1
|
Gil-Henn H, Girault JA, Lev S. PYK2, a hub of signaling networks in breast cancer progression. Trends Cell Biol 2024; 34:312-326. [PMID: 37586982 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) involves complex signaling networks characterized by extensive cross-communication and feedback loops between and within multiple signaling cascades. Many of these signaling pathways are driven by genetic alterations of oncogene and/or tumor-suppressor genes and are influenced by various environmental cues. We describe unique roles of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase (NRTK) PYK2 in signaling integration and feedback looping in BC. PYK2 functions as a signaling hub in various cascades, and its involvement in positive and negative feedback loops enhances signaling robustness, modulates signaling dynamics, and contributes to BC growth, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stemness, migration, invasion, and metastasis. We also discuss the potential of PYK2 as a therapeutic target in various BC subtypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hava Gil-Henn
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel
| | - Jean-Antoine Girault
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche en Santé (UMRS) 1270, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Sima Lev
- Molecular Cell Biology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhuo L, Guo M, Zhang S, Wu J, Wang M, Shen Y, Peng X, Wang Z, Jiang W, Huang W. Structure-activity relationship study of 1,6-naphthyridinone derivatives as selective type II AXL inhibitors with potent antitumor efficacy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116090. [PMID: 38169272 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116090] [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: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The role of AXL in various oncogenic processes has made it an attractive target for cancer therapy. Currently, kinase selectivity profiles, especially circumventing MET inhibition, remain a scientific issue of great interest in the discovery of selective type II AXL inhibitors. Starting from a dual MET/AXL-targeted lead structure from our previous work, we optimized a 1,6-naphthyridinone series using molecular modeling-assisted compound design to improve AXL potency and selectivity over MET, resulting in the potent and selective type II AXL-targeted compound 25c. This showed excellent AXL inhibitory activity (IC50 = 1.1 nM) and 343-fold selectivity over the highly homologous kinase MET in biochemical assays. Moreover, compound 25c significantly inhibited AXL-driven cell proliferation, dose-dependently suppressed 4T1 cell migration and invasion, and induced apoptosis. Compound 25c also showed noticeable antitumor efficacy in a BaF3/TEL-AXL xenograft model at well-tolerated doses. Overall, this study presented a potent and selective type II AXL-targeted lead compound for further drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linsheng Zhuo
- Postdoctoral Station for Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
| | - Mengqin Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Siyi Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Junbo Wu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Hengyang Central Hospital, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Mingshu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Postdoctoral Station for Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Xue Peng
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Weifan Jiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
| | - Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bardol T, Eslami‐S Z, Masmoudi D, Alexandre M, Duboys de Labarre M, Bobrie A, D'Hondt V, Guiu S, Kurma K, Cayrefourcq L, Jacot W, Alix‐Panabières C. First evidence of AXL expression on circulating tumor cells in metastatic breast cancer patients: A proof-of-concept study. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6843. [PMID: 38132919 PMCID: PMC10807582 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For several years, the AXL tyrosine kinase receptor, a member of the Tyro3-Axl-Mer (TAM) family, has been considered a new strategic target in oncology. AXL overexpression is common in solid tumors and is associated with poor prognosis. In this context, the detection of a subset of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that express AXL (AXL+ CTCs) could be clinically relevant. METHODS Immunostaining was performed to assess AXL expression in human breast cancer cell lines. The optimal conditions were established using flow cytometry. Spiking experiments were carried out to optimize the parameters of the CellSearch® system detection test. CTC enumeration and AXL expression were evaluated in patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) before treatment initiation. RESULTS An innovative AXL+ CTC detection assay to be used with the CellSearch® system was developed. In a prospective longitudinal clinical trial, blood samples from 60 patients with untreated mBC were analyzed to detect AXL+ CTCs with this new assay. CTCs were detected in 35/60 patients (58.3%) and AXL+ CTCs were identified in 7 of these 35 patients (11.7% of all patients). CONCLUSION This newly established AXL+ CTC assay is a promising tool that can be used for liquid biopsy in future clinical trials to stratify and monitor patients with cancer receiving anti-AXL therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bardol
- Laboratory of Rare Circulating Human Cells—University Medical Center of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES)Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRDMontpellierFrance
| | - Zahra Eslami‐S
- Laboratory of Rare Circulating Human Cells—University Medical Center of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES)Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRDMontpellierFrance
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS)HamburgGermany
| | - Doryan Masmoudi
- Laboratory of Rare Circulating Human Cells—University Medical Center of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES)Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRDMontpellierFrance
| | - Marie Alexandre
- Department of Medical OncologyInstitut du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier UniversityMontpellierFrance
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de MontpellierINSERM U1194, Montpellier UniversityMontpellierFrance
| | - Marie Duboys de Labarre
- Department of Medical OncologyInstitut du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier UniversityMontpellierFrance
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de MontpellierINSERM U1194, Montpellier UniversityMontpellierFrance
| | - Angélique Bobrie
- Department of Medical OncologyInstitut du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier UniversityMontpellierFrance
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de MontpellierINSERM U1194, Montpellier UniversityMontpellierFrance
| | - Véronique D'Hondt
- Department of Medical OncologyInstitut du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier UniversityMontpellierFrance
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de MontpellierINSERM U1194, Montpellier UniversityMontpellierFrance
| | - Séverine Guiu
- Department of Medical OncologyInstitut du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier UniversityMontpellierFrance
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de MontpellierINSERM U1194, Montpellier UniversityMontpellierFrance
| | - Keerthi Kurma
- Laboratory of Rare Circulating Human Cells—University Medical Center of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES)Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRDMontpellierFrance
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS)HamburgGermany
| | - Laure Cayrefourcq
- Laboratory of Rare Circulating Human Cells—University Medical Center of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES)Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRDMontpellierFrance
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS)HamburgGermany
| | - William Jacot
- Department of Medical OncologyInstitut du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier UniversityMontpellierFrance
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de MontpellierINSERM U1194, Montpellier UniversityMontpellierFrance
| | - Catherine Alix‐Panabières
- Laboratory of Rare Circulating Human Cells—University Medical Center of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES)Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRDMontpellierFrance
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS)HamburgGermany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jaradat SK, Ayoub NM, Al Sharie AH, Aldaod JM. Targeting Receptor Tyrosine Kinases as a Novel Strategy for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2024; 23:15330338241234780. [PMID: 38389413 PMCID: PMC10894558 DOI: 10.1177/15330338241234780] [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: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprises a group of aggressive and heterogeneous breast carcinoma. Chemotherapy is the mainstay for the treatment of triple-negative tumors. Nevertheless, the success of chemotherapeutic treatments is limited by their toxicity and development of acquired resistance leading to therapeutic failure and tumor relapse. Hence, there is an urgent need to explore novel targeted therapies for TNBC. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are a family of transmembrane receptors that are key regulators of intracellular signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and motility. Aberrant activity and/or expression of several types of RTKs have been strongly connected to tumorigenesis. RTKs are frequently overexpressed and/or deregulated in triple-negative breast tumors and are further associated with tumor progression and reduced survival in patients. Therefore, targeting RTKs could be an appealing therapeutic strategy for the treatment of TNBC. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the antitumor activity of RTK inhibitors in preclinical models of TNBC. The review also provides insights into the clinical trials evaluating the use of RTK inhibitors for the treatment of patients with TNBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara K. Jaradat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan
| | - Nehad M. Ayoub
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan
| | - Ahmed H. Al Sharie
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan
| | - Julia M. Aldaod
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Adam-Artigues A, Arenas EJ, Arribas J, Prat A, Cejalvo JM. AXL - a new player in resistance to HER2 blockade. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 121:102639. [PMID: 37864955 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102639] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
HER2 is a driver in solid tumors, mainly breast, oesophageal and gastric cancer, through activation of oncogenic signaling pathways such as PI3K or MAPK. HER2 overexpression associates with aggressive disease and poor prognosis. Despite targeted anti-HER2 therapy has improved outcomes and is the current standard of care, resistance emerge in some patients, requiring additional therapeutic strategies. Several mechanisms, including the upregulation of receptors tyrosine kinases such as AXL, are involved in resistance. AXL signaling leads to cancer cell proliferation, survival, migration, invasion and angiogenesis and correlates with poor prognosis. In addition, AXL overexpression accompanied by a mesenchymal phenotype result in resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapies. Preclinical studies show that AXL drives anti-HER2 resistance and metastasis through dimerization with HER2 and activation of downstream pathways in breast cancer. Moreover, AXL inhibition restores response to HER2 blockade in vitro and in vivo. Limited data in gastric and oesophageal cancer also support these evidences. Furthermore, AXL shows a strong value as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in HER2+ breast cancer patients, adding a remarkable translational relevance. Therefore, current studies enforce the potential of co-targeting AXL and HER2 to overcome resistance and supports the use of AXL inhibitors in the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Enrique J Arenas
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Spain; Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), Spain.
| | - Joaquín Arribas
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), Spain; Preclinical Research Program, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Spain; Cancer Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Spain.
| | - Aleix Prat
- August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Spain; Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain; SOLTI Breast Cancer Research Group, Spain.
| | - Juan Miguel Cejalvo
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Spain; Preclinical Research Program, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Spain; Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de València, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Geng P, Chi Y, Yuan Y, Yang M, Zhao X, Liu Z, Liu G, Liu Y, Zhu L, Wang S. Novel chimeric antigen receptor T cell-based immunotherapy: a perspective for triple-negative breast cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1158539. [PMID: 37457288 PMCID: PMC10339351 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1158539] [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: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is highly aggressive and does not express estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone (PR), or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). It has a poor prognosis, and traditional endocrine and anti-HER2 targeted therapies have low efficacy against it. In contrast, surgery, radiotherapy, and/or systemic chemotherapy are relatively effective at controlling TNBC. The resistance of TNBC to currently available clinical therapies has had a significantly negative impact on its treatment outcomes. Hence, new therapeutic options are urgently required. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy is a type of immunotherapy that integrates the antigen specificity of antibodies and the tumor-killing effect of T cells. CAR-T therapy has demonstrated excellent clinical efficacy against hematological cancers. However, its efficacy against solid tumors such as TNBC is inadequate. The present review aimed to investigate various aspects of CAR-T administration as TNBC therapy. We summarized the potential therapeutic targets of CAR-T that were identified in preclinical studies and clinical trials on TNBC. We addressed the limitations of using CAR-T in the treatment of TNBC in particular and solid tumors in general and explored key strategies to overcome these impediments. Finally, we comprehensively examined the advancement of CAR-T immunotherapy as well as countermeasures that could improve its efficacy as a TNBC treatment and the prognosis of patients with this type of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peizhen Geng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yuhua Chi
- Department of General Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Maoquan Yang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaohua Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Zhengchun Liu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Guangwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Therapy for Tumors in Weifang City, Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medical Imaging, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yihui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Therapy for Tumors in Weifang City, Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medical Imaging, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Liang Zhu
- Clinical Research Center, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Therapy for Tumors in Weifang City, Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medical Imaging, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gan S, Macalinao DG, Shahoei SH, Tian L, Jin X, Basnet H, Muller JT, Atri P, Seffar E, Chatila W, Hadjantonakis AK, Schultz N, Brogi E, Bale TA, Pe'er D, Massagué J. Distinct tumor architectures for metastatic colonization of the brain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.27.525190. [PMID: 37034672 PMCID: PMC10081170 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.27.525190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Brain metastasis is a dismal cancer complication, hinging on the initial survival and outgrowth of disseminated cancer cells. To understand these crucial early stages of colonization, we investigated two prevalent sources of cerebral relapse, triple-negative (TNBC) and HER2+ breast cancer (HER2BC). We show that these tumor types colonize the brain aggressively, yet with distinct tumor architectures, stromal interfaces, and autocrine growth programs. TNBC forms perivascular sheaths with diffusive contact with astrocytes and microglia. In contrast, HER2BC forms compact spheroids prompted by autonomous extracellular matrix components and segregating stromal cells to their periphery. Single-cell transcriptomic dissection reveals canonical Alzheimer's disease-associated microglia (DAM) responses. Differential engagement of tumor-DAM signaling through the receptor AXL suggests specific pro-metastatic functions of the tumor architecture in both TNBC perivascular and HER2BC spheroidal colonies. The distinct spatial features of these two highly efficient modes of brain colonization have relevance for leveraging the stroma to treat brain metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siting Gan
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Computational Oncology Service, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Danilo G Macalinao
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sayyed Hamed Shahoei
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lin Tian
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Xin Jin
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310024, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310024, China
| | - Harihar Basnet
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - James T Muller
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Pranita Atri
- Computational Oncology Service, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Evan Seffar
- Computational Oncology Service, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Walid Chatila
- Computational Oncology Service, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Nikolaus Schultz
- Computational Oncology Service, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Edi Brogi
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Tejus A Bale
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Dana Pe'er
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Joan Massagué
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Inhibitory effect of the novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor DCC-2036 on triple-negative breast cancer stem cells through AXL-KLF5 positive feedback loop. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:749. [PMID: 36042208 PMCID: PMC9428169 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05185-x] [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: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive histological subtype of breast cancer, exhibits a high risk of early recurrence rate and a poor prognosis, and it is primarily associated with the abundance of cancer stem cells (CSCs). At present, the strategies for effectively eradicating or inhibiting TNBC CSCs are still limited, which makes the development of novel drugs with anti-CSCs function be of great value for the treatment of TNBC, especially the refractory TNBC. In this study, we found that the small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor DCC-2036 suppressed TNBC stem cells by inhibiting the tyrosine kinase AXL and the transcription factor KLF5. DCC-2036 downregulated the expression of KLF5 by decreasing the protein stability of KLF5 via the AXL-Akt-GSK3β signal axis, and in turn, the downregulation of KLF5 further reduced the expression of AXL via binding to its promotor (-171 to -162 bp). In addition, p-AXL/AXL levels were positively correlated with KLF5 expression in human TNBC specimens. These findings indicated that DCC-2036 is able to suppress the CSCs in TNBC by targeting the AXL-KLF5 positive feedback loop. Moreover, our findings indicated that DCC-2036 increased the sensitivity of TNBC chemotherapy. Therefore, this study proposes a potential drug candidate and several targets for the treatment of refractory TNBC.
Collapse
|
9
|
Shen JZ, Qiu Z, Wu Q, Zhang G, Harris R, Sun D, Rantala J, Barshop WD, Zhao L, Lv D, Won KA, Wohlschlegel J, Sangfelt O, Laman H, Rich JN, Spruck C. A FBXO7/EYA2-SCF FBXW7 axis promotes AXL-mediated maintenance of mesenchymal and immune evasion phenotypes of cancer cells. Mol Cell 2022; 82:1123-1139.e8. [PMID: 35182481 PMCID: PMC8934274 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A mesenchymal tumor phenotype associates with immunotherapy resistance, although the mechanism is unclear. Here, we identified FBXO7 as a maintenance regulator of mesenchymal and immune evasion phenotypes of cancer cells. FBXO7 bound and stabilized SIX1 co-transcriptional regulator EYA2, stimulating mesenchymal gene expression and suppressing IFNα/β, chemokines CXCL9/10, and antigen presentation machinery, driven by AXL extracellular ligand GAS6. Ubiquitin ligase SCFFBXW7 antagonized this pathway by promoting EYA2 degradation. Targeting EYA2 Tyr phosphatase activity decreased mesenchymal phenotypes and enhanced cancer cell immunogenicity, resulting in attenuated tumor growth and metastasis, increased infiltration of cytotoxic T and NK cells, and enhanced anti-PD-1 therapy response in mouse tumor models. FBXO7 expression correlated with mesenchymal and immune-suppressive signatures in patients with cancer. An FBXO7-immune gene signature predicted immunotherapy responses. Collectively, the FBXO7/EYA2-SCFFBXW7 axis maintains mesenchymal and immune evasion phenotypes of cancer cells, providing rationale to evaluate FBXO7/EYA2 inhibitors in combination with immune-based therapies to enhance onco-immunotherapy responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Z Shen
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Zhixin Qiu
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Qiulian Wu
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Guoxin Zhang
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Rebecca Harris
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Dahui Sun
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | - William D Barshop
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Linjie Zhao
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Deguan Lv
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | | | - James Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Olle Sangfelt
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
| | - Heike Laman
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Jeremy N Rich
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA 92037, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Charles Spruck
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yang R, Li Y, Wang H, Qin T, Yin X, Ma X. Therapeutic progress and challenges for triple negative breast cancer: targeted therapy and immunotherapy. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:8. [PMID: 35243562 PMCID: PMC8894518 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00071-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer, with estrogen receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and progesterone receptor negative. TNBC is characterized by high heterogeneity, high rates of metastasis, poor prognosis, and lack of therapeutic targets. Now the treatment of TNBC is still based on surgery and chemotherapy, which is effective only in initial stage but almost useless in advanced stage. And due to the lack of hormone target, hormonal therapies have little beneficial effects. In recent years, signaling pathways and receptor-specific targets have been reported to be effective in TNBC patients under specific clinical conditions. Now targeted therapies have been approved for many other cancers and even other subtypes of breast cancer, but treatment options for TNBC are still limited. Most of TNBC patients showed no response, which may be related to the heterogeneity of TNBC, therefore more effective treatments and predictive biomarkers are needed. In the present review, we summarize potential treatment opinions for TNBC based on the dysregulated receptors and signaling pathways, which play a significant role in multiple stages of TNBC development. We also focus on the application of immunotherapy in TNBC, and summarize the preclinical and clinical trials of therapy for patients with TNBC. We hope to accelerate the research and development of new drugs for TNBC by understanding the relevant mechanisms, and to improve survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruoning Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy,Cancer Center, West China Hospital, 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, 610041, PR, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Clinical Research Center for Breast, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yueyi Li
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy,Cancer Center, West China Hospital, 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, 610041, PR, China
| | - Hang Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy,Cancer Center, West China Hospital, 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, 610041, PR, China
| | - Taolin Qin
- West China Hospital, West China Medical School Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR, China
| | - Xiaomeng Yin
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy,Cancer Center, West China Hospital, 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, 610041, PR, China
| | - Xuelei Ma
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy,Cancer Center, West China Hospital, 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, 610041, PR, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
The molecular underpinning of geminin-overexpressing triple-negative breast cancer cells homing specifically to lungs. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:304-325. [PMID: 33723406 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00311-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBCs) display lung metastasis tropism. However, the mechanisms underlying this organ-specific pattern remains to be elucidated. We sought to evaluate the utility of blocking extravasation to prevent lung metastasis. To identify potential geminin overexpression-controlled genetic drivers that promote TNBC tumor homing to lungs, we used the differential/suppression subtractive chain (D/SSC) technique. A geminin overexpression-induced lung metastasis gene signature consists of 24 genes was discovered. We validated overexpression of five of these genes (LGR5, HAS2, CDH11, NCAM2, and DSC2) in worsening lung metastasis-free survival in TNBC patients. Our data demonstrate that LGR5-induced β-catenin signaling and stemness in TNBC cells are geminin-overexpression dependent. They also demonstrate for the first-time expression of RSPO2 in mouse lung tissue only and exacerbation of its secretion in the circulation of mice that develop geminin overexpressing/LGR5+-TNBC lung metastasis. We identified a novel extravasation receptor complex, consists of CDH11, CD44v6, c-Met, and AXL on geminin overexpressing/LGR5+-TNBC lung metastatic precursors, inhibition of any of its receptors prevented geminin overexpressing/LGR5+-TNBC lung metastasis. Overall, we propose that geminin overexpression in normal mammary epithelial (HME) cells promotes the generation of TNBC metastatic precursors that home specifically to lungs by upregulating LGR5 expression and promoting stemness, intravasation, and extravasation in these precursors. Circulating levels of RSPO2 and OPN can be diagnostic biomarkers to improve risk stratification of metastatic TNBC to lungs, as well as identifying patients who may benefit from therapy targeting geminin alone or in combination with any member of the newly discovered extravasation receptor complex to minimize TNBC lung metastasis.
Collapse
|
12
|
AXL Receptor Tyrosine Kinase as a Promising Therapeutic Target Directing Multiple Aspects of Cancer Progression and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030466. [PMID: 35158733 PMCID: PMC8833413 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Metastasis is a complex process that requires the acquisition of certain traits by cancer cells as well as the cooperation of several non-neoplastic cells that populate the stroma. Cancer-related deaths are predominantly associated with complications arising from metastases. Limiting metastasis therefore represents an important clinical challenge. The receptor tyrosine kinase AXL is required at many steps of the metastatic cascade and contributes to tumor microenvironment deregulation. In this review, we describe how AXL contributes to metastatic progression by governing various biological processes in cancer cells and in stromal cells, highlighting the potential of its inhibition. Abstract The receptor tyrosine kinase AXL is emerging as a key player in tumor progression and metastasis and its expression correlates with poor survival in a plethora of cancers. While studies have shown the benefits of AXL inhibition for the treatment of metastatic cancers, additional roles for AXL in cancer progression are still being explored. This review discusses recent advances in understanding AXL’s functions in different tumor compartments including cancer, vascular, and immune cells. AXL is required at multiple steps of the metastatic cascade where its activation in cancer cells leads to EMT, invasion, survival, proliferation and therapy resistance. AXL activation in cancer cells and various stromal cells also results in tumor microenvironment deregulation, leading to modulation of angiogenesis, fibrosis, immune response and hypoxia. A better understanding of AXL’s role in these processes could lead to new therapeutic approaches that would benefit patients suffering from metastatic diseases.
Collapse
|
13
|
Synn CB, Kim SE, Lee HK, Kim MH, Kim JH, Lee JM, Jo HN, Lee W, Kim DK, Byeon Y, Kim YS, Yun MR, Park CW, Yun J, Lim S, Heo SG, Yang SD, Lee EJ, Lee S, Choi H, Lee YW, Cho JS, Kim DH, Park S, Kim JH, Choi Y, Lee SS, Ahn BC, Kim CG, Lim SM, Hong MH, Kim HR, Pyo KH, Cho BC. SKI-G-801, an AXL kinase inhibitor, blocks metastasis through inducing anti-tumor immune responses and potentiates anti-PD-1 therapy in mouse cancer models. Clin Transl Immunology 2022; 11:e1364. [PMID: 35003748 PMCID: PMC8716998 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives AXL‐mediated activation of aberrant tyrosine kinase drives various oncogenic processes and facilitates an immunosuppressive microenvironment. We evaluated the anti‐tumor and anti‐metastatic activities of SKI‐G‐801, a small‐molecule inhibitor of AXL, alone and in combination with anti‐PD‐1 therapy. Methods In vitro pAXL inhibition by SKI‐G‐801 was performed in both human and mouse cancer cell lines. Immunocompetent mouse models of tumor were established to measure anti‐metastatic potential of SKI‐G‐801. Furthermore, SKI‐G‐801, anti‐PD‐1 or their combination was administered as an adjuvant or neoadjuvant in the 4T1 tumor model to assess their potential for clinical application. Results SKI‐G‐801 robustly inhibited pAXL expression in various cell lines. SKI‐G‐801 alone or in combination with anti‐PD‐1 potently inhibited metastasis in B16F10 melanoma, CT26 colon and 4T1 breast models. SKI‐G‐801 inhibited the growth of B16F10 and 4T1 tumor‐bearing mice but not immune‐deficient mice. An antibody depletion assay revealed that CD8+ T cells significantly contributed to SKI‐G‐801‐mediated survival. Anti‐PD‐1 and combination group were observed the increased CD8+Ki67+ and effector T cells and M1 macrophage and decreased M2 macrophage, and granulocytic myeloid‐derived suppressor cell (G‐MDSC) compared to the control group. The neoadjuvant combination of SKI‐G‐801 and anti‐PD‐1 therapy achieved superior survival benefits by inducing more profound T‐cell responses in the 4T1 syngeneic mouse model. Conclusion SKI‐G‐801 significantly suppressed tumor metastasis and growth by enhancing anti‐tumor immune responses. Our results suggest that SKI‐G‐801 has the potential to overcome anti‐PD‐1 therapy resistance and allow more patients to benefit from anti‐PD‐1 therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Bong Synn
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Sung Eun Kim
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | | | - Min-Hwan Kim
- Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Jae Hwan Kim
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Ji Min Lee
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Ha Ni Jo
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Wongeun Lee
- JEUK Institute for Cancer Research Gumi Korea
| | - Dong Kwon Kim
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Youngseon Byeon
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Young Seob Kim
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Mi Ran Yun
- JEUK Institute for Cancer Research Gumi Korea
| | - Chae-Won Park
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Jiyeon Yun
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Sangbin Lim
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Seong Gu Heo
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - San-Duk Yang
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Eun Ji Lee
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Seul Lee
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Hunmi Choi
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - You Won Lee
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Jae Seok Cho
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Do Hee Kim
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | | | | | | | - Sung Sook Lee
- Department of Hematology-Oncology Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital Busan Korea
| | - Beung-Chul Ahn
- Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Chang Gon Kim
- Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Sun Min Lim
- Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Min Hee Hong
- Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Hye Ryun Kim
- Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Kyoung-Ho Pyo
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea.,Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Byoung Chul Cho
- Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Evans KW, Yuca E, Scott SS, Zhao M, Paez Arango N, Cruz Pico CX, Saridogan T, Shariati M, Class CA, Bristow CA, Vellano CP, Zheng X, Gonzalez-Angulo AM, Su X, Tapia C, Chen K, Akcakanat A, Lim B, Tripathy D, Yap TA, Francesco MED, Draetta GF, Jones P, Heffernan TP, Marszalek JR, Meric-Bernstam F. Oxidative Phosphorylation Is a Metabolic Vulnerability in Chemotherapy-Resistant Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancer Res 2021; 81:5572-5581. [PMID: 34518211 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is an active metabolic pathway in many cancers. RNA from pretreatment biopsies from patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy demonstrated that the top canonical pathway associated with worse outcome was higher expression of OXPHOS signature. IACS-10759, a novel inhibitor of OXPHOS, stabilized growth in multiple TNBC patient-derived xenografts (PDX). On gene expression profiling, all of the sensitive models displayed a basal-like 1 TNBC subtype. Expression of mitochondrial genes was significantly higher in sensitive PDXs. An in vivo functional genomics screen to identify synthetic lethal targets in tumors treated with IACS-10759 found several potential targets, including CDK4. We validated the antitumor efficacy of the combination of palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, and IACS-10759 in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the combination of IACS-10759 and multikinase inhibitor cabozantinib had improved antitumor efficacy. Taken together, our data suggest that OXPHOS is a metabolic vulnerability in TNBC that may be leveraged with novel therapeutics in combination regimens. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings suggest that triple-negative breast cancer is highly reliant on OXPHOS and that inhibiting OXPHOS may be a novel approach to enhance efficacy of several targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kurt W Evans
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Erkan Yuca
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Stephen S Scott
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Natalia Paez Arango
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Christian X Cruz Pico
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Turcin Saridogan
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Maryam Shariati
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Caleb A Class
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Christopher A Bristow
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Christopher P Vellano
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Xiaofeng Zheng
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ana Maria Gonzalez-Angulo
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Xiaoping Su
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Coya Tapia
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ken Chen
- The Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Argun Akcakanat
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Bora Lim
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Debu Tripathy
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Timothy A Yap
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Maria Emilia Di Francesco
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Giulio F Draetta
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Philip Jones
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Timothy P Heffernan
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Joseph R Marszalek
- TRACTION Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Funda Meric-Bernstam
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Khera L, Lev S. Accelerating AXL targeting for TNBC therapy. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2021; 139:106057. [PMID: 34403827 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.106057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The tyrosine kinase receptor AXL of the TAM (TYRO3, AXL and MERTK) family is considered as a promising therapeutic target for different hematological cancers and solid tumors. AXL is involved in multiple pro-tumorigenic processes including cell migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and stemness, and recent studies demonstrated its impact on cancer metastasis and drug resistance. Extensive studies on AXL have highlighted its unique characteristics and physiological functions and suggest that targeting of AXL could be beneficial in combination with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. In this mini review, we discuss possible outcomes of AXL targeting either alone or together with other therapeutic agents and emphasize its impact on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lohit Khera
- Molecular Cell Biology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sima Lev
- Molecular Cell Biology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Chang H, An R, Li X, Lang X, Feng J, Lv M. Anti-Axl monoclonal antibodies attenuate the migration of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:749. [PMID: 34539853 PMCID: PMC8436363 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.13010] [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: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase, anexelekto (Axl) is involved in tumor cell growth, migration and invasion, and has been associated with chemotherapy resistance, which makes it an attractive target for cancer therapy. In total, six Axl-targeted monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and two antibody-drug conjugates have been reported in the last 10 years, which have been shown to have bioactivity in inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and migration. The Axl external cell domain (Axl−ECD), consisting of 426 amino acids, has always been used as an antigen in the screening process for all six of these Axl-targeted mAbs. However, the Axl functional domain, which interacts with its natural ligand, growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6), is only a small part of the Axl−ECD. Antibodies targeting the Axl functional domain may efficiently block Gas6-Axl binding and attenuate its downstream signals and activities. To the best of our knowledge, no mAbs targeting the Axl functional domain have been reported. In the present study, a major Axl functional domain interacting with Gas6 was determined using bioinformatics and structural biology methods. In MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell assays, anti-Axl mAbs targeting this relatively specific Axl functional domain almost completely neutralized the stimulation of Gas6 in both Axl phosphorylation and cell migration assays, and showed similar activity to the positive control drug R428 (a small molecular tyrosine kinase inhibitor of Axl currently in phase II clinical trials) in the cell migration assay. Given the important role of Axl in tumor development and chemotherapy resistance, Axl-targeted mAbs could be used to inhibit tumor cells directly, as well as reduce the development of chemotherapy resistance by blocking Axl activity. The application of Axl-targeted mAbs combined with chemotherapy provides a promising treatment strategy for patients with tumors, particularly those with triple-negative breast cancer, for whom no targeted therapy is currently available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Chang
- Institute of Medical Technology, Suzhou Vocational Health College, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215009, P.R. China.,College of Basic Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050200, P.R. China
| | - Ran An
- College of Basic Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050200, P.R. China.,Hebei Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Research on Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
| | - Xinying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoling Lang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Gene Engineering Antibody, Beijing 100850, P.R. China
| | - Jiannan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, P.R. China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Gene Engineering Antibody, Beijing 100850, P.R. China
| | - Ming Lv
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Therapeutic Gene Engineering Antibody, Beijing 100850, P.R. China.,Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Military Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Beijing 100850, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Xu D, Sun D, Wang W, Peng X, Zhan Z, Ji Y, Shen Y, Geng M, Ai J, Duan W. Discovery of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives as potent Axl inhibitors: Design, synthesis and biological evaluation. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 220:113497. [PMID: 33957388 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Axl has emerged as an attractive target for cancer therapy due to its strong correlation with tumor growth, metastasis, poor survival, and drug resistance. Herein, we report the design, synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) investigation of a series of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives as new Axl inhibitors. Among them, the most promising compound 13b showed high enzymatic and cellular Axl potencies. Furthermore, 13b possessed preferable pharmacokinetic properties and displayed promising therapeutic effect in BaF3/TEL-Axl xenograft tumor model. Compound 13b may serve as a lead compound for new antitumor drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Deqiao Sun
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xia Peng
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhengsheng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yinchun Ji
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yanyan Shen
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Meiyu Geng
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Jing Ai
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Xiangshan Branch Lane, Xihu District, Hangzhou, 330106, China.
| | - Wenhu Duan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
AXL Receptor in Breast Cancer: Molecular Involvement and Therapeutic Limitations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228419. [PMID: 33182542 PMCID: PMC7696061 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer was one of the first malignancies to benefit from targeted therapy, i.e., treatments directed against specific markers. Inhibitors against HER2 are a significant example and they improved the life expectancy of a large cohort of patients. Research on new biomarkers, therefore, is always current and important. AXL, a member of the TYRO-3, AXL and MER (TAM) subfamily, is, today, considered a predictive and prognostic biomarker in many tumor contexts, primarily breast cancer. Its oncogenic implications make it an ideal target for the development of new pharmacological agents; moreover, its recent role as immune-modulator makes AXL particularly attractive to researchers involved in the study of interactions between cancer and the tumor microenvironment (TME). All these peculiarities characterize AXL as compared to other members of the TAM family. In this review, we will illustrate the biological role played by AXL in breast tumor cells, highlighting its molecular and biological features, its involvement in tumor progression and its implication as a target in ongoing clinical trials.
Collapse
|
19
|
Abu-Thuraia A, Goyette MA, Boulais J, Delliaux C, Apcher C, Schott C, Chidiac R, Bagci H, Thibault MP, Davidson D, Ferron M, Veillette A, Daly RJ, Gingras AC, Gratton JP, Côté JF. AXL confers cell migration and invasion by hijacking a PEAK1-regulated focal adhesion protein network. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3586. [PMID: 32681075 PMCID: PMC7368075 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17415-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of receptor tyrosine kinase AXL is linked to metastasis. AXL can be activated by its ligand GAS6 or by other kinases, but the signaling pathways conferring its metastatic activity are unknown. Here, we define the AXL-regulated phosphoproteome in breast cancer cells. We reveal that AXL stimulates the phosphorylation of a network of focal adhesion (FA) proteins, culminating in faster FA disassembly. Mechanistically, AXL phosphorylates NEDD9, leading to its binding to CRKII which in turn associates with and orchestrates the phosphorylation of the pseudo-kinase PEAK1. We find that PEAK1 is in complex with the tyrosine kinase CSK to mediate the phosphorylation of PAXILLIN. Uncoupling of PEAK1 from AXL signaling decreases metastasis in vivo, but not tumor growth. Our results uncover a contribution of AXL signaling to FA dynamics, reveal a long sought-after mechanism underlying AXL metastatic activity, and identify PEAK1 as a therapeutic target in AXL positive tumors. AXL receptor tyrosine kinase has a role in metastasis but the mechanism is unclear. In this study, the authors show that AXL activation can control focal adhesion dynamics via PEAK1 and that AXL-mediated PEAK1 phosphorylation is required for metastasis of triple negative breast cancer cells in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afnan Abu-Thuraia
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada.,Molecular Biology Programs, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Marie-Anne Goyette
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada.,Molecular Biology Programs, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Jonathan Boulais
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Carine Delliaux
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Chloé Apcher
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada.,Molecular Biology Programs, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Céline Schott
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada.,Molecular Biology Programs, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Rony Chidiac
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Halil Bagci
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H3A 0C7, Canada.,Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Dominique Davidson
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Mathieu Ferron
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada.,Molecular Biology Programs, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.,Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - André Veillette
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada.,Molecular Biology Programs, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Roger J Daly
- Cancer Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Anne-Claude Gingras
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Gratton
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Jean-François Côté
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada. .,Molecular Biology Programs, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada. .,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H3A 0C7, Canada. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
AXL as a Target in Breast Cancer Therapy. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2020; 2020:5291952. [PMID: 32148495 PMCID: PMC7042526 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5291952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AXL is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that has been implicated in diverse tumor-promoting processes such as proliferation, migration, invasion, survival, and apoptosis. AXL therefore plays a role in cancer progression, and AXL has been implicated in a wide variety of malignancies from solid tumors to hematopoietic cancers where it is often associated with poor prognosis. In cancer, AXL has been shown to promote epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis formation, drug resistance, and a role for AXL in modulation of the tumor microenvironment and immune response has been identified. In light of these activities multiple AXL inhibitors have been developed, and several of these have entered clinical trials in the U.S. In breast cancer, high levels of AXL expression have been observed. The role of AXL in cancer with a focus on therapeutic implications for breast cancer is discussed.
Collapse
|
21
|
Zajac O, Leclere R, Nicolas A, Meseure D, Marchiò C, Vincent-Salomon A, Roman-Roman S, Schoumacher M, Dubois T. AXL Controls Directed Migration of Mesenchymal Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010247. [PMID: 31963783 PMCID: PMC7016818 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer with high risk of relapse and metastasis. TNBC is a heterogeneous disease comprising different molecular subtypes including those with mesenchymal features. The tyrosine kinase AXL is expressed in mesenchymal cells and plays a role in drug resistance, migration and metastasis. We confirm that AXL is more expressed in mesenchymal TNBC cells compared to luminal breast cancer cells, and that its invalidation impairs cell migration while having no or little effect on cell viability. Here, we found that AXL controls directed migration. We observed that AXL displays a polarized localization at the Golgi apparatus and the leading edge of migratory mesenchymal TNBC cells. AXL co-localizes with F-actin at the front of the cells. In migratory polarized cells, the specific AXL inhibitor R428 displaces AXL and F-actin from the leading edge to a lateral area localized between the front and the rear of the cells where both are enriched in protrusions. In addition, R428 treatment disrupts the polarized localization of the Golgi apparatus towards the leading edge in migratory cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of aggressive chemo-resistant TNBC samples obtained before treatment reveals inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity of the percentage of AXL expressing tumor cells, and a preference of these cells to be in contact with the stroma. Taken together, our study demonstrates that AXL controls directed cell migration most likely by regulating cell polarity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Zajac
- Breast Cancer Biology Group, Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Renaud Leclere
- Department of Pathology, Platform of Investigative Pathology, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France; (R.L.); (A.N.); (D.M.)
| | - André Nicolas
- Department of Pathology, Platform of Investigative Pathology, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France; (R.L.); (A.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Didier Meseure
- Department of Pathology, Platform of Investigative Pathology, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France; (R.L.); (A.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Caterina Marchiò
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Via Verdi 8, 10124 Torino TO, Italy;
- Department of Pathology, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Anne Vincent-Salomon
- Department of Pathology, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Sergio Roman-Roman
- Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Marie Schoumacher
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation Oncology, Institut de Recherches Internationales SERVIER, 92284 Suresnes, France;
| | - Thierry Dubois
- Breast Cancer Biology Group, Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-156246250
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Mortezaei Z, Tavallaei M, Hosseini SM. Considering smoking status, coexpression network analysis of non-small cell lung cancer at different cancer stages, exhibits important genes and pathways. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:19172-19185. [PMID: 31271232 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common subtype of lung cancer among smokers, nonsmokers, women, and young individuals. Tobacco smoking and different stages of the NSCLC have important roles in cancer evolution and require different treatments. Existence of poorly effective therapeutic options for the NSCLC brings special attention to targeted therapies by considering genetic alterations. In this study, we used RNA-Seq data to compare expression levels of RefSeq genes and to find some genes with similar expression levels. We utilized the "Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis" method for three different datasets to create coexpressed genetic modules having relations with the smoking status and different stages of the NSCLC. Our results indicate seven important genetic modules having important associations with the smoking status and cancer stages. Based on investigated genetic modules and their biological explanation, we then identified 13 newly candidate genes and 7 novel transcription factors in association with the NSCLC, the smoking status, and cancer stages. We then examined those results using other datasets and explained our results biologically to illustrate some important genes in relation with the smoking status and metastatic stage of the NSCLC that can bring some crucial information about cancer evolution. Our genetic findings also can be used as some therapeutic targets for different clinical conditions of the NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Mortezaei
- Human Genetic Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Tavallaei
- Human Genetic Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sayed Mostafa Hosseini
- Human Genetic Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Choo MS, Wan C, Rudd PM, Nguyen-Khuong T. GlycopeptideGraphMS: Improved Glycopeptide Detection and Identification by Exploiting Graph Theoretical Patterns in Mass and Retention Time. Anal Chem 2019; 91:7236-7244. [PMID: 31079452 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b00594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The leading proteomic method for identifying N-glycosylated peptides is liquid chromatography coupled with tandem fragmentation mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) followed by spectral matching of MS/MS fragment masses to a database of possible glycan and peptide combinations. Such database-dependent approaches come with challenges such as needing high-quality informative MS/MS spectra, ignoring unexpected glycan or peptide sequences, and making incorrect assignments because some glycan combinations are equivalent in mass to amino acids. To address these challenges, we present GlycopeptideGraphMS, a graph theoretical bioinformatic approach complementary to the database-dependent method. Using the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL) as a model glycoprotein with multiple N-glycosylation sites, we show that those LCMS features that could be grouped into graph networks on the basis of glycan mass and retention time differences were actually N-glycopeptides with the same peptide backbone but different N-glycan compositions. Conversely, unglycosylated peptides did not exhibit this grouping behavior. Furthermore, MS/MS sequencing of the glycan and peptide composition of just one N-glycopeptide in the graph was sufficient to identify the rest of the N-glycopeptides in the graph. By validating the identifications with exoglycosidase cocktails and MS/MS fragmentation, we determined the experimental false discovery rate of identifications to be 2.21%. GlycopeptideGraphMS detected more than 500 unique N-glycopeptides from AXL, triple the number found by a database search with Byonic software, and detected incorrect assignments due to a nonspecific protease cleavage. This method overcomes some limitations of the database approach and is a step closer to comprehensive automated glycoproteomics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Choo
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute , 20 Biopolis Way #06-01 , Singapore 138668
| | - Corrine Wan
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute , 20 Biopolis Way #06-01 , Singapore 138668
| | - Pauline M Rudd
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute , 20 Biopolis Way #06-01 , Singapore 138668.,National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training , Conway Institute , Dublin , Ireland.,University College Dublin, Belfield , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Terry Nguyen-Khuong
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute , 20 Biopolis Way #06-01 , Singapore 138668
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Huang C, Huang YL, Wang CC, Pan YL, Lai YH, Huang HC. Ampelopsins A and C Induce Apoptosis and Metastasis through Downregulating AxL, TYRO3, and FYN Expressions in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:2818-2830. [PMID: 30789269 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b06444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Ampelopsins A and C are resveratrol oligostilbenes whose role in cancer development remains unknown. This study evaluated the antimetastatic and apoptosis-inducing properties of ampelopsins A and C in MDA-MB-231 cells. The IC50 values of ampelopsins A and C against MDA-MB-231 cells at 72 h were 38.75 ± 4.61 and 2.71 ± 0.21 μM, respectively. However, at 24 h, ampelopsins A and C decreased cell metastasis significantly. Among the 71 proteins present on the human phosphoreceptor tyrosin kinase array, ampelopsin C decreased the phosphorylated protein level of AXL, Dtk (TYRO3), EphA2, EphA6, Fyn, Hck, and SRMS. Additionally, antiproliferation effects of ampelopsin C were enhanced when combined with luteolin and chrysin compared to either two or a single agent in MDA-MB-231 cells. Overall, ampelopsins A and C extracted from Vitis thunbergii are both novel antimetastatic agents and potential therapeutic targets in patients with breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Huang
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine , National Yang-Ming University , Taipei 112 , Taiwan
- Department of Earth and Life Sciences , University of Taipei , Taipei 100 , Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ling Huang
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine , No. 155-1, Section 2, Li-Nong Street , Beitou District, Taipei 11221 , Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Science , Chang Gung University of Science and Technology , No. 261, Wen-Hwa First Road , Kwei-shan, Taoyuan 333 , Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chi Wang
- Department of Applied Science , National Tsing Hua University , South Campus, No. 521, Nanda Road , Hsinchu 30014 , Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ling Pan
- Department of Applied Science , National Tsing Hua University , South Campus, No. 521, Nanda Road , Hsinchu 30014 , Taiwan
| | - Yu-Heng Lai
- Department of Chemistry , Chinese Culture University , Taipei 11114 , Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Chen Huang
- Department of Applied Science , National Tsing Hua University , South Campus, No. 521, Nanda Road , Hsinchu 30014 , Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Shen Y, Zhang W, Liu J, He J, Cao R, Chen X, Peng X, Xu H, Zhao Q, Zhong J, Ding W, Lei X, Jiang Y, Zu X. Therapeutic activity of DCC-2036, a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor, against triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived xenografts by targeting AXL/MET. Int J Cancer 2018; 144:651-664. [PMID: 30289981 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is insensitive to endocrine therapies and targeted therapies to human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR). New targets and new targeted therapeutic drugs for TNBC are desperately needed. Our study confirmed that DCC-2036 inhibited the proliferation, invasion, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of TNBC cells as well as induced apoptosis. Moreover, the antiproliferative activity of DCC-2036 was more efficient than that of most clinical drugs. In addition, the combination of DCC-2036 and cisplatin or lapatinib had synergistic effects on TNBC cells. Mechanistically, DCC-2036 targeted AXL/MET, especially AXL, and regulated the downstream PI3K/Akt-NFκB signaling to exert its antitumor effect in TNBC. DCC-2036 also inhibited the growth and metastasis of xenografted MDA-MB-231 cells (AXL/MET-high TNBC cells) but not MDA-MB-468 cells (AXL-low TNBC cells) in NSG mice in vivo. Furthermore, DCC-2036 significantly inhibited tumor growth and invasion of AXL/MET-high TNBC PDX tumors but not AXL/MET-low TNBC PDX tumors. These results highlighted the roles of AXL/MET in cancer growth and metastasis and further verified that the critical targets of DCC-2036 are AXL and MET, especially AXL. In addition, there was no significant toxicity of DCC-2036 even at a high dosage. Therefore, DCC-2036 may be a potential compound to treat TNBC, especially for tumors with AXL/MET overexpression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Shen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianghua Liu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jun He
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Renxian Cao
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xiguang Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xiuda Peng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Haifan Xu
- Department of Thyroid Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jing Zhong
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Wenjun Ding
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoyong Lei
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yuyang Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Graduate School of Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuyu Zu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
McDaniel NK, Cummings CT, Iida M, Hülse J, Pearson HE, Vasileiadi E, Parker RE, Orbuch RA, Ondracek OJ, Welke NB, Kang GH, Davies KD, Wang X, Frye SV, Earp HS, Harari PM, Kimple RJ, DeRyckere D, Graham DK, Wheeler DL. MERTK Mediates Intrinsic and Adaptive Resistance to AXL-targeting Agents. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 17:2297-2308. [PMID: 30093568 PMCID: PMC6215511 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-1239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MERTK) family receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) play an important role in promoting growth, survival, and metastatic spread of several tumor types. AXL and MERTK are overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), malignancies that are highly metastatic and lethal. AXL is the most well-characterized TAM receptor and mediates resistance to both conventional and targeted cancer therapies. AXL is highly expressed in aggressive tumor types, and patients with cancer are currently being enrolled in clinical trials testing AXL inhibitors. In this study, we analyzed the effects of AXL inhibition using a small-molecule AXL inhibitor, a monoclonal antibody (mAb), and siRNA in HNSCC, TNBC, and NSCLC preclinical models. Anti-AXL-targeting strategies had limited efficacy across these different models that, our data suggest, could be attributed to upregulation of MERTK. MERTK expression was increased in cell lines and patient-derived xenografts treated with AXL inhibitors and inhibition of MERTK sensitized HNSCC, TNBC, and NSCLC preclinical models to AXL inhibition. Dual targeting of AXL and MERTK led to a more potent blockade of downstream signaling, synergistic inhibition of tumor cell expansion in culture, and reduced tumor growth in vivo Furthermore, ectopic overexpression of MERTK in AXL inhibitor-sensitive models resulted in resistance to AXL-targeting strategies. These observations suggest that therapeutic strategies cotargeting both AXL and MERTK could be highly beneficial in a variety of tumor types where both receptors are expressed, leading to improved survival for patients with lethal malignancies. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(11); 2297-308. ©2018 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nellie K McDaniel
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Christopher T Cummings
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Mari Iida
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Justus Hülse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hannah E Pearson
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Eleana Vasileiadi
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rebecca E Parker
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rachel A Orbuch
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Olivia J Ondracek
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Noah B Welke
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Grace H Kang
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Kurtis D Davies
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Stephen V Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Paul M Harari
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Randall J Kimple
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Deric L Wheeler
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Szabadkai I, Torka R, Garamvölgyi R, Baska F, Gyulavári P, Boros S, Illyés E, Choidas A, Ullrich A, Őrfi L. Discovery of N-[4-(Quinolin-4-yloxy)phenyl]benzenesulfonamides as Novel AXL Kinase Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2018; 61:6277-6292. [PMID: 29928803 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The overexpression of AXL kinase has been described in many types of cancer. Due to its role in proliferation, survival, migration, and resistance, AXL represents a promising target in the treatment of the disease. In this study we present a novel compound family that successfully targets the AXL kinase. Through optimization and detailed SAR studies we developed low nanomolar inhibitors, and after further biological characterization we identified a potent AXL kinase inhibitor with favorable pharmacokinetic profile. The antitumor activity was determined in xenograft models, and the lead compounds reduced the tumor size by 40% with no observed toxicity as well as lung metastasis formation by 66% when compared to vehicle control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Torka
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry , University Halle-Wittenberg , Halle (Saale) 06108 , Germany
| | - Rita Garamvölgyi
- Vichem Chemie Research Ltd. , Budapest 1022 , Hungary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , Semmelweis University , Budapest 1092 , Hungary
| | - Ferenc Baska
- Vichem Chemie Research Ltd. , Budapest 1022 , Hungary
| | - Pál Gyulavári
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry , Semmelweis University , Budapest 1094 , Hungary
| | - Sándor Boros
- Vichem Chemie Research Ltd. , Budapest 1022 , Hungary
| | - Eszter Illyés
- Vichem Chemie Research Ltd. , Budapest 1022 , Hungary
| | - Axel Choidas
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH , Dortmund 44227 , Germany
| | - Axel Ullrich
- Department of Molecular Biology , Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry , Martinsried 82152 , Germany
| | - László Őrfi
- Vichem Chemie Research Ltd. , Budapest 1022 , Hungary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , Semmelweis University , Budapest 1092 , Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Goyette MA, Duhamel S, Aubert L, Pelletier A, Savage P, Thibault MP, Johnson RM, Carmeliet P, Basik M, Gaboury L, Muller WJ, Park M, Roux PP, Gratton JP, Côté JF. The Receptor Tyrosine Kinase AXL Is Required at Multiple Steps of the Metastatic Cascade during HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Progression. Cell Rep 2018; 23:1476-1490. [PMID: 29719259 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AXL is activated by its ligand GAS6 and is expressed in triple-negative breast cancer cells. In the current study, we report AXL expression in HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancers where it correlates with poor patient survival. Using murine models of HER2+ breast cancer, Axl, but not its ligand Gas6, was found to be essential for metastasis. We determined that AXL is required for intravasation, extravasation, and growth at the metastatic site. We found that AXL is expressed in HER2+ cancers displaying epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signatures where it contributes to sustain EMT. Interfering with AXL in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) impaired transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-induced cell invasion. Last, pharmacological inhibition of AXL specifically decreased the metastatic burden of mice developing HER2+ breast cancer. Our data identify AXL as a potential anti-metastatic co-therapeutic target for the treatment of HER2+ breast cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Anne Goyette
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada; Molecular Biology Programs, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Duhamel
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Léo Aubert
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Ariane Pelletier
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Paul Savage
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | | | - Radia Marie Johnson
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Peter Carmeliet
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, VIB Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven 3000, Belgium; Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Mark Basik
- Department of Oncology and Surgery, Segal Cancer Center, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Louis Gaboury
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - William J Muller
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Morag Park
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Philippe P Roux
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Gratton
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Jean-François Côté
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada; Molecular Biology Programs, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Zhang S, Xu XS, Yang JX, Guo JH, Chao TF, Tong Y. The prognostic role of Gas6/Axl axis in solid malignancies: a meta-analysis and literature review. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 11:509-519. [PMID: 29416351 PMCID: PMC5789043 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s150952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Axl is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is involved in many pathological conditions and carcinogenesis. Gas6 is the major ligand of Axl. Activation of Gas6/Axl pathway is essential for cancer development. However, its prognostic significance in solid tumors remains unclear. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to elucidate the prognostic impact of Axl. Methods Published studies on Axl or Gas6 expression and overall survival (OS) and/or disease-free survival (DFS) were searched from databases. The outcome measurement is hazard ratio (HR) for OS or DFS related to Axl/Gas6 expression. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan. The pooled HR was calculated by fixed-/random-effect models. Results A total of 3,344 patients from 25 studies were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that Axl overexpression was correlated with shorter OS (HR: 2.03, p<0.0001) and DFS (HR: 1.85, p<0.0001). In subgroup analysis, Axl expression was significantly correlated with poor prognosis in hepatocellular, esophageal and lung cancer. Axl expression was associated with differentiation grade, TNM stage, lymph node and distant metastasis. Conclusion These results suggest that Axl overexpression is correlated with poor prognosis in solid tumors. This correlation varies among different types of cancers. More studies are needed to further investigate the prognostic value of Axl.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiang Shang Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Xi Yang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jian Hui Guo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Teng Fei Chao
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - YiXin Tong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Paolicchi E, Gemignani F, Krstic-Demonacos M, Dedhar S, Mutti L, Landi S. Targeting hypoxic response for cancer therapy. Oncotarget 2017; 7:13464-78. [PMID: 26859576 PMCID: PMC4924654 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxic tumor microenvironment (HTM) is considered to promote metabolic changes, oncogene activation and epithelial mesenchymal transition, and resistance to chemo- and radio-therapy, all of which are hallmarks of aggressive tumor behavior. Cancer cells within the HTM acquire phenotypic properties that allow them to overcome the lack of energy and nutrients supply within this niche. These phenotypic properties include activation of genes regulating glycolysis, glucose transport, acidosis regulators, angiogenesis, all of which are orchestrated through the activation of the transcription factor, HIF1A, which is an independent marker of poor prognosis. Moreover, during the adaptation to a HTM cancer cells undergo deep changes in mitochondrial functions such as “Warburg effect” and the “reverse Warburg effect”. This review aims to provide an overview of the characteristics of the HTM, with particular focus on novel therapeutic strategies currently in clinical trials, targeting the adaptive response to hypoxia of cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Paolicchi
- Genetics-Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Marija Krstic-Demonacos
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, College of Science and Technology, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Shoukat Dedhar
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Centre, BC Cancer Agency and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Luciano Mutti
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, College of Science and Technology, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Stefano Landi
- Genetics-Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Zucca LE, Morini Matushita MA, da Silva Oliveira RJ, Scapulatempo-Neto C, de Lima MA, Ribeiro GG, Viana CR, Cárcano FM, Reis RM. Expression of tyrosine kinase receptor AXL is associated with worse outcome of metastatic renal cell carcinomas treated with sunitinib. Urol Oncol 2017; 36:11.e13-11.e21. [PMID: 28986088 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents 2%-3% of all cancers of the Western countries. Currently, sunitinib, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, particularly of PDGF and VEGF receptors, is the first-line therapy for metastatic RCC (mRCC), with significant improvement in clinical outcome. However, there is a lack of predictive biomarkers of sunitinib response. Recently, others and our group suggested that the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL may modify the response to sunitinib. OBJECTIVE To study the expression of AXL in a series patients with of mRCC treated with sunitinib and to correlate it with patient's clinic-pathological features and therapeutic response. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty-four patients with mRCC (51 clear cell carcinomas (CCCs) and 13 non-CCCs) were evaluated for AXL expression by immunohistochemistry in the primary tumor. RESULTS AXL positivity was observed in 47% (30/64) of cases, namely in 43% (22/51) of CCCs and 61% (8/13) of non-CCC. Considering only the clear cell subtype, the univariate analysis showed that AXL expression was statistically associated with a poor prognosis, with a median overall survival of 13 months vs. 43 months in patients with negative AXL. In this subtype, along with the AXL positivity, other prognostic factors were absence of nephrectomy, Karnofsky performance status, more than 1 site of metastasis and liver metastasis. Moreover, AXL expression was associated with shorter progression to sunitinib. Overall, the multivariate survival analysis showed that absence of nephrectomy (HR = 4.85, P = 0.001), more than 1 site of metastasis (HR = 2.99, P = 0.002), bone metastasis (HR = 2.95, P = 0.001), together with AXL expression (HR = 2.01, P = 0.048) were independent poor prognostic factor in patients with mRCC. CONCLUSION AXL expression was associated with worse clinical outcome and may be an important prognostic biomarker in sunitinib-treated patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luís Eduardo Zucca
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Medical Oncology, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Cristovam Scapulatempo-Neto
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pathology, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos Alves de Lima
- Nucleous of Epidemiology and Statistics, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Flavio Mavignier Cárcano
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Medical Oncology, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil; Barretos School of Health Sciences, Dr. Paulo Prata-FACISB, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rui Manuel Reis
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Health Sciences School, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Jin G, Wang Z, Wang J, Zhang L, Chen Y, Yuan P, Liu D. Expression of Axl and its prognostic significance in human breast cancer. Oncol Lett 2016; 13:621-628. [PMID: 28356938 PMCID: PMC5351252 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.5524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignant cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related death among women, and its prevalence continues to increase. Axl overexpression has been identified in the many types of human cancer, and it has been demonstrated to participate in signaling pathways related to carcinogenesis and cancer development. In the present study, Axl expression was examined by performing immunohistochemical staining in 60 breast cancer tumors and 40 benign breast lesions (25 mammary dysplasia and 15 breast fibroadenoma). In total, 34 (56.67%) cancer tissues and 13 (32.5%) benign breast lesions were classified as exhibiting high levels of Axl expression, indicating a significant association between malignancy and high Axl expression. High Axl expression was also associated with estrogen receptor (ER) positivity (P=0.028), progesterone receptor (PR) positivity (P=0.007), and poor tumor differentiation (P=0.033). No significant associations were observed between Axl expression and age, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, tumor node metastasis staging, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and Ki67 antigen. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard model both demonstrated that there was no statistical difference between Axl expression and breast cancer prognosis. However, it remains unclear whether the expression of Axl is correlated with the prognosis of luminal type breast cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaoyuan Jin
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471003, P.R. China
| | - Zhenzhen Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471003, P.R. China
| | - Jianguang Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471003, P.R. China
| | - Like Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471003, P.R. China
| | - Yanbin Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471003, P.R. China
| | - Pengfei Yuan
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471003, P.R. China
| | - Dechun Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471003, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Leconet W, Chentouf M, du Manoir S, Chevalier C, Sirvent A, Aït-Arsa I, Busson M, Jarlier M, Radosevic-Robin N, Theillet C, Chalbos D, Pasquet JM, Pèlegrin A, Larbouret C, Robert B. Therapeutic Activity of Anti-AXL Antibody against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patient-Derived Xenografts and Metastasis. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 23:2806-2816. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-1316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
34
|
Tan L, Zhang Z, Gao D, Luo J, Tu ZC, Li Z, Peng L, Ren X, Ding K. 4-Oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide Derivatives as New Axl Kinase Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2016; 59:6807-25. [PMID: 27379978 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Li Tan
- State
Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine
and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou 510530, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhang Zhang
- State
Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine
and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou 510530, China
- School
of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Donglin Gao
- State
Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine
and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou 510530, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinfeng Luo
- State
Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine
and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Zheng-Chao Tu
- State
Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine
and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Zhengqiu Li
- School
of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lijie Peng
- School
of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaomei Ren
- State
Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine
and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou 510530, China
- School
of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Ke Ding
- State
Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine
and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 190 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou 510530, China
- School
of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Abstract
The interaction between Axl receptor tyrosine kinase and its main ligand Gas6 has been implicated in the progression of a wide number of malignancies. More recently, overexpression of Axl has emerged as a key molecular determinant underlying the development of acquired resistance to targeted anticancer agents. The activation of Axl is overexpression-dependent and controls a number of hallmarks of cancer progression including proliferation, migration, resistance to apoptosis and survival through a complex network of intracellular second messengers. Axl has been noted to influence clinically meaningful end points including metastatic recurrence and survival in the vast majority of tumour types. With Axl inhibitors having gained momentum as novel anticancer therapies, we provide an overview of the biological and clinical relevance of this molecular pathway, outlining the main directions of research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Brown
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - James R M Black
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Rohini Sharma
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Justin Stebbing
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - David J Pinato
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Ha JR, Siegel PM, Ursini-Siegel J. The Tyrosine Kinome Dictates Breast Cancer Heterogeneity and Therapeutic Responsiveness. J Cell Biochem 2016; 117:1971-90. [PMID: 27392311 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Phospho-tyrosine signaling networks control numerous biological processes including cellular differentiation, cell growth and survival, motility, and invasion. Aberrant regulation of the tyrosine kinome is a hallmark of malignancy and influences all stages of breast cancer progression, from initiation to the development of metastatic disease. The success of specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors strongly validates the clinical relevance of tyrosine phosphorylation networks in breast cancer pathology. However, a significant degree of redundancy exists within the tyrosine kinome. Numerous receptor and cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases converge on a core set of signaling regulators, including adaptor proteins and tyrosine phosphatases, to amplify pro-tumorigenic signal transduction pathways. Mutational activation, amplification, or overexpression of one or more components of the tyrosine kinome represents key contributing events responsible for the tumor heterogeneity that is observed in breast cancers. It is this molecular heterogeneity that has become the most significant barrier to durable clinical responses due to the development of therapeutic resistance. This review focuses on recent literature that supports a prominent role for specific components of the tyrosine kinome in the emergence of unique breast cancer subtypes and in shaping breast cancer plasticity, sensitivity to targeted therapies, and the eventual emergence of acquired resistance. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1971-1990, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline R Ha
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Peter M Siegel
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Josie Ursini-Siegel
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Dine JL, O'Sullivan CC, Voeller D, Greer YE, Chavez KJ, Conway CM, Sinclair S, Stone B, Amiri-Kordestani L, Merchant AS, Hewitt SM, Steinberg SM, Swain SM, Lipkowitz S. The TRAIL receptor agonist drozitumab targets basal B triple-negative breast cancer cells that express vimentin and Axl. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2016; 155:235-51. [PMID: 26759246 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-015-3673-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Previously, we found that GST-tagged tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand preferentially killed triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells with a mesenchymal phenotype by activating death receptor 5 (DR5). The purpose of this study was to explore the sensitivity of breast cancer cell lines to drozitumab, a clinically tested DR5-specific agonist; identify potential biomarkers of drozitumab-sensitive breast cancer cells; and determine if those biomarkers were present in tumors from patients with TNBC. We evaluated viability, caspase activity, and sub-G1 DNA content in drozitumab-treated breast cancer cell lines and we characterized expression of potential biomarkers by immunoblot. Expression levels of vimentin and Axl were then explored in 177 TNBC samples from a publically available cDNA microarray dataset and by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tumor tissue samples obtained from 53 African-American women with TNBC. Drozitumab-induced apoptosis in mesenchymal TNBC cell lines but not in cell lines from other breast cancer subtypes. The drozitumab-sensitive TNBC cell lines expressed the mesenchymal markers vimentin and Axl. Vimentin and Axl mRNA and protein were expressed in a subset of human TNBC tumors. By IHC, ~15 % of TNBC tumors had vimentin and Axl expression in the top quartile for both. These findings indicate that drozitumab-sensitive mesenchymal TNBC cells express vimentin and Axl, which can be identified in a subset of human TNBC tumors. Thus, vimentin and Axl may be useful to identify TNBC patients who would be most likely to benefit from a DR5 agonist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Dine
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 4B54, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Ciara C O'Sullivan
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 4B54, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Donna Voeller
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 4B54, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yoshimi E Greer
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 4B54, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kathryn J Chavez
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 4B54, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Catherine M Conway
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sarah Sinclair
- Washington Cancer Institute, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Brandon Stone
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 4B54, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Laleh Amiri-Kordestani
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 4B54, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anand S Merchant
- Center for Cancer Research Bioinformatics Core, Advanced Biomedical Computing Center, SAIC-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Stephen M Hewitt
- Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Seth M Steinberg
- Biostatistics & Data Management Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sandra M Swain
- Washington Cancer Institute, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Stanley Lipkowitz
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 4B54, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Hilton DA, Shivane A, Kirk L, Bassiri K, Enki DG, Hanemann CO. Activation of multiple growth factor signalling pathways is frequent in meningiomas. Neuropathology 2015; 36:250-61. [DOI: 10.1111/neup.12266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Revised: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David A Hilton
- Department of Cellular and Anatomical Pathology; Derriford Hospital; Plymouth UK
| | - Aditya Shivane
- Department of Cellular and Anatomical Pathology; Derriford Hospital; Plymouth UK
| | - Leanne Kirk
- Department of Cellular and Anatomical Pathology; Derriford Hospital; Plymouth UK
| | - Kayleigh Bassiri
- Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine; Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine & Dentistry; Plymouth UK
| | - Doyo G Enki
- Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine & Dentistry; Plymouth UK
| | - C Oliver Hanemann
- Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine; Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine & Dentistry; Plymouth UK
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Tsuchiya N, Sawada Y, Endo I, Saito K, Uemura Y, Nakatsura T. Biomarkers for the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:10573-10583. [PMID: 26457017 PMCID: PMC4588079 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i37.10573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 343] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Revised: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although the prognosis of patients with HCC is generally poor, the 5-year survival rate is > 70% if patients are diagnosed at an early stage. However, early diagnosis of HCC is complicated by the coexistence of inflammation and cirrhosis. Thus, novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of HCC are required. Currently, the diagnosis of HCC without pathological correlation is achieved by analyzing serum α-fetoprotein levels combined with imaging techniques. Advances in genomics and proteomics platforms and biomarker assay techniques over the last decade have resulted in the identification of numerous novel biomarkers and have improved the diagnosis of HCC. The most promising biomarkers, such as glypican-3, osteopontin, Golgi protein-73 and nucleic acids including microRNAs, are most likely to become clinically validated in the near future. These biomarkers are not only useful for early diagnosis of HCC, but also provide insight into the mechanisms driving oncogenesis. In addition, such molecular insight creates the basis for the development of potentially more effective treatment strategies. In this article, we provide an overview of the biomarkers that are currently used for the early diagnosis of HCC.
Collapse
|
40
|
Brand TM, Iida M, Stein AP, Corrigan KL, Braverman CM, Coan JP, Pearson HE, Bahrar H, Fowler TL, Bednarz BP, Saha S, Yang D, Gill PS, Lingen MW, Saloura V, Villaflor VM, Salgia R, Kimple RJ, Wheeler DL. AXL Is a Logical Molecular Target in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 21:2601-12. [PMID: 25767293 PMCID: PMC5032632 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-2648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) represents the eighth most common malignancy worldwide. Standard-of-care treatments for patients with HNSCC include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. In addition, the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab is often used in combination with these treatment modalities. Despite clinical success with these therapeutics, HNSCC remains a difficult malignancy to treat. Thus, identification of new molecular targets is critical. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN In the current study, the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL was investigated as a molecular target in HNSCC using established cell lines, HNSCC patient-derived xenografts (PDX), and human tumors. HNSCC dependency on AXL was evaluated with both anti-AXL siRNAs and the small-molecule AXL inhibitor R428. Furthermore, AXL inhibition was evaluated with standard-of-care treatment regimens used in HNSCC. RESULTS AXL was found to be highly overexpressed in several models of HNSCC, where AXL was significantly associated with higher pathologic grade, presence of distant metastases, and shorter relapse-free survival in patients with HNSCC. Further investigations indicated that HNSCC cells were reliant on AXL for cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, targeting AXL increased HNSCC cell line sensitivity to chemotherapy, cetuximab, and radiation. Moreover, radiation-resistant HNSCC cell line xenografts and PDXs expressed elevated levels of both total and activated AXL, indicating a role for AXL in radiation resistance. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence for the role of AXL in HNSCC pathogenesis and supports further preclinical and clinical evaluation of anti-AXL therapeutics for the treatment of patients with HNSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toni M Brand
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Andrew P Stein
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Kelsey L Corrigan
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Cara M Braverman
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - John P Coan
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Hannah E Pearson
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Harsh Bahrar
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Tyler L Fowler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin. Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Bryan P Bednarz
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Sandeep Saha
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - David Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Parkash S Gill
- Departments of Medicine and Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Mark W Lingen
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Vassiliki Saloura
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Victoria M Villaflor
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Randall J Kimple
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Deric L Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Inhibition of Mer and Axl receptor tyrosine kinases leads to increased apoptosis and improved chemosensitivity in human neuroblastoma. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2015; 457:461-6. [PMID: 25596315 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Ectopic expression of Mer and Axl receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are frequently found in various cancers as known to promote oncogenesis by activating antiapoptotic signaling pathways. However, the roles of these receptors in neuroblastoma remain unclear. We found Mer and Axl was co-expressed in neuroblastoma patient samples and cell lines. Ligand-dependent Mer or Axl activation led to an increase in phosphorylated ERK1/2, AKT and FAK indicating roles for these RTKs in multiple oncogenic processes. Furthermore, Mer and Axl knockdown led to apoptosis and inhibition of migration as well as a significant increase in chemosensitivity in response to cisplatin and vincristine treatment. Taken together, our results demonstrated that inhibition of Mer and Axl improved apoptotic response and chemosensitivity in neuroblastoma, providing new insights into development of novel therapeutic strategies by targeting these oncogenes.
Collapse
|
42
|
Abstract
The control of cellular growth and proliferation is key to the maintenance of homeostasis. Survival, proliferation, and arrest are regulated, in part, by Growth Arrest Specific 6 (Gas6) through binding to members of the TAM receptor tyrosine kinase family. Activation of the TAM receptors leads to downstream signaling through common kinases, but the exact mechanism within each cellular context varies and remains to be completely elucidated. Deregulation of the TAM family, due to its central role in mediating cellular proliferation, has been implicated in multiple diseases. Axl was cloned as the first TAM receptor in a search for genes involved in the progression of chronic to acute-phase leukemia, and has since been established as playing a critical role in the progression of cancer. The oncogenic nature of Axl is demonstrated through its activation of signaling pathways involved in proliferation, migration, inhibition of apoptosis, and therapeutic resistance. Despite its recent discovery, significant progress has been made in the development of effective clinical therapeutics targeting Axl. In order to accurately define the role of Axl in normal and diseased processes, it must be analyzed in a cell type-specific context.
Collapse
|
43
|
Wilson C, Ye X, Pham T, Lin E, Chan S, McNamara E, Neve RM, Belmont L, Koeppen H, Yauch RL, Ashkenazi A, Settleman J. AXL inhibition sensitizes mesenchymal cancer cells to antimitotic drugs. Cancer Res 2014; 74:5878-90. [PMID: 25125659 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-1009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Molecularly targeted drug therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment; however, resistance remains a major limitation to their overall efficacy. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been linked to acquired resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), independent of mutational resistance mechanisms. AXL is a receptor tyrosine kinase associated with EMT that has been implicated in drug resistance and has emerged as a candidate therapeutic target. Across 643 human cancer cell lines that were analyzed, elevated AXL was strongly associated with a mesenchymal phenotype, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. In an unbiased screen of small-molecule inhibitors of cancer-relevant processes, we discovered that AXL inhibition was specifically synergistic with antimitotic agents in killing cancer cells that had undergone EMT and demonstrated associated TKI resistance. However, we did not find that AXL inhibition alone could overcome acquired resistance to EGFR TKIs in the EMT setting, as previously reported. These findings reveal a novel cotreatment strategy for tumors displaying mesenchymal features that otherwise render them treatment refractory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Wilson
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Xiaofen Ye
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Thinh Pham
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Eva Lin
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Sara Chan
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Erin McNamara
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Richard M Neve
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Lisa Belmont
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Hartmut Koeppen
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Robert L Yauch
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Avi Ashkenazi
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
| | - Jeff Settleman
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California.
| |
Collapse
|