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de Almeida LC, Carlos JAEG, Rezende-Teixeira P, Machado-Neto JA, Costa-Lotufo LV. AD80, a multikinase inhibitor, as a potential drug candidate for colorectal cancer therapy. Life Sci 2022; 308:120911. [PMID: 36030982 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a very heterogeneous disease. One of its hallmarks is the dysregulation of protein kinases, which leads to molecular events related to carcinogenesis. Hence, kinase inhibitors have been developed and are a new strategy with promising potential for CRC therapy. This study aims to explore AD80, a multikinase inhibitor, as a drug option for CRC, with evaluation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK (ERK1/2) status of CRC cells' panel and the cytotoxicity of AD80 in those cells, as well as in normal colon cells. MAIN METHODS Cellular and molecular mechanisms, such as clonogenicity, cell cycle, morphology, protein, and mRNA expression, were investigated in CRC cells after AD80 exposure. KEY FINDINGS Results show that PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways are upregulated in CRC cellular models, with increased phosphorylation of mTOR, P70S6K, S6RP, 4EBP1, and ERK1/2. Hence, AD80 selectively reduces cell viability of CRC cells. Therefore, the antitumor mechanisms of AD80, such as clonogenicity inhibition (reduction of colony number and size), G2/M arrest (increased G2/M population, and CDKN1B mRNA expression), DNA damage (increased H2AX and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and CDKN1A, GADD45A mRNA expression), apoptosis (increased PARP1 cleavage, and BAX, PMAIP1, BBC3 mRNA expression) and inhibition of S6RP phosphorylation were validated in CRC model. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings reinforce kinases as promising cancer therapeutic targets for the treatment of colorectal cancer, suggesting AD80 as a drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Costa de Almeida
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Paula Rezende-Teixeira
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Leticia Veras Costa-Lotufo
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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2
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Huang R, Dai Q, Yang R, Duan Y, Zhao Q, Haybaeck J, Yang Z. A Review: PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway and Its Regulated Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factors May Be a Potential Therapeutic Target in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:817916. [PMID: 35574327 PMCID: PMC9096244 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.817916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a malignant tumor developing from the esophageal squamous epithelium, and is the most common histological subtype of esophageal cancer (EC). EC ranks 10th in morbidity and sixth in mortality worldwide. The morbidity and mortality rates in China are both higher than the world average. Current treatments of ESCC are surgical treatment, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus surgical resection is recommended for advanced patients. However, it does not work in the significant promotion of overall survival (OS) after such therapy. Research on targeted therapy in ESCC mainly focus on EGFR and PD-1, but neither of the targeted drugs can significantly improve the 3-year and 5-year survival rates of disease. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is an important survival pathway in tumor cells, associated with its aggressive growth and malignant progression. Specifically, proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and so on. Related genetic alterations of this pathway have been investigated in ESCC, such as PI3K, AKT and mTOR-rpS6K. Therefore, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway seems to have the capability to serve as research hotspot in the future. Currently, various inhibitors are being tested in cells, animals, and clinical trials, which targeting at different parts of this pathway. In this work, we reviewed the research progress on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway how to influence biological behaviors in ESCC, and discussed the interaction between signals downstream of this pathway, especially eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs) and the development and progression of ESCC, to provide reference for the identification of new therapeutic targets in ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Huang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qiong Dai
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Ruixue Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yi Duan
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Johannes Haybaeck
- Institute of Pathology, Neuropathology and Molecular Pathology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Diagnostic & Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Zhihui Yang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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3
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Cui D, Qu R, Liu D, Xiong X, Liang T, Zhao Y. The Cross Talk Between p53 and mTOR Pathways in Response to Physiological and Genotoxic Stresses. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:775507. [PMID: 34869377 PMCID: PMC8638743 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.775507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor p53 is activated upon multiple cellular stresses, including DNA damage, oncogene activation, ribosomal stress, and hypoxia, to induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and senescence. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine protein kinase, serves as a central regulator of cell growth, proliferation, and survival by coordinating nutrients, energy, growth factors, and oxygen levels. p53 dysfunction and mTOR pathway hyperactivation are hallmarks of human cancer. The balance between response to stresses or commitment to cell proliferation and survival is governed by various regulatory loops between the p53 and mTOR pathways. In this review, we first briefly introduce the tumor suppressor p53 and then describe the upstream regulators and downstream effectors of the mTOR pathway. Next, we discuss the role of p53 in regulating the mTOR pathway through its transcriptional and non-transcriptional effects. We further describe the complicated role of the mTOR pathway in modulating p53 activity. Finally, we discuss the current knowledge and future perspectives on the coordinated regulation of the p53 and mTOR pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danrui Cui
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruirui Qu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dian Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiufang Xiong
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongchao Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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4
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Zhang J, Lv W, Liu Y, Fu W, Chen B, Ma Q, Gao X, Cui X. Nucleoporin 37 promotes the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer through activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2021; 57:987-997. [PMID: 34888748 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-021-00627-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is a kind of malignant tumor in the world. Emerging studies have proved the regulatory role of nucleoporin 37 in the development of several malignant tumors. However, the potential effect of NUP37 in gastric cancer is still unclear. In this study, we searched for the Cancer Genome Atlas analysis to explore the potential correlation between NUP37 and gastric cancer. Then, we analyzed NUP37 expression in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. After constructing a NUP37-silenced model in NCI-N87 cells and a NUP37-overexpressed model in MKN45 cells, we evaluated the role of NUP37 in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion as well as its underlying mechanism. TCGA analysis showed that NUP37 expression was highly expressed in stomach adenocarcinoma, which showed a lower survival rate than normal samples. Moreover, NUP37 was found to be highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. Functionally, NUP37 deficiency promoted gastric cancer cell apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas NUP37 overexpression exhibited the opposite results. Mechanically, upregulation of NUP37 activated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, the rescue assay exhibited that the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin significantly reversed the promoting effect of NUP37 in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In conclusion, our study identified that NUP37 promoted malignant behavior of gastric cancer cells including invasion, proliferation, and migration through activating the PI3K and its downregulated signaling pathway, indicating that NUP37 might become a novel prognostic target for further gastric cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jishui Zhang
- The Second Department of General Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, No. 16 Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou, 061001, Hebei, China.
| | - Wenhao Lv
- The Second Department of General Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, No. 16 Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou, 061001, Hebei, China
| | - Yagang Liu
- The Second Department of General Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, No. 16 Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou, 061001, Hebei, China
| | - Weihua Fu
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Baosheng Chen
- The Second Department of General Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, No. 16 Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou, 061001, Hebei, China
| | - Qiutong Ma
- The Second Department of General Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, No. 16 Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou, 061001, Hebei, China
| | - Xin Gao
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, 061001, Hebei, China
| | - Xiuxia Cui
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, 061001, Hebei, China
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5
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Cascone T, Sacks RL, Subbiah IM, Drobnitzky N, Piha-Paul SA, Hong DS, Hess KR, Amini B, Bhatt T, Fu S, Naing A, Janku F, Karp D, Falchook GS, Conley AP, Sherman SI, Meric-Bernstam F, Ryan AJ, Heymach JV, Subbiah V. Safety and activity of vandetanib in combination with everolimus in patients with advanced solid tumors: a phase I study. ESMO Open 2021; 6:100079. [PMID: 33721621 PMCID: PMC7973128 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Preclinical studies suggest that combining vandetanib (VAN), a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor of rearranged during transfection (RET) proto-oncogene, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), with everolimus (EV), a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, may improve antitumor activity. We determined the safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended phase II dose (RP2D), and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of VAN + EV in patients with advanced solid cancers and the effect of combination therapy on cancer cell proliferation and intracellular pathways. Patients and methods Patients with refractory solid tumors were enrolled in a phase I dose-escalation trial testing VAN (100-300 mg orally daily) + EV (2.5-10 mg orally daily). Objective responses were evaluated using RECIST v1.1. RET mutant cancer cell lines were used in cell-based studies. Results Among 80 patients enrolled, 72 (90%) patients were evaluable: 7 achieved partial response (PR) (10%) and 37 had stable disease (SD) (51%; duration range: 1-27 cycles). Clinical benefit (SD or PR ≥ 6 months) was observed in 26 evaluable patients [36%, 95% confidence intervals (CI) (25% to 49%)]. In 80 patients, median overall survival (OS) was 10.5 months [95% CI (8.5-16.1)] and median progression-free survival (PFS) 4.1 months [95% CI (3.4-7.3)]. Six patients (7.5%) experienced DLTs and 20 (25%) required dose modifications. VAN + EV was safe, with fatigue, rash, diarrhea, and mucositis being the most common toxicities. In cell-based studies, combination therapy was superior to monotherapy at inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and intracellular signaling. Conclusions The MTDs and RP2Ds of VAN + EV are 300 mg and 10 mg, respectively. VAN + EV combination is safe and active in refractory solid tumors. Further investigation is warranted in RET pathway aberrant tumors. VAN + EV is safe, active and provides clinical benefit in some patients with refractory solid cancers. Dual therapy is superior to monotherapy at inhibiting proliferation and intracellular signaling of RET mutant cancer cells. This study highlights the importance of identifying novel combination therapies to overcome therapeutic resistance. Next-generation sequencing of advanced solid tumors may inform treatment strategies and guide future drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Cascone
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
| | - R L Sacks
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - I M Subbiah
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - N Drobnitzky
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - S A Piha-Paul
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Clinical Trials Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - D S Hong
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Clinical Trials Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - K R Hess
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - B Amini
- Department of Musculoskeletal Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - T Bhatt
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Clinical Trials Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - S Fu
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Clinical Trials Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - A Naing
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Clinical Trials Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - F Janku
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Clinical Trials Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - D Karp
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Clinical Trials Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - G S Falchook
- Sarah Cannon Research Institute at HealthONE, Denver, USA
| | - A P Conley
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - S I Sherman
- Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - F Meric-Bernstam
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Clinical Trials Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - A J Ryan
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - J V Heymach
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - V Subbiah
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (Phase I Clinical Trials Program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
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6
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved small RNA molecules that have selective gene-regulatory functions. This posttranscriptional regulation by miRNAs is critical for many immunological processes. Many developments in establishing the biological role of miRNAs in solid organ transplantation have been generated in the last decade. Discoveries of immune regulation by miRNAs, resulting in graft prolongation and transplant tolerance, are rapidly advancing and are the subject of this review. RECENT FINDINGS Many elegant experimental studies have revealed intriguing associations between transplant tolerance and specific miRNA profiles. These findings have provided insight into the miRNAs critical for sustaining immune suppression, and have revealed common miRNA pathways that should be further investigated and/or targeted therapeutically. Further reports have strategized and corroborated different methods of manipulating miRNA expression for prolonging allograft survival, yielding promising preclinical evidence of the efficacy of miRNA-based therapies. SUMMARY The review covers these recent developments in miRNA research that can revolutionize how we implement diagnostics and prognostics and how we can strategize transplantation therapies.
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7
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Wu CE, Chen MH, Yeh CN. mTOR Inhibitors in Advanced Biliary Tract Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E500. [PMID: 30682771 PMCID: PMC6386826 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with advanced biliary tract cancers (BTCs), including cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), have poor prognosis so novel treatment is warranted for advanced BTC. In current review, we discuss the limitations of current treatment in BTC, the importance of mTOR signalling in BTC, and the possible role of mTOR inhibitors as a future treatment in BTC. Chemotherapy with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy is still the standard of care and no targeted therapy has been established in advanced BTC. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway linking to several other pathways and networks regulates cancer proliferation and progression. Emerging evidences reveal mTOR activation is associated with tumorigenesis and drug-resistance in BTC. Rapalogs, such as sirolimus and everolimus, partially inhibit mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and exhibit anti-cancer activity in vitro and in vivo in BTC. Rapalogs in clinical trials demonstrate some activity in patients with advanced BTC. New-generation mTOR inhibitors against ATP-binding pocket inhibit both TORC1 and TORC2 and demonstrate more potent anti-tumor effects in vitro and in vivo, however, prospective clinical trials are warranted to prove its efficacy in patients with advanced BTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-En Wu
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou branch, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Huang Chen
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
- Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
| | - Chun-Nan Yeh
- Department of General Surgery and Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou branch, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
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8
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Benke S, Agerer B, Haas L, Stöger M, Lercher A, Gabler L, Kiss I, Scinicariello S, Berger W, Bergthaler A, Obenauf AC, Versteeg GA. Human tripartite motif protein 52 is required for cell context-dependent proliferation. Oncotarget 2018; 9:13565-13581. [PMID: 29568378 PMCID: PMC5862599 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tripartite motif (TRIM) proteins have been shown to play important roles in cancer development and progression by modulating cell proliferation or resistance from cell death during non-homeostatic stress conditions found in tumor micro-environments. In this study, we set out to investigate the importance for cellular fitness of the virtually uncharacterized family member TRIM52. The human TRIM52 gene has arisen recently in evolution, making it unlikely that TRIM52 is required for basic cellular functions in normal cells. However, a recent genome-wide ablation screening study has suggested that TRIM52 may be essential for optimal proliferation or survival in certain genetic cancer backgrounds. Identifying genes which fit this concept of genetic context-dependent fitness in cancer cells is of interest as they are promising targets for tumor-specific therapy. We report here that TRIM52 ablation significantly diminished the proliferation of specific glioblastoma cell lines in cell culture and mouse xenografts by compromising their cell cycle progression in a p53-dependent manner. Together, our findings point to a non-redundant TRIM52 function that is required for optimal proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Benke
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology, and Genetics, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Benedikt Agerer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology, and Genetics, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Lisa Haas
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Martin Stöger
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology, and Genetics, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Alexander Lercher
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Lisa Gabler
- Institute of Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna A-1090, Austria
| | - Izabella Kiss
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology, and Genetics, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Sara Scinicariello
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology, and Genetics, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Walter Berger
- Institute of Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna A-1090, Austria
| | - Andreas Bergthaler
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Anna C Obenauf
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
| | - Gijs A Versteeg
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology, and Genetics, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna 1030, Austria
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9
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Zhu M, Guo J, Li W, Lu Y, Fu S, Xie X, Xia H, Dong X, Chen Y, Quan M, Zheng S, Xie K, Li M. Hepatitis B virus X protein induces expression of alpha-fetoprotein and activates PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway in liver cells. Oncotarget 2016; 6:12196-208. [PMID: 25682869 PMCID: PMC4494932 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV)-X protein (HBx) induces malignant transformation of liver cells, and elevated expression of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a significant biomarker of hepatocarcinogenesis. However, the role of AFP in HBV-related hepatocarcinogenesis is unclear. In this study, we investigated the regulatory impact of AFP expression on HBx-mediated malignant transformation of human hepatocytes. We found that HBV induced the expression of AFP before that of oncogenes, e.g., Src, Ras and chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4), and AFP activated protein kinase B (AKT) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in HBV-related HCC tissues and in human liver cells transfected with HBx. Cytoplasmic AFP interacted with and inhibited phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), activating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway and promoting mTOR-mediated stimulation of the transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and therefore led to the activation of the promoters of Src, CXCR4, and Ras genes. On the contrary, reduced expression of AFP by siRNA resulted in the repression of p-mTOR, pAKT, Src, CXCR4, and Ras in human malignant liver cells. Taken together, for the first time our study indicates that HBx-induced AFP expression critically promote malignant transformation in liver cells through the activation of PI3K/mTOR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyue Zhu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China
| | - Junli Guo
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China
| | - Yan Lu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China
| | - Shigan Fu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China
| | - Xieju Xie
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China
| | - Hua Xia
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China
| | - Xu Dong
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China
| | - Yi Chen
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China
| | - Ming Quan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shaojiang Zheng
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China.,Tumor Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 570102, P. R. China
| | - Keping Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mengsen Li
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P. R. China
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Popescu AM, Purcaru SO, Alexandru O, Dricu A. New perspectives in glioblastoma antiangiogenic therapy. Contemp Oncol (Pozn) 2015; 20:109-18. [PMID: 27358588 PMCID: PMC4925727 DOI: 10.5114/wo.2015.56122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) is highly vascularised tumour, known to exhibit enhanced infiltrative potential. One of the characteristics of glioblastoma is microvascular proliferation surrounding necrotic areas, as a response to a hypoxic environment, which in turn increases the expression of angiogenic factors and their signalling pathways (RAS/RAF/ERK/MAPK pathway, PI3K/Akt signalling pathway and WTN signalling cascade). Currently, a small number of anti-angiogenic drugs, extending glioblastoma patients survival, are available for clinical use. Most medications are ineffective in clinical therapy of glioblastoma due to acquired malignant cells or intrinsic resistance, angiogenic receptors cross-activation and redundant intracellular signalling, or the inability of the drug to cross the blood-brain barrier and to reach its target in vivo. Researchers have also observed that GB tumours are different in many aspects, even when they derive from the same tissue, which is the reason for personalised therapy. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating glioblastoma angiogenesis and invasion may be important in the future development of curative therapeutic approaches for the treatment of this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefana Oana Purcaru
- Unit of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
| | - Oana Alexandru
- Department of Neurology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova and Clinical Hospital of Neuropsychiatry Craiova, Craiova, Romania
| | - Anica Dricu
- Unit of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
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Simpson DR, Mell LK, Cohen EEW. Targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Oral Oncol 2014; 51:291-8. [PMID: 25532816 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2014.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Revised: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in novel therapies, the prognosis for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) remains poor. Progress in understanding the biology of cancer has led to the development of personalized therapy targeted at blocking defective signaling pathways of cancer cells. These drugs aim to act selectively to reduce the adverse effects associated with systemic therapy. Cetuximab (Erbitux®), an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR)-targeted agent, is the only approved targeted therapy for patients with SCCHN. However, resistance to EGFR therapy remains a major obstacle to achieving a positive clinical outcome with cetuximab. Other therapies that offer better clinical outcomes in patients with advanced SCCHN are urgently needed. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, which is downstream of EGFR, has also been implicated in SCCHN development and progression, and therefore, targeting this pathway offers another rational treatment approach. This review discusses the potential role of PI3K pathway inhibitors in the treatment of patients with advanced SCCHN, both alone and in combination with other therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Simpson
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Loren K Mell
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Ezra E W Cohen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
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