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Danielli SG, Wurth J, Morice S, Kisele S, Surdez D, Delattre O, Bode PK, Wachtel M, Schäfer BW. Evaluation of the Role of AXL in Fusion-positive Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma Identifies the Small-molecule Inhibitor Bemcentinib (BGB324) as Potent Chemosensitizer. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:864-876. [PMID: 38471796 PMCID: PMC11148551 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly aggressive pediatric cancer with features of skeletal muscle differentiation. More than 80% of the high-risk patients ultimately fail to respond to chemotherapy treatment, leading to limited therapeutic options and dismal prognostic rates. The lack of response and subsequent tumor recurrence is driven in part by stem cell-like cells, the tumor subpopulation that is enriched after treatment, and characterized by expression of the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL). AXL mediates survival, migration, and therapy resistance in several cancer types; however, its function in RMS remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of AXL in RMS tumorigenesis, migration, and chemotherapy response, and whether targeting of AXL with small-molecule inhibitors could potentiate the efficacy of chemotherapy. We show that AXL is expressed in a heterogeneous manner in patient-derived xenografts (PDX), primary cultures and cell line models of RMS, consistent with its stem cell-state selectivity. By generating a CRISPR/Cas9 AXL knock-out and overexpressing models, we show that AXL contributes to the migratory phenotype of RMS, but not to chemotherapy resistance. Instead, pharmacologic blockade with the AXL inhibitors bemcentinib (BGB324), cabozantinib and NPS-1034 rapidly killed RMS cells in an AXL-independent manner and augmented the efficacy of the chemotherapeutics vincristine and cyclophosphamide. In vivo administration of the combination of bemcentinib and vincristine exerted strong antitumoral activity in a rapidly progressing PDX mouse model, significantly reducing tumor burden compared with single-agent treatment. Collectively, our data identify bemcentinib as a promising drug to improve chemotherapy efficacy in patients with RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara G Danielli
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jakob Wurth
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Morice
- Balgrist University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich (UZH), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Samanta Kisele
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Didier Surdez
- Balgrist University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich (UZH), Zürich, Switzerland
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Laboratory, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Center, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Delattre
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisée LNCC, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Laboratory, PSL Research University, SIREDO Oncology Center, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris, France
| | - Peter K Bode
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Wachtel
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Beat W Schäfer
- Department of Oncology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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2
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De Rosa L, Di Stasi R, Fusco V, D'Andrea LD. AXL receptor as an emerging molecular target in colorectal cancer. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104005. [PMID: 38685399 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL) is a receptor tyrosine kinase whose aberrant expression has recently been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), contributing to tumor growth, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), increased invasiveness, metastatic spreading, and the development of drug resistance. In this review we summarize preclinical data, the majority of which are limited to recent years, convincingly linking the AXL receptor to CRC. These findings support the value of targeting AXL with molecules in drug discovery, offering novel and advanced therapeutic or diagnostic tools for CRC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia De Rosa
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, via P. Castellino, 111 - 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Rossella Di Stasi
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, via P. Castellino, 111 - 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Virginia Fusco
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, via P. Castellino, 111 - 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luca D D'Andrea
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche 'G. Natta', CNR, via M. Bianco, 9 - 20131 Milan, Italy.
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3
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Knisely A, Hinchcliff EM, Gardiner E, Rangwala R, Lito K, Fellman B, Yuan Y, Sood AK, Westin SN, Lu KH, Jazaeri AA. Phase 1b study of batiraxcept in combination with durvalumab in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. iScience 2024; 27:109801. [PMID: 38726365 PMCID: PMC11079458 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109801] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Combining an immune checkpoint inhibitor with batiraxcept (AVB-S6-500), an AXL inhibitor that acts via selective binding to growth arrest-specific protein 6 (GAS6), may improve anti-tumor immunity in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC). This phase 1b trial of durvalumab in combination with escalating doses of batiraxcept enrolled patients with recurrent PROC (NCT04019288). The primary objective was to determine the toxicity profile of the combination. Eleven patients were enrolled on the trial. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed, and no objective responses were noted. Median progression free survival (PFS) was 1.81 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.71-2.40), and median overall survival (OS) was 4.53 months (95% CI 2.10-24.74). Batiraxcept effectively reduced serum GAS6 levels at 1-h post-treatment, resulting in trough levels below the limit of detection in all cases but one. In conclusion, the combination of batiraxcept and durvalumab was safe and tolerable but did not demonstrate anti-tumor activity in a heterogenous population of patients with recurrent PROC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Knisely
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Emily M. Hinchcliff
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Kathryn Lito
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bryan Fellman
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ying Yuan
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anil K. Sood
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shannon N. Westin
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Karen H. Lu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amir A. Jazaeri
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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4
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Miao YR, Rankin EB, Giaccia AJ. Therapeutic targeting of the functionally elusive TAM receptor family. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:201-217. [PMID: 38092952 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00846-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The TAM receptor family of TYRO3, AXL and MERTK regulates tissue and immune homeostasis. Aberrant TAM receptor signalling has been linked to a range of diseases, including cancer, fibrosis and viral infections. Specifically, the dysregulation of TAM receptors can enhance tumour growth and metastasis due to their involvement in multiple oncogenic pathways. For example, TAM receptors have been implicated in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, maintaining the stem cell phenotype, immune modulation, proliferation, angiogenesis and resistance to conventional and targeted therapies. Therapeutically, multiple TAM receptor inhibitors are in preclinical and clinical development for cancers and other indications, with those targeting AXL being the most clinically advanced. Although there has been notable clinical advancement in recent years, challenges persist. This Review aims to provide both biological and clinical insights into the current therapeutic landscape of TAM receptor inhibitors, and evaluates their potential for the treatment of cancer and non-malignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Rebecca Miao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Erinn B Rankin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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5
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DeRyckere D, Huelse JM, Earp HS, Graham DK. TAM family kinases as therapeutic targets at the interface of cancer and immunity. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:755-779. [PMID: 37667010 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00813-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Novel treatment approaches are needed to overcome innate and acquired mechanisms of resistance to current anticancer therapies in cancer cells and the tumour immune microenvironment. The TAM (TYRO3, AXL and MERTK) family receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are potential therapeutic targets in a wide range of cancers. In cancer cells, TAM RTKs activate signalling pathways that promote cell survival, metastasis and resistance to a variety of chemotherapeutic agents and targeted therapies. TAM RTKs also function in innate immune cells, contributing to various mechanisms that suppress antitumour immunity and promote resistance to immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Therefore, TAM antagonists provide an unprecedented opportunity for both direct and immune-mediated therapeutic activity provided by inhibition of a single target, and are likely to be particularly effective when used in combination with other cancer therapies. To exploit this potential, a variety of agents have been designed to selectively target TAM RTKs, many of which have now entered clinical testing. This Review provides an essential guide to the TAM RTKs for clinicians, including an overview of the rationale for therapeutic targeting of TAM RTKs in cancer cells and the tumour immune microenvironment, a description of the current preclinical and clinical experience with TAM inhibitors, and a perspective on strategies for continued development of TAM-targeted agents for oncology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Justus M Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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6
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Yeo XH, Sundararajan V, Wu Z, Phua ZJC, Ho YY, Peh KLE, Chiu YC, Tan TZ, Kappei D, Ho YS, Tan DSP, Tam WL, Huang RYJ. The effect of inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinase AXL on DNA damage response in ovarian cancer. Commun Biol 2023; 6:660. [PMID: 37349576 PMCID: PMC10287694 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05045-0] [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: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
AXL is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is often overexpressed in cancers. It contributes to pathophysiology in cancer progression and therapeutic resistance, making it an emerging therapeutic target. The first-in-class AXL inhibitor bemcentinib (R428/BGB324) has been granted fast track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in STK11-mutated advanced metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and was also reported to show selective sensitivity towards ovarian cancers (OC) with a Mesenchymal molecular subtype. In this study, we further explored AXL's role in mediating DNA damage responses by using OC as a disease model. AXL inhibition using R428 resulted in the increase of DNA damage with the concurrent upregulation of DNA damage response signalling molecules. Furthermore, AXL inhibition rendered cells more sensitive to the inhibition of ATR, a crucial mediator for replication stress. Combinatory use of AXL and ATR inhibitors showed additive effects in OC. Through SILAC co-immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry, we identified a novel binding partner of AXL, SAM68, whose loss in OC cells harboured phenotypes in DNA damage responses similar to AXL inhibition. In addition, AXL- and SAM68-deficiency or R428 treatment induced elevated levels of cholesterol and upregulated genes in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. There might be a protective role of cholesterol in shielding cancer cells against DNA damage induced by AXL inhibition or SMA68 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Hui Yeo
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 60 Biopolis Street, Genome, Singapore, 138672, Republic of Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117599, Republic of Singapore
| | - Vignesh Sundararajan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117599, Republic of Singapore
| | - Zhengwei Wu
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 60 Biopolis Street, Genome, Singapore, 138672, Republic of Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117599, Republic of Singapore
| | - Zi Jin Cheryl Phua
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 60 Biopolis Street, Genome, Singapore, 138672, Republic of Singapore
| | - Yin Ying Ho
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 20 Biopolis Way, Centros, Singapore, 138668, Republic of Singapore
| | - Kai Lay Esther Peh
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 20 Biopolis Way, Centros, Singapore, 138668, Republic of Singapore
| | - Yi-Chia Chiu
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tuan Zea Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117599, Republic of Singapore
| | - Dennis Kappei
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117599, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117597, Republic of Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Ying Swan Ho
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 20 Biopolis Way, Centros, Singapore, 138668, Republic of Singapore
| | - David Shao Peng Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117599, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Wai Leong Tam
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 60 Biopolis Street, Genome, Singapore, 138672, Republic of Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117599, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117597, Republic of Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Republic of Singapore
| | - Ruby Yun-Ju Huang
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
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Targeting receptor tyrosine kinases in ovarian cancer: Genomic dysregulation, clinical evaluation of inhibitors, and potential for combinatorial therapies. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 28:293-306. [PMID: 36911068 PMCID: PMC9999170 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) have long been sought as therapeutic targets for EOC, as they are frequently hyperactivated in primary tumors and drive disease relapse, progression, and metastasis. More recently, these oncogenic drivers have been implicated in EOC response to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and epigenome-interfering agents. This evidence revives RTKs as promising targets for therapeutic intervention of EOC. This review summarizes recent studies on the role of RTKs in EOC malignancy and the use of their inhibitors for clinical treatment. Our focus is on the ERBB family, c-Met, and VEGFR, as they are linked to drug resistance and targetable using commercially available drugs. The importance of these RTKs and their inhibitors is highlighted by their impact on signal transduction and intratumoral heterogeneity in EOC and successful use as maintenance therapy in the clinic through suppression of the VEGF/VEGFR axis. Finally, the therapeutic potential of RTK inhibitors is discussed in the context of combinatorial targeting via co-inhibiting proliferative and anti-apoptotic pathways, epigenomic/transcriptional programs, and harnessing the efficacy of PARP inhibitors and programmed cell death 1/ligand 1 immune checkpoint therapies.
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Fang Y, Imoukhuede PI. Axl and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors Exhibit Variations in Membrane Localization and Heterogeneity Across Monolayer and Spheroid High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Models. GEN BIOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 2:43-56. [PMID: 36873811 PMCID: PMC9976349 DOI: 10.1089/genbio.2022.0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) and Axl are receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) that are targeted in ovarian cancer therapy. Two-dimensional monolayer culture and three-dimensional spheroids are common models for RTK-targeted drug screening: monolayers are simple and economical while spheroids include several genetic and histological tumor features. RTK membrane localization dictates RTK signaling and drug response, however, it is not characterized in these models. We quantify plasma membrane RTK concentrations and show differential RTK abundance and heterogeneity in monolayers versus spheroids. We show VEGFR1 concentrations on the plasma membrane to be 10 times higher in OVCAR8 spheroids than in monolayers; OVCAR8 spheroids are more heterogeneous than monolayers, exhibiting a bimodal distribution of a low-Axl (6200/cell) and a high-Axl subpopulation (25,000/cell). In addition, plasma membrane Axl concentrations differ by 100 times between chemosensitive (OVCAR3) and chemoresistant (OVCAR8) cells and by 10 times between chemoresistant cell lines (OVCAR5 vs. OVCAR8). These systematic findings can guide ovarian cancer model selection for drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingye Fang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Role of lymphocytes, macrophages and immune receptors in suppression of tumor immunity. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 194:269-310. [PMID: 36631195 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is now the leading cause of mortality across the world. Inflammatory immune cells are functionally important in the genesis and progression of tumors, as demonstrated by their presence in human tumors. Numerous research has recently been conducted to determine if the innate and adaptive immune systems' cytotoxic cells can inhibit tumor growth and spread. Majority of cancers, when growing into identifiable tumors use multiple strategies to elude immune monitoring by lowering tumor immunity. Immunological suppression in the tumor microenvironment is achieved through interfering with antigen-presenting cells and effector T cells. Treatment of cancer requires managing both the tumor as well as tumor microenvironment (TME). Most patients will not be able to gain benefits from immunotherapy because of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The actions of many stromal myeloid and lymphoid cells are regulated to suppress tumor-specific T lymphocytes. These frequently exhibit inducible suppressive processes brought on by the same anti-tumor inflammatory response the immunotherapy aims to produce. Therefore, a deeper comprehensive understanding of how the immunosuppressive environment arises and endures is essential. Here in this chapter, we will talk about how immune cells, particularly macrophages and lymphocytes, and their receptors affect the ability of tumors to mount an immune response.
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Wang G, Ouyang B, Jing F, Dai X. GBA inhibition suppresses ovarian cancer growth, survival and receptor tyrosine kinase AXL-mediated signaling pathways. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 27:21-29. [PMID: 36575930 PMCID: PMC9806639 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2023.27.1.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The poor outcome of advanced ovarian cancer under conventional therapy necessitates new strategies to improve therapeutic efficacy. β-glucosidase (encoded by GBA) is a lysosomal enzyme and is involved in sphingolipids metabolism. Recent studies revealed that β-glucosidase plays a role in cancer development and chemoresistance. In this work, we systematically evaluated the expression and role of GBA in ovarian cancer. Our work demonstrates that inhibition of β-glucosidase has therapeutic potential for ovarian cancer. Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database, western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses of patient samples demonstrated that GBA mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased in ovarian cancer compared to normal tissues. Functional studies using gain-of- function and loss-of-function approaches demonstrated that GBA overexpression did not affect growth and migration but alleviated cisplatin's efficacy in ovarian cancer cells. In addition, GBA depletion resulted in growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, and enhancement of cisplatin's efficacy. Of note, we found that GBA inhibition specifically decreased receptor tyrosine kinase AXL level, leading to the suppression of AXL-mediated signaling pathways. Our data suggest that GBA represents a promising target to inhibit AXL signaling and overcome cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Wuhan Third Hospital-Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Baisha Ouyang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Taikang Tongji (Wuhan) Hospital, Wuhan 430050, China
| | - Fang Jing
- Department of Gynecology, Wuhan Third Hospital-Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Xiaoyan Dai
- Department of Gynecology, Wuhan Third Hospital-Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430064, China,Correspondence Xiaoyan Dai, E-mail:
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11
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Lee EK, Liu JF. Rational Combinations of PARP Inhibitors with HRD-Inducing Molecularly Targeted Agents. Cancer Treat Res 2023; 186:171-188. [PMID: 37978136 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-30065-3_10] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Cancers with wild-type BRCA, homologous recombination proficiency, or de novo or acquired resistance to PARP inhibition represent a growing population of patients who may benefit from combinatorial PARP inhibitor strategies. We review targeted inhibitors of angiogenesis, epigenetic regulators, and PI3K, MAPK, and other cellular signaling pathways as inducers of homologous recombination deficiency, providing support for the use of PARP inhibitors in contexts not previously considered susceptible to PARP inhibition.
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12
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Xia H, Huang Z, Xu Y, Yam JWP, Cui Y. Reprogramming of central carbon metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 153:113485. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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13
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Targeting Tyrosine Kinases in Ovarian Cancer: Small Molecule Inhibitor and Monoclonal Antibody, Where Are We Now? Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092113. [PMID: 36140214 PMCID: PMC9495728 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal gynaecological malignancies worldwide. Despite high success rates following first time treatment, this heterogenous disease is prone to recurrence. Oncogenic activity of receptor tyrosine kinases is believed to drive the progression of ovarian cancer. Here we provide an update on the progress of the therapeutic targeting of receptor tyrosine kinases in ovarian cancer. Broadly, drug classes that inhibit tyrosine kinase/pathways can be classified as small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, or immunotherapeutic vaccines. Small molecule inhibitors tested in clinical trials thus far include sorafenib, sunitinib, pazopanib, tivantinib, and erlotinib. Monoclonal antibodies include bevacizumab, cetuximab, pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and seribantumab. While numerous trials have been carried out, the results of monotherapeutic agents have not been satisfactory. For combination with chemotherapy, the monoclonal antibodies appear more effective, though the efficacy is limited by low frequency of target alteration and a lack of useful predictive markers for treatment stratification. There remain critical gaps for the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancers; however, platinum-sensitive tumours may benefit from the combination of tyrosine kinase targeting drugs and PARP inhibitors. Immunotherapeutics such as a peptide B-cell epitope vaccine and plasmid-based DNA vaccine have shown some efficacy both as monotherapeutic agents and in combination therapy, but require further development to validate current findings. In conclusion, the tyrosine kinases remain attractive targets for treating ovarian cancers. Future development will need to consider effective drug combination, frequency of target, and developing predictive biomarker.
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Bruce SF, Cho K, Noia H, Lomonosova E, Stock EC, Oplt A, Blachut B, Mullen MM, Kuroki LM, Hagemann AR, McCourt CK, Thaker PH, Khabele D, Powell MA, Mutch DG, Shriver LP, Patti GJ, Fuh KC. GAS6-AXL Inhibition by AVB-500 Overcomes Resistance to Paclitaxel in Endometrial Cancer by Decreasing Tumor Cell Glycolysis. Mol Cancer Ther 2022; 21:1348-1359. [PMID: 35588308 PMCID: PMC9370070 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy is often ineffective in advanced-stage and aggressive histologic subtypes of endometrial cancer. Overexpression of the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL has been found to be associated with therapeutic resistance, metastasis, and poor prognosis. However, the mechanism of how inhibition of AXL improves response to chemotherapy is still largely unknown. Thus, we aimed to determine whether treatment with AVB-500, a selective inhibitor of GAS6-AXL, improves endometrial cancer cell sensitivity to chemotherapy particularly through metabolic changes. We found that both GAS6 and AXL expression were higher by immunohistochemistry in patient tumors with a poor response to chemotherapy compared with tumors with a good response to chemotherapy. We showed that chemotherapy-resistant endometrial cancer cells (ARK1, uterine serous carcinoma and PUC198, grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma) had improved sensitivity and synergy with paclitaxel and carboplatin when treated in combination with AVB-500. We also found that in vivo intraperitoneal models with ARK1 and PUC198 cells had decreased tumor burden when treated with AVB-500 + paclitaxel compared with paclitaxel alone. Treatment with AVB-500 + paclitaxel decreased AKT signaling, which resulted in a decrease in basal glycolysis. Finally, multiple glycolytic metabolites were lower in the tumors treated with AVB-500 + paclitaxel than in tumors treated with paclitaxel alone. Our study provides strong preclinical rationale for combining AVB-500 with paclitaxel in aggressive endometrial cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaina F. Bruce
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Kevin Cho
- Center for Metabolomics and Isotope Tracing, Department of Chemistry, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Hollie Noia
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Elena Lomonosova
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Elizabeth C. Stock
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Alyssa Oplt
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Barbara Blachut
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Mary M. Mullen
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Lindsay M. Kuroki
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Andrea R. Hagemann
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Carolyn K. McCourt
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Premal H. Thaker
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Dineo Khabele
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Matthew A. Powell
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - David G. Mutch
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Leah P. Shriver
- Center for Metabolomics and Isotope Tracing, Department of Chemistry, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Gary J. Patti
- Center for Metabolomics and Isotope Tracing, Department of Chemistry, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Katherine C. Fuh
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
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15
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Akinjiyan FA, Dave RM, Alpert E, Longmore GD, Fuh KC. DDR2 Expression in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promotes Ovarian Cancer Tumor Invasion and Metastasis through Periostin-ITGB1. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3482. [PMID: 35884543 PMCID: PMC9319689 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality of all gynecologic malignancies. As such, there is a need to identify molecular mechanisms that underlie tumor metastasis in ovarian cancer. Increased expression of receptor tyrosine kinase, DDR2, has been associated with worse patient survival. Identifying downstream targets of DDR2 may allow specific modulation of ovarian cancer metastatic pathways. Additionally, stromal cells play a critical role in metastasis. The crosstalk between tumor and stromal cells can lead to tumor progression. We first identified that tumor cells co-cultured with DDR2-expressing fibroblasts had lower periostin expression when compared to tumor cells co-cultured with DDR2-depleted fibroblasts. We confirmed that DDR2 regulates POSTN expression in ovarian cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). We found that mesothelial cell clearance and invasion by tumor cells were enhanced three-fold when DDR2 and POSTN-expressing CAFs were present compared to DDR2 and POSTN-depleted CAFs. Furthermore, DDR2-depleted and POSTN-overexpressing CAFs co-injected with ovarian tumor cells had increased tumor burden compared to mice injected with tumor cells and DDR2 and POSTN-depleted CAFs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DDR2 regulates periostin expression through integrin B1 (ITGB1). Stromal DDR2 is highly correlated with stromal POSTN expression in ovarian cancer patient tumors. Thus, DDR2 expression in CAFs regulates the steps of ovarian cancer metastasis through periostin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Favour A. Akinjiyan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (F.A.A.); (R.M.D.); (E.A.)
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ritu M. Dave
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (F.A.A.); (R.M.D.); (E.A.)
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Emily Alpert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (F.A.A.); (R.M.D.); (E.A.)
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Gregory D. Longmore
- ICCE Institute, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Katherine C. Fuh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; (F.A.A.); (R.M.D.); (E.A.)
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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16
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Zhang F, Liu H, Duan M, Wang G, Zhang Z, Wang Y, Qian Y, Yang Z, Jiang X. Crosstalk among m6A RNA methylation, hypoxia and metabolic reprogramming in TME: from immunosuppressive microenvironment to clinical application. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:84. [PMID: 35794625 PMCID: PMC9258089 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01304-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME), which is regulated by intrinsic oncogenic mechanisms and epigenetic modifications, has become a research hotspot in recent years. Characteristic features of TME include hypoxia, metabolic dysregulation, and immunosuppression. One of the most common RNA modifications, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation, is widely involved in the regulation of physiological and pathological processes, including tumor development. Compelling evidence indicates that m6A methylation regulates transcription and protein expression through shearing, export, translation, and processing, thereby participating in the dynamic evolution of TME. Specifically, m6A methylation-mediated adaptation to hypoxia, metabolic dysregulation, and phenotypic shift of immune cells synergistically promote the formation of an immunosuppressive TME that supports tumor proliferation and metastasis. In this review, we have focused on the involvement of m6A methylation in the dynamic evolution of tumor-adaptive TME and described the detailed mechanisms linking m6A methylation to change in tumor cell biological functions. In view of the collective data, we advocate treating TME as a complete ecosystem in which components crosstalk with each other to synergistically achieve tumor adaptive changes. Finally, we describe the potential utility of m6A methylation-targeted therapies and tumor immunotherapy in clinical applications and the challenges faced, with the aim of advancing m6A methylation research.
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17
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The Comprehensive Analysis of Interferon-Related Prognostic Signature with regard to Immune Features in Ovarian Cancer. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:7900785. [PMID: 35769811 PMCID: PMC9236773 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7900785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Interferon plays an important role in immune response of ovarian cancer. However, the expression pattern of interferon in ovarian cancer remains unclear. This study is aimed at exploring the expression profile of interferon-relate genes and constructing an interferon-based prognostic signature in ovarian cancer. The ovarian cancer samples collected from TCGA database were viewed as the training set, and ovarian cancer samples collected from GEO datasets were used as the independent validation sets. Univariate Cox regression analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to construct interferon-related signature, which worked as independent prognostic factor. Bioinformatics based on David software, GSEA, and R software were used to investigate the relationship between immune status and the signature in ovarian cancer. The signature showed close correlation with the status for ovarian cancer immune microenvironment, which might provide the possibility for clinical targeted therapy.
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18
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Engelsen AST, Lotsberg ML, Abou Khouzam R, Thiery JP, Lorens JB, Chouaib S, Terry S. Dissecting the Role of AXL in Cancer Immune Escape and Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Front Immunol 2022; 13:869676. [PMID: 35572601 PMCID: PMC9092944 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.869676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development and implementation of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) in clinical oncology have significantly improved the survival of a subset of cancer patients with metastatic disease previously considered uniformly lethal. However, the low response rates and the low number of patients with durable clinical responses remain major concerns and underscore the limited understanding of mechanisms regulating anti-tumor immunity and tumor immune resistance. There is an urgent unmet need for novel approaches to enhance the efficacy of ICI in the clinic, and for predictive tools that can accurately predict ICI responders based on the composition of their tumor microenvironment. The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) AXL has been associated with poor prognosis in numerous malignancies and the emergence of therapy resistance. AXL is a member of the TYRO3-AXL-MERTK (TAM) kinase family. Upon binding to its ligand GAS6, AXL regulates cell signaling cascades and cellular communication between various components of the tumor microenvironment, including cancer cells, endothelial cells, and immune cells. Converging evidence points to AXL as an attractive molecular target to overcome therapy resistance and immunosuppression, supported by the potential of AXL inhibitors to improve ICI efficacy. Here, we review the current literature on the prominent role of AXL in regulating cancer progression, with particular attention to its effects on anti-tumor immune response and resistance to ICI. We discuss future directions with the aim to understand better the complex role of AXL and TAM receptors in cancer and the potential value of this knowledge and targeted inhibition for the benefit of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnete S. T. Engelsen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Maria L. Lotsberg
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Raefa Abou Khouzam
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jean-Paul Thiery
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
| | - James B. Lorens
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Salem Chouaib
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Stéphane Terry
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Research Department, Inovarion, Paris, France
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19
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Lee W, Kim DK, Synn CB, Lee HK, Park S, Jung DS, Choi Y, Kim JH, Byeon Y, Kim YS, Lee S, Lee S, Joo Y, Lee EJ, Yun MR, Heo SG, Yang W, Jung JE, Kim EK, Park J, Park JD, Lee DJ, Kim HW, Lim SM, Hong MH, Ahn BC, Lee JB, Pyo KH. Incorporation of SKI-G-801, a Novel AXL Inhibitor, With Anti-PD-1 Plus Chemotherapy Improves Anti-Tumor Activity and Survival by Enhancing T Cell Immunity. Front Oncol 2022; 12:821391. [PMID: 35356198 PMCID: PMC8959645 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.821391] [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: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A recently developed treatment strategy for lung cancer that combines immune checkpoint inhibitors with chemotherapy has been applied as a standard treatment for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), and it has improved the outcomes of chemotherapy. Maintenance treatment with anti-PD-1 antibody (aPD-1) enhances the effect of immunochemical combination therapy and improves therapeutic efficacy, which contributes toward a significant improvement in patient survival rates. The AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL), which is expressed in tumor cells, plays an essential role in the resistance of cancers to chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and stimulates signaling associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in metastatic cancer. AXL is thus an attractive target for controlling resistance to anti-tumor therapies. In this study, we examined the effect of AXL inhibitors on immune activation and tumor growth in TC1 and C3PQ mouse tumor models, in the context of clinical immunotherapy/chemotherapy and maintenance treatment, using an aPD-1 with/without pemetrexed. To determine the optimal timing for administration of SKI-G-801, an AXL inhibitor, we investigated its anti-tumor effects based on inclusion at the immunochemotherapy and maintenance therapy stages. We also performed flow cytometry-based immune profiling of myeloid cells and lymphoid cells at different points in the treatment schedule, to investigate the immune activation and anti-tumor effects of the AXL inhibitor. The addition of SKI-G-801 to the immune checkpoint inhibitor and chemotherapy stage, as well as the maintenance therapy stage, produced the best anti-tumor results, and significant tumor growth inhibition was observed in both the TC1 and C3PQ models. Both models also exhibited increased proportion of effector memory helper T cells and increased expression of CD86+ macrophages. Especially, regulatory T cells were significantly reduced in the TC1 tumor model and there was an increase in central memory cytotoxic T cell infiltration and an increased proportion of macrophages with high CD80 expression in the C3PQ tumor model. These results suggest increased infiltration of T cells, consistent with previous studies using AXL inhibitors. It is expected that the results from this study will serve as a stepping stone for clinical research to improve the existing standard of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wongeun Lee
- JEUK Institute for Cancer Research, JEUK Co., Ltd., Gumi-si, South Korea.,Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong Kwon Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chun-Bong Synn
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hee Kyu Lee
- Department of Discovery Biology, Oscotec Inc., Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Sungho Park
- Department of Discovery Biology, Oscotec Inc., Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Dong-Sik Jung
- Department of Discovery Biology, Oscotec Inc., Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Yewon Choi
- Department of Discovery Biology, Oscotec Inc., Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Jae Hwan Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Youngseon Byeon
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Seob Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seul Lee
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Soyeon Lee
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yunjoo Joo
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun Ji Lee
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Mi Ran Yun
- JEUK Institute for Cancer Research, JEUK Co., Ltd., Gumi-si, South Korea
| | - Seong Gu Heo
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Wookyeom Yang
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji Eun Jung
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun Kyung Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jooyeon Park
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - June Dong Park
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, South Korea.,Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Doo Jae Lee
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, South Korea
| | - Hyeon-Woo Kim
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, South Korea
| | - Sun Min Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Min Hee Hong
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Beung-Chul Ahn
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Center for Lung Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si, South Korea
| | - Jii Bum Lee
- Division of Hemato-oncology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, South Korea
| | - Kyoung-Ho Pyo
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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20
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Zdżalik-Bielecka D, Kozik K, Poświata A, Jastrzębski K, Jakubik M, Miączyńska M. Bemcentinib and Gilteritinib Inhibit Cell Growth and Impair the Endo-Lysosomal and Autophagy Systems in an AXL-Independent Manner. Mol Cancer Res 2022; 20:446-455. [PMID: 34782372 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AXL, a receptor tyrosine kinase from the TAM (TYRO3 AXL and MER) subfamily, and its ligand growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS6) are implicated in pathogenesis of a wide array of cancers, acquisition of resistance to diverse anticancer therapies and cellular entry of viruses. The continuous development of AXL inhibitors for treatment of patients with cancer and COVID-19 underscores the need to better characterize the cellular effects of AXL targeting. In the present study, we compared the cellular phenotypes of CRISPR-Cas9-induced depletion of AXL and its pharmacological inhibition with bemcentinib, LDC1267 and gilteritinib. Specifically, we evaluated GAS6-AXL signaling, cell viability and invasion, the endo-lysosomal system and autophagy in glioblastoma cells. We showed that depletion of AXL but not of TYRO3 inhibited GAS6-induced phosphorylation of downstream signaling effectors, AKT and ERK1/2, indicating that AXL is a primary receptor for GAS6. AXL was also specifically required for GAS6-dependent increase in cell viability but was dispensable for viability of cells grown without exogenous addition of GAS6. Furthermore, we revealed that LDC1267 is the most potent and specific inhibitor of AXL activation among the tested compounds. Finally, we found that, in contrast to AXL depletion and its inhibition with LDC1267, cell treatment with bemcentinib and gilteritinib impaired the endo-lysosomal and autophagy systems in an AXL-independent manner. IMPLICATIONS Altogether, our findings are of high clinical importance as we discovered that two clinically advanced AXL inhibitors, bemcentinib and gilteritinib, may display AXL-independent cellular effects and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Zdżalik-Bielecka
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kamila Kozik
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Poświata
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kamil Jastrzębski
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Jakubik
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Miączyńska
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland
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21
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Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is one of the main characteristics of malignant tumors, which is due to the flexible changes of cell metabolism that can meet the needs of cell growth and maintain the homeostasis of tissue environments. Cancer cells can obtain metabolic adaptation through a variety of endogenous and exogenous signaling pathways, which can not only promote the growth of malignant cancer cells, but also start the transformation process of cells to adapt to tumor microenvironment. Studies show that m6A RNA methylation is widely involved in the metabolic recombination of tumor cells. In eukaryotes, m6A methylation is the most abundant modification in mRNA, which is involved in almost all the RNA cycle stages, including regulation the transcription, maturation, translation, degradation and stability of mRNA. M6A RNA methylation can be involved in the regulation of physiological and pathological processes, including cancer. In this review, we discuss the role of m6A RNA methylation modification plays in tumor metabolism-related molecules and pathways, aiming to show the importance of targeting m6A in regulating tumor metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan An
- Gynecological Mini-Invasive Center, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, 17 Qihelou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100006 China
| | - Hua Duan
- Gynecological Mini-Invasive Center, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, 17 Qihelou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100006 China
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22
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23
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Fragment-based lead discovery of indazole-based compounds as AXL kinase inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 49:116437. [PMID: 34600239 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
AXL is a member of the TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MER) subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases. It is upregulated in a variety of cancers and its overexpression is associated with poor disease prognosis and acquired drug resistance. Utilizing a fragment-based lead discovery approach, a new indazole-based AXL inhibitor was obtained. The indazole fragment hit 11, identified through a high concentration biochemical screen, was expeditiously improved to fragment 24 by screening our in-house expanded library of fragments (ELF) collection. Subsequent fragment optimization guided by docking studies provided potent inhibitor 54 with moderate exposure levels in mice. X-ray crystal structure of analog 50 complexed with the I650M mutated kinase domain of Mer revealed the key binding interactions for the scaffold. The good potency coupled with reasonable kinase selectivity, moderate in vivo exposure levels, and availability of structural information for the series makes it a suitable starting point for further optimization efforts.
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24
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Mullen MM, Lomonosova E, Toboni MD, Oplt A, Cybulla E, Blachut B, Zhao P, Noia H, Wilke D, Rankin EB, Kuroki LM, Hagemann AR, Hagemann IS, McCourt CK, Thaker PH, Mutch DG, Powell MA, Mosammaparast N, Vindigni A, Fuh KC. GAS6/AXL Inhibition Enhances Ovarian Cancer Sensitivity to Chemotherapy and PARP Inhibition through Increased DNA Damage and Enhanced Replication Stress. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 20:265-279. [PMID: 34670865 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Over 80% of women with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) develop tumor resistance to chemotherapy and die of their disease. There are currently no FDA-approved agents to improve sensitivity to first-line platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy or to PARP inhibitors. Here, we tested the hypothesis that expression of growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS6), the ligand of receptor tyrosine kinase AXL, is associated with chemotherapy response and that sequestration of GAS6 with AVB-S6-500 (AVB-500) could improve tumor response to chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors. We found that GAS6 levels in patient tumor and serum samples collected before chemotherapy correlated with ovarian cancer chemoresponse and patient survival. Compared with chemotherapy alone, AVB-500 plus carboplatin and/or paclitaxel led to decreased ovarian cancer-cell survival in vitro and tumor burden in vivo. Cells treated with AVB-500 plus carboplatin had more DNA damage, slower DNA replication fork progression, and fewer RAD51 foci than cells treated with carboplatin alone, indicating AVB-500 impaired homologous recombination (HR). Finally, treatment with the PARP inhibitor olaparib plus AVB-500 led to decreased ovarian cancer-cell survival in vitro and less tumor burden in vivo. Importantly, this effect was seen in HR-proficient and HR-deficient ovarian cancer cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that GAS6 levels could be used to predict response to carboplatin and AVB-500 could be used to treat platinum-resistant, HR-proficient HGSOC. IMPLICATIONS: GAS6/AXL is a novel target to sensitize ovarian cancers to carboplatin and olaparib. Additionally, GAS6 levels can be associated with response to carboplatin treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary M Mullen
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Elena Lomonosova
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Michael D Toboni
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Alyssa Oplt
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Emily Cybulla
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri.,Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Barbara Blachut
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Peinan Zhao
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Hollie Noia
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Daniel Wilke
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Erinn B Rankin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California. Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Lindsay M Kuroki
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Andrea R Hagemann
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Ian S Hagemann
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri.,Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Carolyn K McCourt
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Premal H Thaker
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - David G Mutch
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Matthew A Powell
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Nima Mosammaparast
- Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Alessandro Vindigni
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Katherine C Fuh
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri.
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Martín-Sabroso C, Lozza I, Torres-Suárez AI, Fraguas-Sánchez AI. Antibody-Antineoplastic Conjugates in Gynecological Malignancies: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1705. [PMID: 34683998 PMCID: PMC8541375 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), normally formed by a humanized antibody and a small drug via a chemical cleavable or non-cleavable linker, have emerged as a potential treatment strategy in cancer disease. They allow to get a selective delivery of the chemotherapeutic agents at the tumor level, and, consequently, to improve the antitumor efficacy and, especially to decrease chemotherapy-related toxicity. Currently, nine antibody-drug conjugate-based formulations have been already approved and more than 80 are under clinical trials for the treatment of several tumors, especially breast cancer, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma. To date, no ADCs have been approved for the treatment of gynecological formulations, but many formulations have been developed and have reached the clinical stage, especially for the treatment of ovarian cancer, an aggressive disease with a low five-year survival rate. This manuscript analyzes the ADCs formulations that are under clinical research in the treatment of gynecological carcinomas, specifically ovarian, endometrial, and cervical tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Martín-Sabroso
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.M.-S.); (I.L.); (A.I.T.-S.)
- Institute of Industrial Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Lozza
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.M.-S.); (I.L.); (A.I.T.-S.)
| | - Ana Isabel Torres-Suárez
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.M.-S.); (I.L.); (A.I.T.-S.)
- Institute of Industrial Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Fraguas-Sánchez
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.M.-S.); (I.L.); (A.I.T.-S.)
- Institute of Industrial Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Bartoletti M, Musacchio L, Giannone G, Tuninetti V, Bergamini A, Scambia G, Lorusso D, Valabrega G, Mangili G, Puglisi F, Pignata S. Emerging molecular alterations leading to histology-specific targeted therapies in ovarian cancer beyond PARP inhibitors. Cancer Treat Rev 2021; 101:102298. [PMID: 34634660 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2021.102298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
After more than 30 years of a one-size-fits-all approach in the management of advanced ovarian cancer, in 2018 the SOLO1 trial results have introduced a new era of personalized medicine. A deeper knowledge of ovarian cancer biology and the development of new drugs targeting specific molecular pathways have led to biomarker-driven phase 3 trials with practice changing results. Thereafter, platinum-based combinations are no longer the only therapeutic options available in first line setting and poly-ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors maintenance therapy has become the mainstay in patients with tumor harboring a homologous recombination defect. However, most of the recent therapeutic breakthroughs regard high grade serous carcinoma, the most frequent ovarian cancer subtype, and only few improvements have occurred in the management of less common histotypes. Moving towards the next challenges, we aimed to investigate and review new potential molecular targets in ovarian cancer, according to histotype, starting from promising molecular drivers and matched drugs that have been investigated in early and late-stage clinical trials or conceptualized in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bartoletti
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Unit of Medical Oncology and Cancer Prevention, Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano (PN), Italy
| | - L Musacchio
- Department of Women and Child Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - G Giannone
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO- IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy; Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Torino, Piemonte, Italy
| | - V Tuninetti
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO- IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy; Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Torino, Piemonte, Italy
| | - A Bergamini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - G Scambia
- Department of Women and Child Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Life Science and Public Health, Catholic University of Sacred Heart Largo Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - D Lorusso
- Department of Women and Child Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Life Science and Public Health, Catholic University of Sacred Heart Largo Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - G Valabrega
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO- IRCCS, Candiolo (TO), Italy; Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Torino, Piemonte, Italy
| | - G Mangili
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - F Puglisi
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Unit of Medical Oncology and Cancer Prevention, Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano (PN), Italy
| | - S Pignata
- Department of Urology and Gynecology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy.
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Tian M, Chen XS, Li LY, Wu HZ, Zeng D, Wang XL, Zhang Y, Xiao SS, Cheng Y. Inhibition of AXL enhances chemosensitivity of human ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin via decreasing glycolysis. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:1180-1189. [PMID: 33149145 PMCID: PMC8209001 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00546-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Anexelekto (AXL), a member of the TYRO3-AXL-MER (TAM) family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK), is overexpressed in varieties of tumor tissues and promotes tumor development by regulating cell proliferation, migration and invasion. In this study, we investigated the role of AXL in regulating glycolysis in human ovarian cancer (OvCa) cells. We showed that the expression of AXL mRNA and protein was significantly higher in OvCa tissue than that in normal ovarian epithelial tissue. In human OvCa cell lines suppression of AXL significantly inhibited cell proliferation, and increased the sensitivity of OvCa cells to cisplatin, which also proved by nude mice tumor formation experiment. KEGG analysis showed that AXL was significantly enriched in the glycolysis pathways of cancer. Changes in AXL expression in OvCa cells affect tumor glycolysis. We demonstrated that the promotion effect of AXL on glycolysis was mediated by phosphorylating the M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) at Y105. AXL expression was significantly higher in cisplatin-resistant OvCa cells A2780/DDP compared with the parental A2780 cells. Inhibition of AXL decreased the level of glycolysis in A2780/DDP cells, and increased the cytotoxicity of cisplatin against A2780/DDP cells, suggesting that AXL-mediated glycolysis was associated with cisplatin resistance in OvCa. In conclusion, this study demonstrates for the first time that AXL is involved in the regulation of the Warburg effect. Our results not only highlight the clinical value of targeting AXL, but also provide theoretical basis for the combination of AXL inhibitor and cisplatin in the treatment of OvCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Tian
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Xi-Sha Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Lan-Ya Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Hai-Zhou Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Da Zeng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Xin-Luan Wang
- Translational Medicine R&D Center, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Song-Shu Xiao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Yan Cheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.
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Zhang J, Du C, Zhang L, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Li J. lncRNA GSEC Promotes the Progression of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) by Targeting the miR-202-5p/AXL Axis. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:2747-2759. [PMID: 33907418 PMCID: PMC8068510 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s293832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to explore the biological functions of G-quadruplex-forming sequence containing lncRNA (GSEC) in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Methods The expression of GSEC in TNBC tissues was evaluated by qRT-PCR. Cell viability was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Cell proliferation was evaluated by 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining assay. Cell invasion and migration were evaluated by Transwell assay. Gain- and loss-function assays were performed to assess the biological functions of GSEC in TNBC. The interactions between GSEC, miR-202-5p and AXL were determined by luciferase report assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. In addition, a nude mouse xenograft model was used to confirm the oncogenic role of GSEC in TNBC. Results GSEC was significantly upregulated in TNBC tissues and cancer cell lines, and high level of GSEC was associated with advanced tumor stage, positive lymph-node metastasis and the poor prognosis of TNBC patients. Knockdown of GSEC effectively inhibited TNBC cell proliferation, invasion and migration in vitro. GSEC regulated the expression of AXL by directly sponging miR-202-5p. Downregulation of miR-202-5p attenuated GSEC knockdown-induced inhibition on TNBC cell proliferation, invasion and migration in vitro. Meanwhile, overexpression of AXL obviously reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-202-5p mimics in TNBC progression in vitro. Conclusion GSEC functioned as a potential oncogene and promoted AXL-mediated TNBC progression by sponging miR-202-5p, which might be a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, 450000, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuang Du
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, 450000, People's Republic of China
| | - Linfeng Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, 450000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, 450000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, 450000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingruo Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, 450000, People's Republic of China
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Aehnlich P, Powell RM, Peeters MJW, Rahbech A, thor Straten P. TAM Receptor Inhibition-Implications for Cancer and the Immune System. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061195. [PMID: 33801886 PMCID: PMC7998716 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary TAM receptors are a family of receptor tyrosine kinases, comprising Tyro3, Axl and MerTK. Their primary role is in digestion of dying cells by macrophages without alarming the immune system. TAM receptors are also expressed by cancer cells in which signaling is oncogenic, and for this reason there is growing interest and research into TAM inhibition. This approach to cancer treatment may, however, come into conflict with beneficial and costimulatory TAM receptor signaling in T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. The aim of this review is to explore in detail the effects of TAM receptor inhibition on cancer cells and immune cells, and how the ramifications of this inhibition may affect cancer treatment in humans. Abstract Tyro3, Axl and MerTK (TAM) receptors are receptor tyrosine kinases which play important roles in efferocytosis and in the balancing of immune responses and inflammation. TAM receptor activation is induced upon binding of the ligands protein S (Pros1) or growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) which act as bridging molecules for binding of phosphatidyl serine (PtdSer) exposed on apoptotic cell membranes. Upon clearance of apoptotic cell material, TAM receptor activation on innate cells suppresses proinflammatory functions, thereby ensuring the immunologically silent removal of apoptotic material in the absence of deleterious immune responses. However, in T cells, MerTK signaling is costimulatory and promotes activation and functional output of the cell. MerTK and Axl are also aberrantly expressed in a range of both hematological and solid tumor malignancies, including breast, lung, melanoma and acute myeloid leukemia, where they have a role in oncogenic signaling. Consequently, TAM receptors are being investigated as therapeutic targets using small molecule inhibitors and have already demonstrated efficacy in mouse tumor models. Thus, inhibition of TAM signaling in cancer cells could have therapeutic value but given the opposing roles of TAM signaling in innate cells and T cells, TAM inhibition could also jeopardize anticancer immune responses. This conflict is discussed in this review, describing the effects of TAM inhibition on cancer cells as well as immune cells, while also examining the intricate interplay of cancer and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Aehnlich
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence: (P.A.); (R.M.P.); (P.t.S.)
| | - Richard Morgan Powell
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence: (P.A.); (R.M.P.); (P.t.S.)
| | - Marlies J. W. Peeters
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
| | - Anne Rahbech
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
| | - Per thor Straten
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark; (M.J.W.P.); (A.R.)
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: (P.A.); (R.M.P.); (P.t.S.)
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30
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Ramkumar K, Stewart CA, Cargill KR, Corte CMD, Wang Q, Shen L, Diao L, Cardnell RJ, Peng DH, Rodriguez BL, Fan YH, Heymach JV, Wang J, Gay CM, Gibbons DL, Byers LA. AXL Inhibition Induces DNA Damage and Replication Stress in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells and Promotes Sensitivity to ATR Inhibitors. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:485-497. [PMID: 33172976 PMCID: PMC7925356 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AXL, a TAM (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) family receptor tyrosine kinase, is increasingly being recognized as a key determinant of resistance to targeted therapies, as well as chemotherapy and radiation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other cancers. We further show here that high levels of AXL and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition were frequently expressed in subsets of both treatment-naïve and treatment-relapsed NSCLC. Previously, we and others have demonstrated a role for AXL in mediating DNA damage response (DDR), as well as resistance to inhibition of WEE1, a replication stress response kinase. Here, we show that BGB324 (bemcentinib), a selective small-molecule AXL inhibitor, caused DNA damage and induced replication stress, indicated by ATR/CHK1 phosphorylation, more significantly in TP53-deficient NSCLC cell lines. Similar effects were also observed in large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) cell lines. High AXL protein levels were also associated with resistance to ATR inhibition. Combined inhibition of AXL and ATR significantly decreased cell proliferation of NSCLC and LCNEC cell lines. Mechanistically, combined inhibition of AXL and ATR significantly increased RPA32 hyperphosphorylation and DNA double-strand breaks and induced markers of mitotic catastrophe. Notably, NSCLC cell lines with low levels of SLFN11, a known predictive biomarker for platinum and PARP inhibitor sensitivity, were more sensitive to AXL/ATR cotargeting. These findings demonstrate a novel and unexpected role for AXL in replication stress tolerance, with potential therapeutic implications. IMPLICATIONS: These findings demonstrate that the combination of AXL and ATR inhibitors could be a promising therapeutic combination for NSCLC, LCNEC, and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavya Ramkumar
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - C. Allison Stewart
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kasey R. Cargill
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Carminia M. Della Corte
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Current affiliation: University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Qi Wang
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Li Shen
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lixia Diao
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Robert J. Cardnell
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - David H. Peng
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Current affiliation: Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - B. Leticia Rodriguez
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - You-Hong Fan
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John V. Heymach
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Carl M. Gay
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Don L. Gibbons
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lauren A. Byers
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Corresponding author: Lauren A. Byers, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 432, Houston, Texas, 77030. Phone: (713) 745-2982; Fax: (713) 792-1220;
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Choi J, Lee H, Kwon E, Kong H, Kwon O, Cha H. TGFβ promotes YAP-dependent AXL induction in mesenchymal-type lung cancer cells. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:679-696. [PMID: 33207077 PMCID: PMC7858114 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of chemoresistance remains a major cause of cancer mortality due to the limited accessibility of targeted or immune therapies. However, given that severe alterations of molecular features during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) lead to acquired chemoresistance, emerging studies have focused on identifying targetable drivers associated with acquired chemoresistance. Particularly, AXL, a key receptor tyrosine kinase that confers resistance against targets and chemotherapeutics, is highly expressed in mesenchymal cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanism of AXL induction in mesenchymal cancer cells is poorly understood. Our study revealed that the YAP signature, which was highly enriched in mesenchymal-type lung cancer, was closely correlated to AXL expression in 181 lung cancer cell lines. Moreover, using isogenic lung cancer cell pairs, we also found that doxorubicin treatment induced YAP nuclear translocation in mesenchymal-type lung cancer cells to induce AXL expression. Additionally, the concurrent activation of TGFβ signaling coordinated YAP-dependent AXL expression through SMAD4. These data suggest that crosstalk between YAP and the TGFβ/SMAD axis upon treatment with chemotherapeutics might be a promising target to improve chemosensitivity in mesenchymal-type lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Haeseung Lee
- Intellectual Information TeamFuture Medicine DivisionKorea Institute of Oriental MedicineDaejeonKorea
| | - Eun‐Ji Kwon
- College of PharmacySeoul National UniversityKorea
| | | | - Ok‐Seon Kwon
- Stem Cell Research CenterKorea Research Institute of Bioscience and BiotechnologyDaejeonKorea
| | - Hyuk‐Jin Cha
- College of PharmacySeoul National UniversityKorea
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesSeoul National UniversityKorea
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32
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Guo C, Song C, Zhang J, Gao Y, Qi Y, Zhao Z, Yuan C. Revisiting chemoresistance in ovarian cancer: Mechanism, biomarkers, and precision medicine. Genes Dis 2020; 9:668-681. [PMID: 35782973 PMCID: PMC9243319 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2020.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the gynecological cancers, ovarian cancer is the most lethal. Its therapeutic options include a combination of chemotherapy with platinum-based compounds and cytoreductive surgery. Most ovarian cancer patients exhibit an initial response to platinum-based therapy, however, platinum resistance has led to up to 80% of this responsive cohort becoming refractory. Ovarian cancer recurrence and drug resistance to current chemotherapeutic options is a global challenge. Chemo-resistance is a complex phenomenon that involves multiple genes and signal transduction pathways. Therefore, it is important to elucidate on the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in chemo-resistance. This inform decisions regarding therapeutic management and help in the identification of novel and effective drug targets. Studies have documented the individual biomarkers of platinum-resistance in ovarian cancer that are potential therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms of platinum resistance in ovarian cancer, novel drug targets, and clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Guo
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Chaoying Song
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Jiali Zhang
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Yisong Gao
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Yuying Qi
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Zongyao Zhao
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
| | - Chengfu Yuan
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
- Third-Grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Chinese Medicine Approved by State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China
- Corresponding author. College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443002, PR China.
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He L, Lei Y, Hou J, Wu J, Lv G. Implications of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Axl in Gastric Cancer Progression. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:5901-5911. [PMID: 32606800 PMCID: PMC7319943 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s257606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gastric cancer (GC) is an aggressive malignancy with high lethality. Systematic chemotherapy is the main therapeutic strategy for advanced GC patients. The overexpression of Axl is associated with poor prognosis and regulates tumor growth and metastasis in many types of cancer. However, the role of Axl in GC progression remains elusive. Materials and Methods Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR assay (RT-PCR) assays were used to detect the expression of Gas6, Axl, ZEB1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers in GC cells. Cell proliferation was determined by EdU cell proliferation assay and CCK-8 assay. Transwell invasion assay was performed to explore the effect of Axl and ZEB1 on cell invasion. Tumor xenografts and lung metastasis models were conducted to examine the effect of Axl on the growth and lung metastasis of GC cells. Results In our study, we found that high levels of Gas6 and Axl expression were associated with reduced overall survival (OS) in GC patients and the expression of Gas6 and Axl was upregulated in GC cell lines. Ectopic expression of Axl induced EMT and promoted GC cell invasion and proliferation. The knockdown of Axl inhibited EMT and suppressed the proliferation and invasion of GC cell. In vivo study showed that inhibition of Axl impaired tumor growth and lung metastasis of GC cells. Mechanistic investigations revealed that Axl promoted EMT, invasion, and proliferation via upregulating ZEB1 expression in GC cells. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that the Gas6/Axl/ZEB1 signaling pathway regulated EMT, invasion, and proliferation in GC cells and might represent a potential therapeutic target for GC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lirui He
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunpeng Lei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianing Hou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianlong Wu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoqing Lv
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, People's Republic of China
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AXL Receptor Tyrosine Kinase as a Therapeutic Target in Hematological Malignancies: Focus on Multiple Myeloma. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11111727. [PMID: 31694201 PMCID: PMC6896070 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
AXL belongs to the TAM (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) receptor family, a unique subfamily of the receptor tyrosine kinases. Their common ligand is growth arrest-specific protein 6 (GAS6). The GAS6/TAM signaling pathway regulates many important cell processes and plays an essential role in immunity, hemostasis, and erythropoiesis. In cancer, AXL overexpression and activation has been associated with cell proliferation, chemotherapy resistance, tumor angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis; and has been correlated with a poor prognosis. In hematological malignancies, the expression and function of AXL is highly diverse, not only between the different tumor types but also in the surrounding tumor microenvironment. Most research and clinical evidence has been provided for AXL inhibitors in acute myeloid leukemia. However, recent studies also revealed an important role of AXL in lymphoid leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. In this review, we summarize the basic functions of AXL in various cell types and the role of AXL in different hematological cancers, with a focus on AXL in the dormancy of multiple myeloma. In addition, we provide an update on the most promising AXL inhibitors currently in preclinical/clinical evaluation and discuss future perspectives in this emerging field.
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