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Silva KCS, Tambwe N, Mahfouz DH, Wium M, Cacciatore S, Paccez JD, Zerbini LF. Transcription Factors in Prostate Cancer: Insights for Disease Development and Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:450. [PMID: 38674385 PMCID: PMC11050257 DOI: 10.3390/genes15040450] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins essential for the regulation of gene expression, and they regulate the genes involved in different cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. Although their expression is essential in normal physiological conditions, abnormal regulation of TFs plays critical role in several diseases, including cancer. In prostate cancer, the most common malignancy in men, TFs are known to play crucial roles in the initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy of the disease. Understanding the interplay between these TFs and their downstream targets provides insights into the molecular basis of prostate cancer pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss the involvement of key TFs, including the E26 Transformation-Specific (ETS) Family (ERG and SPDEF), NF-κB, Activating Protein-1 (AP-1), MYC, and androgen receptor (AR), in prostate cancer while focusing on the molecular mechanisms involved in prostate cancer development. We also discuss emerging diagnostic strategies, early detection, and risk stratification using TFs. Furthermore, we explore the development of therapeutic interventions targeting TF pathways, including the use of small molecule inhibitors, gene therapies, and immunotherapies, aimed at disrupting oncogenic TF signaling and improving patient outcomes. Understanding the complex regulation of TFs in prostate cancer provides valuable insights into disease biology, which ultimately may lead to advancing precision approaches for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla C. S. Silva
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (K.C.S.S.); (N.T.); (D.H.M.); (M.W.); (S.C.); (J.D.P.)
| | - Nadine Tambwe
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (K.C.S.S.); (N.T.); (D.H.M.); (M.W.); (S.C.); (J.D.P.)
- Integrative Biomedical Sciences Division, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Dalia H. Mahfouz
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (K.C.S.S.); (N.T.); (D.H.M.); (M.W.); (S.C.); (J.D.P.)
| | - Martha Wium
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (K.C.S.S.); (N.T.); (D.H.M.); (M.W.); (S.C.); (J.D.P.)
- Integrative Biomedical Sciences Division, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Stefano Cacciatore
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (K.C.S.S.); (N.T.); (D.H.M.); (M.W.); (S.C.); (J.D.P.)
- Integrative Biomedical Sciences Division, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Juliano D. Paccez
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (K.C.S.S.); (N.T.); (D.H.M.); (M.W.); (S.C.); (J.D.P.)
| | - Luiz F. Zerbini
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (K.C.S.S.); (N.T.); (D.H.M.); (M.W.); (S.C.); (J.D.P.)
- Integrative Biomedical Sciences Division, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
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2
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Currie C, Bjerknes C, Myklebust TÅ, Framroze B. Assessing the Potential of Small Peptides for Altering Expression Levels of the Iron-Regulatory Genes FTH1 and TFRC and Enhancing Androgen Receptor Inhibitor Activity in In Vitro Prostate Cancer Models. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15231. [PMID: 37894914 PMCID: PMC10607736 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015231] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent research highlights the key role of iron dyshomeostasis in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer (PCa). PCa cells are heavily dependent on bioavailable iron, which frequently results in the reprogramming of iron uptake and storage pathways. Although advanced-stage PCa is currently incurable, bioactive peptides capable of modulating key iron-regulatory genes may constitute a means of exploiting a metabolic adaptation necessary for tumor growth. Recent annual increases in PCa incidence have been reported, highlighting the urgent need for novel treatments. We examined the ability of LNCaP, PC3, VCaP, and VCaP-EnzR cells to form colonies in the presence of androgen receptor inhibitors (ARI) and a series of iron-gene modulating oligopeptides (FT-001-FT-008). The viability of colonies following treatment was determined with clonogenic assays, and the expression levels of FTH1 (ferritin heavy chain 1) and TFRC (transferrin receptor) were determined with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Peptides and ARIs combined significantly reduced PCa cell growth across all phenotypes, of which two peptides were the most effective. Colony growth suppression generally correlated with the magnitude of concurrent increases in FTH1 and decreases in TFRC expression for all cells. The results of this study provide preliminary insight into a novel approach at targeting iron dysmetabolism and sensitizing PCa cells to established cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crawford Currie
- HBC Immunology Inc., 1455 Adams Drive, Suite, Menlo Park, CA 2043, USA;
- Hofseth Biocare, Keiser Wilhelmsgate 24, 6003 Ålesund, Norway;
| | - Christian Bjerknes
- Hofseth Biocare, Keiser Wilhelmsgate 24, 6003 Ålesund, Norway;
- Department for Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 6025 Ålesund, Norway
| | - Tor Åge Myklebust
- Department of Registration, Cancer Registry of Norway, 0379 Oslo, Norway;
- Department of Research and Innovation, Møre og Romsdal Hospital Trust, 6026 Ålesund, Norway
| | - Bomi Framroze
- HBC Immunology Inc., 1455 Adams Drive, Suite, Menlo Park, CA 2043, USA;
- GPH Biotech LLC, 1455 Adams Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
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3
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Gonciarz RL, Sakhamuri S, Hooshdaran N, Kumar G, Kim H, Evans MJ, Renslo AR. Elevated labile iron in castration-resistant prostate cancer is targetable with ferrous iron-activatable antiandrogen therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 249:115110. [PMID: 36708680 PMCID: PMC10210592 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115110] [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: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Clinical responses to second generation androgen signaling inhibitors (e.g., enzalutamide) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) are variable and transient, and are associated with dose limiting toxicities, including rare but severe CNS effects. We hypothesized that changes to iron metabolism coincident with more advanced disease might be leveraged for tumor-selective delivery of antiandrogen therapy. Using the recently described chemical probes SiRhoNox and 18F-TRX in mCRPC models, we found elevated Fe2+ to be a common feature of mCRPC in vitro and in vivo. We next synthesized ferrous-iron activatable drug conjugates of second and third-generation antiandrogens and found these conjugates possessed comparable or enhanced antiproliferative activity across mCRPC cell line models. Mouse pharmacokinetic studies showed that these prototype antiandrogen conjugates are stable in vivo and limited exposure to conjugate or free antiandrogen in the brain. Our results reveal elevated Fe2+ to be a feature of mCRPC that might be leveraged to improve the tolerability and efficacy of antiandrogen therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan L Gonciarz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, United States
| | - Sasank Sakhamuri
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, United States
| | - Nima Hooshdaran
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, United States
| | - Garima Kumar
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, United States
| | - Hyunjung Kim
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, United States
| | - Michael J Evans
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, United States; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, United States.
| | - Adam R Renslo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, United States; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, United States.
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4
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Wei J, Oh DY, Evans MJ. Preparation of Radiolabeled Antibodies for Nuclear Medicine Applications in Immuno-Oncology. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2393:829-839. [PMID: 34837214 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1803-5_44] [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] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The mixed patient responses to antibodies targeting immune checkpoint proteins (e.g., CTLA-4, PD-1, PD-L1) have generated tremendous interest in discovering biomarkers that predict which patients will best respond to these treatments. To complement molecular biomarkers obtained from biopsies, the nuclear medicine community has begun developing radiopharmaceuticals that may provide a more holistic assessment of the biological character of all disease sites in patients. On the leading edge of clinical translation are a spectrum of radiolabeled antibodies targeting immune checkpoint proteins or T cell-specific antigens. The adoption of these reagents requires development of efficient and versatile methods for antibody bioconjugation and radiochemistry. We report herein protocols for the preparation of an anti-PD-L1 IgG1 (termed C4) labeled with zirconium-89. The approach is time and cost economical, high yielding, and adaptable to numerous antibody clones and platforms of interest to the immune-oncology community. Included also are representative methods for characterizing the pharmacology of the antibody post bioconjugation, and conducting an in vivo assessment of radiotracer biodistribution in tumor bearing mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junnian Wei
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David Y Oh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Michael J Evans
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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5
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Schneider G, Wirth M, Keller U, Saur D. Rationale for MYC imaging and targeting in pancreatic cancer. EJNMMI Res 2021; 11:104. [PMID: 34637026 PMCID: PMC8511206 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-021-00843-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence and lethality of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) will continue to increase in the next decade. For most patients, chemotherapeutic combination therapies remain the standard of care. The development and successful implementation of precision oncology in other gastrointestinal tumor entities point to opportunities also for PDAC. Therefore, markers linked to specific therapeutic responses and important subgroups of the disease are needed. The MYC oncogene is a relevant driver in PDAC and is linked to drug resistance and sensitivity. Here, we update recent insights into MYC biology in PDAC, summarize the connections between MYC and drug responses, and point to an opportunity to image MYC non-invasively. In sum, we propose MYC-associated biology as a basis for the development of concepts for precision oncology in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günter Schneider
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic II, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, TU Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany. .,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Matthias Wirth
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 12203, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Keller
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 12203, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Saur
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Insititute for Translational Cancer Research and Experimental Cancer Therapy, MRI, TU Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
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6
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Rudkouskaya A, Sinsuebphon N, Ochoa M, Chen SJ, Mazurkiewicz JE, Intes X, Barroso M. Multiplexed non-invasive tumor imaging of glucose metabolism and receptor-ligand engagement using dark quencher FRET acceptor. Theranostics 2020; 10:10309-10325. [PMID: 32929350 PMCID: PMC7481426 DOI: 10.7150/thno.45825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Following an ever-increased focus on personalized medicine, there is a continuing need to develop preclinical molecular imaging modalities to guide the development and optimization of targeted therapies. Near-Infrared (NIR) Macroscopic Fluorescence Lifetime Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (MFLI-FRET) imaging offers a unique method to robustly quantify receptor-ligand engagement in live intact animals, which is critical to assess the delivery efficacy of therapeutics. However, to date, non-invasive imaging approaches that can simultaneously measure cellular drug delivery efficacy and metabolic response are lacking. A major challenge for the implementation of concurrent optical and MFLI-FRET in vivo whole-body preclinical imaging is the spectral crowding and cross-contamination between fluorescent probes. Methods: We report on a strategy that relies on a dark quencher enabling simultaneous assessment of receptor-ligand engagement and tumor metabolism in intact live mice. Several optical imaging approaches, such as in vitro NIR FLI microscopy (FLIM) and in vivo wide-field MFLI, were used to validate a novel donor-dark quencher FRET pair. IRDye 800CW 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) imaging was multiplexed with MFLI-FRET of NIR-labeled transferrin FRET pair (Tf-AF700/Tf-QC-1) to monitor tumor metabolism and probe uptake in breast tumor xenografts in intact live nude mice. Immunohistochemistry was used to validate in vivo imaging results. Results: First, we establish that IRDye QC-1 (QC-1) is an effective NIR dark acceptor for the FRET-induced quenching of donor Alexa Fluor 700 (AF700). Second, we report on simultaneous in vivo imaging of the metabolic probe 2-DG and MFLI-FRET imaging of Tf-AF700/Tf-QC-1 uptake in tumors. Such multiplexed imaging revealed an inverse relationship between 2-DG uptake and Tf intracellular delivery, suggesting that 2-DG signal may predict the efficacy of intracellular targeted delivery. Conclusions: Overall, our methodology enables for the first time simultaneous non-invasive monitoring of intracellular drug delivery and metabolic response in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Rudkouskaya
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Nattawut Sinsuebphon
- Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging in Medicine, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Marien Ochoa
- Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging in Medicine, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Sez-Jade Chen
- Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging in Medicine, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Joseph E. Mazurkiewicz
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Xavier Intes
- Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging in Medicine, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Margarida Barroso
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
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7
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Seo Y, Khalighi MM, Wangerin KA, Deller TW, Wang YH, Jivan S, Kohi MP, Aggarwal R, Flavell RR, Behr SC, Evans MJ. Quantitative and Qualitative Improvement of Low-Count [ 68Ga]Citrate and [ 90Y]Microspheres PET Image Reconstructions Using Block Sequential Regularized Expectation Maximization Algorithm. Mol Imaging Biol 2020; 22:208-216. [PMID: 30993558 PMCID: PMC6800603 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-019-01347-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE There are several important positron emission tomography (PET) imaging scenarios that require imaging with very low photon statistics, for which both quantitative accuracy and visual quality should not be neglected. For example, PET imaging with the low photon statistics is closely related to active efforts to significantly reduce radiation exposure from radiopharmaceuticals. We investigated two examples of low-count PET imaging: (a) imaging [90Y]microsphere radioembolization that suffers the very small positron emission fraction of Y-90's decay processes, and (b) cancer imaging with [68Ga]citrate with uptake time of 3-4 half-lives, necessary for visualizing tumors. In particular, we investigated a type of penalized likelihood reconstruction algorithm, block sequential regularized expectation maximization (BSREM), for improving both image quality and quantitative accuracy of these low-count PET imaging cases. PROCEDURES The NEMA/IEC Body phantom filled with aqueous solution of Y-90 or Ga-68 was scanned to mimic the low-count scenarios of corresponding patient data acquisitions on a time-of-flight (TOF) PET/magnetic resonance imaging system. Contrast recovery, background variation, and signal-to-noise ratio were evaluated in different sets of count densities using both conventional TOF ordered subset expectation (TOF-OSEM) and TOF-BSREM algorithms. The regularization parameter, beta, in BSREM that controls the tradeoff between image noise and resolution was evaluated to find a value for improved confidence in image interpretation. Visual quality assessment of the images obtained from patients administered with [68Ga]citrate (n = 6) was performed. We also made preliminary visual image quality assessment for one patient with [90Y]microspheres. In Y-90 imaging, the effect of 511-keV energy window selection for minimizing the number of random events was also evaluated. RESULTS Quantitatively, phantom images reconstructed with TOF-BSREM showed improved contrast recovery, background variation, and signal-to-noise ratio values over images reconstructed with TOF-OSEM. Both phantom and patient studies of delayed imaging of [68Ga]citrate show that TOF-BSREM with beta = 500 gives the best tradeoff between image noise and image resolution based on visual assessment by the readers. The NEMA-IQ phantom study with [90Y]microspheres shows that the narrow energy window (460-562 keV) recovers activity concentrations in small spheres better than the regular energy window (425-650 keV) with the beta value of 2000 using the TOF-BSREM algorithm. For the images obtained from patients with [68Ga]citrate using TOF-BSREM with beta = 500, the visual analogue scale (VAS) was improved by 17 % and the Likert score was increased by 1 point on average, both in comparison to corresponding scores for images reconstructed using TOF-OSEM. CONCLUSION Our investigation shows that the TOF-BSREM algorithm improves the image quality and quantitative accuracy in low-count PET imaging scenarios. However, the beta value in this algorithm needed to be adjusted for each radiopharmaceutical and counting statistics at the time of scans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngho Seo
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0946, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- UC Berkeley - UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco, California, CA, USA.
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Khalighi
- GE Healthcare, Waukesha, WI, USA
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Salma Jivan
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0946, USA
| | - Maureen P Kohi
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0946, USA
| | - Rahul Aggarwal
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert R Flavell
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0946, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Spencer C Behr
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0946, USA
| | - Michael J Evans
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0946, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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8
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Zhao Y, Peng J, Yang J, Zhang E, Huang L, Yang H, Kakadiaris E, Li J, Yan B, Shang Z, Jiang N, Zhang X, Han G, Niu Y. Enhancing Prostate-Cancer-Specific MRI by Genetic Amplified Nanoparticle Tumor Homing. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1900928. [PMID: 31183895 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201900928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Precise localization and visualization of early-stage prostate cancer (PCa) is critical to improve the success of focal ablation and reduce cancer mortality. However, it remains challenging under the current imaging techniques due to the heterogeneous nature of PCa and the suboptimal sensitivity of the techniques themselves. Herein, a novel genetic amplified nanoparticle tumor-homing strategy to enhance the MRI accuracy of ultrasmall PCa lesions is reported. This strategy could specifically drive TfR expressions in PCa under PCa-specific DD3 promoter, and thus remarkably increase Tf-USPIONs concentrations in a highly accurate manner while minimizing their non-specific off-target effects on normal tissues. Consequently, this strategy can pinpoint an ultrasmall PCa lesion, which is otherwise blurred in the current MRI, and thereby addresses the unmet key need in MRI imaging for focal therapy. With this proof-of-concept experiment, the synergistic gene-nano strategy holds great promise to boost the MRI effects of a wide variety of commonly used nanoscale and molecular probes that are otherwise limited. In addition, such a strategy may also be translated and applied to MR-specific imaging of other types of cancers by using their respective tumor-specific promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- Sex Hormone Research Center, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin, 300211, China
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Jing Peng
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Jinyi Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Enlong Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Ling Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Hong Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Eugenia Kakadiaris
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Jingjin Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Bin Yan
- Sex Hormone Research Center, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Zhiqun Shang
- Sex Hormone Research Center, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Sex Hormone Research Center, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Xuening Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Gang Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Yuanjie Niu
- Sex Hormone Research Center, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin, 300211, China
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9
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Behr SC, Villanueva-Meyer JE, Li Y, Wang YH, Wei J, Moroz A, Lee JK, Hsiao JC, Gao KT, Ma W, Cha S, Wilson DM, Seo Y, Nelson SJ, Chang SM, Evans MJ. Targeting iron metabolism in high-grade glioma with 68Ga-citrate PET/MR. JCI Insight 2018; 3:93999. [PMID: 30385712 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.93999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Noninvasive tools that target tumor cells could improve the management of glioma. Cancer generally has a high demand for Fe(III), an essential nutrient for a variety of biochemical processes. We tested whether 68Ga-citrate, an Fe(III) biomimetic that binds to apo-transferrin in blood, detects glioma in preclinical models and patients using hybrid PET/MRI. Mouse PET/CT studies showed that 68Ga-citrate accumulates in subcutaneous U87MG xenografts in a transferrin receptor-dependent fashion within 4 hours after injection. Seventeen patients with WHO grade III or IV glioma received 3.7-10.2 mCi 68Ga-citrate and were imaged with PET/MR 123-307 minutes after injection to establish that the radiotracer can localize to human tumors. Multiple contrast-enhancing lesions were PET avid, and tumor to adjacent normal white matter ratios were consistently greater than 10:1. Several contrast-enhancing lesions were not PET avid. One minimally enhancing lesion and another tumor with significantly reduced enhancement following bevacizumab therapy were PET avid. Advanced MR imaging analysis of one patient with contrast-enhancing glioblastoma showed that metabolic hallmarks of viable tumor spatially overlaid with 68Ga-citrate accumulation. These early data underscore that high-grade glioma may be detectable with a radiotracer that targets Fe(III) transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer C Behr
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Yan Li
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yung-Hua Wang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Junnian Wei
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Anna Moroz
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA.,Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo Innovation Center, Moscow, Russia
| | - Julia Kl Lee
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Hsiao
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kenneth T Gao
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Wendy Ma
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Soonmee Cha
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - David M Wilson
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Youngho Seo
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sarah J Nelson
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences
| | - Susan M Chang
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Department of Neurological Surgery, and
| | - Michael J Evans
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
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10
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Li D, Tian G, Wang J, Zhao LY, Co O, Underill ZC, Mymryk JS, Claessens F, Dehm SM, Daaka Y, Liao D. Inhibition of androgen receptor transactivation function by adenovirus type 12 E1A undermines prostate cancer cell survival. Prostate 2018; 78:1140-1156. [PMID: 30009471 PMCID: PMC6424568 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations or truncation of the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of androgen receptor (AR) underlie treatment resistance for prostate cancer (PCa). Thus, targeting the AR N-terminal domain (NTD) could overcome such resistance. METHODS Luciferase reporter assays after transient transfection of various DNA constructs were used to assess effects of E1A proteins on AR-mediated transcription. Immunofluorescence microscopy and subcellular fractionation were applied to assess intracellular protein localization. Immunoprecipitation and mammalian two-hybrid assays were used to detect protein-protein interactions. qRT-PCR was employed to determine RNA levels. Western blotting was used to detect protein expression in cells. Effects of adenoviruses on prostate cancer cell survival were evaluated with CellTiter-Glo assays. RESULTS Adenovirus 12 E1A (E1A12) binds specifically to the AR. Interestingly, the full-length E1A12 (266 aa) preferentially binds to full-length AR, while the small E1A12 variant (235 aa) interacts more strongly with AR-V7. E1A12 promotes AR nuclear translocation, likely through mediating intramolecular AR NTD-LBD interactions. In the nucleus, AR and E1A12 co-expression in AR-null PCa cells results in E1A12 redistribution from nuclear foci containing CBX4 (also known as Pc2), suggesting a preferential AR-E1A12 interaction over other E1A12 interactors. E1A12 represses AR-mediated transcription in reporter gene assays and endogenous AR target genes such as ATAD2 and MYC in AR-expressing PCa cells. AR-expressing PCa cells are more sensitive to death induced by a recombinant adenovirus expressing E1A12 (Ad-E1A12) than AR-deficient PCa cells, which could be attributed to the increased viral replication promoted by androgen stimulation. Targeting the AR by E1A12 promotes apoptosis in PCa cells that express the full-length AR or C-terminally truncated AR variants. Importantly, inhibition of mTOR signaling that blocks the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins markedly augments Ad-E1A12-induced apoptosis of AR-expressing cells. Mechanistically, Ad-E1A12 infection triggers apoptotic response while activating the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling axis; thus, mTOR inhibition enhances apoptosis in AR-expressing PCa cells infected by Ad-E1A12. CONCLUSION Ad12 E1A inhibits AR-mediated transcription and suppresses PCa cell survival, suggesting that targeting the AR by E1A12 might have therapeutic potential for treating advanced PCa with heightened AR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Li
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, 250012, P. R. China
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, UF Health Cancer Center and UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Guimei Tian
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, UF Health Cancer Center and UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, UF Health Cancer Center and UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610
- Affiliated Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Lisa Y. Zhao
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, UF Health Cancer Center and UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610
- Present address: Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Olivia Co
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, UF Health Cancer Center and UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Zoe C. Underill
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, UF Health Cancer Center and UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Joe S. Mymryk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the University of Western Ontario, London Regional Cancer Centre, Ontario, Canada
| | - Frank Claessens
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 PO box 901, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Scott M. Dehm
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Yehia Daaka
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, UF Health Cancer Center and UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Daiqing Liao
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, UF Health Cancer Center and UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610
- Corresponding author: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida, 1333 Center Drive, Gainesville, Florida, 32610-0235, , Phone: 352-273-8188, Fax: 352-846-1248
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11
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Rudkouskaya A, Sinsuebphon N, Ward J, Tubbesing K, Intes X, Barroso M. Quantitative imaging of receptor-ligand engagement in intact live animals. J Control Release 2018; 286:451-459. [PMID: 30036545 PMCID: PMC6231501 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Maintaining an intact tumor environment is critical for quantitation of receptor-ligand engagement in a targeted drug development pipeline. However, measuring receptor-ligand engagement in vivo and non-invasively in preclinical settings is extremely challenging. We found that quantitation of intracellular receptor-ligand binding can be achieved using whole-body macroscopic lifetime-based Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) imaging in intact, live animals bearing tumor xenografts. We determined that FRET levels report on ligand binding to transferrin receptors conversely to raw fluorescence intensity. FRET levels in heterogeneous tumors correlate with intracellular ligand binding but strikingly, not with ubiquitously used ex vivo receptor expression assessment. Hence, MFLI-FRET provides a direct measurement of systemic delivery, target availability and intracellular drug delivery in preclinical studies. Here, we have used MFLI to measure FRET longitudinally in intact and live animals. MFLI-FRET is well-suited for guiding the development of targeted drug therapy in heterogeneous tumors in intact, live small animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Rudkouskaya
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Nattawut Sinsuebphon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
| | - Jamie Ward
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Kate Tubbesing
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Xavier Intes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA.
| | - Margarida Barroso
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA.
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