1
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Bouchla A, Sotiropoulou CD, Esteb C, Loupis T, Papageorgiou SG, Deliconstantinos GG, Pagoni M, Hatzimichael E, Dellatola M, Kalomoiri S, Apostolidou E, Kontos CK, Thomopoulos TP, Karantanos T, Pappa V. Silencing of the DNA damage repair regulator PPP1R15A sensitizes acute myeloid leukemia cells to chemotherapy. Ann Hematol 2024; 103:2853-2863. [PMID: 38842564 PMCID: PMC11283411 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-024-05785-x] [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: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a life-threatening disease whose induction treatment consists of combination chemotherapy with Idarubicin and Cytarabine for fit patients. Treatment failures are frequent, urging the need for novel treatments for this disease. The DNA Damage Response Mechanism (DDR) comprises numerous molecules and pathways intended to arrest the cell cycle until DNA damage is repaired or else drive the cell to apoptosis. AML-derived cell lines after treatment with Idarubicin and Cytarabine were used for studying the expression profile of 84 DDR genes, through PCR arrays. Utilizing de novo AML patient and control samples we studied the expression of PPP1R15A, CDKN1A, GADD45A, GADD45G, and EXO1. Next, we performed PPP1R15A silencing in AML cell lines in two separate experiments using siRNA and CRISPR-cas9, respectively. Our findings highlight that DDR regulators demonstrate increased expression in patients with high cytogenetic risk possibly reflecting increased genotoxic stress. Especially, PPP1R15A is mainly involved in the recovery of the cells from stress and it was the only DDR gene upregulated in AML patients. The PPP1R15A silencing resulted in decreased viability of Idarubicin and Cytarabine-treated cell lines, in contrast to untreated cells. These findings shed light on new strategies to enhance chemotherapy efficacy and demonstrate that PPP1R15A is an important DDR regulator in AML and its downregulation might be a safe and effective way to increase sensitivity to chemotherapy in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthi Bouchla
- Second Department of Internal Medicine and Research Institute, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina D Sotiropoulou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christopher Esteb
- Hematologic Malignancies Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Theodoros Loupis
- Hematology Research Lab, Clinical, Experimental and Translational Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sotirios G Papageorgiou
- Second Department of Internal Medicine and Research Institute, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia G Deliconstantinos
- Second Department of Internal Medicine and Research Institute, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Pagoni
- Hematology-Lymphomas Department and BMT Unit, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Maria Dellatola
- Hematology-Lymphomas Department and BMT Unit, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Smaragdi Kalomoiri
- Hematology-Lymphomas Department and BMT Unit, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Christos K Kontos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Thomas P Thomopoulos
- Second Department of Internal Medicine and Research Institute, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Theodoros Karantanos
- Hematologic Malignancies Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vasiliki Pappa
- Second Department of Internal Medicine and Research Institute, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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2
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De Mel S, Lee AR, Tan JHI, Tan RZY, Poon LM, Chan E, Lee J, Chee YL, Lakshminarasappa SR, Jaynes PW, Jeyasekharan AD. Targeting the DNA damage response in hematological malignancies. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1307839. [PMID: 38347838 PMCID: PMC10859481 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1307839] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of the DNA damage response (DDR) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of many cancers. The dependency of certain cancers on DDR pathways has enabled exploitation of such through synthetically lethal relationships e.g., Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase (PARP) inhibitors for BRCA deficient ovarian cancers. Though lagging behind that of solid cancers, DDR inhibitors (DDRi) are being clinically developed for haematological cancers. Furthermore, a high proliferative index characterize many such cancers, suggesting a rationale for combinatorial strategies targeting DDR and replicative stress. In this review, we summarize pre-clinical and clinical data on DDR inhibition in haematological malignancies and highlight distinct haematological cancer subtypes with activity of DDR agents as single agents or in combination with chemotherapeutics and targeted agents. We aim to provide a framework to guide the design of future clinical trials involving haematological cancers for this important class of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay De Mel
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ainsley Ryan Lee
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joelle Hwee Inn Tan
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Rachel Zi Yi Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Li Mei Poon
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Esther Chan
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joanne Lee
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yen Lin Chee
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Satish R. Lakshminarasappa
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Patrick William Jaynes
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Anand D. Jeyasekharan
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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3
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Duabil AJN, Cooper CR, Aldujaily E, Halford SER, Hirschberg S, Katugampola SD, Jones GDD. Investigations of the novel checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitor SRA737 in non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer cells of differing tumour protein 53 gene status. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2023; 4:1210-1226. [PMID: 38214010 PMCID: PMC10776598 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00193] [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: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim In response to DNA damage the serine/threonine-specific protein kinase checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) is activated allowing cells to enter S phase (S) and G2 phase (G2) cell-cycle arrest. CHK1 inhibitors are expected to prevent cells from entering such arrest, thereby enhancing DNA damage-induced cytotoxicity. In contrast, normal cells with intact ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM), CHK2 and tumour suppressor protein 53 (P53) signalling are still able to enter cell-cycle arrest using the functioning G1/S checkpoint, thereby being rescued from enhanced cytotoxicity. The main objective of this work is to investigate the in vitro effects of the novel CHK1 inhibitor SRA737 on pairs of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines, all with genetic aberrations rendering them susceptible to replication stress but of differing tumour protein 53 (TP53) gene status, focusing on DNA damage induction and the subsequent effects on cell proliferation and viability. Methods NSCLC cell lines H23 [TP53 mutant (MUT)] and A549 [TP53 wild-type (WT)] and CRC cell lines HT29 (TP53 MUT) and HCT116 (TP53 WT) were incubated with differing micromolar concentrations of SRA737 for 24 h and then analysed using alkaline comet and phosphorylated H2A.X variant histone (γH2AX)-foci assays to assess mostly DNA single strand break and double strand break damage, respectively. Cell-counting/trypan blue staining was also performed to assess cell proliferation/viability. Results Clear concentration-dependent increases in comet formation and γH2AX-foci/cell were noted for the TP53 MUT cells with no or lower increases being noted in the corresponding TP53 WT cells. Also, greater anti-proliferative and cell killing effects were noted in the TP53 MUT cells than in the TP53 WT cells. Conclusions This study's data suggests that P53 status/functioning is a key factor in determining the sensitivity of NSCLC and CRC cancer cells towards CHK1 inhibition, even in circumstances conducive to high replicative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali JN Duabil
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Department of Genetics & Genome Biology, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH Leics, UK
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq
| | - Christian R Cooper
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Department of Genetics & Genome Biology, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH Leics, UK
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, OX3 7DQ Oxon, UK
| | - Esraa Aldujaily
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Department of Genetics & Genome Biology, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH Leics, UK
- Department of Pathology & Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq
| | - Sarah ER Halford
- Cancer Research UK Centre for Drug Development, London E20 1JQ, UK
| | | | | | - George DD Jones
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Department of Genetics & Genome Biology, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH Leics, UK
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Franza M, Albanesi J, Mancini B, Pennisi R, Leone S, Acconcia F, Bianchi F, di Masi A. The clinically relevant CHK1 inhibitor MK-8776 induces the degradation of the oncogenic protein PML-RARα and overcomes ATRA resistance in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2023:115675. [PMID: 37406967 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a hematological disease characterized by the expression of the oncogenic fusion protein PML-RARα. The current treatment approach for APL involves differentiation therapy using all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO). However, the development of resistance to therapy, occurrence of differentiation syndrome, and relapses necessitate the exploration of new treatment options that induce differentiation of leukemic blasts with low toxicity. In this study, we investigated the cellular and molecular effects of MK-8776, a specific inhibitor of CHK1, in ATRA-resistant APL cells. Treatment of APL cells with MK-8776 resulted in a decrease in PML-RARα levels, increased expression of CD11b, and increased granulocytic activity consistent with differentiation. Interestingly, we showed that the MK-8776-induced differentiating effect resulted synergic with ATO. We found that the reduction of PML-RARα by MK-8776 was dependent on both proteasome and caspases. Specifically, both caspase-1 and caspase-3 were activated by CHK1 inhibition, with caspase-3 acting upstream of caspase-1. Activation of caspase-3 was necessary to activate caspase-1 and promote PML-RARα degradation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant modulation of pathways and upstream regulators involved in the inflammatory response and cell cycle control upon MK-8776 treatment. Overall, the ability of MK-8776 to induce PML-RARα degradation and stimulate differentiation of immature APL cancer cells into more mature forms recapitulates the concept of differentiation therapy. Considering the in vivo tolerability of MK-8776, it will be relevant to evaluate its potential clinical benefit in APL patients resistant to standard ATRA/ATO therapy, as well as in patients with other forms of acute leukemias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Franza
- Department of Sciences, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Roma, Italy
| | - Jacopo Albanesi
- Department of Sciences, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Roma, Italy
| | - Benedetta Mancini
- Department of Sciences, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Roma, Italy
| | - Rosa Pennisi
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino Medical School, Torino, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Stefano Leone
- Department of Sciences, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Roma, Italy
| | - Filippo Acconcia
- Department of Sciences, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Roma, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bianchi
- Unit of Cancer Biomarkers, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | - Alessandra di Masi
- Department of Sciences, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, Roma Tre University, Roma, Italy.
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5
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Hubner SE, de Camargo Magalhães ES, Hoff FW, Brown BD, Qiu Y, Horton TM, Kornblau SM. DNA Damage Response-Related Proteins Are Prognostic for Outcome in Both Adult and Pediatric Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Patients: Samples from Adults and from Children Enrolled in a Children's Oncology Group Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5898. [PMID: 36982970 PMCID: PMC10058043 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065898] [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: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The survival of malignant leukemic cells is dependent on DNA damage repair (DDR) signaling. Reverse Phase Protein Array (RPPA) data sets were assembled using diagnostic samples from 810 adult and 500 pediatric acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patients and were probed with 412 and 296 strictly validated antibodies, respectively, including those detecting the expression of proteins directly involved in DDR. Unbiased hierarchical clustering identified strong recurrent DDR protein expression patterns in both adult and pediatric AML. Globally, DDR expression was associated with gene mutational statuses and was prognostic for outcomes including overall survival (OS), relapse rate, and remission duration (RD). In adult patients, seven DDR proteins were individually prognostic for either RD or OS. When DDR proteins were analyzed together with DDR-related proteins operating in diverse cellular signaling pathways, these expanded groupings were also highly prognostic for OS. Analysis of patients treated with either conventional chemotherapy or venetoclax combined with a hypomethylating agent revealed protein clusters that differentially predicted favorable from unfavorable prognoses within each therapy cohort. Collectively, this investigation provides insight into variable DDR pathway activation in AML and may help direct future individualized DDR-targeted therapies in AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan E. Hubner
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Fieke W. Hoff
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Brandon D. Brown
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yihua Qiu
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Terzah M. Horton
- Department of Pediatrics, Dan Duncan Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77584, USA
| | - Steven M. Kornblau
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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6
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Dual inhibition of CHK1/FLT3 enhances cytotoxicity and overcomes adaptive and acquired resistance in FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2023; 37:539-549. [PMID: 36526736 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01795-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
FLT3 inhibitors (FLT3i) are widely used for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but adaptive and acquired resistance remains a primary challenge. Inhibitors simultaneously blocking adaptive and acquired resistance are highly demanded. Here, we observed the potential of CHK1 inhibitors to synergistically improve the therapeutic effect of FLT3i in FLT3-mutated AML cells. Notably, the combination overcame adaptive resistance. The simultaneous targeting of FLT3 and CHK1 kinases may overcome acquired and adaptive resistance. A dual FLT3/CHK1 inhibitor 30 with a good oral PK profile was identified. Mechanistic studies indicated that 30 inhibited FLT3 and CHK1, downregulated the c-Myc pathway and further activated the p53 pathway. Functional studies showed that 30 was more selective against cells with various FLT3 mutants, overcame adaptive resistance in vitro, and effectively inhibited resistant FLT3-ITD AML in vivo. Moreover, 30 showed favorable druggability without significant blood toxicity or myelosuppression and exhibited a good oral PK profile with a T1/2 over 12 h in beagles. These findings support the targeting of FLT3 and CHK1 as a novel strategy for overcoming adaptive and acquired resistance to FLT3i therapy in AML and suggest 30 as a potential clinical candidate.
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Eptaminitaki GC, Zaravinos A, Stellas D, Panagopoulou M, Karaliota S, Baltsavia I, Iliopoulos I, Chatzaki E, Iliopoulos D, Baritaki S. Genome-Wide Analysis of lncRNA-mRNA Co-Expression Networks in CD133+/CD44+ Stem-like PDAC Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041053. [PMID: 36831395 PMCID: PMC9954787 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041053] [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: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the second most prevalent gastrointestinal malignancy and the most common type of pancreatic cancer is linked with poor prognosis and, eventually, with high mortality rates. Early detection is seldom, while tumor heterogeneity and microarchitectural alterations benefit PDAC resistance to conventional therapeutics. Although emerging evidence suggest the core role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in PDAC aggressiveness, unique stem signatures are poorly available, thus limiting the efforts of anti-CSC-targeted therapy. Herein, we report the findings of the first genome-wide analyses of mRNA/lncRNA transcriptome profiling and co-expression networks in PDAC cell line-derived CD133+/CD44+ cells, which were shown to bear a CSC-like phenotype in vitro and in vivo. Compared to CD133-/CD44- cells, the CD133+/CD44+ population demonstrated significant expression differences in both transcript pools. Using emerging bioinformatic tools, we performed lncRNA target coding gene prediction analysis, which revealed significant Gene Ontology (GO), pathway, and network enrichments in many dyregulated lncRNA nearby (cis or trans) mRNAs, with reported involvement in the regulation of CSC phenotype and functions. In this context, the construction of lncRNA/mRNA networks by ingenuity platforms identified the lncRNAs ATF2, CHEK1, DCAF8, and PAX8 to interact with "hub" SC-associated mRNAs. In addition, the expressions of the above lncRNAs retrieved by TCGA-normalized RNAseq gene expression data of PAAD were significantly correlated with clinicopathological features of PDAC, including tumor grade and stage, nodal metastasis, and overall survival. Overall, our findings shed light on the identification of CSC-specific lncRNA signatures with potential prognostic and therapeutic significance in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giasemi C. Eptaminitaki
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Division of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Apostolos Zaravinos
- Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center (BTCRC), Genomics and Systems Biology Laboratory, Cancer Genetics, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| | - Dimitris Stellas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Panagopoulou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Institute of Agri-Food and Life Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University Research Centre, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Sevasti Karaliota
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Division of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ismini Baltsavia
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, Division of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ioannis Iliopoulos
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, Division of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ekaterini Chatzaki
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Institute of Agri-Food and Life Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University Research Centre, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Stavroula Baritaki
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Division of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-281-039-4727
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8
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Hunter JE, Campbell AE, Kerridge S, Fraser C, Hannaway NL, Luli S, Ivanova I, Brownridge PJ, Coxhead J, Taylor L, Leary P, Hasoon MSR, Eyers CE, Perkins ND. Up-regulation of the PI3K/AKT and RHO/RAC/PAK signalling pathways in CHK1 inhibitor resistant Eµ-Myc lymphoma cells. Biochem J 2022; 479:2131-2151. [PMID: 36240067 PMCID: PMC9704644 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20220103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The development of resistance and the activation of bypass pathway signalling represents a major problem for the clinical application of protein kinase inhibitors. While investigating the effect of either a c-Rel deletion or RelAT505A phosphosite knockin on the Eµ-Myc mouse model of B-cell lymphoma, we discovered that both NF-κB subunit mutations resulted in CHK1 inhibitor resistance, arising from either loss or alteration of CHK1 activity, respectively. However, since Eµ-Myc lymphomas depend on CHK1 activity to cope with high levels of DNA replication stress and consequent genomic instability, it was not clear how these mutant NF-κB subunit lymphomas were able to survive. To understand these survival mechanisms and to identify potential compensatory bypass signalling pathways in these lymphomas, we applied a multi-omics strategy. With c-Rel-/- Eµ-Myc lymphomas we observed high levels of Phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and AKT pathway activation. Moreover, treatment with the PI3K inhibitor Pictilisib (GDC-0941) selectively inhibited the growth of reimplanted c-Rel-/- and RelAT505A, but not wild type (WT) Eµ-Myc lymphomas. We also observed up-regulation of a RHO/RAC pathway gene expression signature in both Eµ-Myc NF-κB subunit mutation models. Further investigation demonstrated activation of the RHO/RAC effector p21-activated kinase (PAK) 2. Here, the PAK inhibitor, PF-3758309 successfully overcame resistance of RelAT505A but not WT lymphomas. These findings demonstrate that up-regulation of multiple bypass pathways occurs in CHK1 inhibitor resistant Eµ-Myc lymphomas. Consequently, drugs targeting these pathways could potentially be used as either second line or combinatorial therapies to aid the successful clinical application of CHK1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill E. Hunter
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University, Level 6, Herschel Building, Brewery Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, U.K
| | - Amy E. Campbell
- Centre for Proteome Research, Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, U.K
| | - Scott Kerridge
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University, Level 6, Herschel Building, Brewery Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, U.K
| | - Callum Fraser
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University, Level 6, Herschel Building, Brewery Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, U.K
| | - Nicola L. Hannaway
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University, Level 6, Herschel Building, Brewery Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, U.K
| | - Saimir Luli
- Newcastle University Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Preclinical In Vivo Imaging (PIVI), Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4HH, U.K
| | - Iglika Ivanova
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University, Level 6, Herschel Building, Brewery Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, U.K
| | - Philip J. Brownridge
- Centre for Proteome Research, Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, U.K
| | - Jonathan Coxhead
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University, Level 6, Herschel Building, Brewery Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, U.K
| | - Leigh Taylor
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University, Level 6, Herschel Building, Brewery Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, U.K
| | - Peter Leary
- Bioinformatics Support Unit, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4HH, U.K
| | - Megan S. R. Hasoon
- Bioinformatics Support Unit, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4HH, U.K
| | - Claire E. Eyers
- Centre for Proteome Research, Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, U.K
| | - Neil D. Perkins
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University, Level 6, Herschel Building, Brewery Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, U.K
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9
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Zhang F, Chen L. Molecular Threat of Splicing Factor Mutations to Myeloid Malignancies and Potential Therapeutic Modulations. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081972. [PMID: 36009519 PMCID: PMC9405558 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Splicing factors are frequently mutated in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These mutations are presumed to contribute to oncogenic transformation, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. While no specific treatment option is available for MDS/AML patients with spliceosome mutations, novel targeting strategies are actively explored, leading to clinical trials of small molecule inhibitors that target the spliceosome, DNA damage response pathway, and immune response pathway. Here, we review recent progress in mechanistic understanding of splicing factor mutations promoting disease progression and summarize potential therapeutic strategies, which, if successful, would provide clinical benefit to patients carrying splicing factor mutations.
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10
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Zamora DI, Patel GS, Grossmann I, Rodriguez K, Soni M, Joshi PK, Patel SC, Shreya D, Sange I. Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Modalities of Treatment: An Updated Literature Review. Cureus 2021; 13:e20116. [PMID: 34873563 PMCID: PMC8639322 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represent a large group of rare and diverse clonal stem cell disorders. These are classified into several different phenotypes and typically arise following a multistep genetic process, whereby genetic mutations alter the DNA damage and cellular stress responses, impacting transcription, RNA splicing, epigenetics, and cytokine signaling. However, despite the advances made regarding molecular pathophysiology and prognostic criteria and the influx of new treatment modalities, management is primarily based on prognostic scores, such as the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System. This poses a significant challenge to current healthcare professionals due to poor comprehension of the underlying pathophysiology. Hence, this review integrates the latest research and treatment modalities for MDS and discusses the different genetic mutations outlined in the revised World Health Organization 2016 MDS classification system and the associated treatment modalities. Additionally, future directions of research and clinical management of MDS are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana I Zamora
- General Medicine, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas, San José, CRI
| | - Gautami S Patel
- Internal Medicine, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, IND
| | - Idan Grossmann
- Research, Medical University of Silesia, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Katowice, POL
| | - Kevin Rodriguez
- Research, Universidad Americana Facultad de Medicina, Managua, NIC
| | - Mridul Soni
- Research, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Mandi, IND
| | - Pranay K Joshi
- Department of Medicine, B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, IND
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11
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Nguyen T, Pepper JW, Nguyen C, Fan Y, Hu Y, Chen Q, Yan C, Meerzaman D. Molecular Characterization of the Highest Risk Adult Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Through Multi-Omics Clustering. Front Genet 2021; 12:777094. [PMID: 34777485 PMCID: PMC8585788 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.777094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clinically heterogeneous group of cancers. While some patients respond well to chemotherapy, we describe here a subgroup with distinct molecular features that has very poor prognosis under chemotherapy. The classification of AML relies substantially on cytogenetics, but most cytogenetic abnormalities do not offer targets for development of targeted therapeutics. Therefore, it is important to create a detailed molecular characterization of the subgroup most in need of new targeted therapeutics. Methods: We used a multi-omics approach to identify a molecular subgroup with the worst response to chemotherapy, and to identify promising drug targets specifically for this AML subgroup. Results: Multi-omics clustering analysis resulted in three primary clusters among 166 AML adult cancer cases in TCGA data. One of these clusters, which we label as the high-risk molecular subgroup (HRMS), consisted of cases that responded very poorly to standard chemotherapy, with only about 10% survival to 2 years. The gene TP53 was mutated in most cases in this subgroup but not in all of them. The top six genes over-expressed in the HRMS subgroup included E2F4, CD34, CD109, MN1, MMLT3, and CD200. Multi-omics pathway analysis using RNA and CNA expression data identified in the HRMS subgroup over-activated pathways related to immune function, cell proliferation, and DNA damage. Conclusion: A distinct subgroup of AML patients are not successfully treated with chemotherapy, and urgently need targeted therapeutics based on the molecular features of this subgroup. Potential drug targets include over-expressed genes E2F4, and MN1, as well as mutations in TP53, and several over-activated molecular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trinh Nguyen
- Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - John W Pepper
- Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Cu Nguyen
- Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Yu Fan
- Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Ying Hu
- Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Qingrong Chen
- Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Chunhua Yan
- Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Daoud Meerzaman
- Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, United States
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12
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Vakili-Samiani S, Turki Jalil A, Abdelbasset WK, Yumashev AV, Karpisheh V, Jalali P, Adibfar S, Ahmadi M, Hosseinpour Feizi AA, Jadidi-Niaragh F. Targeting Wee1 kinase as a therapeutic approach in Hematological Malignancies. DNA Repair (Amst) 2021; 107:103203. [PMID: 34390915 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Hematologic malignancies include various diseases that develop from hematopoietic stem cells of bone marrow or lymphatic organs. Currently, conventional DNA-damage-based chemotherapy drugs are approved as standard therapeutic regimens for these malignancies. Although many improvements have been made, patients with relapsed or refractory hematological malignancies have a poor prognosis. Therefore, novel and practical therapeutic approaches are required for the treatment of these diseases. Interestingly several studies have shown that targeting Wee1 kinase in the Hematological malignancies, including AML, ALL, CML, CLL, DLBCL, BL, MCL, etc., can be an effective therapeutic strategy. It plays an essential role in regulating the cell cycle process by abrogating the G2-M cell-cycle checkpoint, which provides time for DNA damage repair before mitotic entry. Consistently, Wee1 overexpression is observed in various Hematological malignancies. Also, in healthy normal cells, repairing DNA damages occurs due to G1-S checkpoint function; however, in the cancer cells, which have an impaired G1-S checkpoint, the damaged DNA repair process depends on the G2-M checkpoint function. Thus, Wee1 inhibition could be a promising target in the presence of DNA damage in order to potentiate multiple therapeutic drugs. This review summarized the potentials and challenges of Wee1 inhibition combined with other therapies as a novel effective therapeutic strategy in Hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajjad Vakili-Samiani
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Walid Kamal Abdelbasset
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia; Department of Physical Therapy, Kasr Al-Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Vahid Karpisheh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Pooya Jalali
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sara Adibfar
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Majid Ahmadi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Farhad Jadidi-Niaragh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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13
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Limongello R, Marra A, Mancusi A, Bonato S, Hoxha E, Ruggeri L, Hui S, Velardi A, Pierini A. Novel Immune Cell-Based Therapies to Eradicate High-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Immunol 2021; 12:695051. [PMID: 34413848 PMCID: PMC8368440 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.695051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Adverse genetic risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) includes a wide range of clinical-pathological entities with extremely poor outcomes; thus, novel therapeutic approaches are needed. Promising results achieved by engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in other blood neoplasms have paved the way for the development of immune cell-based therapies for adverse genetic risk AML. Among these, adoptive cell immunotherapies with single/multiple CAR-T cells, CAR-natural killer (NK) cells, cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK), and NK cells are subjects of ongoing clinical trials. On the other hand, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) still represents the only curative option for adverse genetic risk AML patients. Unfortunately, high relapse rates (above 50%) and associated dismal outcomes (reported survival ~10–20%) even question the role of current allo-HSCT protocols and emphasize the urgency of adopting novel effective transplant strategies. We have recently demonstrated that haploidentical allo-HSCT combined with regulatory and conventional T cells adoptive immunotherapy (Treg-Tcon haplo-HSCT) is able to overcome disease-intrinsic chemoresistance, prevent leukemia-relapse, and improve survival of adverse genetic risk AML patients. In this Perspective, we briefly review the recent advancements with immune cell-based strategies against adverse genetic risk AML and discuss how such approaches could favorably impact on patients’ outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Limongello
- Institute of Hematology and Centre of Haemato-Oncology Research (CREO), University and Hospital of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Andrea Marra
- Institute of Hematology and Centre of Haemato-Oncology Research (CREO), University and Hospital of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonella Mancusi
- Institute of Hematology and Centre of Haemato-Oncology Research (CREO), University and Hospital of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Samanta Bonato
- Institute of Hematology and Centre of Haemato-Oncology Research (CREO), University and Hospital of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Eni Hoxha
- Institute of Hematology and Centre of Haemato-Oncology Research (CREO), University and Hospital of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Loredana Ruggeri
- Institute of Hematology and Centre of Haemato-Oncology Research (CREO), University and Hospital of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Susanta Hui
- Department of Radiation Oncology, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States.,Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Andrea Velardi
- Institute of Hematology and Centre of Haemato-Oncology Research (CREO), University and Hospital of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Pierini
- Institute of Hematology and Centre of Haemato-Oncology Research (CREO), University and Hospital of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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14
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GADD45g acts as a novel tumor suppressor and its activation confers new combination regimens for the treatment of AML. Blood 2021; 138:464-479. [PMID: 33945602 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020008229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematopoietic malignancy for which there is an unmet need for novel treatment strategies. Here, we characterize the growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene gamma (GADD45g) as a novel tumor suppressor in AML. We show that GADD45g is preferentially silenced in AML, especially in AML with FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutations and mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL)-rearrangements, and reduced expression of GADD45g is correlated with poor prognosis in AML patients. Upregulation of GADD45g impairs homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair, leading to DNA damage accumulation, and dramatically induces apoptosis, differentiation, growth arrest and increases sensitivity of AML cells to chemotherapeutic drugs, without affecting normal cells. In addition, GADD45g is epigenetically silenced by histone deacetylation in AML, and its expression is further downregulated by oncogenes FLT3-ITD and MLL-AF9 in patients carrying these genetic abnormalities. Combination of histone deacetylase 1/2 inhibitor Romidepsin with FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor AC220 or bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 exert synergistic anti-leukemic effects on FLT3-ITD+ and MLL-AF9+ AML, respectively, by dually activating GADD45g. These findings uncover hitherto unreported evidence for the selective anti-leukemia role of GADD45g and provide novel strategies for the treatment of FLT3-ITD+ and MLL-AF9+ AML.
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15
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Alhmoud JF, Mustafa AG, Malki MI. Targeting DNA Repair Pathways in Hematological Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197365. [PMID: 33036137 PMCID: PMC7582413 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA repair plays an essential role in protecting cells that are repeatedly exposed to endogenous or exogenous insults that can induce varying degrees of DNA damage. Any defect in DNA repair mechanisms results in multiple genomic changes that ultimately may result in mutation, tumor growth, and/or cell apoptosis. Furthermore, impaired repair mechanisms can also lead to genomic instability, which can initiate tumorigenesis and development of hematological malignancy. This review discusses recent findings and highlights the importance of DNA repair components and the impact of their aberrations on hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jehad F. Alhmoud
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, Jordan;
| | - Ayman G. Mustafa
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P. O. Box 2713 Doha, Qatar;
| | - Mohammed Imad Malki
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P. O. Box 2713 Doha, Qatar;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +97-44403-7847
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16
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Gabellier L, Bret C, Bossis G, Cartron G, Moreaux J. DNA Repair Expression Profiling to Identify High-Risk Cytogenetically Normal Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Define New Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102874. [PMID: 33036275 PMCID: PMC7599826 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemias (CN-AML) represent about 50% of total adult AML. Despite the well-known prognosis role of gene mutations such as NPM1 mutations of FLT3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD), clinical outcomes remain heterogeneous in this subset of AML. Given the role of genomic instability in leukemogenesis, expression analysis of DNA repair genes might be relevant to sharpen prognosis evaluation in CN-AML. A publicly available gene expression profile dataset from two independent cohorts of patients with CN-AML were analyzed (GSE12417). We investigated the prognostic value of 175 genes involved in DNA repair. Among these genes, 23 were associated with a prognostic value. The prognostic information provided by these genes was summed in a DNA repair score, allowing to define a group of patients (n = 87; 53.7%) with poor median overall survival (OS) of 233 days (95% CI: 184-260). These results were confirmed in two validation cohorts. In multivariate Cox analysis, the DNA repair score, NPM1, and FLT3-ITD mutational status remained independent prognosis factors in CN-AML. Combining these parameters allowed the identification of three risk groups with different clinical outcomes in both training and validation cohorts. Combined with NPM1 and FLT3 mutational status, our GE-based DNA repair score might be used as a biomarker to predict outcomes for patients with CN-AML. DNA repair score has the potential to identify CN-AML patients whose tumor cells are dependent on specific DNA repair pathways to design new therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Gabellier
- Département d’Hématologie Clinique, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34395 Montpellier, France; (L.G.); (G.C.)
- UFR de Médecine, University of Montpellier, 34003 Montpellier, France;
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier (IGMM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, 34090 Montpellier, France;
| | - Caroline Bret
- UFR de Médecine, University of Montpellier, 34003 Montpellier, France;
- CHU Montpellier, Department of Biological Hematology, 34395 Montpellier, France
- Institute of Human Genetics, IGH, CNRS, University of Montpellier, 34395 Montpellier, France
| | - Guillaume Bossis
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier (IGMM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, 34090 Montpellier, France;
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Cartron
- Département d’Hématologie Clinique, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34395 Montpellier, France; (L.G.); (G.C.)
- UFR de Médecine, University of Montpellier, 34003 Montpellier, France;
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier (IGMM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, 34090 Montpellier, France;
| | - Jérôme Moreaux
- UFR de Médecine, University of Montpellier, 34003 Montpellier, France;
- CHU Montpellier, Department of Biological Hematology, 34395 Montpellier, France
- Institute of Human Genetics, IGH, CNRS, University of Montpellier, 34395 Montpellier, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 75005 Paris, France
- Correspondence:
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17
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Zhou D, Xu P, Zhou X, Diao Z, Ouyang J, Yan G, Chen B. MiR-181a enhances drug sensitivity of mixed lineage leukemia-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia by increasing poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase1 acetylation. Leuk Lymphoma 2020; 62:136-146. [PMID: 32996365 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2020.1824067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations and rearrangements involving Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene is associated with poor prognosis in AML. Extensive epigenetic changes were found in this group of patients. In clinical study, we found miR-181a expression level was significantly lower in MLL-rearranged AML. As an important epi-miRNA, the role of miR-181a as an epigenetic regulator in leukemia has not been investigated before. In this study, we found miR-181a overexpression enhanced total protein acetylation in THP-1 cells, which harbor MLL-AF9 fusion gene, and protein Mass Spectrum identified poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) was a major downstream target. Increased PARP1 acetylation was mediated by down-regulation of histone deacetylase Sirtuin1 (Sirt1). MiR-181a overexpression resulted in DNA trapping of PARP1, increased DNA double strand break formation and increased chemosensitivity of leukemia cells both in vitro and in vivo. This study indicates miR-181a-Sirt1-PARP1 acetylation pathway could be a promising target for this special group of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhou
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Peipei Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenyu Diao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Ouyang
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Guijun Yan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Chen
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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18
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Inhibition of the mutated c-KIT kinase in AML1-ETO-positive leukemia cells restores sensitivity to PARP inhibitor. Blood Adv 2020; 3:4050-4054. [PMID: 31816060 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Key Points
c-KIT activating mutations cause resistance to PARP inhibitor in AML1-ETO–positive leukemias. c-KIT inhibitor avapritinib downregulates BRCA1/2 and DNA-PK catalytic subunit to restore the sensitivity to PARP inhibitor.
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19
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ATR-CHK1 pathway as a therapeutic target for acute and chronic leukemias. Cancer Treat Rev 2020; 88:102026. [PMID: 32592909 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2020.102026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Progress in cancer therapy changed the outcome of many patients and moved therapy from chemotherapy agents to targeted drugs. Targeted drugs already changed the clinical practice in treatment of leukemias, such as imatinib (BCR/ABL inhibitor) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), ibrutinib (Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), venetoclax (BCL2 inhibitor) in CLL and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or midostaurin (FLT3 inhibitor) in AML. In this review, we focused on DNA damage response (DDR) inhibition, specifically on inhibition of ATR-CHK1 pathway. Cancer cells harbor often defects in different DDR pathways, which render them vulnerable to DDR inhibition. Some DDR inhibitors showed interesting single-agent activity even in the absence of cytotoxic drug especially in cancers with underlying defects in DDR or DNA replication. Almost no mutations were found in ATR and CHEK1 genes in leukemia patients. Together with the fact that ATR-CHK1 pathway is essential for cell development and survival of leukemia cells, it represents a promising therapeutic target for treatment of leukemia. ATR-CHK1 inhibition showed excellent results in preclinical testing in acute and chronic leukemias. However, results in clinical trials are so far insufficient. Therefore, the ongoing and future clinical trials will decide on the success of ATR/CHK1 inhibitors in clinical practice of leukemia treatment.
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20
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Svobodova K, Lhotska H, Hodanova L, Pavlistova L, Vesela D, Belickova M, Vesela J, Brezinova J, Sarova I, Izakova S, Lizcova L, Siskova M, Jonasova A, Cermak J, Michalova K, Zemanova Z. Cryptic aberrations may allow more accurate prognostic classification of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and clonal evolution. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2020; 59:396-405. [PMID: 32170980 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22841] [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] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The karyotype of bone-marrow cells at the time of diagnosis is one of the most important prognostic factors in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). In some cases, the acquisition of additional genetic aberrations (clonal evolution [CE]) associated with clinical progression may occur during the disease. We analyzed a cohort of 469 MDS patients using a combination of molecular cytogenomic methods to identify cryptic aberrations and to assess their potential role in CE. We confirmed CE in 36 (8%) patients. The analysis of bone-marrow samples with a combination of cytogenomic methods at diagnosis and after CE identified 214 chromosomal aberrations. The early genetic changes in the diagnostic samples were frequently MDS specific (17 MDS-specific/57 early changes). Most progression-related aberrations identified after CE were not MDS specific (131 non-MDS-specific/155 progression-related changes). Copy number neutral loss of heterozygosity (CN-LOH) was detected in 19% of patients. MDS-specific CN-LOH (4q, 17p) was identified in three patients, and probably pathogenic homozygous mutations were found in TET2 (4q24) and TP53 (17p13.1) genes. We observed a statistically significant difference in overall survival (OS) between the groups of patients divided according to their diagnostic cytogenomic findings, with worse OS in the group with complex karyotypes (P = .021). A combination of cytogenomic methods allowed us to detect many cryptic genomic changes and identify genes and genomic regions that may represent therapeutic targets in patients with progressive MDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Svobodova
- Center of Oncocytogenomics, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.,First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Halka Lhotska
- Center of Oncocytogenomics, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Hodanova
- Center of Oncocytogenomics, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Pavlistova
- Center of Oncocytogenomics, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Denisa Vesela
- Center of Oncocytogenomics, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Belickova
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Vesela
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Brezinova
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Iveta Sarova
- Center of Oncocytogenomics, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.,Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Silvia Izakova
- Center of Oncocytogenomics, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Libuse Lizcova
- Center of Oncocytogenomics, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Magda Siskova
- First Medical Department, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Jonasova
- First Medical Department, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Cermak
- Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kyra Michalova
- Center of Oncocytogenomics, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Zemanova
- Center of Oncocytogenomics, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, General University Hospital and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.,First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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21
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All-trans retinoic acid exerts selective anti-FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia efficacy through downregulating Chk1 kinase. Cancer Lett 2020; 473:130-138. [PMID: 31904486 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is known to be a potent inhibitor of FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, although the exact mechanism remains unclear. In this work, we report that ATRA causes fatal mitotic catastrophe in FLT3-ITD AML cells by degrading Chk1 kinase, and therefore preventing DNA damage repair. In order to explore a further enhancement in the inhibitory effect of ATRA on FLT3-ITD AML cells, we investigated the suitability of a combination of ATRA and DNA damage drug SN38. In vitro experiments showed that this combinatorial approach effectively inhibited the proliferation of FLT3-ITD cells and induced cell apoptosis in AML. In vivo experiments confirmed that the combination could substantially improve the anti-tumor effect of SN38. Taken together, our results indicate that ATRA down-regulates Chk1 in FLT3-ITD AML cells, and the combination of ATRA and SN38 significantly improves the anti-tumor effect of either ATRA or SN38 when used alone.
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22
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Chamoun K, Borthakur G. Investigational CHK1 inhibitors in early stage clinical trials for acute myeloid leukemia. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2018; 27:661-666. [PMID: 30084282 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2018.1508448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common myeloid malignancy in adults. Despite recent discoveries of targeted therapies, the frontline therapy consisting of chemotherapy remains unchanged for the past four decades. Like other cancers, AML is characterized by deranged DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway. Although impaired DDR may contribute to the pathogenesis of AML it also allows leukemia cells with damaged DNA to attempt repair resulting in resistance. CHK1 inhibitors reverse the cell cycle arrest, disallowing the cell to repair the chemotherapy-induced DNA damage, driving the cell to enter into mitotic catastrophe.Areas covered: This paper reviews the preclinical and clinical development of CHK1 inhibitors and we discussed their promising role as a potential addition to the therapeutic arsenal of AML.Expert opinion: Targeting the cell cycle checkpoints is an intriguing approach to treat cancer in general and AML in particular. CHK1 inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy have the potential of improving outcome in high-risk AML characterized by DDR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Chamoun
- Leukemia Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Gautam Borthakur
- Leukemia Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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23
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Tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced defects in DNA repair sensitize FLT3(ITD)-positive leukemia cells to PARP1 inhibitors. Blood 2018; 132:67-77. [PMID: 29784639 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2018-02-834895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3), such as internal tandem duplications (ITDs), can be found in up to 23% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and confer a poor prognosis. Current treatment options for FLT3(ITD)-positive AMLs include genotoxic therapy and FLT3 inhibitors (FLT3i's), which are rarely curative. PARP1 inhibitors (PARP1i's) have been successfully applied to induce synthetic lethality in tumors harboring BRCA1/2 mutations and displaying homologous recombination (HR) deficiency. We show here that inhibition of FLT3(ITD) activity by the FLT3i AC220 caused downregulation of DNA repair proteins BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, RAD51, and LIG4, resulting in inhibition of 2 major DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways, HR, and nonhomologous end-joining. PARP1i, olaparib, and BMN673 caused accumulation of lethal DSBs and cell death in AC220-treated FLT3(ITD)-positive leukemia cells, thus mimicking synthetic lethality. Moreover, the combination of FLT3i and PARP1i eliminated FLT3(ITD)-positive quiescent and proliferating leukemia stem cells, as well as leukemic progenitors, from human and mouse leukemia samples. Notably, the combination of AC220 and BMN673 significantly delayed disease onset and effectively reduced leukemia-initiating cells in an FLT3(ITD)-positive primary AML xenograft mouse model. In conclusion, we postulate that FLT3i-induced deficiencies in DSB repair pathways sensitize FLT3(ITD)-positive AML cells to synthetic lethality triggered by PARP1i's. Therefore, FLT3(ITD) could be used as a precision medicine marker for identifying AML patients that may benefit from a therapeutic regimen combining FLT3 and PARP1i's.
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24
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Nieborowska-Skorska M, Maifrede S, Dasgupta Y, Sullivan K, Flis S, Le BV, Solecka M, Belyaeva EA, Kubovcakova L, Nawrocki M, Kirschner M, Zhao H, Prchal JT, Piwocka K, Moliterno AR, Wasik M, Koschmieder S, Green TR, Skoda RC, Skorski T. Ruxolitinib-induced defects in DNA repair cause sensitivity to PARP inhibitors in myeloproliferative neoplasms. Blood 2017; 130:2848-2859. [PMID: 29042365 PMCID: PMC5746670 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-05-784942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) often carry JAK2(V617F), MPL(W515L), or CALR(del52) mutations. Current treatment options for MPNs include cytoreduction by hydroxyurea and JAK1/2 inhibition by ruxolitinib, both of which are not curative. We show here that cell lines expressing JAK2(V617F), MPL(W515L), or CALR(del52) accumulated reactive oxygen species-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and were modestly sensitive to poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors olaparib and BMN673. At the same time, primary MPN cell samples from individual patients displayed a high degree of variability in sensitivity to these drugs. Ruxolitinib inhibited 2 major DSB repair mechanisms, BRCA-mediated homologous recombination and DNA-dependent protein kinase-mediated nonhomologous end-joining, and, when combined with olaparib, caused abundant accumulation of toxic DSBs resulting in enhanced elimination of MPN primary cells, including the disease-initiating cells from the majority of patients. Moreover, the combination of BMN673, ruxolitinib, and hydroxyurea was highly effective in vivo against JAK2(V617F)+ murine MPN-like disease and also against JAK2(V617F)+, CALR(del52)+, and MPL(W515L)+ primary MPN xenografts. In conclusion, we postulate that ruxolitinib-induced deficiencies in DSB repair pathways sensitized MPN cells to synthetic lethality triggered by PARP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia Maifrede
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Yashodhara Dasgupta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Katherine Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sylwia Flis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pharmacology, National Medicines Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bac Viet Le
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
- Laboratory of Cytometry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Martyna Solecka
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Elizaveta A Belyaeva
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Lucia Kubovcakova
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel/University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Morgan Nawrocki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Martin Kirschner
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Huaqing Zhao
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Josef T Prchal
- School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Katarzyna Piwocka
- Laboratory of Cytometry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alison R Moliterno
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; and
| | - Mariusz Wasik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Steffen Koschmieder
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tony R Green
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, and
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; and
| | - Radek C Skoda
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel/University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tomasz Skorski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
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25
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David L, Manenti S, Récher C, Hoffmann JS, Didier C. Targeting ATR/CHK1 pathway in acute myeloid leukemia to overcome chemoresistance. Mol Cell Oncol 2017; 4:e1289293. [PMID: 29057300 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2017.1289293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Resistance of acute myeloid leukemia to current therapies leads to frequent relapses. Identification of molecular mechanisms involved in chemoresistance constitutes a key challenge to define new therapeutic concepts. Here, we show that the ATR/CHK1 pathway, essential in maintaining genomic stability, is involved in resistance and proliferation characteristics of leukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure David
- Equipe Labellisée, La Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Toulouse, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France.,Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Stéphane Manenti
- Equipe Labellisée, La Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Toulouse, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France.,Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Christian Récher
- Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France.,Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.,Service d'hématologie, Institut Universitaire du Cancer Toulouse-Oncopole, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Sébastien Hoffmann
- Equipe Labellisée, La Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Toulouse, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France.,Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Christine Didier
- Equipe Labellisée, La Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Toulouse, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France.,Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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26
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Qiu Z, Oleinick NL, Zhang J. ATR/CHK1 inhibitors and cancer therapy. Radiother Oncol 2017; 126:450-464. [PMID: 29054375 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2017.09.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The cell cycle checkpoint proteins ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated-and-Rad3-related kinase (ATR) and its major downstream effector checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) prevent the entry of cells with damaged or incompletely replicated DNA into mitosis when the cells are challenged by DNA damaging agents, such as radiation therapy (RT) or chemotherapeutic drugs, that are the major modalities to treat cancer. This regulation is particularly evident in cells with a defective G1 checkpoint, a common feature of cancer cells, due to p53 mutations. In addition, ATR and/or CHK1 suppress replication stress (RS) by inhibiting excess origin firing, particularly in cells with activated oncogenes. Those functions of ATR/CHK1 make them ideal therapeutic targets. ATR/CHK1 inhibitors have been developed and are currently used either as single agents or paired with radiotherapy or a variety of genotoxic chemotherapies in preclinical and clinical studies. Here, we review the status of the development of ATR and CHK1 inhibitors. We also discuss the potential mechanisms by which ATR and CHK1 inhibition induces cell killing in the presence or absence of exogenous DNA damaging agents, such as RT and chemotherapeutic agents. Lastly, we discuss synthetic lethality interactions between the inhibition of ATR/CHK1 and defects in other DNA damage response (DDR) pathways/genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaojun Qiu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
| | - Nancy L Oleinick
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
| | - Junran Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA.
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27
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Randomized phase II trial of cytosine arabinoside with and without the CHK1 inhibitor MK-8776 in relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Leuk Res 2017; 61:108-116. [PMID: 28957699 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cytosine arabinoside (AraC) remains the backbone of most treatment regimens for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Incorporation of AraC into DNA activates checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), leading to cell-cycle arrest and diminished AraC cytotoxicity, which can be reversed by the selective Chk1 inhibitor MK-8776. Building on a Phase I trial, we conducted a phase II trial comparing timed sequential AraC with or without MK-8776. METHODS Patients with relapsed or primary refractory AML were randomized 1:1 to receive either AraC with MK-8776 (Arm A); or AraC alone (Arm B). RESULTS 32 patients were treated: 14 assigned to Arm A and 18 to Arm B. There were 5 (36%) complete responses (CR/CRi) and 1 (7%) partial response (PR) in Arm A, and 8 (44%) CR/CRis and 1 (6%) PR in Arm B. Median survival did not differ significantly between the two groups (5.9months in Arm A vs. 4.5 months in Arm B). MK-8776 led to a robust increase in DNA damage in circulating leukemic blasts as measured by increased γ-H2AX (16.9%±6.1% prior and 36.4%±6.8% at one hour after MK-8776 infusion, p=0.016). CONCLUSION Response rates and survival were similar between the two groups in spite of evidence that MK-8776 augmented DNA damage in circulating leukemic blasts. Better than expected results in the control arm using timed sequential AraC and truncated patient enrollment may have limited the ability to detect clinical benefit from the combination.
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28
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MLL-AF9 leukemias are sensitive to PARP1 inhibitors combined with cytotoxic drugs. Blood Adv 2017; 1:1467-1472. [PMID: 29296788 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2017006247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PARP1 is required for the maintenance of MLL-AF9 leukemias.PARP1 inhibitors enhance the therapeutic effect of cytotoxic drugs against MLL-AF9 leukemias.
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29
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Ghelli Luserna di Rora’ A, Iacobucci I, Martinelli G. The cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of leukemias. J Hematol Oncol 2017; 10:77. [PMID: 28356161 PMCID: PMC5371185 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0443-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The inhibition of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway in the treatment of cancers has recently reached an exciting stage with several cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors that are now being tested in several clinical trials in cancer patients. Although the great amount of pre-clinical and clinical data are from the solid tumor experience, only few studies have been done on leukemias using specific cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors. This review aims to summarize the most recent data found on the biological mechanisms of the response to DNA damages highlighting the role of the different elements of the DDR pathway in normal and cancer cells and focusing on the main genetic alteration or aberrant gene expression that has been found on acute and chronic leukemias. This review, for the first time, outlines the most important pre-clinical and clinical data available on the efficacy of cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors in single agent and in combination with different agents normally used for the treatment of acute and chronic leukemias.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - I. Iacobucci
- Department of Hematology and Medical Sciences “L. and A. Seràgnoli”, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
- Present: Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN USA
| | - G. Martinelli
- Department of Hematology and Medical Sciences “L. and A. Seràgnoli”, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
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30
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Abramowitz J, Neuman T, Perlman R, Ben-Yehuda D. Gene and protein analysis reveals that p53 pathway is functionally inactivated in cytogenetically normal Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. BMC Med Genomics 2017; 10:18. [PMID: 28340577 PMCID: PMC5423421 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-017-0249-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mechanisms that inactivate the p53 pathway in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), other than rare mutations, are still not well understood. Methods We performed a bioinformatics study of the p53 pathway function at the gene expression level on our collection of 1153 p53-pathway related genes. Publically available Affymetrix data of 607 de-novo AML patients at diagnosis were analyzed according to the patients cytogenetic, FAB and molecular mutations subtypes. We further investigated the functional status of the p53 pathway in cytogenetically normal AML (CN-AML) and Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) patients using bioinformatics, Real-Time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Results We revealed significant and differential alterations of p53 pathway-related gene expression in most of the AML subtypes. We found that p53 pathway-related gene expression was not correlated with the accepted grouping of AML subtypes such as by cytogenetically-based prognosis, morphological stage or by the type of molecular mutation. Our bioinformatic analysis revealed that p53 is not functional in CN-AML and APL blasts at inducing its most important functional outcomes: cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, DNA repair and oxidative stress defense. We revealed transcriptional downregulation of important p53 acetyltransferases in both CN-AML and APL, accompanied by increased Mdmx protein expression and inadequate Chk2 protein activation. Conclusions Our bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that p53 pathway is differentially inactivated in different AML subtypes. Focused gene and protein analysis of p53 pathway in CN-AML and APL patients imply that functional inactivation of p53 protein can be attributed to its impaired acetylation. Our analysis indicates the need in further accurate evaluation of p53 pathway functioning and regulation in distinct subtypes of AML. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12920-017-0249-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Abramowitz
- Department of Hematology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.
| | - Tzahi Neuman
- Department of Pathology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Riki Perlman
- Department of Hematology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Dina Ben-Yehuda
- Department of Hematology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
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31
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Increase of DNA damage and alteration of the DNA damage response in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemias. Leuk Res 2017; 57:112-118. [PMID: 28359030 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2017.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Increased DNA damage and alteration of the DNA damage response (DDR) are critical features of genetic instability presumably implicated in pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemias (AML). We used immunofluorescence staining of γH2AX and 53BP1 for analyzing DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) in MDS and AML cell lines, in CD34+ selected cells of normal and MDS bone marrow (including three cases of chronic myelomonocytic leukemias) and in blasts of AML bone marrow. In addition, we screened for activation of the DDR by immunoblotting of p-ATM, p-ATR, p-CHK1, p-CHK2 and p-TP53. As compared to γH2AX foci levels in normal bone marrow samples (0.2 focus per CD34+ cell±0.0; mean±standard error of mean), increased levels of γH2AX foci were detected in 16/16 MDS bone marrow samples (2.8 foci per CD34+ cell±0.5), 18/18 AML bone marrow samples (5.5 foci per blast±0.5), 1/1 MDS cell line (6.4 foci per cell) and 6/6 AML cell lines (12.0 foci per cell±0.6). γH2AX and 53BP1 co-localized in all tested samples forming diffuse, clustered and marginal patterns. Further, DDR proteins were expressed heterogeneously suggesting impairment of the DDR. In summary, our results provide evidence for a continuous increase of DSB across the spectrum from MDS to AML in conjunction with an impaired DDR. Co-localization of γH2AX and 53BP1 indicates promotion of (in)effective nonhomologous end-joining repair mechanisms at sites of DSB. Moreover, γH2AX/53BP1 foci distribution presumably reveals a non-random spatial organization of the genome in MDS and AML.
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32
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David L, Fernandez-Vidal A, Bertoli S, Grgurevic S, Lepage B, Deshaies D, Prade N, Cartel M, Larrue C, Sarry JE, Delabesse E, Cazaux C, Didier C, Récher C, Manenti S, Hoffmann JS. CHK1 as a therapeutic target to bypass chemoresistance in AML. Sci Signal 2016; 9:ra90. [PMID: 27625304 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aac9704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The nucleoside analog cytarabine, an inhibitor of DNA replication fork progression that results in DNA damage, is currently used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We explored the prognostic value of the expression of 72 genes involved in various aspects of DNA replication in a set of 198 AML patients treated by cytarabine-based chemotherapy. We unveiled that high expression of the DNA replication checkpoint gene CHEK1 is a prognostic marker associated with shorter overall, event-free, and relapse-free survivals and determined that the expression of CHEK1 can predict more frequent and earlier postremission relapse. CHEK1 encodes checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1), which is activated by the kinase ATR when DNA replication is impaired by DNA damage. High abundance of CHK1 in AML patient cells correlated with higher clonogenic ability and more efficient DNA replication fork progression upon cytarabine treatment. Exposing the patient cells with the high abundance of CHK1 to SCH900776, an inhibitor of the kinase activity of CHK1, reduced clonogenic ability and progression of DNA replication in the presence of cytarabine. These results indicated that some AML cells rely on an efficient CHK1-mediated replication stress response for viability and that therapeutic strategies that inhibit CHK1 could extend current cytarabine-based treatments and overcome drug resistance. Furthermore, monitoring CHEK1 expression could be used both as a predictor of outcome and as a marker to select AML patients for CHK1 inhibitor treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure David
- Equipe Labellisée, La Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Toulouse, France. Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France. Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Anne Fernandez-Vidal
- Equipe Labellisée, La Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Toulouse, France. Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France. Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Sarah Bertoli
- Equipe Labellisée, La Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Toulouse, France. Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France. Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. Service d'hématologie, Institut Universitaire du Cancer Toulouse-Oncopole, 1 avenue Irène Joliot-Curie, 31059 Toulouse, Cedex 9, France
| | - Srdana Grgurevic
- Equipe Labellisée, La Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Toulouse, France. Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France. Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Benoît Lepage
- Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. Département d'Epidémiologie, Economie de la Santé et Santé Publique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France. Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1027, Epidémiologie et analyses en santé publique: Risques, maladies chroniques et handicaps, Faculté de médecine, Toulouse, France
| | - Dominique Deshaies
- Département d'Epidémiologie, Economie de la Santé et Santé Publique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Naïs Prade
- Service d'hématologie, Institut Universitaire du Cancer Toulouse-Oncopole, Toulouse, France
| | - Maëlle Cartel
- Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France. Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Clément Larrue
- Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France. Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Emmanuel Sarry
- Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France. Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Eric Delabesse
- Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France. Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. Service d'hématologie, Institut Universitaire du Cancer Toulouse-Oncopole, Toulouse, France
| | - Christophe Cazaux
- Equipe Labellisée, La Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Toulouse, France. Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France. Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Christine Didier
- Equipe Labellisée, La Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Toulouse, France. Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France. Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Christian Récher
- Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France. Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. Service d'hématologie, Institut Universitaire du Cancer Toulouse-Oncopole, 1 avenue Irène Joliot-Curie, 31059 Toulouse, Cedex 9, France.
| | - Stéphane Manenti
- Equipe Labellisée, La Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Toulouse, France. Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France. Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
| | - Jean-Sébastien Hoffmann
- Equipe Labellisée, La Ligue Contre Le Cancer, Toulouse, France. Laboratoire d'Excellence Toulouse Cancer Labex TOUCAN, Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm U1037, CNRS ERL5294, Toulouse, France. Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
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Bret C, Viziteu E, Kassambara A, Moreaux J. Identifying high-risk adult AML patients: epigenetic and genetic risk factors and their implications for therapy. Expert Rev Hematol 2016; 9:351-60. [PMID: 26761438 DOI: 10.1586/17474086.2016.1141673] [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] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease at molecular level, in response to therapy and prognosis. The molecular landscape of AML is evolving with new technologies revealing complex panorama of genetic abnormalities where genomic instability and aberrations of epigenetic regulators play a key role in pathogenesis. The characterization of AML diversity has led to development of new personalized therapeutic strategies to improve outcome of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Bret
- a Department of Biological Hematology , CHU Montpellier , Montpellier , France.,b Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS-UPR1142 , Montpellier F-34396 , France.,c University of Montpellier 1, UFR de Médecine , Montpellier , France
| | - Elena Viziteu
- b Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS-UPR1142 , Montpellier F-34396 , France
| | - Alboukadel Kassambara
- a Department of Biological Hematology , CHU Montpellier , Montpellier , France.,b Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS-UPR1142 , Montpellier F-34396 , France
| | - Jerome Moreaux
- a Department of Biological Hematology , CHU Montpellier , Montpellier , France.,b Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS-UPR1142 , Montpellier F-34396 , France.,c University of Montpellier 1, UFR de Médecine , Montpellier , France
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Walton MI, Eve PD, Hayes A, Henley AT, Valenti MR, De Haven Brandon AK, Box G, Boxall KJ, Tall M, Swales K, Matthews TP, McHardy T, Lainchbury M, Osborne J, Hunter JE, Perkins ND, Aherne GW, Reader JC, Raynaud FI, Eccles SA, Collins I, Garrett MD. The clinical development candidate CCT245737 is an orally active CHK1 inhibitor with preclinical activity in RAS mutant NSCLC and Eµ-MYC driven B-cell lymphoma. Oncotarget 2016; 7:2329-42. [PMID: 26295308 PMCID: PMC4823038 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
CCT245737 is the first orally active, clinical development candidate CHK1 inhibitor to be described. The IC50 was 1.4 nM against CHK1 enzyme and it exhibited>1,000-fold selectivity against CHK2 and CDK1. CCT245737 potently inhibited cellular CHK1 activity (IC50 30-220 nM) and enhanced gemcitabine and SN38 cytotoxicity in multiple human tumor cell lines and human tumor xenograft models. Mouse oral bioavailability was complete (100%) with extensive tumor exposure. Genotoxic-induced CHK1 activity (pS296 CHK1) and cell cycle arrest (pY15 CDK1) were inhibited both in vitro and in human tumor xenografts by CCT245737, causing increased DNA damage and apoptosis. Uniquely, we show CCT245737 enhanced gemcitabine antitumor activity to a greater degree than for higher doses of either agent alone, without increasing toxicity, indicating a true therapeutic advantage for this combination. Furthermore, development of a novel ELISA assay for pS296 CHK1 autophosphorylation, allowed the quantitative measurement of target inhibition in a RAS mutant human tumor xenograft of NSCLC at efficacious doses of CCT245737. Finally, CCT245737 also showed significant single-agent activity against a MYC-driven mouse model of B-cell lymphoma. In conclusion, CCT245737 is a new CHK1 inhibitor clinical development candidate scheduled for a first in man Phase I clinical trial, that will use the novel pS296 CHK1 ELISA to monitor target inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike I. Walton
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Paul D. Eve
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Angela Hayes
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Alan T. Henley
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Melanie R. Valenti
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Alexis K. De Haven Brandon
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Gary Box
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Kathy J. Boxall
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Matthew Tall
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Karen Swales
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Thomas P. Matthews
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Tatiana McHardy
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Michael Lainchbury
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - James Osborne
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Jill E. Hunter
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Neil D. Perkins
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - G. Wynne Aherne
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Florence I. Raynaud
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Suzanne A. Eccles
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Ian Collins
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Michelle D. Garrett
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Division of Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK
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Sarmento LM, Barata JT. CHK1 and replicative stress in T-cell leukemia: Can an irreverent tumor suppressor end up playing the oncogene? Adv Biol Regul 2016; 60:115-121. [PMID: 26527132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2015.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Replicative stress (RS) is a cell-intrinsic phenomenon enhanced by oncogenic transformation. Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) is a key component of the ATR-dependent DNA damage response pathway that protects cells from RS by preventing replication fork collapse and activating homologous DNA repair. Taking this knowledge into account, one would predict CHK1 behaves strictly as a tumor suppressor. However, the reality seems far more complex. CHEK1 loss-of-function mutations have not been found in human tumors, and transgenic expression of Chek1 in mice promotes oncogene-induced transformation through RS inhibition. Moreover, CHK1 is overexpressed in various human cancers and CHK1 inhibitors have been developed as sensitizers to enhance the cytotoxicity of DNA damage-inducing chemotherapies. Here, we summarize the literature on the involvement of CHK1 in cancer progression, including our recent observation that CHK1 sustains T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell viability. We also debate the importance of identifying patients that could benefit the most from treatment with CHK1 inhibitors, taking T-ALL as a model, and propose possible markers of therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonor M Sarmento
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João T Barata
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
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Manic G, Obrist F, Sistigu A, Vitale I. Trial Watch: Targeting ATM-CHK2 and ATR-CHK1 pathways for anticancer therapy. Mol Cell Oncol 2015; 2:e1012976. [PMID: 27308506 PMCID: PMC4905354 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2015.1012976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Revised: 01/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The ataxia telangiectasia mutated serine/threonine kinase (ATM)/checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2, best known as CHK2) and the ATM and Rad3-related serine/threonine kinase (ATR)/CHEK1 (best known as CHK1) cascades are the 2 major signaling pathways driving the DNA damage response (DDR), a network of processes crucial for the preservation of genomic stability that act as a barrier against tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Mutations and/or deletions of ATM and/or CHK2 are frequently found in tumors and predispose to cancer development. In contrast, the ATR-CHK1 pathway is often upregulated in neoplasms and is believed to promote tumor growth, although some evidence indicates that ATR and CHK1 may also behave as haploinsufficient oncosuppressors, at least in a specific genetic background. Inactivation of the ATM-CHK2 and ATR-CHK1 pathways efficiently sensitizes malignant cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Moreover, ATR and CHK1 inhibitors selectively kill tumor cells that present high levels of replication stress, have a deficiency in p53 (or other DDR players), or upregulate the ATR-CHK1 module. Despite promising preclinical results, the clinical activity of ATM, ATR, CHK1, and CHK2 inhibitors, alone or in combination with other therapeutics, has not yet been fully demonstrated. In this Trial Watch, we give an overview of the roles of the ATM-CHK2 and ATR-CHK1 pathways in cancer initiation and progression, and summarize the results of clinical studies aimed at assessing the safety and therapeutic profile of regimens based on inhibitors of ATR and CHK1, the only 2 classes of compounds that have so far entered clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Florine Obrist
- Université Paris-Sud/Paris XI; Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- INSERM, UMRS1138; Paris, France
- Equipe 11 labelisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer; Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers; Paris, France
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus; Villejuif, France
| | | | - Ilio Vitale
- Regina Elena National Cancer Institute; Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “TorVergata”; Rome, Italy
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Angelova S, Spassov B, Nikolova V, Christov I, Tzvetkov N, Simeonova M. Does the pattern of clonal evolution in the karyotype of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes depend on the type of the primary chromosomal aberrations? CYTOL GENET+ 2015. [DOI: 10.3103/s0095452715040027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Lu M, Zhou F, Hao K, Liu J, Chen Q, Ni P, Zhou H, Wang G, Zhang J. Alternation of adriamycin penetration kinetics in MCF-7 cells from 2D to 3D culture based on P-gp expression through the Chk2/p53/NF-κB pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2015; 93:210-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2014.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2014] [Revised: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Esposito MT, So CWE. DNA damage accumulation and repair defects in acute myeloid leukemia: implications for pathogenesis, disease progression, and chemotherapy resistance. Chromosoma 2014; 123:545-61. [PMID: 25112726 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-014-0482-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Revised: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
DNA damage repair mechanisms are vital to maintain genomic integrity. Mutations in genes involved in the DNA damage response (DDR) can increase the risk of developing cancer. In recent years, a variety of polymorphisms in DDR genes have been associated with increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or of disease relapse. Moreover, a growing body of literature has indicated that epigenetic silencing of DDR genes could contribute to the leukemogenic process. In addition, a variety of AML oncogenes have been shown to induce replication and oxidative stress leading to accumulation of DNA damage, which affects the balance between proliferation and differentiation. Conversely, upregulation of DDR genes can provide AML cells with escape mechanisms to the DDR anticancer barrier and induce chemotherapy resistance. The current review summarizes the DDR pathways in the context of AML and describes how aberrant DNA damage response can affect AML pathogenesis, disease progression, and resistance to standard chemotherapy, and how defects in DDR pathways may provide a new avenue for personalized therapeutic strategies in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Esposito
- Leukemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, Department of Hematological Medicine, King's College London, Denmark Hill campus, SE5 9NU, London, UK
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Brenner AK, Reikvam H, Lavecchia A, Bruserud Ø. Therapeutic targeting the cell division cycle 25 (CDC25) phosphatases in human acute myeloid leukemia--the possibility to target several kinases through inhibition of the various CDC25 isoforms. Molecules 2014; 19:18414-47. [PMID: 25397735 PMCID: PMC6270710 DOI: 10.3390/molecules191118414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Revised: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The cell division cycle 25 (CDC25) phosphatases include CDC25A, CDC25B and CDC25C. These three molecules are important regulators of several steps in the cell cycle, including the activation of various cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). CDC25s seem to have a role in the development of several human malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML); and CDC25 inhibition is therefore considered as a possible anticancer strategy. Firstly, upregulation of CDC25A can enhance cell proliferation and the expression seems to be controlled through PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling, a pathway possibly mediating chemoresistance in human AML. Loss of CDC25A is also important for the cell cycle arrest caused by differentiation induction of malignant hematopoietic cells. Secondly, high CDC25B expression is associated with resistance against the antiproliferative effect of PI3K-Akt-mTOR inhibitors in primary human AML cells, and inhibition of this isoform seems to reduce AML cell line proliferation through effects on NFκB and p300. Finally, CDC25C seems important for the phenotype of AML cells at least for a subset of patients. Many of the identified CDC25 inhibitors show cross-reactivity among the three CDC25 isoforms. Thus, by using such cross-reactive inhibitors it may become possible to inhibit several molecular events in the regulation of cell cycle progression and even cytoplasmic signaling, including activation of several CDKs, through the use of a single drug. Such combined strategies will probably be an advantage in human cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette K Brenner
- Section for Hematology, Institute of Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, 5021, Norway
| | - Håkon Reikvam
- Section for Hematology, Institute of Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, 5021, Norway
| | - Antonio Lavecchia
- "Drug Discovery" Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Øystein Bruserud
- Section for Hematology, Institute of Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, 5021, Norway.
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Didier C, Demur C, Grimal F, Jullien D, Manenti S, Ducommun B. Evaluation of checkpoint kinase targeting therapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia with complex karyotype. Cancer Biol Ther 2014; 13:307-13. [DOI: 10.4161/cbt.19074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Akasaka T, Tsujii M, Kondo J, Hayashi Y, Ying J, Lu Y, Kato M, Yamada T, Yamamoto S, Inoue T, Tsujii Y, Maekawa A, Fujinaga T, Shiraishi E, Hiyama S, Inoue T, Shinzaki S, Watabe K, Nishida T, Iijima H, Takehara T. 5‑FU resistance abrogates the amplified cytotoxic effects induced by inhibiting checkpoint kinase 1 in p53‑mutated colon cancer cells. Int J Oncol 2014; 46:63-70. [PMID: 25310623 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of chemoresistance is a major limitation of current cancer therapies, and checkpoint kinase (Chk1) 1 positively correlates with resistance to chemo‑ or radio‑therapy. Cancer cells lacking p53 pathways are completely dependent on the S and G2/M checkpoints via Chk1; therefore, Chk1 inhibition enhances the cytotoxicity of DNA‑damaging agents only in p53‑deficient cells. However, little is known about the synergistic effect of Chk1 inhibition with 5‑FU, the most frequently used antimetabolite, in chemoresistant colorectal cells. In this study, we found that 5‑FU induced S‑phase arrest only in p53‑deficient colorectal cancer cells. 5‑FU treatment induced DNA damage and activation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and Chk1, leading to S‑phase arrest, and Chk1 inhibition using SB218078 reduced S‑phase arrest and increased apoptosis in the presence of 5‑FU. In contrast, in p53‑deficient, 5‑FU‑resistant (5FUR) colon cancer cells that we developed, 5‑FU enhanced DNA damage but did not induce Chk1/ATM activation or cell cycle arrest. SB218078 in combination with 5‑FU did not induce apoptosis. These results indicate that 5‑FU‑resistance abrogated the anticancer effect amplified by Chk1 inhibition, even in p53‑deficient cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomofumi Akasaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Masahiko Tsujii
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Jumpei Kondo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Yoshito Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Jin Ying
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Yuquan Lu
- Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Motohiko Kato
- Division of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo 152‑8902, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka National Hospital, Osaka 540‑0006, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Yamamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka Rosai Hospital, Sakai, Osaka 591‑8025, Japan
| | - Takuya Inoue
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Tsujii
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Akira Maekawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Tetsuji Fujinaga
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Eri Shiraishi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Satoshi Hiyama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Takahiro Inoue
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Shinzaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Kenji Watabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Nishida
- Department of Gastroenterology, Toyonaka Municipal Hospital, Toyonaka, Osaka 560‑8565, Japan
| | - Hideki Iijima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Takehara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565‑0871, Japan
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Yuan LL, Green A, David L, Dozier C, Récher C, Didier C, Tamburini J, Manenti S. Targeting CHK1 inhibits cell proliferation in FLT3-ITD positive acute myeloid leukemia. Leuk Res 2014; 38:1342-9. [PMID: 25281057 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2014.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Revised: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 08/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
CHK1 Ser/Thr kinase, a well characterized regulator of DNA damage response, is also involved in normal cell cycle progression. In this study, we investigate how CHK1 participates to proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia cells expressing the mutated FLT3-ITD tyrosine kinase receptor. Pharmacological inhibition of CHK1 as well as its shRNA mediated down regulation reduced the proliferation rate of FLT-ITD expressing leukemic cell lines in a cytostatic manner. Flow cytometry analysis revealed no accumulation in a specific phase of the cell cycle upon CHK1 inhibition. Accordingly, lentiviral-mediated CHK1 overexpression increased the proliferation rate of FLT3-ITD expressing cells, as judged by cell viability and [3H] thymidine incorporation experiments. By contrast, expression of a ser280 mutant did not, suggesting that phosphorylation of this residue is an important determinant of CHK1 proliferative function. Clonogenic growth of primary leukemic cells from patients in semi-solid medium was reduced upon CHK1 inhibition, confirming the data obtained with leukemic established cell lines. Surprisingly, 3 out of 4 CHK1 inhibitory compounds tested in this study were also potent inhibitors of the FLT3-ITD tyrosine kinase receptor. Altogether, these data identify CHK1 as a regulator of FLT3-ITD-positive leukemic cells proliferation, and they open interesting perspectives in terms of new therapeutic strategies for these pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li Yuan
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm Unité Mixte de Recherche 1037, CNRS Equipe de Recherche labellisée 5294, Université de Toulouse, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Purpan, Toulouse, France; Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, PR China
| | - Alexa Green
- Institut Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, CNRS UMR 8104, INSERM U 1016, Paris, France
| | - Laure David
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm Unité Mixte de Recherche 1037, CNRS Equipe de Recherche labellisée 5294, Université de Toulouse, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Christine Dozier
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm Unité Mixte de Recherche 1037, CNRS Equipe de Recherche labellisée 5294, Université de Toulouse, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Christian Récher
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm Unité Mixte de Recherche 1037, CNRS Equipe de Recherche labellisée 5294, Université de Toulouse, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Purpan, Toulouse, France; Service d'Hématologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Christine Didier
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm Unité Mixte de Recherche 1037, CNRS Equipe de Recherche labellisée 5294, Université de Toulouse, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Purpan, Toulouse, France
| | - Jérôme Tamburini
- Institut Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, CNRS UMR 8104, INSERM U 1016, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Manenti
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, Inserm Unité Mixte de Recherche 1037, CNRS Equipe de Recherche labellisée 5294, Université de Toulouse, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Purpan, Toulouse, France.
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Wang S, Wang X, Du Z, Liu Y, Huang D, Zheng K, Liu K, Zhang Y, Zhong X, Wang Y. SNX-25a, a novel Hsp90 inhibitor, inhibited human cancer growth more potently than 17-AAG. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 450:73-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.05.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Bryant C, Scriven K, Massey AJ. Inhibition of the checkpoint kinase Chk1 induces DNA damage and cell death in human Leukemia and Lymphoma cells. Mol Cancer 2014; 13:147. [PMID: 24913641 PMCID: PMC4082411 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-13-147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chk1 forms a core component of the DNA damage response and small molecule inhibitors are currently being investigated in the clinic as cytotoxic chemotherapy potentiators. Recent evidence suggests that Chk1 inhibitors may demonstrate significant single agent activity in tumors with specific DNA repair defects, a constitutively activated DNA damage response or oncogene induced replicative stress. Methods Growth inhibition induced by the small molecule Chk1 inhibitor V158411 was assessed in a panel of human leukemia and lymphoma cell lines and compared to cancer cell lines derived from solid tumors. The effects on cell cycle and DNA damage response markers were further evaluated. Results Leukemia and lymphoma cell lines were identified as particularly sensitive to the Chk1 inhibitor V158411 (mean GI50 0.17 μM) compared to colon (2.8 μM) or lung (6.9 μM) cancer cell lines. Chk1 inhibition by V158411 in the leukemia and lymphoma cell lines induced DNA fragmentation and cell death that was both caspase dependent and independent, and prevented cells undergoing mitosis. An analysis of in vitro pharmacodynamic markers identified a dose dependent decrease in Chk1 and cyclin B1 protein levels and Cdc2 Thr15 phosphorylation along with a concomitant increase in H2AX phosphorylation at Ser139 following V158411 treatment. Conclusions These data support the further evaluation of Chk1 inhibitors in hematopoietic cancers as single agents as well as in combination with standard of care cytotoxic drugs.
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Chaudhuri L, Vincelette ND, Koh BD, Naylor RM, Flatten KS, Peterson KL, McNally A, Gojo I, Karp JE, Mesa RA, Sproat LO, Bogenberger JM, Kaufmann SH, Tibes R. CHK1 and WEE1 inhibition combine synergistically to enhance therapeutic efficacy in acute myeloid leukemia ex vivo. Haematologica 2013; 99:688-96. [PMID: 24179152 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2013.093187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel combinations targeting new molecular vulnerabilities are needed to improve the outcome of patients with acute myeloid leukemia. We recently identified WEE1 kinase as a novel target in leukemias. To identify genes that are synthetically lethal with WEE1 inhibition, we performed a short interfering RNA screen directed against cell cycle and DNA repair genes during concurrent treatment with the WEE1 inhibitor MK1775. CHK1 and ATR, genes encoding two replication checkpoint kinases, were among the genes whose silencing enhanced the effects of WEE1 inhibition most, whereas CDK2 short interfering RNA antagonized MK1775 effects. Building on this observation, we examined the impact of combining MK1775 with selective small molecule inhibitors of CHK1, ATR and cyclin-dependent kinases. The CHK1 inhibitor MK8776 sensitized acute myeloid leukemia cell lines and primary leukemia specimens to MK1775 ex vivo, whereas smaller effects were observed with the MK1775/MK8776 combination in normal myeloid progenitors. The ATR inhibitor VE-821 likewise enhanced the antiproliferative effects of MK1775, whereas the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor roscovitine antagonized MK1775. Further studies showed that MK8776 enhanced MK1775-mediated activation of the ATR/CHK1 pathway in acute leukemia cell lines and ex vivo. These results indicate that combined cell cycle checkpoint interference with MK1775/MK8776 warrants further investigation as a potential treatment for acute myeloid leukemia.
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Cazares-Körner C, Pires IM, Swallow ID, Grayer S, O’Connor LJ, Olcina M, Christlieb M, Conway SJ, Hammond EM. CH-01 is a hypoxia-activated prodrug that sensitizes cells to hypoxia/reoxygenation through inhibition of Chk1 and Aurora A. ACS Chem Biol 2013; 8:1451-9. [PMID: 23597309 PMCID: PMC3719478 DOI: 10.1021/cb4001537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The increased resistance of hypoxic cells to all forms of cancer therapy presents a major barrier to the successful treatment of most solid tumors. Inhibition of the essential kinase Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) has been described as a promising cancer therapy for tumors with high levels of hypoxia-induced replication stress. However, as inhibition of Chk1 affects normal replication and induces DNA damage, these agents also have the potential to induce genomic instability and contribute to tumorigenesis. To overcome this problem, we have developed a bioreductive prodrug, which functions as a Chk1/Aurora A inhibitor specifically in hypoxic conditions. To achieve this activity, a key functionality on the Chk1 inhibitor (CH-01) is masked by a bioreductive group, rendering the compound inactive as a Chk1/Aurora A inhibitor. Reduction of the bioreductive group nitro moiety, under hypoxic conditions, reveals an electron-donating substituent that leads to fragmentation of the molecule, affording the active inhibitor. Most importantly, we show a significant loss of viability in cancer cell lines exposed to hypoxia in the presence of CH-01. This novel approach targets the most aggressive and therapy-resistant tumor fraction while protecting normal tissue from therapy-induced genomic instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Cazares-Körner
- Cancer Research U.K./MRC Gray
Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building,
Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry
Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Isabel M. Pires
- Cancer Research U.K./MRC Gray
Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building,
Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K
| | - I. Diane Swallow
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry
Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Samuel
C. Grayer
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry
Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Liam J. O’Connor
- Cancer Research U.K./MRC Gray
Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building,
Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry
Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Monica
M. Olcina
- Cancer Research U.K./MRC Gray
Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building,
Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K
| | - Martin Christlieb
- Cancer Research U.K./MRC Gray
Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building,
Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K
| | - Stuart J. Conway
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry
Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Ester M. Hammond
- Cancer Research U.K./MRC Gray
Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building,
Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K
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48
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Pim kinases phosphorylate Chk1 and regulate its functions in acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2013; 28:293-301. [PMID: 23748345 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2013.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2012] [Revised: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Phosphorylation by Akt on Ser 280 was reported to induce cytoplasmic retention and inactivation of CHK1 with consequent genetic instability in PTEN-/- cells. In acute myeloid leukemia cells carrying the FLT3-internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutation, we observed high rates of FLT3-ITD-dependent CHK1 Ser 280 phosphorylation. Pharmacological inhibition and RNA interference identified Pim1/2, not Akt, as effectors of this phosphorylation. Pim1 catalyzed Ser 280 phosphorylation in vitro and ectopic expression of Pim1/2-induced CHK1 phosphorylation. Ser 280 phosphorylation did not modify CHK1 localization, but facilitated its cell cycle and resistance functions in leukemic cells. FLT3, PIM or CHK1 inhibitors synergized with DNA-damaging agents to induce apoptosis, allowing cells to bypass the etoposide-induced G2/M arrest. Consistently, etoposide-induced CHK1-dependent phosphorylations of CDC25C on Ser 216 and histone H3 on Thr11 were decreased upon FLT3 inhibition. Accordingly, ectopic expression of CHK1 improved the resistance of FLT3-ITD cells and maintained histone H3 phosphorylation in response to DNA damage, whereas expression of unphosphorylated Ser 280Ala mutant did not. Finally, FLT3- and Pim-dependent phosphorylation of CHK1 on Ser 280 was confirmed in primary blasts from patients. These results identify a new pathway involved in the resistance of FLT3-ITD leukemic cells to genotoxic agents, and they constitute the first report of CHK1 Ser 280 regulation in myeloid malignancies.
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Zhang Y, Hunter T. Roles of Chk1 in cell biology and cancer therapy. Int J Cancer 2013; 134:1013-23. [PMID: 23613359 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 302] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The evolutionally conserved DNA damage response (DDR) and cell cycle checkpoints preserve genome integrity. Central to these genome surveillance pathways is a protein kinase, Chk1. DNA damage induces activation of Chk1, which then transduces the checkpoint signal and facilitates cell cycle arrest and DNA damage repair. Significant progress has been made recently toward our understanding of Chk1 regulation and its implications in cancer etiology and therapy. Specifically, a model that involves both spatiotemporal and conformational changes of proteins has been proposed for Chk1 activation. Further, emerging evidence suggests that Chk1 does not appear to be a tumor suppressor; instead, it promotes tumor growth and may contribute to anticancer therapy resistance. Recent data from our laboratory suggest that activating, but not inhibiting, Chk1 in the absence of chemotherapy might represent an innovative approach to suppress tumor growth. These findings suggest unique regulation of Chk1 in cell biology and cancer etiology, pointing to novel strategies for targeting Chk1 in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
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Matthews TP, Jones AM, Collins I. Structure-based design, discovery and development of checkpoint kinase inhibitors as potential anticancer therapies. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2013; 8:621-40. [PMID: 23594139 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2013.788496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Checkpoint kinase (CHK) inhibitors offer the promise of enhancing the effectiveness of widely prescribed cancer chemotherapies and radiotherapy by inhibiting the DNA damage response, as well as the potential for single agent efficacy. AREAS COVERED This article surveys structural insights into the checkpoint kinases CHK1 and CHK2 that have been exploited to enhance the selectivity and potency of small molecule inhibitors. Furthermore, the authors review the use of mechanistic cellular assays to guide the optimisation of inhibitors. Finally, the authors discuss the status of the current clinical candidates and emerging new clinical contexts for CHK1 and CHK2 inhibitors, including the prospects for single agent efficacy. EXPERT OPINION Protein-bound water molecules play key roles in structural features that can be targeted to gain high selectivity for either enzyme. The results of early phase clinical trials of checkpoint inhibitors have been mixed, but significant progress has been made in testing the combination of CHK1 inhibitors with genotoxic chemotherapy. Second-generation CHK1 inhibitors are likely to benefit from increased selectivity and oral bioavailability. While the optimum therapeutic context for CHK2 inhibition remains unclear, the emergence of single agent preclinical efficacy for CHK1 inhibitors in specific tumour types exhibiting constitutive replication stress represents exciting progress in exploring the therapeutic potential of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Matthews
- Institute of Cancer Research, Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, London SM2 5NG, UK
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