1
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Peterson K, Turos-Cabal M, Salvador AD, Palomo-Caturla I, Howell AJ, Vieira ME, Greiner SM, Barnoud T, Rodriguez-Blanco J. Mechanistic insights into medulloblastoma relapse. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 260:108673. [PMID: 38857789 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108673] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children, with medulloblastoma (MB) being the most common type. A better understanding of these malignancies has led to their classification into four major molecular subgroups. This classification not only facilitates the stratification of clinical trials, but also the development of more effective therapies. Despite recent progress, approximately 30% of children diagnosed with MB experience tumor relapse. Recurrent disease in MB is often metastatic and responds poorly to current therapies. As a result, only a small subset of patients with recurrent MB survive beyond one year. Due to its dismal prognosis, novel therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing or managing recurrent disease are urgently needed. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind treatment failure in MB, as well as those characterizing recurrent cases. We also propose avenues for how these findings can be used to better inform personalized medicine approaches for the treatment of newly diagnosed and recurrent MB. Lastly, we discuss the treatments currently being evaluated for MB patients, with special emphasis on those targeting MB by subgroup at diagnosis and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendell Peterson
- Darby Children's Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Maria Turos-Cabal
- Darby Children's Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - April D Salvador
- Darby Children's Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | | | - Ashley J Howell
- Darby Children's Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Megan E Vieira
- Darby Children's Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Sean M Greiner
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thibaut Barnoud
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jezabel Rodriguez-Blanco
- Darby Children's Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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2
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Keshavarz A, Navidinia AA, Kuhestani Dehaghi BH, Amiri V, Mohammadi MH, Allahbakhshian Farsani M. Identification of Prognostic Genes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Microenvironment: A Bioinformatic and Experimental Analysis. Mol Biotechnol 2024:10.1007/s12033-024-01128-3. [PMID: 38714601 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-024-01128-3] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/10/2024]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a lethal hematologic malignancy with a variable prognosis that is highly dependent on the bone marrow microenvironment. Consequently, a better understanding of the AML microenvironment is crucial for early diagnosis, risk stratification, and personalized therapy. In recent years, the role of bioinformatics as a powerful tool in clarifying the complexities of cancer has become more prominent. Gene expression profile and clinical data of 173 AML patients were downloaded from the TCGA database, and the xCell algorithm was applied to calculate the microenvironment score (MS). Then, the correlation of MS with FAB classification, and CALGB cytogenetic risk category was investigated. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and the correlation analysis of DEGs with patient survival was done using univariate cox. The prognostic value of candidate prognostic DEGs was confirmed based on the GEO database. In the last step, real-time PCR was used to compare the expression of the top three prognostic genes between patients and the control group. During TCGA data analysis, 716 DEGs were identified, and survival analysis results showed that 152 DEGs had survival-related changes. In addition, the prognostic value of 31 candidate prognostic genes was confirmed by GEO data analysis. Finally, the expression analysis of FLVCR2, SMO, and CREB5 genes, the most related genes to patients' survival, was significantly different between patients and control groups. In summary, we identified key microenvironment-related genes that influence the survival of AML patients and may serve as prognostic and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Keshavarz
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 15468-15514, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Abbas Navidinia
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 15468-15514, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bentol Hoda Kuhestani Dehaghi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 15468-15514, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Amiri
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Mohammadi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 15468-15514, Tehran, Iran
- HSCT Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Allahbakhshian Farsani
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 15468-15514, Tehran, Iran.
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3
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Olesinski EA, Bhatia KS, Wang C, Pioso MS, Lin XX, Mamdouh AM, Ng SX, Sandhu V, Jasdanwala SS, Yilma B, Bohl S, Ryan JA, Malani D, Luskin MR, Kallioniemi O, Porkka K, Adamia S, Chng WJ, Osato M, Weinstock DM, Garcia JS, Letai A, Bhatt S. Acquired Multidrug Resistance in AML Is Caused by Low Apoptotic Priming in Relapsed Myeloblasts. Blood Cancer Discov 2024; 5:180-201. [PMID: 38442309 PMCID: PMC11061585 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-24-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
In many cancers, mortality is associated with the emergence of relapse with multidrug resistance (MDR). Thus far, the investigation of cancer relapse mechanisms has largely focused on acquired genetic mutations. Using acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient-derived xenografts (PDX), we systematically elucidated a basis of MDR and identified drug sensitivity in relapsed AML. We derived pharmacologic sensitivity for 22 AML PDX models using dynamic BH3 profiling (DBP), together with genomics and transcriptomics. Using in vivo acquired resistant PDXs, we found that resistance to unrelated, narrowly targeted agents in distinct PDXs was accompanied by broad resistance to drugs with disparate mechanisms. Moreover, baseline mitochondrial apoptotic priming was consistently reduced regardless of the class of drug-inducing selection. By applying DBP, we identified drugs showing effective in vivo activity in resistant models. This study implies evasion of apoptosis drives drug resistance and demonstrates the feasibility of the DBP approach to identify active drugs for patients with relapsed AML. SIGNIFICANCE Acquired resistance to targeted therapy remains challenging in AML. We found that reduction in mitochondrial priming and common transcriptomic signatures was a conserved mechanism of acquired resistance across different drug classes in vivo. Drugs active in vivo can be identified even in the multidrug resistant state by DBP.
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MESH Headings
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Humans
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Animals
- Mice
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Drug Resistance, Multiple/genetics
- Drug Resistance, Multiple/drug effects
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Granulocyte Precursor Cells/drug effects
- Granulocyte Precursor Cells/pathology
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyse A. Olesinski
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Chuqi Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Marissa S. Pioso
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Xiao Xian Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ahmed M. Mamdouh
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shu Xuan Ng
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vedant Sandhu
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Binyam Yilma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stephan Bohl
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jeremy A. Ryan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Disha Malani
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marlise R. Luskin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Olli Kallioniemi
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM, Hi-Life, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | - Kimmo Porkka
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Hematology, HUS, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sophia Adamia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Wee Joo Chng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore
| | - Motomi Osato
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore
| | - David M. Weinstock
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jacqueline S. Garcia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Anthony Letai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shruti Bhatt
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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4
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Saito M, Atsumi GI. [Mechanisms of bone formation by primary cilia]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2024:23113. [PMID: 38684398 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.23113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Primary cilia are immotile cilia assembled from the centriole-derived basal body, and they protrude on the cell surface in almost all cell types during the cell cycle G0 phase. Due to the diffusion barrier at the ciliary base, cilia harbor selective G protein-coupled receptors, growth factor receptors, and ion channels on their membrane. Thus, cilia act as sensory organelles, regulating the proliferation and differentiation of the cells and promoting the formation and maturation of various organs including bone, brain, and kidney. It has been unveiled that malformation and dysregulation of cilia cause organ dysplasia, so-called ciliopathy, thus research on primary cilia has become active during the past 20 years. Research on the roles of cilia in bone formation and its regulatory mechanisms have also progressed. It is widely recognized that cilia of preosteoblasts receive hedgehog and promote differentiation of the cells to osteoblasts, resulting in the formation of skulls and long bones. Recently, it has been shown that a membrane-associated protein 4.1G is important in ciliogenesis, hedgehog signaling, and osteoblast differentiation in neonatal bone formation. In this review, we would like to summarize the roles of primary cilia in bone formation and their regulatory mechanisms including the contribution of 4.1G.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Saito
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Pathology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University
| | - Gen-Ichi Atsumi
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Pathology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University
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5
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Liu YB, He LM, Sun M, Luo WJ, Lin ZC, Qiu ZP, Zhang YL, Hu A, Luo J, Qiu WW, Song BL. A sterol analog inhibits hedgehog pathway by blocking cholesterylation of smoothened. Cell Chem Biol 2024:S2451-9456(24)00076-X. [PMID: 38442710 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.02.002] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has long been a hotspot for anti-cancer drug development due to its important role in cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. However, most clinically available Hh pathway inhibitors target the seven-transmembrane region (7TM) of smoothened (SMO), and the acquired drug resistance is an urgent problem in SMO inhibitory therapy. Here, we identify a sterol analog Q29 and show that it can inhibit the Hh pathway through binding to the cysteine-rich domain (CRD) of SMO and blocking its cholesterylation. Q29 suppresses Hh signaling-dependent cell proliferation and arrests Hh-dependent medulloblastoma growth. Q29 exhibits an additive inhibitory effect on medulloblastoma with vismodegib, a clinically used SMO-7TM inhibitor for treating basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Importantly, Q29 overcomes resistance caused by SMO mutants against SMO-7TM inhibitors and inhibits the activity of SMO oncogenic variants. Our work demonstrates that the SMO-CRD inhibitor can be a new way to treat Hh pathway-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Bin Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Li-Ming He
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Ming Sun
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Wen-Jun Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Zi-Cun Lin
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Zhi-Ping Qiu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Yu-Liang Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Ao Hu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Jie Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Wen-Wei Qiu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
| | - Bao-Liang Song
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China.
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6
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Sinha S, Hembram KC, Chatterjee S. Targeting signaling pathways in cancer stem cells: A potential approach for developing novel anti-cancer therapeutics. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 385:157-209. [PMID: 38663959 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have emerged as prime players in the intricate landscape of cancer development, progression, and resistance to traditional treatments. These unique cellular subpopulations own the remarkable capability of self-renewal and differentiation, giving rise to the diverse cellular makeup of tumors and fostering their recurrence following conventional therapies. In the quest for developing more effective cancer therapeutics, the focus has now shifted toward targeting the signaling pathways that govern CSCs behavior. This chapter underscores the significance of these signaling pathways in CSC biology and their potential as pivotal targets for the development of novel chemotherapy approaches. We delve into several key signaling pathways essential for maintaining the defining characteristics of CSCs, including the Wnt, Hedgehog, Notch, JAK-STAT, NF-κB pathways, among others, shedding light on their potential crosstalk. Furthermore, we highlight the latest advancements in CSC-targeted therapies, spanning from promising preclinical models to ongoing clinical trials. A comprehensive understanding of the intricate molecular aspects of CSC signaling pathways and their manipulation holds the prospective to revolutionize cancer treatment paradigms. This, in turn, could lead to more efficacious and personalized therapies with the ultimate goal of eradicating CSCs and enhancing overall patient outcomes. The exploration of CSC signaling pathways represents a key step towards a brighter future in the battle against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saptarshi Sinha
- National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
| | | | - Subhajit Chatterjee
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
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7
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Amiri-Farsani M, Taheri Z, Tirbakhsh Gouran S, Chabok O, Safarpour-Dehkordi M, Kazemi Roudsari M. Cancer stem cells: Recent trends in cancer therapy. NUCLEOSIDES, NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024:1-32. [PMID: 38319997 DOI: 10.1080/15257770.2024.2311789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of tumor cells that were first identified in blood cancers (leukemia) and are considered promising therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. These cells are the cause of many malignancies including metastasis, heterogeneity, drug resistance, and tumor recurrence. They carry out these activities through multiple transcriptional programs and signaling pathways. This review summarizes the characteristics of cancer stem cells, explains their key signaling pathways and factors, and discusses targeted therapies for cancer stem cells. Investigating these mechanisms and signaling pathways responsible for treatment failure may help identify new therapeutic pathways in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Amiri-Farsani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Zahra Taheri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Pavia University, Pavia, Italy
| | - Somayeh Tirbakhsh Gouran
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Omid Chabok
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Maryam Safarpour-Dehkordi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Mahsa Kazemi Roudsari
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
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8
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Hasan A, Khan NA, Uddin S, Khan AQ, Steinhoff M. Deregulated transcription factors in the emerging cancer hallmarks. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 98:31-50. [PMID: 38123029 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.12.001] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Cancer progression is a multifaceted process that entails several stages and demands the persistent expression or activation of transcription factors (TFs) to facilitate growth and survival. TFs are a cluster of proteins with DNA-binding domains that attach to promoter or enhancer DNA strands to start the transcription of genes by collaborating with RNA polymerase and other supporting proteins. They are generally acknowledged as the major regulatory molecules that coordinate biological homeostasis and the appropriate functioning of cellular components, subsequently contributing to human physiology. TFs proteins are crucial for controlling transcription during the embryonic stage and development, and the stability of different cell types depends on how they function in different cell types. The development and progression of cancer cells and tumors might be triggered by any anomaly in transcription factor function. It has long been acknowledged that cancer development is accompanied by the dysregulated activity of TF alterations which might result in faulty gene expression. Recent studies have suggested that dysregulated transcription factors play a major role in developing various human malignancies by altering and rewiring metabolic processes, modifying the immune response, and triggering oncogenic signaling cascades. This review emphasizes the interplay between TFs involved in metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming, evading immune attacks, cellular senescence, and the maintenance of cancer stemness in cancerous cells. The insights presented herein will facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic modalities to tackle the dysregulated transcription factors underlying cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adria Hasan
- Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Integral Information and Research Centre-4 (IIRC-4), Integral University, Lucknow 226026, India; Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Integral University, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Naushad Ahmad Khan
- Department of Surgery, Trauma and Vascular Surgery Clinical Research, Hamad General Hospital, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow 226026, India; Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Abdul Q Khan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar.
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
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9
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Krenn PW, Aberger F. Targeting cancer hallmark vulnerabilities in hematologic malignancies by interfering with Hedgehog/GLI signaling. Blood 2023; 142:1945-1959. [PMID: 37595276 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021014761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the genetic alterations, disrupted signaling pathways, and hijacked mechanisms in oncogene-transformed hematologic cells is critical for the development of effective and durable treatment strategies against liquid tumors. In this review, we focus on the specific involvement of the Hedgehog (HH)/GLI pathway in the manifestation and initiation of various cancer features in hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma, T- and B-cell lymphomas, and lymphoid and myeloid leukemias. By reviewing canonical and noncanonical, Smoothened-independent HH/GLI signaling and summarizing preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies in hematologic malignancies, we elucidate common molecular mechanisms by which HH/GLI signaling controls key oncogenic processes and cancer hallmarks such as cell proliferation, cancer stem cell fate, genomic instability, microenvironment remodeling, and cell survival. We also summarize current clinical trials with HH inhibitors and discuss successes and challenges, as well as opportunities for future combined therapeutic approaches. By providing a bird's eye view of the role of HH/GLI signaling in liquid tumors, we suggest that a comprehensive understanding of the general oncogenic effects of HH/GLI signaling on the formation of cancer hallmarks is essential to identify critical vulnerabilities within tumor cells and their supporting remodeled microenvironment, paving the way for the development of novel and efficient personalized combination therapies for hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter W Krenn
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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10
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Zhou K, Liu Y, Yuan S, Zhou Z, Ji P, Huang Q, Wen F, Li Q. Signalling in pancreatic cancer: from pathways to therapy. J Drug Target 2023; 31:1013-1026. [PMID: 37869884 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2023.2274806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a common malignant tumour in the digestive system. Due to the lack of sensitive diagnostic markers, strong metastasis ability, and resistance to anti-cancer drugs, the prognosis of PC is inferior. In the past decades, increasing evidence has indicated that the development of PC is closely related to various signalling pathways. With the exploration of RAS-driven, epidermal growth factor receptor, Hedgehog, NF-κB, TGF-β, and NOTCH signalling pathways, breakthroughs have been made to explore the mechanism of pancreatic carcinogenesis, as well as the novel therapies. In this review, we discussed the signalling pathways involved in PC and summarised current targeted agents in the treatment of PC. Furthermore, opportunities and challenges in the exploration of potential therapies targeting signalling pathways were also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexun Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yingping Liu
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | | | - Ziyu Zhou
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Ji
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qianhan Huang
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Feng Wen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiu Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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11
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Li YR, Fang Y, Lyu Z, Zhu Y, Yang L. Exploring the dynamic interplay between cancer stem cells and the tumor microenvironment: implications for novel therapeutic strategies. J Transl Med 2023; 21:686. [PMID: 37784157 PMCID: PMC10546755 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04575-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have emerged as key contributors to tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis. In addition, CSCs play a significant role in inducing immune evasion, thereby compromising the effectiveness of cancer treatments. The reciprocal communication between CSCs and the tumor microenvironment (TME) is observed, with the TME providing a supportive niche for CSC survival and self-renewal, while CSCs, in turn, influence the polarization and persistence of the TME, promoting an immunosuppressive state. Consequently, these interactions hinder the efficacy of current cancer therapies, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches to modulate the TME and target CSCs. In this review, we highlight the intricate strategies employed by CSCs to evade immune surveillance and develop resistance to therapies. Furthermore, we examine the dynamic interplay between CSCs and the TME, shedding light on how this interaction impacts cancer progression. Moreover, we provide an overview of advanced therapeutic strategies that specifically target CSCs and the TME, which hold promise for future clinical and translational studies in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ruide Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Ying Fang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Zibai Lyu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Yichen Zhu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Lili Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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12
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Therapeutic targeting of dormant cancer stem cells in solid tumors. GENE REPORTS 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2022.101717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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13
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Totiger TM, Ghoshal A, Zabroski J, Sondhi A, Bucha S, Jahn J, Feng Y, Taylor J. Targeted Therapy Development in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Biomedicines 2023; 11:641. [PMID: 36831175 PMCID: PMC9953553 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic developments targeting acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been in the pipeline for five decades and have recently resulted in the approval of multiple targeted therapies. However, there remains an unmet need for molecular treatments that can deliver long-term remissions and cure for this heterogeneous disease. Previously, a wide range of small molecule drugs were developed to target sub-types of AML, mainly in the relapsed and refractory setting; however, drug resistance has derailed the long-term efficacy of these as monotherapies. Recently, the small molecule venetoclax was introduced in combination with azacitidine, which has improved the response rates and the overall survival in older adults with AML compared to those of chemotherapy. However, this regimen is still limited by cytotoxicity and is not curative. Therefore, there is high demand for therapies that target specific abnormalities in AML while sparing normal cells and eliminating leukemia-initiating cells. Despite this, the urgent need to develop these therapies has been hampered by the complexities of this heterogeneous disease, spurring the development of innovative therapies that target different mechanisms of leukemogenesis. This review comprehensively addresses the development of novel targeted therapies and the translational perspective for acute myeloid leukemia, including the development of selective and non-selective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tulasigeri M. Totiger
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Anirban Ghoshal
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jenna Zabroski
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Anya Sondhi
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Saanvi Bucha
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jacob Jahn
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Yangbo Feng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Justin Taylor
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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14
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Understanding the Roles of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway during T-Cell Lymphopoiesis and in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032962. [PMID: 36769284 PMCID: PMC9917970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (HH) signaling network is one of the main regulators of invertebrate and vertebrate embryonic development. Along with other networks, such as NOTCH and WNT, HH signaling specifies both the early patterning and the polarity events as well as the subsequent organ formation via the temporal and spatial regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. However, aberrant activation of HH signaling has been identified in a broad range of malignant disorders, where it positively influences proliferation, survival, and therapeutic resistance of neoplastic cells. Inhibitors targeting the HH pathway have been tested in preclinical cancer models. The HH pathway is also overactive in other blood malignancies, including T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). This review is intended to summarize our knowledge of the biological roles and pathophysiology of the HH pathway during normal T-cell lymphopoiesis and in T-ALL. In addition, we will discuss potential therapeutic strategies that might expand the clinical usefulness of drugs targeting the HH pathway in T-ALL.
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15
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Gołos A, Góra-Tybor J, Robak T. Experimental drugs in clinical trials for acute myeloid leukemia: innovations, trends, and opportunities. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:53-67. [PMID: 36669827 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2171860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by many cytogenetic and molecular alterations. Due to better knowledge of the molecular basis of AML, many targeted therapies have been introduced and registered, e.g. FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 inhibitors, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 mutation inhibitors, and Bcl-2 inhibitor. Despite that, the cure for AML remains an unmet clinical need in most patients. AREAS COVERED The review aims to present new, not yet registered drugs for AML. We searched the English literature for articles concerning AML, targeted drugs, menin inhibitors, DOT1L, BET, IDH inhibitors, FLT3, hedgehog inhibitors, Polo-like kinase inhibitors, RNA splicing, and immune therapies via PubMed. Publications from January 2000 to August 2022 were scrutinized. Additional relevant publications were obtained by reviewing the references from the chosen articles and Google search. Conference proceedings from the previous 5 years of The American Society of Hematology, the European Hematology Association, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology were searched manually. Additional relevant publications were obtained by reviewing the references. EXPERT OPINION For several years, the therapeutic approach in AML has become more individualized. Novel groups of drugs give hope for greater curability. High response rates have agents that restore the activity of the p53 protein. In addition, agents that work independently of a particular mutation seem promising for AML without any known mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Gołos
- Department of Hematooncology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Lodz, Poland
| | - Joanna Góra-Tybor
- Department of Hematooncology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Lodz, Poland.,Department of Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Robak
- Department of Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.,Department of General Hematology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Lodz, Poland
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16
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The role of Hedgehog and Notch signaling pathway in cancer. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:44. [PMID: 36517618 PMCID: PMC9751255 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00099-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Notch and Hedgehog signaling are involved in cancer biology and pathology, including the maintenance of tumor cell proliferation, cancer stem-like cells, and the tumor microenvironment. Given the complexity of Notch signaling in tumors, its role as both a tumor promoter and suppressor, and the crosstalk between pathways, the goal of developing clinically safe, effective, tumor-specific Notch-targeted drugs has remained intractable. Drugs developed against the Hedgehog signaling pathway have affirmed definitive therapeutic effects in basal cell carcinoma; however, in some contexts, the challenges of tumor resistance and recurrence leap to the forefront. The efficacy is very limited for other tumor types. In recent years, we have witnessed an exponential increase in the investigation and recognition of the critical roles of the Notch and Hedgehog signaling pathways in cancers, and the crosstalk between these pathways has vast space and value to explore. A series of clinical trials targeting signaling have been launched continually. In this review, we introduce current advances in the understanding of Notch and Hedgehog signaling and the crosstalk between pathways in specific tumor cell populations and microenvironments. Moreover, we also discuss the potential of targeting Notch and Hedgehog for cancer therapy, intending to promote the leap from bench to bedside.
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17
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Lin L, Zhu S, Huang H, Wu LP, Huang J. Chemically modified small interfering RNA targeting Hedgehog signaling pathway for rheumatoid arthritis therapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 31:88-104. [PMID: 36618268 PMCID: PMC9813581 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that leads to disability; however, existing therapies are still unsatisfactory. Activated fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) play an essential role in synovitis formation and joint destruction in RA. The Hedgehog signaling pathway is aberrantly activated and contributes to the aggressive phenotype of RA-FLSs. However, it remains uncertain whether inhibiting Smoothened (SMO), a critical component of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, is an effective treatment for RA. Here, we design a series of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that specifically target the SMO gene. With precise chemical modifications, siRNAs' efficacy and stability are significantly improved, and the off-target effects are minimized. The optimized chemically modified siRNA (si-S1A3-Chol) decreases RA-FLS proliferation and invasiveness without the transfection reagent. Furthermore, si-S1A3-Chol injected intra-articularly effectively alleviates joint destruction and improves motor function in collagen-induced arthritis mouse models. Consequently, our results demonstrate that chemically modified siRNA targeting the Hedgehog signaling pathway may be a potential therapy for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lang Lin
- Department of Rheumatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shangling Zhu
- Department of Rheumatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongyu Huang
- Division of Clinical Public Health and Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Lin-Ping Wu
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, People’s Republic of China,Corresponding author: Lin-Ping Wu, Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, People’s Republic of China.
| | - Jianlin Huang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, People’s Republic of China,Corresponding author: Jianlin Huang, Department of Rheumatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, People’s Republic of China.
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18
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Magrath JW, Kang HJ, Hartono A, Espinosa-Cotton M, Somwar R, Ladanyi M, Cheung NKV, Lee SB. Desmoplastic small round cell tumor cancer stem cell-like cells resist chemotherapy but remain dependent on the EWSR1-WT1 oncoprotein. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1048709. [PMID: 36506091 PMCID: PMC9732033 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1048709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor (DSRCT) is a rare and aggressive pediatric cancer driven by the EWSR1-WT1 fusion oncogene. Combinations of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are not curative, and the 5-years survival rate is less than 25%. One potential explanation for refractoriness is the existence of a cancer stem cell (CSC) subpopulation able escape current treatment modalities. However, no study to-date has examined the role of CSCs in DSRCT or established in vitro culture conditions to model this subpopulation. In this study, we investigated the role of stemness markers in DSRCT survival and metastasis, finding that elevated levels of SOX2 and NANOG are associated with worse survival in sarcoma patients and are elevated in metastatic DSRCT tumors. We further develop the first in vitro DSRCT CSC model which forms tumorspheres, expresses increased levels of stemness markers (SOX2, NANOG, KLF4, and OCT4), and resists doxorubicin chemotherapy treatment. This model is an important addition to the DSRCT tool kit and will enable investigation of this critical DSRCT subpopulation. Despite lower sensitivity to chemotherapy, the DSRCT CSC model remained sensitive to knockdown of the EWSR1-WT1 fusion protein, suggesting that future therapies directed against this oncogenic driver have the potential to treat both DSRCT bulk tumor and CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin W. Magrath
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Hong-Jun Kang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Alifiani Hartono
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Madelyn Espinosa-Cotton
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Romel Somwar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Marc Ladanyi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nai-Kong V. Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sean B. Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
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19
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Multiprotein GLI Transcriptional Complexes as Therapeutic Targets in Cancer. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12121967. [PMID: 36556332 PMCID: PMC9786339 DOI: 10.3390/life12121967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The Hedgehog signaling pathway functions in both embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. Importantly, its aberrant activation is also implicated in the progression of multiple types of cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma. GLI transcription factors function as the ultimate effectors of the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Their activity is regulated by this signaling cascade via their mRNA expression, protein stability, subcellular localization, and ultimately their transcriptional activity. Further, GLI proteins are also regulated by a variety of non-canonical mechanisms in addition to the canonical Hedgehog pathway. Recently, with an increased understanding of epigenetic gene regulation, novel transcriptional regulators have been identified that interact with GLI proteins in multi-protein complexes to regulate GLI transcriptional activity. Such complexes have added another layer of complexity to the regulation of GLI proteins. Here, we summarize recent work on the regulation of GLI transcriptional activity by these novel protein complexes and describe their relevance to cancer, as such GLI regulators represent alternative and innovative druggable targets in GLI-dependent cancers.
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20
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Lemos T, Merchant A. The hedgehog pathway in hematopoiesis and hematological malignancy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:960943. [PMID: 36091167 PMCID: PMC9453489 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.960943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (HH) pathway is a promising therapeutic target in hematological malignancies. Activation of the pathway has been tied to greater chances of relapse and poorer outcomes in several hematological malignancies and inhibiting the pathway has improved outcomes in several clinical trials. One inhibitor targeting the pathway via the protein Smoothened (SMO), glasdegib, has been approved by the FDA for use with a low dose cytarabine regiment in some high-risk acute myeloid leukemia patients (AML). If further clinical trials in glasdegib produce positive results, there may soon be more general use of HH inhibitors in the treatment of hematological malignancies.While there is clinical evidence that HH inhibitors may improve outcomes and help prevent relapse, a full understanding of any mechanism of action remains elusive. The bulk of AML cells exhibit primary resistance to SMO inhibition (SMOi), leading some to hypothesize that that clinical activity of SMOi is mediated through modulation of self-renewal and chemoresistance in rare cancer stem cells (CSC). Direct evidence that CSC are being targeted in patients by SMOi has proven difficult to produce, and here we present data to support the alternative hypothesis that suggests the clinical benefit observed with SMOi is being mediated through stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment.This paper's aims are to review the history of the HH pathway in hematopoiesis and hematological malignancy, to highlight the pre-clinical and clinical evidence for its use a therapeutic target, and to explore the evidence for stromal activation of the pathway acting to protect CSCs and enable self-renewal of AML and other diseases. Finally, we highlight gaps in the current data and present hypotheses for new research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Akil Merchant
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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21
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Canonical Hedgehog Pathway and Noncanonical GLI Transcription Factor Activation in Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162523. [PMID: 36010600 PMCID: PMC9406872 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog signaling pathway is one of the fundamental pathways required for development and regulation of postnatal regeneration in a variety of tissues. The pathway has also been associated with cancers since the identification of a mutation in one of its components, PTCH, as the cause of Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome, which is associated with several cancers. Our understanding of the pathway in tumorigenesis has expanded greatly since that initial discovery over two decades ago. The pathway has tumor-suppressive and oncogenic functions depending on the context of the cancer. Furthermore, noncanonical activation of GLI transcription factors has been reported in a number of tumor types. Here, we review the roles of canonical Hedgehog signaling pathway and noncanonical GLI activation in cancers, particularly epithelial cancers, and discuss an emerging concept of the distinct outcomes that these modes have on cancer initiation and progression.
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22
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Kapoor-Narula U, Lenka N. Cancer stem cells and tumor heterogeneity: Deciphering the role in tumor progression and metastasis. Cytokine 2022; 157:155968. [PMID: 35872504 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.155968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity, in principle, reflects the variation among different cancer cell populations. It can be termed inter- or intra-tumoral heterogeneity, respectively, based on its occurrence in various tissues from diverse patients or within a single tumor. The intra-tumoral heterogeneity is one of the leading causes of cancer progression and treatment failure, with the cancer stem cells (CSCs) contributing immensely to the same. These niche cells, similar to normal stem cells, possess the characteristics of self-renewal and differentiation into multiple cell types. Moreover, CSCs contribute to tumor growth and surveillance by promoting recurrence, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Diverse factors, including intracellular signalling pathways and tumor microenvironment (TME), play a vital role in regulating these CSCs. Although a panel of markers is considered to identify the CSC pool in various cancers, further research is needed to discriminate cancer-specific CSC markers in those. CSCs have also been found to be promising therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. Several small molecules, natural compounds, antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells, and CAR-natural killer (CAR-NK) cells have emerged as therapeutic tools for specific targeting of CSCs. Interestingly, many of these are in clinical trials too. Despite being a much-explored avenue of research for years, and we have come to understand its nitty-gritty, there is still a tremendous gap in our knowledge concerning its precise genesis and regulation. Hence, a concrete understanding is needed to assess the CSC-TME link and how to target different cancer-specific CSCs by designing newer tools. In this review, we have summarized CSC, its causative, different pathways and factors regulating its growth, association with tumor heterogeneity, and last but not least, discussed many of the promising CSC-targeted therapies for combating cancer metastasis.
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23
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Yang Y, Lu Y, Zhang C, Guo Q, Zhang W, Wang T, Xia Z, Liu J, Cheng X, Xi T, Jiang F, Zheng L. Phenazine derivatives attenuate the stemness of breast cancer cells through triggering ferroptosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:360. [PMID: 35690642 PMCID: PMC11072418 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04384-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are positively correlated with the metastasis, chemoresistance, and recurrence of breast cancer. However, there are still no drugs targeting BCSCs in clinical using for breast cancer treatment. Here, we tried to screen out small-molecule compounds targeting BCSCs from the phenazine library established by us before. We focused on the compounds without affecting cell viability and screened out three potential compounds (CPUL119, CPUL129, CPUL149) that can significantly attenuate the stemness of breast cancer cells, as evident by the decrease of stemness marker expression, CD44+/CD24- subpopulation, mammary spheroid-formation ability, and tumor-initiating capacity. Additionally, these compounds suppressed the metastatic ability of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Combined with the transcriptome sequencing analysis, ferroptosis was shown on the top of the most upregulated pathways by CPUL119, CPUL129, and CPUL149, respectively. Mechanistically, we found that these three compounds could trigger ferroptosis by accumulating and sequestering iron in lysosomes through interacting with iron, and by regulating the expression of proteins (IRP2, TfR1, ferritin) engaged in iron transport and storage. Furthermore, inhibition of ferroptosis rescued the suppression of these three compounds on breast cancer cell stemness. This study suggests that CPUL119, CPUL129, and CPUL149 can specifically inhibit the stemness of breast cancer cells through triggering ferroptosis and may be the potential compounds for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, School of Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Lu
- School of Life Science and Technology, School of Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunhua Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, School of Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Qianqian Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, 127 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenzhou Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, 127 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, School of Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuolu Xia
- School of Life Science and Technology, School of Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, School of Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangyu Cheng
- School of Life Science and Technology, School of Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Xi
- School of Life Science and Technology, School of Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China.
| | - Feng Jiang
- School of Life Science and Technology, School of Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lufeng Zheng
- School of Life Science and Technology, School of Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Road, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China.
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24
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Palla M, Scarpato L, Di Trolio R, Ascierto PA. Sonic hedgehog pathway for the treatment of inflammatory diseases: implications and opportunities for future research. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-004397. [PMID: 35710292 PMCID: PMC9204405 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway is an essential pathway in the human body that plays an important role in embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis. Aberrant activation of this pathway has been linked to the development of different diseases, ranging from cancer to immune dysregulation and infections. Uncontrolled activation of the pathway through sporadic mutations or other mechanisms is associated with cancer development and progression in various malignancies, such as basal cell carcinoma, medulloblastoma, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and small-cell lung carcinoma. Targeted inhibition of the pathway components has therefore emerged as an attractive and validated therapeutic strategy for the treatment of a wide range of cancers. Currently, two main components of the pathway, the smoothened receptor and the glioma-associated oncogene homolog transcriptional factors, have been investigated for the development of targeted drugs, leading to the marketing authorization of three smoothened receptor inhibitors for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma and acute myeloid leukemia. The Shh pathway also seems to be involved in regulating the immune response, possibly playing a role in immune system evasions by tumors, development of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, airway inflammation, and diseases related to aberrant activation of T-helper 2 cellular response, such as allergy, atopic dermatitis, and asthma. Finally, the Shh pathway is involved in pathogen-mediated infection, including influenza-A and, more recently, SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Therefore, agents that inhibit the Shh signaling pathway might be used to treat pathogenic infections, shifting the therapeutic approach from strain-specific treatments to host-based strategies that target highly conserved host targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palla
- Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Scarpato
- Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Rossella Di Trolio
- Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Paolo Antonio Ascierto
- Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
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25
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Ma C, Hu K, Ullah I, Zheng QK, Zhang N, Sun ZG. Molecular Mechanisms Involving the Sonic Hedgehog Pathway in Lung Cancer Therapy: Recent Advances. Front Oncol 2022; 12:729088. [PMID: 35433472 PMCID: PMC9010822 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.729088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the latest statistics from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), lung cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies in the world, accounting for approximately 18% of all cancer-associated deaths. Yet, even with aggressive interventions for advanced lung cancer, the five-year survival rate remains low, at around 15%. The hedgehog signaling pathway is highly conserved during embryonic development and is involved in tissue homeostasis as well as organ development. However, studies have documented an increasing prevalence of aberrant activation of HH signaling in lung cancer patients, promoting malignant lung cancer progression with poor prognostic outcomes. Inhibitors targeting the HH pathway have been widely used in tumor therapy, however, they still cannot avoid the occurrence of drug resistance. Interestingly, natural products, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy, have greatly improved overall survival outcomes for lung cancer patients by acting on the HH signaling pathway because of its unique and excellent pharmacological properties. In this review, we elucidate on the underlying molecular mechanisms through which the HH pathway promotes malignant biological behaviors in lung cancer, as well as the potential of inhibitors or natural compounds in targeting HH signaling for clinical applications in lung cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Ma
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Kang Hu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Irfan Ullah
- Department of Surgery, Khyber Medical University Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Qing-Kang Zheng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Breast Center, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi-Gang Sun, ; Nan Zhang,
| | - Zhi-Gang Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi-Gang Sun, ; Nan Zhang,
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Andreozzi F, Massaro F, Wittnebel S, Spilleboudt C, Lewalle P, Salaroli A. New Perspectives in Treating Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Driving towards a Patient-Tailored Strategy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:3887. [PMID: 35409248 PMCID: PMC8999556 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, intensive chemotherapy (IC) has been considered the best therapeutic option for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with no curative option available for patients who are not eligible for IC or who have had failed IC. Over the last few years, several new drugs have enriched the therapeutic arsenal of AML treatment for both fit and unfit patients, raising new opportunities but also new challenges. These include the already approved venetoclax, the IDH1/2 inhibitors enasidenib and ivosidenib, gemtuzumab ozogamicin, the liposomal daunorubicin/cytarabine formulation CPX-351, and oral azacitidine. Venetoclax, an anti BCL2-inhibitor, in combination with hypomethylating agents (HMAs), has markedly improved the management of unfit and elderly patients from the perspective of improved quality of life and better survival. Venetoclax is currently under investigation in combination with other old and new drugs in early phase trials. Recently developed drugs with different mechanisms of action and new technologies that have already been investigated in other settings (BiTE and CAR-T cells) are currently being explored in AML, and ongoing trials should determine promising agents, more synergic combinations, and better treatment strategies. Access to new drugs and inclusion in clinical trials should be strongly encouraged to provide scientific evidence and to define the future standard of treatment in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Andreozzi
- Hematology Department, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium; (F.M.); (S.W.); (C.S.); (P.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Fulvio Massaro
- Hematology Department, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium; (F.M.); (S.W.); (C.S.); (P.L.); (A.S.)
- PhD Program in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Sebastian Wittnebel
- Hematology Department, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium; (F.M.); (S.W.); (C.S.); (P.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Chloé Spilleboudt
- Hematology Department, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium; (F.M.); (S.W.); (C.S.); (P.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Philippe Lewalle
- Hematology Department, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium; (F.M.); (S.W.); (C.S.); (P.L.); (A.S.)
| | - Adriano Salaroli
- Hematology Department, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium; (F.M.); (S.W.); (C.S.); (P.L.); (A.S.)
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27
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Cytotoxicity of Thioalkaloid-Enriched Nuphar lutea Extract and Purified 6,6′-Dihydroxythiobinupharidine in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells: The Role of Oxidative Stress and Intracellular Calcium. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040410. [PMID: 35455407 PMCID: PMC9032197 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological malignancy characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of immature myeloid progenitors. Here, we report the in vitro antileukemic effects of the sesquiterpene thioalkaloid-enriched fraction of the Nuphar lutea leaf extract (NUP) and a purified thioalkaloid 6,6′-dihydroxythiobinupharidine (DTBN). Treatment with 0.3–10 µg/mL NUP caused a dose- and time-dependent reduction in proliferation and viability of human AML cells (KG-1a, HL60 and U937). This was associated with apoptosis induction manifested by annexin-V/propidium iodide binding as well as cleavage of caspases 8, 9, and 3 as well as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Caspase-dependence of the apoptotic effect was confirmed using the pan-caspase inhibitor Q-VD-OPH. NUP induced significant biphasic changes in the cytosolic levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to untreated cells—a decrease at early time points (2–4 h) and an increase after a longer incubation (24 h). ROS accumulation was accompanied by lowering the cellular glutathione (GSH) levels. In addition, NUP treatment resulted in elevation of the cytosolic Ca2+ (Ca2+cyt) levels. The thiol antioxidant and glutathione precursor N-acetyl cysteine prevented NUP-induced ROS accumulation and markedly inhibited apoptosis. A similar antiapoptotic effect was obtained by Ca2+cyt chelating using BAPTA. These data indicate that NUP-induced cell death is mediated, at least in part, by the induction of oxidative stress and Ca2+cyt accumulation. However, a substantial apoptotic activity of pure DTBN (0.05–0.25 µg/mL), was found to be independent of cytosolic ROS or Ca2+, suggesting that alternative mechanisms are involved in DTBN-induced cytotoxicity. Notably, neither NUP nor DTBN treatment significantly induced cell death of normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our results provide the basis for further investigation of the antileukemic potential of NUP and its active constituents.
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28
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He L, Arnold C, Thoma J, Rohde C, Kholmatov M, Garg S, Hsiao CC, Viol L, Zhang K, Sun R, Schmidt C, Janssen M, MacRae T, Huber K, Thiede C, Hébert J, Sauvageau G, Spratte J, Fluhr H, Aust G, Müller-Tidow C, Niehrs C, Pereira G, Hamann J, Tanaka M, Zaugg JB, Pabst C. CDK7/12/13 inhibition targets an oscillating leukemia stem cell network and synergizes with venetoclax in acute myeloid leukemia. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e14990. [PMID: 35253392 PMCID: PMC8988201 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneous response of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to current anti‐leukemic therapies is only partially explained by mutational heterogeneity. We previously identified GPR56 as a surface marker associated with poor outcome across genetic groups, which characterizes two leukemia stem cell (LSC)‐enriched compartments with different self‐renewal capacities. How these compartments self‐renew remained unclear. Here, we show that GPR56+ LSC compartments are promoted in a complex network involving epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulators besides Rho, Wnt, and Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Unexpectedly, Wnt pathway inhibition increased the more immature, slowly cycling GPR56+CD34+ fraction and Hh/EMT gene expression, while Wnt activation caused opposite effects. Our data suggest that the crucial role of GPR56 lies in its ability to co‐activate these opposing signals, thus ensuring the constant supply of both LSC subsets. We show that CDK7 inhibitors suppress both LSC‐enriched subsets in vivo and synergize with the Bcl‐2 inhibitor venetoclax. Our data establish reciprocal transition between LSC compartments as a novel concept underlying the poor outcome in GPR56high AML and propose combined CDK7 and Bcl‐2 inhibition as LSC‐directed therapy in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixiazi He
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), University of Heidelberg and European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Arnold
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), University of Heidelberg and European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany.,European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Judith Thoma
- Physical Chemistry of Biosystems, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Rohde
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), University of Heidelberg and European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maksim Kholmatov
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), University of Heidelberg and European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany.,European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Swati Garg
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), University of Heidelberg and European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cheng-Chih Hsiao
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Linda Viol
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS)/Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology (ZMBH), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kaiqing Zhang
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rui Sun
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christina Schmidt
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maike Janssen
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tara MacRae
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Stem Cells, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Karin Huber
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Thiede
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital of Dresden Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Josée Hébert
- The Quebec Leukemia Cell Bank and Division of Hematology-Oncology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Montréal, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Division of Hematology-Oncology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Guy Sauvageau
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Stem Cells, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Division of Hematology-Oncology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julia Spratte
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Herbert Fluhr
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gabriela Aust
- Department of Surgery, Research Laboratories, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carsten Müller-Tidow
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), University of Heidelberg and European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christof Niehrs
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
| | - Gislene Pereira
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS)/Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology (ZMBH), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jörg Hamann
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Motomu Tanaka
- Physical Chemistry of Biosystems, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Center for Integrative Medicine and Physics, Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Judith B Zaugg
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), University of Heidelberg and European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany.,European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Caroline Pabst
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), University of Heidelberg and European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
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Update on glasdegib in acute myeloid leukemia - broadening horizons of Hedgehog pathway inhibitors. ACTA PHARMACEUTICA (ZAGREB, CROATIA) 2022; 72:9-34. [PMID: 36651529 DOI: 10.2478/acph-2022-0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Numerous new emerging therapies, including oral targeted chemotherapies, have recently entered the therapeutic arsenal against acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The significant shift toward the use of these novel therapeutics, administered either alone or in combination with intensive or low-intensity chemotherapy, changes the prospects for the control of this disease, especially for elderly patients. Glasdegib, an oral Hedgehog pathway inhibitor, showed satisfactory response rates associated with moderate toxicity and less early mortality than standard induction regimens in this population. It was approved in November 2018 by the FDA and in June 2020 by the EMA for use in combination with low-dose cytarabine as a treatment of newly-diagnosed AML in patients aged ≥ 75 and/or unfit for intensive induction chemotherapy. The current paper proposes an extensive, up-to-date review of the preclinical and clinical development of glasdegib. Elements of its routine clinical use and the landscape of ongoing clinical trials are also stated.
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30
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Ci T, Zhang W, Qiao Y, Li H, Zang J, Li H, Feng N, Gu Z. Delivery strategies in treatments of leukemia. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:2121-2144. [PMID: 35188506 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00755f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Leukemia is a hematological malignancy associated with the uncontrolled proliferation of mutant progenitors, suppressing the production of normal blood cells. Current treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, still lead to unsatisfactory results with a 5 year survival rate of only 30-50%. The poor prognosis is related to both disease relapse and treatment-associated toxicity. Delivery strategies can improve the in vivo pharmacokinetics of drugs, navigating the therapeutics to target cells or the tumor microenvironment and reversing drug resistance, which maximizes tumor elimination and alleviates systematic adverse effects. This review discusses available FDA-approved anti-leukemia drugs and therapies with a focus on the advances in the development of anti-leukemia drug delivery systems. Additionally, challenges in clinical translation of the delivery strategies and future research opportunities in leukemia treatment are also included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyuan Ci
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Wentao Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Yingyu Qiao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210009, China
| | - Huangjuan Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210009, China
| | - Jing Zang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Hongjun Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Nianping Feng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Zhen Gu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China. .,Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.,Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China.,MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
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31
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Luo J, Wang J, Yang J, Huang W, Liu J, Tan W, Xin H. Saikosaponin B1 and Saikosaponin D inhibit tumor growth in medulloblastoma allograft mice via inhibiting the Hedgehog signaling pathway. J Nat Med 2022; 76:584-593. [PMID: 35171398 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-022-01603-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB), accounting for nearly 10% of all childhood brain tumors, are implicated with aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Saikosaponin B1 (SSB1) and Saikosaponin D (SSD), two bioactive constituents of Radix Bupleuri, are reported to have many biological activities including anticancer activities. In our work, we evaluated the inhibition of SSB1 and SSD on MB tumor growth in allograft mice and explored the underlying mechanisms. The associated biological activity was investigated in Shh Light II cells, an Hh-responsive fibroblast cell line, using the Dual-Glo® Luciferase Assay System. First, SSB1 (IC50, 241.8 nM) and SSD (IC50, 168.7 nM) inhibited GLI-luciferase activity in Shh Light II cells stimulated with ShhN CM, as well as Gli1 and Ptch1 mRNA expression. In addition, both compounds suppressed the Hh signaling activity provoked by smoothened agonist (SAG) or excessive Smoothened (SMO) expression. Meanwhile, SSB1 and SSD did not inhibit glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) luciferase activity activated by abnormal expression of downstream molecules, suppressor of fuse (SUFU) knockdown or GLI2 overexpression. Consequently, SSB1 (30 mg/kg, ip) and SSD (10 mg/kg, ip) displayed excellent in vivo inhibitory activity in MB allografts, and the tumor growth inhibition ratios were approximately 50% and 70%, respectively. Our findings, thus, identify SSB1 and SSD significantly inhibit tumor growth in MB models by inhibiting the Hedgehog pathway through targeting SMO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjing Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Junqiu Liu
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenfu Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hong Xin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
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32
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Leotta S, Condorelli A, Sciortino R, Milone GA, Bellofiore C, Garibaldi B, Schininà G, Spadaro A, Cupri A, Milone G. Prevention and Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Relapse after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: The State of the Art and Future Perspectives. J Clin Med 2022; 11:253. [PMID: 35011994 PMCID: PMC8745746 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11010253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represents the only curative option. Progress has been made in the last two decades in the pre-transplant induction therapies, supportive care, selection of donors and conditioning regimens that allowed to extend the HSCT to a larger number of patients, including those aged over 65 years and/or lacking an HLA-identical donor. Furthermore, improvements in the prophylaxis of the graft-versus-host disease and of infection have dramatically reduced transplant-related mortality. The relapse of AML remains the major reason for transplant failure affecting almost 40-50% of the patients. From 10 to 15 years ago to date, treatment options for AML relapsing after HSCT were limited to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy and donor leukocyte infusions (DLI). Nowadays, novel agents and targeted therapies have enriched the therapeutic landscape. Moreover, very recently, the therapeutic landscape has been enriched by manipulated cellular products (CAR-T, CAR-CIK, CAR-NK). In light of these new perspectives, careful monitoring of minimal-residual disease (MRD) and prompt application of pre-emptive strategies in the post-transplant setting have become imperative. Herein, we review the current state of the art on monitoring, prevention and treatment of relapse of AML after HSCT with particular attention on novel agents and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annalisa Condorelli
- Division of Hematology, AOU “Policlinico G. Rodolico-San Marco”, Via Santa Sofia 78, 95124 Catania, Italy; (S.L.); (R.S.); (G.A.M.); (C.B.); (B.G.); (G.S.); (A.S.); (A.C.); (G.M.)
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33
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Sidat PS, Jaber TMK, Vekariya SR, Mogal AM, Patel AM, Noolvi M. Anticancer Biological Profile of Some Heterocylic Moieties-Thiadiazole, Benzimidazole, Quinazoline, and Pyrimidine. PHARMACOPHORE 2022. [DOI: 10.51847/rt6ve6gesu] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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34
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FDA-Approved Drugs for Hematological Malignancies-The Last Decade Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010087. [PMID: 35008250 PMCID: PMC8750348 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hematological malignancies are diseases involving the abnormal production of blood cells. The aim of the study is to collect comprehensive information on new drugs used in the treatment of blood cancers which have introduced into therapy in the last decade. The approved drugs were analyzed for their structures and their biological activity mechanisms. Abstract Hematological malignancies, also referred to as blood cancers, are a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth and persisting in the blood, lymph nodes, or bone marrow. The development of new targeted therapies including small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, bispecific T cell engagers, antibody-drug conjugates, recombinant immunotoxins, and, finally, Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR-T) cells has improved the clinical outcomes for blood cancers. In this review, we summarized 52 drugs that were divided into small molecule and macromolecule agents, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the period between 2011 and 2021 for the treatment of hematological malignancies. Forty of them have also been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). We analyzed the FDA-approved drugs by investigating both their structures and mechanisms of action. It should be emphasized that the number of targeted drugs was significantly higher (46 drugs) than chemotherapy agents (6 drugs). We highlight recent advances in the design of drugs that are used to treat hematological malignancies, which make them more effective and less toxic.
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Tang Y, Chen Y, Zhang Z, Tang B, Zhou Z, Chen H. Nanoparticle-Based RNAi Therapeutics Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: Update and Prospective. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13122116. [PMID: 34959397 PMCID: PMC8708448 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13122116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are characterized by intrinsic self-renewal and tumorigenic properties, and play important roles in tumor initiation, progression, and resistance to diverse forms of anticancer therapy. Accordingly, targeting signaling pathways that are critical for CSC maintenance and biofunctions, including the Wnt, Notch, Hippo, and Hedgehog signaling cascades, remains a promising therapeutic strategy in multiple cancer types. Furthermore, advances in various cancer omics approaches have largely increased our knowledge of the molecular basis of CSCs, and provided numerous novel targets for anticancer therapy. However, the majority of recently identified targets remain ‘undruggable’ through small-molecule agents, whereas the implications of exogenous RNA interference (RNAi, including siRNA and miRNA) may make it possible to translate our knowledge into therapeutics in a timely manner. With the recent advances of nanomedicine, in vivo delivery of RNAi using elaborate nanoparticles can potently overcome the intrinsic limitations of RNAi alone, as it is rapidly degraded and has unpredictable off-target side effects. Herein, we present an update on the development of RNAi-delivering nanoplatforms in CSC-targeted anticancer therapy and discuss their potential implications in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongquan Tang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.C.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Yan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.C.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.C.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Bo Tang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
| | - Zongguang Zhou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.C.); (Z.Z.)
- Correspondence: (Z.Z.); (H.C.)
| | - Haining Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (Y.C.); (Z.Z.)
- Correspondence: (Z.Z.); (H.C.)
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Foran JM. Can venetoclax-based therapy replace 7+3 induction in fit older adults with AML? Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2021; 34:101335. [PMID: 34865692 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2021.101335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) face a dismal prognosis. Although venetoclax-based therapy has led to improved outcomes among unfit older patients with AML, it is not curative and its efficacy and long-term outcomes among fit older patients is unclear. This review provides insights into factors that influence treatment choices among older patients with AML and what we would need to know for venetoclax-based therapy to replace standard intensive 7 + 3 induction therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Foran
- Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
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37
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Emerging roles of the Hedgehog signalling pathway in inflammatory bowel disease. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:314. [PMID: 34702800 PMCID: PMC8548344 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00679-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway plays a critical role in the growth and patterning during embryonic development and maintenance of adult tissue homeostasis. Emerging data indicate that Hh signalling is implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Current therapeutic treatments for IBD require optimisation, and novel effective drugs are warranted. Targeting the Hh signalling pathway may pave the way for successful IBD treatment. In this review, we introduce the molecular mechanisms underlying the Hh signalling pathway and its role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Then, we present interactions between the Hh signalling and other pathways involved in IBD and colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC), such as the Wnt and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways. Furthermore, we summarise the latest research on Hh signalling associated with the occurrence and progression of IBD and CAC. Finally, we discuss the future directions for research on the role of Hh signalling in IBD pathogenesis and provide viewpoints on novel treatment options for IBD by targeting Hh signalling. An in-depth understanding of the complex role of Hh signalling in IBD pathogenesis will contribute to the development of new effective therapies for IBD patients.
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Peer E, Aichberger SK, Vilotic F, Gruber W, Parigger T, Grund-Gröschke S, Elmer DP, Rathje F, Ramspacher A, Zaja M, Michel S, Hamm S, Aberger F. Casein Kinase 1D Encodes a Novel Drug Target in Hedgehog-GLI-Driven Cancers and Tumor-Initiating Cells Resistant to SMO Inhibition. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164227. [PMID: 34439381 PMCID: PMC8394935 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Uncontrolled activation of hedgehog (HH)—GLI signaling contributes to the development of several human malignancies. Targeted inhibition of the HH—GLI signaling cascade with small-molecule inhibitors can reduce cancer growth, but patient relapse is very common due to the development of drug resistance. Therefore, a high unmet medical need exists for new drug targets and inhibitors to achieve efficient and durable responses. In the current study, we identified CSNK1D as a novel drug target in the HH—GLI signaling pathway. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of CSNK1D activity leads to suppression of oncogenic HH—GLI signaling, even in cancer cells in which already approved HH inhibitors are no longer effective due to resistance mechanisms. Inhibition of CSNK1D function reduces the malignant properties of so-called tumor-initiating cells, thereby limiting cancer growth and presumably metastasis. The results of this study form the basis for the development of efficient CSNK1D inhibitors for the therapy of HH—GLI-associated cancers. Abstract (1) Background: Aberrant activation of the hedgehog (HH)—GLI pathway in stem-like tumor-initiating cells (TIC) is a frequent oncogenic driver signal in various human malignancies. Remarkable efficacy of anti-HH therapeutics led to the approval of HH inhibitors targeting the key pathway effector smoothened (SMO) in basal cell carcinoma and acute myeloid leukemia. However, frequent development of drug resistance and severe adverse effects of SMO inhibitors pose major challenges that require alternative treatment strategies targeting HH—GLI in TIC downstream of SMO. We therefore investigated members of the casein kinase 1 (CSNK1) family as novel drug targets in HH—GLI-driven malignancies. (2) Methods: We genetically and pharmacologically inhibited CSNK1D in HH-dependent cancer cells displaying either sensitivity or resistance to SMO inhibitors. To address the role of CSNK1D in oncogenic HH signaling and tumor growth and initiation, we quantitatively analyzed HH target gene expression, performed genetic and chemical perturbations of CSNK1D activity, and monitored the oncogenic transformation of TIC in vitro and in vivo using 3D clonogenic tumor spheroid assays and xenograft models. (3) Results: We show that CSNK1D plays a critical role in controlling oncogenic GLI activity downstream of SMO. We provide evidence that inhibition of CSNK1D interferes with oncogenic HH signaling in both SMO inhibitor-sensitive and -resistant tumor settings. Furthermore, genetic and pharmacologic perturbation of CSNK1D decreases the clonogenic growth of GLI-dependent TIC in vitro and in vivo. (4) Conclusions: Pharmacologic targeting of CSNK1D represents a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of both SMO inhibitor-sensitive and -resistant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Peer
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Sophie Karoline Aichberger
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Filip Vilotic
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Wolfgang Gruber
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Thomas Parigger
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
- Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research (SCRI-LIMCR), Salzburg Cancer Research Institute, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, IIIrd Medical Department, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sandra Grund-Gröschke
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Dominik Patrick Elmer
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Florian Rathje
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Andrea Ramspacher
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
- Research Program for Receptor Biochemistry and Tumor Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Mirko Zaja
- 4SC AG, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152 Planegg, Germany; (M.Z.); (S.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Susanne Michel
- 4SC AG, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152 Planegg, Germany; (M.Z.); (S.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Svetlana Hamm
- 4SC AG, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152 Planegg, Germany; (M.Z.); (S.M.); (S.H.)
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Bioscience, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (E.P.); (S.K.A.); (F.V.); (W.G.); (T.P.); (S.G.-G.); (D.P.E.); (F.R.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-662-8044-5792
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Ma J, Ge Z. Recent advances of targeted therapy in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2021; 21:409-421. [PMID: 33577442 PMCID: PMC8292864 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2020.5485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in the understanding of disease pathobiology, treatment for relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML) remains challenging. The prognosis of R/R AML remains extremely poor despite chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants. Discoveries on recurrent and novel genetic mutations, such as FLT3-ITD and IDH1/IDH2, critical signaling pathways, and unique molecular markers expressed on the surface of leukemic cells have been under investigation for the management of R/R AML. Other than monoclonal antibodies, diabodies, and triabodies are new targeted therapies developed in recent years and will be the new direction of immunotherapy. Targeted agents combined intensive regimens can be viable options for salvage therapy and as bridges to allogeneic transplant. Future directions will focus on novel, efficient and targeted combinations, low-toxicity maintenance, and individualized precision strategies. Here, we review the major recent advances of targeted therapies in the treatment of R/R AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Ma
- Department of Hematology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Institute of Hematology Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Department of Hematology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, China
| | - Zheng Ge
- Department of Hematology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Institute of Hematology Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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40
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Phillips DF, Zeidner JF. Emerging therapies for AML with myelodysplasia-related changes: slowly but surely moving the needle. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2021; 26:245-257. [PMID: 34227451 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2021.1950689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Patients with acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC) have historically poor outcomes with conventional chemotherapy regimens. Current treatment strategies focus on intensive induction therapy followed by allogeneic stem cell transplant or a less intensive approach with hypomethylating agents with or without venetoclax. CPX-351 is a liposomal formulation of cytarabine and daunorubicin that has been shown to significantly improve response rates and survival compared with 7 + 3 (continuous infusion cytarabine plus anthracyclines). Despite the approval of CPX-351 for AML-MRC, overall prognosis remains poor with an unmet need to develop novel therapeutic strategies for this patient population.Areas covered: This article reviews the data for existing therapeutic options for patients with AML-MRC and the emerging therapies undergoing clinical trial development for this patient population.Expert opinion: The development of CPX-351 as a more effective induction therapeutic backbone for patients with AML-MRC presents an opportunity to investigate novel combination regimens in order to further improve outcomes. Promising emerging therapeutic modalities include immunotherapeutic strategies, small-molecule inhibitors and targeted agents. Unfortunately, there have been few clinical trials focusing on patients with AML-MRC with reliance instead on subgroup analyses. Clinical trials focused specifically on this patient population are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davis F Phillips
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Joshua F Zeidner
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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41
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Miari KE, Guzman ML, Wheadon H, Williams MTS. Macrophages in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia: Significant Players in Therapy Resistance and Patient Outcomes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:692800. [PMID: 34249942 PMCID: PMC8264427 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.692800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is a commonly occurring severe haematological malignancy, with most patients exhibiting sub-optimal clinical outcomes. Therapy resistance significantly contributes towards failure of traditional and targeted treatments, disease relapse and mortality in AML patients. The mechanisms driving therapy resistance in AML are not fully understood, and approaches to overcome therapy resistance are important for curative therapies. To date, most studies have focused on therapy resistant mechanisms inherent to leukaemic cells (e.g., TP53 mutations), overlooking to some extent, acquired mechanisms of resistance through extrinsic processes. In the bone marrow microenvironment (BMME), leukaemic cells interact with the surrounding bone resident cells, driving acquired therapy resistance in AML. Growing evidence suggests that macrophages, highly plastic immune cells present in the BMME, play a role in the pathophysiology of AML. Leukaemia-supporting macrophage subsets (CD163+CD206+) are elevated in preclinical in vivo models of AML and AML patients. However, the relationship between macrophages and therapy resistance in AML warrants further investigation. In this review, we correlate the potential links between macrophages, the development of therapy resistance, and patient outcomes in AML. We specifically focus on macrophage reprogramming by AML cells, macrophage-driven activation of anti-cell death pathways in AML cells, and the association between macrophage phenotypes and clinical outcomes in AML, including their potential prognostic value. Lastly, we discuss therapeutic targeting of macrophages, as a strategy to circumvent therapy resistance in AML, and discuss how emerging genomic and proteomic-based approaches can be utilised to address existing challenges in this research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina E. Miari
- Charles Oakley Laboratories, Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Monica L. Guzman
- Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Helen Wheadon
- Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Mark T. S. Williams
- Charles Oakley Laboratories, Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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42
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Mims AS, Kohlschmidt J, Borate U, Blachly JS, Orwick S, Eisfeld AK, Papaioannou D, Nicolet D, Mrόzek K, Stein E, Bhatnagar B, Stone RM, Kolitz JE, Wang ES, Powell BL, Burd A, Levine RL, Druker BJ, Bloomfield CD, Byrd JC. A precision medicine classification for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in older patients. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:96. [PMID: 34162404 PMCID: PMC8220739 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01110-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Older patients (≥ 60 years) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often have multiple, sequentially acquired, somatic mutations that drive leukemogenesis and are associated with poor outcome. Beat AML is a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society-sponsored, multicenter umbrella study that algorithmically segregates AML patients based upon cytogenetic and dominant molecular abnormalities (variant allele frequencies (VAF) ≥ 0.2) into different cohorts to select for targeted therapies. During the conception of the Beat AML design, a historical dataset was needed to help in the design of the genomic algorithm for patient assignment and serve as the basis for the statistical design of individual genomic treatment substudies for the Beat AML study. Methods We classified 563 newly diagnosed older AML patients treated with standard intensive chemotherapy on trials conducted by Cancer and Leukemia Group B based on the same genomic algorithm and assessed clinical outcomes. Results Our classification identified core-binding factor and NPM1-mutated/FLT3-ITD-negative groups as having the best outcomes, with 30-day early death (ED) rates of 0 and 20%, respectively, and median overall survival (OS) of > 1 year and 3-year OS rates of ≥ 20%. All other genomic groups had ED rates of 17–42%, median OS ≤ 1 year and 3-year OS rates of ≤ 15%. Conclusions By classifying patients through this genomic algorithm, outcomes were poor and not unexpected from a non-algorithmic, non-dominant VAF approach. The exception is 30-day ED rate typically is not available for intensive induction for individual genomic groups and therefore difficult to compare outcomes with targeted therapeutics. This Alliance data supported the use of this algorithm for patient assignment at the initiation of the Beat AML study. This outcome data was also used for statistical design for Beat AML substudies for individual genomic groups to determine goals for improvement from intensive induction and hopefully lead to more rapid approval of new therapies. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT00048958 (CALGB 8461), NCT00900224 (CALGB 20202), NCT00003190 (CALGB 9720), NCT00085124 (CALGB 10201), NCT00742625 (CALGB 10502), NCT01420926 (CALGB 11002), NCT00039377 (CALGB 10801), and NCT01253070 (CALGB 11001). Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13045-021-01110-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice S Mims
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, 320 West 10th Avenue, Starling Loving Hall B302, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Jessica Kohlschmidt
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, 320 West 10th Avenue, Starling Loving Hall B302, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Alliance Statistics and Data Center, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Clara D. Bloomfield Center for Leukemia Outcomes Research, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Uma Borate
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, 320 West 10th Avenue, Starling Loving Hall B302, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - James S Blachly
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, 320 West 10th Avenue, Starling Loving Hall B302, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Shelley Orwick
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, 320 West 10th Avenue, Starling Loving Hall B302, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Ann-Kathrin Eisfeld
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, 320 West 10th Avenue, Starling Loving Hall B302, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Clara D. Bloomfield Center for Leukemia Outcomes Research, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Dimitrios Papaioannou
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, 320 West 10th Avenue, Starling Loving Hall B302, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Deedra Nicolet
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, 320 West 10th Avenue, Starling Loving Hall B302, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Alliance Statistics and Data Center, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Clara D. Bloomfield Center for Leukemia Outcomes Research, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Krzysztof Mrόzek
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, 320 West 10th Avenue, Starling Loving Hall B302, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Clara D. Bloomfield Center for Leukemia Outcomes Research, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Eytan Stein
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bhavana Bhatnagar
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, 320 West 10th Avenue, Starling Loving Hall B302, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | | | - Jonathan E Kolitz
- Monter Cancer Center, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Lake Success, NY, USA
| | - Eunice S Wang
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Bayard L Powell
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Amy Burd
- The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, White Plains, NY, USA
| | - Ross L Levine
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Clara D Bloomfield
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, 320 West 10th Avenue, Starling Loving Hall B302, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - John C Byrd
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, 320 West 10th Avenue, Starling Loving Hall B302, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Clara D. Bloomfield Center for Leukemia Outcomes Research, Columbus, OH, USA. .,The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, 455 CCC Wiseman Hall, 400 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210-1228, USA.
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Wang J, Zhang Y, Huang WJ, Yang J, Tang WG, Huang TM, Tan WF. ABT-199 inhibits Hedgehog pathway by acting as a competitive inhibitor of oxysterol, rather as a BH3 mimetic. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:1005-1013. [PMID: 32855528 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00504-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrantly activated Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is critical for driving the initiation and progression of multiple types of cancers, including medulloblastoma (MB) and basal cellular carcinoma (BCC). The majority of current Hh antagonist function by targeting the transmembrane domain of the oncoprotein Smoothened (Smo), a G-protein-coupled receptor-like receptor of Hh pathway. However, the primary and acquired resistance to current Smo inhibitors raise a critical need to develop next-generation of Smo inhibitors to improve their clinical efficacy. In this study, we identify that FDA approved drug ABT-199 significantly and selectively inhibits the Hh pathway. Mechanistically, ABT-199 acts as a competitive inhibitor of oxysterol by potentially targeting the cysteine rich domain (CRD) of Smo, rather as a BH3 mimetic. ABT-199 obviously inhibits the growth of Hh-driven tumors and possesses capacity of combating the primary and acquired resistance to Smo inhibitors caused by Smo mutations. Our data reposition ABT-199 as a Smo inhibitor for treating Hh-driven tumors, especially for those bearing Smo mutations and resistant to current Smo inhibitors. Meanwhile, our findings strengthen the argument that the CRD of Smo is a promising target for developing novel Smo inhibitors with capacity of combating the resistance to Smo inhibitors.
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Phase 1 study of CWP232291 in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Blood Adv 2021; 4:2032-2043. [PMID: 32396615 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CWP232291 (CWP291) is a small-molecule inhibitor of Wnt signaling that causes degradation of β-catenin via apoptosis induction through endoplasmic reticulum stress activation. This first-in-human, open-label, dose-escalation study to evaluate the safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and preliminary efficacy of CWP291 enrolled 69 patients with hematologic malignancies (acute myeloid leukemia [AML], n = 64; myelodysplastic syndrome, n = 5) in 15 dose-escalation cohorts of 4 to 334 mg/m2 using a modified 3+3 design and 1 dose-expansion cohort. CWP291 was administered IV daily for 7 days every 21 days. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were nausea (n = 44, 64%), vomiting (n = 32, 46%), diarrhea (n = 25, 36%), and infusion-related reactions (n = 20, 29%). Grade ≥3 TEAEs in >3 patients (5%) were pneumonia (n = 8, 12%); hypophosphatemia (n = 6, 8%); leukocytosis, nausea, cellulitis, sepsis, and hypokalemia (n = 5 each, 7% each); and hypertension (n = 4, 6%). Dose-limiting toxicities included nausea (n = 3) and abdominal pain, anaphylactic reaction, myalgia, and rash (n = 1, each); the MTD was defined at 257 mg/m2. CWP232204, the active metabolite of CWP291, showed pharmacokinetic linearity on both days 1 and 7, and a terminal half-life of ∼12 hours. Among 54 response-evaluable AML patients, there was one complete response at a dose of 153 mg/m2 and one partial response at 198 mg/m2; bone marrow blast percentage reduced from a median of 58.3% to 3.5% and 15.0% to 4.2%, respectively. Future studies will explore CWP291, with a mechanism of action aimed at eradication of earlier progenitors via Wnt pathway blockade, as combination therapy. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01398462.
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Raghav PK, Mann Z. Cancer stem cells targets and combined therapies to prevent cancer recurrence. Life Sci 2021; 277:119465. [PMID: 33831426 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) control the dynamics of tumorigenesis by self-renewal ability and differentiation potential. These properties contribute towards tumor malignancy, metastasis, cellular heterogeneity, and immune escape, which are regulated by multiple signaling pathways. The CSCs are chemoresistant and cause cancer recurrence, generally recognized as a small side-population that eventually leads to tumor relapse. Despite many treatment options available, none can be considered entirely efficient due to a lack of specificity and dose limitation. This review primarily highlights the processes involved in CSCs development and maintenance. Secondly, the current effective therapies based on stem cells, cell-free therapies that involve exosomes and miRNAs, and photodynamic therapy have been discussed. Also, the inhibitors that specifically target various signaling pathways, which can be used in combination to control CSCs kinetics have been highlighted. Conclusively, this comprehensive review is a detailed study of recently developed novel treatment strategies that will facilitate in coming up with better-targeted approaches against CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zoya Mann
- Independent Researcher, New Delhi, India
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46
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Heuser M, Smith BD, Fiedler W, Sekeres MA, Montesinos P, Leber B, Merchant A, Papayannidis C, Pérez-Simón JA, Hoang CJ, O'Brien T, Ma WW, Zeremski M, O'Connell A, Chan G, Cortes JE. Clinical benefit of glasdegib plus low-dose cytarabine in patients with de novo and secondary acute myeloid leukemia: long-term analysis of a phase II randomized trial. Ann Hematol 2021; 100:1181-1194. [PMID: 33740113 PMCID: PMC8043884 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-021-04465-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This analysis from the phase II BRIGHT AML 1003 trial reports the long-term efficacy and safety of glasdegib + low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. The multicenter, open-label study randomized (2:1) patients to receive glasdegib + LDAC (de novo, n = 38; secondary acute myeloid leukemia, n = 40) or LDAC alone (de novo, n = 18; secondary acute myeloid leukemia, n = 20). At the time of analysis, 90% of patients had died, with the longest follow-up since randomization 36 months. The combination of glasdegib and LDAC conferred superior overall survival (OS) versus LDAC alone; hazard ratio (HR) 0.495; (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.325–0.752); p = 0.0004; median OS was 8.3 versus 4.3 months. Improvement in OS was consistent across cytogenetic risk groups. In a post-hoc subgroup analysis, a survival trend with glasdegib + LDAC was observed in patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (HR 0.720; 95% CI 0.395–1.312; p = 0.14; median OS 6.6 vs 4.3 months) and secondary acute myeloid leukemia (HR 0.287; 95% CI 0.151–0.548; p < 0.0001; median OS 9.1 vs 4.1 months). The incidence of adverse events in the glasdegib + LDAC arm decreased after 90 days’ therapy: 83.7% versus 98.7% during the first 90 days. Glasdegib + LDAC versus LDAC alone continued to demonstrate superior OS in patients with acute myeloid leukemia; the clinical benefit with glasdegib + LDAC was particularly prominent in patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01546038.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Heuser
- Department of Hematology, Hemostasis, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| | - B Douglas Smith
- Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Walter Fiedler
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mikkael A Sekeres
- Division of Hematology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, FL, Miami, USA
| | - Pau Montesinos
- Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,CIBERONC, Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Brian Leber
- Juravinski Hospital at Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Akil Merchant
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - José A Pérez-Simón
- Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina (IbiS)/CSIC/CIBERONC), Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jorge E Cortes
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta, GA, USA
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Tremblay G, Daniele P, Bell T, Chan G, Brown A, Cappelleri JC. Comparative effectiveness of glasdegib versus venetoclax combined with low-dose cytarabine in acute myeloid leukemia. J Comp Eff Res 2021; 10:603-612. [PMID: 33733815 DOI: 10.2217/cer-2020-0280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Two combination therapies recently approved and recommended for use in combination with low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) in acute myeloid leukemia patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy are glasdegib+LDAC and venetoclax+LDAC. Materials & methods: An indirect treatment comparison used median overall survival, overall survival hazard ratios, complete remission (CR), CR+CR with incomplete blood count recovery and transfusion independence to assess comparative effectiveness, and a simulated treatment comparison accounted for differences in patient characteristics between trials. Results: Differences in efficacy between glasdegib+LDAC and venetoclax+LDAC were suggestive and not statistically significant. Conclusion: With no significant differences in comparative effectiveness, considerations such as safety profiles, burden of administration and patient preference are likely to guide treatment decisions.
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48
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Kantarjian HM, Kadia TM, DiNardo CD, Welch MA, Ravandi F. Acute myeloid leukemia: Treatment and research outlook for 2021 and the MD Anderson approach. Cancer 2021; 127:1186-1207. [PMID: 33734442 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The unraveling of the pathophysiology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has resulted in rapid translation of the information into clinical practice. After more than 40 years of slow progress in AML research, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved nine agents for different AML treatment indications since 2017. In this review, we detail the progress that has been made in the research and treatment of AML, citing key publications related to AML research and therapy in the English literature since 2000. The notable subsets of AML include acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), core-binding factor AML (CBF-AML), AML in younger patients fit for intensive chemotherapy, and AML in older/unfit patients (usually at the age cutoff of 60-70 years). We also consider within each subset whether the AML is primary or secondary (therapy-related, evolving from untreated or treated myelodysplastic syndrome or myeloproliferative neoplasm). In APL, therapy with all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide results in estimated 10-year survival rates of ≥80%. Treatment of CBF-AML with fludarabine, high-dose cytarabine, and gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) results in estimated 10-year survival rates of ≥75%. In younger/fit patients, the "3+7" regimen (3 days of daunorubicin + 7 days of cytarabine) produces less favorable results (estimated 5-year survival rates of 35%; worse in real-world experience); regimens that incorporate high-dose cytarabine, adenosine nucleoside analogs, and GO are producing better results. Adding venetoclax, FLT3, and IDH inhibitors into these regimens has resulted in encouraging preliminary data. In older/unfit patients, low-intensity therapy with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) and venetoclax is now the new standard of care. Better low-intensity regimens incorporating cladribine, low-dose cytarabine, and other targeted therapies (FLT3 and IDH inhibitors) are emerging. Maintenance therapy now has a definite role in the treatment of AML, and oral HMAs with potential treatment benefits are also available. In conclusion, AML therapy is evolving rapidly and treatment results are improving in all AML subsets as novel agents and strategies are incorporated into traditional AML chemotherapy. LAY SUMMARY: Ongoing research in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is progressing rapidly. Since 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved 10 drugs for different AML indications. This review updates the research and treatment pathways for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tapan M Kadia
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Mary Alma Welch
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Farhad Ravandi
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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Zucenka A, Maneikis K, Pugaciute B, Ringeleviciute U, Dapkeviciute A, Davainis L, Daukelaite G, Burzdikaite P, Staras V, Griskevicius L. Glasdegib in combination with low-dose Cytarabine for the outpatient treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia in unfit patients. Ann Hematol 2021; 100:1195-1202. [PMID: 33661333 PMCID: PMC7930524 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-021-04471-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We retrospectively collected clinical data on 31 relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML) patients who were treated with outpatient glasdegib and low-dose Cytarabine (LDAraC) at our institution. The median age was 67 years (45–86). The median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 2 (1–3). The patients had previously received a median number of 2 (1–4) treatment lines, 61% (19/31) had been treated with intensive chemotherapy, 29% (9/31) had relapsed after allogeneic stem cell transplantation, and 45% (14/31) had had venetoclax exposure. Adverse cytogenetics were identified in 45% (14/31) of the cases. The CR + CRp rate was 21% (6/29) among evaluable patients. The median overall survival was 3.9 months for all patients. Different median overall survival times were observed in responders, patients achieving stable disease and those diagnosed with progressive disease: not reached vs 3.9 months vs 0.8 months, respectively (p < 0.001). The most common adverse events were pneumonia (29%, 9/31), sepsis (23%, 7/31), and febrile neutropenia (16%, 5/31). Glasdegib + LDAraC is a fairly safe, non-intensive, outpatient regimen inducing complete remission and resulting in prolonged survival in some R/R AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrius Zucenka
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Department, Hematology, Oncology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, 08661, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Kazimieras Maneikis
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Department, Hematology, Oncology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, 08661, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Birute Pugaciute
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Department, Hematology, Oncology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, 08661, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ugne Ringeleviciute
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Department, Hematology, Oncology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, 08661, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Austeja Dapkeviciute
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Department, Hematology, Oncology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, 08661, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Linas Davainis
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Department, Hematology, Oncology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, 08661, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Guoda Daukelaite
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Paulina Burzdikaite
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vytautas Staras
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Department, Hematology, Oncology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, 08661, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Laimonas Griskevicius
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Department, Hematology, Oncology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, 08661, Vilnius, Lithuania
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50
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Kantarjian H, Kadia T, DiNardo C, Daver N, Borthakur G, Jabbour E, Garcia-Manero G, Konopleva M, Ravandi F. Acute myeloid leukemia: current progress and future directions. Blood Cancer J 2021; 11:41. [PMID: 33619261 PMCID: PMC7900255 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-021-00425-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 302] [Impact Index Per Article: 100.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Progress in the understanding of the biology and therapy of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is occurring rapidly. Since 2017, nine agents have been approved for various indications in AML. These included several targeted therapies like venetoclax, FLT3 inhibitors, IDH inhibitors, and others. The management of AML is complicated, highlighting the need for expertise in order to deliver optimal therapy and achieve optimal outcomes. The multiple subentities in AML require very different therapies. In this review, we summarize the important pathophysiologies driving AML, review current therapies in standard practice, and address present and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagop Kantarjian
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Tapan Kadia
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Courtney DiNardo
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Naval Daver
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gautam Borthakur
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Elias Jabbour
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Farhad Ravandi
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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