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Roy R, Gampa SC, Garimella SV. Role of specific CDKs in regulating DNA damage repair responses and replication stress. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2024; 79:102485. [PMID: 39265226 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2024.102485] [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: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
Cyclins along with their catalytic units, Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) regulate the cell cycle transition and transcription; and are essentially known as 'master regulators' in modulating DNA damage response (DDR) and replication stress. In addition to influencing DNA repair and damage signaling, CDKs also play a pivotal role in cell division fidelity and the maintenance of genomic integrity after DNA damage. In this review, we focus on the intricate ways by which specific CDKs mainly CDK7, CDK9, and CDK12/13, regulate the cell cycle progression and transcription and how their modulation can lead to lethal effects on the integrity of the genome. With a better knowledge of how these CDKs control the DDR and replication stress, it is now possible to combine CDK inhibitors with chemotherapeutic drugs that damage DNA in ways that can be applied in clinical settings as successful therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Roy
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Siri Chandana Gampa
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, 530045, India
| | - Sireesha V Garimella
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, 530045, India.
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2
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Jiao D, Li G, Dai H, Wang J, Zhang J, Hou Y, Guo X, Zhao Y, Gong X, Liu Z. Comparison of the Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy Between Immunohistochemistry HER2 (3+) and HER2 (2+)/ISH+ Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study. Oncologist 2024; 29:e877-e886. [PMID: 38537665 PMCID: PMC11224972 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyae047] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) criteria, both immunohistochemical HER2 (3+) and HER2 (2+)/in situ hybridization (ISH) amplified [HER2 (2+)/ISH+] breast cancers (BCs) fall under the HER2-positive BC category. However, there is a lack of studies exploring the difference of neoadjuvant therapeutic response between patients with HER2 (3+) and HER2 (2+)/ISH+ early BC. We aimed to evaluate the neoadjuvant therapeutic response, long-term outcome, and intrinsic subtype heterogeneity between HER2 (3+) and HER2 (2+)/ISH+ BC. METHODS We examined 2 distinct cohorts. Cohort 1 (C1) encompassed 2648 patients with HER2-positive early BC diagnoses, and they received neoadjuvant therapy (NT) and surgery between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2022, from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Breast Cancer Data Base. Cohort 2 (C2) comprised 135 patients with early-stage HER2-positive BC who underwent NT and surgery at Henan Cancer Hospital from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. These patients had available genomic and transcriptomic data at their disposal. C1 and C2 were further categorized into 2 patient cohorts as follows: (1) patients with IHC HER2 (3+) early BC [HER2 (3+) group], (2) patients with HER2 (2+)/ISH+ early BC [HER2 (2+)/ISH+ group]. Among those excluded from the analysis were patients < 18 years or >80 years of age. Clinicopathological parameters, long-term outcomes, and intrinsic subtypes were analyzed. RESULTS In the C1 population, 83.7% had HER2 (3+) BC, while 16.3% had HER2 (2+)/ISH+ BC. Patients with HER2 (3+) had a significantly higher pathological complete response (PCR) rate (38.9%) than patients with HER2 (2+)/ISH+ (18.1%; P < .001), but the disease-free survival (DFS) was comparable after a median follow-up of 29 months (P = .556). The addition of trastuzumab or trastuzumab plus pertuzumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) improved PCR rates and DFS in HER2 (3+) BC but not in HER2 (2+)/ISH+ BC. In the C2 population, 97.75% HER2 (3+) and 52.17% HER2 (2+)/ISH+ were HER2 enriched (HER2E) subtype (P < .001). HER2E showed increased PCR rates compared to non-HER2E (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS Compared to HER2 (3+) BC, the limited effectiveness of neoadjuvant trastuzumab and pertuzumab therapy for HER2 (2+)/ISH+ BC is due to subtype heterogeneity. Reassessment of targeted therapy efficacy in patients with HER2 (2+)/ISH+ BC is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dechuang Jiao
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Centre, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guangyu Li
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Centre, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Dai
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Centre, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Centre, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiao Zhang
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Centre, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yangyang Hou
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Centre, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuhui Guo
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Centre, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yajie Zhao
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Centre, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xilong Gong
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Centre, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenzhen Liu
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Centre, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Tien JCY, Chang Y, Zhang Y, Chou J, Cheng Y, Wang X, Yang J, Mannan R, Shah P, Wang XM, Todd AJ, Eyunni S, Cheng C, Rebernick RJ, Xiao L, Bao Y, Neiswender J, Brough R, Pettitt SJ, Cao X, Miner SJ, Zhou L, Wu YM, Labanca E, Wang Y, Parolia A, Cieslik M, Robinson DR, Wang Z, Feng FY, Lord CJ, Ding K, Chinnaiyan AM. CDK12 Loss Promotes Prostate Cancer Development While Exposing Vulnerabilities to Paralog-Based Synthetic Lethality. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.20.585990. [PMID: 38562774 PMCID: PMC10983964 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.20.585990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Biallelic loss of cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) defines a unique molecular subtype of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). It remains unclear, however, whether CDK12 loss per se is sufficient to drive prostate cancer development-either alone, or in the context of other genetic alterations-and whether CDK12-mutant tumors exhibit sensitivity to specific pharmacotherapies. Here, we demonstrate that tissue-specific Cdk12 ablation is sufficient to induce preneoplastic lesions and robust T cell infiltration in the mouse prostate. Allograft-based CRISPR screening demonstrated that Cdk12 loss is positively associated with Trp53 inactivation but negatively associated with Pten inactivation-akin to what is observed in human mCRPC. Consistent with this, ablation of Cdk12 in prostate organoids with concurrent Trp53 loss promotes their proliferation and ability to form tumors in mice, while Cdk12 knockout in the Pten-null prostate cancer mouse model abrogates tumor growth. Bigenic Cdk12 and Trp53 loss allografts represent a new syngeneic model for the study of androgen receptor (AR)-positive, luminal prostate cancer. Notably, Cdk12/Trp53 loss prostate tumors are sensitive to immune checkpoint blockade. Cdk12-null organoids (either with or without Trp53 co-ablation) and patient-derived xenografts from tumors with CDK12 inactivation are highly sensitive to inhibition or degradation of its paralog kinase, CDK13. Together, these data identify CDK12 as a bona fide tumor suppressor gene with impact on tumor progression and lends support to paralog-based synthetic lethality as a promising strategy for treating CDK12-mutant mCRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Ching-Yi Tien
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yu Chang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Yuping Zhang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Jonathan Chou
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Yunhui Cheng
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Xiaoju Wang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jianzhang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, People’s Republic of China
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Discovery of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), Guangzhou City Key Laboratory of Precision Chemical Drug Development, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511400, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rahul Mannan
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Palak Shah
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Xiao-Ming Wang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Abigail J. Todd
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sanjana Eyunni
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Caleb Cheng
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ryan J. Rebernick
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lanbo Xiao
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yi Bao
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - James Neiswender
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Rachel Brough
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Stephen J. Pettitt
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Xuhong Cao
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Stephanie J. Miner
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Licheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, People’s Republic of China
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Discovery of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), Guangzhou City Key Laboratory of Precision Chemical Drug Development, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511400, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi-Mi Wu
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Estefania Labanca
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancer, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver General Hospital and Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3Z6, Canada
| | - Abhijit Parolia
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Marcin Cieslik
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Dan R. Robinson
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Zhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, People’s Republic of China
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Discovery of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), Guangzhou City Key Laboratory of Precision Chemical Drug Development, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511400, People’s Republic of China
| | - Felix Y. Feng
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and Urology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christopher J. Lord
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory and Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Ke Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Arul M. Chinnaiyan
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Lead contact
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Lu KQ, Li ZL, Zhang Q, Yin Q, Zhang YL, Ni WJ, Jiang LZ, He W, Wang B. CDK12 is a potential biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis and immunomodulation in pan-cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6574. [PMID: 38503865 PMCID: PMC10951204 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56831-7] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell cycle-dependent protein kinase 12 (CDK12) plays a key role in a variety of carcinogenesis processes and represents a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. However, to date, there have been no systematic studies addressing its diagnostic, prognostic and immunological value across cancers. Here, we found that CDK12 was significantly upregulated in various types of cancers, and it expression increased with progression in ten cancer types, including breast cancer, cholangiocarcinoma and colon adenocarcinoma. Moreover, the ROC curves indicated that CDK12 showed diagnostic value in eight cancer types. High CDK12 expression was associated with poor prognosis in eight types of cancer, including low-grade glioma, mesothelioma, melanoma and pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, we conducted immunoassays to explore the exact mechanisms underlying CDK12-induced carcinogenesis, which revealed that increased expression of CDK12 allowed tumours to evade immune surveillance and upregulate immune checkpoint genes. Additionally, mutational studies have shown that amplification and missense mutations are the predominant mutational events affecting CDK12 across cancers. These findings establish CDK12 as a significant biological indicator of cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and immunotherapeutic targeting. Early surveillance and employment of CDK12 inhibitors, along with concomitant immunotherapy interventions, may enhance the clinical outcomes of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Qi Lu
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zuo-Lin Li
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qing Yin
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi-Lin Zhang
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei-Jie Ni
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - LiangYun-Zi Jiang
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangsu Province Geriatric Institute, and Jiangsu Province Official Hospital, Geriatric Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Bin Wang
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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5
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Forster‐Sack M, Zoche M, Pestalozzi B, Witzel I, Schwarz EI, Herzig JJ, Fansa H, Tausch C, Ross J, Moch H, Varga Z. ERBB2-amplified lobular breast carcinoma exhibits concomitant CDK12 co-amplification associated with poor prognostic features. J Pathol Clin Res 2024; 10:e12362. [PMID: 38335502 PMCID: PMC10800294 DOI: 10.1002/2056-4538.12362] [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: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Most invasive lobular breast carcinomas (ILBCs) are luminal-type carcinomas with an HER2-negative phenotype (ERBB2 or HER2 un-amplified) and CDH1 mutations. Rare variants include ERBB2-amplified subtypes associated with an unfavorable prognosis and less response to anti-HER2 targeted therapies. We analyzed the clinicopathological and molecular features of ERBB2-amplified ILBC and compared these characteristics with ERBB2-unamplified ILBC. A total of 253 patients with ILBC were analyzed. Paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed tumor samples from 250 of these patients were added to a tissue microarray. Protein expression of prognostic, stem cell and breast-specific markers was tested by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Hybrid capture-based comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) was performed for 10 ILBCs that were either fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) or IHC positive for HER2 amplification/overexpression and 10 ILBCs that were either FISH or IHC negative. Results were compared with a CGP database of 44,293 invasive breast carcinomas. The CGP definition of ERBB2 amplification was five copies or greater. A total of 17 of 255 ILBC (5%) were ERBB2 amplified. ERBB2-amplified ILBC had higher tumor stage (p < 0.0001), more frequent positive nodal status (p = 0.00022), more distant metastases (p = 0.012), and higher histological grade (p < 0.0001), and were more often hormone receptor negative (p < 0.001) and more often SOX10 positive (p = 0.005). ERBB2 short variant sequence mutations were more often detected in ERBB2-unamplified tumors (6/10, p = 0.027), whereas CDH1 mutations/copy loss were frequently present in both subgroups (9/10 and 7/10, respectively). Amplification of pathogenic genes were more common in HER2-positive ILBC (p = 0.0009). CDK12 gene amplification (≥6 copies) was detected in 7 of 10 ERBB2-amplified ILBC (p = 0.018). There were no CDK12 gene amplifications reported in 44,293 invasive breast carcinomas in the FMI Insights CGP database. ERBB2-amplified ILBC is a distinct molecular subgroup with frequent coamplification of CDK12, whereas ERBB2 sequence mutations occur only in ERBB2-unamplified ILBC. CDK12/ERBB2 co-amplification may explain the poor prognosis and therapy resistance of ERBB2-amplified ILBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Forster‐Sack
- Department of Pathology and Molecular PathologyUniversity Hospital ZurichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Martin Zoche
- Department of Pathology and Molecular PathologyUniversity Hospital ZurichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Bernhard Pestalozzi
- Department of OncologyUniversity Hospital ZurichZürichSwitzerland
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Breast CenterUniversity Hospital ZurichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Isabell Witzel
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Breast CenterUniversity Hospital ZurichZürichSwitzerland
- Department of GynecologyUniversity Hospital Zurich, University of ZurichZürichSwitzerland
| | | | | | - Hisham Fansa
- Breast CenterHospital ZollikerbergZollikerbergSwitzerland
| | | | - Jeff Ross
- Department of Pathology, Urology and Medicine (Oncology)Upstate Medical UniversitySyracuseNYUSA
- Foundation Medicine, Inc.CambridgeMAUSA
| | - Holger Moch
- Department of Pathology and Molecular PathologyUniversity Hospital ZurichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Zsuzsanna Varga
- Department of Pathology and Molecular PathologyUniversity Hospital ZurichZürichSwitzerland
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6
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Singh A, Mishra R, Mazumder A. Breast cancer and its therapeutic targets: A comprehensive review. Chem Biol Drug Des 2024; 103:e14384. [PMID: 37919259 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a common and deadly disease, so there is a constant need for research to find efficient targets and therapeutic approaches. Breast cancer can be classified on a molecular and histological base. Breast cancer can be divided into ER (estrogen receptor)-positive and ER-negative, HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor2)-positive and HER2-negative subtypes based on the presence of specific biomarkers. Targeting hormone receptors, such as the HER2, progesterone receptor (PR), and ER, is very significant and plays a vital role in the onset and progression of breast cancer. Endocrine treatments and HER2-targeted drugs are examples of targeted therapies now being used against these receptors. Emerging immune-based medicines with promising outcomes in the treatment of breast cancer include immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive T-cell therapy. It is also explored how immune cells and the tumor microenvironment affect breast cancer development and treatment response. The major biochemical pathways, signaling cascades, and DNA repair mechanisms that are involved in the development and progression of breast cancer, include the PI3K/AKT/mTOR system, the MAPK pathway, and others. These pathways are intended to be inhibited by a variety of targeted drugs, which are then delivered with the goal of restoring normal cellular function. This review aims to shed light on types of breast cancer with the summarization of different therapeutic approaches which can target different pathways for tailored medicines and better patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayushi Singh
- Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rakhi Mishra
- Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Avijit Mazumder
- Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
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7
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Zhang L, Zhen Y, Feng L, Li Z, Lu Y, Wang G, Ouyang L. Discovery of a novel dual-target inhibitor of CDK12 and PARP1 that induces synthetic lethality for treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115648. [PMID: 37478560 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive breast tumors, with a high rate of recurrence and metastasis as well as a poor prognosis. Consequently, it is urgent to find new targeted therapeutic strategies and development of corresponding drugs. Previous studies have shown that CDK12 inhibitors in combination with PARP1 inhibitors is able to induce synthetic lethality in TNBC cells. Here, we reported simultaneously inhibition of CDK12 and PARP1 by genetic or pharmacological approaches synergistically inhibited the proliferation of TNBC cells. Then, a series of small molecule inhibitors targeting both CDK12 and PARP1 were designed and synthesized. The new dual-target inhibitor (12e) showed potent inhibitory activity against CDK12 (IC50 = 285 nM) and PARP1 (IC50 = 34 nM), as well as good anti-proliferative effects in TNBC cell lines. Meanwhile, compound 12e showed favorable synergistic anti-tumor efficacy in cells and xenografts by inhibiting DNA damage repair, promoting cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Taken together, we successfully synthesized the first effective CDK12-PARP1 dual inhibitor, which is expected to be an attractive therapeutic strategy for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Zhang
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China.
| | - Yongqi Zhen
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China; Department of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lu Feng
- Department of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhijia Li
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China
| | - Yingying Lu
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China
| | - Guan Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Liang Ouyang
- Department of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University /West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Bueno-Fortes S, Berral-Gonzalez A, Sánchez-Santos JM, Martin-Merino M, De Las Rivas J. Identification of a gene expression signature associated with breast cancer survival and risk that improves clinical genomic platforms. BIOINFORMATICS ADVANCES 2023; 3:vbad037. [PMID: 37096121 PMCID: PMC10122606 DOI: 10.1093/bioadv/vbad037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Motivation Modern genomic technologies allow us to perform genome-wide analysis to find gene markers associated with the risk and survival in cancer patients. Accurate risk prediction and patient stratification based on robust gene signatures is a key path forward in personalized treatment and precision medicine. Several authors have proposed the identification of gene signatures to assign risk in patients with breast cancer (BRCA), and some of these signatures have been implemented within commercial platforms in the clinic, such as Oncotype and Prosigna. However, these platforms are black boxes in which the influence of selected genes as survival markers is unclear and where the risk scores provided cannot be clearly related to the standard clinicopathological tumor markers obtained by immunohistochemistry (IHC), which guide clinical and therapeutic decisions in breast cancer. Results Here, we present a framework to discover a robust list of gene expression markers associated with survival that can be biologically interpreted in terms of the three main biomolecular factors (IHC clinical markers: ER, PR and HER2) that define clinical outcome in BRCA. To test and ensure the reproducibility of the results, we compiled and analyzed two independent datasets with a large number of tumor samples (1024 and 879) that include full genome-wide expression profiles and survival data. Using these two cohorts, we obtained a robust subset of gene survival markers that correlate well with the major IHC clinical markers used in breast cancer. The geneset of survival markers that we identify (which includes 34 genes) significantly improves the risk prediction provided by the genesets included in the commercial platforms: Oncotype (16 genes) and Prosigna (50 genes, i.e. PAM50). Furthermore, some of the genes identified have recently been proposed in the literature as new prognostic markers and may deserve more attention in current clinical trials to improve breast cancer risk prediction. Availability and implementation All data integrated and analyzed in this research will be available on GitHub (https://github.com/jdelasrivas-lab/breastcancersurvsign), including the R scripts and protocols used for the analyses. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Bueno-Fortes
- Cancer Research Center (CiC-IMBCC, CSIC/USAL and IBSAL), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and University of Salamanca (USAL), Salamanca 37007, Spain
| | - Alberto Berral-Gonzalez
- Cancer Research Center (CiC-IMBCC, CSIC/USAL and IBSAL), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and University of Salamanca (USAL), Salamanca 37007, Spain
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9
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Wu W, Yu S, Yu X. Transcription-associated cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) as a potential target for cancer therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188842. [PMID: 36460141 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12), a transcription-related cyclin dependent kinase (CDK), plays a momentous part in multitudinous biological functions, such as replication, transcription initiation to elongation and termination, precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) splicing, intron polyadenylation (IPA), and translation. CDK12 can act as a tumour suppressor or oncogene in disparate cellular environments, and its dysregulation likely provokes tumorigenesis. A comprehensive understanding of CDK12 will tremendously facilitate the exploitation of novel tactics for the treatment and precaution of cancer. Currently, CDK12 inhibitors are nonspecific and nonselective, which profoundly hinders the pharmacological target validation and drug exploitation process. Herein, we summarize the newly comprehension of the biological functions of CDK12 with a focus on recently emerged advancements of CDK12-associated therapeutic approaches in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wence Wu
- Departments of Orthopedics, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shengji Yu
- Departments of Orthopedics, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiying Yu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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10
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Houles T, Lavoie G, Nourreddine S, Cheung W, Vaillancourt-Jean É, Guérin CM, Bouttier M, Grondin B, Lin S, Saba-El-Leil MK, Angers S, Meloche S, Roux PP. CDK12 is hyperactivated and a synthetic-lethal target in BRAF-mutated melanoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6457. [PMID: 36309522 PMCID: PMC9617877 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34179-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and considered intrinsically resistant to chemotherapy. Nearly all melanomas harbor mutations that activate the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which contributes to drug resistance via poorly described mechanisms. Herein we show that the RAS/MAPK pathway regulates the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12), which is a transcriptional CDK required for genomic stability. We find that melanoma cells harbor constitutively high CDK12 activity, and that its inhibition decreases the expression of long genes containing multiple exons, including many genes involved in DNA repair. Conversely, our results show that CDK12 inhibition promotes the expression of short genes with few exons, including many growth-promoting genes regulated by the AP-1 and NF-κB transcription factors. Inhibition of these pathways strongly synergize with CDK12 inhibitors to suppress melanoma growth, suggesting promising drug combinations for more effective melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Houles
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Geneviève Lavoie
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Sami Nourreddine
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada ,grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Present Address: Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Winnie Cheung
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Éric Vaillancourt-Jean
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Célia M. Guérin
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Mathieu Bouttier
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Benoit Grondin
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada ,grid.38678.320000 0001 2181 0211Present Address: Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Sichun Lin
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Marc K. Saba-El-Leil
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada
| | - Stephane Angers
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Biochemistry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Sylvain Meloche
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada ,grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Philippe P. Roux
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montreal, 2950, Chemin de la Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 Canada ,grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC Canada
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11
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Rubino F, Alvarez-Breckenridge C, Akdemir K, Conley AP, Bishop AJ, Wang WL, Lazar AJ, Rhines LD, DeMonte F, Raza SM. Prognostic molecular biomarkers in chordomas: A systematic review and identification of clinically usable biomarker panels. Front Oncol 2022; 12:997506. [PMID: 36248987 PMCID: PMC9557284 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.997506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction and objective Despite the improvements in management and treatment of chordomas over time, the risk of disease recurrence remains high. Consequently, there is a push to develop effective systemic therapeutics for newly diagnosed and recurrent disease. In order to tailor treatment for individual chordoma patients and develop effective surveillance strategies, suitable clinical biomarkers need to be identified. The objective of this study was to systematically review all prognostic biomarkers for chordomas reported to date in order to classify them according to localization, study design and statistical analysis. Methods Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we systematically reviewed published studies reporting biomarkers that correlated with clinical outcomes. We included time-to-event studies that evaluated biomarkers in skull base or spine chordomas. To be included in our review, the study must have analyzed the outcomes with univariate and/or multivariate methods (log-rank test or a Cox-regression model). Results We included 68 studies, of which only 5 were prospective studies. Overall, 103 biomarkers were analyzed in 3183 patients. According to FDA classification, 85 were molecular biomarkers (82.5%) mainly located in nucleus and cytoplasm (48% and 27%, respectively). Thirty-four studies analyzed biomarkers with Cox-regression model. Within these studies, 32 biomarkers (31%) and 22 biomarkers (21%) were independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS, respectively. Conclusion Our analysis identified a list of 13 biomarkers correlating with tumor control rates and survival. The future point will be gathering all these results to guide the clinical validation for a chordoma biomarker panel. Our identified biomarkers have strengths and weaknesses according to FDA's guidelines, some are affordable, have a low-invasive collection method and can be easily measured in any health care setting (RDW and D-dimer), but others molecular biomarkers need specialized assay techniques (microRNAs, PD-1 pathway markers, CDKs and somatic chromosome deletions were more chordoma-specific). A focused list of biomarkers that correlate with local recurrence, metastatic spread and survival might be a cornerstone to determine the need of adjuvant therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Rubino
- Department of Neurosurgery, Division of surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Christopher Alvarez-Breckenridge
- Department of Neurosurgery, Division of surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kadir Akdemir
- Department of Neurosurgery, Division of surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Anthony P. Conley
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Andrew J. Bishop
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Wei-Lien Wang
- Department of Pathology, Division of Pathology-Lab Medicine Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Alexander J. Lazar
- Department of Pathology, Division of Pathology-Lab Medicine Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Laurence D. Rhines
- Department of Neurosurgery, Division of surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Franco DeMonte
- Department of Neurosurgery, Division of surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shaan M. Raza
- Department of Neurosurgery, Division of surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
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12
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Tang R, Liu J, Li S, Zhang J, Yu C, Liu H, Chen F, Lv L, Zhang Q, Yuan K, Shao H. A patent and literature review of CDK12 inhibitors. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2022; 32:1055-1065. [PMID: 36120913 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2022.2126765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) belongs to the CDK family of serine/threonine protein kinases and associates with cyclin K to exert its biological functions, including regulating gene transcription, mRNA processing and translation. Increasing evidences demonstrate the importance of CDK12 in various human cancers, illustrating its potential as both biomarker and therapeutic target. In addition, CDK12 is also a promising target for the treatment of myotonic dystrophy type 1. Efforts have been taken to discover small molecule inhibitors to validate this important therapeutic target. AREAS COVERED This review covers the patented CDK12 inhibitors from 2016 to present, as well as these from peer-reviewed literature. It provides the reader an update of the discovery strategies, chemical structures and molecular profiling of all available CDK12 inhibitors. EXPERT OPINION CDK12 inhibitors with various mechanism of actions have been discovered and it is a great set of tools to evaluate the therapeutic potential of CDK12 in different disease models. CDK12 inhibitors have shown promising results in myotonic dystrophy type 1 mouse model and several preclinical cancer models either as single agent or combination with other anti-cancer agents. Its therapeutic value awaits more rigorous preclinical testing and further clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijun Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.,Center for Clinical Biorepositories and Biospecimen & Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Shuyao Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Chunhong Yu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Honglu Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Lu Lv
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.,The Biobank of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.,College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Hao Shao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
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13
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van der Noord VE, van de Water B, Le Dévédec SE. Targeting the Heterogeneous Genomic Landscape in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer through Inhibitors of the Transcriptional Machinery. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4353. [PMID: 36139513 PMCID: PMC9496798 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer defined by lack of the estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Although TNBC tumors contain a wide variety of oncogenic mutations and copy number alterations, the direct targeting of these alterations has failed to substantially improve therapeutic efficacy. This efficacy is strongly limited by interpatient and intratumor heterogeneity, and thereby a lack in uniformity of targetable drivers. Most of these genetic abnormalities eventually drive specific transcriptional programs, which may be a general underlying vulnerability. Currently, there are multiple selective inhibitors, which target the transcriptional machinery through transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13 and bromodomain extra-terminal motif (BET) proteins, including BRD4. In this review, we discuss how inhibitors of the transcriptional machinery can effectively target genetic abnormalities in TNBC, and how these abnormalities can influence sensitivity to these inhibitors. These inhibitors target the genomic landscape in TNBC by specifically suppressing MYC-driven transcription, inducing further DNA damage, improving anti-cancer immunity, and preventing drug resistance against MAPK and PI3K-targeted therapies. Because the transcriptional machinery enables transcription and propagation of multiple cancer drivers, it may be a promising target for (combination) treatment, especially of heterogeneous malignancies, including TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sylvia E. Le Dévédec
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
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14
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Wang N, Yang Y, Jin D, Zhang Z, Shen K, Yang J, Chen H, Zhao X, Yang L, Lu H. PARP inhibitor resistance in breast and gynecological cancer: Resistance mechanisms and combination therapy strategies. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:967633. [PMID: 36091750 PMCID: PMC9455597 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.967633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer and gynecological tumors seriously endanger women’s physical and mental health, fertility, and quality of life. Due to standardized surgical treatment, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, the prognosis and overall survival of cancer patients have improved compared to earlier, but the management of advanced disease still faces great challenges. Recently, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPis) have been clinically approved for breast and gynecological cancer patients, significantly improving their quality of life, especially of patients with BRCA1/2 mutations. However, drug resistance faced by PARPi therapy has hindered its clinical promotion. Therefore, developing new drug strategies to resensitize cancers affecting women to PARPi therapy is the direction of our future research. Currently, the effects of PARPi in combination with other drugs to overcome drug resistance are being studied. In this article, we review the mechanisms of PARPi resistance and summarize the current combination of clinical trials that can improve its resistance, with a view to identify the best clinical treatment to save the lives of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Dongdong Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Endometrial Disease Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhenan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ke Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Huanhuan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinyue Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Endometrial Disease Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Li Yang, ; Huaiwu Lu,
| | - Huaiwu Lu
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Li Yang, ; Huaiwu Lu,
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15
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Chilà R, Chiappa M, Guffanti F, Panini N, Conconi D, Rinaldi A, Cascione L, Bertoni F, Fratelli M, Damia G. Stable CDK12 Knock-Out Ovarian Cancer Cells Do Not Show Increased Sensitivity to Cisplatin and PARP Inhibitor Treatment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:903536. [PMID: 35912188 PMCID: PMC9328802 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.903536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) is a serine/threonine kinase involved in the regulation of RNA polymerase II and in the transcription of a subset of genes involved in the DNA damage response. CDK12 is one of the most mutated genes in ovarian carcinoma. These mutations result in loss-of-function and can predict the responses to PARP1/2 inhibitor and platinum. To investigate the role of CDK12 in ovarian cancer, CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to generate a stable CDK12 knockout (KO) clone in A2780 ovarian carcinoma cells. This is the first report on a CDK12 null cell line. The clone had slower cell growth and was less clonogenic than parental cells. These data were confirmed in vivo, where CDK12 KO transplanted cells had a much longer time lag and slightly slower growth rate than CDK12-expressing cells. The slower growth was associated with a higher basal level of apoptosis, but there were no differences in the basal level of autophagy and senescence. While cell cycle distribution was similar in parental and knockout cells, there was a doubling in DNA content, with an almost double modal number of chromosomes in the CDK12 KO clone which, however did not display any increase in γH2AX, a marker of DNA damage. We found partial down-regulation of the expression of DNA repair genes at the mRNA level and, among the down-regulated genes, an enrichment in the G2/M checkpoint genes. Although the biological features of CDK12 KO cells are compatible with the function of CDK12, contrary to some reports, we could not find any difference in the sensitivity to cisplatin and olaparib between wild-type and CDK12 KO cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Chilà
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Istituito di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Chiappa
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Istituito di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Guffanti
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Istituito di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Nicolò Panini
- Laboratory of Cancer Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Donatella Conconi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Andrea Rinaldi
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Luciano Cascione
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Maddalena Fratelli
- Department of Biochemistry, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Damia
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri Istituito di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giovanna Damia,
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16
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Guo X, Chen H, Zhou Y, Shen L, Wu S, Chen Y. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibition and its intersection with immunotherapy in breast cancer: more than CDK4/6 inhibition. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2022; 31:933-944. [PMID: 35786092 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2022.2097067] [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: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) have had clinical success in treating hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Notably, CDK4/6i have expanded to the neoadjuvant setting for early breast cancer and other cancer types and potently synergize with immunotherapy. Other CDKs, including CDK7, CDK9, and CDK12/13, mainly function in transcriptional processes as well as cell cycle regulation, RNA splicing, and DNA damage response. Inhibiting these CDKs aids in suppressing tumors, reversing drug resistance, increasing drug sensitivity, and enhancing anti-tumor immunity in breast cancer. AREAS COVERED We reviewed the applications of CDK4/6i, CDK7i, CDK9i and CDK12/13i for various breast cancer subtypes and their potentials for combination with immunotherapy. A literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted in April 2022. EXPERT OPINION The use of CDK4/6i represents a major milestone in breast cancer treatment. Moreover, transcription-related CDKs play critical roles in tumor development and are promising therapeutic targets for breast cancer. Some relevant clinical studies are underway. More specific and efficient CDKis will undoubtedly be developed and clinically tested. Characterization of their immune-priming effects will promote the development of combination therapies consisting of CDKi and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianan Guo
- Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huihui Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunxiang Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lu Shen
- Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shijie Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yiding Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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17
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Yin Q, Zhao YJ, Ni WJ, Tang TT, Wang Y, Cao JY, Yin D, Wen Y, Li ZL, Zhang YL, Jiang W, Zhang Y, Lu XY, Zhang AQ, Gan WH, Lv LL, Liu BC, Wang B. MiR-155 deficiency protects renal tubular epithelial cells from telomeric and genomic DNA damage in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury. Theranostics 2022; 12:4753-4766. [PMID: 35832084 PMCID: PMC9254246 DOI: 10.7150/thno.72456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Cisplatin nephrotoxicity is an important cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), limiting cisplatin application in cancer therapy. Growing evidence has suggested that genome instability, telomeric dysfunction, and DNA damage were involved in the tubular epithelial cells (TECs) damage in cisplatin-induced AKI (cAKI). However, the exact mechanism is largely unknown. Methods: We subjected miR-155-/- mice and wild-type controls, as well as HK-2 cells, to cAKI models. We assessed kidney function and injury with standard techniques. The cell apoptosis and DNA damage of TECs were evaluated both in vivo and in vitro. Telomeres were measured by the fluorescence in situ hybridization. Results: The expression level of miR-155 was upregulated in cAKI. Inhibition of miR-155 expression protected cisplatin-induced AKI both in vivo and in vitro. Compared with wild-type mice, miR-155-/- mice had reduced mortality, improved renal function and pathological damage after cisplatin intervention. Moreover, inhibition of miR-155 expression attenuated TECs apoptosis and DNA damage. These protective effects were caused by increasing expression of telomeric repeat binding factor 1 (TRF1) and cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12), thereby limiting the telomeric dysfunction and the genomic DNA damage in cAKI. Conclusion: We demonstrated that miR-155 deficiency could significantly attenuate pathological damage and mortality in cAKI through inhibition of TECs apoptosis, genome instability, and telomeric dysfunction, which is possibly regulated by the increasing expression of TRF1 and CDK12. This study will provide a new molecular strategy for the prevention of cAKI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Yin
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ya-Jie Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei-Jie Ni
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tao-Tao Tang
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing-Yuan Cao
- Institute of Nephrology, Taizhou Clinical Medical School of Nanjing Medical University (Taizhou People's Hospital), Taizhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Di Yin
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Wen
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zuo-Lin Li
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi-Lin Zhang
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Lu
- Institute of Nephrology, Taizhou Clinical Medical School of Nanjing Medical University (Taizhou People's Hospital), Taizhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ai-Qing Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei-Hua Gan
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lin-Li Lv
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bi-Cheng Liu
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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18
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Filippone MG, Gaglio D, Bonfanti R, Tucci FA, Ceccacci E, Pennisi R, Bonanomi M, Jodice G, Tillhon M, Montani F, Bertalot G, Freddi S, Vecchi M, Taglialatela A, Romanenghi M, Romeo F, Bianco N, Munzone E, Sanguedolce F, Vago G, Viale G, Di Fiore PP, Minucci S, Alberghina L, Colleoni M, Veronesi P, Tosoni D, Pece S. CDK12 promotes tumorigenesis but induces vulnerability to therapies inhibiting folate one-carbon metabolism in breast cancer. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2642. [PMID: 35550508 PMCID: PMC9098894 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30375-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) overexpression is implicated in breast cancer, but whether it has a primary or only a cooperative tumorigenic role is unclear. Here, we show that transgenic CDK12 overexpression in the mouse mammary gland per se is sufficient to drive the emergence of multiple and multifocal tumors, while, in cooperation with known oncogenes, it promotes earlier tumor onset and metastasis. Integrative transcriptomic, metabolomic and functional data reveal that hyperactivation of the serine-glycine-one-carbon network is a metabolic hallmark inherent to CDK12-induced tumorigenesis. Consistently, in retrospective patient cohort studies and in patient-derived xenografts, CDK12-overexpressing breast tumors show positive response to methotrexate-based chemotherapy targeting CDK12-induced metabolic alterations, while being intrinsically refractory to other types of chemotherapy. In a retrospective analysis of hormone receptor-negative and lymph node-positive breast cancer patients randomized in an adjuvant phase III trial to 1-year low-dose metronomic methotrexate-based chemotherapy or no maintenance chemotherapy, a high CDK12 status predicts a dramatic reduction in distant metastasis rate in the chemotherapy-treated vs. not-treated arm. Thus, by coupling tumor progression with metabolic reprogramming, CDK12 creates an actionable vulnerability for breast cancer therapy and might represent a suitable companion biomarker for targeted antimetabolite therapies in human breast cancers. Finding biomarkers for targeted therapy is a promising approach to treat cancer. Here, the authors show that in breast cancer preclinical models and patients, CDK12 promotes tumourigenesis but induces selective vulnerability to therapies that target folate one-carbon metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Filippone
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - D Gaglio
- Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology (IBFM), National Research Council (CNR) Segrate, Milan, Italy.,ISBE.IT/Centre of Systems Biology, Piazza della Scienza 4, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - R Bonfanti
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - F A Tucci
- School of Pathology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - E Ceccacci
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - R Pennisi
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - M Bonanomi
- ISBE.IT/Centre of Systems Biology, Piazza della Scienza 4, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - G Jodice
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - M Tillhon
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - F Montani
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - G Bertalot
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - S Freddi
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - M Vecchi
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy.,IFOM, The FIRC Institute for Molecular Oncology Foundation, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - A Taglialatela
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - M Romanenghi
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - F Romeo
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - N Bianco
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - E Munzone
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - F Sanguedolce
- Department of Pathology, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - G Vago
- School of Pathology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142, Milano, Italy
| | - G Viale
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142, Milano, Italy
| | - P P Di Fiore
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142, Milano, Italy
| | - S Minucci
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142, Milano, Italy
| | - L Alberghina
- ISBE.IT/Centre of Systems Biology, Piazza della Scienza 4, 20126, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - M Colleoni
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - P Veronesi
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142, Milano, Italy
| | - D Tosoni
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy.
| | - S Pece
- European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141, Milan, Italy. .,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142, Milano, Italy.
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19
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Zhang G, Ren C, Li C, Wang Y, Chen B, Wen L, Jia M, Li K, Mok H, Cao L, Chen X, Lin J, Wei G, Li Y, Zhang Y, Balch CM, Liao N. Distinct clinical and somatic mutational features of breast tumors with high-, low-, or non-expressing human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status. BMC Med 2022; 20:142. [PMID: 35484593 PMCID: PMC9052533 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02346-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HER2-low breast cancers were reported to have distinct clinicopathological characteristics from HER2-zero; however, the difference in their genetic features remains unclear. This study investigated the clinical and molecular features of breast tumors according to HER2 status. METHODS We analyzed the clinicopathological and genomic data of 523 Chinese women with breast cancer. Genomic data was generated by targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of breast tumor samples using a commercial 520 gene panel. The cohort was stratified according to HER2 status as HER2-zero (n = 90), HER2-low (n = 231), and HER2-positive (n = 202) according to their immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization results. RESULTS HER2-low breast tumors were enriched with hormone receptor-positive tumors, and who had lower Ki67 expression levels. Genes were differentially mutated across HER2 subgroups. HER2-low tumors had significantly more mutations involved in PI3K-Akt signaling than HER2-positive (p < 0.001) and HER2-zero breast tumors (p < 0.01). HER2-zero tumors had more mutations in checkpoint factors (p < 0.01), Fanconi anemia (p < 0.05), and p53 signaling and cell cycle pathway (p < 0.05) compared to HER2-low breast tumors. Compared with HER2-zero tumors, HER2-low tumors had significantly lower pathological complete response rates after neoadjuvant therapy (15.9% vs. 37.5%, p = 0.042) and proportion of relapsed/progressed patients across follow-up time points (p = 0.031), but had comparable disease-free survival (p = 0.271). CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate the distinct clinical and molecular features and clinical outcomes of HER2-low breast tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guochun Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Chongyang Ren
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Cheukfai Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yulei Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Lingzhu Wen
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Minghan Jia
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hsiaopei Mok
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Li Cao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | | | - Jiali Lin
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Nanhai Second People's Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Guangnan Wei
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingzhi Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Yuchen Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Charles M Balch
- Department of Surgical Oncology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ning Liao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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20
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Breast cancer in the era of integrating “Omics” approaches. Oncogenesis 2022; 11:17. [PMID: 35422484 PMCID: PMC9010455 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-022-00393-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease characterized by different clinical outcomes in terms of pathological features, response to therapies, and long-term patient survival. Thus, the heterogeneity found in this cancer led to the concept that breast cancer is not a single disease, being very heterogeneous both at the molecular and clinical level, and rather represents a group of distinct neoplastic diseases of the breast and its cells. Indubitably, in the past decades we witnessed a significant development of innovative therapeutic approaches, including targeted and immunotherapies, leading to impressive results in terms of increased survival for breast cancer patients. However, these multimodal treatments fail to prevent recurrence and metastasis. Therefore, it is urgent to improve our understanding of breast tumor and metastasis biology. Over the past few years, high-throughput “omics” technologies through the identification of novel biomarkers and molecular profiling have shown their great potential in generating new insights in the study of breast cancer, also improving diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of response to treatment. In this review, we discuss how the implementation of “omics” strategies and their integration may lead to a better comprehension of the mechanisms underlying breast cancer. In particular, with the aim to investigate the correlation between different “omics” datasets and to define the new important key pathway and upstream regulators in breast cancer, we applied a new integrative meta-analysis method to combine the results obtained from genomics, proteomics and metabolomics approaches in different revised studies.
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21
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Noncovalent CDK12/13 dual inhibitors-based PROTACs degrade CDK12-Cyclin K complex and induce synthetic lethality with PARP inhibitor. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 228:114012. [PMID: 34864331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.114012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) plays a crucial role in DNA-damage response gene transcription and has recently been validated as a promising target in cancer therapy. However, existing CDK12 inhibitors potently inhibit its closest isoform CDK13, which could cause potential toxicity. Therefore, the development of CDK12 inhibitors with isoform-selectivity against CDK13 continues to be a challenge. By taking advantage of the emerging PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) approach, we have synthesized a potent PROTAC degrader PP-C8 based on the noncovalent dual inhibitors of CDK12/13 and demonstrated its specificity for CDK12 over CDK13. Notably, PP-C8 induces profound degradation of cyclin K simultaneously and downregulates the mRNA level of DNA-damage response genes. Global proteomics profiling revealed PP-C8 is highly selective toward CDK12-cyclin K complex. Importantly, PP-C8 demonstrates profound synergistic antiproliferative effects with PARP inhibitor in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The potent and selective CDK12 PROTAC degrader developed in this study could potentially be used to treat CDK12-dependent cancers as combination therapy.
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22
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Bae WH, Hwang JY, Hur WK, Choi J, Nam M, Choi Y, Kim L, Kim E, Fridland S, Cho HS, Low C, Yu E, Jung CM, Vagia E, Kiedrowski L, Chae YK. Metastatic CDK12-Mutated Neuroendocrine Tumor of Lung Showed an Exceptional Response to Olaparib and Paclitaxel. JCO Precis Oncol 2022; 5:751-755. [PMID: 34994611 DOI: 10.1200/po.20.00400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- William Han Bae
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.,Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
| | - Jin Young Hwang
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Won Kyung Hur
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Jaeyoun Choi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Myungwoo Nam
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Yoonhee Choi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Leeseul Kim
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Eugene Kim
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | | | | | - Christmann Low
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Emma Yu
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Chan Mi Jung
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Elena Vagia
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | | | - Young Kwang Chae
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
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23
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Vervoort SJ, Devlin JR, Kwiatkowski N, Teng M, Gray NS, Johnstone RW. Targeting transcription cycles in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:5-24. [PMID: 34675395 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00411-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Accurate control of gene expression is essential for normal development and dysregulation of transcription underpins cancer onset and progression. Similar to cell cycle regulation, RNA polymerase II-driven transcription can be considered as a unidirectional multistep cycle, with thousands of unique transcription cycles occurring in concert within each cell. Each transcription cycle comprises recruitment, initiation, pausing, elongation, termination and recycling stages that are tightly controlled by the coordinated action of transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases and their cognate cyclins as well as the opposing activity of transcriptional phosphatases. Oncogenic dysregulation of transcription can entail defective control of gene expression, either at select loci or more globally, impacting a large proportion of the genome. The resultant dependency on the core-transcriptional machinery is believed to render 'transcriptionally addicted' cancers sensitive to perturbation of transcription. Based on these findings, small molecules targeting transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases and associated proteins hold promise for the treatment of cancer. Here, we utilize the transcription cycles concept to explain how dysregulation of these finely tuned gene expression processes may drive tumorigenesis and how therapeutically beneficial responses may arise from global or selective transcriptional perturbation. This conceptual framework helps to explain tumour-selective transcriptional dependencies and facilitates the rational design of combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephin J Vervoort
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Devlin
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicholas Kwiatkowski
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mingxing Teng
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, CHEM-H and SCI, Stanford Medical School, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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24
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Orhan E, Velazquez C, Tabet I, Sardet C, Theillet C. Regulation of RAD51 at the Transcriptional and Functional Levels: What Prospects for Cancer Therapy? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2930. [PMID: 34208195 PMCID: PMC8230762 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The RAD51 recombinase is a critical effector of Homologous Recombination (HR), which is an essential DNA repair mechanism for double-strand breaks. The RAD51 protein is recruited onto the DNA break by BRCA2 and forms homopolymeric filaments that invade the homologous chromatid and use it as a template for repair. RAD51 filaments are detectable by immunofluorescence as distinct foci in the cell nucleus, and their presence is a read out of HR proficiency. RAD51 is an essential gene, protecting cells from genetic instability. Its expression is low and tightly regulated in normal cells and, contrastingly, elevated in a large fraction of cancers, where its level of expression and activity have been linked with sensitivity to genotoxic treatment. In particular, BRCA-deficient tumors show reduced or obliterated RAD51 foci formation and increased sensitivity to platinum salt or PARP inhibitors. However, resistance to treatment sets in rapidly and is frequently based on a complete or partial restoration of RAD51 foci formation. Consequently, RAD51 could be a highly valuable therapeutic target. Here, we review the multiple levels of regulation that impact the transcription of the RAD51 gene, as well as the post-translational modifications that determine its expression level, recruitment on DNA damage sites and the efficient formation of homofilaments. Some of these regulation levels may be targeted and their impact on cancer cell survival discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esin Orhan
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier U1194 INSERM, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (E.O.); (I.T.); (C.S.)
| | | | - Imene Tabet
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier U1194 INSERM, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (E.O.); (I.T.); (C.S.)
| | - Claude Sardet
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier U1194 INSERM, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (E.O.); (I.T.); (C.S.)
| | - Charles Theillet
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier U1194 INSERM, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (E.O.); (I.T.); (C.S.)
- ICM, Institut du Cancer de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France;
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25
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Zhang M, Zhang L, Hei R, Li X, Cai H, Wu X, Zheng Q, Cai C. CDK inhibitors in cancer therapy, an overview of recent development. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:1913-1935. [PMID: 34094661 PMCID: PMC8167670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated cell division, which leads to aberrant cell proliferation, is one of the key hallmarks of cancer. Therefore, therapeutic targets that block cell division would be effective for cancer treatment. Cell division is mainly controlled by a complex composed of cyclin and cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs). To date, the CDK inhibitors (CDKIs), specifically the ones that block the enzyme activity of CDK4 and CDK6 (CDK4/6), have been approved by FDA for the treatment of metastatic hormone receptor positive breast cancer. However, due to the non-selectivity and significant toxicity, most of the first generation CDK inhibitors (so called pan-CDK inhibitors that target several CDKs), have not been approved for clinical application. Despite this, great efforts and progress have been made to enable pan-CDK inhibitors application in the clinical setting. Notably, the development of combination therapy strategies in recent years has made it possible to reduce the toxicity and side effects of pan-CDK inhibitors. Thus, as a combination therapy approach, pan-CDK inhibitors regain great potential in clinical application. In this review, we introduced the CDK family members and discussed their major functions in cell cycle controlling. Then, we summarized the research progress regarding CDK inhibitors, especially those other than CDK4/6 inhibitors. We reviewed first-generation pan-CDKIs Flavopiridol and Roscovitine, and second-generation CDKIs Dinaciclib, P276-00, AT7519, TG02, Roniciclib, RGB-286638 by focusing on their developing stages, clinical trials and targeting cancers. The specific CDKIs, which targets to increase specificity and decrease the side effects, were also discussed. These CDKIs include CDK4/6, CDK7, CDK9, and CDK12/13 inhibitors. Finally, the efficacy and discrepancy of combination therapy with CDK inhibitors and PD1/PDL1 antibodies were analyzed, which might give insights into the development of promising strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengna Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430071, China
| | - Lingxian Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430071, China
| | - Ruoxuan Hei
- Department of Hematological Laboratory Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu UniversityZhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430071, China
| | | | - Xuan Wu
- Department of Hematological Laboratory Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu UniversityZhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Qiping Zheng
- Department of Hematological Laboratory Science, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu UniversityZhenjiang 212013, China
- Shenzhen Academy of Peptide Targeting Technology at Pingshan, and Shenzhen Tyercan Bio-pharm Co., Ltd.Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Cheguo Cai
- Department of Orthopaedics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430071, China
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Peng F, Yang C, Kong Y, Huang X, Chen Y, Zhou Y, Xie X, Liu P. CDK12 Promotes Breast Cancer Progression and Maintains Stemness by Activating c-myc/β -catenin Signaling. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2021; 20:156-165. [PMID: 31744448 DOI: 10.2174/1568009619666191118113220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CDK12 is a promising therapeutic target in breast cancer with an effective ability of maintaining cancer cell stemness. OBJECTIVE We aim to investigate the mechanism of CDK12 in maintaining breast cancer stemness. METHODS CDK12 expression level was accessed by using RT-qPCR and IHC. CDK12-altered breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231-shCDK12 and SkBr-3-CDK12 were then established. CCK8, colony formation assays, and xenograft model were used to value the effect of CDK12 on tumorigenicity. Transwell assay, mammosphere formation, FACS, and lung metastasis model in vivo were determined. Western blot further characterized the mechanism of CDK12 in breast cancer stemness through the c-myc/β-catenin pathway. RESULTS Our results showed a higher level of CDK12 exhibited in breast cancer samples. Tumor formation, cancer cell mobility, spheroid forming, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition will be enhanced in the CDK12high group. In addition, CDK12 was associated with lung metastasis and maintained breast cancer cell stemness. CDK12high cancer cells presented higher tumorigenicity and a population of CD44+ subset compared with CDK12low cells. Our study demonstrated c-myc positively expressed with CDK12. The c-myc/β-catenin signaling was activated by CDK12, which is a potential mechanism to initiate breast cancer stem cell renewal and may serve as a potential biomarker of breast cancer prognosis. CONCLUSION CDK12 overexpression promotes breast cancer tumorigenesis and maintains the stemness of breast cancer by activating c-myc/β-catenin signaling. Inhibiting CDK12 expression may become a potential therapy for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Peng
- Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuansheng Yang
- Department of Head-Neck and Breast Surgery, Yuebei People's Hospital of Shantou University, Shaoguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanan Kong
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaojia Huang
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanyu Chen
- Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yangfan Zhou
- Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinhua Xie
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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27
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Łukasik P, Załuski M, Gutowska I. Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDK) and Their Role in Diseases Development-Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22062935. [PMID: 33805800 PMCID: PMC7998717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are involved in many crucial processes, such as cell cycle and transcription, as well as communication, metabolism, and apoptosis. The kinases are organized in a pathway to ensure that, during cell division, each cell accurately replicates its DNA, and ensure its segregation equally between the two daughter cells. Deregulation of any of the stages of the cell cycle or transcription leads to apoptosis but, if uncorrected, can result in a series of diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease), and stroke. This review presents the current state of knowledge about the characteristics of cyclin-dependent kinases as potential pharmacological targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Łukasik
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstancow Wlkp. 72 Av., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Michał Załuski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstancow Wlkp. 72 Av., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Izabela Gutowska
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstancow Wlkp. 72 Av., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
- Correspondence:
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28
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Janysek DC, Kim J, Duijf PHG, Dray E. Clinical use and mechanisms of resistance for PARP inhibitors in homologous recombination-deficient cancers. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:101012. [PMID: 33516088 PMCID: PMC7847957 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells are continuously subjected to DNA damaging agents. DNA damages are repaired by one of the many pathways guarding genomic integrity. When one or several DNA damage pathways are rendered inefficient, cells can accumulate mutations, which modify normal cellular pathways, favoring abnormal cell growth. This supports malignant transformation, which can occur when cells acquire resistance to cell cycle checkpoints, apoptosis, or growth inhibition signals. Mutations in genes involved in the repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), such as BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2, significantly increase the risk of developing cancer of the breast, ovaries, pancreas, or prostate. Fortunately, the inability of these tumors to repair DNA breaks makes them sensitive to genotoxic chemotherapies, allowing for the development of therapies precisely tailored to individuals' genetic backgrounds. Unfortunately, as with many anti-cancer agents, drugs used to treat patients carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation create a selective pressure, and over time tumors can become drug resistant. Here, we detail the cellular function of tumor suppressors essential in DNA damage repair pathways, present the mechanisms of action of inhibitors used to create synthetic lethality in BRCA carriers, and review the major molecular sources of drug resistance. Finally, we present examples of the many strategies being developed to circumvent drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn C Janysek
- School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Jennifer Kim
- School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Pascal H G Duijf
- Queensland University of Technology, IHBI at the Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Centre for Data Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Eloïse Dray
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States; Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson, San Antonio, TX, United States.
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29
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Myers S, Ortega JA, Cavalli A. Synthetic Lethality through the Lens of Medicinal Chemistry. J Med Chem 2020; 63:14151-14183. [PMID: 33135887 PMCID: PMC8015234 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Personalized medicine and therapies represent the goal of modern medicine, as drug discovery strives to move away from one-cure-for-all and makes use of the various targets and biomarkers within differing disease areas. This approach, especially in oncology, is often undermined when the cells make use of alternative survival pathways. As such, acquired resistance is unfortunately common. In order to combat this phenomenon, synthetic lethality is being investigated, making use of existing genetic fragilities within the cancer cell. This Perspective highlights exciting targets within synthetic lethality, (PARP, ATR, ATM, DNA-PKcs, WEE1, CDK12, RAD51, RAD52, and PD-1) and discusses the medicinal chemistry programs being used to interrogate them, the challenges these programs face, and what the future holds for this promising field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel
H. Myers
- Computational
& Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Jose Antonio Ortega
- Computational
& Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Computational
& Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University
of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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30
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The promise and current status of CDK12/13 inhibition for the treatment of cancer. Future Med Chem 2020; 13:117-141. [PMID: 33295810 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2020-0240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
CDK12 and CDK13 are Ser/Thr protein kinases that regulate transcription and co-transcriptional processes. Genetic silencing of CDK12 is associated with genomic instability in a variety of cancers, including difficult-to-treat breast, ovarian, colorectal, brain and pancreatic cancers, and is synthetic lethal with PARP, MYC or EWS/FLI inhibition. CDK13 is amplified in hepatocellular carcinoma. Consequently, selective CDK12/13 inhibitors constitute powerful research tools as well as promising anti-cancer therapeutics, either alone or in combination therapy. Herein the authors discuss the role of CDK12 and CDK13 in normal and cancer cells, describe their utility as a biomarker and therapeutic target, review the medicinal chemistry optimization of existing CDK12/13 inhibitors and outline strategies for the rational design of CDK12/13 selective inhibitors.
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31
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Wengner AM, Scholz A, Haendler B. Targeting DNA Damage Response in Prostate and Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8273. [PMID: 33158305 PMCID: PMC7663807 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Steroid hormone signaling induces vast gene expression programs which necessitate the local formation of transcription factories at regulatory regions and large-scale alterations of the genome architecture to allow communication among distantly related cis-acting regions. This involves major stress at the genomic DNA level. Transcriptionally active regions are generally instable and prone to breakage due to the torsional stress and local depletion of nucleosomes that make DNA more accessible to damaging agents. A dedicated DNA damage response (DDR) is therefore essential to maintain genome integrity at these exposed regions. The DDR is a complex network involving DNA damage sensor proteins, such as the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1), the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), the ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) kinase and the ATM and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase, as central regulators. The tight interplay between the DDR and steroid hormone receptors has been unraveled recently. Several DNA repair factors interact with the androgen and estrogen receptors and support their transcriptional functions. Conversely, both receptors directly control the expression of agents involved in the DDR. Impaired DDR is also exploited by tumors to acquire advantageous mutations. Cancer cells often harbor germline or somatic alterations in DDR genes, and their association with disease outcome and treatment response led to intensive efforts towards identifying selective inhibitors targeting the major players in this process. The PARP-1 inhibitors are now approved for ovarian, breast, and prostate cancer with specific genomic alterations. Additional DDR-targeting agents are being evaluated in clinical studies either as single agents or in combination with treatments eliciting DNA damage (e.g., radiation therapy, including targeted radiotherapy, and chemotherapy) or addressing targets involved in maintenance of genome integrity. Recent preclinical and clinical findings made in addressing DNA repair dysfunction in hormone-dependent and -independent prostate and breast tumors are presented. Importantly, the combination of anti-hormonal therapy with DDR inhibition or with radiation has the potential to enhance efficacy but still needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bernard Haendler
- Preclinical Research, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.W.); (A.S.)
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32
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Yanai Y, Kosaka T, Nakamura K, Aimono E, Matsumoto K, Morita S, Mikami S, Nishihara H, Oya M. CDK12 and HER2 coamplification in two urothelial carcinomas with rapid and aggressive clinical progression. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:4652-4655. [PMID: 33038052 PMCID: PMC7734002 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin‐dependent kinase 12 (CDK12), one of the key factors associated with DNA damage response pathways, is located on chromosome 17 proximal to Erb‐B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2). In this report, CDK12 and ERBB2 coamplification was detected by targeted next‐generation sequencing in two urothelial carcinomas. The staining intensity of the CDK12 and human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 proteins was associated with the prognosis of each urothelial carcinoma case. Our results suggest that CDK12 coamplification with ERBB2 might be associated with tumor aggressiveness and contribution to cancer pathogenesis. Therapies targeting CDK12 should be developed for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinori Yanai
- Department of Urology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeo Kosaka
- Department of Urology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohei Nakamura
- Genomics Unit, Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eriko Aimono
- Genomics Unit, Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Shinya Morita
- Department of Urology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuji Mikami
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nishihara
- Genomics Unit, Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mototsugu Oya
- Department of Urology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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33
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Liu H, Liu K, Dong Z. Targeting CDK12 for Cancer Therapy: Function, Mechanism, and Drug Discovery. Cancer Res 2020; 81:18-26. [PMID: 32958547 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) is a member of the CDK family of proteins (CDK) and is critical for cancer development. Years of study into CDK12 have generated much information regarding the intricacy of its function and mechanism as well as inhibitors against it for oncological research. However, there remains a lack of understanding regarding the role of CDK12 in carcinogenesis and cancer prevention. An exhaustive comprehension of CDK12 will highly stimulate the development of new strategies for treating and preventing cancer. Here, we review the literature of CDK12, with a focus on its function, its role in signaling, and how to use it as a target for discovery of novel drugs for cancer prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Academy of Medical Science, College of Medical, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Academy of Medical Science, College of Medical, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zigang Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Academy of Medical Science, College of Medical, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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34
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Jung K, Choi JS, Koo BM, Kim YJ, Song JY, Sung M, Chang ES, Noh KW, An S, Lee MS, Song K, Lee H, Kim RN, Shin YK, Oh DY, Choi YL. TM4SF4 and LRRK2 Are Potential Therapeutic Targets in Lung and Breast Cancers through Outlier Analysis. Cancer Res Treat 2020; 53:9-24. [PMID: 32972043 PMCID: PMC7812009 DOI: 10.4143/crt.2020.434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To find biomarkers for disease, there have been constant attempts to investigate the genes that differ from those in the disease groups. However, the values that lie outside the overall pattern of a distribution, the outliers, are frequently excluded in traditional analytical methods as they are considered to be ‘some sort of problem.’ Such outliers may have a biologic role in the disease group. Thus, this study explored new biomarker using outlier analysis, and verified the suitability of therapeutic potential of two genes (TM4SF4 and LRRK2). Materials and Methods Modified Tukey’s fences outlier analysis was carried out to identify new biomarkers using the public gene expression datasets. And we verified the presence of the selected biomarkers in other clinical samples via customized gene expression panels and tissue microarrays. Moreover, a siRNA-based knockdown test was performed to evaluate the impact of the biomarkers on oncogenic phenotypes. Results TM4SF4 in lung cancer and LRRK2 in breast cancer were chosen as candidates among the genes derived from the analysis. TM4SF4 and LRRK2 were overexpressed in the small number of samples with lung cancer (4.20%) and breast cancer (2.42%), respectively. Knockdown of TM4SF4 and LRRK2 suppressed the growth of lung and breast cancer cell lines. The LRRK2 overexpressing cell lines were more sensitive to LRRK2-IN-1 than the LRRK2 under-expressing cell lines Conclusion Our modified outlier-based analysis method has proved to rescue biomarkers previously missed or unnoticed by traditional analysis showing TM4SF4 and LRRK2 are novel target candidates for lung and breast cancer, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungsoo Jung
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joon-Seok Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Beom-Mo Koo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yu Jin Kim
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji-Young Song
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Minjung Sung
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Sol Chang
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ka-Won Noh
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sungbin An
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mi-Sook Lee
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung Song
- College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hannah Lee
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioinformatics, College of Natural Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ryong Nam Kim
- Bio-MAX/N-BIO, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Kee Shin
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Genomics, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Doo-Yi Oh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Yoon-La Choi
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea.,Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Pathology and Translational Genomics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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35
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Wu T, Qin Z, Tian Y, Wang J, Xu C, Li Z, Bian J. Recent Developments in the Biology and Medicinal Chemistry of CDK9 Inhibitors: An Update. J Med Chem 2020; 63:13228-13257. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tizhi Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhen Qin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yucheng Tian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jubo Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chenxi Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiyu Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinlei Bian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China
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36
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Thanindratarn P, Dean DC, Feng W, Wei R, Nelson SD, Hornicek FJ, Duan Z. Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) in chordoma: prognostic and therapeutic value. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2020; 29:3214-3228. [PMID: 32691223 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-020-06543-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) expression in chordoma patient tissues and cell lines, its correlation with oncologic outcomes, and its function in chordoma cell proliferation. METHODS A chordoma tissue microarray was constructed from fifty-six patient specimens and examined by immunohistochemistry to measure CDK12 expression and its correlation to patient clinical characteristics and survival. CDK12 expression in chordoma cell lines and patient tissues was evaluated via western blot. CDK12 specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) was applied to determine whether its inhibition attenuated chordoma cell growth and proliferation. RESULTS CDK12 was expressed in the majority of chordoma specimens, with notably higher expression in patients with recurrent or metastatic disease. High CDK12 expression was an independent prognostic predictor for shorter overall and progression-free survival in chordoma by univariate and multivariate analysis. Western blot analysis revealed that CDK12 was also highly expressed in chordoma cell lines, with CDK12 specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) mediated knockdown decreasing proliferation and inducing apoptosis. Mechanistically, inhibition of CDK12 decreased phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) and the anti-apoptotic proteins Survivin and Mcl-1. CONCLUSION High expression of CDK12 is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in chordoma. Inhibition of CDK12 significantly decreased chordoma cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Our results support CDK12 as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in chordoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pichaya Thanindratarn
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 615 Charles E. Young. Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chulabhorn Hospital, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Dylan C Dean
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 615 Charles E. Young. Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Wenlong Feng
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 615 Charles E. Young. Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ran Wei
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 615 Charles E. Young. Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.,Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Scott D Nelson
- Department of Pathology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Francis J Hornicek
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 615 Charles E. Young. Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Zhenfeng Duan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 615 Charles E. Young. Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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DNA-PK in human malignant disorders: Mechanisms and implications for pharmacological interventions. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 215:107617. [PMID: 32610116 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The DNA-PK holoenzyme is a fundamental element of the DNA damage response machinery (DDR), which is responsible for cellular genomic stability. Consequently, and predictably, over the last decades since its identification and characterization, numerous pre-clinical and clinical studies reported observations correlating aberrant DNA-PK status and activity with cancer onset, progression and responses to therapeutic modalities. Notably, various studies have established in recent years the role of DNA-PK outside the DDR network, corroborating its role as a pleiotropic complex involved in transcriptional programs that operate biologic processes as epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), hypoxia, metabolism, nuclear receptors signaling and inflammatory responses. In particular tumor entities as prostate cancer, immense research efforts assisted mapping and describing the overall signaling networks regulated by DNA-PK that control metastasis and tumor progression. Correspondingly, DNA-PK emerges as an obvious therapeutic target in cancer and data pertaining to various pharmacological approaches have been published, largely in context of combination with DNA-damaging agents (DDAs) that act by inflicting DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). Currently, new generation inhibitors are tested in clinical trials. Several excellent reviews have been published in recent years covering the biology of DNA-PK and its role in cancer. In the current article we are aiming to systematically describe the main findings on DNA-PK signaling in major cancer types, focusing on both preclinical and clinical reports and present a detailed current status of the DNA-PK inhibitors repertoire.
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Liang S, Hu L, Wu Z, Chen Z, Liu S, Xu X, Qian A. CDK12: A Potent Target and Biomarker for Human Cancer Therapy. Cells 2020; 9:E1483. [PMID: 32570740 PMCID: PMC7349380 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are a group of serine/threonine protein kinases and play crucial roles in various cellular processes by regulating cell cycle and gene transcription. Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) is an important transcription-associated CDK. It shows versatile roles in regulating gene transcription, RNA splicing, translation, DNA damage response (DDR), cell cycle progression and cell proliferation. Recently, increasing evidence demonstrates the important role of CDK12 in various human cancers, illustrating it as both a biomarker of cancer and a potential target for cancer therapy. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of CDK12, and review the research advances of CDK12's biological functions, especially its role in human cancers and as a potential target and biomarker for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujing Liang
- Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, Xi’an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China; (S.L.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (Z.C.); (S.L.); (X.X.)
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Lifang Hu
- Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, Xi’an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China; (S.L.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (Z.C.); (S.L.); (X.X.)
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Zixiang Wu
- Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, Xi’an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China; (S.L.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (Z.C.); (S.L.); (X.X.)
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Zhihao Chen
- Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, Xi’an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China; (S.L.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (Z.C.); (S.L.); (X.X.)
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Shuyu Liu
- Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, Xi’an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China; (S.L.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (Z.C.); (S.L.); (X.X.)
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Xia Xu
- Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, Xi’an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China; (S.L.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (Z.C.); (S.L.); (X.X.)
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Airong Qian
- Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, Xi’an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China; (S.L.); (L.H.); (Z.W.); (Z.C.); (S.L.); (X.X.)
- Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- NPU-UAB Joint Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
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Low expression of CDK12 in gastric cancer is correlated with advanced stage and poor outcome. Pathol Res Pract 2020; 216:152962. [PMID: 32534699 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2020.152962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) belongs to the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) family, modulating multiple cellular functions including DNA damage response (DDR), development and cellular differentiation, transcription, mRNA processing, splicing and pre-mRNA processing. CDK12 has been reported as both tumor suppressor and oncogene in various kinds of tumor. The function of CDK12 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. METHODS/RESULTS CDK12 mRNA expression was decreased in GC compared with non-tumor tissue based on GEO database. Also, low mRNA expression of CDK12 was detected in GC cell lines by qPCR. Similarly, CDK12 protein expression was also reduced in GC tissues compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues in 177 GC patients as shown by immunohistochemistry. Low expression of CDK12 was associated with organ metastasis, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and advanced stage. Consistent with human protein atlas database analysis, Low expression of CDK12 was correlated with worse overall survival (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression indicated that low expression of CDK12 was an independent prognostic factor for GC patients (P < 0.001). Finally, a gene set enrichment analysis was performed to detect underlying internal mechanisms and biological processes. CONCLUSIONS CDK12 is down-regulated in GC and its expression is negatively correlated with advanced stage, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and poor outcomes. Our findings suggest that CDK12 may be a potential tumor suppressor in GC.
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Li J, Zhi X, Chen S, Shen X, Chen C, Yuan L, Guo J, Meng D, Chen M, Yao L. CDK9 inhibitor CDKI-73 is synergetic lethal with PARP inhibitor olaparib in BRCA1 wide-type ovarian cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:1140-1155. [PMID: 32368391 PMCID: PMC7191097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly (adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors benefit a small percentage of ovarian cancer patients with homologous recombination (HR) deficiency (HRD), which greatly limits the applications of PARP inhibitors. Given the function of CDK9 in homologous recombination repair (HRR), here, we show how to extend the utility of PARP inhibitors in BRCA1-proficient ovarian cancer by targeting CDK9. We found that high CDK9 expression is associated with a higher tumor stage in epithelial ovarian cancer patients, and CDK9 is co-expressed with BRCA1 by analyzing a public database. By using a CDK9 inhibitor CDKI-73, we found that its combination with the PARP inhibitor olaparib significantly suppressed cell viability and colony formation and induced apoptosis in BRCA1-proficient ovarian cancer cells. Consistently, the combination treatment remarkably reduced the tumor growth in mouse xenograft models. We demonstrated that CDKI-73 could downregulate BRCA1 expression, resulting in hypersensitivity to olaparib in BRCA1-proficient ovarian cancer. Taken together, our results show a synergetic effect of CDKI-73 combined with olaparib in BRCA1-proficient ovarian cancer, facilitating the clinical use of CDK9 as a predictive biomarker to exploit PARP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Li
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200011, China
| | - Xiuling Zhi
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200032, China
| | - Shuyi Chen
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiaoqing Shen
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200011, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200011, China
| | - Lei Yuan
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200011, China
| | - Jieyu Guo
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200032, China
| | - Dan Meng
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200032, China
| | - Mo Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200011, China
| | - Liangqing Yao
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200011, China
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Keung MY, Wu Y, Badar F, Vadgama JV. Response of Breast Cancer Cells to PARP Inhibitors Is Independent of BRCA Status. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9040940. [PMID: 32235451 PMCID: PMC7231148 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9040940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) have proven to be beneficial to patients with metastatic breast cancer with BRCA1/2 (BReast CAncer type 1 and type 2 genes) mutations. However, certain PARPi in pre-clinical studies have been shown to inhibit cell growth and promote the death of breast cancer cells lacking mutations in BRCA1/2. Here, we examined the inhibitory potency of 13 different PARPi in 12 breast cancer cell lines with and without BRCA-mutations using cell viability assays. The results showed that 5 of the 8 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines were susceptible to PARPi regardless of the BRCA-status. The estrogen receptor (ER) negative/ human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive (ER-/HER2+) cells, SKBR3 and JIMT1, showed high sensitivity to Talazoparib. Especially JIMT1, which is known to be resistant to trastuzumab, was responsive to Talazoparib at 0.002 µM. Niraparib, Olaparib, and Rucaparib also demonstrated effective inhibitory potency in both advanced TNBC and ER-/HER2+ cells with and without BRCA-mutations. In contrast, a BRCA-mutant TNBC line, HCC1937, was less sensitive to Talazoparib, Niraparib, Rucaparib, and not responsive to Olaparib. Other PARPi such as UPF1069, NU1025, AZD2461, and PJ34HCl also showed potent inhibitory activity in specific breast cancer cells. Our data suggest that the benefit of PARPi therapy in breast cancer is beyond the BRCA-mutations, and equally effective on metastatic TNBC and ER-/HER2+ breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Yee Keung
- Division of Cancer Research and Training, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; (M.Y.K.); (F.B.)
| | - Yanyuan Wu
- Division of Cancer Research and Training, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; (M.Y.K.); (F.B.)
- David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (J.V.V.)
| | - Francesca Badar
- Division of Cancer Research and Training, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; (M.Y.K.); (F.B.)
| | - Jaydutt V. Vadgama
- Division of Cancer Research and Training, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; (M.Y.K.); (F.B.)
- David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (J.V.V.)
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Ding L, Cao J, Lin W, Chen H, Xiong X, Ao H, Yu M, Lin J, Cui Q. The Roles of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases in Cell-Cycle Progression and Therapeutic Strategies in Human Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21061960. [PMID: 32183020 PMCID: PMC7139603 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21061960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 284] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are serine/threonine kinases whose catalytic activities are regulated by interactions with cyclins and CDK inhibitors (CKIs). CDKs are key regulatory enzymes involved in cell proliferation through regulating cell-cycle checkpoints and transcriptional events in response to extracellular and intracellular signals. Not surprisingly, the dysregulation of CDKs is a hallmark of cancers, and inhibition of specific members is considered an attractive target in cancer therapy. In breast cancer (BC), dual CDK4/6 inhibitors, palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib, combined with other agents, were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently for the treatment of hormone receptor positive (HR+) advanced or metastatic breast cancer (A/MBC), as well as other sub-types of breast cancer. Furthermore, ongoing studies identified more selective CDK inhibitors as promising clinical targets. In this review, we focus on the roles of CDKs in driving cell-cycle progression, cell-cycle checkpoints, and transcriptional regulation, a highlight of dysregulated CDK activation in BC. We also discuss the most relevant CDK inhibitors currently in clinical BC trials, with special emphasis on CDK4/6 inhibitors used for the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth factor 2-negative (HER2−) M/ABC patients, as well as more emerging precise therapeutic strategies, such as combination therapies and microRNA (miRNA) therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Ding
- Lab of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (L.D.); (J.C.); (W.L.); (H.C.); (X.X.); (H.A.); (M.Y.); (J.L.)
- Key Lab of Molecular Cancer Biology, Yunnan Education Department, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Jiaqi Cao
- Lab of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (L.D.); (J.C.); (W.L.); (H.C.); (X.X.); (H.A.); (M.Y.); (J.L.)
- Key Lab of Molecular Cancer Biology, Yunnan Education Department, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Wen Lin
- Lab of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (L.D.); (J.C.); (W.L.); (H.C.); (X.X.); (H.A.); (M.Y.); (J.L.)
- Key Lab of Molecular Cancer Biology, Yunnan Education Department, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Hongjian Chen
- Lab of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (L.D.); (J.C.); (W.L.); (H.C.); (X.X.); (H.A.); (M.Y.); (J.L.)
- Key Lab of Molecular Cancer Biology, Yunnan Education Department, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Xianhui Xiong
- Lab of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (L.D.); (J.C.); (W.L.); (H.C.); (X.X.); (H.A.); (M.Y.); (J.L.)
- Key Lab of Molecular Cancer Biology, Yunnan Education Department, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Hongshun Ao
- Lab of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (L.D.); (J.C.); (W.L.); (H.C.); (X.X.); (H.A.); (M.Y.); (J.L.)
- Key Lab of Molecular Cancer Biology, Yunnan Education Department, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Min Yu
- Lab of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (L.D.); (J.C.); (W.L.); (H.C.); (X.X.); (H.A.); (M.Y.); (J.L.)
- Key Lab of Molecular Cancer Biology, Yunnan Education Department, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Jie Lin
- Lab of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (L.D.); (J.C.); (W.L.); (H.C.); (X.X.); (H.A.); (M.Y.); (J.L.)
- Key Lab of Molecular Cancer Biology, Yunnan Education Department, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Qinghua Cui
- Lab of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; (L.D.); (J.C.); (W.L.); (H.C.); (X.X.); (H.A.); (M.Y.); (J.L.)
- Key Lab of Molecular Cancer Biology, Yunnan Education Department, Kunming 650091, China
- Correspondence:
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Pilarova K, Herudek J, Blazek D. CDK12: cellular functions and therapeutic potential of versatile player in cancer. NAR Cancer 2020; 2:zcaa003. [PMID: 34316683 PMCID: PMC8210036 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcaa003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) phosphorylates the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II and is needed for the optimal transcription elongation and translation of a subset of human protein-coding genes. The kinase has a pleiotropic effect on the maintenance of genome stability, and its inactivation in prostate and ovarian tumours results in focal tandem duplications, a CDK12-unique genome instability phenotype. CDK12 aberrations were found in many other malignancies and have the potential to be used as biomarkers for therapeutic intervention. Moreover, the inhibition of CDK12 emerges as a promising strategy for treatment in several types of cancers. In this review, we summarize mechanisms that CDK12 utilizes for the regulation of gene expression and discuss how the perturbation of CDK12-sensitive genes contributes to the disruption of cell cycle progression and the onset of genome instability. Furthermore, we describe tumour-suppressive and oncogenic functions of CDK12 and its potential as a biomarker and inhibition target in anti-tumour treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kveta Pilarova
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Herudek
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dalibor Blazek
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
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Chou J, Quigley DA, Robinson TM, Feng FY, Ashworth A. Transcription-Associated Cyclin-Dependent Kinases as Targets and Biomarkers for Cancer Therapy. Cancer Discov 2020; 10:351-370. [DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-19-0528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Li Q, Cao J, He Y, Liu X, Mao G, Wei B, Liao S, Zhang Q, Li J, Zheng L, Wang L, Qi C. R5, a neutralizing antibody to Robo1, suppresses breast cancer growth and metastasis by inhibiting angiogenesis via down-regulating filamin A. Exp Cell Res 2020; 387:111756. [PMID: 31811830 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.111756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers among women in both developed and developing countries with a rising incidence. Using the MMTV-PyMT transgenic mouse model and xenografted breast cancer model, we found that R5, a neutralizing antibody to Robo1, significantly inhibited BC growth and metastasis. Angiogenesis is involved in the growth and metastasis of BC. Interestingly, R5 significantly decreases microvessel density in BC tissues, and inhibits blood vessel formation and development in in vivo chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), yolk sac membrane (YSM) and Matrigel plug models. To investigate whether its anti-breast cancer efficacy is ascribed to its direct antiangiogenic properties, xenografted breast cancer model on CAM was established. Furthermore, R5 significantly reduces the tube formation of the vascular plexus on xenografted breast tumor on CAM. R5 also suppresses the migration and the tubular structure formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by down-regulating the expression of filamin A (FLNA). These findings show that R5 has the potential to be a promising agent for the treatment of BC by suppressing the tumor-induced angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianming Li
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jinghua Cao
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yajun He
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiaohua Liu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Guanquan Mao
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Bo Wei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Shiyan Liao
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jiangchao Li
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Lingyun Zheng
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Lijing Wang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Cuiling Qi
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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Choi H, Jin S, Cho H, Won H, An HW, Jeong G, Park Y, Kim H, Park MK, Son T, Min K, Jang K, Oh Y, Lee J, Kong G. CDK12 drives breast tumor initiation and trastuzumab resistance via WNT and IRS1-ErbB-PI3K signaling. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:e48058. [PMID: 31468695 PMCID: PMC6776914 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201948058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) has emerged as an effective therapeutic target due to its ability to regulate DNA damage repair in human cancers, but little is known about the role of CDK12 in driving tumorigenesis. Here, we demonstrate that CDK12 promotes tumor initiation as a novel regulator of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and induces anti-HER2 therapy resistance in human breast cancer. High CDK12 expression caused by concurrent amplification of CDK12 and HER2 in breast cancer patients is associated with disease recurrence and poor survival. CDK12 induces self-renewal of breast CSCs and in vivo tumor-initiating ability, and also reduces susceptibility to trastuzumab. Furthermore, CDK12 kinase activity inhibition facilitates anticancer efficacy of trastuzumab in HER2+ tumors, and mice bearing trastuzumab-resistant HER2+ tumor show sensitivity to an inhibitor of CDK12. Mechanistically, the catalytic activity of CDK12 is required for the expression of genes involved in the activation of ErbB-PI3K-AKT or WNT-signaling cascades. These results suggest that CDK12 is a major oncogenic driver and an actionable target for HER2+ breast cancer to replace or augment current anti-HER2 therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee‐Joo Choi
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical Research (IBBR)Hanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
- Department of PathologyCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Sora Jin
- Department of PathologyCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Hani Cho
- Department of PathologyCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Hee‐Young Won
- Department of PathologyCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Hee Woon An
- Department of PathologyCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Ga‐Young Jeong
- Department of PathologyCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Young‐Un Park
- Department of PathologyCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Hyung‐Yong Kim
- Department of PathologyCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
| | | | - Taekwon Son
- College of PharmacySeoul National UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Kyueng‐Whan Min
- Department of PathologyCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Ki‐Seok Jang
- Department of PathologyCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Young‐Ha Oh
- Department of PathologyCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Jeong‐Yeon Lee
- Department of MedicineCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Gu Kong
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical Research (IBBR)Hanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
- Department of PathologyCollege of MedicineHanyang UniversitySeoulKorea
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Ji J, Zhou C, Wu J, Cai Q, Shi M, Zhang H, Yu Y, Zhu Z, Zhang J. Expression pattern of CDK12 protein in gastric cancer and its positive correlation with CD8 + cell density and CCL12 expression. Int J Med Sci 2019; 16:1142-1148. [PMID: 31523177 PMCID: PMC6743279 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.34541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The aims of this study were to investigate the expression pattern of CDK12 protein in gastric cancer, and to analyze the correlations of CDK12 expression between CD8+ cell density and CCL12 expression. Methods: Eighty-six paired tumor and non-tumor samples were collected from patients who underwent radical surgery and had pathological confirmed gastric adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess CDK12 expression and CD8+ cell density. Expression of CDK12 and CCL21 mRNA was detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: CDK12 expression in gastric tumor tissues was significantly higher than it in paired non-tumor tissues (P<0.001). High expression of CDK12 was identified in 43 cases (50%), and it was significantly correlated with Lauren's classification (diffuse type) and number of metastatic lymph nodes (≥15). High CDK12 protein level indicated a relative poorer overall survival than patients with CKD12 low expression, while it was not identified as an independent prognostic factor. Median number of CD8+ cells in tumor tissues was 51 (range: 0-292). Number of CD8+ cells was positively correlated with CDK12 expression score in tumor tissues (r=0.243, P=0.024). Positive correlation was also found between CDK12 and CCL21 mRNA expression (r=0.419, P=0.017). Conclusion: High CDK12 expression was detected in gastric cancer which was correlated with malignant phenotypes and worse outcome. Positive correlations of CD8+ cell number and CCL21 mRNA expression with CDK12 level were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ji
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Chenfei Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Junwei Wu
- Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Qu Cai
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Min Shi
- Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yingyan Yu
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Zhenggang Zhu
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.,Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 197 Ruijin er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
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Abstract
The fact that many cancer types display transcriptional addiction driven by dysregulation of oncogenic enhancers and transcription factors has led to increased interest in a group of protein kinases, known as transcriptional cyclin dependent kinases (tCDKs), as potential therapeutic targets. Despite early reservations about targeting a process that is essential to healthy cell types, there is now evidence that targeting tCDKs could provide enough therapeutic window to be effective in the clinic. Here, we discuss recent developments in this field, with an emphasis on highly-selective inhibitors and the challenges to be addressed before these inhibitors could be used for therapeutic purposes. Abbreviations: CAK: CDK-activating kinase;CDK: cyclin-dependent kinase;CMGC group: CDK-, MAPK-, GSK3-, and CLK-like;CTD: C-terminal repeat domain of the RPB1 subunit of RNA polymerase II;DRB: 5,6-dichloro-1-β-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole;mCRPC: metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer;NSCLC: non-small cell lung cancer;P-TEFb: positive elongation factor b;RNAPII: RNA polymerase II;S2: serine-2 of CTD repeats;S5: serine-5 of CTD repeats;S7: serine-7 of CTD repeats;SEC: super elongation complex;tCDK: transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinase;TNBC: triple-negative breast cancer
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Galbraith
- a Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, School of Medicine , University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , CO , USA.,b Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine , University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , CO , USA
| | - Heather Bender
- a Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, School of Medicine , University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , CO , USA.,b Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine , University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , CO , USA
| | - Joaquín M Espinosa
- a Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, School of Medicine , University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , CO , USA.,b Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine , University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , CO , USA.,c Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology , University of Colorado Boulder , Boulder , CO , USA
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Brovkina OI, Shigapova L, Chudakova DA, Gordiev MG, Enikeev RF, Druzhkov MO, Khodyrev DS, Shagimardanova EI, Nikitin AG, Gusev OA. The Ethnic-Specific Spectrum of Germline Nucleotide Variants in DNA Damage Response and Repair Genes in Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Patients of Tatar Descent. Front Oncol 2018; 8:421. [PMID: 30333958 PMCID: PMC6176317 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Russian population consists of more than 100 ethnic groups, presenting a unique opportunity for the identification of hereditary pathogenic mutations. To gain insight into the landscape of heredity pathogenic variants, we employed targeted next-generation sequencing to analyze the germline mutation load in the DNA damage response and repair genes of hereditary breast and ovary cancer syndrome (HBOCS) patients of Tatar ethnicity, which represents ~4% of the total Russian population. Several pathogenic mutations were identified in DNA double-strand break repair genes, and the spectrum of these markers in Tatar patients varied from that previously reported for patients of Slavic ancestry. The CDK12 gene encodes cyclin-dependent kinase 12, the key transcriptional regulator of the genes involved in DNA damage response and repair. CDK12 analysis in a cohort of HBOCS patients of Tatar decent identified a c.1047-2A>G nucleotide variant in the CDK12 gene in 8 of the 106 cases (7.6%). The c.1047-2A>G nucleotide variant was identified in 1 of the 93 (1.1%) HBOCS patients with mixed or unknown ethnicity and in 1 of the 238 (0.42%) healthy control patients of mixed ethnicity (Tatars and non-Tatars) (p = 0.0066, OR = 11.18, CI 95% = 1.53-492.95, Tatar and non-Tatar patients vs. healthy controls). In a group of mixed ethnicity patients from Tatarstan, with sporadic breast and/or ovarian cancer, this nucleotide variant was detected in 2 out of 93 (2.2%) cases. In a cohort of participants of Slavic descent from Moscow, comprising of 95 HBOCS patients, 80 patients with sporadic breast and/or ovarian cancer, and 372 healthy controls, this nucleotide variant was absent. Our study demonstrates a strong predisposition for the CDK12 c.1047-2A>G nucleotide variant in HBOCS in patients of Tatar ethnicity and identifies CDK12 as a novel gene involved in HBOCS susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga I Brovkina
- Federal Research and Clinical Center, Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Daria A Chudakova
- Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Marat G Gordiev
- Republican Clinical Oncology Dispensary of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan, Russia
| | - Rafael F Enikeev
- Republican Clinical Oncology Dispensary of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan, Russia
| | - Maxim O Druzhkov
- Republican Clinical Oncology Dispensary of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan, Russia
| | - Dmitriy S Khodyrev
- Federal Research and Clinical Center, Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Alexey G Nikitin
- Federal Research and Clinical Center, Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, Russia.,Pulmonology Research Institute, Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - Oleg A Gusev
- Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, Russia.,RIKEN, Yokohama, Japan
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50
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Lui GYL, Grandori C, Kemp CJ. CDK12: an emerging therapeutic target for cancer. J Clin Pathol 2018; 71:957-962. [PMID: 30104286 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2018-205356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) belongs to the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) family of serine/threonine protein kinases that regulate transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes, thereby modulating multiple cellular functions. Early studies characterised CDK12 as a transcriptional CDK that complexes with cyclin K to mediate gene transcription by phosphorylating RNA polymerase II. CDK12 has been demonstrated to specifically upregulate the expression of genes involved in response to DNA damage, stress and heat shock. More recent studies have implicated CDK12 in regulating mRNA splicing, 3' end processing, pre-replication complex assembly and genomic stability during embryonic development. Genomic alterations in CDK12 have been detected in oesophageal, stomach, breast, endometrial, uterine, ovarian, bladder, colorectal and pancreatic cancers, ranging from 5% to 15% of sequenced cases. An increasing number of studies point to CDK12 inhibition as an effective strategy to inhibit tumour growth, and synthetic lethal interactions have been described with MYC, EWS/FLI and PARP/CHK1 inhibition. Herein, we discuss the present literature on CDK12 in cell function and human cancer, highlighting important roles for CDK12 as a clinical biomarker for treatment response and potential as an effective therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goldie Y L Lui
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Human Biology Division, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Christopher J Kemp
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Human Biology Division, Seattle, Washington, USA
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