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Chen Y, Zhang M, Liu Z, Zhang N, Wang Q. Ursodeoxycholic Acid Platinum(IV) Conjugates as Antiproliferative and Antimetastatic Agents: Remodel the Tumor Microenvironment through Suppressing JAK2/STAT3 Signaling. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 39292635 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) is a pivotal factor driving the tumor metastasis and leading to the failure of tumor therapy. Here, a series of ursodeoxycholic acid platinum(IV) conjugates with potency in remodeling the TME through suppressing JAK2/STAT3 signaling was developed. A candidate was screened out, which displayed potent antiproliferative and antimetastatic performance both in vitro and in vivo. It displayed superior pharmacokinetic properties compared to cisplatin. Serious DNA injury was induced, and then mitochondria-mediated apoptosis was initiated through the Bcl-2/Bax/Caspase3 pathway. The JAK2/STAT3 and TGF-β1 signaling pathways were remarkably inhibited, and pro-death autophagy was subsequently promoted. The inflammatory and hypoxic TME was suppressed by downregulating COX-2, MMP9, and HIF-1α, which resulted in inhibited angiogenesis in tumors by inhibiting the HIF-1α/VEGFA axis. Additionally, the immunosuppressive TME was reversed by blocking the immune checkpoint PD-L1, further improving the density of CD3+ and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and promoting macrophage polarization from M2- to M1-type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, P.R. China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, P.R. China
| | - Zhifang Liu
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, P.R. China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, P.R. China
| | - Qingpeng Wang
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, P.R. China
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2
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Kang X, Huang Y, Wang H, Jadhav S, Yue Z, Tiwari AK, Babu RJ. Tumor-Associated Macrophage Targeting of Nanomedicines in Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 16:61. [PMID: 38258072 PMCID: PMC10819517 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010061] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is pivotal in tumor growth and metastasis, aligning with the "Seed and Soil" theory. Within the TME, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a central role, profoundly influencing tumor progression. Strategies targeting TAMs have surfaced as potential therapeutic avenues, encompassing interventions to block TAM recruitment, eliminate TAMs, reprogram M2 TAMs, or bolster their phagocytic capabilities via specific pathways. Nanomaterials including inorganic materials, organic materials for small molecules and large molecules stand at the forefront, presenting significant opportunities for precise targeting and modulation of TAMs to enhance therapeutic efficacy in cancer treatment. This review provides an overview of the progress in designing nanoparticles for interacting with and influencing the TAMs as a significant strategy in cancer therapy. This comprehensive review presents the role of TAMs in the TME and various targeting strategies as a promising frontier in the ever-evolving field of cancer therapy. The current trends and challenges associated with TAM-based therapy in cancer are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejia Kang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA;
- Materials Research and Education Center, Materials Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Yongzhuo Huang
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 528400, China;
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China;
| | - Huiyuan Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China;
| | - Sanika Jadhav
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA;
| | - Zongliang Yue
- Department of Health Outcome and Research Policy, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA;
| | - Amit K. Tiwari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas of Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - R. Jayachandra Babu
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA;
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3
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Cai L, Wang Y, Chen H, Tan Y, Yang T, Zhang S, Guo Z, Wang X. Platinum(IV) Complexes as Inhibitors of STAT3 and Regulators of the Tumor Microenvironment To Control Breast Cancer. J Med Chem 2023; 66:11351-11364. [PMID: 37578941 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Interplay between breast cancer (BC) cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) influences the outcome of cancer treatment. Aberrant activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) promotes the interaction and causes immunosuppression and drug resistance. Platinum(IV) complexes SPP and DPP bearing pterostilbene-derived axial ligand(s) were synthesized to inhibit the JAK2-STAT3 pathway in BC cells and regulate the TME. These complexes exerted remarkable antiproliferative activity against the triple-negative BC cells, suppressed the expression of phosphorylated STAT3 and STAT3-related cyclooxygenase-2 and IL-6, and activated caspase-3 and cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase, preventing the repair of DNA lesions and inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, DPP promoted the maturation and antigen presentation of dendritic cells, repressed the proliferation and differentiation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells, and facilitated the expansion of T cells. As a consequence, DPP showed excellent anticancer activity against BC with almost no general toxicity in vivo as a potential chemoimmunotherapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxiang Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Hanhua Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Yehong Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Tao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Shuren Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Zijian Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
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4
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Wong GL, Manore SG, Doheny DL, Lo HW. STAT family of transcription factors in breast cancer: Pathogenesis and therapeutic opportunities and challenges. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:84-106. [PMID: 35995341 PMCID: PMC9714692 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second-leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) promote metastasis and therapeutic resistance contributing to tumor relapse. Through activating genes important for BCSCs, transcription factors contribute to breast cancer metastasis and therapeutic resistance, including the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family of transcription factors. The STAT family consists of six major isoforms, STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5, and STAT6. Canonical STAT signaling is activated by the binding of an extracellular ligand to a cell-surface receptor followed by STAT phosphorylation, leading to STAT nuclear translocation and transactivation of target genes. It is important to note that STAT transcription factors exhibit diverse effects in breast cancer; some are either pro- or anti-tumorigenic while others maintain dual, context-dependent roles. Among the STAT transcription factors, STAT3 is the most widely studied STAT protein in breast cancer for its critical roles in promoting BCSCs, breast cancer cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune evasion. Consequently, there have been substantial efforts in developing cancer therapeutics to target breast cancer with dysregulated STAT3 signaling. In this comprehensive review, we will summarize the diverse roles that each STAT family member plays in breast cancer pathobiology, as well as, the opportunities and challenges in pharmacologically targeting STAT proteins and their upstream activators in the context of breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace L Wong
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Sara G Manore
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Daniel L Doheny
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Hui-Wen Lo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Breast Cancer Center of Excellence, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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5
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Hashimoto S, Hashimoto A, Muromoto R, Kitai Y, Oritani K, Matsuda T. Central Roles of STAT3-Mediated Signals in Onset and Development of Cancers: Tumorigenesis and Immunosurveillance. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162618. [PMID: 36010693 PMCID: PMC9406645 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the time of Rudolf Virchow in the 19th century, it has been well-known that cancer-associated inflammation contributes to tumor initiation and progression. However, it remains unclear whether a collapse of the balance between the antitumor immune response via the immunological surveillance system and protumor immunity due to cancer-related inflammation is responsible for cancer malignancy. The majority of inflammatory signals affect tumorigenesis by activating signal transducer and activation of transcription 3 (STAT3) and nuclear factor-κB. Persistent STAT3 activation in malignant cancer cells mediates extremely widespread functions, including cell growth, survival, angiogenesis, and invasion and contributes to an increase in inflammation-associated tumorigenesis. In addition, intracellular STAT3 activation in immune cells causes suppressive effects on antitumor immunity and leads to the differentiation and mobilization of immature myeloid-derived cells and tumor-associated macrophages. In many cancer types, STAT3 does not directly rely on its activation by oncogenic mutations but has important oncogenic and malignant transformation-associated functions in both cancer and stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We have reported a series of studies aiming towards understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the proliferation of various types of tumors involving signal-transducing adaptor protein-2 as an adaptor molecule that modulates STAT3 activity, and we recently found that AT-rich interactive domain-containing protein 5a functions as an mRNA stabilizer that orchestrates an immunosuppressive TME in malignant mesenchymal tumors. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of the functional role of STAT3 in tumor progression and introduce novel molecular mechanisms of cancer development and malignant transformation involving STAT3 activation that we have identified to date. Finally, we discuss potential therapeutic strategies for cancer that target the signaling pathway to augment STAT3 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeru Hashimoto
- Division of Molecular Psychoimmunology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0815, Japan
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (T.M.)
| | - Ari Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Ryuta Muromoto
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Yuichi Kitai
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Kenji Oritani
- Department of Hematology, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita 286-8686, Japan
| | - Tadashi Matsuda
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (T.M.)
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6
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Wang H, Man Q, Huo F, Gao X, Lin H, Li S, Wang J, Su F, Cai, L, Shi Y, Liu, B, Bu L. STAT3 pathway in cancers: Past, present, and future. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e124. [PMID: 35356799 PMCID: PMC8942302 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a member of the STAT family, discovered in the cytoplasm of almost all types of mammalian cells, plays a significant role in biological functions. The duration of STAT3 activation in normal tissues is a transient event and is strictly regulated. However, in cancer tissues, STAT3 is activated in an aberrant manner and is induced by certain cytokines. The continuous activation of STAT3 regulates the expression of downstream proteins associated with the formation, progression, and metastasis of cancers. Thus, elucidating the mechanisms of STAT3 regulation and designing inhibitors targeting the STAT3 pathway are considered promising strategies for cancer treatment. This review aims to introduce the history, research advances, and prospects concerning the STAT3 pathway in cancer. We review the mechanisms of STAT3 pathway regulation and the consequent cancer hallmarks associated with tumor biology that are induced by the STAT3 pathway. Moreover, we summarize the emerging development of inhibitors that target the STAT3 pathway and novel drug delivery systems for delivering these inhibitors. The barriers against targeting the STAT3 pathway, the focus of future research on promising targets in the STAT3 pathway, and our perspective on the overall utility of STAT3 pathway inhibitors in cancer treatment are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han‐Qi Wang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei‐MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of EducationSchool & Hospital of StomatologyWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Qi‐Wen Man
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei‐MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of EducationSchool & Hospital of StomatologyWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Head Neck OncologySchool & Hospital of StomatologyWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Fang‐Yi Huo
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei‐MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of EducationSchool & Hospital of StomatologyWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Xin Gao
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei‐MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of EducationSchool & Hospital of StomatologyWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Hao Lin
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei‐MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of EducationSchool & Hospital of StomatologyWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Su‐Ran Li
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei‐MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of EducationSchool & Hospital of StomatologyWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Jing Wang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei‐MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of EducationSchool & Hospital of StomatologyWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Fu‐Chuan Su
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei‐MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of EducationSchool & Hospital of StomatologyWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Lulu Cai,
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceDepartment of PharmacySchool of MedicineSichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Yi Shi
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory MedicineSichuan Provincial People's HospitalUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Bing Liu,
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei‐MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of EducationSchool & Hospital of StomatologyWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Head Neck OncologySchool & Hospital of StomatologyWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Lin‐Lin Bu
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei‐MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of EducationSchool & Hospital of StomatologyWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Head Neck OncologySchool & Hospital of StomatologyWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
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7
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Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a cytoplasmic transcription factor that regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, inflammation and immune responses. Aberrant STAT3 activation triggers tumor progression through oncogenic gene expression in numerous human cancers, leading to promote tumor malignancy. On the contrary, STAT3 activation in immune cells cause elevation of immunosuppressive factors. Accumulating evidence suggests that the tumor microenvironment closely interacts with the STAT3 signaling pathway. So, targeting STAT3 may improve tumor progression, and anti-cancer immune response. In this review, we summarized the role of STAT3 in cancer and the tumor microenvironment, and present inhibitors of STAT3 signaling cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haeri Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Ae Jin Jeong
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Sang-Kyu Ye
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080; Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080; Neuro-Immune Information Storage Network Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080; Biomedical Science Project (BK21PLUS), Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
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8
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Pace J, Paladugu P, Das B, He JC, Mallipattu SK. Targeting STAT3 signaling in kidney disease. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 316:F1151-F1161. [PMID: 30943069 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00034.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway is a multifaceted transduction system that regulates cellular responses to incoming signaling ligands. STAT3 is a central member of the JAK/STAT signaling cascade and has long been recognized for its increased transcriptional activity in cancers and autoimmune disorders but has only recently been in the spotlight for its role in the progression of kidney disease. Although genetic knockout and manipulation studies have demonstrated the salutary benefits of inhibiting STAT3 activity in several kidney disease models, pharmacological inhibition has yet to make it to the clinical forefront. In recent years, significant effort has been aimed at suppressing STAT3 activation for treatment of cancers, which has led to the development of a wide variety of STAT3 inhibitors, but only a handful have been tested in kidney disease models. Here, we review the detrimental role of dysregulated STAT3 activation in a variety of kidney diseases and the current progress in the treatment of kidney diseases with pharmacological inhibition of STAT3 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Pace
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York
| | - Praharshasai Paladugu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York
| | - Bhaskar Das
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York, New York
| | - John C He
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York, New York
| | - Sandeep K Mallipattu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York.,Renal Section, Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York
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9
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PI3k and Stat3: Oncogenes that are Required for Gap Junctional, Intercellular Communication. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11020167. [PMID: 30717267 PMCID: PMC6406562 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gap junctional, intercellular communication (GJIC) is interrupted in cells transformed by oncogenes such as activated Src. The Src effector, Ras, is required for this effect, so that Ras inhibition restores GJIC in Src-transformed cells. Interestingly, the inhibition of the Src effector phosphatidyl-inositol-3 kinase (PI3k) or Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (Stat3) pathways does not restore GJIC. In the contrary, inhibition of PI3k or Stat3 in non-transformed rodent fibroblasts or epithelial cells or certain human lung carcinoma lines with extensive GJIC inhibits communication, while mutational activation of PI3k or Stat3 increases GJIC. Therefore, it appears that oncogenes such as activated Src have a dual role upon GJIC; acting as inhibitors of communication through the Ras pathway, and as activators through activation of PI3k or Stat3. In the presence of high Src activity the inhibitory functions prevail so that the net effect is gap junction closure. PI3k and Stat3 constitute potent survival signals, so that their inhibition in non-transformed cells triggers apoptosis which, in turn, has been independently demonstrated to suppress GJIC. The interruption of gap junctional communication would confine the apoptotic event to single cells and this might be essential for the maintenance of tissue integrity. We hypothesize that the GJIC activation by PI3k or Stat3 may be linked to their survival function.
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Englinger B, Pirker C, Heffeter P, Terenzi A, Kowol CR, Keppler BK, Berger W. Metal Drugs and the Anticancer Immune Response. Chem Rev 2018; 119:1519-1624. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Englinger
- Institute of Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Pirker
- Institute of Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Heffeter
- Institute of Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
- Research Cluster “Translational Cancer Therapy Research”, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alessio Terenzi
- Research Cluster “Translational Cancer Therapy Research”, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 42, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian R. Kowol
- Research Cluster “Translational Cancer Therapy Research”, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 42, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard K. Keppler
- Research Cluster “Translational Cancer Therapy Research”, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 42, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Berger
- Institute of Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
- Research Cluster “Translational Cancer Therapy Research”, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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11
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Two decades of research in discovery of anticancer drugs targeting STAT3, how close are we? Pharmacol Ther 2018; 191:74-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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12
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The role of STAT3 in leading the crosstalk between human cancers and the immune system. Cancer Lett 2017; 415:117-128. [PMID: 29222039 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The development and progression of human cancers are continuously and dynamically regulated by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. As a converging point of multiple oncogenic pathways, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is constitutively activated both in tumor cells and tumor-infiltrated immune cells. Activated STAT3 persistently triggers tumor progression through direct regulation of oncogenic gene expression. Apart from its oncogenic role in regulating gene expression in tumor cells, STAT3 also paves the way for human cancer growth through immunosuppression. Activated STAT3 in immune cells results in inhibition of immune mediators and promotion of immunosuppressive factors. Therefore, STAT3 modulates the interaction between tumor cells and host immunity. Accumulating evidence suggests that targeting STAT3 may enhance anti-cancer immune responses and rescue the suppressed immunologic microenvironment in tumors. Taken together, STAT3 has emerged as a promising target in cancer immunotherapy.
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13
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Niit M, Arulanandam R, Cass J, Geletu M, Hoskin V, Côté G, Gunning P, Elliott B, Raptis L. Regulation of HC11 mouse breast epithelial cell differentiation by the E-cadherin/Rac axis. Exp Cell Res 2017; 361:112-125. [PMID: 29031557 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
It was previously demonstrated that differentiation of some established breast epithelial cell lines requires confluence and stimulation with hydrocortisone, insulin and prolactin inducers. We and others previously demonstrated that E-cadherin engagement, which is favored under conditions of confluence, increases the levels and activity of the Rac small GTPase. To investigate the functional relationship between the transforming ability of Rac and its role as an integral component of the differentiative E-cadherin signaling pathway, we introduced a mutationally activated form of Rac, RacV12, into the mouse breast epithelium-derived cell line, HC11. Our results demonstrate that the strength of the Rac signal is key for the outcome of the differentiation process; cRac1 is critically required for differentiation, and at low levels, mutationally activated RacV12 is able to increase differentiation, presumably reinforcing the E-cadherin/Rac differentiative signal. However, high RacV12 expression blocked differentiation concomitant with E-cadherin downregulation, while inducing neoplastic transformation. Therefore, the intensity of the Rac signal is a central determinant in the balance between cell proliferation vs differentiation, two fundamentally opposed processes, a finding which could also have important therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Niit
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L3N6
| | - Rozanne Arulanandam
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6; Centre for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8L6
| | - Jamaica Cass
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6
| | - Mulu Geletu
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6; Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 1C6
| | - Victoria Hoskin
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L3N6
| | - Graham Côté
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6
| | - Patrick Gunning
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 1C6
| | - Bruce Elliott
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L3N6
| | - Leda Raptis
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L3N6.
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14
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Hato SV, Figdor CG, Takahashi S, Pen AE, Halilovic A, Bol KF, Vasaturo A, Inoue Y, de Haas N, Verweij D, Van Herpen CML, Kaanders JH, van Krieken JHJM, Van Laarhoven HWM, Hooijer GKJ, Punt CJA, Asai A, de Vries IJM, Lesterhuis WJ. Direct inhibition of STAT signaling by platinum drugs contributes to their anti-cancer activity. Oncotarget 2017; 8:54434-54443. [PMID: 28903353 PMCID: PMC5589592 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Platinum-based chemotherapeutics are amongst the most powerful anti-cancer drugs. Although their exact mechanism of action is not well understood, it is thought to be mediated through covalent DNA binding. We investigated the effect of platinum-based chemotherapeutics on signaling through signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins, which are involved in many oncogenic signaling pathways. We performed in vitro experiments in various cancer cell lines, investigating the effects of platinum chemotherapeutics on STAT phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, the expression of STAT-modulating proteins and downstream signaling pathways. Direct binding of platinum to STAT proteins was assessed using an AlphaScreen assay. Nuclear STAT3 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry and correlated with disease-free survival in retrospective cohorts of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (n= 65) or with radiotherapy alone (n = 32). At clinically relevant concentrations, platinum compounds inhibited STAT phosphorylation, resulting in loss of constitutively activated STAT proteins in multiple distinct cancer cell lines. Platinum drugs specifically inhibited phospho-tyrosine binding to SH2 domains, thereby blocking STAT activation, and subsequently downregulating pro-survival- and anti-apoptotic- target genes. Importantly, we found that active STAT3 in tumors directly correlated with response to cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy in HNSCC patients (p = 0.006). These findings provide insight into a novel, non-DNA-targeted mechanism of action of platinum drugs, and could be leveraged into the use of STAT expression as predictive biomarker for cisplatin chemotherapy and to potentiate other therapeutic strategies such as immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanleyson V Hato
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Carl G Figdor
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Susumu Takahashi
- Center for Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Anja E Pen
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Altuna Halilovic
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kalijn F Bol
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Angela Vasaturo
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Yukie Inoue
- Center for Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Nienke de Haas
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Dagmar Verweij
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Carla M L Van Herpen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes H Kaanders
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Johan H J M van Krieken
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hanneke W M Van Laarhoven
- Department of Medical Oncology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit K J Hooijer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis J A Punt
- Department of Medical Oncology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Akira Asai
- Center for Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - I Jolanda M de Vries
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - W Joost Lesterhuis
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Centre and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Current address: University of Western Australia, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Perth, Australia
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15
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Loi M, Desideri I, Greto D, Mangoni M, Sottili M, Meattini I, Becherini C, Terziani F, Delli Paoli C, Olmetto E, Bonomo P, Livi L. Radiotherapy in the age of cancer immunology: Current concepts and future developments. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2017; 112:1-10. [PMID: 28325250 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Major advances in the knowledge of cancer biology and its interactions with tumor immune environment led to the emergence, in the last five years of new immunotherapy-based treatment strategies in cancer patients. At the same time, improvement in radiation technique and progress in radiobiology allowed in the last decade to expand the applications of radiotherapy in a growing number of settings. At present, there are strong theoretical basis to propose immune-enhanced radiation therapy that may represent in the future a new paradigm of treatment, combining the intrinsic power of radiotherapy to elicit a specific, systemic, tumor-directed immune response with modern highly conformal and precise dose delivery, in order to maximize response at the major site of disease and obtain durable disease control. The aim of this review is to describe the principal mechanisms of immune modulation of response to radiation and investigational strategies to harness the potential of radiation-inducible immune response: radiation therapy is expected to be not just a local treatment but the cornerstone of a multimodal strategy that might achieve long-lasting tumor remission at the primary site and systemic efficacy metastatic lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Loi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Isacco Desideri
- Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniela Greto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Monica Mangoni
- Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mariangela Sottili
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Icro Meattini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Carlotta Becherini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Terziani
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Emanuela Olmetto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Bonomo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Livi
- Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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16
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An oxidative stress-based mechanism of doxorubicin cytotoxicity suggests new therapeutic strategies in ABC-DLBCL. Blood 2016; 128:2797-2807. [PMID: 27737889 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2016-03-705814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) contain 2 major molecular subtypes; namely, the germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) and the activated B-cell-like (ABC) DLBCLs. It is well documented that ABC-DLBCL cases have a significantly poorer survival response than GCB-DLBCLs in both the CHOP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and prednisone) and the rituximab (R)-CHOP eras. However, the underlying cause of this subtype disparity is poorly understood. Nevertheless, these clinical observations raise the possibility for an ABC-DLBCL-specific resistance mechanism that is directed toward 1 of the CHOP components and is inadequately addressed by rituximab. Here, we report that the main cytotoxic ingredient in CHOP, doxorubicin (Dox), has subtype-specific mechanisms of cytotoxicity in DLBCLs resulting from differences in the subcellular distribution pattern. Specifically, in cell line models of ABC-DLBCL, Dox is often enriched in the cytoplasm away from the nuclear DNA. As a result, Dox-induced cytotoxicity in ABC-DLBCLs is often dependent on oxidative stress, rather than DNA damage response. These findings are corroborated by gene signature analysis, which demonstrates that basal oxidative stress status predicts treatment outcome among patients with ABC-DLBCL, but not patients with GCB-DLBCL. In terms of redox-related resistance mechanism, our results suggest that STAT3 confers Dox resistance in ABC-DLBCLs by reinforcing an antioxidant program featuring upregulation of the SOD2 gene. Furthermore, a small-molecule STAT3 inhibitor synergizes with CHOP to trigger oxidative stress and kill ABC-DLBCL cells in preclinical models. These results provide a mechanistic basis for development of novel therapies that target either STAT3 or redox homeostasis to improve treatment outcomes for ABC-DLBCLs.
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17
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Bharadwaj U, Kasembeli MM, Tweardy DJ. STAT3 Inhibitors in Cancer: A Comprehensive Update. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-42949-6_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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18
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Kim BH, Yi EH, Ye SK. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 as a therapeutic target for cancer and the tumor microenvironment. Arch Pharm Res 2016; 39:1085-99. [PMID: 27515050 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-016-0795-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a cytoplasmic transcription factor that modulates the transcription of a variety of genes to regulate important biological functions, including cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, angiogenesis, and immune response. Constitutive activation of STAT3 is important in oncogenic signaling and occurs at high frequency in human cancers, including diverse solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Moreover, it is associated with a poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment has recently been recognized as a key condition for cancer progression, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance by activation of STAT3 signaling. Therefore, understanding the biology associated with STAT3-mediated signaling cascades in the tumor microenvironment may offer the therapeutic potential to treat human cancers. This review presents an overview of the critical roles of STAT3 in the tumor microenvironment related to cancer biology and discusses recent advancements in the development of anticancer drugs that therapeutically inhibit STAT3 signaling cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung-Hak Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Science Project (BK21PLUS), Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Hee Yi
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Kyu Ye
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Biomedical Science Project (BK21PLUS), Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Neuro-Immune Information Storage Network Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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19
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Liang M, Zhan F, Zhao J, Li Q, Wuyang J, Mu G, Li D, Zhang Y, Huang X. CPA-7 influences immune profile and elicits anti-prostate cancer effects by inhibiting activated STAT3. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:504. [PMID: 27435207 PMCID: PMC4952363 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2488-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Platinum-based chemotherapy is emerging as the first line of treatment for castration resistant prostate cancer. Among the family of platinum (IV)-based compounds, a member known as CPA-7 inhibits the growth of multiple cancer cell lines. However, how and to what extent CPA-7 elicits its anti-prostate cancer effects in vivo is largely unknown. METHODS In this study, we firstly assessed the potential toxicity of the synthesized CPA-7 in a prostate cancer model as well as in normal mice. Next, we evaluated the in vitro effects of CPA-7 on the growth of prostate cancer cells using cell counting assay, and calculated the tumor sizes and cumulative survival rate of the tumor bearing mice by Kaplan-Meier method during CPA-7 treatment. Then we measured the expression level of the activated form of STAT3 (one targets of CPA-7) and its transcriptive activity post CPA-7 treatment by synergistically using western blot, IHC, and firefly luciferase reporter assays. Finally, effects of CPA-7 on immune cell trafficking in the tumor draining lymph nodes and in the spleens are evaluated with flow cytometry. RESULTS Treatment with CPA-7 significantly inhibited growth of prostate cancer cells in vitro, and also in mice resulting in a prolonged survival and a decreased recurrence rate. These therapeutic effects are due, at least in part, to functional depletion of STAT3 in prostate tumor tissue as well as in the surrounding areas of tumor cell invasion. CPA-7 treatment also resulted in a reduced level of regulatory T cells and increased levels of cytotoxic T and T helper cells in the spleen and in tumor infiltrating lymph nodes. This favorable effect on immune cell trafficking may account for the amnestic immune response against recurrent prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS CPA-7 is a promising new therapeutic agent for prostate cancer that both inhibits tumor cell proliferation and stimulates anti-tumor immunity. It has potential as first line treatment and/or as an adjuvant for refractory prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihua Liang
- Department of Endocrinology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Fei Zhan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Juan Zhao
- Biotherapy Center, Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Qi Li
- Biotherapy Center, Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Jiazi Wuyang
- Biotherapy Center, Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Guannan Mu
- Biotherapy Center, Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Dianjun Li
- Biotherapy Center, Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yanqiao Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Xiaoyi Huang
- Biotherapy Center, Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China. .,Center of Translational Medicine, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China.
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20
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Yue P, Lopez-Tapia F, Paladino D, Li Y, Chen CH, Namanja AT, Hilliard T, Chen Y, Tius MA, Turkson J. Hydroxamic Acid and Benzoic Acid-Based STAT3 Inhibitors Suppress Human Glioma and Breast Cancer Phenotypes In Vitro and In Vivo. Cancer Res 2015; 76:652-63. [PMID: 26088127 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-3558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
STAT3 offers an attractive target for cancer therapy, but small-molecule inhibitors with appealing pharmacologic properties have been elusive. Here, we report hydroxamic acid-based and benzoic acid-based inhibitors (SH5-07 and SH4-54, respectively) with robust bioactivity. Both inhibitors blocked STAT3 DNA-binding activity in vitro and in human glioma, breast, and prostate cancer cells and in v-Src-transformed murine fibroblasts. STAT3-dependent gene transcription was blocked along with Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, cyclin D1, c-Myc, and survivin expression. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of STAT3-inhibitor complexes defined interactions with the SH2 and DNA-binding domains of STAT3. Ectopic expression of the SH2 domain in cells was sufficient to counter the STAT3-inhibitory effects of SH4-54. Neither compound appreciably affected STAT1 or STAT5 DNA-binding activities, STAT3-independent gene transcription, or activation of a panel of oncogenic kinases in malignant cells. Each compound decreased the proliferation and viability of glioma, breast, and prostate cancer cells and v-Src-transformed murine fibroblasts harboring constitutively active STAT3. Further, in mouse xenograft models of glioma and breast cancer, administration of SH5-07 or SH4-54 effectively inhibited tumor growth. Our results offer preclinical proof of concept for SH5-07 and SH4-54 as candidates for further development as cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peibin Yue
- Natural Products and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii. Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Francisco Lopez-Tapia
- Natural Products and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii. Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii. Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - David Paladino
- Natural Products and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii. Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Yifei Li
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Chih-Hong Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Andrew T Namanja
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Tyvette Hilliard
- Natural Products and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii. Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Yuan Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Marcus A Tius
- Natural Products and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii. Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii. Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - James Turkson
- Natural Products and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii. Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii.
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21
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Hato SV, Khong A, de Vries IJM, Lesterhuis WJ. Molecular Pathways: The Immunogenic Effects of Platinum-Based Chemotherapeutics. Clin Cancer Res 2014; 20:2831-7. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-3141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 287] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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22
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Youn UJ, Miklossy G, Chai X, Wongwiwatthananukit S, Toyama O, Songsak T, Turkson J, Chang LC. Bioactive sesquiterpene lactones and other compounds isolated from Vernonia cinerea. Fitoterapia 2013; 93:194-200. [PMID: 24370662 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2013.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2013] [Revised: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Four new sesquiterpene lactones, 8α-(2'Z-tigloyloxy)-hirsutinolide (1), 8α-(2'Z-tigloyloxy)-hirsutinolide-13-O-acetate (2), 8α-(4-hydroxytigloyloxy)-hirsutinolide (3), and 8α-hydroxy-13-O-tigloyl-hirsutinolide (4), along with seven known derivatives (5-11), three norisoprenoids (12-14), a flavonoid (15), and a linoleic acid derivative (16), were isolated from the chloroform partition of a methanol extract from the combined leaves and stems of Vernonia cinerea. Their structures were established by 1D and 2D NMR, UV, and MS analyses. Compounds 1-16 were evaluated for their inhibitory effects against the viability of U251MG glioblastoma and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells that harbour aberrantly-active STAT3, compared to normal NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts that show no evidence of activated STAT3. Among the isolates, compounds 2 and 7 inhibited the aberrant STAT3 activity in glioblastoma or breast cancer cells. Further, compounds 7 and 8 inhibited viability of all three cell lines, compounds 2, 4, and 9 predominantly inhibited the viability of the U251MG glioblastoma cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ui Joung Youn
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, Hilo, HI, 96720, United States
| | - Gabriella Miklossy
- Natural Products and Experimental Therapeutics Programs, University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, 96813, United States
| | - Xingyun Chai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, Hilo, HI, 96720, United States
| | - Supakit Wongwiwatthananukit
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, Hilo, HI, 96720, United States
| | - Onoomar Toyama
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
| | - Thanapat Songsak
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rangsit University, Pathumtani 12000, Thailand
| | - James Turkson
- Natural Products and Experimental Therapeutics Programs, University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, 96813, United States
| | - Leng Chee Chang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, Hilo, HI, 96720, United States.
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23
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Hillion J, Dhara S, Sumter TF, Mukherjee M, Di Cello F, Belton A, Turkson J, Jaganathan S, Cheng L, Ye Z, Jove R, Aplan P, Lin YW, Wertzler K, Reeves R, Elbahlouh O, Kowalski J, Bhattacharya R, Resar LMS. The high-mobility group A1a/signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 axis: an achilles heel for hematopoietic malignancies? Cancer Res 2008; 68:10121-7. [PMID: 19074878 PMCID: PMC2913892 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-2121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Although HMGA1 (high-mobility group A1; formerly HMG-I/Y) is an oncogene that is widely overexpressed in aggressive cancers, the molecular mechanisms underlying transformation by HMGA1 are only beginning to emerge. HMGA1 encodes the HMGA1a and HMGA1b protein isoforms, which function in regulating gene expression. To determine how HMGA1 leads to neoplastic transformation, we looked for genes regulated by HMGA1 using gene expression profile analysis. Here, we show that the STAT3 gene, which encodes the signaling molecule signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), is a critical downstream target of HMGA1a. STAT3 mRNA and protein are up-regulated in fibroblasts overexpressing HMGA1a and activated STAT3 recapitulates the transforming activity of HMGA1a in fibroblasts. HMGA1a also binds directly to a conserved region of the STAT3 promoter in vivo in human leukemia cells by chromatin immunoprecipitation and activates transcription of the STAT3 promoter in transfection experiments. To determine if this pathway contributes to HMGA1-mediated transformation, we investigated STAT3 expression in our HMGA1a transgenic mice, all of which developed aggressive lymphoid malignancy. STAT3 expression was increased in the leukemia cells from our transgenics but not in control cells. Blocking STAT3 function induced apoptosis in the transgenic leukemia cells but not in controls. In primary human leukemia samples, there was a positive correlation between HMGA1a and STAT3 mRNA. Moreover, blocking STAT3 function in human leukemia or lymphoma cells led to decreased cellular motility and foci formation. Our results show that the HMGA1a-STAT3 axis is a potential Achilles heel that could be exploited therapeutically in hematopoietic and other malignancies overexpressing HMGA1a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelle Hillion
- Departments of Medicine, Hematology Division, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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24
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Lo HW, Cao X, Zhu H, Ali-Osman F. Constitutively activated STAT3 frequently coexpresses with epidermal growth factor receptor in high-grade gliomas and targeting STAT3 sensitizes them to Iressa and alkylators. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 14:6042-54. [PMID: 18829483 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-4923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The goals of this study are to elucidate the relationship of the oncogenic transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) with glioma aggressiveness and to understand the role of high STAT3 activity in the resistance of malignant gliomas and medulloblastomas to chemotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Immunohistochemical staining and biochemical methods were used to examine the extent of STAT3 activation and EGFR expression in primary specimens and cell lines, respectively. Cellular response to drug treatments was determined using cell cytotoxicity and clonogenic growth assays. RESULTS We found STAT3 to be constitutively activated in 60% of primary high-grade/malignant gliomas and the extent of activation correlated positively with glioma grade. High levels of activated/phosphorylated STAT3 were also present in cultured human malignant glioma and medulloblastoma cells. Three STAT3-activating kinases, Janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2), EGFR, and EGFRvIII, contributed to STAT3 activation. An inhibitor to JAK2/STAT3, JSI-124, significantly reduced expression of STAT3 target genes, suppressed cancer cell growth, and induced apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that STAT3 constitutive activation coexisted with EGFR expression in 27.2% of primary high-grade/malignant gliomas and such coexpression correlated positively with glioma grade. Combination of an anti-EGFR agent Iressa and a JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor synergistically suppressed STAT3 activation and potently killed glioblastoma cell lines that expressed EGFR or EGFRvIII. JSI-124 also sensitized malignant glioma and medulloblastoma cells to temozolomide, 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, and cisplatin in which a synergism existed between JSI-124 and cisplatin. CONCLUSION STAT3 constitutive activation, alone and in concurrence with EGFR expression, plays an important role in high-grade/malignant gliomas and targeting STAT3/JAK2 sensitizes these tumors to anti-EGFR and alkylating agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Wen Lo
- Department of Surgery, Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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HEFFETER P, JUNGWIRTH U, JAKUPEC M, HARTINGER C, GALANSKI M, ELBLING L, MICKSCHE M, KEPPLER B, BERGER W. Resistance against novel anticancer metal compounds: Differences and similarities. Drug Resist Updat 2008; 11:1-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2008.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2008] [Revised: 02/14/2008] [Accepted: 02/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Germain D, Frank DA. Targeting the cytoplasmic and nuclear functions of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 for cancer therapy. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 13:5665-9. [PMID: 17908954 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-06-2491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) are a highly conserved family of transcription factors that are activated by phosphorylation in the cytoplasm, after which they translocate to the nucleus to regulate gene expression. Among the seven STATs, STAT3 is of particular interest due to its constitutive phosphorylation in a large proportion of human cancers and its ability to induce neoplastic transformation. Inhibition of STAT3 can reverse tumor growth in experimental systems while having few effects in normal cells. These findings have implicated STAT3 as a potentially important target for therapeutic intervention. In addition to its well-described role as a transcription factor, STAT3 has been found recently to have important effects in the cytoplasm. Collectively, these functions of STAT3 directly contribute to tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Given the potential importance of STAT3 as a target for cancer therapy, molecules have been developed that can block STAT3 function at a variety of steps. These drugs show promise as anticancer agents in model systems of a variety of common human cancers. Thus, elucidating the functions of STAT3 and developing agents to inhibit this protein remain important scientific and clinical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Germain
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Johnson FM, Saigal B, Tran H, Donato NJ. Abrogation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 reactivation after Src kinase inhibition results in synergistic antitumor effects. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 13:4233-44. [PMID: 17634553 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-06-2981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The Src family of kinases (SFKs) regulate multiple signal transduction cascades and influence proliferation, motility, survival, and angiogenesis. Dasatinib inhibits SFKs, which leads to cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and decreased invasion of cancer cells. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a latent transcription factor that regulates survival and proliferation. Dasatinib results in rapid and durable inhibition of c-Src, whereas STAT3 undergoes only transient inactivation. We hypothesized that the reactivation of STAT3 after dasatinib treatment represents the engagement of a compensatory signal for cell survival that blocks the antitumor effects of SFK inhibition. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The effects of upstream inhibitors on STAT3 activation were assessed with western blotting and a quantitative bioplex phosphoprotein assay. We used the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to determine the cytotoxicity and propidium iodine/annexin V staining with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis to evaluate cell cycle change and apoptosis. The combination index was calculated by the Chou-Talalay equation. Cytokines were quantitated using a multiplexed, particle-based FACS analysis. RESULTS C-Src and several downstream molecules were rapidly and durably inhibited by dasatinib. However, STAT3 was reactivated by 24 h. The addition of JAK inhibitors during dasatinib incubation resulted in sustained inhibition of STAT3, although JAK activation by dasatinib was not shown. Combined SFK and JAK inhibition resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity due to increased apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS The reactivation of STAT3 during dasatinib treatment is caused by the engagement of a compensatory pathway that suppresses the antitumor effects of SFK inhibition and allows cancer cell survival. Abrogation of this pathway resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity. Given that STAT3 reactivation occurred in 14 of 15 solid tumor cell lines, dasatinib combined with Janus-activated kinase inhibitors may have widespread application in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faye M Johnson
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA.
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Huang S. Regulation of metastases by signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway: clinical implications. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 13:1362-6. [PMID: 17332277 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-06-2313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Numerous cytokines, growth factors, and oncogenic proteins activate signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), which has been recognized as one of the common pathways in cancer cells. Stat3 signaling affects the expression and function of a variety of genes that are critical to cell survival, cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. Evidently, the Stat3 signaling pathway regulates cancer metastasis and constitutes a potential preventive and therapeutic target for cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suyun Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Program in Cancer Biology, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
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Duan Z, Bradner JE, Greenberg E, Levine R, Foster R, Mahoney J, Seiden MV. SD-1029 inhibits signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 nuclear translocation. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 12:6844-52. [PMID: 17121906 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-06-1330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) proteins have important roles in cancer cell survival and proliferation. Recent studies show that aberrant Stat3 activation promotes tumor growth and survival in several human cancers, and thus, presents an attractive pathway for the development of targeted anticancer therapy. Stat3 is a DNA-binding transcription factor, and thus, its function depends on cytoplasmic to nuclear translocation. To discover novel inhibitors of the Stat3 signaling pathway, we designed a cell-based screening assay capable of identifying compounds that inhibit Stat3 nuclear translocation and activity. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Cell-based fluorescence microscope screening and quantitative measurement of enhanced green fluorescent protein-Stat3 nuclear translocation assays were used to identify novel Stat3 inhibitors. The effects of identified Stat3 inhibitors on Janus kinase (Jak), Stat3 expression, and activation were determined by Western blotting and kinase in vitro autophosphorylation assay. The effects of identified Stat3 inhibitors on cell growth was evaluated by cell proliferation assay and apoptosis assay. RESULTS Among the National Cancer Institute Diversity set, a 2,000-member library of bioactive small molecules, we identified SD-1029 as a micromolar inhibitor of IL-6 or oncostatin-induced Stat3 nuclear translocation. Biochemical analysis shows that SD-1029 inhibits tyrosyl phosphorylation of Stat3 implicating SD-1029 as an inhibitor of Jak. Further analysis shows that this compound inhibits tyrosyl phosphorylation of the Jak2 isoenzyme. The antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-X(L) and survivin, target proteins of activated Stat3, are down-regulated by SD-1029 resulting in the induction of apoptosis in several human breast and ovarian cancer cell lines. SD-1029 also enhances apoptosis induced by paclitaxel in ovarian cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS These results show that SD-1029 directly abrogates the Jak-Stat3 signaling pathway in human cancer cells expressing constitutively active Stat, and add to the growing literature that validates this pathway as a viable target for further drug development. Finally, SD-1029 may represent a suitable prototype for structural optimization and exploration as a therapeutic lead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfeng Duan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, and Chemical Biology Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
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Kotha A, Sekharam M, Cilenti L, Siddiquee K, Khaled A, Zervos AS, Carter B, Turkson J, Jove R. Resveratrol inhibits Src and Stat3 signaling and induces the apoptosis of malignant cells containing activated Stat3 protein. Mol Cancer Ther 2006; 5:621-9. [PMID: 16546976 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-05-0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Resveratrol is a naturally occurring phytoalexin with antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. Recent studies suggest that resveratrol possesses anticancer effects, although its mechanism of action is not well understood. We now show that resveratrol inhibits Src tyrosine kinase activity and thereby blocks constitutive signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) protein activation in malignant cells. Analyses of resveratrol-treated malignant cells harboring constitutively-active Stat3 reveal irreversible cell cycle arrest of v-Src-transformed mouse fibroblasts (NIH3T3/v-Src), human breast (MDA-MB-231), pancreatic (Panc-1), and prostate carcinoma (DU145) cell lines at the G0-G1 phase or at the S phase of human breast cancer (MDA-MB-468) and pancreatic cancer (Colo-357) cells, and loss of viability due to apoptosis. By contrast, cells treated with resveratrol, but lacking aberrant Stat3 activity, show reversible growth arrest and minimal loss of viability. Moreover, in malignant cells harboring constitutively-active Stat3, including human prostate cancer DU145 cells and v-Src-transformed mouse fibroblasts (NIH3T3/v-Src), resveratrol treatment represses Stat3-regulated cyclin D1 as well as Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 genes, suggesting that the antitumor cell activity of resveratrol is in part due to the blockade of Stat3-mediated dysregulation of growth and survival pathways. Our study is among the first to identify Src-Stat3 signaling as a target of resveratrol, further defining the mechanism of antitumor cell activity of resveratrol and raising its potential application in tumors with an activated Stat3 profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupama Kotha
- Molecular Oncology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
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Gritsko T, Williams A, Turkson J, Kaneko S, Bowman T, Huang M, Nam S, Eweis I, Diaz N, Sullivan D, Yoder S, Enkemann S, Eschrich S, Lee JH, Beam CA, Cheng J, Minton S, Muro-Cacho CA, Jove R. Persistent activation of stat3 signaling induces survivin gene expression and confers resistance to apoptosis in human breast cancer cells. Clin Cancer Res 2006; 12:11-9. [PMID: 16397018 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-04-1752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 423] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) protein is persistently activated in breast cancer and promotes tumor cell survival. To gain a better understanding of the role of constitutive Stat3 signaling in breast cancer progression, we evaluated the expression profile of potential Stat3-regulated genes that may confer resistance to apoptosis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Stat3 signaling was blocked with antisense oligonucleotides in human MDA-MB-435s breast cancer cells and Affymetrix GeneChip microarray analysis was done. The candidate Stat3 target gene Survivin was further evaluated in molecular assays using cultured breast cancer cells and immunohistochemistry of breast tumor specimens. RESULTS Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, was identified as a potential Stat3-regulated gene by microarray analysis. This was confirmed in Survivin gene promoter studies and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showing that Stat3 directly binds to and regulates the Survivin promoter. Furthermore, direct inhibition of Stat3 signaling blocked the expression of Survivin protein and induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Direct inhibition of Survivin expression also induced apoptosis. Increased Survivin protein expression correlates significantly (P = 0.001) with elevated Stat3 activity in primary breast tumor specimens from high-risk patients who were resistant to chemotherapy treatment. CONCLUSIONS We identify Survivin as a direct downstream target gene of Stat3 in human breast cancer cells that is critical for their survival in culture. Our findings suggest that activated Stat3 signaling contributes to breast cancer progression and resistance to chemotherapy by, at least in part, inducing expression of the antiapoptotic protein, Survivin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Gritsko
- Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA
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