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Regan SB, Medhi D, White TB, Jiang YZ, Jia S, Deng Q, Jasin M. Megabase-scale loss of heterozygosity provoked by CRISPR-Cas9 DNA double-strand breaks. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.27.615517. [PMID: 39386534 PMCID: PMC11463394 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.27.615517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2024]
Abstract
Harnessing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is a powerful approach for gene editing, but it may provoke loss of heterozygosity (LOH), which predisposes to tumorigenesis. To interrogate this risk, we developed a two- color flow cytometry-based system (Flo-LOH), detecting LOH in ∼5% of cells following a DSB. After this initial increase, cells with LOH decrease due to a competitive disadvantage with parental cells, but if isolated, they stably propagate. Segmental loss from terminal deletions with de novo telomere addition and nonreciprocal translocations is observed as well as whole chromosome loss, especially following a centromeric DSB. LOH spans megabases distal from the DSB, but also frequently tens of megabases centromere-proximal. Inhibition of microhomology-mediated end joining massively increases LOH, which is synergistically increased with concomitant inhibition of canonical nonhomologous end joining. The capacity for large-scale LOH must therefore be considered when using DSB-based gene editing, especially in conjunction with end joining inhibition.
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Qian J, Liao G, Chen M, Peng RW, Yan X, Du J, Huang R, Pan M, Lin Y, Gong X, Xu G, Zheng B, Chen C, Yang Z. Advancing cancer therapy: new frontiers in targeting DNA damage response. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1474337. [PMID: 39372203 PMCID: PMC11449873 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1474337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability is a core characteristic of cancer, often stemming from defects in DNA damage response (DDR) or increased replication stress. DDR defects can lead to significant genetic alterations, including changes in gene copy numbers, gene rearrangements, and mutations, which accumulate over time and drive the clonal evolution of cancer cells. However, these vulnerabilities also present opportunities for targeted therapies that exploit DDR deficiencies, potentially improving treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. The development of PARP inhibitors like Olaparib has significantly improved the treatment of cancers with DDR defects (e.g., BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations) based on synthetic lethality. This achievement has spurred further research into identifying additional therapeutic targets within the DDR pathway. Recent progress includes the development of inhibitors targeting other key DDR components such as DNA-PK, ATM, ATR, Chk1, Chk2, and Wee1 kinases. Current research is focused on optimizing these therapies by developing predictive biomarkers for treatment response, analyzing mechanisms of resistance (both intrinsic and acquired), and exploring the potential for combining DDR-targeted therapies with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. This article provides an overview of the latest advancements in targeted anti-tumor therapies based on DDR and their implications for future cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiekun Qian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Guoliang Liao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Clinical Research Center for Thoracic Tumors of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China
| | - Maohui Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Clinical Research Center for Thoracic Tumors of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ren-Wang Peng
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Xin Yan
- Department of Cardiac Medical Center Nursing, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jianting Du
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Clinical Research Center for Thoracic Tumors of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China
| | - Renjie Huang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Clinical Research Center for Thoracic Tumors of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China
| | - Maojie Pan
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Clinical Research Center for Thoracic Tumors of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuxing Lin
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Clinical Research Center for Thoracic Tumors of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xian Gong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Clinical Research Center for Thoracic Tumors of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China
| | - Guobing Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Clinical Research Center for Thoracic Tumors of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chun Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Clinical Research Center for Thoracic Tumors of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhang Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Clinical Research Center for Thoracic Tumors of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China
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Zhang W, Li W, Yin C, Feng C, Liu B, Xu H, Jin X, Tu C, Li Z. PRKDC Induces Chemoresistance in Osteosarcoma by Recruiting GDE2 to Stabilize GNAS and Activate AKT. Cancer Res 2024; 84:2873-2887. [PMID: 38900943 PMCID: PMC11372366 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-24-0163] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Chemoresistance is one of the major causes of poor prognosis in osteosarcoma. Alternative therapeutic strategies for osteosarcoma are limited, indicating that increasing sensitivity to currently used chemotherapies could be an effective approach to improve patient outcomes. Using a kinome-wide CRISPR screen, we identified PRKDC as a critical determinant of doxorubicin (DOX) sensitivity in osteosarcoma. The analysis of clinical samples demonstrated that PRKDC was hyperactivated in osteosarcoma, and functional experiments showed that the loss of PRKDC significantly increased sensitivity of osteosarcoma to DOX. Mechanistically, PRKDC recruited and bound GDE2 to enhance the stability of protein GNAS. The elevated GNAS protein levels subsequently activated AKT phosphorylation and conferred resistance to DOX. The PRKDC inhibitor AZD7648 and DOX synergized and strongly suppressed the growth of osteosarcoma in mouse xenograft models and human organoids. In conclusion, the PRKDC-GDE2-GNAS-AKT regulatory axis suppresses DOX sensitivity and comprises targetable candidates for improving the efficacy of chemotherapy in osteosarcoma. Significance: Targeting PRKDC suppresses AKT activation and increases sensitivity to doxorubicin in osteosarcoma, which provides a therapeutic strategy for overcoming chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chi Yin
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Chengyao Feng
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Binfeng Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Haodong Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Xin Jin
- Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chao Tu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
- Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhihong Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Central South University, Guangdong, China
- FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, China
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Baker JHE, Kyle AH, Liu NA, Wang T, Liu X, Teymori S, Banáth JP, Minchinton AI. Radiation and Chemo-Sensitizing Effects of DNA-PK Inhibitors Are Proportional in Tumors and Normal Tissues. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:1230-1240. [PMID: 38781104 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0681] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Inhibitors of DNA-dependent protein kinase (PRKDC; DNA-PK) sensitize cancers to radiotherapy and DNA-damaging chemotherapies, with candidates in clinical trials. However, the degree to which DNA-PK inhibitors also sensitize normal tissues remains poorly characterized. In this study, we compare tumor growth control and normal tissue sensitization following DNA-PK inhibitors in combination with radiation and etoposide. FaDu tumor xenografts implanted in mice were treated with 10 to 15 Gy irradiation ± 3 to 100 mg/kg AZD7648. A dose-dependent increase in time to tumor volume doubling following AZD7648 was proportional to an increase in toxicity scores of the overlying skin. Similar effects were seen in the intestinal jejunum, tongue, and FaDu tumor xenografts of mice assessed for proliferation rates at 3.5 days after treatment with etoposide or 5 Gy whole body irradiation ± DNA-PK inhibitors AZD7648 or peposertib (M3814). Additional organs were examined for sensitivity to DNA-PK inhibitor activity in ATM-deficient mice, where DNA-PK activity is indicated by surrogate marker γH2AX. Inhibition was observed in the heart, brain, pancreas, thymus, tongue, and salivary glands of ATM-deficient mice treated with the DNA-PK inhibitors relative to radiation alone. Similar reductions are also seen in ATM-deficient FaDu tumor xenografts where both pDNA-PK and γH2AX staining could be performed. DNA-PK inhibitor-mediated sensitization to radiation and DNA-damaging chemotherapy are not only limited to tumor tissues, but also extends to normal tissues sustaining DNA damage. These data are useful for interpretation of the sensitizing effects of DNA damage repair inhibitors, where a therapeutic index showing greater cell-killing effects on cancer cells is crucial for optimal clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer H E Baker
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Radiation Biology Unit, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Alastair H Kyle
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Radiation Biology Unit, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Nannan A Liu
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Radiation Biology Unit, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Taixiang Wang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Radiation Biology Unit, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Xinhe Liu
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Radiation Biology Unit, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sevin Teymori
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Radiation Biology Unit, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Judit P Banáth
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Radiation Biology Unit, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Andrew I Minchinton
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Radiation Biology Unit, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
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Hui Z, Deng H, Zhang X, Garrido C, Lirussi F, Ye XY, Xie T, Liu ZQ. Development and therapeutic potential of DNA-dependent protein kinase inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2024; 150:107608. [PMID: 38981210 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
The deployment of DNA damage response (DDR) combats various forms of DNA damage, ensuring genomic stability. Cancer cells' propensity for genomic instability offers therapeutic opportunities to selectively kill cancer cells by suppressing the DDR pathway. DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), a nuclear serine/threonine kinase, is crucial for the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Therefore, targeting DNA-PK is a promising cancer treatment strategy. This review elaborates on the structures of DNA-PK and its related large protein, as well as the development process of DNA-PK inhibitors, and recent advancements in their clinical application. We emphasize our analysis of the development process and structure-activity relationships (SARs) of DNA-PK inhibitors based on different scaffolds. We hope this review will provide practical information for researchers seeking to develop novel DNA-PK inhibitors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Hui
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, P. R. China; School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, P.R. China
| | - Haowen Deng
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China
| | - Xuelei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China
| | - Carmen Garrido
- INSERM U1231, Label LipSTIC and Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Dijon, France; Faculté de médecine, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, Centre de lutte contre le cancer Georges François Leclerc, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Frédéric Lirussi
- INSERM U1231, Label LipSTIC and Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Dijon, France; Université de Franche Comté, France, University Hospital of Besançon (CHU), France
| | - Xiang-Yang Ye
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, P.R. China.
| | - Tian Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, P.R. China.
| | - Zhao-Qian Liu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, P. R. China.
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6
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van de Kamp G, Heemskerk T, Kanaar R, Essers J. Synergistic Roles of Non-Homologous End Joining and Homologous Recombination in Repair of Ionizing Radiation-Induced DNA Double Strand Breaks in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells. Cells 2024; 13:1462. [PMID: 39273031 PMCID: PMC11393957 DOI: 10.3390/cells13171462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2024] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) are critical for the efficacy of radiotherapy as they lead to cell death if not repaired. DSBs caused by ionizing radiation (IR) initiate histone modifications and accumulate DNA repair proteins, including 53BP1, which forms distinct foci at damage sites and serves as a marker for DSBs. DSB repair primarily occurs through Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) and Homologous Recombination (HR). NHEJ directly ligates DNA ends, employing proteins such as DNA-PKcs, while HR, involving proteins such as Rad54, uses a sister chromatid template for accurate repair and functions in the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. Both pathways are crucial, as illustrated by the IR sensitivity in cells lacking DNA-PKcs or Rad54. We generated mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells which are knockout (KO) for DNA-PKcs and Rad54 to explore the combined role of HR and NHEJ in DSB repair. We found that cells lacking both DNA-PKcs and Rad54 are hypersensitive to X-ray radiation, coinciding with impaired 53BP1 focus resolution and a more persistent G2 phase cell cycle block. Additionally, mES cells deficient in DNA-PKcs or both DNA-PKcs and Rad54 exhibit an increased nuclear size approximately 18-24 h post-irradiation. To further explore the role of Rad54 in the absence of DNA-PKcs, we generated DNA-PKcs KO mES cells expressing GFP-tagged wild-type (WT) or ATPase-defective Rad54 to track the Rad54 foci over time post-irradiation. Cells lacking DNA-PKcs and expressing ATPase-defective Rad54 exhibited a similar phenotypic response to IR as those lacking both DNA-PKcs and Rad54. Despite a strong G2 phase arrest, live-cell imaging showed these cells eventually progress through mitosis, forming micronuclei. Additionally, mES cells lacking DNA-PKcs showed increased Rad54 foci over time post-irradiation, indicating an enhanced reliance on HR for DSB repair without DNA-PKcs. Our findings underscore the essential roles of HR and NHEJ in maintaining genomic stability post-IR in mES cells. The interplay between these pathways is crucial for effective DSB repair and cell cycle progression, highlighting potential targets for enhancing radiotherapy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerarda van de Kamp
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tim Heemskerk
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roland Kanaar
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Essers
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiotherapy, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Waldrip ZJ, Acharya B, Armstrong D, Hanafi M, Rainwater RR, Amole S, Fulmer M, Azevedo-Pouly AC, Burns A, Burdine L, Frett B, Burdine MS. Discovery of the DNA-PKcs inhibitor DA-143 which exhibits enhanced solubility relative to NU7441. Sci Rep 2024; 14:19999. [PMID: 39198533 PMCID: PMC11358143 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70858-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) plays a vital role in DNA damage repair and lymphocyte function, presenting a significant target in cancer and immune diseases. Current DNA-PKcs inhibitors are undergoing Phase I/II trials as adjuncts to radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cancer. Nevertheless, clinical utility is limited by suboptimal bioavailability. This study introduces DNA-PKcs inhibitors designed to enhance bioavailability. We demonstrate that a novel DNA-PKcs inhibitor, DA-143, surpasses NU7441 in aqueous solubility as well as other available inhibitors. In addition, DA-143 displayed an improvement in DNA-PKcs inhibition relative to NU7441 achieving an IC50 of 2.5 nM. Consistent with current inhibitors, inhibition of DNA-PKcs by DA-143 resulted in increased tumor cell sensitivity to DNA-damage from chemotherapy and inhibition of human T cell function. The improved solubility of DA-143 is critical for enhanced efficacy at reduced doses and facilitates more effective evaluation of DNA-PKcs inhibition in both preclinical and clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J Waldrip
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA
| | - Baku Acharya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Daniel Armstrong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Maha Hanafi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11526, Egypt
| | - Randall R Rainwater
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA
| | - Sharon Amole
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Madeline Fulmer
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Ana Clara Azevedo-Pouly
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA
| | - Alaina Burns
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Lyle Burdine
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
- Department of Transplant Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Brendan Frett
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.
| | - Marie Schluterman Burdine
- Division of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, 72202, USA.
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8
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Bossaert M, Moreno AT, Peixoto A, Pillaire MJ, Chanut P, Frit P, Calsou P, Loparo JJ, Britton S. Identification of the main barriers to Ku accumulation in chromatin. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114538. [PMID: 39058590 PMCID: PMC11411529 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Repair of DNA double-strand breaks by the non-homologous end-joining pathway is initiated by the binding of Ku to DNA ends. Multiple Ku proteins load onto linear DNAs in vitro. However, in cells, Ku loading is limited to ∼1-2 molecules per DNA end. The mechanisms enforcing this limit are currently unclear. Here, we show that the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs), but not its protein kinase activity, is required to prevent excessive Ku entry into chromatin. Ku accumulation is further restricted by two mechanisms: a neddylation/FBXL12-dependent process that actively removes loaded Ku molecules throughout the cell cycle and a CtIP/ATM-dependent mechanism that operates in S phase. Finally, we demonstrate that the misregulation of Ku loading leads to impaired transcription in the vicinity of DNA ends. Together, our data shed light on the multiple mechanisms operating to prevent Ku from invading chromatin and interfering with other DNA transactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Bossaert
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France; Equipe Labéllisée la Ligue contre le Cancer 2018
| | - Andrew T Moreno
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Antonio Peixoto
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France; Equipe Labéllisée la Ligue contre le Cancer 2018
| | - Marie-Jeanne Pillaire
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France; Equipe Labéllisée la Ligue contre le Cancer 2018
| | - Pauline Chanut
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France; Equipe Labéllisée la Ligue contre le Cancer 2018
| | - Philippe Frit
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France; Equipe Labéllisée la Ligue contre le Cancer 2018
| | - Patrick Calsou
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France; Equipe Labéllisée la Ligue contre le Cancer 2018.
| | - Joseph J Loparo
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Sébastien Britton
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France; Equipe Labéllisée la Ligue contre le Cancer 2018.
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9
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Sharma AL, Tyagi P, Khumallambam M, Tyagi M. Cocaine-induced DNA-PK relieves RNAP II pausing by promoting TRIM28 phosphorylation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.19.608673. [PMID: 39229050 PMCID: PMC11370412 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.19.608673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Drug abuse continues to pose a significant challenge in HIV control efforts. In our investigation, we discovered that cocaine not only upregulates the expression of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) but also augments DNA-PK activation by enhancing its phosphorylation at S2056. Moreover, DNA-PK phosphorylation triggers the translocation of DNA-PK into the nucleus. The finding that cocaine promotes nuclear translocation of DNA-PK further validates our observation of enhanced DNA-PK recruitment at the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) following cocaine exposure. By activating and facilitating the nuclear translocation of DNA-PK, cocaine effectively orchestrates multiple stages of HIV transcription, thereby promoting HIV replication. Additionally, our study indicates that cocaine-induced DNA-PK promotes hyper-phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) at Ser5 and Ser2 sites, enhancing both initiation and elongation phases, respectively, of HIV transcription. Cocaine's enhancement of transcription initiation and elongation is further supported by its activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) and subsequent phosphorylation of CDK9, thereby promoting positive transcriptional elongation factor b (P-TEFb) activity. We demonstrate for the first time that cocaine, through DNA-PK activation, promotes the specific phosphorylation of TRIM28 at Serine 824 (p-TRIM28, S824). This modification converts TRIM28 from a transcriptional inhibitor to a transactivator for HIV transcription. Additionally, we observe that phosphorylation of TRIM28 (p-TRIM28, S824) promotes the transition from the pausing phase to the elongation phase of HIV transcription, thereby facilitating the production of full-length HIV genomic transcripts. This finding corroborates the observed enhanced RNAP II CTD phosphorylation at Ser2, a marker of transcriptional elongation, following cocaine exposure. Accordingly, upon cocaine treatment, we observed elevated recruitment of p-TRIM28-(S824) at the HIV LTR. Overall, our results have unraveled the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying cocaine-induced HIV transcription and gene expression. These findings hold promise for the development of highly targeted therapeutics aimed at mitigating the detrimental effects of cocaine in individuals living with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Priya Tyagi
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Meenata Khumallambam
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Mudit Tyagi
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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10
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Rahman R, Shi DD, Reitman ZJ, Hamerlik P, de Groot JF, Haas-Kogan DA, D’Andrea AD, Sulman EP, Tanner K, Agar NYR, Sarkaria JN, Tinkle CL, Bindra RS, Mehta MP, Wen PY. DNA damage response in brain tumors: A Society for Neuro-Oncology consensus review on mechanisms and translational efforts in neuro-oncology. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:1367-1387. [PMID: 38770568 PMCID: PMC11300028 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noae072] [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: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA damage response (DDR) mechanisms are critical to maintenance of overall genomic stability, and their dysfunction can contribute to oncogenesis. Significant advances in our understanding of DDR pathways have raised the possibility of developing therapies that exploit these processes. In this expert-driven consensus review, we examine mechanisms of response to DNA damage, progress in development of DDR inhibitors in IDH-wild-type glioblastoma and IDH-mutant gliomas, and other important considerations such as biomarker development, preclinical models, combination therapies, mechanisms of resistance and clinical trial design considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rifaquat Rahman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Diana D Shi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zachary J Reitman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Petra Hamerlik
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - John F de Groot
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Daphne A Haas-Kogan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alan D D’Andrea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erik P Sulman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kirk Tanner
- National Brain Tumor Society, Newton, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nathalie Y R Agar
- Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jann N Sarkaria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Christopher L Tinkle
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ranjit S Bindra
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Minesh P Mehta
- Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Patrick Y Wen
- Center for Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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11
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Collins VJ, Ludwig KR, Nelson AE, Rajan SS, Yeung C, Vulikh K, Isanogle KA, Mendoza A, Difilippantonio S, Karim BO, Caplen NJ, Heske CM. Enhancing Standard of Care Chemotherapy Efficacy Using DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase (DNA-PK) Inhibition in Preclinical Models of Ewing Sarcoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:1109-1123. [PMID: 38657228 PMCID: PMC11293986 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Disruption of DNA damage repair via impaired homologous recombination is characteristic of Ewing sarcoma (EWS) cells. We hypothesize that this disruption results in increased reliance on nonhomologous end joining to repair DNA damage. In this study, we investigated if pharmacologic inhibition of the enzyme responsible for nonhomologous end joining, the DNA-PK holoenzyme, alters the response of EWS cells to genotoxic standard of care chemotherapy. We used analyses of cell viability and proliferation to investigate the effects of clinical DNA-PK inhibitors (DNA-PKi) in combination with six therapeutic or experimental agents for EWS. We performed calculations of synergy using the Loewe additivity model. Immunoblotting evaluated treatment effects on DNA-PK, DNA damage, and apoptosis. Flow cytometric analyses evaluated effects on cell cycle and fate. We used orthotopic xenograft models to interrogate tolerability, drug mechanism, and efficacy in vivo. DNA-PKi demonstrated on-target activity, reducing phosphorylated DNA-PK levels in EWS cells. DNA-PKi sensitized EWS cell lines to agents that function as topoisomerase 2 (TOP2) poisons and enhanced the DNA damage induced by TOP2 poisons. Nanomolar concentrations of single-agent TOP2 poisons induced G2M arrest and little apoptotic response while adding DNA-PKi-mediated apoptosis. In vivo, the combination of AZD7648 and etoposide had limited tolerability but resulted in enhanced DNA damage, apoptosis, and EWS tumor shrinkage. The combination of DNA-PKi with standard of care TOP2 poisons in EWS models is synergistic, enhances DNA damage and cell death, and may form the basis of a promising future therapeutic strategy for EWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor J. Collins
- Translational Sarcoma Biology Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Katelyn R. Ludwig
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Ariana E. Nelson
- Translational Sarcoma Biology Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Soumya Sundara Rajan
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Choh Yeung
- Translational Sarcoma Biology Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Ksenia Vulikh
- Molecular Histopathology Lab, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
| | - Kristine A. Isanogle
- Laboratory Animal Sciences Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Arnulfo Mendoza
- Translational Sarcoma Biology Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Simone Difilippantonio
- Laboratory Animal Sciences Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Baktiar O. Karim
- Molecular Histopathology Lab, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
| | - Natasha J. Caplen
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Christine M. Heske
- Translational Sarcoma Biology Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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12
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Hong CR, Liew LP, Wong WW, Dickson BD, Cheng G, Shome A, Airey R, Jaiswal J, Lipert B, Jamieson SMF, Wilson WR, Hay MP. Identification of 6-Anilino Imidazo[4,5- c]pyridin-2-ones as Selective DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Inhibitors and Their Application as Radiosensitizers. J Med Chem 2024; 67:12366-12385. [PMID: 39007759 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01120] [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: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The dominant role of non-homologous end-joining in the repair of radiation-induced double-strand breaks identifies DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) as an excellent target for the development of radiosensitizers. We report the discovery of a new class of imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-2-one DNA-PK inhibitors. Structure-activity studies culminated in the identification of 78 as a nM DNA-PK inhibitor with excellent selectivity for DNA-PK compared to related phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and PI3K-like kinase (PIKK) families and the broader kinome, and displayed DNA-PK-dependent radiosensitization of HAP1 cells. Compound 78 demonstrated robust radiosensitization of a broad range of cancer cells in vitro, displayed high oral bioavailability, and sensitized colorectal carcinoma (HCT116/54C) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (UT-SCC-74B) tumor xenografts to radiation. Compound 78 also provided substantial tumor growth inhibition of HCT116/54C tumor xenografts in combination with radiation. Compound 78 represents a new, potent, and selective class of DNA-PK inhibitors with significant potential as radiosensitizers for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cho R Hong
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Lydia P Liew
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Way W Wong
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin D Dickson
- Chemistry and Applied Physics, School of Science, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | - Gary Cheng
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Avik Shome
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Rebecca Airey
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Jagdish Jaiswal
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Barbara Lipert
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Stephen M F Jamieson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - William R Wilson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Michael P Hay
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
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13
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Previtali V, Bagnolini G, Ciamarone A, Ferrandi G, Rinaldi F, Myers SH, Roberti M, Cavalli A. New Horizons of Synthetic Lethality in Cancer: Current Development and Future Perspectives. J Med Chem 2024; 67:11488-11521. [PMID: 38955347 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00113] [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: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, synthetic lethality has been recognized as a solid paradigm for anticancer therapies. The discovery of a growing number of synthetic lethal targets has led to a significant expansion in the use of synthetic lethality, far beyond poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors used to treat BRCA1/2-defective tumors. In particular, molecular targets within DNA damage response have provided a source of inhibitors that have rapidly reached clinical trials. This Perspective focuses on the most recent progress in synthetic lethal targets and their inhibitors, within and beyond the DNA damage response, describing their design and associated therapeutic strategies. We will conclude by discussing the current challenges and new opportunities for this promising field of research, to stimulate discussion in the medicinal chemistry community, allowing the investigation of synthetic lethality to reach its full potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Previtali
- Computational & Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Greta Bagnolini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Ciamarone
- Computational & Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ferrandi
- Computational & Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Rinaldi
- Computational & Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Samuel Harry Myers
- Computational & Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Marinella Roberti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Computational & Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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14
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Camfield S, Chakraborty S, Dwivedi SKD, Pramanik PK, Mukherjee P, Bhattacharya R. Secrets of DNA-PKcs beyond DNA repair. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:154. [PMID: 39043779 PMCID: PMC11266574 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00655-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The canonical role of the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) in repairing DNA double-strand breaks combined with its reported dysregulation in several malignancies has driven the development of DNA-PKcs inhibitors as therapeutics. However, until recently the relationship between DNA-PKcs and tumorigenesis has been primarily investigated with regard to its role in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair. Emerging research has uncovered non-canonical DNA-PKcs functions involved with transcriptional regulation, telomere maintenance, metabolic regulation, and immune signaling all of which may also impinge on tumorigenesis. This review mainly discusses these non-canonical roles of DNA-PKcs in cellular biology and their potential contribution to tumorigenesis, as well as evaluating the implications of targeting DNA-PKcs for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Camfield
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Sayan Chakraborty
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Shailendra Kumar Dhar Dwivedi
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Pijush Kanti Pramanik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Priyabrata Mukherjee
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Resham Bhattacharya
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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15
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Dai L, Yu P, Fan H, Xia W, Zhao Y, Zhang P, Zhang JZH, Zhang H, Chen Y. Identification and Validation of New DNA-PKcs Inhibitors through High-Throughput Virtual Screening and Experimental Verification. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7982. [PMID: 39063224 PMCID: PMC11277333 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA-PKcs is a crucial protein target involved in DNA repair and response pathways, with its abnormal activity closely associated with the occurrence and progression of various cancers. In this study, we employed a deep learning-based screening and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation-based pipeline, identifying eight candidates for DNA-PKcs targets. Subsequent experiments revealed the effective inhibition of DNA-PKcs-mediated cell proliferation by three small molecules (5025-0002, M769-1095, and V008-1080). These molecules exhibited anticancer activity with IC50 (inhibitory concentration at 50%) values of 152.6 μM, 30.71 μM, and 74.84 μM, respectively. Notably, V008-1080 enhanced homology-directed repair (HDR) mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 while inhibiting non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) efficiency. Further investigations into the structure-activity relationships unveiled the binding sites and critical interactions between these small molecules and DNA-PKcs. This is the first application of DeepBindGCN_RG in a real drug screening task, and the successful discovery of a novel DNA-PKcs inhibitor demonstrates its efficiency as a core component in the screening pipeline. Moreover, this study provides important insights for exploring novel anticancer therapeutics and advancing the development of gene editing techniques by targeting DNA-PKcs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liujiang Dai
- Department of Physiology, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, China
- Guangdong Immune Cell Therapy Engineering and Technology Research Center, Center for Protein and Cell-Based Drugs, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Pengfei Yu
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China
| | - Hongjie Fan
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China
| | - Wei Xia
- Faculty of Synthetic Biology and Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yaopeng Zhao
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nanomedicine, CAS-HK Joint Lab of Biomaterials, CAS Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging Science and System, Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Nanomedicine and Nanoformulations, CAS Key Lab for Health Informatics, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - John Z. H. Zhang
- Faculty of Synthetic Biology and Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Haiping Zhang
- Faculty of Synthetic Biology and Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang 330000, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
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16
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Hofstad M, Woods A, Parra K, Sychev ZE, Mazzagatti A, Yu L, Gilbreath C, Ly P, Drake JM, Kittler R. Dual inhibition of ATR and DNA-PKcs radiosensitizes ATM-mutant prostate cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.10.602941. [PMID: 39026771 PMCID: PMC11257504 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.10.602941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
In advanced castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), mutations in the DNA damage response (DDR) gene ataxia telangiectasia mutated ( ATM ) are common. While poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors are approved in this context, their clinical efficacy remains limited. Thus, there is a compelling need to identify alternative therapeutic avenues for ATM mutant prostate cancer patients. Here, we generated matched ATM-proficient and ATM-deficient CRPC lines to elucidate the impact of ATM loss on DDR in response to DNA damage via irradiation. Through unbiased phosphoproteomic screening, we unveiled that ATM-deficient CRPC lines maintain dependence on downstream ATM targets through activation of ATR and DNA-PKcs kinases. Dual inhibition of ATR and DNA-PKcs effectively inhibited downstream γH2AX foci formation in response to irradiation and radiosensitized ATM-deficient lines to a greater extent than either ATM-proficient controls or single drug treatment. Further, dual inhibition abrogated residual downstream ATM pathway signaling and impaired replication fork dynamics. To circumvent potential toxicity, we leveraged the RUVBL1/2 ATPase inhibitor Compound B, which leads to the degradation of both ATR and DNA-PKcs kinases. Compound B effectively radiosensitized ATM-deficient CRPC in vitro and in vivo , and impacted replication fork dynamics. Overall, dual targeting of both ATR and DNA-PKcs is necessary to block DDR in ATM-deficient CRPC, and Compound B could be utilized as a novel therapy in combination with irradiation in these patients.
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17
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Li P, Gai X, Li Q, Yang Q, Yu X. DNA-PK participates in pre-rRNA biogenesis independent of DNA double-strand break repair. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:6360-6375. [PMID: 38682589 PMCID: PMC11194077 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae316] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Although DNA-PK inhibitors (DNA-PK-i) have been applied in clinical trials for cancer treatment, the biomarkers and mechanism of action of DNA-PK-i in tumor cell suppression remain unclear. Here, we observed that a low dose of DNA-PK-i and PARP inhibitor (PARP-i) synthetically suppresses BRCA-deficient tumor cells without inducing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Instead, we found that a fraction of DNA-PK localized inside of nucleoli, where we did not observe obvious DSBs. Moreover, the Ku proteins recognize pre-rRNA that facilitates DNA-PKcs autophosphorylation independent of DNA damage. Ribosomal proteins are also phosphorylated by DNA-PK, which regulates pre-rRNA biogenesis. In addition, DNA-PK-i acts together with PARP-i to suppress pre-rRNA biogenesis and tumor cell growth. Collectively, our studies reveal a DNA damage repair-independent role of DNA-PK-i in tumor suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Li
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaochen Gai
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qilin Li
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qianqian Yang
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaochun Yu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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18
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Gilmer TM, Lai CH, Guo K, Deland K, Ashcraft KA, Stewart AE, Wang Y, Fu J, Wood KC, Kirsch DG, Kastan MB. A Novel Dual ATM/DNA-PK Inhibitor, XRD-0394, Potently Radiosensitizes and Potentiates PARP and Topoisomerase I Inhibitors. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:751-765. [PMID: 38588408 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0890] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
A majority of patients with cancer receive radiotherapy as part of their treatment regimens whether using external beam therapy or locally-delivered radioisotopes. While often effective, some tumors are inadequately controlled with radiation and radiotherapy has significant short-term and long-term toxicities for cancer survivors. Insights into molecular mechanisms involved in cellular responses to DNA breaks introduced by radiation or other cancer therapies have been gained in recent years and approaches to manipulate these responses to enhance tumor cell killing or reduce normal tissue toxicity are of great interest. Here, we report the identification and initial characterization of XRD-0394, a potent and specific dual inhibitor of two DNA damage response kinases, ATM and DNA-PKcs. This orally bioavailable molecule demonstrates significantly enhanced tumor cell kill in the setting of therapeutic ionizing irradiation in vitro and in vivo. XRD-0394 also potentiates the effectiveness of topoisomerase I inhibitors in vitro. In addition, in cells lacking BRCA1/2 XRD-0394 shows single-agent activity and synergy in combination with PARP inhibitors. A phase Ia clinical trial (NCT05002140) with XRD-0394 in combination with radiotherapy has completed. These results provide a rationale for future clinical trials with XRD-0394 in combination with radiotherapy, PARP inhibitors, and targeted delivery of topoisomerase I inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chun-Hsiang Lai
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kexiao Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Katherine Deland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kathleen A Ashcraft
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Amy E Stewart
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | | | - Kris C Wood
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - David G Kirsch
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Michael B Kastan
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
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19
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Revia S, Neumann F, Jabs J, Orio F, Sirrenberg C, Zimmermann A, Amendt C, Albers J. Peposertib, a DNA-PK Inhibitor, Enhances the Anti-Tumor Efficacy of Topoisomerase II Inhibitors in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Models. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5120. [PMID: 38791158 PMCID: PMC11121553 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains the most lethal subtype of breast cancer, characterized by poor response rates to current chemotherapies and a lack of additional effective treatment options. While approximately 30% of patients respond well to anthracycline- and taxane-based standard-of-care chemotherapy regimens, the majority of patients experience limited improvements in clinical outcomes, highlighting the critical need for strategies to enhance the effectiveness of anthracycline/taxane-based chemotherapy in TNBC. In this study, we report on the potential of a DNA-PK inhibitor, peposertib, to improve the effectiveness of topoisomerase II (TOPO II) inhibitors, particularly anthracyclines, in TNBC. Our in vitro studies demonstrate the synergistic antiproliferative activity of peposertib in combination with doxorubicin, epirubicin and etoposide in multiple TNBC cell lines. Downstream analysis revealed the induction of ATM-dependent compensatory signaling and p53 pathway activation under combination treatment. These in vitro findings were substantiated by pronounced anti-tumor effects observed in mice bearing subcutaneously implanted tumors. We established a well-tolerated preclinical treatment regimen combining peposertib with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and demonstrated strong anti-tumor efficacy in cell-line-derived and patient-derived TNBC xenograft models in vivo. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that co-treatment with peposertib has the potential to enhance the efficacy of anthracycline/TOPO II-based chemotherapies, and it provides a promising strategy to improve treatment outcomes for TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Joachim Albers
- Research Unit Oncology, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany; (S.R.)
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20
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Ji J, Dragojevic S, Callaghan CM, Smith EJ, Talele S, Zhang W, Connors MA, Mladek AC, Hu Z, Bakken KK, Sarkaria PP, Carlson BL, Burgenske DM, Decker PA, Rashid MA, Jang MH, Gupta SK, Eckel-Passow JE, Elmquist WF, Sarkaria JN. Differential Distribution of the DNA-PKcs Inhibitor Peposertib Selectively Radiosensitizes Patient-derived Melanoma Brain Metastasis Xenografts. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:662-671. [PMID: 38224566 PMCID: PMC11063760 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0552] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Radioresistance of melanoma brain metastases limits the clinical utility of conventionally fractionated brain radiation in this disease, and strategies to improve radiation response could have significant clinical impact. The catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) is critical for repair of radiation-induced DNA damage, and inhibitors of this kinase can have potent effects on radiation sensitivity. In this study, the radiosensitizing effects of the DNA-PKcs inhibitor peposertib were evaluated in patient-derived xenografts of melanoma brain metastases (M12, M15, M27). In clonogenic survival assays, peposertib augmented radiation-induced killing of M12 cells at concentrations ≥100 nmol/L, and a minimum of 16 hours exposure allowed maximal sensitization. This information was integrated with pharmacokinetic modeling to define an optimal dosing regimen for peposertib of 125 mpk dosed just prior to and 7 hours after irradiation. Using this drug dosing regimen in combination with 2.5 Gy × 5 fractions of radiation, significant prolongation in median survival was observed in M12-eGFP (104%; P = 0.0015) and M15 (50%; P = 0.03), while more limited effects were seen in M27 (16%, P = 0.04). These data support the concept of developing peposertib as a radiosensitizer for brain metastases and provide a paradigm for integrating in vitro and pharmacokinetic data to define an optimal radiosensitizing regimen for potent DNA repair inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxiong Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Sonja Dragojevic
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | | - Emily J. Smith
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Surabhi Talele
- Brain Barriers Research Center, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Wenjuan Zhang
- Brain Barriers Research Center, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | - Ann C. Mladek
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Zeng Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | | | | - Brett L. Carlson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | | - Paul A. Decker
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Mohammad Abdur Rashid
- RWJ-Neurosurgery, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Mi-hyeon Jang
- RWJ-Neurosurgery, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Shiv K. Gupta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | | - William F. Elmquist
- Brain Barriers Research Center, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jann N. Sarkaria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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21
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Selvaraj S, Feist WN, Viel S, Vaidyanathan S, Dudek AM, Gastou M, Rockwood SJ, Ekman FK, Oseghale AR, Xu L, Pavel-Dinu M, Luna SE, Cromer MK, Sayana R, Gomez-Ospina N, Porteus MH. High-efficiency transgene integration by homology-directed repair in human primary cells using DNA-PKcs inhibition. Nat Biotechnol 2024; 42:731-744. [PMID: 37537500 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01888-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic applications of nuclease-based genome editing would benefit from improved methods for transgene integration via homology-directed repair (HDR). To improve HDR efficiency, we screened six small-molecule inhibitors of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), a key protein in the alternative repair pathway of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), which generates genomic insertions/deletions (INDELs). From this screen, we identified AZD7648 as the most potent compound. The use of AZD7648 significantly increased HDR (up to 50-fold) and concomitantly decreased INDELs across different genomic loci in various therapeutically relevant primary human cell types. In all cases, the ratio of HDR to INDELs markedly increased, and, in certain situations, INDEL-free high-frequency (>50%) targeted integration was achieved. This approach has the potential to improve the therapeutic efficacy of cell-based therapies and broaden the use of targeted integration as a research tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sridhar Selvaraj
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - William N Feist
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sebastien Viel
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Immunology Department, Lyon Sud University Hospital, Pierre-Bénite, France
- International Center of Research in Infectiology, Lyon University, INSERM U1111, CNRS UMR 5308, ENS, UCBL, Lyon, France
| | - Sriram Vaidyanathan
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Amanda M Dudek
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marc Gastou
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sarah J Rockwood
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Freja K Ekman
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Aluya R Oseghale
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Liwen Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mara Pavel-Dinu
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sofia E Luna
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - M Kyle Cromer
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ruhi Sayana
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Natalia Gomez-Ospina
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Matthew H Porteus
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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22
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Sato H, Ito T, Hayashi T, Kitano S, Erdjument-Bromage H, Bott MJ, Toyooka S, Zauderer M, Ladanyi M. The BAP1 nuclear deubiquitinase is involved in the nonhomologous end-joining pathway of double-strand DNA repair through interaction with DNA-PK. Oncogene 2024; 43:1087-1097. [PMID: 38383726 PMCID: PMC11449502 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-02966-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) has emerged as a major tumor suppressor gene in diverse cancer types, notably in malignant pleural mesothelioma (DPM), and has also been identified as a germline cancer predisposition gene for DPM and other select cancers. However, its role in the response to DNA damage has remained unclear. Here, we show that BAP1 inactivation is associated with increased DNA damage both in Met-5A human mesothelial cells and human DPM cell lines. Through proteomic analyses, we identified PRKDC as an interaction partner of BAP1 protein complexes in DPM cells and 293 T human embryonic kidney cells. PRKDC encodes the catalytic subunit of DNA protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) which functions in the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway of DNA repair. Double-stranded DNA damage resulted in prominent nuclear expression of BAP1 in DPM cells and phosphorylation of BAP1 at serine 395. A plasmid-based NHEJ assay confirmed a significant effect of BAP1 knockdown on cellular NHEJ activity. Combination treatment with X-ray irradiation and gemcitabine (as a radiosensitizer) strongly suppressed the growth of BAP1-deficient cells. Our results suggest reciprocal positive interactions between BAP1 and DNA-PKcs, based on phosphorylation of BAP1 by the latter and deubiquitination of DNA-PKcs by BAP1. Thus, functional interaction of BAP1 with DNA-PKcs supports a role for BAP1 in NHEJ DNA repair and may provide the basis for new therapeutic strategies and new insights into its role as a tumor suppressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Sato
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tatsuo Ito
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Hygiene, Kawasaki Medical University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Takuo Hayashi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shigehisa Kitano
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hediye Erdjument-Bromage
- Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at Skirball Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Matthew J Bott
- Thoracic Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shinichi Toyooka
- Department of Thoracic, Breast and Endocrinological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Marjorie Zauderer
- Thoracic Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marc Ladanyi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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23
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Perez-Bermejo JA, Efagene O, Matern WM, Holden JK, Kabir S, Chew GM, Andreoletti G, Catton E, Ennis CL, Garcia A, Gerstenberg TL, Hill KA, Jain A, Krassovsky K, Lalisan CD, Lord D, Quejarro BJ, Sales-Lee J, Shah M, Silva BJ, Skowronski J, Strukov YG, Thomas J, Veraz M, Vijay T, Wallace KA, Yuan Y, Grogan JL, Wienert B, Lahiri P, Treusch S, Dever DP, Soros VB, Partridge JR, Seim KL. Functional screening in human HSPCs identifies optimized protein-based enhancers of Homology Directed Repair. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2625. [PMID: 38521763 PMCID: PMC10960832 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46816-5] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Homology Directed Repair (HDR) enables precise genome editing, but the implementation of HDR-based therapies is hindered by limited efficiency in comparison to methods that exploit alternative DNA repair routes, such as Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ). In this study, we develop a functional, pooled screening platform to identify protein-based reagents that improve HDR in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). We leverage this screening platform to explore sequence diversity at the binding interface of the NHEJ inhibitor i53 and its target, 53BP1, identifying optimized variants that enable new intermolecular bonds and robustly increase HDR. We show that these variants specifically reduce insertion-deletion outcomes without increasing off-target editing, synergize with a DNAPK inhibitor molecule, and can be applied at manufacturing scale to increase the fraction of cells bearing repaired alleles. This screening platform can enable the discovery of future gene editing reagents that improve HDR outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Meet Shah
- Graphite Bio, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yue Yuan
- Graphite Bio, South San Francisco, CA, USA
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24
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Samuels M, Falkenius J, Bar-Ad V, Dunst J, van Triest B, Yachnin J, Rodriguez-Gutierrez A, Kuipers M, You X, Sarholz B, Locatelli G, Becker A, Troost EGC. A Phase 1 Study of the DNA-PK Inhibitor Peposertib in Combination With Radiation Therapy With or Without Cisplatin in Patients With Advanced Head and Neck Tumors. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 118:743-756. [PMID: 37751793 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) plays a key role in the repair of DNA double strand breaks via nonhomologous end joining. Inhibition of DNA-PK can enhance the effect of DNA double strand break inducing anticancer therapies. Peposertib (formerly "M3814") is an orally administered, potent, and selective small molecule DNA-PK inhibitor that has demonstrated radiosensitizing and antitumor activity in xenograft models and was well-tolerated in monotherapy. This phase 1 trial (National Clinical Trial 02516813) investigated the maximum tolerated dose, recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), safety, and tolerability of peposertib in combination with palliative radiation therapy (RT) in patients with thoracic or head and neck tumors (arm A) and of peposertib in combination with cisplatin and curative-intent RT in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (arm B). METHODS AND MATERIALS Patients received peposertib once daily in ascending dose cohorts as a tablet or capsule in combination with palliative RT (arm A) or in combination with intensity modulated curative-intent RT and cisplatin (arm B). RESULTS The most frequently observed treatment-emergent adverse events were radiation skin injury, fatigue, and nausea in arm A (n = 34) and stomatitis, nausea, radiation skin injury, and dysgeusia in arm B (n = 11). Based on evaluations of dose-limiting toxicities, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic data, RP2D for arm A was declared as 200 mg peposertib tablet once daily in combination with RT. In arm B (n = 11), 50 mg peposertib was declared tolerable in combination with curative-intent RT and cisplatin. However, enrollment was discontinued because of insufficient exposure at that dose, and the RP2D was not formally declared. CONCLUSIONS Peposertib in combination with palliative RT was well-tolerated up to doses of 200 mg once daily as tablet with each RT fraction. When combined with RT and cisplatin, a tolerable peposertib dose yielded insufficient exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Johan Falkenius
- Theme Cancer, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Voichita Bar-Ad
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Juergen Dunst
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Baukelien van Triest
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey Yachnin
- Theme Cancer, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Mirjam Kuipers
- The health care business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Andreas Becker
- The health care business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Esther G C Troost
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany; Institute of Radiooncology - OncoRay, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases, Partner Site Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany.
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25
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Rajendra E, Grande D, Mason B, Di Marcantonio D, Armstrong L, Hewitt G, Elinati E, Galbiati A, Boulton SJ, Heald RA, Smith GCM, Robinson HMR. Quantitative, titratable and high-throughput reporter assays to measure DNA double strand break repair activity in cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:1736-1752. [PMID: 38109306 PMCID: PMC10899754 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1196] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Repair of DNA damage is essential for the maintenance of genome stability and cell viability. DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) constitute a toxic class of DNA lesion and multiple cellular pathways exist to mediate their repair. Robust and titratable assays of cellular DSB repair (DSBR) are important to functionally interrogate the integrity and efficiency of these mechanisms in disease models as well as in response to genetic or pharmacological perturbations. Several variants of DSBR reporters are available, however these are often limited by throughput or restricted to specific cellular models. Here, we describe the generation and validation of a suite of extrachromosomal reporter assays that can efficiently measure the major DSBR pathways of homologous recombination (HR), classical nonhomologous end joining (cNHEJ), microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) and single strand annealing (SSA). We demonstrate that these assays can be adapted to a high-throughput screening format and that they are sensitive to pharmacological modulation, thus providing mechanistic and quantitative insights into compound potency, selectivity, and on-target specificity. We propose that these reporter assays can serve as tools to dissect the interplay of DSBR pathway networks in cells and will have broad implications for studies of DSBR mechanisms in basic research and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eeson Rajendra
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | - Diego Grande
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | - Bethany Mason
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | | | - Lucy Armstrong
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | | | - Elias Elinati
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | | | - Simon J Boulton
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Robert A Heald
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | - Graeme C M Smith
- Artios Pharma Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
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26
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Romesser PB, Capdevila J, Garcia-Carbonero R, Philip T, Fernandez Martos C, Tuli R, Rodriguez-Gutierrez A, Kuipers M, Becker A, Coenen-Stass A, Sarholz B, You X, Miller ED. A Phase Ib Study of the DNA-PK Inhibitor Peposertib Combined with Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation in Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:695-702. [PMID: 38051750 PMCID: PMC10870114 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1129] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Peposertib-an orally administered DNA-dependent protein kinase inhibitor-has shown potent radiosensitization in preclinical models. This dose-escalation study (NCT03770689) aimed to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of peposertib plus capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and assessed its safety and efficacy in locally advanced rectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were treated for 5 to 5.5 weeks with 50- to 250-mg peposertib once daily, capecitabine 825 mg/m2 twice daily, and radiotherapy (RT), 5 days per week. Following clinical restaging (8 weeks after CRT completion), patients with clinical complete response (cCR) could opt for surveillance. Total mesorectal excision was recommended upon incomplete response (IR). RESULTS Nineteen patients were treated with peposertib at doses of 50 mg (n = 1), 100 mg, 150 mg, and 250 mg (n = 6 each). Dose-limiting toxicities occurred in one out of five (100 mg), one out of six (150 mg), and three out of six (250 mg) evaluable patients. Peposertib ≤150 mg once daily was tolerable in combination with CRT. After 8 weeks of treatment with peposertib and CRT, the cCR was 15.8% (n = 3). Among the three patients with cCR, two underwent surgery and had residual tumors. Among the 16 patients with IR, seven underwent surgery and had residual tumors; five of the remaining nine patients opted for consolidative chemotherapy. The combined cCR/pathologic complete response (pCR) rate was 5.3% (n = 1, 100 mg cohort). CONCLUSIONS Peposertib did not improve complete response rates at tolerable dose levels. The study was closed without declaring the MTD/RP2D.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaume Capdevila
- Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), IOB Quiron-Teknon, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Tony Philip
- Northwell Health Cancer Institute, Lake Success, New York
| | | | - Richard Tuli
- USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | | | - Mirjam Kuipers
- The health care business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Andreas Becker
- The health care business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Eric D. Miller
- Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
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27
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Perez B, Aljumaily R, Marron TU, Shafique MR, Burris H, Iams WT, Chmura SJ, Luke JJ, Edenfield W, Sohal D, Liao X, Boesler C, Machl A, Seebeck J, Becker A, Guenther B, Rodriguez-Gutierrez A, Antonia SJ. Phase I study of peposertib and avelumab with or without palliative radiotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors. ESMO Open 2024; 9:102217. [PMID: 38320431 PMCID: PMC10937199 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.102217] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We report results from a phase I, three-part, dose-escalation study of peposertib, a DNA-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, in combination with avelumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, with or without radiotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Peposertib 100-400 mg twice daily (b.i.d.) or 100-250 mg once daily (q.d.) was administered in combination with avelumab 800 mg every 2 weeks in Part A or avelumab plus radiotherapy (3 Gy/fraction × 10 days) in Part B. Part FE assessed the effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of peposertib plus avelumab. The primary endpoint in Parts A and B was dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). Secondary endpoints were safety, best overall response per RECIST version 1.1, and pharmacokinetics. The recommended phase II dose (RP2D) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) were determined in Parts A and B. RESULTS In Part A, peposertib doses administered were 100 mg (n = 4), 200 mg (n = 11), 250 mg (n = 4), 300 mg (n = 6), and 400 mg (n = 4) b.i.d. Of DLT-evaluable patients, one each had DLT at the 250-mg and 300-mg dose levels and three had DLT at the 400-mg b.i.d. dose level. In Part B, peposertib doses administered were 100 mg (n = 3), 150 mg (n = 3), 200 mg (n = 4), and 250 mg (n = 9) q.d.; no DLT was reported in evaluable patients. Peposertib 200 mg b.i.d. plus avelumab and peposertib 250 mg q.d. plus avelumab and radiotherapy were declared as the RP2D/MTD. No objective responses were observed in Part A or B; one patient had a partial response in Part FE. Peposertib exposure was generally dose proportional. CONCLUSIONS Peposertib doses up to 200 mg b.i.d. in combination with avelumab and up to 250 mg q.d. in combination with avelumab and radiotherapy were tolerable in patients with advanced solid tumors; however, antitumor activity was limited. CLINICALTRIALS GOV IDENTIFIER NCT03724890.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Perez
- Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa
| | | | - T U Marron
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | | | - H Burris
- Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville
| | - W T Iams
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville
| | | | - J J Luke
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh
| | - W Edenfield
- Greenville Health System, Institute for Translational Oncology Research, Greenville
| | - D Sohal
- University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, USA
| | - X Liao
- Merck Serono Co., Ltd. (An Affiliate of Merck KGaA), Beijing, China
| | - C Boesler
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - A Machl
- EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. (An Affiliate of Merck KGaA), Billerica, USA
| | - J Seebeck
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - A Becker
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - B Guenther
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
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28
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Bossaert M, Moreno A, Peixoto A, Pillaire MJ, Chanut P, Frit P, Calsou P, Loparo JJ, Britton S. Identification of the main barriers to Ku accumulation in chromatin. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.03.574002. [PMID: 38260538 PMCID: PMC10802386 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.03.574002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Repair of DNA double strand breaks by the non-homologous end-joining pathway is initiated by the binding of Ku to DNA ends. Given its high affinity for ends, multiple Ku proteins load onto linear DNAs in vitro. However, in cells, Ku loading is limited to ~1-2 molecules per DNA end. The mechanisms enforcing this limit are currently unknown. Here we show that the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs), but not its protein kinase activity, is required to prevent excessive Ku entry into chromatin. Ku accumulation is further restricted by two mechanisms: a neddylation/FBXL12-dependent process which actively removes loaded Ku molecules throughout the cell cycle and a CtIP/ATM-dependent mechanism which operates in S-phase. Finally, we demonstrate that the misregulation of Ku loading leads to impaired transcription in the vicinity of DNA ends. Together our data shed light on the multiple layers of coordinated mechanisms operating to prevent Ku from invading chromatin and interfering with other DNA transactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Bossaert
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
- Equipe labélisée la Ligue contre le Cancer 2018
| | - Andrew Moreno
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Antonio Peixoto
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
- Equipe labélisée la Ligue contre le Cancer 2018
| | - Marie-Jeanne Pillaire
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
- Equipe labélisée la Ligue contre le Cancer 2018
| | - Pauline Chanut
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
- Equipe labélisée la Ligue contre le Cancer 2018
| | - Philippe Frit
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
- Equipe labélisée la Ligue contre le Cancer 2018
| | - Patrick Calsou
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
- Equipe labélisée la Ligue contre le Cancer 2018
| | - Joseph John Loparo
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Sébastien Britton
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
- Equipe labélisée la Ligue contre le Cancer 2018
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Revia S, Budzinska MA, Bogatyrova O, Neumann F, Zimmermann A, Amendt C, Albers J. DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Inhibitor Peposertib Potentiates the Cytotoxicity of Topoisomerase II Inhibitors in Synovial Sarcoma Models. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:189. [PMID: 38201616 PMCID: PMC10778103 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Synovial sarcoma is a rare and highly aggressive subtype of soft tissue sarcoma. The clinical challenge posed by advanced or metastatic synovial sarcoma, marked by limited treatment options and suboptimal outcomes, necessitates innovative approaches. The topoisomerase II (Topo II) inhibitor doxorubicin has remained the cornerstone systemic treatment for decades, and there is pressing need for improved therapeutic strategies for these patients. This study highlights the potential to enhance the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin within well-characterized synovial sarcoma cell lines using the potent and selective DNA-PK inhibitor, peposertib. In vitro investigations unveil a p53-mediated synergistic anti-tumor effect when combining doxorubicin with peposertib. The in vitro findings were substantiated by pronounced anti-tumor effects in mice bearing subcutaneously implanted tumors. A well-tolerated regimen for the combined application was established using both pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and unmodified doxorubicin. Notably, the combination of PLD and peposertib displayed enhanced anti-tumor efficacy compared to unmodified doxorubicin at equivalent doses, suggesting an improved therapeutic window-a critical consideration for clinical translation. Efficacy studies in two patient-derived xenograft models of synovial sarcoma, accurately reflecting human metastatic disease, further validate the potential of this combined therapy. These findings align with previous evidence showcasing the synergy between DNA-PK inhibition and Topo II inhibitors in diverse tumor models, including breast and ovarian cancers. Our study extends the potential utility of combined therapy to synovial sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffie Revia
- Research Unit Oncology, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany; (S.R.)
| | | | - Olga Bogatyrova
- Research Unit Oncology, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany; (S.R.)
| | - Felix Neumann
- Research Unit Oncology, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany; (S.R.)
| | - Astrid Zimmermann
- Research Unit Oncology, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany; (S.R.)
| | - Christiane Amendt
- Research Unit Oncology, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany; (S.R.)
| | - Joachim Albers
- Research Unit Oncology, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany; (S.R.)
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Marino-Enriquez A, Novotny JP, Gulhan DC, Klooster I, Tran AV, Kasbo M, Lundberg MZ, Ou WB, Tao DL, Pilco-Janeta DF, Mao VY, Zenke FT, Leeper BA, Gokhale PC, Cowley GS, Baker LH, Ballman KV, Root DE, Albers J, Park PJ, George S, Fletcher JA. Hyper-Dependence on NHEJ Enables Synergy between DNA-PK Inhibitors and Low-Dose Doxorubicin in Leiomyosarcoma. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:5128-5139. [PMID: 37773632 PMCID: PMC10841464 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-0998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is an aggressive sarcoma for which standard chemotherapies achieve response rates under 30%. There are no effective targeted therapies against LMS. Most LMS are characterized by chromosomal instability (CIN), resulting in part from TP53 and RB1 co-inactivation and DNA damage repair defects. We sought to identify therapeutic targets that could exacerbate intrinsic CIN and DNA damage in LMS, inducing lethal genotoxicity. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We performed clinical targeted sequencing in 287 LMS and genome-wide loss-of-function screens in 3 patient-derived LMS cell lines, to identify LMS-specific dependencies. We validated candidate targets by biochemical and cell-response assays in vitro and in seven mouse models. RESULTS Clinical targeted sequencing revealed a high burden of somatic copy-number alterations (median fraction of the genome altered =0.62) and demonstrated homologous recombination deficiency signatures in 35% of LMS. Genome-wide short hairpin RNA screens demonstrated PRKDC (DNA-PKcs) and RPA2 essentiality, consistent with compensatory nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) hyper-dependence. DNA-PK inhibitor combinations with unconventionally low-dose doxorubicin had synergistic activity in LMS in vitro models. Combination therapy with peposertib and low-dose doxorubicin (standard or liposomal formulations) inhibited growth of 5 of 7 LMS mouse models without toxicity. CONCLUSIONS Combinations of DNA-PK inhibitors with unconventionally low, sensitizing, doxorubicin dosing showed synergistic effects in LMS in vitro and in vivo models, without discernable toxicity. These findings underscore the relevance of DNA damage repair alterations in LMS pathogenesis and identify dependence on NHEJ as a clinically actionable vulnerability in LMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Marino-Enriquez
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jan Philipp Novotny
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Doga C. Gulhan
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isabella Klooster
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antuan V. Tran
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Macy Kasbo
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meijun Z. Lundberg
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wen-Bin Ou
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Derrick L. Tao
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel F. Pilco-Janeta
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Sarcoma Translational Research Laboratory, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victor Y. Mao
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Frank T. Zenke
- Research Unit Oncology, the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Brittaney A. Leeper
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and the Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Prafulla C. Gokhale
- Experimental Therapeutics Core and the Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Karla V. Ballman
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - David E. Root
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Joachim Albers
- Research Unit Oncology, the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Peter J. Park
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Suzanne George
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan A. Fletcher
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Zhang H, Kreis J, Schelhorn SE, Dahmen H, Grombacher T, Zühlsdorf M, Zenke FT, Guan Y. Mapping combinatorial drug effects to DNA damage response kinase inhibitors. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8310. [PMID: 38097586 PMCID: PMC10721915 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44108-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
One fundamental principle that underlies various cancer treatments, such as traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, involves the induction of catastrophic DNA damage, leading to the apoptosis of cancer cells. In our study, we conduct a comprehensive dose-response combination screening focused on inhibitors that target key kinases involved in the DNA damage response (DDR): ATR, ATM, and DNA-PK. This screening involves 87 anti-cancer agents, including six DDR inhibitors, and encompasses 62 different cell lines spanning 12 types of tumors, resulting in a total of 17,912 combination treatment experiments. Within these combinations, we analyze the most effective and synergistic drug pairs across all tested cell lines, considering the variations among cancers originating from different tissues. Our analysis reveals inhibitors of five DDR-related pathways (DNA topoisomerase, PLK1 kinase, p53-inducible ribonucleotide reductase, PARP, and cell cycle checkpoint proteins) that exhibit strong combinatorial efficacy and synergy when used alongside ATM/ATR/DNA-PK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanrui Zhang
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yuanfang Guan
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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32
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Becker A, Krebs‐Brown A, Vetter C, Reuter T, Rodriguez‐Gutierrez A, You X, Lissy M. Phase I crossover study of DNA-protein kinase inhibitor peposertib in healthy volunteers: Effect of food and pharmacokinetics of an oral suspension. Clin Transl Sci 2023; 16:2628-2639. [PMID: 37905356 PMCID: PMC10719468 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Peposertib is an orally administered inhibitor of DNA-dependent protein kinase. We evaluated the effect of food on its pharmacokinetics, and examined the pharmacokinetics of an oral suspension (OS) of disintegrated tablets, in a phase I, open-label, crossover three-period study (NCT04702698). Twelve healthy volunteers were randomized to one of six treatment sequences. They received a single dose of peposertib 100 mg as film-coated tablets under fasted or fed conditions ("tablet fasted" or "tablet fed") or as an OS under fasted conditions ("OS fasted"), with washout between treatments. Using healthy volunteers was possible because, despite its mechanism of action being suppression of DNA repair, peposertib has shown no genotoxic effect in animals. A mild food effect was observed with peposertib tablets. Fed-to-fasted ratios were: area under the curve from time 0 to time t (AUC0-t ), 123.81% (90% confidence interval [CI]: 108.04, 141.87%); AUC from zero to infinity (AUC0-∞ ), 110.28% (90% CI 100.71, 120.77%); and maximum concentration (Cmax ) 104.47% (90% CI: 79.15, 137.90%). Cmax was delayed under fed conditions (median time to maximum concentration [Tmax ] was 3.5 h [tablet fed] vs. 1 h [tablet fasted]). OS-to-tablet (fasted) ratios were: AUC0-t , 124.83% (90% CI: 111.50%, 139.76%); AUC0-∞ , 119.05% (90% CI: 104.47, 135.67%); and Cmax 173.29% (90% CI: 135.78, 221.16%). Median Tmax was 0.5 h (OS fasted) versus 1 h (tablet). All treatments were well-tolerated in healthy volunteers. Peposertib tablets can be taken with or without food; if combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, the delay in Cmax must be considered to optimize the chemo- or radiosensitizing effect. The peposertib OS form represents an alternative route of administration in patients with specific cancers causing dysphagia. However, the OS form should be part of future dose optimization strategies in relevant settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tanja Reuter
- The healthcare business of Merck KGaADarmstadtGermany
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Huang X, You L, Nepovimova E, Psotka M, Malinak D, Valko M, Sivak L, Korabecny J, Heger Z, Adam V, Wu Q, Kuca K. Inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related protein kinase family (PIKK). J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2237209. [PMID: 37489050 PMCID: PMC10392309 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2237209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related protein kinases (PIKK) are two structurally related families of kinases that play vital roles in cell growth and DNA damage repair. Dysfunction of PIKK members and aberrant stimulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway are linked to a plethora of diseases including cancer. In recent decades, numerous inhibitors related to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling have made great strides in cancer treatment, like copanlisib and sirolimus. Notably, most of the PIKK inhibitors (such as VX-970 and M3814) related to DNA damage response have also shown good efficacy in clinical trials. However, these drugs still require a suitable combination therapy to overcome drug resistance or improve antitumor activity. Based on the aforementioned facts, we summarised the efficacy of PIKK, PI3K, and AKT inhibitors in the therapy of human malignancies and the resistance mechanisms of targeted therapy, in order to provide deeper insights into cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqin Huang
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Li You
- College of Physical Education and Health, Chongqing College of International Business and Economics, Chongqing, China
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Psotka
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - David Malinak
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Marian Valko
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ladislav Sivak
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Korabecny
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Heger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Qinghua Wu
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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34
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Tan J, Sun X, Zhao H, Guan H, Gao S, Zhou P. Double-strand DNA break repair: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e388. [PMID: 37808268 PMCID: PMC10556206 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Double-strand break (DSB), a significant DNA damage brought on by ionizing radiation, acts as an initiating signal in tumor radiotherapy, causing cancer cells death. The two primary pathways for DNA DSB repair in mammalian cells are nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR), which cooperate and compete with one another to achieve effective repair. The DSB repair mechanism depends on numerous regulatory variables. DSB recognition and the recruitment of DNA repair components, for instance, depend on the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex and the Ku70/80 heterodimer/DNA-PKcs (DNA-PK) complex, whose control is crucial in determining the DSB repair pathway choice and efficiency of HR and NHEJ. In-depth elucidation on the DSB repair pathway's molecular mechanisms has greatly facilitated for creation of repair proteins or pathways-specific inhibitors to advance precise cancer therapy and boost the effectiveness of cancer radiotherapy. The architectures, roles, molecular processes, and inhibitors of significant target proteins in the DSB repair pathways are reviewed in this article. The strategy and application in cancer therapy are also discussed based on the advancement of inhibitors targeted DSB damage response and repair proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinpeng Tan
- Hengyang Medical CollegeUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunan ProvinceChina
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Xingyao Sun
- Hengyang Medical CollegeUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunan ProvinceChina
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Hongling Zhao
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Hua Guan
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Shanshan Gao
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Ping‐Kun Zhou
- Hengyang Medical CollegeUniversity of South ChinaHengyangHunan ProvinceChina
- Department of Radiation BiologyBeijing Key Laboratory for RadiobiologyBeijing Institute of Radiation MedicineBeijingChina
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35
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Li Q, Qian W, Zhang Y, Hu L, Chen S, Xia Y. A new wave of innovations within the DNA damage response. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:338. [PMID: 37679326 PMCID: PMC10485079 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01548-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome instability has been identified as one of the enabling hallmarks in cancer. DNA damage response (DDR) network is responsible for maintenance of genome integrity in cells. As cancer cells frequently carry DDR gene deficiencies or suffer from replicative stress, targeting DDR processes could induce excessive DNA damages (or unrepaired DNA) that eventually lead to cell death. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have brought impressive benefit to patients with breast cancer gene (BRCA) mutation or homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), which proves the concept of synthetic lethality in cancer treatment. Moreover, the other two scenarios of DDR inhibitor application, replication stress and combination with chemo- or radio- therapy, are under active clinical exploration. In this review, we revisited the progress of DDR targeting therapy beyond the launched first-generation PARP inhibitors. Next generation PARP1 selective inhibitors, which could maintain the efficacy while mitigating side effects, may diversify the application scenarios of PARP inhibitor in clinic. Albeit with unavoidable on-mechanism toxicities, several small molecules targeting DNA damage checkpoints (gatekeepers) have shown great promise in preliminary clinical results, which may warrant further evaluations. In addition, inhibitors for other DNA repair pathways (caretakers) are also under active preclinical or clinical development. With these progresses and efforts, we envision that a new wave of innovations within DDR has come of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Li
- Domestic Discovery Service Unit, WuXi AppTec, 200131, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenyuan Qian
- Domestic Discovery Service Unit, WuXi AppTec, 200131, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Domestic Discovery Service Unit, WuXi AppTec, 200131, Shanghai, China
| | - Lihong Hu
- Domestic Discovery Service Unit, WuXi AppTec, 200131, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuhui Chen
- Domestic Discovery Service Unit, WuXi AppTec, 200131, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanfeng Xia
- Domestic Discovery Service Unit, WuXi AppTec, 200131, Shanghai, China.
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Lal S, Bhola NE, Sun BC, Chen Y, Huang T, Morton V, Chen KX, Xia S, Zhang H, Parikh NS, Ye Q, Veiby OP, Bellovin DI, Ji Y. Discovery and Characterization of ZL-2201, a Potent, Highly Selective, and Orally Bioavailable Small-molecule DNA-PK Inhibitor. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:1731-1742. [PMID: 37663435 PMCID: PMC10473160 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), a driver of the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) DNA damage response pathway, plays an instrumental role in repairing double-strand breaks (DSB) induced by DNA-damaging poisons. We evaluate ZL-2201, an orally bioavailable, highly potent, and selective pharmacologic inhibitor of DNA-PK activity, for the treatment of human cancerous malignancies. ZL-2201 demonstrated greater selectivity for DNA-PK and effectively inhibited DNA-PK autophosphorylation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Initial data suggested a potential correlation between ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) deficiency and ZL-2201 sensitivity. More so, ZL-2201 showed strong synergy with topoisomerase II inhibitors independent of ATM status in vitro. In vivo oral administration of ZL-2201 demonstrated dose-dependent antitumor activity in the NCI-H1703 xenograft model and significantly enhanced the activity of approved DNA-damaging agents in A549 and FaDu models. From a phosphoproteomic mass spectrometry screen, we identified and validated that ZL-2201 and PRKDC siRNA decreased Ser108 phosphorylation of MCM2, a key DNA replication factor. Collectively, we have characterized a potent and selective DNA-PK inhibitor with promising monotherapy and combinatory therapeutic potential with approved DNA-damaging agents. More importantly, we identified phospho-MCM2 (Ser108) as a potential proximal biomarker of DNA-PK inhibition that warrants further preclinical and clinical evaluation. Significance ZL-2201, a potent and selective DNA-PK inhibitor, can target tumor models in combination with DNA DSB-inducing agents such as radiation or doxorubicin, with potential to improve recurrent therapies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Lal
- Biologics Discovery, Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | - Neil E. Bhola
- Biologics Discovery, Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | - Bee-Chun Sun
- Biologics Discovery, Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | - Yuping Chen
- Biologics Discovery, Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | - Tom Huang
- Biologics Discovery, Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | - Vivian Morton
- Biologics Discovery, Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | | | | | | | - Nehal S. Parikh
- Biologics Discovery, Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | - Qiuping Ye
- Biologics Discovery, Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | - O. Petter Veiby
- Biologics Discovery, Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
| | | | - Yuhua Ji
- Biologics Discovery, Zai Lab (US) LLC, Menlo Park, California
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Metge BJ, Alsheikh HA, Chen D, Elhamamsy AR, Hinshaw DC, Chen BR, Sleckman BP, Samant RS, Shevde LA. Ribosome biosynthesis and Hedgehog activity are cooperative actionable signaling mechanisms in breast cancer following radiotherapy. NPJ Precis Oncol 2023; 7:61. [PMID: 37380890 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-023-00410-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperactivated ribosome biosynthesis is attributed to a need for elevated protein synthesis that accommodates cell growth and division, and is characterized by nucleomorphometric alterations and increased nucleolar counts. Ribosome biogenesis is challenged when DNA-damaging treatments such as radiotherapy are utilized. Tumor cells that survive radiotherapy form the basis of recurrence, tumor progression, and metastasis. In order to survive and become metabolically revitalized, tumor cells need to reactivate RNA Polymerase I (RNA Pol I) to synthesize ribosomal RNA, an integral component of ribosomes. In this study, we showed that following radiation therapy, tumor cells from breast cancer patients demonstrate activation of a ribosome biosynthesis signature concurrent with enrichment of a signature of Hedgehog (Hh) activity. We hypothesized that GLI1 activates RNA Pol I in response to irradiation and licenses the emergence of a radioresistant tumor population. Our work establishes a novel role for GLI1 in orchestrating RNA Pol I activity in irradiated breast cancer cells. Furthermore, we present evidence that in these irradiated tumor cells, Treacle ribosome biogenesis factor 1 (TCOF1), a nucleolar protein that is important in ribosome biogenesis, facilitates nucleolar translocation of GLI1. Inhibiting Hh activity and RNA Pol I activity disabled the outgrowth of breast cancer cells in the lungs. As such, ribosome biosynthesis and Hh activity present as actionable signaling mechanisms to enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon J Metge
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Heba A Alsheikh
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Dongquan Chen
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Amr R Elhamamsy
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Dominique C Hinshaw
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Bo-Ruei Chen
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Barry P Sleckman
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rajeev S Samant
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Lalita A Shevde
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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38
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Gu L, Hickey RJ, Malkas LH. Therapeutic Targeting of DNA Replication Stress in Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1346. [PMID: 37510250 PMCID: PMC10378776 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This article reviews the currently used therapeutic strategies to target DNA replication stress for cancer treatment in the clinic, highlighting their effectiveness and limitations due to toxicity and drug resistance. Cancer cells experience enhanced spontaneous DNA damage due to compromised DNA replication machinery, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, loss of tumor suppressor genes, and/or constitutive activation of oncogenes. Consequently, these cells are addicted to DNA damage response signaling pathways and repair machinery to maintain genome stability and support survival and proliferation. Chemotherapeutic drugs exploit this genetic instability by inducing additional DNA damage to overwhelm the repair system in cancer cells. However, the clinical use of DNA-damaging agents is limited by their toxicity and drug resistance often arises. To address these issues, the article discusses a potential strategy to target the cancer-associated isoform of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (caPCNA), which plays a central role in the DNA replication and damage response network. Small molecule and peptide agents that specifically target caPCNA can selectively target cancer cells without significant toxicity to normal cells or experimental animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Gu
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics & Experimental Therapeutics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Robert J Hickey
- Department of Cancer Biology & Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Linda H Malkas
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics & Experimental Therapeutics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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39
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Wu Y, Song Y, Wang R, Wang T. Molecular mechanisms of tumor resistance to radiotherapy. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:96. [PMID: 37322433 PMCID: PMC10268375 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01801-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is the most prevalent cause of death globally, and radiotherapy is considered the standard of care for most solid tumors, including lung, breast, esophageal, and colorectal cancers and glioblastoma. Resistance to radiation can lead to local treatment failure and even cancer recurrence. MAIN BODY In this review, we have extensively discussed several crucial aspects that cause resistance of cancer to radiation therapy, including radiation-induced DNA damage repair, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis escape, abundance of cancer stem cells, modification of cancer cells and their microenvironment, presence of exosomal and non-coding RNA, metabolic reprogramming, and ferroptosis. We aim to focus on the molecular mechanisms of cancer radiotherapy resistance in relation to these aspects and to discuss possible targets to improve treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Studying the molecular mechanisms responsible for radiotherapy resistance and its interactions with the tumor environment will help improve cancer responses to radiotherapy. Our review provides a foundation to identify and overcome the obstacles to effective radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042 Liaoning Province China
- School of Graduate, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044 China
| | - Yingqiu Song
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042 Liaoning Province China
| | - Runze Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042 Liaoning Province China
- School of Graduate, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044 China
| | - Tianlu Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042 Liaoning Province China
- Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024 China
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40
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Koch JP, Roth SM, Quintin A, Gavini J, Orlando E, Riedo R, Pozzato C, Hayrapetyan L, Aebersold R, Stroka DM, Aebersold DM, Medo M, Zimmer Y, Medová M. A DNA-PK phosphorylation site on MET regulates its signaling interface with the DNA damage response. Oncogene 2023; 42:2113-2125. [PMID: 37188738 PMCID: PMC10289896 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02714-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The DNA damage response (DDR) is intertwined with signaling pathways downstream of oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). To drive research into the application of targeted therapies as radiosensitizers, a better understanding of this molecular crosstalk is necessary. We present here the characterization of a previously unreported MET RTK phosphosite, Serine 1016 (S1016) that represents a potential DDR-MET interface. MET S1016 phosphorylation increases in response to irradiation and is mainly targeted by DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). Phosphoproteomics unveils an impact of the S1016A substitution on the overall long-term cell cycle regulation following DNA damage. Accordingly, the abrogation of this phosphosite strongly perturbs the phosphorylation of proteins involved in the cell cycle and formation of the mitotic spindle, enabling cells to bypass a G2 arrest upon irradiation and leading to the entry into mitosis despite compromised genome integrity. This results in the formation of abnormal mitotic spindles and a lower proliferation rate. Altogether, the current data uncover a novel signaling mechanism through which the DDR uses a growth factor receptor system for regulating and maintaining genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas P Koch
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Selina M Roth
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Quintin
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jacopo Gavini
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eleonora Orlando
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rahel Riedo
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Pozzato
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Liana Hayrapetyan
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ruedi Aebersold
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Zürich, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Deborah M Stroka
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel M Aebersold
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matúš Medo
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yitzhak Zimmer
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michaela Medová
- Department for BioMedical Research, Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstrasse 8, 3008, Bern, Switzerland.
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41
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Lee YR, Kang GS, Oh T, Jo HJ, Park HJ, Ahn GO. DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Catalytic Subunit (DNA-PKcs): Beyond the DNA Double-Strand Break Repair. Mol Cells 2023; 46:200-205. [PMID: 36756777 PMCID: PMC10086554 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2023.2164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), a member of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase related kinase family is a well-known player in repairing DNA double strand break through non-homologous end joining pathway. This mechanism has allowed us to understand its critical role in T and B cell development through V(D)J recombination and class switch recombination, respectively. We have also learned that the defects in these mechanisms lead to severely combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Here we highlight some of the latest evidence where DNA-PKcs has been shown to localize not only in the nucleus but also in the cytoplasm, phosphorylating various proteins involved in cellular metabolism and cytokine production. While it is an exciting time to unveil novel functions of DNA-PKcs, one should carefully choose experimental models to study DNA-PKcs as the experimental evidence has been shown to differ between cells of defective DNA-PKcs and those of DNA-PKcs knockout. Moreover, while there are several DNA-PK inhibitors currently being evaluated in the clinical trials in attempt to increase the efficacy of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, multiple functions and subcellular localization of DNA-PKcs in various types of cells may further complicate the effects at the cellular and organismal level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Rim Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Gi-Sue Kang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Taerim Oh
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Hye-Ju Jo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Hye-Joon Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - G-One Ahn
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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42
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Zhou W, Zhao Z, Lin A, Yang J, Xu J, Kari WR, Yang A, Li J, Solanki S, Speth J, Walker N, Scott AJ, Kothari AU, Yao Y, Peterson ER, Korimerla N, Werner CK, Liang J, Jacobson J, Palavalasa S, Obrien AM, Elaimy AL, Ferris SP, Zhao SG, Sarkaria JN, Győrffy B, Zhang S, Al-Holou WN, Umemura Y, Morgan MA, Lawrence TS, Lyssiotis CA, Peters-Golden M, Shah YM, Wahl DR. GTP signaling links metabolism, DNA repair, and responses to genotoxic stress. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.12.536297. [PMID: 37090571 PMCID: PMC10120670 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.12.536297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
How cell metabolism regulates DNA repair is incompletely understood. Here, we define a GTP-mediated signaling cascade that links metabolism to DNA repair and has significant therapeutic implications. GTP, but not other nucleotides, regulates the activity of Rac1, a G protein, that promotes the dephosphorylation of serine 323 on Abl-interactor 1 (Abi-1) by protein phosphatase 5 (PP5). Dephosphorylated Abi-1, a protein previously not known to activate DNA repair, promotes non-homologous end joining. In patients and mouse models of glioblastoma, Rac1 and dephosphorylated Abi-1 mediate DNA repair and resistance to standard of care genotoxic treatments. The GTP-Rac1-PP5-Abi-1 signaling axis is not limited to brain cancer, as GTP supplementation promotes DNA repair and Abi-1-S323 dephosphorylation in non-malignant cells and protects mouse tissues from genotoxic insult. This unexpected ability of GTP to regulate DNA repair independently of deoxynucleotide pools has important implications for normal physiology and cancer treatment.
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43
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Gillespie MS, Ward CM, Davies CC. DNA Repair and Therapeutic Strategies in Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1897. [PMID: 36980782 PMCID: PMC10047301 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
First-line cancer treatments successfully eradicate the differentiated tumour mass but are comparatively ineffective against cancer stem cells (CSCs), a self-renewing subpopulation thought to be responsible for tumour initiation, metastasis, heterogeneity, and recurrence. CSCs are thus presented as the principal target for elimination during cancer treatment. However, CSCs are challenging to drug target because of numerous intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of drug resistance. One such mechanism that remains relatively understudied is the DNA damage response (DDR). CSCs are presumed to possess properties that enable enhanced DNA repair efficiency relative to their highly proliferative bulk progeny, facilitating improved repair of double-strand breaks induced by radiotherapy and most chemotherapeutics. This can occur through multiple mechanisms, including increased expression and splicing fidelity of DNA repair genes, robust activation of cell cycle checkpoints, and elevated homologous recombination-mediated DNA repair. Herein, we summarise the current knowledge concerning improved genome integrity in non-transformed stem cells and CSCs, discuss therapeutic opportunities within the DDR for re-sensitising CSCs to genotoxic stressors, and consider the challenges posed regarding unbiased identification of novel DDR-directed strategies in CSCs. A better understanding of the DDR mediating chemo/radioresistance mechanisms in CSCs could lead to novel therapeutic approaches, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Gillespie
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (M.S.G.)
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Ciara M. Ward
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (M.S.G.)
| | - Clare C. Davies
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (M.S.G.)
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44
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Parsels LA, Wahl DR, Koschmann C, Morgan MA, Zhang Q. Developing H3K27M mutant selective radiosensitization strategies in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Neoplasia 2023; 37:100881. [PMID: 36724689 PMCID: PMC9918797 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2023.100881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a rare but highly lethal pediatric and adolescent tumor located in the pons of the brainstem. DIPGs harbor unique and specific pathological and molecular alterations, such as the hallmark lysine 27-to-methionine (H3K27M) mutation in histone H3, which lead to global changes in the epigenetic landscape and drive tumorigenesis. While fractionated radiotherapy, the current standard of care, improves symptoms and delays tumor progression, DIPGs inevitably recur, and despite extensive efforts chemotherapy-driven radiosensitization strategies have failed to improve survival. Advances in our understanding of the role of epigenetics in the cellular response to radiation-induced DNA damage, however, offer new opportunities to develop combinational therapeutic strategies selective for DIPGs expressing H3K27M. In this review, we provide an overview of preclinical studies that explore potential radiosensitization strategies targeting the unique epigenetic landscape of H3K27M mutant DIPG. We further discuss opportunities to selectively radiosensitize DIPG through strategic inhibition of the radiation-induced DNA damage response. Finally, we discuss the potential for using radiation to induce anti-tumor immune responses that may be potentiated in DIPG by radiosensitizing-therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie A Parsels
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Daniel R Wahl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Carl Koschmann
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Meredith A Morgan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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45
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Mohr M, Damas N, Gudmand-Høyer J, Zeeberg K, Jedrzejczyk D, Vlassis A, Morera-Gómez M, Pereira-Schoning S, Puš U, Oliver-Almirall A, Lyholm Jensen T, Baumgartner R, Tate Weinert B, Gill RT, Warnecke T. The CRISPR-Cas12a Platform for Accurate Genome Editing, Gene Disruption, and Efficient Transgene Integration in Human Immune Cells. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:375-389. [PMID: 36750230 PMCID: PMC9942205 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas12a nucleases have expanded the toolbox for targeted genome engineering in a broad range of organisms. Here, using a high-throughput engineering approach, we explored the potential of a novel CRISPR-MAD7 system for genome editing in human cells. We evaluated several thousand optimization conditions and demonstrated accurate genome reprogramming with modified MAD7. We identified crRNAs that allow for ≤95% non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and 66% frameshift mutations in various genes and observed the high-cleavage fidelity of MAD7 resulting in undetectable off-target activity. We explored the dsDNA delivery efficiency of CRISPR-MAD7, and by using our optimized transfection protocol, we obtained ≤85% chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) insertions in primary T cells, thus exceeding the baseline integration efficiencies of therapeutically relevant transgenes using currently available virus-free technologies. Finally, we evaluated multiplex editing efficiency with CRISPR-MAD7 and demonstrated simultaneous ≤35% CAR transgene insertions and ≤80% gene disruption efficiencies. Both the platform and our transfection procedure are easily adaptable for further preclinical studies and could potentially be used for clinical manufacturing of CAR T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Mohr
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nkerorema Damas
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Johanne Gudmand-Høyer
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Katrine Zeeberg
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Dominika Jedrzejczyk
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Arsenios Vlassis
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Martí Morera-Gómez
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sara Pereira-Schoning
- Artisan
Bio, 363 Centennial Parkway,
Suite 310, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United States
| | - Urška Puš
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anna Oliver-Almirall
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tanja Lyholm Jensen
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Roland Baumgartner
- Artisan
Bio, 363 Centennial Parkway,
Suite 310, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United States
| | - Brian Tate Weinert
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ryan T. Gill
- Novo
Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 220, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Artisan
Bio, 363 Centennial Parkway,
Suite 310, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United States
| | - Tanya Warnecke
- Artisan
Bio, 363 Centennial Parkway,
Suite 310, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United States
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46
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Ray U, Gopinatha VK, Sharma S, Goyary L, Choudhary B, Mantelingu K, Rangappa KS, Raghavan SC. Identification and characterization of mercaptopyrimidine-based small molecules as inhibitors of nonhomologous DNA end joining. FEBS J 2023; 290:796-820. [PMID: 36048168 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16615] [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: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Mercaptopyrimidine derivatives are heterocyclic compounds with potent biological activities including antiproliferative, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study describes the synthesis and characterization of several mercaptopyrimidine derivatives through condensation of 5,6-diamino-2-mercaptopyrimidin-4-ol with various heterocyclic and aromatic aldehydes. Previous studies have shown that SCR7, synthesized from 5,6-diamino-2-mercaptopyrimidin-4-ol, induced cytotoxicity by targeting cancer cells by primarily inhibiting DNA Ligase IV involved in nonhomologous end joining, one of the major DNA double-strand break repair pathways. Inhibition of DNA repair pathways is considered as an important strategy for cancer therapy. Due to limitations of SCR7 in terms of IC50 in cancer cells, here we have designed, synthesized, and characterized potent derivatives of SCR7 using 5,6-diamino-2-mercaptopyrimidin-4-ol as the starting material. Several synthesized imine compounds exhibited significant improvement in inhibition of end joining and cytotoxicity up to 27-fold lower concentrations than SCR7. Among these, two compounds, SCR116 and SCR132, showed increased cancer cell death in a Ligase IV-dependent manner. Treatment with the compounds also led to reduction in V(D)J recombination efficiency, cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, accumulation of double-strand breaks inside cells, and improved anti-cancer potential when combined with γ-radiation and radiomimetic drugs. Thus, we describe novel inhibitors of NHEJ with higher efficacy and potential, which can be developed as cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ujjayinee Ray
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Vindya K Gopinatha
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.,Department of Studies in Chemistry, University of Mysore, India
| | - Shivangi Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.,Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Electronics City, Bangalore, India
| | - Laijau Goyary
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Bibha Choudhary
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Electronics City, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Kanchugarakoppal S Rangappa
- Department of Studies in Chemistry, University of Mysore, India.,Institution of Excellence, Vijnana Bhavana, University of Mysore, India
| | - Sathees C Raghavan
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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47
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Molecular targets that sensitize cancer to radiation killing: From the bench to the bedside. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114126. [PMID: 36521246 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114126] [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: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a standard cytotoxic therapy against solid cancers. It uses ionizing radiation to kill tumor cells through damage to DNA, either directly or indirectly. Radioresistance is often associated with dysregulated DNA damage repair processes. Most radiosensitizers enhance radiation-mediated DNA damage and reduce the rate of DNA repair ultimately leading to accumulation of DNA damages, cell-cycle arrest, and cell death. Recently, agents targeting key signals in DNA damage response such as DNA repair pathways and cell-cycle have been developed. This new class of molecularly targeted radiosensitizing agents is being evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies to monitor their activity in potentiating radiation cytotoxicity of tumors and reducing normal tissue toxicity. The molecular pathways of DNA damage response are reviewed with a focus on the repair mechanisms, therapeutic targets under current clinical evaluation including ATM, ATR, CDK1, CDK4/6, CHK1, DNA-PKcs, PARP-1, Wee1, & MPS1/TTK and potential new targets (BUB1, and DNA LIG4) for radiation sensitization.
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Chiu LY, Sun Q, Zenke FT, Blaukat A, Vassilev LT. Selective ATM inhibition augments radiation-induced inflammatory signaling and cancer cell death. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:492-512. [PMID: 36656721 PMCID: PMC9925676 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Over half of all cancer patients undergo radiation therapy but there is an unmet need for more efficacious combination strategies with molecular targeted drugs. DNA damage response has emerged as an important intervention point for improving anti-tumor effects of radiation and several inhibitors are currently in development. Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase is a key regulator of cellular response to DNA double strand breaks and a potential target for radiosensitization. We recently reported two new potent and selective ATM inhibitors, M3541 and M4076, that effectively sensitize cancer cells to radiation and regress human xenografts in clinically relevant animal models. Here, we dive deeper into the cellular events in irradiated cancer cells exposed to ATM inhibitors. Suppression of ATM activity inhibited radiation-induced ATM signaling and abrogated G1 checkpoint activation resulting in enhanced cell death. Our data indicated that entry into mitosis with gross structural abnormalities in multiple chromosomes is the main mechanism behind the increased cell killing. Misalignment and mis-segregation led to formation of multiple micronuclei and robust activation of the interferon response and inflammatory signaling via the cGAS/STING/TBK1 pathway. Cancer cells exposed to radiation in the presence of M3541 were more susceptible to killing in co-culture with NK cells from healthy donors. In addition, strong upregulation of PD-L1 expression was observed in the surviving irradiated cancer cells exposed to M3541. Simultaneous activation of the STING pathway and PD-L1 suggested that combination of radiation, ATM inhibitors and PD-L1 targeted therapy may offer a novel approach to radio-immunotherapy of locally advanced tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ya Chiu
- Translational Innovation Platform Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Qing Sun
- Translational Innovation Platform Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, MA 01821, USA
| | - Frank T. Zenke
- Translational Innovation Platform Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, The Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
| | - Andree Blaukat
- Translational Innovation Platform Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, The Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
| | - Lyubomir T. Vassilev
- Translational Innovation Platform Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, MA 01821, USA
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Matias-Barrios VM, Dong X. The Implication of Topoisomerase II Inhibitors in Synthetic Lethality for Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:94. [PMID: 36678591 PMCID: PMC9866718 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA topoisomerase II (Top2) is essential for all eukaryotic cells in the regulation of DNA topology through the generation of temporary double-strand breaks. Cancer cells acquire enhanced Top2 functions to cope with the stress generated by transcription and DNA replication during rapid cell division since cancer driver genes such as Myc and EZH2 hijack Top2 in order to realize their oncogenic transcriptomes for cell growth and tumor progression. Inhibitors of Top2 are therefore designed to target Top2 to trap it on DNA, subsequently causing protein-linked DNA breaks, a halt to the cell cycle, and ultimately cell death. Despite the effectiveness of these inhibitors, cancer cells can develop resistance to them, thereby limiting their therapeutic utility. To maximize the therapeutic potential of Top2 inhibitors, combination therapies to co-target Top2 with DNA damage repair (DDR) machinery and oncogenic pathways have been proposed to induce synthetic lethality for more thorough tumor suppression. In this review, we will discuss the mode of action of Top2 inhibitors and their potential applications in cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor M. Matias-Barrios
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Avenida Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey 64849, Mexico
| | - Xuesen Dong
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
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50
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Novotny JP, Mariño-Enríquez A, Fletcher JA. Targeting DNA-PK. Cancer Treat Res 2023; 186:299-312. [PMID: 37978142 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-30065-3_16] [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
This chapter explores the multifaceted roles of DNA-PK with particular focus on its functions in non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) DNA repair. DNA-PK is the primary orchestrator of NHEJ but also regulates other biologic processes. The growing understanding of varied DNA-PK biologic roles highlights new avenues for cancer treatment. However, these multiple roles also imply challenges, particularly in combination therapies, with perhaps a higher risk of clinical toxicities than was previously envisioned. These considerations underscore the need for compelling and innovative strategies to accomplish effective clinical translation.
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