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Li K, Yang B, Du Y, Ding Y, Shen S, Sun Z, Liu Y, Wang Y, Cao S, Ren W, Wang X, Li M, Zhang Y, Wu J, Zheng W, Yan W, Li L. The HOXC10/NOD1/ERK axis drives osteolytic bone metastasis of pan-KRAS-mutant lung cancer. Bone Res 2024; 12:47. [PMID: 39191757 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-024-00350-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
While KRAS mutation is the leading cause of low survival rates in lung cancer bone metastasis patients, effective treatments are still lacking. Here, we identified homeobox C10 (HOXC10) as a lynchpin in pan-KRAS-mutant lung cancer bone metastasis. Through RNA-seq approach and patient tissue studies, we demonstrated that HOXC10 expression was dramatically increased. Genetic depletion of HOXC10 preferentially impeded cell proliferation and migration in vitro. The bioluminescence imaging and micro-CT results demonstrated that inhibition of HOXC10 significantly reduced bone metastasis of KRAS-mutant lung cancer in vivo. Mechanistically, the transcription factor HOXC10 activated NOD1/ERK signaling pathway to reprogram epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and bone microenvironment by activating the NOD1 promoter. Strikingly, inhibition of HOXC10 in combination with STAT3 inhibitor was effective against KRAS-mutant lung cancer bone metastasis by triggering ferroptosis. Taken together, these findings reveal that HOXC10 effectively alleviates pan-KRAS-mutant lung cancer with bone metastasis in the NOD1/ERK axis-dependent manner, and support further development of an effective combinatorial strategy for this kind of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Li
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Health Science Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Optics, Chongqing Institute of East China Normal University, Chongqing, 401120, China
| | - Bo Yang
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yingying Du
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yi Ding
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Shihui Shen
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- Joint Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University and School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Zhengwang Sun
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yun Liu
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yuhan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Siyuan Cao
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Wenjie Ren
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Mengjuan Li
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yunpeng Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Juan Wu
- Department of Pharmacy The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, 610083, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- Orthopaedic Department of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, China.
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, 610000, China.
- College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, P. R. China.
| | - Wangjun Yan
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Lei Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Optics, Chongqing Institute of East China Normal University, Chongqing, 401120, China.
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
- Joint Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University and School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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Sato S, Miura T, Ogasawara A, Shintani D, Yamaguchi S, Inui H, Yoshinaga A, Nishiyama M, Tsugane M, Hasegawa K. Evaluating the specific STAT3 inhibitor YHO-1701 in ovarian cancer cell lines and patient-derived cell models: efficacy, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential. J Gynecol Oncol 2024; 36:36.e24. [PMID: 39129332 DOI: 10.3802/jgo.2025.36.e24] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays key roles in regulating cancer cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis. We aimed to determine the effects of YHO-1701, an oral STAT3 inhibitor, in ovarian cancer (OC). METHODS We evaluated the impact of YHO-1701 on cell growth in patient-derived cells (PDCs) and OC cell lines using standard cell proliferation assays. Spheroid models derived from PDCs were assessed using three-dimensional (3D) cell viability assays. Antitumor activity was performed in SKOV3 xenograft mice treated orally administrated YHO-1701 with 20 mg/kg. Changes in STAT3 signaling were analyzed by western blotting. The molecular mechanisms of STAT3 inhibition were investigated by sequencing RNA and analyzing pathways in the SKOV3 using a small interfering RNA targeting STAT3 (STAT3 siRNA) and YHO-1701. RESULTS YHO-1701 inhibited the growth of OC cell lines by preventing STAT3 dimerization and decreasing the expression of its downstream signaling molecule, survivin. The growth of PDCs and spheroids obtained from patients with primary and recurrent OCs was significantly inhibited. Antitumor effect was observed in the SKOV3 xenograft mice with YHO-1701. YHO-1701 induced apoptosis in OC cells. Additionally, p53 and/or MAPK signaling pathways were upregulated in SKOV3 cells incubated with YHO-1701 and in those with STAT3 siRNA. CONCLUSION Our results showed that YHO-1701 suppressed cell growth in PDCs of OC, accompanied by survivin inhibition, and a decrease in the number of peritoneal metastasis in the mice by YHO-1701, compared with those treated with control. Therefore, YHO-1701 could be a promising candidate agent for treating OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Sato
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Takahito Miura
- Yakult Central Institute, Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aiko Ogasawara
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Daisuke Shintani
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shogo Yamaguchi
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Inui
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Akiko Yoshinaga
- Yakult Central Institute, Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Momomi Tsugane
- Yakult Central Institute, Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kosei Hasegawa
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan.
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Wang KN, Zhou K, Zhong NN, Cao LM, Li ZZ, Xiao Y, Wang GR, Huo FY, Zhou JJ, Liu B, Bu LL. Enhancing cancer therapy: The role of drug delivery systems in STAT3 inhibitor efficacy and safety. Life Sci 2024; 346:122635. [PMID: 38615745 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122635] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a member of the STAT family, resides in the nucleus to regulate genes essential for vital cellular functions, including survival, proliferation, self-renewal, angiogenesis, and immune response. However, continuous STAT3 activation in tumor cells promotes their initiation, progression, and metastasis, rendering STAT3 pathway inhibitors a promising avenue for cancer therapy. Nonetheless, these inhibitors frequently encounter challenges such as cytotoxicity and suboptimal biocompatibility in clinical trials. A viable strategy to mitigate these issues involves delivering STAT3 inhibitors via drug delivery systems (DDSs). This review delineates the regulatory mechanisms of the STAT3 signaling pathway and its association with cancer. It offers a comprehensive overview of the current application of DDSs for anti-STAT3 inhibitors and investigates the role of DDSs in cancer treatment. The conclusion posits that DDSs for anti-STAT3 inhibitors exhibit enhanced efficacy and reduced adverse effects in tumor therapy compared to anti-STAT3 inhibitors alone. This paper aims to provide an outline of the ongoing research and future prospects of DDSs for STAT3 inhibitors. Additionally, it presents our insights on the merits and future outlook of DDSs in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Kan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Nian-Nian Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Lei-Ming Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Zi-Zhan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Yao Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Guang-Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Fang-Yi Huo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Jun-Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China; Department of Oral & Maxillofacial, Anyang Sixth People's Hospital, Anyang 45500, China.
| | - Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China; Department of Oral & Maxillofacial - Head Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Lin-Lin Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China; Department of Oral & Maxillofacial - Head Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
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4
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Singh SP, Dosch AR, Mehra S, De Castro Silva I, Bianchi A, Garrido VT, Zhou Z, Adams A, Amirian H, Box EW, Sun X, Ban Y, Datta J, Nagathihalli NS, Merchant NB. Tumor Cell-Intrinsic p38 MAPK Signaling Promotes IL1α-Mediated Stromal Inflammation and Therapeutic Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1320-1332. [PMID: 38285896 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a KRAS-driven inflammatory program and a desmoplastic stroma, which contribute to the profoundly chemoresistant phenotype. The tumor stroma contains an abundance of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), which engage in extensive paracrine cross-talk with tumor cells to perpetuate protumorigenic inflammation. IL1α, a pleiotropic, tumor cell-derived cytokine, plays a critical role in shaping the stromal landscape. To provide insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating IL1A expression in PDAC, we performed transcriptional profiling of The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets and pharmacologic screening in PDAC cells and identified p38α MAPK as a key positive regulator of IL1A expression. Both genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of p38 MAPK significantly diminished IL1α production in vitro. Chromatin- and coimmunoprecipitation analyses revealed that p38 MAPK coordinates the transcription factors Sp1 and the p65 subunit of NFκB to drive IL1A overexpression. Single-cell RNA sequencing of a highly desmoplastic murine PDAC model, Ptf1aCre/+; LSL-KrasG12D/+; Tgfbr2flox/flox (PKT), confirmed that p38 MAPK inhibition significantly decreases tumor cell-derived Il1a and attenuates the inflammatory CAF phenotype in a paracrine IL1α-dependent manner. Furthermore, p38 MAPK inhibition favorably modulated intratumoral immunosuppressive myeloid populations and augmented chemotherapeutic efficacy to substantially reduce tumor burden and improve overall survival in PKT mice. These findings illustrate a cellular mechanism of tumor cell-intrinsic p38-p65/Sp1-IL1α signaling that is responsible for sustaining stromal inflammation and CAF activation, offering an attractive therapeutic approach to enhance chemosensitivity in PDAC. SIGNIFICANCE Inhibition of p38 MAPK suppresses tumor cell-derived IL1α and attenuates the inflammatory stroma and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment to overcome chemotherapeutic resistance in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samara P Singh
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Austin R Dosch
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Siddharth Mehra
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Iago De Castro Silva
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Anna Bianchi
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Vanessa T Garrido
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Zhiqun Zhou
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Andrew Adams
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Haleh Amirian
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Edmond W Box
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Xiaodian Sun
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Yuguang Ban
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida
| | - Jashodeep Datta
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida
| | - Nagaraj S Nagathihalli
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida
| | - Nipun B Merchant
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida
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5
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Cheng K, Zhou Z, Chen Q, Chen Z, Cai Y, Cai H, Wu S, Gao P, Cai Y, Zhou J, Wang X, Wu Z, Peng B. CDK4/6 inhibition sensitizes MEK inhibition by inhibiting cell cycle and proliferation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8389. [PMID: 38600093 PMCID: PMC11006845 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57417-z] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is not sensitive to most chemotherapy drugs, leading to poor chemotherapy efficacy. Recently, Trametinib and Palbociclib have promising prospects in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. This article aims to explore the effects of Trametinib on pancreatic cancer and address the underlying mechanism of resistance as well as its reversal strategies. The GDSC (Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer) and CTD2 (Cancer Target Discovery and Development) were utilized to screen the potential drug candidate in PDAC cell lines. The dose-increase method combined with the high-dose shock method was applied to induce the Trametinib-resistant PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cell lines. The CCK8 proliferation assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and western blot were conducted to verify the inhibitory effect of Trametinib and Palbociclib. RNA-seq was performed in resistant PDAC cell lines to find the differential expression genes related to drug resistance and predict pathways leading to the reversal of Trametinib resistance. The GDSC and CTD2 database screening revealed that Trametinib demonstrates a significant inhibitory effect on PDAC. We found that Trametinib has a lower IC50 than Gemcitabine in PDAC cell lines. Both Trametinib and Gemcitabine can decrease the proliferation capacity of pancreatic cells, induce cell cycle arrest, and increase apoptosis. Simultaneously, the phosphorylation of the AKT and ERK pathways were inhibited by the treatment of Trametinib. In addition, the RNA-seq of Trametinib-induced resistance PDAC cell lines reveals that the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-RB-E2F regulatory axis and G2/M DNA damage checkpoint might lead the drug resistance. Besides, the combination of Trametinib with Palbociclib could inhibit the proliferation and cell cycle of both resistant cells lines and also restore the sensitivity of drug-resistant cells to Trametinib. Last but not least, the interferon-α and interferon-γ expression were upregulated in resistance cell lines, which might lead to the reversal of drug resistance. The study shows Trametinib has a critical inhibitory effect on PDAC. Besides, the combination of Trametinib with Palbociclib can inhibit the proliferation of PDAC-resistant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Cheng
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zijian Zhou
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiangxing Chen
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zixin Chen
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Cai
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - He Cai
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shangdi Wu
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Pan Gao
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunqiang Cai
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhong Wu
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Bing Peng
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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6
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Guo H, Hu Z, Yang X, Yuan Z, Gao Y, Chen J, Xie L, Chen C, Guo Y, Bai Y. STAT3 inhibition enhances gemcitabine sensitivity in pancreatic cancer by suppressing EMT, immune escape and inducing oxidative stress damage. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 123:110709. [PMID: 37515849 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110709] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly-malignant tumor of the digestive system with a very poor prognosis and high mortality. Chemotherapy and PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade are important treatment strategies for advanced PC. However, chemotherapy resistance and poor therapeutic effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors is are the main clinical problems to be solved urgently at present. The effects of combined application of gemcitabine and STAT3 inhibition on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of PC cells (PCCs) were investigated. In addition, oxidative stress (OS), ferroptosis, immune escape, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were evaluated. STAT3 inhibition with Stattic enhanced the inhibitory activity of gemcitabine on PCC proliferation by regulating the cell cycle. STAT3 inhibition enhanced mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in gemcitabine-treated PCCs, but did not induce autophagy and ferroptosis. Further study showed that the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects may be associated with increased OS damage by inactivating Nrf2-HO-1 signaling, as well as DNA damage by inducing the imbalance between ATM andATR-Chk1 pathway. In addition, STAT3 inhibition strengthened gemcitabine-mediated suppression in PCC invasion and migration by antagonizing Smad2/3-dependent EMT. Moreover, the anti-tumorimmuneresponse of gemcitabine was upregulated by Stattic through reducing the expression of PD-L1 and CD47. Mechanistically, combined application of gemcitabine and Stattic suppressed the phosphorylation and nuclear expression of STAT3. Interestingly, the activities of AKT and β-catenin signaling were also regulated, suggesting that drug combination has a broad-spectrum signal regulation effect. STAT3 inhibition enhanced the sensitivity of PCCs to the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine by suppressing EMT and immune escape and inducing OS damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangcheng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China; The 404th Hospital of Mianyang, 621000 Sichuan, China
| | - Zujian Hu
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Xuejia Yang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Ziwei Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Yuanyuan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Jiawei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Lili Xie
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Chaoyue Chen
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Yangyang Guo
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo 315000, China
| | - Yongheng Bai
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China; National Key Clinical Specialty (General Surgery), The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China.
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7
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Zhang K, Chen Y, Zhu J, Ge X, Wu J, Xu P, Yao J. Advancement of single-cell sequencing for clinical diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1213136. [PMID: 37720505 PMCID: PMC10501729 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1213136] [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: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell sequencing is a high-throughput technique that enables detection of genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic information at the individual cell level, offering significant advantages in detecting cellular heterogeneity, precise cell classification, and identifying rare subpopulations. The technique holds tremendous potential in improving the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Moreover, single-cell sequencing provides unique insights into the mechanisms of pancreatic cancer metastasis and cachexia, paving the way for developing novel preventive strategies. Overall, single-cell sequencing has immense potential in promoting early diagnosis, guiding personalized treatment, and preventing complications of pancreatic cancer. Emerging single-cell sequencing technologies will undoubtedly enhance our understanding of the complex biology of pancreatic cancer and pave the way for new directions in its clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Ge
- Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Junqing Wu
- Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jie Yao
- Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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8
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Jiang S, Deng T, Cheng H, Liu W, Shi D, Yuan J, He Z, Wang W, Chen B, Ma L, Zhang X, Gong P. Macrophage-organoid co-culture model for identifying treatment strategies against macrophage-related gemcitabine resistance. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:199. [PMID: 37553567 PMCID: PMC10411021 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02756-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gemcitabine resistance (GR) is a significant clinical challenge in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) treatment. Macrophages in the tumor immune-microenvironment are closely related to GR. Uncovering the macrophage-induced GR mechanism could help devise a novel strategy to improve gemcitabine treatment outcomes in PAAD. Therefore, preclinical models accurately replicating patient tumor properties are essential for cancer research and drug development. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) represent a promising in vitro model for investigating tumor targets, accelerating drug development, and enabling personalized treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes. METHODS To investigate the effects of macrophage stimulation on GR, co-cultures were set up using PDOs from three PAAD patients with macrophages. To identify signaling factors between macrophages and pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs), a 97-target cytokine array and the TCGA-GTEx database were utilized. The analysis revealed CCL5 and AREG as potential candidates. The role of CCL5 in inducing GR was further investigated using clinical data and tumor sections obtained from 48 PAAD patients over three years, inhibitors, and short hairpin RNA (shRNA). Furthermore, single-cell sequencing data from the GEO database were analyzed to explore the crosstalk between PCCs and macrophages. To overcome GR, inhibitors targeting the macrophage-CCL5-Sp1-AREG feedback loop were evaluated in cell lines, PDOs, and orthotopic mouse models of pancreatic carcinoma. RESULTS The macrophage-CCL5-Sp1-AREG feedback loop between macrophages and PCCs is responsible for GR. Macrophage-derived CCL5 activates the CCR5/AKT/Sp1/CD44 axis to confer stemness and chemoresistance to PCCs. PCC-derived AREG promotes CCL5 secretion in macrophages through the Hippo-YAP pathway. By targeting the feedback loop, mithramycin improves the outcome of gemcitabine treatment in PAAD. The results from the PDO model were corroborated with cell lines, mouse models, and clinical data. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights that the PDO model is a superior choice for preclinical research and precision medicine. The macrophage-CCL5-Sp1-AREG feedback loop confers stemness to PCCs to facilitate gemcitabine resistance by activating the CCR5/AKT/SP1/CD44 pathway. The combination of gemcitabine and mithramycin shows potential as a therapeutic strategy for treating PAAD in cell lines, PDOs, and mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengwei Jiang
- Department of General Surgery & Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Xueyuan Road 1066, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Tingwei Deng
- Department of General Surgery & Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Huan Cheng
- Department of Epidemiology, Dalian Medical University, Lvshun Road 9, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Weihan Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Dalian Medical University, Lvshun Road 9, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Dan Shi
- Department of General Surgery & Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Xueyuan Road 1066, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Jiahui Yuan
- Department of General Surgery & Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Xueyuan Road 1066, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Zhiwei He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Xueyuan Road 1066, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Weiwu Road 7, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Boning Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Weiwu Road 7, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Li Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
- Department of Epidemiology, Dalian Medical University, Lvshun Road 9, Dalian, 116044, China.
| | - Xianbin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery & Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China.
| | - Peng Gong
- Department of General Surgery & Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China.
- Carson International Cancer Center & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Xueyuan Road 1066, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
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9
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Wang J, Weng S, Zhu Y, Chen H, Pan J, Qiu S, Liu Y, Wei D, Zhu T. PKCι induces differential phosphorylation of STAT3 to modify STAT3-related signaling pathways in pancreatic cancer cells. J Cell Commun Signal 2023:10.1007/s12079-023-00780-9. [PMID: 37548811 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-023-00780-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of studies have documented atypical protein kinase C isoform ι (PKCι) as an oncoprotein playing multifaceted roles in pancreatic carcinogenesis, including sustaining the transformed growth, prohibiting apoptosis, strengthening invasiveness, facilitating autophagy, as well as promoting the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment of pancreatic tumors. In this study, we present novel evidence that PKCι overexpression increases STAT3 phosphorylation at the Y705 residue while decreasing STAT3 phosphorylation at the S727 residue in pancreatic cancer cells. We further demonstrate that STAT3 phosphorylation at Y705 and S727 residues is mutually antagonistic, and that STAT3 Y705 phosphorylation is positively related to the transcriptional activity of STAT3 in pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, we discover that PKCι inhibition attenuates STAT3 transcriptional activity via Y705 dephosphorylation, which appears to be resulted from enhanced phosphorylation of S727 in pancreatic cancer cells. Finally, we investigate and prove that by modulating the STAT3 activity, the PKCι inhibitor can synergistically enhance the antitumor effects of pharmacological STAT3 inhibitors or reverse the anti-apoptotic side effects incited by the MEK inhibitor, thereby posing as a prospective sensitizer in the treatment of pancreatic cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junli Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Sijia Weng
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Zhu
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongmei Chen
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jueyu Pan
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuoyu Qiu
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yufeng Liu
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dapeng Wei
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongbo Zhu
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Mehra S, Garrido VT, Dosch AR, Lamichhane P, Srinivasan S, Singh SP, Zhou Z, De Castro Silva I, Joshi C, Ban Y, Datta J, Gilboa E, Merchant NB, Nagathihalli NS. Remodeling of Stromal Immune Microenvironment by Urolithin A Improves Survival with Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Pancreatic Cancer. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:1224-1236. [PMID: 37448553 PMCID: PMC10337606 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a significant contributor to cancer-related morbidity and mortality, and it is known for its resistance to conventional treatment regimens, including chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)-based therapies. We have previously shown that Urolithin A (Uro A), a gut microbial metabolite derived from pomegranates, can target and inhibit KRAS-dependent PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways to overcome therapeutic resistance and improve survival in PDAC. However, the effect of Uro A on the tumor immune microenvironment and its ability to enhance ICB efficacy has not been explored. This study demonstrates that Uro A treatment reduces stromal fibrosis and reinvigorates the adaptive T-cell immune response to overcome resistance to PD-1 blockade in a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) of PDAC. Flow cytometric-based analysis of Uro A-treated mouse tumors revealed a significant attenuation of immunosuppressive tumor-associated M2-like macrophages with a concurrent increase in the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with memory-like phenotype along with reduced expression of the exhaustion-associated protein, PD-1. Importantly, the combination of Uro A treatment with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy promoted enhancement of the antitumor response with increased infiltration of CD4+ Th1 cells, ultimately resulting in a remarkable improvement in overall survival in GEMM of PDAC. Overall, our findings provide preclinical evidence for the potential of Uro A as a novel therapeutic agent to increase sensitivity to immunotherapy in PDAC and warrant further mechanistic exploration in preclinical and clinical studies. Significance Immunotherapeutic agents are ineffective against pancreatic cancer, mainly due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and stromal desmoplasia. Our current study demonstrates the therapeutic utility of a novel gut microbial metabolite, Uro A, to remodel the stromal-immune microenvironment and improve overall survival with anti-PD-1 therapy in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Mehra
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Vanessa T. Garrido
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Austin R. Dosch
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | | | - Supriya Srinivasan
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Samara P. Singh
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Zhiqun Zhou
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Iago De Castro Silva
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | | | - Yuguang Ban
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Jashodeep Datta
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Eli Gilboa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Nipun B. Merchant
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Nagaraj S. Nagathihalli
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
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11
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Fan L, Wei Z, Liu L, Qi X, Yu H. Emerging trends and research foci in autophagy of pancreatic cancer: a bibliometric and visualized study. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1220435. [PMID: 37409253 PMCID: PMC10319421 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1220435] [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: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The purpose of this study was to analyze the trends by year, country, institution, journal, reference and keyword in publications on the autophagy of pancreatic cancer (PC) and to predict future research hotspots. Methods The Web of Science Core Collection was used to search for publications. The contributions of various countries/regions, institutes, authors, identified research hotspots, and promising future trends were analyzed using the VOSviewer1.6.16 and CiteSpace6.6.R2 programs. We also summarized autophagy relevant clinical trials of PC. Results A total of 1293 papers on the autophagy of PC published between 2013 and 2023 were included in the study. The average number of citations per article was 33.76. The China had the most publications, followed by USA, and a total of 50 influential articles were identified through co-citation analysis. Clustering analysis revealed clusters of keywords: metabolic reprogramming and ER stress, mTOR-mediated apoptosis, extracellular trap as the most concerned clusters. The co-occurrence cluster analysis showed pancreatic stellate cell, autophagy-dependent ferroptosis, autophagy-related pathway, metabolic rewiring, on-coding RNA as the highly concerned research topics in recently. Conclusion The number of publications and research interest have generally increased over the past few years. The China and USA have made prominent contributions to the study of the autophagy of PC. The current research hotspots mainly focus not only on the related modulation, metabolic reprogramming, ferroptosis of tumor cells themselves, but also on tumor microenvironments such as autophagy associated pancreatic stellate cells and new treatments targeting autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Fan
- Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
- Department of Pathology, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Zhiyong Wei
- Department of Pathology, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Lili Liu
- Department of Pathology, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaojie Qi
- Department of Pathology, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Taizhou People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China
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12
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Bianchi A, De Castro Silva I, Deshpande NU, Singh S, Mehra S, Garrido VT, Guo X, Nivelo LA, Kolonias DS, Saigh SJ, Wieder E, Rafie CI, Dosch AR, Zhou Z, Umland O, Amirian H, Ogobuiro IC, Zhang J, Ban Y, Shiau C, Nagathihalli NS, Montgomery EA, Hwang WL, Brambilla R, Komanduri K, Villarino AV, Toska E, Stanger BZ, Gabrilovich DI, Merchant NB, Datta J. Cell-Autonomous Cxcl1 Sustains Tolerogenic Circuitries and Stromal Inflammation via Neutrophil-Derived TNF in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:1428-1453. [PMID: 36946782 PMCID: PMC10259764 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-1046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
We have shown that KRAS-TP53 genomic coalteration is associated with immune-excluded microenvironments, chemoresistance, and poor survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. By treating KRAS-TP53 cooperativity as a model for high-risk biology, we now identify cell-autonomous Cxcl1 as a key mediator of spatial T-cell restriction via interactions with CXCR2+ neutrophilic myeloid-derived suppressor cells in human PDAC using imaging mass cytometry. Silencing of cell-intrinsic Cxcl1 in LSL-KrasG12D/+;Trp53R172H/+;Pdx-1Cre/+(KPC) cells reprograms the trafficking and functional dynamics of neutrophils to overcome T-cell exclusion and controls tumor growth in a T cell-dependent manner. Mechanistically, neutrophil-derived TNF is a central regulator of this immunologic rewiring, instigating feed-forward Cxcl1 overproduction from tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), T-cell dysfunction, and inflammatory CAF polarization via transmembrane TNF-TNFR2 interactions. TNFR2 inhibition disrupts this circuitry and improves sensitivity to chemotherapy in vivo. Our results uncover cancer cell-neutrophil cross-talk in which context-dependent TNF signaling amplifies stromal inflammation and immune tolerance to promote therapeutic resistance in PDAC. SIGNIFICANCE By decoding connections between high-risk tumor genotypes, cell-autonomous inflammatory programs, and myeloid-enriched/T cell-excluded contexts, we identify a novel role for neutrophil-derived TNF in sustaining immunosuppression and stromal inflammation in pancreatic tumor microenvironments. This work offers a conceptual framework by which targeting context-dependent TNF signaling may overcome hallmarks of chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1275.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bianchi
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Iago De Castro Silva
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Nilesh U. Deshpande
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Samara Singh
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Siddharth Mehra
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Vanessa T. Garrido
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Xinyu Guo
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Luis A. Nivelo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Despina S. Kolonias
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Eric Wieder
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Christine I. Rafie
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Austin R. Dosch
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Zhiqun Zhou
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Oliver Umland
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Haleh Amirian
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Ifeanyichukwu C. Ogobuiro
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Yuguang Ban
- Department of Public Health Sciences; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA Miami, FL, USA
| | - Carina Shiau
- Center for Systems Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nagaraj S. Nagathihalli
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Montgomery
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - William L. Hwang
- Center for Systems Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roberta Brambilla
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Krishna Komanduri
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco Health, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alejandro V. Villarino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Eneda Toska
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ben Z. Stanger
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Nipun B. Merchant
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jashodeep Datta
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
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13
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Entrialgo-Cadierno R, Cueto-Ureña C, Welch C, Feliu I, Macaya I, Vera L, Morales X, Michelina SV, Scaparone P, Lopez I, Darbo E, Erice O, Vallejo A, Moreno H, Goñi-Salaverri A, Lara-Astiaso D, Halberg N, Cortes-Dominguez I, Guruceaga E, Ambrogio C, Lecanda F, Vicent S. The phospholipid transporter PITPNC1 links KRAS to MYC to prevent autophagy in lung and pancreatic cancer. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:86. [PMID: 37210549 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01788-w] [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: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The discovery of functionally relevant KRAS effectors in lung and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (LUAD and PDAC) may yield novel molecular targets or mechanisms amenable to inhibition strategies. Phospholipids availability has been appreciated as a mechanism to modulate KRAS oncogenic potential. Thus, phospholipid transporters may play a functional role in KRAS-driven oncogenesis. Here, we identified and systematically studied the phospholipid transporter PITPNC1 and its controlled network in LUAD and PDAC. METHODS Genetic modulation of KRAS expression as well as pharmacological inhibition of canonical effectors was completed. PITPNC1 genetic depletion was performed in in vitro and in vivo LUAD and PDAC models. PITPNC1-deficient cells were RNA sequenced, and Gene Ontology and enrichment analyses were applied to the output data. Protein-based biochemical and subcellular localization assays were run to investigate PITPNC1-regulated pathways. A drug repurposing approach was used to predict surrogate PITPNC1 inhibitors that were tested in combination with KRASG12C inhibitors in 2D, 3D, and in vivo models. RESULTS PITPNC1 was increased in human LUAD and PDAC, and associated with poor patients' survival. PITPNC1 was regulated by KRAS through MEK1/2 and JNK1/2. Functional experiments showed PITPNC1 requirement for cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and tumour growth. Furthermore, PITPNC1 overexpression enhanced lung colonization and liver metastasis. PITPNC1 regulated a transcriptional signature which highly overlapped with that of KRAS, and controlled mTOR localization via enhanced MYC protein stability to prevent autophagy. JAK2 inhibitors were predicted as putative PITPNC1 inhibitors with antiproliferative effect and their combination with KRASG12C inhibitors elicited a substantial anti-tumour effect in LUAD and PDAC. CONCLUSIONS Our data highlight the functional and clinical relevance of PITPNC1 in LUAD and PDAC. Moreover, PITPNC1 constitutes a new mechanism linking KRAS to MYC, and controls a druggable transcriptional network for combinatorial treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Entrialgo-Cadierno
- Program in Solid Tumours, University of Navarra, Centre of Applied Medical Research (CIMA), 55 Pio XII Avenue, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Cristina Cueto-Ureña
- Program in Solid Tumours, University of Navarra, Centre of Applied Medical Research (CIMA), 55 Pio XII Avenue, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Connor Welch
- Program in Solid Tumours, University of Navarra, Centre of Applied Medical Research (CIMA), 55 Pio XII Avenue, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Iker Feliu
- Program in Solid Tumours, University of Navarra, Centre of Applied Medical Research (CIMA), 55 Pio XII Avenue, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Irati Macaya
- Program in Solid Tumours, University of Navarra, Centre of Applied Medical Research (CIMA), 55 Pio XII Avenue, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Laura Vera
- Program in Solid Tumours, University of Navarra, Centre of Applied Medical Research (CIMA), 55 Pio XII Avenue, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Xabier Morales
- Imaging Unit and Cancer Imaging Laboratory, University of Navarra, CIMA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sandra Vietti Michelina
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Pietro Scaparone
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Ines Lopez
- Program in Solid Tumours, University of Navarra, Centre of Applied Medical Research (CIMA), 55 Pio XII Avenue, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Elodie Darbo
- University of Bordeaux, INSERM, BRIC, U 1312, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Oihane Erice
- Program in Solid Tumours, University of Navarra, Centre of Applied Medical Research (CIMA), 55 Pio XII Avenue, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Adrian Vallejo
- Program in Solid Tumours, University of Navarra, Centre of Applied Medical Research (CIMA), 55 Pio XII Avenue, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Haritz Moreno
- Program in Solid Tumours, University of Navarra, Centre of Applied Medical Research (CIMA), 55 Pio XII Avenue, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - David Lara-Astiaso
- Molecular Therapies Program, University of Navarra, CIMA, Pamplona, Spain
- Wellcome - MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute (CSCI), Cambridge, UK
| | - Nils Halberg
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ivan Cortes-Dominguez
- Imaging Unit and Cancer Imaging Laboratory, University of Navarra, CIMA, Pamplona, Spain
- Bioinformatics Platform, University of Navarra, CIMA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Elizabeth Guruceaga
- Bioinformatics Platform, University of Navarra, CIMA, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Chiara Ambrogio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Fernando Lecanda
- Program in Solid Tumours, University of Navarra, Centre of Applied Medical Research (CIMA), 55 Pio XII Avenue, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Silve Vicent
- Program in Solid Tumours, University of Navarra, Centre of Applied Medical Research (CIMA), 55 Pio XII Avenue, 31008, Pamplona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain.
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
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14
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Zhu M, Li S, Cao X, Rashid K, Liu T. The STAT family: Key transcription factors mediating crosstalk between cancer stem cells and tumor immune microenvironment. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 88:18-31. [PMID: 36410636 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins compose a family of transcription factors critical for cancer stem cells (CSCs), and they are involved in maintaining stemness properties, enhancing cell proliferation, and promoting metastasis. Recent studies suggest that STAT proteins engage in reciprocal communication between CSCs and infiltrate immune cell populations in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Emerging evidence has substantiated the influence of immune cells, including macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and T cells, on CSC survival through the regulation of STAT signaling. Conversely, dysregulation of STATs in CSCs or immune cells contributes to the establishment of an immunosuppressive TME. Thus, STAT proteins are promising therapeutic targets for cancer treatment, especially when used in combination with immunotherapy. From this perspective, we discuss the complex roles of STATs in CSCs and highlight their functions in the crosstalk between CSCs and the immune microenvironment. Finally, cutting-edge clinical trial progress with STAT signaling inhibitors is summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxuan Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Center of Evidence-based Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Suyao Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Center of Evidence-based Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Cao
- Institute of Clinical Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Khalid Rashid
- Department of Cancer Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Tianshu Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Center of Evidence-based Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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15
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Sattler M, Mohanty A, Kulkarni P, Salgia R. Precision oncology provides opportunities for targeting KRAS-inhibitor resistance. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:42-54. [PMID: 36751115 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Novel inhibitors targeting Kirsten rat sarcoma virus homolog (KRAS) KRASG12C in various cancers have shown good initial efficacy, but therapy-related drug resistance eventually occurs in most patients. It has become apparent that cancer cells not only rely on novel mutations that provide escape mechanisms, but about half of them become resistant in the absence of apparent genetic mutations. Redundancies within the KRAS signaling pathways and cross-talk between these pathways - as well as other canonical cancer-driving mechanisms - not only provide challenges but also present opportunities for drug development and targeted approaches. We discuss the challenges for the duality of KRAS inhibitor drug resistance with an additional focus on nongenetic mechanisms and the potential for patient-centered combination treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Sattler
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Atish Mohanty
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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16
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Chen CH, Weng TH, Chuang CH, Huang KY, Huang SC, Chen PR, Huang HH, Huang LY, Shen PC, Chuang PY, Huang HY, Wu YS, Chang HC, Weng SL, Liao KW. Transdermal nanolipoplex simultaneously inhibits subcutaneous melanoma growth and suppresses systemically metastatic melanoma by activating host immunity. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2023; 47:102628. [PMID: 36400317 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2022.102628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Benefit for clinical melanoma treatments, the transdermal neoadjuvant therapy could reduce surgery region and increase immunotherapy efficacy. Using lipoplex (Lipo-PEG-PEI-complex, LPPC) encapsulated doxorubicin (DOX) and carrying CpG oligodeoxynucleotide; the transdermally administered nano-liposomal drug complex (LPPC-DOX-CpG) would have high cytotoxicity and immunostimulatory activity to suppress systemic metastasis of melanoma. LPPC-DOX-CpG dramatically suppressed subcutaneous melanoma growth by inducing tumor cell apoptosis and recruiting immune cells into the tumor area. Animal studies further showed that the colonization and growth of spontaneously metastatic melanoma cells in the liver and lung were suppressed by transdermal LPPC-DOX-CpG. Furthermore, NGS analysis revealed IFN-γ and NF-κB pathways were triggered to recruit and activate the antigen-presenting-cells and effecter cells, which could activate the anti-tumor responses as the major mechanism responsible for the therapeutic effect of LPPC-DOX-CpG. Finally, we have successfully proved transdermal LPPC-DOX-CpG as a promising penetrative carrier to activate systemic anti-tumor immunity against subcutaneous and metastatic tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hung Chen
- Department of Medical Research, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu City 30071, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tzu-Han Weng
- Dependent of Medical Education, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10449, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Cheng-Hsun Chuang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Kai-Yao Huang
- Department of Medical Research, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu City 30071, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 25245, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Sih-Cheng Huang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pin-Rong Chen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsiao-Hsuan Huang
- Industrial Development Graduate Program of College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ling-Ya Huang
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pei-Chun Shen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Po-Ya Chuang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsiao-Yen Huang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Syuan Wu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hao-Chiun Chang
- Ph.D. Degree Program of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shun-Long Weng
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 25245, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu City 30071, Taiwan, ROC; MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei City 11260, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Kuang-Wen Liao
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC; Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University School of Dentistry, Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 80708, Taiwan, ROC; Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 70101, Taiwan, ROC; Ph.D. Degree Program of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC.
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17
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Role of Up-Regulated Transmembrane Channel-Like Protein 5 in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 68:1894-1912. [PMID: 36459296 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-022-07771-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a malignant tumor responsible for a heavy disease burden. Previously, only one pan-cancer study of Transmembrane channel-like protein 5 (TMC5) showed that TMC5 was highly expressed in PAAD, but the results lacked comprehensive verification, and the mechanism of TMC5 in PAAD was still unclear. METHODS For exploring the expression and clinical value of TMC5 in PAAD better, we adopted a comprehensive evaluation method, using internal immunohistochemistry (IHC) data combined with microarray and RNA-sequencing data collected from public databases. The single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were exploited to explore the TMC5 expression in cell populations and intercellular communication. The potential mechanism of TMC5 in PAAD was analyzed from the aspects of immune infiltration, transcriptional regulation, function and pathway enrichment. RESULTS Our IHC data includes 148 PAAD samples and 19 non-PAAD samples, along with the available microarray and RNA-sequencing data (1166 PAAD samples, 704 non-PAAD samples). The comprehensive evaluation results showed that TMC5 was evidently up-regulated in PAAD (SMD = 1.17). Further analysis showed that TMC5 was over-expressed in cancerous epithelial cells. Furthermore, TMC5 was up-regulated in more advanced tumor T and N stages. Interestingly, we found that STAT3 as an immune marker of Th17 cells was not only positively correlated with TMC5 and up-regulated in PAAD tissues, but also the major predicted TMC5 transcription regulator. Moreover, STAT3 was involved in cancer pathway of PAAD. CONCLUSION Up-regulated TMC5 indicates advanced tumor stage in PAAD patients, and its role in promoting PAAD development may be regulated by STAT3.
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Datta J, Dai X, Bianchi A, De Castro Silva I, Mehra S, Garrido VT, Lamichhane P, Singh SP, Zhou Z, Dosch AR, Messaggio F, Ban Y, Umland O, Hosein PJ, Nagathihalli NS, Merchant NB. Combined MEK and STAT3 Inhibition Uncovers Stromal Plasticity by Enriching for Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts With Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Like Features to Overcome Immunotherapy Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer. Gastroenterology 2022; 163:1593-1612. [PMID: 35948109 PMCID: PMC10257389 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.07.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS We have shown that reciprocally activated rat sarcoma (RAS)/mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathways mediate therapeutic resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), while combined MEK and STAT3 inhibition (MEKi+STAT3i) overcomes such resistance and alters stromal architecture. We now determine whether MEKi+STAT3i reprograms the cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) and immune microenvironment to overcome resistance to immune checkpoint inhibition in PDAC. METHODS CAF and immune cell transcriptomes in MEKi (trametinib)+STAT3i (ruxolitinib)-treated vs vehicle-treated Ptf1aCre/+;LSL-KrasG12D/+;Tgfbr2flox/flox (PKT) tumors were examined via single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq). Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats associated protein 9 silencing of CAF-restricted Map2k1/Mek1 or Stat3, or both, enabled interrogation of CAF-dependent effects on immunologic remodeling in orthotopic models. Tumor growth, survival, and immune profiling via mass cytometry by time-of-flight were examined in PKT mice treated with vehicle, anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) monotherapy, and MEKi+STAT3i combined with anti-PD1. RESULTS MEKi+STAT3i attenuates Il6/Cxcl1-expressing proinflammatory and Lrrc15-expressing myofibroblastic CAF phenotypes while enriching for Ly6a/Cd34-expressing CAFs exhibiting mesenchymal stem cell-like features via scRNAseq in PKT mice. This CAF plasticity is associated with M2-to-M1 reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages, and enhanced trafficking of cluster of differentiation 8+ T cells, which exhibit distinct effector transcriptional programs. These MEKi+STAT3i-induced effects appear CAF-dependent, because CAF-restricted Mek1/Stat3 silencing mitigates inflammatory-CAF polarization and myeloid infiltration in vivo. Addition of MEKi+STAT3i to PD-1 blockade not only dramatically improves antitumor responses and survival in PKT mice but also augments recruitment of activated/memory T cells while improving their degranulating and cytotoxic capacity compared with anti-PD-1 monotherapy. Importantly, treatment of a patient who has chemotherapy-refractory metastatic PDAC with MEKi (trametinib), STAT3i (ruxolitinib), and PD-1 inhibitor (nivolumab) yielded clinical benefit. CONCLUSIONS Combined MEKi+STAT3i mitigates stromal inflammation and enriches for CAF phenotypes with mesenchymal stem cell-like properties to overcome immunotherapy resistance in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jashodeep Datta
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Xizi Dai
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Anna Bianchi
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Iago De Castro Silva
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Siddharth Mehra
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Vanessa T Garrido
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Purushottam Lamichhane
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; Clovis Oncology, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Samara P Singh
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Zhiqun Zhou
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Austin R Dosch
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Fanuel Messaggio
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Yuguang Ban
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Shared Resource, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida
| | - Oliver Umland
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Peter J Hosein
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Nagaraj S Nagathihalli
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Nipun B Merchant
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
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19
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Mehra S, Srinivasan S, Singh S, Zhou Z, Garrido V, Silva IDC, Totiger TM, Dosch AR, Dai X, Dawra RK, Jala VR, Shi C, Datta J, VanSaun M, Merchant N, Nagathihalli N. Urolithin A attenuates severity of chronic pancreatitis associated with continued alcohol intake by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2022; 323:G375-G386. [PMID: 36098401 PMCID: PMC9602784 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00159.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Heavy alcohol consumption is the dominant risk factor for chronic pancreatitis (CP); however, treatment and prevention strategies for alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (ACP) remains limited. The present study demonstrates that ACP induction in C57BL/6 mice causes significant acinar cell injury, pancreatic stellate cell (PSC) activation, exocrine function insufficiency, and an increased fibroinflammatory response when compared with alcohol or CP alone. Although the withdrawal of alcohol during ACP recovery led to reversion of pancreatic damage, continued alcohol consumption with established ACP perpetuated pancreatic injury. In addition, phosphokinase array and Western blot analysis of ACP-induced mice pancreata revealed activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathways possibly orchestrating the fibroinflammatory program of ACP pathogenesis. Mice treated with urolithin A (Uro A, a gut-derived microbial metabolite) in the setting of ACP with continued alcohol intake (during the recovery period) showed suppression of AKT and P70S6K activation, and acinar damage was significantly reduced with a parallel reduction in pancreas-infiltrating macrophages and proinflammatory cytokine accumulation. These results collectively provide mechanistic insight into the impact of Uro A on attenuation of ACP severity through suppression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways and can be a useful therapeutic approach in patients with ACP with continuous alcohol intake.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our novel findings presented here demonstrate the utility of Uro A as an effective therapeutic agent in attenuating alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (ACP) severity with alcohol continuation after established disease, through suppression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Mehra
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Supriya Srinivasan
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Samara Singh
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Zhiqun Zhou
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Vanessa Garrido
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Iago De Castro Silva
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Tulasigeri M Totiger
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Austin R Dosch
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Xizi Dai
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Rajinder K Dawra
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | | | - Chanjuan Shi
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jashodeep Datta
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Michael VanSaun
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Nipun Merchant
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Nagaraj Nagathihalli
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
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20
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Dai M, Chen S, Teng X, Chen K, Cheng W. KRAS as a Key Oncogene in the Clinical Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. J Cancer 2022; 13:3209-3220. [PMID: 36118526 PMCID: PMC9475360 DOI: 10.7150/jca.76695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most malignant tumors, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. At present, the comprehensive treatment based on surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy has encountered a bottleneck, and targeted immunotherapy turns to be the direction of future development. About 90% of PDAC patients have KRAS mutations, and KRAS has been widely used in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of PDAC in recent years. With the development of liquid biopsy and gene testing, KRAS is expected to become a new biomarker to assist the stratification and prognosis of PDAC patients. An increasing number of small molecule inhibitors acting on the KRAS pathway are being developed and put into the clinic, providing more options for PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manxiong Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410005 Hunan Province, China.,Translational Medicine Laboratory of Pancreas Disease of Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410005, China
| | - Shaofeng Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410005 Hunan Province, China.,Translational Medicine Laboratory of Pancreas Disease of Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410005, China
| | - Xiong Teng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410005 Hunan Province, China.,Translational Medicine Laboratory of Pancreas Disease of Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410005, China
| | - Kang Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410005 Hunan Province, China.,Translational Medicine Laboratory of Pancreas Disease of Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410005, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410005 Hunan Province, China.,Xiangyue Hospital Affiliated to Hunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, National Clinical Center for Schistosomiasis Treatment, Yueyang 414000, Hunan Province, China.,Translational Medicine Laboratory of Pancreas Disease of Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410005, China
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Combined MEK and JAK/STAT3 pathway inhibition effectively decreases SHH medulloblastoma tumor progression. Commun Biol 2022; 5:697. [PMID: 35835937 PMCID: PMC9283517 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03654-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common primary malignant pediatric brain cancer. We recently identified novel roles for the MEK/MAPK pathway in regulating human Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) MB tumorigenesis. The MEK inhibitor, selumetinib, decreased SHH MB growth while extending survival in mouse models. However, the treated mice ultimately succumbed to disease progression. Here, we perform RNA sequencing on selumetinib-treated orthotopic xenografts to identify molecular pathways that compensate for MEK inhibition specifically in vivo. Notably, the JAK/STAT3 pathway exhibits increased activation in selumetinib-treated tumors. The combination of selumetinib and the JAK/STAT3 pathway inhibitor, pacritinib, further reduces growth in two xenograft models and also enhances survival. Multiplex spatial profiling of proteins in drug-treated xenografts reveals shifted molecular dependencies and compensatory changes following combination drug treatment. Our study warrants further investigation into MEK and JAK/STAT3 inhibition as a novel combinatory therapeutic strategy for SHH MB. RNA sequencing of MEK inhibitor (selumetinib)-treated tumors reveals an upregulation of the JAK/STAT3 pathway, with combinatorial therapeutic strategies of JAK/STAT3 inhibitors and selumetinib investigated for the SHH subgroup of medulloblastoma.
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22
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Singh S, Murillo G, Richner J, Singh SP, Berleth E, Kumar V, Mehta R, Ramiya V, Parihar AS. A Broad-Based Characterization of a Cell-Penetrating, Single Domain Camelid Bi-Specific Antibody Monomer That Targets STAT3 and KRAS Dependent Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147565. [PMID: 35886918 PMCID: PMC9323098 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
STAT3 and KRAS regulate cell proliferation, survival, apoptosis, cell migration, and angiogenesis. Aberrant expression of STAT3 and mutant active forms of KRAS have been well-established in the induction and maintenance of multiple cancers. STAT3 and KRAS mutant proteins have been considered anti-cancer targets; however, they are also considered to be clinically “undruggable” intracellular molecules, except for KRAS(G12C). Here we report a first-in-class molecule, a novel, single domain camelid VHH antibody (15 kDa), SBT-100, that binds to both STAT3 and KRAS and can penetrate the tumor cell membrane, and significantly inhibit cancer cell growth. Additionally, SBT-100 inhibits KRAS GTPase activity and downstream phosphorylation of ERK in vitro. In addition, SBT-100 inhibits the growth of multiple human cancers in vitro and in vivo. These results demonstrate the feasibility of targeting hard-to-reach aberrant intracellular transcription factors and signaling proteins simultaneously with one VHH to improve cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunanda Singh
- Singh Biotechnology, 1547 Fox Grape Loop, Lutz, FL 33558, USA;
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (A.S.P.)
| | - Genoveva Murillo
- IIT Research Institute, 10 W. 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60616, USA; (G.M.); (R.M.)
| | - Justin Richner
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Illinois Chicago, E829 Medical Sciences Building, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Samara P. Singh
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Erica Berleth
- Acudex, Inc., 701 Ellicott Street, CBLS, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (E.B.); (V.K.)
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Acudex, Inc., 701 Ellicott Street, CBLS, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (E.B.); (V.K.)
| | - Rajendra Mehta
- IIT Research Institute, 10 W. 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60616, USA; (G.M.); (R.M.)
| | - Vijay Ramiya
- Singh Biotechnology, 1547 Fox Grape Loop, Lutz, FL 33558, USA;
| | - Ashutosh S. Parihar
- Singh Biotechnology, 1547 Fox Grape Loop, Lutz, FL 33558, USA;
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (A.S.P.)
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Tang Y, Wang Y, Wang X, Zhao Z, Cai H, Xie M, Jiang X, Zhang L, Cheng J, Yang L, Wang L, Zhao C, Huang X. Acetylshikonin exerts anti-tumor effects on non-small cell lung cancer through dual inhibition of STAT3 and EGFR. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 101:154109. [PMID: 35526322 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung cancer is one of the most common types of malignant tumor. It has one of the highest morbidity and mortality rates worldwide, and approximately 85% of cases are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Clinically, several EGFR inhibitors have been used to treat NSCLC, but resistance can develop. Studies have shown that cross talk between signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) can mediate drug resistance. Acetylshikonin has obvious antitumor effects, but the mechanism of action is still unclear. PURPOSE To analyze the antitumor activity of acetylshikonin in lung cancer and clarify its molecular mechanism. METHODS Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), colony formation and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EDU) assays were performed to examine the effects of acetylshikonin in inhibiting the proliferation of NSCLC cells (PC-9, H1975 and A549). Scratch wound and transwell assays were used to evaluate the migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. Flow cytometry was employed to determine whether acetylshikonin could induce apoptosis. Proteome sequencing was used to identify the targets of acetylshikonin. Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were utilized to verify the inhibition of STAT3 and EGFR phosphorylation. A xenotransplantation model was established to evaluate the efficacy of acetylshikonin in nude mice. RESULTS Our data demonstrated that acetylshikonin significantly decreased the survival rate of human NSCLC cells, increased the apoptotic rate and inhibited cell migration dose-dependently. Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting analyses revealed that acetylshikonin inhibited EGFR and STAT3 pathways. Acetylshikonin also inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft model better than inhibitors of EGFR and STAT3. CONCLUSION Acetylshikonin has anti-cancer effects on NSCLC cells by inhibiting EGFR and STAT3, indicating that acetylshikonin may be a new antitumor drug to treat NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yemeng Tang
- Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Yanmao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Xian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Zhucheng Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Haijian Cai
- Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Mengyao Xie
- Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Xintong Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Luyao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Jiayun Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Lehe Yang
- Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Liangxing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China.
| | - Chengguang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Building 11, Chashan Street, University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China.
| | - Xiaoying Huang
- Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China.
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Mehra S, Singh S, Nagathihalli N. Emerging Role of CREB in Epithelial to Mesenchymal Plasticity of Pancreatic Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:925687. [PMID: 35800049 PMCID: PMC9253527 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.925687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive solid malignancy with a high rate of metastasis and therapeutic resistance as its major hallmarks. Although a defining mutational event in pancreatic cancer initiation is the presence of oncogenic KRAS, more advanced PDAC lesions accumulate additional genomic alterations, including loss of tumor suppressor gene TP53. Co-occurrence of mutant KRAS and TP53 in PDAC promotes hyperactivation of cancer cell signaling pathways driving epithelial to mesenchymal plasticity (EMP). The cellular process of EMP influences the biological behavior of cancer cells by increasing their migratory and invasive properties, thus promoting metastasis. Our previous work has demonstrated that oncogenic KRAS-mediated activation of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein 1 (CREB) is one of the critical drivers of PDAC aggressiveness. The therapeutic approach of targeting this key transcription factor attenuates tumor burden in genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of this disease. Herein, we discuss the significant role of CREB in perpetuating disease aggressiveness and therapeutic resistance through the EMP process. Furthermore, this review updates the therapeutic implications of targeting CREB, highlighting the challenges and emerging approaches in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Mehra
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Samara Singh
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Nagaraj Nagathihalli
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Nagaraj Nagathihalli,
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Lee S, Yang W, Kim DK, Kim H, Shin M, Choi KU, Suh DS, Kim YH, Hwang TH, Kim JH. Inhibition of MEK-ERK pathway enhances oncolytic vaccinia virus replication in doxorubicin-resistant ovarian cancer. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 25:211-224. [PMID: 35592390 PMCID: PMC9096472 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic vaccinia virus (OVV) has been reported to induce cell death in various types of cancer; however, the oncolytic activity of OVV in drug-resistant ovarian cancer remains limited. In the present study, we established doxorubicin-resistant ovarian cancer cells (A2780-R) from the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line. Both A2780 and A2780-R cells were infected with OVV to explore its anticancer effects. Interestingly, OVV-infected A2780-R cells showed reduced viral replication and cell death compared with A2780 cells, suggesting their resistance against OVV-induced oncolysis; to understand the mechanism underlying this resistance, we explored the involvement of protein kinases. Among protein kinase inhibitors, PD0325901, an MEK inhibitor, significantly augmented OVV replication and cell death in A2780-R cells. PD0325901 treatment increased the phosphorylation of STAT3 in A2780-R cells. Moreover, cryptotanshinone, a STAT3 inhibitor, abrogated PD0325901-stimulated OVV replication. Furthermore, trametinib, a clinically approved MEK inhibitor, increased OVV replication in A2780-R cells. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the MEK inhibitor promoted OVV replication via increasing STAT3 activation and downregulating the cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway. Combined treatment with OVV and trametinib attenuated A2780-R xenograft tumor growth. These results suggest that pharmacological inhibition of MEK reinforces the oncolytic efficacy of OVV in drug-resistant ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seoyul Lee
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Wookyeom Yang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Kyoung Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Hojun Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjoo Shin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Un Choi
- Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Soo Suh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Hak Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Ho Hwang
- Gene and Cell Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ho Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea.,Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
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Satow R, Aiga Y, Watanabe T, Ishizuka N, Yoneda A, Fukami K. Zic family member 5 promotes survival in human pancreatic cancer and cholangiocarcinoma cells. Biochem Biophys Rep 2022; 31:101289. [PMID: 35669984 PMCID: PMC9166430 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2022.101289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are malignant tumors with poor prognosis because of the limited effectiveness of traditional chemotherapy and few effective molecular therapeutic agents. Here, we determined the essential roles of Zic family member 5 (ZIC5) in the survival of PDAC and CCA cells. The results showed that ZIC5 is strongly expressed in PDAC and CCA tissues, while ZIC5 expression is barely observed in most normal human adult tissues. Furthermore, ZIC5 expression is related to poor prognosis of patients with PDAC. ZIC5 knockdown via small interfering RNA decreased the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a protein that is associated with PDAC and CCA aggressiveness. However, ZIC5 knockdown induced cell death regardless of STAT3 activation, which is promoted by interleukin (IL) −6, a factor associated with inflammation. Furthermore, knockdown of ZIC5 in PDAC and CCA cells additively or synergistically induced apoptosis with the anti-cancer drug gemcitabine. Thus, ZIC5 constitutes a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of PDAC and CCA. ZIC5 is expressed in PDAC and CCA, while barely observed in normal adult tissues. ZIC5 expression is related to poor prognosis of patients with PDAC. ZIC5 knockdown induces apoptosis in several PDAC and CCA cell lines. Knockdown of ZIC5 additively or synergistically induces apoptosis with gemcitabine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiko Satow
- Corresponding author. Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji-city, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan.
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Zheng ZY, Chu MY, Lin W, Zheng YQ, Xu XE, Chen Y, Liao LD, Wu ZY, Wang SH, Li EM, Xu LY. Blocking STAT3 signaling augments MEK/ERK inhibitor efficacy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:496. [PMID: 35614034 PMCID: PMC9132929 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04941-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the world's leading causes of death, and its primary clinical therapy relies on surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and chemoradiotherapy. Although the genomic features and clinical significance of ESCC have been identified, the outcomes of targeted therapies are still unsatisfactory. Here, we demonstrate that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling is highly activated and associated with poor prognosis in patients with ESCC. Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors efficiently blocked the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in ESCC, while signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling was rapidly activated. Combined STAT3 inhibition prevented the emergence of resistance and enhanced MEK inhibitor-induced cell cycle arrest and senescence in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies revealed that the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) was downregulated, resulting in an increase in STAT3 phosphorylation in MEK-inhibited cells. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that ELK1, which was activated by MEK/ERK signaling, induced SOCS3 transcription. These data suggest that the development of combined MEK and STAT3 inhibition could be a useful strategy in ESCC targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Yuan Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Research Institute, Shantou Sub-center, Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Man-Yu Chu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Wan Lin
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Ya-Qi Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiu-E Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Lian-Di Liao
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Wu
- Shantou Central Hospital, Affiliated Shantou Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Shao-Hong Wang
- Shantou Central Hospital, Affiliated Shantou Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - En-Min Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Research Institute, Shantou Sub-center, Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Li-Yan Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Institute of Oncologic Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Research Institute, Shantou Sub-center, Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
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Dosch AR, Singh S, Nagathihalli NS, Datta J, Merchant NB. Interleukin-1 signaling in solid organ malignancies. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1877:188670. [PMID: 34923027 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
As inflammation plays a critical role in the development and progression of cancer, therapeutic targeting of cytokine pathways involved in both tumorigenesis and dictating response to clinical treatments are of significant interest. Recent evidence has highlighted the importance of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) as a key mediator of tumor growth, metastatic disease spread, immunosuppression, and drug resistance in cancer. IL-1 promotes tumorigenesis through diverse mechanisms, including the activation of oncogenic signaling pathways directly in tumor cells and via orchestrating crosstalk between the cellular constituents of the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby driving cancer growth. This review will provide an overview of IL-1 signaling and physiology and summarize the disparate mechanisms involving IL-1 in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Additionally, clinical studies targeting IL-1 signaling in the management of solid organ tumors will be summarized herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin R Dosch
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Samara Singh
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Nagaraj S Nagathihalli
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Jashodeep Datta
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Nipun B Merchant
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States of America; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America.
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Chen RJ, Lyu YJ, Chen YY, Lee YC, Pan MH, Ho YS, Wang YJ. Chloroquine Potentiates the Anticancer Effect of Pterostilbene on Pancreatic Cancer by Inhibiting Autophagy and Downregulating the RAGE/STAT3 Pathway. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216741. [PMID: 34771150 PMCID: PMC8588513 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a huge challenge, because pro-survival signaling pathways—such as the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway—are overexpressed in PDAC cells. Moreover, PDAC cells are highly resistant to chemotherapeutic agents because of autophagy induction. Therefore, autophagy and its modulated signaling pathways are attractive targets for developing novel therapeutic strategies for PDAC. Pterostilbene is a stilbenoid chemically related to resveratrol, and has potential for the treatment of cancers. Accordingly, we investigated whether the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine could potentiate the anticancer effect of pterostilbene in the PDAC cell lines MIA PaCa-2 and BxPC-3, as well as in an orthotopic animal model. The results indicated that pterostilbene combined with chloroquine significantly inhibited autophagy, decreased cell viability, and sensitized the cells to pterostilbene-induced apoptosis via downregulation of the RAGE/STAT3 and protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways in PDAC cells. The results of the orthotopic animal model showed that pterostilbene combined with chloroquine significantly inhibited pancreatic cancer growth, delayed tumor quadrupling times, and inhibited autophagy and STAT3 in pancreatic tumors. In summary, the present study suggested the novel therapeutic strategy of pterostilbene combined with chloroquine against the growth of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by inhibiting autophagy and downregulating the RAGE/STAT3 signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Jane Chen
- Department of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan;
| | - Yi-Jhen Lyu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan; (Y.-J.L.); (Y.-Y.C.)
| | - Yu-Ying Chen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan; (Y.-J.L.); (Y.-Y.C.)
| | - Yen-Chien Lee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Executive Yuan, Tainan 70043, Taiwan;
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan 70403, Taiwan
| | - Min-Hsiung Pan
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan;
| | - Yuan-Soon Ho
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Cancer Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-S.H.); (Y.-J.W.); Tel.: +886-2-2736-1661 (ext. 3327) (Y.-S.H.); +886-6-235-3535 (ext. 5804) (Y.-J.W.); Fax: +886-6-275-2484 (Y.-J.W.)
| | - Ying-Jan Wang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan; (Y.-J.L.); (Y.-Y.C.)
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Master Degree Program in Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-S.H.); (Y.-J.W.); Tel.: +886-2-2736-1661 (ext. 3327) (Y.-S.H.); +886-6-235-3535 (ext. 5804) (Y.-J.W.); Fax: +886-6-275-2484 (Y.-J.W.)
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Docosahexaenoic Acid Inhibits Cell Proliferation through a Suppression of c-Myc Protein in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10111721. [PMID: 34829591 PMCID: PMC8614909 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10111721] [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: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of pancreatic cancer by inhibiting the aberrant activation of the survival signaling pathways has received considerable attention. We investigated the probable action of DHA on the suppression of cell proliferation in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. Our results demonstrated that DHA dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation through an induction of cell cycle arrest in human PDAC cells. DHA suppressed the expression of phosphorylated-Rb (p-Rb), cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin A, E2F1 and c-Myc proteins. Blocking the activation of STAT3 signaling pathway led to an inactivation of CAMKII and increased phosphorylation of c-Myc (T58) protein accompanied with decreased expression of c-Myc protein. Treatment of DHA effectively inhibited cell survival through decreased phosphorylation levels of EGFR, STAT3 and CAMKII proteins. The mechanisms of action were associated with increased phosphorylation levels of c-Myc (T58) and instability of c-Myc proteins. DHA inhibited cell survival through an increased GSSG/GSH ratio and oxidative stress level in HPAF-II cells. DHA induced cell apoptosis through increased expression of Bax, c-caspase 3 and c-PARP proteins in HPAF-II cells. Moreover, treatment of DHA significantly inhibited nucleotide synthesis. In conclusion, DHA might significantly suppress the proliferation of PDAC cells and therefore have potential as an anti-cancer therapeutic agent.
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Diehl JN, Klomp JE, Snare KR, Hibshman PS, Blake DR, Kaiser ZD, Gilbert TSK, Baldelli E, Pierobon M, Papke B, Yang R, Hodge RG, Rashid NU, Petricoin EF, Herring LE, Graves LM, Cox AD, Der CJ. The KRAS-regulated kinome identifies WEE1 and ERK coinhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy in KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101335. [PMID: 34688654 PMCID: PMC8591367 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic KRAS drives cancer growth by activating diverse signaling networks, not all of which have been fully delineated. We set out to establish a system-wide profile of the KRAS-regulated kinase signaling network (kinome) in KRAS-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We knocked down KRAS expression in a panel of six cell lines and then applied multiplexed inhibitor bead/MS to monitor changes in kinase activity and/or expression. We hypothesized that depletion of KRAS would result in downregulation of kinases required for KRAS-mediated transformation and in upregulation of other kinases that could potentially compensate for the deleterious consequences of the loss of KRAS. We identified 15 upregulated and 13 downregulated kinases in common across the panel of cell lines. In agreement with our hypothesis, all 15 of the upregulated kinases have established roles as cancer drivers (e.g., SRC, TGF-β1, ILK), and pharmacological inhibition of one of these upregulated kinases, DDR1, suppressed PDAC growth. Interestingly, 11 of the 13 downregulated kinases have established driver roles in cell cycle progression, particularly in mitosis (e.g., WEE1, Aurora A, PLK1). Consistent with a crucial role for the downregulated kinases in promoting KRAS-driven proliferation, we found that pharmacological inhibition of WEE1 also suppressed PDAC growth. The unexpected paradoxical activation of ERK upon WEE1 inhibition led us to inhibit both WEE1 and ERK concurrently, which caused further potent growth suppression and enhanced apoptotic death compared with WEE1 inhibition alone. We conclude that system-wide delineation of the KRAS-regulated kinome can identify potential therapeutic targets for KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Nathaniel Diehl
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jennifer E Klomp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kayla R Snare
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Priya S Hibshman
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Cell Biology and Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Devon R Blake
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Zane D Kaiser
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Thomas S K Gilbert
- Cell Biology and Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elisa Baldelli
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia, USA
| | - Mariaelena Pierobon
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia, USA
| | - Björn Papke
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Runying Yang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Richard G Hodge
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Naim U Rashid
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Emanuel F Petricoin
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia, USA
| | - Laura E Herring
- Cell Biology and Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lee M Graves
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Cell Biology and Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Adrienne D Cox
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Cell Biology and Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Channing J Der
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Cell Biology and Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
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Dosch AR, Singh S, Dai X, Mehra S, Silva IDC, Bianchi A, Srinivasan S, Gao Z, Ban Y, Chen X, Banerjee S, Nagathihalli NS, Datta J, Merchant NB. Targeting Tumor-Stromal IL6/STAT3 Signaling through IL1 Receptor Inhibition in Pancreatic Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:2280-2290. [PMID: 34518296 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
A hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the presence of a dense, desmoplastic stroma and the consequent altered interactions between cancer cells and their surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME) that promote disease progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance. We have previously shown that IL6 secreted from pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) stimulates the activation of STAT3 signaling in tumor cells, an established mechanism of therapeutic resistance in PDAC. We have now identified the tumor cell-derived cytokine IL1α as an upstream mediator of IL6 release from PSCs that is involved in STAT3 activation within the TME. Herein, we show that IL1α is overexpressed in both murine and human PDAC tumors and engages with its cognate receptor IL1R1, which is strongly expressed on stromal cells. Further, we show that IL1R1 inhibition using anakinra (recombinant IL1 receptor antagonist) significantly reduces stromal-derived IL6, thereby suppressing IL6-dependent STAT3 activation in human PDAC cell lines. Anakinra treatment results in significant reduction in IL6 and activated STAT3 levels in pancreatic tumors from Ptf1aCre/+;LSL-KrasG12D/+; Tgfbr2flox/flox (PKT) mice. Additionally, the combination of anakinra with cytotoxic chemotherapy significantly extends overall survival compared with vehicle treatment or anakinra monotherapy in this aggressive genetic mouse model of PDAC. These data highlight the importance of IL1 in mediating tumor-stromal IL6/STAT3 cross-talk in the TME and provide a preclinical rationale for targeting IL1 signaling as a therapeutic strategy in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin R Dosch
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Samara Singh
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Xizi Dai
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Siddharth Mehra
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Iago De Castro Silva
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Anna Bianchi
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Supriya Srinivasan
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Zhen Gao
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Yuguang Ban
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Sulagna Banerjee
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Nagaraj S Nagathihalli
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Jashodeep Datta
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Nipun B Merchant
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
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33
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Lei S, Zeng Z, He Z, Cao W. miRNA‑7515 suppresses pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion via downregulating IGF‑1 expression. Oncol Rep 2021; 46:200. [PMID: 34296285 PMCID: PMC8317166 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a lethal malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract. Previous studies have reported that microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are involved in the tumorigenesis of PC. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of miR‑7515 on PC cell proliferation, invasion and migration in vitro and in vivo, and investigate its underlying molecular mechanism using bioinformatics, double luciferase assay and western blotting. The results revealed that the expression levels of miR‑7515 were downregulated in PC, which predicted a poor clinical outcome. The overexpression of miR‑7515 significantly decreased the proliferation, invasive and migratory abilities of PC cells in vitro and in vivo, while the knockdown of miR‑7515 exerted the opposite effects. miR‑7515 was identified to directly bind to insulin‑like growth factor 1 (IGF‑1) and downregulate its expression, which subsequently downregulated the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signalling pathway. The overexpression of IGF‑1 reversed the inhibitory effects of miR‑7515 overexpression on PC cells. In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that miR‑7515 may act as a tumor suppressor in PC, as it repressed PC cell proliferation invasion and migration via downregulating the expression of IGF‑1 and the activity of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signalling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Lei
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550009, P.R. China
| | - Zhirui Zeng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550009, P.R. China
| | - Zhiwei He
- Department of Hepatic-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550009, P.R. China
| | - Wenpeng Cao
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550009, P.R. China
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550009, P.R. China
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Klemke L, Fehlau CF, Winkler N, Toboll F, Singh SK, Moll UM, Schulz-Heddergott R. The Gain-of-Function p53 R248W Mutant Promotes Migration by STAT3 Deregulation in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Front Oncol 2021; 11:642603. [PMID: 34178628 PMCID: PMC8226097 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.642603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Missense p53 mutations (mutp53) occur in approx. 70% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC). Typically, mutp53 proteins are aberrantly stabilized by Hsp90/Hsp70/Hsp40 chaperone complexes. Notably, stabilization is a precondition for specific mutp53 alleles to acquire powerful neomorphic oncogenic gain-of-functions (GOFs) that promote tumor progression in solid cancers mainly by increasing invasion and metastasis. In colorectal cancer (CRC), we recently established that the common hotspot mutants mutp53R248Q and mutp53R248W exert GOF activities by constitutively binding to and hyperactivating STAT3. This results in increased proliferation and invasion in an autochthonous CRC mouse model and correlates with poor survival in patients. Comparing a panel of p53 missense mutations in a series of homozygous human PDAC cell lines, we show here that, similar to CRC, the mutp53R248W protein again undergoes a strong Hsp90-mediated stabilization and selectively promotes migration. Highly stabilized mutp53 is degradable by the Hsp90 inhibitors Onalespib and Ganetespib, and correlates with growth suppression, possibly suggesting therapeutic vulnerabilities to target GOF mutp53 proteins in PDAC. In response to mutp53 depletion, only mutp53R248W harboring PDAC cells show STAT3 de-phosphorylation and reduced migration, again suggesting an allele-specific GOF in this cancer entity, similar to CRC. Moreover, mutp53R248W also exhibits the strongest constitutive complex formation with phosphorylated STAT3. The selective mutp53R248W GOF signals through enhancing the STAT3 axis, which was confirmed since targeting STAT3 by knockdown or pharmacological inhibition phenocopied mutp53 depletion and reduced cell viability and migration preferentially in mutp53R248W-containing PDAC cells. Our results confirm that mutp53 GOF activities are allele specific and can span across tumor entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Klemke
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Clara F Fehlau
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nadine Winkler
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Felicia Toboll
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Shiv K Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ute M Moll
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
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Santarelli R, Pompili C, Gilardini Montani MS, Romeo MA, Gonnella R, D'Orazi G, Cirone M. Lovastatin reduces PEL cell survival by phosphorylating ERK1/2 that blocks the autophagic flux and engages a cross-talk with p53 to activate p21. IUBMB Life 2021; 73:968-977. [PMID: 33987937 PMCID: PMC8361952 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Statins are inhibitors of the mevalonate pathway that besides being cholesterol lowering agents, display anti‐cancer properties. This is because cholesterol is an essential component of cell membranes but also because the mevalonate pathway controls protein farnesylation and geranylation, processes essential for the activity of GTPase family proteins. In this study, we found that Lovastatin exerted a dose‐ and time‐dependent cytotoxic effect against PEL cells, an aggressive B cell lymphoma strictly associated with the gammaherpesvirus KSHV and characterized by a poor response to conventional chemotherapies. At molecular level, Lovastatin by dephosphorylating STAT3, induced ERK1/2 activation that inhibited autophagy and phosphorylated p53ser15 that in turn maintained ERK1/2 activated and up‐regulated p21. However, p21 played a pro‐survival role in this setting, as its inhibition by UC2288 further reduced cell survival in PEL cells undergoing Lovastatin treatment. In conclusion, this study suggests that Lovastatin may represent a valid therapeutic alternative against PEL cells, especially if used in combination with p21 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Santarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Pompili
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Saveria Gilardini Montani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Anele Romeo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Gonnella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella D'Orazi
- Translational Research Area, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.,Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Mara Cirone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
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36
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Jasek-Gajda E, Jurkowska H, JasiŃska M, Litwin JA, Lis GJ. Combination of ERK2 and STAT3 Inhibitors Promotes Anticancer Effects on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2021; 17:517-527. [PMID: 32859630 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Deregulated activation of signaling through the RAS/RAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways is involved in numerous hematological malignancies, making it an attractive therapeutic target. This study aimed to assess the effect of the combination of ERK2 inhibitor VX-11e and STAT3 inhibitor STA-21 on acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines REH and MOLT-4. MATERIALS AND METHODS REH and MOLT-4 cell lines were cultured with each drug alone and in combination. Cell viability, ERK activity, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and oxidative stress induction were assessed by flow cytometry. Protein levels of STAT3, phospho-STAT3, protein tyrosine phosphatase 4A3 (PTP4A3), survivin, p53 and p21 were determined by western blotting. RESULTS VX-11e in combination with STA-21 significantly inhibited cell viability, induced G0/G1 cell-cycle arrest, enhanced production of reactive oxygen species, and induced apoptosis. These effects were associated with an increased level of p21 protein in REH cells and with reduced levels of phopho-STAT3, survivin and PTP4A3 proteins in MOLT-4 cells. CONCLUSION Our findings provide a rationale for combined inhibition of RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK and STAT3 pathways in order to enhance anticancer effects against acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Jasek-Gajda
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Halina Jurkowska
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - MaŁgorzata JasiŃska
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jan A Litwin
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Grzegorz J Lis
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
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37
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Mallya K, Gautam SK, Aithal A, Batra SK, Jain M. Modeling pancreatic cancer in mice for experimental therapeutics. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188554. [PMID: 33945847 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy that is characterized by early metastasis, low resectability, high recurrence, and therapy resistance. The experimental mouse models have played a central role in understanding the pathobiology of PDAC and in the preclinical evaluation of various therapeutic modalities. Different mouse models with targetable pathological hallmarks have been developed and employed to address the unique challenges associated with PDAC progression, metastasis, and stromal heterogeneity. Over the years, mouse models have evolved from simple cell line-based heterotopic and orthotopic xenografts in immunocompromised mice to more complex and realistic genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) involving multi-gene manipulations. The GEMMs, mostly driven by KRAS mutation(s), have been widely accepted for therapeutic optimization due to their high penetrance and ability to recapitulate the histological, molecular, and pathological hallmarks of human PDAC, including comparable precursor lesions, extensive metastasis, desmoplasia, perineural invasion, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Advanced GEMMs modified to express fluorescent proteins have allowed cell lineage tracing to provide novel insights and a new understanding about the origin and contribution of various cell types in PDAC pathobiology. The syngeneic mouse models, GEMMs, and target-specific transgenic mice have been extensively used to evaluate immunotherapies and study therapy-induced immune modulation in PDAC yielding meaningful results to guide various clinical trials. The emerging mouse models for parabiosis, hepatic metastasis, cachexia, and image-guided implantation, are increasingly appreciated for their high translational significance. In this article, we describe the contribution of various experimental mouse models to the current understanding of PDAC pathobiology and their utility in evaluating and optimizing therapeutic modalities for this lethal malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Mallya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | - Shailendra K Gautam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA.
| | - Abhijit Aithal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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38
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Ajina R, Malchiodi ZX, Fitzgerald AA, Zuo A, Wang S, Moussa M, Cooper CJ, Shen Y, Johnson QR, Parks JM, Smith JC, Catalfamo M, Fertig EJ, Jablonski SA, Weiner LM. Antitumor T-cell Immunity Contributes to Pancreatic Cancer Immune Resistance. Cancer Immunol Res 2021; 9:386-400. [PMID: 33509790 PMCID: PMC8283778 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-20-0272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Pancreatic tumors are minimally infiltrated by T cells and are largely refractory to immunotherapy. Accordingly, the role of T-cell immunity in pancreatic cancer has been somewhat overlooked. Here, we hypothesized that immune resistance in pancreatic cancer was induced in response to antitumor T-cell immune responses and that understanding how pancreatic tumors respond to immune attack may facilitate the development of more effective therapeutic strategies. We now provide evidence that T-cell-dependent host immune responses induce a PDAC-derived myeloid mimicry phenomenon and stimulate immune resistance. Three KPC mouse models of pancreatic cancer were used: the mT3-2D (Kras+/LSL-G12D; Trp53+/LSL-R172H; Pdx1-Cre) subcutaneous and orthotopic models, as well as the KP1 (p48-CRE/LSL-Kras/Trp53 flox/flox ) subcutaneous model. KPC cancer cells were grown in immunocompetent and immunodeficient C57BL/6 mice and analyzed to determine the impact of adaptive immunity on malignant epithelial cells, as well as on whole tumors. We found that induced T-cell antitumor immunity, via signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), stimulated malignant epithelial pancreatic cells to induce the expression of genes typically expressed by myeloid cells and altered intratumoral immunosuppressive myeloid cell profiles. Targeting the Janus Kinase (JAK)/STAT signaling pathway using the FDA-approved drug ruxolitinib overcame these tumor-protective responses and improved anti-PD-1 therapeutic efficacy. These findings provide future directions for treatments that specifically disable this mechanism of resistance in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reham Ajina
- Department of Oncology and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Zoe X Malchiodi
- Department of Oncology and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Allison A Fitzgerald
- Department of Oncology and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Annie Zuo
- Department of Oncology and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Shangzi Wang
- Department of Oncology and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Maha Moussa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Connor J Cooper
- Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Yue Shen
- Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Quentin R Johnson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia
| | - Jerry M Parks
- Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia
| | - Jeremy C Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Marta Catalfamo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sandra A Jablonski
- Department of Oncology and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Louis M Weiner
- Department of Oncology and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia.
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39
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Bao S, Zheng H, Ye J, Huang H, Zhou B, Yao Q, Lin G, Zhang H, Kou L, Chen R. Dual Targeting EGFR and STAT3 With Erlotinib and Alantolactone Co-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:625084. [PMID: 33815107 PMCID: PMC8017486 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.625084] [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: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignancies and also a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Many studies have shown that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is highly expressed in PC, which provides a potential target for PC treatment. However, EGFR inhibitors use alone was proven ineffective in clinical trials, due to the persistence of cellular feedback mechanisms which foster therapeutic resistance to single targeting of EGFR. Specifically, the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is over-activated when receiving an EGFR inhibitor and is believed to be highly involved in the failure and resistance of EGFR inhibitor treatment. Therein, we hypothesized that dual inhibition of EGFR and STAT3 strategy could address the STAT3 induced resistance during EGFR inhibitor treatment. To this end, we tried to develop poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles to co-load Alantolactone (ALA, a novel STAT3 inhibitor) and Erlotinib (ERL, an EGFR inhibitor) for pancreatic cancer to test our guess. The loading ratio of ALA and ERL was firstly optimized in vitro to achieve a combined cancer-killing effect. Then, the ALA- and ERL-co-loaded nanoparticles (AE@NPs) were successfully prepared and characterized, and the related anticancer effects and cellular uptake of AE@NPs were studied. We also further detailly explored the underlying mechanisms. The results suggested that AE@NPs with uniform particle size and high drug load could induce significant pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis and display an ideal anticancer effect. Mechanism studies showed that AE@NPs inhibited the phosphorylation of both EGFR and STAT3, indicating the dual suppression of these two signaling pathways. Additionally, AE@NPs could also activate the ROS-p38 axis, which is not observed in the single drug treatments. Collectively, the AE@NPs prepared in this study possess great potential for pancreatic cancer treatment by dual suppressing of EGFR and STAT3 pathways and activating ROS-responsive p38 MAPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihui Bao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hailun Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jinyao Ye
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Wenzhou, China
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Huirong Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Wenzhou, China
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Wenzhou, China
| | - Qing Yao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Guangyong Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hailin Zhang
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Wenzhou, China
- Department of Children’s Respiration Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Longfa Kou
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ruijie Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Wenzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Pediatric Pharmacy, Wenzhou, China
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Chiu CF, Hsu MI, Yeh HY, Park JM, Shen YS, Tung TH, Huang JJ, Wu HT, Huang SY. Eicosapentaenoic Acid Inhibits KRAS Mutant Pancreatic Cancer Cell Growth by Suppressing Hepassocin Expression and STAT3 Phosphorylation. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11030370. [PMID: 33801246 PMCID: PMC8001293 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The oncogenic Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutation was reported to be the signature genetic event in most cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Hepassocin (HPS/FGL1) is involved in regulating lipid metabolism and the progression of several cancer types; however, the underlying mechanism of HPS/FGL1 in the KRAS mutant PDAC cells undergoing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) treatment remains unclear. Methods: We measured HPS/FGL1 protein expressions in a human pancreatic ductal epithelial (HPNE) normal pancreas cell line, a KRAS-wild-type PDAC cell line (BxPC-3), and KRAS-mutant PDAC cell lines (PANC-1, MIA PaCa-2, and SUIT-2) by Western blot methods. HEK293T cells were transiently transfected with corresponding KRAS-expressing plasmids to examine the level of HPS expression with KRAS activation. We knocked-down HPS/FGL1 using lentiviral vectors in SUIT-2 cells and measured the cell viability by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and clonogenicity assays. Furthermore, a lipidomic analysis was performed to profile changes in lipid metabolism after HPS/FGL1 knockdown. Results: We found that the HPS/FGL1 level was significantly upregulated in KRAS-mutated PDAC cells and was involved in KRAS/phosphorylated (p)-signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling, and the knockdown of HPS/FGL1 in SUIT-2 cells decreased cell proliferation through increasing G2/M cell cycle arrest and cyclin B1 expression. In addition, the knockdown of HPS/FGL1 in SUIT-2 cells significantly increased omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and EPA production but not docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Moreover, EPA treatment in SUIT-2 cells reduced the expression of de novo lipogenic protein, acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC)-1, and decreased p-STAT3 and HPS/FGL1 expressions, resulting in the suppression of cell viability. Conclusions: Results of this study indicate that HPS is highly expressed by KRAS-mutated PDAC cells, and HPS/FGL1 plays a crucial role in altering lipid metabolism and increasing cell growth in pancreatic cancer. EPA supplements could potentially inhibit or reduce ACC-1-involved lipogenesis and HPS/FGL1-mediated cell survival in KRAS-mutated pancreatic cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Feng Chiu
- Graduate Institute of Metabolism and Obesity Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (C.-F.C.); (M.-I.H.); (J.M.P.)
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Nutrition Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Ming-I Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Metabolism and Obesity Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (C.-F.C.); (M.-I.H.); (J.M.P.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Yen Yeh
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (H.-Y.Y.); (Y.-S.S.); (T.-H.T.)
| | - Ji Min Park
- Graduate Institute of Metabolism and Obesity Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (C.-F.C.); (M.-I.H.); (J.M.P.)
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (H.-Y.Y.); (Y.-S.S.); (T.-H.T.)
| | - Yu-Shiuan Shen
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (H.-Y.Y.); (Y.-S.S.); (T.-H.T.)
| | - Te-Hsuan Tung
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (H.-Y.Y.); (Y.-S.S.); (T.-H.T.)
| | - Jun-Jie Huang
- Diet and Nutrition Department, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei 23561, Taiwan;
| | - Hung-Tsung Wu
- Graduate Institute of Metabolism and Obesity Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (C.-F.C.); (M.-I.H.); (J.M.P.)
- Correspondence: (H.-T.W.); (S.-Y.H.)
| | - Shih-Yi Huang
- Graduate Institute of Metabolism and Obesity Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (C.-F.C.); (M.-I.H.); (J.M.P.)
- Nutrition Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (H.-Y.Y.); (Y.-S.S.); (T.-H.T.)
- Correspondence: (H.-T.W.); (S.-Y.H.)
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Li C, Peng Z, Wang Y, Lam G, Nissen N, Tang J, Yuan X, Lewis M, Greene MI, Pandol SJ, Wang Q. Epithelial cell transforming 2 is regulated by Yes-associated protein 1 and mediates pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G380-G395. [PMID: 33501895 PMCID: PMC8202240 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00185.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly metastatic and represents one of the deadliest forms of human cancers. Previous studies showed that activation of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) plays a key role in malignant transformation in the pancreas. In this study, we found that YAP1 regulates the expression of epithelial cell transforming 2 (ECT2), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho-like GTPases. By immunohistochemistry analysis of human tissues, we show that ECT2 is highly expressed in primary PDAC and liver metastasis but not in normal pancreas. These correlations were also observed in a mouse model of PDAC, where pancreatic transformation is driven by mutants of Kras and Trp53. Notably, nuclear ECT2 is upregulated in the transition from preneoplastic lesions to PDAC. High levels of YAP1 or ECT2 expression correlates with the poor overall survival rate of patients with PDAC. We further demonstrate that ECT2 is required for pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Finally, using a syngeneic orthotopic xenograft mouse model for pancreatic cancer, we found that ablation of ECT2 expression reduces pancreatic cancer growth and dissemination to the liver. These findings highlight the critical role of ECT2 in promoting pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis and provides insights into the development of novel methods for early detection and treatment.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the deadliest forms of human cancers. In this study, we identified a novel signaling mechanism involved in PDAC progression and metastasis. Yes-associated protein 1 mediates the expression of epithelial cell transforming 2, which is elevated in PDAC and correlates with poor survival. Epithelial cell transforming 2 is required for PDAC growth and metastasis. This study provides insights into the development of novel methods for early detection and treatment of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ce Li
- 1Department of Medical Oncology, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China,2Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Zhenzi Peng
- 2Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California,3Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yizhou Wang
- 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Gloria Lam
- 2Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Nicholas Nissen
- 5Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jie Tang
- 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Xiaopu Yuan
- 6Department of Pathology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael Lewis
- 7Department of Pathology, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, California
| | - Mark I. Greene
- 8Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Stephen J. Pandol
- 2Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Qiang Wang
- 2Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
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Dodhiawala PB, Khurana N, Zhang D, Cheng Y, Li L, Wei Q, Seehra K, Jiang H, Grierson PM, Wang-Gillam A, Lim KH. TPL2 enforces RAS-induced inflammatory signaling and is activated by point mutations. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:4771-4790. [PMID: 32573499 DOI: 10.1172/jci137660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
NF-κB transcription factors, driven by the IRAK/IKK cascade, confer treatment resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a cancer characterized by near-universal KRAS mutation. Through reverse-phase protein array and RNA sequencing we discovered that IRAK4 also contributes substantially to MAPK activation in KRAS-mutant PDAC. IRAK4 ablation completely blocked RAS-induced transformation of human and murine cells. Mechanistically, expression of mutant KRAS stimulated an inflammatory, autocrine IL-1β signaling loop that activated IRAK4 and the MAPK pathway. Downstream of IRAK4, we uncovered TPL2 (also known as MAP3K8 or COT) as the essential kinase that propels both MAPK and NF-κB cascades. Inhibition of TPL2 blocked both MAPK and NF-κB signaling, and suppressed KRAS-mutant cell growth. To counter chemotherapy-induced genotoxic stress, PDAC cells upregulated TLR9, which activated prosurvival IRAK4/TPL2 signaling. Accordingly, a TPL2 inhibitor synergized with chemotherapy to curb PDAC growth in vivo. Finally, from TCGA we characterized 2 MAP3K8 point mutations that hyperactivate MAPK and NF-κB cascades by impeding TPL2 protein degradation. Cancer cell lines naturally harboring these MAP3K8 mutations are strikingly sensitive to TPL2 inhibition, underscoring the need to identify these potentially targetable mutations in patients. Overall, our study establishes TPL2 as a promising therapeutic target in RAS- and MAP3K8-mutant cancers and strongly prompts development of TPL2 inhibitors for preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paarth B Dodhiawala
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Namrata Khurana
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Daoxiang Zhang
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Yi Cheng
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lin Li
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Qing Wei
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kuljeet Seehra
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Hongmei Jiang
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Patrick M Grierson
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Andrea Wang-Gillam
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kian-Huat Lim
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Mudianto T, Campbell KM, Webb J, Zolkind P, Skidmore ZL, Riley R, Barnell EK, Ozgenc I, Giri T, Dunn GP, Adkins DR, Griffith M, Egloff AM, Griffith OL, Uppaluri R. Yap1 Mediates Trametinib Resistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:2326-2339. [PMID: 33547198 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-4179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) "window of opportunity" clinical trial, we reported that trametinib reduced MEK-Erk1/2 activation and resulted in tumor responses in a subset of patients. Here, we investigated resistance to trametinib and molecular correlates in HNSCC cell lines and patient samples. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN HNSCC cell lines were treated with trametinib to generate resistant lines. Candidate bypass pathways were assessed using immunoblotting, CRISPR knockout, and survival assays. Effectiveness of combined trametinib and verteporfin targeting was evaluated. Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from responder patients were treated with trametinib and resistant tumors were analyzed. Window trial clinical samples were subjected to whole-exome and RNA sequencing. RESULTS HNSCC cell lines developed resistance (CAL27-TR and HSC3-TR) after prolonged trametinib exposure. Downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway were activated in CAL27-TR and HSC3-TR, and combined trametinib and verteporfin treatment resulted in synergistic treatment response. We defined the Hippo pathway effector Yap1 as an induced survival pathway promoting resistance to trametinib in HSC3-TR. Yap1 was necessary for HSC3-TR trametinib resistance, and constitutively active Yap1 was sufficient to confer resistance in parental HSC3. Analysis of trametinib neoadjuvant trial patient tumors indicated canonical MEK-Erk1/2 pathway activating mutations were infrequent, and Yap1 activity increased following trametinib treatment. Trametinib treatment of a PDX from a responder patient resulted in evolution of resistance with increased Yap1 expression and activity. CONCLUSIONS These studies identify a Yap1-dependent resistance to trametinib therapy in HNSCCs. Combined Yap1 and MEK targeting may represent a strategy to enhance HNSCC response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tenny Mudianto
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Katie M Campbell
- McDonnell Genome Institute and Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jason Webb
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Paul Zolkind
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Zachary L Skidmore
- McDonnell Genome Institute and Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Rachel Riley
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Erica K Barnell
- McDonnell Genome Institute and Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ibrahim Ozgenc
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tusar Giri
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Gavin P Dunn
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Douglas R Adkins
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Malachi Griffith
- McDonnell Genome Institute and Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ann Marie Egloff
- Department of Surgery/Otolaryngology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Obi L Griffith
- McDonnell Genome Institute and Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ravindra Uppaluri
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Surgery/Otolaryngology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Sreenivasan L, Wang H, Yap SQ, Leclair P, Tam A, Lim CJ. Autocrine IL-6/STAT3 signaling aids development of acquired drug resistance in Group 3 medulloblastoma. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:1035. [PMID: 33279931 PMCID: PMC7719195 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03241-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a high-grade pediatric brain malignancy that originates from neuronal precursors located in the posterior cranial fossa. In this study, we evaluated the role of STAT3 and IL-6 in a tumor microenvironment mediated drug resistance in human MBs. We established that the Group 3 MB cell line, Med8A, is chemosensitive (hence Med8A-S), and this is correlated with a basal low phosphorylated state of STAT3, while treatment with IL-6 induced robust increases in pY705-STAT3. Via incremental selection with vincristine, we derived the stably chemoresistant variant, Med8A-R, that exhibited multi-drug resistance, enhanced IL-6 induced pY705-STAT3 levels, and increased IL6R expression. Consequently, abrogation of STAT3 or IL6R expression in Med8A-R led to restored chemosensitivity to vincristine, highlighting a prominent role for canonical IL-6/STAT3 signaling in acquired drug resistance. Furthermore, Med8A-S subjected to conditioning exposure with IL-6, termed Med8A-IL6+ cells, exhibited enhanced vincristine resistance, increased expression of pY705-STAT3 and IL6R, and increased secretion of IL-6. When cocultured with Med8A-IL6+ cells, Med8A-S cells exhibited increased pY705-STAT3 and increased IL-6 secretion, suggesting a cytokine feedback loop responsible for amplifying STAT3 activity. Similar IL-6 induced phenomena were also observed in the Group 3 MB cell lines, D283 and D341, including increased pY705-STAT3, drug resistance, IL-6 secretion and IL6R expression. Our study unveiled autocrine IL-6 as a promoter of STAT3 signaling in development of drug resistance, and suggests therapeutic benefits for targeting the IL-6/STAT3 signaling axis in Group 3 MBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshana Sreenivasan
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shyong Quin Yap
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Pascal Leclair
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anthony Tam
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Chinten James Lim
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Recent developments in unraveling signaling mechanisms underlying drug resistance due to cancer stem-like cells. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2020; 54:130-141. [PMID: 33166909 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2020.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Nollmann FI, Ruess DA. Targeting Mutant KRAS in Pancreatic Cancer: Futile or Promising? Biomedicines 2020; 8:E281. [PMID: 32796566 PMCID: PMC7459579 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8080281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal cancers with a dismal prognosis for the patient. This is due to limited diagnostic options for the early detection of the disease as well as its rather aggressive nature. Despite major advances in oncologic research in general, the treatment options in the clinic for PDAC have only undergone minor changes in the last decades. One major treatment advance would be the successful targeting of the oncogenic driver KRASmut. In the past, the indirect targeting of KRAS has been exploited, e. g., via upstream inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinases or via downstream MEK or PI3K inhibition. However, the experience gained from clinical trials and from the clinic itself in the treatment of KRASmut cancer entities has dampened the initial euphoria. Lately, with the development of KRASG12C-specific inhibitors, not only the direct but also the indirect targeting of KRASmut has gained momentum again. Though preclinical studies and preliminary early clinical studies of monotherapies have shown promising results, they have been overshadowed by the swift development of resistances resulting in inconsistent responses in patient cohorts. Currently, several different combination therapies for KRASmut cancer are being explored. If they hold the promise they have made in preclinical studies, they might also be suitable treatment options for patients suffering from PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dietrich Alexander Ruess
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Center of Surgery, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstrasse 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany;
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Sato K, Hikita H, Myojin Y, Fukumoto K, Murai K, Sakane S, Tamura T, Yamai T, Nozaki Y, Yoshioka T, Kodama T, Shigekawa M, Sakamori R, Tatsumi T, Takehara T. Hyperglycemia enhances pancreatic cancer progression accompanied by elevations in phosphorylated STAT3 and MYC levels. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235573. [PMID: 32609742 PMCID: PMC7329089 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a well-known risk factor for pancreatic cancer. We focused on hyperglycemia, a main feature of diabetes mellitus, and uncovered its effect on precancerous pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) progression. In vivo induction of hyperglycemia with 100 mg/kg streptozotocin in KrasLSL G12DPdx1Cre (KP) mice promoted the PanIN formation and progression. Preconditioning with a high- or low-glucose medium for 28 days showed that a high-glucose environment increased cell viability and sphere formation in PANC-1, a Kras-mutant human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell line, and mPKC1, a Kras-mutant murine pancreatic cancer cell line. In contrast, no changes were observed in BxPC3, a Kras-wild-type human pancreatic cancer cell line. Orthotopic injection of mPKC1 into the pancreatic tails of BL6/J mice showed that cells maintained in high-glucose medium grew into larger tumors than did those maintained in low-glucose medium. Hyperglycemia strengthened the STAT3 phosphorylation, which was accompanied by elevated MYC expression in Kras-mutant cells. Immunohistochemistry showed stronger phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) and MYC staining in PanINs from diabetic KP mice than in those from euglycemic counterparts. STAT3 inhibition with 1 μM STAT3 inhibitor STATTIC in Kras-mutant pancreatic cell lines blocked the cell viability- and sphere formation-enhancing effects of the hyperglycemic environment and reversed the elevated pSTAT3 and MYC expression. MYC knockdown did not affect cell viability but did reduce sphere formation. No decrease in pSTAT3 expression was observed upon siMYC treatment. In conclusion, hyperglycemia, on a Kras-mutant background, aggravates the PanIN progression, which is accompanied by elevated pSTAT3 and MYC expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhiko Sato
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hayato Hikita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuta Myojin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kenji Fukumoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Murai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Sadatsugu Sakane
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Tamura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takuo Yamai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasutoshi Nozaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Teppei Yoshioka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Minoru Shigekawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryotaro Sakamori
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomohide Tatsumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Takehara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Hou P, Kapoor A, Zhang Q, Li J, Wu CJ, Li J, Lan Z, Tang M, Ma X, Ackroyd JJ, Kalluri R, Zhang J, Jiang S, Spring DJ, Wang YA, DePinho RA. Tumor Microenvironment Remodeling Enables Bypass of Oncogenic KRAS Dependency in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Discov 2020; 10:1058-1077. [PMID: 32341020 PMCID: PMC7334087 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-19-0597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Oncogenic KRAS (KRAS*) is a key tumor maintenance gene in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), motivating pharmacologic targeting of KRAS* and its effectors. Here, we explored mechanisms involving the tumor microenvironment (TME) as a potential basis for resistance to targeting KRAS*. Using the inducible Kras G12D;Trp53 -/- PDAC mouse model, gain-of-function screens of epigenetic regulators identified HDAC5 as the top hit enabling KRAS* independent tumor growth. HDAC5-driven escaper tumors showed a prominent neutrophil-to-macrophage switch relative to KRAS*-driven tumors. Mechanistically, HDAC5 represses Socs3, a negative regulator of chemokine CCL2, resulting in increased CCL2, which recruits CCR2+ macrophages. Correspondingly, enforced Ccl2 promotes macrophage recruitment into the TME and enables tumor recurrence following KRAS* extinction. These tumor-associated macrophages in turn provide cancer cells with trophic support including TGFβ to enable KRAS* bypass in a SMAD4-dependent manner. Our work uncovers a KRAS* resistance mechanism involving immune cell remodeling of the PDAC TME. SIGNIFICANCE: Although KRAS* is required for PDAC tumor maintenance, tumors can recur following KRAS* extinction. The capacity of PDAC cancer cells to alter the TME myeloid cell composition to support KRAS*-independent tumor growth illuminates novel therapeutic targets that may enhance the effectiveness of therapies targeting KRAS* and its pathway components.See related commentary by Carr and Fernandez-Zapico, p. 910.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 890.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Hou
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Avnish Kapoor
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jiexi Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Chang-Jiun Wu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Zhengdao Lan
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ming Tang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Xingdi Ma
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jeffrey J Ackroyd
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Raghu Kalluri
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Shan Jiang
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Denise J Spring
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Y Alan Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| | - Ronald A DePinho
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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Li M, Ruan B, Wei J, Yang Q, Chen M, Ji M, Hou P. ACYP2 contributes to malignant progression of glioma through promoting Ca 2+ efflux and subsequently activating c-Myc and STAT3 signals. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:106. [PMID: 32517717 PMCID: PMC7285537 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01607-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Acylphosphatase 2 (ACYP2) is involved in cell differentiation, energy metabolism and hydrolysis of intracellular ion pump. It has been reported as a negative regulator in leukemia and a positive regulator in colon cancer, respectively. However, its biological role in glioma remains totally unclear. Methods We performed quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blot assays to evaluate ACYP2 expression. The functions of ACYP2 in glioma cells were determined by a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments, including cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, invasion and nude mouse tumorigenicity assays. In addition, western blot and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays were used to identify its downstream targets. Results Knocking down ACYP2 in glioma cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion and tumorigenic potential in nude mice, and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Conversely, ectopic expression of ACYP2 in glioma cells dramatically promoted malignant phenotypes of glioma cells. Mechanistically, ACYP2 promoted malignant progression of glioma cells through regulating intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis via its interaction with PMCA4, thereby activating c-Myc and PTP1B/STAT3 signals. This could be effectively reversed by Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM or calpain inhibitor calpeptin. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that ACYP2 functions as an oncogene in glioma through activating c-Myc and STAT3 signals via the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, and indicate that ACYP2 may be a potential therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdan Li
- Key Laboratory for tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province and Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China.,Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China
| | - Banjun Ruan
- Key Laboratory for tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province and Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China.,Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wei
- Key Laboratory for tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province and Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China.,Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China
| | - Qi Yang
- Key Laboratory for tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province and Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China.,Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China
| | - Mingwei Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China
| | - Meiju Ji
- Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China.
| | - Peng Hou
- Key Laboratory for tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province and Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China. .,Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China.
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50
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Qian W, Xiao Q, Wang L, Qin T, Xiao Y, Li J, Yue Y, Zhou C, Duan W, Ma Q, Ma J. Resveratrol slows the tumourigenesis of pancreatic cancer by inhibiting NFκB activation. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 127:110116. [PMID: 32428833 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly malignant tumour with an extremely poor prognosis due to its insidious initiation and a lack of therapeutic strategies. Resveratrol suppresses pancreatic cancer progression and attenuates pancreatitis by modulating multiple targets, including nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) signalling pathways. However, the effect of resveratrol on pancreatic cancer initiation and its mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we utilised the LSL-KrasG12D/+; Pdx1-Cre (KC) spontaneous pancreatic precancerous lesion mouse model to explore the anti-tumourigenesis mechanisms of resveratrol in vivo. In vitro acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs) formation assays were performed by pancreatic acinar cell 3-dimensional (3D) culture. Histopathological analysis was used to examine the pathological morphology of pancreatic tissues. Resveratrol prevented the progression of pancreatic precancerous lesions and inhibited the activation of NFκB signalling pathway-related molecules in KC mouse pancreatic tissues. In addition, resveratrol reduced the severity of cerulein-induced pancreatitis and the formation of ADM/PanINs in vivo and in vitro, which may be related to its effect on NFκB inactivation. Furthermore, pancreatic acinar 3D culture demonstrated that activation of the NFκB signalling pathway promoted the formation of ADM/PanINs in vitro, and this initiating effect of NFκB was blocked by resveratrol. Resveratrol slowed the tumourigenesis of pancreatic cancer by inhibiting NFκB activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weikun Qian
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
| | - Qigui Xiao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
| | - Tao Qin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
| | - Ying Xiao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
| | - Yangyang Yue
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
| | - Cancan Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
| | - Wanxing Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
| | - Qingyong Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
| | - Jiguang Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.
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