1
|
Shuai W, Xiao H, Yang P, Zhang Y, Bu F, Wu Y, Sun Q, Wang G, Ouyang L. Structure-Guided Discovery and Preclinical Assessment of Novel (Thiophen-3-yl)aminopyrimidine Derivatives as Potent ERK1/2 Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2024; 67:6425-6455. [PMID: 38613499 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
The RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling cascade is abnormally activated in various tumors, playing a crucial role in mediating tumor progression. As the key component at the terminal stage of this cascade, ERK1/2 emerges as a potential antitumor target and offers a promising therapeutic strategy for tumors harboring BRAF or RAS mutations. Here, we identified 36c with a (thiophen-3-yl)aminopyrimidine scaffold as a potent ERK1/2 inhibitor through structure-guided optimization for hit 18. In preclinical studies, 36c showed powerful ERK1/2 inhibitory activities (ERK1/2 IC50 = 0.11/0.08 nM) and potent antitumor efficacy both in vitro and in vivo against triple-negative breast cancer and colorectal cancer models harboring BRAF and RAS mutations. 36c could directly inhibit ERK1/2, significantly block the phosphorylation expression of their downstream substrates p90RSK and c-Myc, and induce cell apoptosis and incomplete autophagy-related cell death. Taken together, this work provides a promising ERK1/2 lead compound for multiple tumor-treatment drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen Shuai
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Huan Xiao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Panpan Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Faqian Bu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yongya Wu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiu Sun
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Guan Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu 610212, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Grogan L, Shapiro P. Progress in the development of ERK1/2 inhibitors for treating cancer and other diseases. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2024; 100:181-207. [PMID: 39034052 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1 and 2 (ERK1/2) are ubiquitous regulators of many cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, migration, and cell death. ERK1/2 regulate cell functions by phosphorylating a diverse collection of protein substrates consisting of other kinases, transcription factors, structural proteins, and other regulatory proteins. ERK1/2 regulation of cell functions is tightly regulated through the balance between activating phosphorylation by upstream kinases and inactivating dephosphorylation by phosphatases. Disruption of homeostatic ERK1/2 regulation caused by elevated extracellular signals or mutations in upstream regulatory proteins leads to the constitutive activation of ERK1/2 signaling and uncontrolled cell proliferation observed in many types of cancer. Many inhibitors of upstream kinase regulators of ERK1/2 have been developed and are part of targeted therapeutic options to treat a variety of cancers. However, the efficacy of these drugs in providing sustained patient responses is limited by the development of acquired resistance often involving re-activation of ERK1/2. As such, recent drug discovery efforts have focused on the direct targeting of ERK1/2. Several ATP competitive ERK1/2 inhibitors have been identified and are being tested in cancer clinical trials. One drug, Ulixertinib (BVD-523), has received FDA approval for use in the Expanded Access Program for patients with no other therapeutic options. This review provides an update on ERK1/2 inhibitors in clinical trials, their successes and limitations, and new academic drug discovery efforts to modulate ERK1/2 signaling for treating cancer and other diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lena Grogan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Paul Shapiro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang J, Joshua AM, Li Y, O'Meara CH, Morris MJ, Khachigian LM. Targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and small molecules and peptidomimetics as emerging immunoregulatory agents for melanoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 586:216633. [PMID: 38281663 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216633] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Primary cutaneous melanoma is the most lethal of all skin neoplasms and its incidence is increasing. Clinical management of advanced melanoma in the last decade has been revolutionised by the availability of immunotherapies and targeted therapies, used alone and in combination. This article summarizes advances in the treatment of late-stage melanoma including use of protein kinase inhibitors, antibody-based immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive immunotherapy, vaccines and more recently, small molecules and peptidomimetics as emerging immunoregulatory agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Zhang
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anthony M Joshua
- Kinghorn Cancer Centre, St Vincent's Hospital, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Yue Li
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Connor H O'Meara
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, ANU Medical School and Canberra Health Services, Australian National University, Acton, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Margaret J Morris
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Levon M Khachigian
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Weatherdon L, Stuart K, Cassidy M, de la Gándara AM, Okkenhaug H, Muellener M, Mckenzie G, Cook SJ, Gilley R. Reporter cell lines to screen for inhibitors or regulators of the KRAS-RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway. Biochem J 2024; 481:405-422. [PMID: 38381045 PMCID: PMC11088904 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20240015] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The RAS-regulated RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signalling pathway is activated in cancer due to mutations in RAS proteins (especially KRAS), BRAF, CRAF, MEK1 and MEK2. Whilst inhibitors of KRASG12C (lung adenocarcinoma) and BRAF and MEK1/2 (melanoma and colorectal cancer) are clinically approved, acquired resistance remains a problem. Consequently, the search for new inhibitors (especially of RAS proteins), new inhibitor modalities and regulators of this pathway, which may be new drug targets, continues and increasingly involves cell-based screens with small molecules or genetic screens such as RNAi, CRISPR or protein interference. Here we describe cell lines that exhibit doxycycline-dependent expression KRASG12V or BRAFV600E and harbour a stably integrated EGR1:EmGFP reporter gene that can be detected by flow cytometry, high-content microscopy or immunoblotting. KRASG12V or BRAFV600E-driven EmGFP expression is inhibited by MEK1/2 or ERK1/2 inhibitors (MEKi and ERKi). BRAFi inhibit BRAFV600E-driven EmGFP expression but enhance the response to KRASG12V, recapitulating paradoxical activation of wild type RAF proteins. In addition to small molecules, expression of iDab6, encoding a RAS-specific antibody fragment inhibited KRASG12V- but not BRAFV600E-driven EmGFP expression. Finally, substitution of EmGFP for a bacterial nitroreductase gene allowed KRASG12V or BRAFV600E to drive cell death in the presence of a pro-drug, which may allow selection of pathway inhibitors that promote survival. These cell lines should prove useful for cell-based screens to identify new regulators of KRAS- or BRAF-dependent ERK1/2 signalling (drug target discovery) as well as screening or triaging 'hits' from drug discovery screens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Weatherdon
- Signalling Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, U.K
| | - Kate Stuart
- Signalling Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, U.K
- Phoremost, Unit 7, The Works, Unity Campus, Pampisford, Cambridge CB22 3FT, U.K
| | - Megan Cassidy
- Signalling Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, U.K
| | | | - Hanneke Okkenhaug
- Imaging Facility, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, U.K
| | - Markus Muellener
- Phoremost, Unit 7, The Works, Unity Campus, Pampisford, Cambridge CB22 3FT, U.K
| | - Grahame Mckenzie
- Phoremost, Unit 7, The Works, Unity Campus, Pampisford, Cambridge CB22 3FT, U.K
| | - Simon J. Cook
- Signalling Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, U.K
| | - Rebecca Gilley
- Signalling Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sigaud R, Albert TK, Hess C, Hielscher T, Winkler N, Kocher D, Walter C, Münter D, Selt F, Usta D, Ecker J, Brentrup A, Hasselblatt M, Thomas C, Varghese J, Capper D, Thomale UW, Hernáiz Driever P, Simon M, Horn S, Herz NA, Koch A, Sahm F, Hamelmann S, Faria-Andrade A, Jabado N, Schuhmann MU, Schouten-van Meeteren AYN, Hoving E, Brummer T, van Tilburg CM, Pfister SM, Witt O, Jones DTW, Kerl K, Milde T. MAPK inhibitor sensitivity scores predict sensitivity driven by the immune infiltration in pediatric low-grade gliomas. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4533. [PMID: 37500667 PMCID: PMC10374577 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40235-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGG) show heterogeneous responses to MAPK inhibitors (MAPKi) in clinical trials. Thus, more complex stratification biomarkers are needed to identify patients likely to benefit from MAPKi therapy. Here, we identify MAPK-related genes enriched in MAPKi-sensitive cell lines using the GDSC dataset and apply them to calculate class-specific MAPKi sensitivity scores (MSSs) via single-sample gene set enrichment analysis. The MSSs discriminate MAPKi-sensitive and non-sensitive cells in the GDSC dataset and significantly correlate with response to MAPKi in an independent PDX dataset. The MSSs discern gliomas with varying MAPK alterations and are higher in pLGG compared to other pediatric CNS tumors. Heterogenous MSSs within pLGGs with the same MAPK alteration identify proportions of potentially sensitive patients. The MEKi MSS predicts treatment response in a small set of pLGG patients treated with trametinib. High MSSs correlate with a higher immune cell infiltration, with high expression in the microglia compartment in single-cell RNA sequencing data, while low MSSs correlate with low immune infiltration and increased neuronal score. The MSSs represent predictive tools for the stratification of pLGG patients and should be prospectively validated in clinical trials. Our data supports a role for microglia in the response to MAPKi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Romain Sigaud
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Thomas K Albert
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Caroline Hess
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Hielscher
- Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nadine Winkler
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniela Kocher
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carolin Walter
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Daniel Münter
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Florian Selt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Diren Usta
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Ecker
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Angela Brentrup
- Neurosurgery Dept., University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Martin Hasselblatt
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Thomas
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Julian Varghese
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - David Capper
- Berlin Institute of Health, Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Straße 2, 10178, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neuropathology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich W Thomale
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pablo Hernáiz Driever
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, German HIT-LOGGIC-Registry for pLGG in children and adolescents, Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michèle Simon
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, German HIT-LOGGIC-Registry for pLGG in children and adolescents, Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Svea Horn
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, German HIT-LOGGIC-Registry for pLGG in children and adolescents, Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nina Annika Herz
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, German HIT-LOGGIC-Registry for pLGG in children and adolescents, Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Arend Koch
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neuropathology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Sahm
- Department of Neuropathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Hamelmann
- Department of Neuropathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Nada Jabado
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C7, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, and The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Martin U Schuhmann
- Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Eelco Hoving
- Princess Màxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tilman Brummer
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany, Centre for Biological Signaling Studies BIOSS, University of Freiburg and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Freiburg, Germany, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cornelis M van Tilburg
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Witt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David T W Jones
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Glioma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kornelius Kerl
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Till Milde
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fernandez MF, Choi J, Sosman J. New Approaches to Targeted Therapy in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3224. [PMID: 37370834 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123224] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
It was just slightly more than a decade ago when metastatic melanoma carried a dismal prognosis with few, if any, effective therapies. Since then, the evolution of cancer immunotherapy has led to new and effective treatment approaches for melanoma. However, despite these advances, a sizable portion of patients with advanced melanoma have de novo or acquired resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. At the same time, therapies (BRAF plus MEK inhibitors) targeting the BRAFV600 mutations found in 40-50% of cutaneous melanomas have also been critical for optimizing management and improving patient outcomes. Even though immunotherapy has been established as the initial therapy in most patients with cutaneous melanoma, subsequent effective therapy is limited to BRAFV600 melanoma. For all other melanoma patients, driver mutations have not been effectively targeted. Numerous efforts are underway to target melanomas with NRAS mutations, NF-1 LOF mutations, and other genetic alterations leading to activation of the MAP kinase pathway. In this era of personalized medicine, we will review the current genetic landscape, molecular classifications, emerging drug targets, and the potential for combination therapies for non-BRAFV600 melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Felipe Fernandez
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jacob Choi
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jeffrey Sosman
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sigaud R, Rösch L, Gatzweiler C, Benzel J, von Soosten L, Peterziel H, Selt F, Najafi S, Ayhan S, Gerloff XF, Hofmann N, Büdenbender I, Schmitt L, Foerster KI, Burhenne J, Haefeli WE, Korshunov A, Sahm F, van Tilburg CM, Jones DTW, Pfister SM, Knoerzer D, Kreider BL, Sauter M, Pajtler KW, Zuckermann M, Oehme I, Witt O, Milde T. The first-in-class ERK inhibitor ulixertinib shows promising activity in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-driven pediatric low-grade glioma models. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:566-579. [PMID: 35882450 PMCID: PMC10013652 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGG) are the most common pediatric central nervous system tumors, with driving alterations typically occurring in the MAPK pathway. The ERK1/2 inhibitor ulixertinib (BVD-523) has shown promising responses in adult patients with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-driven solid tumors. METHODS We investigated the antitumoral activity of ulixertinib monotherapy as well as in combination with MEK inhibitors (MEKi), BH3-mimetics, or chemotherapy in pLGG. Patient-derived pLGG models reflecting the two most common alterations in the disease, KIAA1549:BRAF-fusion and BRAFV600E mutation (DKFZ-BT66 and BT40, respectively) were used for in vitro and in vivo (zebrafish embryos and mice) efficacy testing. RESULTS Ulixertinib inhibited MAPK pathway activity in both models, and reduced cell viability in BT40 with clinically achievable concentrations in the low nanomolar range. Combination treatment of ulixertinib with MEKi or BH3-mimetics showed strong evidence of antiproliferative synergy in vitro. Ulixertinib showed on-target activity in all tested combinations. In vivo, sufficient penetrance of the drug into brain tumor tissue in concentrations above the in vitro IC50 and reduction of MAPK pathway activity was achieved. In a preclinical mouse trial, ulixertinib mono- and combined therapies slowed tumor growth and increased survival. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate a high clinical potential of ulixertinib for the treatment of pLGG and strongly support its first clinical evaluation in pLGG as single agent and in combination therapy in a currently planned international phase I/II umbrella trial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Romain Sigaud
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lisa Rösch
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Gatzweiler
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Benzel
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laura von Soosten
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Preclinical Modeling Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Glioma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heike Peterziel
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Selt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sara Najafi
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simay Ayhan
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xenia F Gerloff
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nina Hofmann
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Preclinical Modeling Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Isabel Büdenbender
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lukas Schmitt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kathrin I Foerster
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Burhenne
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Walter E Haefeli
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrey Korshunov
- Department of Neuropathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Sahm
- Department of Neuropathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cornelis M van Tilburg
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David T W Jones
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Glioma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Max Sauter
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kristian W Pajtler
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc Zuckermann
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Preclinical Modeling Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ina Oehme
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Witt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Till Milde
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Clinical Cooperation Unit Pediatric Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pulmonology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ribosomal protein L22-like1 (RPL22L1) mediates sorafenib sensitivity via ERK in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:365. [PMID: 35973992 PMCID: PMC9381560 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01153-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Precision medicine in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) relies on validated biomarkers that help subgroup patients for targeted treatment. Here, we identified a novel candidate oncogene, ribosomal protein L22-like1 (RPL22L1), which was markedly elevated in HCC, contributed to HCC malignancy and adverse patient survival. Functional studies indicated RPL22L1 overexpression accelerated cell proliferation, migration, invasion and sorafenib resistance. Mechanism studies revealed that RPL22L1 activated ERK to induce atypical epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progress. Importantly, the ERK inhibitor (ERKi) could potentiate sorafenib efficiency in RPL22L1-high HCC cells. In summary, these data uncover RPL22L1 is a potential marker to guide precision therapy for utilizing ERKi to enhance the sorafenib efficacy in RPL22L1-high HCC patients.
Collapse
|
9
|
Nicotinamide-cinnamic acid cocktail exerts pancreatic β-cells survival coupled with insulin secretion through ERK1/2 signaling pathway in an animal model of apoptosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 29:483-492. [PMID: 34495496 DOI: 10.1007/s40199-021-00412-w] [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: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pancreatic β-cells protection is integral to insulin secretion in diabetic conditions. In this context, we investigated cinnamic acid in combination with nicotinamide on the regulation of insulin secretion and apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced apoptotic model in vivo. METHODS The pancreata of nicotinamide (NA)-cinnamic acid (CA) treated rats were studied using histopathological, immunofluorescence, molecular docking, and RT-PCR analyses, supported by serum glucose and insulin levels. RESULTS The biochemical data revealed that the acute treatment of NA and CA in combination significantly increased serum insulin, thereby lowering blood glucose level in vivo. From histological findings, NA-CA pre-treatment displayed significant protection against STZ-apoptotic trends, improved insulin secretion, and recapitulated the STZ-induced morphology to normal control. The upregulated expressions of caspases, caused by STZ-treatments, were significantly downregulated with NA-CA in immunofluorescent detection and their translational levels, respectively. We found dense ERK½-insulin staining and p-ERK½ expression, which was further supported by strong ERK½ residues-ligands interactions based on in silico analysis. CONCLUSION From the pre-clinical data, we thus conclude that NA-CA cocktail exerts dual insulin releasing and survival effects in pancreatic β-cells by targeting ERK½ pathway.
Collapse
|
10
|
Munck JM, Berdini V, Bevan L, Brothwood JL, Castro J, Courtin A, East C, Ferraldeschi R, Heightman TD, Hindley CJ, Kucia-Tran J, Lyons JF, Martins V, Muench S, Murray CW, Norton D, O'Reilly M, Reader M, Rees DC, Rich SJ, Richardson CJ, Shah AD, Stanczuk L, Thompson NT, Wilsher NE, Woolford AJA, Wallis NG. ASTX029, a Novel Dual-mechanism ERK Inhibitor, Modulates Both the Phosphorylation and Catalytic Activity of ERK. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:1757-1768. [PMID: 34330842 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The MAPK signaling pathway is commonly upregulated in human cancers. As the primary downstream effector of the MAPK pathway, ERK is an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of MAPK-activated cancers and for overcoming resistance to upstream inhibition. ASTX029 is a highly potent and selective dual-mechanism ERK inhibitor, discovered using fragment-based drug design. Because of its distinctive ERK-binding mode, ASTX029 inhibits both ERK catalytic activity and the phosphorylation of ERK itself by MEK, despite not directly inhibiting MEK activity. This dual mechanism was demonstrated in cell-free systems, as well as cell lines and xenograft tumor tissue, where the phosphorylation of both ERK and its substrate, ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK), were modulated on treatment with ASTX029. Markers of sensitivity were highlighted in a large cell panel, where ASTX029 preferentially inhibited the proliferation of MAPK-activated cell lines, including those with BRAF or RAS mutations. In vivo, significant antitumor activity was observed in MAPK-activated tumor xenograft models following oral treatment. ASTX029 also demonstrated activity in both in vitro and in vivo models of acquired resistance to MAPK pathway inhibitors. Overall, these findings highlight the therapeutic potential of a dual-mechanism ERK inhibitor such as ASTX029 for the treatment of MAPK-activated cancers, including those which have acquired resistance to inhibitors of upstream components of the MAPK pathway. ASTX029 is currently being evaluated in a first in human phase I-II clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors (NCT03520075).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luke Bevan
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Juan Castro
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - John F Lyons
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - David Norton
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - David C Rees
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ullah R, Yin Q, Snell AH, Wan L. RAF-MEK-ERK pathway in cancer evolution and treatment. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 85:123-154. [PMID: 33992782 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The RAF-MEK-ERK signaling cascade is a well-characterized MAPK pathway involved in cell proliferation and survival. The three-layered MAPK signaling cascade is initiated upon RTK and RAS activation. Three RAF isoforms ARAF, BRAF and CRAF, and their downstream MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 kinases constitute a coherently orchestrated signaling module that directs a range of physiological functions. Genetic alterations in this pathway are among the most prevalent in human cancers, which consist of numerous hot-spot mutations such as BRAFV600E. Oncogenic mutations in this pathway often override otherwise tightly regulated checkpoints to open the door for uncontrolled cell growth and neoplasia. The crosstalk between the RAF-MEK-ERK axis and other signaling pathways further extends the proliferative potential of this pathway in human cancers. In this review, we summarize the molecular architecture and physiological functions of the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway with emphasis on its dysregulations in human cancers, as well as the efforts made to target the RAF-MEK-ERK module using small molecule inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahim Ullah
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Qing Yin
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Aidan H Snell
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Lixin Wan
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA; Department of Cutaneous Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Köhler J, Zhao Y, Li J, Gokhale PC, Tiv HL, Knott AR, Wilkens MK, Soroko KM, Lin M, Ambrogio C, Musteanu M, Ogino A, Choi J, Bahcall M, Bertram AA, Chambers ES, Paweletz CP, Bhagwat SV, Manro JR, Tiu RV, Jänne PA. ERK Inhibitor LY3214996-Based Treatment Strategies for RAS-Driven Lung Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:641-654. [PMID: 33536188 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
RAS gene mutations are the most frequent oncogenic event in lung cancer. They activate multiple RAS-centric signaling networks among them the MAPK, PI3K, and RB pathways. Within the MAPK pathway, ERK1/2 proteins exert a bottleneck function for transmitting mitogenic signals and activating cytoplasmic and nuclear targets. In view of disappointing antitumor activity and toxicity of continuously applied MEK inhibitors in patients with KRAS-mutant lung cancer, research has recently focused on ERK1/2 proteins as therapeutic targets and on ERK inhibitors for their ability to prevent bypass and feedback pathway activation. Here, we show that intermittent application of the novel and selective ATP-competitive ERK1/2 inhibitor LY3214996 exerts single-agent activity in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of RAS-mutant lung cancer. Combination treatments were well tolerated and resulted in synergistic (ERKi plus PI3K/mTORi LY3023414) and additive (ERKi plus CDK4/6i abemaciclib) tumor growth inhibition in PDX models. Future clinical trials are required to investigate if intermittent ERK inhibitor-based treatment schedules can overcome toxicities observed with continuous MEK inhibition and-equally important-to identify biomarkers for patient stratification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jens Köhler
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Yutong Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Prafulla C Gokhale
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hong L Tiv
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Aine R Knott
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Margaret K Wilkens
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kara M Soroko
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mika Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Chiara Ambrogio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Monica Musteanu
- Experimental Oncology, Molecular Oncology Program, CNIO, Madrid, Spain.,Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
| | - Atsuko Ogino
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jihyun Choi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Magda Bahcall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Arrien A Bertram
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Emily S Chambers
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Cloud P Paweletz
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shripad V Bhagwat
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jason R Manro
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Ramon V Tiu
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Pasi A Jänne
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts. .,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tomasovic A, Brand T, Schanbacher C, Kramer S, Hümmert MW, Godoy P, Schmidt-Heck W, Nordbeck P, Ludwig J, Homann S, Wiegering A, Shaykhutdinov T, Kratz C, Knüchel R, Müller-Hermelink HK, Rosenwald A, Frey N, Eichler J, Dobrev D, El-Armouche A, Hengstler JG, Müller OJ, Hinrichs K, Cuello F, Zernecke A, Lorenz K. Interference with ERK-dimerization at the nucleocytosolic interface targets pathological ERK1/2 signaling without cardiotoxic side-effects. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1733. [PMID: 32265441 PMCID: PMC7138859 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15505-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) is linked to several diseases including heart failure, genetic syndromes and cancer. Inhibition of ERK1/2, however, can cause severe cardiac side-effects, precluding its wide therapeutic application. ERKT188-autophosphorylation was identified to cause pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Here we report that interference with ERK-dimerization, a prerequisite for ERKT188-phosphorylation, minimizes cardiac hypertrophy without inducing cardiac adverse effects: an ERK-dimerization inhibitory peptide (EDI) prevents ERKT188-phosphorylation, nuclear ERK1/2-signaling and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, protecting from pressure-overload-induced heart failure in mice whilst preserving ERK1/2-activity and cytosolic survival signaling. We also examine this alternative ERK1/2-targeting strategy in cancer: indeed, ERKT188-phosphorylation is strongly upregulated in cancer and EDI efficiently suppresses cancer cell proliferation without causing cardiotoxicity. This powerful cardio-safe strategy of interfering with ERK-dimerization thus combats pathological ERK1/2-signaling in heart and cancer, and may potentially expand therapeutic options for ERK1/2-related diseases, such as heart failure and genetic syndromes. Drugs targeting dysregulated ERK1/2 signaling can cause severe cardiac side effects, precluding their wide therapeutic application. Here, a new and cardio-safe targeting strategy is presented that interferes with ERK dimerization to prevent pathological ERK1/2 signaling in the heart and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Tomasovic
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany.,Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS-e.V., 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Theresa Brand
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany.,Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS-e.V., 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Constanze Schanbacher
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany.,Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS-e.V., 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Sofia Kramer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin W Hümmert
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Patricio Godoy
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical University Dortmund, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schmidt-Heck
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology -Hans Knoell Institute-, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Peter Nordbeck
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Ludwig
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Homann
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Armin Wiegering
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplant, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Timur Shaykhutdinov
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS-e.V., 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Kratz
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS-e.V., 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ruth Knüchel
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Rosenwald
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Norbert Frey
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Kiel, 24105, Kiel, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jutta Eichler
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dobromir Dobrev
- Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Ali El-Armouche
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan G Hengstler
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical University Dortmund, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Oliver J Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Kiel, 24105, Kiel, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Kiel, Germany
| | - Karsten Hinrichs
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS-e.V., 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Friederike Cuello
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Cardiovascular Research Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alma Zernecke
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine, University Hospital Würzburg, University of Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kristina Lorenz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg, 97078, Würzburg, Germany. .,Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS-e.V., 44139, Dortmund, Germany. .,Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, 97078, Würzburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|