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Croce L, Coperchini F, Magri F, Chiovato L, Rotondi M. The multifaceted anti-cancer effects of BRAF-inhibitors. Oncotarget 2019; 10:6623-6640. [PMID: 31762942 PMCID: PMC6859927 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The BRAF gene is commonly involved in normal processes of cell growth and differentiation. The BRAF (V600E) mutation is found in several human cancer, causing an increase of cell proliferation due to a modification of the ERK/MAPK-signal cascade. In particular, BRAFV600E mutation is found in those melanoma or thyroid cancer refractory to the common therapy and with a more aggressive phenotype. BRAF V600E was found to influence the composition of the so-called tumour microenvironment modulating both solid (immune-cell infiltration) and soluble (chemokines) mediators, which balance characterize the ultimate behaviour of the tumour, making it more or less aggressive. In particular, the presence of BRAFV600E mutation would be associated with a change of this balance to a more aggressive phenotype of the tumour and a worse prognosis. The investigation of the possible modulation of those components of tumour microenvironment is nowadays object of several studies as a new potential target therapy in those more complicated cases. At present several clinical trials both in melanoma and thyroid cancer are using BRAF-inhibitors with encouraging results, which are derived also from numerous in vitro pre-clinical studies aimed at evaluate the possible modulation of immune-cell density and of specific pro-tumorigenic chemokine secretion (CXCL8 and CCL2) by several BRAF-inhibitors in the context of melanoma and thyroid cancer. This review will encompass in vitro and in vivo studies which investigated the modulation of the tumour microenvironment by BRAF-inhibitors, highlighting also the most recent clinical trials with a specific focus on melanoma and thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Croce
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- PHD course in Experimental Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Coperchini
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Flavia Magri
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Chiovato
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mario Rotondi
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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The anti-cancer effects of phenformin in thyroid cancer cell lines and in normal thyrocytes. Oncotarget 2019; 10:6432-6443. [PMID: 31741708 PMCID: PMC6849649 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenformin is a biguanide drug which, besides the original anti-diabetic effect, also exerts anti-cancer effects. The aim of this study was to further characterize these latter in terms of both cell-viability and modulation of the secretion of the pro-tumorigenic chemokine CXCL8. Normal human thyrocytes in primary cultures (NHT) and thyroid cancer cell lines, TPC-1 and 8505C (RET/PTC and BRAFV600E mutated, respectively) were treated with increasing concentrations of phenformin at different times. Cell-viability was assessed by WST-1 and further characterized by AnnexinV/PI staining and cell proliferation colony-assay. CXCL8 levels were measured in cell supernatants. Phenformin reduced cell-viability in TPC-1 and 8505C and their ability to form colonies. In NHT cells, phenformin affected cell-viability only at the maximal dose but interestingly it inhibited CXCL8 secretion at all the concentrations not affecting cell-viability. Phenformin had no effect on CXCL8 secretion in thyroid cancer cell lines. Thus, phenformin exerts anti-cancer effects on both cancer cells (cell death induction) and surrounding normal cells (inhibition of CXCL8 secretion). These results highlight that the anti-cancer effects of phenformin are multifaceted and effective on both solid and soluble components of the tumor-microenvironment.
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Varricchi G, Loffredo S, Marone G, Modestino L, Fallahi P, Ferrari SM, de Paulis A, Antonelli A, Galdiero MR. The Immune Landscape of Thyroid Cancer in the Context of Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3934. [PMID: 31412566 PMCID: PMC6720642 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune cells play critical roles in tumor prevention as well as initiation and progression. However, immune-resistant cancer cells can evade the immune system and proceed to form tumors. The normal microenvironment (immune cells, fibroblasts, blood and lymphatic vessels, and interstitial extracellular matrix (ECM)) maintains tissue homeostasis and prevents tumor initiation. Inflammatory mediators, reactive oxygen species, cytokines, and chemokines from an altered microenvironment promote tumor growth. During the last decade, thyroid cancer, the most frequent cancer of the endocrine system, has emerged as the fifth most incident cancer in the United States (USA), and its incidence is steadily growing. Inflammation has long been associated with thyroid cancer, raising critical questions about the role of immune cells in its pathogenesis. A plethora of immune cells and their mediators are present in the thyroid cancer ecosystem. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting immune checkpoints, such as mAbs anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (anti-CTLA-4) and anti-programmed cell death protein-1/programmed cell death ligand-1 (anti-PD-1/PD-L1), have revolutionized the treatment of many malignancies, but they induce thyroid dysfunction in up to 10% of patients, presumably by enhancing autoimmunity. Combination strategies involving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with tyrosine kinase (TK) or serine/threonine protein kinase B-raf (BRAF) inhibitors are showing considerable promise in the treatment of advanced thyroid cancer. This review illustrates how different immune cells contribute to thyroid cancer development and the rationale for the antitumor effects of ICIs in combination with BRAF/TK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Varricchi
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DISMET), University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, School of Medicine, 80131 Naples, Italy
- WAO Center of Excellence, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Loffredo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DISMET), University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, School of Medicine, 80131 Naples, Italy
- WAO Center of Excellence, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Marone
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Modestino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DISMET), University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, School of Medicine, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, School of Medicine, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Martina Ferrari
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, School of Medicine, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Amato de Paulis
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DISMET), University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, School of Medicine, 80131 Naples, Italy
- WAO Center of Excellence, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, School of Medicine, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Galdiero
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences (DISMET), University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
- Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, School of Medicine, 80131 Naples, Italy.
- WAO Center of Excellence, 80131 Naples, Italy.
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The BRAF-inhibitor PLX4720 inhibits CXCL8 secretion in BRAFV600E mutated and normal thyroid cells: a further anti-cancer effect of BRAF-inhibitors. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4390. [PMID: 30867499 PMCID: PMC6416278 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40818-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
CXCL8 is a chemokine secreted by normal and thyroid cancer cells with proven tumor-promoting effects. The presence of BRAFV600E mutation is associated with a more aggressive clinical behavior and increased ability to secrete CXCL8 by papillary-thyroid-cancer cells. Aim of this study was to test the effect of the BRAF-inhibitor (PLX4720) on the basal and TNF-α-induced CXCL8 secretions in BRAFV600E mutated (BCPAP, 8305C, 8505C), in RET/PTC rearranged (TPC-1) thyroid-cancer-cell-lines and in normal-human-thyrocytes (NHT). Cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of PLX4720 alone or in combination with TNF-α for 24-hours. CXCL8 concentrations were measured in the cell supernatants. PLX4720 dose-dependently inhibited the basal and the TNF-α-induced CXCL8 secretions in BCPAP (F: 14.3, p < 0.0001 for basal and F: 12.29 p < 0.0001 for TNF-α), 8305C (F: 407.9 p < 0.0001 for basal and F: 5.76 p < 0.0001 for TNF-α) and 8505C (F:55.24 p < 0.0001 for basal and F: 42.85 p < 0.0001 for TNF-α). No effect was found in TPC-1 (F: 1.8, p = 0.134 for basal; F: 1.6, p = 0.178 for TNF-α). In NHT an inhibitory effect was found only at the highest concentration of PLX4720 (F: 13.13 p < 0.001 for basal and F: 2.5 p < 0.01 for TNF-α). Cell migration assays showed that PLX4720 reduced both basal and CXCL8-induced cell migration in BCPAP, 8305C, 8505C and NHT but not in TPC-1 cells. These results constitutes the first demonstration that PLX4720 is able to inhibit the secretion of CXCL8 in BRAFV600E mutated thyroid cancer cells indicating that, at least some, of the anti-tumor activities of PLX4720 could be exerted through a lowering of CXCL8 in the thyroid-cancer-microenvironment.
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Awwad O, Coperchini F, Pignatti P, Denegri M, Massara S, Croce L, Di Buduo CA, Abbonante V, Balduini A, Chiovato L, Rotondi M. The AMPK-activator AICAR in thyroid cancer: effects on CXCL8 secretion and on CXCL8-induced neoplastic cell migration. J Endocrinol Invest 2018; 41:1275-1282. [PMID: 29546654 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-018-0862-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The AMPK-activator AICAR recently raised great interest for its anti-cancer properties. With specific regard to thyroid cancer, AICAR reduces cancer cell growth, invasion and metastasis. CXCL8, a chemokine with several recognized tumorigenic effects, is abundantly secreted in thyroid cancer microenvironment. The aim of this study was to investigate if AICAR could inhibit the basal and the TNFα-induced CXCL8 secretion in normal human thyroid cells (NHT) and in thyroid cancer cell lines TPC-1 and BCPAP (RET/PTC and BRAFV600e mutated, respectively). METHODS The effect of AICAR on basal and CXCL8-induced cell migration was assessed. Cells were incubated with AICAR (0.05, 0.5, 1, 2 mM) alone or in combination with TNF-α (10 ng/ml) for 24 h. CXCL8 concentrations were measured in cell supernatants. Transwell migration assays were performed in NHT, TPC-1 and BCPAP, basally and after treatment with AICAR (2 mM) and rh-CXCL8 (50 ng/ml) alone or in combination. RESULTS AICAR dose dependently inhibited the basal secretion of CXCL8 in TPC-1 (F = 4.26; p < 0.007) and BCPAP (F = 6.75; p < 0.0001) but not in NHT. TNFα-induced CXCL8 secretion was dose dependently reduced by AICAR in NHT (F = 9.99; p < 0.0001), TPC-1 (F = 9.25; p < 0.0001) and BCPAP (F = 6.82; p < 0.0001). AICAR significantly reduced the basal migration of TPC-1 and BCPAP but not of NHT. CONCLUSIONS CXCL8-induced cell migration was inhibited in NHT, TPC-1 and BCPAP. This is the first demonstration of the inhibition of CXCL8 secretion exerted by AICAR in TPC-1 and BCPAP indicating that the anti-cancer properties of AICAR are, at least in part, mediated by its ability to reduce the pro-tumorigenic effects of CXCL8.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Awwad
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11937, Jordan
| | - F Coperchini
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, ICS Maugeri I.R.C.C.S, University of Pavia, Via S. Maugeri 10, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - P Pignatti
- Allergy and Immunology Unit, ICS Maugeri I.R.C.C.S, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - M Denegri
- Molecular Cardiology, ICS-Maugeri, Via Maugeri 10/10°, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - S Massara
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, ICS Maugeri I.R.C.C.S, University of Pavia, Via S. Maugeri 10, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - L Croce
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, ICS Maugeri I.R.C.C.S, University of Pavia, Via S. Maugeri 10, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - C A Di Buduo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Biotechnology Research Laboratories, IRCCS San Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - V Abbonante
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Biotechnology Research Laboratories, IRCCS San Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - A Balduini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Biotechnology Research Laboratories, IRCCS San Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - L Chiovato
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, ICS Maugeri I.R.C.C.S, University of Pavia, Via S. Maugeri 10, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - M Rotondi
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, ICS Maugeri I.R.C.C.S, University of Pavia, Via S. Maugeri 10, 27100, Pavia, Italy
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Sun M, Kang L, Cui Y, Li G. Application of a novel targeting nanoparticle contrast agent combined with magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. Exp Ther Med 2018; 16:1216-1224. [PMID: 30116372 PMCID: PMC6090224 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.6349] [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: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a severe disease with macroscopic visible mucin secretion that primarily occurs in biliary tracts or pancreatic ducts. In comparison with standard diagnostic imaging, probing the molecular abnormalities associated with the initial stages of diseases rather than imaging the end effects markedly improves the accuracy of diagnosis. In the present study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with the contrast agent PEGylated magnetoliposome consisting of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) and target molecules of IPMN were investigated in the diagnosis of patients with suspected IPMN. The present investigation indicated that the novel targeting nanoparticle contrast agent targeted platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β and RET, and maintained a high affinity with tumor markers located on the IPMN surface. The novel targeting nanoparticle contrast agent combined with MRI exhibited increased sensitivity in diagnosing early-stage patients with IPMN. Furthermore, image quality was improved following the use of the novel targeting nanoparticle contrast agent combined with MRI compared with standard MRI. The targeting nanoparticle contrast agent retained sufficient affinity and was present for an adequate amount of time to observe the tumor mass in papillae using MRI. Notably, the targeting nanoparticle contrast agent was metabolized at 12 h post-injection. In conclusion, these outcomes indicate that the novel targeting nanoparticle contrast agent combined with MRI improved image quality and sensitivity compared with standard MRI, which suggests that this approach may be promising for clinical detection in patients with suspected IPMN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Sun
- NMR Department, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei 061000, P.R. China
| | - Liqing Kang
- NMR Department, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei 061000, P.R. China
| | - Yanchao Cui
- Emergency Department, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Guoce Li
- NMR Department, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei 061000, P.R. China
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Rotondi M, Coperchini F, Latrofa F, Chiovato L. Role of Chemokines in Thyroid Cancer Microenvironment: Is CXCL8 the Main Player? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:314. [PMID: 29977225 PMCID: PMC6021500 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-related inflammation does influence the biological behavior of neoplastic cells and ultimately the patient's outcome. With specific regard to thyroid cancer, the issue of tumor-associated inflammation has been extensively studied and recently reviewed. However, the role of chemokines, which play a crucial role in determining the immuno-phenotype of tumor-related inflammation, was not addressed in previous reviews on the topic. Experimental evidence shows that thyroid cancer cells actively secrete a wide spectrum of chemokines and, at least for some of them, solid scientific data support a role for these immune-active molecules in the aggressive behavior of the tumor. Our proposal for a review article on chemokines and thyroid cancer stems from the notion that chemokines, besides having the ability to attract and maintain immune cells at the tumor site, also produce several pro-tumorigenic actions, which include proangiogenetic, cytoproliferative, and pro-metastatic effects. Studies taking into account the role of CCL15, C-X-C motif ligand 12, CXCL16, CXCL1, CCL20, and CCL2 in the context of thyroid cancer will be reviewed with particular emphasis on CXCL8. The reason for focusing on CXCL8 is that this chemokine is the most studied one in human malignancies, displaying multifaceted pro-tumorigenic effects. These include enhancement of tumor cells growth, metastatization, and angiogenesis overall contributing to the progression of several cancers including thyroid cancer. We aim at reviewing current knowledge on the (i) ability of both normal and tumor thyroid cells to secrete CXCL8; (ii) direct/indirect pro-tumorigenic effects of CXCL8 demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies specifically performed on thyroid cancer cells; and (iii) pharmacologic strategies proven to be effective for lowering CXCL8 secretion and/or its effects on thyroid cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Rotondi
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, ICS Maugeri I.R.C.C.S., Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Coperchini
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, ICS Maugeri I.R.C.C.S., Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesco Latrofa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Chiovato
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, ICS Maugeri I.R.C.C.S., Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Luca Chiovato,
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