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Wu S, Luo T, Lei X, Yang X. Emerging role of competing endogenous RNA in lung cancer drug resistance. J Chemother 2023:1-20. [PMID: 38124356 DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2023.2294582] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer remains one of the most common malignant cancers worldwide, and its survival rate is extremely low. Chemotherapy, the mainstay of lung cancer treatment, is not as effective as it could be due to the development of cellular resistance. The molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in lung cancer remain to be elucidated. Accumulating evidence suggests that ceRNAs are involved in various carcinogenesis and development. CeRNA is a transcript that regulates each other through competition with miRNA. However, the relationship between ceRNAs and chemoresistance in lung cancer remains unclear. In this narrative review, we provided a summary of treatment approaches that focus on ceRNA networks to overcome drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Luo
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyong Lei
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang, People's Republic of China
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2
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Zaitseva O, Hoffmann A, Löst M, Anany MA, Zhang T, Kucka K, Wiegering A, Otto C, Wajant H. Antibody-based soluble and membrane-bound TWEAK mimicking agonists with FcγR-independent activity. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1194610. [PMID: 37545514 PMCID: PMC10402896 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1194610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-inducible 14 (Fn14) activates the classical and alternative NFκB (nuclear factor 'kappa-light-chain-enhancer' of activated B-cells) signaling pathway but also enhances tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced cell death. Fn14 expression is upregulated in non-hematopoietic cells during tissue injury and is also often highly expressed in solid cancers. In view of the latter, there were and are considerable preclinical efforts to target Fn14 for tumor therapy, either by exploiting Fn14 as a target for antibodies with cytotoxic activity (e.g. antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)-inducing IgG variants, antibody drug conjugates) or by blocking antibodies with the aim to interfere with protumoral Fn14 activities. Noteworthy, there are yet no attempts to target Fn14 with agonistic Fc effector function silenced antibodies to unleash the proinflammatory and cell death-enhancing activities of this receptor for tumor therapy. This is certainly not at least due to the fact that anti-Fn14 antibodies only act as effective agonists when they are presented bound to Fcγ receptors (FcγR). Thus, there are so far no antibodies that robustly and selectively engage Fn14 signaling without triggering unwanted FcγR-mediated activities. In this study, we investigated a panel of variants of the anti-Fn14 antibody 18D1 of different valencies and domain architectures with respect to their inherent FcγR-independent ability to trigger Fn14-associated signaling pathways. In contrast to conventional 18D1, the majority of 18D1 antibody variants with four or more Fn14 binding sites displayed a strong ability to trigger the alternative NFκB pathway and to enhance TNF-induced cell death and therefore resemble in their activity soluble (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), one form of the natural occurring ligand of Fn14. Noteworthy, activation of the classical NFκB pathway, which naturally is predominately triggered by membrane-bound TWEAK but not soluble TWEAK, was preferentially observed with a subset of constructs containing Fn14 binding sites at opposing sites of the IgG scaffold, e.g. IgG1-scFv fusion proteins. A superior ability of IgG1-scFv fusion proteins to trigger classical NFκB signaling was also observed with the anti-Fn14 antibody PDL192 suggesting that we identified generic structures for Fn14 antibody variants mimicking soluble and membrane-bound TWEAK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena Zaitseva
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Annett Hoffmann
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplant, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Margaretha Löst
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mohamed A. Anany
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Tengyu Zhang
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kirstin Kucka
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Armin Wiegering
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplant, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Otto
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplant, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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3
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Zaitseva O, Hoffmann A, Otto C, Wajant H. Targeting fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-inducible 14 (Fn14) for tumor therapy. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:935086. [PMID: 36339601 PMCID: PMC9634131 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.935086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) and is activated by its ligand TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK). The latter occurs as a homotrimeric molecule in a soluble and a membrane-bound form. Soluble TWEAK (sTWEAK) activates the weakly inflammatory alternative NF-κB pathway and sensitizes for TNF-induced cell death while membrane TWEAK (memTWEAK) triggers additionally robust activation of the classical NF-κB pathway and various MAP kinase cascades. Fn14 expression is limited in adult organisms but becomes strongly induced in non-hematopoietic cells by a variety of growth factors, cytokines and physical stressors (e.g., hypoxia, irradiation). Since all these Fn14-inducing factors are frequently also present in the tumor microenvironment, Fn14 is regularly found to be expressed by non-hematopoietic cells of the tumor microenvironment and most solid tumor cells. In general, there are three possibilities how the tumor-Fn14 linkage could be taken into consideration for tumor therapy. First, by exploitation of the cancer associated expression of Fn14 to direct cytotoxic activities (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), cytotoxic payloads, CAR T-cells) to the tumor, second by blockade of potential protumoral activities of the TWEAK/Fn14 system, and third, by stimulation of Fn14 which not only triggers proinflammtory activities but also sensitizes cells for apoptotic and necroptotic cell death. Based on a brief description of the biology of the TWEAK/Fn14 system and Fn14 signaling, we discuss the features of the most relevant Fn14-targeting biologicals and review the preclinical data obtained with these reagents. In particular, we address problems and limitations which became evident in the preclinical studies with Fn14-targeting biologicals and debate possibilities how they could be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena Zaitseva
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Annett Hoffmann
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation,Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Otto
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation,Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Harald Wajant,
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4
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A novel shiga based immunotoxin against Fn-14 receptor on colorectal and lung cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 110:109076. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Lower Expression of TWEAK is Associated with Poor Survival and Dysregulate TIICs in Lung Adenocarcinoma. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:8661423. [PMID: 35707713 PMCID: PMC9192298 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8661423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and the most subtype is lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) greatly impact the prognosis of LUAD. Tumor necrosis factor–like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), signal via its receptor fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14), dysregulates immune cell recruitment within tumor environment, thus promoting the progression of autoimmune diseases and cancer. We aimed to explore its role in LUAD. Methods. The expression level of TWEAK was explored in Tumor Immune Estimation Resource 2.0 (TIMER2.0) and Oncomine databases. The Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) and Lung Cancer Explorer (LCE) databases were applied to evaluate the survival in correlation to TWEAK expression. TIICs were assessed with TIMER2.0 and TIDE datasets. The expression of TWEAK protein was detected in LUAD cell lines and also in tissue samples from LUAD patients via western blotting or combination with immunochemistry. Results. Our results showed that TWEAK was downregulated in LUAD tumors compared to normal tissues in TIMER2.0, Oncomine, cell lines, and clinical specimens. Poor survival was uncovered in lower TWEAK expression of LUAD patients in LCE (
[95% CI, 0.76-0.92]) and TCGA (
,
) and GSE13213@PRECOG (
,
) in TIDE. Multiple tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) were found closely correlated with TWEAK expression in LUAD, especially hematopoietic stem cell (
,
), common lymphoid progenitor (
,
), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) (
,
). Conclusion. Lower level of TWEAK was linked with poor survival and aberrant recruitment and phenotype of TIICs in LUAD, which might motivate immune escape and weaken the effects of immunotherapy.
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6
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Zhang Y, Yang X, Zhu XL, Wang ZZ, Bai H, Zhang JJ, Hao CY, Duan HB. A Novel Immune-Related Prognostic Biomarker and Target Associated With Malignant Progression of Glioma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:643159. [PMID: 33937046 PMCID: PMC8085360 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.643159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glioma is one of the most common malignancies in the central nervous system and has limited effective therapeutic options. Therefore, we sought to identify a suitable target for immunotherapy. Materials and Methods We screened prognostic genes for glioma in the CGGA database and GSE43378 dataset using survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, independent prognostic analysis, and clinical correlation analysis. The results were intersected with immune genes from the ImmPort database through Venn diagrams to obtain likely target genes. The target genes were validated as prognostically relevant immune genes for glioma using survival, ROC curve, independent prognostic, and clinical correlation analyses in samples from the CGGA database and GSE43378 dataset, respectively. We also constructed a nomogram using statistically significant glioma prognostic factors in the CGGA samples and verified their sensitivity and specificity with ROC curves. The functions, pathways, and co-expression-related genes for the glioma target genes were assessed using PPI networks, enrichment analysis, and correlation analysis. The correlation between target gene expression and immune cell infiltration in glioma and the relationship with the survival of glioma patients were investigated using the TIMER database. Finally, target gene expression in normal brain, low-grade glioma, and high-grade glioma tissues was detected using immunohistochemical staining. Results We identified TNFRSF12A as the target gene. Satisfactory results from survival, ROC curve, independent prognosis, and clinical correlation analyses in the CGGA and GSE43378 samples verified that TNFRSF12A was significantly associated with the prognosis of glioma patients. A nomogram was constructed using glioma prognostic correlates, including TNFRSF12A expression, primary-recurrent-secondary (PRS) type, grade, age, chemotherapy, IDH mutation, and 1p19q co-deletion in CGGA samples with an AUC value of 0.860, which illustrated the accuracy of the prognosis prediction. The results of the TIMER analysis validated the significant correlation of TNFRSF12A with immune cell infiltration and glioma survival. The immunohistochemical staining results verified the progressive up-regulation of TNFRSF12A expression in normal brain, low-grade glioma, and high-grade glioma tissues. Conclusion We concluded that TNFRSF12A was a viable prognostic biomarker and a potential immunotherapeutic target for glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhuang-Zhuang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hao Bai
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jun-Jie Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Chun-Yan Hao
- Department of Geriatrics, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hu-Bin Duan
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Lvliang People's Hospital, Lvliang, China
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7
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Liang L, Cheng C, Hu G, Wang X, Liu J, Yan Z, Zeng W, Xia Y. TWEAK Promotes the Proliferation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells Through Activating cIAP1 Signals. Front Oncol 2020; 10:439. [PMID: 32351884 PMCID: PMC7174721 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies showed that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) induces the proliferation of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. However, the precise mechanism underlying such effect of TWEAK remains unclear. This study was designed to elucidate the role of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis 1 (cIAP1) in TWEAK-induced proliferation of SCC cells. Human SCC cells (SCC-13, A431, and SCC-9) were cultured in vitro, receiving the stimulation of TWEAK or TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). We found that TWEAK induced cytoplasmic cIAP1 importation and RIP1 ubiquitination in cells, followed by the activation of canonical nuclear factor kappa B signals. MV1, a cIAP1 inhibitor, abrogated TWEAK-induced proliferation of these cells. Moreover, the interaction between TWEAK and its receptor, fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14), enhanced the expression of TRAIL receptor types 3 and 4 (TRAIL-R3/4). Furthermore, the transfection of TRAIL-R3/4 siRNA abrogated the promotion effect of TWEAK on SCC-13 cell proliferation and cIAP1 expression. Therefore, TWEAK/Fn14 interaction promotes the proliferation of SCC cells through activating cIAP1 signals. Targeting the downstream cIAP1 signals might attenuate the effect of TWEAK on SCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Liang
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Chuantao Cheng
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Guanglei Hu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuening Wang
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhu Yan
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Weihui Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yumin Xia
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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8
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Dancy JG, Wadajkar AS, Connolly NP, Galisteo R, Ames HM, Peng S, Tran NL, Goloubeva OG, Woodworth GF, Winkles JA, Kim AJ. Decreased nonspecific adhesivity, receptor-targeted therapeutic nanoparticles for primary and metastatic breast cancer. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaax3931. [PMID: 31998833 PMCID: PMC6962043 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aax3931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Development of effective tumor cell-targeted nanodrug formulations has been quite challenging, as many nanocarriers and targeting moieties exhibit nonspecific binding to cellular, extracellular, and intravascular components. We have developed a therapeutic nanoparticle formulation approach that balances cell surface receptor-specific binding affinity while maintaining minimal interactions with blood and tumor tissue components (termed "DART" nanoparticles), thereby improving blood circulation time, biodistribution, and tumor cell-specific uptake. Here, we report that paclitaxel (PTX)-DART nanoparticles directed to the cell surface receptor fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) outperformed both the corresponding PTX-loaded, nontargeted nanoparticles and Abraxane, an FDA-approved PTX nanoformulation, in both a primary triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) model and an intracranial model reflecting TNBC growth following metastatic dissemination to the brain. These results provide new insights into methods for effective development of therapeutic nanoparticles as well as support the continued development of the DART platform for primary and metastatic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena G. Dancy
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Aniket S. Wadajkar
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Nina P. Connolly
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Rebeca Galisteo
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Heather M. Ames
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Sen Peng
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Nhan L. Tran
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
| | - Olga G. Goloubeva
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Graeme F. Woodworth
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jeffrey A. Winkles
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Corresponding author. (J.A.W.); (A.J.K.)
| | - Anthony J. Kim
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Corresponding author. (J.A.W.); (A.J.K.)
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Bumbaca B, Li Z, Shah DK. Pharmacokinetics of protein and peptide conjugates. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2019; 34:42-54. [PMID: 30573392 PMCID: PMC6378135 DOI: 10.1016/j.dmpk.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Protein and peptide conjugates have become an important component of therapeutic and diagnostic medicine. These conjugates are primarily designed to improve pharmacokinetics (PK) of those therapeutic or imaging agents, which do not possess optimal disposition characteristics. In this review we have summarized preclinical and clinical PK of diverse protein and peptide conjugates, and have showcased how different conjugation approaches are used to obtain the desired PK. We have classified the conjugates into peptide conjugates, non-targeted protein conjugates, and targeted protein conjugates, and have highlighted diagnostic and therapeutic applications of these conjugates. In general, peptide conjugates demonstrate very short half-life and rapid renal elimination, and they are mainly designed to achieve high contrast ratio for imaging agents or to deliver therapeutic agents at sites not reachable by bulky or non-targeted proteins. Conjugates made from non-targeted proteins like albumin are designed to increase the half-life of rapidly eliminating therapeutic or imaging agents, and improve their delivery to tissues like solid tumors and inflamed joints. Targeted protein conjugates are mainly developed from antibodies, antibody derivatives, or endogenous proteins, and they are designed to improve the contrast ratio of imaging agents or therapeutic index of therapeutic agents, by enhancing their delivery to the site-of-action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Bumbaca
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, USA
| | - Zhe Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, USA
| | - Dhaval K Shah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, USA.
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10
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Enavatuzumab, a Humanized Anti-TWEAK Receptor Monoclonal Antibody, Exerts Antitumor Activity through Attracting and Activating Innate Immune Effector Cells. J Immunol Res 2017; 2017:5737159. [PMID: 29075649 PMCID: PMC5623805 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5737159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Enavatuzumab is a humanized IgG1 anti-TWEAK receptor monoclonal antibody that was evaluated in a phase I clinical study for the treatment of solid malignancies. The current study was to determine whether and how myeloid effector cells were involved in postulated mechanisms for its potent antitumor activity in xenograft models. The initial evidence for a role of effector cells was obtained in a subset of tumor xenograft mouse models whose response to enavatuzumab relied on the binding of Fc of the antibody to Fcγ receptor. The involvement of effector cells was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry, which revealed strong infiltration of CD45+ effector cells into tumor xenografts in responding models, but minimal infiltration in nonresponders. Consistent with the xenograft studies, human effector cells preferentially migrated toward in vivo-responsive tumor cells treated by enavatuzumab in vitro, with the majority of migratory cells being monocytes. Conditioned media from enavatuzumab-treated tumor cells contained elevated levels of chemokines, which might be responsible for enavatuzumab-triggered effector cell migration. These preclinical studies demonstrate that enavatuzumab can exert its potent antitumor activity by actively recruiting and activating myeloid effectors to kill tumor cells. Enavatuzumab-induced chemokines warrant further evaluation in clinical studies as potential biomarkers for such activity.
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11
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Recombinant Immunotoxin Therapy of Glioblastoma: Smart Design, Key Findings, and Specific Challenges. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:7929286. [PMID: 28752098 PMCID: PMC5511670 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7929286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant immunotoxins (RITs) refer to a group of recombinant protein-based therapeutics, which consists of two components: an antibody variable fragment or a specific ligand that allows RITs to bind specifically to target cells and an engineered toxin fragment that kills the target cells upon internalization. To date, over 1,000 RITs have been generated and significant success has been achieved in the therapy of hematological malignancies. However, the immunogenicity and off-target toxicities of RITs remain as significant barriers for their application to solid tumor therapy. A group of RITs have also been generated for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, and some have demonstrated evidence of tumor response and an acceptable profile of toxicity and safety in early clinical trials. Different from other solid tumors, how to efficiently deliver the RITs to intracranial tumors is more critical and needs to be solved urgently. In this article, we first review the design and expression of RITs, then summarize the key findings in the preclinical and clinical development of RIT therapy of glioblastoma multiforme, and lastly discuss the specific issues that still remain to forward RIT therapy to clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanglei Hu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Weihui Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yumin Xia
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
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13
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Keshtvarz M, Salimian J, Yaseri M, Bathaie SZ, Rezaie E, Aliramezani A, Norouzbabaei Z, Amani J, Douraghi M. Bioinformatic prediction and experimental validation of a PE38-based recombinant immunotoxin targeting the Fn14 receptor in cancer cells. Immunotherapy 2017; 9:387-400. [PMID: 28357912 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2017-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM AFn14R can serve as an ideal target for cancer immunotherapy. Here, a combined bioinformatic and experimental approach was applied to characterize an immunotoxin consisting of single-chain variable fragment antibody that targets Fn14 and a toxin fragment (PE38). METHODS & RESULTS Flow cytometry results showed that the rate of PE38-P4A8 binding to Fn14 was approximately 60 and 40% in HT-29 and A549 cells, respectively. Moreover, 1 ng/µl of immunotoxin was able to lyse approximately 53 and 41% of HT-29 and A549, respectively. PE38-P4A8 showed stability in mouse serum (∼90%) after 3-h incubation. Most importantly, using bioinformatics for determining the structure and function of fusion proteins can be very helpful in designing of experiments. CONCLUSION Coupled with bioinformatics, experimental approaches revealed that PE38-P4A8 could be used as a promising therapeutic agent for cancer cells expressing Fn14.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Keshtvarz
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar Salimian
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Yaseri
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ehsan Rezaie
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Vanak Sq. Molasadra St, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Aliramezani
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Norouzbabaei
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar Amani
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Vanak Sq. Molasadra St, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Douraghi
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Food Microbiology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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14
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Allahyari H, Heidari S, Ghamgosha M, Saffarian P, Amani J. Immunotoxin: A new tool for cancer therapy. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317692226. [DOI: 10.1177/1010428317692226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the main reasons of death in the most countries and in Iran. Immunotherapy quickly became one of the best methods of cancer treatment, along with chemotherapy and radiation. “Immunotoxin Therapy” is a promising way of cancer therapy that is mentioned in this field. Immunotoxins are made from a toxin attaching to an antibody target proteins present on cancer cells. The first-generation immunotoxins were made of a full-length toxin attached to whole monoclonal antibodies. But, these immunotoxins could bind to normal cells. DAB389IL2 was the first immunotoxin approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Current trends and researches are ongoing on finding proteins that in combination with immunotoxins have minimal immunogenicity and the most potency for target cell killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Allahyari
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Heidari
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Ghamgosha
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parvaneh Saffarian
- Department of Microbiology, Tehran Medical Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar Amani
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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15
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Wang T, Ma S, Qi X, Tang X, Cui D, Wang Z, Chi J, Li P, Zhai B. Knockdown of the differentially expressed gene TNFRSF12A inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Mol Med Rep 2017; 15:1172-1178. [PMID: 28138696 PMCID: PMC5367325 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been reported to be highly insensitive to conventional chemotherapy. In the current study, the Agilent Whole Human Genome Oligo Microarray (4×44 K) was used in order to identify the differentially expressed genes between HCC and adjacent tissues, and the top 22 differentially expressed genes were confirmed through reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Among the identified differences in gene expression, expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 12A (TNFRSF12A) was markedly higher in HCC tissue than in adjacent tissue. Previous studies have suggested that TNFRSF12A may serve a role in tumor growth and metastasis, thus in the current study, TNFRSF12A was knocked down in the SMMC7721 cell line through siRNA. This demonstrated that cells exhibited reduced reproductive and metastatic capacity ex vivo. Thus, the results of the current study suggest that TNFRSF12A may be a candidate therapeutic target for cancer including HCC, and additional genes that exhibited significantly different expression from normal adjacent tissues require further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
| | - Sicong Ma
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
| | - Xingxing Qi
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyin Tang
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
| | - Dan Cui
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
| | - Zhi Wang
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
| | - Jiachang Chi
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
| | - Bo Zhai
- Department of Interventional Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
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16
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The TWEAK receptor Fn14 is a potential cell surface portal for targeted delivery of glioblastoma therapeutics. Oncogene 2015; 35:2145-55. [PMID: 26300004 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14; TNFRSF12A) is the cell surface receptor for the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family member TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK). The Fn14 gene is normally expressed at low levels in healthy tissues but expression is significantly increased after tissue injury and in many solid tumor types, including glioblastoma (GB; formerly referred to as 'GB multiforme'). GB is the most common and aggressive primary malignant brain tumor and the current standard-of-care therapeutic regimen has a relatively small impact on patient survival, primarily because glioma cells have an inherent propensity to invade into normal brain parenchyma, which invariably leads to tumor recurrence and patient death. Despite major, concerted efforts to find new treatments, a new GB therapeutic that improves survival has not been introduced since 2005. In this review article, we summarize studies indicating that (i) Fn14 gene expression is low in normal brain tissue but is upregulated in advanced brain cancers and, in particular, in GB tumors exhibiting the mesenchymal molecular subtype; (ii) Fn14 expression can be detected in glioma cells residing in both the tumor core and invasive rim regions, with the maximal levels found in the invading glioma cells located within normal brain tissue; and (iii) TWEAK Fn14 engagement as well as Fn14 overexpression can stimulate glioma cell migration, invasion and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents in vitro. We also discuss two new therapeutic platforms that are currently in development that leverage Fn14 overexpression in GB tumors as a way to deliver cytotoxic agents to the glioma cells remaining after surgical resection while sparing normal healthy brain cells.
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17
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Zeng M, Zheng M, Lu D, Wang J, Jiang W, Sha O. Anti-tumor activities and apoptotic mechanism of ribosome-inactivating proteins. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CANCER 2015; 34:325-34. [PMID: 26184404 PMCID: PMC4593346 DOI: 10.1186/s40880-015-0030-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) belong to a family of enzymes that attack eukaryotic ribosomes and potently inhibit cellular protein synthesis. RIPs possess several biomedical properties, including anti-viral and anti-tumor activities. Multiple RIPs are known to inhibit tumor cell proliferation through inducing apoptosis in a variety of cancers, such as breast cancer, leukemia/lymphoma, and hepatoma. This review focuses on the anti-tumor activities of RIPs and their apoptotic effects through three closely related pathways: mitochondrial, death receptor, and endoplasmic reticulum pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiqi Zeng
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Manyin Zheng
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Desheng Lu
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jun Wang
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wenqi Jiang
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510060, People's Republic of China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ou Sha
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Alewine C, Hassan R, Pastan I. Advances in anticancer immunotoxin therapy. Oncologist 2015; 20:176-85. [PMID: 25561510 PMCID: PMC4319635 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2014-0358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins are a novel class of antibody-conjugated therapeutics currently in clinical development for a variety of malignancies. They consist of an antibody-based targeting domain fused to a bacterial toxin payload for cell killing. Immunotoxins kill cells by inhibiting protein synthesis, a unique mechanism of action that is toxic to both dividing and nondividing cells. Recent advances in the design and administration of immunotoxins are overcoming historical challenges in the field, leading to renewed interest in these therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Alewine
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Raffit Hassan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ira Pastan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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19
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Schneider CS, Perez JG, Cheng E, Zhang C, Mastorakos P, Hanes J, Winkles JA, Woodworth GF, Kim AJ. Minimizing the non-specific binding of nanoparticles to the brain enables active targeting of Fn14-positive glioblastoma cells. Biomaterials 2014; 42:42-51. [PMID: 25542792 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.11.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Revised: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A major limitation in the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and deadly primary brain cancer, is delivery of therapeutics to invading tumor cells outside of the area that is safe for surgical removal. A promising way to target invading GBM cells is via drug-loaded nanoparticles that bind to fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14), thereby potentially improving efficacy and reducing toxicity. However, achieving broad particle distribution and nanoparticle targeting within the brain remains a significant challenge due to the adhesive extracellular matrix (ECM) and clearance mechanisms in the brain. In this work, we developed Fn14 monoclonal antibody-decorated nanoparticles that can efficiently penetrate brain tissue. We show these Fn14-targeted brain tissue penetrating nanoparticles are able to (i) selectively bind to recombinant Fn14 but not brain ECM proteins, (ii) associate with and be internalized by Fn14-positive GBM cells, and (iii) diffuse within brain tissue in a manner similar to non-targeted brain penetrating nanoparticles. In addition, when administered intracranially, Fn14-targeted nanoparticles showed improved tumor cell co-localization in mice bearing human GBM xenografts compared to non-targeted nanoparticles. Minimizing non-specific binding of targeted nanoparticles in the brain may greatly improve the access of particulate delivery systems to remote brain tumor cells and other brain targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig S Schneider
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jimena G Perez
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Emily Cheng
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Clark Zhang
- Center for Nanomedicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 North Broadway Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Panagiotis Mastorakos
- Center for Nanomedicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 North Broadway Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Justin Hanes
- Center for Nanomedicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 North Broadway Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Winkles
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Graeme F Woodworth
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Anthony J Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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20
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Zhou H, Mohamedali KA, Gonzalez-Angulo AM, Cao Y, Migliorini M, Cheung LH, LoBello J, Lei X, Qi Y, Hittelman WN, Winkles JA, Tran NL, Rosenblum MG. Development of human serine protease-based therapeutics targeting Fn14 and identification of Fn14 as a new target overexpressed in TNBC. Mol Cancer Ther 2014; 13:2688-705. [PMID: 25239934 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-14-0346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The cytokine TWEAK and its receptor, Fn14, have emerged as potentially valuable targets for cancer therapy. Granzyme B (GrB)-containing Fn14-targeted constructs were generated containing either the Fn14 ligand TWEAK (GrB-TWEAK) or an anti-Fn14 humanized single-chain antibody (GrB-Fc-IT4) as the targeting moieties. Both constructs showed high affinity and selective cytotoxicity against a panel of Fn14-expressing human tumor cells including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lines. Cellular expression of the GrB inhibitor PI-9 in target cells had no impact on the cytotoxic effect of either construct. Cellular expression of MDR1 showed no cross-resistance to the fusion constructs. GrB-TWEAK and GrB-Fc-IT4 activated intracellular caspase cascades and cytochrome c-related proapoptotic pathways consistent with the known intracellular functions of GrB in target cells. Treatment of mice bearing established HT-29 xenografts with GrB-TWEAK showed significant tumor growth inhibition compared with vehicle alone (P < 0.05). Both GrB-TWEAK and GrB-Fc-IT4 displayed significant tumor growth inhibition when administered to mice bearing orthotopic MDA-MB-231 (TNBC) tumor xenografts. The Cancer Genome Atlas analysis revealed that Fn14 mRNA expression was significantly higher in TNBC and in HER2-positive disease (P < 0.0001) compared with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, and in basal-like 2 tumors (P = 0.01) compared with other TNBC molecular subtypes. IHC analysis of a 101 patient TNBC tumor microarray showed that 55 of 101 (54%) of tumors stained positive for Fn14, suggesting that this may be an excellent potential target for precision therapeutic approaches. Targeting Fn14 using fully human, GrB-containing fusion constructs may form the basis for a new class of novel, potent, and highly effective constructs for targeted therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhou
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Khalid A Mohamedali
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ana Maria Gonzalez-Angulo
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. Department of Systems Biology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Mary Migliorini
- Department of Surgery, Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, and the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lawrence H Cheung
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Janine LoBello
- Integrated Cancer Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Xiudong Lei
- Department of Biostatistics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Yuan Qi
- Department of Bioinformatics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Walter N Hittelman
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jeffrey A Winkles
- Department of Surgery, Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, and the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nhan L Tran
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Michael G Rosenblum
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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21
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Shin MC, Zhang J, Ah Min K, Lee K, Moon C, Balthasar JP, Yang VC. Combination of antibody targeting and PTD-mediated intracellular toxin delivery for colorectal cancer therapy. J Control Release 2014; 194:197-210. [PMID: 25204286 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Revised: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The bottlenecks of current chemotherapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer lie in the ineffectiveness of the existing anti-cancer small molecule drugs as well as the dose-limiting toxicity caused by the nonselective action on normal tissues by such drugs. To address these problems, we introduce a novel therapeutic strategy based on tumor targeting using a non-internalizing anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monoclonal antibody (mAb) and intracellular delivery of the extremely potent yet cell-impermeable protein toxin gelonin via the aid of a cell-penetrating peptide (also termed as protein transduction domain; PTD). A chimeric TAT-gelonin fusion protein was genetically engineered, and it displayed remarkably enhanced anti-cancer activity against human colorectal cancer cells, with IC50 values being several orders of magnitude lower than the unmodified gelonin. On the other hand, a chemically synthesized conjugate of heparin and a murine anti-CEA mAb, T84.66 (termed T84.66-Hep) was found able to bind highly specifically to CEA over-expressing LS174T colorectal cancer cells. When mixing together, TAT-gelonin and T84.66-Hep could associate tightly and automatically through an electrostatic interaction between the cationic TAT and anionic heparin. In preliminary in vivo studies using LS174T s.c. xenograft tumor bearing mouse, selective and significantly augmented (58-fold) delivery of TAT-gelonin to the tumor target was observed, when compared with administration of TAT-gelonin alone. More importantly, efficacy studies also revealed that only the TAT-gelonin/T84.66-Hep complex yielded a significant inhibition of tumor growth (46%) without causing gelonin-induced systemic toxicity. Overall, this study suggested a generic strategy to effectively yet safely deliver potent PTD-modified protein toxins to the tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meong Cheol Shin
- Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnosis, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, 428 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jian Zhang
- Biomedical Polymers Laboratory, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Kyoung Ah Min
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, 428 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kyuri Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, 428 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Cheol Moon
- College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, Jeonnam, 540-950, Republic of Korea
| | - Joseph P Balthasar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Victor C Yang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnosis, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, 428 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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22
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Yin J, Liu YN, Tillman H, Barrett B, Hewitt S, Ylaya K, Fang L, Lake R, Corey E, Morrissey C, Vessella R, Kelly K. AR-regulated TWEAK-FN14 pathway promotes prostate cancer bone metastasis. Cancer Res 2014; 74:4306-17. [PMID: 24970477 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-3233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The recurrence of prostate cancer metastases to bone after androgen deprivation therapy is a major clinical challenge. We identified FN14 (TNFRSF12A), a TNF receptor family member, as a factor that promotes prostate cancer bone metastasis. In experimental models, depletion of FN14 inhibited bone metastasis, and FN14 could be functionally reconstituted with IKKβ-dependent, NFκB signaling activation. In human prostate cancer, upregulated FN14 expression was observed in more than half of metastatic samples. In addition, FN14 expression was correlated inversely with androgen receptor (AR) signaling output in clinical samples. Consistent with this, AR binding to the FN14 enhancer decreased expression. We show here that FN14 may be a survival factor in low AR output prostate cancer cells. Our results define one upstream mechanism, via FN14 signaling, through which the NFκB pathway contributes to prostate cancer metastasis and suggest FN14 as a candidate therapeutic and imaging target for castrate-resistant prostate cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- JuanJuan Yin
- Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yen-Nien Liu
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Heather Tillman
- Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Ben Barrett
- Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Stephen Hewitt
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kris Ylaya
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lei Fang
- Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Ross Lake
- Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Eva Corey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Colm Morrissey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Robert Vessella
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Kathleen Kelly
- Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
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23
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Low blood levels of sTWEAK are related to locoregional failure in head and neck cancer. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2014; 272:1733-41. [PMID: 24858806 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-014-3095-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Identifying serum pre-treatment molecular markers that can predict response to therapy is of great interest in head and neck oncology and is required to develop personalized treatments that maximize survival while minimizing morbidity. The main aim was to investigate the potential prognostic significance of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), and its receptors, fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) and CD163, in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The study comprised 37 consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed, untreated HNSCC. Serum and tissue samples from these patients were available for study. We determined sTWEAK and sCD163 levels in serum from 37 HNSCC patients by ELISA. TWEAK, CD163, Fn14 and TNF-α gene expression were detected by real-time RT-PCR in 111 matched tissue samples (tumoral, adjacent and distal/normal mucosa). Our results showed a significant relationship between low sTWEAK levels and poor locoregional control of the disease. Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that the locoregional recurrence-free survival rate in patients with low sTWEAK circulating levels was significantly lower than in patients with high levels, and that high CD136/TWEAK expression ratio in tumors was also related to poor prognosis. sTWEAK pre-treatment serum levels might be used as prognostic non-invasive biomarkers for locoregional control in patients with HNSCC. Future investigations are warranted to determine the potential prognostic significance of this non-invasive biomarker in the rapid discrimination according to the locoregional control achieved in patients who received a non-surgical organ preservation treatment.
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24
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Gurunathan S, Winkles JA, Ghosh S, Hayden MS. Regulation of fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) expression levels via ligand-independent lysosomal degradation. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:12976-88. [PMID: 24652288 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.563478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) is a highly inducible cytokine receptor that engages multiple intracellular signaling pathways, including nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Fn14 expression is regulated by several cytokines and growth factors, and Fn14 is transiently up-regulated after injury. In contrast, in states of chronic inflammatory disease and in some solid tumors, Fn14 is persistently up-regulated. However, the post-translational regulation of Fn14 expression has not been directly investigated. Thus, we examined Fn14 proteostasis in the presence and absence of the Fn14 ligand TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK). Similar to other TNF receptor superfamily members, we found that TWEAK induces Fn14 internalization and degradation. Surprisingly, we also observed rapid, TWEAK-independent, constitutive Fn14 internalization and turnover. Fn14 levels are maintained in cell culture by ongoing synthesis and trafficking of the receptor, leading to subsequent down-regulation by lysosomal degradation. Unexpectedly, the extracellular domain of Fn14 is necessary and sufficient for constitutive turnover. Based on these findings, we propose a model in which constitutive down-regulation of Fn14 facilitates dynamic regulation of Fn14 protein levels and prevents spontaneous or inappropriate receptor signaling.
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25
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Cheng E, Armstrong CL, Galisteo R, Winkles JA. TWEAK/Fn14 Axis-Targeted Therapeutics: Moving Basic Science Discoveries to the Clinic. Front Immunol 2013; 4:473. [PMID: 24391646 PMCID: PMC3870272 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The TNF superfamily member TWEAK (TNFSF12) is a multifunctional cytokine implicated in physiological tissue regeneration and wound repair. TWEAK is initially synthesized as a membrane-anchored protein, but furin cleavage within the stalk region can generate a secreted TWEAK isoform. Both TWEAK isoforms bind to a small cell surface receptor named Fn14 (TNFRSF12A) and this interaction stimulates various cellular responses, including proliferation and migration. Fn14, like other members of the TNF receptor superfamily, is not a ligand-activated protein kinase. Instead, TWEAK:Fn14 engagement promotes Fn14 association with members of the TNFR associated factor family of adapter proteins, which triggers activation of various signaling pathways, including the classical and alternative NF-κB pathways. Numerous studies have revealed that Fn14 gene expression is significantly elevated in injured tissues and in most solid tumor types. Also, sustained Fn14 signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia, chronic inflammatory diseases, and cancer. Accordingly, several groups are developing TWEAK- or Fn14-targeted agents for possible therapeutic use in patients. These agents include monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins, and immunotoxins. In this article, we provide an overview of some of the TWEAK/Fn14 axis-targeted agents currently in pre-clinical animal studies or in human clinical trials and discuss two other potential approaches to target this intriguing signaling node.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Cheng
- Department of Surgery, Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases and Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cheryl L. Armstrong
- Department of Surgery, Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases and Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rebeca Galisteo
- Department of Surgery, Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases and Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey A. Winkles
- Department of Surgery, Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases and Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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