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Korbecki J, Bosiacki M, Kupnicka P, Barczak K, Chlubek D, Baranowska-Bosiacka I. CXCR4 as a therapeutic target in acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2024:10.1038/s41375-024-02326-3. [PMID: 39261603 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02326-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Extensive research on the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has resulted in the incorporation of novel anti-leukemia drugs targeting this axis into therapeutic strategies. However, despite this progress, a comprehensive and up-to-date review addressing the role of the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis in AML's oncogenic processes is lacking. In this review, we examine its molecular aspects influencing cancer progression, such as its impact on autonomous proliferation, apoptotic regulation, chemoresistance mechanisms, and interactions with non-leukemic cells such as MSCs and Treg cells. Additionally, we explore clinical implications, including prognosis, correlation with WBC count, blast count in the bone marrow and peripheral blood, as well as its association with FLT3-ITD, NPM1 mutations, and FAB classification. Finally, this paper extensively discusses drugs that specifically target the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis, including plerixafor/AMD3100, ulocuplumab, peptide E5, and motixafortide, shedding light on their potential therapeutic value in the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Korbecki
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, Zyty 28, 65-046, Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Mateusz Bosiacki
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Patrycja Kupnicka
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Barczak
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Dariusz Chlubek
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland.
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Martino EA, Bruzzese A, Labanca C, Mendicino F, Lucia E, Olivito V, Stanzione G, Zimbo A, Pozzi S, Neri A, Morabito F, Vigna E, Gentile M. Investigational CXCR4 inhibitors in early phase development for the treatment of hematological malignancies. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:915-924. [PMID: 39096094 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2388567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION CXCR4/CXCL12 axis regulates cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation, as well as the homing and mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from bone marrow niches to the peripheral blood. Furthermore, CXCR4 and CXCL12 are key mediators of cross-talk between hematological malignancies and their microenvironments. CXCR4 overexpression drives disease progression, boosts tumor cell survival, and promotes chemoresistance, leading to poor prognosis. AREAS COVERED In light of these discoveries, scientific investigations, and clinical trials have underscored the therapeutic promise found in small-molecule antagonists like plerixafor, peptides/peptidomimetics, such as BKT140, monoclonal antibodies like PF-06747143 and ulocuplumab, as well as microRNAs. Their efficacy is evident in reducing tumor burden, inducing apoptosis and sensitizing malignant cells to conventional chemotherapies. This overview delves into the pathogenic role of the CXC4/CXCL12 axis in hematological neoplasms and examines the clinical application of key CXCR4 antagonists. EXPERT OPINION The information collectively emphasizes the potential of CXCR4 antagonists as a therapeutic strategy for hematologic malignancies, showcasing advancements in preclinical and clinical studies. As these therapeutic strategies progress through clinical trials, their potential to reshape the prognosis of hematologic malignancies will become increasingly apparent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Eugenio Lucia
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
| | | | - Gaia Stanzione
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
- Division of Hematology, Azienda Policlinico-S. Marco, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Annamaria Zimbo
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
- UOC Laboratorio Analisi Cliniche, Biomolecolari e Genetica, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Stefano Pozzi
- Ematologia Azienda USL-IRCSS Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
| | - Antonino Neri
- Scientific Directorate IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, EmiliaRomagna, Italy
| | | | - Ernesto Vigna
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Massimo Gentile
- Hematology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Annunziata, Cosenza, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Science, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
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Drouillard D, Halyko M, Cinquegrani E, McAllister D, Peterson FC, Marchese A, Dwinell MB. CXCL12 chemokine dimer signaling modulates acute myelogenous leukemia cell migration through altered receptor internalization. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.26.609725. [PMID: 39253415 PMCID: PMC11383031 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.26.609725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignancy of immature myeloid blast cells with stem-like and chemoresistant cells being retained in the bone marrow through CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling. Current CXCR4 inhibitors mobilize AML cells into the bloodstream where they become more chemosensitive have failed to improve patient survival, likely reflecting persistent receptor localization on target cells. Here we characterize the signaling properties of CXCL12-locked dimer (CXCL12-LD), a bioengineered variant of the dimeric CXCL12 structure. CXCL12-LD binding resulted in lower levels of G protein, β-arrestin, and intracellular calcium mobilization, consistent with the locked dimer being a partial agonist of CXCR4. Further, CXCL12-LD failed to induce chemotaxis in AML cells. Despite these partial agonist properties, CXCL12-LD increased CXCR4 internalization compared to wildtype and locked-monomer forms of CXCL12. Analysis of a previously published AML transcriptomic data showed CXCR4 positive AML cells co-express genes involved in chemoresistance and maintenance of a blast-like state. The CXCL12-LD partial agonist effectively mobilized stem cells into the bloodstream in mice suggesting a potential role for their use in targeting CXCR4. Together, our results suggest that enhanced internalization by CXCL12-LD partial agonist signaling can avoid pharmacodynamic tolerance and may identify new avenues to better target GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donovan Drouillard
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
- Center for Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
| | - Michael Halyko
- Center for Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
| | | | - Donna McAllister
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
- Center for Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
| | - Francis C Peterson
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
| | - Adriano Marchese
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
| | - Michael B Dwinell
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
- Center for Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
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Khattab S, El Sorady M, El-Ghandour A, Visani G, Piccaluga PP. Hematopoietic and leukemic stem cells homeostasis: the role of bone marrow niche. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2024; 5:1027-1055. [PMID: 39351440 PMCID: PMC11438561 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2024.00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) has highly specialized anatomical characteristics that provide a sanctuary place for hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that allow appropriate proliferation, maintenance, and self-renewal capacity. Several cell types contribute to the constitution and function of the bone marrow niche. Interestingly, uncovering the secrets of BMM and its interaction with HSCs in health paved the road for research aiming at better understanding the concept of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) and their altered niche. In fact, they share many signals that are responsible for interactions between LSCs and the bone marrow niche, due to several biological similarities between LSCs and HSCs. On the other hand, LSCs differ from HSCs in their abnormal activation of important signaling pathways that regulate survival, proliferation, drug resistance, invasion, and spread. Targeting these altered niches can help in better treatment choices for hematological malignancies and bone marrow disorders in general and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in particular. Moreover, targeting those niches may help in decreasing the emergence of drug resistance and lower the relapse rate. In this article, the authors reviewed the most recent literature on bone marrow niches and their relations with either normal HSCs and AML cells/LSC, by focusing on pathogenetic and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa Khattab
- Biobank of Research, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico di S. Orsola, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Bologna University School of Medicine, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Medical Research Institute, Hematology department, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21561, Egypt
| | - Manal El Sorady
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 5310002, Egypt
| | - Ashraf El-Ghandour
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 5310002, Egypt
| | - Giuseppe Visani
- Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Center, Azienda Ospedaliera Marche Nord, 61121 Pesaro, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Piccaluga
- Biobank of Research, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico di S. Orsola, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Bologna University School of Medicine, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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Sun J, Liu W, Fu H, Li Y, Huang J, Wang Y, Zhu L. C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 inhibition promotes the effect of plantamajoside in hepatocellular carcinoma. Arab J Gastroenterol 2024; 25:28-36. [PMID: 38220479 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajg.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and, more than half of these cases are diagnosed in China. However, effective treatment for HCC is still limited. MATERIAL AND METHODS C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) was first activated and inhibited in HepG2 cells using a pharmacological method. HepG2 cell proliferation was detected using the CCK-8 method. Metastasis and apoptosis of HepG2 cells were detected using wound healing and flow cytometry. The expression of each target molecule related to metastasis and invasion, such as MMPs, E-cadherin and the PI3K/AKT/Mcl-1/PARP signaling pathway was detected by western blotting. The secretion of molecular metastases was detected using competitive ELISA. RESULTS This study constructed a CXCR4 activation and inhibition model in HepG2 cells. CXCR4 inhibition promoted the inhibitory effect of plantamajoside on the proliferation and metastasis of cells, which led to apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that the expression of apoptosis-related proteins was increased after treatment with plantamajoside combined with CXCR4 inhibition. In addition, the expression and secretion of pro-metastatic proteins, including MMPs and E-cadherin were decreased. We also noticed that this effect might be mediated by the PI3K/AKT/Mcl-1/PARP signaling pathway. CONCLUSION CXCR4 inhibition may contribute to the treatment of HCC. Inhibition of CXCR4 expression contributes to the therapeutic effect of plantamajoside; the effect of plantamajoside might be mediated by the PI3K/AKT/Mcl-1/PARP signaling pathway; and CXCR4 might be a therapeutic target of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Sun
- General Surgery Department of Characteristic Medical Center of PAP, Tianjin 300162, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Emergency Medicine Department of Shandong Corps Hospital of PAP, Shandong 250000, China
| | - Hao Fu
- Reproductive Department of Characteristic Medical Center of PAP, Tianjin 300162, China
| | - Yibei Li
- Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jiaqi Huang
- Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China.
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Xue T, Lin JX, He YQ, Li JW, Liu ZB, Jia YJ, Zhou XY, Li XQ, Yu BH. Yin Yang 1 expression predicts a favourable survival in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24376. [PMID: 38312674 PMCID: PMC10835246 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Aims Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is a multifunctional transcription factor that plays an important role in tumour development and progression, while its clinical significance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the expression and clinical implications of YY1 in DLBCL. Methods YY1 expression in 198 cases of DLBCL was determined using immunohistochemistry. The correlation between YY1 expression and clinicopathological parameters as well as the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients was analyzed. Results YY1 protein expression was observed in 121 out of 198 (61.1 %) DLBCL cases. YY1 expression was significantly more frequent in cases of the GCB subgroup than in the non-GCB subgroup (P = 0.005). YY1 was positively correlated with the expression of MUM1, BCL6, pAKT and MYC/BCL2 but was negatively associated with the expression of CXCR4. No significant relationships were identified between YY1 and clinical characteristics, including age, sex, stage, localization, and B symptoms. Univariate analysis showed that the OS (P = 0.003) and PFS (P = 0.005) of patients in the YY1-negative group were significantly worse than those in the YY1-positive group. Multivariate analysis indicated that negative YY1 was a risk factor for inferior OS (P < 0.001) and PFS (P = 0.017) independent of the international prognostic index (IPI) score, treatment and Ann Arbor stage. Furthermore, YY1 is more powerful for stratifying DLBCL patients into different risk groups when combined with MYC/BCL2 double-expression (DE) status. Conclusions YY1 was frequently expressed in DLBCL, especially in those of GCB phenotype and with MYC/BCL2-DE. As an independent prognostic factor, YY1 expression could predict a favourable outcome in DLBCL. In addition, a complex regulatory mechanism might be involved in the interactions between YY1 and MYC, pAKT as well as CXCR4 in DLBCL, which warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Xue
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Xin Lin
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Qi He
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ji-Wei Li
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ze-Bing Liu
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Jun Jia
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Qiu Li
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bao-Hua Yu
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Hassanzadeh L, Erfani M, Jokar S, Shariatpanahi M. Design of a New 99mTc-radiolabeled Cyclo-peptide as Promising Molecular Imaging Agent of CXCR 4 Receptor: Molecular Docking, Synthesis, Radiolabeling, and Biological Evaluation. Curr Radiopharm 2024; 17:77-90. [PMID: 37921191 DOI: 10.2174/0118744710249305231017073022] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION C-X-C Chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is often overexpressed or overactivated in different types and stages of cancer disease. Therefore, it is considered a promising target for imaging and early detection of primary tumors and metastasis. In the present research, a new cyclo-peptide radiolabelled with 99mTc, 99mTc-Cyclo [D-Phe-D-Tyr-Lys (HYNIC)- D-Arg-2-Nal-Gly-Lys(iPr)], was designed based on the parental LY251029 peptide, as a potential in vivo imaging agent of CXCR4-expressing tumors. METHODS The radioligand was successfully prepared using the method of Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis and was evaluated in biological assessment. Molecular docking findings revealed high affinity (binding energy of -9.7 kcal/mol) and effective interaction of Cyclo [D-Phe- D-Tyr-Lys (HYNIC)-D-Arg-2-Nal-Gly-Lys(iPr)] in the binding pocket of CXCR4 receptor (PDB code: 3OE0) as well. RESULT The synthesized peptide and its purity were assessed by both reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and mass spectroscopy. High stability (95%, n = 3) in human serum and favorable affinity (Kd = 28.70 ± 13.56 nM and Bmax = 1.896 ± 0.123 fmol/mg protein) in the B16-F10 cell line resulted. Biodistribution evaluation findings and planar image interpretation of mice both showed high affinity and selectivity of the radiotracer to the CXCR4 receptors. CONCLUSION Therefore, the findings indicate this designed radioligand could be used as a potential SPECT imaging agent in highly proliferated CXCR4 receptor tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Hassanzadeh
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical & Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Imaging Technology, Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Erfani
- Radiation Application Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, (NSTRI), P.O. Box: 14395-836, Tehran, Iran
| | - Safura Jokar
- Department of Nuclear Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marjan Shariatpanahi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Meng Q, Zhu R, Mao Y, Zhu S, Wu Y, Huang L, Ciechanover A, An J, Xu Y, Huang Z. Biological and mutational analyses of CXCR4-antagonist interactions and design of new antagonistic analogs. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:BSR20230981. [PMID: 38131305 PMCID: PMC10987480 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20230981] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The chemokine receptor CXCR4 has become an attractive therapeutic target for HIV-1 infection, hematopoietic stem cell mobilization, and cancer metastasis. A wide variety of synthetic antagonists of CXCR4 have been developed and studied for a growing list of clinical applications. To compare the biological effects of different antagonists on CXCR4 functions and their common and/or distinctive molecular interactions with the receptor, we conducted head-to-head comparative cell-based biological and mutational analyses of the interactions with CXCR4 of eleven reported antagonists, including HC4319, DV3, DV1, DV1 dimer, V1, vMIP-II, CVX15, LY2510924, IT1t, AMD3100, and AMD11070 that were representative of different structural classes of D-peptides, L-peptide, natural chemokine, cyclic peptides, and small molecules. The results were rationalized by molecular modeling of CXCR4-antagonist interactions from which the common as well as different receptor binding sites of these antagonists were derived, revealing a number of important residues such as W94, D97, H113, D171, D262, and E288, mostly of negative charge. To further examine this finding, we designed and synthesized new antagonistic analogs by adding positively charged residues Arg to a D-peptide template to enhance the postulated charge-charge interactions. The newly designed analogs displayed significantly increased binding to CXCR4, which supports the notion that negatively charged residues of CXCR4 can engage in interactions with moieties of positive charge of the antagonistic ligands. The results from these mutational, modeling and new analog design studies shed new insight into the molecular mechanisms of different types of antagonists in recognizing CXCR4 and guide the development of new therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Meng
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ruohan Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yujia Mao
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Siyu Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yi Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lina S.M. Huang
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Heath, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, U.S.A
| | - Aaron Ciechanover
- The Rapport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3109601, Israel
- Ciechanover Institute of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Jing An
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Heath, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, U.S.A
| | - Yan Xu
- Ciechanover Institute of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Ziwei Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Heath, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, U.S.A
- Ciechanover Institute of Precision and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
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9
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Discovery of Bis-Imidazoline Derivatives as New CXCR4 Ligands. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031156. [PMID: 36770826 PMCID: PMC9920567 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031156] [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: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand CXCL12 regulate leukocyte trafficking, homeostasis and functions and are potential therapeutic targets in many diseases such as HIV-1 infection and cancers. Here, we identified new CXCR4 ligands in the CERMN chemical library using a FRET-based high-throughput screening assay. These are bis-imidazoline compounds comprising two imidazole rings linked by an alkyl chain. The molecules displace CXCL12 binding with submicromolar potencies, similarly to AMD3100, the only marketed CXCR4 ligand. They also inhibit anti-CXCR4 mAb 12G5 binding, CXCL12-mediated chemotaxis and HIV-1 infection. Further studies with newly synthesized derivatives pointed out to a role of alkyl chain length on the bis-imidazoline properties, with molecules with an even number of carbons equal to 8, 10 or 12 being the most potent. Interestingly, these differ in the functions of CXCR4 that they influence. Site-directed mutagenesis and molecular docking predict that the alkyl chain folds in such a way that the two imidazole groups become lodged in the transmembrane binding cavity of CXCR4. Results also suggest that the alkyl chain length influences how the imidazole rings positions in the cavity. These results may provide a basis for the design of new CXCR4 antagonists targeting specific functions of the receptor.
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Aru B, Pehlivanoğlu C, Dal Z, Dereli-Çalışkan NN, Gürlü E, Yanıkkaya-Demirel G. A potential area of use for immune checkpoint inhibitors: Targeting bone marrow microenvironment in acute myeloid leukemia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1108200. [PMID: 36742324 PMCID: PMC9895857 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1108200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) arises from the cells of myeloid lineage and is the most frequent leukemia type in adulthood accounting for about 80% of all cases. The most common treatment strategy for the treatment of AML includes chemotherapy, in rare cases radiotherapy and stem cell and bone marrow transplantation are considered. Immune checkpoint proteins involve in the negative regulation of immune cells, leading to an escape from immune surveillance, in turn, causing failure of tumor cell elimination. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) target the negative regulation of the immune cells and support the immune system in terms of anti-tumor immunity. Bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) bears various blood cell lineages and the interactions between these lineages and the noncellular components of BMM are considered important for AML development and progression. Administration of ICIs for the AML treatment may be a promising option by regulating BMM. In this review, we summarize the current treatment options in AML treatment and discuss the possible application of ICIs in AML treatment from the perspective of the regulation of BMM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Başak Aru
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Cemil Pehlivanoğlu
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Zeynep Dal
- School of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | | | - Ege Gürlü
- School of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Gülderen Yanıkkaya-Demirel
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye,*Correspondence: Gülderen Yanıkkaya-Demirel,
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Skelding KA, Barry DL, Theron DZ, Lincz LF. Bone Marrow Microenvironment as a Source of New Drug Targets for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:563. [PMID: 36614005 PMCID: PMC9820412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease with one of the worst survival rates of all cancers. The bone marrow microenvironment is increasingly being recognised as an important mediator of AML chemoresistance and relapse, supporting leukaemia stem cell survival through interactions among stromal, haematopoietic progenitor and leukaemic cells. Traditional therapies targeting leukaemic cells have failed to improve long term survival rates, and as such, the bone marrow niche has become a promising new source of potential therapeutic targets, particularly for relapsed and refractory AML. This review briefly discusses the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in AML development and progression, and as a source of novel therapeutic targets for AML. The main focus of this review is on drugs that modulate/target this bone marrow microenvironment and have been examined in in vivo models or clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A. Skelding
- Cancer Cell Biology Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Daniel L. Barry
- Cancer Cell Biology Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Danielle Z. Theron
- Cancer Cell Biology Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Lisa F. Lincz
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
- Hunter Hematology Research Group, Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital, Waratah, NSW 2298, Australia
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12
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Yang J, Zhu Q, Wu Y, Qu X, Liu H, Jiang B, Ge D, Song X. Utilization of macrocyclic peptides to target protein-protein interactions in cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:992171. [PMID: 36465350 PMCID: PMC9714258 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.992171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) play vital roles in normal cellular processes. Dysregulated PPIs are involved in the process of various diseases, including cancer. Thus, these PPIs may serve as potential therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. However, despite rapid advances in small-molecule drugs and biologics, it is still hard to target PPIs, especially for those intracellular PPIs. Macrocyclic peptides have gained growing attention for their therapeutic properties in targeting dysregulated PPIs. Macrocyclic peptides have some unique features, such as moderate sizes, high selectivity, and high binding affinities, which make them good drug candidates. In addition, some oncology macrocyclic peptide drugs have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use. Here, we reviewed the recent development of macrocyclic peptides in cancer treatment. The opportunities and challenges were also discussed to inspire new perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiaoliang Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan Qu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haixia Liu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Biao Jiang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Di Ge
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoling Song
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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13
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Targeting CXCR4 and CD47 Receptors: An Overview of New and Old Molecules for a Biological Personalized Anticancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012499. [PMID: 36293358 PMCID: PMC9604048 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological therapy, with its multifaceted applications, has revolutionized the treatment of tumors, mainly due to its ability to exclusively target cancer cells and reduce the adverse effects on normal tissues. This review focuses on the therapies targeting the CXCR4 and CD47 receptors. We surveyed the results of early clinical trials testing compounds classified as nonpeptides, small peptides, CXCR4 antagonists or specific antibodies whose activity reduces or completely blocks the intracellular signaling pathways and cell proliferation. We then examined antibodies and fusion proteins against CD47, the receptor that acts as a “do not eat me” signal to phagocytes escaping immune surveillance. Despite these molecules being tested in early clinical trials, some drawbacks are emerging that impair their use in practice. Finally, we examined the ImmunoGenic Surrender mechanism that involves crosstalk and co-internalization of CXCR4 and CD47 upon engagement of CXCR4 by ligands or other molecules. The favorable effect of such compounds is dual as CD47 surface reduction impact on the immune response adds to the block of CXCR4 proliferative potential. These results suggest that a combination of different therapeutic approaches has more beneficial effects on patients’ survival and may pave the way for new accomplishments in personalized anticancer therapy.
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14
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Chen Y, Li J, Xu L, Găman MA, Zou Z. The genesis and evolution of acute myeloid leukemia stem cells in the microenvironment: From biology to therapeutic targeting. Cell Death Discov 2022; 8:397. [PMID: 36163119 PMCID: PMC9513079 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01193-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy characterized by cytogenetic and genomic alterations. Up to now, combination chemotherapy remains the standard treatment for leukemia. However, many individuals diagnosed with AML develop chemotherapeutic resistance and relapse. Recently, it has been pointed out that leukemic stem cells (LSCs) are the fundamental cause of drug resistance and AML relapse. LSCs only account for a small subpopulation of all leukemic cells, but possess stem cell properties, including a self-renewal capacity and a multi-directional differentiation potential. LSCs reside in a mostly quiescent state and are insensitive to chemotherapeutic agents. When LSCs reside in a bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) favorable to their survival, they engage into a steady, continuous clonal evolution to better adapt to the action of chemotherapy. Most chemotherapeutic drugs can only eliminate LSC-derived clones, reducing the number of leukemic cells in the BM to a normal range in order to achieve complete remission (CR). LSCs hidden in the BM niche can hardly be targeted or eradicated, leading to drug resistance and AML relapse. Understanding the relationship between LSCs, the BMM, and the generation and evolution laws of LSCs can facilitate the development of effective therapeutic targets and increase the efficiency of LSCs elimination in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfeng Chen
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Medical College of Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, 318000, China.
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, 637000, China
| | - Linglong Xu
- Department of Hematology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, Zhejiang, 318000, China
| | - Mihnea-Alexandru Găman
- Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474, Bucharest, Romania.
- Department of Hematology, Centre of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Zhenyou Zou
- Brain Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Liuzhou, Guangxi, 545005, China.
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15
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Viñado AC, Calvo IA, Cenzano I, Olaverri D, Cocera M, San Martin-Uriz P, Romero JP, Vilas-Zornoza A, Vera L, Gomez-Cebrian N, Puchades-Carrasco L, Lisi-Vega LE, Apaolaza I, Valera P, Guruceaga E, Granero-Molto F, Ripalda-Cemborain P, Luck TJ, Bullinger L, Planes FJ, Rifon JJ, Méndez-Ferrer S, Yusuf RZ, Pardo-Saganta A, Prosper F, Saez B. The bone marrow niche regulates redox and energy balance in MLL::AF9 leukemia stem cells. Leukemia 2022; 36:1969-1979. [PMID: 35618797 PMCID: PMC7614282 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01601-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Eradicating leukemia requires a deep understanding of the interaction between leukemic cells and their protective microenvironment. The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis has been postulated as a critical pathway dictating leukemia stem cell (LSC) chemoresistance in AML due to its role in controlling cellular egress from the marrow. Nevertheless, the cellular source of CXCL12 in the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) microenvironment and the mechanism by which CXCL12 exerts its protective role in vivo remain unresolved. Here, we show that CXCL12 produced by Prx1+ mesenchymal cells but not by mature osteolineage cells provide the necessary cues for the maintenance of LSCs in the marrow of an MLL::AF9-induced AML model. Prx1+ cells promote survival of LSCs by modulating energy metabolism and the REDOX balance in LSCs. Deletion of Cxcl12 leads to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and DNA damage in LSCs, impairing their ability to perpetuate leukemia in transplantation experiments, a defect that can be attenuated by antioxidant therapy. Importantly, our data suggest that this phenomenon appears to be conserved in human patients. Hence, we have identified Prx1+ mesenchymal cells as an integral part of the complex niche-AML metabolic intertwining, pointing towards CXCL12/CXCR4 as a target to eradicate parenchymal LSCs in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C Viñado
- Hematology-Oncology Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel A Calvo
- Hematology-Oncology Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Itziar Cenzano
- Hematology-Oncology Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Danel Olaverri
- Tecnun Universidad de Navarra, School of Engineering, 20018, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Miguel Cocera
- Hematology-Oncology Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Patxi San Martin-Uriz
- Hematology-Oncology Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Juan P Romero
- Hematology-Oncology Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Amaia Vilas-Zornoza
- Hematology-Oncology Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Laura Vera
- Regenerative Medicine Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Nuria Gomez-Cebrian
- Drug Discovery Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Livia E Lisi-Vega
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Department of Hematology, University of Cambridge, and NHS Blood and Transplant, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Iñigo Apaolaza
- Tecnun Universidad de Navarra, School of Engineering, 20018, San Sebastian, Spain
- Universidad de Navarra, Centro de Ingeniería Biomédica and DATAI Instituto de Ciencia de los Datos e Inteligencia Artificial, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pablo Valera
- Hematology-Oncology Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Guruceaga
- Hematology-Oncology Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Froilan Granero-Molto
- Regenerative Medicine Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
- Cell Therapy Area, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Purificacion Ripalda-Cemborain
- Regenerative Medicine Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Tamara J Luck
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Cancer Immunology, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lars Bullinger
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Cancer Immunology, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Francisco J Planes
- Tecnun Universidad de Navarra, School of Engineering, 20018, San Sebastian, Spain
- Universidad de Navarra, Centro de Ingeniería Biomédica and DATAI Instituto de Ciencia de los Datos e Inteligencia Artificial, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - José J Rifon
- Department of Hematology, Cell Therapy and Center of Cancer of the University of Navarra, Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Simón Méndez-Ferrer
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Department of Hematology, University of Cambridge, and NHS Blood and Transplant, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Rushdia Z Yusuf
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Ana Pardo-Saganta
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, 35392, Germany
- Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Giessen, 35392, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, 35392, Germany
| | - Felipe Prosper
- Hematology-Oncology Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Hematology, Cell Therapy and Center of Cancer of the University of Navarra, Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Borja Saez
- Hematology-Oncology Program, CIMA Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), 31008, Pamplona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain.
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16
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Zhao R, Liu J, Li Z, Zhang W, Wang F, Zhang B. Recent Advances in CXCL12/CXCR4 Antagonists and Nano-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081541. [PMID: 35893797 PMCID: PMC9332179 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemokines can induce chemotactic cell migration by interacting with G protein-coupled receptors to play a significant regulatory role in the development of cancer. CXC chemokine-12 (CXCL12) can specifically bind to CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and is closely associated with the progression of cancer via multiple signaling pathways. Over recent years, many CXCR4 antagonists have been tested in clinical trials; however, Plerixafor (AMD3100) is the only drug that has been approved for marketing thus far. In this review, we first summarize the mechanisms that mediate the physiological effects of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis. Then, we describe the use of CXCL12/CXCR4 antagonists. Finally, we discuss the use of nano-based drug delivery systems that exert action on the CXCL12/CXCR4 biological axis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Feng Wang
- Correspondence: (F.W.); (B.Z.); Tel.: +86-536-8462490 (B.Z.)
| | - Bo Zhang
- Correspondence: (F.W.); (B.Z.); Tel.: +86-536-8462490 (B.Z.)
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17
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Dong H, Ham JD, Hu G, Xie G, Vergara J, Liang Y, Ali A, Tarannum M, Donner H, Baginska J, Abdulhamid Y, Dinh K, Soiffer RJ, Ritz J, Glimcher LH, Chen J, Romee R. Memory-like NK cells armed with a neoepitope-specific CAR exhibit potent activity against NPM1 mutated acute myeloid leukemia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2122379119. [PMID: 35696582 PMCID: PMC9231490 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122379119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a therapeutic challenge, and a paucity of tumor-specific targets has significantly hampered the development of effective immune-based therapies. Recent paradigm-changing studies have shown that natural killer (NK) cells exhibit innate memory upon brief activation with IL-12 and IL-18, leading to cytokine-induced memory-like (CIML) NK cell differentiation. CIML NK cells have enhanced antitumor activity and have shown promising results in early phase clinical trials in patients with relapsed/refractory AML. Here, we show that arming CIML NK cells with a neoepitope-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) significantly enhances their antitumor responses to nucleophosphmin-1 (NPM1)-mutated AML while avoiding off-target toxicity. CIML NK cells differentiated from peripheral blood NK cells were efficiently transduced to express a TCR-like CAR that specifically recognizes a neoepitope derived from the cytosolic oncogenic NPM1-mutated protein presented by HLA-A2. These CAR CIML NK cells displayed enhanced activity against NPM1-mutated AML cell lines and patient-derived leukemic blast cells. CAR CIML NK cells persisted in vivo and significantly improved AML outcomes in xenograft models. Single-cell RNA sequencing and mass cytometry analyses identified up-regulation of cell proliferation, protein folding, immune responses, and major metabolic pathways in CAR-transduced CIML NK cells, resulting in tumor-specific, CAR-dependent activation and function in response to AML target cells. Thus, efficient arming of CIML NK cells with an NPM1-mutation-specific TCR-like CAR substantially improves their innate antitumor responses against an otherwise intracellular mutant protein. These preclinical findings justify evaluating this approach in clinical trials in HLA-A2+ AML patients with NPM1c mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Dong
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - James Dongjoo Ham
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Guangan Hu
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Guozhu Xie
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Juliana Vergara
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Yong Liang
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Alaa Ali
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Mubin Tarannum
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Hannah Donner
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Joanna Baginska
- Center for Immuno-oncology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Yasmin Abdulhamid
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Khanhlinh Dinh
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Robert J. Soiffer
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Jerome Ritz
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Laurie H. Glimcher
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Jianzhu Chen
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Rizwan Romee
- Division of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
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18
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Arora S, Khan S, Zaki A, Tabassum G, Mohsin M, Bhutto HN, Ahmad T, Fatma T, Syed MA. Integration of chemokine signaling with non-coding RNAs in tumor microenvironment and heterogeneity in different cancers. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:720-736. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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19
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Fodil S, Arnaud M, Vaganay C, Puissant A, Lengline E, Mooney N, Itzykson R, Zafrani L. Endothelial cells: major players in acute myeloid leukaemia. Blood Rev 2022; 54:100932. [DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2022.100932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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20
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Cao Q, Huang C, Yi H, Gill AJ, Chou A, Foley M, Hosking CG, Lim KK, Triffon CF, Shi Y, Chen XM, Pollock CA. A single domain i-body (AD-114) attenuates renal fibrosis through blockade of CXCR4. JCI Insight 2022; 7:143018. [PMID: 35015734 PMCID: PMC8876455 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.143018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The G protein–coupled CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is a candidate therapeutic target for tissue fibrosis. A fully human single-domain antibody-like scaffold i-body AD-114-PA600 (AD-114) with specific high binding affinity to CXCR4 has been developed. To define its renoprotective role, AD-114 was administrated in a mouse model of renal fibrosis induced by folic acid (FA). Increased extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, macrophage infiltration, inflammatory response, TGF-β1 expression, and fibroblast activation were observed in kidneys of mice with FA-induced nephropathy. These markers were normalized or partially reversed by AD-114 treatment. In vitro studies demonstrated AD-114 blocked TGF-β1–induced upregulated expression of ECM, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and downstream p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways in a renal proximal tubular cell line. Additionally, these renoprotective effects were validated in a second model of unilateral ureteral obstruction using a second generation of AD-114 (Fc-fused AD-114, also named AD-214). Collectively, these results suggest a renoprotective role of AD-114 as it inhibited the chemotactic function of CXCR4 as well as blocked CXCR4 downstream p38 MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, which establish a therapeutic strategy for AD-114 targeting CXCR4 to limit renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Cao
- Renal Medicine, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Chunling Huang
- Renal Medicine, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hao Yi
- Renal Medicine, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anthony J Gill
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Angela Chou
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Foley
- The Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Chris G Hosking
- The Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kevin K Lim
- The Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Cristina F Triffon
- The Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ying Shi
- Renal Medicine, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Xin-Ming Chen
- Renal Medicine, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Carol A Pollock
- Renal Medicine, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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21
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A fragment integrational approach to GPCR inhibition: Identification of a high affinity small molecule CXCR4 antagonist. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 231:114150. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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22
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Klosner J, Agelopoulos K, Rohde C, Göllner S, Schliemann C, Berdel WE, Müller-Tidow C. Integrated RNAi screening identifies the NEDDylation pathway as a synergistic partner of azacytidine in acute myeloid leukemia. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23280. [PMID: 34857808 PMCID: PMC8639713 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02695-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains challenging and novel targets and synergistic therapies still need to be discovered. We performed a high-throughput RNAi screen in three different AML cell lines and primary human leukemic blasts to identify genes that synergize with common antileukemic therapies. We used a pooled shRNA library that covered 5043 different genes and combined transfection with exposure to either azacytidine or cytarabine analog to the concept of synthetic lethality. Suppression of the chemokine CXCL12 ranked highly among the candidates of the cytarabine group. Azacytidine in combination with suppression of genes within the neddylation pathway led to synergistic results. NEDD8 and RBX1 inhibition by the small molecule inhibitor pevonedistat inhibited leukemia cell growth. These findings establish an in vitro synergism between NEDD8 inhibition and azacytidine in AML. Taken together, neddylation constitutes a suitable target pathway for azacytidine combination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Klosner
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - Konstantin Agelopoulos
- Department of Dermatology and Center for Chronic Pruritus, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Rohde
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Göllner
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Schliemann
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang E Berdel
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Carsten Müller-Tidow
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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23
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Liu X, Ma B, Chen M, Zhang Y, Ma Z, Chen H. Prognostic Autophagy-Related Genes of Gastric Cancer Patients on Chemotherapy. Front Genet 2021; 12:720849. [PMID: 34759953 PMCID: PMC8573096 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.720849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Chemotherapy resistance based on fluorouracil and cisplatin is one of the most encountered postoperative clinical problems in patients diagnosed with gastric cancer (GC), resulting in poor prognosis. Aim of the Study: This study aimed to combine autophagy-related genes (ARGs) to investigate the susceptibility patients with GC to postoperative chemotherapy. Methods: Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, gene expression data for GC patients undergoing chemotherapy were integrated and analyzed. Prognostic genes were screened based on univariate and multivariate analysis regression analysis. Subjects were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups according to the median risk score. Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate OS and DFS. The accuracy of the prediction was determined by the subject operating characteristic curve analysis. In addition, stratified analyses based on different clinical variables was performed to assess the correlation between risk scores and clinical variables. Quantitative real-time (qRT) PCR was used to verify the expression of CXCR4 in GC tissues and cell lines. Results: A total of nine ARGs related to the prognosis of chemotherapy patients were screened out. Compared with normal gastric mucosa cell, CXCR4 showed elevated expression in GC and was significantly associated with survival. Based on GEO and TCGA databases, the model accurately predicted DFS and OS after chemotherapy. Conclusion: This study established prognostic markers based on nine genes, predicting that ARGs are related to chemotherapy susceptibility of GC patients, which can provide better individualized treatment regimens for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Bin Ma
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mali Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gansu Province Maternity and Child-Care Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yaqing Zhang
- Department of Gynaecology, Gansu Province Maternity and Child-Care Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhen Ma
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hao Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
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24
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Conte E. Targeting monocytes/macrophages in fibrosis and cancer diseases: Therapeutic approaches. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 234:108031. [PMID: 34774879 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Over almost 140 years since their identification, the knowledge about macrophages has unbelievably evolved. The 'big eaters' from being thought of as simple phagocytic cells have been recognized as master regulators in immunity, homeostasis, healing/repair and organ development. Long considered to originate exclusively from bone marrow-derived circulating monocytes, macrophages have been also demonstrated to be the first immune cells colonizing tissues in the developing embryo and persisting in adult life by self-renewal, as long-lived tissue resident macrophages. Therefore, heterogeneous populations of macrophages with different ontogeny and functions co-exist in tissues. Macrophages act as sentinels of homeostasis and are intrinsically programmed to lead the wound healing and repair processes that occur after injury. However, in certain pathological circumstances macrophages get dysfunctional, and impaired or aberrant macrophage activities become key features of diseases. For instance, in both fibrosis and cancer, that have been defined 'wounds that do not heal', dysfunctional monocyte-derived macrophages overall play a key detrimental role. On the other hand, due to their plasticity these cells can be 're-educated' and exert anti-fibrotic and anti-cancer functions. Therefore macrophages represent an important therapeutic target in both fibrosis and cancer diseases. The current review will illustrate new insights into the role of monocytes/macrophages in these devastating diseases and summarize new therapeutic strategies and applications of macrophage-targeted drug development in their clinical setting.
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25
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CSF1R Inhibition Combined with GM-CSF Reprograms Macrophages and Disrupts Protumoral Interplays with AML Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215289. [PMID: 34771453 PMCID: PMC8582394 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Relapse is a major issue in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and while the contribution of gene mutations in developing drug resistance is well established, little is known on the role of macrophages (MΦs) in an AML cell microenvironment. We examined whether myeloblasts could educate MΦs to adopt a protumoral orientation supporting myeloblast survival and resistance to therapy. Flow cytometry analyses demonstrated that M2-like CD163+ MΦs are abundantly present, at diagnosis, in the bone marrow of AML patients. We showed that myeloblasts, or their conditioned medium, polarize monocytes to M2-like CD163+ MΦs, induce the secretion of many protumoral factors, and promote myeloblast survival and proliferation as long as close intercellular contacts are maintained. Importantly, pharmacologic inhibition of the CSF1 receptor (CSF1R), in the presence of GM-CSF, reprogrammed MΦ polarization to an M1-like orientation, induced the secretion of soluble factors with antitumoral activities, reduced protumoral agonists, and promoted the apoptosis of myeloblasts interacting with MΦs. Furthermore, myeloblasts, which became resistant to venetoclax or midostaurin during their interplay with protumoral CD163+ MΦs, regained sensitivity to these targeted therapies following CSF1R inhibition in the presence of GM-CSF. These data reveal a crucial role of CD163+ MΦ interactions with myeloblasts that promote myeloblast survival and identify CSF1R inhibition as a novel target for AML therapy.
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26
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Tremblay CS, Ting SB, McCluskey A, Robinson PJ, Curtis DJ. Shutting the gate: targeting endocytosis in acute leukemia. Exp Hematol 2021; 104:17-31. [PMID: 34563604 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Endocytosis entails selective packaging of cell surface cargos in cytoplasmic vesicles, thereby controlling key intrinsic cellular processes as well as the response of normal and malignant cells to their microenvironment. The purpose of this review is to outline the latest advances in the development of endocytosis-targeting therapeutic strategies in hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric S Tremblay
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Stephen B Ting
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Clinical Haematology, Eastern Health, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia; Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adam McCluskey
- Chemistry, Centre for Chemical Biology, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Phillip J Robinson
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Cell Signalling Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David J Curtis
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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27
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Bule P, Aguiar SI, Aires-Da-Silva F, Dias JNR. Chemokine-Directed Tumor Microenvironment Modulation in Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9804. [PMID: 34575965 PMCID: PMC8464715 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokines are a large family of small chemotactic cytokines that coordinates immune cell trafficking. In cancer, they have a pivotal role in the migration pattern of immune cells into the tumor, thereby shaping the tumor microenvironment immune profile, often towards a pro-tumorigenic state. Furthermore, chemokines can directly target non-immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, including cancer, stromal and vascular endothelial cells. As such, chemokines participate in several cancer development processes such as angiogenesis, metastasis, cancer cell proliferation, stemness and invasiveness, and are therefore key determinants of disease progression, with a strong influence in patient prognosis and response to therapy. Due to their multifaceted role in the tumor immune response and tumor biology, the chemokine network has emerged as a potential immunotherapy target. Under the present review, we provide a general overview of chemokine effects on several tumoral processes, as well as a description of the currently available chemokine-directed therapies, highlighting their potential both as monotherapy or in combination with standard chemotherapy or other immunotherapies. Finally, we discuss the most critical challenges and prospects of developing targeted chemokines as therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Joana Nunes Ribeiro Dias
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (P.B.); (S.I.A.); (F.A.-D.-S.)
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28
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Kuek V, Hughes AM, Kotecha RS, Cheung LC. Therapeutic Targeting of the Leukaemia Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6888. [PMID: 34206957 PMCID: PMC8267786 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, the conduct of uniform prospective clinical trials has led to improved remission rates and survival for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. However, high-risk patients continue to have inferior outcomes, where chemoresistance and relapse are common due to the survival mechanisms utilised by leukaemic cells. One such mechanism is through hijacking of the bone marrow microenvironment, where healthy haematopoietic machinery is transformed or remodelled into a hiding ground or "sanctuary" where leukaemic cells can escape chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity. The bone marrow microenvironment, which consists of endosteal and vascular niches, can support leukaemogenesis through intercellular "crosstalk" with niche cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts. Here, we summarise the regulatory mechanisms associated with leukaemia-bone marrow niche interaction and provide a comprehensive review of the key therapeutics that target CXCL12/CXCR4, Notch, Wnt/b-catenin, and hypoxia-related signalling pathways within the leukaemic niches and agents involved in remodelling of niche bone and vasculature. From a therapeutic perspective, targeting these cellular interactions is an exciting novel strategy for enhancing treatment efficacy, and further clinical application has significant potential to improve the outcome of patients with leukaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Kuek
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (V.K.); (A.M.H.); (R.S.K.)
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Anastasia M. Hughes
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (V.K.); (A.M.H.); (R.S.K.)
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Rishi S. Kotecha
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (V.K.); (A.M.H.); (R.S.K.)
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Perth Children’s Hospital, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Laurence C. Cheung
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; (V.K.); (A.M.H.); (R.S.K.)
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
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29
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Saxena S, Singh RK. Chemokines orchestrate tumor cells and the microenvironment to achieve metastatic heterogeneity. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:447-476. [PMID: 33959849 PMCID: PMC9863248 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-09970-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Chemokines, a subfamily of the cell cytokines, are low molecular weight proteins known to induce chemotaxis in leukocytes in response to inflammatory and pathogenic signals. A plethora of literature demonstrates that chemokines and their receptors regulate tumor progression and metastasis. With these diverse functionalities, chemokines act as a fundamental link between the tumor cells and their microenvironment. Recent studies demonstrate that the biology of chemokines and their receptor in metastasis is complex as numerous chemokines are involved in regulating site-specific tumor growth and metastasis. Successful treatment of disseminated cancer is a significant challenge. The most crucial problem for treating metastatic cancer is developing therapy regimes capable of overcoming heterogeneity problems within primary tumors and among metastases and within metastases (intralesional). This heterogeneity of malignant tumor cells can be related to metastatic potential, response to chemotherapy or specific immunotherapy, and many other factors. In this review, we have emphasized the role of chemokines in the process of metastasis and metastatic heterogeneity. Individual chemokines may not express the full potential to address metastatic heterogeneity, but chemokine networks need exploration. Understanding the interplay between chemokine-chemokine receptor networks between the tumor cells and their microenvironment is a novel approach to overcome the problem of metastatic heterogeneity. Recent advances in the understanding of chemokine networks pave the way for developing a potential targeted therapeutic strategy to treat metastatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugandha Saxena
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, USA
| | - Rakesh K Singh
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, USA.
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30
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Su L, Hu Z, Yang YG. Role of CXCR4 in the progression and therapy of acute leukaemia. Cell Prolif 2021; 54:e13076. [PMID: 34050566 PMCID: PMC8249790 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CXCR4 is expressed on leukaemia cells and haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and its ligand stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) is produced abundantly by stromal cells in the bone marrow (BM). The SDF-1/CXCR4 axis plays important roles in homing to and retention in the protective BM microenvironment of malignant leukaemia cells and normal HSCs. CXCR4 expression is regulated by multiple mechanisms and the level of CXCR4 expression on leukaemia cells has prognostic indications in patients with acute leukaemia. CXCR4 antagonists can mobilize leukaemia cells from BM to circulation, which render them effectively eradicated by chemotherapeutic agents, small molecular inhibitors or hypomethylating agents. Therefore, such combinational therapies have been tested in clinical trials. However, new evidence emerged that drug-resistant leukaemia cells were not affected by CXCR4 antagonists, and the migration of certain leukaemia cells to the leukaemia niche was independent of SDF-1/CXCR4 axis. In this review, we summarize the role of CXCR4 in progression and treatment of acute leukaemia, with a focus on the potential of CXCR4 as a therapeutic target for acute leukaemia. We also discuss the potential value of using CXCR4 antagonists as chemosensitizer for conditioning regimens and immunosensitizer for graft-vs-leukaemia effects of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Su
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, China.,International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Hematology, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zheng Hu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, China
| | - Yong-Guang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Changchun, China.,International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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31
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Schwenger E, Steidl U. An evolutionary approach to clonally complex hematologic disorders. Blood Cancer Discov 2021; 2:201-215. [PMID: 34027415 PMCID: PMC8133502 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-20-0219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging clonal complexity has brought into question the way in which we perceive and, in turn, treat disorders of the hematopoietic system. Former models of cell-intrinsic clonal dominance driven by acquisition of driver genes in a stereotypic sequence are often insufficient in explaining observations such as clonal hematopoiesis, and new paradigms are in order. Here, we review the evidence both within the hematologic malignancy field and also borrow from perspectives rooted in evolutionary biology to reframe pathogenesis of hematologic disorders as dynamic processes involving complex interplays of genetic and non-genetic subclones and the tissue microenvironment in which they reside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Schwenger
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Montefiore Health System, Bronx, New York
- Departments of Cell Biology and Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, New York
- Blood Cancer Institute, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, New York
- Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Ulrich Steidl
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Montefiore Health System, Bronx, New York.
- Departments of Cell Biology and Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, New York.
- Blood Cancer Institute, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, New York.
- Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
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32
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Zangouei AS, Hamidi AA, Rahimi HR, Saburi E, Mojarrad M, Moghbeli M. Chemokines as the critical factors during bladder cancer progression: an overview. Int Rev Immunol 2021; 40:344-358. [PMID: 33591855 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2021.1877287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most frequent urogenital malignancies which is mainly observed among men. There are various genetic and environmental risk factors associated with BCa progression. Transurethral endoscopic resection and open ablative surgery are the main treatment options for muscle invasive BCa. BCG therapy is also employed following the endoscopic resection to prevent tumor relapse. The tumor microenvironment is the main interaction site of tumor cells and immune system in which the immune cells are recruited via chemokines and chemokine receptors. In present review we summarized the main chemokines and chemokine receptors which have been associated with histopathological features of BCa patients in the world. This review highlights the chemokines and chemokine receptors as critical markers in early detection and therapeutic purposes among BCa patients and clarifies their molecular functions during BCa progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Sadra Zangouei
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Abbas Hamidi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Rahimi
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ehsan Saburi
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Majid Mojarrad
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Meysam Moghbeli
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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33
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Neaga A, Bagacean C, Tempescul A, Jimbu L, Mesaros O, Blag C, Tomuleasa C, Bocsan C, Gaman M, Zdrenghea M. MicroRNAs Associated With a Good Prognosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Their Effect on Macrophage Polarization. Front Immunol 2021; 11:582915. [PMID: 33519805 PMCID: PMC7845488 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.582915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive myeloid malignancy with poor outcomes despite very intensive therapeutic approaches. For the majority of patients which are unfit and treated less intensively, the prognosis is even worse. There has been unspectacular progress in outcome improvement over the last decades and the development of new approaches is of tremendous interest. The tumor microenvironment is credited with an important role in supporting cancer growth, including leukemogenesis. Macrophages are part of the tumor microenvironment and their contribution in this setting is increasingly being deciphered, these cells being credited with a tumor supporting role. Data on macrophage role and polarization in leukemia is scarce. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have a role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, by impending translation and promoting degradation of messenger RNAs. They are important modulators of cellular pathways, playing major roles in normal hematopoietic differentiation. miRNA expression is significantly correlated with the prognosis of hematopoietic malignancies, including AML. Oncogenic miRNAs correlate with poor prognosis, while tumor suppressor miRNAs, which inhibit the expression of proto-oncogenes, are correlated with a favorable prognosis. miRNAs are proposed as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis and are regarded as therapeutic approaches in many cancers, including AML. miRNAs with epigenetic or modulatory activity, as well as with synergistic activity with chemotherapeutic agents, proved to be promising therapeutic targets in experimental, pre-clinical approaches. The clinical availability of emerging compounds with mimicking or suppressor activity provides the opportunity for future therapeutic targeting of miRNAs. The present paper is focusing on miRNAs which, according to current knowledge, favorably impact on AML outcomes, being regarded as tumor suppressors, and reviews their role in macrophage polarization. We are focusing on miRNA expression in the setting of AML, but data on correlations between miRNA expression and macrophage polarization is mostly coming from studies involving normal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Neaga
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristina Bagacean
- Department of Hematology, Brest University Medical School Hospital, Brest, France.,U1227 B Lymphocytes and Autoimmunity, University of Brest, INSERM, IBSAM, Brest, France
| | - Adrian Tempescul
- Department of Hematology, Brest University Medical School Hospital, Brest, France.,U1227 B Lymphocytes and Autoimmunity, University of Brest, INSERM, IBSAM, Brest, France
| | - Laura Jimbu
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Oana Mesaros
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristina Blag
- Department of Pediatrics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ciprian Tomuleasa
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Department of Hematology, Ion Chiricuta Oncology Institute, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Corina Bocsan
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihaela Gaman
- Department of Hematology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihnea Zdrenghea
- Department of Hematology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Department of Hematology, Ion Chiricuta Oncology Institute, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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34
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The extracellular matrix: A key player in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies. Blood Rev 2020; 48:100787. [PMID: 33317863 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2020.100787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells located in the bone marrow lay the foundation for multiple lineages of mature hematologic cells. Bone marrow niches are architecturally complex with specific cellular, physiochemical, and biomechanical factors. Increasing evidence suggests that the bone marrow microenvironment contributes to the pathogenesis of hematological neoplasms. Numerous studies have deciphered the role of genetic mutations and chromosomal translocations in the development hematologic malignancies. Significant progress has also been made in understanding how the cellular components and cytokine interactions within the bone marrow microenvironment promote the evolution of hematologic cancers. Although the extracellular matrix is known to be a key player in the pathogenesis of various diseases, it's role in the progression of hematologic malignancies is less understood. In this review, we discuss the interactions between the extracellular matrix and malignant cells, and provide an overview of the role of extracellular matrix remodeling in sustaining hematologic malignancies.
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Borthakur G, Zeng Z, Cortes JE, Chen HC, Huang X, Konopleva M, Ravandi F, Kadia T, Patel KP, Daver N, Kelly MA, McQueen T, Wang RY, Kantarjian H, Andreeff M. Phase 1 study of combinatorial sorafenib, G-CSF, and plerixafor treatment in relapsed/refractory, FLT3-ITD-mutated acute myelogenous leukemia patients. Am J Hematol 2020; 95:1296-1303. [PMID: 32697348 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.25943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Stroma-leukemia interactions mediated by CXCR4, CD44, VLA4, and their respective ligands contribute to therapy resistance in FLT3-ITD-mutated acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). We conducted a phase 1 study with the combination of sorafenib (a FLT3-ITD inhibitor), plerixafor (a SDF-1/CXCR4 inhibitor), and G-CSF (that cleaves SDF-1, CD44, and VLA4). Twenty-eight patients with relapsed/refractory FLT3-ITD-mutated AML were enrolled from December 2010 to December 2013 at three dose levels of sorafenib (400, 600, and 800 mg twice daily) and G-CSF and plerixafor were administered every other day for seven doses starting on day one. Sorafenib 800 mg twice daily was selected for the expansion phase. While no dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were encountered in the four-week DLT window, hand-foot syndrome and rash were seen beyond the DLT window, which required dose reductions in most patients. The response rate was 36% (complete response (CR) = 4, complete remission with incomplete platelet recovery (CRp) = 4, complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) = 1, and partial response (PR) = 1) for the intention to treat population. Treatment resulted in 58.4 and 47 mean fold mobilization of blasts and CD34 /38- stem/progenitor cells, respectively, to the circulation. Expression of the adhesion molecules CXCR4, CD44, and VLA4 on circulating leukemia cells correlated negatively with the mobilization of CD34+/38-, CD34+/38-/123+ "progenitor" cells (all P ≤ .002). Mass cytometry analysis of sequential samples from two patients demonstrated resistance emerging early on from sub-clones with persistent Akt and/or ERK signaling. In conclusion, the strategy of combined inhibition of FLT3 kinase and stromal adhesive interactions has promising activity in relapsed/refractory, FLT3-ITD-mutated AML, which warrants further evaluation in the front-line setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gautam Borthakur
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Section of Molecular Hematology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Zhihong Zeng
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Section of Molecular Hematology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jorge E Cortes
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Hsiang-Chun Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Xuelin Huang
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Section of Molecular Hematology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Farhad Ravandi
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Tapan Kadia
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Keyur P Patel
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Naval Daver
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Mary A Kelly
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Teresa McQueen
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Section of Molecular Hematology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ru-Yiu Wang
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Section of Molecular Hematology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Hagop Kantarjian
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Michael Andreeff
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Section of Molecular Hematology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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Martin M, Mayer IA, Walenkamp AME, Lapa C, Andreeff M, Bobirca A. At the Bedside: Profiling and treating patients with CXCR4-expressing cancers. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 109:953-967. [PMID: 33089889 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5bt1219-714r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The chemokine receptor, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and its ligand, C-X-C motif chemokine 12, are key mediators of hematopoietic cell trafficking. Their roles in the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells, induction of angiogenesis, and invasive tumor growth have been recognized for over 2 decades. CXCR4 is a promising target for imaging and therapy of both hematologic and solid tumors. To date, Sanofi Genzyme's plerixafor is the only marketed CXCR4 inhibitor (i.e., Food and Drug Administration-approved in 2008 for stem cell mobilization). However, several new CXCR4 inhibitors are now being investigated as potential therapies for a variety of fluid and solid tumors. These small molecules, peptides, and Abs include balixafortide (POL6326, Polyphor), mavorixafor (X4P-001, X4 Pharmaceuticals), motixafortide (BL-8040, BioLineRx), LY2510924 (Eli Lilly), and ulocuplumab (Bristol-Myers Squibb). Early clinical evidence has been encouraging, for example, with motixafortide and balixafortide, and the CXCR4 inhibitors appear to be generally safe and well tolerated. Molecular imaging is increasingly being used for effective patient selection before, or early during CXCR4 inhibitor treatment. The use of radiolabeled theranostics that combine diagnostics and therapeutics is an additional intriguing approach. The current status and future directions for radioimaging and treating patients with CXCR4-expressing hematologic and solid malignancies are reviewed. See related review - At the Bench: Pre-Clinical Evidence for Multiple Functions of CXCR4 in Cancer. J. Leukoc. Biol. xx: xx-xx; 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Martin
- Oncology Department, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ingrid A Mayer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Annemiek M E Walenkamp
- University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Constantin Lapa
- Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Michael Andreeff
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas, Maryland Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Chen WC, Hu G, Hazlehurst LA. Contribution of the bone marrow stromal cells in mediating drug resistance in hematopoietic tumors. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2020; 54:36-43. [PMID: 32898723 PMCID: PMC7770000 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) provides input via production of cytokines, chemokines, extracellular matrixes in the context of lower oxygen levels that influences self-renewal, survival, differentiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance of multiple myeloma and leukemic cells. Within the context of the BMM, tumor cells are supported by osteoblasts, bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), fibroblasts, myeloid cells, endothelial cells and blood vessels, as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) that contribute to tumor progression. Environmental mediated-drug resistance (EM-DR) contains cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR) and soluble factor-mediated drug resistance (SM-DR) that contributes to de novo drug resistance. In this review, we focus on the crosstalk between the BMM and tumor cells as well as mechanisms underlying the BMM contributing to drug resistance in hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chih Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA; Cancer Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
| | - Gangqing Hu
- Cancer Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
| | - Lori A Hazlehurst
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA; Cancer Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA.
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38
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Cancilla D, Rettig MP, DiPersio JF. Targeting CXCR4 in AML and ALL. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1672. [PMID: 33014834 PMCID: PMC7499473 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) blasts with the bone marrow microenvironment regulates self-renewal, growth signaling, as well as chemotherapy resistance. The chemokine receptor, CXC receptor 4 (CXCR4), with its ligand chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), plays a key role in the survival and migration of normal and malignant stem cells to the bone marrow. High expression of CXCR4 on AML and ALL blasts has been shown to be a predictor of poor prognosis for these diseases. Several small molecule inhibitors, short peptides, antibodies, and antibody drug conjugates have been developed for the purposes of more effective targeting and killing of malignant cells expressing CXCR4. In this review we will discuss recent results and strategies in targeting CXCR4 with these agents in patients with AML or ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John F. DiPersio
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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Meng J, Ge Y, Xing H, Wei H, Xu S, Liu J, Yan D, Wen T, Wang M, Fang X, Ma L, Yang Y, Wang C, Wang J, Xu H. Synthetic CXCR4 Antagonistic Peptide Assembling with Nanoscaled Micelles Combat Acute Myeloid Leukemia. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e2001890. [PMID: 32608185 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202001890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common adult acute leukemia with very low survival rate due to drug resistance and high relapse rate. The C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is highly expressed by AML cells, actively mediating chemoresistance and reoccurrence. Herein, a chemically synthesized CXCR4 antagonistic peptide E5 is fabricated to micelle formulation (M-E5) and applied to refractory AML mice, and its therapeutic effects and pharmacokinetics are investigated. Results show that M-E5 can effectively block the surface CXCR4 in leukemic cells separated from bone marrow (BM) and spleen, and inhibit the C-X-C chemokine ligand 12-mediated migration. Subcutaneous administration of M-E5 significantly inhibits the engraftment of leukemic cells in spleen and BM, and mobilizes residue leukemic cells into peripheral blood, reducing organs' burden and significantly prolonging the survival of AML mice. M-E5 can also increase the efficacy of combining regime of homoharringtonine and doxorubicin. Ribonucleic acid sequencing demonstrates that the therapeutic effect is contributed by inhibiting proliferation and enhancing apoptosis and differentiation, all related to the CXCR4 signaling blockade. M-E5 reaches the concentration peak at 2 h after administration with a half-life of 14.5 h in blood. In conclusion, M-E5 is a novel promising therapeutic candidate for refractory AML treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Meng
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Yangyang Ge
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Haiyan Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Hui Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Shilin Xu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Doudou Yan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Tao Wen
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Xiaocui Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lilusi Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yanlian Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chen Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jianxiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Haiyan Xu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
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Kim BR, Jung SH, Han AR, Park G, Kim HJ, Yuan B, Battula VL, Andreeff M, Konopleva M, Chung YJ, Cho BS. CXCR4 Inhibition Enhances Efficacy of FLT3 Inhibitors in FLT3-Mutated AML Augmented by Suppressed TGF-b Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071737. [PMID: 32629802 PMCID: PMC7407511 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the proven importance of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in the stroma–acute myeloid leukemia (AML) interactions and the rapid emergence of resistance to FLT3 inhibitors, we investigated the efficacy and safety of a novel CXCR4 inhibitor, LY2510924, in combination with FLT3 inhibitors in preclinical models of AML with FLT3-ITD mutations (FLT3-ITD-AML). Quizartinib, a potent FLT3 inhibitor, induced apoptosis in FLT3-ITD-AML, while LY2510924 blocked surface CXCR4 without inducing apoptosis. LY2510924 significantly reversed stroma-mediated resistance against quizartinib mainly through the MAPK pathway. In mice with established FLT3-ITD-AML, LY2510924 induced durable mobilization and differentiation of leukemia cells, resulting in enhanced anti-leukemia effects when combined with quizartinib, whereas transient effects were seen on non-leukemic blood cells in immune-competent mice. Sequencing of the transcriptome of the leukemic cells surviving in vivo treatment with quizartinib and LY2510924 revealed that genes related to TGF-β signaling may confer resistance against the drug combination. In co-culture experiments of FLT3-ITD-AML and stromal cells, both silencing of TGF-β in stromal cells or TGF-β-receptor kinase inhibitor enhanced apoptosis by combined treatment. Disruption of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in FLT3-ITD-AML by LY2510924 and its negligible effects on normal immunocytes could safely enhance the potency of quizartinib, which may be further improved by blockade of TGF-β signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Reum Kim
- Leukemia Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea; (B.-R.K.); (A.-R.H.); (H.-J.K.)
| | - Seung-Hyun Jung
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea;
- Department of Cancer Evolution Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
| | - A-Reum Han
- Leukemia Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea; (B.-R.K.); (A.-R.H.); (H.-J.K.)
| | - Gyeongsin Park
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea;
| | - Hee-Je Kim
- Leukemia Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea; (B.-R.K.); (A.-R.H.); (H.-J.K.)
- Department of Hematology, Catholic Hematology Hospital, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
| | - Bin Yuan
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (B.Y.); (V.L.B.); (M.A.)
| | - Venkata Lokesh Battula
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (B.Y.); (V.L.B.); (M.A.)
| | - Michael Andreeff
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (B.Y.); (V.L.B.); (M.A.)
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Yeun-Jun Chung
- Department of Cancer Evolution Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.-J.C.); (B.-S.C.)
| | - Byung-Sik Cho
- Leukemia Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea; (B.-R.K.); (A.-R.H.); (H.-J.K.)
- Department of Hematology, Catholic Hematology Hospital, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (B.Y.); (V.L.B.); (M.A.)
- Correspondence: (Y.-J.C.); (B.-S.C.)
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Long L, Assaraf YG, Lei ZN, Peng H, Yang L, Chen ZS, Ren S. Genetic biomarkers of drug resistance: A compass of prognosis and targeted therapy in acute myeloid leukemia. Drug Resist Updat 2020; 52:100703. [PMID: 32599434 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2020.100703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly aggressive hematological malignancy with complex heterogenous genetic and biological nature. Thus, prognostic prediction and targeted therapies might contribute to better chemotherapeutic response. However, the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) markedly impedes chemotherapeutic efficacy and dictates poor prognosis. Therefore, prior evaluation of chemoresistance is of great importance in therapeutic decision making and prognosis. In recent years, preclinical studies on chemoresistance have unveiled a compendium of underlying molecular basis, which facilitated the development of targetable small molecules. Furthermore, routing genomic sequencing has identified various genomic aberrations driving cellular response during the course of therapeutic treatment through adaptive mechanisms of drug resistance, some of which serve as prognostic biomarkers in risk stratification. However, the underlying mechanisms of MDR have challenged the certainty of the prognostic significance of some mutations. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of MDR in therapeutic decision making and prognostic prediction in AML. We present an updated genetic landscape of the predominant mechanisms of drug resistance with novel targeted therapies and potential prognostic biomarkers from preclinical and clinical chemoresistance studies in AML. We particularly highlight the unfolded protein response (UPR) that has emerged as a critical regulatory pathway in chemoresistance of AML with promising therapeutic horizon. Futhermore, we outline the most prevalent mutations associated with mechanisms of chemoresistance and delineate the future directions to improve the current prognostic tools. The molecular analysis of chemoresistance integrated with genetic profiling will facilitate decision making towards personalized prognostic prediction and enhanced therapeutic efficacy.
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MESH Headings
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Biomarkers, Tumor/antagonists & inhibitors
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Disease-Free Survival
- Drug Resistance, Multiple/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Multiple/genetics
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/mortality
- Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods
- Mutation
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/epidemiology
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/genetics
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/prevention & control
- Precision Medicine/methods
- Prognosis
- Unfolded Protein Response/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Long
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China; Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China; Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yehuda G Assaraf
- The Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Zi-Ning Lei
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA; School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Hongwei Peng
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, P.R. China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Hematology, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, P.R. China
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
| | - Simei Ren
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China; Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China; Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China.
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Yazdani Z, Mousavi Z, Moradabadi A, Hassanshahi G. Significance of CXCL12/CXCR4 Ligand/Receptor Axis in Various Aspects of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:2155-2165. [PMID: 32273755 PMCID: PMC7102884 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s234883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is defined as an aggressive disorder which is described by accumulation of immature malignant cells into the bone marrow. Chemokine-receptor axes are defined as factors involved in AML pathogenesis and prognosis. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 along with its ligand, CXCL12 fit in important players that are actively involved in the cross-talk between leukemia cells and bone marrow microenvironment. Therefore, according to the above introductory comments, in this review article, we have focused on delineating some parts played by CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in various aspects of AML malignancy. Targeting both leukemic and stromal cell interaction is nowadays accepted as a wide and attractive strategy for improving the outcome of treatment in AML in a non-cell autonomous manner. This strategy might be employed in a wide variety of AML patients regardless of their causative mutations. In addition to several potential targets involved in the disruption of malignant leukemic cells from their specific protective niches, compounds which interfere with CXCL12/CXCR4 axis have also been explored in multiple early-phase established clinical trials. Moreover, extensive research programs are exploring novel leading mechanisms for leukemia-stromal interactions that appear to find out novel therapeutic targets within the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinat Yazdani
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Mousavi
- Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran
| | - Alireza Moradabadi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Gholamhossein Hassanshahi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.,Molecular Medicine Research Center, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Research, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
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O'Hara MH, Messersmith W, Kindler H, Zhang W, Pitou C, Szpurka AM, Wang D, Peng SB, Vangerow B, Khan AA, Koneru M, Wang-Gillam A. Safety and Pharmacokinetics of CXCR4 Peptide Antagonist, LY2510924, in Combination with Durvalumab in Advanced Refractory Solid Tumors. J Pancreat Cancer 2020; 6:21-31. [PMID: 32219196 PMCID: PMC7097682 DOI: 10.1089/pancan.2019.0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: This was an open-label phase 1a study assessing the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, and tolerability of CXCR4 peptide antagonist, LY2510924, administered in combination with durvalumab in patients with advanced refractory solid tumors. Methods: Patients received LY2510924 at 20, 30, or 40 mg subcutaneous (SC) once daily in combination with durvalumab at 1500 mg intravenously (IV) on day 1 of each 28-day cycle. The primary objective was to assess the MTD and safety of LY2510924 SC daily in combination with durvalumab in patients with advanced (metastatic and/or unresectable) solid tumors. Secondary objectives included pharmacokinetics (PK) and the antitumor activity of LY2510924 in combination with durvalumab. Exploratory objectives were biomarker analysis, including pharmacodynamic markers, relevant to LY2510924 and durvalumab, including immune functioning, drug targets, cancer-related pathways, and the disease state. Results: Nine patients (three each at 20, 30, and 40 mg) were enrolled in the study (eight patients with pancreatic cancer and one patient with rectal cancer). The majority of patients completed one or two cycles (100.0% ≥ 1 cycle; 88.9% ≥ 2 cycles) of LY2510924 and durvalumab. No dose limiting toxicities were reported. Most common (>10%) treatment-emergent adverse events were injection-site reaction (44.4%), fatigue (33.3%), and increased white blood cell count (33.3%). PK parameters for combination were similar to those reported in previous studies when given as monotherapy. Best overall response of stable disease was observed in four (44.4%) patients and one patient had unconfirmed partial response. Conclusion: The recommended phase 2 dose is 40 mg SC once-daily LY2510924 in combination with durvalumab 1500 mg IV and showed acceptable safety and tolerability in patients with advanced refractory tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark H O'Hara
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Wells Messersmith
- Medicine-Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado
| | - Hedy Kindler
- Gastrointestinal Oncology, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Wei Zhang
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Celine Pitou
- Eli Lilly and Company, Windlesham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Dan Wang
- Formerly with Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | | | | | - Mythili Koneru
- Formerly with Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Andrea Wang-Gillam
- Department of Medicine, Molecular Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University Medical School, St. Louis, Missouri
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44
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Ladikou EE, Chevassut T, Pepper CJ, Pepper AG. Dissecting the role of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in acute myeloid leukaemia. Br J Haematol 2020; 189:815-825. [PMID: 32135579 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.16456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is the most common adult acute leukaemia with the lowest survival rate. It is characterised by a build-up of immature myeloid cells anchored in the protective niche of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is central to the pathogenesis of AML as it has fundamental control over AML cell adhesion into the protective BM niche, adaptation to the hypoxic environment, cellular migration and survival. High levels of CXCR4 expression are associated with poor relapse-free and overall survival. The CXCR4 ligand, CXCL12 (SDF-1), is expressed by multiple cells types in the BM, facilitating the adhesion and survival of the malignant clone. Blocking the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is an attractive therapeutic strategy providing a 'multi-hit' therapy that both prevents essential survival signals and releases the AML cells from the BM into the circulation. Once out of the protective niche of the BM they would be more susceptible to destruction by conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. In this review, we disentangle the diverse roles of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in AML. We then describe multiple CXCR4 inhibitors, including small molecules, peptides, or monoclonal antibodies, which have been developed to date and their progress in pre-clinical and clinical trials. Finally, the review leads us to the conclusion that there is a need for further investigation into the development of a 'multi-hit' therapy that targets several signalling pathways related to AML cell adhesion and maintenance in the BM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni E Ladikou
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.,Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, UK
| | - Timothy Chevassut
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.,Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, UK
| | - Chris J Pepper
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Andrea Gs Pepper
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
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45
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Mousavi A. CXCL12/CXCR4 signal transduction in diseases and its molecular approaches in targeted-therapy. Immunol Lett 2019; 217:91-115. [PMID: 31747563 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chemokines are small molecules called "chemotactic cytokines" and regulate many processes like leukocyte trafficking, homing of immune cells, maturation, cytoskeletal rearrangement, physiology, migration during development, and host immune responses. These proteins bind to their corresponding 7-membrane G-protein-coupled receptors. Chemokines and their receptors are anti-inflammatory factors in autoimmune conditions, so consider as potential targets for neutralization in such diseases. They also express by cancer cells and function as angiogenic factors, and/or survival/growth factors that enhance tumor angiogenesis and development. Among chemokines, the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis has significantly been studied in numerous cancers and autoimmune diseases. CXCL12 is a homeostatic chemokine, which is acts as an anti-inflammatory chemokine during autoimmune inflammatory responses. In cancer cells, CXCL12 acts as an angiogenic, proliferative agent and regulates tumor cell apoptosis as well. CXCR4 has a role in leukocyte chemotaxis in inflammatory situations in numerous autoimmune diseases, as well as the high levels of CXCR4, observed in different types of human cancers. These findings suggest CXCL12/CXCR4 as a potential therapeutic target for therapy of autoimmune diseases and open a new approach to targeted-therapy of cancers by neutralizing CXCL12 and CXCR4. In this paper, we reviewed the current understanding of the role of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in disease pathology and cancer biology, and discuss its therapeutic implications in cancer and diseases.
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46
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Peled A, Klein S, Beider K, Burger JA, Abraham M. Role of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies. Cytokine 2019; 109:11-16. [PMID: 29903571 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 02/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) are important players in the cross-talk among lymphoma, myeloma and leukemia cells and their microenvironments. In hematological malignancies and solid tumors, the overexpression of CXCR4 on the cell surface has been shown to be responsible for disease progression, increasing tumor cell survival and chemoresistance and metastasis to organs with high CXCL12 levels (e.g., lymph nodes and bone marrow (BM)). Furthermore, the overexpression of CXCR4 has been found to have prognostic significance for disease progression in many type of tumors including lymphoma, leukemia, glioma, and prostate, breast, colorectal, renal, and hepatocellular carcinomas. In leukemia, CXCR4 expression granted leukemic blasts a higher capacity to seed into BM niches, thereby protecting leukemic cells from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis, and was correlated with shorter disease-free survival. In contrast, neutralizing the interaction of CXCL12/CXCR4 with a variety of antagonists induced apoptosis and differentiation and increased the chemosensitivity of lymphoma, myeloma, and leukemia cells. The role of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies and the clinical therapeutic potential of CXCR4 antagonists in these diseases is discussed.
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MESH Headings
- Apoptosis/immunology
- Cell Survival/physiology
- Chemokine CXCL12/metabolism
- Disease Progression
- Hematologic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Hematologic Neoplasms/pathology
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Multiple Myeloma/pathology
- Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/drug therapy
- Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/pathology
- Prognosis
- Receptors, CXCR4/metabolism
- Tumor Microenvironment/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Amnon Peled
- Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hebrew University Hospital, P.O.B 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
| | - Shiri Klein
- Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hebrew University Hospital, P.O.B 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Katia Beider
- Hematology Division, Chaim Sheba Medical Center and Tel Aviv University, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Jan A Burger
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michal Abraham
- Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hebrew University Hospital, P.O.B 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
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47
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Haug AR, Leisser A, Wadsak W, Mitterhauser M, Pfaff S, Kropf S, Wester HJ, Hacker M, Hartenbach M, Kiesewetter-Wiederkehr B, Raderer M, Mayerhoefer ME. Prospective non-invasive evaluation of CXCR4 expression for the diagnosis of MALT lymphoma using [ 68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor-PET/MRI. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:3653-3658. [PMID: 31281504 PMCID: PMC6587159 DOI: 10.7150/thno.31032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MALT lymphomas express the chemokine receptor CXCR4 on a regular basis, and [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor-PET has been shown to quantify CXCR4 expression non-invasively. We, therefore, aimed to evaluate [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor-PET/MRI for the non-invasive assessment of MALT lymphomas. Methods: We included 36 MALT lymphoma patients, who had not undergone previous systemic or radiation therapy, in our prospective, IRB-approved, proof-of-concept study. Involved anatomic regions were the orbit (n=14), stomach (n=10), lungs (n=5), and other sites (soft-tissues n=3; adrenal gland, tonsils, parotid gland, and urinary bladder n=1, respectively). MRI sequences included an axial 2-point Dixon T1 VIBE SPAIR 3D sequence for PET attenuation correction; a coronal T2 HASTE sequence; and an axial echo-planar imaging SPAIR-based diffusion-weighted sequence (DWI) obtained during free-breathing (b-values, 50 and 800), with corresponding ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient) maps. Results: In 33/36 patients, there were MALT lymphomas with an increased uptake of [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor; all current lymphoma manifestations showed an increased uptake and, accordingly, were positive on the PET/MRI. The remaining three patients had undergone surgery for their orbital MALT lymphomas prior to PET/MRI. Mean SUVmax was 8.6 ± 4.7, mean SUVmean was 4.7 ± 1.8, and mean SUVpeak was 8.0 ± 4.2. The mean SUVmax of the liver was 1.8, and the mean tumor-to-liver ratio was 2.9 ± 2.0. There were no significant differences in SUVmax (P=0.22), SUVmean (P=0.53), SUVpeak (P=0.29), or SUVt/l (P=0.92) between the four anatomic regions (orbit, stomach, lungs, other). The mean tumor volume was 146 ± 499. Conclusions: Our results thus indicate that [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor-PET is feasible for the assessment of MALT lymphomas, with a good tumor-to-background ratio in terms of radiotracer uptake.
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48
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Use of polymeric CXCR4 inhibitors as siRNA delivery vehicles for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Cancer Gene Ther 2019; 27:45-55. [PMID: 31028289 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-019-0095-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults and is associated with poor long-term survival often owing to relapse. Current treatments for AML are associated with considerable toxicity and are frequently not effective after relapse. Thus, it is important to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Short interfering RNA (siRNA)-based therapeutics targeting key oncogenes have been proposed as treatments for AML. We recently developed novel siRNA delivery polycations (PCX) based on AMD3100 (plerixafor), an FDA-approved inhibitor of the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). Inhibitors of CXCR4 have been shown to sensitize leukemia cells to chemotherapy. Therefore, PCX has the potential to target leukemia cells via two mechanisms: inhibition of CXCR4 and delivery of siRNAs against critical genes. In this report, we show that PCX exerts a cytotoxic effect on leukemia cells more effectively than other CXCR4 inhibitors, including AMD3100. In addition, we show that PCX can deliver siRNAs against the transcription factor RUNX1 to mouse and human leukemia cells. Overall, our study provides the first evidence that dual-function PCX/siRNA nanoparticles can simultaneously inhibit CXCR4 and deliver siRNAs, targeting key oncogenes in leukemia cells and that PCX/siRNA has clinical potential for the treatment of AML.
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49
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Mollica Poeta V, Massara M, Capucetti A, Bonecchi R. Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors: New Targets for Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2019; 10:379. [PMID: 30894861 PMCID: PMC6414456 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 368] [Impact Index Per Article: 73.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a clinically validated treatment for many cancers to boost the immune system against tumor growth and dissemination. Several strategies are used to harness immune cells: monoclonal antibodies against tumor antigens, immune checkpoint inhibitors, vaccination, adoptive cell therapies (e.g., CAR-T cells) and cytokine administration. In the last decades, it is emerging that the chemokine system represents a potential target for immunotherapy. Chemokines, a large family of cytokines with chemotactic activity, and their cognate receptors are expressed by both cancer and stromal cells. Their altered expression in malignancies dictates leukocyte recruitment and activation, angiogenesis, cancer cell proliferation, and metastasis in all the stages of the disease. Here, we review first attempts to inhibit the chemokine system in cancer as a monotherapy or in combination with canonical or immuno-mediated therapies. We also provide recent findings about the role in cancer of atypical chemokine receptors that could become future targets for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Mollica Poeta
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
| | - Matteo Massara
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Arianna Capucetti
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
| | - Raffaella Bonecchi
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
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50
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Duarte D, Amarteifio S, Ang H, Kong IY, Ruivo N, Pruessner G, Hawkins ED, Lo Celso C. Defining the in vivo characteristics of acute myeloid leukemia cells behavior by intravital imaging. Immunol Cell Biol 2019; 97:229-235. [PMID: 30422351 PMCID: PMC6446728 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The majority of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients have a poor response to conventional chemotherapy. The survival of chemoresistant cells is thought to depend on leukemia-bone marrow (BM) microenvironment interactions, which are not well understood. The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis has been proposed to support AML growth but was not studied at the single AML cell level. We recently showed that T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells are highly motile in the BM; however, the characteristics of AML cell migration within the BM remain undefined. Here, we characterize the in vivo migratory behavior of AML cells and their response to chemotherapy and CXCR4 antagonism, using high-resolution 2-photon and confocal intravital microscopy of mouse calvarium BM and the well-established MLL-AF9-driven AML mouse model. We used the Notch1-driven T-ALL model as a benchmark comparison and AMD3100 for CXCR4 antagonism experiments. We show that AML cells are migratory, and in contrast with T-ALL, chemoresistant AML cells become less motile. Moreover, and in contrast with T-ALL, the in vivo exploratory behavior of expanding and chemoresistant AML cells is unaffected by AMD3100. These results expand our understanding of AML cells-BM microenvironment interactions, highlighting unique traits of leukemia of different lineages.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Benzylamines
- Bone Marrow/metabolism
- Bone Marrow/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement
- Chemokine CXCL12/metabolism
- Cyclams
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Heterocyclic Compounds/antagonists & inhibitors
- Heterocyclic Compounds/metabolism
- Intravital Microscopy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Mice
- Microscopy, Confocal
- Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton
- Receptors, CXCR4/metabolism
- Tumor Microenvironment
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Affiliation(s)
- Delfim Duarte
- Department of Life SciencesSir Alexander Fleming BuildingImperial College LondonLondonSW7 2AZUK
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S)University of PortoPorto4200‐135Portugal
- Department of BiomedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversity of PortoPorto4200‐319Portugal
- Department of Onco‐HematologyPortuguese Institute of Oncology (IPO)‐PortoPorto4200‐072Portugal
| | - Saoirse Amarteifio
- Department of MathematicsHuxley BuildingImperial College LondonLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Heather Ang
- Department of Life SciencesSir Alexander Fleming BuildingImperial College LondonLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Isabella Y Kong
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVIC3052Australia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVIC3010Australia
| | - Nicola Ruivo
- Department of Life SciencesSir Alexander Fleming BuildingImperial College LondonLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Gunnar Pruessner
- Department of MathematicsHuxley BuildingImperial College LondonLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Edwin D Hawkins
- Department of Life SciencesSir Alexander Fleming BuildingImperial College LondonLondonSW7 2AZUK
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVIC3052Australia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVIC3010Australia
| | - Cristina Lo Celso
- Department of Life SciencesSir Alexander Fleming BuildingImperial College LondonLondonSW7 2AZUK
- The Francis Crick InstituteLondonWC2A 3LYUK
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