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Gupta D, Kumar M, Saifi S, Rawat S, Ethayathulla AS, Kaur P. A comprehensive review on role of Aurora kinase inhibitors (AKIs) in cancer therapeutics. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 265:130913. [PMID: 38508544 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130913] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Aurora kinases (AURKs) are a family of serine /threonine protein kinases that have a crucial role in cell cycle process mainly in the event of chromosomal segregation, centrosome maturation and cytokinesis. The family consists of three members including Aurora kinase A (AURK-A), Aurora kinase B (AURK-B) and Aurora kinase C (AURK-C). All AURKs contain a conserved kinase domain for their activity but differ in their cellular localization and functions. AURK-A and AURK-B are expressed mainly in somatic cells while the expression of AURK-C is limited to germ cells. AURK-A promotes G2 to M transition of cell cycle by controlling centrosome maturation and mitotic spindle assembly. AURK-B and AURK-C form the chromosome passenger complex (CPC) that ensures proper chromosomal alignments and segregation. Aberrant expression of AURK-A and AURK-B has been detected in several solid tumours and malignancies. Hence, they have become an attractive therapeutic target against cancer. The first part of this review focuses on AURKs structure, functions, subcellular localization, and their role in tumorigenesis. The review also highlights the functional and clinical impact of selective as well as pan kinase inhibitors. Currently, >60 compounds that target AURKs are in preclinical and clinical studies. The drawbacks of existing inhibitors like selectivity, drug resistance and toxicity have also been addressed. Since, majority of inhibitors are Aurora kinase inhibitor (AKI) type-1 that bind to the active (DFGin and Cin) conformation of the kinase, this information may be utilized to design highly selective kinase inhibitors that can be combined with other therapeutic agents for better clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepali Gupta
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi 110029, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi 110029, India
| | - Sana Saifi
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi 110029, India
| | - Shivani Rawat
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi 110029, India
| | - A S Ethayathulla
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi 110029, India
| | - Punit Kaur
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi 110029, India.
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Hosea R, Hillary S, Naqvi S, Wu S, Kasim V. The two sides of chromosomal instability: drivers and brakes in cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:75. [PMID: 38553459 PMCID: PMC10980778 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01767-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a hallmark of cancer and is associated with tumor cell malignancy. CIN triggers a chain reaction in cells leading to chromosomal abnormalities, including deviations from the normal chromosome number or structural changes in chromosomes. CIN arises from errors in DNA replication and chromosome segregation during cell division, leading to the formation of cells with abnormal number and/or structure of chromosomes. Errors in DNA replication result from abnormal replication licensing as well as replication stress, such as double-strand breaks and stalled replication forks; meanwhile, errors in chromosome segregation stem from defects in chromosome segregation machinery, including centrosome amplification, erroneous microtubule-kinetochore attachments, spindle assembly checkpoint, or defective sister chromatids cohesion. In normal cells, CIN is deleterious and is associated with DNA damage, proteotoxic stress, metabolic alteration, cell cycle arrest, and senescence. Paradoxically, despite these negative consequences, CIN is one of the hallmarks of cancer found in over 90% of solid tumors and in blood cancers. Furthermore, CIN could endow tumors with enhanced adaptation capabilities due to increased intratumor heterogeneity, thereby facilitating adaptive resistance to therapies; however, excessive CIN could induce tumor cells death, leading to the "just-right" model for CIN in tumors. Elucidating the complex nature of CIN is crucial for understanding the dynamics of tumorigenesis and for developing effective anti-tumor treatments. This review provides an overview of causes and consequences of CIN, as well as the paradox of CIN, a phenomenon that continues to perplex researchers. Finally, this review explores the potential of CIN-based anti-tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rendy Hosea
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
- The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Sharon Hillary
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
- The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Sumera Naqvi
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
- The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Shourong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China.
- The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China.
| | - Vivi Kasim
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China.
- The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China.
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Turaga SM, Vishwakarma V, Hembruff SL, Gibbs BK, Sabu P, Puri RV, Pathak HB, Samuel G, Godwin AK. Inducing Mitotic Catastrophe as a Therapeutic Approach to Improve Outcomes in Ewing Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4911. [PMID: 37894278 PMCID: PMC10605681 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15204911] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is an aggressive pediatric malignancy of the bone and soft tissues in need of novel therapeutic options. To identify potential therapeutic targets, we focused on essential biological pathways that are upregulated by EWS-FLI1, the primary oncogenic driver of EWS, including mitotic proteins such as Aurora kinase A (AURKA) and kinesin family member 15 (KIF15) and its binding partner, targeting protein for Xklp2 (TPX2). KIF15/TPX2 cooperates with KIF11, a key mitotic kinesin essential for mitotic spindle orientation. Given the lack of clinical-grade KIF15/TPX2 inhibitors, we chose to target KIF11 (using SB-743921) in combination with AURKA (using VIC-1911) given that phosphorylation of KIF15S1169 by Aurora A is required for its targeting to the spindle. In vitro, the drug combination demonstrated strong synergy (Bliss score ≥ 10) at nanomolar doses. Colony formation assay revealed significant reduction in plating efficiency (1-3%) and increased percentage accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase with the combination treatment (45-52%) upon cell cycle analysis, indicating mitotic arrest. In vivo studies in EWS xenograft mouse models showed significant tumor reduction and overall effectiveness: drug combination vs. vehicle control (p ≤ 0.01), SB-743921 (p ≤ 0.01) and VIC-1911 (p ≤ 0.05). Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated superior overall survival with the combination compared to vehicle or monotherapy arms (p ≤ 0.0001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya M. Turaga
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (S.M.T.); (V.V.); (B.K.G.); (R.V.P.); (H.B.P.)
| | - Vikalp Vishwakarma
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (S.M.T.); (V.V.); (B.K.G.); (R.V.P.); (H.B.P.)
| | - Stacey L. Hembruff
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (S.L.H.); (P.S.)
| | - Benjamin K. Gibbs
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (S.M.T.); (V.V.); (B.K.G.); (R.V.P.); (H.B.P.)
| | - Priya Sabu
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (S.L.H.); (P.S.)
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Rajni V. Puri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (S.M.T.); (V.V.); (B.K.G.); (R.V.P.); (H.B.P.)
| | - Harsh B. Pathak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (S.M.T.); (V.V.); (B.K.G.); (R.V.P.); (H.B.P.)
- Kansas Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Glenson Samuel
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA;
| | - Andrew K. Godwin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (S.M.T.); (V.V.); (B.K.G.); (R.V.P.); (H.B.P.)
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (S.L.H.); (P.S.)
- Kansas Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Division of Genomic Diagnostics, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, MS 3040, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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Zheng D, Li J, Yan H, Zhang G, Li W, Chu E, Wei N. Emerging roles of Aurora-A kinase in cancer therapy resistance. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023. [PMID: 37521867 PMCID: PMC10372834 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Aurora kinase A (Aurora-A), a serine/threonine kinase, plays a pivotal role in various cellular processes, including mitotic entry, centrosome maturation and spindle formation. Overexpression or gene-amplification/mutation of Aurora-A kinase occurs in different types of cancer, including lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer. Alteration of Aurora-A impacts multiple cancer hallmarks, especially, immortalization, energy metabolism, immune escape and cell death resistance which are involved in cancer progression and resistance. This review highlights the most recent advances in the oncogenic roles and related multiple cancer hallmarks of Aurora-A kinase-driving cancer therapy resistance, including chemoresistance (taxanes, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide), targeted therapy resistance (osimertinib, imatinib, sorafenib, etc.), endocrine therapy resistance (tamoxifen, fulvestrant) and radioresistance. Specifically, the mechanisms of Aurora-A kinase promote acquired resistance through modulating DNA damage repair, feedback activation bypass pathways, resistance to apoptosis, necroptosis and autophagy, metastasis, and stemness. Noticeably, our review also summarizes the promising synthetic lethality strategy for Aurora-A inhibitors in RB1, ARID1A and MYC gene mutation tumors, and potential synergistic strategy for mTOR, PAK1, MDM2, MEK inhibitors or PD-L1 antibodies combined with targeting Aurora-A kinase. In addition, we discuss the design and development of the novel class of Aurora-A inhibitors in precision medicine for cancer treatment.
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Aurora Kinases as Therapeutic Targets in Head and Neck Cancer. Cancer J 2022; 28:387-400. [PMID: 36165728 PMCID: PMC9836054 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The Aurora kinases (AURKA and AURKB) have attracted attention as therapeutic targets in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Aurora kinases were first defined as regulators of mitosis that localization to the centrosome (AURKA) and centromere (AURKB), governing formation of the mitotic spindle, chromatin condensation, activation of the core mitotic kinase CDK1, alignment of chromosomes at metaphase, and other processes. Subsequently, additional roles for Aurora kinases have been defined in other phases of cell cycle, including regulation of ciliary disassembly and DNA replication. In cancer, elevated expression and activity of Aurora kinases result in enhanced or neomorphic locations and functions that promote aggressive disease, including promotion of MYC expression, oncogenic signaling, stem cell identity, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and drug resistance. Numerous Aurora-targeted inhibitors have been developed and are being assessed in preclinical and clinical trials, with the goal of improving head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treatment.
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Miura A, Sootome H, Fujita N, Suzuki T, Fukushima H, Mizuarai S, Masuko N, Ito K, Hashimoto A, Uto Y, Sugimoto T, Takahashi H, Mitsuya M, Hirai H. TAS-119, a novel selective Aurora A and TRK inhibitor, exhibits antitumor efficacy in preclinical models with deregulated activation of the Myc, β-Catenin, and TRK pathways. Invest New Drugs 2021; 39:724-735. [PMID: 33409897 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-020-01019-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Aurora kinase A, a mitotic kinase that is overexpressed in various cancers, is a promising cancer drug target. Here, we performed preclinical characterization of TAS-119, a novel, orally active, and highly selective inhibitor of Aurora A. TAS-119 showed strong inhibitory effect against Aurora A, with an IC50 value of 1.04 nmol/L. The compound was highly selective for Aurora A compared with 301 other protein kinases, including Aurora kinase B. TAS-119 induced the inhibition of Aurora A and accumulation of mitotic cells in vitro and in vivo. It suppressed the growth of various cancer cell lines harboring MYC family amplification and CTNNB1 mutation in vitro. In a xenograft model of human lung cancer cells harboring MYC amplification and CTNNB1 mutation, TAS-119 showed a strong antitumor activity at well-tolerated doses. TAS-119 induced N-Myc degradation and inhibited downstream transcriptional targets in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell lines. It also demonstrated inhibitory effect against tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK)A, TRKB, and TRKC, with an IC50 value of 1.46, 1.53, and 1.47 nmol/L, respectively. TAS-119 inhibited TRK-fusion protein activity and exhibited robust growth inhibition of tumor cells via a deregulated TRK pathway in vitro and in vivo. Our study indicates the potential of TAS-119 as an anticancer drug, especially for patients harboring MYC amplification, CTNNB1 mutation, and NTRK fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Miura
- Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 3 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2611, Japan
- Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, Tokushima University, 770-8506, 2-1 Minamijosanjima-cho, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sootome
- Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 3 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2611, Japan
| | - Naoya Fujita
- Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 3 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2611, Japan
| | - Takamasa Suzuki
- Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 3 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2611, Japan
| | - Hiroto Fukushima
- Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 3 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2611, Japan
| | - Shinji Mizuarai
- Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 3 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2611, Japan
| | - Norio Masuko
- Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 3 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2611, Japan
| | - Kimihiro Ito
- Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 3 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2611, Japan
| | - Akihiro Hashimoto
- Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 3 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2611, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Uto
- Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, Tokushima University, 770-8506, 2-1 Minamijosanjima-cho, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Sugimoto
- Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 3 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2611, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Takahashi
- Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 3 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2611, Japan
| | - Morihiro Mitsuya
- Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 3 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2611, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hirai
- Discovery and Preclinical Research Division, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 3 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2611, Japan.
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