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Pandey D, Chauhan SC, Kashyap VK, Roy KK. Structural insights into small-molecule KRAS inhibitors for targeting KRAS mutant cancers. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 277:116771. [PMID: 39167893 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116771] [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: 06/16/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral (KRAS) oncogene is the most frequently mutated isoform of RAS, associated with 85 % of RAS-driven cancers. KRAS functions as a signaling hub, participating in various cellular signaling pathways and regulating a wide range of important activities, including cell proliferation, differentiation, growth, metabolism, and migration. Despite being the most frequently altered oncogenic protein in solid tumors, over the past four decades, KRAS has historically been considered "undruggable" owing to a lack of pharmacologically targetable pockets within the mutant isoforms. However, improvements in drug design and development have culminated in the development of selective inhibitors for KRAS mutants. Recent developments have led to the successful targeting of the KRASG12C mutant through covalent inhibitors that exploit the unique cysteine residue introduced by the mutation at 12th position. These inhibitors bind covalently to C12, locking KRAS in its inactive GDP-bound state and preventing downstream signaling. Some of these inhibitors have shown encouraging results in KRASG12C mutant cancer patients but suffer from drug resistance, toxicity, and low therapeutic efficacy. Recently, there have been great advancements in the discovery of drugs that directly target the switch I (S-I), switch-II (S-II) and S-I/II interface sites of KRAS mutant proteins. These include KRASG12C inhibitors like AMG510 (Sotorasib) and MRTX849 (Adagrasib), which have got FDA approval for non-small cell lung cancer harboring the KRASG12C mutation. There is no approved drug for cancers harboring other KRAS mutations, although efforts have expanded to target other KRAS mutations and the Switch I/II interface, aiming to disrupt KRAS-driven oncogenic signaling. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies have been instrumental in optimizing the binding affinity, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties of these inhibitors, leading to the development of promising therapeutic agents like Sotorasib and Adagrasib. This review provides an overview of the KRAS pathway, KRAS binding sites, strategies for direct and indirect inhibition using small molecules, and SAR based on the co-crystal structures of inhibitors with KRAS mutants which is expected to offer new hope for patients with KRAS-driven cancers through the development of new KRAS-targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Pandey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun, 248007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Subhash C Chauhan
- Division of Cancer Immunology and Microbiology, Medicine and Oncology Integrated Service Unit, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX 78504, USA; South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research (ST-CECR), McAllen, TX 78504, USA
| | - Vivek K Kashyap
- Division of Cancer Immunology and Microbiology, Medicine and Oncology Integrated Service Unit, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX 78504, USA; South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research (ST-CECR), McAllen, TX 78504, USA
| | - Kuldeep K Roy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun, 248007, Uttarakhand, India.
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Liu Y, Li Y, Li G, Wang A, Chu H. Insight of the molecular mechanism of inhibitors located at different allosteric sites regulating the activity of wild type and mutant KRAS (G12). Arch Biochem Biophys 2024; 760:110137. [PMID: 39216733 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2024.110137] [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: 07/30/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
As the important hub of many cellular signaling networks, KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue) has been identified as a tumor biomarker. It is the frequently mutated oncogene in human cancers, and KRAS protein activation caused by mutations, such as G12D, has been found in many human tumors tissues. Although, there are two specific allosteric sites (AS1 and AS2) on the KRAS protein that can be used as the targets for inhibitor development, the difference of regulatory mechanisms between two individual allosteric sites still not be reported. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations combined with molecular mechanics generalized born surface area (MM/GBSA) analysis, we found that both of the inhibitors, located at AS1 and AS2, were able to reduce the binding free energy between wild type, mutant KRAS (G12/D/V/S/C) and GTP remarkably, however the effect of inhibitors on the binding free energy between wild type, mutant KRAS and GDP was limited. In addition, the degree of decrease of binding free energy between KRAS and GTP caused by inhibitors at AS2 was significantly greater than that caused by inhibitors at AS1. Further analysis revealed that both inhibitors at AS1 and AS2 were able to regulate the fluctuation of Switch Ⅰ and Switch Ⅱ to expand the pocket of the orthosteric site (GTP binding site), thereby reducing the binding of KRAS to GTP. Noteworthy there was significant differences in the regulatory preferences on Switch Ⅰ and Switch Ⅱ between two type inhibitor. The inhibitor at AS2 mainly regulated Switch Ⅱ to affect the pocket of the orthosteric site, while the inhibitor at AS1 mainly expand the pocket of the orthosteric site by regulating the fluctuation of Switch Ⅰ. Our study compared the differences between two type inhibitors in regulating the KRAS protein activity and revealed the advantages of the AS2 as the small molecule drug target, aiming to provide theoretical guidance for the research of novel KRAS protein inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Biology and Chemistry, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China; Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Yan Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Biology and Chemistry, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China; Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Guohui Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Biology and Chemistry, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China; Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Anhui Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Biology and Chemistry, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China; Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China.
| | - Huiying Chu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Biology and Chemistry, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China; Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, China.
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3
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Hossain MA. Targeting the RAS upstream and downstream signaling pathway for cancer treatment. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 979:176727. [PMID: 38866361 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176727] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Cancer often involves the overactivation of RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) and PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathways due to mutations in genes like RAS, RAF, PTEN, and PIK3CA. Various strategies are employed to address the overactivation of these pathways, among which targeted therapy emerges as a promising approach. Directly targeting specific proteins, leads to encouraging results in cancer treatment. For instance, RTK inhibitors such as imatinib and afatinib selectively target these receptors, hindering ligand binding and reducing signaling initiation. These inhibitors have shown potent efficacy against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Other inhibitors, like lonafarnib targeting Farnesyltransferase and GGTI 2418 targeting geranylgeranyl Transferase, disrupt post-translational modifications of proteins. Additionally, inhibition of proteins like SOS, SH2 domain, and Ras demonstrate promising anti-tumor activity both in vivo and in vitro. Targeting downstream components with RAF inhibitors such as vemurafenib, dabrafenib, and sorafenib, along with MEK inhibitors like trametinib and binimetinib, has shown promising outcomes in treating cancers with BRAF-V600E mutations, including myeloma, colorectal, and thyroid cancers. Furthermore, inhibitors of PI3K (e.g., apitolisib, copanlisib), AKT (e.g., ipatasertib, perifosine), and mTOR (e.g., sirolimus, temsirolimus) exhibit promising efficacy against various cancers such as Invasive Breast Cancer, Lymphoma, Neoplasms, and Hematological malignancies. This review offers an overview of small molecule inhibitors targeting specific proteins within the RAS upstream and downstream signaling pathways in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Arafat Hossain
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, 8100, Bangladesh.
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Zhang J, Lim SM, Yu MR, Chen C, Wang J, Wang W, Rui H, Lu J, Lu S, Mok T, Chen ZJ, Cho BC. D3S-001, a KRAS G12C Inhibitor with Rapid Target Engagement Kinetics, Overcomes Nucleotide Cycling, and Demonstrates Robust Preclinical and Clinical Activities. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:1675-1698. [PMID: 38717075 PMCID: PMC11372373 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-24-0006] [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: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
First-generation KRAS G12C inhibitors, such as sotorasib and adagrasib, are limited by the depth and duration of clinical responses. One potential explanation for their modest clinical activity is the dynamic "cycling" of KRAS between its guanosine diphosphate (GDP)- and guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound states, raising controversy about whether targeting the GDP-bound form can fully block this oncogenic driver. We herein report that D3S-001, a next-generation GDP-bound G12C inhibitor with faster target engagement (TE) kinetics, depletes cellular active KRAS G12C at nanomolar concentrations. In the presence of growth factors, such as epithelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor, the ability of sotorasib and adagrasib to inhibit KRAS was compromised whereas the TE kinetics of D3S-001 was nearly unaffected, a unique feature differentiating D3S-001 from other GDP-bound G12C inhibitors. Furthermore, the high covalent potency and cellular TE efficiency of D3S-001 contributed to robust antitumor activity preclinically and translated into promising clinical efficacy in an ongoing phase 1 trial (NCT05410145). Significance: The kinetic study presented in this work unveils, for the first time, that a GDP-bound conformation-selective KRAS G12C inhibitor can potentially deplete cellular active KRAS in the presence of growth factors and offers new insights into the critical features that drive preclinical and clinical efficacy for this class of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sun Min Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mi Ra Yu
- Yonsei New II Han Institute for Integrative Lung Cancer Research, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Shun Lu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tony Mok
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Department of Clinical Oncology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Byoung Chul Cho
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Désage AL, Duruisseaux M, Lafitte C, Bayle-Bleuez S, Chouaid C, Fournel P, Pierret T. Toxicities associated with sequential or combined use of immune checkpoint inhibitors and small targeted therapies in non-small cell lung cancer: A critical review of the literature. Cancer Treat Rev 2024; 129:102805. [PMID: 39111188 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2024.102805] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become standard-of-care at different stage disease in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Based on the increasing characterization of molecular aberrations and oncogenic drivers in NSCLC, it is expected that more and more patients will benefit from orally small targeted therapies in NSCLC. However, their concomitant or sequential use is associated with an increased risk of a various toxicity pattern. METHODS Relevant publications were included if they reported data on the question of toxicities associated with sequential or combined use of ICIs and small targeted therapies used in NSCLC treatment. MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library were searched for the following request, from database inception until June 2023. RESULTS This review highlighted a various pattern of toxicities (i.e., interstitial lung disease, hepatitis, dermatoses) in the context of both sequential and concomitant administration of ICIs and small targeted therapies. Such toxicities seem rather a "drug-effect" than a "class-effect" and some of these toxicities are more specific of a small targeted therapy. This review highlights on the impact of treatment sequence administration and emphasis for physicians to be particularly careful whether small targeted therapy is administered within one to three months after last ICIs injection. CONCLUSION Physicians have to be aware of severe toxicities in case of both concomitant or sequential ICIs/small targeted therapies administration in NSCLC. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying these toxicities in order to prevent them and to refine ICIs and small targeted therapy sequencing strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Laure Désage
- Department of Pulmonology and Thoracic Oncology, North Hospital, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France.
| | - Michael Duruisseaux
- Respiratory Department, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon Cancer Institute, Lyon, France; Oncopharmacology Laboratory, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052 CNRS 5286, Lyon, France; Université Claude Bernard, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Claire Lafitte
- Respiratory Department, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon Cancer Institute, Lyon, France
| | - Sophie Bayle-Bleuez
- Department of Pulmonology and Thoracic Oncology, North Hospital, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Christos Chouaid
- Pneumology Department, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Pierre Fournel
- Department of Pulmonology and Thoracic Oncology, North Hospital, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Thomas Pierret
- Respiratory Department, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon Cancer Institute, Lyon, France
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Casacuberta-Serra S, González-Larreategui Í, Capitán-Leo D, Soucek L. MYC and KRAS cooperation: from historical challenges to therapeutic opportunities in cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:205. [PMID: 39164274 PMCID: PMC11336233 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01907-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
RAS and MYC rank amongst the most commonly altered oncogenes in cancer, with RAS being the most frequently mutated and MYC the most amplified. The cooperative interplay between RAS and MYC constitutes a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, profoundly influencing tumor development. Together and individually, these two oncogenes regulate most, if not all, hallmarks of cancer, including cell death escape, replicative immortality, tumor-associated angiogenesis, cell invasion and metastasis, metabolic adaptation, and immune evasion. Due to their frequent alteration and role in tumorigenesis, MYC and RAS emerge as highly appealing targets in cancer therapy. However, due to their complex nature, both oncogenes have been long considered "undruggable" and, until recently, no drugs directly targeting them had reached the clinic. This review aims to shed light on their complex partnership, with special attention to their active collaboration in fostering an immunosuppressive milieu and driving immunotherapeutic resistance in cancer. Within this review, we also present an update on the different inhibitors targeting RAS and MYC currently undergoing clinical trials, along with their clinical outcomes and the different combination strategies being explored to overcome drug resistance. This recent clinical development suggests a paradigm shift in the long-standing belief of RAS and MYC "undruggability", hinting at a new era in their therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Íñigo González-Larreategui
- Models of cancer therapies Laboratory, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Cellex Centre, Hospital University Vall d'Hebron Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Capitán-Leo
- Models of cancer therapies Laboratory, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Cellex Centre, Hospital University Vall d'Hebron Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Soucek
- Peptomyc S.L., Barcelona, Spain.
- Models of cancer therapies Laboratory, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Cellex Centre, Hospital University Vall d'Hebron Campus, Barcelona, Spain.
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
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7
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Thatikonda V, Lyu H, Jurado S, Kostyrko K, Bristow CA, Albrecht C, Alpar D, Arnhof H, Bergner O, Bosch K, Feng N, Gao S, Gerlach D, Gmachl M, Hinkel M, Lieb S, Jeschko A, Machado AA, Madensky T, Marszalek ED, Mahendra M, Melo-Zainzinger G, Molkentine JM, Jaeger PA, Peng DH, Schenk RL, Sorokin A, Strauss S, Trapani F, Kopetz S, Vellano CP, Petronczki M, Kraut N, Heffernan TP, Marszalek JR, Pearson M, Waizenegger IC, Hofmann MH. Co-targeting SOS1 enhances the antitumor effects of KRAS G12C inhibitors by addressing intrinsic and acquired resistance. NATURE CANCER 2024:10.1038/s43018-024-00800-6. [PMID: 39103541 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00800-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Combination approaches are needed to strengthen and extend the clinical response to KRASG12C inhibitors (KRASG12Ci). Here, we assessed the antitumor responses of KRASG12C mutant lung and colorectal cancer models to combination treatment with a SOS1 inhibitor (SOS1i), BI-3406, plus the KRASG12C inhibitor, adagrasib. We found that responses to BI-3406 plus adagrasib were stronger than to adagrasib alone, comparable to adagrasib with SHP2 (SHP2i) or EGFR inhibitors and correlated with stronger suppression of RAS-MAPK signaling. BI-3406 plus adagrasib treatment also delayed the emergence of acquired resistance and elicited antitumor responses from adagrasib-resistant models. Resistance to KRASG12Ci seemed to be driven by upregulation of MRAS activity, which both SOS1i and SHP2i were found to potently inhibit. Knockdown of SHOC2, a MRAS complex partner, partially restored response to KRASG12Ci treatment. These results suggest KRASG12C plus SOS1i to be a promising strategy for treating both KRASG12Ci naive and relapsed KRASG12C-mutant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venu Thatikonda
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV, Vienna, Austria.
- Exscientia, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Hengyu Lyu
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Christopher A Bristow
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ningping Feng
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sisi Gao
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Annette A Machado
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Ethan D Marszalek
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mikhila Mahendra
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Jessica M Molkentine
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - David H Peng
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Alexey Sorokin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Scott Kopetz
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher P Vellano
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Timothy P Heffernan
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joseph R Marszalek
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in Oncology (TRACTION) Platform, Therapeutics Discovery Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Oliveira SM, Carvalho PD, Serra-Roma A, Oliveira P, Ribeiro A, Carvalho J, Martins F, Machado AL, Oliveira MJ, Velho S. Fibroblasts Promote Resistance to KRAS Silencing in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2595. [PMID: 39061234 PMCID: PMC11274566 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16142595] [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: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) responses to KRAS-targeted inhibition have been limited due to low response rates, the mechanisms of which remain unknown. Herein, we explored the cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) secretome as a mediator of resistance to KRAS silencing. CRC cell lines HCT15, HCT116, and SW480 were cultured either in recommended media or in conditioned media from a normal colon fibroblast cell line (CCD-18Co) activated with rhTGF-β1 to induce a CAF-like phenotype. The expression of membrane stem cell markers was analyzed by flow cytometry. Stem cell potential was evaluated by a sphere formation assay. RNAseq was performed in KRAS-silenced HCT116 colonospheres treated with either control media or conditioned media from CAFs. Our results demonstrated that KRAS-silencing up-regulated CD24 and down-regulated CD49f and CD104 in the three cell lines, leading to a reduction in sphere-forming efficiency. However, CAF-secreted factors restored stem cell marker expression and increased stemness. RNA sequencing showed that CAF-secreted factors up-regulated genes associated with pro-tumorigenic pathways in KRAS-silenced cells, including KRAS, TGFβ, NOTCH, WNT, MYC, cell cycle progression and exit from quiescence, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immune regulation. Overall, our results suggest that resistance to KRAS-targeted inhibition might derive not only from cell-intrinsic causes but also from external elements, such as fibroblast-secreted factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Mendonça Oliveira
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.M.O.); (P.O.); (J.C.); (F.M.); (A.L.M.); (M.J.O.)
- IPATIMUP—Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- FMUP—Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- ESS|P.PORTO—Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 400, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Dias Carvalho
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.M.O.); (P.O.); (J.C.); (F.M.); (A.L.M.); (M.J.O.)
- IPATIMUP—Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - André Serra-Roma
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.M.O.); (P.O.); (J.C.); (F.M.); (A.L.M.); (M.J.O.)
- IPATIMUP—Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Oliveira
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.M.O.); (P.O.); (J.C.); (F.M.); (A.L.M.); (M.J.O.)
- IPATIMUP—Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Andreia Ribeiro
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.M.O.); (P.O.); (J.C.); (F.M.); (A.L.M.); (M.J.O.)
- IPATIMUP—Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Carvalho
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.M.O.); (P.O.); (J.C.); (F.M.); (A.L.M.); (M.J.O.)
- IPATIMUP—Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Flávia Martins
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.M.O.); (P.O.); (J.C.); (F.M.); (A.L.M.); (M.J.O.)
- IPATIMUP—Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- FMUP—Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Luísa Machado
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.M.O.); (P.O.); (J.C.); (F.M.); (A.L.M.); (M.J.O.)
- FMUP—Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- ESS|P.PORTO—Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 400, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria José Oliveira
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.M.O.); (P.O.); (J.C.); (F.M.); (A.L.M.); (M.J.O.)
- FMUP—Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- INEB—Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 823, 4150-177 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sérgia Velho
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (S.M.O.); (P.O.); (J.C.); (F.M.); (A.L.M.); (M.J.O.)
- IPATIMUP—Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
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9
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Song Q, Zhang Q, Fan X, Kayaat F, Lv R, Li J, Wang Y. The discovery of novel imidazo[1,2- a]pyridine derivatives as covalent anticancer agents. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:5374-5384. [PMID: 38869445 DOI: 10.1039/d4ob00694a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The success of targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) for treating cancers has spurred the search for novel scaffolds to install covalent warheads. In our endeavour, using a scaffold hopping strategy, we managed to utilize imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine as the core backbone and explored its potential for the development of covalent inhibitors, therefore, synthesizing a series of novel KRAS G12C inhibitors facilitated by the Groebke-Blackburn-Bienaymè reaction (GBB reaction). Preliminary bio-evaluation screening delivered compound I-11 as a potent anticancer agent for KRAS G12C-mutated NCI-H358 cells, whose effects were further clarified by a series of cellular, biochemical, and molecular docking experiments. These results not only indicate the potential of compound I-11 as a lead compound for the treatment of intractable cancers, but also validate the unique role of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine as a novel scaffold suitable for the discovery of covalent anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Song
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education; School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 26003, Shandong, P. R. China.
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266200, P. R. China
| | - Qianer Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education; School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 26003, Shandong, P. R. China.
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266200, P. R. China
| | - Xuejing Fan
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education; School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 26003, Shandong, P. R. China.
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266200, P. R. China
| | - Fatmata Kayaat
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education; School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 26003, Shandong, P. R. China.
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266200, P. R. China
| | - Ruicheng Lv
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education; School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 26003, Shandong, P. R. China.
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266200, P. R. China
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education; School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 26003, Shandong, P. R. China.
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266200, P. R. China
| | - Yong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education; School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 26003, Shandong, P. R. China.
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266200, P. R. China
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10
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Zhou Y, Wu S, Qu FJ. Therapeutic strategies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway in metastatic colorectal cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:2362-2379. [PMID: 38994135 PMCID: PMC11236217 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i6.2362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
More than 1.9 million new colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and 935000 deaths were estimated to occur worldwide in 2020, representing about one in ten cancer cases and deaths. Overall, colorectal ranks third in incidence, but second in mortality. More than half of the patients are in advanced stages at diagnosis. Treatment options are complex because of the heterogeneity of the patient population, including different molecular subtypes. Treatments have included conventional fluorouracil-based chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, etc. In recent years, with the development of genetic testing technology, more and more targeted drugs have been applied to the treatment of CRC, which has further prolonged the survival of metastatic CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Dalian Third People’s Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116033, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Shuang Wu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Dalian Third People’s Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116033, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Fan-Jie Qu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Dalian Third People’s Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116033, Liaoning Province, China
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11
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Lokhandwala J, Smalley TB, Tran TH. Structural perspectives on recent breakthrough efforts toward direct drugging of RAS and acquired resistance. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1394702. [PMID: 38841166 PMCID: PMC11150659 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1394702] [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: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncoprotein homolog (KRAS) is currently a primary focus of oncologists and translational scientists, driven by exciting results with KRAS-targeted therapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. While KRAS mutations continue to drive high cancer diagnosis and death, researchers have developed unique strategies to target KRAS variations. Having been investigated over the past 40 years and considered "undruggable" due to the lack of pharmacological binding pockets, recent breakthroughs and accelerated FDA approval of the first covalent inhibitors targeting KRASG12C, have largely sparked further drug development. Small molecule development has targeted the previously identified primary location alterations such as G12, G13, Q61, and expanded to address the emerging secondary mutations and acquired resistance. Of interest, the non-covalent KRASG12D targeting inhibitor MRTX-1133 has shown promising results in humanized pancreatic cancer mouse models and is seemingly making its way from bench to bedside. While this manuscript was under review a novel class of first covalent inhibitors specific for G12D was published, These so-called malolactones can crosslink both GDP and GTP bound forms of G12D. Inhibition of the latter state suppressed downstream signaling and cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in mouse xenografts. Moreover, a non-covalent pan-KRAS inhibitor, BI-2865, reduced tumor proliferation in cell lines and mouse models. Finally, the next generation of KRAS mutant-specific and pan-RAS tri-complex inhibitors have revolutionized RAS drug discovery. This review will give a structural biology perspective on the current generation of KRAS inhibitors through the lens of emerging secondary mutations and acquired resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jameela Lokhandwala
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Tracess B. Smalley
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Timothy H. Tran
- Chemical Biology Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
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12
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Ferrarone JR, Thomas J, Unni AM, Zheng Y, Nagiec MJ, Gardner EE, Mashadova O, Li K, Koundouros N, Montalbano A, Mustafa M, Cantley LC, Blenis J, Sanjana NE, Varmus H. Genome-wide CRISPR screens in spheroid culture reveal that the tumor suppressor LKB1 inhibits growth via the PIKFYVE lipid kinase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2403685121. [PMID: 38743625 PMCID: PMC11127050 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2403685121] [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: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor LKB1 is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is frequently mutated in human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). LKB1 regulates a complex signaling network that is known to control cell polarity and metabolism; however, the pathways that mediate the tumor-suppressive activity of LKB1 are incompletely defined. To identify mechanisms of LKB1-mediated growth suppression, we developed a spheroid-based cell culture assay to study LKB1-dependent growth. We then performed genome-wide CRISPR screens in spheroidal culture and found that LKB1 suppresses growth, in part, by activating the PIKFYVE lipid kinase. Finally, we used chemical inhibitors and a pH-sensitive reporter to determine that LKB1 impairs growth by promoting the internalization of wild-type EGFR in a PIKFYVE-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R. Ferrarone
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
| | - Jerin Thomas
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
| | - Arun M. Unni
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
| | - Yuxiang Zheng
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
| | - Michal J. Nagiec
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
| | - Eric E. Gardner
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
| | | | - Kate Li
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
| | - Nikos Koundouros
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
| | - Antonino Montalbano
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY10013
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY10003
| | - Meer Mustafa
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY10013
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY10003
| | - Lewis C. Cantley
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
| | - John Blenis
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
| | - Neville E. Sanjana
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY10013
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY10003
| | - Harold Varmus
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10021
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13
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Zhou Y, Tao L, Qiu J, Xu J, Yang X, Zhang Y, Tian X, Guan X, Cen X, Zhao Y. Tumor biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:132. [PMID: 38763973 PMCID: PMC11102923 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01823-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor biomarkers, the substances which are produced by tumors or the body's responses to tumors during tumorigenesis and progression, have been demonstrated to possess critical and encouraging value in screening and early diagnosis, prognosis prediction, recurrence detection, and therapeutic efficacy monitoring of cancers. Over the past decades, continuous progress has been made in exploring and discovering novel, sensitive, specific, and accurate tumor biomarkers, which has significantly promoted personalized medicine and improved the outcomes of cancer patients, especially advances in molecular biology technologies developed for the detection of tumor biomarkers. Herein, we summarize the discovery and development of tumor biomarkers, including the history of tumor biomarkers, the conventional and innovative technologies used for biomarker discovery and detection, the classification of tumor biomarkers based on tissue origins, and the application of tumor biomarkers in clinical cancer management. In particular, we highlight the recent advancements in biomarker-based anticancer-targeted therapies which are emerging as breakthroughs and promising cancer therapeutic strategies. We also discuss limitations and challenges that need to be addressed and provide insights and perspectives to turn challenges into opportunities in this field. Collectively, the discovery and application of multiple tumor biomarkers emphasized in this review may provide guidance on improved precision medicine, broaden horizons in future research directions, and expedite the clinical classification of cancer patients according to their molecular biomarkers rather than organs of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lei Tao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiahao Qiu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- School of Medicine, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China
| | - Xinyu Tian
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinqi Guan
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaobo Cen
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yinglan Zhao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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14
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Shen H, Li C. Global research trends in immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer patients with KRAS mutations: a bibliometric analysis. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1385761. [PMID: 38817907 PMCID: PMC11137258 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1385761] [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: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Immunotherapy, frequently combined with conventional chemotherapy, is crucial for treating NSCLC. Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) is a poor prognostic factor in patients with NSCLC, particularly lung adenocarcinoma, where binding of conventional inhibitors to mutated KRAS proteins is challenging. Field profiles, research hotspots, and prospects for immunotherapy for patients with NSCLC-carrying KRAS mutations were uncovered in this study. Methods Microsoft Excel 2019, Bibliometrix, VOSviewer software, and Citespace were utilized to conduct a comprehensive scientometric analysis and understand a specific research field's knowledge base and frontiers aided by bibliometrics. Results Between 2014 and 2023, 398 eligible documents in the English language were acquired using the WoSCC database, of which 113 and 285 were reviews and articles, respectively. The growth rate per year was 34.25 %. The most cited articles were from the United States, and China published the highest number of articles. Cancers was the journal, with increased publications in recent years. The keywords with the strongest citation bursts were analyzed using Citespace. "Immune checkpoint inhibitors," "co-occurring genomic alterations," and "KRAS" are among the research hotspots in this field. Conclusion Using bibliometric and visual analyses, we examined immunotherapy for patients with KRAS-mutant NSCLC over the previous decade. The whole analysis showed a steady, quick increase in yearly publications in this area. Our findings will provide a roadmap for future research on the mechanisms of immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor action in treating KRAS-mutant NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanyu Shen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Huishan Hospital of Xinglin College, Nantong University, Wuxi Huishan District People’s Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunxiao Li
- Department of Surgery, Wuxi Huishan No.2 People’s Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
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15
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Sahin IH, Saridogan T, Ayasun R, Syed MP, Gorantla V, Malhotra M, Thomas R, Rhee J, Zhang J, Hsu D, Singhi AD, Saeed A. Targeting KRAS Oncogene for Patients With Colorectal Cancer: A New Step Toward Precision Medicine. JCO Oncol Pract 2024:OP2300787. [PMID: 38739872 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
KRAS mutations are common driver oncogenes associated with the development of several solid tumors. KRAS oncogene has been considered a highly challenging target for drug development because of structural features, including the lack of deep groove on its catalytic unit. However, by leveraging cysteine residues, covalent KRAS inhibitors irreversibly trap KRAS G12C mutants in their inactive GDP-bound state. These agents have resulted in significant clinical responses among patients with KRAS G12C-mutant solid tumors, including patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Other allele-specific inhibitors of KRAS oncogene and panKRAS and panRAS inhibitors are also currently being investigated in clinical trials. This review article overviews recent clinical progress on KRAS G12C targeting for the management of patients with KRAS G12C-mutant CRC and provides an update on other RAS targeting approaches. We also discuss the unique biological features of RAS-mutant CRC, which require the combination of KRAS inhibitors and anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy, and elaborate on resistance mechanisms and novel therapeutic avenues that may define future treatment paradigms of patients with RAS-mutant CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Halil Sahin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | - Ruveyda Ayasun
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Masood Pasha Syed
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | | | - Roby Thomas
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - John Rhee
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Janie Zhang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Dennis Hsu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Aatur D Singhi
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Anwaar Saeed
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
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16
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Perurena N, Situ L, Cichowski K. Combinatorial strategies to target RAS-driven cancers. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:316-337. [PMID: 38627557 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-024-00679-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Although RAS was formerly considered undruggable, various agents that inhibit RAS or specific RAS oncoproteins have now been developed. Indeed, the importance of directly targeting RAS has recently been illustrated by the clinical success of mutant-selective KRAS inhibitors. Nevertheless, responses to these agents are typically incomplete and restricted to a subset of patients, highlighting the need to develop more effective treatments, which will likely require a combinatorial approach. Vertical strategies that target multiple nodes within the RAS pathway to achieve deeper suppression are being investigated and have precedence in other contexts. However, alternative strategies that co-target RAS and other therapeutic vulnerabilities have been identified, which may mitigate the requirement for profound pathway suppression. Regardless, the efficacy of any given approach will likely be dictated by genetic, epigenetic and tumour-specific variables. Here we discuss various combinatorial strategies to treat KRAS-driven cancers, highlighting mechanistic concepts that may extend to tumours harbouring other RAS mutations. Although many promising combinations have been identified, clinical responses will ultimately depend on whether a therapeutic window can be achieved and our ability to prospectively select responsive patients. Therefore, we must continue to develop and understand biologically diverse strategies to maximize our likelihood of success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naiara Perurena
- Genetics Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lisa Situ
- Genetics Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karen Cichowski
- Genetics Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Ludwig Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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17
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Weeks R, Mehta S, Zhang J. Genetically encodable biosensors for Ras activity. RSC Chem Biol 2024; 5:312-320. [PMID: 38576721 PMCID: PMC10989514 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00185g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetically encoded Ras biosensors have been instrumental in illuminating the spatiotemporal dynamics of Ras activity since the beginning of the imaging revolution of the early 21st century. In general, these sensors employ Ras sensing units coupled with fluorescent proteins. These biosensors have not only helped elucidate Ras signalling dynamics at the plasma membrane but also revealed novel roles for Ras signalling within subcellular compartments such as the Golgi apparatus. In this review, we discuss the different classes of biosensors used to measure Ras activity and discuss their importance in uncovering new roles for Ras activity in cellular signalling and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Weeks
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA +1 (858) 246-0602
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA
| | - Sohum Mehta
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA +1 (858) 246-0602
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA
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18
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D’Ippolito R, Rabara D, Blanco MA, Alberico E, Drew MR, Ramakrishnan N, Sontan D, Widmeyer SRT, Scheidemantle GM, Messing S, Turner D, Arkin M, Maciag AE, Stephen AG, Esposito D, McCormick F, Nissley DV, DeHart CJ. A Top-Down Proteomic Assay to Evaluate KRAS4B-Compound Engagement. Anal Chem 2024; 96:5223-5231. [PMID: 38498381 PMCID: PMC10993199 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c05626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Development of new targeted inhibitors for oncogenic KRAS mutants may benefit from insight into how a given mutation influences the accessibility of protein residues and how compounds interact with mutant or wild-type KRAS proteins. Targeted proteomic analysis, a key validation step in the KRAS inhibitor development process, typically involves both intact mass- and peptide-based methods to confirm compound localization or quantify binding. However, these methods may not always provide a clear picture of the compound binding affinity for KRAS, how specific the compound is to the target KRAS residue, and how experimental conditions may impact these factors. To address this, we have developed a novel top-down proteomic assay to evaluate in vitro KRAS4B-compound engagement while assessing relative quantitation in parallel. We present two applications to demonstrate the capabilities of our assay: maleimide-biotin labeling of a KRAS4BG12D cysteine mutant panel and treatment of three KRAS4B proteins (WT, G12C, and G13C) with small molecule compounds. Our results show the time- or concentration-dependence of KRAS4B-compound engagement in context of the intact protein molecule while directly mapping the compound binding site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert
A. D’Ippolito
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Dana Rabara
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Maria Abreu Blanco
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Emily Alberico
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Matthew R. Drew
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Nitya Ramakrishnan
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Dara Sontan
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Stephanie R. T. Widmeyer
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Grace M. Scheidemantle
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Simon Messing
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - David Turner
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Michelle Arkin
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University
of California, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
- Small
Molecule Discovery Center, University of
California, San Francisco, California 94143, United States
| | - Anna E. Maciag
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Andrew G. Stephen
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Dominic Esposito
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Frank McCormick
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Helen
Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San
Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Dwight V. Nissley
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Caroline J. DeHart
- NCI
RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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19
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Singhal A, Li BT, O'Reilly EM. Targeting KRAS in cancer. Nat Med 2024; 30:969-983. [PMID: 38637634 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02903-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
RAS family variants-most of which involve KRAS-are the most commonly occurring hotspot mutations in human cancers and are associated with a poor prognosis. For almost four decades, KRAS has been considered undruggable, in part due to its structure, which lacks small-molecule binding sites. But recent developments in bioengineering, organic chemistry and related fields have provided the infrastructure to make direct KRAS targeting possible. The first successes occurred with allele-specific targeting of KRAS p.Gly12Cys (G12C) in non-small cell lung cancer, resulting in regulatory approval of two agents-sotorasib and adagrasib. Inhibitors targeting other variants beyond G12C have shown preliminary antitumor activity in highly refractory malignancies such as pancreatic cancer. Herein, we outline RAS pathobiology with a focus on KRAS, illustrate therapeutic approaches across a variety of malignancies, including emphasis on the 'on' and 'off' switch allele-specific and 'pan' RAS inhibitors, and review immunotherapeutic and other key combination RAS targeting strategies. We summarize mechanistic understanding of de novo and acquired resistance, review combination approaches, emerging technologies and drug development paradigms and outline a blueprint for the future of KRAS therapeutics with anticipated profound clinical impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupriya Singhal
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bob T Li
- Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Early Drug Development Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eileen M O'Reilly
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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20
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Lee MR, Woo SM, Kim MK, Han S, Park S, Lee WJ, Lee D, Choi SI, Choi W, Yoon K, Chun JW, Kim Y, Kong S. Application of plasma circulating KRAS mutations as a predictive biomarker for targeted treatment of pancreatic cancer. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:1283-1295. [PMID: 38348576 PMCID: PMC11007020 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutations in circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (ctDNA) have been reported as representative noninvasive prognostic markers for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here, we aimed to evaluate single KRAS mutations as prognostic and predictive biomarkers, with an emphasis on potential therapeutic approaches to PDAC. A total of 128 patients were analyzed for multiple or single KRAS mutations (G12A, G12C, G12D, G12R, G12S, G12V, and G13D) in their tumors and plasma using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). Overall, KRAS mutations were detected by multiplex ddPCR in 119 (93%) of tumor DNA and 68 (53.1%) of ctDNA, with a concordance rate of 80% between plasma ctDNA and tumor DNA in the metastatic stage, which was higher than the 44% in the resectable stage. Moreover, the prognostic prediction of both overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was more relevant using plasma ctDNA than tumor DNA. Further, we evaluated the selective tumor-suppressive efficacy of the KRAS G12C inhibitor sotorasib in a patient-derived organoid (PDO) from a KRAS G12C-mutated patient using a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. Sotorasib showed selective inhibition in vitro and in vivo with altered tumor microenvironment, including fibroblasts and macrophages. Collectively, screening for KRAS single mutations in plasma ctDNA and the use of preclinical models of PDO and PDX with genetic mutations would impact precision medicine in the context of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Rim Lee
- Department of Cancer Biomedical ScienceNational Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and PolicyGoyangKorea
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Division of Convergence TechnologyResearch Institute of National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
| | - Sang Myung Woo
- Department of Cancer Biomedical ScienceNational Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and PolicyGoyangKorea
- Center for Liver and Pancreatobiliary Cancer, Hospital, National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
- Immuno‐Oncology Branch, Division of Rare and Refractory CenterResearch Institute of National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
| | - Min Kyeong Kim
- Targeted Therapy Branch, Division of Rare and Refractory CenterResearch Institute of National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
| | - Sung‐Sik Han
- Department of Cancer Biomedical ScienceNational Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and PolicyGoyangKorea
- Center for Liver and Pancreatobiliary Cancer, Hospital, National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
| | - Sang‐Jae Park
- Center for Liver and Pancreatobiliary Cancer, Hospital, National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
| | - Woo Jin Lee
- Center for Liver and Pancreatobiliary Cancer, Hospital, National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
- Interventional Medicine Branch, Division of Clinical ResearchResearch Institute of National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
| | - Dong‐eun Lee
- Biostatistics Collaboration TeamResearch Core Center, National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
| | - Sun Il Choi
- Department of Cancer Biomedical ScienceNational Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and PolicyGoyangKorea
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Division of Convergence TechnologyResearch Institute of National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
- Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio‐Nanomedicine, School of Life Sciences & School of PharmacyHenan UniversityKaifengHenanChina
| | - Wonyoung Choi
- Department of Cancer Biomedical ScienceNational Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and PolicyGoyangKorea
- Center for Clinical Trials, Hospital, National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
- Cancer Molecular Biology Branch, Division of Cancer BiologyResearch Institute of National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
| | - Kyong‐Ah Yoon
- College of Veterinary MedicineKonkuk UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Jung Won Chun
- Center for Liver and Pancreatobiliary Cancer, Hospital, National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
- Interventional Medicine Branch, Division of Clinical ResearchResearch Institute of National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
| | - Yun‐Hee Kim
- Department of Cancer Biomedical ScienceNational Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and PolicyGoyangKorea
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Division of Convergence TechnologyResearch Institute of National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
| | - Sun‐Young Kong
- Department of Cancer Biomedical ScienceNational Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and PolicyGoyangKorea
- Targeted Therapy Branch, Division of Rare and Refractory CenterResearch Institute of National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
- Department of Laboratory MedicineHospital, National Cancer CenterGoyangKorea
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21
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Lucas SCC, Blackwell JH, Hewitt SH, Semple H, Whitehurst BC, Xu H. Covalent hits and where to find them. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2024; 29:100142. [PMID: 38278484 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2024.01.003] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Covalent hits for drug discovery campaigns are neither fantastic beasts nor mythical creatures, they can be routinely identified through electrophile-first screening campaigns using a suite of different techniques. These include biophysical and biochemical methods, cellular approaches, and DNA-encoded libraries. Employing best practice, however, is critical to success. The purpose of this review is to look at state of the art covalent hit identification, how to identify hits from a covalent library and how to select compounds for medicinal chemistry programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon C C Lucas
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D, Cambridge, UK.
| | | | - Sarah H Hewitt
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hannah Semple
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Hua Xu
- Mechanistic and structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D, Waltham, USA
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22
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Chen Y, Liu QP, Xie H, Ding J. From bench to bedside: current development and emerging trend of KRAS-targeted therapy. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:686-703. [PMID: 38049578 PMCID: PMC10943119 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01194-4] [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: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Kirsten rat sarcoma 2 viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) is the most frequently mutated oncogene in human cancers with mutations predominantly occurring in codon 12. These mutations disrupt the normal function of KRAS by interfering with GTP hydrolysis and nucleotide exchange activity, making it prone to the GTP-bound active state, thus leading to sustained activation of downstream pathways. Despite decades of research, there has been no progress in the KRAS drug discovery until the groundbreaking discovery of covalently targeting the KRASG12C mutation in 2013, which led to revolutionary changes in KRAS-targeted therapy. So far, two small molecule inhibitors sotorasib and adagrasib targeting KRASG12C have received accelerated approval for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring KRASG12C mutations. In recent years, rapid progress has been achieved in the KRAS-targeted therapy field, especially the exploration of KRASG12C covalent inhibitors in other KRASG12C-positive malignancies, novel KRAS inhibitors beyond KRASG12C mutation or pan-KRAS inhibitors, and approaches to indirectly targeting KRAS. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the molecular and mutational characteristics of KRAS and summarize the development and current status of covalent inhibitors targeting the KRASG12C mutation. We also discuss emerging promising KRAS-targeted therapeutic strategies, with a focus on mutation-specific and direct pan-KRAS inhibitors and indirect KRAS inhibitors through targeting the RAS activation-associated proteins Src homology-2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2) and son of sevenless homolog 1 (SOS1), and shed light on current challenges and opportunities for drug discovery in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qiu-Pei Liu
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Department of Chemical and Environment Engineering, Science and Engineering Building, The University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, 315100, China
| | - Hua Xie
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, 528400, China.
| | - Jian Ding
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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23
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Ranđelović I, Nyíri K, Koppány G, Baranyi M, Tóvári J, Kigyós A, Tímár J, Vértessy BG, Grolmusz V. Gluing GAP to RAS Mutants: A New Approach to an Old Problem in Cancer Drug Development. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2572. [PMID: 38473821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutated genes may lead to cancer development in numerous tissues. While more than 600 cancer-causing genes are known today, some of the most widespread mutations are connected to the RAS gene; RAS mutations are found in approximately 25% of all human tumors. Specifically, KRAS mutations are involved in the three most lethal cancers in the U.S., namely pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma, and lung adenocarcinoma. These cancers are among the most difficult to treat, and they are frequently excluded from chemotherapeutic attacks as hopeless cases. The mutated KRAS proteins have specific three-dimensional conformations, which perturb functional interaction with the GAP protein on the GAP-RAS complex surface, leading to a signaling cascade and uncontrolled cell growth. Here, we describe a gluing docking method for finding small molecules that bind to both the GAP and the mutated KRAS molecules. These small molecules glue together the GAP and the mutated KRAS molecules and may serve as new cancer drugs for the most lethal, most difficult-to-treat, carcinomas. As a proof of concept, we identify two new, drug-like small molecules with the new method; these compounds specifically inhibit the growth of the PANC-1 cell line with KRAS mutation G12D in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, the two new compounds show significantly lower IC50 and higher specificity against the G12D KRAS mutant human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1, as compared to the recently described selective G12D KRAS inhibitor MRTX-1133.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kinga Nyíri
- Laboratory of Genome Metabolism and Repair, Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Research Network, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, BME Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergely Koppány
- Laboratory of Genome Metabolism and Repair, Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Research Network, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, BME Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marcell Baranyi
- KINETO Lab Ltd., 1037 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1091 Budapest, Hungary
| | - József Tóvári
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - József Tímár
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1091 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Beáta G Vértessy
- Laboratory of Genome Metabolism and Repair, Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Research Network, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, BME Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1111 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Vince Grolmusz
- Department of Computer Science, Mathematical Institute, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- Uratim Ltd., 1118 Budapest, Hungary
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24
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Jiang Z, Li Y, Zhou X, Wen J, Zheng P, Zhu W. Research progress on small molecule inhibitors targeting KRAS G12C with acrylamide structure and the strategies for solving KRAS inhibitor resistance. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 100:117627. [PMID: 38310752 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
KRAS (Kirsten-RAS) is a highly mutated gene in the RAS (rat sarcoma) gene family that acts as a critical switch in intracellular signaling pathways, regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. The continuous activation of KRAS protein resulting from mutations leads to the activation of multiple downstream signaling pathways, inducing the development of malignant tumors. Despite the significant role of KRAS in tumorigenesis, targeted drugs against KRAS gene mutations have failed, and KRAS was once considered an undruggable target. The development of KRAS G12C mutant conformational modulators and the introduction of Sotorasib (R&D code: AMG510) have been a breakthrough in this field, with its remarkable clinical outcomes. Consequently, there is now a great number of KRAS G12C mutations. Patent applications for mutant GTPase KRAS G12C inhibitors, which are said to be covalently modified by cysteine codon 12, have been submitted since 2014. This review classifies KRAS G12C inhibitors based on their chemical structure and evaluates their biological properties. Additionally, it discusses the obstacles encountered in KRAS inhibitor research and the corresponding solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyan Jiang
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, 605 Fenglin Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330013, China
| | - Yan Li
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, 605 Fenglin Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330013, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, 605 Fenglin Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330013, China
| | - Jie Wen
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, 605 Fenglin Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330013, China
| | - Pengwu Zheng
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, 605 Fenglin Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330013, China.
| | - Wufu Zhu
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, 605 Fenglin Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330013, China.
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25
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Sharma AK, Pei J, Yang Y, Dyba M, Smith B, Rabara D, Larsen EK, Lightstone FC, Esposito D, Stephen AG, Wang B, Beltran PJ, Wallace E, Nissley DV, McCormick F, Maciag AE. Revealing the mechanism of action of a first-in-class covalent inhibitor of KRASG12C (ON) and other functional properties of oncogenic KRAS by 31P NMR. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105650. [PMID: 38237681 PMCID: PMC10877953 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105650] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Individual oncogenic KRAS mutants confer distinct differences in biochemical properties and signaling for reasons that are not well understood. KRAS activity is closely coupled to protein dynamics and is regulated through two interconverting conformations: state 1 (inactive, effector binding deficient) and state 2 (active, effector binding enabled). Here, we use 31P NMR to delineate the differences in state 1 and state 2 populations present in WT and common KRAS oncogenic mutants (G12C, G12D, G12V, G13D, and Q61L) bound to its natural substrate GTP or a commonly used nonhydrolyzable analog GppNHp (guanosine-5'-[(β,γ)-imido] triphosphate). Our results show that GppNHp-bound proteins exhibit significant state 1 population, whereas GTP-bound KRAS is primarily (90% or more) in state 2 conformation. This observation suggests that the predominance of state 1 shown here and in other studies is related to GppNHp and is most likely nonexistent in cells. We characterize the impact of this differential conformational equilibrium of oncogenic KRAS on RAF1 kinase effector RAS-binding domain and intrinsic hydrolysis. Through a KRAS G12C drug discovery, we have identified a novel small-molecule inhibitor, BBO-8956, which is effective against both GDP- and GTP-bound KRAS G12C. We show that binding of this inhibitor significantly perturbs state 1-state 2 equilibrium and induces an inactive state 1 conformation in GTP-bound KRAS G12C. In the presence of BBO-8956, RAF1-RAS-binding domain is unable to induce a signaling competent state 2 conformation within the ternary complex, demonstrating the mechanism of action for this novel and active-conformation inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alok K Sharma
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick, Maryland, USA.
| | - Jun Pei
- Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, USA
| | - Yue Yang
- Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, USA
| | - Marcin Dyba
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Brian Smith
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Dana Rabara
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Erik K Larsen
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Felice C Lightstone
- Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, USA
| | - Dominic Esposito
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew G Stephen
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Bin Wang
- BridgeBio Oncology Therapeutics, BridgeBio Pharma, Inc, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Pedro J Beltran
- BridgeBio Oncology Therapeutics, BridgeBio Pharma, Inc, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Eli Wallace
- BridgeBio Oncology Therapeutics, BridgeBio Pharma, Inc, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Dwight V Nissley
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Frank McCormick
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick, Maryland, USA; BridgeBio Oncology Therapeutics, BridgeBio Pharma, Inc, Palo Alto, California, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Anna E Maciag
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc, Frederick, Maryland, USA.
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26
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Rekowska AK, Rola P, Kwiatkowska A, Wójcik-Superczyńska M, Gil M, Krawczyk P, Milanowski J. Abnormalities in the KRAS Gene and Treatment Options for NSCLC Patients with the G12C Mutation in This Gene-A Literature Review and Single-Center Experience. Biomedicines 2024; 12:325. [PMID: 38397927 PMCID: PMC10886466 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020325] [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: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the KRAS gene are among the most common mutations observed in cancer cells, but they have only recently become an achievable goal for targeted therapies. Two KRAS inhibitors, sotorasib and adagrasib, have recently been approved for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer with the KRAS G12C mutation, while studies on their efficacy are still ongoing. In this work, we comprehensively analyzed RAS gene mutations' molecular background, mutation testing, KRAS inhibitors' effectiveness with an emphasis on non-small cell lung cancer, the impact of KRAS mutations on immunotherapy outcomes, and drug resistance problems. We also summarized ongoing trials and analyzed emerging perspectives on targeting KRAS in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K. Rekowska
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland (M.W.-S.); (M.G.); (J.M.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Paweł Krawczyk
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland (M.W.-S.); (M.G.); (J.M.)
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27
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Zhang YJ, Liang JX, Xu YS, Liu YX, Cui Y, Qiao ZY, Wang H. Covalent drugs based on small molecules and peptides for disease theranostics. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:564-580. [PMID: 37975197 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01138k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Biomacromolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids and polysaccharides, are widely distributed in the human body, and some of them have been recognized as the targets of drugs for disease theranostics. Drugs typically act on targets in two ways: non-covalent bond and covalent bond. Non-covalent bond-based drugs have some disadvantages, such as structural instability and environmental sensitivity. Covalent interactions between drugs and targets have a longer action time, higher affinity and controllability than non-covalent interactions of conventional drugs. With the development of artificial intelligence, covalent drugs have received more attention and have been developed rapidly in pharmaceutical research in recent years. From the perspective of covalent drugs, this review summarizes the design methods and the effects of covalent drugs. Finally, we discuss the application of covalent peptide drugs and expect to provide a new reference for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Jin Zhang
- Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, P.R. China
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, P.R. China.
| | - Jian-Xiao Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, P.R. China.
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
| | - Yin-Sheng Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, P.R. China.
| | - Yi-Xuan Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, P.R. China.
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
| | - Yingying Cui
- Department of Food and Drug, Laiwu Vocational and Technical, College, Jinan, China
| | - Zeng-Ying Qiao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, P.R. China.
| | - Hao Wang
- Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, P.R. China
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), No. 11 Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, P.R. China.
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, P.R. China
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28
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Nussinov R, Jang H. Direct K-Ras Inhibitors to Treat Cancers: Progress, New Insights, and Approaches to Treat Resistance. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2024; 64:231-253. [PMID: 37524384 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-022823-113946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Here we discuss approaches to K-Ras inhibition and drug resistance scenarios. A breakthrough offered a covalent drug against K-RasG12C. Subsequent innovations harnessed same-allele drug combinations, as well as cotargeting K-RasG12C with a companion drug to upstream regulators or downstream kinases. However, primary, adaptive, and acquired resistance inevitably emerge. The preexisting mutation load can explain how even exceedingly rare mutations with unobservable effects can promote drug resistance, seeding growth of insensitive cell clones, and proliferation. Statistics confirm the expectation that most resistance-related mutations are in cis, pointing to the high probability of cooperative, same-allele effects. In addition to targeted Ras inhibitors and drug combinations, bifunctional molecules and innovative tri-complex inhibitors to target Ras mutants are also under development. Since the identities and potential contributions of preexisting and evolving mutations are unknown, selecting a pharmacologic combination is taxing. Collectively, our broad review outlines considerations and provides new insights into pharmacology and resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Nussinov
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA;
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hyunbum Jang
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA;
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Imaizumi T, Shimada I, Satake Y, Yamaki S, Koike T, Nigawara T, Kaneko O, Amano Y, Mori K, Yamanaka Y, Nakayama A, Nishizono Y, Shimazaki M, Nagashima T, Kuramoto K. Discovery of ASP6918, a KRAS G12C inhibitor: Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 1-{2,7-diazaspiro[3.5]non-2-yl}prop-2-en-1-one derivatives as covalent inhibitors with good potency and oral activity for the treatment of solid tumors. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 98:117581. [PMID: 38176113 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Although KRAS protein had been classified as an undruggable target, inhibitors of KRAS G12C mutant protein were recently reported to show clinical efficacy in solid tumors. In our previous report, we identified 1-{2,7-diazaspiro[3.5]non-2-yl}prop-2-en-1-one derivative (1) as a KRAS G12C inhibitor that covalently binds to Cys12 of KRAS G12C protein. Compound 1 exhibited potent cellular pERK inhibition and cell growth inhibition against a KRAS G12C mutation-positive cell line and showed an antitumor effect on subcutaneous administration in an NCI-H1373 (KRAS G12C mutation-positive cell line) xenograft mouse model in a dose-dependent manner. In this report, we further optimized the substituents on the quinazoline scaffold based on the structure-based drug design from the co-crystal structure analysis of compound 1 and KRAS G12C to enhance in vitro activity. As a result, ASP6918 was found to exhibit extremely potent in vitro activity and induce dose-dependent tumor regression in an NCI-H1373 xenograft mouse model after oral administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyoshi Imaizumi
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan.
| | - Itsuro Shimada
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Satake
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Susumu Yamaki
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Takanori Koike
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nigawara
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Osamu Kaneko
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Yasushi Amano
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Kenichi Mori
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Yosuke Yamanaka
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Ayako Nakayama
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Nishizono
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Masashi Shimazaki
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Takeyuki Nagashima
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Kuramoto
- Tsukuba Research Center, Astellas Pharma Inc.; 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
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Duan X, Zhang T, Feng L, de Silva N, Greenspun B, Wang X, Moyer J, Martin ML, Chandwani R, Elemento O, Leach SD, Evans T, Chen S, Pan FC. A pancreatic cancer organoid platform identifies an inhibitor specific to mutant KRAS. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:71-88.e8. [PMID: 38151022 PMCID: PMC11022279 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
KRAS mutations, mainly G12D and G12V, are found in more than 90% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cases. The success of drugs targeting KRASG12C suggests the potential for drugs specifically targeting these alternative PDAC-associated KRAS mutations. Here, we report a high-throughput drug-screening platform using a series of isogenic murine pancreatic organoids that are wild type (WT) or contain common PDAC driver mutations, representing both classical and basal PDAC phenotypes. We screened over 6,000 compounds and identified perhexiline maleate, which can inhibit the growth and induce cell death of pancreatic organoids carrying the KrasG12D mutation both in vitro and in vivo and primary human PDAC organoids. scRNA-seq analysis suggests that the cholesterol synthesis pathway is upregulated specifically in the KRAS mutant organoids, including the key cholesterol synthesis regulator SREBP2. Perhexiline maleate decreases SREBP2 expression levels and reverses the KRAS mutant-induced upregulation of the cholesterol synthesis pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Duan
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA; Center for Genomic Health, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Tuo Zhang
- Genomics Resources Core Facility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lingling Feng
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA; Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Neranjan de Silva
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Benjamin Greenspun
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA; Center for Genomic Health, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Xing Wang
- Genomics Resources Core Facility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jenna Moyer
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - M Laura Martin
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rohit Chandwani
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA; Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Olivier Elemento
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Steven D Leach
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Todd Evans
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA; Center for Genomic Health, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Shuibing Chen
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA; Center for Genomic Health, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Fong Cheng Pan
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Dong XM, Chen L, Wu P, Cheng LH, Wang Y, Yang Y, Zhang Y, Tang WY, Xie T, Zhou JL. Targeted metabolomics reveals PFKFB3 as a key target for elemene-mediated inhibition of glycolysis in prostate cancer cells. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 123:155185. [PMID: 38134863 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155185] [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: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elemene, an active anticancer extract derived from Curcuma wenyujin, has well-documented anticarcinogenic properties. Nevertheless, the role of elemene in prostate cancer (PCa) and its underlying molecular mechanism remain elusive. PURPOSE This study focuses on investigating the anti-PCa effects of elemene and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS Cell-based assays, including CCK-8, scratch, colony formation, cell cycle, and apoptosis experiments, to comprehensively assess the impact of elemene on PCa cells (LNCaP and PC3) in vitro. Additionally, we used a xenograft model with PC3 cells in nude mice to evaluate elemene in vivo efficacy. Targeted metabolomics analysis via HILIC-MS/MS was performed to investigate elemene potential target pathways, validated through molecular biology experiments, including western blotting and gene manipulation studies. RESULTS In this study, we discovered that elemene has remarkable anti-PCa activity in both in vitro and in vivo settings, comparable to clinical chemotherapeutic drugs but with fewer side effects. Using our established targeted metabolomics approach, we demonstrated that β-elemene, elemene's primary component, effectively inhibits glycolysis in PCa cells by downregulating 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) expression. Furthermore, we found that β-elemene accomplishes this downregulation by upregulating p53 and FZR1. Knockdown and overexpression experiments conclusively confirmed the pivotal role of PFKFB3 in mediating β-elemene's anti-PCa activity. CONCLUSION This finding presents compelling evidence that elemene exerts its anti-PCa effect by suppressing glycolysis through the downregulation of PFKFB3. This study not only improves our understanding of elemene in PCa treatment but also provides valuable insights for developing more effective and safer therapies for PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Man Dong
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Lin Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Pu Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University. Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Long-Hui Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Dalian HolleyKingkong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Dalian 116199, China
| | - Youjian Yang
- Dalian HolleyKingkong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Dalian 116199, China
| | - Yongwei Zhang
- Dalian HolleyKingkong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Dalian 116199, China
| | - Wei-Yang Tang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Tian Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.
| | - Jian-Liang Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.
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Kaczmarczyk JA, Whiteley GR, Blonder J. Detection and Quantitation of Endogenous Membrane-Bound RAS Proteins and KRAS Mutants in Cancer Cell Lines Using 1D-SDS-PAGE LC-MS 2. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2823:269-289. [PMID: 39052226 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3922-1_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
In healthy cells, membrane-anchored wild-type RAS proteins (i.e., HRAS, KRAS4A, KRAS4B, and NRAS) regulate critical cellular processes (e.g., proliferation, differentiation, survival). When mutated, RAS proteins are principal oncogenic drivers in approximately 30% of all human cancers. Among them, KRAS mutants are found in nearly 80% of all patients diagnosed with RAS-driven malignancies and are regarded as high-priority anti-cancer drug targets. Due to the lack of highly qualified/specific RAS isoform and mutant RAS monoclonal antibodies, there is a vital need for an effective antibody-free approach capable of identifying and quantifying membrane-bound RAS proteins in isoform- and mutation-specific manner. Here, we describe the development of a simple antibody-free protocol that relies on ultracentrifugation to isolate the membrane fraction coupled with single-dimensional (1D) sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to fractionate and enrich membrane-bound endogenous RAS isoforms. Next, bottom-up proteomics that utilizes in-gel digestion followed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS2) is used for detection and relative quantitation of all wild-type RAS proteins (i.e., HRAS, KRAS4A, KRAS4B, and NRAS) and corresponding RAS mutants (e.g., G12D, G13D, G12S, G12V). Notably, this simple 1D-SDS-PAGE-HPLC-MS2-based protocol can be automated and widely applied to multiple cancer cell lines to investigate concentration changes in membrane-bound endogenous RAS proteins and corresponding mutants in the context of drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan A Kaczmarczyk
- Meso Scale Diagnostics, Rockville, MD, USA.
- Antibody Characterization Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - Gordon R Whiteley
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Josip Blonder
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA.
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Gong Z, Zhao Y, Xu B, Yang Z, Ren B, Yang H, Zeng C, Chen R, Xu YJ, Li Q. Identification of novel 3-aryl-1-aminoisoquinolines-based KRAS G12C inhibitors: Rational drug design and expedient construction by CH functionalization/annulation. Bioorg Chem 2024; 142:106954. [PMID: 37948926 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106954] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Developing a synthetic methodology to expediently construct a specific drug scaffold with the desired biological activity remains challenging. Herein, we describe a work on rational application of a synthetic methodology in the synthesis of KRASG12C inhibitors. Novel KRASG12C inhibitors were initially designed with 1-amino-3-aryl isoquinoline scaffold using structure-based drug design strategy. A ruthenium-catalyzed direct monoCH functionalization/annulation cascade reaction of amidines and sulfoxonium ylides was then developed with high versatility of substrates and good tolerance for polar functional groups. By using this reaction, the target compounds 1-amino-3-aryl isoquinolines were facilely prepared. Further in vitro tests led to identification of two novel lead compounds with KRASG12C inhibitory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zirong Gong
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610066, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610066, China
| | - Buyi Xu
- National Anti-drug Laboratory Sichuan Regional Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610206, China
| | - Zhou Yang
- National Anti-drug Laboratory Sichuan Regional Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610206, China
| | - Boquan Ren
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610066, China
| | - Han Yang
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610066, China
| | - Chengfu Zeng
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610066, China
| | - Renqiang Chen
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610066, China
| | - Yan-Jun Xu
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610066, China.
| | - Qing Li
- College of Chemistry and Material Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610066, China.
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D'Ippolito RA, Scheidemantle GM, Rabara D, Abreu Blanco M, Ramakrishnan N, Widmeyer SRT, Messing S, Turner D, Maciag AE, Stephen AG, Esposito D, McCormick F, Nissley DV, DeHart CJ. Determining KRAS4B-Targeting Compound Specificity by Top-Down Mass Spectrometry. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2823:291-310. [PMID: 39052227 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3922-1_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
We present a novel method to determine engagement and specificity of KRAS4B-targeting compounds in vitro. By employing top-down mass spectrometry (MS), which analyzes intact and modified protein molecules (proteoforms), we can directly visualize and confidently characterize each KRAS4B species within compound-treated samples. Moreover, by employing targeted MS2 fragmentation, we can precisely localize each compound molecule to a specific residue on a given KRAS4B proteoform. This method allows us to comprehensively evaluate compound specificity, clearly detect nonspecific binding events, and determine the order and frequency with which they occur. We provide two proof-of-concept examples of our method employing publicly available compounds, along with detailed protocols for sample preparation, top-down MS data acquisition, targeted proteoform MS2 fragmentation, and analysis of the resulting data. Our results demonstrate the concentration dependence of KRAS4B-compound engagement and highlight the ability of top-down MS to directly map compound binding location(s) without disrupting the KRAS4B primary structure. Our hope is that this novel method may help accelerate the identification of new successful targeted inhibitors for KRAS4B and other RAS isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A D'Ippolito
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Grace M Scheidemantle
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Dana Rabara
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Maria Abreu Blanco
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Nitya Ramakrishnan
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie R T Widmeyer
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Simon Messing
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - David Turner
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Anna E Maciag
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Andrew G Stephen
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Dominic Esposito
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Frank McCormick
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dwight V Nissley
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Caroline J DeHart
- NCI RAS Initiative, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA.
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Dyba M, Denson JP, Maciag AE. MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry-Based Assay for Measuring Covalent Target Engagement of KRAS G12C Inhibitors. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2797:145-157. [PMID: 38570458 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3822-4_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry enables high-throughput screening of covalent fragment libraries and SAR compound progressions of selective KRAS G12C inhibitors. Using the MALDI-TOF platform instead of the more traditional ESI-MS TOF/orbitrap instrumentation can radically shorten sample acquisition time, allowing up to 384 samples to be screened in 30 min. The typical throughput for a covalent library screen is 1152 samples per 8 h, including processing, calculation, and reporting steps. The throughput can be doubled without any significant assay modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Dyba
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - John-Paul Denson
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Anna E Maciag
- NCI RAS Initiative, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
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Daley BR, Sealover NE, Sheffels E, Hughes JM, Gerlach D, Hofmann MH, Kostyrko K, Mair B, Linke A, Beckley Z, Frank A, Dalgard C, Kortum RL. SOS1 inhibition enhances the efficacy of and delays resistance to G12C inhibitors in lung adenocarcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.07.570642. [PMID: 38106234 PMCID: PMC10723384 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.07.570642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Clinical effectiveness of KRAS G12C inhibitors (G12Cis) is limited both by intrinsic and acquired resistance, necessitating the development of combination approaches. We found that targeting proximal receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling using the SOS1 inhibitor (SOS1i) BI-3406 both enhanced the potency of and delayed resistance to G12Ci treatment, but the extent of SOS1i effectiveness was modulated by both SOS2 expression and the specific mutational landscape. SOS1i enhanced the efficacy of G12Ci and limited rebound RTK/ERK signaling to overcome intrinsic/adaptive resistance, but this effect was modulated by SOS2 protein levels. Survival of drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells within the heterogeneous tumor population and/or acquired mutations that reactivate RTK/RAS signaling can lead to outgrowth of tumor initiating cells (TICs) that drive therapeutic resistance. G12Ci drug tolerant persister cells showed a 2-3-fold enrichment of TICs, suggesting that these could be a sanctuary population of G12Ci resistant cells. SOS1i re-sensitized DTPs to G12Ci and inhibited G12C-induced TIC enrichment. Co-mutation of the tumor suppressor KEAP1 limits the clinical effectiveness of G12Cis, and KEAP1 and STK11 deletion increased TIC frequency and accelerated the development of acquired resistance to G12Ci in situ. SOS1i both delayed acquired G12Ci resistance and limited the total number of resistant colonies regardless of KEAP1 and STK11 mutational status. These data suggest that SOS1i could be an effective strategy to both enhance G12Ci efficacy and prevent G12Ci resistance regardless of co-mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna R Daley
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Nancy E Sealover
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Erin Sheffels
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Jacob M. Hughes
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | | | | | - Kaja Kostyrko
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Mair
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Amanda Linke
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Zaria Beckley
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Andrew Frank
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine; Bethesda, MD, USA
- Student Bioinformatics Initiative, Center for Military Precision Health, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Clifton Dalgard
- The American Genome Center, Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Robert L Kortum
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814
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Wang S, Ballard TE, Christopher LJ, Foti RS, Gu C, Khojasteh SC, Liu J, Ma S, Ma B, Obach RS, Schadt S, Zhang Z, Zhang D. The Importance of Tracking "Missing" Metabolites: How and Why? J Med Chem 2023; 66:15586-15612. [PMID: 37769129 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Technologies currently employed to find and identify drug metabolites in complex biological matrices generally yield results that offer a comprehensive picture of the drug metabolite profile. However, drug metabolites can be missed or are captured only late in the drug development process. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as metabolism that results in partial loss of the molecule, covalent bonding to macromolecules, the drug being metabolized in specific human tissues, or poor ionization in a mass spectrometer. These scenarios often draw a great deal of attention from chemistry, safety assessment, and pharmacology. This review will summarize scenarios of missing metabolites, why they are missing, and associated uncovering strategies from deeper investigations. Uncovering previously missed metabolites can have ramifications in drug development with toxicological and pharmacological consequences, and knowledge of these can help in the design of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - T Eric Ballard
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., 35 Landsdowne St, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Lisa J Christopher
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacometrics, Disposition & Bioanalysis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Route 206 & Province Line Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, United States
| | - Robert S Foti
- Preclinical Development, Merck & Co., Inc., 33 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Chungang Gu
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Biogen Inc., 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - S Cyrus Khojasteh
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Joyce Liu
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Shuguang Ma
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Pliant Therapeutics, 260 Littlefield Avenue, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Bin Ma
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - R Scott Obach
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism, Pfizer, Inc., Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Simone Schadt
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacher Strasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Zhoupeng Zhang
- DMPK Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Donglu Zhang
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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38
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Zhao Q, Haga R, Tamura S, Shimada I, Nishida N. Real-time monitoring of the reaction of KRAS G12C mutant specific covalent inhibitor by in vitro and in-cell NMR spectroscopy. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19253. [PMID: 37935773 PMCID: PMC10630485 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46623-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
KRAS mutations are major drivers of various cancers. Recently, allele-specific inhibitors of the KRAS G12C mutant were developed that covalently modify the thiol of Cys12, thereby trapping KRAS in an inactive GDP-bound state. To study the mechanism of action of the covalent inhibitors in both in vitro and intracellular environments, we used real-time NMR to simultaneously observe GTP hydrolysis and inhibitor binding. In vitro NMR experiments showed that the rate constant of ARS-853 modification is identical to that of GTP hydrolysis, indicating that GTP hydrolysis is the rate-limiting step for ARS-853 modification. In-cell NMR analysis revealed that the ARS-853 reaction proceeds significantly faster than that in vitro, reflecting acceleration of GTP hydrolysis by endogenous GTPase proteins. This study demonstrated that the KRAS covalent inhibitor is as effective in the cell as in vitro and that in-cell NMR is a valuable validation tool for assessing the pharmacological properties of the drug in the intracellular context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingci Zhao
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
| | - Ryoka Haga
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan
| | - Satoko Tamura
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Ichio Shimada
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan.
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8528, Japan.
| | - Noritaka Nishida
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8675, Japan.
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Batrash F, Kutmah M, Zhang J. The current landscape of using direct inhibitors to target KRAS G12C-mutated NSCLC. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:93. [PMID: 37925476 PMCID: PMC10625227 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00453-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutation in KRAS protooncogene represents one of the most common genetic alterations in NSCLC and has posed a great therapeutic challenge over the past ~ 40 years since its discovery. However, the pioneer work from Shokat's lab in 2013 has led to a recent wave of direct KRASG12C inhibitors that utilize the switch II pocket identified. Notably, two of the inhibitors have recently received US FDA approval for their use in the treatment of KRASG12C mutant NSCLC. Despite this success, there remains the challenge of combating the resistance that cell lines, xenografts, and patients have exhibited while treated with KRASG12C inhibitors. This review discusses the varying mechanisms of resistance that limit long-lasting effective treatment of those direct inhibitors and highlights several novel therapeutic approaches including a new class of KRASG12C (ON) inhibitors, combinational therapies across the same and different pathways, and combination with immunotherapy/chemotherapy as possible solutions to the pressing question of adaptive resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firas Batrash
- School of Medicine, University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
| | - Mahmoud Kutmah
- School of Medicine, University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
| | - Jun Zhang
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
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Kulkarni P, Mohanty A, Ramisetty S, Duvivier H, Khan A, Shrestha S, Tan T, Merla A, El-Hajjaoui M, Malhotra J, Singhal S, Salgia R. A Nexus between Genetic and Non-Genetic Mechanisms Guides KRAS Inhibitor Resistance in Lung Cancer. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1587. [PMID: 38002269 PMCID: PMC10668935 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies in the last few years have determined that, in contrast to the prevailing dogma that drug resistance is simply due to Darwinian evolution-the selection of mutant clones in response to drug treatment-non-genetic changes can also lead to drug resistance whereby tolerant, reversible phenotypes are eventually relinquished by resistant, irreversible phenotypes. Here, using KRAS as a paradigm, we illustrate how this nexus between genetic and non-genetic mechanisms enables cancer cells to evade the harmful effects of drug treatment. We discuss how the conformational dynamics of the KRAS molecule, that includes intrinsically disordered regions, is influenced by the binding of the targeted therapies contributing to conformational noise and how this noise impacts the interaction of KRAS with partner proteins to rewire the protein interaction network. Thus, in response to drug treatment, reversible drug-tolerant phenotypes emerge via non-genetic mechanisms that eventually enable the emergence of irreversible resistant clones via genetic mutations. Furthermore, we also discuss the recent data demonstrating how combination therapy can help alleviate KRAS drug resistance in lung cancer, and how new treatment strategies based on evolutionary principles may help minimize or even preclude the emergence of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.M.); (S.R.); (J.M.); (S.S.)
- Department of Systems Biology, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Atish Mohanty
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.M.); (S.R.); (J.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Sravani Ramisetty
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.M.); (S.R.); (J.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Herbert Duvivier
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope Atlanta, 600 Celebrate Life Parkway, Newnan, GA 30265, USA;
| | - Ajaz Khan
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope Chicago, 2520 Elisha Avenue, Zion, IL 60099, USA;
| | - Sagun Shrestha
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope Phoenix, 14200 West Celebrate Life Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338, USA;
| | - Tingting Tan
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Newport Beach Fashion Island, Duarte, CA 92660, USA;
| | - Amartej Merla
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope, Lancaster, CA 93534, USA;
| | - Michelle El-Hajjaoui
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope Medical Center, West Covina, CA 91790, USA;
| | - Jyoti Malhotra
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.M.); (S.R.); (J.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Sharad Singhal
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.M.); (S.R.); (J.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.M.); (S.R.); (J.M.); (S.S.)
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41
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Chambers AG, Chain DC, Sweet SM, Song Z, Martin PL, Ellis MJ, Rooney C, Kim YJ. Mass spectrometry quantifies target engagement for a KRASG12C inhibitor in FFPE tumor tissue. Clin Proteomics 2023; 20:47. [PMID: 37880622 PMCID: PMC10599008 DOI: 10.1186/s12014-023-09435-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quantification of drug-target binding is critical for confirming that drugs reach their intended protein targets, understanding the mechanism of action, and interpreting dose-response relationships. For covalent inhibitors, target engagement can be inferred by free target levels before and after treatment. Targeted mass spectrometry assays offer precise protein quantification in complex biological samples and have been routinely applied in pre-clinical studies to quantify target engagement in frozen tumor tissues for oncology drug development. However, frozen tissues are often not available from clinical trials so it is critical that assays are applicable to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues in order to extend mass spectrometry-based target engagement studies into clinical settings. METHODS Wild-type RAS and RASG12C was quantified in FFPE tissues by a highly optimized targeted mass spectrometry assay that couples high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) with internal standards. In a subset of samples, technical reproducibility was evaluated by analyzing consecutive tissue sections from the same tumor block and biological variation was accessed among adjacent tumor regions in the same tissue section. RESULTS Wild-type RAS protein was measured in 32 clinical non-small cell lung cancer tumors (622-2525 amol/µg) as measured by FAIMS-PRM mass spectrometry. Tumors with a known KRASG12C mutation (n = 17) expressed a wide range of RASG12C mutant protein (127-2012 amol/µg). The variation in wild-type RAS and RASG12C measurements ranged 0-18% CV across consecutive tissue sections and 5-20% CV among adjacent tissue regions. Quantitative target engagement was then demonstrated in FFPE tissues from 2 xenograft models (MIA PaCa-2 and NCI-H2122) treated with a RASG12C inhibitor (AZD4625). CONCLUSIONS This work illustrates the potential to expand mass spectrometry-based proteomics in preclinical and clinical oncology drug development through analysis of FFPE tumor biopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Chambers
- Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, One MedImmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - David C Chain
- Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, One MedImmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - Steve M Sweet
- Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, One MedImmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - Zifeng Song
- Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, One MedImmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - Philip L Martin
- Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, One MedImmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - Matthew J Ellis
- Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, One MedImmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | | | - Yeoun Jin Kim
- Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, One MedImmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA.
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42
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Gomez-Gutierrez P, Rubio-Martinez J, Perez JJ. Discovery of Hit Compounds Targeting the P4 Allosteric Site of K-RAS, Identified through Ensemble-Based Virtual Screening. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:6412-6422. [PMID: 37824186 PMCID: PMC10598794 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01212] [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: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Mutants of Ras are oncogenic drivers of a large number of human tumors. Despite being recognized as an attractive target for the treatment of cancer, the high affinity for its substrate tagged the protein as undruggable for a few years. The identification of cryptic pockets on the protein surface gave the opportunity to identify molecules capable of acting as allosteric modulators. Several molecules were disclosed in recent years, with sotorasib and adagrasib already approved for clinical use. The present study makes use of computational methods to characterize eight prospective allosteric pockets (P1-P8) in K-Ras, four of which (P1-P4) were previously characterized in the literature. The present study also describes the results of a virtual screening study focused on the discovery of hit compounds, binders of the P4 site that can be considered as peptidomimetics of a fragment of the SOS αI helix, a guanine exchange factor of Ras. After a detailed description of the computational procedure followed, we disclose five hit compounds, prospective binders of the P4 allosteric site that exhibit an inhibitory capability higher than 30% in a cell proliferation assay at 50 μM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Gomez-Gutierrez
- Department
of Chemical Engineering. ETSEIB, Universitat
Politecnica de Catalunya, Av. Diagonal, 647, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Allinky
Biopharma, Madrid Scientific Park, Faraday, 7, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Jaime Rubio-Martinez
- Department
of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry, University of Barcelona and the Institut de Recerca en Quimica Teorica
i Computacional (IQTCUB), Marti i Franques, 1, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Juan J. Perez
- Department
of Chemical Engineering. ETSEIB, Universitat
Politecnica de Catalunya, Av. Diagonal, 647, Barcelona 08028, Spain
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43
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Ferrarone JR, Thomas J, Unni AM, Zheng Y, Nagiec MJ, Gardner EE, Mashadova O, Li K, Koundouros N, Montalbano A, Mustafa M, Cantley LC, Blenis J, Sanjana NE, Varmus H. LKB1 suppresses growth and promotes the internalization of EGFR through the PIKFYVE lipid kinase. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.19.563158. [PMID: 37904985 PMCID: PMC10614957 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.19.563158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
The tumor suppressor LKB1 is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is frequently mutated in human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). LKB1 regulates a complex signaling network that is known to control cell polarity and metabolism; however, the pathways that mediate the tumor suppressive activity of LKB1 are incompletely defined. To identify mechanisms of LKB1- mediated growth suppression we developed a spheroid-based cell culture assay to study LKB1- dependent growth. Using this assay, along with genome-wide CRISPR screens and validation with orthogonal methods, we discovered that LKB1 suppresses growth, in part, by activating the PIKFYVE lipid kinase, which promotes the internalization of wild-type EGFR. Our findings reveal a new mechanism of regulation of EGFR, which may have implications for the treatment of LKB1 -mutant LUAD.
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44
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Macaya I, Roman M, Welch C, Entrialgo-Cadierno R, Salmon M, Santos A, Feliu I, Kovalski J, Lopez I, Rodriguez-Remirez M, Palomino-Echeverria S, Lonfgren SM, Ferrero M, Calabuig S, Ludwig IA, Lara-Astiaso D, Jantus-Lewintre E, Guruceaga E, Narayanan S, Ponz-Sarvise M, Pineda-Lucena A, Lecanda F, Ruggero D, Khatri P, Santamaria E, Fernandez-Irigoyen J, Ferrer I, Paz-Ares L, Drosten M, Barbacid M, Gil-Bazo I, Vicent S. Signature-driven repurposing of Midostaurin for combination with MEK1/2 and KRASG12C inhibitors in lung cancer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6332. [PMID: 37816716 PMCID: PMC10564741 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41828-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug combinations are key to circumvent resistance mechanisms compromising response to single anti-cancer targeted therapies. The implementation of combinatorial approaches involving MEK1/2 or KRASG12C inhibitors in the context of KRAS-mutated lung cancers focuses fundamentally on targeting KRAS proximal activators or effectors. However, the antitumor effect is highly determined by compensatory mechanisms arising in defined cell types or tumor subgroups. A potential strategy to find drug combinations targeting a larger fraction of KRAS-mutated lung cancers may capitalize on the common, distal gene expression output elicited by oncogenic KRAS. By integrating a signature-driven drug repurposing approach with a pairwise pharmacological screen, here we show synergistic drug combinations consisting of multi-tyrosine kinase PKC inhibitors together with MEK1/2 or KRASG12C inhibitors. Such combinations elicit a cytotoxic response in both in vitro and in vivo models, which in part involves inhibition of the PKC inhibitor target AURKB. Proteome profiling links dysregulation of MYC expression to the effect of both PKC inhibitor-based drug combinations. Furthermore, MYC overexpression appears as a resistance mechanism to MEK1/2 and KRASG12C inhibitors. Our study provides a rational framework for selecting drugs entering combinatorial strategies and unveils MEK1/2- and KRASG12C-based therapies for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irati Macaya
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marta Roman
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Connor Welch
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Marina Salmon
- Experimental Oncology Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alba Santos
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre & Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Iker Feliu
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Joanna Kovalski
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ines Lopez
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maria Rodriguez-Remirez
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sara Palomino-Echeverria
- Navarrabiomed, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra (CHN), Universidad Pública de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Shane M Lonfgren
- Stanford Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Center for Biomedical Informatics Research, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Macarena Ferrero
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fundación Para La Investigación del Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Mixed Unit TRIAL (Principe Felipe Research Centre & Fundación para la Investigación del Hospital General Universitario de Valencia), Valencia, Spain
| | - Silvia Calabuig
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fundación Para La Investigación del Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Mixed Unit TRIAL (Principe Felipe Research Centre & Fundación para la Investigación del Hospital General Universitario de Valencia), Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Iziar A Ludwig
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Molecular Therapies Program, Pamplona, Spain
| | - David Lara-Astiaso
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Genomics Platform, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Eloisa Jantus-Lewintre
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Fundación Para La Investigación del Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Mixed Unit TRIAL (Principe Felipe Research Centre & Fundación para la Investigación del Hospital General Universitario de Valencia), Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Elizabeth Guruceaga
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Bioinformatics Platform, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- ProteoRed-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Shruthi Narayanan
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain
- Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Department of Medical Oncology, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mariano Ponz-Sarvise
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Department of Medical Oncology, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Antonio Pineda-Lucena
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Molecular Therapies Program, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Fernando Lecanda
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- University of Navarra, Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Davide Ruggero
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Purvesh Khatri
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Navarrabiomed, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra (CHN), Universidad Pública de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Enrique Santamaria
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- ProteoRed-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquin Fernandez-Irigoyen
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- ProteoRed-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Ferrer
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre & Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Paz-Ares
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre & Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Medical School, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Matthias Drosten
- Experimental Oncology Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mariano Barbacid
- Experimental Oncology Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Gil-Bazo
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Department of Medical Oncology, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Oncology, Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, Valencia, Spain
| | - Silve Vicent
- University of Navarra, Center for Applied Medical Research, Program in Solid Tumors, Pamplona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain.
- University of Navarra, Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, Pamplona, Spain.
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Berta D, Gehrke S, Nyíri K, Vértessy BG, Rosta E. Mechanism-Based Redesign of GAP to Activate Oncogenic Ras. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:20302-20310. [PMID: 37682266 PMCID: PMC10515638 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c04330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Ras GTPases play a crucial role in cell signaling pathways. Mutations of the Ras gene occur in about one third of cancerous cell lines and are often associated with detrimental clinical prognosis. Hot spot residues Gly12, Gly13, and Gln61 cover 97% of oncogenic mutations, which impair the enzymatic activity in Ras. Using QM/MM free energy calculations, we present a two-step mechanism for the GTP hydrolysis catalyzed by the wild-type Ras.GAP complex. We found that the deprotonation of the catalytic water takes place via the Gln61 as a transient Brønsted base. We also determined the reaction profiles for key oncogenic Ras mutants G12D and G12C using QM/MM minimizations, matching the experimentally observed loss of catalytic activity, thereby validating our reaction mechanism. Using the optimized reaction paths, we devised a fast and accurate procedure to design GAP mutants that activate G12D Ras. We replaced GAP residues near the active site and determined the activation barrier for 190 single mutants. We furthermore built a machine learning for ultrafast screening, by fast prediction of the barrier heights, tested both on the single and double mutations. This work demonstrates that fast and accurate screening can be accomplished via QM/MM reaction path optimizations to design protein sequences with increased catalytic activity. Several GAP mutations are predicted to re-enable catalysis in oncogenic G12D, offering a promising avenue to overcome aberrant Ras-driven signal transduction by activating enzymatic activity instead of inhibition. The outlined computational screening protocol is readily applicable for designing ligands and cofactors analogously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dénes Berta
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University College
London, Gower Street, London WC1E
6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Sascha Gehrke
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University College
London, Gower Street, London WC1E
6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Kinga Nyíri
- Institute
of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok körútja
2, Budapest 1117, Hungary
- Department
of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budafoki út 6-8, Budapest 1111, Hungary
| | - Beáta G. Vértessy
- Institute
of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok körútja
2, Budapest 1117, Hungary
- Department
of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budafoki út 6-8, Budapest 1111, Hungary
| | - Edina Rosta
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University College
London, Gower Street, London WC1E
6BT, United Kingdom
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46
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Yang L, Li Z, Binzel DW, Guo P, Williams TM. Targeting oncogenic KRAS in non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR aptamer-conjugated multifunctional RNA nanoparticles. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 33:559-571. [PMID: 37637206 PMCID: PMC10448464 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
KRAS mutations are one of the most common oncogenic driver mutations in human cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and have established roles in cancer pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance. The development of effective inhibitors of mutant KRAS represents a significant challenge. Three-way junction (3WJ)-based multi-functional RNA nanoparticles have the potential to serve as an effective in vivo siRNA delivery platform with the ability to enhance tumor targeting specificity and visualize biodistribution through an imaging moiety. Herein, we assembled novel EGFRapt-3WJ-siKRASG12C mutation targeted nanoparticles to target EGFR-expressing human NSCLC harboring a KRASG12C mutation to silence KRASG12C expression in a tumor cell-specific fashion. We found that EGFRapt-3WJ-siKRASG12C nanoparticles potently depleted cellular KRASG12C expression, resulting in attenuation of downstream MAPK pathway signaling, cell proliferation, migration/invasion ability, and sensitized NSCLC cells to chemoradiotherapy. In vivo, these nanoparticles induced tumor growth inhibition in KRASG12C NSCLC tumor xenografts. Together, this study suggests that the 3WJ pRNA-based platform has the potential to suppress mutant KRAS activity for the treatment of KRAS-driven human cancers, and warrants further development for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Zhefeng Li
- Center for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine, College of Pharmacy, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Daniel W. Binzel
- Center for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine, College of Pharmacy, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Peixuan Guo
- Center for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine, College of Pharmacy, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Terence M. Williams
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Xie X, Yu T, Li X, Zhang N, Foster LJ, Peng C, Huang W, He G. Recent advances in targeting the "undruggable" proteins: from drug discovery to clinical trials. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:335. [PMID: 37669923 PMCID: PMC10480221 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01589-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Undruggable proteins are a class of proteins that are often characterized by large, complex structures or functions that are difficult to interfere with using conventional drug design strategies. Targeting such undruggable targets has been considered also a great opportunity for treatment of human diseases and has attracted substantial efforts in the field of medicine. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the recent development of drug discovery targeting "undruggable" proteins and their application in clinic. To make this review well organized, we discuss the design strategies targeting the undruggable proteins, including covalent regulation, allosteric inhibition, protein-protein/DNA interaction inhibition, targeted proteins regulation, nucleic acid-based approach, immunotherapy and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Tingting Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
- Department of Dermatology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Leonard J Foster
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China.
| | - Wei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Medical Technology and School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China.
| | - Gu He
- Department of Dermatology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China.
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Di Federico A, Ricciotti I, Favorito V, Michelina SV, Scaparone P, Metro G, De Giglio A, Pecci F, Lamberti G, Ambrogio C, Ricciuti B. Resistance to KRAS G12C Inhibition in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 2023; 25:1017-1029. [PMID: 37378881 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-023-01436-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Although the recent development of direct KRASG12C inhibitors (G12Ci) has improved outcomes in KRAS mutant cancers, responses occur only in a fraction of patients, and among responders acquired resistance invariably develops over time. Therefore, the characterization of the determinants of acquired resistance is crucial to inform treatment strategies and to identify novel therapeutic vulnerabilities that can be exploited for drug development. RECENT FINDINGS Mechanisms of acquired resistance to G12Ci are heterogenous including both on-target and off-target resistance. On-target acquired resistance includes secondary codon 12 KRAS mutations, but also acquired codon 13 and codon 61 alterations, and mutations at drug binding sites. Off-target acquired resistance can derive from activating mutations in KRAS downstream pathway (e.g., MEK1), acquired oncogenic fusions (EML4-ALK, CCDC176-RET), gene level copy gain (e.g., MET amplification), or oncogenic alterations in other pro-proliferative and antiapoptotic pathways (e.g., FGFR3, PTEN, NRAS). In a fraction of patients, histologic transformation can also contribute to the development of acquire resistance. We provided a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms that limit the efficacy of this G12i and reviewed potential strategies to overcome and possibly delay the development of resistance in patients receiving KRAS directed targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Di Federico
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Ricciotti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Favorito
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sandra Vietti Michelina
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology, Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Pietro Scaparone
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology, Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Giulio Metro
- Medical Oncology, Santa Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Piazzale Giorgio Menghini, 1, 06129, Perugia, Italy
| | - Andrea De Giglio
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Pecci
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Giuseppe Lamberti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Ambrogio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology, Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Biagio Ricciuti
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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49
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Wu X, Song W, Cheng C, Liu Z, Li X, Cui Y, Gao Y, Li D. Small molecular inhibitors for KRAS-mutant cancers. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1223433. [PMID: 37662925 PMCID: PMC10470052 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1223433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Three rat sarcoma (RAS) gene isoforms, KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS, constitute the most mutated family of small GTPases in cancer. While the development of targeted immunotherapies has led to a substantial improvement in the overall survival of patients with non-KRAS-mutant cancer, patients with RAS-mutant cancers have an overall poorer prognosis owing to the high aggressiveness of RAS-mutant tumors. KRAS mutations are strongly implicated in lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. However, RAS mutations exhibit diverse patterns of isoforms, substitutions, and positions in different types of cancers. Despite being considered "undruggable", recent advances in the use of allele-specific covalent inhibitors against the most common mutant form of RAS in non-small-cell lung cancer have led to the development of effective pharmacological interventions against RAS-mutant cancer. Sotorasib (AMG510) has been approved by the FDA as a second-line treatment for patients with KRAS-G12C mutant NSCLC who have received at least one prior systemic therapy. Other KRAS inhibitors are on the way to block KRAS-mutant cancers. In this review, we summarize the progress and promise of small-molecule inhibitors in clinical trials, including direct inhibitors of KRAS, pan-RAS inhibitors, inhibitors of RAS effector signaling, and immune checkpoint inhibitors or combinations with RAS inhibitors, to improve the prognosis of tumors with RAS mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wenping Song
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Engineering Research Center for Tumor Precision Medicine and Comprehensive Evaluation, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drug Research, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ziyang Liu
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yu Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yao Gao
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ding Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Engineering Research Center for Tumor Precision Medicine and Comprehensive Evaluation, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drug Research, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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50
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Nolan A, Raso C, Kolch W, von Kriegsheim A, Wynne K, Matallanas D. Proteomic Mapping of the Interactome of KRAS Mutants Identifies New Features of RAS Signalling Networks and the Mechanism of Action of Sotorasib. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4141. [PMID: 37627169 PMCID: PMC10452836 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164141] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
RAS proteins are key regulators of cell signalling and control different cell functions including cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell death. Point mutations in the genes of this family are common, particularly in KRAS. These mutations were thought to cause the constitutive activation of KRAS, but recent findings showed that some mutants can cycle between active and inactive states. This observation, together with the development of covalent KRASG12C inhibitors, has led to the arrival of KRAS inhibitors in the clinic. However, most patients develop resistance to these targeted therapies, and we lack effective treatments for other KRAS mutants. To accelerate the development of RAS targeting therapies, we need to fully characterise the molecular mechanisms governing KRAS signalling networks and determine what differentiates the signalling downstream of the KRAS mutants. Here we have used affinity purification mass-spectrometry proteomics to characterise the interactome of KRAS wild-type and three KRAS mutants. Bioinformatic analysis associated with experimental validation allows us to map the signalling network mediated by the different KRAS proteins. Using this approach, we characterised how the interactome of KRAS wild-type and mutants is regulated by the clinically approved KRASG12C inhibitor Sotorasib. In addition, we identified novel crosstalks between KRAS and its effector pathways including the AKT and JAK-STAT signalling modules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoife Nolan
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (A.N.); (C.R.); (W.K.); (A.v.K.); (K.W.)
| | - Cinzia Raso
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (A.N.); (C.R.); (W.K.); (A.v.K.); (K.W.)
| | - Walter Kolch
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (A.N.); (C.R.); (W.K.); (A.v.K.); (K.W.)
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alex von Kriegsheim
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (A.N.); (C.R.); (W.K.); (A.v.K.); (K.W.)
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Kieran Wynne
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (A.N.); (C.R.); (W.K.); (A.v.K.); (K.W.)
| | - David Matallanas
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (A.N.); (C.R.); (W.K.); (A.v.K.); (K.W.)
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