patil DH, Nicaise E, Osunkoya AO, Kissick H, Master VA. Neoadjuvant cabozantinib restores CD8+ T cells in patients with locally advanced non-metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a phase 2 trial. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4849400. [PMID: 39149474 PMCID: PMC11326393 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4849400/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Cabozantinib is an oral multikinase inhibitor approved for treatment in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We hypothesized that neoadjuvant cabozantinib could downstage localized tumors, facilitating partial nephrectomy, and facilitating surgery in patients with locally advanced tumors that would require significant adjacent organ resection. We, therefore, conducted a phase 2, single-arm trial of cabozantinib treatment for 12 weeks in 17 patients with locally advanced biopsy-proven non-metastatic clear cell RCC before surgical resection. Six patients (35%) experienced a partial response, and 11 patients (65%) had stable disease. We identified that plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA), VEGF, c-MET, Gas6, and AXL were significantly increased while VEGFR2 decreased during cabozantinib treatments. There was a trend towards CD8+ T cells becoming activated in the blood, expressing the proliferation marker Ki67 and activation markers HLA-DR and CD38. Cabozantinib treatment depleted myeloid populations acutely. Importantly, immune niches made up of the stem-like CD8+ T cells and antigen presenting cells were increased in every patient. These data suggest that cabozantinib treatment was clinically active and safe in the neoadjuvant setting in patients with locally advanced non-metastatic clear cell RCC and activated the anti-tumor CD8+ T cell response. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT04022343.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet A Bilen
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - BaoHan T Vo
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yuan Liu
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rachel Greenwald
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amir H Davarpanah
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Donald McGuire
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rakesh Shiradkar
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Liping Li
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bassel Nazha
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jacqueline T Brown
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sierra Williams
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Wilena Session
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Greta Russler
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah Caulfield
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shreyas S Joshi
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Vikram M Narayan
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Kenneth Ogan
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Omer Kucuk
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bradley Curtis Carthon
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Luke Del Balzo
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Athena Cohen
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Adriana Boyanton
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Ewelina Sobierajska
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Caroline S Jansen
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dattatraya H Patil
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Edouard Nicaise
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Adeboye O Osunkoya
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Haydn Kissick
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Viraj A Master
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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3
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Li W, You L, Lin J, Zhang J, Zhou Z, Wang T, Wu Y, Zheng C, Gao Y, Kong X, Sun X. An herbal formula Shenlian decoction upregulates M1/M2 macrophage proportion in hepatocellular carcinoma by suppressing complement cascade. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:116943. [PMID: 38878636 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116943] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The immunosuppressive microenvironment is a vital factor for the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. However, effective treatment is lacking at current. Shenlian decoction (SLD) is a registered herbal therapy for the HCC treatment, but the underlying mechanism of SLD remains largely elusive. Here, we aimed to explore the anti-tumor effect of SLD in the treatment of HCC. SLD was intragastrically given after the tumor initiation in β-catenin/C-Met or DEN and CCl4 induced HCC mouse model. The tumor growth levels were evaluated by liver weight and histological staining. The tumor-infiltrating immune cells were detected by immunological staining and flow cytometry. The mechanism of the SLD was detected by non-targeted proteomics and verified by a cell co-culture system. The result showed that SLD significantly attenuated HCC progression. SLD promoted macrophage infiltration and increased the M1/M2 macrophage ratio within the tumor tissues. Non-targeted proteomics showed the inhibition of complement C5/C5a signaling is the key mechanism of SLD. Immunological staining showed SLD inhibited C5/C5a expression and C5aR1+ macrophage infiltration. The suggested mechanism was demonstrated by application of C5aR1 inhibitor, PMX-53 in mouse HCC model. Hepatoma cell-macrophage co-culture showed SLD targeted hepatoma cells and inhibited the supernatant-induced macrophage M2 polarization. SLD inhibited AMPK/p38 signaling which is an upstream mechanism of C5 transcription. In conclusion, we found SLD relieved immune-suppressive environment by inhibiting C5 expression. SLD could suppress the C5 secretion in hepatoma cells via inhibition of AMPK/p38 signaling. We suggested that SLD is a potential herbal therapy for the treatment of HCC by alleviating immune-suppressive status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxuan Li
- Department of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Central Laboratory, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping You
- Department of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Central Laboratory, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiacheng Lin
- Central Laboratory, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinghao Zhang
- Department of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhijia Zhou
- Department of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Central Laboratory, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Central Laboratory, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuelan Wu
- Department of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Central Laboratory, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Zheng
- Department of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueqiu Gao
- Department of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Central Laboratory, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaoni Kong
- Central Laboratory, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xuehua Sun
- Department of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Min W, Yang H, Wang D, Chen C, Wang Y, Hou Y, Zhu Y, Sun C, Wang X, Yuan K, Yang P. Discovery of Potent and Selective c-Met Degraders for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment. J Med Chem 2024; 67:12314-12330. [PMID: 38962837 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01004] [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: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Targeting c-Met is a clinical trend for the precise treatment of HCC, but the potential issue of acquired drug resistance cannot be ignored. Targeted protein degradation technology has demonstrated promising prospects in disease treatment and overcoming drug resistance due to its special mechanism of action. In this study, we designed and synthesized two series of novel c-Met degraders and conducted a systematic biological evaluation of the optimal compound H11. H11 exhibited good c-Met degradation activity and anti-HCC activity. Importantly, H11 also demonstrated more potent inhibitory activity against Ba/F3-TPR-MET-D1228N and Ba/F3-TPR-MET-Y1230H cell lines than did tepotinib. In summary, H11 displayed potent anti-HCC activity as a degrader and may overcome resistance to type Ib inhibitors, making it a new therapeutic strategy for HCC with MET alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjian Min
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Huanaoyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Dawei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Chunling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yanyin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yi Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yasheng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Chengliang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Peng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
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5
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Guo LY, Yang YL, Tong JB, Chang ZL, Gao P, Liu Y, Zhang YK, Xing XY. Computational Simulation Study of Potential Inhibition of c-Met Kinase Receptor by Phenoxy pyridine Derivatives: Based on QSAR, Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics. Chem Biodivers 2024:e202400782. [PMID: 38923279 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202400782] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met) is a tyrosine kinase receptor protein, and excessive cell transformation can lead to cancer. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors by inhibiting the activity of c-Met protein. In this study, 41 compounds are selected from the reported literature, and the interactions between phenoxy pyridine derivatives and tumor-associated proteins are systematically investigated using a series of computer-assisted drug design (CADD) methods, aiming to predict potential c-Met inhibitors with high activity. The Topomer CoMFA (q2=0.620, R2=0.837) and HQSAR (q2=0.684, R2=0.877) models demonstrate a high level of robustness. Further internal and external validation assessments show high applicability and accuracy. Based on the results of the Topomer CoMFA model, structural fragments with higher contribution values are identified and randomly combined using a fragment splice technique, result in a total of 20 compounds with predicted activities higher than the template molecules. Molecular docking results show that these compounds have good interactions and van der Waals forces with the target proteins. The results of molecular dynamics and ADMET predictions indicate that compounds Y4, Y5, and Y14 have potential as c-Met inhibitors. Among them, compound Y14 exhibits superior stability with a binding free energy of -165.18 KJ/mol. These studies provide a reference for the future design and development of novel compounds with c-Met inhibitory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Yuan Guo
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chemical Additives for Industry, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Yu-Lu Yang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chemical Additives for Industry, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Jian-Bo Tong
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chemical Additives for Industry, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Ze-Lei Chang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chemical Additives for Industry, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Peng Gao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chemical Additives for Industry, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chemical Additives for Industry, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Ya-Kun Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chemical Additives for Industry, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Xing
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chemical Additives for Industry, Xi'an, 710021, China
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6
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Lin Q, Lei D, Zhong T, Zhang Y, Da Q, Chen X, Li X, Liu J, Yan Z. Inactivation of ERK1/2 in cancer-associated hepatic stellate cells suppresses cancer-stromal interaction by regulating extracellular matrix in fibrosis. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:1015-1032. [PMID: 38590418 PMCID: PMC10998762 DOI: 10.62347/vpye3817] [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: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The ERK1/2 pathway is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and cell cycle of tumor cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we investigated the involvement of ERK1/2 activation on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). We identified ERK1/2 phosphorylation in activated HSCs of HCC samples. We found that tumor cells promoted the migration and invasion capacity of HSCs by activating ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Using high throughput transcriptome sequencing analysis, we found that ERK1/2 inhibition altered genes significantly correlated to signaling pathways involved in extracellular matrix remodeling. We screened genes and demonstrated that the ERK1/2 inhibition-related gene set significantly correlated to cancer-associated fibroblast infiltration in TCGA HCC tumor samples. Moreover, inhibition of ERK1/2 suppressed tumor cell-induced enhancement of HSC migration and invasion by regulating expression of fibrosis markers FAP, FN1 and COL1A1. In a tumor cell and HSC splenic co-transplanted xenograft mouse model, inhibition of ERK1/2 suppressed liver tumor formation by downregulating fibrosis, indicating ERK1/2 inhibition suppresses tumor-stromal interactions in vivo. Taken together, our data indicate that inhibition of ERK1/2 in tumor-associated HSCs suppresses tumor-stromal interactions and progression. Furthermore, inhibition of ERK1/2 may be a potential target for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qirui Lin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto UniversityKyoto 6068507, Japan
| | - Defeng Lei
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Tongning Zhong
- Central Laboratory, Peking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Peking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingen Da
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuemei Li
- Department of Gynecology, Zhanjiang Maternity and Child Healthcare HospitalZhanjiang 524000, Guangdong, China
| | - Jikui Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Zilong Yan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
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7
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Shaw P, Dwivedi SKD, Bhattacharya R, Mukherjee P, Rao G. VEGF signaling: Role in angiogenesis and beyond. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189079. [PMID: 38280470 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a crucial process for tissue development, repair, and tumor survival. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key driver secreted by cancer cells, promoting neovascularization. While VEGF's role in angiogenesis is well-documented, its influence on the other aspects in tumor microenvironemt is less discussed. This review elaborates on VEGF's impact on intercellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment, including how VEGF affects pericyte proliferation and migration and mediates interactions between tumor-associated macrophages and cancer cells, resulting in PDL-1-mediated immunosuppression and Nrf2-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The review discusses VEGF's involvement in intra-organelle crosstalk, tumor metabolism, stemness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. It also provides insights into current anti-VEGF therapies and their limitations in cancer treatment. Overall, this review aims to provide a thorough overview of the current state of knowledge concerning VEGF signaling and its impact, not only on angiogenesis but also on various other oncogenic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallab Shaw
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Shailendra Kumar Dhar Dwivedi
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Resham Bhattacharya
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Priyabrata Mukherjee
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Geeta Rao
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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8
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Verma A, Patel R, Mahale A, Thorat RV, Rath SL, Sridhar E, Moiyadi A, Srivastava S. Multitarget Potential Drug Candidates for High-Grade Gliomas Identified by Multiple Reaction Monitoring Coupled with In Silico Drug Repurposing. OMICS : A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2024; 28:59-75. [PMID: 38320249 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2023.0256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
High-grade gliomas (HGGs) are extremely aggressive primary brain tumors with high mortality rates. Despite notable progress achieved by clinical research and biomarkers emerging from proteomics studies, efficacious drugs and therapeutic targets are limited. This study used targeted proteomics, in silico molecular docking, and simulation-based drug repurposing to identify potential drug candidates for HGGs. Importantly, we performed multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) on differentially expressed proteins with putative roles in the development and progression of HGGs based on our previous work and the published literature. Furthermore, in silico molecular docking-based drug repurposing was performed with a customized library of FDA-approved drugs to identify multitarget-directed ligands. The top drug candidates such as Pazopanib, Icotinib, Entrectinib, Regorafenib, and Cabozantinib were explored for their drug-likeness properties using the SwissADME. Pazopanib exhibited binding affinities with a maximum number of proteins and was considered for molecular dynamic simulations and cell toxicity assays. HGG cell lines showed enhanced cytotoxicity and cell proliferation inhibition with Pazopanib and Temozolomide combinatorial treatment compared to Temozolomide alone. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study combining MRM with molecular docking and simulation-based drug repurposing to identify potential drug candidates for HGG. While the present study identified five multitarget-directed potential drug candidates, future clinical studies in larger cohorts are crucial to evaluate the efficacy of these molecular candidates. The research strategy and methodology used in the present study offer new avenues for innovation in drug discovery and development which may prove useful, particularly for cancers with low cure rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayushi Verma
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
| | - Rushda Patel
- Sinhgad College of Pharmacy, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Atharva Mahale
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Rujuta Vijay Thorat
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Soumya Lipsa Rath
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Warangal, India
| | - Epari Sridhar
- Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Aliasgar Moiyadi
- Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Sanjeeva Srivastava
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
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9
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Luo X, He X, Zhang X, Zhao X, Zhang Y, Shi Y, Hua S. Hepatocellular carcinoma: signaling pathways, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e474. [PMID: 38318160 PMCID: PMC10838672 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.474] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer with a high mortality rate. It is regarded as a significant public health issue because of its complicated pathophysiology, high metastasis, and recurrence rates. There are no obvious symptoms in the early stage of HCC, which often leads to delays in diagnosis. Traditional treatment methods such as surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and interventional therapies have limited therapeutic effects for HCC patients with recurrence or metastasis. With the development of molecular biology and immunology, molecular signaling pathways and immune checkpoint were identified as the main mechanism of HCC progression. Targeting these molecules has become a new direction for the treatment of HCC. At present, the combination of targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors is the first choice for advanced HCC patients. In this review, we mainly focus on the cutting-edge research of signaling pathways and corresponding targeted therapy and immunotherapy in HCC. It is of great significance to comprehensively understand the pathogenesis of HCC, search for potential therapeutic targets, and optimize the treatment strategies of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Luo
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Xin He
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Xingmei Zhang
- Department of NeurobiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaohui Zhao
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Yuzhe Zhang
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Yusheng Shi
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Shengni Hua
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
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10
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Min W, Wang Y, Shen H, Zheng M, Tong C, Shen H, Wang D, Zhu Y, Wang X, Xiao Y, Zhang XY, Yang P. Discovery of potent and selective c-Met inhibitors for MET-amplified hepatocellular carcinoma treatment. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:116025. [PMID: 38086189 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent and lethal malignancy worldwide. The MET gene, which encodes receptor tyrosine kinase c-Met, is aberrantly activated in various solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer and HCC. In this study, we identified a novel c-Met inhibitor 54 by virtual screening and structural optimization. Compound 54 showed potent c-Met inhibition with an IC50 value of 0.45 ± 0.06 nM. It also exhibited high selectivity among 370 kinases and potent anti-proliferative activity against MET-amplified HCC cells. Moreover, compound 54 displayed significant anti-tumor efficacy in vivo, making it a potential candidate for HCC treatment in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjian Min
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China; Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Yanyin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China; Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Hongtao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Mingming Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China; Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Chen Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Hao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China; Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Dawei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China; Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Yasheng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China; Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China; Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Yibei Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
| | - Xiao-Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China; Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
| | - Peng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China; Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
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11
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Wu Y, Chen S, Yang X, Sato K, Lal P, Wang Y, Shinkle AT, Wendl MC, Primeau TM, Zhao Y, Gould A, Sun H, Mudd JL, Hoog J, Mashl RJ, Wyczalkowski MA, Mo CK, Liu R, Herndon JM, Davies SR, Liu D, Ding X, Evrard YA, Welm BE, Lum D, Koh MY, Welm AL, Chuang JH, Moscow JA, Meric-Bernstam F, Govindan R, Li S, Hsieh J, Fields RC, Lim KH, Ma CX, Zhang H, Ding L, Chen F. Combining the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Cabozantinib and the mTORC1/2 Inhibitor Sapanisertib Blocks ERK Pathway Activity and Suppresses Tumor Growth in Renal Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2023; 83:4161-4178. [PMID: 38098449 PMCID: PMC10722140 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-0604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Current treatment approaches for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) face challenges in achieving durable tumor responses due to tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. Combination therapies that leverage tumor molecular profiles could offer an avenue for enhancing treatment efficacy and addressing the limitations of current therapies. To identify effective strategies for treating RCC, we selected ten drugs guided by tumor biology to test in six RCC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. The multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) cabozantinib and mTORC1/2 inhibitor sapanisertib emerged as the most effective drugs, particularly when combined. The combination demonstrated favorable tolerability and inhibited tumor growth or induced tumor regression in all models, including two from patients who experienced treatment failure with FDA-approved TKI and immunotherapy combinations. In cabozantinib-treated samples, imaging analysis revealed a significant reduction in vascular density, and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) analysis indicated a decreased proportion of endothelial cells in the tumors. SnRNA-seq data further identified a tumor subpopulation enriched with cell-cycle activity that exhibited heightened sensitivity to the cabozantinib and sapanisertib combination. Conversely, activation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway, detected at the protein level, was associated with drug resistance in residual tumors following combination treatment. The combination effectively restrained ERK phosphorylation and reduced expression of ERK downstream transcription factors and their target genes implicated in cell-cycle control and apoptosis. This study highlights the potential of the cabozantinib plus sapanisertib combination as a promising treatment approach for patients with RCC, particularly those whose tumors progressed on immune checkpoint inhibitors and other TKIs. SIGNIFICANCE The molecular-guided therapeutic strategy of combining cabozantinib and sapanisertib restrains ERK activity to effectively suppress growth of renal cell carcinomas, including those unresponsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yige Wu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Siqi Chen
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Xiaolu Yang
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Kazuhito Sato
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Preet Lal
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Yuefan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andrew T. Shinkle
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Michael C. Wendl
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Tina M. Primeau
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Yanyan Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Alanna Gould
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Hua Sun
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jacqueline L. Mudd
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jeremy Hoog
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - R. Jay Mashl
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Matthew A. Wyczalkowski
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Chia-Kuei Mo
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ruiyang Liu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - John M. Herndon
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Sherri R. Davies
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Di Liu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Xi Ding
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Yvonne A. Evrard
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Bryan E. Welm
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - David Lum
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Mei Yee Koh
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alana L. Welm
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Jeffrey H. Chuang
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Jeffrey A. Moscow
- Investigational Drug Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Ramaswamy Govindan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Shunqiang Li
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - James Hsieh
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ryan C. Fields
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Kian-Huat Lim
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Cynthia X. Ma
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
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12
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Hao L, Li S, Deng J, Li N, Yu F, Jiang Z, Zhang J, Shi X, Hu X. The current status and future of PD-L1 in liver cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1323581. [PMID: 38155974 PMCID: PMC10754529 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1323581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The application of immunotherapy in tumor, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has played an important role in the treatment of advanced unresectable liver cancer. However, the efficacy of ICIs varies greatly among different patients, which has aroused people's attention to the regulatory mechanism of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in the immune escape of liver cancer. PD-L1 is regulated by multiple levels and signaling pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including gene variation, epigenetic inheritance, transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional regulation, and post-translational modification. More studies have also found that the high expression of PD-L1 may be the main factor affecting the immunotherapy of liver cancer. However, what is the difference of PD-L1 expressed by different types of cells in the microenvironment of HCC, and which type of cells expressed PD-L1 determines the effect of tumor immunotherapy remains unclear. Therefore, clarifying the regulatory mechanism of PD-L1 in liver cancer can provide more basis for liver cancer immunotherapy and combined immune treatment strategy. In addition to its well-known role in immune regulation, PD-L1 also plays a role in regulating cancer cell proliferation and promoting drug resistance of tumor cells, which will be reviewed in this paper. In addition, we also summarized the natural products and drugs that regulated the expression of PD-L1 in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Hao
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shenghao Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shijiazhuang Fifth Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Jiali Deng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Na Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fei Yu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhi Jiang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junli Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinli Shi
- Center of Experimental Management, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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13
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Wu D, Li Y. Application of adoptive cell therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. Immunology 2023; 170:453-469. [PMID: 37435926 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a global health challenge. Novel treatment modalities are urgently needed to extend the overall survival of patients. The liver plays an immunomodulatory function due to its unique physiological structural characteristics. Therefore, following surgical resection and radiotherapy, immunotherapy regimens have shown great potential in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Adoptive cell immunotherapy is rapidly developing in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we summarize the latest research on adoptive immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. The focus is on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered T cells. Then tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), natural killer (NK) cells, cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, and macrophages are briefly discussed. The main overview of the application and challenges of adoptive immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. It aims to provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the current status of HCC adoptive immunotherapy and offers some strategies. We hope to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dengqiang Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Ningbo No. 6 Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Yujie Li
- Clinical Laboratory of Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, Ningbo, China
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14
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Yu J, Ling S, Hong J, Zhang L, Zhou W, Yin L, Xu S, Que Q, Wu Y, Zhan Q, Bao J, Xu N, Liu Y, Chen K, Wei X, Liu Z, Feng T, Zhou L, Xie H, Wang S, Liu J, Zheng S, Xu X. TP53/mTORC1-mediated bidirectional regulation of PD-L1 modulates immune evasion in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007479. [PMID: 38030304 PMCID: PMC10689408 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunotherapy has facilitated great breakthroughs in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the efficacy and response rate of immunotherapy are limited and vary among different patients with HCC. TP53 mutation substantially affects the expression of immune checkpoint molecules in multiple cancers. However, the regulatory relationship between programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and TP53 is poorly studied in HCC. We aimed to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of PD-L1 in HCC with different TP53 statuses and to assess its role in modulating immune evasion in HCC. METHODS HCC mouse models and cell lines with different TP53 statuses were constructed. PD-L1 levels were detected by PCR, western blotting and flow cytometry. RNA-seqencing, immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation and transmission electron microscopy were used to elucidate the regulatory mechanism in HCC with different TP53 status. HCC mouse models and patient with HCC samples were analyzed to demonstrate the preclinical and clinical significance of the findings. RESULTS We report that loss of p53 promoted PD-L1 expression and reduced CD8+ T-cell infiltration in patient with HCC samples and mouse models. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway was activated in p53-loss-of-function HCC or after knocking down TP53. The transcription factor E2F1 was found to bind to the p53 protein in TP53 wild-type HCC cells, and inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) disrupted this binding and enhanced E2F1 translocation to the nucleus, where it bound to the PD-L1 promoter and transcriptionally upregulated PD-L1. In p53-loss-of-function HCC cells, autophagosomes were activated after mTORC1 suppression, promoting the degradation of PD-L1 protein. The combination of mTOR inhibitor and anti-PD-L1 antibody enhanced CD8+ T-cell infiltration and tumor suppression in TP53 wild-type HCC mouse models, but no benefit was observed in p53-loss-of-function HCC mouse models. In patients with TP53 wild-type HCC, PD-L1 levels were significantly higher in the high E2F1 group than in the low E2F1 group, and the low E2F1 level group had significantly superior survival. CONCLUSION We revealed the bidirectional regulatory mechanism of PD-L1 mediated by TP53/mTORC1 in HCC. The combination of mTOR inhibitor and anti-PD-L1 antibody could be a novel precise immunotherapy scheme for TP53 wild-type HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiongjie Yu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sunbin Ling
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
| | | | - Lincheng Zhang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lu Yin
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shengjun Xu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingyang Que
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongfeng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qifan Zhan
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiaqi Bao
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nan Xu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuchen Liu
- College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kangchen Chen
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuyong Wei
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhikun Liu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Feng
- Department of Colorectal Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haiyang Xie
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jimin Liu
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shusen Zheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China
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15
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Hung MH, Wang XW. Targeting WNT/β-Catenin via Modulating EZH2 Function: A New Chapter in the Treatment of β-Catenin Mutant Hepatocellular Carcinoma? Cancer Res 2023; 83:3498-3500. [PMID: 37747420 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-2921] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
In a recent study, Rialdi and colleagues identified a specific vulnerability in β-catenin mutant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via EZH2-mediated suppression of WNT signaling and revealed the selective anti-HCC activity of WNTinib, a chemical derivative of regorafenib and sorafenib in targeting this vulnerability. Their discoveries highlight the role of EZH2 in modulating WNT signaling and suggest an implication of WNTinihb as a small-molecule inhibitor for the treatment of HCC with activated WNT/β-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Hsin Hung
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Xin Wei Wang
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
- Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
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16
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Panwar V, Singh A, Bhatt M, Tonk RK, Azizov S, Raza AS, Sengupta S, Kumar D, Garg M. Multifaceted role of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathway in human health and disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:375. [PMID: 37779156 PMCID: PMC10543444 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01608-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that controls cellular metabolism, catabolism, immune responses, autophagy, survival, proliferation, and migration, to maintain cellular homeostasis. The mTOR signaling cascade consists of two distinct multi-subunit complexes named mTOR complex 1/2 (mTORC1/2). mTOR catalyzes the phosphorylation of several critical proteins like AKT, protein kinase C, insulin growth factor receptor (IGF-1R), 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K), transcription factor EB (TFEB), sterol-responsive element-binding proteins (SREBPs), Lipin-1, and Unc-51-like autophagy-activating kinases. mTOR signaling plays a central role in regulating translation, lipid synthesis, nucleotide synthesis, biogenesis of lysosomes, nutrient sensing, and growth factor signaling. The emerging pieces of evidence have revealed that the constitutive activation of the mTOR pathway due to mutations/amplification/deletion in either mTOR and its complexes (mTORC1 and mTORC2) or upstream targets is responsible for aging, neurological diseases, and human malignancies. Here, we provide the detailed structure of mTOR, its complexes, and the comprehensive role of upstream regulators, as well as downstream effectors of mTOR signaling cascades in the metabolism, biogenesis of biomolecules, immune responses, and autophagy. Additionally, we summarize the potential of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as an important modulator of mTOR signaling. Importantly, we have highlighted the potential of mTOR signaling in aging, neurological disorders, human cancers, cancer stem cells, and drug resistance. Here, we discuss the developments for the therapeutic targeting of mTOR signaling with improved anticancer efficacy for the benefit of cancer patients in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Panwar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173229, India
| | - Aishwarya Singh
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201313, India
| | - Manini Bhatt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar, Punjab, 140001, India
| | - Rajiv K Tonk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU), New Delhi, 110017, India
| | - Shavkatjon Azizov
- Laboratory of Biological Active Macromolecular Systems, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Academy of Sciences Uzbekistan, Tashkent, 100125, Uzbekistan
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Technical University, 100084, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Agha Saquib Raza
- Rajive Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Tahirpur, New Delhi, 110093, India
| | - Shinjinee Sengupta
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201313, India.
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173229, India.
| | - Manoj Garg
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201313, India.
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17
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Daoui O, Nour H, Abchir O, Elkhattabi S, Bakhouch M, Chtita S. A computer-aided drug design approach to explore novel type II inhibitors of c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase for cancer therapy: QSAR, molecular docking, ADMET and molecular dynamics simulations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:7768-7785. [PMID: 36120976 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2124456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Small molecules such as 4-phenoxypyridine derivatives have remarkable inhibitory activity against c-Met enzymatic activity and proliferation of cancer cell lines. Since there is a relationship between structure and biological activity of these molecules, these little compounds may have great potential for clinical pharmaceutical use against various types of cancer caused by c-Met activity. The purpose of this study was to remodel the structures of 4-phenoxypyridine derivatives to achieve strong inhibitory activity against c-Met and provide favorable pharmacokinetic properties for drug design and discovery. Therefore, this paper describes the structure-activity relationship and the rationalization of appropriate pharmacophore sites to improve the biological activity of the investigated molecules, based on bioinformatics techniques represented by a computer-aided drug design approach. Accordingly, robust and reliable 3D-QSAR models were developed based on CoMFA and CoMSIA techniques. As a result, 46 lead molecules were designed and their biological and pharmacokinetic activities were predicted in silico. Screening filters by 3D-QSAR, Molecular Docking, drug-like and ADME-Tox identified the computer-designed compounds P54 and P55 as the best candidates to achieve high inhibition of c-Met enzymatic activity compared to the synthesized template compound T14. Finally, through molecular dynamics simulations, the structural properties and dynamics of c-Met free and complex (PDB code: 3LQ8) in the presence of 4-phenoxypyridine-derived compounds in an aqueous environment are discussed. Overall, the rectosynthesis of the designed drug inhibitors (P54 and P55) and their in vitro and in vivo bioactivity evaluation may be attractive for design and discovery of novel drug effective to inhibit c-Met enzymatic activity.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ossama Daoui
- Laboratory of Engineering, Systems and Applications, National School of Applied Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah-Fez University, Fez, Morocco
| | - Hassan Nour
- Laboratory of Analytical and Molecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Oussama Abchir
- Laboratory of Analytical and Molecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Souad Elkhattabi
- Laboratory of Engineering, Systems and Applications, National School of Applied Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah-Fez University, Fez, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Bakhouch
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaïb Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco
| | - Samir Chtita
- Laboratory of Analytical and Molecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
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18
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Zeng J, Ye Z, Shi S, Liang Y, Meng Q, Zhang Q, Le AD. Targeted inhibition of eIF5A hpu suppresses tumor growth and polarization of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages in oral cancer. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:579. [PMID: 37653021 PMCID: PMC10471704 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06109-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic initiation factor 5A2 (eIF5A2) is overexpressed in many types of cancer, and spermidine-mediated eIF5A hypusination (eIF5Ahpu) appears to be essential to most of eIF5A's biological functions, including its important role in regulating cancer cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties as well as immune cell functions. Here we investigated the role of eIF5Ahpu in the growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells (OSCCs) and OSCC-induced polarization of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). TCGA dataset analysis revealed an overall upregulation in the mRNA expression of eIF5A2 and several key enzymes involved in polyamine (PA) metabolism in HNSCC, which was confirmed by Western blot and IHC studies. Blocking eIF5Ahpu by GC-7 but not the upstream key enzyme activities of PA metabolism, remarkably inhibited cell proliferation and the expression of EMT- and CSC-related genes in OSCC cells. In addition, blocking eIF5Ahpu robustly inhibited OSCC-induced M2-like TAM polarization in vitro. More Importantly, blocking eIF5Ahpu dramatically retarded tumor growth and infiltration/polarization of M2-like TAM in a syngeneic orthotopic murine tongue SCC model. Thus, eIF5Ahpu plays dual functions in regulating tumor cell growth and polarization of M2-TAMs in OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jincheng Zeng
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Medical Bioactive Molecular Developmental and Translational Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, 523808, Dongguan, China
| | - Ziyu Ye
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Medical Bioactive Molecular Developmental and Translational Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, 523808, Dongguan, China
| | - Shihong Shi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yanfang Liang
- Department of Pathology, Dongguan Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University, Bin-haiwan Central Hospital of Dongguan, 523905, Dongguan, China
| | - Qingyu Meng
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qunzhou Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Anh D Le
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Penn Medicine Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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19
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Jeon Y, Kim T, Kwon H, Kim JK, Park YT, Ham J, Kim YJ. Cannabidiol Enhances Cabozantinib-Induced Apoptotic Cell Death via Phosphorylation of p53 Regulated by ER Stress in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3987. [PMID: 37568803 PMCID: PMC10417827 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a primary constituent in hemp and cannabis, exerts broad pharmacological effects against various diseases, including cancer. Additionally, cabozantinib, a potent multi-kinase inhibitor, has been approved for treating patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, there has been an increase in research on combination therapy using cabozantinib to improve efficacy and safety when treating patients. Here, we investigated the effect of a combination treatment of cabozantinib and CBD on HCC cells. CBD treatment enhanced the sensitivity of HCC cells to cabozantinib-mediated anti-cancer activity by increasing cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Phospho-kinase array analysis demonstrated that the apoptotic effect of the combination treatment was mainly related to p53 phosphorylation regulated by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress when compared to other kinases. The inhibition of p53 expression and ER stress suppressed the apoptotic effect of the combination treatment, revealing no changes in the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-8, or cleaved caspase-9. Notably, the effect of the combination treatment was not associated with cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) and the CNR2 signaling pathways. Our findings suggest that the combination therapy of cabozantinib and CBD provides therapeutic efficacy against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngsic Jeon
- Natural Products Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea; (Y.J.); (T.K.); (H.K.); (Y.-T.P.)
| | - Taejung Kim
- Natural Products Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea; (Y.J.); (T.K.); (H.K.); (Y.-T.P.)
- Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyukjoon Kwon
- Natural Products Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea; (Y.J.); (T.K.); (H.K.); (Y.-T.P.)
| | | | - Young-Tae Park
- Natural Products Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea; (Y.J.); (T.K.); (H.K.); (Y.-T.P.)
| | - Jungyeob Ham
- Natural Products Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea; (Y.J.); (T.K.); (H.K.); (Y.-T.P.)
- Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- NeoCannBio Co., Ltd., Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea;
| | - Young-Joo Kim
- Natural Products Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea; (Y.J.); (T.K.); (H.K.); (Y.-T.P.)
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20
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Zhou Y, Cui G, Xu H, Chun J, Yang D, Zhang Z, Yang L, Wang J, Wan M, Calvisi DF, Lin S, Chen X, Wang H. Loss of TP53 cooperates with c-MET overexpression to drive hepatocarcinogenesis. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:476. [PMID: 37500626 PMCID: PMC10374654 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05958-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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly malignancy with high genetic heterogeneity. TP53 mutation and c-MET activation are frequent events in human HCCs. Here, we discovered that the simultaneous mutations in TP53 and activation of c-MET occur in ~20% of human HCCs, and these patients show a poor prognosis. Importantly, we found that concomitant deletion of Trp53 and overexpression of c-MET (c-MET/sgp53) in the mouse liver led to HCC formation in vivo. Consistent with human HCCs, RNAseq showed that c-MET/sgp53 mouse HCCs were characterized by activated c-MET and Ras/MAPK cascades and increased tumor cell proliferation. Subsequently, a stably passaged cell line derived from a c-MET/sgp53 HCC and corresponding subcutaneous xenografts were generated. Also, in silico analysis suggested that the MEK inhibitor trametinib has a higher inhibition score in TP53 null human HCC cell lines, which was validated experimentally. We consistently found that trametinib effectively inhibited the growth of c-MET/sgp53 HCC cells and xenografts, supporting the possible usefulness of this drug for treating human HCCs with TP53-null mutations. Altogether, our study demonstrates that loss of TP53 cooperates with c-MET to drive hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo. The c-MET/sgp53 mouse model and derived HCC cell lines represent novel and useful preclinical tools to study hepatocarcinogenesis in the TP53 null background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Guofei Cui
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Joanne Chun
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Doris Yang
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lihui Yang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jingxiao Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing, University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Meijuan Wan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Shumei Lin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA.
| | - Haichuan Wang
- Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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21
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Liang B, Wang H, Qiao Y, Wang X, Qian M, Song X, Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Shang R, Che L, Chen Y, Huang Z, Wu H, Monga SP, Zeng Y, Calvisi DF, Chen X, Chen X. Differential requirement of Hippo cascade during CTNNB1 or AXIN1 mutation-driven hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatology 2023; 77:1929-1942. [PMID: 35921500 PMCID: PMC10572102 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Gain-of-function (GOF) mutations of CTNNB1 and loss-of-function (LOF) mutations of AXIN1 are recurrent genetic alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aim to investigate the functional contribution of Hippo/YAP/TAZ in GOF CTNNB1 or LOF AXIN1 mutant HCCs. APPROACH AND RESULTS The requirement of YAP/TAZ in c-Met/β-Catenin and c-Met/sgAxin1-driven HCC was analyzed using conditional Yap , Taz , and Yap;Taz knockout (KO) mice. Mechanisms of AXIN1 in regulating YAP/TAZ were investigated using AXIN1 mutated HCC cells. Hepatocyte-specific inducible TTR-CreER T2KO system was applied to evaluate the role of Yap;Taz during tumor progression. Cabozantinib and G007-LK combinational treatment were tested in vitro and in vivo . Nuclear YAP/TAZ was strongly induced in c-Met/sgAxin1 mouse HCC cells. Activation of Hippo via overexpression of Lats2 or concomitant deletion of Yap and Taz significantly inhibited c-Met/sgAxin1 driven HCC development, whereas the same approaches had mild effects in c-Met/β-Catenin HCCs. YAP is the major Hippo effector in c-Met/β-Catenin HCCs, and both YAP and TAZ are required for c-Met/sgAxin1-dependent hepatocarcinogenesis. Mechanistically, AXIN1 binds to YAP/TAZ in human HCC cells and regulates YAP/TAZ stability. Genetic deletion of YAP/TAZ suppresses already formed c-Met/sgAxin1 liver tumors, supporting the requirement of YAP/TAZ during tumor progression. Importantly, tankyrase inhibitor G007-LK, which targets Hippo and Wnt pathways, synergizes with cabozantinib, a c-MET inhibitor, leading to tumor regression in the c-Met/sgAxin1 HCC model. CONCLUSIONS Our studies demonstrate that YAP/TAZ are major signaling molecules downstream of LOF AXIN1 mutant HCCs, and targeting YAP/TAZ is an effective treatment against AXIN1 mutant human HCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binyong Liang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Haichuan Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yu Qiao
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Wang
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Manning Qian
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinhua Song
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Runze Shang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Haixia Hospital of Huaqiao University (The 910 Hospital), Quanzhou, China
| | - Li Che
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Legend Biotech USA, New Jersey, USA
| | - Yifa Chen
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiyong Huang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Wu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Satdarshan P. Monga
- Department of Pathology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yong Zeng
- Department of Liver Surgery, Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Diego F. Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Hawaii, USA
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22
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Zhang P, Lai X, Zhu MH, Shi J, Pan H, Huang Y, Guo RJ, Lu Q, Fang C, Zhao M. Jujuboside B suppresses angiogenesis and tumor growth via blocking VEGFR2 signaling pathway. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17072. [PMID: 37484305 PMCID: PMC10361242 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Jujuboside B (JuB), one of the main active triterpenoid saponins from the traditional Chinese medicine Ziziphus jujuba, possesses a wide range of pharmacological activities. However, it is unknown whether JuB can inhibit tumor angiogenesis, a crucial step in solid tumor growth. In this study, we found that JuB significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. JuB also suppressed angiogenesis in chick embryo chorioallantoic membranes and Matrigel plugs. Moreover, through angiogenesis inhibition, JuB delayed the growth of human HCT-15 colorectal cancer xenograft in mice. Western blot assay demonstrated that JuB inhibited the phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and its key downstream protein kinases, such as Akt, FAK, Src, and PLCγ1. In conclusion, the antiangiogenic potency and molecular mechanism of JuB are revealed for the first time, indicating that this triterpene saponin may be further explored as a potential drug candidate or lead compound for antiangiogenic cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China
| | - Xing Lai
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital and State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Mao-Hua Zhu
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital and State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jiangpei Shi
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital and State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Hong Pan
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital and State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, 200025, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education & Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563003, China
| | - Yanhu Huang
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital and State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Run-Jie Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China
| | - Qin Lu
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital and State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Chao Fang
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital and State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTU-SM), Shanghai, 200025, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education & Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563003, China
| | - Mei Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China
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Wang Y, Ju L, Wang G, Qian K, Jin W, Li M, Yu J, Shi Y, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Xiao Y, Wang X. DNA polymerase POLD1 promotes proliferation and metastasis of bladder cancer by stabilizing MYC. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2421. [PMID: 37105989 PMCID: PMC10140023 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38160-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, most studies on the DNA polymerase, POLD1, have focused on the effect of POLD1 inactivation mutations in tumors. However, the implications of high POLD1 expression in tumorigenesis remains elusive. Here, we determine that POLD1 has a pro-carcinogenic role in bladder cancer (BLCA) and is associated to the malignancy and prognosis of BLCA. Our studies demonstrate that POLD1 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of BLCA via MYC. Mechanistically, POLD1 stabilizes MYC in a manner independent of its' DNA polymerase activity. Instead, POLD1 attenuates FBXW7-mediated ubiquitination degradation of MYC by directly binding to the MYC homology box 1 domain competitively with FBXW7. Moreover, we find that POLD1 forms a complex with MYC to promote the transcriptional activity of MYC. In turn, MYC increases expression of POLD1, forming a POLD1-MYC positive feedback loop to enhance the pro-carcinogenic effect of POLD1-MYC on BLCA. Overall, our study identifies POLD1 as a promotor of BCLA via a MYC driven mechanism and suggest its potential as biomarker for BLCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yejinpeng Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lingao Ju
- Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
- Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaiyu Qian
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Wan Jin
- Euler Technology, ZGC Life Sciences Park, Beijing, China
| | - Mingxing Li
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingtian Yu
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiliang Shi
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongzhi Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Euler Technology, ZGC Life Sciences Park, Beijing, China.
- Center for Quantitative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yu Xiao
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Human Genetic Resources Preservation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China.
- Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.
| | - Xinghuan Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.
- Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Institute of Urology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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Zhang K, Yue B, Duan X, Chen W, Dai X, Chen Y, Li X, Lu J. Joint analysis identified FAP as a prognostic and diagnostic biomarker correlated immune infiltration in gastric cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 245:154462. [PMID: 37068372 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is one of the most malignant types of cancer in the digestive system because of its high incidence and mortality. There is a notable association between gastric cancer progression and the level and sort of immune cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment. First, 41 up-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 91 down-regulated DEGs were identified from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Among the 21 core genes, prognosis biomarkers FAP, ASPN and CTHRC1 were identified for further study via Kaplan-Meier Plotter, with FAP having the highest prognostic value among them. In addition, the ROC curves of FAP (AUC=0.992), ASPN (AUC=0.955) and CTHRC1 (AUC=0.983) also showed high diagnostic value. Then the expression and mutation levels of the biomarkers were verified by GEPIA and cBioPortal. Their high expression levels were closely correlated to the clinical stages and metastasis status of gastric cancer. Furthermore, their expression was strongly relevant to immune infiltration and macrophage marker levels. In drug response analysis, gastric cancer cell lines with overexpression of FAP and ASPN were more sensitive to PI3K and MET inhibitors, respectively. Importantly, the meta-analysis showed that FAP had an overall positive rate of 68 % (63-73 %, 95 % CI; n = 382) and the patients with high expression of FAP showed a poor prognosis in terms of OS (HR=1.82, 1.33-2.48, 95 % CI) in gastric cancer. In short, FAP, ASPN and CTHRC1 were identified as potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers related with immunity and might be effective therapeutic targets of gastric cancer, and the significance of FAP for the prognosis was further assessed by meta-analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Bingtong Yue
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Xiaoxuan Duan
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Xiaoshuo Dai
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Yihuan Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, PR China
| | - Jing Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, PR China.
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25
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Rimassa L, Finn RS, Sangro B. Combination immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol 2023:S0168-8278(23)00178-2. [PMID: 36933770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2023]
Abstract
Single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been tested in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showing an objective response rate of 15-20%, mostly without a significant overall survival (OS) benefit. Furthermore, approximately 30% of HCC shows intrinsic resistance to ICIs. In the absence of predictive biomarkers to identify patients likely to benefit most from immunotherapy, research has moved to exploring combinations with potential activity in broader patient populations. Basket trials, including cohorts of patients with HCC, and early phase studies tested the combination of ICIs with antiangiogenic agents as well as the combination of two different ICIs. The achieved promising results provided the rationale for the following phase 3 trials, which tested the combination of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 with bevacizumab, or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), or anti-CTLA-4. Positive results from the IMbrave150 trial led to the practice-changing approval of atezolizumab-bevacizumab, the first regimen to demonstrate improved survival in the front-line setting, since the approval of sorafenib. More recently, the HIMALAYA trial demonstrated the superiority of durvalumab-tremelimumab (STRIDE regimen) over sorafenib, establishing a new first-line option. In contrast, inconsistent results have been achieved with combinations of ICIs and TKIs, with only one phase 3 trial showing an OS benefit. The rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape for patients with advanced HCC has left significant unmet needs to be addressed in future research. These include choice and sequencing of treatments, identification of biomarkers, combinations with locoregional therapies, and development of new immunotherapy agents. This review summarizes the scientific rationale and available clinical data for combination immunotherapy in advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza Rimassa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele (Milan), Italy; Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano (Milan), Italy.
| | - Richard S Finn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/ Oncology, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bruno Sangro
- Liver Unit and HPB Oncology Area, Clinica Universidad de Navarra and CIBEREHD, Pamplona, Spain
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26
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Samec M, Mazurakova A, Lucansky V, Koklesova L, Pecova R, Pec M, Golubnitschaja O, Al-Ishaq RK, Caprnda M, Gaspar L, Prosecky R, Gazdikova K, Adamek M, Büsselberg D, Kruzliak P, Kubatka P. Flavonoids attenuate cancer metabolism by modulating Lipid metabolism, amino acids, ketone bodies and redox state mediated by Nrf2. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 949:175655. [PMID: 36921709 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175655] [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: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells is a common hallmark of malignant transformation. The preference for aerobic glycolysis over oxidative phosphorylation in tumors is a well-studied phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. Importantly, metabolic transformation of cancer cells also involves alterations in signaling cascades contributing to lipid metabolism, amino acid flux and synthesis, and utilization of ketone bodies. Also, redox regulation interacts with metabolic reprogramming during malignant transformation. Flavonoids, widely distributed phytochemicals in plants, exert various beneficial effects on human health through modulating molecular cascades altered in the pathological cancer phenotype. Recent evidence has identified numerous flavonoids as modulators of critical components of cancer metabolism and associated pathways interacting with metabolic cascades such as redox balance. Flavonoids affect lipid metabolism by regulating fatty acid synthase, redox balance by modulating nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activity, or amino acid flux and synthesis by phosphoglycerate mutase 1. Here, we discuss recent preclinical evidence evaluating the impact of flavonoids on cancer metabolism, focusing on lipid and amino acid metabolic cascades, redox balance, and ketone bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Samec
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Alena Mazurakova
- Department of Anatomy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Vincent Lucansky
- Biomedical Centre Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Lenka Koklesova
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Renata Pecova
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Martin Pec
- Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Olga Golubnitschaja
- Predictive, Preventive, Personalised (3P) Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Martin Caprnda
- 1(st) Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ludovit Gaspar
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Robert Prosecky
- 2(nd) Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and St. Anne´s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital and Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Katarina Gazdikova
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Nursing and Professional Health Studies, Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovakia; Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Mariusz Adamek
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | | | - Peter Kruzliak
- 2(nd) Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and St. Anne´s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Peter Kubatka
- Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia.
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[Shikonin induces hepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis by suppressing PKM2/PHD3/HIF-1 α signaling pathway]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2023; 43:92-98. [PMID: 36856215 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2023.01.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of shikonin-induced death of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells. METHODS Cultured SMMC-7721 cells and normal hepatocytes (L-02 cells) were treated with 4, 8, or 16 μmol/L shikonin, and the changes in cell viability was assessed using MTT assay. The levels of ATP and lactic acid in the cell cultures were detected using commercial kits. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence staining were used to determine the relationship among pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), prolyl hydroxylase 3 (PHD3), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). The expressions of PHD3, PKM2, HIF-1α, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and Bcl-2 in SMMC-7721 cells were detected with Western blotting, and cell apoptosis was analyzed with annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The effects of RNA interference of PKM2 on PHD3 and HIF-1α expressions in SMMC-7721 cells were detected using Western blotting. RESULTS The IC50 of shikonin against SMMC-7721 and L-02 cells was 8.041 μmol/L and 31.75 μmol/L, respectively. Treatment with shikonin significantly inhibited the protein expressions of PKM2, HIF-1α and PHD3 and nuclear translocation of PKM2 and HIF-1α in SMMC-7721 cells. Coimmunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence staining confirmed that shikonin inhibited the formation of PKM2/PHD3/HIF-1α complex and significantly reduced the contents of lactic acid and ATP in SMMC-7721 cells (P < 0.05). The expressions of PHD3 and HIF-1α decreased significantly after PKM2 knockdown (P < 0.05). Shikonin treatment significantly increased the apoptosis rate, enhanced the expressions of Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and decreased Bcl-2 expression in SMMC-7721 cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Shikonin induces apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells possibly by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis through the PKM2/PHD3/HIF-1α signaling pathway to cause energy supply dysfunction in the cells.
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Jiang L, Li L, Liu Y, Lu L, Zhan M, Yuan S, Liu Y. Drug resistance mechanism of kinase inhibitors in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1097277. [PMID: 36891274 PMCID: PMC9987615 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1097277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer, and it usually occurs following chronic liver disease. Although some progress has been made in the treatment of HCC, the prognosis of patients with advanced HCC is not optimistic, mainly because of the inevitable development of drug resistance. Therefore, multi-target kinase inhibitors for the treatment of HCC, such as sorafenib, lenvatinib, cabozantinib, and regorafenib, produce small clinical benefits for patients with HCC. It is necessary to study the mechanism of kinase inhibitor resistance and explore possible solutions to overcome this resistance to improve clinical benefits. In this study, we reviewed the mechanisms of resistance to multi-target kinase inhibitors in HCC and discussed strategies that can be used to improve treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Luan Li
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongzhuang Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ligong Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Meixiao Zhan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Shengtao Yuan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated With Jinan University), Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
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29
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Su P, Zhang M, Kang X. Targeting c-Met in the treatment of urologic neoplasms: Current status and challenges. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1071030. [PMID: 36959792 PMCID: PMC10028134 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1071030] [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: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
At present, studies have found that c-Met is mainly involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor tissues in urologic neoplasms. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) combined with c-Met promotes the mitosis of tumor cells, and then induces motility, angiogenesis, migration, invasion and drug resistance. Therefore, c-Met targeting therapy may have great potential in urologic neoplasms. Many strategies targeting c-Met have been widely used in the study of urologic neoplasms. Although the use of targeting c-Met therapy has a strong biological basis for the treatment of urologic neoplasms, the results of current clinical trials have not yielded significant results. To promote the application of c-Met targeting drugs in the clinical treatment of urologic neoplasms, it is very important to study the detailed mechanism of c-Met in urologic neoplasms and innovate c-Met targeted drugs. This paper firstly discussed the value of c-Met targeted therapy in urologic neoplasms, then summarized the related research progress, and finally explored the potential targets related to the HGF/c-Met signaling pathway. It may provide a new concept for the treatment of middle and late urologic neoplasms.
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Resistance to Antiangiogenic Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Impact. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246245. [PMID: 36551730 PMCID: PMC9776845 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiangiogenic drugs were the only mainstay of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment from 2007 to 2017. However, primary or secondary resistance hampered their efficacy. Primary resistance could be due to different molecular and/or genetic characteristics of HCC and their knowledge would clarify the optimal treatment approach in each patient. Several molecular mechanisms responsible for secondary resistance have been discovered over the last few years; they represent potential targets for new specific drugs. In this light, the advent of checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been a new opportunity; however, their use has highlighted other issues: the vascular normalization compared to a vessel pruning to promote the delivery of an active cancer immunotherapy and the development of resistance to immunotherapy which leads to a better selection of patients as candidates for ICIs. Nevertheless, the combination of antiangiogenic therapy plus ICIs represents an intriguing approach with high potential to improve the survival of these patients. Waiting for results from ongoing clinical trials, this review depicts the current knowledge about the resistance to antiangiogenic drugs in HCC. It could also provide updated information to clinicians focusing on the most effective combinations or sequential approaches in this regard, based on molecular mechanisms.
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Rivas S, Marín A, Samtani S, González-Feliú E, Armisén R. MET Signaling Pathways, Resistance Mechanisms, and Opportunities for Target Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213898. [PMID: 36430388 PMCID: PMC9697723 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The MET gene, known as MET proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase, was first identified to induce tumor cell migration, invasion, and proliferation/survival through canonical RAS-CDC42-PAK-Rho kinase, RAS-MAPK, PI3K-AKT-mTOR, and β-catenin signaling pathways, and its driver mutations, such as MET gene amplification (METamp) and the exon 14 skipping alterations (METex14), activate cell transformation, cancer progression, and worse patient prognosis, principally in lung cancer through the overactivation of their own oncogenic and MET parallel signaling pathways. Because of this, MET driver alterations have become of interest in lung adenocarcinomas since the FDA approval of target therapies for METamp and METex14 in 2020. However, after using MET target therapies, tumor cells develop adaptative changes, favoring tumor resistance to drugs, the main current challenge to precision medicine. Here, we review a link between the resistance mechanism and MET signaling pathways, which is not only limited to MET. The resistance impacts MET parallel tyrosine kinase receptors and signals shared hubs. Therefore, this information could be relevant in the patient's mutational profile evaluation before the first target therapy prescription and follow-up to reduce the risk of drug resistance. However, to develop a resistance mechanism to a MET inhibitor, patients must have access to the drugs. For instance, none of the FDA approved MET inhibitors are registered as such in Chile and other developing countries. Constant cross-feeding between basic and clinical research will thus be required to meet future challenges imposed by the acquired resistance to targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange Rivas
- Centro de Genética y Genómica, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7550000, Chile
| | - Arnaldo Marín
- Departamento de Oncología Básico Clínica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380000, Chile
| | - Suraj Samtani
- Departamento de Oncología Médica, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago 7550000, Chile
- Hospital Félix Bulnes, Santiago 9080000, Chile
| | - Evelin González-Feliú
- Centro de Genética y Genómica, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7550000, Chile
| | - Ricardo Armisén
- Centro de Genética y Genómica, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7550000, Chile
- Correspondence:
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32
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Wang H, Zhou Y, Xu H, Wang X, Zhang Y, Shang R, O'Farrell M, Roessler S, Sticht C, Stahl A, Evert M, Calvisi DF, Zeng Y, Chen X. Therapeutic efficacy of FASN inhibition in preclinical models of HCC. Hepatology 2022; 76:951-966. [PMID: 35076948 PMCID: PMC9309180 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Aberrant activation of fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a major metabolic event during the development of HCC. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of TVB3664, a FASN inhibitor, either alone or in combination, for HCC treatment. APPROACH AND RESULTS The therapeutic efficacy and the molecular pathways targeted by TVB3664, either alone or with tyrosine kinase inhibitors or the checkpoint inhibitor anti-programmed death ligand 1 antibody, were assessed in human HCC cell lines and multiple oncogene-driven HCC mouse models. RNA sequencing was performed to elucidate the effects of TVB3664 on global gene expression and tumor metabolism. TVB3664 significantly ameliorated the fatty liver phenotype in the aged mice and AKT-induced hepatic steatosis. TVB3664 monotherapy showed moderate efficacy in NASH-related murine HCCs, induced by loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog and MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (c-MET) overexpression. TVB3664, in combination with cabozantinib, triggered tumor regression in this murine model but did not improve the responsiveness to immunotherapy. Global gene expression revealed that TVB3664 predominantly modulated metabolic processes, whereas TVB3664 synergized with cabozantinib to down-regulate multiple cancer-related pathways, especially the AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway and cell proliferation genes. TVB3664 also improved the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib and cabozantinib in the FASN-dependent c-MYC-driven HCC model. However, TVB3664 had no efficacy nor synergistic effects in FASN-independent murine HCC models. CONCLUSIONS This preclinical study suggests the limited efficacy of targeting FASN as monotherapy for HCC treatment. However, FASN inhibitors could be combined with other drugs for improved effectiveness. These combination therapies could be developed based on the driver oncogenes, supporting precision medicine approaches for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haichuan Wang
- Liver Transplantation Division, Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Liver Transplantation Division, Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Xue Wang
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Runze Shang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | - Carsten Sticht
- NGS Core Facility, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Stahl
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Diego F. Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Yong Zeng
- Liver Transplantation Division, Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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EGFR blockade confers sensitivity to cabozantinib in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Discov 2022; 8:82. [PMID: 35999219 PMCID: PMC9399229 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00425-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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Sung PS. Crosstalk between tumor-associated macrophages and neighboring cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Mol Hepatol 2022; 28:333-350. [PMID: 34665953 PMCID: PMC9293612 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2021.0308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment generally shows a substantial immunosuppressive activity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), accounting for the suboptimal efficacy of immune-based treatments for this difficult-to-treat cancer. The crosstalk between tumor cells and various cell types in the tumor microenvironment is strongly related to HCC progression and treatment resistance. Monocytes are recruited to the HCC tumor microenvironment by various factors and become tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) with distinct phenotypes. TAMs often contribute to weakened tumor-specific immune responses and a more aggressive phenotype of malignancy. Recent single-cell RNA-sequencing data have demonstrated the central roles of specific TAMs in tumorigenesis and treatment resistance by their interactions with various cell populations in the HCC tumor microenvironment. This review focuses on the roles of TAMs and the crosstalk between TAMs and neighboring cell types in the HCC tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pil Soo Sung
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
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Tang M, Zhao Y, Zhao J, Wei S, Liu M, Zheng N, Geng D, Han S, Zhang Y, Zhong G, Li S, Zhang X, Wang C, Yan H, Cao X, Li L, Bai X, Ji J, Feng XH, Qin J, Liang T, Zhao B. Liver cancer heterogeneity modeled by in situ genome editing of hepatocytes. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn5683. [PMID: 35731873 PMCID: PMC9216519 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn5683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Mechanistic study and precision treatment of primary liver cancer (PLC) are hindered by marked heterogeneity, which is challenging to recapitulate in any given liver cancer mouse model. Here, we report the generation of 25 mouse models of PLC by in situ genome editing of hepatocytes recapitulating 25 single or combinations of human cancer driver genes. These mouse tumors represent major histopathological types of human PLCs and could be divided into three human-matched molecular subtypes based on transcriptomic and proteomic profiles. Phenotypical characterization identified subtype- or genotype-specific alterations in immune microenvironment, metabolic reprogramming, cell proliferation, and expression of drug targets. Furthermore, single-cell analysis and expression tracing revealed spatial and temporal dynamics in expression of pyruvate kinase M2 (Pkm2). Tumor-specific knockdown of Pkm2 by multiplexed genome editing reversed the Warburg effect and suppressed tumorigenesis in a genotype-specific manner. Our study provides mouse PLC models with defined genetic drivers and characterized phenotypical heterogeneity suitable for mechanistic investigation and preclinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Tang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jianhui Zhao
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shumei Wei
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mingwei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Nairen Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Didi Geng
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shixun Han
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yuchao Zhang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Guoxuan Zhong
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shuaifeng Li
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiuming Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chenliang Wang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Huan Yan
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaolei Cao
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Li Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Xueli Bai
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Junfang Ji
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xin-Hua Feng
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jun Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Corresponding author. (T.L.); (B.Z.)
| | - Bin Zhao
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Shaoxing Institute, Zhejiang University, Shaoxing 321000, China
- Corresponding author. (T.L.); (B.Z.)
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Zhao Z, Zheng Z, Huang J, Wang J, Peng T, Lin Y, Jian Z. Expression of ALG3 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Its Clinical Implication. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:816102. [PMID: 35782861 PMCID: PMC9240429 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.816102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Recent studies have shown that alpha-1,3-mannosyltransferase (ALG3) promoted tumorigenesis and progression in multiple cancer types. Our study planned to explore the clinical implication and potential function of ALG3 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Data from public databases were used to analyze the ALG3 expression and its impact on the clinical significance of patients with HCC. The ALG3 expression was confirmed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Immunohistochemistry was used to confirm the ALG3 expression and explore its clinical implication in HCC. KEGG, GO, and GSEA enrichment analyses were utilized to explore the biological pathways related to ALG3 in HCC. TIMER2.0 was applied to assess the association between ALG3 and immune infiltration. CCK8, MTT, and transwell assays were used to investigate the role of ALG3 downregulation in HCC cell lines. Results: qRT-PCR, WB, and IHC proved ALG3 was highly overexpressed in HCC tissues. The Kaplan–Meier analysis verified the overexpression of ALG3 was related to poor overall survival (p < 0.001). Multivariate cox regression analysis showed that the high ALG3 expression was an independent risk prognostic factor. GSEA and TIMER2.0 predicted that ALG3 participates in cell differentiation and cycle and correlates with immune cell infiltration. Transwell assay results showed that ALG3 silencing also impaired the invasion ability of HCC cells. Conclusion: ALG3 was overexpressed and considered a potential indicator of survival in HCC, and our findings provided a novel therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhao
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zehao Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Shantou University of Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Jianfeng Huang
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianxi Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianyi Peng
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Shantou University of Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Ye Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ye Lin, ; Zhixiang Jian,
| | - Zhixiang Jian
- Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ye Lin, ; Zhixiang Jian,
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Wang ZZ, Meng T, Yang MY, Wang W, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Han AQ, Wu J, Wang HX, Qian B, Zhu LX. ALYREF associated with immune infiltration is a prognostic biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma. Transl Oncol 2022; 21:101441. [PMID: 35523010 PMCID: PMC9079359 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ALYREF is a potential prognostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma. ALYREF affects the biological function of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. ALYREF is associated with immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. The model constructed based on ALYREF-related immune genes provides a reference for the evaluation of immunotherapy.
Background Although ALYREF has been demonstrated to have a role in a number of malignancies, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has received little attention. Our objective was to research at the prognostic value, biological role and relevance of ALYREF to the immune system in HCC. Methods The expression of ALYREF and its relationship with clinical parameters of HCC patients were analyzed by liver cancer cohort (LIHC) of The Cancer Genome Atlas. The expression and prognosis were verified by immunohistochemistry experiments. Gene transfection, CCK-8, scratch healing, transwell invasion and flow cytometry were used to assess the molecular function of ALYREF in vitro. The TIMER and TISIDB online data portals were used to assess the relevance of ALYREF to immunization. Stepwise regression analysis of ALYREF-related immune genes in the LIHC training set was used to construct a prognostic risk prediction model. Also, construct a nomogram to predict patient survival. The testing set for internal verification. Results Knockdown of ALYREF changed the biological phenotypes of HCC cells, such as proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion. In addition, the expression of ALYREF in HCC affected the level of immune cell infiltration and correlated with the overall survival time of patients. The constructed immune prognostic model allows for a valid assessment of patients. Conclusion ALYREF is increased in HCC, has an impact on cellular function and the immune system, and might be used as a prognostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Zhen Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Tao Meng
- Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Ming-Ya Yang
- Department of Haematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - An-Qi Han
- Department of General Surgery, Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Jin Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Hui-Xiao Wang
- Department of Medicine, The Second People's Hospital of Anhui Province, Hefei 230000, China.
| | - Bo Qian
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.
| | - Li-Xin Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.
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Solid Tumors and Kinase Inhibition: Management and Therapy Efficacy Evolution. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073830. [PMID: 35409190 PMCID: PMC8998551 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing numbers of cancer cases worldwide and the exceedingly high mortality rates of some tumor subtypes raise the question about if the current protocols for cancer management are effective and what has been done to improve upon oncologic patients’ prognoses. The traditional chemo-immunotherapy options for cancer treatment focus on the use of cytotoxic agents that are able to overcome neoplastic clones’ survival mechanisms and induce apoptosis, as well as on the ability to capacitate the host’s immune system to hinder the continuous growth of malignant cells. The need to avert the highly toxic profiles of conventional chemo-immunotherapy and to overcome the emerging cases of tumor multidrug resistance has fueled a growing interest in the field of precision medicine and targeted molecular therapies in the last couple of decades, although relatively new alternatives in oncologic practices, the increased specificity, and the positive clinical outcomes achieved through targeted molecular therapies have already consolidated them as promising prospects for the future of cancer management. In recent years, the development and application of targeted drugs as tyrosine kinase inhibitors have enabled cancer treatment to enter the era of specificity. In addition, the combined use of targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and traditional chemotherapy has innovated the standard treatment for many malignancies, bringing new light to patients with recurrent tumors. This article comprises a series of clinical trials that, in the past 5 years, utilized kinase inhibitors (KIs) as a monotherapy or in combination with other cytotoxic agents to treat patients afflicted with solid tumors. The results, with varying degrees of efficacy, are reported.
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Xu C, Xu Z, Zhang Y, Evert M, Calvisi DF, Chen X. β-Catenin signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:154515. [PMID: 35166233 PMCID: PMC8843739 DOI: 10.1172/jci154515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling is one of the main genetic alterations in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Comprehensive genomic analyses have revealed that gain-of-function mutation of CTNNB1, which encodes β-catenin, and loss-of-function mutation of AXIN1 occur in approximately 35% of human HCC samples. Human HCCs with activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway demonstrate unique gene expression patterns and pathological features. Activated Wnt/β-catenin synergizes with multiple signaling cascades to drive HCC formation, and it functions through its downstream effectors. Therefore, strategies targeting Wnt/β-catenin have been pursued as possible therapeutics against HCC. Here, we review the genetic alterations and oncogenic roles of aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling during hepatocarcinogenesis. In addition, we discuss the implication of this pathway in HCC diagnosis, classification, and personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanrui Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhong Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
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Modulation of the tumour microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma by tyrosine kinase inhibitors: from modulation to combination therapy targeting the microenvironment. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:73. [PMID: 35148789 PMCID: PMC8840552 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02435-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remain the backbone of systematic therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Sorafenib and lenvatinib are currently approved as first-line therapeutic drugs, and regorafenib and cabozantinib are applied as second-line treatments. With inhibition of angiogenesis as the main target, TKIs exert a profound effect on the tumour microenvironment (TME). The TME is a complex mixture of cellular and noncellular components surrounding the tumour mass, and is associated with tumour progression partially through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Specifically, the TME of HCC is characterized by profound extracellular matrix remodelling and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of TME remodelling mediated by four Food and Drug Administration approved TKIs in HCC and thus summarize the rationale and potential targets for combination therapy. The modulatory effect of TKIs on the TME of HCC was reported to enhance the antitumour effect of TKIs through pyroptosis of macrophages and subsequent natural killer cell activation, T cell activation, regulatory T cell reduction in HCC. Meanwhile, TKIs also induce drug resistance via M2 polarization and accumulation, recruitment of tumour-associated neutrophils, and induction of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In conclusion, the effect of TKIs on TME can enhance its antitumour effect, but might also partially contribute to the drug resistance that hinders the progression of TKIs as treatment for HCC. Additionally, the effect of TKIs also provides the rationale for combination therapy, including combining TKIs with immune checkpoint inhibitors, to facilitate increased drug efficacy of TKIs.
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Xu X, Jiang W, Han P, Zhang J, Tong L, Sun X. MicroRNA-128-3p Mediates Lenvatinib Resistance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Downregulating c-Met. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:113-126. [PMID: 35252056 PMCID: PMC8894104 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s349369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Lenvatinib is a first-line multikinase inhibitor for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but resistance to the drug remains a major hurdle for its long-term anti-cancer activity. This resistance is thought to be due to overexpression of c-Met. This study aims to identify potential upstream microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate c-Met, investigate the underlying mechanisms, and seek potential strategies that may reverse such resistance. Methods Lenvatinib-resistant HCC (LR-HCC) cells were established from human HCC Huh7 and SMMC-7721 cells. Assays of cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, RT-qPCR, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were employed. Potential miRNAs were screened by miRNA-target prediction tools and their regulatory effects were evaluated by luciferase reporter assays. Xenograft tumor models were used to evaluate the therapeutic effects. Results LR-HCC cells were refractory to lenvatinib-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Sustained exposure of cells to lenvatinib resulted in increased expression and phosphorylation of c-Met, and c-Met inhibition enhanced the effects of lenvatinib in suppressing LR-HCC cells. Among eleven miRNA candidates, miR-128-3p displayed the most vigorous activity to negatively regulate c-Met and was downregulated in LR-HCC cells. MiR-128-3p mimics inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of LR-HCC cells, and enhanced the effects of lenvatinib in cell culture and animal models. MiR-128-3p and c-Met participate in the mechanisms underlying lenvatinib resistance through regulating Akt that mediates the apoptotic pathway and ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) modulating cell cycle progression. Conclusion The present results indicate that the miR-128-3p/c-Met axis may be potential therapeutic targets for circumventing lenvatinib resistance in HCC and warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xu
- Hepatosplenic Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People’s Republic of China
- Department of General Surgery, Daqing Oil Field General Hospital, Daqing, 163000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenjing Jiang
- Hepatosplenic Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Han
- Hepatosplenic Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingyan Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Daqing, 163316, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liquan Tong
- Department of General Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Daqing, 163316, People’s Republic of China
- Liquan Tong, Department of General Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Daqing, 163316, People’s Republic of China, Email
| | - Xueying Sun
- Hepatosplenic Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Xueying Sun, Hepatosplenic Surgery Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, People’s Republic of China, Email
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Arora S, Joshi G, Chaturvedi A, Heuser M, Patil S, Kumar R. A Perspective on Medicinal Chemistry Approaches for Targeting Pyruvate Kinase M2. J Med Chem 2022; 65:1171-1205. [PMID: 34726055 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The allosteric regulation of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) affects the switching of the PKM2 protein between the high-activity and low-activity states that allow ATP and lactate production, respectively. PKM2, in its low catalytic state (dimeric form), is chiefly active in metabolically energetic cells, including cancer cells. More recently, PKM2 has emerged as an attractive target due to its role in metabolic dysfunction and other interrelated conditions. PKM2 (dimer) activity can be inhibited by modulating PKM2 dimer-tetramer dynamics using either PKM2 inhibitors that bind at the ATP binding active site of PKM2 (dimer) or PKM2 activators that bind at the allosteric site of PKM2, thus activating PKM2 from the dimer formation to the tetrameric formation. The present perspective focuses on medicinal chemistry approaches to design and discover PKM2 inhibitors and activators and further provides a scope for the future design of compounds targeting PKM2 with better efficacy and selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahil Arora
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, India
| | - Gaurav Joshi
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, India
- School of Pharmacy, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248171, India
| | - Anuhar Chaturvedi
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Michael Heuser
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Santoshkumar Patil
- Discovery Services, Syngene International Ltd., Biocon Park, SEZ, Bommasandra Industrial Area-Phase-IV, Bommasandra-Jigani Link Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560099, India
| | - Raj Kumar
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, India
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Correlation between Immunohistochemical Markers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells and In Vitro High-Throughput Drug Sensitivity Screening. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 2022:5969716. [PMID: 35127582 PMCID: PMC8808116 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5969716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM This study analyzed the correlation between immunohistochemical markers in hepatocellular carcinoma cells and the results of in vitro high-throughput drug sensitivity screening, to provide a reference for individualized drug treatment in patients with liver cancer. METHODS Seventy-four patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were included in this study from December 2019 to June 2021, and their liver cancer cells were used for in vitro high-throughput drug sensitivity screening. According to the screening results, the patients were divided into relatively sensitive and insensitive groups, and the correlations between sensitivity and immunohistochemistry results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-positive liver cancer cells were significantly more sensitive to gemcitabine than AFP-negative cells (χ 2 = 6.102, P=0.014). AFP was also positively correlated with sensitivity of liver cancer cells to three combined regimens containing oxaliplatin (L-OHP) and epirubicin (EPI) : L-OHP + EPI + irinotecan + 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), L-OHP + irinotecan + EPI, and L-OHP + EPI (χ 2 = 8.168, P=0.004, χ 2 = 5.705, P=0.017, and χ 2 = 8.275, P=0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION Gemcitabine and L-OHP + EPI + irinotecan + 5-FU, L-OHP + EPI, and L-OHP + irinotecan + EPI were more effective against AFP-positive compared with AFP-negative liver cancer cells according to in vitro high-throughput drug sensitivity screening. These results may guide the selection of personalized drug treatments for patients with advanced liver cancer in the future but still need further clinical studies to confirm.
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Argemi J, Ponz-Sarvise M, Sangro B. Immunotherapies for hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Current and developing strategies. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 156:367-413. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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45
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Zhang B, Yan YY, Gu YQ, Teng F, Lin X, Zhou XL, Che JX, Dong XW, Zhou LX, Lin NM. Inhibition of TRIM32 by ibr-7 treatment sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine via mTOR/p70S6K pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 26:515-526. [PMID: 34921503 PMCID: PMC8743670 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most notorious diseases for being asymptomatic at early stage and high mortality rate thereafter. However, either chemotherapy or targeted therapy has rarely achieved success in recent clinical trials for pancreatic cancer. Novel therapeutic regimens or agents are urgently in need. Ibr‐7 is a novel derivative of ibrutinib, displaying superior antitumour activity in pancreatic cancer cells than ibrutinib. In vitro studies showed that ibr‐7 greatly inhibited the proliferation of BxPC‐3, SW1990, CFPAC‐1 and AsPC‐1 cells via the induction of mitochondrial‐mediated apoptosis and substantial suppression of mTOR/p70S6K pathway. Moreover, ibr‐7 was able to sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine through the efficient repression of TRIM32, which was positively correlated with the proliferation and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells. Additionally, knockdown of TRIM32 diminished mTOR/p70S6K activity in pancreatic cancer cells, indicating a positive feedback loop between TRIM32 and mTOR/p70S6K pathway. To conclude, this work preliminarily explored the role of TRIM32 in the malignant properties of pancreatic cancer cells and evaluated the possibility of targeting TRIM32 to enhance effectiveness of gemcitabine, thereby providing a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Cancer Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - You-You Yan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Cancer Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yang-Qin Gu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Cancer Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fei Teng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Cancer Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xu Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xing-Lu Zhou
- Hangzhou Hezheng Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jin-Xin Che
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Wu Dong
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li-Xin Zhou
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Neng-Ming Lin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Cancer Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Lin W, Li S, Meng Y, Huang G, Liang S, Du J, Liu Q, Cheng B. UDCA Inhibits Hypoxic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell-Induced Angiogenesis Through Suppressing HIF-1α/VEGF/IL-8 Intercellular Signaling. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:755394. [PMID: 34975472 PMCID: PMC8714963 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.755394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A hypoxic microenvironment may induce angiogenesis and promote the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) may inhibit hypoxic HCC cell-induced angiogenesis and the possible mechanisms. Methods: Tube formation and matrigel plug angiogenesis assays were used to evaluate angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blot were used to evaluate the mRNA and protein expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and IL-8, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was applied to assess the reporter gene expression of hypoxia-response element (HRE). Results: UDCA antagonized hypoxic Huh 7 cell-induced tube formation of EA.hy 926 cells. In HCC cells, UDCA inhibited hypoxia-induced upregulation of VEGF and IL-8 both in mRNA and protein levels. UDCA also inhibited IL-8-induced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo through suppressing IL-8-induced phosphorylation of ERK. The levels of HIF-1α mRNA and protein and HRE-driven luciferase activity in HCC cells were upregulated by hypoxia and were all inhibited by UDCA. The proteasome inhibitor MG132 antagonized the effect of UDCA on HIF-1α degradation. In hypoxic condition, the phosphorylation of ERK and AKT was obviously increased in HCC cells, which was suppressed by UDCA. Transfection of the HIF-1α overexpression plasmid reversed the effects of UDCA on hypoxic HCC cell-induced angiogenesis, HRE activity, and expressions of IL-8 and VEGF. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that UDCA could inhibit hypoxic HCC cell-induced angiogenesis through suppressing HIF-1α/VEGF/IL-8-mediated intercellular signaling between HCC cells and endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanfu Lin
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
- Faculty of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Shu Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Baoshan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongbin Meng
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Guokai Huang
- Faculty of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Shufang Liang
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Du
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
- Faculty of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Qun Liu
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Binbin Cheng
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
- Faculty of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
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Wu H, Zhu JQ, Xu XF, Xing H, Wang MD, Liang L, Li C, Jia HD, Shen F, Huang DS, Yang T. Biointerfacing Antagonizing T-Cell Inhibitory Nanoparticles Potentiate Hepatocellular Carcinoma Checkpoint Blockade Therapy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2105237. [PMID: 34791793 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202105237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most fatal malignancies with few effective treatment options all around the world. The efficacy of the arisen immune checkpoint therapy is still uncertain due to local immunosuppression. In order to further overcome T cell suppression in the tumor immune microenvironment while promoting the immune response of antigen-presenting cells, a biointerfacing antagonizing T-cell inhibitory nanoparticles (BAT NPs) has been developed by cloaking platelet membrane on the PLGA microsphere surface to load T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-3 antibodies (anti-TIM-3) as well as PD-L1. Notably, in addition to activating the proliferation and migration of T cells, the contained anti-TIM-3 can cooperate with PD-L1 checkpoint blockade to exert therapeutic effects. Furthermore, the components of BAT NPs like anti-TIM-3 and platelet can act together for collagen deposition in tumor starvation treatment. Thus, a novel targeting therapeutic strategy that can effectively reverse the immune-inhibiting microenvironment is effectively applied to PD-L1 checkpoint combination therapy. Such therapeutic effect can subsequently activate the effector T lymphocytes and antigen presentation of dendritic cells as well as the polarization of M1-type macrophages. Last, the study presented the synergistic effect of immune therapeutic adjuvants and BAT NPs components in achieving tumor inhibition and prolonging tumor-burden survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, 310014, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Jia-Qi Zhu
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, 310014, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Minimal Invasive Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Xin-Fei Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Hao Xing
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Ming-Da Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Lei Liang
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, 310014, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Minimal Invasive Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Hang-Dong Jia
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, 310014, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Feng Shen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Dong-Sheng Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, 310014, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Tian Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, 310014, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University (Naval Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Minimal Invasive Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
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Cabozantinib Is Effective in Melanoma Brain Metastasis Cell Lines and Affects Key Signaling Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212296. [PMID: 34830178 PMCID: PMC8621572 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanomas have a high potential to metastasize to the brain. Recent advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapies have changed the therapeutical landscape of extracranial melanomas. However, few patients with melanoma brain metastasis (MBM) respond effectively to these treatments and new therapeutic strategies are needed. Cabozantinib is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor, already approved for the treatment of non-skin-related cancers. The drug targets several of the proteins that are known to be dysregulated in melanomas. The anti-tumor activity of cabozantinib was investigated using three human MBM cell lines. Cabozantinib treatment decreased the viability of all cell lines both when grown in monolayer cultures and as tumor spheroids. The in vitro cell migration was also inhibited and apoptosis was induced by cabozantinib. The phosphorylated RTKs p-PDGF-Rα, p-IGF-1R, p-MERTK and p-DDR1 were found to be downregulated in the p-RTK array of the MBM cells after cabozantinib treatment. Western blot validated these results and showed that cabozantinib treatment inhibited p-Akt and p-MEK 1/2. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the therapeutic potential of cabozantinib for patients with MBM.
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Deng S, Solinas A, Calvisi DF. Cabozantinib for HCC Treatment, From Clinical Back to Experimental Models. Front Oncol 2021; 11:756672. [PMID: 34722310 PMCID: PMC8548824 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.756672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Patients with early-stage HCC can be treated successfully with surgical resection or liver transplantation. However, the usual late diagnosis of HCC precludes curative treatments, and systemic therapies are the only viable option for inoperable patients. Sorafenib, an orally available multikinase inhibitor, is a systemic therapy approved for treating patients with advanced HCC yet providing limited benefits. Consequently, new drugs have been developed to overcome sorafenib resistance and improve patients' prognoses. A new promising strategy is using c-MET inhibitors, such as cabozantinib, as activation of c-MET occurs in up to 40% of HCC patients. In particular, cabozantinib, in combination with the checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab, is currently in phase 3 clinical trial for HCC, and the results are eagerly awaited. Herein, we summarize and review the drugs approved for the treatment of advanced HCC, mainly focusing on the clinical and preclinical efficacy evaluation of cabozantinib. Also, we report the available preclinical data on cabozantinib-based combination therapies for HCC, current obstacles for cabozantinib therapy, and the future directions for cabozantinib-based treatment for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Deng
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Antonio Solinas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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50
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Xu H, Chen K, Shang R, Chen X, Zhang Y, Song X, Evert M, Zhong S, Li B, Calvisi DF, Chen X. Alpelisib combination treatment as novel targeted therapy against hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:920. [PMID: 34625531 PMCID: PMC8501067 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04206-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common primary cancer with an unsatisfactory long-term survival. Gain of function mutations of PIK3CA occur in a subset of human HCC. Alpelisib, a selective PIK3CA inhibitor, has been approved by the FDA to treat PIK3CA mutant breast cancers. In this manuscript, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of alpelisib, either alone or in combination, for the treatment of HCC. We tested alpelisib in mouse HCC induced by hydrodynamic injection of c-Met/PIK3CA(H1047R) (c-Met/H1047R), c-Met/PIK3CA(E545K) (c-Met/E545K), and c-Met/sgPten gene combinations. Alpelisib slowed down the growth of c-Met/H1047R and c-Met/E545K HCC but was ineffective in c-Met/sgPten HCC. Mechanistically, alpelisib inhibited p-ERK and p-AKT in c-Met/H1047R and c-Met/E545K HCC progression but did not affect the mTOR pathway or genes involved in cell proliferation. In human HCC cell lines transfected with PIK3CA(H1047R), alpelisib synergized with the mTOR inhibitor MLN0128 or the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib to suppress HCC cell growth. In c-Met/H1047R mice, alpelisib/MLN0128 or alpelisib/palbociclib combination therapy caused tumor regression. Our study demonstrates that alpelisib is effective for treating PIK3CA-mutated HCC by inhibiting MAPK and AKT cascades. Furthermore, combining alpelisib with mTOR or CDK4/6 inhibitors has a synergistic efficacy against PIK3CA-mutated HCC, providing novel opportunities for precision medicine against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Liver Transplantation, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kefei Chen
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Liver Transplantation, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Runze Shang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Haixia Hospital of Huaqiao University, The 910 Hospital, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xinyan Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinhua Song
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sheng Zhong
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Liver Transplantation, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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