1
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Chu X, Tian W, Ning J, Xiao G, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Zhai Z, Tanzhu G, Yang J, Zhou R. Cancer stem cells: advances in knowledge and implications for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:170. [PMID: 38965243 PMCID: PMC11224386 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01851-y] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small subset of cells in tumors that are characterized by self-renewal and continuous proliferation, lead to tumorigenesis, metastasis, and maintain tumor heterogeneity. Cancer continues to be a significant global disease burden. In the past, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were the main cancer treatments. The technology of cancer treatments continues to develop and advance, and the emergence of targeted therapy, and immunotherapy provides more options for patients to a certain extent. However, the limitations of efficacy and treatment resistance are still inevitable. Our review begins with a brief introduction of the historical discoveries, original hypotheses, and pathways that regulate CSCs, such as WNT/β-Catenin, hedgehog, Notch, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, TGF-β, PI3K/AKT, PPAR pathway, and their crosstalk. We focus on the role of CSCs in various therapeutic outcomes and resistance, including how the treatments affect the content of CSCs and the alteration of related molecules, CSCs-mediated therapeutic resistance, and the clinical value of targeting CSCs in patients with refractory, progressed or advanced tumors. In summary, CSCs affect therapeutic efficacy, and the treatment method of targeting CSCs is still difficult to determine. Clarifying regulatory mechanisms and targeting biomarkers of CSCs is currently the mainstream idea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjing Chu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Wentao Tian
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Jiaoyang Ning
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Gang Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yunqi Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Zhuofan Zhai
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Guilong Tanzhu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410008, China.
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2
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Branco F, Cunha J, Mendes M, Vitorino C, Sousa JJ. Peptide-Hitchhiking for the Development of Nanosystems in Glioblastoma. ACS NANO 2024; 18:16359-16394. [PMID: 38861272 PMCID: PMC11223498 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c01790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the epitome of aggressiveness and lethality in the spectrum of brain tumors, primarily due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that hinders effective treatment delivery, tumor heterogeneity, and the presence of treatment-resistant stem cells that contribute to tumor recurrence. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been used to overcome these obstacles by attaching targeting ligands to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Among these ligands, peptides stand out due to their ease of synthesis and high selectivity. This article aims to review single and multiligand strategies critically. In addition, it highlights other strategies that integrate the effects of external stimuli, biomimetic approaches, and chemical approaches as nanocatalytic medicine, revealing their significant potential in treating GBM with peptide-functionalized NPs. Alternative routes of parenteral administration, specifically nose-to-brain delivery and local treatment within the resected tumor cavity, are also discussed. Finally, an overview of the significant obstacles and potential strategies to overcome them are discussed to provide a perspective on this promising field of GBM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Branco
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências
da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Cunha
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências
da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Mendes
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências
da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra
Chemistry Centre, Institute of Molecular Sciences − IMS, Faculty
of Sciences and Technology, University of
Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carla Vitorino
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências
da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra
Chemistry Centre, Institute of Molecular Sciences − IMS, Faculty
of Sciences and Technology, University of
Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João J. Sousa
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências
da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra
Chemistry Centre, Institute of Molecular Sciences − IMS, Faculty
of Sciences and Technology, University of
Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
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3
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Abousalman-Rezvani Z, Refaat A, Dehghankelishadi P, Roghani-Mamaqani H, Esser L, Voelcker NH. Insights into Targeted and Stimulus-Responsive Nanocarriers for Brain Cancer Treatment. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302902. [PMID: 38199238 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302902] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Brain cancers, especially glioblastoma multiforme, are associated with poor prognosis due to the limited efficacy of current therapies. Nanomedicine has emerged as a versatile technology to treat various diseases, including cancers, and has played an indispensable role in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic as evidenced by the role that lipid nanocarrier-based vaccines have played. The tunability of nanocarrier physicochemical properties -including size, shape, surface chemistry, and drug release kinetics- has resulted in the development of a wide range of nanocarriers for brain cancer treatment. These nanocarriers can improve the pharmacokinetics of drugs, increase blood-brain barrier transfer efficiency, and specifically target brain cancer cells. These unique features would potentially allow for more efficient treatment of brain cancer with fewer side effects and better therapeutic outcomes. This review provides an overview of brain cancers, current therapeutic options, and challenges to efficient brain cancer treatment. The latest advances in nanomedicine strategies are investigated with an emphasis on targeted and stimulus-responsive nanocarriers and their potential for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Abousalman-Rezvani
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Biomedical Manufacturing, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Research Way, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Ahmed Refaat
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Pharmaceutics Department, Faculty of Pharmacy - Alexandria University, 1 El-Khartoum Square, Alexandria, 21021, Egypt
| | - Pouya Dehghankelishadi
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Hossein Roghani-Mamaqani
- Faculty of Polymer Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, P.O. Box: 51335/1996, Iran
| | - Lars Esser
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Biomedical Manufacturing, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Research Way, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University, 14 Alliance Ln, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
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4
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Tręda C, Włodarczyk A, Rieske P. The hope, hype and obstacles surrounding cell therapy. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18359. [PMID: 38770886 PMCID: PMC11107145 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18359] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy offers hope, but it also presents challenges, most particularly the limited ability of human organs and tissues to regenerate. Since many diseases are associated with irreversible pathophysiological or traumatic changes, stem cells and their derivatives are unable to secure healing. Although regenerative medicine offers chances for improvements in many diseases, such as type one diabetes and Parkinson's disease, it cannot eliminate the primary cause of many of them. While successes can be expected for diseases such as sickle cell disease, this is not the case for hereditary diseases with varied mutation types or for ciliopathies, which start in embryogenesis. In this complicated medical environment, synthetic biology offers some solutions, but their implementation will take many years. Still, positive examples such as CAR-T therapy offer hope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cezary Tręda
- Department of Tumor BiologyMedical University of LodzLodzPoland
| | | | - Piotr Rieske
- Department of Tumor BiologyMedical University of LodzLodzPoland
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Yi SY, Wei MZ, Zhao L. Targeted immunotherapy to cancer stem cells: A novel strategy of anticancer immunotherapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 196:104313. [PMID: 38428702 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major disease that endangers human health. Cancer drug resistance and relapse are the two main causes contributing to cancer treatment failure. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small fraction of tumor cells that are responsible for tumorigenesis, metastasis, relapse, and resistance to conventional anticancer therapies. Therefore, CSCs are considered to be the root of cancer recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. Novel anticancer strategies need to face this new challenge and explore their efficacy against CSCs. Recently, immunotherapy has made rapid advances in cancer treatment, and its potential against CSCs is also an interesting area of research. Meanwhile, immunotherapy strategies are novel therapeutic modalities with promising results in targeting CSCs. In this review, we summarize the targeting of CSCs by various immunotherapy strategies such as monoclonal antibodies(mAb), tumor vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and chimeric antigen receptor-T cells(CAR-T) in pre-clinical and clinical studies. This review provides new insights into the application of these immunotherapeutic approaches to potential anti-tumor therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Yong Yi
- Department of Oncology of the Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou, Henan Province 450007, China.
| | - Mei-Zhuo Wei
- Department of Oncology of the Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou, Henan Province 450007, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- Department of Oncology of the Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou, Henan Province 450007, China.
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6
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Huang W, Li J, Zhu H, Qin X, Chen C, Wang B, Wei J, Song Y, Lu X, Li Z, Xia W, He A, Cheng L, Yu X, Shu K, Wang W. A novel EGFR variant EGFRx maintains glioblastoma stem cells through STAT5. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:85-99. [PMID: 37616578 PMCID: PMC10768976 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad153] [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: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastomas are universally lethal brain tumors containing tumor-propagating glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). EGFR gene amplification or mutation is frequently detected in GBMs and is associated with poor prognosis. However, EGFR variants in GSCs and their role in the maintenance of GSCs and progression of GBM are unclear. METHODS EGFR variants were detected through bioinformatic HISAT-StringTie-Ballgown pipeline and verified through 5' RACE, RT-PCR, ribonuclease protection, and northern blotting assays. EGFRx function was investigated through neurosphere, cell viability, intracranial xenograft and RNA-seq assays. EGFRx-STAT5 signaling was investigated through western blotting, coimmunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, luciferase reporter, RT-PCR and CUT&Tag assays. RESULTS We identified a novel EGFR variant (EGFRx), that is specifically expressed in GSCs. Unlike the EGFRvIII variant, which lacks exons 2-7, EGFRx is characterized by the absence of exons 2-14, and encodes an EGFR protein that does not possess the entire extracellular ligand-binding domain. We observed that EGFRx exhibits significant glycosylation, is required for GSC self-renewal, proliferation, and tumorigenesis, and highly active in glioblastomas compared to normal brain tissue. Mechanistically, EGFRx constitutively and specifically activates STAT5 in GSCs through spontaneous asymmetric dimerization of the kinase domain. CONCLUSIONS EGFRx plays essential roles in the maintenance of the GSC phenotype through constitutive activation of STAT5 and promotes GBM progression, suggesting that EGFRx-STAT5 signaling represents a promising therapeutic target for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongtao Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuhui Qin
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chao Chen
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinxia Wei
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanyang Song
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xia Lu
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhongyu Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenqing Xia
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Aodi He
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lidong Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xingjiang Yu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Shu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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7
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Zhao Y, Yue P, Peng Y, Sun Y, Chen X, Zhao Z, Han B. Recent advances in drug delivery systems for targeting brain tumors. Drug Deliv 2023; 30:1-18. [PMID: 36597214 PMCID: PMC9828736 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2154409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tumor accounts for about 1.6% of incidence and 2.5% of mortality of all tumors, and the median survival for brain tumor patients is only about 20 months. The treatment for brain tumor still faces many challenges, such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB), blood-brain tumor barrier (BBTB), the overexpressed efflux pumps, the infiltration, invasion, high heterogeneity of tumor cells, drug resistance and immune escape caused by tumor microenvironment (TME) and cancer stem cells (CSC). This review attempts to clarify the challenges for multi-functional nano drug delivery systems (NDDS) to cross the BBB and target the cancer cells or organelles, and also provides a brief description of the different types of targeted multi-functional NDDS that have shown potential for success in delivering drugs to the brain. Further, this review also summarizes the research progress of multi-functional NDDS in the combination therapy of brain tumors from the following sections, the combination of chemotherapy drugs, chemotherapy-chemodynamic combination therapy, chemotherapy-immunization combination therapy, and chemotherapy-gene combination therapy. We also provide an insight into the recent advances in designing multi-functional NDDS for combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhao
- Department of Translational Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China,CONTACT Yi Zhao
| | - Ping Yue
- Department of Translational Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China,The Academy of Medical Science, College of Medical, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yao Peng
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuanyuan Sun
- Department of Translational Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Translational Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ze Zhao
- Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan Polytechnic University (the Second People’s Hospital of Jiaozuo City), Jiaozuo, China,Ze Zhao
| | - Bingjie Han
- Department of Translational Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China,Bingjie Han
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8
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Begagić E, Pugonja R, Bečulić H, Čeliković A, Tandir Lihić L, Kadić Vukas S, Čejvan L, Skomorac R, Selimović E, Jaganjac B, Juković-Bihorac F, Jusić A, Pojskić M. Molecular Targeted Therapies in Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Systematic Overview of Global Trends and Findings. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1602. [PMID: 38002561 PMCID: PMC10669565 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13111602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This systematic review assesses current molecular targeted therapies for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a challenging condition with limited treatment options. Using PRISMA methodology, 166 eligible studies, involving 2526 patients (61.49% male, 38.51% female, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.59/1), were analyzed. In laboratory studies, 52.52% primarily used human glioblastoma cell cultures (HCC), and 43.17% employed animal samples (mainly mice). Clinical participants ranged from 18 to 100 years, with 60.2% using combined therapies and 39.8% monotherapies. Mechanistic categories included Protein Kinase Phosphorylation (41.6%), Cell Cycle-Related Mechanisms (18.1%), Microenvironmental Targets (19.9%), Immunological Targets (4.2%), and Other Mechanisms (16.3%). Key molecular targets included Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) (10.8%), Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) (7.2%), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) (6.6%), and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MEK) (5.4%). This review provides a comprehensive assessment of molecular therapies for GBM, highlighting their varied efficacy in clinical and laboratory settings, ultimately impacting overall and progression-free survival in GBM management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emir Begagić
- Department of General Medicine, School of Medicine, Unversity of Zenica, Travnička 1, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (E.B.)
| | - Ragib Pugonja
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Zenica, Travnička 1, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- Department of General Medicine, Primary Health Care Center, Nikole Šubića Zrinjskog bb., 72260 Busovača, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Hakija Bečulić
- Department of General Medicine, Primary Health Care Center, Nikole Šubića Zrinjskog bb., 72260 Busovača, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Crkvice 76, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Amila Čeliković
- Department of General Medicine, School of Medicine, Unversity of Zenica, Travnička 1, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (E.B.)
| | - Lejla Tandir Lihić
- Department of Neurology, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Crkvice 76, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Samra Kadić Vukas
- Department of Neurology, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Crkvice 76, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Lejla Čejvan
- Department of General Medicine, School of Medicine, Unversity of Zenica, Travnička 1, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (E.B.)
| | - Rasim Skomorac
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Crkvice 76, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Zenica, Travnička 1, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
| | - Edin Selimović
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Zenica, Travnička 1, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
| | - Belma Jaganjac
- Department of Histology, School of Medicine, University of Zenica, Travnička 1, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (B.J.)
| | - Fatima Juković-Bihorac
- Department of Histology, School of Medicine, University of Zenica, Travnička 1, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (B.J.)
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zenica, Travnička 1, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Department of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Crkvice 76, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Aldin Jusić
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Crkvice 76, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Mirza Pojskić
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Marburg, Baldingerstr., 35033 Marburg, Germany
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9
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Hazra R, Utama R, Naik P, Dobin A, Spector DL. Identification of glioblastoma stem cell-associated lncRNAs using single-cell RNA sequencing datasets. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:2056-2070. [PMID: 37922916 PMCID: PMC10679778 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.10.004] [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: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive, heterogeneous brain tumor in which glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) are known culprits of therapy resistance. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play a critical role in both cancer and normal biology. A few studies have suggested that aberrant expression of lncRNAs is associated with GSCs. However, a comprehensive single-cell analysis of the GSC-associated lncRNA transcriptome has not been carried out. Here, we analyzed recently published single-cell RNA sequencing datasets of adult GBM tumors, GBM organoids, GSC-enriched GBM tumors, and developing human brain samples to identify lncRNAs highly expressed in GSCs. We further revealed that the GSC-specific lncRNAs GIHCG and LINC01563 promote proliferation, migration, and stemness in the GSC population. Together, this study identified a panel of uncharacterized GSC-enriched lncRNAs and set the stage for future in-depth studies to examine their role in GBM pathology and their potential as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmani Hazra
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA.
| | - Raditya Utama
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Payal Naik
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Alexander Dobin
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - David L Spector
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA.
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10
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Ge M, Zhu Y, Wei M, Piao H, He M. Improving the efficacy of anti-EGFR drugs in GBM: Where we are going? Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188996. [PMID: 37805108 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The therapies targeting mutations of driver genes in cancer have advanced into clinical trials for a variety of tumors. In glioblastoma (GBM), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is the most commonly mutated oncogene, and targeting EGFR has been widely investigated as a promising direction. However, the results of EGFR pathway inhibitors have not been satisfactory. Limited blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, drug resistance, and pathway compensation mechanisms contribute to the failure of anti-EGFR therapies. This review summarizes recent research advances in EGFR-targeted therapy for GBM and provides insight into the reasons for the unsatisfactory results of EGFR-targeted therapy. By combining the results of preclinical studies with those of clinical trials, we discuss that improved drug penetration across the BBB, the use of multi-target combinations, and the development of peptidomimetic drugs under the premise of precision medicine may be promising strategies to overcome drug resistance in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manxi Ge
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Center, Shenyang, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Center, Shenyang, China
| | - Minjie Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Center, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Medical Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Shenyang, China.
| | - Haozhe Piao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Miao He
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, Liaoning Cancer Immune Peptide Drug Engineering Technology Research Center, Shenyang, China.
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11
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Eckerdt F, Platanias LC. Emerging Role of Glioma Stem Cells in Mechanisms of Therapy Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3458. [PMID: 37444568 PMCID: PMC10340782 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Since their discovery at the beginning of this millennium, glioma stem cells (GSCs) have sparked extensive research and an energetic scientific debate about their contribution to glioblastoma (GBM) initiation, progression, relapse, and resistance. Different molecular subtypes of GBM coexist within the same tumor, and they display differential sensitivity to chemotherapy. GSCs contribute to tumor heterogeneity and recapitulate pathway alterations described for the three GBM subtypes found in patients. GSCs show a high degree of plasticity, allowing for interconversion between different molecular GBM subtypes, with distinct proliferative potential, and different degrees of self-renewal and differentiation. This high degree of plasticity permits adaptation to the environmental changes introduced by chemo- and radiation therapy. Evidence from mouse models indicates that GSCs repopulate brain tumors after therapeutic intervention, and due to GSC plasticity, they reconstitute heterogeneity in recurrent tumors. GSCs are also inherently resilient to standard-of-care therapy, and mechanisms of resistance include enhanced DNA damage repair, MGMT promoter demethylation, autophagy, impaired induction of apoptosis, metabolic adaptation, chemoresistance, and immune evasion. The remarkable oncogenic properties of GSCs have inspired considerable interest in better understanding GSC biology and functions, as they might represent attractive targets to advance the currently limited therapeutic options for GBM patients. This has raised expectations for the development of novel targeted therapeutic approaches, including targeting GSC plasticity, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cells, and oncolytic viruses. In this review, we focus on the role of GSCs as drivers of GBM and therapy resistance, and we discuss how insights into GSC biology and plasticity might advance GSC-directed curative approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Eckerdt
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Leonidas C. Platanias
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Medicine Service, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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12
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Muzyka L, Goff NK, Choudhary N, Koltz MT. Systematic Review of Molecular Targeted Therapies for Adult-Type Diffuse Glioma: An Analysis of Clinical and Laboratory Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10456. [PMID: 37445633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310456] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common brain tumor in adults, and molecularly targeted therapies to treat gliomas are becoming a frequent topic of investigation. The current state of molecular targeted therapy research for adult-type diffuse gliomas has yet to be characterized, particularly following the 2021 WHO guideline changes for classifying gliomas using molecular subtypes. This systematic review sought to characterize the current state of molecular target therapy research for adult-type diffuse glioma to better inform scientific progress and guide next steps in this field of study. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Studies meeting inclusion criteria were queried for study design, subject (patients, human cell lines, mice, etc.), type of tumor studied, molecular target, respective molecular pathway, and details pertaining to the molecular targeted therapy-namely the modality, dose, and duration of treatment. A total of 350 studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 52 of these were clinical studies, 190 were laboratory studies investigating existing molecular therapies, and 108 were laboratory studies investigating new molecular targets. Further, a total of 119 ongoing clinical trials are also underway, per a detailed query on clinicaltrials.gov. GBM was the predominant tumor studied in both ongoing and published clinical studies as well as in laboratory analyses. A few studies mentioned IDH-mutant astrocytomas or oligodendrogliomas. The most common molecular targets in published clinical studies and clinical trials were protein kinase pathways, followed by microenvironmental targets, immunotherapy, and cell cycle/apoptosis pathways. The most common molecular targets in laboratory studies were also protein kinase pathways; however, cell cycle/apoptosis pathways were the next most frequent target, followed by microenvironmental targets, then immunotherapy pathways, with the wnt/β-catenin pathway arising in the cohort of novel targets. In this systematic review, we examined the current evidence on molecular targeted therapy for adult-type diffuse glioma and discussed its implications for clinical practice and future research. Ultimately, published research falls broadly into three categories-clinical studies, laboratory testing of existing therapies, and laboratory identification of novel targets-and heavily centers on GBM rather than IDH-mutant astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma. Ongoing clinical trials are numerous in this area of research as well and follow a similar pattern in tumor type and targeted pathways as published clinical studies. The most common molecular targets in all study types were protein kinase pathways. Microenvironmental targets were more numerous in clinical studies, whereas cell cycle/apoptosis were more numerous in laboratory studies. Immunotherapy pathways are on the rise in all study types, and the wnt/β-catenin pathway is increasingly identified as a novel target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan Muzyka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, 1501 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Nicolas K Goff
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, 1501 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Nikita Choudhary
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, 1501 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Michael T Koltz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, 1501 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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13
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Wälchli T, Bisschop J, Carmeliet P, Zadeh G, Monnier PP, De Bock K, Radovanovic I. Shaping the brain vasculature in development and disease in the single-cell era. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:271-298. [PMID: 36941369 PMCID: PMC10026800 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00684-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The CNS critically relies on the formation and proper function of its vasculature during development, adult homeostasis and disease. Angiogenesis - the formation of new blood vessels - is highly active during brain development, enters almost complete quiescence in the healthy adult brain and is reactivated in vascular-dependent brain pathologies such as brain vascular malformations and brain tumours. Despite major advances in the understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving angiogenesis in peripheral tissues, developmental signalling pathways orchestrating angiogenic processes in the healthy and the diseased CNS remain incompletely understood. Molecular signalling pathways of the 'neurovascular link' defining common mechanisms of nerve and vessel wiring have emerged as crucial regulators of peripheral vascular growth, but their relevance for angiogenesis in brain development and disease remains largely unexplored. Here we review the current knowledge of general and CNS-specific mechanisms of angiogenesis during brain development and in brain vascular malformations and brain tumours, including how key molecular signalling pathways are reactivated in vascular-dependent diseases. We also discuss how these topics can be studied in the single-cell multi-omics era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Wälchli
- Group of CNS Angiogenesis and Neurovascular Link, Neuroscience Center Zurich, and Division of Neurosurgery, University and University Hospital Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Division of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Group of Brain Vasculature and Perivascular Niche, Division of Experimental and Translational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Jeroen Bisschop
- Group of CNS Angiogenesis and Neurovascular Link, Neuroscience Center Zurich, and Division of Neurosurgery, University and University Hospital Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Division of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Group of Brain Vasculature and Perivascular Niche, Division of Experimental and Translational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Peter Carmeliet
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB & Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Heterogeneity, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Gelareh Zadeh
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Philippe P Monnier
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Donald K. Johnson Research Institute, Krembil Research Institute, Krembil Discovery Tower, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Katrien De Bock
- Laboratory of Exercise and Health, Department of Health Science and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Radovanovic
- Group of Brain Vasculature and Perivascular Niche, Division of Experimental and Translational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
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14
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Luksik AS, Yazigi E, Shah P, Jackson CM. CAR T Cell Therapy in Glioblastoma: Overcoming Challenges Related to Antigen Expression. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051414. [PMID: 36900205 PMCID: PMC10000604 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor, yet prognosis remains dismal with current treatment. Immunotherapeutic strategies have had limited effectiveness to date in GBM, but recent advances hold promise. One such immunotherapeutic advance is chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, where autologous T cells are extracted and engineered to express a specific receptor against a GBM antigen and are then infused back into the patient. There have been numerous preclinical studies showing promising results, and several of these CAR T cell therapies are being tested in clinical trials for GBM and other brain cancers. While results in tumors such as lymphomas and diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas have been encouraging, early results in GBM have not shown clinical benefit. Potential reasons for this are the limited number of specific antigens in GBM, their heterogenous expression, and their loss after initiating antigen-specific therapy due to immunoediting. Here, we review the current preclinical and clinical experiences with CAR T cell therapy in GBM and potential strategies to develop more effective CAR T cells for this indication.
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Increased EGFRvIII Epitope Accessibility after Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Treatment of Glioblastoma Cells Creates More Opportunities for Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054350. [PMID: 36901782 PMCID: PMC10001577 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of glioblastoma (GB) cases is increasing every year, and the currently available therapies remain ineffective. A prospective antigen for GB therapy is EGFRvIII, an EGFR deletion mutant containing a unique epitope that is recognized by the L8A4 antibody used in CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T cell) therapy. In this study, we observed that the concomitant use of L8A4 with particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) does not impede the interaction between L8A4 and EGFRvIII; moreover, in this case, the stabilization of formed dimers results in increased epitope display. Unlike in wild-type EGFR, a free cysteine at position 16 (C16) is exposed in the extracellular structure of EGFRvIII monomers, leading to covalent dimer formation in the region of L8A4-EGFRvIII mutual interaction. Following in silico analysis of cysteines possibly involved in covalent homodimerization, we prepared constructs containing cysteine-serine substitutions of EGFRvIII in adjacent regions. We found that the extracellular part of EGFRvIII possesses plasticity in the formation of disulfide bridges within EGFRvIII monomers and dimers due to the engagement of cysteines other than C16. Our results suggest that the EGFRvIII-specific L8A4 antibody recognizes both EGFRvIII monomers and covalent dimers, regardless of the cysteine bridging structure. To summarize, immunotherapy based on the L8A4 antibody, including CAR-T combined with TKIs, can potentially increase the chances of success in anti-GB therapy.
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16
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Hazra R, Utama R, Naik P, Dobin A, Spector DL. Identification of glioblastoma stem cell-associated lncRNAs using single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.20.524887. [PMID: 36711961 PMCID: PMC9882256 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.20.524887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive, heterogeneous grade IV brain tumor. Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) initiate the tumor and are known culprits of therapy resistance. Mounting evidence has demonstrated a regulatory role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in various biological processes, including pluripotency, differentiation, and tumorigenesis. A few studies have suggested that aberrant expression of lncRNAs is associated with GSCs. However, a comprehensive single-cell analysis of the GSC-associated lncRNA transcriptome has not been carried out. Here, we analyzed recently published single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets of adult human GBM tumors, GBM organoids, GSC-enriched GBM tumors, and developing human brains to identify lncRNAs highly expressed in GBM. To categorize GSC populations in the GBM tumors, we used the GSC marker genes SOX2, PROM1, FUT4, and L1CAM. We found three major GSC population clusters: radial glia, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, and neurons. We found 10â€"100 lncRNAs significantly enriched in different GSC populations. We also validated the level of expression and localization of several GSC-enriched lncRNAs using qRT-PCR, single-molecule RNA FISH, and sub-cellular fractionation. We found that the radial glia GSC-enriched lncRNA PANTR1 is highly expressed in GSC lines and is localized to both the cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions. In contrast, the neuronal GSC-enriched lncRNAs LINC01563 and MALAT1 are highly enriched in the nuclear fraction of GSCs. Together, this study identified a panel of uncharacterized GSC-specific lncRNAs. These findings set the stage for future in-depth studies to examine their role in GBM pathology and their potential as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets in GBM.
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17
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Huh H, Chen DW, Foldvari M, Slavcev R, Blay J. EGFR-targeted bacteriophage lambda penetrates model stromal and colorectal carcinoma tissues, is taken up into carcinoma cells, and interferes with 3-dimensional tumor formation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:957233. [PMID: 36591314 PMCID: PMC9800840 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.957233] [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: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Colorectal cancer and other adult solid cancers pose a significant challenge for successful treatment because the tumor microenvironment both hinders the action of conventional therapeutics and suppresses the immune activities of infiltrating leukocytes. The immune suppression is largely the effect of enhanced local mediators such as purine nucleosides and eicosanoids. Genetic approaches have the promise of interfering with these mechanisms of local immunosuppression to allow both intrinsic and therapeutic immunological anticancer processes. Bacterial phages offer a novel means of enabling access into tissues for therapeutic genetic manipulations. Methods We generated spheroids of fibroblastic and CRC cancer cells to model the 3-dimensional stromal and parenchymal components of colorectal tumours. We used these to examine the access and effects of both wildtype (WT) and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-presenting bacteriophage λ (WT- λ and EGF-λ) as a means of delivery of targeted genetic interventions in solid cancers. We used both confocal microscopy of spheroids exposed to AF488-tagged phages, and the recovery of viable phages as measured by plaque-forming assays to evaluate access; and measures of mitochondrial enzyme activity and cellular ATP to evaluate the outcome on the constituent cells. Results Using flourescence-tagged derivatives of these bacteriophages (AF488-WT-λ and AF488-EGF-λ) we showed that phage entry into these tumour microenvironments was possible and that the EGF ligand enabled efficient and persistent uptake into the cancer cell mass. EGF-λ became localized in the intracellular portion of cancer cells and was subjected to subsequent cellular processing. The targeted λ phage had no independent effect upon mature tumour spheroids, but interfered with the early formation and growth of cancer tissues without the need for addition of a toxic payload, suggesting that it might have beneficial effects by itself in addition to any genetic intervention delivered to the tumour. Interference with spheroid formation persisted over the duration of culture. Discussion We conclude that targeted phage technology is a feasible strategy to facilitate delivery into colorectal cancer tumour tissue (and by extension other solid carcinomas) and provides an appropriate delivery vehicle for a gene therapeutic that can reduce local immunosuppression and/or deliver an additional direct anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haein Huh
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Ding-Wen Chen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | | | - Roderick Slavcev
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada,*Correspondence: Jonathan Blay, ; Roderick Slavcev,
| | - Jonathan Blay
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada,Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada,*Correspondence: Jonathan Blay, ; Roderick Slavcev,
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Włodarczyk A, Tręda C, Rutkowska A, Grot D, Dobrewa W, Kierasińska A, Węgierska M, Wasiak T, Strózik T, Rieske P, Stoczyńska-Fidelus E. Phenotypical Flexibility of the EGFRvIII-Positive Glioblastoma Cell Line and the Multidirectional Influence of TGFβ and EGF on These Cells—EGFRvIII Appears as a Weak Oncogene. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012129. [PMID: 36292985 PMCID: PMC9603514 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The biological role of EGFRvIII (epidermal growth factor receptor variant three) remains unclear. Methods: Three glioblastoma DK-MG sublines were tested with EGF (epidermal growth factor) and TGFβ (transforming growth factor β). Sublines were characterized by an increased percentage of EGFRvIII-positive cells and doubling time (DK-MGlow to DK-MGextra-high), number of amplicons, and EGFRvIII mRNA expression. The influence of the growth factors on primary EGFRvIII positive glioblastomas was assessed. Results: The overexpression of exoEGFRvIII in DK-MGhigh did not convert them into DK-MGextra-high, and this overexpression did not change DK-MGlow to DK-MGhigh; however, the overexpression of RASG12V increased the proliferation of DK-MGlow. Moreover, the highest EGFRvIII phosphorylation in DK-MGextra-high did not cause relevant AKT (known as protein kinase B) and ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) activation. Further analyses indicate that TGFβ is able to induce apoptosis of DK-MGhigh cells. This subline was able to convert to DK-MGextra-high, which appeared resistant to this proapoptotic effect. EGF acted as a pro-survival factor and stimulated proliferation; however, simultaneous senescence induction in DK-MGextra-high cells was ambiguous. Primary EGFRvIII positive (and SOX2 (SRY-Box Transcription Factor 2) positive or SOX2 negative) glioblastoma cells differentially responded to EGF and TGFβ. Conclusions: The roles of TGFβ and EGF in the EGFRvIII context remain unclear. EGFRvIII appears as a weak oncogene and not a marker of GSC (glioma stem cells). Hence, it may not be a proper target for CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T cells).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Włodarczyk
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9 St., 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska LTD, Inwestycyjna 7 St., 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Personather LTD, Inwestycyjna 7 St., 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
| | - Cezary Tręda
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9 St., 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska LTD, Inwestycyjna 7 St., 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Personather LTD, Inwestycyjna 7 St., 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
| | - Adrianna Rutkowska
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9 St., 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska LTD, Inwestycyjna 7 St., 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Personather LTD, Inwestycyjna 7 St., 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
| | - Dagmara Grot
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9 St., 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska LTD, Inwestycyjna 7 St., 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Personather LTD, Inwestycyjna 7 St., 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
| | - Weronika Dobrewa
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9 St., 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Amelia Kierasińska
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9 St., 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska LTD, Inwestycyjna 7 St., 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
| | - Marta Węgierska
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9 St., 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska LTD, Inwestycyjna 7 St., 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wasiak
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9 St., 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Strózik
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9 St., 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Piotr Rieske
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9 St., 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska LTD, Inwestycyjna 7 St., 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Personather LTD, Inwestycyjna 7 St., 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
| | - Ewelina Stoczyńska-Fidelus
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9 St., 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska LTD, Inwestycyjna 7 St., 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Personather LTD, Inwestycyjna 7 St., 95-050 Konstantynow Lodzki, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-426-393-221
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Manni W, Min W. Signaling pathways in the regulation of cancer stem cells and associated targeted therapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e176. [PMID: 36226253 PMCID: PMC9534377 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are defined as a subpopulation of malignant tumor cells with selective capacities for tumor initiation, self-renewal, metastasis, and unlimited growth into bulks, which are believed as a major cause of progressive tumor phenotypes, including recurrence, metastasis, and treatment failure. A number of signaling pathways are involved in the maintenance of stem cell properties and survival of CSCs, including well-established intrinsic pathways, such as the Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog signaling, and extrinsic pathways, such as the vascular microenvironment and tumor-associated immune cells. There is also intricate crosstalk between these signal cascades and other oncogenic pathways. Thus, targeting pathway molecules that regulate CSCs provides a new option for the treatment of therapy-resistant or -refractory tumors. These treatments include small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies that target key signaling in CSCs, as well as CSC-directed immunotherapies that harness the immune systems to target CSCs. This review aims to provide an overview of the regulating networks and their immune interactions involved in CSC development. We also address the update on the development of CSC-directed therapeutics, with a special focus on those with application approval or under clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Manni
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduP. R. China
| | - Wu Min
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health SciencesUniversity of North DakotaGrand ForksNorth DakotaUSA
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Dissecting Stemness in Aggressive Intracranial Meningiomas: Prognostic Role of SOX2 Expression. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911690. [PMID: 36232992 PMCID: PMC9570252 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Meningiomas are mostly benign tumors that, at times, can behave aggressively, displaying recurrence despite gross-total resection (GTR) and progression to overt malignancy. Such cases represent a clinical challenge, particularly because they are difficult to recognize at first diagnosis. SOX2 (Sex-determining region Y-box2) is a transcription factor with a key role in stem cell maintenance and has been associated with tumorigenesis in a variety of cancers. The purpose of the present work was to dissect the role of SOX2 in predicting the aggressiveness of meningioma. We analyzed progressive/recurrent WHO grade 1−2 meningiomas and WHO grade 3 meningiomas; as controls, non-recurring WHO grade 1 and grade 2 meningioma patients were enrolled. SOX2 expression was evaluated using both immunohistochemistry (IHC) and RT-PCR. The final analysis included 87 patients. IHC was able to reliably assess SOX2 expression, as shown by the good correlation with mRNA levels (Spearman R = 0.0398, p = 0.001, AUC 0.87). SOX2 expression was an intrinsic characteristic of any single tumor and did not change following recurrence or progression. Importantly, SOX2 expression at first surgery was strongly related to meningioma clinical behavior, histological grade and risk of recurrence. Finally, survival data suggest a prognostic role of SOX2 expression in the whole series, both for overall and for recurrence-free survival (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0001, respectively). Thus, SOX2 assessment could be of great help to clinicians in informing adjuvant treatments during follow-up.
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21
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Chen B, Zhou X, Yang L, Zhou H, Meng M, Wu H, Liu Z, Zhang L, Li C. Glioma stem cell signature predicts the prognosis and the response to tumor treating fields treatment. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:2148-2162. [PMID: 36070228 PMCID: PMC9627385 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glioma stem cells (GSCs) play an important role in glioma recurrence and chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) resistance. Currently, there is a lack of efficient treatment approaches targeting GSCs. This study aimed to explore the potential personalized treatment of patients with GSC-enriched gliomas. METHODS Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was used to identify the GSC-related genes. Then, machine learning methods were applied for clustering and validation. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and COX regression were used to construct the risk scores. Survival analysis was performed. Additionally, the incidence of chemo-radiotherapy resistance, immunotherapy status, and tumor treating field (TTF) therapy response were evaluated in high- and low-risk scores groups. RESULTS Two GSC clusters exhibited significantly different stemness indices, immune microenvironments, and genomic alterations. Based on GSC clusters, 11-gene GSC risk scores were constructed, which exhibited a high predictive value for prognosis. In terms of therapy, patients with high GSC risk scores had a higher risk of resistance to chemotherapy. TTF therapy can comprehensively inhibit the malignant biological characteristics of the high GSC-risk-score gliomas. CONCLUSION Our study constructed a GSC signature consisting of 11 GSC-specific genes and identified its prognostic value in gliomas. TTF is a promising therapeutic approach for patients with GSC-enriched glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xiaoxi Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Liting Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina,Hypothalamic‐Pituitary Research Center, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina,Clinical Diagnosis and Therapy Center for Glioma, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Hongshu Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Ming Meng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Zhixiong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Liyang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina,Hypothalamic‐Pituitary Research Center, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina,Clinical Diagnosis and Therapy Center for Glioma, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Chuntao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina,Hypothalamic‐Pituitary Research Center, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina,Clinical Diagnosis and Therapy Center for Glioma, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
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22
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Quantum dots: The cutting-edge nanotheranostics in brain cancer management. J Control Release 2022; 350:698-715. [PMID: 36057397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.08.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanocrystals possessing unique optoelectrical properties in that they can emit light energy of specific tunable wavelengths when excited by photons. They are gaining attention nowadays owing to their all-around ability to allow high-quality bio-imaging along with targeted drug delivery. The most lethal central nervous system (CNS) disorders are brain cancers or malignant brain tumors. CNS is guarded by the blood-brain barrier which poses a selective blockade toward drug delivery into the brain. QDs have displayed strong potential to deliver therapeutic agents into the brain successfully. Their bio-imaging capability due to photoluminescence and specific targeting ability through the attachment of ligand biomolecules make them preferable clinical tools for coming times. Biocompatible QDs are emerging as nanotheranostic tools to identify/diagnose and selectively kill cancer cells. The current review focuses on QDs and associated nanoformulations as potential futuristic clinical aids in the continuous battle against brain cancer.
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23
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Kaltschmidt B, Helweg LP, Greiner JFW, Kaltschmidt C. NF-κB in neurodegenerative diseases: Recent evidence from human genetics. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:954541. [PMID: 35983068 PMCID: PMC9380593 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.954541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor NF-κB is commonly known to drive inflammation and cancer progression, but is also a crucial regulator of a broad range of cellular processes within the mammalian nervous system. In the present review, we provide an overview on the role of NF-κB in the nervous system particularly including its constitutive activity within cortical and hippocampal regions, neuroprotection as well as learning and memory. Our discussion further emphasizes the increasing role of human genetics in neurodegenerative disorders, namely, germline mutations leading to defects in NF-κB-signaling. In particular, we propose that loss of function mutations upstream of NF-κB such as ADAM17, SHARPIN, HOIL, or OTULIN affect NF-κB-activity in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients, in turn driving anatomical defects such as shrinkage of entorhinal cortex and the limbic system in early AD. Similarly, E3 type ubiquitin ligase PARKIN is positively involved in NF-κB signaling. PARKIN loss of function mutations are most frequently observed in Parkinson’s disease patients. In contrast to AD, relying on germline mutations of week alleles and a disease development over decades, somatic mutations affecting NF-κB activation are commonly observed in cells derived from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common malignant primary brain tumor. Here, our present review particularly sheds light on the mutual exclusion of either the deletion of NFKBIA or amplification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in GBM, both resulting in constitutive NF-κB-activity driving tumorigenesis. We also discuss emerging roles of long non-coding RNAs such as HOTAIR in suppressing phosphorylation of IκBα in the context of GBM. In summary, the recent progress in the genetic analysis of patients, particularly those suffering from AD, harbors the potential to open up new vistas for research and therapy based on TNFα/NF-κB pathway and neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Kaltschmidt
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Forschungsverbund BioMedizin Bielefeld, Ostwestfalen-Lippe (OWL) (FBMB E.V.), Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Cell Biology, Biological Faculty, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
- *Correspondence: Barbara Kaltschmidt,
| | - Laureen P. Helweg
- Forschungsverbund BioMedizin Bielefeld, Ostwestfalen-Lippe (OWL) (FBMB E.V.), Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Cell Biology, Biological Faculty, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Johannes F. W. Greiner
- Forschungsverbund BioMedizin Bielefeld, Ostwestfalen-Lippe (OWL) (FBMB E.V.), Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Cell Biology, Biological Faculty, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Christian Kaltschmidt
- Forschungsverbund BioMedizin Bielefeld, Ostwestfalen-Lippe (OWL) (FBMB E.V.), Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Cell Biology, Biological Faculty, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
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24
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Park S, Avera AD, Kim Y. BIOMANUFACTURING OF GLIOBLASTOMA ORGANOIDS EXHIBITING HIERARCHICAL AND SPATIALLY ORGANIZED TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT VIA TRANSDIFFERENTIATION. Biotechnol Bioeng 2022; 119:3252-3274. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.28191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seungjo Park
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringThe University of AlabamaTuscaloosaAlabama
| | - Alexandra D. Avera
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringThe University of AlabamaTuscaloosaAlabama
| | - Yonghyun Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringThe University of AlabamaTuscaloosaAlabama
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25
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Furman O, Zaporozhets A, Tobi D, Bazylevich A, Firer MA, Patsenker L, Gellerman G, Lubin BCR. Novel Cyclic Peptides for Targeting EGFR and EGRvIII Mutation for Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071505. [PMID: 35890400 PMCID: PMC9318536 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor–epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-EGFR) pathway has become the main focus of selective chemotherapeutic intervention. As a result, two classes of EGFR inhibitors have been clinically approved, namely monoclonal antibodies and small molecule kinase inhibitors. Despite an initial good response rate to these drugs, most patients develop drug resistance. Therefore, new treatment approaches are needed. In this work, we aimed to find a new EGFR-specific, short cyclic peptide, which could be used for targeted drug delivery. Phage display peptide technology and biopanning were applied to three EGFR expressing cells, including cells expressing the EGFRvIII mutation. DNA from the internalized phage was extracted and the peptide inserts were sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Eleven peptides were selected for further investigation using binding, internalization, and competition assays, and the results were confirmed by confocal microscopy and peptide docking. Among these eleven peptides, seven showed specific and selective binding and internalization into EGFR positive (EGFR+ve) cells, with two of them—P6 and P9—also demonstrating high specificity for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and glioblastoma cells, respectively. These peptides were chemically conjugated to camptothecin (CPT). The conjugates were more cytotoxic to EGFR+ve cells than free CPT. Our results describe a novel cyclic peptide, which can be used for targeted drug delivery to cells overexpressing the EGFR and EGFRvIII mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Furman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Materials, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (O.F.); (M.A.F.)
- Agriculture and Oenology Department, Eastern Regional R&D Center, Ariel 40700, Israel
| | - Alisa Zaporozhets
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (A.Z.); (A.B.); (L.P.); (G.G.)
| | - Dror Tobi
- Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel
| | - Andrii Bazylevich
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (A.Z.); (A.B.); (L.P.); (G.G.)
| | - Michael A. Firer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Materials, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (O.F.); (M.A.F.)
- Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
- Ariel Center for Applied Cancer Research, Ariel 40700, Israel
| | - Leonid Patsenker
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (A.Z.); (A.B.); (L.P.); (G.G.)
| | - Gary Gellerman
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (A.Z.); (A.B.); (L.P.); (G.G.)
- Ariel Center for Applied Cancer Research, Ariel 40700, Israel
| | - Bat Chen R. Lubin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Materials, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (O.F.); (M.A.F.)
- Agriculture and Oenology Department, Eastern Regional R&D Center, Ariel 40700, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-50-6554655
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26
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Targeting Glioblastoma Stem Cells to Overcome Chemoresistance: An Overview of Current Therapeutic Strategies. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061308. [PMID: 35740330 PMCID: PMC9220281 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant primary brain tumor. The current standard approach in GBM is surgery, followed by treatment with radiation and temozolomide (TMZ); however, GBM is highly resistant to current therapies, and the standard of care has not been revised over the last two decades, indicating an unmet need for new therapies. GBM stem cells (GSCs) are a major cause of chemoresistance due to their ability to confer heterogeneity and tumorigenic capacity. To improve patient outcomes and survival, it is necessary to understand the properties and mechanisms underlying GSC chemoresistance. In this review, we describe the current knowledge on various resistance mechanisms of GBM to therapeutic agents, with a special focus on TMZ, and summarize the recent findings on the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of chemoresistance in GSCs. We also discuss novel therapeutic strategies, including molecular targeting, autophagy inhibition, oncolytic viral therapy, drug repositioning, and targeting of GSC niches, to eliminate GSCs, from basic research findings to ongoing clinical trials. Although the development of effective therapies for GBM is still challenging, this review provides a better understanding of GSCs and offers future directions for successful GBM therapy.
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27
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Singh D, Khan MA, Siddique HR. Specific targeting of cancer stem cells by immunotherapy: A possible stratagem to restrain cancer recurrence and metastasis. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 198:114955. [PMID: 35181312 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), the tumor-initiating cells playing a crucial role in cancer progression, recurrence, and metastasis, have the intrinsic property of self-renewal and therapy resistance. The tumorigenic properties of these cells include generation of cellular heterogeneity and immuno-suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), conferring them the capability to resist a variety of anti-cancer therapeutics. Further, CSCs possess several unique immunological properties that help them escape recognition by the innate and adaptive immune system and shape a TME into a pro-tumorigenic and immunosuppressive landscape. In this context, immunotherapy is considered one of the best therapeutic options for eliminating CSCs to halt cancer recurrence and metastasis. In this review, we discuss the various immunomodulatory properties of CSCs and the interaction of CSCs with the immune system enabling immune evasion. In addition, we also highlight the present research update on immunotherapeutic targeting of CSCs and the possible further scope of research on this topic. We believe that a deeper understanding of CSCs' immunological properties and the crosstalk between CSCs and the immune system can develop better innovative immune-therapeutics and enhance the efficacy of current therapy-resistant cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepti Singh
- Molecular Cancer Genetics & Translational Research Lab, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Mohammad Afsar Khan
- Molecular Cancer Genetics & Translational Research Lab, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Hifzur R Siddique
- Molecular Cancer Genetics & Translational Research Lab, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India.
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28
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Glioblastoma mutations alter EGFR dimer structure to prevent ligand bias. Nature 2022; 602:518-522. [PMID: 35140400 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04393-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently mutated in human cancer1,2, and is an important therapeutic target. EGFR inhibitors have been successful in lung cancer, where mutations in the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain activate the receptor1, but not in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)3, where mutations occur exclusively in the extracellular region. Here we show that common extracellular GBM mutations prevent EGFR from discriminating between its activating ligands4. Different growth factor ligands stabilize distinct EGFR dimer structures5 that signal with different kinetics to specify or bias outcome5,6. EGF itself induces strong symmetric dimers that signal transiently to promote proliferation. Epiregulin (EREG) induces much weaker asymmetric dimers that drive sustained signalling and differentiation5. GBM mutations reduce the ability of EGFR to distinguish EREG from EGF in cellular assays, and allow EGFR to form strong (EGF-like) dimers in response to EREG and other low-affinity ligands. Using X-ray crystallography, we further show that the R84K GBM mutation symmetrizes EREG-driven extracellular dimers so that they resemble dimers normally seen with EGF. By contrast, a second GBM mutation, A265V, remodels key dimerization contacts to strengthen asymmetric EREG-driven dimers. Our results argue for an important role of altered ligand discrimination by EGFR in GBM, with potential implications for therapeutic targeting.
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29
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Ganser K, Eckert F, Riedel A, Stransky N, Paulsen F, Noell S, Krueger M, Schittenhelm J, Beck-Wödl S, Zips D, Ruth P, Huber SM, Klumpp L. Patient-individual phenotypes of glioblastoma stem cells are conserved in culture and associate with radioresistance, brain infiltration and patient prognosis. Int J Cancer 2022; 150:1722-1733. [PMID: 35085407 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Identification of prognostic or predictive molecular markers in glioblastoma resection specimens may lead to strategies for therapy stratification and personalized treatment planning. Here, we analyzed in primary glioblastoma stem cell (pGSC) cultures the mRNA abundances of 7 stem cell (MSI1, Notch1, nestin, Sox2, Oct4, FABP7, ALDH1A3), and 3 radioresistance or invasion markers (CXCR4, IKCa , BKCa ). From these abundances, an mRNA signature was deduced which describes the mesenchymal-to-proneural expression profile of an individual GSC culture. To assess its functional significance, we associated the GSC mRNA signature with the clonogenic survival after irradiation with 4 Gy and the fibrin matrix invasion of the GSC cells. In addition, we compared the molecular pGSC mRNA signature with the tumor recurrence pattern and the overall survival of the glioblastoma patients from whom the pGSC cultures were derived. As a result, the molecular pGSC mRNA signature correlated positively with the pGSC radioresistance and matrix invasion capability in vitro. Moreover, patients with a mesenchymal (> median) mRNA signature in their pGSC cultures exhibited predominantly a multifocal tumor recurrence and a significantly (univariate log rank test) shorter overall survival than patients with proneural (≤ median mRNA signature) pGSCs. The tumors of the latter recurred predominately unifocally. We conclude that our pGSC cultures induce/select those cell subpopulations of the heterogeneous brain tumor that determine disease progression and therapy outcome. In addition, we further postulate a clinically relevant prognostic/predictive value for the 10 mRNAs-based mesenchymal-to-proneural signature of the GSC subpopulations in glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Ganser
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Franziska Eckert
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Riedel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicolai Stransky
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Frank Paulsen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Susan Noell
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marcel Krueger
- Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Werner Siemens Imaging Center, University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 13, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jens Schittenhelm
- Department of Neuropathology, Calwerstr. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Beck-Wödl
- Institute of Medical Genetics und Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstr. 6, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Zips
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter Ruth
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephan M Huber
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lukas Klumpp
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
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30
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Celecoxib-Induced Modulation of Colon Cancer CD133 Expression Occurs through AKT Inhibition and Is Monitored by 89Zr Immuno-PET. Mol Imaging 2022; 2022:4906934. [PMID: 35115900 PMCID: PMC8791662 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4906934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed an immuno-PET technique that monitors modulation of tumor CD133 expression, which is required for the success of CD133-targeted therapies. Methods. Anti-CD133 antibodies were subjected to sulfhydryl moiety-specific 89Zr conjugation. 89Zr-CD133 IgG was evaluated for specific activity and radiolabel stability. Colon cancer cells underwent binding assays and Western blotting. Biodistribution and PET studies were performed in mice. Results. 89Zr-CD133 IgG showed excellent target specificity with 97.2 ± 0.7% blocking of HT29 cell binding by an excess antibody. Intravenous 89Zr-CD133 IgG followed biexponential blood clearance and showed CD133-specific uptake in HT29 tumors. 89Zr-CD133 IgG PET/CT and biodistribution studies confirmed high HT29 tumor uptake with lower activities in the blood and normal organs. In HT29 cells, celecoxib dose-dependently decreased CD133 expression and 89Zr-CD133 IgG binding that reached 19.9 ± 2.1% (P < 0.005) and 50.3 ± 10.9% (P < 0.001) of baseline levels by 50 μM, respectively. Celecoxib treatment of mice significantly suppressed tumor CD133 expression to 67.5 ± 7.8% of controls (P < 0.005) and reduced tumor 89Zr-CD133 IgG uptake from 15.5 ± 1.4% at baseline to 12.3 ± 2.0%ID/g (P < 0.01). Celecoxib-induced CD133 reduction in HT29 cells and tumors was associated with substantial suppression of AKT activation. There were also reduced HIF-1α accumulation and IκBα/NFκB phosphorylation. Conclusion. 89Zr-CD133 IgG PET provides high-contrast tumor imaging and monitors celecoxib treatment-induced modulation of tumor CD133 expression, which was found to occur through AKT inhibition. This technique may thus be useful for screening drugs that can effectively suppress colon cancer stem cells.
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31
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Struve N, Hoffer K, Weik AS, Riepen B, Krug L, Cetin MH, Burmester J, Ott L, Liebing J, Gatzemeier F, Müller-Goebel J, Gerbach M, Bußmann L, Parplys AC, Unger K, Mansour WY, Schüller U, Rieckmann T, Petersen C, Rothkamm K, Short SC, Kriegs M. Increased replication stress and R-loop accumulation in EGFRvIII-expressing glioblastoma present new therapeutic opportunities. Neurooncol Adv 2022; 4:vdab180. [PMID: 35274102 PMCID: PMC8903237 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdab180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The oncogene epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) is expressed in approximately one-third of all glioblastomas (GBMs). So far it is not clear if EGFRvIII expression induces replication stress in GBM cells, which might serve as a therapeutical target. Methods Isogenetic EGFRvIII− and EGFRvIII+ cell lines with endogenous EGFRvIII expression were used. Markers of oncogenic and replication stress such as γH2AX, RPA, 53BP1, ATR, and CHK1 were analyzed using western blot, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. The DNA fiber assay was performed to analyze replication, transcription was measured by incorporation of EU, and genomic instability was investigated by micronuclei and CGH-Array analysis. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect replication stress markers and R-loops in human GBM samples. Results EGFRvIII+ cells exhibit an activated replication stress response, increased spontaneous DNA damage, elevated levels of single-stranded DNA, and reduced DNA replication velocity, which are all indicative characteristics of replication stress. Furthermore, we show here that EGFRvIII expression is linked to increased genomic instability. EGFRvIII-expressing cells display elevated RNA synthesis and R-loop formation, which could also be confirmed in EGFRvIII-positive GBM patient samples. Targeting replication stress by irinotecan resulted in increased sensitivity of EGFRvIII+ cells. Conclusion This study demonstrates that EGFRvIII expression is associated with increased replication stress, R-loop accumulation, and genomic instability. This might contribute to intratumoral heterogeneity but may also be exploited for individualized therapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Struve
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Mildred-Scheel Cancer Career Center HATRICs4, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Konstantin Hoffer
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna-Sophie Weik
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Britta Riepen
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leonie Krug
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Meryem H Cetin
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jasmin Burmester
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leonie Ott
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jana Liebing
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fruzsina Gatzemeier
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Justus Müller-Goebel
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mirja Gerbach
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lara Bußmann
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Mildred-Scheel Cancer Career Center HATRICs4, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation, Germany
| | - Ann Christin Parplys
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kristian Unger
- Research Unit Radiation Cytogenetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleibheim, Germany
| | - Wael Y Mansour
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Mildred-Scheel Cancer Career Center HATRICs4, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Institute Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Rieckmann
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation, Germany
| | - Cordula Petersen
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kai Rothkamm
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Susan C Short
- Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, St James's University Hospital, UK
| | - Malte Kriegs
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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32
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Gandhi P, Khare R, Garg N, Mishra J. Can a signature molecular-profile define disparate survival in BRAF-positive Gliosarcoma and identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention? J Cancer Res Ther 2022; 18:224-230. [DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_1900_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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33
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Zhang DY, Monteiro MJ, Liu JP, Gu WY. Mechanisms of cancer stem cell senescence: Current understanding and future perspectives. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2021; 48:1185-1202. [PMID: 34046925 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small population of heterogeneous tumor cells with the capacity of self-renewal and aberrant differentiation for immortality and divergent lineages of cancer cells. In contrast to bulky tumor cells, CSCs remain less differentiated and resistant to therapy even when targeted with tissue-specific antigenic markers. This makes CSCs responsible for not only tumor initiation, development, but also tumor recurrence. Emerging evidence suggests that CSCs can undergo cell senescence, a non-proliferative state of cells in response to stress. While cell senescence attenuates tumor cell proliferation, it is commonly regarded as a tumor suppressive mechanism. However, mounting research indicates that CSC senescence also provides these cells with the capacity to evade cytotoxic effects from cancer therapy, exacerbating cancer relapse and metastasis. Recent studies demonstrate that senescence drives reprogramming of cancer cell toward stemness and promotes CSC generation. In this review, we highlight the origin, heterogeneity and senescence regulatory mechanisms of CSCs, the complex relationship between CSC senescence and tumor therapy, and the recent beneficial effects of senotherapy on eliminating senescent tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Yong Zhang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, China
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael J Monteiro
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Jun-Ping Liu
- Institute of Ageing Research, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Immunology, Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Prahran, Vic, Australia
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, and Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Clayton, Vic, Australia
| | - Wen-Yi Gu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
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Fidanza M, Gupta P, Sayana A, Shanker V, Pahlke SM, Vu B, Krantz F, Azameera A, Wong N, Anne N, Xia Y, Rong J, Anne A, Skirboll S, Lim M, Wong AJ. Enhancing proteasomal processing improves survival for a peptide vaccine used to treat glioblastoma. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:13/598/eaax4100. [PMID: 34135109 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax4100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite its essential role in antigen presentation, enhancing proteasomal processing is an unexploited strategy for improving vaccines. pepVIII, an anticancer vaccine targeting EGFRvIII, has been tested in several trials for glioblastoma. We examined 20 peptides in silico and experimentally, which showed that a tyrosine substitution (Y6-pepVIII) maximizes proteasome cleavage and survival in a subcutaneous tumor model in mice. In an intracranial glioma model, Y6-pepVIII showed a 62 and 31% improvement in median survival compared to control animals and pepVIII-vaccinated mice. Y6-pepVIII vaccination altered tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte subsets and expression of PD-1 on intratumoral T cells. Combination with anti-PD-1 therapy cured 45% of the Y6-pepVIII-vaccinated mice but was ineffective for pepVIII-treated mice. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of proteasome-digested pepVIII and Y6-pepVIII revealed that most fragments were similar but more abundant in Y6-pepVIII digests and 77% resulted from proteasome-catalyzed peptide splicing (PCPS). We identified 10 peptides that bound human and murine MHC class I. Nine were PCPS products and only one peptide was colinear with EGFRvIII, indicating that PCPS fragments may be a component of MHC class I recognition. Despite not being colinear with EGFRvIII, two of three PCPS products tested were capable of increasing survival when administered independently as vaccines. We hypothesize that the immune response to a vaccine represents the collective contribution from multiple PCPS and linear products. Our work suggests a strategy to increase proteasomal processing of a vaccine that results in an augmented immune response and enhanced survival in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Fidanza
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Puja Gupta
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Anin Sayana
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Varun Shanker
- Department of Bioengineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Svenja-Maria Pahlke
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Brandon Vu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Fanny Krantz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aruna Azameera
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nicollette Wong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Navya Anne
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yuanxuan Xia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jiming Rong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Avani Anne
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Stephen Skirboll
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael Lim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Albert J Wong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. .,Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Ishii H, Afify SM, Hassan G, Salomon DS, Seno M. Cripto-1 as a Potential Target of Cancer Stem Cells for Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102491. [PMID: 34065315 PMCID: PMC8160785 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer immunotherapy is gaining attention as a potential fourth treatment following surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Cancer stem cells have recently been recognized and validated as a key target for cancer treatment. Cripto-1, which is a GPI-anchored membrane-bound protein that functions as a co-receptor of Nodal, is a marker of cancer stem cells. Since Nodal is a member of the TGF-β family, which performs an important role in stem cells and cancer stem cells, the inhibition of Cripto-1 could be a strategy by which to block Nodal signaling and thereby suppress cancer stem cells. We propose that Cripto-1 may be a novel target for cancer immunotherapy. Abstract The immune system has been found to be suppressed in cancer patients. Cancer cells are extremely resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs, conventional immunotherapy, or cancer antigen vaccine therapy. Cancer immunotherapy, which is mainly based on immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as those for PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA4, is an effective treatment method. However, no immunotherapeutic target has been found that retains validity in the face of tumor diversity. The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β cytokine family possesses broad biological activity and is involved in the induction and/or transdifferentiation of helper T cells, which are important in immunotherapy. Nodal is a member of the TGF-β family playing important roles in tissue stem cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs), interacting with the co-receptor Cripto-1, as well as with Activin type IB (Alk4) and Activin typeIIreceptors, and maintaining stemness and Notch and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in CSCs. In recent years, it has been reported that Cripto-1 could be a potential therapeutic target in CSCs. Here, we review the accumulated literature on the molecular mechanisms by which Cripto-1 functions in CSCs and discuss the potential of Cripto-1 as an immunotherapeutic target in CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Ishii
- GSP Enterprise, Inc., 1-4-38 12F Minato-machi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka 556-0017, Japan;
| | - Said M. Afify
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan; (S.M.A.); (G.H.)
- Division of Biochemistry, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebin ElKoum Menoufia 32511, Egypt
| | - Ghmkin Hassan
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan; (S.M.A.); (G.H.)
| | - David S. Salomon
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA;
| | - Masaharu Seno
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan; (S.M.A.); (G.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-86-251-8216
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Valtorta S, Lo Dico A, Raccagni I, Martelli C, Pieri V, Rainone P, Todde S, Zinnhardt B, De Bernardi E, Coliva A, Politi LS, Viel T, Jacobs AH, Galli R, Ottobrini L, Vaira V, Moresco RM. Imaging Metformin Efficacy as Add-On Therapy in Cells and Mouse Models of Human EGFR Glioblastoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:664149. [PMID: 34012924 PMCID: PMC8126706 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.664149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive tumor of the brain. Despite the efforts, response to current therapies is poor and 2-years survival rate ranging from 6-12%. Here, we evaluated the preclinical efficacy of Metformin (MET) as add-on therapy to Temozolomide (TMZ) and the ability of [18F]FLT (activity of thymidine kinase 1 related to cell proliferation) and [18F]VC701 (translocator protein, TSPO) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) radiotracers to predict tumor response to therapy. Indeed, TSPO is expressed on the outer mitochondrial membrane of activated microglia/macrophages, tumor cells, astrocytes and endothelial cells. TMZ-sensitive (Gli36ΔEGFR-1 and L0627) or -resistant (Gli36ΔEGFR-2) GBM cell lines representative of classical molecular subtype were tested in vitro and in vivo in orthotopic mouse models. Our results indicate that in vitro, MET increased the efficacy of TMZ on TMZ-sensitive and on TMZ-resistant cells by deregulating the balance between pro-survival (bcl2) and pro-apoptotic (bax/bad) Bcl-family members and promoting early apoptosis in both Gli36ΔEGFR-1 and Gli36ΔEGFR-2 cells. In vivo, MET add-on significantly extended the median survival of tumor-bearing mice compared to TMZ-treated ones and reduced the rate of recurrence in the TMZ-sensitive models. PET studies with the cell proliferation radiopharmaceutical [18F]FLT performed at early time during treatment were able to distinguish responder from non-responder to TMZ but not to predict the duration of the effect. On the contrary, [18F]VC701 uptake was reduced only in mice treated with MET plus TMZ and levels of uptake negatively correlated with animals’ survival. Overall, our data showed that MET addition improved TMZ efficacy in GBM preclinical models representative of classical molecular subtype increasing survival time and reducing tumor relapsing rate. Finally, results from PET imaging suggest that the reduction of cell proliferation represents a common mechanism of TMZ and combined treatment, whereas only the last was able to reduce TSPO. This reduction was associated with the duration of treatment response. TSPO-ligand may be used as a complementary molecular imaging marker to predict tumor microenvironment related treatment effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Valtorta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Tecnomed Foundation, University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), Segrate, Italy.,Nuclear Medicine Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Lo Dico
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Raccagni
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), Segrate, Italy.,Nuclear Medicine Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,SYSBIO Centre of Systems Biology ISBE.ITALY, University of Milano - Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Martelli
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Pieri
- Neural Stem Cell Biology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Rainone
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Tecnomed Foundation, University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,Nuclear Medicine Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sergio Todde
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Tecnomed Foundation, University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), Segrate, Italy
| | - Bastian Zinnhardt
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), University of Münster, Münster, Germany.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Elisabetta De Bernardi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Tecnomed Foundation, University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Angela Coliva
- Nuclear Medicine Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Letterio S Politi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy.,Department of Neuroradiology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Thomas Viel
- PARCC, INSERM, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Andreas H Jacobs
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Rossella Galli
- Neural Stem Cell Biology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Ottobrini
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), Segrate, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Vaira
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Moresco
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Tecnomed Foundation, University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), Segrate, Italy.,Nuclear Medicine Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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37
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Piper K, DePledge L, Karsy M, Cobbs C. Glioma Stem Cells as Immunotherapeutic Targets: Advancements and Challenges. Front Oncol 2021; 11:615704. [PMID: 33718170 PMCID: PMC7945033 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.615704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common and lethal primary brain malignancy. Despite major investments in research into glioblastoma biology and drug development, treatment remains limited and survival has not substantially improved beyond 1-2 years. Cancer stem cells (CSC) or glioma stem cells (GSC) refer to a population of tumor originating cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation. While controversial and challenging to study, evidence suggests that GCSs may result in glioblastoma tumor recurrence and resistance to treatment. Multiple treatment strategies have been suggested at targeting GCSs, including immunotherapy, posttranscriptional regulation, modulation of the tumor microenvironment, and epigenetic modulation. In this review, we discuss recent advances in glioblastoma treatment specifically focused on targeting of GCSs as well as their potential integration into current clinical pathways and trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keenan Piper
- Ben & Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA, United States.,Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lisa DePledge
- Ben & Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA, United States.,University of Washington School of Medicine, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Michael Karsy
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Charles Cobbs
- Ben & Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
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38
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Auzmendi-Iriarte J, Matheu A. Impact of Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy in Brain Aging: Neurodegenerative Diseases and Glioblastoma. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 12:630743. [PMID: 33633561 PMCID: PMC7901968 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.630743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain aging is characterized by a time-dependent decline of tissue integrity and function, and it is a major risk for neurodegenerative diseases and brain cancer. Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) is a selective form of autophagy specialized in protein degradation, which is based on the individual translocation of a cargo protein through the lysosomal membrane. Regulation of processes such as proteostasis, cellular energetics, or immune system activity has been associated with CMA, indicating its pivotal role in tissue homeostasis. Since first studies associating Parkinson’s disease (PD) to CMA dysfunction, increasing evidence points out that CMA is altered in both physiological and pathological brain aging. In this review article, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the impact of CMA during aging in brain physiopathology, highlighting the role of CMA in neurodegenerative diseases and glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive brain tumor in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ander Matheu
- Cellular Oncology Group, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain.,CIBER de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERfes), Madrid, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation, Bilbao, Spain
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39
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ANO1 regulates the maintenance of stemness in glioblastoma stem cells by stabilizing EGFRvIII. Oncogene 2021; 40:1490-1502. [PMID: 33452454 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01612-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) or glioblastoma is the most deadly malignant brain tumor in adults. GBM is difficult to treat mainly due to the presence of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). Epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) has been linked to stemness and malignancy of GSCs; however, the regulatory mechanism of EGFRvIII is largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated that Anoctamin-1 (ANO1), a Ca2+-activated Cl- channel, interacts with EGFRvIII, increases its protein stability, and supports the maintenance of stemness and tumor progression in GSCs. Specifically, shRNA-mediated knockdown and pharmacological inhibition of ANO1 suppressed the self-renewal, invasion activities, and expression of EGFRvIII and related stem cell factors, including NOTCH1, nestin, and SOX2 in GSCs. Conversely, ANO1 overexpression enhanced the above phenomena. Mechanistically, ANO1 protected EGFRvIII from proteasomal degradation by directly binding to it. ANO1 knockdown significantly increased survival in mice and strongly suppressed local invasion of GSCs in an in vivo intracranial mouse model. Collectively, these results suggest that ANO1 plays a crucial role in the maintenance of stemness and invasiveness of GSCs by regulating the expression of EGFRvIII and related signaling molecules, and can be considered a promising therapeutic target for GBM treatment.
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40
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Kim JY, Kim HJ, Jung CW, Choi BI, Lee DH, Park MJ. PARK7 maintains the stemness of glioblastoma stem cells by stabilizing epidermal growth factor receptor variant III. Oncogene 2020; 40:508-521. [PMID: 33188296 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01543-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PARK7 is involved in many key cellular processes, including cell proliferation, transcriptional regulation, cellular differentiation, oxidative stress protection, and mitochondrial function maintenance. Deregulation of PARK7 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various human diseases, including cancer. Here, we aimed to clarify the effect of PARK7 on stemness and radioresistance of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). Serum differentiation and magnetic cell sorting of GSCs revealed that PARK7 was preferentially expressed in GSCs rather than differentiated GSCs. Immunohistochemical staining showed enhanced expression of PARK7 in glioma tissues compared to that in normal brain tissues. shRNA-mediated knockdown of PARK7 inhibited the self-renewal activity of GSCs in vitro, as evidenced by the results of neurosphere formation, limiting dilution, and soft-agar clonogenic assays. In addition, PARK7 knockdown suppressed GSC invasion and enhanced GSC sensitivity to ionizing radiation (IR). PARK7 knockdown suppressed expression of GSC signatures including nestin, epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII), SOX2, NOTCH1, and OCT4. Contrarily, overexpression of PARK7 in CD133- non-GSCs increased self-renewal activities, migration, and IR resistance, and rescued the reduction of GSC factors under shPARK7-transfected and serum-differentiation conditions. Intriguingly, PARK7 acted as a co-chaperone of HSP90 by binding to it, protecting EGFRvIII from proteasomal degradation. Knockdown of PARK7 increased the production of reactive oxygen species, inducing partial apoptosis and enhancing IR sensitivity in GSCs. Finally, PARK7 knockdown increased mouse survival and IR sensitivity in vivo. Based on these data, we propose that PARK7 plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of stemness and therapeutic resistance in GSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Yub Kim
- Radiation Therapeutics Development Team, Division of Radiation Cancer Science, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Jin Kim
- Radiation Therapeutics Development Team, Division of Radiation Cancer Science, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,School of Biomedical Science, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan-Woong Jung
- Radiation Therapeutics Development Team, Division of Radiation Cancer Science, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Il Choi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine Guro Hospital, 148, Gurodong-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hee Lee
- Department of Marine Food Science and Technology, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangwon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Myung-Jin Park
- Radiation Therapeutics Development Team, Division of Radiation Cancer Science, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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41
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Vieira de Castro J, Gonçalves CS, Hormigo A, Costa BM. Exploiting the Complexities of Glioblastoma Stem Cells: Insights for Cancer Initiation and Therapeutic Targeting. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155278. [PMID: 32722427 PMCID: PMC7432229 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) in the 2000s revolutionized the cancer research field, raising new questions regarding the putative cell(s) of origin of this tumor type, and partly explaining the highly heterogeneous nature of glioblastoma (GBM). Increasing evidence has suggested that GSCs play critical roles in tumor initiation, progression, and resistance to conventional therapies. The remarkable oncogenic features of GSCs have generated significant interest in better defining and characterizing these cells and determining novel pathways driving GBM that could constitute attractive key therapeutic targets. While exciting breakthroughs have been achieved in the field, the characterization of GSCs is a challenge and the cell of origin of GBM remains controversial. For example, the use of several cell-surface molecular markers to identify and isolate GSCs has been a challenge. It is now widely accepted that none of these markers is, per se, sufficiently robust to distinguish GSCs from normal stem cells. Finding new strategies that are able to more efficiently and specifically target these niches could also prove invaluable against this devastating and therapy-insensitive tumor. In this review paper, we summarize the most relevant findings and discuss emerging concepts and open questions in the field of GSCs, some of which are, to some extent, pertinent to other cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Vieira de Castro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (J.V.d.C.); (C.S.G.)
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Céline S. Gonçalves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (J.V.d.C.); (C.S.G.)
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Adília Hormigo
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Medicine, The Tisch Cancer Institute and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY 10029-6574, USA;
| | - Bruno M. Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (J.V.d.C.); (C.S.G.)
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +35-1-253-604-872
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Chagoya G, Kwatra SG, Nanni CW, Roberts CM, Phillips SM, Nullmeyergh S, Gilmore SP, Spasojevic I, Corcoran DL, Young CC, Ballman KV, Ramakrishna R, Cross DA, Markert JM, Lim M, Gilbert MR, Lesser GJ, Kwatra MM. Efficacy of osimertinib against EGFRvIII+ glioblastoma. Oncotarget 2020; 11:2074-2082. [PMID: 32547705 PMCID: PMC7275784 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) is an active mutant form of EGFR that drives tumor growth in a subset of glioblastoma (GBM). It occurs in over 20% of GBMs, making it a promising receptor for small molecule targeted therapy. We hypothesize that poor penetration of the blood-brain barrier by previously tested EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) such as afateninb, erlotinib, gefitinib, and lapatinib played a role in their limited efficacy. The present study examined the effects of osimertinib (previously known as AZD9291) on EGFRvIII+ GBM models, both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, a panel of six GBM stem cells (GSCs) expressing EGFRvIII+ was evaluated. The EGFRvIII+ GSC differed in the expression of EGFRvIII and other key genes. The GSC line D317, which expresses high levels of EGFRvIII and has robust tyrosine kinase activity, was selected for assessing osimertinib’s efficacy. Herein, we report that osimertinib inhibits the constitutive activity of EGFRvIII tyrosine kinase with high potency (<100 nM) while also inhibiting its downstream signaling. Further, osimertinib inhibited D317’s growth in vitro and in both heterotopic and orthotopic xenograft models. Additional preclinical studies are warranted to identify EGFRvIII+ GBM’s molecular signature most responsive to osimertinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Chagoya
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Shawn G Kwatra
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cory W Nanni
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Callie M Roberts
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Samantha M Phillips
- Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, The Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah Nullmeyergh
- Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Samuel P Gilmore
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ivan Spasojevic
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David L Corcoran
- Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Christopher C Young
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Karla V Ballman
- Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Darren A Cross
- IMED Oncology, Global Medical Affairs, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - James M Markert
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Michael Lim
- Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark R Gilbert
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Glenn J Lesser
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Madan M Kwatra
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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43
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Alhabbab RY. Targeting Cancer Stem Cells by Genetically Engineered Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells. Front Genet 2020; 11:312. [PMID: 32391048 PMCID: PMC7188929 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The term cancer stem cell (CSC) starts 25 years ago with the evidence that CSC is a subpopulation of tumor cells that have renewal ability and can differentiate into several distinct linages. Therefore, CSCs play crucial role in the initiation and the maintenance of cancer. Moreover, it has been proposed throughout several studies that CSCs are behind the failure of the conventional chemo-/radiotherapy as well as cancer recurrence due to their ability to resist the therapy and their ability to re-regenerate. Thus, the need for targeted therapy to eliminate CSCs is crucial; for that reason, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has currently been in use with high rate of success in leukemia and, to some degree, in patients with solid tumors. This review outlines the most common CSC populations and their common markers, in particular CD133, CD90, EpCAM, CD44, ALDH, and EGFRVIII, the interaction between CSCs and the immune system, CAR T cell genetic engineering and signaling, CAR T cells in targeting CSCs, and the barriers in using CAR T cells as immunotherapy to treat solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowa Y. Alhabbab
- Division of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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44
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Yool AJ, Ramesh S. Molecular Targets for Combined Therapeutic Strategies to Limit Glioblastoma Cell Migration and Invasion. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:358. [PMID: 32292341 PMCID: PMC7118801 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The highly invasive nature of glioblastoma imposes poor prospects for patient survival. Molecular evidence indicates glioblastoma cells undergo an intriguing expansion of phenotypic properties to include neuron-like signaling using excitable membrane ion channels and synaptic proteins, augmenting survival and motility. Neurotransmitter receptors, membrane signaling, excitatory receptors, and Ca2+ responses are important candidates for the design of customized treatments for cancers within the heterogeneous central nervous system. Relatively few published studies of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) have evaluated pharmacological agents targeted to signaling pathways in limiting cancer cell motility. Transcriptomic analyses here identified classes of ion channels, ionotropic receptors, and synaptic proteins that are enriched in human glioblastoma biopsy samples. The pattern of GBM-enriched gene expression points to a major role for glutamate signaling. However, the predominant role of AMPA receptors in fast excitatory signaling throughout the central nervous system raises a challenge on how to target inhibitors selectively to cancer cells while maintaining tolerability. This review critically evaluates a panel of ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels and synaptic proteins upregulated in GBM, and the evidence for their potential roles in the pathological disease progress. Evidence suggests combinations of therapies could be more effective than single agents alone. Natural plant products used in traditional medicines for the treatment of glioblastoma contain flavonoids, terpenoids, polyphenols, epigallocatechin gallate, quinones, and saponins, which might serendipitously include agents that modulate some classes of signaling compounds highlighted in this review. New therapeutic strategies are likely to exploit evidence-based combinations of selected agents, each at a low dose, to create new cancer cell-specific therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J. Yool
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sunita Ramesh
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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45
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Rutkowska A, Stoczyńska-Fidelus E, Janik K, Włodarczyk A, Rieske P. EGFR vIII: An Oncogene with Ambiguous Role. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2019; 2019:1092587. [PMID: 32089685 PMCID: PMC7024087 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1092587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) seems to constitute the perfect therapeutic target for glioblastoma (GB), as it is specifically present on up to 28-30% of GB cells. In case of other tumor types, expression and possible role of this oncogene still remain controversial. In spite of EGFRvIII mechanism of action being crucial for the design of small active anticancer molecules and immunotherapies, i.e., CAR-T technology, it is yet to be precisely defined. EGFRvIII is known to be resistant to degradation, but it is still unclear whether it heterodimerizes with EGF-activated wild-type EGFR (EGFRWT) or homodimerizes (including covalent homodimerization). Constitutive kinase activity of this mutated receptor is relatively low, and some researchers even claim that a nuclear, but not a membrane function, is crucial for its activity. Based on the analyses of recurrent tumors that are often lacking EGFRvIII expression despite its initial presence in corresponding primary foci, this oncogene is suggested to play a marginal role during later stages of carcinogenesis, while even in primary tumors EGFRvIII expression is detected only in a small percentage of tumor cells, undermining the rationality of EGFRvIII-targeting therapies. On the other hand, EGFRvIII-positive cells are resistant to apoptosis, more invasive, and characterized with enhanced proliferation rate. Moreover, expression of this oncogenic receptor was also postulated to be a marker of cancer stem cells. Opinions regarding the role that EGFRvIII plays in tumorigenesis and for tumor aggressiveness are clearly contradictory and, therefore, it is crucial not only to determine its mechanism of action, but also to unambiguously define its role at early and advanced cancer stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrianna Rutkowska
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Ewelina Stoczyńska-Fidelus
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska Ltd., Milionowa 23, 93-193 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Personather Ltd., Milionowa 23, 93-193 Lodz, Poland
| | - Karolina Janik
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Aneta Włodarczyk
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Piotr Rieske
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska Ltd., Milionowa 23, 93-193 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Research and Development, Personather Ltd., Milionowa 23, 93-193 Lodz, Poland
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46
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Vengoji R, Ponnusamy MP, Rachagani S, Mahapatra S, Batra SK, Shonka N, Macha MA. Novel therapies hijack the blood-brain barrier to eradicate glioblastoma cancer stem cells. Carcinogenesis 2019; 40:2-14. [PMID: 30475990 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgy171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is amongst the most aggressive brain tumors with a dismal prognosis. Despite significant advances in the current multimodality therapy including surgery, postoperative radiotherapy (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ)-based concomitant and adjuvant chemotherapy (CT), tumor recurrence is nearly universal with poor patient outcomes. These limitations are in part due to poor drug penetration through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and resistance to CT and RT by a small population of cancer cells recognized as tumor-initiating cells or cancer stem cells (CSCs). Though CT and RT kill the bulk of the tumor cells, they fail to affect CSCs, resulting in their enrichment and their development into more refractory tumors. Therefore, identifying the mechanisms of resistance and developing therapies that specifically target CSCs can improve response, prevent the development of refractory tumors and increase overall survival of GBM patients. Small molecule inhibitors that can breach the BBB and selectively target CSCs are emerging. In this review, we have summarized the recent advancements in understanding the GBM CSC-specific signaling pathways, the CSC-tumor microenvironment niche that contributes to CT and RT resistance and the use of novel combination therapies of small molecule inhibitors that may be used in conjunction with TMZ-based chemoradiation for effective management of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghupathy Vengoji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Moorthy P Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Satyanarayana Rachagani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sidharth Mahapatra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Nicole Shonka
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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47
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Fleurence J, Bahri M, Fougeray S, Faraj S, Vermeulen S, Pinault E, Geraldo F, Oliver L, Véziers J, Marquet P, Rabé M, Gratas C, Vallette F, Pecqueur C, Paris F, Birklé S. Impairing temozolomide resistance driven by glioma stem-like cells with adjuvant immunotherapy targeting O-acetyl GD2 ganglioside. Int J Cancer 2019; 146:424-438. [PMID: 31241171 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell chemoresistance remains challenging the efficacy of the front-line temozolomide against glioblastoma. Novel therapies are urgently needed to fight those cells in order to control tumor relapse. Here, we report that anti-O-acetyl-GD2 adjuvant immunotherapy controls glioma stem-like cell-driven chemoresistance. Using patient-derived glioblastoma cells, we found that glioma stem-like cells overexpressed O-acetyl-GD2. As a result, monoclonal antibody 8B6 immunotherapy significantly increased temozolomide genotoxicity and tumor cell death in vitro by enhancing temozolomide tumor uptake. Furthermore, the combination therapy decreased the expression of the glioma stem-like cell markers CD133 and Nestin and compromised glioma stem-like cell self-renewal capabilities. When tested in vivo, adjuvant 8B6 immunotherapy prevented the extension of the temozolomide-resistant glioma stem-like cell pool within the tumor bulk in vivo and was more effective than the single agent therapies. This is the first report demonstrating that anti-O-acetyl-GD2 monoclonal antibody 8B6 targets glioblastoma in a manner that control temozolomide-resistance driven by glioma stem-like cells. Together our results offer a proof of concept for using anti-O-acetyl GD2 reagents in glioblastoma to develop more efficient combination therapies for malignant gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Fleurence
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Meriem Bahri
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Sophie Fougeray
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Université de Nantes, UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Nantes, France
| | - Sébastien Faraj
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Sarah Vermeulen
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Emilie Pinault
- Univ. Limoges, BISCEm Mass Spectrometry Platform, Limoges, France
| | - Fanny Geraldo
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Lisa Oliver
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Joëlle Véziers
- INSERM, UMRS 1229, RMeS "Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton", Team STEP "Skeletal Physiopathology and Joint Regenerative Medicine", Nantes, France.,SC3M platform, UMS INSERM 016/CNRS 3556, SFR François Bonamy, Nantes, France.,CHU Nantes, PHU 4 OTONN, Nantes, France
| | - Pierre Marquet
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IPPRITT, U1248, Limoges, France
| | - Marion Rabé
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Catherine Gratas
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - François Vallette
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,LaBCT, Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest-René Gauducheau, Saint-Herblain, France
| | - Claire Pecqueur
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - François Paris
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,LaBCT, Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest-René Gauducheau, Saint-Herblain, France
| | - Stéphane Birklé
- CRCINA, INSERM, Université d'Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.,Université de Nantes, UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Nantes, France
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48
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Vengoji R, Macha MA, Nimmakayala RK, Rachagani S, Siddiqui JA, Mallya K, Gorantla S, Jain M, Ponnusamy MP, Batra SK, Shonka N. Afatinib and Temozolomide combination inhibits tumorigenesis by targeting EGFRvIII-cMet signaling in glioblastoma cells. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:266. [PMID: 31215502 PMCID: PMC6582495 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1264-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with universal recurrence and poor prognosis. The recurrence is largely driven by chemoradiation resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs). Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its mutant EGFRvIII are amplified in ~ 60% and ~ 30% of GBM patients, respectively; however, therapies targeting EGFR have failed to improve disease outcome. EGFRvIII-mediated cross-activation of tyrosine kinase receptor, cMET, regulates GBM CSC maintenance and promote tumor recurrence. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of pan-EGFR inhibitor afatinib and Temozolomide (TMZ) combination on GBM in vitro and in vivo. Methods We analyzed the effect of afatinib and temozolomide (TMZ) combination on GBM cells U87MG and U251 engineered to express wild type (WT) EGFR, EGFRvIII or EGFRvIII dead kinase, CSCs isolated from U87 and U87EGFRvIII in vitro. The therapeutic utility of the drug combination was investigated on tumor growth and progression using intracranially injected U87EGFRvIII GBM xenografts. Results Afatinib and TMZ combination synergistically inhibited the proliferation, clonogenic survival, motility, invasion and induced senescence of GBM cells compared to monotherapy. Mechanistically, afatinib decreased U87EGFRvIII GBM cell proliferation and motility/invasion by inhibiting EGFRvIII/AKT, EGFRvIII/JAK2/STAT3, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling pathways respectively. Interestingly, afatinib specifically inhibited EGFRvIII-cMET crosstalk in CSCs, resulting in decreased expression of Nanog and Oct3/4, and in combination with TMZ significantly decreased their self-renewal property in vitro. More interestingly, afatinib and TMZ combination significantly decreased the xenograft growth and progression compared to single drug alone. Conclusion Our study demonstrated significant inhibition of GBM tumorigenicity, CSC maintenance in vitro, and delayed tumor growth and progression in vivo by combination of afatinib and TMZ. Our results warrant evaluation of this drug combination in EGFR and EGFRvIII amplified GBM patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1264-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghupathy Vengoji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Rama Krishna Nimmakayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Satyanarayana Rachagani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Jawed A Siddiqui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Kavita Mallya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Santhi Gorantla
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Moorthy P Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.,Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA. .,Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA. .,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Disease, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
| | - Nicole Shonka
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA. .,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Disease, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA. .,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology and Hematology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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49
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Honrubia-Gómez P, López-Garrido MP, Gil-Gas C, Sánchez-Sánchez J, Alvarez-Simon C, Cuenca-Escalona J, Perez AF, Arias E, Moreno R, Sánchez-Sánchez F, Ramirez-Castillejo C. Pedf derived peptides affect colorectal cancer cell lines resistance and tumour re-growth capacity. Oncotarget 2019; 10:2973-2986. [PMID: 31105879 PMCID: PMC6508205 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Relapse after chemotherapy treatment depends on the cancer initiating cells (CICs). PEDF (Pigmented Epithelium Derived Factor) is an anti-angiogenic, neurotrophic and self-renewal regulator molecule, also involved in CICs biology. Acute and chronic exposition of colon cancer cell lines to CT/CTE PEDF-derived peptides decreased drug-resistance to conventional colorectal cancer treatments, such as oxaliplatin or irinotecan. We confirmed a reduction in the irinotecan and oxaliplatin IC50 doses for all tested tumour cell lines. After xenograft transplantation, CT/CTE treatments also produced a reduction in resistance to conventional chemotherapy treatments as in culture-assays. Metastatic capacity of these treated cell lines was also depleted. The PEDF signaling pathway could be a future therapeutic tool for use as an adjuvant therapy that decreases IC50 dosis, adverse effects and treatment costs. This pathway could also be involved in an increase of the time relapse in patients, decreased tumourigenicity, and decreased capacity to produce metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María-Pilar López-Garrido
- Genética Médica, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, IDINE, UCLM, Albacete, Spain
| | - Carmen Gil-Gas
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Departamento Ciencias Médicas, CRIB, UCLM, Albacete, Spain
| | | | - Carmen Alvarez-Simon
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Departamento Ciencias Médicas, CRIB, UCLM, Albacete, Spain
| | - Jorge Cuenca-Escalona
- Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory, HST Group, Biotechnology and V Biology Department, ETSIAAB, UPM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Ferrer Perez
- Current address: Oncology Division, Hospital Obispo Polanco, Teruel, Spain
| | - Enrique Arias
- Departamento de Sistemas Informáticos, UCLM, Albacete, Spain
| | | | - Francisco Sánchez-Sánchez
- Genética Médica, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, IDINE, UCLM, Albacete, Spain
| | - Carmen Ramirez-Castillejo
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Departamento Ciencias Médicas, CRIB, UCLM, Albacete, Spain.,Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory, HST Group, Biotechnology and V Biology Department, ETSIAAB, UPM, Madrid, Spain
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50
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Ruiu R, Tarone L, Rolih V, Barutello G, Bolli E, Riccardo F, Cavallo F, Conti L. Cancer stem cell immunology and immunotherapy: Harnessing the immune system against cancer's source. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2019; 164:119-188. [PMID: 31383404 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in diagnosis and therapy having improved cancer outcome, many patients still do not respond to treatments, resulting in the progression or relapse of the disease, eventually impairing survival expectations. The limited efficacy of therapy is often attributable to its inability to affect cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small population of cells resistant to current radio- and chemo-therapies. CSCs are characterized by self-renewal and tumor-initiating capabilities, and function as a reservoir for the local and distant recurrence of the disease. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches able to effectively target and deplete CSCs are urgently needed. Immunotherapy is facing a renewed interest for its potential in cancer treatment, and the possibility of harnessing the immune system to target CSCs is being addressed by a new exciting research field. In this chapter, we discuss the cancer stem cell model and illustrate CSC biological and molecular properties, critically addressing theoretical and practical issues linked with their definition and study. We then review the existing literature regarding the immunological properties of CSCs and the complex interplay occurring between CSCs and immune cells. Finally, we present up-to-date studies on CSC immunotargeting and its potential future perspective. In conclusion, understanding the interplay between CSC biology and tumor immunology will provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that regulate CSC immunological properties. This will contribute to the design of new CSC-directed immunotherapeutic strategies with the potential of strongly improving cancer outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ruiu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Lidia Tarone
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Valeria Rolih
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Barutello
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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