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Matoba Y, Devins KM, Milane L, Manning WB, Mazina V, Yeku OO, Rueda BR. High-Grade Endometrial Cancer: Molecular Subtypes, Current Challenges, and Treatment Options. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:2541-2559. [PMID: 38658487 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01544-5] [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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Although many recent advancements have been made in women's health, perhaps one of the most neglected areas of research is the diagnosis and treatment of high-grade endometrial cancer (EnCa). The molecular classification of EnCa in concert with histology was a major step forward. The integration of profiling for mismatch repair deficiency and Human Epidermal Growth Factor 2 (HER2) overexpression, can further inform treatment options, especially for drug resistant recurrent disease. Recent early phase trials suggest that regardless of subtype, combination therapy with agents that have distinct mechanisms of action is a fruitful approach to the treatment of high-grade EnCa. Unfortunately, although the importance of diagnosis and treatment of high-grade EnCa is well recognized, it is understudied compared to other gynecologic and breast cancers. There remains a tremendous need to couple molecular profiling and biomarker development with promising treatment options to inform new treatment strategies with higher efficacy and safety for all who suffer from high-grade recurrent EnCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Matoba
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 60 Blossom St, 02114, Boston, MA, USA
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, 02115, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kyle M Devins
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 021151, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lara Milane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 02115, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William B Manning
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 60 Blossom St, 02114, Boston, MA, USA
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, 02115, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 02114, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Varvara Mazina
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 60 Blossom St, 02114, Boston, MA, USA
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, 02115, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 02114, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Oladapo O Yeku
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 60 Blossom St, 02114, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, 02114, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bo R Rueda
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 60 Blossom St, 02114, Boston, MA, USA.
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, 02115, Boston, MA, USA.
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Zhang W, Li Q, Yin R. Targeting WEE1 Kinase in Gynecological Malignancies. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:2449-2460. [PMID: 38915863 PMCID: PMC11195673 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s462056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
WEE1 kinase is involved in the G2/M cell cycle checkpoint control and DNA damage repair. A functional G2/M checkpoint is crucial for DNA repair in cancer cells with p53 mutations since they lack a functional G1/S checkpoint. Targeted inhibition of WEE1 kinase may cause tumor cell apoptosis, primarily, in the p53-deficient tumor, via bypassing the G2/M checkpoint without properly repairing DNA damage, resulting in genome instability and chromosomal deletion. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the biological role of WEE1 kinase and the potential of WEE1 inhibitor (WEE1i) for treating gynecological malignancies. We conducted a thorough literature search from 2001 to September 2023 in prominent databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane, utilizing appropriate keywords of WEE1i and gynecologic oncology. WEE1i has been shown to inhibit tumor activity and enhance the sensitivity of chemotherapy or radiotherapy in preclinical models, particularly in p53-mutated gynecologic cancer models, although not exclusively. Recently, WEE1i alone or combined with genotoxic agents has confirmed its efficacy and safety in Phase I/II gynecological malignancies clinical trials. Furthermore, it has become increasingly clear that other inhibitors of DNA damage pathways show synthetic lethality with WEE1i, and WEE1 modulates therapeutic immune responses, providing a rationale for the combination of WEE1i and immune checkpoint blockade. In this review, we summarize the biological function of WEE1 kinase, development of WEE1i, and outline the preclinical and clinical data available on the investigation of WEE1i for treating gynecologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingli Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rutie Yin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
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Khamidullina AI, Abramenko YE, Bruter AV, Tatarskiy VV. Key Proteins of Replication Stress Response and Cell Cycle Control as Cancer Therapy Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1263. [PMID: 38279263 PMCID: PMC10816012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021263] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Replication stress (RS) is a characteristic state of cancer cells as they tend to exchange precision of replication for fast proliferation and increased genomic instability. To overcome the consequences of improper replication control, malignant cells frequently inactivate parts of their DNA damage response (DDR) pathways (the ATM-CHK2-p53 pathway), while relying on other pathways which help to maintain replication fork stability (ATR-CHK1). This creates a dependency on the remaining DDR pathways, vulnerability to further destabilization of replication and synthetic lethality of DDR inhibitors with common oncogenic alterations such as mutations of TP53, RB1, ATM, amplifications of MYC, CCNE1 and others. The response to RS is normally limited by coordination of cell cycle, transcription and replication. Inhibition of WEE1 and PKMYT1 kinases, which prevent unscheduled mitosis entry, leads to fragility of under-replicated sites. Recent evidence also shows that inhibition of Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), such as CDK4/6, CDK2, CDK8/19 and CDK12/13 can contribute to RS through disruption of DNA repair and replication control. Here, we review the main causes of RS in cancers as well as main therapeutic targets-ATR, CHK1, PARP and their inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvina I. Khamidullina
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncobiology, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (A.I.K.); (Y.E.A.)
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yaroslav E. Abramenko
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncobiology, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (A.I.K.); (Y.E.A.)
| | - Alexandra V. Bruter
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor V. Tatarskiy
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncobiology, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (A.I.K.); (Y.E.A.)
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia
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