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Gauss C, Stone LD, Ghafouri M, Quan D, Johnson J, Fribley AM, Amm HM. Overcoming Resistance to Standard-of-Care Therapies for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Cells 2024; 13:1018. [PMID: 38920648 PMCID: PMC11201455 DOI: 10.3390/cells13121018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Although there have been some advances during in recent decades, the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains challenging. Resistance is a major issue for various treatments that are used, including both the conventional standards of care (radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy) and the newer EGFR and checkpoint inhibitors. In fact, all the non-surgical treatments currently used for HNSCC are associated with intrinsic and/or acquired resistance. Herein, we explore the cellular mechanisms of resistance reported in HNSCC, including those related to epigenetic factors, DNA repair defects, and several signaling pathways. This article discusses these mechanisms and possible approaches that can be used to target different pathways to sensitize HNSCC to the existing treatments, obtain better responses to new agents, and ultimately improve the patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chester Gauss
- Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; (C.G.); (M.G.)
| | - Logan D. Stone
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Mehrnoosh Ghafouri
- Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; (C.G.); (M.G.)
| | - Daniel Quan
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; (D.Q.)
| | - Jared Johnson
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; (D.Q.)
| | - Andrew M. Fribley
- Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; (C.G.); (M.G.)
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; (D.Q.)
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Hope M. Amm
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
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2
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Panwar V, Singh A, Bhatt M, Tonk RK, Azizov S, Raza AS, Sengupta S, Kumar D, Garg M. Multifaceted role of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathway in human health and disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:375. [PMID: 37779156 PMCID: PMC10543444 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01608-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that controls cellular metabolism, catabolism, immune responses, autophagy, survival, proliferation, and migration, to maintain cellular homeostasis. The mTOR signaling cascade consists of two distinct multi-subunit complexes named mTOR complex 1/2 (mTORC1/2). mTOR catalyzes the phosphorylation of several critical proteins like AKT, protein kinase C, insulin growth factor receptor (IGF-1R), 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K), transcription factor EB (TFEB), sterol-responsive element-binding proteins (SREBPs), Lipin-1, and Unc-51-like autophagy-activating kinases. mTOR signaling plays a central role in regulating translation, lipid synthesis, nucleotide synthesis, biogenesis of lysosomes, nutrient sensing, and growth factor signaling. The emerging pieces of evidence have revealed that the constitutive activation of the mTOR pathway due to mutations/amplification/deletion in either mTOR and its complexes (mTORC1 and mTORC2) or upstream targets is responsible for aging, neurological diseases, and human malignancies. Here, we provide the detailed structure of mTOR, its complexes, and the comprehensive role of upstream regulators, as well as downstream effectors of mTOR signaling cascades in the metabolism, biogenesis of biomolecules, immune responses, and autophagy. Additionally, we summarize the potential of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as an important modulator of mTOR signaling. Importantly, we have highlighted the potential of mTOR signaling in aging, neurological disorders, human cancers, cancer stem cells, and drug resistance. Here, we discuss the developments for the therapeutic targeting of mTOR signaling with improved anticancer efficacy for the benefit of cancer patients in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Panwar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173229, India
| | - Aishwarya Singh
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201313, India
| | - Manini Bhatt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar, Punjab, 140001, India
| | - Rajiv K Tonk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU), New Delhi, 110017, India
| | - Shavkatjon Azizov
- Laboratory of Biological Active Macromolecular Systems, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Academy of Sciences Uzbekistan, Tashkent, 100125, Uzbekistan
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Technical University, 100084, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Agha Saquib Raza
- Rajive Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Tahirpur, New Delhi, 110093, India
| | - Shinjinee Sengupta
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201313, India.
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173229, India.
| | - Manoj Garg
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201313, India.
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Affolter A, Liebel K, Tengler L, Seiz E, Tiedtke M, Azhakesan A, Schütz J, Theodoraki MN, Kern J, Ruder AM, Fleckenstein J, Weis CA, Bieback K, Kramer B, Lammert A, Scherl C, Rotter N, Ludwig S. Modulation of PD‑L1 expression by standard therapy in head and neck cancer cell lines and exosomes. Int J Oncol 2023; 63:102. [PMID: 37503786 PMCID: PMC10552694 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2023.5550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Although checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) have recently extended the treatment options and improved clinical response of advanced stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), treatment success remains unpredictable. Programmed cell death ligand‑1 (PD‑L1) is a key player in immunotherapy. Tumor cells, and exosomes derived therefrom, are carriers of PD‑L1 and efficiently suppress immune responses. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of established therapies on PD‑L1 expression of HNSCC cell lines and their exosomes. The HNSCC cell lines, UM‑SCC‑11B, UM‑SCC‑14C and UM‑SCC‑22C were treated with fractionated radiotherapy (RT; 5x2 Gy), cisplatin (CT) and cetuximab (Cetux) as monotherapy, or combined therapy, chemoradiotherapy (CRT; RT and CT) or radioimmunotherapy (RT and Cetux). The expression of PD‑L1 and phosphorylated (p)ERK1/2 as a mediator of radioresistance were assessed using western blotting, immunohistochemistry and an ex vivo vital tissue culture model. Additionally, exosomes were isolated from concentrated supernatants of the (un‑)treated HNSCC cell lines by size exclusion chromatography. Exosomal protein expression levels of PD‑L1 were detected using western blotting and semi‑quantitative levels were calculated. The functional impact of exosomes from the (un‑)treated HNSCC cell lines on the proliferation (MTS assay) and apoptosis (Caspase 3/7 assay) of the untreated HNSCC cell lines were measured and compared. The HNSCC cell lines UM‑SCC‑11B and UM‑SCC‑22B showed strong expression of pERK1/2 and PD‑L1, respectively. RT upregulated the PD‑L1 expression in UM‑SCC‑11B and UM‑SCC‑14C and in exosomes from all three cell lines. CT alone induced PD‑L1 expression in all cell lines. CRT induced the expression of PD‑L1 in all HNSCC cell lines and exosomes from UM‑SCC‑14C and UM‑SCC‑22B. The data indicated a potential co‑regulation of PD‑L1 and activated ERK1/2, most evident in UM‑SCC‑14C. Exosomes from irradiated UM‑SCC‑14C cells protected the unirradiated cells from apoptosis by Caspase 3/7 downregulation. The present study suggested a tumor cell‑mediated regulation of PD‑L1 upon platinum‑based CRT in HNSCC and in exosomes. A co‑regulation of PD‑L1 and MAPK signaling response was hypothesized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Affolter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
| | - Kai Liebel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
| | - Luisa Tengler
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
| | - Elena Seiz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
| | - Moritz Tiedtke
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
| | - Alexya Azhakesan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
| | - Julia Schütz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
| | - Marie-Nicole Theodoraki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Ulm, D-89075 Ulm
| | - Johann Kern
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
| | - Arne M. Ruder
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg
| | - Jens Fleckenstein
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
| | - Cleo-Aron Weis
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, Mannheim
- Department of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital
| | - Karen Bieback
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, German Red Cross Blood Donor Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Benedikt Kramer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
| | - Anne Lammert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
| | - Claudia Scherl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
| | - Nicole Rotter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
| | - Sonja Ludwig
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim
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Ji J, Ding Y, Kong Y, Fang M, Yu X, Lai X, Gu Q. Triple‑negative breast cancer cells that survive ionizing radiation exhibit an Axl‑dependent aggressive radioresistant phenotype. Exp Ther Med 2023; 26:448. [PMID: 37614420 PMCID: PMC10443063 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2023.12147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the aggressive behavior of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells that had survived ionizing radiation and explore the potential targets of TNBC combination treatment. Consistent with the previous literature, Axl was highly expressed in TNBC and closely associated with the degree of malignancy based on immunohistochemical staining. Using a gradient irradiation method, the ionizing radiation-resistant mouse TNBC cell line 4T-1/IRR was established. It was found that Axl expression was upregulated in 4T-1/IRR cells. After irradiation by X-ray, the cell viability and colony formation ability of 4T-1/IRR cells were significantly increased when compared with the 4T-1 cells. Combined radiotherapy with Axl inhibition by treatment with R428 and small interfering RNA lentivirus targeting Axl infection significantly reduced cell viability, colony formation ability, DNA double-stranded break repair, and the invasive and migratory ability of 4T-1/IRR cells. In vivo, the small animal radiation research platform was applied to precisely administer radiotherapy of the tumor-bearing mice. R428 treatment combined with 6 Gy X-ray significantly inhibited the growth of 4T-1/IRR cells-derived xenograft tumors in the BALB/c mouse. The results of western blotting showed that the critical molecular mechanism involved in the radioresistance of TNBC cells was the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway induced by Axl activation. Thus, it is hypothesized that targeted Axl therapy combined with radiotherapy may have significant potential for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Ji
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, P.R. China
| | - Yuqin Ding
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, P.R. China
| | - Yue Kong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, P.R. China
| | - Min Fang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofu Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojing Lai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, P.R. China
| | - Qing Gu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, P.R. China
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5
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Silva JPN, Pinto B, Monteiro L, Silva PMA, Bousbaa H. Combination Therapy as a Promising Way to Fight Oral Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1653. [PMID: 37376101 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral cancer is a highly aggressive tumor with invasive properties that can lead to metastasis and high mortality rates. Conventional treatment strategies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, alone or in combination, are associated with significant side effects. Currently, combination therapy has become the standard practice for the treatment of locally advanced oral cancer, emerging as an effective approach in improving outcomes. In this review, we present an in-depth analysis of the current advancements in combination therapies for oral cancer. The review explores the current therapeutic options and highlights the limitations of monotherapy approaches. It then focuses on combinatorial approaches that target microtubules, as well as various signaling pathway components implicated in oral cancer progression, namely, DNA repair players, the epidermal growth factor receptor, cyclin-dependent kinases, epigenetic readers, and immune checkpoint proteins. The review discusses the rationale behind combining different agents and examines the preclinical and clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of these combinations, emphasizing their ability to enhance treatment response and overcome drug resistance. Challenges and limitations associated with combination therapy are discussed, including potential toxicity and the need for personalized treatment approaches. A future perspective is also provided to highlight the existing challenges and possible resolutions toward the clinical translation of current oral cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- João P N Silva
- UNIPRO-Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Pinto
- UNIPRO-Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Luís Monteiro
- UNIPRO-Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Patrícia M A Silva
- UNIPRO-Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
- TOXRUN-Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Hassan Bousbaa
- UNIPRO-Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
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Morgan EL, Toni T, Viswanathan R, Robbins Y, Yang X, Cheng H, Gunti S, Huynh A, Sowers AL, Mitchell JB, Allen CT, Chen Z, Van Waes C. Inhibition of USP14 promotes TNFα-induced cell death in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:1382-1396. [PMID: 37055579 PMCID: PMC10154301 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01144-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
TNFα is a key mediator of immune, chemotherapy and radiotherapy-induced cytotoxicity, but several cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), display resistance to TNFα due to activation of the canonical NFκB pro-survival pathway. However, direct targeting of this pathway is associated with significant toxicity; thus, it is vital to identify novel mechanism(s) contributing to NFκB activation and TNFα resistance in cancer cells. Here, we demonstrate that the expression of proteasome-associated deubiquitinase USP14 is significantly increased in HNSCC and correlates with worse progression free survival in Human Papillomavirus (HPV)- HNSCC. Inhibition or depletion of USP14 inhibited the proliferation and survival of HNSCC cells. Further, USP14 inhibition reduced both basal and TNFα-inducible NFκB activity, NFκB-dependent gene expression and the nuclear translocation of the NFκB subunit RELA. Mechanistically, USP14 bound to both RELA and IκBα and reduced IκBα K48-ubiquitination leading to the degradation of IκBα, a critical inhibitor of the canonical NFκB pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrated that b-AP15, an inhibitor of USP14 and UCHL5, sensitized HNSCC cells to TNFα-mediated cell death, as well as radiation-induced cell death in vitro. Finally, b-AP15 delayed tumor growth and enhanced survival, both as a monotherapy and in combination with radiation, in HNSCC tumor xenograft models in vivo, which could be significantly attenuated by TNFα depletion. These data offer new insights into the activation of NFκB signaling in HNSCC and demonstrate that small molecule inhibitors targeting the ubiquitin pathway warrant further investigation as a novel therapeutic avenue to sensitize these cancers to TNFα- and radiation-induced cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan L Morgan
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK.
| | - Tiffany Toni
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- NIH Medical Research Scholars Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ramya Viswanathan
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yvette Robbins
- Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xinping Yang
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hui Cheng
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sreenivasulu Gunti
- Sinonasal and Skull Base Tumor Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Angel Huynh
- Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anastasia L Sowers
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James B Mitchell
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Clint T Allen
- Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zhong Chen
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carter Van Waes
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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7
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Alves LB, Moura AC, Amorim Dos Santos J, Borges GA, Guerra ENS. Pharmacological PI3K inhibition in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review. Toxicol In Vitro 2023; 88:105558. [PMID: 36681288 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2023.105558] [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: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This systematic review aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Considering the role of PI3K and its downstream effectors in cell proliferation, invasion, and survival, it is reasonable to expect that treatment with PI3K inhibitors could control HNSCC onset and progression. Thus, the research question for our review was whether pharmacological inhibition of PI3K affects HNSCC progression. METHODS In vitro and in vivo studies were selected from six databases. We collected data regarding cell viability, apoptosis, and the regulation of protein expression levels from in vitro studies. For the in vivo studies, we analyzed the reduction in tumor size or gene and protein expression. RESULTS The included studies showed reduced cell proliferation and apoptosis after treatment with PI3K inhibitors. PI3K inhibitors in combination with other drugs had an enhanced anticancer effects compared to those of single-drug treatments. CONCLUSIONS The results support the potential of PI3K inhibitors as candidates for clinical trials in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- L B Alves
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - A C Moura
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - J Amorim Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - G A Borges
- Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
| | - E N S Guerra
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.
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8
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Li Q, Tie Y, Alu A, Ma X, Shi H. Targeted therapy for head and neck cancer: signaling pathways and clinical studies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:31. [PMID: 36646686 PMCID: PMC9842704 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01297-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is malignant, genetically complex and difficult to treat and is the sixth most frequent cancer, with tobacco, alcohol and human papillomavirus being major risk factors. Based on epigenetic data, HNC is remarkably heterogeneous, and treatment remains challenging. There is a lack of significant improvement in survival and quality of life in patients with HNC. Over half of HNC patients experience locoregional recurrence or distal metastasis despite the current multiple traditional therapeutic strategies and immunotherapy. In addition, resistance to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and some targeted therapies is common. Therefore, it is urgent to explore more effective and tolerable targeted therapies to improve the clinical outcomes of HNC patients. Recent targeted therapy studies have focused on identifying promising biomarkers and developing more effective targeted therapies. A well understanding of the pathogenesis of HNC contributes to learning more about its inner association, which provides novel insight into the development of small molecule inhibitors. In this review, we summarized the vital signaling pathways and discussed the current potential therapeutic targets against critical molecules in HNC, as well as presenting preclinical animal models and ongoing or completed clinical studies about targeted therapy, which may contribute to a more favorable prognosis of HNC. Targeted therapy in combination with other therapies and its limitations were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfang Li
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Tie
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Aqu Alu
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelei Ma
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Huashan Shi
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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9
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Weng J, Zhang Y, Liang W, Xie Y, Wang K, Xu Q, Ding Y, Li Y. Downregulation of CEMIP enhances radiosensitivity by promoting DNA damage and apoptosis in colorectal cancer. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 40:73. [PMID: 36607478 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01940-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading malignancy worldwide in both new cases and deaths. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy is the standard preoperative regimens for locally advanced patients. However, approximately 50% of patients develop recurrence and metastasis after radiotherapy, which is largely due to the radiation resistance properties of the tumor, and the internal mechanism has not been elucidated. Here we found that CEMIP expression is up-regulated in a variety of tumor types, particularly in CRC. Public databases and clinical samples revealed that CEMIP expression is significantly higher in tumor tissues than in adjacent normal tissues in patients with locally advanced CRC who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and it is closely related to the poor prognosis. Functional characterization uncovered that downregulation of CEMIP expression can enhance the radiosensitivity of CRC cells, which is confirmed to be achieved by promoting DNA damage and apoptosis. In vivo studies further verified that CEMIP knockdown can significantly improve the radiosensitivity of subcutaneously implanted colorectal tumors in mice, suggesting that CEMIP may be a radiation-resistant gene in CRC. Mechanistically, EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is hypothesized to play a key role in CEMIP mediating radiation resistance. These results provide a potential new strategy targeting CEMIP gene for the comprehensive treatment of locally advanced CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Weng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.,The First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yuqin Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Weijie Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yuwen Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qian Xu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yi Ding
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Yiyi Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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10
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Qiao L, Chen Y, Liang N, Xie J, Deng G, Chen F, Wang X, Liu F, Li Y, Zhang J. Targeting Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Radioresistance: Crosslinked Mechanisms and Strategies. Front Oncol 2022; 12:775238. [PMID: 35251963 PMCID: PMC8888452 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.775238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy exerts a crucial role in curing cancer, however, its treatment efficiency is mostly limited due to the presence of radioresistance. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process that endows the cancer cells with invasive and metastatic properties, as well as radioresistance. Many potential mechanisms of EMT-related radioresistance being reported have broaden our cognition, and hint us the importance of an overall understanding of the relationship between EMT and radioresistance. This review focuses on the recent progresses involved in EMT-related mechanisms in regulating radioresistance, irradiation-mediated EMT program, and the intervention strategies to increase tumor radiosensitivity, in order to improve radiotherapy efficiency and clinical outcomes of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Qiao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Province Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Jinan, China.,Department of Oncology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yanfei Chen
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Province Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Jinan, China.,Department of Oncology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Ning Liang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Province Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Jinan, China.,Department of Oncology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jian Xie
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Province Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Jinan, China.,Department of Oncology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Guodong Deng
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Province Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Jinan, China.,Department of Oncology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Fangjie Chen
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Province Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Jinan, China.,Department of Oncology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaojuan Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Province Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Jinan, China.,Department of Oncology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Fengjun Liu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Province Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Jinan, China.,Department of Oncology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yupeng Li
- Department of Oncology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiandong Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Province Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Lung Cancer Institute, Jinan, China.,Department of Oncology, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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11
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Kumar M, Molkentine D, Molkentine J, Bridges K, Xie T, Yang L, Hefner A, Gao M, Bahri R, Dhawan A, Frederick MJ, Seth S, Abdelhakiem M, Beadle BM, Johnson F, Wang J, Shen L, Heffernan T, Sheth A, Ferris RL, Myers JN, Pickering CR, Skinner HD. Inhibition of histone acetyltransferase function radiosensitizes CREBBP/EP300 mutants via repression of homologous recombination, potentially targeting a gain of function. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6340. [PMID: 34732714 PMCID: PMC8566594 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26570-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite radiation forming the curative backbone of over 50% of malignancies, there are no genomically-driven radiosensitizers for clinical use. Herein we perform in vivo shRNA screening to identify targets generally associated with radiation response as well as those exhibiting a genomic dependency. This identifies the histone acetyltransferases CREBBP/EP300 as a target for radiosensitization in combination with radiation in cognate mutant tumors. Further in vitro and in vivo studies confirm this phenomenon to be due to repression of homologous recombination following DNA damage and reproducible using chemical inhibition of histone acetyltransferase (HAT), but not bromodomain function. Selected mutations in CREBBP lead to a hyperacetylated state that increases CBP and BRCA1 acetylation, representing a gain of function targeted by HAT inhibition. Additionally, mutations in CREBBP/EP300 are associated with recurrence following radiation in squamous cell carcinoma cohorts. These findings provide both a mechanism of resistance and the potential for genomically-driven treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - David Molkentine
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jessica Molkentine
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kathleen Bridges
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tongxin Xie
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Liangpeng Yang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew Hefner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Meng Gao
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Reshub Bahri
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Annika Dhawan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mitchell J Frederick
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sahil Seth
- TRACTION Platform, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mohamed Abdelhakiem
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Beth M Beadle
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Faye Johnson
- Department of Thoracic and Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Timothy Heffernan
- TRACTION Platform, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Aakash Sheth
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Robert L Ferris
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey N Myers
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Curtis R Pickering
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Heath D Skinner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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12
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PKI-587 enhances radiosensitization of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways and DNA damage repair. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258817. [PMID: 34665844 PMCID: PMC8525768 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation is an important therapeutic strategy for hepatocellular (HCC). In this study, we evaluated the role of the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, PKI-587, on radiosensitization of HCC and its possible mechanism. MTT, colony formation, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence were used to analyze the proliferation, cell cycle, formation of residual γ-H2AX foci, and apoptosis of HCC cells. A SK-Hep1 xenograft HCC model was used to assess the effects of PKI-587 in combination with ionizing radiation in vivo. The activation levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and DNA damage repair pathways and their downstream effector molecules were detected with Western blot. It was found that PKI-587 sensitized HCC cells to radiation by increasing DNA damage, enhancing G0/G1 cell-cycle arrest, and inducing apoptosis. In vivo, the combination of radiation with PKI-587 significantly inhibited tumor growth. These findings suggest the usefulness of PKI-587 on radiosensitization of HCC cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and DNA damage repair pathways. The combination of ionizing radiation and PKI-587 may be a strategy to improve the efficacy of treating HCC.
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13
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Mardanshahi A, Gharibkandi NA, Vaseghi S, Abedi SM, Molavipordanjani S. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway inhibitors enhance radiosensitivity in cancer cell lines. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:1-14. [PMID: 34357550 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06607-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Radiotherapy is one of the most common types of cancer treatment modalities. Radiation can affect both cancer and normal tissues, which limits the whole delivered dose. It is well documented that radiation activates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and AKT signaling pathway; hence, the inhibition of this pathway enhances the radiosensitivity of tumor cells. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a regulator that is involved in autophagy, cell growth, proliferation, and survival. CONCLUSION The inhibition of mTOR as a downstream mediator of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway represents a vital option for more effective cancer treatments. The combination of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors with radiation can increase the radiosensitivity of malignant cells to radiation by autophagy activation. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the impact of such inhibitors on the cell response to radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Mardanshahi
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nasrin Abbasi Gharibkandi
- Department of Radiopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Samaneh Vaseghi
- Department of Chemistry, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Abedi
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Sajjad Molavipordanjani
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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14
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Naz S, Leiker AJ, Choudhuri R, Preston O, Sowers AL, Gohain S, Gamson J, Mathias A, Van Waes C, Cook JA, Mitchell JB. Pharmacological Inhibition of HSP90 Radiosensitizes Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Xenograft by Inhibition of DNA Damage Repair, Nucleotide Metabolism, and Radiation-Induced Tumor Vasculogenesis. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021; 110:1295-1305. [PMID: 33838214 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Recent preclinical studies suggest combining the HSP90 inhibitor AT13387 (Onalespib) with radiation (IR) against colon cancer and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). These studies emphasized that AT13387 downregulates HSP90 client proteins involved in oncogenic signaling and DNA repair mechanisms as major drivers of enhanced radiosensitivity. Given the large array of client proteins HSP90 directs, we hypothesized that other key proteins or signaling pathways may be inhibited by AT13387 and contribute to enhanced radiosensitivity. Metabolomic analysis of HSP90 inhibition by AT13387 was conducted to identify metabolic biomarkers of radiosensitization and whether modulations of key proteins were involved in IR-induced tumor vasculogenesis, a process involved in tumor recurrence. METHODS AND MATERIALS HNSCC and non-small cell lung cancer cell lines were used to evaluate the AT13387 radiosensitization effect in vitro and in vivo. Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunoblot analysis were used to evaluate cell cycle changes and HSP90 client protein's role in DNA damage repair. Metabolic analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-Mass spectrometry. Immunohistochemical examination of resected tumors post-AT13387 and IR treatment were conducted to identify biomarkers of IR-induced tumor vasculogenesis. RESULTS In agreement with recent studies, AT13387 treatment combined with IR resulted in a G2/M cell cycle arrest and inhibited DNA repair. Metabolomic profiling indicated a decrease in key metabolites in glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle by AT13387, a reduction in Adenosine 5'-triphosphate levels, and rate-limiting metabolites in nucleotide metabolism, namely phosphoribosyl diphosphate and aspartate. HNSCC xenografts treated with the combination exhibited increased tumor regrowth delay, decreased tumor infiltration of CD45 and CD11b+ bone marrow-derived cells, and inhibition of HIF-1 and SDF-1 expression, thereby inhibiting IR-induced vasculogenesis. CONCLUSIONS AT13387 treatment resulted in pharmacologic inhibition of cancer cell metabolism that was linked to DNA damage repair. AT13387 combined with IR inhibited IR-induced vasculogenesis, a process involved in tumor recurrence postradiotherapy. Combining AT13387 with IR warrants consideration of clinical trial assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarwat Naz
- Radiation Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Andrew J Leiker
- Radiation Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Missouri Cancer Associates, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Rajani Choudhuri
- Radiation Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Olivia Preston
- Radiation Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Anastasia L Sowers
- Radiation Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Sangeeta Gohain
- Radiation Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Janet Gamson
- Radiation Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Askale Mathias
- Radiation Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Carter Van Waes
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - John A Cook
- Radiation Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - James B Mitchell
- Radiation Biology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
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15
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Inhibition of PI3K Isoform p110γ Increases Both Anti-Tumor and Immunosuppressive Responses to Aggressive Murine Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Low Immunogenicity. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13050953. [PMID: 33668795 PMCID: PMC7956466 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13050953] [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: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Poorly immunogenic head and neck squamous carcinomas (HNSCC) remain difficult to treat due to poor response rates to immunotherapy. Inhibition of the PI3K catalytic subunit p110γ, which is expressed in leukocytes and some HNSCCs, has shown promise in treating HNSCC; with clinical trials underway to gauge its effectiveness. However, the effect of PI3K p110γ inhibition on the host immune system in poorly immunogenic HNSCC has not been fully described. In this study, our group characterized the immune response to poorly immunogenic HNSCC in the absence of PI3K p110γ using an orthotopic mouse model with the MOC2 cell line. We found that mice lacking p110γ did not demonstrate significantly different tumor growth or metastasis, though we observed substantial elevation in both anti-tumor and immunosuppressive activity at the primary tumor site. Our results indicate that PI3K p110γ inhibition may potentially enhance anti-tumor immunity against poorly immunogenic HNSCC if administered with checkpoint inhibitors. Abstract HNSCC is the sixth most common cancer, with around 650,000 new cases yearly. Gain of function mutations in the PI3K pathway are common in HNSCC, and inhibition of the PI3K p110γ subunit has shown promise in HNSCC treatment. However, given that PI3K p110γ plays an important role in myeloid and lymphoid immune cell function, it is essential to understand how PI3K p110γ inhibition affects the anti-tumor immune response independent of tumor cells. To elucidate PI3K p110γ function in HNSCC, we employed an orthotopic mouse model using poorly immunogenic and aggressive cell line MOC2 on Pik3cg−/− mice. We observed that wild-type and Pik3cg−/− mice displayed similar rates of HNSCC tumor growth and metastasis after 20 days following tumor injection. T-cell infiltration and intrinsic T-cell responses to MOC2 oral tumors were comparable between wild-type and Pik3cg−/− mice. Interestingly, the immune response of tumor-bearing Pik3cg−/− mice was marked by increased anti-tumor cytotoxic molecules (IFN-γ, IL-17)) by T-cells and immune checkpoint marker (PD-L1, PD-1) expression by myeloid cells and T-cells compared to tumor-bearing wild-type mice. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that inhibition of PI3K p110γ modulates tumor-associated immune cells, which likely potentiates HNSCC treatment when used in combination with selective checkpoint inhibitors.
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16
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Gupta S, Kumar P, Das BC. HPV +ve/-ve oral-tongue cancer stem cells: A potential target for relapse-free therapy. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:100919. [PMID: 33129107 PMCID: PMC7590584 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100919] [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: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is a highly prevalent head and neck cancer often associated with tobacco and/or alcohol abuse or high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. HPV positive TSCCs present a unique mechanism of tumorigenesis as compared to tobacco and alcohol-induced TSCCs and show a better prognosis when treated. The poor prognosis and/or recurrence of TSCC is due to presence of a small subpopulation of tumor-initiating tongue cancer stem cells (TCSCs) that are intrinsically resistant to conventional chemoradio-therapies enabling cancer to relapse. Therefore, targeting TCSCs may provide efficient therapeutic strategy for relapse-free survival of TSCC patients. Indeed, the development of new TCSC targeting therapeutic approaches for the successful elimination of HPV+ve/-ve TCSCs could be achieved either by targeting the self-renewal pathways, epithelial mesenchymal transition, vascular niche, nanoparticles-based therapy, induction of differentiation, chemoradio-sensitization of TCSCs or TCSC-derived exosome-based drug delivery and inhibition of HPV oncogenes or by regulating epigenetic pathways. In this review, we have discussed all these potential approaches and highlighted several important signaling pathways/networks involved in the formation and maintenance of TCSCs, which are targetable as novel therapeutic targets to sensitize/eliminate TCSCs and to improve survival of TSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpi Gupta
- Stem Cell and Cancer Research Lab, Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida 201313, India; National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), I-7, Sector-39, Noida 201301, India
| | - Prabhat Kumar
- Stem Cell and Cancer Research Lab, Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida 201313, India
| | - Bhudev C Das
- Stem Cell and Cancer Research Lab, Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida 201313, India.
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17
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Zhao Y, Song Y, Zhao R, Zhao M, Huang Q. Gene Panel of Persister Cells as a Prognostic Indicator for Tumor Repopulation After Radiation. Front Oncol 2020; 10:607727. [PMID: 33330109 PMCID: PMC7714959 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.607727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor repopulation during cycles of radiotherapy limits the radio-response in ensuing cycles and causes failure of treatment. It is thus of vital importance to unveil the mechanisms underlying tumor repopulating cells. Increasing evidence suggests that a subpopulation of drug-tolerant persister cancer cells (DTPs) could survive the cytotoxic treatment and resume to propagate. Whether these persister cells contribute to development of radio-resistance remains elusive. Based on the genetic profiling of DTPs by integrating datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus database, this study aimed to provide novel insights into tumor-repopulation mediated radio-resistance and identify predictive biomarkers for radio-response in clinic. A prognostic risk index, grounded on four persister genes (LYNX1, SYNPO, GADD45B, and PDLIM1), was constructed in non-small-cell lung cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) using stepwise Cox regression analysis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis further confirmed the interaction among persister-gene based risk score, radio-response and overall survival time. In addition, the predictive role of risk index was validated in vitro and in other types of TCGA patients. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to decipher the possible biological signaling, which indicated that two forces behind persister cells, stress response and survival adaptation, might fuel the tumor repopulation after radiation. Targeting these persister cells may represent a new prognostic and therapeutic approach to enhance radio-response and prevent radio-resistance induced by tumor repopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucui Zhao
- Cancer Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanwei Song
- Cancer Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruyi Zhao
- Cancer Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Minghui Zhao
- Cancer Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Huang
- Cancer Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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18
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Peng X, Wei Z, Gerweck LE. Making radiation therapy more effective in the era of precision medicine. PRECISION CLINICAL MEDICINE 2020; 3:272-283. [PMID: 35692625 PMCID: PMC8982539 DOI: 10.1093/pcmedi/pbaa038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer has become a leading cause of death and constitutes an enormous burden worldwide. Radiation is a principle treatment modality used alone or in combination with other forms of therapy, with 50%–70% of cancer patients receiving radiotherapy at some point during their illness. It has been suggested that traditional radiotherapy (daily fractions of approximately 1.8–2 Gy over several weeks) might select for radioresistant tumor cell sub-populations, which, if not sterilized, give rise to local treatment failure and distant metastases. Thus, the challenge is to develop treatment strategies and schedules to eradicate the resistant subpopulation of tumorigenic cells rather than the predominant sensitive tumor cell population. With continued technological advances including enhanced conformal treatment technology, radiation oncologists can increasingly maximize the dose to tumors while sparing adjacent normal tissues, to limit toxicity and damage to the latter. Increased dose conformality also facilitates changes in treatment schedules, such as changes in dose per treatment fraction and number of treatment fractions, to enhance the therapeutic ratio. For example, the recently developed large dose per fraction treatment schedules (hypofractionation) have shown clinical advantage over conventional treatment schedules in some tumor types. Experimental studies suggest that following large acute doses of radiation, recurrent tumors, presumably sustained by the most resistant tumor cell populations, may in fact be equally or more radiation sensitive than the primary tumor. In this review, we summarize the related advances in radiotherapy, including the increasing understanding of the molecular mechanisms of radioresistance, and the targeting of these mechanisms with potent small molecule inhibitors, which may selectively sensitize tumor cells to radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingchen Peng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Zhigong Wei
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Leo E Gerweck
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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19
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Wilson GD, Wilson TG, Hanna A, Dabjan M, Buelow K, Torma J, Marples B, Galoforo S. Dacomitinib and gedatolisib in combination with fractionated radiation in head and neck cancer. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2020; 26:15-23. [PMID: 33251343 PMCID: PMC7677653 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We evaluated radiation with dual EGFR and PI3K targeting in head and neck cancer. Dacomitinib, showed an inverse correlation between growth inhibition and EGFR expression. Gedatolisib was effective in each cell line. Neither drug caused radiosensitization in vitro. Gedatolisib was relatively ineffective in vivo in combination with dacomitinib and/or radiation. Dacomitinib was highly effective alone and in combination with radiation and/or gedatolisib. Immunoblotting studies in vivo mirrored the effects seen with growth delay.
Background and purpose There has been little success targeting individual genes in combination with radiation in head and neck cancer. In this study we investigated whether targeting two key pathways simultaneously might be more effective. Materials and methods We studied the effect of combining dacomitinib (pan-HER, irreversible inhibitor) and gedatolisib (dual PI3K/MTOR inhibitor) with radiation in well characterized, low passage xenograft models of HNSCC in vitro and in vivo. Results Dacomitinib showed differential growth inhibition in vitro that correlated to EGFR expression whilst gedatolisib was effective in both cell lines. Neither agent radiosensitized the cell lines in vitro. In vivo studies demonstrated that dacomitinib was an effective agent alone and in combination with radiation whilst the addition of gedatolisib did not enhance the effect of these two modalities despite inhibiting phosphorylation of key genes in the PI3K/MTOR pathway. Conclusions Our results showed that combining two drugs with radiation provided no added benefit compared to the single most active drug. Dacomitinib deserves more investigation as a radiation sensitizing agent in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- George D Wilson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Thomas G Wilson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Alaa Hanna
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Mohamad Dabjan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Katie Buelow
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - John Torma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Brian Marples
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Sandra Galoforo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
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20
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The ATPase subunit of ATP6V1C1 inhibits autophagy and enhances radiotherapy resistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Gene 2020; 768:145261. [PMID: 33183740 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.145261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapy is one of the primary therapeutic modalities for patients diagnosed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC). Previous studies have shown that chemotherapy resistance could be linked with the overexpression vascular ATPases(V-ATPase) subunits genes. However, it is unknown whether V-ATPase subunits genes play a role in radiotherapy resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the ATP6V1C1 in radiotherapy resistance. siRNA and plasmids were used to transfect low expression of ATP6V1C1 in TE13 (human ESCC cell) and high expressed in ECA109 (human ESCC cell), respectively. To observe proliferation, radiosensitivity, apoptosis and DNA-damage response, colony formation assays, EDU assays, flow cytometry and γH2AX assay were used with or without radiation exposure, separately. The quantities of the autophagosomes and autolysosomes by immunofluorescence were calculated. Autophagic microstructure were discovered by transmission electron microscopy, and the study also repeated in vivo by nude mice. Western blot assay was applied to prove changes in relative proteins. We found that suppressing ATP6V1C1 increased the sensitivity of ESCC cells after RT. Silencing ATP6V1C1 with IR suppressed the tumor growth and promoted autophagy. Besides, the underlying mechanism of ATP6V1C1, which is not fatally disrupted, is that ATP6V1C1 with ionizing radiation (IR)decreased apoptosis and inhibited autophagy may by activating mTOR signaling to suppress radiosensitivity for ESCC cells. Thus, we first reported that the ATP6V1C1 may represent a potential radiotherapeutic target by effect on radiation sensitivity for ESCC.
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21
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Glorieux M, Dok R, Nuyts S. The influence of PI3K inhibition on the radiotherapy response of head and neck cancer cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16208. [PMID: 33004905 PMCID: PMC7529775 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73249-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [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: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy has a central role in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway can decrease the efficiency of radiotherapy via the promotion of cell survival and DNA repair. Here, the influence of PI3K pathway inhibition on radiotherapy response was investigated. Two PI3K inhibitors were investigated and both BKM120 and GDC0980 effectively inhibited cellular and clonogenic growth in 6 HNSCC cells, both HPV-positive as well as HPV-negative. Despite targeted inhibition of the pathway and slight increase in DNA damage, PI3K inhibition did not show significant radiosensitization. Currently only one clinical trial is assessing the effectiveness of combining BKM120 with RT in HNSCC (NCT02113878) of which the results are eagerly awaited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Glorieux
- Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rüveyda Dok
- Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sandra Nuyts
- Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, UZ Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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22
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Ono T, Azuma K, Kawahara A, Kakuma T, Sato F, Akiba J, Tanaka N, Abe T, Chitose SI, Umeno H. Predictive value of CD8/FOXP3 ratio combined with PD-L1 expression for radiosensitivity in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx receiving definitive radiation therapy. Head Neck 2020; 42:3518-3530. [PMID: 32808399 DOI: 10.1002/hed.26416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about immune-related radiosensitivity in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (SCC-L) treated with radiation therapy (RT). METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 91 patients with SCC-L treated with RT or chemoradiation therapy and performed immunohistochemical examination to analyze PD-L1 level on tumor cells, CD4+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CD8+ TIL, and FOXP3+ TIL using pretreated biopsy specimens. The association between these immune-related parameters and radiosensitivity was evaluated. RESULTS Multivariate analyses showed that high CD8/FOXP3 ratio combined with negative PD-L1 expression was an independent and significant favorable predictive factor for local control, compared with the other groups. CONCLUSIONS We showed that high CD8/FOXP3 ratio combined with negative PD-L1 expression might be a useful biomarker of radiosensitivity in patients with SCC-L receiving definitive RT. We propose that coassessment of CD8/FOXP3 ratio and PD-L1 expression level in tumor cells can help predict potential radiosensitivity in patients with SCC-L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeharu Ono
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Koichi Azuma
- Division of Respirology, Neurology, and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Akihiko Kawahara
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kurume University Hospital, Kurume, Japan
| | - Tatsuyuki Kakuma
- Biostatistics Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Sato
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Jun Akiba
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kurume University Hospital, Kurume, Japan
| | - Norimitsu Tanaka
- Department of Radiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Toshi Abe
- Department of Radiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Chitose
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Hirohito Umeno
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
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23
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Hintelmann K, Kriegs M, Rothkamm K, Rieckmann T. Improving the Efficacy of Tumor Radiosensitization Through Combined Molecular Targeting. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1260. [PMID: 32903756 PMCID: PMC7438822 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemoradiation, either alone or in combination with surgery or induction chemotherapy, is the current standard of care for most locally advanced solid tumors. Though chemoradiation is usually performed at the maximum tolerated doses of both chemotherapy and radiation, current cure rates are not satisfactory for many tumor entities, since tumor heterogeneity and plasticity result in chemo- and radioresistance. Advances in the understanding of tumor biology, a rapidly growing number of molecular targeting agents and novel technologies enabling the in-depth characterization of individual tumors, have fuelled the hope of entering an era of precision oncology, where each tumor will be treated according to its individual characteristics and weaknesses. At present though, molecular targeting approaches in combination with radiotherapy or chemoradiation have not yet proven to be beneficial over standard chemoradiation treatment in the clinical setting. A promising approach to improve efficacy is the combined usage of two targeting agents in order to inhibit backup pathways or achieve a more complete pathway inhibition. Here we review preclinical attempts to utilize such dual targeting strategies for future tumor radiosensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Hintelmann
- Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Malte Kriegs
- Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kai Rothkamm
- Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Rieckmann
- Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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24
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Lee MJ, Jin N, Grandis JR, Johnson DE. Alterations and molecular targeting of the GSK-3 regulator, PI3K, in head and neck cancer. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1867:118679. [PMID: 32061630 PMCID: PMC7671657 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly morbid, genetically unstable disease derived from the mucoepithelium of the upper aerodigestive tract. Recent characterization of this disease has implicated the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway as one of the most frequently dysregulated pathways. As such, there are several classes of PI3K inhibitors currently undergoing clinical trials. In this article, we review the PI3K pathway, mutations of this pathway in HNSCC, drugs that target PI3K, the impact of these agents on the PI3K and GSK-3 signaling axes, ongoing clinical trials evaluating PI3K inhibitors, and the challenges of using these drugs in the clinic. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: GSK-3 and related kinases in cancer, neurological and other disorders edited by James McCubrey, Agnieszka Gizak and Dariusz Rakus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle J Lee
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nan Jin
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Jennifer R Grandis
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Daniel E Johnson
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
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25
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Wanigasooriya K, Tyler R, Barros-Silva JD, Sinha Y, Ismail T, Beggs AD. Radiosensitising Cancer Using Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase (PI3K), Protein Kinase B (AKT) or Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Inhibitors. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1278. [PMID: 32443649 PMCID: PMC7281073 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is routinely used as a neoadjuvant, adjuvant or palliative treatment in various cancers. There is significant variation in clinical response to radiotherapy with or without traditional chemotherapy. Patients with a good response to radiotherapy demonstrate better clinical outcomes universally across different cancers. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway upregulation has been linked to radiotherapy resistance. We reviewed the current literature exploring the role of inhibiting targets along this pathway, in enhancing radiotherapy response. We identified several studies using in vitro cancer cell lines, in vivo tumour xenografts and a few Phase I/II clinical trials. Most of the current evidence in this area comes from glioblastoma multiforme, non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. The biological basis for radiosensitivity following pathway inhibition was through inhibited DNA double strand break repair, inhibited cell proliferation, enhanced apoptosis and autophagy as well as tumour microenvironment changes. Dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition consistently demonstrated radiosensitisation of all types of cancer cells. Single pathway component inhibitors and other inhibitor combinations yielded variable outcomes especially within early clinical trials. There is ample evidence from preclinical studies to suggest that direct pharmacological inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway components can radiosensitise different types of cancer cells. We recommend that future in vitro and in vivo research in this field should focus on dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. Early clinical trials are needed to assess the feasibility and efficacy of these dual inhibitors in combination with radiotherapy in brain, lung, head and neck, breast, prostate and rectal cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasun Wanigasooriya
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (J.D.B.-S.); (Y.S.); (A.D.B.)
- The New Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK; (R.T.); (T.I.)
| | - Robert Tyler
- The New Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK; (R.T.); (T.I.)
| | - Joao D. Barros-Silva
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (J.D.B.-S.); (Y.S.); (A.D.B.)
| | - Yashashwi Sinha
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (J.D.B.-S.); (Y.S.); (A.D.B.)
- The New Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK; (R.T.); (T.I.)
| | - Tariq Ismail
- The New Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK; (R.T.); (T.I.)
| | - Andrew D. Beggs
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (J.D.B.-S.); (Y.S.); (A.D.B.)
- The New Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK; (R.T.); (T.I.)
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26
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Circumventing AKT-Associated Radioresistance in Oral Cancer by Novel Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Capivasertib. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030533. [PMID: 32106632 PMCID: PMC7140405 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Development of radioresistance in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a significant problem in cancer treatment, contributing to the lack of improvement in survival trends in recent decades. Effective strategies to overcome radioresistance are necessary to improve the therapeutic outcomes of radiotherapy in OSCC patients. METHODS Cells and xenograft tumors were irradiated using the Small Animal Radiation Research Platform. AKT inhibitor capivasertib (AZD5363) was encapsulated into cathepsin B-responsible nanoparticles (NPs) for tumor-specific delivery. Cell viability was measured by alamarBlue, cell growth was determined by colony formation and 3D culture, and apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry with the staining of Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) Annexin V and PI. An orthotopic tongue tumor model was used to evaluate the in vivo therapeutic effects. The molecular changes induced by the treatments were assessed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS We show that upregulation of AKT signaling is the critical mechanism for radioresistance in OSCC cells, and AKT inactivation by a selective and potent AKT inhibitor capivasertib results in radiosensitivity. Moreover, relative to irradiation (IR) alone, IR combined with the delivery of capivasertib in association with tumor-seeking NPs greatly enhanced tumor cell repression in 3D cell cultures and OSCC tumor shrinkage in an orthotopic mouse model. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that capivasertib is a potent agent that sensitizes radioresistant OSCC cells to IR and is a promising strategy to overcome failure of radiotherapy in OSCC patients.
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27
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Ricco N, Flor A, Wolfgeher D, Efimova EV, Ramamurthy A, Appelbe OK, Brinkman J, Truman AW, Spiotto MT, Kron SJ. Mevalonate pathway activity as a determinant of radiation sensitivity in head and neck cancer. Mol Oncol 2019; 13:1927-1943. [PMID: 31225926 PMCID: PMC6717759 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Radioresistance is a major hurdle in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Here, we report that concomitant treatment of HNSCCs with radiotherapy and mevalonate pathway inhibitors (statins) may overcome resistance. Proteomic profiling and comparison of radioresistant to radiosensitive HNSCCs revealed differential regulation of the mevalonate biosynthetic pathway. Consistent with this finding, inhibition of the mevalonate pathway by pitavastatin sensitized radioresistant SQ20B cells to ionizing radiation and reduced their clonogenic potential. Overall, this study reinforces the view that the mevalonate pathway is a promising therapeutic target in radioresistant HNSCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Ricco
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Amy Flor
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Don Wolfgeher
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Elena V Efimova
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Aishwarya Ramamurthy
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Oliver K Appelbe
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jacqueline Brinkman
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Andrew W Truman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Michael T Spiotto
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, IL, USA.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Stephen J Kron
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, IL, USA
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28
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Hua H, Kong Q, Zhang H, Wang J, Luo T, Jiang Y. Targeting mTOR for cancer therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:71. [PMID: 31277692 PMCID: PMC6612215 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0754-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 511] [Impact Index Per Article: 102.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase regulating cell growth, survival, metabolism, and immunity. mTOR is usually assembled into several complexes such as mTOR complex 1/2 (mTORC1/2). In cooperation with raptor, rictor, LST8, and mSin1, key components in mTORC1 or mTORC2, mTOR catalyzes the phosphorylation of multiple targets such as ribosomal protein S6 kinase β-1 (S6K1), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), Akt, protein kinase C (PKC), and type-I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR), thereby regulating protein synthesis, nutrients metabolism, growth factor signaling, cell growth, and migration. Activation of mTOR promotes tumor growth and metastasis. Many mTOR inhibitors have been developed to treat cancer. While some of the mTOR inhibitors have been approved to treat human cancer, more mTOR inhibitors are being evaluated in clinical trials. Here, we update recent advances in exploring mTOR signaling and the development of mTOR inhibitors for cancer therapy. In addition, we discuss the mechanisms underlying the resistance to mTOR inhibitors in cancer cells.
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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, 610041, China
| | - Qingbin Kong
- Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongying Zhang
- Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ting Luo
- Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yangfu Jiang
- Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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29
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Nguyen JT, Haidar FS, Fox AL, Ray C, Mendonça DB, Kim JK, Krebsbach PH. mEAK-7 Forms an Alternative mTOR Complex with DNA-PKcs in Human Cancer. iScience 2019; 17:190-207. [PMID: 31288154 PMCID: PMC6614755 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
MTOR associated protein, eak-7 homolog (mEAK-7), activates mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in human cells through an alternative mTOR complex to regulate S6K2 and 4E-BP1. However, the role of mEAK-7 in human cancer has not yet been identified. We demonstrate that mEAK-7 and mTOR signaling are strongly elevated in tumor and metastatic lymph nodes of patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma compared with those of patients with normal lung or lymph tissue. Cancer stem cells, CD44+/CD90+ cells, yield elevated mEAK-7 and activated mTOR signaling. mEAK-7 is required for clonogenic potential and spheroid formation. mEAK-7 associates with DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit isoform 1 (DNA-PKcs), and this interaction is increased in response to X-ray irradiation to regulate S6K2 signaling. DNA-PKcs pharmacologic inhibition or genetic knockout reduced S6K2, mEAK-7, and mTOR binding with DNA-PKcs, resulting in loss of S6K2 activity and mTOR signaling. Therefore, mEAK-7 forms an alternative mTOR complex with DNA-PKcs to regulate S6K2 in human cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Truong Nguyen
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Fatima Sarah Haidar
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Alexandra Lucienne Fox
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Connor Ray
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | | | - Jin Koo Kim
- Section of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Paul H Krebsbach
- Section of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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30
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Shi JJ, Xing H, Wang YX, Zhang X, Zhan QM, Geng MY, Ding J, Meng LH. PI3Kα inhibitors sensitize esophageal squamous cell carcinoma to radiation by abrogating survival signals in tumor cells and tumor microenvironment. Cancer Lett 2019; 459:145-155. [PMID: 31173854 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapy is one of the standard therapies for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but the efficacy is far from desirable. Large scale genome sequencing reveals PI3Kα is frequently hyper-activated in ESCC. We found that ESCC cells harboring alterations in PI3K pathway were more resistant to radiation and combination of a clinical PI3Kα-selective inhibitor CYH33 and radiation synergistically inhibited cell proliferation in 14 ESCC cell lines. Radiation induced phosphorylation of FOXO1 and Akt, which sensitized ESCC cells to PI3Kα inhibitors. Both S1PR3 and DNA-PK contributed to radiation-induced Akt phosphorylation, which were revealed to be collectively dependent on PI3Kα. By contrast, constitutively active Akt abrogated the synergism between PI3Kα inhibitors and radiation. PI3Kα inhibition enhanced radiation-induced DNA damage, G2/M arrest and apoptosis. Combination of CYH33 and radiation significantly inhibited the growth of xenografts derived from ESCC patients, which was accompanied with abrogation of radiation-induced phosphorylation of Akt and filtration of M2-like macrophages. Taken together, combination of CYH33 and radiation possesses synergism in ESCC, which provides promising rationale to test this combinatorial regimen in ESCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Jie Shi
- Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hui Xing
- Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yu-Xiang Wang
- Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Qi-Min Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Institute and Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Mei-Yu Geng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jian Ding
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Ling-Hua Meng
- Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Tian T, Li X, Zhang J. mTOR Signaling in Cancer and mTOR Inhibitors in Solid Tumor Targeting Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030755. [PMID: 30754640 PMCID: PMC6387042 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 373] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a crucial role in regulation of cell survival, metabolism, growth and protein synthesis in response to upstream signals in both normal physiological and pathological conditions, especially in cancer. Aberrant mTOR signaling resulting from genetic alterations from different levels of the signal cascade is commonly observed in various types of cancers. Upon hyperactivation, mTOR signaling promotes cell proliferation and metabolism that contribute to tumor initiation and progression. In addition, mTOR also negatively regulates autophagy via different ways. We discuss mTOR signaling and its key upstream and downstream factors, the specific genetic changes in the mTOR pathway and the inhibitors of mTOR applied as therapeutic strategies in eight solid tumors. Although monotherapy and combination therapy with mTOR inhibitors have been extensively applied in preclinical and clinical trials in various cancer types, innovative therapies with better efficacy and less drug resistance are still in great need, and new biomarkers and deep sequencing technologies will facilitate these mTOR targeting drugs benefit the cancer patients in personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Tian
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China.
| | - Xiaoyi Li
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China.
| | - Jinhua Zhang
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China.
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Naz S, Sowers A, Choudhuri R, Wissler M, Gamson J, Mathias A, Cook JA, Mitchell JB. Abemaciclib, a Selective CDK4/6 Inhibitor, Enhances the Radiosensitivity of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:3994-4005. [PMID: 29716919 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-3575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: To characterize the ionizing radiation (IR) enhancing effects and underlying mechanisms of the CDK4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells in vitro and in vivoExperimental Design: IR enhancement by abemaciclib in a variety of NSCLC cell lines was assessed by in vitro clonogenic assay, flow cytometry, and target inhibition verified by immunoblotting. IR-induced DNA damage repair was evaluated by γH2AX analysis. Global metabolic alterations by abemaciclib and IR combination were evaluated by LC/MS mass spectrometry and YSI bioanalyzer. Effects of abemaciclib and IR combination in vivo were studied by xenograft tumor regrowth delay, xenograft lysate immunoblotting, and tissue section immunohistochemistry.Results: Abemaciclib enhanced the radiosensitivity of NSCLC cells independent of RAS or EGFR status. Enhancement of radiosensitivity was lost in cell lines deficient for functional p53 and RB protein. After IR, abemaciclib treatment inhibited DNA damage repair as measured by γH2AX. Mechanistically, abemaciclib inhibited RB phosphorylation, leading to cell-cycle arrest. It also inhibited mTOR signaling and reduced intracellular amino acid pools, causing nutrient stress. In vivo, abemaciclib, when administered in an adjuvant setting for the second week after fractionated IR, further inhibited vasculogenesis and tumor regrowth, with sustained inhibition of RB/E2F activity, mTOR pathway, and HIF-1 expression. In summary, our study signifies inhibiting the CDK4/6 pathway by abemaciclib in combination with IR as a promising therapeutic strategy to treat NSCLC.Conclusions: Abemaciclib in combination with IR enhances NSCLC radiosensitivity in preclinical models, potentially providing a novel biomarker-driven combination therapeutic strategy for patients with NSCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 24(16); 3994-4005. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarwat Naz
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Anastasia Sowers
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Rajani Choudhuri
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Maria Wissler
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Janet Gamson
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Askale Mathias
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - John A Cook
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - James B Mitchell
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
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Campbell JD, Yau C, Bowlby R, Liu Y, Brennan K, Fan H, Taylor AM, Wang C, Walter V, Akbani R, Byers LA, Creighton CJ, Coarfa C, Shih J, Cherniack AD, Gevaert O, Prunello M, Shen H, Anur P, Chen J, Cheng H, Hayes DN, Bullman S, Pedamallu CS, Ojesina AI, Sadeghi S, Mungall KL, Robertson AG, Benz C, Schultz A, Kanchi RS, Gay CM, Hegde A, Diao L, Wang J, Ma W, Sumazin P, Chiu HS, Chen TW, Gunaratne P, Donehower L, Rader JS, Zuna R, Al-Ahmadie H, Lazar AJ, Flores ER, Tsai KY, Zhou JH, Rustgi AK, Drill E, Shen R, Wong CK, Stuart JM, Laird PW, Hoadley KA, Weinstein JN, Peto M, Pickering CR, Chen Z, Van Waes C. Genomic, Pathway Network, and Immunologic Features Distinguishing Squamous Carcinomas. Cell Rep 2018; 23:194-212.e6. [PMID: 29617660 PMCID: PMC6002769 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.03.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This integrated, multiplatform PanCancer Atlas study co-mapped and identified distinguishing molecular features of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) from five sites associated with smoking and/or human papillomavirus (HPV). SCCs harbor 3q, 5p, and other recurrent chromosomal copy-number alterations (CNAs), DNA mutations, and/or aberrant methylation of genes and microRNAs, which are correlated with the expression of multi-gene programs linked to squamous cell stemness, epithelial-to-mesenchymal differentiation, growth, genomic integrity, oxidative damage, death, and inflammation. Low-CNA SCCs tended to be HPV(+) and display hypermethylation with repression of TET1 demethylase and FANCF, previously linked to predisposition to SCC, or harbor mutations affecting CASP8, RAS-MAPK pathways, chromatin modifiers, and immunoregulatory molecules. We uncovered hypomethylation of the alternative promoter that drives expression of the ΔNp63 oncogene and embedded miR944. Co-expression of immune checkpoint, T-regulatory, and Myeloid suppressor cells signatures may explain reduced efficacy of immune therapy. These findings support possibilities for molecular classification and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Campbell
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Christina Yau
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA; Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Boulevard, Novato, CA 94945, USA
| | - Reanne Bowlby
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4S6, Canada
| | - Yuexin Liu
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kevin Brennan
- Department of Medicine-Biomedical Informatics Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Huihui Fan
- Center for Epigenetics, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Alison M Taylor
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Chen Wang
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Vonn Walter
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State Milton Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Rehan Akbani
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lauren Averett Byers
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chad J Creighton
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Medicine and Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Division of Biostatistics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Juliann Shih
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Andrew D Cherniack
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Olivier Gevaert
- Department of Medicine-Biomedical Informatics Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marcos Prunello
- Department of Medicine-Biomedical Informatics Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Hui Shen
- Center for Epigenetics, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Pavana Anur
- Department of Molecular & Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Jianhong Chen
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hui Cheng
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - D Neil Hayes
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Susan Bullman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Chandra Sekhar Pedamallu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Akinyemi I Ojesina
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA
| | - Sara Sadeghi
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4S6, Canada
| | - Karen L Mungall
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4S6, Canada
| | - A Gordon Robertson
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4S6, Canada
| | - Christopher Benz
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Boulevard, Novato, CA 94945, USA
| | - Andre Schultz
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rupa S Kanchi
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Carl M Gay
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Apurva Hegde
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lixia Diao
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wencai Ma
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Pavel Sumazin
- Department of Medicine-Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hua-Sheng Chiu
- Department of Medicine-Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ting-Wen Chen
- Department of Medicine-Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Preethi Gunaratne
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, UH-SeqNEdit Core, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Larry Donehower
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Janet S Rader
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Rosemary Zuna
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Department of Pathology, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Hikmat Al-Ahmadie
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alexander J Lazar
- Departments of Pathology, Genomic Medicine, Dermatology, and Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77401, USA
| | - Elsa R Flores
- Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Kenneth Y Tsai
- Departments of Anatomic Pathology and Tumor Biology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Jane H Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Anil K Rustgi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Departments of Medicine and Genetics, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Esther Drill
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ronglei Shen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Christopher K Wong
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Center for Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Joshua M Stuart
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Center for Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Peter W Laird
- Center for Epigenetics, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Katherine A Hoadley
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - John N Weinstein
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Myron Peto
- Department of Molecular & Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Curtis R Pickering
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhong Chen
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Carter Van Waes
- Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Wnt signaling induces radioresistance through upregulating HMGB1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:433. [PMID: 29567990 PMCID: PMC5864958 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0466-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although many articles have uncovered that Wnt signaling is involved in radioresistance, the mechanism is rarely reported. Here we generated two radioresistant cells rECA109 and rKyse150 from parental esophageal cancer cells ECA109 and Kyse150. We then found that Wnt signaling activity was higher in radioresistant cells and was further activated upon ionizing radiation (IR) exposure. In addition, radioresistant cells acquired epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) properties and stem quality. Wnt signaling was then found to be involved in radioresistance by promoting DNA damage repair. In our present study, high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), a chromatin-associated protein, was firstly found to be transactivated by Wnt signaling and mediate Wnt-induced radioresistance. The role of HMGB1 in the regulation of DNA damage repair with the activation of DNA damage checkpoint response in response to IR was the main cause of HMGB1-induced radioresistance.
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35
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Citrin DE. Short-Term Screening Assays for the Identification of Therapeutics for Cancer. Cancer Res 2017; 76:3443-5. [PMID: 27306870 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-1299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Deborah E Citrin
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.
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36
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Glorieux M, Dok R, Nuyts S. Novel DNA targeted therapies for head and neck cancers: clinical potential and biomarkers. Oncotarget 2017; 8:81662-81678. [PMID: 29113422 PMCID: PMC5655317 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.20953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and despite advances in treatment over the last years, there is still a relapse rate of 50%. New therapeutic agents are awaited to increase the survival of patients. DNA repair targeted agents in combination with standard DNA damaging therapies are a recent evolution in cancer treatment. These agents focus on the DNA damage repair pathways in cancer cells, which are often involved in therapeutic resistance. Interesting targets to overcome these cancer defense mechanisms are: PARP, DNA-PK, PI3K, ATM, ATR, CHK1/2, and WEE1 inhibitors. The application of DNA targeted agents in head and neck squamous cell cancer showed promising preclinical results which are translated to multiple ongoing clinical trials, although no FDA approval has emerged yet. Biomarkers are necessary to select the patients that can benefit the most from this treatment, although adequate biomarkers are limited and validation is needed to predict therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Glorieux
- KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rüveyda Dok
- KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sandra Nuyts
- KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, UZ Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Antitumor activity of the dual PI3K/MTOR inhibitor, PF-04691502, in combination with radiation in head and neck cancer. Radiother Oncol 2017; 124:504-512. [PMID: 28823407 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a clinical challenge where new treatments are required to supplement the current-standard-of care of concurrent chemoradiation. The PI3K/AKT/MTOR pathway has been identified from several next generation DNA sequencing studies to be commonly altered and activated in HNSCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study we investigated the activity of PF-04691502, an orally active ATP-competitive, dual inhibitor of PI3K and mTOR, in combination with a clinically relevant fractionated radiation treatment in two contrasting, well characterized, low passage HNSCC models. RESULTS We found that PF-04691502 combined synergistically with radiation in the UT-SCC-14 model derived from a primary cancer but was ineffective in the UT-SCC-15 model which was derived from a nodal recurrence. Further examination of the status of key signaling pathways combined with next generation DNA sequencing of a panel of 160 cancer-associated genes revealed crucial differences between the two models that could account for the differential effect. The UT-SCC-15 cell line was characterized by a higher mutational burden, an excess of variants in the PI3K/AKT/MTOR pathway, increased constitutive activity of PI3K, AKT1 and 2 and MTOR and an inability to inhibit key phosphorylation events in response to the treatments. CONCLUSION This study clearly highlights the promise of agents such as PF-04691502 in selected HNSCCs but also emphasizes the need for molecular characterization and alternative treatment strategies in non-responsive HNSCCs.
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Yu CC, Hung SK, Lin HY, Chiou WY, Lee MS, Liao HF, Huang HB, Ho HC, Su YC. Targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway as an effectively radiosensitizing strategy for treating human oral squamous cell carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Oncotarget 2017; 8:68641-68653. [PMID: 28978144 PMCID: PMC5620284 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) is the current standard adjuvant approach for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Radioresistance is a major contributor to radiotherapy failure. In this study, we used patient-derived cells and a radiation-resistant cell line in vitro and in vivo for two purposes: evaluate the anti-tumor effects and understand the mechanisms in the dual PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway regulation of radiosensitization. Our findings indicate that in OML1-R cells, the radioresistance phenotype is associated with activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Compared to a combination of PI3K or mTOR inhibitors and radiation, dual blockade of the PI3K and mTOR kinases significantly improved radiation efficacy in oral cancer and patient-derived OSCC cells. Dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition enhanced the effect of radiation by inhibiting AKT/mTOR signaling pathways and caused G1 phase arrest, which is associated with downregulation of cyclin D1/CDK4 activity, leading to growth inhibition. In nude mice xenografted with radioresistant OML1-R cells, the combined treatment was also more effective than RT alone in reducing tumor growth. This treatment was also demonstrated to be dependent on the inhibition of protein kinase-dependent S6 kinase pathway and eIF4E-mediated cap-dependent translation. These findings indicate that activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway has a role in radioresistance of OSCC. We determined that a PI3K/mTOR inhibitor combined with radiation exhibits synergistic inhibition of the AKT/mTOR axis and induces cell cycle arrest. Our results show the therapeutic potential of drugs targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway should be new candidate drugs for radiosensitization in radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Chia Yu
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Cheng University, Chia-Yi, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Shih-Kai Hung
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taiwan, R.O.C.,School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualian, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hon-Yi Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taiwan, R.O.C.,School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualian, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wen-Yen Chiou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taiwan, R.O.C.,School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualian, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Moon-Sing Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taiwan, R.O.C.,School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualian, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hui-Fen Liao
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Chiayi University, Chia-Yi, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hsien-Bin Huang
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Cheng University, Chia-Yi, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hsu-Chueh Ho
- Department of Otolaryngology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yu-Chieh Su
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Affolter A, Hess J. [Preclinical models in head and neck tumors : Evaluation of cellular and molecular resistance mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment]. HNO 2017; 64:860-869. [PMID: 27837212 DOI: 10.1007/s00106-016-0276-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Because head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are characterized by a distinct intertumorigenic and intratumorigenic heterogeneity, they often show substantial differences in the response to established therapy strategies. At present, a multitude of biologics and new pharmacological compounds for targeted therapies are available that allow more efficient and less toxic treatment. There is increasing pressure to establish predictive assays not only for ex ante analysis of the individual patient response to combined chemoradiotherapy and targeted therapies but also for investigation of the efficacy of new drugs. In this respect it is essential to maintain the pathophysiological tissue composition as it is known that paracrine tumor-stroma cell interactions may influence tumor reactivity to treatment. More complex models for individualized sensitivity testing have recently been described and the results are promising to pave the way for personalized cancer therapy. This review article focuses on different systems for maintaining the tumor microenvironment and hence the individual cellular composition, such as 3D organotypic models, organotypic multicellular spheroids, patient-derived xenografts and ex vivo tissue cultures and discusses the advantages and disadvantages in terms of translation into clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Affolter
- Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik des Universitätsklinikums Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland.
| | - J Hess
- Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik des Universitätsklinikums Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland
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Tumour-specific PI3K inhibition via nanoparticle-targeted delivery in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Nat Commun 2017; 8:14292. [PMID: 28194032 PMCID: PMC5316830 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations in PIK3CA, the gene encoding the p110α subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3Kα), are frequent in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Inhibitors of PI3Kα show promising activity in various cancer types, but their use is curtailed by dose-limiting side effects such as hyperglycaemia. In the present study, we explore the efficacy, specificity and safety of the targeted delivery of BYL719, a PI3Kα inhibitor currently in clinical development in solid tumours. By encapsulating BYL719 into P-selectin-targeted nanoparticles, we achieve specific accumulation of BYL719 in the tumour milieu. This results in tumour growth inhibition and radiosensitization despite the use of a sevenfold lower dose of BYL719 compared with oral administration. Furthermore, the nanoparticles abrogate acute and chronic metabolic side effects normally observed after BYL719 treatment. These findings offer a novel strategy that could potentially enhance the efficacy of PI3Kα inhibitors while mitigating dose-limiting toxicity in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) often harbour PIK3CA mutations but PI3Kα inhibitors can cause some side effects. Here, the authors develop P-selectin targeted nanoparticles to enhance tumour-specific delivery of a PI3Kα inhibitor to HNSCC PDX and orthotopic xenograft models.
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Wahl DR, Lawrence TS. Integrating chemoradiation and molecularly targeted therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 109:74-83. [PMID: 26596559 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2015.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
While the advent of combined chemoradiation has improved outcomes for innumerable patients with locally advanced cancers, further improvements are urgently needed. Escalation of either chemotherapy or radiotherapy is associated with unacceptable toxicity. An alternative strategy is the integration of chemoradiation and molecularly targeted therapies, which exploits biological differences between cancer and normal tissue and should therefore increase efficacy while maintaining tolerable toxicity. Combining chemoradiation with agents that modulate tumor-specific pathways such as cell cycle checkpoints, PARP signaling, EGFR signaling, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis and androgen signaling has shown immense promise in preclinical and clinical studies, as have combinations with environmentally-targeted agents against the immune system and angiogenesis. The optimal application of these strategies will likely require consideration of molecular heterogeneity between patients and within individual tumors.
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Bozec A, Ebran N, Radosevic-Robin N, Chamorey E, Yahia HB, Marcie S, Gautier M, Penault-Llorca F, Milano G. Combination of phosphotidylinositol-3-kinase targeting with cetuximab and irradiation: A preclinical study on an orthotopic xenograft model of head and neck cancer. Head Neck 2016; 39:151-159. [DOI: 10.1002/hed.24560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Bozec
- University Institute of the Face and Neck; Nice cedex France
| | - Nathalie Ebran
- Department of Oncopharmacology; Antoine Lacassagne Comprehensive Cancer Centre; Nice cedex France
| | - Nina Radosevic-Robin
- Department of Pathology; Jean Perrin Comprehensive Cancer Centre; Clermont-Ferrand France
- ERTICa Research Group; University of Auvergne; Clermont-Ferrand France
| | - Emmanuel Chamorey
- Department of Clinical Research; Innovation and Statistics (DRIS), Antoine Lacassagne Comprehensive Cancer Centre; Nice cedex France
| | - Hedi Ben Yahia
- Department of Oncopharmacology; Antoine Lacassagne Comprehensive Cancer Centre; Nice cedex France
| | - Serge Marcie
- Department of Physics; Antoine Lacassagne Comprehensive Cancer Centre; Nice cedex France
| | - Mathieu Gautier
- Department of Physics; Antoine Lacassagne Comprehensive Cancer Centre; Nice cedex France
| | - Frédérique Penault-Llorca
- Department of Pathology; Jean Perrin Comprehensive Cancer Centre; Clermont-Ferrand France
- ERTICa Research Group; University of Auvergne; Clermont-Ferrand France
| | - Gérard Milano
- Department of Oncopharmacology; Antoine Lacassagne Comprehensive Cancer Centre; Nice cedex France
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Prigge ES, von Knebel Doeberitz M, Reuschenbach M. Clinical relevance and implications of HPV-induced neoplasia in different anatomical locations. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2016; 772:51-66. [PMID: 28528690 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2016.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are widespread DNA viruses that can infect epithelial cells of the skin and mucosa. Most HPV infections remain clinically unapparent and clear spontaneously. In few cases, however, HPV infections persist and can cause benign and malignant neoplasms at different anatomic locations. Malignant HPV-induced neoplasms are caused by distinct types of HPV (oncogenic or high-risk (HR) HPV types) and present in the anogenital (anus, penis, uterine cervix, vagina and vulva) and head and neck (particularly oropharynx) region. In the anogenital region defined precancerous stages precede invasive cancer. In the head and neck region there is clear evidence only for the invasive stage of HPV-induced neoplasia. In early infection stages the HPV oncogenes (E6/E7) are under tight control in the basal and parabasal cell layers. In more advanced precancerous stages increased expression of the HPV oncogenes E6 and E7 occurs (transforming infection) that may result in transformation of these cells. The defined carcinogenesis in the anogenital tract enables cancer early detection, particularly at the uterine cervix where cytologic and molecular tests contribute to early diagnosis and treatment at a non-invasive stage. Up to now, the treatment of HPV-related precancerous stages (high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) and cancer is not specifically targeting molecular characteristics of the virus. This article reviews the current state and new developments in epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HPV-associated neoplasia in various anatomic locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Sophie Prigge
- Department of Applied Tumor Biology, Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, and Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Magnus von Knebel Doeberitz
- Department of Applied Tumor Biology, Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, and Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Miriam Reuschenbach
- Department of Applied Tumor Biology, Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, and Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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Coppock JD, Lee JH. mTOR, metabolism, and the immune response in HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell cancer. World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2016; 2:76-83. [PMID: 29204551 PMCID: PMC5698505 DOI: 10.1016/j.wjorl.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive preclinical studies have identified mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation as a frequent molecular signature underlying head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), including the distinct clinical subtype that is human papillomavirus (HPV) related, and have demonstrated the potential therapeutic utility of mTOR inhibitors in the treatment of these cancers. Numerous clinical studies have begun to evaluate this potential, however few have selected for and fewer have focused specifically on HPV-related disease. While HPV-positive (HPV+) HNSCC patients have a generally favorable prognosis, the overall number of patients who suffer failed treatment, recurrent disease, metastasis, and death is increasing due to the rapidly increasing incidence of HPV-related cancers. In this review, we discuss the rationale for proposing the adjuvant use of mTOR inhibition in the treatment of HPV+ HNSCC, highlighting the interplay of virally activated mTOR signaling, cellular metabolism, and the anti-tumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D. Coppock
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Sanford Research/USD, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
| | - John H. Lee
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Sanford Research/USD, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
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Sonis ST, Hashemi S, Epstein JB, Nair RG, Raber-Durlacher JE. Could the biological robustness of low level laser therapy (Photobiomodulation) impact its use in the management of mucositis in head and neck cancer patients. Oral Oncol 2016; 54:7-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2016.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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