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Chen X, Du S, Zhang Y, Peng K, Liu L, Wang T, Zhang H, Cai S, Zhu C, Li Y, Tuo W, Wang Y, Wei F, Cai Q. Caspase-mediated AURKA cleavage at Asp 132 is essential for paclitaxel to elicit cell apoptosis. Theranostics 2024; 14:3909-3926. [PMID: 38994036 PMCID: PMC11234276 DOI: 10.7150/thno.97842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Aurora kinase A (AURKA) is a potent oncogene that is often aberrantly expressed during tumorigenesis, and is associated with chemo-resistance in various malignancies. However, the role of AURKA in chemo-resistance remains largely elusive. Methods: The cleavage of AURKA upon viral infection or apoptosis stimuli was assesed by immunoblotting assays in several cancer cells or caspase deficient cell line models. The effect of AURKA cleavage at Asp132 on mitosis was explored by live cell imaging and immunofluorescence staining experiments. The role of Asp132-cleavage of AURKA induced by the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel was investigated using TUNEL, immunohistochemistry assay in mouse tumor xenograft model and patient tissues. Results: The proteolytic cleavage of AURKA at Asp132 commonly occurs in several cancer cell types, regardless of viral infection or apoptosis stimuli. Mechanistically, caspase 3/7/8 cleave AURKA at Asp132, and the Asp132-cleaved forms of AURKA promote cell apoptosis by disrupting centrosome formation and bipolar spindle assembly in metaphase during mitosis. The AURKAD132A mutation blocks the expression of cleaved caspase 3 and EGR1, which leads to reduced therapeutic effects of paclitaxel on colony formation and malignant growth of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo using a murine xenograft model and cancer patients. Conclusions: This study reveals that caspase-mediated AURKAD132 proteolysis is essential for paclitaxel to elicit cell apoptosis and indicates that AURKAD132 is a potential key target for chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Chen
- MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infections Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microorganism and Infection, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Shujuan Du
- MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infections Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microorganism and Infection, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Yulin Zhang
- MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infections Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microorganism and Infection, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Ke Peng
- MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infections Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microorganism and Infection, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Lina Liu
- MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infections Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microorganism and Infection, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Ting Wang
- Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, People's Republic of China
- Expert Workstation, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, People's Republic of China
| | - Shen Cai
- MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infections Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microorganism and Infection, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Caixia Zhu
- MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infections Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microorganism and Infection, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Youhai Li
- Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Tuo
- Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuyan Wang
- MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infections Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microorganism and Infection, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Fang Wei
- ShengYushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Qiliang Cai
- MOE/NHC/CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infections Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microorganism and Infection, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
- Expert Workstation, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, People's Republic of China
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Masci D, Naro C, Puxeddu M, Urbani A, Sette C, La Regina G, Silvestri R. Recent Advances in Drug Discovery for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment. Molecules 2023; 28:7513. [PMID: 38005235 PMCID: PMC10672974 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28227513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most heterogeneous and aggressive breast cancer subtypes with a high risk of death on recurrence. To date, TNBC is very difficult to treat due to the lack of an effective targeted therapy. However, recent advances in the molecular characterization of TNBC are encouraging the development of novel drugs and therapeutic combinations for its therapeutic management. In the present review, we will provide an overview of the currently available standard therapies and new emerging therapeutic strategies against TNBC, highlighting the promises that newly developed small molecules, repositioned drugs, and combination therapies have of improving treatment efficacy against these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domiziana Masci
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative Clinics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (A.U.)
| | - Chiara Naro
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.N.); (C.S.)
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Puxeddu
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (G.L.R.)
| | - Andrea Urbani
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative Clinics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (A.U.)
| | - Claudio Sette
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.N.); (C.S.)
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe La Regina
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (G.L.R.)
| | - Romano Silvestri
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (G.L.R.)
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de Paula B, Kieran R, Koh SSY, Crocamo S, Abdelhay E, Muñoz-Espín D. Targeting Senescence as a Therapeutic Opportunity for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:583-598. [PMID: 36752780 PMCID: PMC10157365 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-22-0643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with an elevated risk of recurrence and poor prognosis. Historically, only chemotherapy was available as systemic treatment, but immunotherapy and targeted therapies currently offer prolonged benefits. TNBC is a group of diseases with heterogeneous treatment sensitivity, and resistance is inevitable and early for a large proportion of the intrinsic subtypes. Although senescence induction by anticancer therapy offers an immediate favorable clinical outcome once the rate of tumor progression reduces, these cells are commonly dysfunctional and metabolically active, culminating in treatment-resistant repopulation associated with worse prognosis. This heterogeneous response can also occur without therapeutic pressure in response to damage or oncogenic stress, playing a relevant role in the carcinogenesis. Remarkably, there is preclinical and exploratory clinical evidence to support a relevant role of senescence in treatment resistance. Therefore, targeting senescent cells has been a scientific effort in many malignant tumors using a variety of targets and strategies, including increasing proapoptotic and decreasing antiapoptotic stimuli. Despite promising results, there are some challenges to applying this technology, including the best schedule of combination, assessment of senescence, specific vulnerabilities, and the best clinical scenarios. This review provides an overview of senescence in TNBC with a focus on future-proofing senotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno de Paula
- Breast Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Nacional de Cancer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rosalind Kieran
- Early Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha Shui Yuan Koh
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Susanne Crocamo
- Breast Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Nacional de Cancer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Muñoz-Espín
- Early Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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AURKA, as a potential prognostic biomarker, regulates autophagy and immune infiltration in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Immunobiology 2023; 228:152314. [PMID: 36587494 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2022.152314] [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: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysfunction of Aurora A (AURKA) plays crucial role in tumorigenesis and development of many types of cancer. However, the role of AURKA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been investigated yet. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two independent NPC cohorts (GSE61218 and GSE102349) were enrolled from public database to investigate the expression level of AURKA between NPC and nasopharyngitis samples, the association of AURKA expression level with prognosis in NPC, and the potential mechanism of AURKA in NPC by using bioinformatics analyses. The expression level of AURKA protein in 62 paired NPC and nasopharyngitis tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Two NPC cell lines (SUNE-1 and CNE-2) were enrolled and the expression levels of AURKA in the NPC cells were inhibited by RNA interference. The expression levels of mRNAs were tested by qPCR and western-blotting. CCK-8 assay was applied to measure the cell growth. Cell migration was measured by using wound healing assays. RESULTS AURKA was highly expressed in NPC samples compared to nasopharyngitis samples in GSE61218, which was confirmed by IHC. High expression of AURKA was associated with worse prognosis in GSE102349. Notably, silencing of AURKA was associated with significantly decreased cell growth and migration in NPC. Moreover, we found that the differentially expressed genes between high and low AURKA expression groups in GSE102349 were majorly enriched in both autophagy-related and immune-related pathways. Additionally, the expression level of AURKA was associated with the expression levels of autophagy-related genes and the infiltration of immune cells. CONCLUSION AURKA overexpressed in NPC, which was associated with poor prognosis. Silencing of AURKA inhibited the proliferation and migration of NPC cells. Besides, AURKA might participate in the regulation of both autophagy and immunity in NPC.
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Zheng D, Li J, Yan H, Zhang G, Li W, Chu E, Wei N. Emerging roles of Aurora-A kinase in cancer therapy resistance. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023. [PMID: 37521867 PMCID: PMC10372834 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Aurora kinase A (Aurora-A), a serine/threonine kinase, plays a pivotal role in various cellular processes, including mitotic entry, centrosome maturation and spindle formation. Overexpression or gene-amplification/mutation of Aurora-A kinase occurs in different types of cancer, including lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer. Alteration of Aurora-A impacts multiple cancer hallmarks, especially, immortalization, energy metabolism, immune escape and cell death resistance which are involved in cancer progression and resistance. This review highlights the most recent advances in the oncogenic roles and related multiple cancer hallmarks of Aurora-A kinase-driving cancer therapy resistance, including chemoresistance (taxanes, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide), targeted therapy resistance (osimertinib, imatinib, sorafenib, etc.), endocrine therapy resistance (tamoxifen, fulvestrant) and radioresistance. Specifically, the mechanisms of Aurora-A kinase promote acquired resistance through modulating DNA damage repair, feedback activation bypass pathways, resistance to apoptosis, necroptosis and autophagy, metastasis, and stemness. Noticeably, our review also summarizes the promising synthetic lethality strategy for Aurora-A inhibitors in RB1, ARID1A and MYC gene mutation tumors, and potential synergistic strategy for mTOR, PAK1, MDM2, MEK inhibitors or PD-L1 antibodies combined with targeting Aurora-A kinase. In addition, we discuss the design and development of the novel class of Aurora-A inhibitors in precision medicine for cancer treatment.
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Purazo ML, Ice RJ, Shimpi R, Hoenerhoff M, Pugacheva EN. NEDD9 Overexpression Causes Hyperproliferation of Luminal Cells and Cooperates with HER2 Oncogene in Tumor Initiation: A Novel Prognostic Marker in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1119. [PMID: 36831460 PMCID: PMC9954084 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
HER2 overexpression occurs in 10-20% of breast cancer patients. HER2+ tumors are characterized by an increase in Ki67, early relapse, and increased metastasis. Little is known about the factors influencing early stages of HER2- tumorigenesis and diagnostic markers. Previously, it was shown that the deletion of NEDD9 in mouse models of HER2 cancer interferes with tumor growth, but the role of NEDD9 upregulation is currently unexplored. We report that NEDD9 is overexpressed in a significant subset of HER2+ breast cancers and correlates with a limited response to anti-HER2 therapy. To investigate the mechanisms through which NEDD9 influences HER2-dependent tumorigenesis, we generated MMTV-Cre-NEDD9 transgenic mice. The analysis of mammary glands shows extensive ductal epithelium hyperplasia, increased branching, and terminal end bud expansion. The addition of oncogene Erbb2 (neu) leads to the earlier development of early hyperplastic benign lesions (~16 weeks), with a significantly shorter latency than the control mice. Similarly, NEDD9 upregulation in MCF10A-derived acini leads to hyperplasia-like DCIS. This phenotype is associated with activation of ERK1/2 and AURKA kinases, leading to an increased proliferation of luminal cells. These findings indicate that NEDD9 is setting permissive conditions for HER2-induced tumorigenesis, thus identifying this protein as a potential diagnostic marker for early detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc L. Purazo
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Ryan J. Ice
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Rahul Shimpi
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Mark Hoenerhoff
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Elena N. Pugacheva
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
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Yin Y, Zhou Y, Yang X, Xu Z, Yang B, Luo P, Yan H, He Q. The participation of non-canonical autophagic proteins in the autophagy process and their potential as therapeutic targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:71-86. [PMID: 36735300 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2177151] [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: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process that helps recycle intracellular components to maintain homeostasis. The completion of autophagy requires the synergistic effect of multiple canonical autophagic proteins. Defects in autophagy machinery have been reported to promote diseases, rendering autophagy a bone fide health-modifying agent. However, the clinical implication of canonical pan-autophagic activators or inhibitors has often led to undesirable side effects, making it urgent to find a safer autophagy-related therapeutic target. The discovery of non-canonical autophagic proteins has been found to specifically affect the development of diseases without causing a universal impact on autophagy and has shed light on finding a safer way to utilize autophagy in the therapeutic context. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes recently discovered non-canonical autophagic proteins, how these proteins influence autophagy, and their potential therapeutic role in the disease due to their interaction with autophagy. EXPERT OPINION Several therapies have been studied thus far and continued research is needed to identify the potential that non-canonical autophagic proteins have for treating certain diseases. In the meantime, continue to uncover new non-canonical autophagic proteins and examine which are likely to have therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Yin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yourong Zhou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaochun Yang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhifei Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peihua Luo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hao Yan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiaojun He
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Maniam S, Maniam S. Small Molecules Targeting Programmed Cell Death in Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189722. [PMID: 34575883 PMCID: PMC8465612 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted chemotherapy has become the forefront for cancer treatment in recent years. The selective and specific features allow more effective treatment with reduced side effects. Most targeted therapies, which include small molecules, act on specific molecular targets that are altered in tumour cells, mainly in cancers such as breast, lung, colorectal, lymphoma and leukaemia. With the recent exponential progress in drug development, programmed cell death, which includes apoptosis and autophagy, has become a promising therapeutic target. The research in identifying effective small molecules that target compensatory mechanisms in tumour cells alleviates the emergence of drug resistance. Due to the heterogenous nature of breast cancer, various attempts were made to overcome chemoresistance. Amongst breast cancers, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is of particular interest due to its heterogeneous nature in response to chemotherapy. TNBC represents approximately 15% of all breast tumours, however, and still has a poor prognosis. Unlike other breast tumours, signature targets lack for TNBCs, causing high morbidity and mortality. This review highlights several small molecules with promising preclinical data that target autophagy and apoptosis to induce cell death in TNBC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subashani Maniam
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
- Correspondence: (S.M.); (S.M.); Tel.: +613-9925-5688 (S.M.); +60-397692322 (S.M.)
| | - Sandra Maniam
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (S.M.); (S.M.); Tel.: +613-9925-5688 (S.M.); +60-397692322 (S.M.)
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Whately KM, Voronkova MA, Maskey A, Gandhi J, Loskutov J, Choi H, Yanardag S, Chen D, Wen S, Margaryan NV, Smolkin MB, Purazo ML, Hu G, Pugacheva EN. Nuclear Aurora-A kinase-induced hypoxia signaling drives early dissemination and metastasis in breast cancer: implications for detection of metastatic tumors. Oncogene 2021; 40:5651-5664. [PMID: 34326467 PMCID: PMC9511212 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01969-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic breast cancer causes most breast cancer-associated deaths, especially in triple negative breast cancers (TNBC). The metastatic drivers of TNBCs are still poorly understood, and effective treatment non-existent. Here we reveal that the presence of Aurora-A Kinase (AURKA) in the nucleus and metastatic dissemination are molecularly connected through HIF1 (Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1) signaling. Nuclear AURKA activates transcription of "hypoxia-induced genes" under normoxic conditions (pseudohypoxia) and without upregulation of oxygen-sensitive HIF1A subunit. We uncover that AURKA preferentially binds to HIF1B and co-localizes with the HIF complex on DNA. The mass-spectrometry analysis of the AURKA complex further confirmed the presence of CBP and p300 along with other TFIIB/RNApol II components. Importantly, the expression of multiple HIF-dependent genes induced by nuclear AURKA (N-AURKA), including migration/invasion, survival/death, and stemness, promote early cancer dissemination. These results indicate that nuclear, but not cytoplasmic, AURKA is a novel driver of early metastasis. Analysis of clinical tumor specimens revealed a correlation between N-AURKA presence and decreased patient survival. Our results establish a mechanistic link between two critical pathways in cancer metastasis, identifying nuclear AURKA as a crucial upstream regulator of the HIF1 transcription complex and a target for anti-metastatic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina M Whately
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Maria A Voronkova
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Abha Maskey
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jasleen Gandhi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Juergen Loskutov
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Hyeran Choi
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Sila Yanardag
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Dongquan Chen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sijin Wen
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Naira V Margaryan
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Matthew B Smolkin
- Department of Pathology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Marc L Purazo
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Gangqing Hu
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Elena N Pugacheva
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
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Wang J, Hu T, Wang Q, Chen R, Xie Y, Chang H, Cheng J. Repression of the AURKA-CXCL5 axis induces autophagic cell death and promotes radiosensitivity in non-small-cell lung cancer. Cancer Lett 2021; 509:89-104. [PMID: 33848520 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Aurora kinase A (AURKA) regulates apoptosis and autophagy in various diseases and has shown promising clinical effects. Nevertheless, the complex regulatory mechanism of AURKA and autophagy in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) radiosensitivity remains to be elucidated. Here, we showed that AURKA was upregulated in NSCLC cell lines and tissues and that AURKA overexpression was significantly related to a poor prognosis, tumor stage and lymph node metastasis in NSCLC. Interestingly, AURKA expression was significantly increased after 8Gy radiotherapy. Silencing of AURKA enhanced radiosensitivity and impaired migration and invasion in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, we determined that CXCL5, a member of the chemokine family, was a key downstream effector of AURKA, and the phenotype induced by AURKA silencing was partly due to CXCL5 inhibition. We further demonstrated that the AURKA-CXCL5 axis played an essential role in NSCLC autophagy and that the activation of cytotoxic autophagy attenuated the malignant biological behavior of NSCLC cells mediated by AURKA-CXCL5. In general, we revealed the role of the AURKA-CXCL5 axis and autophagy in regulating the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to radiotherapy, which may provide potential therapeutic targets and new strategies for combatting NSCLC resistance to radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jue Wang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Ting Hu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Renwang Chen
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yuxiu Xie
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Haiyan Chang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Jing Cheng
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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11
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Addison JB, Voronkova MA, Fugett JH, Lin CC, Linville NC, Trinh B, Livengood RH, Smolkin MB, Schaller MD, Ruppert JM, Pugacheva EN, Creighton CJ, Ivanov AV. Functional Hierarchy and Cooperation of EMT Master Transcription Factors in Breast Cancer Metastasis. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:784-798. [PMID: 33500360 PMCID: PMC8137545 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Several master transcription factors (TF) can activate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, their individual and combinatorial contributions to EMT in breast cancer are not defined. We show that overexpression of EMT-TFs individually in epithelial cells upregulated endogenous SNAI2, ZEB1/2, TCF4, and TWIST1/2 as a result of positive feedback mediated in part by suppression of their negative regulator miRNAs miR200s/203/205. We identified TCF4 as a potential new target of miR200s. Expression of ZEB1/2 strongly correlated with the mesenchymal phenotype in breast cancer cells, with the CD24-/CD44+ stemness profile, and with lower expression of core epithelial genes in human breast tumors. Knockdown of EMT-TFs identified the key role of ZEB1 and its functional cooperation with other EMT-TFs in the maintenance of the mesenchymal state. Inducible ZEB1+2 knockdown in xenograft models inhibited pulmonary metastasis, emphasizing their critical role in dissemination from primary site and in extravasation. However, ZEB1+2 depletion one-week after intravenous injection did not inhibit lung colonization, suggesting that ZEB1/2 and EMT are not essential for macrometastatic outgrowth. These results provide strong evidence that EMT is orchestrated by coordinated expression of several EMT-TFs and establish ZEB1 as a key master regulator of EMT and metastasis in breast cancer. IMPLICATIONS: The EMT program is orchestrated by coordinated expression of multiple EMT transcription factors, whereas ZEB1 integrates the EMT master regulatory network and plays the major role in promoting EMT and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph B Addison
- WVU Cancer Institute and Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Maria A Voronkova
- WVU Cancer Institute and Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - James H Fugett
- WVU Cancer Institute and Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Chen-Chung Lin
- WVU Cancer Institute and Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Nathaniel C Linville
- WVU Cancer Institute and Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Brandon Trinh
- WVU Cancer Institute and Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Ryan H Livengood
- Department of Pathology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Matthew B Smolkin
- Department of Pathology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Michael D Schaller
- WVU Cancer Institute and Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - J Michael Ruppert
- WVU Cancer Institute and Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Elena N Pugacheva
- WVU Cancer Institute and Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Chad J Creighton
- Department of Medicine and Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center Division of Biostatistics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Alexey V Ivanov
- WVU Cancer Institute and Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.
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12
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Targeting Oncoimmune Drivers of Cancer Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030554. [PMID: 33535613 PMCID: PMC7867187 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Residual metastasis is a major cause of cancer-associated death. Recent advances in understanding the molecular basis of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the related cancer stem cells (CSCs) have revealed the landscapes of cancer metastasis and are promising contributions to clinical treatments. However, this rarely leads to practical advances in the management of cancer in clinical settings, and thus cancer metastasis is still a threat to patients. The reason for this may be the heterogeneity and complexity caused by the evolutional transformation of tumor cells through interactions with the host environment, which is composed of numerous components, including stromal cells, vascular cells, and immune cells. The reciprocal evolution further raises the possibility of successful tumor escape, resulting in a fatal prognosis for patients. To disrupt the vicious spiral of tumor-immunity aggravation, it is important to understand the entire metastatic process and the practical implementations. Here, we provide an overview of the molecular and cellular links between tumors' biological properties and host immunity, mainly focusing on EMT and CSCs, and we also highlight therapeutic agents targeting the oncoimmune determinants driving cancer metastasis toward better practical use in the treatment of cancer patients.
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13
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Du R, Huang C, Liu K, Li X, Dong Z. Targeting AURKA in Cancer: molecular mechanisms and opportunities for Cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:15. [PMID: 33451333 PMCID: PMC7809767 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01305-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aurora kinase A (AURKA) belongs to the family of serine/threonine kinases, whose activation is necessary for cell division processes via regulation of mitosis. AURKA shows significantly higher expression in cancer tissues than in normal control tissues for multiple tumor types according to the TCGA database. Activation of AURKA has been demonstrated to play an important role in a wide range of cancers, and numerous AURKA substrates have been identified. AURKA-mediated phosphorylation can regulate the functions of AURKA substrates, some of which are mitosis regulators, tumor suppressors or oncogenes. In addition, enrichment of AURKA-interacting proteins with KEGG pathway and GO analysis have demonstrated that these proteins are involved in classic oncogenic pathways. All of this evidence favors the idea of AURKA as a target for cancer therapy, and some small molecules targeting AURKA have been discovered. These AURKA inhibitors (AKIs) have been tested in preclinical studies, and some of them have been subjected to clinical trials as monotherapies or in combination with classic chemotherapy or other targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijuan Du
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China.
| | - Chuntian Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China.,The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China. .,The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Zigang Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China. .,The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. .,College of medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
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14
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Muniraj N, Siddharth S, Shriver M, Nagalingam A, Parida S, Woo J, Elsey J, Gabrielson K, Gabrielson E, Arbiser JL, Saxena NK, Sharma D. Induction of STK11-dependent cytoprotective autophagy in breast cancer cells upon honokiol treatment. Cell Death Discov 2020; 6:81. [PMID: 32963809 PMCID: PMC7475061 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-020-00315-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells hijack autophagy pathway to evade anti-cancer therapeutics. Many molecular signaling pathways associated with drug-resistance converge on autophagy induction. Honokiol (HNK), a natural phenolic compound purified from Magnolia grandiflora, has recently been shown to impede breast tumorigenesis and, in the present study, we investigated whether breast cancer cells evoke autophagy to modulate therapeutic efficacy and functional networks of HNK. Indeed, breast cancer cells exhibit increased autophagosomes-accumulation, MAP1LC3B-II/LC3B-II-conversion, expression of ATG proteins as well as elevated fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes upon HNK treatment. Breast cancer cells treated with HNK demonstrate significant growth inhibition and apoptotic induction, and these biological processes are blunted by macroautophagy/autophagy. Consequently, inhibiting autophagosome formation, abrogating autophagosome-lysosome fusion or genetic-knockout of BECN1 and ATG7 effectively increase HNK-mediated apoptotic induction and growth inhibition. Next, we explored the functional impact of tumor suppressor STK11 in autophagy induction in HNK-treated cells. STK11-silencing abrogates LC3B-II-conversion, and blocks autophagosome/lysosome fusion and lysosomal activity as illustrated by LC3B-Rab7 co-staining and DQ-BSA assay. Our results exemplify the cytoprotective nature of autophagy invoked in HNK-treated breast cancer cells and put forth the notion that a combined strategy of autophagy inhibition with HNK would be more effective. Indeed, HNK and chloroquine (CQ) show synergistic inhibition of breast cancer cells and HNK-CQ combination treatment effectively inhibits breast tumorigenesis and metastatic progression. Tumor-dissociated cells from HNK-CQ treated tumors exhibit abrogated invasion and migration potential. Together, these results implicate that breast cancer cells undergo cytoprotective autophagy to circumvent HNK and a combined treatment with HNK and CQ can be a promising therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nethaji Muniraj
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
| | - Sumit Siddharth
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
| | - Marey Shriver
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
| | - Arumugam Nagalingam
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
| | - Sheetal Parida
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
| | - Juhyung Woo
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
| | - Justin Elsey
- Department of Dermatology, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Kathleen Gabrielson
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
- Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
| | - Edward Gabrielson
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
| | - Jack L. Arbiser
- Department of Dermatology, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Neeraj K. Saxena
- Early Detection Research Group, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD USA
| | - Dipali Sharma
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
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15
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Cao S, Huang Y, Zhang Q, Lu F, Donkor PO, Zhu Y, Qiu F, Kang N. Molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and autophagy elicited by combined treatment with oridonin and cetuximab in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Apoptosis 2020; 24:33-45. [PMID: 30430397 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-018-1497-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Combined oridonin (ORI), a natural and safe kaurene diterpenoid isolated from Rabdosia rubescens, and cetuximab (Cet), an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, have been reported to exert synergistic anti-tumor effects against laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) both in vitro and in vivo by our group. In the present study, we further found that ORI/Cet treatment not only resulted in apoptosis but also induced autophagy. AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway was found to be involved in the activation of autophagy in ORI/Cet-treated LSCC cells, which is independent of p53 status. Additionally, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed that ORI/Cet significantly increased the binding NF-κB family member p65 with the promotor of BECN 1, and p65-mediated up-regulation of BECN 1 caused by ORI/Cet is coupled to increased autophagy. On the other hand, we demonstrated that either Beclin 1 SiRNA or autophagy inhibitors could increase ORI/Cet induced-apoptosis, indicating that autophagy induced by combination of the two agents plays a cytoprotective role. Interestingly, 48 h after the combined treatment, autophagy began to decrease but apoptosis was significantly elevated. Our findings suggest that autophagy might be strongly associated with the antitumor efficacy of ORI/Cet, which may be beneficial to the clinical application of ORI/Cet in LSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Cao
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiyuan Huang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 312 Anshanxi Road, Tianjin, 300193, People's Republic of China.,Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 312 Anshanxi Road, Tianjin, 300193, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangjin Lu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, People's Republic of China
| | - Paul Owusu Donkor
- School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, PMB 31, Ghana
| | - Yan Zhu
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Qiu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Kang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 312 Anshanxi Road, Tianjin, 300193, People's Republic of China.
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16
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Duan X, Chen B, Cui Y, Zhou L, Wu C, Yang Z, Wen Y, Miao X, Li Q, Xiong L, He J. Ready player one? Autophagy shapes resistance to photodynamic therapy in cancers. Apoptosis 2019; 23:587-606. [PMID: 30288638 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-018-1489-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a procedure used in cancer therapy that has been shown to be useful for certain indications. Considerable evidence suggests that PDT might be superior to conventional modalities for some indications. In this report, we examine the relationship between PDT responsiveness and autophagy, which can exert a cytoprotective effect. Autophagy is an essential physiological process that maintains cellular homeostasis by degrading dysfunctional or impaired cellular components and organelles via a lysosome-based pathway. Autophagy, which includes macroautophagy and microautophagy, can be a factor that decreases or abolishes responses to various therapeutic protocols. We systematically discuss the mechanisms underlying cell-fate decisions elicited by PDT; analyse the principles of PDT-induced autophagy, macroautophagy and microautophagy; and present evidence to support the notion that autophagy is a critical mechanism in resistance to PDT. A combined strategy involving autophagy inhibitors may be able to further enhance PDT efficacy. Finally, we provide suggestions for future studies, note where our understanding of the relevant molecular regulators is deficient, and discuss the correlations among PDT-induced resistance and autophagy, especially microautophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Duan
- Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanan Cui
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chenkai Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhulin Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yu Wen
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiongying Miao
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qinglong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Li Xiong
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Jun He
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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17
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Yang N, Wang C, Wang J, Wang Z, Huang D, Yan M, Kamran M, Liu Q, Xu B. Aurora kinase A stabilizes FOXM1 to enhance paclitaxel resistance in triple-negative breast cancer. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:6442-6453. [PMID: 31359594 PMCID: PMC6714217 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a relatively poor outcome. Acquired chemoresistance is a major clinical challenge for TNBC patients. Previously, we reported that kinase-dead Aurora kinase A (Aurora-A) could effectively transactivate the FOXM1 promoter. Here, we demonstrate an additional pathway through which Aurora-A stabilizes FOXM1 by attenuating its ubiquitin in TNBC. Specifically, Aurora-A stabilizes FOXM1 in late M phase and early G1 phase of the cell cycle, which promotes proliferation of TNBC cells. Knock-down of Aurora-A significantly suppresses cell proliferation in TNBC cell lines and can be rescued by FOXM1 overexpression. We observe that paclitaxel-resistant TNBC cells exhibit high expression of Aurora-A and FOXM1. Overexpression of Aurora-A offers TNBC cells an additional growth advantage and protection against paclitaxel. Moreover, Aurora-A and FOXM1 could be simultaneously targeted by thiostrepton. Combination of thiostrepton and paclitaxel treatment reverses paclitaxel resistance and significantly inhibits cell proliferation. In conclusion, our study reveals additional mechanism through which Aurora-A regulates FOXM1 and provides a new therapeutic strategy to treat paclitaxel-resistant triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chang Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Pathology, GanZhou Municipal People's Hospital, NanChang University, GanZhou, China
| | - Zifeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Di Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Muhammad Kamran
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Quentin Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - BangLao Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
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18
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Combined inhibition of Aurora A and p21-activated kinase 1 as a new treatment strategy in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2019; 177:369-382. [PMID: 31254157 PMCID: PMC6661032 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-019-05329-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Purpose The serine-threonine kinases Aurora A (AURKA) and p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) are frequently overexpressed in breast tumors, with overexpression promoting aggressive breast cancer phenotypes and poor clinical outcomes. Besides the well-defined roles of these proteins in control of cell division, proliferation, and invasion, both kinases support MAPK kinase pathway activation and can contribute to endocrine resistance by phosphorylating estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). PAK1 directly phosphorylates AURKA and its functional partners, suggesting potential value of inhibiting both kinases activity in tumors overexpressing PAK1 and/or AURKA. Here, for the first time, we evaluated the effect of combining the AURKA inhibitor alisertib and the PAK inhibitor FRAX1036 in preclinical models of breast cancer. Methods Combination of alisertib and FRAX1036 was evaluated in a panel of 13 human breast tumor cell lines and BT474 xenograft model, with assessment of the cell cycle by FACS, and signaling changes by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Additionally, we performed in silico analysis to identify markers of response to alisertib and FRAX1036. Results Pharmacological inhibition of AURKA and PAK1 synergistically decreased survival of multiple tumor cell lines, showing particular effectiveness in luminal and HER2-enriched models, and inhibited growth and ERα-driven signaling in a BT474 xenograft model. In silico analysis suggested cell lines with dependence on AURKA are most likely to be sensitive to PAK1 inhibition. Conclusion Dual targeting of AURKA and PAK1 may be a promising therapeutic strategy for treatment of breast cancer, with a particular effectiveness in luminal and HER2-enriched tumor subtypes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10549-019-05329-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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19
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Hwang SY, Park S, Kwon Y. Recent therapeutic trends and promising targets in triple negative breast cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 199:30-57. [PMID: 30825473 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer accounts for 25% of all types of cancer in women, and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprises around 15~20% of breast cancers. Conventional chemotherapy and radiation are the primary systemic therapeutic strategies; no other FDA-approved targeted therapies are yet available as for TNBC. TNBC is generally characterized by a poor prognosis and high rates of proliferation and metastases. Due to these aggressive features and lack of targeted therapies, numerous attempts have been made to discover viable molecular targets for TNBC. Massive cohort studies, clinical trials, and in-depth analyses have revealed diverse molecular alterations in TNBC; however, controversy exists as to whether many of these changes are beneficial or detrimental in caner progression. Here we review the complicated tumorigenic processes and discuss critical findings and therapeutic trends in TNBC with a focus on promising therapeutic approaches, the clinical trials currently underway, and potent experimental compounds under preclinical and evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo-Yeon Hwang
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Seojeong Park
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngjoo Kwon
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea.
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20
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Cao C, Huang W, Zhang N, Wu F, Xu T, Pan X, Peng C, Han B. Narciclasine induces autophagy-dependent apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells by regulating the AMPK-ULK1 axis. Cell Prolif 2018; 51:e12518. [PMID: 30152053 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Autophagy and apoptosis are major types of eukaryotic programmed cell death, and regulating these processes holds promise for treating cancers. In this study, we explored the regulation mechanisms of narciclasine to autophagy and apoptosis processes in triple-negative breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Effects of narciclasine on proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy of HCC-1937 and MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells were assessed using transmission electronic microscopy, flow cytometry following staining with Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide, RNA sequencing, real-time PCR, and Western blotting. The ability of narciclasine to inhibit growth of human HCC1937 TNBC xenografts in mice was assessed, and potential mechanisms of inhibition were explored using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Narciclasine inhibited TNBC cell proliferation and induced autophagy-dependent apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. These apoptotic effects could be reversed using autophagy inhibitors, including an AMPK inhibitor and ULK1 siRNA. Consistent with these in vitro results, narciclasine significantly inhibited TNBC tumour growth in mice by upregulating autophagy-dependent apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that narciclasine regulates the AMPK-ULK1 signalling axis to promote autophagy-dependent apoptosis, demonstrating therapeutic potential against TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Cao
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,Department of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Huang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fengbo Wu
- Department of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoli Pan
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Han
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,Department of Chemistry and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York
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21
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Jubierre L, Jiménez C, Rovira E, Soriano A, Sábado C, Gros L, Llort A, Hladun R, Roma J, Toledo JSD, Gallego S, Segura MF. Targeting of epigenetic regulators in neuroblastoma. Exp Mol Med 2018; 50:1-12. [PMID: 29700278 PMCID: PMC5938021 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-018-0077-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 15,000 new cases of pediatric cancer are diagnosed yearly in Europe, with 8–10% corresponding to neuroblastoma, a rare disease with an incidence of 8–9 cases per million children <15 years of age. Although the survival rate for low-risk and intermediate-risk patients is excellent, half of children with high-risk, refractory, or relapsed tumors will be cured, and two-thirds of the other half will suffer major side effects and life-long disabilities. Epigenetic therapies aimed at reversing the oncogenic alterations in chromatin structure and function are an emerging alternative against aggressive tumors that are or will become resistant to conventional treatments. This approach proposes targeting epigenetic regulators, which are proteins that are involved in the creation, detection, and interpretation of epigenetic signals, such as methylation or histone post-translational modifications. In this review, we focused on the most promising epigenetic regulators for targeting and current drugs that have already reached clinical trials. Treatments that target chromatin, the combination of DNA and proteins, are emerging as alternative ways to treat aggressive neuroblastomas, cancers of neural tissue. Altering the structure and function of chromatin is a form of “epigenetic therapy”, treatment that affects inheritable molecular signals controlling the activity of genes, rather than targeting the genes directly. Researchers in Spain led by Miguel Segura at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute in Barcelona review progress in developing epigenetic therapies for neuroblastomas. A growing body of fundamental research and evidence from clinical trials suggest this approach could open promising new avenues to treating aggressive and drug-resistant cancers. The authors recommend an increased effort to identify and explore the activities of small molecules that could form the basis of effective epigenetic therapies for various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz Jubierre
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Jiménez
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eric Rovira
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aroa Soriano
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Constantino Sábado
- Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Gros
- Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Llort
- Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Hladun
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Roma
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Sánchez de Toledo
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Soledad Gallego
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel F Segura
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
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22
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Loskutov YV, Griffin CL, Marinak KM, Bobko A, Margaryan NV, Geldenhuys WJ, Sarkaria JN, Pugacheva EN. LPA signaling is regulated through the primary cilium: a novel target in glioblastoma. Oncogene 2018; 37:1457-1471. [PMID: 29321663 PMCID: PMC5854509 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-017-0049-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The primary cilium is a ubiquitous organelle presented on most human cells. It is a crucial signaling hub for multiple pathways including growth factor and G-protein coupled receptors. Loss of primary cilia, observed in various cancers, has been shown to affect cell proliferation. Primary cilia formation is drastically decreased in glioblastoma (GBM), however, the role of cilia in normal astrocyte or glioblastoma proliferation has not been explored. Here, we report that loss of primary cilia in human astrocytes stimulates growth rate in a lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-dependent manner. We show that lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1) is accumulated in primary cilia. LPAR1 signaling through Gα12/Gαq was previously reported to be responsible for cancer cell proliferation. We found that in ciliated cells, Gα12 and Gαq are excluded from the cilium, creating a barrier against unlimited proliferation, one of the hallmarks of cancer. Upon loss of primary cilia, LPAR1 redistributes to the plasma membrane with a concomitant increase in LPAR1 association with Gα12 and Gαq. Inhibition of LPA signaling with the small molecule compound Ki16425 in deciliated highly proliferative astrocytes or glioblastoma patient-derived cells/xenografts drastically suppresses their growth both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, Ki16425 brain delivery via PEG-PLGA nanoparticles inhibited tumor progression in an intracranial glioblastoma PDX model. Overall, our findings establish a novel mechanism by which primary cilium restricts proliferation and indicate that loss of primary cilia is sufficient to increase mitogenic signaling, and is important for the maintenance of a highly proliferative phenotype. Clinical application of LPA inhibitors may prove beneficial to restrict glioblastoma growth and ensure local control of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuriy V Loskutov
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Caryn L Griffin
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Kristina M Marinak
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Andrey Bobko
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Naira V Margaryan
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Werner J Geldenhuys
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | | | - Elena N Pugacheva
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA.
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23
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Kogiso M, Qi L, Braun FK, Injac SG, Zhang L, Du Y, Zhang H, Lin FY, Zhao S, Lindsay H, Su JM, Baxter PA, Adesina AM, Liao D, Qian MG, Berg S, Muscal JA, Li XN. Concurrent Inhibition of Neurosphere and Monolayer Cells of Pediatric Glioblastoma by Aurora A Inhibitor MLN8237 Predicted Survival Extension in PDOX Models. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:2159-2170. [PMID: 29463553 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-2256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Pediatric glioblastoma multiforme (pGBM) is a highly aggressive tumor in need of novel therapies. Our objective was to demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of MLN8237 (alisertib), an orally available selective inhibitor of Aurora A kinase (AURKA), and to evaluate which in vitro model system (monolayer or neurosphere) can predict therapeutic efficacy in vivoExperimental Design: AURKA mRNA expressions were screened with qRT-PCR. In vitro antitumor effects were examined in three matching pairs of monolayer and neurosphere lines established from patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) models of the untreated (IC-4687GBM), recurrent (IC-3752GBM), and terminal (IC-R0315GBM) tumors, and in vivo therapeutic efficacy through log rank analysis of survival times in two models (IC-4687GBM and IC-R0315GBM) following MLN8237 treatment (30 mg/kg/day, orally, 12 days). Drug concentrations in vivo and mechanism of action and resistance were also investigated.Results: AURKA mRNA overexpression was detected in 14 pGBM tumors, 10 PDOX models, and 6 cultured pGBM lines as compared with 11 low-grade gliomas and normal brains. MLN8237 penetrated into pGBM xenografts in mouse brains. Significant extension of survival times were achieved in IC-4687GBM of which both neurosphere and monolayer were inhibited in vitro, but not in IC-R0315GBM of which only neurosphere cells responded (similar to IC-3752GBM). Apoptosis-mediated MLN8237 induced cell death, and the presence of AURKA-negative and CD133+ cells appears to have contributed to in vivo therapy resistance.Conclusions: MLN8237 successfully targeted AURKA in a subset of pGBMs. Our data suggest that combination therapy should aim at AURKA-negative and/or CD133+ pGBM cells to prevent tumor recurrence. Clin Cancer Res; 24(9); 2159-70. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Kogiso
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Lin Qi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Frank K Braun
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Sarah G Injac
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Linna Zhang
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Yuchen Du
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Huiyuan Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Frank Y Lin
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Sibo Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Holly Lindsay
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jack M Su
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Patricia A Baxter
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Adekunle M Adesina
- Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Debra Liao
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Mark G Qian
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Stacey Berg
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jodi A Muscal
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Xiao-Nan Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. .,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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24
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Alcaraz-Sanabria A, Nieto-Jiménez C, Corrales-Sánchez V, Serrano-Oviedo L, Andrés-Pretel F, Montero JC, Burgos M, Llopis J, Galán-Moya EM, Pandiella A, Ocaña A. Synthetic Lethality Interaction Between Aurora Kinases and CHEK1 Inhibitors in Ovarian Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 16:2552-2562. [PMID: 28847989 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is characterized by frequent mutations at TP53. These tumors also harbor germline mutations at homologous recombination repair genes, so they rely on DNA-damage checkpoint proteins, like the checkpoint kinase 1 (CHEK1) to induce G2 arrest. In our study, by using an in silico approach, we identified a synthetic lethality interaction between CHEK1 and mitotic aurora kinase A (AURKA) inhibitors. Gene expression analyses were used for the identification of relevant biological functions. OVCAR3, OVCAR8, IGROV1, and SKOV3 were used for proliferation studies. Alisertib was tested as AURKA inhibitor and LY2603618 as CHEK1 inhibitor. Analyses of cell cycle and intracellular mediators were performed by flow cytometry and Western blot analysis. Impact on stem cell properties was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis of surface markers and sphere formation assays. Gene expression analyses followed by functional annotation identified a series of deregulated genes that belonged to cell cycle, including AURKA/B, TTK kinase, and CHEK1. AURKA and CHEK1 were amplified in 8.7% and 3.9% of ovarian cancers, respectively. AURKA and CHEK1 inhibitors showed a synergistic interaction in different cellular models. Combination of alisertib and LY2603618 triggered apoptosis, reduced the stem cell population, and increased the effect of taxanes and platinum compounds. Finally, expression of AURKA and CHEK1 was linked with detrimental outcome in patients. Our data describe a synthetic lethality interaction between CHEK1 and AURKA inhibitors with potential translation to the clinical setting. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(11); 2552-62. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Miguel Burgos
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB), Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Juan Llopis
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB), Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Eva María Galán-Moya
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB), Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | | | - Alberto Ocaña
- Translational Research Unit, Albacete University Hospital, Albacete, Spain.
- Cancer Research Center, CSIC-University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CRIB), Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
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25
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Do TV, Hirst J, Hyter S, Roby KF, Godwin AK. Aurora A kinase regulates non-homologous end-joining and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase function in ovarian carcinoma cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:50376-50392. [PMID: 28881569 PMCID: PMC5584138 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed at late stages when cancer has spread beyond the ovary and patients ultimately succumb to the development of drug-resistant disease. There is an urgent and unmet need to develop therapeutic strategies that effectively treat ovarian cancer and this requires a better understanding of signaling pathways important for ovarian cancer progression. Aurora A kinase (AURKA) plays an important role in ovarian cancer progression by mediating mitosis and chromosomal instability. In the current study, we investigated the role of AURKA in regulating the DNA damage response and DNA repair in ovarian carcinoma cells. We discovered that AURKA modulated the expression and activity of PARP, a crucial mediator of DNA repair that is a target of therapeutic interest for the treatment of ovarian and other cancers. Further, specific inhibition of AURKA activity with the small molecule inhibitor, alisertib, stimulated the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair pathway by elevating DNA-PKcs activity, a catalytic subunit required for double-strand break (DSB) repair, as well as decreased the expression of PARP and BRCA1/2, which are required for high-fidelity homologous recombination-based DNA repair. Further, AURKA inhibition stimulates error-prone NHEJ repair of DNA double-strand breaks with incompatible ends. Consistent with in vitro findings, alisertib treatment increased phosphorylated DNA-PKcs(pDNA-PKcsT2609) and decreased PARP levels in vivo. Collectively, these results reveal new non-mitotic functions for AURKA in the regulation of DNA repair, which may inform of new therapeutic targets and strategies for treating ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy-Vy Do
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Jeff Hirst
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Stephen Hyter
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Katherine F. Roby
- Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Andrew K. Godwin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
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26
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Chung SJ, Nagaraju GP, Nagalingam A, Muniraj N, Kuppusamy P, Walker A, Woo J, Győrffy B, Gabrielson E, Saxena NK, Sharma D. ADIPOQ/adiponectin induces cytotoxic autophagy in breast cancer cells through STK11/LKB1-mediated activation of the AMPK-ULK1 axis. Autophagy 2017; 13:1386-1403. [PMID: 28696138 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2017.1332565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
ADIPOQ/adiponectin, an adipocytokine secreted by adipocytes in the breast tumor microenvironment, negatively regulates cancer cell growth hence increased levels of ADIPOQ/adiponectin are associated with decreased breast cancer growth. However, its mechanisms of action remain largely elusive. We report that ADIPOQ/adiponectin induces a robust accumulation of autophagosomes, increases MAP1LC3B-II/LC3B-II and decreases SQSTM1/p62 in breast cancer cells. ADIPOQ/adiponectin-treated cells and xenografts exhibit increased expression of autophagy-related proteins. LysoTracker Red-staining and tandem-mCherry-GFP-LC3B assay show that fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes is augmented upon ADIPOQ/adiponectin treatment. ADIPOQ/adiponectin significantly inhibits breast cancer growth and induces apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo, and these events are preceded by macroautophagy/autophagy, which is integral for ADIPOQ/adiponectin-mediated cell death. Accordingly, blunting autophagosome formation, blocking autophagosome-lysosome fusion or genetic-knockout of BECN1/Beclin1 and ATG7 effectively impedes ADIPOQ/adiponectin induced growth-inhibition and apoptosis-induction. Mechanistic studies show that ADIPOQ/adiponectin reduces intracellular ATP levels and increases PRKAA1 phosphorylation leading to ULK1 activation. AMPK-inhibition abrogates ADIPOQ/adiponectin-induced ULK1-activation, LC3B-turnover and SQSTM1/p62-degradation while AMPK-activation potentiates ADIPOQ/adiponectin's effects. Further, ADIPOQ/adiponectin-mediated AMPK-activation and autophagy-induction are regulated by upstream master-kinase STK11/LKB1, which is a key node in antitumor function of ADIPOQ/adiponectin as STK11/LKB1-knockout abrogates ADIPOQ/adiponectin-mediated inhibition of breast tumorigenesis and molecular analyses of tumors corroborate in vitro mechanistic findings. ADIPOQ/adiponectin increases the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. Notably, high expression of ADIPOQ receptor ADIPOR2, ADIPOQ/adiponectin and BECN1 significantly correlates with increased overall survival in chemotherapy-treated breast cancer patients. Collectively, these data uncover that ADIPOQ/adiponectin induces autophagic cell death in breast cancer and provide in vitro and in vivo evidence for the integral role of STK11/LKB1-AMPK-ULK1 axis in ADIPOQ/adiponectin-mediated cytotoxic autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung J Chung
- a Department of Oncology , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | | | - Arumugam Nagalingam
- a Department of Oncology , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Nethaji Muniraj
- a Department of Oncology , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Panjamurthy Kuppusamy
- c Department of Medicine , University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Alyssa Walker
- a Department of Oncology , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Juhyung Woo
- a Department of Oncology , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- d MTA TTK Momentum Cancer Biomarker Research Group , Budapest , Hungary.,e Semmelweis University 2nd Dept. of Pediatrics , Budapest , Hungary
| | - Ed Gabrielson
- a Department of Oncology , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Neeraj K Saxena
- c Department of Medicine , University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Dipali Sharma
- a Department of Oncology , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins , Baltimore , MD , USA
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27
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Jones BC, Kelley LC, Loskutov YV, Marinak KM, Kozyreva VK, Smolkin MB, Pugacheva EN. Dual Targeting of Mesenchymal and Amoeboid Motility Hinders Metastatic Behavior. Mol Cancer Res 2017; 15:670-682. [PMID: 28235899 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-16-0411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Commonly upregulated in human cancers, the scaffolding protein NEDD9/HEF1 is a known regulator of mesenchymal migration and cancer cell plasticity. However, the functional role of NEDD9 as a regulator of different migration/invasion modes in the context of breast cancer metastasis is currently unknown. Here, it is reported that NEDD9 is necessary for both mesenchymal and amoeboid individual cell migration/invasion in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). NEDD9 deficiency results in acquisition of the amoeboid morphology, but severely limits all types of cell motility. Mechanistically, NEDD9 promotes mesenchymal migration via VAV2-dependent Rac1 activation, and depletion of VAV2 impairs the ability of NEDD9 to activate Rac1. In addition, NEDD9 supports a mesenchymal phenotype through stimulating polymerization of actin via promoting CTTN phosphorylation in an AURKA-dependent manner. Interestingly, an increase in RhoA activity in NEDD9-depleted cells does not facilitate a switch to functional amoeboid motility, indicating a role of NEDD9 in the regulation of downstream RhoA signaling effectors. Simultaneous depletion of NEDD9 or inhibition of AURKA in combination with inhibition of the amoeboid driver ROCK results in an additional decrease in cancer cell migration/invasion. Finally, we confirmed that a dual targeting strategy is a viable and efficient therapeutic approach to hinder the metastasis of breast cancer in xenograft models, showcasing the important need for further clinical evaluation of this regimen to impede the spread of disease and improve patient survival.Implications: This study provides new insight into the therapeutic benefit of combining NEDD9 depletion with ROCK inhibition to reduce tumor cell dissemination and discovers a new regulatory role of NEDD9 in the modulation of VAV2-dependent activation of Rac1 and actin polymerization. Mol Cancer Res; 15(6); 670-82. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon C Jones
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Laura C Kelley
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Yuriy V Loskutov
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Kristina M Marinak
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Varvara K Kozyreva
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Matthew B Smolkin
- Department of Pathology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Elena N Pugacheva
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia.
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
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