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Hirata Y, Noorani A, Song S, Wang L, Ajani JA. Early stage gastric adenocarcinoma: clinical and molecular landscapes. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:453-469. [PMID: 37264184 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00767-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Gastric adenocarcinoma, even when diagnosed at an early (localized) disease stage, poses a major health-care burden with cure rates that remain unsatisfactorily low, particularly in Western countries. This lack of progress reflects, among other aspects, the impracticality of early diagnosis, considerable variations in therapeutic approaches that is partly based on regional preferences, and the ingrained heterogeneity of gastric adenocarcinoma cells and their associated tumour microenvironment (TME). Clinical trials have long applied empirical interventions with the assumption that all early stage gastric adenocarcinomas are alike. Despite certain successes, the shortcomings of these approaches can potentially be overcome by targeting the specific molecular subsets of gastric adenocarcinomas identified by genomic and/or multi-omics analyses, including microsatellite instability-high, Epstein-Barr virus-induced, DNA damage repair-deficient, HER2-positive and PD-L1-high subtypes. Future approaches, including the availability of sophisticated vaccines, novel antibody technologies, agents targeting TME components (including fibroblasts, macrophages, cytokines or chemokines, and T cells) and novel immune checkpoint inhibitors, supported by improved tissue-based and blood-based diagnostic assays, seem promising. In this Review, we highlight current knowledge of the molecular and cellular biology of gastric adenocarcinomas, summarize the current approaches to clinical management of the disease, and consider the role of novel management and/or treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Hirata
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ayesha Noorani
- Cancer Ageing and Somatic Mutation Group, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
- Cambridge Oesophago-gastric Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Shumei Song
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Linghua Wang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jaffer A Ajani
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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The effect of using albumin-perfluorohexane/cisplatin-magnetite nanoparticles produced by hydrothermal method against gastric cancer cells through combination therapy. ARAB J CHEM 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2023.104758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
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Roering P, Siddiqui A, Heuser VD, Potdar S, Mikkonen P, Oikkonen J, Li Y, Pikkusaari S, Wennerberg K, Hynninen J, Grenman S, Huhtinen K, Auranen A, Carpén O, Kaipio K. Effects of Wee1 inhibitor adavosertib on patient-derived high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells are multiple and independent of homologous recombination status. Front Oncol 2022; 12:954430. [PMID: 36081565 PMCID: PMC9445195 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.954430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective A major challenge in the treatment of platinum-resistant high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is lack of effective therapies. Much of ongoing research on drug candidates relies on HGSOC cell lines that are poorly documented. The goal of this study was to screen for effective, state-of-the-art drug candidates using primary HGSOC cells. In addition, our aim was to dissect the inhibitory activities of Wee1 inhibitor adavosertib on primary and conventional HGSOC cell lines. Methods A comprehensive drug sensitivity and resistance testing (DSRT) on 306 drug compounds was performed on three patient-derived genetically unique HGSOC cell lines and two commonly used ovarian cancer cell lines. The effect of adavosertib on the cell lines was tested in several assays, including cell-cycle analysis, apoptosis induction, proliferation, wound healing, DNA damage, and effect on nuclear integrity. Results Several compounds exerted cytotoxic activity toward all cell lines, when tested in both adherent and spheroid conditions. In further cytotoxicity tests, adavosertib exerted the most consistent cytotoxic activity. Adavosertib affected cell-cycle control in patient-derived and conventional HGSOC cells, inducing G2/M accumulation and reducing cyclin B1 levels. It induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation and migration in all cell lines. Furthermore, the DNA damage marker γH2AX and the number of abnormal cell nuclei were clearly increased following adavosertib treatment. Based on the homologous recombination (HR) signature and functional HR assays of the cell lines, the effects of adavosertib were independent of the cells' HR status. Conclusion Our study indicates that Wee1 inhibitor adavosertib affects several critical functions related to proliferation, cell cycle and division, apoptosis, and invasion. Importantly, the effects are consistent in all tested cell lines, including primary HGSOC cells, and independent of the HR status of the cells. Wee1 inhibition may thus provide treatment opportunities especially for patients, whose cancer has acquired resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy or PARP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Roering
- Institute of Biomedicine and Finnish Cancer Center (FICAN) West Cancer Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- *Correspondence: Pia Roering, ; Olli Carpén,
| | - Arafat Siddiqui
- Institute of Biomedicine and Finnish Cancer Center (FICAN) West Cancer Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Vanina D. Heuser
- Institute of Biomedicine and Finnish Cancer Center (FICAN) West Cancer Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Swapnil Potdar
- High Throughput Biomedicine Unit, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Piia Mikkonen
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaana Oikkonen
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Yilin Li
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sanna Pikkusaari
- Institute of Biomedicine and Finnish Cancer Center (FICAN) West Cancer Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Krister Wennerberg
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Johanna Hynninen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Seija Grenman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Kaisa Huhtinen
- Institute of Biomedicine and Finnish Cancer Center (FICAN) West Cancer Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annika Auranen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Tays Cancer Centre, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Olli Carpén
- Department of Pathology, Precision Cancer Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- *Correspondence: Pia Roering, ; Olli Carpén,
| | - Katja Kaipio
- Institute of Biomedicine and Finnish Cancer Center (FICAN) West Cancer Centre, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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Martin JC, Sims JR, Gupta A, Bakin AV, Ohm JE. WEE1 inhibition augments CDC7 (DDK) inhibitor-induced cell death in Ewing sarcoma by forcing premature mitotic entry and mitotic catastrophe. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:471-482. [PMID: 36338546 PMCID: PMC9635308 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive childhood cancer for which treatment options remain limited and toxic. There is an urgent need for the identification of novel therapeutic strategies. Our group has recently shown that Ewing cells rely on the S-phase kinase CDC7 (DDK) to maintain replication rates and cell viability and that DDK inhibition causes an increase in the phosphorylation of CDK1 and a significant delay in mitotic entry. Here, we expand on our previous findings and show that DDK inhibitor-induced mitotic entry delay is dependent upon WEE1 kinase. Specifically, WEE1 phosphorylates CDK1 and prevents mitotic entry upon DDK inhibition due to the presence of under-replicated DNA, potentially limiting the cytotoxic effects of DDK inhibition. To overcome this, we combined the inhibition of DDK with the inhibition of WEE1 and found that this results in elevated levels of premature mitotic entry, mitotic catastrophe, and apoptosis. Importantly, we have found that DDK and WEE1 inhibitors display a synergistic relationship with regards to reducing cell viability of Ewing sarcoma cells. Interestingly, the cytotoxic nature of this combination can be suppressed by the inhibition of CDK1 or microtubule polymerization, indicating that mitotic progression is required to elicit the cytotoxic effects. This is the first study to display the potential of utilizing the combined inhibition of DDK and WEE1 for the treatment of cancer. We believe this will offer a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of Ewing sarcoma as well as other tumor types that display sensitivity to DDK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C. Martin
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Jennie R. Sims
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Ajay Gupta
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, New York
| | - Andrei V. Bakin
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Joyce Ellen Ohm
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
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Li R, Chen J, Gao X, Jiang G. Transcription factor KLF2 enhances the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to cisplatin by suppressing kinase WEE1. Cancer Biol Ther 2021; 22:465-477. [PMID: 34486497 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2021.1949228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent in facilitating the inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion in cancerous cells. However, the detailed mechanism of the regulation by cisplatin of human breast cancer cells is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) transcription factor in cisplatin therapy for breast cancer. RT-qPCR was performed to quantify the expression of KLF2 and WEE1 in clinical tissue samples from breast cancer patients and in MDA-MB-231 cells. ChIP assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to analyze the potential-binding sites of KLF2 and WEE1 promoter. Gain- or loss-of-function approaches were used to manipulate KLF2 and WEE1 in cisplatin-treated MDA-MB-231 cells, and the mechanism of KLF2 in breast cancer was evaluated both via CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, Transwell assay, and Western blot. Further validation of the KLF2 was performed on nude mouse models. Breast cancer tissues and cells showed a relative decline of KLF2 expression and abundant WEE1 expression. Cisplatin inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. Overexpression of KLF2 enhanced the inhibitory effect of cisplatin on the malignant characteristics of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro. KLF2 targeted WEE1 and negatively regulated its expression, thus enhancing the sensitivity to cisplatin of breast cancer cells as well as tumor-bearing mice. Overall, these results suggest that KLF2 can potentially inhibit WEE1 expression and sensitize breast cancer cells to cisplatin, thus presenting a promising adjunct treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Li
- Department of Throat and Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow P.R. China
| | - Jiejing Chen
- Department of Throat and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou P.R. China
| | - Xiaokang Gao
- Department of Throat and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou P.R. China
| | - Guoqin Jiang
- Department of Throat and Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow P.R. China
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Miwa T, Kanda M, Shimizu D, Umeda S, Sawaki K, Tanaka H, Tanaka C, Hattori N, Hayashi M, Yamada S, Nakayama G, Koike M, Kodera Y. Hepatic metastasis of gastric cancer is associated with enhanced expression of ethanolamine kinase 2 via the p53-Bcl-2 intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Br J Cancer 2021; 124:1449-1460. [PMID: 33531692 PMCID: PMC8039033 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01271-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC) with hepatic metastasis has a poor prognosis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in hepatic metastasis may contribute to the development of sensitive diagnostic biomarkers and novel therapeutic strategies. METHODS We performed transcriptome analysis of surgically resected specimens from patients with advanced GC. One of the genes identified as specifically associated with hepatic metastasis was selected for detailed analysis. GC cell lines with knockout of the candidate gene were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Expression of the candidate gene was analysed in GC tissues from 300 patients. RESULTS Ethanolamine kinase 2 (ETNK2) was differentially upregulated in GC patients with hepatic metastasis. ETNK2 expression was elevated in GC cell lines derived from haematogenous metastases. ETNK2 knockout significantly suppressed proliferation, invasion, and migration; increased apoptosis; reduced Bcl-2 protein expression; and increased phosphorylated p53 expression. In mouse xenograft models, ETNK2 knockout virtually abolished hepatic metastasis. Stratification of GC patients based on ETNK2 mRNA level revealed significant associations between high ETNK2 tumour expression and both hepatic recurrence and worse prognosis. CONCLUSIONS Upregulation of ETNK2 in GC enhances hepatic metastasis, possibly via dysregulation of p53-Bcl-2-associated apoptosis. ETNK2 expression may serve as a biomarker for predicting hepatic recurrence and a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Miwa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery (Surgery II), Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Mitsuro Kanda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery (Surgery II), Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Dai Shimizu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery (Surgery II), Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinichi Umeda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery (Surgery II), Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Koichi Sawaki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery (Surgery II), Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Haruyoshi Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery (Surgery II), Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Chie Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery (Surgery II), Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Norifumi Hattori
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery (Surgery II), Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masamichi Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery (Surgery II), Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Suguru Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery (Surgery II), Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Goro Nakayama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery (Surgery II), Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahiko Koike
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery (Surgery II), Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kodera
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery (Surgery II), Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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Yan C, Song X, Wang S, Wang J, Li L. Knockdown of PDIA6 Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Enhances the Chemosensitivity in Gastric Cancer Cells. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:11051-11062. [PMID: 33173338 PMCID: PMC7646476 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s267711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Protein disulfide isomerase A6 (PDIA6), a member of the disulfide isomerase (PDI) family, has been reported to be closely associated with progression of various cancers. However, the specific effects of PDIA6 on gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern and biological functions of PDIA6 in GC. Materials and Methods The CCK-8 assay was carried out to examine cell proliferation and cisplatin cytotoxicity. The Western blot analysis was used to measure the protein expression of PDIA6, Wnt3a and β-catenin. The xenograft tumor assay was performed to evaluate the in vivo effect of PDIA6 on GC cell proliferation and chemoresistance. Results PDIA6 was significantly elevated in GC tissues and cell lines. Down-regulation of PDIA6 inhibited GC cell proliferation and chemoresistance to cisplatin while up-regulation of PDIA6 promoted the proliferation and chemoresistance of GC cells. Besides, PDIA6 regulated the chemosensitivity of GC cells to cisplatin in vivo. Mechanically, PDIA6 served as a regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by affecting the protein expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin in GC cells. Additionally, Wnt activator reversed the inhibitory effect of PDIA6 knockdown on cisplatin resistance in GC cells. Conclusion These findings provided new insight into the potential role of PDIA6 as a promising target for drug resistance in GC chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao 266035, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolei Song
- Intervention Department, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao 266035, People's Republic of China
| | - Su Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Qingdao Chengyang People's Hospital, Qingdao 266109, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinhai Wang
- Gastroenterology Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Li
- Gastroenterology Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, People's Republic of China
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Ghelli Luserna di Rorà A, Cerchione C, Martinelli G, Simonetti G. A WEE1 family business: regulation of mitosis, cancer progression, and therapeutic target. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:126. [PMID: 32958072 PMCID: PMC7507691 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00959-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The inhibition of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway in the treatment of cancer has recently gained interest, and different DDR inhibitors have been developed. Among them, the most promising ones target the WEE1 kinase family, which has a crucial role in cell cycle regulation and DNA damage identification and repair in both nonmalignant and cancer cells. This review recapitulates and discusses the most recent findings on the biological function of WEE1/PKMYT1 during the cell cycle and in the DNA damage repair, with a focus on their dual role as tumor suppressors in nonmalignant cells and pseudo-oncogenes in cancer cells. We here report the available data on the molecular and functional alterations of WEE1/PKMYT1 kinases in both hematological and solid tumors. Moreover, we summarize the preclinical information on 36 chemo/radiotherapy agents, and in particular their effect on cell cycle checkpoints and on the cellular WEE1/PKMYT1-dependent response. Finally, this review outlines the most important pre-clinical and clinical data available on the efficacy of WEE1/PKMYT1 inhibitors in monotherapy and in combination with chemo/radiotherapy agents or with other selective inhibitors currently used or under evaluation for the treatment of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ghelli Luserna di Rorà
- Biosciences Laboratory (Onco-hematology Unit), Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Claudio Cerchione
- Biosciences Laboratory (Onco-hematology Unit), Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Biosciences Laboratory (Onco-hematology Unit), Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Giorgia Simonetti
- Biosciences Laboratory (Onco-hematology Unit), Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy.
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Nam AR, Jin MH, Bang JH, Oh KS, Seo HR, Oh DY, Bang YJ. Inhibition of ATR Increases the Sensitivity to WEE1 Inhibitor in Biliary Tract Cancer. Cancer Res Treat 2020; 52:945-956. [PMID: 32311864 PMCID: PMC7373879 DOI: 10.4143/crt.2020.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Currently, the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway represents a key target for new cancer drug development. Advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) has a poor prognosis because of the lack of efficacious treatment options. Although DNA repair pathway alterations have been reported in many patients with BTC, little is known regarding the effects of DDR-targeted agents against BTC. Materials and Methods In this study, nine BTC cell lines were exposed to the WEE1 inhibitor (AZD1775). In vitro, MTT assay, colony-forming assay, cell cycle analysis, phospho-histone H3 staining assay, Transwell migration assay, and western blot were performed. Then, to enhance the antitumor effect of AZD1775, the combination treatment of WEE1 inhibitor and ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3 related (ATR) inhibitor (AZD6738) was conducted using MTT assay and comet assay. Finally, HuCCT-1 and SNU2670 xenograft models were established to confirm the anti-tumor effect of AZD1775 alone. Furthermore, the combination treatment was also evaluated in SNU2670 xenograft models. Results AZD1775 blocked the phosphorylation of CDC2 and CDC25C in all cell lines, but significantly increased apoptosis and S phase arrest in sensitive cells. However, increased p-ATR and phosphorylated ataxia telangiectasia mutated levels were observed in less sensitive cells. In addition, in vitro and in vivo data illustrated that AZD1775 combined with AZD6738 exerted more potent anti-tumor effects than either drug alone. Although WEE1 inhibition has promising anti-tumor effects in some BTC cells, the addition of ATR inhibitors could enhance its efficacy. Conclusion Taken together, this study supports further clinical development of DDR-targeted strategies as monotherapy or combination regimens for BTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ah-Rong Nam
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mei-Hua Jin
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ju-Hee Bang
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung-Seok Oh
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye-Rim Seo
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Do-Youn Oh
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yung-Jue Bang
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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Pitts TM, Simmons DM, Bagby SM, Hartman SJ, Yacob BW, Gittleman B, Tentler JJ, Cittelly D, Ormond DR, Messersmith WA, Eckhardt SG, Diamond JR. Wee1 Inhibition Enhances the Anti-Tumor Effects of Capecitabine in Preclinical Models of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12030719. [PMID: 32204315 PMCID: PMC7140086 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12030719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype defined by lack of hormone receptor expression and non-amplified HER2. Adavosertib (AZD1775) is a potent, small-molecule, ATP-competitive inhibitor of the Wee1 kinase that potentiates the activity of many DNA-damaging chemotherapeutics and is currently in clinical development for multiple indications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the combination of AZD1775 and capecitabine/5FU in preclinical TNBC models. TNBC cell lines were treated with AZD1775 and 5FU and cellular proliferation was assessed in real-time using IncuCyte® Live Cell Analysis. Apoptosis was assessed via the Caspase-Glo 3/7 assay system. Western blotting was used to assess changes in expression of downstream effectors. TNBC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models were treated with AZD1775, capecitabine, or the combination and assessed for tumor growth inhibition. From the initial PDX screen, two of the four TNBC PDX models demonstrated a better response in the combination treatment than either of the single agents. As confirmation, two PDX models were expanded for statistical comparison. Both PDX models demonstrated a significant growth inhibition in the combination versus either of the single agents. (TNBC012, p < 0.05 combo vs. adavosertib or capecitabine, TNBC013, p < 0.01 combo vs. adavosertib or capecitabine.) An enhanced anti-proliferative effect was observed in the adavosertib/5FU combination treatment as measured by live cell analysis. An increase in apoptosis was observed in two of the four cell lines in the combination when compared to single-agent treatment. Treatment with adavosertib as a single agent resulted in a decrease in p-CDC2 in a dose-dependent manner that was also observed in the combination treatment. An increase in γH2AX in two of the four cell lines tested was also observed. No significant changes were observed in Bcl-xL following treatment in any of the cell lines. The combination of adavosertib and capecitabine/5FU demonstrated enhanced combination effects both in vitro and in vivo in preclinical models of TNBC. These results support the clinical investigation of this combination in patients with TNBC, including those with brain metastasis given the CNS penetration of both agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd M. Pitts
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (D.M.S.); (S.M.B.); (S.J.H.); (B.W.Y.); (B.G.); (J.J.T.); (W.A.M.); (J.R.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Dennis M. Simmons
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (D.M.S.); (S.M.B.); (S.J.H.); (B.W.Y.); (B.G.); (J.J.T.); (W.A.M.); (J.R.D.)
| | - Stacey M. Bagby
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (D.M.S.); (S.M.B.); (S.J.H.); (B.W.Y.); (B.G.); (J.J.T.); (W.A.M.); (J.R.D.)
| | - Sarah J. Hartman
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (D.M.S.); (S.M.B.); (S.J.H.); (B.W.Y.); (B.G.); (J.J.T.); (W.A.M.); (J.R.D.)
| | - Betelehem W. Yacob
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (D.M.S.); (S.M.B.); (S.J.H.); (B.W.Y.); (B.G.); (J.J.T.); (W.A.M.); (J.R.D.)
| | - Brian Gittleman
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (D.M.S.); (S.M.B.); (S.J.H.); (B.W.Y.); (B.G.); (J.J.T.); (W.A.M.); (J.R.D.)
| | - John J. Tentler
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (D.M.S.); (S.M.B.); (S.J.H.); (B.W.Y.); (B.G.); (J.J.T.); (W.A.M.); (J.R.D.)
| | - Diana Cittelly
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - D. Ryan Ormond
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - Wells A. Messersmith
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (D.M.S.); (S.M.B.); (S.J.H.); (B.W.Y.); (B.G.); (J.J.T.); (W.A.M.); (J.R.D.)
| | - S. Gail Eckhardt
- Dell Medical School, Department of Oncology, The University of Texas Austin, 1701 Trinity Street, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
| | - Jennifer R. Diamond
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 E 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (D.M.S.); (S.M.B.); (S.J.H.); (B.W.Y.); (B.G.); (J.J.T.); (W.A.M.); (J.R.D.)
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11
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Li Z, Pinch BJ, Olson CM, Donovan KA, Nowak RP, Mills CE, Scott DA, Doctor ZM, Eleuteri NA, Chung M, Sorger PK, Fischer ES, Gray NS. Development and Characterization of a Wee1 Kinase Degrader. Cell Chem Biol 2019; 27:57-65.e9. [PMID: 31735695 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2019.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The G1/S cell cycle checkpoint is frequently dysregulated in cancer, leaving cancer cells reliant on a functional G2/M checkpoint to prevent excessive DNA damage. Wee1 regulates the G2/M checkpoint by phosphorylating CDK1 at Tyr15 to prevent mitotic entry. Previous drug development efforts targeting Wee1 resulted in the clinical-grade inhibitor, AZD1775. However, AZD1775 is burdened by dose-limiting adverse events, and has off-target PLK1 activity. In an attempt to overcome these limitations, we developed Wee1 degraders by conjugating AZD1775 to the cereblon (CRBN)-binding ligand, pomalidomide. The resulting lead compound, ZNL-02-096, degrades Wee1 while sparing PLK1, induces G2/M accumulation at 10-fold lower doses than AZD1775, and synergizes with Olaparib in ovarian cancer cells. We demonstrate that ZNL-02-096 has CRBN-dependent pharmacology that is distinct from AZD1775, which justifies further evaluation of selective Wee1 degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengnian Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benika J Pinch
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Calla M Olson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Radosław P Nowak
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caitlin E Mills
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David A Scott
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zainab M Doctor
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas A Eleuteri
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mirra Chung
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter K Sorger
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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12
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Jin MH, Nam AR, Park JE, Bang JH, Bang YJ, Oh DY. Therapeutic Co-targeting of WEE1 and ATM Downregulates PD-L1 Expression in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Res Treat 2019; 52:149-166. [PMID: 31291716 PMCID: PMC6962488 DOI: 10.4143/crt.2019.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide, but there are currently no effective treatments. The DNA damage response (DDR) is under investigation for the development of novel anti-cancer drugs. Since DNA repair pathway alterations have been found frequently in PC, the purpose of this study was to test the DDR-targeting strategy in PC using WEE1 and ATM inhibitors. Materials and Methods We performed in vitro experiments using a total of ten human PC cell lines to evaluate antitumor effect of AZD1775 (WEE1 inhibitor) alone or combination with AZD0156 (ATM inhibitor). We established Capan-1-mouse model for in vivo experiments to confirm our findings. RESULTS In our research, we found that WEE1 inhibitor (AZD1775) as single agent showed anti-tumor effects in PC cells, however, targeting WEE1 upregulated p-ATM level. Here, we observed that co-targeting of WEE1 and ATM acted synergistically to reduce cell proliferation and migration, and to induce DNA damage in vitro. Notably, inhibition of WEE1 or WEE1/ATM downregulated programmed cell death ligand 1 expression by blocking glycogen synthase kinase-3β serine 9 phosphorylation and decrease of CMTM6 expression. In Capan-1 mouse xenograft model, AZD1775 plus AZD0156 (ATM inhibitor) treatment reduced tumor growth and downregulated tumor expression of programmed cell death ligand 1, CMTM6, CD163, and CXCR2, all of which contribute to tumor immune evasion. CONCLUSION Dual blockade of WEE1 and ATM might be a potential therapeutic strategy for PC. Taken toget.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Hua Jin
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ah-Rong Nam
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Eun Park
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ju-Hee Bang
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yung-Jue Bang
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Do-Youn Oh
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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