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Martinez-Jaramillo E, Jamali F, Abdalbari FH, Abdulkarim B, Jean-Claude BJ, Telleria CM, Sabri S. Pro-Oxidant Auranofin and Glutathione-Depleting Combination Unveils Synergistic Lethality in Glioblastoma Cells with Aberrant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2319. [PMID: 39001381 PMCID: PMC11240359 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent and advanced malignant primary brain tumor in adults. GBM frequently harbors epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) wild-type (EGFRwt) gene amplification and/or EGFRvIII activating mutation. EGFR-driven GBM relies on the thioredoxin (Trx) and/or glutathione (GSH) antioxidant systems to withstand the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The impact of EGFRwt or EGFRvIII overexpression on the response to a Trx/GSH co-targeting strategy is unknown. In this study, we investigated Trx/GSH co-targeting in the context of EGFR overexpression in GBM. Auranofin is a thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) inhibitor, FDA-approved for rheumatoid arthritis. L-buthionine-sulfoximine (L-BSO) inhibits GSH synthesis by targeting the glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic (GCLC) enzyme subunit. We analyzed the mechanisms of cytotoxicity of auranofin and the interaction between auranofin and L-BSO in U87MG, U87/EGFRwt, and U87/EGFRvIII GBM isogenic GBM cell lines. ROS-dependent effects were assessed using the antioxidant N-acetylsteine. We show that auranofin decreased TrxR1 activity and increased ROS. Auranofin decreased cell vitality and colony formation and increased protein polyubiquitination through ROS-dependent mechanisms, suggesting the role of ROS in auranofin-induced cytotoxicity in the three cell lines. ROS-dependent PARP-1 cleavage was associated with EGFRvIII downregulation in U87/EGFRvIII cells. Remarkably, the auranofin and L-BSO combination induced the significant depletion of intracellular GSH and synergistic cytotoxicity regardless of EGFR overexpression. Nevertheless, molecular mechanisms associated with cytotoxicity were modulated to a different extent among the three cell lines. U87/EGFRvIII exhibited the most prominent ROS increase, P-AKT(Ser-473), and AKT decrease along with drastic EGFRvIII downregulation. U87/EGFRwt and U87/EGFRvIII displayed lower basal intracellular GSH levels and synergistic ROS-dependent DNA damage compared to U87MG cells. Our study provides evidence for ROS-dependent synergistic cytotoxicity of auranofin and L-BSO combination in GBM in vitro. Unraveling the sensitivity of EGFR-overexpressing cells to auranofin alone, and synergistic auranofin and L-BSO combination, supports the rationale to repurpose this promising pro-oxidant treatment strategy in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvis Martinez-Jaramillo
- Experimental Pathology Unit, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Fatemeh Jamali
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Farah H Abdalbari
- Experimental Pathology Unit, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Bassam Abdulkarim
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Bertrand J Jean-Claude
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Cancer Drug Research Laboratory, Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program, Centre for Translational Biology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Carlos M Telleria
- Experimental Pathology Unit, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Siham Sabri
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
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Sharifi Z, Abdulkarim B, Meehan B, Rak J, Daniel P, Schmitt J, Lauzon N, Eppert K, Duncan HM, Petrecca K, Guiot MC, Jean-Claude B, Sabri S. Mechanisms and Antitumor Activity of a Binary EGFR/DNA-Targeting Strategy Overcomes Resistance of Glioblastoma Stem Cells to Temozolomide. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:7594-7608. [PMID: 31540977 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-0955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Glioblastoma (GBM) is a fatal primary malignant brain tumor. GBM stem cells (GSC) contribute to resistance to the DNA-damaging chemotherapy, temozolomide. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) displays genomic alterations enabling DNA repair mechanisms in half of GBMs. We aimed to investigate EGFR/DNA combi-targeting in GBM. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN ZR2002 is a "combi-molecule" designed to inflict DNA damage through its chlorethyl moiety and induce irreversible EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibition. We assessed its in vitro efficacy in temozolomide-resistant patient-derived GSCs, mesenchymal temozolomide-sensitive and resistant in vivo-derived GSC sublines, and U87/EGFR isogenic cell lines stably expressing EGFR/wild-type or variant III (EGFRvIII). We evaluated its antitumor activity in mice harboring orthotopic EGFRvIII or mesenchymal TMZ-resistant GSC tumors. RESULTS ZR2002 induced submicromolar antiproliferative effects and inhibited neurosphere formation of all GSCs with marginal effects on normal human astrocytes. ZR2002 inhibited EGF-induced autophosphorylation of EGFR, downstream Erk1/2 phosphorylation, increased DNA strand breaks, and induced activation of wild-type p53; the latter was required for its cytotoxicity through p53-dependent mechanism. ZR2002 induced similar effects on U87/EGFR cell lines and its oral administration significantly increased survival in an orthotopic EGFRvIII mouse model. ZR2002 improved survival of mice harboring intracranial mesenchymal temozolomide-resistant GSC line, decreased EGFR, Erk1/2, and AKT phosphorylation and was detected in tumor brain tissue by MALDI imaging mass spectrometry. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide the molecular basis of binary EGFR/DNA targeting and uncover the oral bioavailability, blood-brain barrier permeability, and antitumor activity of ZR2002 supporting potential evaluation of this first-in-class drug in recurrent GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Sharifi
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bassam Abdulkarim
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brian Meehan
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Janusz Rak
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Paul Daniel
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julie Schmitt
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nidia Lauzon
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kolja Eppert
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Heather M Duncan
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kevin Petrecca
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marie-Christine Guiot
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bertrand Jean-Claude
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Siham Sabri
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. .,Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Kanazawa T, Misawa K, Misawa Y, Uehara T, Fukushima H, Kusaka G, Maruta M, Carey TE. G-Protein-Coupled Receptors: Next Generation Therapeutic Targets in Head and Neck Cancer? Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:2959-84. [PMID: 26251921 PMCID: PMC4549734 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7082959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic outcome in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is poor in most advanced cases. To improve therapeutic efficiency, novel therapeutic targets and prognostic factors must be discovered. Our studies have identified several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) as promising candidates. Significant epigenetic silencing of GPCR expression occurs in HNSCC compared with normal tissue, and is significantly correlated with clinical behavior. Together with the finding that GPCR activity can suppress tumor cell growth, this indicates that GPCR expression has potential utility as a prognostic factor. In this review, we discuss the roles that galanin receptor type 1 (GALR1) and type 2 (GALR2), tachykinin receptor type 1 (TACR1), and somatostatin receptor type 1 (SST1) play in HNSCC. GALR1 inhibits proliferation of HNSCC cells though ERK1/2-mediated effects on cell cycle control proteins such as p27, p57, and cyclin D1, whereas GALR2 inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in HNSCC cells. Hypermethylation of GALR1, GALR2, TACR1, and SST1 is associated with significantly reduced disease-free survival and a higher recurrence rate. Although their overall activities varies, each of these GPCRs has value as both a prognostic factor and a therapeutic target. These data indicate that further study of GPCRs is a promising strategy that will enrich pharmacogenomics and prognostic research in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeharu Kanazawa
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan.
- Laboratory of Head and Neck Center Biology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Kiyoshi Misawa
- Laboratory of Head and Neck Center Biology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu 431-319, Japan.
| | - Yuki Misawa
- Laboratory of Head and Neck Center Biology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu 431-319, Japan.
| | - Takayuki Uehara
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara 903-0215, Japan.
| | - Hirofumi Fukushima
- Department of Head and Neck, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan.
| | - Gen Kusaka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jichi Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Saitama 330-8503, Japan.
| | - Mikiko Maruta
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan.
| | - Thomas E Carey
- Laboratory of Head and Neck Center Biology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Misawa K, Misawa Y, Kondo H, Mochizuki D, Imai A, Fukushima H, Uehara T, Kanazawa T, Mineta H. Aberrant methylation inactivates somatostatin and somatostatin receptor type 1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118588. [PMID: 25734919 PMCID: PMC4348545 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to define somatostatin (SST) and somatostatin receptor type 1 (SSTR1) methylation profiles for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumors at diagnosis and follow up and to evaluate their prognostic significance and value as a biomarker. METHODS Gene expression was measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Promoter methylation status was determined by quantitative methylation-specific PCR (Q-MSP) in HNSCC. RESULTS Methylation was associated with transcription inhibition. SST methylation in 81% of HNSCC tumor specimens significantly correlated with tumor size (P = 0.043), stage (P = 0.008), galanin receptor type 2 (GALR2) methylation (P = 0.041), and tachykinin-1 (TAC1) (P = 0.040). SSTR1 hypermethylation in 64% of cases was correlated with tumor size (P = 0.037), stage (P = 0.037), SST methylation (P < 0.001), and expression of galanin (P = 0.03), GALR2 (P = 0.014), TAC1 (P = 0.023), and tachykinin receptor type 1 (TACR1) (P = 0.003). SST and SSTR1 promoter hypermethylation showed highly discriminating receiver operator characteristic curve profiles, which clearly distinguished HNSCC from adjacent normal mucosal tissues. Concurrent hypermethylation of galanin and SSTR1 promoters correlated with reduced disease-free survival (log-rank test, P = 0.0001). Among patients with oral cavity and oropharynx cancer, methylation of both SST and SSTR1 promoters correlated with reduced disease-free survival (log-rank test, P = 0.028). In multivariate logistic-regression analysis, concomitant methylation of galanin and SSTR1 was associated with an odds ratio for recurrence of 12.53 (95% CI, 2.62 to 59.8; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS CpG hypermethylation is a likely mechanism of SST and SSTR1 gene inactivation, supporting the hypothesis that SST and SSTR1 play a role in the tumorigenesis of HNSCC and that this hypermethylation may serve as an important biomarker.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/diagnosis
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/mortality
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology
- CpG Islands
- DNA Methylation
- Female
- Galanin/genetics
- Galanin/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/genetics
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/mortality
- Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Mouth Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Mouth Neoplasms/genetics
- Mouth Neoplasms/mortality
- Mouth Neoplasms/pathology
- Neoplasm Staging
- Odds Ratio
- Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/genetics
- Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/mortality
- Oropharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Receptor, Galanin, Type 2/genetics
- Receptor, Galanin, Type 2/metabolism
- Receptors, Somatostatin/genetics
- Receptors, Somatostatin/metabolism
- Retrospective Studies
- Risk Factors
- Somatostatin/genetics
- Somatostatin/metabolism
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
- Survival Analysis
- Tachykinins/genetics
- Tachykinins/metabolism
- Transcription, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoshi Misawa
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Yuki Misawa
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Haruki Kondo
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Daiki Mochizuki
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Imai
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Fukushima
- Department of Head and Neck, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Uehara
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate school of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Takeharu Kanazawa
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Mineta
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan
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