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Chen W, Geng D, Chen J, Han X, Xie Q, Guo G, Chen X, Zhang W, Tang S, Zhong X. Roles and mechanisms of aberrant alternative splicing in melanoma - implications for targeted therapy and immunotherapy resistance. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:101. [PMID: 38462618 PMCID: PMC10926661 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03280-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite advances in therapeutic strategies, resistance to immunotherapy and the off-target effects of targeted therapy have significantly weakened the benefits for patients with melanoma. MAIN BODY Alternative splicing plays a crucial role in transcriptional reprogramming during melanoma development. In particular, aberrant alternative splicing is involved in the efficacy of immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and melanoma metastasis. Abnormal expression of splicing factors and variants may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and prognosis of melanoma. Therefore, comprehensively integrating their roles and related mechanisms is essential. This review provides the first detailed summary of the splicing process in melanoma and the changes occurring in this pathway. CONCLUSION The focus of this review is to provide strategies for developing novel diagnostic biomarkers and summarize their potential to alter resistance to targeted therapies and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanxian Chen
- Department of Plastic and Burns Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, P. R. China
- Plastic Surgery Research Institute, Ear Deformities Treatment Center and Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Deyi Geng
- Department of Plastic and Burns Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, P. R. China
- Plastic Surgery Research Institute, Ear Deformities Treatment Center and Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Jiasheng Chen
- Department of Plastic and Burns Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, P. R. China
- Plastic Surgery Research Institute, Ear Deformities Treatment Center and Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Xiaosha Han
- Department of Plastic and Burns Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, P. R. China
- Plastic Surgery Research Institute, Ear Deformities Treatment Center and Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Qihu Xie
- Department of Plastic and Burns Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, P. R. China
- Plastic Surgery Research Institute, Ear Deformities Treatment Center and Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Genghong Guo
- Department of Plastic and Burns Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, P. R. China
- Plastic Surgery Research Institute, Ear Deformities Treatment Center and Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Xuefen Chen
- Department of Plastic and Burns Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, P. R. China
- Plastic Surgery Research Institute, Ear Deformities Treatment Center and Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Wancong Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Burns Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, P. R. China
- Plastic Surgery Research Institute, Ear Deformities Treatment Center and Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Shijie Tang
- Department of Plastic and Burns Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, P. R. China
- Plastic Surgery Research Institute, Ear Deformities Treatment Center and Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Xiaoping Zhong
- Department of Plastic and Burns Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, P. R. China.
- Plastic Surgery Research Institute, Ear Deformities Treatment Center and Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.
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2
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Hanrahan AJ, Chen Z, Rosen N, Solit DB. BRAF - a tumour-agnostic drug target with lineage-specific dependencies. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:224-247. [PMID: 38278874 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00852-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
In June 2022, the FDA granted Accelerated Approval to the BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib in combination with the MEK inhibitor trametinib for the treatment of adult and paediatric patients (≥6 years of age) with unresectable or metastatic BRAFV600E-mutant solid tumours, except for BRAFV600E-mutant colorectal cancers. The histology-agnostic approval of dabrafenib plus trametinib marks the culmination of two decades of research into the landscape of BRAF mutations in human cancers, the biochemical mechanisms underlying BRAF-mediated tumorigenesis, and the clinical development of selective RAF and MEK inhibitors. Although the majority of patients with BRAFV600E-mutant tumours derive clinical benefit from BRAF inhibitor-based combinations, resistance to treatment develops in most. In this Review, we describe the biochemical basis for oncogenic BRAF-induced activation of MAPK signalling and pan-cancer and lineage-specific mechanisms of intrinsic, adaptive and acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors. We also discuss novel RAF inhibitors and drug combinations designed to delay the emergence of treatment resistance and/or expand the population of patients with BRAF-mutant cancers who benefit from molecularly targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aphrothiti J Hanrahan
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ziyu Chen
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Neal Rosen
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - David B Solit
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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3
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Pan P, Geng T, Li Z, Ding X, Shi M, Li Y, Wang Y, Shi Y, Wu J, Zhong L, Ji D, Li Z, Meng X. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras as Highly Selective and Efficient Degraders of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 5. J Med Chem 2023; 66:13568-13586. [PMID: 37751283 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) is recognized as a key member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family and is involved in tumor growth, migration, and angiogenesis. However, the results of ERK5 inhibition in multiple studies are controversial, and a highly specific ERK5-targeting agent is required to confirm physiological functions. Using proteolysis-targeting chimera technology, we designed the selective ERK5 degrader PPM-3 and examined its biological effect on cancer cells. Interestingly, the selective degradation of ERK5 with PPM-3 did not influence tumor cell growth directly. Based on proteomics analysis, the ERK5 deletion may be associated with tumor immunity. PPM-3 influences tumor development by affecting the differentiation of macrophages. Therefore, PPM-3 is an effective small-molecule tool for studying ERK5 and a promising immunotherapy drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengming Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Tongtong Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhongtang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xuyang Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Mengyuan Shi
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery III, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Yang Li
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Food Nutrition/Safety and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Yashuai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuanyuan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jiaojiao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Liang Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Dengbo Ji
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery III, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Zhongjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiangbao Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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4
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Gureghian V, Herbst H, Kozar I, Mihajlovic K, Malod-Dognin N, Ceddia G, Angeli C, Margue C, Randic T, Philippidou D, Nomigni MT, Hemedan A, Tranchevent LC, Longworth J, Bauer M, Badkas A, Gaigneaux A, Muller A, Ostaszewski M, Tolle F, Pržulj N, Kreis S. A multi-omics integrative approach unravels novel genes and pathways associated with senescence escape after targeted therapy in NRAS mutant melanoma. Cancer Gene Ther 2023; 30:1330-1345. [PMID: 37420093 PMCID: PMC10581906 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00640-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Therapy Induced Senescence (TIS) leads to sustained growth arrest of cancer cells. The associated cytostasis has been shown to be reversible and cells escaping senescence further enhance the aggressiveness of cancers. Chemicals specifically targeting senescent cells, so-called senolytics, constitute a promising avenue for improved cancer treatment in combination with targeted therapies. Understanding how cancer cells evade senescence is needed to optimise the clinical benefits of this therapeutic approach. Here we characterised the response of three different NRAS mutant melanoma cell lines to a combination of CDK4/6 and MEK inhibitors over 33 days. Transcriptomic data show that all cell lines trigger a senescence programme coupled with strong induction of interferons. Kinome profiling revealed the activation of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) and enriched downstream signaling of neurotrophin, ErbB and insulin pathways. Characterisation of the miRNA interactome associates miR-211-5p with resistant phenotypes. Finally, iCell-based integration of bulk and single-cell RNA-seq data identifies biological processes perturbed during senescence and predicts 90 new genes involved in its escape. Overall, our data associate insulin signaling with persistence of a senescent phenotype and suggest a new role for interferon gamma in senescence escape through the induction of EMT and the activation of ERK5 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Gureghian
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Hailee Herbst
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Ines Kozar
- Laboratoire National de Santé, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | | | | | - Gaia Ceddia
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristian Angeli
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Christiane Margue
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Tijana Randic
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Demetra Philippidou
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Milène Tetsi Nomigni
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Ahmed Hemedan
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Leon-Charles Tranchevent
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Joseph Longworth
- Experimental and Molecular Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Mark Bauer
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Apurva Badkas
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Anthoula Gaigneaux
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Arnaud Muller
- LuxGen, TMOH and Bioinformatics platform, Data Integration and Analysis unit, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Marek Ostaszewski
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Fabrice Tolle
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Nataša Pržulj
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stephanie Kreis
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 6, Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg.
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5
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Le NT. The significance of ERK5 catalytic-independent functions in disease pathways. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1235217. [PMID: 37601096 PMCID: PMC10436230 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1235217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5), also known as BMK1 or MAPK7, represents a recent addition to the classical mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. This family includes well-known members such as ERK1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), as well as atypical MAPKs such as ERK3, ERK4, ERK7 (ERK8), and Nemo-like kinase (NLK). Comprehensive reviews available elsewhere provide detailed insights into ERK5, which interested readers can refer to for in-depth knowledge (Nithianandarajah-Jones et al., 2012; Monti et al., Cancers (Basel), 2022, 14). The primary aim of this review is to emphasize the essential characteristics of ERK5 and shed light on the intricate nature of its activation, with particular attention to the catalytic-independent functions in disease pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nhat-Tu Le
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
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6
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Inhibiting SCD expression by IGF1R during lorlatinib therapy sensitizes melanoma to ferroptosis. Redox Biol 2023; 61:102653. [PMID: 36889082 PMCID: PMC10009726 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Induction of ferroptosis is an emerging strategy to suppress melanoma progression. Strategies to enhance the sensitivity to ferroptosis induction would be a major advance in melanoma therapy. Here, we used a drug synergy screen that combined a ferroptosis inducer, RSL3, with 240 anti-tumor drugs from the FDA-approved drug library and identified lorlatinib to synergize with RSL3 in melanoma cells. We further demonstrated that lorlatinib sensitized melanoma to ferroptosis through inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis and its downstream SCD expression. Moreover, we found that lorlatinib's target IGF1R, but not ALK or ROS1, was the major mediator of lorlatinib-mediated sensitivity to ferroptosis through targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis. Finally, lorlatinib treatment sensitized melanoma to GPX4 inhibition in preclinical animal models, and melanoma patients with low GPX4 and IGF1R expression in their tumors survived for longer period. Altogether, lorlatinib sensitizes melanoma to ferroptosis by targeting IGF1R-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis, suggesting that combination with lorlatinib could greatly expand the utility of GPX4 inhibition to melanoma patients with IGF1R-proficient expression.
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7
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Bhatt V, Lan T, Wang W, Kong J, Lopes EC, Wang J, Khayati K, Raju A, Rangel M, Lopez E, Hu ZS, Luo X, Su X, Malhotra J, Hu W, Pine SR, White E, Guo JY. Inhibition of autophagy and MEK promotes ferroptosis in Lkb1-deficient Kras-driven lung tumors. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:61. [PMID: 36702816 PMCID: PMC9879981 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05592-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
LKB1 and KRAS are the third most frequent co-mutations detected in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and cause aggressive tumor growth. Unfortunately, treatment with RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway inhibitors has minimal therapeutic efficacy in LKB1-mutant KRAS-driven NSCLC. Autophagy, an intracellular nutrient scavenging pathway, compensates for Lkb1 loss to support Kras-driven lung tumor growth. Here we preclinically evaluate the possibility of autophagy inhibition together with MEK inhibition as a treatment for Kras-driven lung tumors. We found that the combination of the autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and the MEK inhibitor Trametinib displays synergistic anti-proliferative activity in KrasG12D/+;Lkb1-/- (KL) lung cancer cells, but not in KrasG12D/+;p53-/- (KP) lung cancer cells. In vivo studies using tumor allografts, genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) showed anti-tumor activity of the combination of HCQ and Trametinib on KL but not KP tumors. We further found that the combination treatment significantly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, basal respiration, and ATP production, while also increasing lipid peroxidation, indicative of ferroptosis, in KL tumor-derived cell lines (TDCLs) and KL tumors compared to treatment with single agents. Moreover, the reduced tumor growth by the combination treatment was rescued by ferroptosis inhibitor. Taken together, we demonstrate that autophagy upregulation in KL tumors causes resistance to Trametinib by inhibiting ferroptosis. Therefore, a combination of autophagy and MEK inhibition could be a novel therapeutic strategy to specifically treat NSCLC bearing co-mutations of LKB1 and KRAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vrushank Bhatt
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Taijin Lan
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Wenping Wang
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Jerry Kong
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | | | - Jianming Wang
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Khoosheh Khayati
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Akash Raju
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Michael Rangel
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Enrique Lopez
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | | | - Xuefei Luo
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Su
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Jyoti Malhotra
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Wenwei Hu
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08903, USA
| | - Sharon R Pine
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08903, USA
| | - Eileen White
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
- Ludwig Princeton Branch, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08540, USA
| | - Jessie Yanxiang Guo
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
- Department of Chemical Biology, Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
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8
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López-Borrego S, Campos-Silva C, Sandúa A, Camino T, Téllez-Pérez L, Alegre E, Beneitez A, Jara-Acevedo R, Paschen A, Pardo M, González Á, Valés-Gómez M. MAPK inhibitors dynamically affect melanoma release of immune NKG2D-ligands, as soluble protein and extracellular vesicle-associated. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1055288. [PMID: 36726591 PMCID: PMC9884675 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1055288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma presents, in many cases, oncogenic mutations in BRAF, a MAPK involved in proliferation of tumour cells. BRAF inhibitors, used as therapy in patients with these mutations, often lead to tumour resistance and, thus, the use of MEK inhibitors was introduced in clinics. BRAFi/MEKi, a combination that has modestly increased overall survival in patients, has been proven to differentially affect immune ligands, such as NKG2D-ligands, in drug-sensitive vs. drug-resistant cells. However, the fact that NKG2D-ligands can be released as soluble molecules or in extracellular vesicles represents an additional level of complexity that has not been explored. Here we demonstrate that inhibition of MAPK using MEKi, and the combination of BRAFi with MEKi in vitro, modulates NKG2D-ligands in BRAF-mutant and WT melanoma cells, together with other NK activating ligands. These observations reinforce a role of the immune system in the generation of resistance to directed therapies and support the potential benefit of MAPK inhibition in combination with immunotherapies. Both soluble and EV-associated NKG2D-ligands, generally decreased in BRAF-mutant melanoma cell supernatants after MAPKi in vitro, replicating cell surface expression. Because potential NKG2D-ligand fluctuation during MAPKi treatment could have different consequences for the immune response, a pilot study to measure NKG2D-ligand variation in plasma or serum from metastatic melanoma patients, at different time points during MAPKi treatment, was performed. Not all NKG2D-ligands were equally detected. Further, EV detection did not parallel soluble protein. Altogether, our data confirm the heterogeneity between melanoma lesions, and suggest testing several NKG2D-ligands and other melanoma antigens in serum, both as soluble or vesicle-released proteins, to help classifying immune competence of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia López-Borrego
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Campos-Silva
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Tamara Camino
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Lucía Téllez-Pérez
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Annette Paschen
- Clinic for Dermatology University Hospital of Essen, Essen, North RhineWestphalia, Germany
| | - María Pardo
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | | | - Mar Valés-Gómez
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain,*Correspondence: Mar Valés-Gómez,
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9
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Lapadula D, Lam B, Terai M, Sugase T, Tanaka R, Farias E, Kadamb R, Lopez-Anton M, Heine CC, Modasia B, Aguirre-Ghiso JA, Aplin AE, Sato T, Benovic JL. IGF1R Inhibition Enhances the Therapeutic Effects of Gq/11 Inhibition in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Progression. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:63-74. [PMID: 36223548 PMCID: PMC9812929 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-22-0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular tumor in adults, and up to 50% of patients develop metastatic disease, which remains uncurable. Because patients with metastatic UM have an average survival of less than 1 year after diagnosis, there is an urgent need to develop new treatment strategies. Although activating mutations in Gαq or Gα11 proteins are major drivers of pathogenesis, the therapeutic intervention of downstream Gαq/11 targets has been unsuccessful in treating UM, possibly due to alternative signaling pathways and/or resistance mechanisms. Activation of the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signaling pathway promotes cell growth, metastasis, and drug resistance in many types of cancers, including UM, where expression of the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) correlates with a poor prognosis. In this article, we show that direct inhibition of Gαq/11 by the cyclic depsipeptide YM-254890 in combination with inhibition of IGF1R by linsitinib cooperatively inhibits downstream signaling and proliferation of UM cells. We further demonstrate that a 2-week combination treatment of 0.3 to 0.4 mg/kg of YM-254890 administered by intraperitoneal injection and 25 to 40 mg/kg linsitinib administered by oral gavage effectively inhibits the growth of metastatic UM tumors in immunodeficient NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice and identifies the IGF1 pathway as a potential resistance mechanism in response to Gαq/11 inhibition in UM. These data suggest that the combination of Gαq/11 and IGF1R inhibition provides a promising therapeutic strategy to treat metastatic UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Lapadula
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Bao Lam
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mizue Terai
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Takahito Sugase
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ryota Tanaka
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Eduardo Farias
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount, New York, NY, United States
| | - Rama Kadamb
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NewYork, United States
| | | | - Christian C Heine
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | | | | | - Andrew E Aplin
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Takami Sato
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jeffrey L Benovic
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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10
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Cook SJ, Lochhead PA. ERK5 Signalling and Resistance to ERK1/2 Pathway Therapeutics: The Path Less Travelled? Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:839997. [PMID: 35903549 PMCID: PMC9315226 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.839997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The RAS-regulated RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signalling pathway is frequently de-regulated in human cancer. Melanoma in particular exhibits a high incidence of activating BRAFV600E/K and NRASQ61L/K mutations and such cells are addicted to the activity of these mutant oncoproteins. As a result three different BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) have now been approved for BRAFV600E/K- mutant melanoma and have transformed the treatment of this disease. Despite this, clinical responses are typically transient as tumour cells develop resistance. These resistance mechanisms frequently involve reinstatement of ERK1/2 signalling and BRAFi are now deployed in combination with one of three approved MEK1/2 inhibitors (MEKi) to provide more durable, but still transient, clinical responses. Furthermore, inhibitors to ERK1/2 (ERK1/2i) have also been developed to counteract ERK1/2 signalling. However, recent studies have suggested that BRAFi/MEKi and ERK1/2i resistance can arise through activation of a parallel signalling pathway leading to activation of ERK5, an unusual protein kinase that contains both a kinase domain and a transcriptional transactivation domain. Here we review the evidence supporting ERK5 as a mediator of BRAFi/MEKi and ERK1/2i resistance. We also review the challenges in targeting ERK5 signalling with small molecules, including paradoxical activation of the transcriptional transactivation domain, and discuss new therapeutic modalities that could be employed to target ERK5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J. Cook
- Signalling Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Pamela A. Lochhead, ; Simon J. Cook,
| | - Pamela A. Lochhead
- Signalling Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Pamela A. Lochhead, ; Simon J. Cook,
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11
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Olbryt M. Potential Biomarkers of Skin Melanoma Resistance to Targeted Therapy—Present State and Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092315. [PMID: 35565444 PMCID: PMC9102921 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Around 5–10% of advanced melanoma patients progress early on anti-BRAF targeted therapy and 20–30% respond only with the stabilization of the disease. Presumably, these patients could benefit more from first-line immunotherapy. Resistance to BRAF/MEK inhibitors is generated by genetic and non-genetic factors inherent to a tumor or acquired during therapy. Some of them are well documented as a cause of treatment failure. They are potential predictive markers that could improve patients’ selection for both standard and also alternative therapy as some of them have therapeutic potential. Here, a summary of the most promising predictive and therapeutic targets is presented. This up-to-date knowledge may be useful for further study on implementing more accurate genetic/molecular tests in melanoma treatment. Abstract Melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer, the number of which is increasing worldwide every year. It is completely curable in its early stage and fatal when spread to distant organs. In addition to new therapeutic strategies, biomarkers are an important element in the successful fight against this cancer. At present, biomarkers are mainly used in diagnostics. Some biological indicators also allow the estimation of the patient’s prognosis. Still, predictive markers are underrepresented in clinics. Currently, the only such indicator is the presence of the V600E mutation in the BRAF gene in cancer cells, which qualifies the patient for therapy with inhibitors of the MAPK pathway. The identification of response markers is particularly important given primary and acquired resistance to targeted therapies. Reliable predictive tests would enable the selection of patients who would have the best chance of benefiting from treatment. Here, up-to-date knowledge about the most promising genetic and non-genetic resistance-related factors is described. These are alterations in MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and RB signaling pathways, e.g., due to mutations in NRAS, RAC1, MAP2K1, MAP2K2, and NF1, but also other changes activating these pathways, such as the overexpression of HGF or EGFR. Most of them are also potential therapeutic targets and this issue is also addressed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Olbryt
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland
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12
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Sharma M, Bakshi AK, Mittapelly N, Gautam S, Marwaha D, Rai N, Singh N, Tiwari P, Aggarwal N, Kumar A, Mishra PR. Recent updates on innovative approaches to overcome drug resistance for better outcomes in cancer. J Control Release 2022; 346:43-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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13
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Zhang J, Pearson AJ, Sabherwal N, Telfer BA, Ali N, Kan K, Xu Q, Zhang W, Chen F, Li S, Wang J, Gray NS, Risa-Ebrí B, Finegan KG, Cross MJ, Giurisato E, Whitmarsh AJ, Tournier C. Inhibiting ERK5 overcomes breast cancer resistance to anti-HER2 therapy by targeting the G1/S cell cycle transition. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:131-145. [PMID: 36466034 PMCID: PMC7613885 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-21-0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) became a landmark in the treatment of HER2-driven breast cancer. Nonetheless, the clinical efficacy of anti-HER2 therapies can be short-lived and a significant proportion of patients ultimately develop metastatic disease and die. One striking consequence of oncogenic activation of HER2 in breast cancer cells is the constitutive activation of the extracellular-regulated protein kinase 5 (ERK5) through its hyperphosphorylation. In this study, we sought to decipher the significance of this unique molecular signature in promoting therapeutic resistance to anti-HER2 agents. We found that a small-molecule inhibitor of ERK5 suppressed the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (RB) in HER2 positive breast cancer cells. As a result, ERK5 inhibition enhanced the anti-proliferative activity of single-agent anti-HER2 therapy in resistant breast cancer cell lines by causing a G1 cell cycle arrest. Moreover, ERK5 knockdown restored the anti-tumor activity of the anti-HER2 agent lapatinib in human breast cancer xenografts. Taken together, these findings support the therapeutic potential of ERK5 inhibitors to improve the clinical benefit that patients receive from targeted HER2 therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Zhang
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH), University of Manchester, UK
| | - Adam J Pearson
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH), University of Manchester, UK
| | - Nitin Sabherwal
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, FBMH, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Brian A Telfer
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, FBMH, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Nisha Ali
- Manchester University NHS FT, Wythenshawe hospital, UK
| | - Karmern Kan
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH), University of Manchester, UK
| | - Qiuping Xu
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH), University of Manchester, UK
| | - Wei Zhang
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH), University of Manchester, UK
| | - Fuhui Chen
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH), University of Manchester, UK
| | - Shiyang Li
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, School of Biological Sciences, FBMH, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Jinhua Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Blanca Risa-Ebrí
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, FBMH, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Katherine G Finegan
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, FBMH, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Michael J Cross
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology (ISMIB), University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Emanuele Giurisato
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH), University of Manchester, UK,Department of Biotechnology Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Alan J Whitmarsh
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, FBMH, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Cathy Tournier
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH), University of Manchester, UK,Corresponding author: Cathy Tournier, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK, Tel: +44 161 275 5417,
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14
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Montico B, Giurato G, Pecoraro G, Salvati A, Covre A, Colizzi F, Steffan A, Weisz A, Maio M, Sigalotti L, Fratta E. The pleiotropic roles of circular and long noncoding RNAs in cutaneous melanoma. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:565-593. [PMID: 34080276 PMCID: PMC8807361 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a very aggressive disease, often characterized by unresponsiveness to conventional therapies and high mortality rates worldwide. The identification of the activating BRAFV600 mutations in approximately 50% of CM patients has recently fueled the development of novel small-molecule inhibitors that specifically target BRAFV600 -mutant CM. In addition, a major progress in CM treatment has been made by monoclonal antibodies that regulate the immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, although target-based therapies and immunotherapeutic strategies have yielded promising results, CM treatment remains a major challenge. In the last decade, accumulating evidence points to the aberrant expression of different types of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in CM. While studies on microRNAs have grown exponentially leading to significant insights on CM biology, the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in this tumor is less understood, and much remains to be discovered. Here, we summarize and critically review the available evidence on the molecular functions of circRNAs and lncRNAs in BRAFV600 -mutant CM and CM immunogenicity, providing recent updates on their functional role in targeted therapy and immunotherapy resistance. In addition, we also include an evaluation of several algorithms and databases for prediction and validation of circRNA and lncRNA functional interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Montico
- Immunopathology and Cancer BiomarkersCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and GenomicsDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana'University of SalernoBaronissiItaly
- Genome Research Center for Health – CRGSUniversity of Salerno Campus of MedicineBaronissiItaly
| | - Giovanni Pecoraro
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and GenomicsDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana'University of SalernoBaronissiItaly
- Genome Research Center for Health – CRGSUniversity of Salerno Campus of MedicineBaronissiItaly
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and GenomicsDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana'University of SalernoBaronissiItaly
| | - Alessia Covre
- Center for Immuno‐OncologyUniversity Hospital of SienaItaly
- University of SienaItaly
| | - Francesca Colizzi
- Immunopathology and Cancer BiomarkersCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
| | - Agostino Steffan
- Immunopathology and Cancer BiomarkersCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and GenomicsDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana'University of SalernoBaronissiItaly
- Genome Research Center for Health – CRGSUniversity of Salerno Campus of MedicineBaronissiItaly
| | - Michele Maio
- Center for Immuno‐OncologyUniversity Hospital of SienaItaly
- University of SienaItaly
- NIBIT Foundation OnlusSienaItaly
| | - Luca Sigalotti
- Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics UnitCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
| | - Elisabetta Fratta
- Immunopathology and Cancer BiomarkersCentro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO)IRCCSAvianoItaly
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15
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Tatli O, Dinler Doganay G. Recent Developments in Targeting RAS Downstream Effectors for RAS-Driven Cancer Therapy. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26247561. [PMID: 34946644 PMCID: PMC8703923 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26247561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activity of oncogenic rat sarcoma virus (RAS) protein promotes tumor growth and progression. RAS-driven cancers comprise more than 30% of all human cancers and are refractory to frontline treatment strategies. Since direct targeting of RAS has proven challenging, efforts have been centered on the exploration of inhibitors for RAS downstream effector kinases. Two major RAS downstream signaling pathways, including the Raf/MEK/Erk cascade and the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, have become compelling targets for RAS-driven cancer therapy. However, the main drawback in the blockade of a single RAS effector is the multiple levels of crosstalk and compensatory mechanisms between these two pathways that contribute to drug resistance against monotherapies. A growing body of evidence reveals that the sequential or synergistic inhibition of multiple RAS effectors is a more convenient route for the efficacy of cancer therapy. Herein, we revisit the recent developments and discuss the most promising modalities targeting canonical RAS downstream effectors for the treatment of RAS-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Tatli
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genetics-Biotechnology, Graduate School, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul 34469, Turkey;
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul 34720, Turkey
| | - Gizem Dinler Doganay
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genetics-Biotechnology, Graduate School, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul 34469, Turkey;
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul 34469, Turkey
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +90-2122-857-256
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16
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IGF1R/IR Mediates Resistance to BRAF and MEK Inhibitors in BRAF-Mutant Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225863. [PMID: 34831014 PMCID: PMC8616282 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Melanoma accounts for only 4% of skin cancer, but is the major cause of skin cancer related deaths. The use of dabrafenib (BRAF inhibitor) and trametinib (MEK inhibitor), two FDA approved drugs to treat patients with BRAFV600E melanoma, is limited in the clinic due to the development of resistance. The IGF family of receptors is known to play a crucial role in cancer progression. In our in vitro screening, we identified that the activation of Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and Insulin Receptor (IR) mediates resistance to dabrafenib and trametinib. Patients with high levels of IGF1R and IR have worse survival outcomes compared to patients with low levels of these receptors. We demonstrate that combining dabrafenib and trametinib with an IGF1R/IR inhibitor, BMS-754807, in vitro and in vivo, is efficacious and inhibits proliferation and tumor growth. This research opens up avenues for the development of novel and potent IGF1R/IR inhibitors for patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma. Abstract The use of BRAF and MEK inhibitors for patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma is limited as patients relapse on treatment as quickly as 6 months due to acquired resistance. We generated trametinib and dabrafenib resistant melanoma (TDR) cell lines to the MEK and BRAF inhibitors, respectively. TDR cells exhibited increased viability and maintenance of downstream p-ERK and p-Akt as compared to parental cells. Receptor tyrosine kinase arrays revealed an increase in p-IGF1R and p-IR in the drug resistant cells versus drug sensitive cells. RNA-sequencing analysis identified IGF1R and INSR upregulated in resistant cell lines compared to parental cells. Analysis of TCGA PanCancer Atlas (skin cutaneous melanoma) showed that patients with a BRAF mutation and high levels of IGF1R and INSR had a worse overall survival. BMS-754807, an IGF1R/IR inhibitor, suppressed cell proliferation along with inhibition of intracellular p-Akt in TDR cells. Dual inhibition of IGF1R and INSR using siRNA reduced cell proliferation. The combination of dabrafenib, trametinib, and BMS-754807 treatment reduced in vivo xenograft tumor growth. Examining the role of IGF1R and IR in mediating resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitors will expand possible treatment options to aid in long-term success for BRAF-mutant melanoma patients.
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17
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Huang C, Radi RH, Arbiser JL. Mitochondrial Metabolism in Melanoma. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113197. [PMID: 34831420 PMCID: PMC8618235 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma and its associated alterations in cellular pathways have been growing areas of interest in research, especially as specific biological pathways are being elucidated. Some of these alterations include changes in the mitochondrial metabolism in melanoma. Many mitochondrial metabolic changes lead to differences in the survivability of cancer cells and confer resistance to targeted therapies. While extensive work has gone into characterizing mechanisms of resistance, the role of mitochondrial adaptation as a mode of resistance is not completely understood. In this review, we wish to explore mitochondrial metabolism in melanoma and how it impacts modes of resistance. There are several genes that play a major role in melanoma mitochondrial metabolism which require a full understanding to optimally target melanoma. These include BRAF, CRAF, SOX2, MCL1, TRAP1, RHOA, SRF, SIRT3, PTEN, and AKT1. We will be discussing the role of these genes in melanoma in greater detail. An enhanced understanding of mitochondrial metabolism and these modes of resistance may result in novel combinatorial and sequential therapies that may lead to greater therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Huang
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (C.H.); (R.H.R.)
| | - Rakan H. Radi
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (C.H.); (R.H.R.)
| | - Jack L. Arbiser
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (C.H.); (R.H.R.)
- Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(404)-727-5063; Fax: +1-(404)-727-0923
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18
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Matias M, Pinho JO, Penetra MJ, Campos G, Reis CP, Gaspar MM. The Challenging Melanoma Landscape: From Early Drug Discovery to Clinical Approval. Cells 2021; 10:3088. [PMID: 34831311 PMCID: PMC8621991 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is recognized as the most dangerous type of skin cancer, with high mortality and resistance to currently used treatments. To overcome the limitations of the available therapeutic options, the discovery and development of new, more effective, and safer therapies is required. In this review, the different research steps involved in the process of antimelanoma drug evaluation and selection are explored, including information regarding in silico, in vitro, and in vivo experiments, as well as clinical trial phases. Details are given about the most used cell lines and assays to perform both two- and three-dimensional in vitro screening of drug candidates towards melanoma. For in vivo studies, murine models are, undoubtedly, the most widely used for assessing the therapeutic potential of new compounds and to study the underlying mechanisms of action. Here, the main melanoma murine models are described as well as other animal species. A section is dedicated to ongoing clinical studies, demonstrating the wide interest and successful efforts devoted to melanoma therapy, in particular at advanced stages of the disease, and a final section includes some considerations regarding approval for marketing by regulatory agencies. Overall, considerable commitment is being directed to the continuous development of optimized experimental models, important for the understanding of melanoma biology and for the evaluation and validation of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Matias
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jacinta O Pinho
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria João Penetra
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Campos
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Catarina Pinto Reis
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Manuela Gaspar
- Research Institute for Medicines, iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
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19
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Sun CY, Li YZ, Cao D, Zhou YF, Zhang MY, Wang HY. Rapamycin and trametinib: a rational combination for treatment of NSCLC. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:3211-3223. [PMID: 34421360 PMCID: PMC8375233 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.62752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is one of the most commonly activated pathways in human cancers, including lung cancer. Targeting mTOR with molecule inhibitors is considered as a useful therapeutic strategy. However, the results obtained from the clinical trials with the inhibitors so far have not met the original expectations, largely because of the drug resistance. Thus, combined or multiple drug therapy can bring about more favorable clinical outcomes. Here, we found that activation of ERK pathway was responsible for rapamycin drug resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Accordingly, rapamycin-resistant NSCLC cells were more sensitive to ERK inhibitor (ERKi), trametinib, and in turn, trametinib-resistant NSCLC cells were also susceptible to rapamycin. Combining rapamycin with trametinib led to a potent synergistic antitumor efficacy, which induced G1-phase cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, rapamycin synergized with another ERKi, MEK162, and in turn, trametinib synergized with other mTORi, Torin1 and OSI-027. Mechanistically, rapamycin in combination with trametinib resulted in a greater decrease of phosphorylation of AKT, ERK, mTOR and 4EBP1. In xenograft mouse model, co-administration of rapamycin and trametinib caused a substantial suppression in tumor growth without obvious drug toxicity. Overall, our study identifies a reasonable combined strategy for treatment of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Yue Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou, China 510060
| | - Yi-Zhuo Li
- Department of Medical Imaging, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou, China 510060
| | - Di Cao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou, China 510060
| | - Yu-Feng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou, China 510060
| | - Mei-Yin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou, China 510060
| | - Hui-Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou, China 510060
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20
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Paudel R, Fusi L, Schmidt M. The MEK5/ERK5 Pathway in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147594. [PMID: 34299213 PMCID: PMC8303459 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The MEK5/ERK5 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) cascade is a unique signaling module activated by both mitogens and stress stimuli, including cytokines, fluid shear stress, high osmolarity, and oxidative stress. Physiologically, it is mainly known as a mechanoreceptive pathway in the endothelium, where it transduces the various vasoprotective effects of laminar blood flow. However, it also maintains integrity in other tissues exposed to mechanical stress, including bone, cartilage, and muscle, where it exerts a key function as a survival and differentiation pathway. Beyond its diverse physiological roles, the MEK5/ERK5 pathway has also been implicated in various diseases, including cancer, where it has recently emerged as a major escape route, sustaining tumor cell survival and proliferation under drug stress. In addition, MEK5/ERK5 dysfunction may foster cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. Here, we highlight the importance of the MEK5/ERK5 pathway in health and disease, focusing on its role as a protective cascade in mechanical stress-exposed healthy tissues and its function as a therapy resistance pathway in cancers. We discuss the perspective of targeting this cascade for cancer treatment and weigh its chances and potential risks when considering its emerging role as a protective stress response pathway.
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Tubita A, Tusa I, Rovida E. Playing the Whack-A-Mole Game: ERK5 Activation Emerges Among the Resistance Mechanisms to RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2- Targeted Therapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:647311. [PMID: 33777953 PMCID: PMC7991100 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.647311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecularly tailored therapies have opened a new era, chronic myeloid leukemia being the ideal example, in the treatment of cancer. However, available therapeutic options are still unsatisfactory in many types of cancer, and often fail due to the occurrence of resistance mechanisms. With regard to small-molecule compounds targeting the components of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) cascade RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2, these drugs may result ineffective as a consequence of the activation of compensatory pro-survival/proliferative signals, including receptor tyrosine kinases, PI3K, as well as other components of the MAPK family such as TPL2/COT. The MAPK ERK5 has been identified as a key signaling molecule in the biology of several types of cancer. In this review, we report pieces of evidence regarding the activation of the MEK5-ERK5 pathway as a resistance mechanism to RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 inhibitors. We also highlight the known and possible mechanisms underlying the cross-talks between the ERK1/2 and the ERK5 pathways, the characterization of which is of great importance to maximize, in the future, the impact of RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 targeting. Finally, we emphasize the need of developing additional therapeutically relevant MEK5-ERK5 inhibitors to be used for combined treatments, thus preventing the onset of resistance to cancer therapies relying on RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Tubita
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ignazia Tusa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Rovida
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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22
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Bhatt AB, Patel S, Matossian MD, Ucar DA, Miele L, Burow ME, Flaherty PT, Cavanaugh JE. Molecular Mechanisms of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition Regulated by ERK5 Signaling. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020183. [PMID: 33572742 PMCID: PMC7911413 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK5) is an essential regulator of cancer progression, tumor relapse, and poor patient survival. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex oncogenic process, which drives cell invasion, stemness, and metastases. Activators of ERK5, including mitogen-activated protein kinase 5 (MEK5), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), are known to induce EMT and metastases in breast, lung, colorectal, and other cancers. Several downstream targets of the ERK5 pathway, such as myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2c (MEF2C), activator protein-1 (AP-1), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and c-Myc, play a critical role in the regulation of EMT transcription factors SNAIL, SLUG, and β-catenin. Moreover, ERK5 activation increases the release of extracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), facilitating breakdown of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and local tumor invasion. Targeting the ERK5 signaling pathway using small molecule inhibitors, microRNAs, and knockdown approaches decreases EMT, cell invasion, and metastases via several mechanisms. The focus of the current review is to highlight the mechanisms which are known to mediate cancer EMT via ERK5 signaling. Several therapeutic approaches that can be undertaken to target the ERK5 pathway and inhibit or reverse EMT and metastases are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshita B. Bhatt
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA;
| | - Saloni Patel
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA; (S.P.); (P.T.F.)
| | - Margarite D. Matossian
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (M.D.M.); (M.E.B.)
| | - Deniz A. Ucar
- Department of Genetics and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (D.A.U.); (L.M.)
| | - Lucio Miele
- Department of Genetics and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (D.A.U.); (L.M.)
| | - Matthew E. Burow
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (M.D.M.); (M.E.B.)
| | - Patrick T. Flaherty
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA; (S.P.); (P.T.F.)
| | - Jane E. Cavanaugh
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-412-760-3503
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23
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Ostrowski SM, Fisher DE. The Melanocyte Lineage Factor miR-211 Promotes BRAF V600E Inhibitor Resistance. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 141:250-252. [PMID: 33504438 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.07.010] [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: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Resistance to targeted therapy and immunotherapy remains a major obstacle in improving care for patients with advanced melanoma. MicroRNAs play important roles in regulating gene networks involved in disease progression and resistance to therapy in cancers such as melanoma. MicroRNA miR-211 contributes to melanocyte and melanoma biology and has been implicated in targeted therapy resistance. Lee et al. (2020) report a novel mechanism by which miR-211 promotes resistance to BRAFV600E inhibitor therapy via the upregulation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Ostrowski
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David E Fisher
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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24
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Hartman ML, Gajos-Michniewicz A, Talaj JA, Mielczarek-Lewandowska A, Czyz M. BH3 mimetics potentiate pro-apoptotic activity of encorafenib in BRAF V600E melanoma cells. Cancer Lett 2020; 499:122-136. [PMID: 33259900 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BRAFV600- and MEK1/2-targeting therapies rarely produce durable response in melanoma patients. We investigated five BRAFV600E melanoma cell lines derived from drug-naïve tumor specimens to assess cell death response to encorafenib (Braftovi), a recently FDA-approved BRAFV600 inhibitor. Drug-naïve cell lines (i) did not harbor damaging alterations in genes encoding core apoptotic machinery, but they differed in (ii) mitochondrial priming as demonstrated by whole-cell BH3 profiling, and (iii) levels of selected anti-apoptotic proteins. Encorafenib modulated the balance between apoptosis-regulating proteins as it upregulated BIM and BMF, and attenuated NOXA, but did not affect the levels of pro-survival proteins except for MCL-1 and BCL-XL in selected cell lines. Induction of apoptosis could be predicted using Dynamic BH3 profiling. The extent of apoptosis was dependent on both (i) cell-intrinsic proximity to the apoptotic threshold (initial mitochondrial priming) and (ii) the abundance of encorafenib-induced BIM (iBIM; drug-induced change in priming). While co-inhibition of MCL-1 and BCL-XL/BCL-2 was indispensable for apoptosis in drug-naïve cells, encorafenib altered cell dependence to MCL-1, and reliance on BCL-XL/BCL-2 was additionally found in cell lines that were highly primed to apoptosis by encorafenib. This translated into robust apoptosis when encorafenib was combined with selective BH3 mimetics. Our study provides a mechanistic insight into the role of proteins from the BCL-2 family in melanoma cell response to targeted therapy, and presents preclinical evidence that (i) MCL-1 is a druggable target to potentiate encorafenib activity, whereas (ii) pharmacological inhibition of BCL-XL/BCL-2 might be relevant but only for a narrow group of encorafenib-treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz L Hartman
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Anna Gajos-Michniewicz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215, Lodz, Poland
| | - Julita A Talaj
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215, Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Malgorzata Czyz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215, Lodz, Poland
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25
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Proietti I, Skroza N, Bernardini N, Tolino E, Balduzzi V, Marchesiello A, Michelini S, Volpe S, Mambrin A, Mangino G, Romeo G, Maddalena P, Rees C, Potenza C. Mechanisms of Acquired BRAF Inhibitor Resistance in Melanoma: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2801. [PMID: 33003483 PMCID: PMC7600801 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This systematic review investigated the literature on acquired v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) inhibitor resistance in patients with melanoma. We searched MEDLINE for articles on BRAF inhibitor resistance in patients with melanoma published since January 2010 in the following areas: (1) genetic basis of resistance; (2) epigenetic and transcriptomic mechanisms; (3) influence of the immune system on resistance development; and (4) combination therapy to overcome resistance. Common resistance mutations in melanoma are BRAF splice variants, BRAF amplification, neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) mutations and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) mutations. Genetic and epigenetic changes reactivate previously blocked mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, activate alternative signaling pathways, and cause epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Once BRAF inhibitor resistance develops, the tumor microenvironment reverts to a low immunogenic state secondary to the induction of programmed cell death ligand-1. Combining a BRAF inhibitor with a MEK inhibitor delays resistance development and increases duration of response. Multiple other combinations based on known mechanisms of resistance are being investigated. BRAF inhibitor-resistant cells develop a range of 'escape routes', so multiple different treatment targets will probably be required to overcome resistance. In the future, it may be possible to personalize combination therapy towards the specific resistance pathway in individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Proietti
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Nevena Skroza
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Nicoletta Bernardini
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Ersilia Tolino
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Veronica Balduzzi
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Anna Marchesiello
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Simone Michelini
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Salvatore Volpe
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Alessandra Mambrin
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Giorgio Mangino
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (G.R.)
| | - Giovanna Romeo
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (G.R.)
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Maddalena
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | | | - Concetta Potenza
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
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26
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Lee B, Sahoo A, Sawada J, Marchica J, Sahoo S, Layng FIAL, Finlay D, Mazar J, Joshi P, Komatsu M, Vuori K, de Jong PR, Ray A, Perera RJ. MicroRNA-211 Modulates the DUSP6-ERK5 Signaling Axis to Promote BRAF V600E-Driven Melanoma Growth In Vivo and BRAF/MEK Inhibitor Resistance. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 141:385-394. [PMID: 32888955 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRs) are important posttranscriptional regulators of cell fate in both normal and disease states. miR-211 has previously been shown to be a direct regulator of metabolism in BRAFV600E-mutant melanoma cells in vitro. Here, we report that miR-211 expression promotes the aggressive growth of BRAFV600E-mutant melanoma xenografts in vivo. miR-211 promoted proliferation through the posttranscriptional activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 5 signaling, which has recently been implicated in the resistance to BRAF and MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitors. We therefore examined whether miR-211 similarly modulated melanoma resistance to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib and the MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor cobimetinib. Consistent with this model, miR-211 expression increased melanoma cell resistance to both the inhibitors, and this resistance was associated with an increased ERK5 phosphorylation. miR-211 mediates these effects by directly inhibiting the expression of DUSP6, an ERK5 pathway-specific phosphatase and now shown to be an miR-211 target gene. These results dissect the role of the miR-211-DUSP6-ERK5 axis in melanoma tumor growth and suggest a mechanism for the development of drug-resistant tumors and a target for overcoming resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bongyong Lee
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Anupama Sahoo
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Junko Sawada
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA; Department of Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
| | - John Marchica
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Sanjay Sahoo
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Fabiana I A L Layng
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Darren Finlay
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Joseph Mazar
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Piyush Joshi
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Masanobu Komatsu
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA; Department of Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
| | - Kristiina Vuori
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Petrus R de Jong
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Animesh Ray
- Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, USA; Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Ranjan J Perera
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA; Department of Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA.
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27
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Osrodek M, Rozanski M, Czyz M. Insulin Reduces the Efficacy of Vemurafenib and Trametinib in Melanoma Cells. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:7231-7250. [PMID: 32982400 PMCID: PMC7501594 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s263767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the progress made in the clinical management of metastatic melanoma, a patient's response to treatment cannot be fully predicted, and intrinsic or acquired resistance that is developed in most melanoma patients warrants further research efforts. In addition to genetic factors, microenvironmental input should be considered to explain the diversity of response to treatment among melanoma patients. In this study, we evaluated the impact of insulin on patient-derived BRAFV600E melanoma cells, either untreated or treated with vemurafenib or trametinib, inhibitors of BRAFV600 and MEK1/2, respectively. METHODS Cells were cultured in serum-free conditions, either with or without insulin. The activity of the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways was assessed by Western blotting, cell viability, and percentages of Ki-67- and NGFR-positive cells by flow cytometry. Transcript levels were analyzed using qRT-PCR, and γ-H2AX levels by immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. A luminescence-based assay was used to measure glutathione content. RESULTS While insulin did not influence the MAPK/ERK pathway activity, it had a strong influence on melanoma cells, in which this pathway was suppressed by either vemurafenib or trametinib. In the presence of insulin, both drugs were much less efficient in 1) inhibiting proliferation and reducing the percentage of Ki-67-positive cells, and 2) inducing apoptosis and phosphorylation of histone H2AX in melanoma cells. Changes induced by vemurafenib and trametinib in glutathione homeostasis and DNA repair gene expression were also attenuated by insulin. Moreover, insulin impaired the combined effects of targeted drugs and doxorubicin in melanoma cells. In addition to insulin-induced PI3K/AKT activity, which was either transient or sustainable depending on the cell line, an insulin-triggered increase in the percentage of cells expressing NGFR, a marker of neural crest stem-like cells, may contribute to the reduced drug efficacy. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate the role of insulin in reducing the efficacy of vemurafenib and trametinib. This needs clinical assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Osrodek
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Michal Rozanski
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodz, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Czyz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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28
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Consoli F, Barbieri G, Picciolini M, Medicina D, Bugatti M, Tovazzi V, Liserre B, Zambelli C, Zorzi F, Berruti A, Giurisato E, Vermi W. A Rare Complex BRAF Mutation Involving Codon V600 and K601 in Primary Cutaneous Melanoma: Case Report. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1056. [PMID: 32754440 PMCID: PMC7367153 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BRAF is one of the most common mutated kinases detected in human cancer, particularly in cases of primary cutaneous melanomas (PCM). Mutations of the BRAF proto-oncogene, at the p.V600 codon, has been detected in more than 50% of primary and metastatic melanoma cells in clinical samples. In addition to the most frequent BRAF p.V600E mutation, corresponding to the single base pair substitution c.1799T>A, rarer mutations, within and outside the V600 codon, have been described. Expectedly, BRAF and MEK inhibitors (or their combination) have been poorly explored as potential therapeutic strategies in metastatic melanomas harboring this rare mutation. By using a set of sequencing techniques and immunohistochemistry, this work reports the genomic and clinical features of two melanoma patients showing a rare complex mutation affecting codon V600 and K601 of the BRAF gene, leading to a V600E2; K601I change. Specifically, these two patients show a distinct clinical behavior and significantly differ in their responses to BRAF and MEK inhibitors. Indeed, although this treatment has proven to be effective and safe in both cases, the observed variability between the two patients resulted as a direct consequence of the baseline extent of brain involvement, intracranial treatment failure as well as on the PTEN status.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Daniela Medicina
- Unit of Anatomic Pathology, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mattia Bugatti
- Unit of Anatomic Pathology, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Valeria Tovazzi
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Barbara Liserre
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy
| | - Claudia Zambelli
- Unit of Anatomic Pathology, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Fausto Zorzi
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Emanuele Giurisato
- Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Department of Biotechnology Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - William Vermi
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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29
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Hua H, Kong Q, Yin J, Zhang J, Jiang Y. Insulin-like growth factor receptor signaling in tumorigenesis and drug resistance: a challenge for cancer therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:64. [PMID: 32493414 PMCID: PMC7268628 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00904-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) play important roles in mammalian growth, development, aging, and diseases. Aberrant IGFs signaling may lead to malignant transformation and tumor progression, thus providing the rationale for targeting IGF axis in cancer. However, clinical trials of the type I IGF receptor (IGF-IR)-targeted agents have been largely disappointing. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that the IGF axis not only promotes tumorigenesis, but also confers resistance to standard treatments. Furthermore, there are diverse pathways leading to the resistance to IGF-IR-targeted therapy. Recent studies characterizing the complex IGFs signaling in cancer have raised hope to refine the strategies for targeting the IGF axis. This review highlights the biological activities of IGF-IR signaling in cancer and the contribution of IGF-IR to cytotoxic, endocrine, and molecular targeted therapies resistance. Moreover, we update the diverse mechanisms underlying resistance to IGF-IR-targeted agents and discuss the strategies for future development of the IGF axis-targeted agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qingbin Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jie Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yangfu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Efficient Suppression of NRAS-Driven Melanoma by Co-Inhibition of ERK1/2 and ERK5 MAPK Pathways. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 140:2455-2465.e10. [PMID: 32376279 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.03.972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is a highly malignant tumor typically driven by somatic mutation in the oncogenes BRAF or NRAS, leading to uncontrolled activation of the MEK/ERK MAPK pathway. Despite the availability of immunotherapy, MAPK pathway‒targeting regimens are still a valuable treatment option for BRAF-mutant melanoma. Unfortunately, patients with NRAS mutation do not benefit from such therapies owing to the lack of targetable BRAF mutations and a high degree of intrinsic and acquired resistance toward MEK inhibition. Here, we demonstrate that concomitant inhibition of ERK5 removes this constraint and effectively sensitizes NRAS-mutant melanoma cells for MAPK pathway‒targeting therapy. Using approved MEK inhibitors or a pharmacologic ERK inhibitor, we demonstrate that MAPK inhibition triggers a delayed activation of ERK5 through a PDGFR inhibitor-sensitive pathway in NRAS-mutant melanoma cells, resulting in sustained proliferation and survival. ERK5 phosphorylation also occurred naturally in NRAS-mutant melanoma cells and correlated with nuclear localization of its stem cell-associated effector KLF2. Importantly, MEK/ERK5 co-inhibition prevented long-term growth of human NRAS-mutant melanoma cells in vitro and effectively repressed tumor progression in a xenotransplant mouse model. Our findings suggest MEK/ERK5 cotargeting as a potential treatment option for NRAS-mutant melanoma, which currently is not amenable for targeted therapies.
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Targeted Avenues for Cancer Treatment: The MEK5-ERK5 Signaling Pathway. Trends Mol Med 2020; 26:394-407. [PMID: 32277933 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Twenty years have passed since extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) and its upstream activator, mitogen-activated protein kinase 5 (MEK5), first emerged onto the cancer research scene. Although we have come a long way in defining the liaison between dysregulated MEK5-ERK5 signaling and the pathogenesis of epithelial and nonepithelial malignancies, selective targeting of this unique pathway remains elusive. Here, we provide an updated review of the existing evidence for a correlation between aberrant MEK5-ERK5 (phospho)proteomic/transcriptomic profiles, aggressive cancer states, and poor patient outcomes. We then focus on emerging insights from preclinical models regarding the relevance of upregulated ERK5 activity in promoting tumor growth, metastasis, therapy resistance, undifferentiated traits, and immunosuppression, highlighting the opportunities, prospects, and challenges of selectively blocking this cascade for antineoplastic treatment and chemosensitization.
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Broustas CG, Duval AJ, Chaudhary KR, Friedman RA, Virk RK, Lieberman HB. Targeting MEK5 impairs nonhomologous end-joining repair and sensitizes prostate cancer to DNA damaging agents. Oncogene 2020; 39:2467-2477. [PMID: 31980741 PMCID: PMC7085449 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1163-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat a variety of solid human tumors, including localized prostate cancer. However, treatment failure often ensues due to tumor intrinsic or acquired radioresistance. Here we find that the MEK5/ERK5 signaling pathway is associated with resistance to genotoxic stress in aggressive prostate cancer cells. MEK5 knockdown by RNA interference sensitizes prostate cancer cells to ionizing radiation (IR) and etoposide treatment, as assessed by clonogenic survival and short-term proliferation assays. Mechanistically, MEK5 downregulation impairs phosphorylation of the catalytic subunit of DNA-PK at serine 2056 in response to IR or etoposide treatment. Although MEK5 knockdown does not influence the initial appearance of radiation- and etoposide-induced γH2AX and 53BP1 foci, it markedly delays their resolution, indicating a DNA repair defect. A cell-based assay shows that non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is compromised in cells with ablated MEK5 protein expression. Finally, MEK5 silencing combined with focal irradiation causes strong inhibition of tumor growth in mouse xenografts, compared with MEK5 depletion or radiation alone. These findings reveal a convergence between MEK5 signaling and DNA repair by NHEJ in conferring resistance to genotoxic stress in advanced prostate cancer and suggest targeting MEK5 as an effective therapeutic intervention in the management of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos G Broustas
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Axel J Duval
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kunal R Chaudhary
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard A Friedman
- Biomedical Informatics Shared Resource, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Renu K Virk
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Howard B Lieberman
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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33
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Carpenter EL, Chagani S, Nelson D, Cassidy PB, Laws M, Ganguli-Indra G, Indra AK. Mitochondrial complex I inhibitor deguelin induces metabolic reprogramming and sensitizes vemurafenib-resistant BRAF V600E mutation bearing metastatic melanoma cells. Mol Carcinog 2019; 58:1680-1690. [PMID: 31211467 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Treatment with vemurafenib, a potent and selective inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling downstream of the BRAFV600E oncogene, elicits dramatic clinical responses in patients with metastatic melanoma. Unfortunately, the clinical utility of this drug is limited by a high incidence of drug resistance. Thus, there is an unmet need for alternative therapeutic strategies to treat vemurafenib-resistant metastatic melanomas. We have conducted high-throughput screening of two bioactive compound libraries (Siga and Spectrum libraries) against a metastatic melanoma cell line (A2058) and identified two structurally analogous compounds, deguelin and rotenone, from a cell viability assay. Vemurafenib-resistant melanoma cell lines, A2058R and A375R (containing the BRAFV600E mutation), also showed reduced proliferation when treated with these two compounds. Deguelin, a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, was noted to significantly inhibit oxygen consumption in cellular metabolism assays. Mechanistically, deguelin treatment rapidly activates AMPK signaling, which results in inhibition of mTORC1 signaling and differential phosphorylation of mTORC1's downstream effectors, 4E-BP1 and p70S6 kinase. Deguelin also significantly inhibited ERK activation and Ki67 expression without altering Akt activation in the same timeframe in the vemurafenib-resistant melanoma cells. These data posit that treatment with metabolic regulators, such as deguelin, can lead to energy starvation, thereby modulating the intracellular metabolic environment and reducing survival of drug-resistant melanomas harboring BRAF V600E mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan L Carpenter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.,Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Sharmeen Chagani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Dylan Nelson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Pamela B Cassidy
- Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Madeleine Laws
- Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Gitali Ganguli-Indra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Arup K Indra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.,Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, OSU, Corvallis, Oregon.,Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
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