Evaluation of difluoromethylornithine for the chemoprevention of Barrett's esophagus and mucosal dysplasia

Exploring metabolic reprogramming in esophageal cancer: the role of key enzymes in glucose, amino acid, and nucleotide pathways and targeted therapies

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide with the character of poor prognosis and high mortality. Despite significant advancements have been achieved in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of EC, for example, in the discovery of new biomarkers and metabolic pathways, effective treatment options for patients with advanced EC are still limited. Metabolic heterogeneity in EC is a critical factor contributing to poor clinical outcomes. This heterogeneity arises from the complex interplay between the tumor microenvironment and genetic factors of tumor cells, which drives significant metabolic alterations in EC, a process known as metabolic reprogramming. Understanding the mechanisms of metabolic reprogramming is essential for developing new antitumor therapies and improving treatment outcomes. Targeting the distinct metabolic alterations in EC could enable more precise and effective therapies. In this review, we explore the complex metabolic changes in glucose, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolism during the progression of EC, and how these changes drive unique nutritional demands in cancer cells. We also evaluate potential therapies targeting key metabolic enzymes and their clinical applicability. Our work will contribute to enhancing knowledge of metabolic reprogramming in EC and provide new insights and approaches for the clinical treatment of EC.

Ototoxicity Review: A Growing Number of Non-Platinum-Based Chemo- and Immunotherapies

OBJECTIVE

To raise awareness of the growing list of non-platinum-based chemo- and immunotherapeutic agents that have been associated with ototoxicity and to introduce the possible mechanism of ototoxicity of these agents.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science.

REVIEW METHODS

A systematic review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses). PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for published reports of ototoxicity from non-platinum-based chemo- and immunotherapeutic agents in adult and pediatric patients. Therapies that utilized any platinum-based agent were excluded.

CONCLUSIONS

Ototoxicity from non-platinum-based chemo- and immunotherapies is an evolving problem. There were 54 reports-39 case reports and 15 cohort studies-documenting ototoxicity from 7 agents/combination therapies. Of these reports, 37 (69%) were published within the last 15 years (after 2005). No recovery of hearing was documented in 21 of 56 cases (38%). Pretreatment audiograms were uncommon (19/54 studies, 35%), despite documented ototoxic associations.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

There is a growing number of novel, ototoxic, non-platinum-based chemo- and immunotherapeutic agents with various potential mechanisms of action. Otolaryngologists will need to prioritize awareness of these agents. This growing list of agents, many of which have reversible effects, suggest a need for standardized ototoxicity monitor protocols so that appropriate and timely management options can be implemented.

Chemoprevention of esophageal adenocarcinoma

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is a major cause of cancer-related death, particularly in Western populations, and is rapidly rising in Asian populations at this time. Virtually all EACs develop from the precursor lesion Barrett's esophagus (BE), which is the most significant risk factor for EAC. However, the rates of progression from BE to EAC are low and patients with BE are asymptomatic. Thus, any strategy for EAC prevention must carry a low risk of harm in order to be clinically useful. Since current EAC-screening and BE-surveillance methods carry some procedural risk and are burdensome, there is an opportunity for chemoprevention, i.e. medications or dietary factors that may prevent BE from progressing to EAC. A variety of candidate chemoprevention therapies have been assessed to date. Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the best studied and have modest EAC-chemoprevention efficacy in BE patients, with a recent randomized trial showing that high-dose PPI may be more effective than low-dose PPI. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have moderate quality observational and randomized-trial evidence for preventing progression of BE to EAC, but their risks for harm have precluded their routine clinical use. Other therapies (statins, metformin, female sex hormones) generally do not have strong evidence to support their use in EAC chemoprevention. Although progress has been made in this field, there is still a need for more effective and safe chemoprevention therapies for EAC.

Spermidine as a target for cancer therapy

Spermidine, as a natural component from polyamine members, is originally isolated from semen and also existed in many natural plants, and can be responsible for cell growth and development in eukaryotes. The supplementation of spermidine can extend health and lifespan across species. Although the elevated levels of polyamines and the regulation of rate-limiting enzymes for polyamine metabolism have been identified as the biomarkers in many cancers, recent epidemiological data support that an increased uptake of spermidine as a caloric restriction mimic can reduce overall mortality associated with cancers. The possible mechanisms between spermidine and cancer development may be related to the precise regulation of polyamine metabolism, anti-cancer immunosurveillance, autophagy, and apoptosis. Increased intake of polyamine seems to suppress tumorigenesis, but appears to accelerate the growth of established tumors. Based on these observations and the absolute requirement for polyamines in tumor growth, spermidine could be a rational target for chemoprevention and clinical therapeutics of cancers.

Ornithine decarboxylase inhibition downregulates multiple pathways involved in the formation of precancerous lesions of esophageal squamous cell cancer

The high incidence and mortality of esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) is a major health problem worldwide. Precancerous lesions of ESCC may either progress to cancer or revert to normal epithelium with appropriate interventions; the bidirectional instability of the precancerous lesions of ESCC provides opportunities for intervention. Reports suggest that the upregulation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is closely related to carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether ODC may act as a target for chemoprevention in ESCC. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays indicate that ODC expression is higher in esophageal precancerous lesions compared with normal tissue controls. Its overexpression promotes cell proliferation and transformation of normal esophageal epithelial cells, and its activity is increased after N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA) induction in Shantou human embryonic esophageal cell line (SHEE) and human immortalized cells (Het1A) cells. In addition, p38 α, extracellular regulated kinase (ERK1/2) in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) pathways are activated in response to NMBA treatment. Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) is an ODC inhibitor, which inhibits NMBA-induced activation of p38 α, ERK1/2 and AKT/mTOR/p70S6K pathways; this has been verified by Western blotting. DFMO was also found to suppress the development of esophageal precancerous lesions in an NMBA-induced rat model; IHC demonstrated p38 α, ERK1/2, and AKT/mTOR/p70S6K pathways to be downregulated in these rats. These findings indicate the mechanisms by which ODC inhibition suppresses the development of esophageal precancerous lesions by downregulating p38 α, ERK1/2, and AKT/mTOR/p70S6k signaling pathways, ODC may be a potential target for chemoprevention in ESCC.

Polyamine metabolism and cancer: treatments, challenges and opportunities

Advances in our understanding of the metabolism and molecular functions of polyamines and their alterations in cancer have led to resurgence in the interest of targeting polyamine metabolism as an anticancer strategy. Increasing knowledge of the interplay between polyamine metabolism and other cancer-driving pathways, including the PTEN-PI3K-mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1), WNT signalling and RAS pathways, suggests potential combination therapies that will have considerable clinical promise. Additionally, an expanding number of promising clinical trials with agents targeting polyamines for both therapy and prevention are ongoing. New insights into molecular mechanisms linking dysregulated polyamine catabolism and carcinogenesis suggest additional strategies that can be used for cancer prevention in at-risk individuals. In addition, polyamine blocking therapy, a strategy that combines the inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis with the simultaneous blockade of polyamine transport, can be more effective than therapies based on polyamine depletion alone and may involve an antitumour immune response. These findings open up new avenues of research into exploiting aberrant polyamine metabolism for anticancer therapy.

Polyamines and Cancer

This chapter provides an overview of how the polyamine pathway has been exploited as a target for the treatment and prevention of multiple forms of cancer, since this pathway is disrupted in all cancers. It is divided into three main sections. The first explores how the polyamine pathway has been targeted for chemotherapy, starting from the first drug to target it, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) to the large variety of polyamine analogues that have been synthesised and tested throughout the years with all their potentials and pitfalls. The second section focuses on the use of polyamines as vectors for drug delivery. Knowing that the polyamine transport system is upregulated in cancers and that polyamines naturally bind to DNA, a range of polyamine analogues and polyamine-like structures have been synthesised to target epigenetic regulators, with encouraging results. Furthermore, the use of polyamines as transport vectors to introduce toxic/bioactive/fluorescent agents more selectively to the intended target in cancer cells is discussed. The last section concentrates on chemoprevention, where the different strategies that have been undertaken to interfere with polyamine metabolism and function for antiproliferative intervention are outlined and discussed.

Chemoprevention in Barrett's Esophagus: Current Status

Chemoprevention in Barrett's esophagus is currently applied only in research settings. Identifying pathways that can be targeted by safe, pharmaceutical or natural compounds is key to expanding the scope of chemoprevention. Defining meaningful surrogate markers of cancer progression is critical to test the efficacy of chemopreventive approaches. Combinatorial chemoprevention that targets multiple components of the same pathway or parallel pathways could reduce the risk and improve the efficacy of chemoprevention. Here we discuss the role of chemoprevention as an independent or an adjuvant management option in BE-associated esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Strategy for prevention of cancers of the esophagus

The following, from the 12th OESO World Conference: Cancers of the Esophagus, includes commentaries on the animal reflux-inflammation models for Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma; genomic/epigenomic analyses; eflornithine-based combinations; the molecular derangements that promote neoplastic transformation; the role of COX-2 inhibitors, proton pump inhibitors, and phase II trials in Barrett's adenocarcinoma; statins in chemoprevention and treatment of esophageal cancer; and biomarkers as potential targets in Barrett's adenocarcinoma.

Anticarcinogenic activity of alpha-difluoromethylornithine, ginseng, eleutherococcus, and leuzea on radiation-induced carcinogenesis in female rats

PURPOSE

To carry out a comparative study of inhibition of radiation carcinogenesis using alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), tinctures of ginseng, eleutherococcus and leuzea in female rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Locally bred female LIO-strain rats were subjected to a single whole body γ-irradiation dose of 4 Gy at 12 weeks of age. Modifying drugs were given with drinking water from the 10th day after irradiation until the end of the experiment (for 16 months).

RESULTS

Irradiated rats developed tumors 70.0-79.6% (malignant tumors: 43.7-45.0%) with a multiplicity of 1.48-1.75 (malignant: 0.5-0.58), while in unirradiated animals the incidence of all/malignant tumors was 21.9%/7.7% with multiplicity of 0.22/0.08. In exposed rats tumors most often developed in the mammary gland - 57.3%, reproductive and endocrine organs - 27.2%, and other localizations - 29.1%. All drugs, except leuzea, significantly reduced incidence and multiplicity of tumors, overall or at some localizations in irradiated rats. Highest, and practically equal inhibition, was shown by ginseng and DFMO, while eleutherococcus was clearly inferior. Ginseng reduced overall tumor incidence and multiplicity by 1.5 and 2.4 times, malignant tumor incidence and multiplicity - by 2.5 and 2.9 times, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The ginseng extract is the most promising radiation carcinogenesis inhibitor tested.

Cost-effectiveness of chemoprevention with proton pump inhibitors in Barrett's esophagus

BACKGROUND

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may reduce the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) in patients with Barrett's esophagus. PPIs are prescribed for virtually all patients with Barrett's esophagus, irrespective of the presence of reflux symptoms, and represent a de facto chemopreventive agent in this population. However, long-term PPI use has been associated with several adverse effects, and the cost-effectiveness of chemoprevention with PPIs has not been evaluated.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of PPIs for the prevention of EAC in Barrett's esophagus without reflux.

METHODS

We designed a state-transition Markov microsimulation model of a hypothetical cohort of 50-year-old white men with Barrett's esophagus. We modeled chemoprevention with PPIs or no chemoprevention, with endoscopic surveillance for all treatment arms. Outcome measures were life-years, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), incident EAC cases and deaths, costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios.

RESULTS

Assuming 50% reduction in EAC, chemoprevention with PPIs was a cost-effective strategy compared to no chemoprevention. In our model, administration of PPIs cost $23,000 per patient and resulted in a gain of 0.32 QALYs for an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $12,000/QALY. In sensitivity analyses, PPIs would be cost-effective at $50,000/QALY if they reduce EAC risk by at least 19%.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemoprevention with PPIs in patients with Barrett's esophagus without reflux is cost-effective if PPIs reduce EAC by a minimum of 19%. The identification of subgroups of Barrett's esophagus patients at increased risk for progression would lead to more cost-effective strategies for the prevention of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Molecular mechanisms responsible for pathogenesis of Barrett's esophagus

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is defined as the metaplastic conversion of the distal esophageal squamous epithelium to intestinalized columnar epithelium. It is a premalignant condition associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and is the major risk factor for EAC. Recent studies suggest that the molecular mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of BE are closely related to transcription factors, signaling proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs). MiRNAs are expected to be used as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis assessment and targeted treatment of EAC. This article summarizes recent results involving stem cells, immune factors, transcription factors, DNA methylation, nitric oxide, signaling pathways, microRNAs in the development of BE. Understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of BE has important implications for improved management of BE and EAC.

Chemoprevention of gastrointestinal neoplasia

Cancer chemoprevention is defined as the pharmacologic intervention, by drugs or nutrient-components, with the process of carcinogenesis, in order to prevent the development of invasive malignant neoplasms. This preventive attempt is particularly challenging in cancer types, which have a long subclinical developmental phase, because of their low cellular proliferation rate and their slow pre-clinical evolution, until they become clinically detectable and therapeutically as well as prognostically relevant. Therefore, only certain specific cancer types are presently in the focus of clinical chemoprevention. Among the GI tract cancer, colorectal (CRC) as well as esophageal cancer have raised the most attention over the past decades, as they both share a long precancerous stage (the adenoma in CRC and Barrett's esophagus in the case of esophageal adenocarcinoma) which provides a window of opportunity to intervene and prevent development of cancer.In this review, we will focus on both CRC as well as esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC).

Difluoromethylornithine: the proof is in the polyamines

In this issue (beginning on page 1368), Kreul and colleagues report a retrospective review of long-term efficacy and toxicity for subjects participating in a phase III study of difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) for prevention of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). They conclude that those treated with DFMO had a nonsignificant, persistent decrease in NMSC after completion of treatment and that treatment with DFMO did not result in late toxicity after the discontinuation of treatment. We review the data on DFMO as a chemopreventive agent for skin and other cancers, discuss the necessary qualities of a cancer chemopreventive agent, and reflect on the requirements for a well-conducted cancer chemoprevention study, including the rationale for long-term follow-up in cancer prevention studies.

Cellular polyamines promote amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide fibrillation and modulate the aggregation pathways

The cellular polyamines spermine, spermidine, and their metabolic precursor putrescine, have long been associated with cell-growth, tumor-related gene regulations, and Alzheimer's disease. Here, we show by in vitro spectroscopy and AFM imaging, that these molecules promote aggregation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides into fibrils and modulate the aggregation pathways. NMR measurements showed that the three polyamines share a similar binding mode to monomeric Aβ(1-40) peptide. Kinetic ThT studies showed that already very low polyamine concentrations promote amyloid formation: addition of 10 μM spermine (normal intracellular concentration is ~1 mM) significantly decreased the lag and transition times of the aggregation process. Spermidine and putrescine additions yielded similar but weaker effects. CD measurements demonstrated that the three polyamines induce different aggregation pathways, involving different forms of induced secondary structure. This is supported by AFM images showing that the three polyamines induce Aβ(1-40) aggregates with different morphologies. The results reinforce the notion that designing suitable ligands which modulate the aggregation of Aβ peptides toward minimally toxic pathways may be a possible therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease.

Polyamines and cancer: implications for chemotherapy and chemoprevention

Polyamines are small organic cations that are essential for normal cell growth and development in eukaryotes. Under normal physiological conditions, intracellular polyamine concentrations are tightly regulated through a dynamic network of biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes, and a poorly characterised transport system. This precise regulation ensures that the intracellular concentration of polyamines is maintained within strictly controlled limits. It has frequently been observed that the metabolism of, and the requirement for, polyamines in tumours is frequently dysregulated. Elevated levels of polyamines have been associated with breast, colon, lung, prostate and skin cancers, and altered levels of rate-limiting enzymes in both biosynthesis and catabolism have been observed. Based on these observations and the absolute requirement for polyamines in tumour growth, the polyamine pathway is a rational target for chemoprevention and chemotherapeutics. Here we describe the recent advances made in the polyamine field and focus on the roles of polyamines and polyamine metabolism in neoplasia through a discussion of the current animal models for the polyamine pathway, chemotherapeutic strategies that target the polyamine pathway, chemotherapeutic clinical trials for polyamine pathway-specific drugs and ongoing clinical trials targeting polyamine biosynthesis.

Targeted expression of ornithine decarboxylase antizyme prevents upper aerodigestive tract carcinogenesis in p53-deficient mice

Upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers of the oral cavity and esophagus are a significant global health burden, and there is an urgent need to develop relevant animal models to identify chemopreventive and therapeutic strategies to combat these diseases. Antizyme (AZ) is a multifunctional negative regulator of cellular polyamine levels, and here, we evaluate the susceptibility of keratin 5 (K5)-AZ transgenic mice to tumor models that combine chemical carcinogenesis with dietary and genetic risk factors known to influence human susceptibility to UADT cancer and promote UADT carcinogenesis in mice. First, p53(+/-) and K5-AZ/p53(+/-) (AZ/p53(+/-)) mice were placed on a zinc-deficient (ZD) or zinc-sufficient (ZS) diet and chronically exposed to 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide. Tongue tumor incidence, multiplicity and size were substantially reduced in both ZD and ZS AZ/p53(+/-) mice compared with p53(+/-). AZ expression also reduced progression to carcinoma in situ or invasive carcinoma and decreased expression of the squamous cell carcinoma biomarkers K14, cyclooxygenase-2 and metallothionein. Next, AZ-expressing p53(+/-) and p53 null mice were placed on the ZD diet and treated with a single dose of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine. Regardless of p53 status, forestomach (FST) tumor incidence, multiplicity and size were greatly reduced with AZ expression, which was also associated with a significant decrease in FST epithelial thickness along with reduced proliferation marker K6 and increased differentiation marker loricrin. These studies demonstrate the powerful tumor suppressive effects of targeted AZ expression in two distinct and unique mouse models and validate the polyamine metabolic pathway as a target for chemoprevention of UADT cancers.

Biomarkers in exploring the frontiers of diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of Barrett's esophagus

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the principal risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma. BE patients currently undergo periodic endoscopic surveillance with tissue sampling and histopathologic assessment for dysplasia. They frequently are prescribed proton pump inhibitors to pharmacologically suppress gastric acid that is the cause of BE. These standard endoscopic and pharmacologic approaches for managing BE are crude at best. Identification of novel tissue biomarkers within BE may allow for more accurate endoscopic risk stratification and provide potential targets for chemoprevention.

DFMO: targeted risk reduction therapy for colorectal neoplasia

Strategies to decrease intracellular polyamine levels have been studied for their efficacy in reducing colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. A successful strategy combined agents that decreased polyamine synthesis by inhibiting ornithine decarboxylase with difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), and increased cellular export of polyamines by activating the spermidine/spermine acetyl transferase with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A Phase III trial treating resected adenoma patients with DFMO plus sulindac demonstrated marked reduction of metachronous adenomas, advanced adenomas and multiple adenomas compared to placebo. This combination regimen was well-tolerated, however there was a non-significant excess of cardiovascular events in the treatment arm compared to placebo as well as modest ototoxicity. Targeting this therapy to people at elevated risk of CRC, and employing clinical and genetic predictors, should improve patient benefit and reduce the risk of side effects to improve the acceptability of this strategy.