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Zhu R, Zhou H, Chen W, Bai S, Liu F, Wang X. BCL2L1 is regulated by the lncRNA MIR4435-2HG-miR-513a-5p-BCL2L1 ceRNA axis and serves as a biomarker for pancreatic adenocarcinoma treatment and prognosis. Gene 2024; 925:148615. [PMID: 38788819 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is one of the most malignant cancers. After escaping death, cancer cells are made more metastatic, aggressive, and also drug-resistant through anoikis resistance. The aim of this study is to explore the molecular mechanisms of anoikis-related genes in PAAD and to identify potential key biomarkers. We integrated information about PAAD from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases and identified anoikis-related gene BCL2L1 by survival analysis, univariate Cox regression analysis, and multifactorial Cox regression analysis. Various bioinformatics approaches showed that BCL2L1 was a valuable prognostic marker that might be involved in PAAD development and progression through different mechanisms, including cancer intervention, genomic heterogeneity, and RNA modifications. Our analysis showed that BCL2L1 expression also closely correlates with the expression of various immune checkpoint inhibitors. In particular, we found that long non-coding RNA MIR4435-2HG acted as ceRNA sponging miR-513a-5p to promote the expression of BCL2L1, thereby promoting pancreatic cancer cells proliferation. In conclusion, BCL2L1 expression regulated by the MIR4435-2HG-miR-513a-5p-BCL2L1 ceRNA axis might be used as a biomarker for cancer prognosis, treatment selection, and follow-up in PAAD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongkun Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yangpu Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200090, China.
| | - Hongjian Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yangpu Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200090, China.
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Shanwang Bai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Yangpu Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200090, China.
| | - Fashun Liu
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, 550002, China.
| | - Xiongwei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yangpu Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200090, China.
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2
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Kjer-Hansen P, Phan TG, Weatheritt RJ. Protein isoform-centric therapeutics: expanding targets and increasing specificity. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:759-779. [PMID: 39232238 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-024-01025-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Most protein-coding genes produce multiple protein isoforms; however, these isoforms are commonly neglected in drug discovery. The expression of protein isoforms can be specific to a disease, tissue and/or developmental stage, and this specific expression can be harnessed to achieve greater drug specificity than pan-targeting of all gene products and to enable improved treatments for diseases caused by aberrant protein isoform production. In recent years, several protein isoform-centric therapeutics have been developed. Here, we collate these studies and clinical trials to highlight three distinct but overlapping modes of action for protein isoform-centric drugs: isoform switching, isoform introduction or depletion, and modulation of isoform activity. In addition, we discuss how protein isoforms can be used clinically as targets for cell type-specific drug delivery and immunotherapy, diagnostic biomarkers and sources of cancer neoantigens. Collectively, we emphasize the value of a focus on isoforms as a route to discovering drugs with greater specificity and fewer adverse effects. This approach could enable the targeting of proteins for which pan-inhibition of all isoforms is toxic and poorly tolerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kjer-Hansen
- EMBL Australia, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.
- St. Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Tri Giang Phan
- St. Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
- Precision Immunology Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robert J Weatheritt
- EMBL Australia, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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3
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Urabe M, Ikezawa K, Seiki Y, Watsuji K, Kawamoto Y, Hirao T, Kai Y, Takada R, Yamai T, Mukai K, Nakabori T, Uehara H, Nagata S, Ohkawa K. Mcl-1 expression is a predictive marker of response to gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel for metastatic pancreatic cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:21953. [PMID: 39304727 PMCID: PMC11415357 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-73020-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Antiapoptotic protein, including Mcl-1, expression is frequently observed in pancreatic cancer. Gemcitabine plus nabpaclitaxel (GnP) is the standard chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC); however, predictive markers for its efficacy remain unestablished. This study evaluated the association between GnP's therapeutic effects and Mcl-1 expression in tissue samples obtained using endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for pancreatic tumor or percutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsy for metastatic liver tumor. We retrospectively reviewed 38 patients with histologically diagnosed MPC who received GnP as the first-line chemotherapy at our institute between December 2014 and July 2018. Post-immunohistochemistry analysis for Mcl-1 expression detection, patients were divided to into two groups based on the cell proportion showing Mcl-1 immunoreactivity: positive (> 20%; 23 [60.5%] patients) and negative (≤ 20%; 15 [39.5%] patients) groups. Clinical characteristics did not differ between the two groups. The Mcl-1 positive group showed a significantly higher disease control rate (95.7% vs. 73.3%; P = 0.046), longer progressionfree survival (PFS) (7.2 months vs. 4.9 months; P = 0.018) and longer overall survival (OS) (14.9 months vs. 9.2 months; P = 0.008) than the Mcl-1 negative group. Multivariate analysis showed that Mcl-1 expression was an independent predictive marker for PFS and OS. Mcl-1 expression could be a predictive marker for favorable response to GnP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makiko Urabe
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
| | - Kenji Ikezawa
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Seiki
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
| | - Ko Watsuji
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
| | - Yasuharu Kawamoto
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
| | - Takeru Hirao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
| | - Yugo Kai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
| | - Ryoji Takada
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
| | - Takuo Yamai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
| | - Kaori Mukai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
| | - Tasuku Nakabori
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Uehara
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
| | - Shigenori Nagata
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology and Cytology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Ohkawa
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
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4
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Ye L, Cui Z, Sun Y, Zhou H, Rong Q, Wang D, Jin J, Zhang Q, Kang D, Hu L, Wang J. Discovery of a potent Gilteritinib-based FLT3-PROTAC degrader for the treatment of Acute myeloid leukemia. Bioorg Chem 2024; 149:107477. [PMID: 38820938 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107477] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Fms-like tyrosine receptor kinase 3 (FLT3) proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) emerge as a promising approach to overcome the limitations of FLT3 inhibitors, while the development of orally bioavailable FLT3-PROTACs faces great challenges. Here, we report the rational design and evaluation of a series of Gilteritinib-based FLT3-PROTACs. Among them, B3-2 exhibited the strongest antiproliferative activity against FLT3-ITD mutant AML cells, and significantly induced FLT3-ITD protein degradation. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that B3-2 induced FLT3-ITD degradation in a ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent manner. More importantly, B3-2 exhibited an oral bioavailability of 5.65%, and oral administration of B3-2 showed good antitumor activity in MV-4-11 xenograft models. Furthermore, B3-2 showed strong antiproliferative activity against FLT3 resistant mutations, highlighting its potential in overcoming drug resistance.
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MESH Headings
- fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/antagonists & inhibitors
- fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/metabolism
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis
- Pyrazines/chemistry
- Pyrazines/pharmacology
- Pyrazines/chemical synthesis
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Animals
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- Molecular Structure
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/chemistry
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis
- Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
- Mice
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Discovery
- Thiophenes/chemistry
- Thiophenes/pharmacology
- Thiophenes/chemical synthesis
- Proteolysis/drug effects
- Aniline Compounds/chemistry
- Aniline Compounds/pharmacology
- Aniline Compounds/chemical synthesis
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy
- Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Ye
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Zhenzhen Cui
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Yu Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Haikun Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Quanjin Rong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Dan Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Jiaming Jin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Qijian Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Di Kang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China; National Key Laboratory on Technologies for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process Control and Intelligent Manufacture, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
| | - Lihong Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China; National Key Laboratory on Technologies for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process Control and Intelligent Manufacture, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
| | - Junwei Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Functional Substance of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, PR China; National Key Laboratory on Technologies for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process Control and Intelligent Manufacture, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
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5
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Zou ZF, Yang L, Nie HJ, Gao J, Lei SM, Lai Y, Zhang F, Wagner E, Yu HJ, Chen XH, Xu ZA. Tumor-targeted PROTAC prodrug nanoplatform enables precise protein degradation and combination cancer therapy. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:1740-1751. [PMID: 38609561 PMCID: PMC11272941 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01266-z] [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: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have emerged as revolutionary anticancer therapeutics that degrade disease-causing proteins. However, the anticancer performance of PROTACs is often impaired by their insufficient bioavailability, unsatisfactory tumor specificity and ability to induce acquired drug resistance. Herein, we propose a polymer-conjugated PROTAC prodrug platform for the tumor-targeted delivery of the most prevalent von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)- and cereblon (CRBN)-based PROTACs, as well as for the precise codelivery of a degrader and conventional small-molecule drugs. The self-assembling PROTAC prodrug nanoparticles (NPs) can specifically target and be activated inside tumor cells to release the free PROTAC for precise protein degradation. The PROTAC prodrug NPs caused more efficient regression of MDA-MB-231 breast tumors in a mouse model by degrading bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) or cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) with decreased systemic toxicity. In addition, we demonstrated that the PROTAC prodrug NPs can serve as a versatile platform for the codelivery of a PROTAC and chemotherapeutics for enhanced anticancer efficiency and combination benefits. This study paves the way for utilizing tumor-targeted protein degradation for precise anticancer therapy and the effective combination treatment of complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Feng Zou
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemistry Biology & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemistry Biology & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Hui-Jun Nie
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jing Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemistry Biology & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Shu-Min Lei
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yi Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemistry Biology & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 20043, China
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377, München, Germany
| | - Hai-Jun Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemistry Biology & Center of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Xiao-Hua Chen
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
| | - Zhi-Ai Xu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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6
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Makinwa Y, Luo Y, Musich PR, Zou Y. Canonical and Noncanonical Functions of the BH3 Domain Protein Bid in Apoptosis, Oncogenesis, Cancer Therapeutics, and Aging. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2199. [PMID: 38927905 PMCID: PMC11202167 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122199] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Effective cancer therapy with limited adverse effects is a major challenge in the medical field. This is especially complicated by the development of acquired chemoresistance. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie these processes remains a major effort in cancer research. In this review, we focus on the dual role that Bid protein plays in apoptotic cell death via the mitochondrial pathway, in oncogenesis and in cancer therapeutics. The BH3 domain in Bid and the anti-apoptotic mitochondrial proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, mitochondrial ATR) it associates with at the outer mitochondrial membrane provides us with a viable target in cancer therapy. We will discuss the roles of Bid, mitochondrial ATR, and other anti-apoptotic proteins in intrinsic apoptosis, exploring how their interaction sustains cellular viability despite the initiation of upstream death signals. The unexpected upregulation of this Bid protein in cancer cells can also be instrumental in explaining the mechanisms behind acquired chemoresistance. The stable protein associations at the mitochondria between tBid and anti-apoptotic mitochondrial ATR play a crucial role in maintaining the viability of cancer cells, suggesting a novel mechanism to induce cancer cell apoptosis by freeing tBid from the ATR associations at mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yetunde Makinwa
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (Y.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yibo Luo
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (Y.M.); (Y.L.)
| | - Phillip R. Musich
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA;
| | - Yue Zou
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (Y.M.); (Y.L.)
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7
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van Eijck CWF, Real FX, Malats N, Vadgama D, van den Bosch TPP, Doukas M, van Eijck CHJ, Mustafa DAM. GATA6 identifies an immune-enriched phenotype linked to favorable outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing upfront surgery. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101557. [PMID: 38733987 PMCID: PMC11148804 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101557] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
This study underscores GATA6's role in distinguishing classical and basal-like pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) phenotypes. Retrospective studies associate GATA6 immunohistochemistry (IHC) expression with survival outcomes, warranting prospective validation. In a prospective treatment-naive cohort of patients with resected PDAC, GATA6 IHC proves a prognostic discriminator, associating high GATA6 expression with extended survival and the classical PDAC phenotype. However, GATA6's prognostic significance is numerically lower after gemcitabine-based neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy compared to its significance in patients treated with upfront surgery. Furthermore, GATA6 is implicated in immunomodulation, although a comprehensive investigation of its immunological role is lacking. Treatment-naive PDAC tumors with varying GATA6 expression yield distinct immunological landscapes. Tumors highly expressing GATA6 show reduced infiltration of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and M2 macrophages but increased infiltration of immune-stimulating, antigen-presenting, and activated T cells. Our findings caution against solely relying on GATA6 for molecular subtyping in clinical trials and open avenues for exploring immune-based combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casper W F van Eijck
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Francisco X Real
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Cáncer, Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Malats
- Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Disha Vadgama
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Thierry P P van den Bosch
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michail Doukas
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Casper H J van Eijck
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dana A M Mustafa
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; The Tumor Immuno-Pathology Laboratory, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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8
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Xu Z. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated silencing of CD44: unveiling the role of hyaluronic acid-mediated interactions in cancer drug resistance. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:2849-2876. [PMID: 37991544 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02840-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive overview of CD44 (CD44 Molecule (Indian Blood Group)), a cell surface glycoprotein, and its interaction with hyaluronic acid (HA) in drug resistance mechanisms across various types of cancer is provided, where CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing was utilized to silence CD44 expression and examine its impact on cancer cell behavior, migration, invasion, proliferation, and drug sensitivity. The significance of the HA-CD44 axis in tumor microenvironment (TME) delivery and its implications in specific cancer types, the influence of CD44 variants and the KHDRBS3 (KH RNA Binding Domain Containing, Signal Transduction Associated 3) gene on cancer progression and drug resistance, and the potential of targeting HA-mediated pathways using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to overcome drug resistance in cancer were also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhujun Xu
- Wuhan No.1 Hospital, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China.
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9
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He Q, Zheng Y, Lu L, Shen H, Gu W, Yang J, Zhang X, Jin H. Hyperthermia improves gemcitabine sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells by suppressing the EFNA4/β-catenin axis and activating dCK. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28488. [PMID: 38590861 PMCID: PMC10999932 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Previously, our investigations have underscored the potential of hyperthermia to improve the therapeutic efficacy of gemcitabine (GEM) in pancreatic cancer (PC). Nonetheless, the precise underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Methods We engineered two GEM-resistant PC cell lines (BxPC-3/GEM and PANC-1/GEM) and treated them with GEM alongside hyperthermia. The impact of hyperthermia on the therapeutic potency of GEM was ascertained through MTT assay, assessment of the concentration of its active metabolite dFdCTP, and evaluation of deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) activity. Lentivirus-mediated dCK silencing was further employed to validate its involvement in mediating the GEM-sensitizing effect of hyperthermia. The mechanism underlying hyperthermia-mediated dCK activation was explored using bioinformatics analyses. The interplay between hyperthermia and the ephrin A4 (EFNA4)/β-catenin/dCK axis was investigated, and their roles in GEM resistance was further explored via the establishment of xenograft tumor models in nude mice. Results Hyperthermia restored dCK expression in GEM-resistant cell lines, concurrently enhancing GEM sensitivity and fostering DNA damage and cell death. These observed effects were negated by dCK silencing. Regarding the mechanism, hyperthermia activated dCK by downregulating EFNA4 expression and mitigating β-catenin activation. Overexpression of EFNA4 activated the β-catenin while suppressing dCK, thus diminishing cellular GEM sensitivity-a phenomenon remediated by the β-catenin antagonist MSAB. Consistently, in vivo, hyperthermia augmented the therapeutic efficacy of GEM on xenograft tumors through modulation of the ephrin A4/β-catenin/dCK axis. Conclusion This study delineates the role of hyperthermia in enhancing GEM sensitivity of PC cells, primarily mediated through the suppression of the EFNA4/β-catenin axis and activation of dCK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoxian He
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Yangyang Zheng
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Lei Lu
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Hongzhang Shen
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Weigang Gu
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Jianfeng Yang
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Biliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
- Hangzhou Institute of Digestive Diseases, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhang
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Biliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
- Hangzhou Institute of Digestive Diseases, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Hangbin Jin
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, PR China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Biliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
- Hangzhou Institute of Digestive Diseases, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, PR China
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10
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Singh S, Srivastava P. Targeted Protein Degraders- The Druggability Perspective. J Pharm Sci 2024; 113:539-554. [PMID: 37926234 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.10.023] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Targeted Protein degraders (TPDs) show promise in harnessing cellular machinery to eliminate disease-causing proteins, even those previously considered undruggable. Especially if protein turnover is low, targeted protein removal bestows lasting therapeutic effect over typical inhibition. The demonstrated safety and efficacy profile of clinical candidates has fueled the surge in the number of potential candidates across different therapeutic areas. As TPDs often do not comply with Lipinski's rule of five, developing novel TPDs and unlocking their full potential requires overcoming solubility, permeability and oral bioavailability challenges. Tailored in-vitro assays are key to precise profiling and optimization, propelling breakthroughs in targeted protein degradation.
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11
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Peng X, Hu Z, Zeng L, Zhang M, Xu C, Lu B, Tao C, Chen W, Hou W, Cheng K, Bi H, Pan W, Chen J. Overview of epigenetic degraders based on PROTAC, molecular glue, and hydrophobic tagging technologies. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:533-578. [PMID: 38322348 PMCID: PMC10840439 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic pathways play a critical role in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in the development of targeted epigenetic modulators (e.g., inhibitors). However, epigenetic inhibitors have faced multiple challenges, including limited clinical efficacy, toxicities, lack of subtype selectivity, and drug resistance. As a result, the design of new epigenetic modulators (e.g., degraders) such as PROTACs, molecular glue, and hydrophobic tagging (HyT) degraders has garnered significant attention from both academia and pharmaceutical industry, and numerous epigenetic degraders have been discovered in the past decade. In this review, we aim to provide an in-depth illustration of new degrading strategies (2017-2023) targeting epigenetic proteins for cancer therapy, focusing on the rational design, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical status, and crystal structure information of these degraders. Importantly, we also provide deep insights into the potential challenges and corresponding remedies of this approach to drug design and development. Overall, we hope this review will offer a better mechanistic understanding and serve as a useful guide for the development of emerging epigenetic-targeting degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Peng
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Zhihao Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Limei Zeng
- College of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Meizhu Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Congcong Xu
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Benyan Lu
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Chengpeng Tao
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Weiming Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Wen Hou
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Kui Cheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Huichang Bi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wanyi Pan
- College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 314000, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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12
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Ashrafizadeh M, Luo K, Zhang W, Reza Aref A, Zhang X. Acquired and intrinsic gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer therapy: Environmental factors, molecular profile and drug/nanotherapeutic approaches. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 240:117443. [PMID: 37863168 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
A high number of cancer patients around the world rely on gemcitabine (GEM) for chemotherapy. During local metastasis of cancers, surgery is beneficial for therapy, but dissemination in distant organs leads to using chemotherapy alone or in combination with surgery to prevent cancer recurrence. Therapy failure can be observed as a result of GEM resistance, threatening life of pancreatic cancer (PC) patients. The mortality and morbidity of PC in contrast to other tumors are increasing. GEM chemotherapy is widely utilized for PC suppression, but resistance has encountered its therapeutic impacts. The purpose of current review is to bring a broad concept about role of biological mechanisms and pathways in the development of GEM resistance in PC and then, therapeutic strategies based on using drugs or nanostructures for overcoming chemoresistance. Dysregulation of the epigenetic factors especially non-coding RNA transcripts can cause development of GEM resistance in PC and miRNA transfection or using genetic tools such as siRNA for modulating expression level of these factors for changing GEM resistance are suggested. The overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins and survival genes can contribute to GEM resistance in PC. Moreover, supportive autophagy inhibits apoptosis and stimulates GEM resistance in PC cells. Increase in metabolism, glycolysis induction and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) stimulation are considered as other factors participating in GEM resistance in PC. Drugs can suppress tumorigenesis in PC and inhibit survival factors and pathways in increasing GEM sensitivity in PC. More importantly, nanoparticles can increase pharmacokinetic profile of GEM and promote its blood circulation and accumulation in cancer site. Nanoparticles mediate delivery of GEM with genes and drugs to suppress tumorigenesis in PC and increase drug sensitivity. The basic research displays significant connection among dysregulated pathways and GEM resistance, but the lack of clinical application is a drawback that can be responded in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China; International Association for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China; Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Kuo Luo
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing Hyheia Hospital, Chongqing, 4001331, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xianbin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China.
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13
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Bao H, Li J, Dong Q, Liang Z, Yang C, Xu Y. Circular RNAs in pancreatic cancer progression. Clin Chim Acta 2024; 552:117633. [PMID: 37949391 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2023.117633] [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: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC), typically diagnosed at relatively advanced stages with poor prognosis, is a dominant cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are abnormally expressed in diverse tumors and affect tumorigenesis and progression. In this article, we examine the roles of circRNAs in regulation of PC progression. Additionally, circRNAs enriched in exosomes could be transferred among PC cells to modulate malignancy. Characterization of regulatory mechanisms involving circRNAs in general and PC specifically will enable earlier detection and potential development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haolin Bao
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Jiehan Li
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Qingfu Dong
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Zixin Liang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Chengru Yang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China; Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China; Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563006, China; Key Laboratory of Functional and Clinical Translational Medicine, Fujian Province University, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, Fujian 361000, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, China; Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Tumor Targeted Nano Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224007, China; Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, China; Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China; Key Laboratory of Intelligent Pharmacy and Individualized Therapy of Huzhou and Department of Pharmacy, Changxing People's Hospital, Changxing, Zhejiang 313000, China.
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14
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Lv S, Zhang J, Peng X, Liu H, Liu Y, Wei F. Ubiquitin signaling in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1304639. [PMID: 38174069 PMCID: PMC10761520 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1304639] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignant tumor of the digestive system, characterized by rapid progression and being prone to metastasis. Few effective treatment options are available for PDAC, and its 5-year survival rate is less than 9%. Many cell biological and signaling events are involved in the development of PDAC, among which protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as ubiquitination, play crucial roles. Catalyzed mostly by a three-enzyme cascade, ubiquitination induces changes in protein activity mainly by altering their stability in PDAC. Due to their role in substrate recognition, E3 ubiquitin ligases (E3s) dictate the outcome of the modification. Ubiquitination can be reversed by deubiquitylases (DUBs), which, in return, modified proteins to their native form. Dysregulation of E3s or DUBs that disrupt protein homeostasis is involved in PDAC. Moreover, the ubiquitination system has been exploited to develop therapeutic strategies, such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs). In this review, we summarize recent progress in our understanding of the role of ubiquitination in the development of PDAC and offer perspectives in the design of new therapies against this highly challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xinyu Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Feng Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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15
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Chen H, Xu N, Xu J, Zhang C, Li X, Xu H, Zhu W, Li J, Liang D, Zhou W. A risk signature based on endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated genes predicts prognosis and immunity in pancreatic cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1298077. [PMID: 38106991 PMCID: PMC10721979 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1298077] [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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The involvement of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in cancer biology is increasingly recognized, yet its role in pancreatic cancer (PC) remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the impact of ER stress on prognosis and biological characteristics in PC patients. Methods: A bioinformatic analysis was conducted using RNA-seq data and clinicopathological information from PC patients in the TCGA and ICGC databases. The ER stress-associated gene sets were extracted from MSigDB. ER stress-associated genes closely linked with overall survival (OS) of PC patients were identified via log-rank test and univariate Cox analysis, and further narrowed by LASSO method. A risk signature associated with ER stress was formulated using multivariate Cox regression and assessed through Kaplan-Meier curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, and Harrell's concordance index. External validation was performed with the ICGC cohort. The single-sample gene-set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithm appraised the immune cell infiltration landscape. Results: Worse OS in PC patients with high-risk signature score was observed. Multivariate analysis underscored our ER stress-associated signature as a valuable and independent predictor of prognosis. Importantly, these results based on TCGA were further validated in ICGC dataset. In addition, our risk signature was closely associated with homeostasis, protein secretion, and immune regulation in PC patients. In particular, PC microenvironment in the high-risk cluster exhibited a more immunosuppressive status. At last, we established a nomogram model by incorporating the risk signature and clinicopathological parameters, which behaves better in predicting prognosis of PC patients. Discussion: This comprehensive molecular analysis presents a new predictive model for the prognosis of PC patients, highlighting ER stress as a potential therapeutic target. Besides, the findings indicate that ER stress can have effect modulating PC immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haofei Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ning Xu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jia Xu
- Wuhan Blood Center, Wuhan, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Weixiong Zhu
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jinze Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third People’s Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Daoming Liang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Wence Zhou
- The Second Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
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16
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Ingle K, LaComb JF, Graves LM, Baines AT, Bialkowska AB. AUM302, a novel triple kinase PIM/PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, is a potent in vitro pancreatic cancer growth inhibitor. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294065. [PMID: 37943821 PMCID: PMC10635512 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths, with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) being the most common subtype. Advanced stage diagnosis of PDAC is common, causing limited treatment opportunities. Gemcitabine is a frequently used chemotherapeutic agent which can be used as a monotherapy or in combination. However, tumors often develop resistance to gemcitabine. Previous studies show that the proto-oncogene PIM kinases (PIM1 and PIM3) are upregulated in PDAC compared to matched normal tissue and are related to chemoresistance and PDAC cell growth. The PIM kinases are also involved in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to promote cell survival. In this study, we evaluate the effect of the novel multikinase PIM/PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, AUM302, and commercially available PIM inhibitor, TP-3654. Using five human PDAC cell lines, we found AUM302 to be a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation, cell viability, cell cycle progression, and phosphoprotein expression, while TP-3654 was less effective. Significantly, AUM302 had a strong impact on the viability of gemcitabine-resistant PDAC cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that AUM302 exhibits antitumor activity in human PDAC cells and thus has the potential to be an effective drug for PDAC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komala Ingle
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Joseph F. LaComb
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Lee M. Graves
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Antonio T. Baines
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, College of Health & Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Agnieszka B. Bialkowska
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
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17
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Li D, Zhang Q, Tang Y, Mao F, Zeng J, Ji A. LncRNAs associated with vascular mimicry establish a novel molecular subtype and prognostic model for pancreatic cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:11571-11584. [PMID: 37400573 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05015-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular mimicry (VM) epitomizes an innovative tumor angiogenesis pathway, potentially serving as an alternate conduit under the assumption of traditional tumor angiogenesis pathway inhibition. The role of VM in pancreatic cancer (PC), however, remains unexplored. METHODS Using differential analysis and Spearman correlation, we identified key long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) signatures in PC from the collected set of VM-associated genes in the literature. We identified optimal clusters using the non-negative matrix decomposition (NMF) algorithm, and then compared clinicopathological features and prognostic differences between clusters. We also assessed tumor microenvironmental (TME) differences between clusters using multiple algorithms. Using univariate Cox regression analyses as well as lasso regression, we constructed and validated new lncRNA prognostic risk models for PC. We used Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) to analyze model-enriched functions and pathways. Nomograms were then developed to predict patient survival in association with clinicopathological factors. In addition, single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis was used to analyze the expression patterns of VM-related genes and lncRNAs in the PC of TME. Finally, we used the Connectivity Map (cMap) database to predict local anaesthetics that could modify the VM of PC. RESULTS In this study, we developed a novel three-cluster molecular subtype using the identified VM-associated lncRNA signatures of PC. The different subtypes have significantly different clinical characteristics and prognostic value, and also show differential treatment response and TME. Following an in-depth analysis, we constructed and validated a novel prognostic risk model for PC based on the VM-associated lncRNA signatures. Enrichment analysis suggested that high riskscores were significantly associated with functions and pathways, including extracellular matrix remodeling, et al. In addition, we predicted eight local anaesthetics that could modulate VM in PC. Finally, we discovered differential expression of VM-related genes and lncRNAs across various cell types within pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSION VM has a critical role in PC. This study pioneers the development of a VM-based molecular subtype that demonstrates substantial differentiation in PC populations. Furthermore, we highlighted the significance of VM within the immune microenvironment of PC. Moreover, VM might contribute to PC tumorigenesis through its mediation of mesenchymal remodeling and endothelial transdifferentiation-related pathways, which offers a new perspective on its role in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Li
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Yangzhou University Affiliated Hospital, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yubao Tang
- Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feiyu Mao
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Yangzhou University Affiliated Hospital, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jia Zeng
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Yangzhou University Affiliated Hospital, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Anlai Ji
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Yangzhou University Affiliated Hospital, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China.
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18
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Jia Y, Han L, Ramage CL, Wang Z, Weng CC, Yang L, Colla S, Ma H, Zhang W, Andreeff M, Daver N, Jain N, Pemmaraju N, Bhalla K, Mustjoki S, Zhang P, Zheng G, Zhou D, Zhang Q, Konopleva M. Co-targeting BCL-XL and BCL-2 by PROTAC 753B eliminates leukemia cells and enhances efficacy of chemotherapy by targeting senescent cells. Haematologica 2023; 108:2626-2638. [PMID: 37078252 PMCID: PMC10542840 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2022.281915] [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: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BCL-XL and BCL-2 are key anti-apoptotic proteins and validated cancer targets. 753B is a novel BCL-XL/BCL-2 proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) that targets both BCL-XL and BCL-2 to the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ligase, leading to BCLX L/BCL-2 ubiquitination and degradation selectively in cells expressing VHL. Because platelets lack VHL expression, 753B spares on-target platelet toxicity caused by the first-generation dual BCL-XL/BCL-2 inhibitor navitoclax (ABT-263). Here, we report pre-clinical single-agent activity of 753B against different leukemia subsets. 753B effectively reduced cell viability and induced dose-dependent degradation of BCL-XL and BCL-2 in a subset of hematopoietic cell lines, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) primary samples, and in vivo patient-derived xenograft AML models. We further demonstrated the senolytic activity of 753B, which enhanced the efficacy of chemotherapy by targeting chemotherapy-induced cellular senescence. These results provide a pre-clinical rationale for the utility of 753B in AML therapy, and suggest that 753B could produce an added therapeutic benefit by overcoming cellular senescence-induced chemoresistance when combined with chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannan Jia
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Hematology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
| | - Lina Han
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Cassandra L Ramage
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Connie C Weng
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Simona Colla
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Helen Ma
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Weiguo Zhang
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Michael Andreeff
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Naval Daver
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Nitin Jain
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Kapil Bhalla
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Satu Mustjoki
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer center, Helsinki, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki
| | - Peiyi Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Guangrong Zheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Daohong Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
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Lin K, Zhou E, Shi T, Zhang S, Zhang J, Zheng Z, Pan Y, Gao W, Yu Y. m6A eraser FTO impairs gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer through influencing NEDD4 mRNA stability by regulating the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:217. [PMID: 37605223 PMCID: PMC10464189 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02792-0] [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: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gemcitabine resistance has brought great challenges to the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mutation has been shown to have a significant regulatory role in chemosensitivity; however, it is not apparent whether gemcitabine resistance can be regulated by fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO). METHODS Cells with established gemcitabine resistance and tissues from pancreatic cancer patients were used to evaluate FTO expression. The biological mechanisms of the effects of FTO on gemcitabine resistant cells were investigated using CCK-8, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and inhibitory concentration 50. Immunoprecipitation/mass spectrometry, MeRIP-seq, RNA sequencing and RIP assays, RNA stability, luciferase reporter, and RNA pull down assays were employed to examine the mechanism of FTO affecting gemcitabine resistant pancreatic cancer cells. RESULTS The results revealed that FTO was substantially expressed in cells and tissues that were resistant to gemcitabine. Functionally, the gemcitabine resistance of pancreatic cancer could be enhanced by FTO, while its depletion inhibited the growth of gemcitabine resistant tumor cells in vivo. Immunoprecipitation/mass spectrometry showed that the FTO protein can be bound to USP7 and deubiquitinated by USP7, leading to the upregulation of FTO. At the same time, FTO knockdown significantly decreased the expression level of NEDD4 in an m6A-dependent manner. RNA pull down and RNA immunoprecipitation verified YTHDF2 as the reader of NEDD4, which promoted the chemoresistance of gemcitabine resistant cells. FTO knockdown markedly increased the PTEN expression level in an NEDD4-dependent manner and influenced the chemosensitivity to gemcitabine through the PI3K/AKT pathway in pancreatic cancer cells. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we found that gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer can be influenced by FTO that demethylates NEDD4 RNA in a m6A-dependent manner, which then influences the PTEN expression level and thereby affects the PI3K/AKT pathway. We also identified that the FTO level can be upregulated by USP7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Endi Zhou
- Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ting Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Afliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, China
| | - Siqing Zhang
- Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinfan Zhang
- Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziruo Zheng
- Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuetian Pan
- Medical Faculty of Ludwig Maximilians, University of Munich-Munich, Bayern, Germany
| | - Wentao Gao
- Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yabin Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Afliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, China.
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Andrade F, German-Cortés J, Montero S, Carcavilla P, Baranda-Martínez-Abascal D, Moltó-Abad M, Seras-Franzoso J, Díaz-Riascos ZV, Rafael D, Abasolo I. The Nanotechnology-Based Approaches against Kirsten Rat Sarcoma-Mutated Cancers. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1686. [PMID: 37376135 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061686] [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: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) is a small GTPase which acts as a molecular switch to regulate several cell biological processes including cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Alterations in KRAS have been found in 25% of all human cancers, with pancreatic cancer (90%), colorectal cancer (45%), and lung cancer (35%) being the types of cancer with the highest mutation rates. KRAS oncogenic mutations are not only responsible for malignant cell transformation and tumor development but also related to poor prognosis, low survival rate, and resistance to chemotherapy. Although different strategies have been developed to specifically target this oncoprotein over the last few decades, almost all of them have failed, relying on the current therapeutic solutions to target proteins involved in the KRAS pathway using chemical or gene therapy. Nanomedicine can certainly bring a solution for the lack of specificity and effectiveness of anti-KRAS therapy. Therefore, nanoparticles of different natures are being developed to improve the therapeutic index of drugs, genetic material, and/or biomolecules and to allow their delivery specifically into the cells of interest. The present work aims to summarize the most recent advances related to the use of nanotechnology for the development of new therapeutic strategies against KRAS-mutated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Andrade
- Clinical Biochemistry, Drug Delivery and Therapy Group (CB-DDT), Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingenería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto De Salud Carlos III, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Farmàcia i Tecnologia Farmacèutica i Fisicoquímica, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Júlia German-Cortés
- Clinical Biochemistry, Drug Delivery and Therapy Group (CB-DDT), Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingenería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto De Salud Carlos III, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Montero
- Clinical Biochemistry, Drug Delivery and Therapy Group (CB-DDT), Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingenería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto De Salud Carlos III, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Carcavilla
- Clinical Biochemistry, Drug Delivery and Therapy Group (CB-DDT), Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingenería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto De Salud Carlos III, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diego Baranda-Martínez-Abascal
- Clinical Biochemistry, Drug Delivery and Therapy Group (CB-DDT), Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingenería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto De Salud Carlos III, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Moltó-Abad
- Clinical Biochemistry, Drug Delivery and Therapy Group (CB-DDT), Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingenería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto De Salud Carlos III, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Functional Validation & Preclinical Research (FVPR)/U20 ICTS Nanbiosis, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquín Seras-Franzoso
- Clinical Biochemistry, Drug Delivery and Therapy Group (CB-DDT), Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingenería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto De Salud Carlos III, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Zamira Vanessa Díaz-Riascos
- Clinical Biochemistry, Drug Delivery and Therapy Group (CB-DDT), Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingenería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto De Salud Carlos III, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Functional Validation & Preclinical Research (FVPR)/U20 ICTS Nanbiosis, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diana Rafael
- Clinical Biochemistry, Drug Delivery and Therapy Group (CB-DDT), Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingenería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto De Salud Carlos III, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Functional Validation & Preclinical Research (FVPR)/U20 ICTS Nanbiosis, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ibane Abasolo
- Clinical Biochemistry, Drug Delivery and Therapy Group (CB-DDT), Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingenería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto De Salud Carlos III, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Functional Validation & Preclinical Research (FVPR)/U20 ICTS Nanbiosis, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical Biochemistry Service, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
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Jandova J, Galons JP, Dettman DL, Wondrak GT. Systemic deuteration of SCID mice using the water-isotopologue deuterium oxide (D 2 O) inhibits tumor growth in an orthotopic bioluminescent model of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:598-612. [PMID: 36727657 PMCID: PMC10106369 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23509] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Since its initial discovery as a natural isotopologue of dihydrogen oxide (1 H2 O), extensive research has focused on the biophysical, biochemical, and pharmacological effects of deuterated water (2 H2 O [D2 O, also referred to as "heavy water"]). Using a panel of cultured human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells we have profiled (i) D2 O-induced phenotypic antiproliferative and apoptogenic effects, (ii) redox- and proteotoxicity-directed stress response gene expression, and (iii) phosphoprotein-signaling related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and MAP-kinase stress response pathways. Differential array analysis revealed early modulation of stress response gene expression in both BxPC-3 and PANC-1 PDAC cells elicited by D2 O (90%; ≤6 h; upregulated: HMOX1, NOS2, CYP2E1, CRYAB, DDIT3, NFKBIA, PTGS1, SOD2, PTGS2; downregulated: RUNX1, MYC, HSPA8, HSPA1A) confirmed by independent RT-qPCR analysis. Immunoblot-analysis revealed rapid (≤6 h) onset of D2 O-induced MAP-kinase signaling (p-JNK, p-p38) together with ER stress response upregulation (p-eIF2α, ATF4, XBP1s, DDIT3/CHOP). Next, we tested the chemotherapeutic efficacy of D2 O-based drinking water supplementation in an orthotopic PDAC model employing firefly luciferase-expressing BxPC-3-FLuc cells in SCID mice. First, feasibility and time course of systemic deuteration (30% D2 O in drinking water; 21 days) were established using time-resolved whole-body proton magnetic resonance imaging and isotope-ratio mass spectrometry-based plasma (D/H)-analysis. D2 O-supplementation suppressed tumor growth by almost 80% with downregulated expression of PCNA, MYC, RUNX1, and HSP70 while increasing tumor levels of DDIT3/CHOP, HO-1, and p-eIF2α. Taken together, these data demonstrate for the first time that pharmacological induction of systemic deuteration significantly reduces orthotopic tumor burden in a murine PDAC xenograft model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Jandova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - David L. Dettman
- Department of Geosciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Georg T. Wondrak
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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22
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Li Q, He J, Li S, Tian C, Yang J, Yuan H, Lu Y, Fagone P, Nicoletti F, Xiang M. The combination of gemcitabine and ginsenoside Rh2 enhances the immune function of dendritic cells against pancreatic cancer via the CARD9-BCL10-MALT1 / NF-κB pathway. Clin Immunol 2023; 248:109217. [PMID: 36581220 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2022.109217] [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: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cold tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of pancreatic cancer (PC) with minimal dendritic cell (DC) and T cell infiltration can result in insufficient immunotherapy and chemotherapy. While gemcitabine (GEM) is a first-line chemotherapeutic drug for PC, its efficacy is reduced by immunosuppression and drug resistance. Ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2) is known to have anti-cancer and immunomodulatory properties. Combining GEM with Rh2 may thus overcome immunosuppression and induce lasting anti-tumor immunity in PC. Here, we showed that after GEM-Rh2 therapy, there was significantly greater tumor infiltration by DCs. Caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9), a central adaptor protein, was strongly up-regulated DCs with GEM-Rh2 therapy and promoted anti-tumor immune responses by DCs. CARD9 was found to be a critical target for Rh2 to enhance DC function. However, GEM-Rh2 treatment did not achieve the substantial anti-PC efficacy in CARD9-/- mice as in WT mice. The adoptive transfer of WT DCs to DC-depleted PC mice treated with GEM-Rh2 elicited strong anti-tumor immune responses, although CARD9-/- DCs were less effective than WT DCs. Our results showed that GEM-Rh2 may reverse cold TIME by enhancing tumor immunogenicity and decreasing the levels of immunosuppressive factors, reactivating DCs via the CARD9-BCL10-MALT1/ NF-κB pathway. Our findings suggest a potentially feasible and safe treatment strategy for PC, with a unique mechanism of action. Thus, Rh2 activation of DCs may remodel the cold TIME and optimize GEM chemotherapy for future therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Jialuo He
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Senlin Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Cheng Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Huimin Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy.
| | - Ming Xiang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, China.
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23
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Khan S, Kellish P, Connis N, Thummuri D, Wiegand J, Zhang P, Zhang X, Budamagunta V, Hua N, Yang Y, De U, Jin L, Zhang W, Zheng G, Hromas R, Hann C, Zajac-Kaye M, Kaye FJ, Zhou D. Co-targeting BCL-X L and MCL-1 with DT2216 and AZD8055 synergistically inhibit small-cell lung cancer growth without causing on-target toxicities in mice. Cell Death Dis 2023; 9:1. [PMID: 36588105 PMCID: PMC9806104 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01296-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited therapeutic options. The dismal prognosis in SCLC is in part associated with an upregulation of BCL-2 family anti-apoptotic proteins, including BCL-XL and MCL-1. Unfortunately, the currently available inhibitors of BCL-2 family anti-apoptotic proteins, except BCL-2 inhibitors, are not clinically relevant because of various on-target toxicities. We, therefore, aimed to develop an effective and safe strategy targeting these anti-apoptotic proteins with DT2216 (our platelet-sparing BCL-XL degrader) and AZD8055 (an mTOR inhibitor) to avoid associated on-target toxicities while synergistically optimizing tumor response. Through BH3 mimetic screening, we identified a subset of SCLC cell lines that is co-dependent on BCL-XL and MCL-1. After screening inhibitors of selected tumorigenic pathways, we found that AZD8055 selectively downregulates MCL-1 in SCLC cells and its combination with DT2216 synergistically killed BCL-XL/MCL-1 co-dependent SCLC cells, but not normal cells. Mechanistically, the combination caused BCL-XL degradation and suppression of MCL-1 expression, and thus disrupted MCL-1 interaction with BIM leading to an enhanced apoptotic induction. In vivo, the DT2216 + AZD8055 combination significantly inhibited the growth of cell line-derived and patient-derived xenografts and reduced tumor burden accompanied by increased survival in a genetically engineered mouse model of SCLC without causing appreciable thrombocytopenia or other normal tissue injuries. Thus, these preclinical findings lay a strong foundation for future clinical studies to test DT2216 + mTOR inhibitor combinations in a subset of SCLC patients whose tumors are co-driven by BCL-XL and MCL-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajid Khan
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA. .,Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA. .,Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Patrick Kellish
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA ,grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Nick Connis
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Dinesh Thummuri
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Janet Wiegand
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Peiyi Zhang
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Xuan Zhang
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Vivekananda Budamagunta
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA ,grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, Genetics Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA ,grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Nan Hua
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Yang Yang
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX USA ,grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Umasankar De
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Lingtao Jin
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Molecular Medicine, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Weizhou Zhang
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Guangrong Zheng
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Robert Hromas
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Medicine, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX USA
| | - Christine Hann
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Maria Zajac-Kaye
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Frederic J. Kaye
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Daohong Zhou
- grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX USA ,grid.267309.90000 0001 0629 5880Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX USA ,grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
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24
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Khan S, Budamagunta V, Zhou D. Targeting KRAS in pancreatic cancer: Emerging therapeutic strategies. Adv Cancer Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
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25
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State of the art and perspectives in pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 207:115373. [PMID: 36513143 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115373] [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: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatoblastoma (HB) and pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are rare primary malignant liver cancers in children and young adults. HB is the most common and accounts for about 70 % cases; it is usually diagnosed during the first 3 years of life. Instead, pediatric HCC is uncommon, and it is associated with a poor prognosis. Overall, the prognosis of pediatric HCC is dismal with 5-year event-free survival of <30 % as compared to >80 % for HB. Surgery approaches, either resection or transplant, remain the best chance for the cure of pediatric HCC. However, chemotherapy can be helpful as an adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment. International groups have done trials in pediatric HCC with a chemotherapy regimen, based on cisplatin and doxorubicin (PLADO) as for HB, but the efficacy is limited. Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, following positive results in adults and in a pilot study in children, is now tested in conjunction with chemotherapy in the PHITT phase III clinical trial. Some studies have been exploring the genetic profiles of patients to find biological hallmarks that determine the aggressiveness of pediatric HCC. Pathways involved in growth and differentiation are dysregulated and as demonstrated in HB and adult HCC, an important role of the Wnt/CTNNB1 pathway in the pathogenesis of pediatric HCC is also emerging. An extended molecular analysis of tumor samples could give information about pathways as possible targets of biological and immunotherapeutic agents bringing new pharmacological options for the treatment of pediatric HCC.
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Jaiswal A, Jaiswal A, Williamson EA, Gelfond J, Zheng G, Zhou D, Hromas R. Resistance to the BCL-XL degrader DT2216 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is rare and correlates with decreased BCL-XL proteolysis. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2023; 91:89-95. [PMID: 36346454 PMCID: PMC10405225 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-022-04490-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The BCL-2 family of anti-apoptotic proteins, BCL-2, BCL-XL and MCL-1, can mediate survival of some types of cancer. DT2216 is a PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) that degrades BCL-XL specifically and is in phase 1 trials. We sought to define the frequency and mechanism of resistance to DT2216 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines. METHODS We measured cell survival and protein levels of BCL-XL, BCL-2, MCL-1 and the pro-apoptotic BIM in 13 distinct T-ALL cell lines after exposure to varying concentrations of DT2216. RESULTS We identified concentrations of DT2216 which were cytotoxic to each T-ALL cell line. These concentrations have no correlation with the initial protein levels of BCL-XL, BCL-2, MCL-1 or BIM in each cell line. However, there was a correlation between survival to DT2216 and the efficiency of degradation of BCL-XL by DT2216. Only one cell line, SUP-T1, had significant resistance to DT2216, defined as an IC50 above what is achievable in murine tumors in vivo. CONCLUSION Resistance to DT2216 is rare in a wide variety of T-ALL cells but when it occurs is correlated with decreased BCL-XL degradation. Resistance to DT2216 in T-ALL is not predicted by initial BCL-XL or BIM protein levels, or BCL-2 or MCL-1 levels before or after treatment. These data imply that a phase 2 clinical trial of DT2216 in T-ALL should be widely available and not limited to a subset of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunima Jaiswal
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine and the Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Aruna Jaiswal
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine and the Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Williamson
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine and the Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Jonathon Gelfond
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population Health Science, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Guangrong Zheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Daohong Zhou
- Center for Innovative Drug Development and the Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Robert Hromas
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine and the Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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Ten Years of CRISPRing Cancers In Vitro. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235746. [PMID: 36497228 PMCID: PMC9738354 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235746] [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: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell lines have always constituted a good investigation tool for cancer research, allowing scientists to understand the basic mechanisms underlying the complex network of phenomena peculiar to the transforming path from a healthy to cancerous cell. The introduction of CRISPR in everyday laboratory activity and its relative affordability greatly expanded the bench lab weaponry in the daily attempt to better understand tumor biology with the final aim to mitigate cancer's impact in our lives. In this review, we aim to report how this genome editing technique affected in the in vitro modeling of different aspects of tumor biology, its several declinations, and analyze the advantages and drawbacks of each of them.
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Alexa-Stratulat T, Pavel-Tanasa M, Cianga VA, Antoniu S. Immune senescence in non-small cell lung cancer management: therapeutic relevance, biomarkers, and mitigating approaches. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2022; 22:1197-1210. [PMID: 36270650 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2022.2139242] [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: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lung cancer and mainly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) still remain a prevalent malignancy worldwide despite sustained screening approaches. Furthermore, a significant proportion of the cases are diagnosed at advanced stages when conservative therapy is often unsuccessful. Cell senescence is an endogenous antitumor weapon but when it is upregulated exerts opposite activities favoring tumor metastasizing and poor response to therapy. However, little is known about this dangerous relationship between cell senescence and NSCLC outcome or on potential approaches to mitigate its unfavorable consequences. AREAS COVERED We discuss cell senescence focusing on immune senescence, its cell and humoral effectors (namely immune senescence associated secretory phenotype-iSASP), its impact on NSCLC outcome, and its biomarkers. Senotherapeutics as mitigating approaches are also considered based on the availability of experimental data pertinent to NSCLC. EXPERT OPINION Characterization of NSCLC subsets in which immune senescence is a risk factor for poor prognosis and poor therapeutic response might be very helpful in supporting the addition of senotherapeutics to conventional cancer therapy. This approach has the potential to improve disease outcome but more studies in this area are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodora Alexa-Stratulat
- Department of Medicine III-Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Mariana Pavel-Tanasa
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Vlad-Andrei Cianga
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Sabina Antoniu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
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29
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Shebl B, Ng D, Lalazar G, Rosemore C, Finkelstein TM, Migler RD, Zheng G, Zhang P, Jiang CS, Qureshi A, Vaughan R, Yarchoan M, de Jong YP, Rice CM, Coffino P, Ortiz MV, Zhou D, Simon SM. Targeting BCL-XL in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e161820. [PMID: 36073545 PMCID: PMC9536265 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.161820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC) is a rare and often lethal liver cancer with no proven effective systemic therapy. Inhibition of the antiapoptotic protein BCL-XL was found to synergize with a variety of systemic therapies in vitro using cells dissociated from patient-derived xenografts (PDX) of FLC or cells dissociated directly from surgical patient resections. As BCL-XL is physiologically expressed in platelets, prior efforts to leverage this vulnerability in other cancers have been hampered by severe thrombocytopenia. To overcome this toxicity, we treated FLC models with DT2216, a proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) that directs BCL-XL for degradation via the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ligase, which is minimally expressed in platelets. The combination of irinotecan and DT2216 in vitro on cells directly acquired from patients or in vivo using several xenografts derived from patients with FLC demonstrated remarkable synergy and at clinically achievable doses not associated with significant thrombocytopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassem Shebl
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Denise Ng
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gadi Lalazar
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Carly Rosemore
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Tova M. Finkelstein
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Guangrong Zheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Peiyi Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Caroline S. Jiang
- Hospital Biostatistics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Adam Qureshi
- Hospital Biostatistics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Roger Vaughan
- Hospital Biostatistics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mark Yarchoan
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ype P. de Jong
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Philip Coffino
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael V. Ortiz
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daohong Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Sanford M. Simon
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
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30
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Laminarin Attenuates ROS-Mediated Cell Migration and Invasiveness through Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11091714. [PMID: 36139787 PMCID: PMC9495390 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11091714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a notoriously aggressive type of cancer with a high metastasis rate. It is conventionally treated by surgical resection and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However, continuous chemotherapy leads to relapse in most PDAC patients due to chemical resistance. Therefore, novel anticancer agents need to be identified and developed. The antitumor activities of laminarin extracted from brown algae against hepatocarcinoma, lung, and colon cancer have been established. However, its effects on pancreatic cancer have remained obscure. Purpose: Our study identified the anticancer effects of laminarin on pancreatic cancer cells and tried to explain its intracellular mechanisms. Methods: We assessed the cell viability of PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cells using MTT assay. Hanging drop method was used for the spheroid formation. Flow cytometry was conducted to evaluate the several intracellular alterations including apoptosis, ROS production, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and calcium concentration induced by laminarin. An invasion test was performed to assess the inhibitory effect of laminarin on cell migration and the invasive genes were evaluated by RT-qPCR. Signaling pathway related with anticancer effects of laminarin was analyzed by western blot. Results: We report that inhibiting laminarin increased the proliferation and viability of the representative pancreatic cancer cell lines, MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1. Laminarin triggered apoptosis and mitochondrial impairment as evidenced by depolarized mitochondrial membranes, disrupted calcium, and suppressed cell migration caused by reactive oxygen species production and related intracellular signaling pathways. Moreover, laminarin showed synergistic effects when combined with 5-FU, a standard anticancer agent for PDAC. Conclusion: The present study is the first to report that laminarin exerts anticancer effect through ROS production in pancreatic cancer cells. Laminarin shows potential to serve as a new anticancer agent for treating PDAC.
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31
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Gopalsamy A. Selectivity through Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD). J Med Chem 2022; 65:8113-8126. [PMID: 35658428 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation has become a reliable tool in the medicinal chemist's toolbox, as seen with rapid progression of PROTACs (proteolysis targeting chimeras) to clinic. Degraders have unique advantages to target proteins with no functional consequence or scaffolding function to achieve the desired phenotype. In some cases, selectivity was achieved among closely related targets. While the prospective design of degraders to achieve selectivity remains empirical, this Miniperspective analyzes some reported examples to gather key factors that are hypothesized to contribute to selectivity. Ternary complex conformation to access key lysine residues stands out as a potential key contributor. However, protein and E3 ligase expression levels, differential tissue expression, resynthesis rate, ubiquitination rate, and the stability of the ternary complex formed all have the potential to play a significant role. With continued progress in ternary structure determination along with several predictive modeling methods, a rational approach to achieve degradation and selectivity is tantalizingly close.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariamala Gopalsamy
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
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32
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Targeted protein degraders from an oncologist point of view: The Holy Grail of cancer therapy? Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 169:103532. [PMID: 34800655 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In the era of precision medicine, monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors are the mainstays of the biological therapy in patients with solid tumors. However, resistance to treatment and the "undruggability" of certain key oncogenic proteins emerged as major limitations and jeopardize the clinical benefit of modern therapeutic approaches. Targeted protein degraders are novel molecules entering the early phase of clinical development that exploit the intracellular ubiquitine-proteasome system to promote a specific degradation of target proteins. Since the peculiar mechanism of action, targeted protein degraders have the potential to limit and overcome resistance to treatment and to allow a full actionability of certain cancer drivers that are actually elusive targets. Here, we discuss the state-of-the-art and the open issues in the development of these emerging biological agents from a clinical perspective and with a focus on solid tumors.
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