1
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Wang J, Li Z, Zhao Q. Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor serves as a potential target in cancer immunotherapy. J Leukoc Biol 2024:qiae141. [PMID: 38973261 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiae141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor (ROR), consisting of ROR1 and ROR2, is a conserved family of receptor tyrosine kinase superfamily that plays crucial roles during embryonic development with limited expression in adult normal tissues. However, it is overexpressed in a range of hematological malignancies and solid tumors and functions in cellular processes including cell survival, polarity, and migration, serving as a potential target in cancer immunotherapy. This review summarizes the expression and structure of ROR in developmental morphogenesis and its function in cancers associated with Wnt5a signaling and highlights the cancer immunotherapy strategies targeting ROR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Wang
- Cancer Centre, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Zhoufang Li
- Core Research Facilities, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Cancer Centre, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR 999078, China
- MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China
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2
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Sivaganesh V, Ta TM, Peethambaran B. Pentagalloyl Glucose (PGG) Exhibits Anti-Cancer Activity against Aggressive Prostate Cancer by Modulating the ROR1 Mediated AKT-GSK3β Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7003. [PMID: 39000112 PMCID: PMC11241829 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Androgen-receptor-negative, androgen-independent (ARneg-AI) prostate cancer aggressively proliferates and metastasizes, which makes treatment difficult. Hence, it is necessary to continue exploring cancer-associated markers, such as oncofetal Receptor Tyrosine Kinase like Orphan Receptor 1 (ROR1), which may serve as a form of targeted prostate cancer therapy. In this study, we identify that Penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (PGG), a plant-derived gallotannin small molecule inhibitor, modulates ROR1-mediated oncogenic signaling and mitigates prostate cancer phenotypes. Results indicate that ROR1 protein levels were elevated in the highly aggressive ARneg-AI PC3 cancer cell line. PGG was selectively cytotoxic to PC3 cells and induced apoptosis of PC3 (IC50 of 31.64 µM) in comparison to normal prostate epithelial RWPE-1 cells (IC50 of 74.55 µM). PGG was found to suppress ROR1 and downstream oncogenic pathways in PC3 cells. These molecular phenomena were corroborated by reduced migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression of PC3 cells. PGG minimally and moderately affected RWPE-1 and ARneg-AI DU145, respectively, which may be due to these cells having lower levels of ROR1 expression in comparison to PC3 cells. Additionally, PGG acted synergistically with the standard chemotherapeutic agent docetaxel to lower the IC50 of both compounds about five-fold (combination index = 0.402) in PC3 cells. These results suggest that ROR1 is a key oncogenic driver and a promising target in aggressive prostate cancers that lack a targetable androgen receptor. Furthermore, PGG may be a selective and potent anti-cancer agent capable of treating ROR1-expressing prostate cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh Sivaganesh
- Department of Biology, Saint Joseph’s University, 600 S 43rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (V.S.); (T.M.T.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 4170 City Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA
| | - Tram M. Ta
- Department of Biology, Saint Joseph’s University, 600 S 43rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (V.S.); (T.M.T.)
| | - Bela Peethambaran
- Department of Biology, Saint Joseph’s University, 600 S 43rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (V.S.); (T.M.T.)
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3
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Borogovac A, Siddiqi T. Advancing CAR T-cell therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia: exploring resistance mechanisms and the innovative strategies to overcome them. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2024; 7:18. [PMID: 38835348 PMCID: PMC11149098 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has ushered in substantial advancements in the management of various B-cell malignancies. However, its integration into chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment has been challenging, attributed largely to the development of very effective chemo-free alternatives. Additionally, CAR T-cell responses in CLL have not been as high as in other B-cell lymphomas or leukemias. However, a critical void exists in therapeutic options for patients with high-risk diseases who are resistant to the current CLL therapies, underscoring the urgency for adoptive immunotherapies in these patients. The diminished CAR T-cell efficacy within CLL can be traced to factors such as compromised T-cell fitness due to persistent antigenic stimulation inherent to CLL. Resistance mechanisms encompass tumor-related factors like antigen escape, CAR T-cell-intrinsic factors like T-cell exhaustion, and a suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). New strategies to combat CAR T-cell resistance include the concurrent administration of therapies that augment CAR T-cell endurance and function, as well as the engineering of novel CAR T-cells targeting different antigens. Moreover, the concept of "armored" CAR T-cells, armed with transgenic modulators to modify both CAR T-cell function and the tumor milieu, is gaining traction. Beyond this, the development of readily available, allogeneic CAR T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells presents a promising countermeasure to innate T-cell defects in CLL patients. In this review, we explore the role of CAR T-cell therapy in CLL, the intricate tapestry of resistance mechanisms, and the pioneering methods studied to overcome resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azra Borogovac
- City of Hope, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
| | - Tanya Siddiqi
- City of Hope, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
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Chen X, Chen X, Zhao S, Shi Y, Zhang N, Guo Z, Qiao C, Jin H, Zhu L, Zhu H, Li J, Wu Y. Performance of a novel eight-color flow cytometry panel for measurable residual disease assessment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. CYTOMETRY. PART B, CLINICAL CYTOMETRY 2024; 106:181-191. [PMID: 38535092 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.22170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Measurable residual disease (MRD) is an important prognostic indicator of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Different flow cytometric panels have been developed for the MRD assessment of CLL in Western countries; however, the application of these panels in China remains largely unexplored. METHODS Owing to the requirements for high accuracy, reproducibility, and comparability of MRD assessment in China, we investigated the performance of a flow cytometric approach (CD45-ROR1 panel) to assess MRD in patients with CLL. The European Research Initiative on CLL (ERIC) eight-color panel was used as the "gold standard." RESULTS The sensitivity, specificity, and concordance rate of the CD45-ROR1 panel in the MRD assessment of CLL were 100% (87/87), 88.5% (23/26), and 97.3% (110/113), respectively. Two of the three inconsistent samples were further verified using next-generation sequencing. In addition, the MRD results obtained from the CD45-ROR1 panel were positively associated with the ERIC eight-color panel results for MRD assessment (R = 0.98, p < 0.0001). MRD detection at low levels (≤1.0%) demonstrated a smaller difference between the two methods (bias, -0.11; 95% CI, -0.90 to 0.68) than that at high levels (>1%). In the reproducibility assessment, the bias was smaller at three data points (within 24, 48, and 72 h) in the CD45-ROR1 panel than in the ERIC eight-color panel. Moreover, MRD levels detected using the CD45-ROR1 panel for the same samples from different laboratories showed a strong statistical correlation (R = 0.99, p < 0.0001) with trivial interlaboratory variation (bias, 0.135; 95% CI, -0.439 to 0.709). In addition, the positivity rate of MRD in the bone marrow samples was higher than that in the peripheral blood samples. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, this study demonstrated that the CD45-ROR1 panel is a reliable method for MRD assessment of CLL with high sensitivity, reproducibility, and reliability.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/diagnosis
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/blood
- Flow Cytometry/methods
- Neoplasm, Residual/diagnosis
- Neoplasm, Residual/pathology
- Middle Aged
- Leukocyte Common Antigens/analysis
- Male
- Female
- Aged
- Reproducibility of Results
- Immunophenotyping/methods
- Adult
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Aged, 80 and over
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Chen
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xia Chen
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Sishu Zhao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Shi
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ninghan Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhen Guo
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chun Qiao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Huimin Jin
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Liying Zhu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Huayuan Zhu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianyong Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yujie Wu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing, China
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5
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Borogovac A, Siddiqi T. Transforming CLL management with immunotherapy: Investigating the potential of CAR T-cells and bispecific antibodies. Semin Hematol 2024; 61:119-130. [PMID: 38290860 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies or T-cell engagers, have revolutionized the treatment landscape for various B-cell malignancies, including B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia and many non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Despite their significant impact on these malignancies, their application in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) management is still largely under investigation. Although the initial success of CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy was observed in 3 multiply relapsed CLL patients, with 2 of them surviving over 10 years without relapse, recent CAR T-cell therapy trials in CLL have shown reduced response rates compared to their efficacy in other B-cell malignancies. One of the challenges with using immunotherapy in CLL is the compromised T-cell fitness from persistent CLL-related antigenic stimulation, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). These challenges underscore a critical gap in therapeutic options for CLL patients intolerant or resistant to current therapies, emphasizing the imperative role of effective immunotherapy. Encouragingly, innovative strategies are emerging to overcome these challenges. These include integrating synergistic agents like ibrutinib to enhance CAR T-cell function and persistence and engineering newer CAR T-cell constructs targeting diverse antigens or employing dual-targeting approaches. Bispecific antibodies are an exciting "off-the-shelf" prospect for these patients, with their investigation in CLL currently entering the realm of clinical trials. Additionally, the development of allogeneic CAR T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells from healthy donors presents a promising solution to address the diminished T-cell fitness observed in CLL patients. This comprehensive review delves into the latest insights regarding the role of immunotherapy in CLL, the complex landscape of resistance mechanisms, and a spectrum of innovative approaches to surmount therapeutic challenges.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/therapy
- Antibodies, Bispecific/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Bispecific/immunology
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Immunotherapy/methods
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Azra Borogovac
- City of Hope, Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, Irvine, CA.
| | - Tanya Siddiqi
- City of Hope, Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, Irvine, CA
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6
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Shatsky RA, Batra-Sharma H, Helsten T, Schwab RB, Pittman EI, Pu M, Weihe E, Ghia EM, Rassenti LZ, Molinolo A, Cabrera B, Breitmeyer JB, Widhopf GF, Messer K, Jamieson C, Kipps TJ, Parker BA. A phase 1b study of zilovertamab in combination with paclitaxel for locally advanced/unresectable or metastatic Her2-negative breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2024; 26:32. [PMID: 38408999 PMCID: PMC10895766 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-024-01782-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zilovertamab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting ROR1, an onco-embryonic antigen expressed by malignant cells of a variety of solid tumors, including breast cancer. A prior phase 1 study showed that zilovertamab was well tolerated and effective in inhibiting ROR1-signaling, which leads to activation of ERK1/2, NF-κB, and NRF2 target genes. This phase 1b study evaluated the safety and tolerability of zilovertamab with paclitaxel in patients with advanced breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible patients had locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic HER2- breast cancer with Eastern Cooperative Group performance status of 0-2 and without prior taxane therapy in the advanced setting. Study treatment included 600 mg of zilovertamab administered intravenously (IV) on Days 1 and 15 of Cycle 1 and then Day 1 of each 28-day cycle along with paclitaxel weekly at 80 mg/m2 IV. RESULTS Study patients had received a median of 4 prior therapies (endocrine therapy + chemotherapy) for locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic disease. No patient discontinued therapy due to toxicity ascribed to zilovertamab. Adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of paclitaxel. Of 16 patients, 6 (38%) had a partial response, and 6/16 (38%) patients had stable disease as best tumor response. CONCLUSION The combination of zilovertamab and paclitaxel was safe and well tolerated in heavily pre-treated advanced breast cancer patients. Further evaluation of ROR1 targeting in breast cancer patients with zilovertamab is warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02776917. Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on 05/17/2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Shatsky
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive Mail Code 0987, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Hemali Batra-Sharma
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive Mail Code 0987, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Teresa Helsten
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive Mail Code 0987, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Richard B Schwab
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive Mail Code 0987, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Emily I Pittman
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive Mail Code 0987, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Minya Pu
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive Mail Code 0987, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Elizabeth Weihe
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Emanuela M Ghia
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive Mail Code 0987, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Novel Therapeutics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Laura Z Rassenti
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive Mail Code 0987, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Novel Therapeutics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Alfredo Molinolo
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive Mail Code 0987, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Betty Cabrera
- University of California San Diego California Institute for Regenerative Medicine Alpha Clinic, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - George F Widhopf
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
- Center for Novel Therapeutics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Karen Messer
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive Mail Code 0987, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Catriona Jamieson
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive Mail Code 0987, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
- University of California San Diego California Institute for Regenerative Medicine Alpha Clinic, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
- Sanford Stem Cell Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Thomas J Kipps
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive Mail Code 0987, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Novel Therapeutics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Barbara A Parker
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive Mail Code 0987, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA.
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7
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de Sousa FA, Millan NM, Correia RP, da Costa Vaz A, Schimidell D, Miyamoto PC, Passaro MS, Nogueira BG, Souto EX, Bacal NS, Bento LC. ROR1 expression in mature B lymphoid neoplasms by flow cytometry. CYTOMETRY. PART B, CLINICAL CYTOMETRY 2024; 106:74-81. [PMID: 38273649 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.22157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Immunophenotyping by flow cytometry is an integral part of the diagnosis and classification of leukemias/lymphomas. The expression of ROR1 associated with chronic B lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is well described in the literature, both in its diagnosis and in the follow-up of minimal residual disease (MRD) research, however, there are few studies regarding the expression pattern of ROR1 in other subtypes of mature B lymphoid neoplasms. With the aim of evaluating the expression of ROR1 and associating it with the expression of other important markers for the differentiation of mature B lymphoid neoplasms (MBLN), 767 samples of cases that entered our laboratory for immunophenotyping with clinical suspicion of MBLN were studied. ROR1 expression is predominant in CD5+/CD10- neoplasms. Overall, positive ROR1 expression was observed in 461 (60.1%) cases. The CD5+/CD10- group had a significantly higher proportion of ROR1 positive samples (89.9%) and more brightly expressed ROR1 than the other groups. Our results highlight the importance of evaluating ROR1 expression in the diagnosis of MBLN to contribute to the differential diagnosis, and possibly therapy of mainly CLL, and indicate that this marker could be considered as a useful addition to immunophenotypic panels, particularly for more challenging cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Arandas de Sousa
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Division of Hematology and Flow Cytometry, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nádila Magalhães Millan
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Division of Hematology and Flow Cytometry, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Patussi Correia
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Division of Hematology and Flow Cytometry, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andressa da Costa Vaz
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Division of Hematology and Flow Cytometry, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniela Schimidell
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Division of Hematology and Flow Cytometry, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Priscila Carmona Miyamoto
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Division of Hematology and Flow Cytometry, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marilia Sandoval Passaro
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Division of Hematology and Flow Cytometry, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruna Garcia Nogueira
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Division of Hematology and Flow Cytometry, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth Xisto Souto
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Division of Hematology and Flow Cytometry, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nydia Strachman Bacal
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Division of Hematology and Flow Cytometry, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Laiz Camerão Bento
- Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Division of Hematology and Flow Cytometry, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
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8
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Kopeina GS, Zhivotovsky B. The New Face of Autophagy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5279. [PMID: 37958450 PMCID: PMC10650888 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) mainly afflicts adults and accounts for 25% of all new leukemia cases [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Gelina S. Kopeina
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Boris Zhivotovsky
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Division of Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, P.O. Box 210, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
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9
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Levy Yurkovski I, Tadmor T. Accelerated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Richter Transformation in the Era of Novel Agents. Acta Haematol 2023; 147:73-83. [PMID: 37666234 DOI: 10.1159/000533664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tremendous developments in the field of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in recent years have led to a revolutionary change in the treatment approach, which today is based on targeted treatments with a good response and optimal prognosis. Nevertheless, CLL can present or progress to "accelerated CLL" (A-CLL) or to "Richter transformation" (RT) and these two entities have a more aggressive course and are still characterized by challenges in the fields of diagnosis and therapy. In the current review, we summarized the latest knowledge in terms of diagnostic approaches to A-CLL, available treatments and clinical trials, for both A-CLL and RT which still pose an unmet need and require additional basic and clinical investigations. SUMMARY A-CLL is a rare and underdiagnosed entity that probably stands in the "gray zone" between CLL and RT, generally holding an intermediate prognosis. Its diagnosis is mainly based on histological findings including expanded proliferation centers, increased mitotic activity, and/or high Ki-67 index. Due to its rarity, its treatment approach has still not been defined, but it seems that novel agents, especially Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi), are effective. As for RT, the standard therapy still consists of chemo-immunotherapy followed by stem-cell transplantation for fit responders with a dismal prognosis. New approaches are recently adopted including B-cell inhibition via novel agents (BTKi, venetoclax), T-cell engagers (checkpoint inhibitors, bispecific antibodies [BiTe] or the chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] technology), antibody-drug conjugates, or drug combinations. Although both CAR-T and BiTe seem promising, especially when combined with BTKi, evidence is still insufficient, and patients should generally be recruited in clinical trials. KEY MESSAGES The field of CLL has been a subject of major advances in recent years, but A-CLL and RT remain topics of "unmet need" and require further studies to identify the best diagnostic approach and a more effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilana Levy Yurkovski
- Hematology Unit, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
- The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Tamar Tadmor
- Hematology Unit, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
- The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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10
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Heabah NAEG, Darwish SA, Eid AM. Evaluation of the prognostic significance of receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) in lung carcinoma and its relation to lymphangiogenesis and epithelial mesenchymal transition. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154703. [PMID: 37481855 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154703] [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: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the carcinogenic mechanisms of lung carcinoma helps to discover novel prognostic biomarkers and develop new therapeutic options to improve patient's survival. Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-Like Orphan Receptor 1 (ROR1), a transmembrane protein, contributes to cancer progression and metastasis; via stimulation of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promotion of angiogenesis. This makes ROR1 an important target for tumor therapy. This study aimed to evaluate expression of ROR1, E-cadherin (a marker of EMT), and D2-40 (a marker of lymphangiogenesis) in lung carcinoma and associate their expressions with the available clinicopathological parameters and patients' survival. Immunohistochemical staining using ROR1, E-cadherin, and D2-40 was performed for 78 cases of lung carcinoma. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox-regression analysis were done. High ROR1 expression was detected in 46.2% of cases. Significant relations were found between high ROR1 expression and larger tumor size (P < 0.001), poorly differentiated tumors (P = 0.001), advanced tumor stages (P < 0.001), positive lymph nodal status (P < 0.001), decreased E-cadherin expression (P < 0.001), and high lymphovascular density (LVD) (P < 0.001). Patients' progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were shorter with high ROR1 expression. High ROR1 expression, high LVD, large tumor size, and adenocarcinoma histopathological type were independent risk factors for OS in lung carcinoma patients. High ROR1 expression is associated with poor prognostic parameters in lung carcinoma patients including higher grade, advanced stages, high LVD, epithelial mesenchymal transition, as well as decreased PFS and OS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara A Darwish
- Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt
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11
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Parker BA, Shatsky RA, Schwab RB, Wallace AM, Wolf DM, Hirst GL, Brown-Swigart L, Esserman LJ, van 't Veer LJ, Ghia EM, Yau C, Kipps TJ. Association of baseline ROR1 and ROR2 gene expression with clinical outcomes in the I-SPY2 neoadjuvant breast cancer trial. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023; 199:281-291. [PMID: 37029329 PMCID: PMC10175386 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-06914-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE ROR1 and ROR2 are Type 1 tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptors for Wnt5a that are associated with breast cancer progression. Experimental agents targeting ROR1 and ROR2 are in clinical trials. This study evaluated whether expression levels of ROR1 or ROR2 correlated with one another or with clinical outcomes. METHODS We interrogated the clinical significance of high-level gene expression of ROR1 and/or ROR2 in the annotated transcriptome dataset from 989 patients with high-risk early breast cancer enrolled in one of nine completed/graduated/experimental and control arms in the neoadjuvant I-SPY2 clinical trial (NCT01042379). RESULTS High ROR1 or high ROR2 was associated with breast cancer subtypes. High ROR1 was more prevalent among hormone receptor-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR-HER2-) tumors and high ROR2 was less prevalent in this subtype. Although not associated with pathologic complete response, high ROR1 or high ROR2 each was associated with event-free survival (EFS) in distinct subtypes. High ROR1 associated with a worse EFS in HR + HER2- patients with high post-treatment residual cancer burden (RCB-II/III) (HR 1.41, 95% CI = 1.11-1.80) but not in patients with minimal post-treatment disease (RCB-0/I) (HR 1.85, 95% CI = 0.74-4.61). High ROR2 associated with an increased risk of relapse in patients with HER2 + disease and RCB-0/I (HR 3.46, 95% CI = 1.33-9.020) but not RCB-II/III (HR 1.07, 95% CI = 0.69-1.64). CONCLUSION High ROR1 or high ROR2 distinctly identified subsets of breast cancer patients with adverse outcomes. Further studies are warranted to determine if high ROR1 or high ROR2 may identify high-risk populations for studies of targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara A Parker
- Department of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Rebecca A Shatsky
- Department of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Richard B Schwab
- Department of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Anne M Wallace
- Department of Surgery and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Denise M Wolf
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gillian L Hirst
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lamorna Brown-Swigart
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Laura J Esserman
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Laura J van 't Veer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Emanuela M Ghia
- Department of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Novel Therapeutics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Christina Yau
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Thomas J Kipps
- Department of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Novel Therapeutics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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12
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Lee KJ, Kim NH, Kim HS, Kim Y, Lee JJ, Kim JH, Cho HY, Jeong SY, Park ST. The Role of ROR1 in Chemoresistance and EMT in Endometrial Cancer Cells. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59050994. [PMID: 37241228 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59050994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor type 1 (ROR1) plays a critical role in embryogenesis and is overexpressed in many malignant cells. These characteristics allow ROR1 to be a potential new target for cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ROR1 through in vitro experiments in endometrial cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: ROR1 expression was identified in endometrial cancer cell lines using Western blot and RT-qPCR. The effects of ROR1 on cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were analyzed in two endometrial cancer cell lines (HEC-1 and SNU-539) using either ROR1 silencing or overexpression. Additionally, chemoresistance was examined by identifying MDR1 expression and IC50 level of paclitaxel. Results: The ROR1 protein and mRNA were highly expressed in SNU-539 and HEC-1 cells. High ROR1 expression resulted in a significant increase in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. It also resulted in a change of EMT markers expression, a decrease in E-cadherin expression, and an increase in Snail expression. Moreover, cells with ROR1 overexpression had a higher IC50 of paclitaxel and significantly increased MDR1 expression. Conclusions: These in vitro experiments showed that ROR1 is responsible for EMT and chemoresistance in endometrial cancer cell lines. Targeting ROR1 can inhibit cancer metastasis and may be a potential treatment method for patients with endometrial cancer who exhibit chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Jun Lee
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-Hyeok Kim
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong Su Kim
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam Sacred-Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07441, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngmi Kim
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Jun Lee
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chuncheon Sacred-Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24253, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Han Kim
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam Sacred-Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07441, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Yon Cho
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dongtan Sacred-Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwaseong 18450, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Young Jeong
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangnam Sacred-Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07441, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Taek Park
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangnam Sacred-Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07441, Republic of Korea
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13
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Ghaderi A, Okhovat MA, Lehto J, De Petris L, Manouchehri Doulabi E, Kokhaei P, Zhong W, Rassidakis GZ, Drakos E, Moshfegh A, Schultz J, Olin T, Österborg A, Mellstedt H, Hojjat-Farsangi M. A Small Molecule Targeting the Intracellular Tyrosine Kinase Domain of ROR1 (KAN0441571C) Induced Significant Apoptosis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Cells. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041148. [PMID: 37111634 PMCID: PMC10145660 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The ROR1 receptor tyrosine kinase is expressed in embryonic tissues but is absent in normal adult tissues. ROR1 is of importance in oncogenesis and is overexpressed in several cancers, such as NSCLC. In this study, we evaluated ROR1 expression in NSCLC patients (N = 287) and the cytotoxic effects of a small molecule ROR1 inhibitor (KAN0441571C) in NSCLC cell lines. ROR1 expression in tumor cells was more frequent in non-squamous (87%) than in squamous (57%) carcinomas patients, while 21% of neuroendocrine tumors expressed ROR1 (p = 0.0001). A significantly higher proportion of p53 negative patients in the ROR1+ group than in the p53 positive non-squamous NSCLC patients (p = 0.03) was noted. KAN0441571C dephosphorylated ROR1 and induced apoptosis (Annexin V/PI) in a time- and dose-dependent manner in five ROR1+ NSCLC cell lines and was superior compared to erlotinib (EGFR inhibitor). Apoptosis was confirmed by the downregulation of MCL-1 and BCL-2, as well as PARP and caspase 3 cleavage. The non-canonical Wnt pathway was involved. The combination of KAN0441571C and erlotinib showed a synergistic apoptotic effect. KAN0441571C also inhibited proliferative (cell cycle analyses, colony formation assay) and migratory (scratch wound healing assay) functions. Targeting NSCLC cells by a combination of ROR1 and EGFR inhibitors may represent a novel promising approach for the treatment of NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amineh Ghaderi
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohammad-Ali Okhovat
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jemina Lehto
- Kancera AB, Nanna Svartz Väg 4, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Luigi De Petris
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
- Thoracic Oncology Center, Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center, 171 76 Solna, Sweden
| | - Ehsan Manouchehri Doulabi
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Parviz Kokhaei
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Immunology, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak 3848170001, Iran
| | - Wen Zhong
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Georgios Z. Rassidakis
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elias Drakos
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Crete, 700 13 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ali Moshfegh
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
- Kancera AB, Nanna Svartz Väg 4, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Johan Schultz
- Kancera AB, Nanna Svartz Väg 4, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Thomas Olin
- Kancera AB, Nanna Svartz Väg 4, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Anders Österborg
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 64 Solna, Sweden
| | - Håkan Mellstedt
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohammad Hojjat-Farsangi
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
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14
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Quezada MJ, Lopez-Bergami P. The signaling pathways activated by ROR1 in cancer. Cell Signal 2023; 104:110588. [PMID: 36621728 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is a receptor for WNT5A and related Wnt proteins, that play an important role during embryonic development by regulating cell migration, cell polarity, neural patterning, and organogenesis. ROR1 exerts these functions by transducing signals from the Wnt secreted glycoproteins to the intracellular Wnt/PCP and Wnt/Ca++ pathways. Investigations in adult human cells, particularly cancer cells, have demonstrated that besides these two pathways, the WNT5A/ROR1 axis can activate a number of signaling pathways, including the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, NF-κB, STAT3, and Hippo pathways. Moreover, ROR1 is aberrantly expressed in cancer and was associated with tumor progression and poor survival by promoting cell proliferation, survival, invasion, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and metastasis. Consequently, numerous therapeutic tools to target ROR1 are currently being evaluated in cancer patients. In this review, we will provide a detailed description of the signaling pathways regulated by ROR1 in cancer and their impact in tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Josefina Quezada
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires 1405, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
| | - Pablo Lopez-Bergami
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires 1405, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina.
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15
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Lin W, Niu R, Park SM, Zou Y, Kim SS, Xia X, Xing S, Yang Q, Sun X, Yuan Z, Zhou S, Zhang D, Kwon HJ, Park S, Il Kim C, Koo H, Liu Y, Wu H, Zheng M, Yoo H, Shi B, Park JB, Yin J. IGFBP5 is an ROR1 ligand promoting glioblastoma invasion via ROR1/HER2-CREB signaling axis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1578. [PMID: 36949068 PMCID: PMC10033905 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37306-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffuse infiltration is the main reason for therapeutic resistance and recurrence in glioblastoma (GBM). However, potential targeted therapies for GBM stem-like cell (GSC) which is responsible for GBM invasion are limited. Herein, we report Insulin-like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 5 (IGFBP5) is a ligand for Receptor tyrosine kinase like Orphan Receptor 1 (ROR1), as a promising target for GSC invasion. Using a GSC-derived brain tumor model, GSCs were characterized into invasive or non-invasive subtypes, and RNA sequencing analysis revealed that IGFBP5 was differentially expressed between these two subtypes. GSC invasion capacity was inhibited by IGFBP5 knockdown and enhanced by IGFBP5 overexpression both in vitro and in vivo, particularly in a patient-derived xenograft model. IGFBP5 binds to ROR1 and facilitates ROR1/HER2 heterodimer formation, followed by inducing CREB-mediated ETV5 and FBXW9 expression, thereby promoting GSC invasion and tumorigenesis. Importantly, using a tumor-specific targeting and penetrating nanocapsule-mediated delivery of CRISPR/Cas9-based IGFBP5 gene editing significantly suppressed GSC invasion and downstream gene expression, and prolonged the survival of orthotopic tumor-bearing mice. Collectively, our data reveal that IGFBP5-ROR1/HER2-CREB signaling axis as a potential GBM therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Lin
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea
- Department of Life Science, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Rui Niu
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Seong-Min Park
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea
- Personalized Genomic Medicine Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yan Zou
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Sung Soo Kim
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Xue Xia
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Songge Xing
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Qingshan Yang
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Xinhong Sun
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Zheng Yuan
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Shuchang Zhou
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Dongya Zhang
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Hyung Joon Kwon
- Department of Cancer Control and Population Health, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Saewhan Park
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Il Kim
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Harim Koo
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Yang Liu
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Haigang Wu
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Meng Zheng
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China
| | - Heon Yoo
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Bingyang Shi
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | - Jong Bae Park
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jinlong Yin
- Henan-Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, China.
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, 10408, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Hasan K, Kipps TJ. Impact of cortactin in cancer progression on Wnt5a/ROR1 signaling pathway. Oncotarget 2023; 14:207-209. [PMID: 36944183 PMCID: PMC10030148 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
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17
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Cellular Therapies in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Richter’s Transformation: Recent Developments in Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells, Natural Killer Cells, and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061838. [PMID: 36980726 PMCID: PMC10046903 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular therapies can be viewed as both the newest and oldest techniques for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and Richter’s transformation (RT). On one hand, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) has been available for decades, though its use is diminishing with the increasing availability of effective novel targeted agents, especially in CLL. Among newer techniques, chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T) have demonstrated astounding efficacy in several hematologic malignancies, leading to FDA approval and use in clinical practice. However, though CLL is the earliest disease type for which CAR-T were studied, development has been slower and has yet to lead to regulatory approval. Owing partially to its rarity but also due to the aggressive behavior of RT, CAR-T in RT have only been minimally explored. Here, we will focus on the applications of cellular therapies in CLL and RT, specifically reviewing more recent data related to alloHSCT in the novel-agent era and CAR-T cell development in CLL/RT, focusing on safety and efficacy successes and limitations. We will review strategies to improve upon CAR-T efficacy and discuss ongoing trials utilizing CAR-T in CLL/RT, as well as emerging technologies, such as allogeneic CAR-T and natural killer CAR (CAR NK) cells.
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18
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The Roles of Secreted Wnt Ligands in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065349. [PMID: 36982422 PMCID: PMC10049518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt ligands are secreted signaling proteins that display a wide range of biological effects. They play key roles in stimulating Wnt signaling pathways to facilitate processes such as tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Dysregulation of Wnt signaling is a hallmark of many cancers and genetic alterations in various Wnt signaling components, which result in ligand-independent or ligand-dependent hyperactivation of the pathway that have been identified. Recently, research is focusing on the impact of Wnt signaling on the interaction between tumor cells and their micro-environment. This Wnt-mediated crosstalk can act either in a tumor promoting or suppressing fashion. In this review, we comprehensively outline the function of Wnt ligands in different tumor entities and their impact on key phenotypes, including cancer stemness, drug resistance, metastasis, and immune evasion. Lastly, we elaborate approaches to target Wnt ligands in cancer therapy.
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19
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Epigenetic regulation in hematopoiesis and its implications in the targeted therapy of hematologic malignancies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:71. [PMID: 36797244 PMCID: PMC9935927 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01342-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematologic malignancies are one of the most common cancers, and the incidence has been rising in recent decades. The clinical and molecular features of hematologic malignancies are highly heterogenous, and some hematologic malignancies are incurable, challenging the treatment, and prognosis of the patients. However, hematopoiesis and oncogenesis of hematologic malignancies are profoundly affected by epigenetic regulation. Studies have found that methylation-related mutations, abnormal methylation profiles of DNA, and abnormal histone deacetylase expression are recurrent in leukemia and lymphoma. Furthermore, the hypomethylating agents and histone deacetylase inhibitors are effective to treat acute myeloid leukemia and T-cell lymphomas, indicating that epigenetic regulation is indispensable to hematologic oncogenesis. Epigenetic regulation mainly includes DNA modifications, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA-mediated targeting, and regulates various DNA-based processes. This review presents the role of writers, readers, and erasers of DNA methylation and histone methylation, and acetylation in hematologic malignancies. In addition, this review provides the influence of microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs on hematologic malignancies. Furthermore, the implication of epigenetic regulation in targeted treatment is discussed. This review comprehensively presents the change and function of each epigenetic regulator in normal and oncogenic hematopoiesis and provides innovative epigenetic-targeted treatment in clinical practice.
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20
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Carpenter KA, Thurlow KE, Craig SEL, Grainger S. Wnt regulation of hematopoietic stem cell development and disease. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 153:255-279. [PMID: 36967197 PMCID: PMC11104846 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are multipotent stem cells that give rise to all cells of the blood and most immune cells. Due to their capacity for unlimited self-renewal, long-term HSCs replenish the blood and immune cells of an organism throughout its life. HSC development, maintenance, and differentiation are all tightly regulated by cell signaling pathways, including the Wnt pathway. Wnt signaling is initiated extracellularly by secreted ligands which bind to cell surface receptors and give rise to several different downstream signaling cascades. These are classically categorized either β-catenin dependent (BCD) or β-catenin independent (BCI) signaling, depending on their reliance on the β-catenin transcriptional activator. HSC development, homeostasis, and differentiation is influenced by both BCD and BCI, with a high degree of sensitivity to the timing and dosage of Wnt signaling. Importantly, dysregulated Wnt signals can result in hematological malignancies such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Here, we review how Wnt signaling impacts HSCs during development and in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey A Carpenter
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Kate E Thurlow
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States; Van Andel Institute Graduate School, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Sonya E L Craig
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Stephanie Grainger
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.
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21
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Yikilmaz AŞ, Bakanay ŞM, Avcı DN, Akinci S, Falay M, Özet G, Dilek İ. Prognostic Value of the Expression of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-Like Orphan Receptor 1 (ROR-1) in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Int J Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Res 2023; 17:39-47. [PMID: 37638287 PMCID: PMC10448922 DOI: 10.18502/ijhoscr.v17i1.11712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) has acted on the causation and sustentation of mature B-cell lymphomagenesis for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells. The study attempted to show whether there is a relationship between the level of ROR1 surface expression in CLL cells and disease findings. Materials and Methods: The level of ROR1 cell surface expression was determined in accordance with the flow cytometric analysis of CLL patients at the first diagnosis time. Two groups were formed according to the high and low ROR1 levels. The cut-off point for the ROR1 level was calculated for advanced-stage disease using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. A two-sided p-value <0,05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 108 CLL cases with a median age of 60 were enrolled. The median percentage of ROR1 cell surface marker positivity in the CD5/CD19 positive leukemic cell was 62%. The CLL cases with high ROR1 levels have thrombocytopenia (p=0.042), anemia (p=0.028), and high beta-2 microglobulin value ≥3 mg/dL (p=0.002) and the need for first-line treatment (p=0.043). Conclusion: The poor prognostic parameters such as splenomegaly, anemia, higher beta-2 microglobulin levels, intermediate/advanced RAİ stage disease, and need for first-line treatment had associated high-level ROR 1 expression of our CLL patients. It needs to be investigated for its effect on predicting disease burden and aggressiveness with more comprehensive studies on ROR1 expression levels in CLL cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysun Şentürk Yikilmaz
- Department of Hematology, Bilkent City Hospital, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Şule Mine Bakanay
- Department of Hematology, Bilkent City Hospital, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Duygu Nurdan Avcı
- Department of Hematology, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sema Akinci
- Department of Hematology, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mesude Falay
- Department of Hematology, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gülsüm Özet
- Department of Hematology, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - İmdat Dilek
- Department of Hematology, Bilkent City Hospital, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara, Turkey
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22
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Jeong SY, Lee KJ, Cha J, Park SY, Kim HS, Kim JH, Lee JJ, Kim N, Park ST. Meta-Analysis of Survival Effects of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-like Orphan Receptor 1 (ROR1). MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:medicina58121867. [PMID: 36557069 PMCID: PMC9784027 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58121867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Identification and targeting of membrane proteins in tumor cells is one of the key steps in the development of cancer drugs. The receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor (ROR) type 1 is a type-I transmembrane protein expressed in various cancer tissues, which is in contrast to its limited expression in normal tissues. These characteristics make ROR1 a candidate target for cancer treatment. This study aimed to identify the prognostic value of ROR1 expression in cancers. Materials and Methods: We conducted a comprehensive systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed) from their inception to September 2021. The included studies assessed the effect of ROR1 on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Hazard ratios (HR) from collected data were pooled in a meta-analysis using Revman version 5.4 with generic inverse-variance and random effects modeling. Results: A total of fourteen studies were included in the final analysis. ROR1 was associated with worse OS (HR 1.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50−2.54; p < 0.001) with heterogeneity. The association between poor OS and ROR1 expression was high in endometrial cancer, followed by ovarian cancer, and diffuse large B cell lymphoma. In addition, ROR1 was associated with poor PFS (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.60−2.10; p < 0.001), but heterogeneity was not statistically significant. In subgroup analysis, high ROR1 expression showed a significantly higher rate of advanced stage or lymph node metastasis. Conclusions: This meta-analysis provides evidence that ROR1 expression is associated with adverse outcome in cancer survival. This result highlights ROR1 as a target for developmental therapeutics in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Young Jeong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangnam Sacred-Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07441, Republic of Korea
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-jun Lee
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Jieum Cha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangnam Sacred-Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07441, Republic of Korea
| | - So Yoon Park
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangnam Sacred-Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07441, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong Su Kim
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam Sacred-Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07441, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Han Kim
- Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam Sacred-Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07441, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Jun Lee
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chuncheon Sacred-Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24253, Republic of Korea
| | - Namhyeok Kim
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Taek Park
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangnam Sacred-Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07441, Republic of Korea
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-829-5151; Fax: +82-2-833-5323
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23
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Tannoury M, Garnier D, Susin SA, Bauvois B. Current Status of Novel Agents for the Treatment of B Cell Malignancies: What's Coming Next? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:6026. [PMID: 36551511 PMCID: PMC9775488 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to death is one of the hallmarks of human B cell malignancies and often contributes to the lack of a lasting response to today's commonly used treatments. Drug discovery approaches designed to activate the death machinery have generated a large number of inhibitors of anti-apoptotic proteins from the B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 2 family and the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway. Orally administered small-molecule inhibitors of Bcl-2 protein and BCR partners (e.g., Bruton's tyrosine kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase) have already been included (as monotherapies or combination therapies) in the standard of care for selected B cell malignancies. Agonistic monoclonal antibodies and their derivatives (antibody-drug conjugates, antibody-radioisotope conjugates, bispecific T cell engagers, and chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells) targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs, such as CD19, CD20, CD22, and CD38) are indicated for treatment (as monotherapies or combination therapies) of patients with B cell tumors. However, given that some patients are either refractory to current therapies or relapse after treatment, novel therapeutic strategies are needed. Here, we review current strategies for managing B cell malignancies, with a focus on the ongoing clinical development of more effective, selective drugs targeting these molecules, as well as other TAAs and signaling proteins. The observed impact of metabolic reprogramming on B cell pathophysiology highlights the promise of targeting metabolic checkpoints in the treatment of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Brigitte Bauvois
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Inserm, Cell Death and Drug Resistance in Lymphoproliferative Disorders Team, F-75006 Paris, France
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24
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Oumeslakht L, Aziz AI, Bensussan A, Ben Mkaddem S. CD160 receptor in CLL: Current state and future avenues. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1028013. [PMID: 36420268 PMCID: PMC9676924 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1028013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
CD160 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface glycoprotein expressed on cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells and T-cell subsets. It plays a crucial role in the activation of NK-cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production. It also modulates the immune system and is involved in some pathologies, such as cancer. CD160 is abnormally expressed in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) but not expressed in normal B lymphocytes. Its expression in CLL enhances tumor cell proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. CD160 is also a potential prognostic marker for the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in CLL, which is important for the clinical management of CLL, the prevention of disease relapse, and the achievement of complete remission. In this review, we present an overview of CD160 and its involvement in the pathophysiology of CLL. We also discuss its use as a prognostic marker for the assessment of MRD in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loubna Oumeslakht
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben-Guerir, Morocco
| | - Abdel-ilah Aziz
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben-Guerir, Morocco
| | - Armand Bensussan
- INSERM U976, Université de Paris, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France
- Institut Jean Godinot, Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer, Reims, France
| | - Sanae Ben Mkaddem
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben-Guerir, Morocco
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25
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Ghaderi A, Zhong W, Okhovat MA, Aschan J, Svensson A, Sander B, Schultz J, Olin T, Österborg A, Hojjat-Farsangi M, Mellstedt H. A ROR1 Small Molecule Inhibitor (KAN0441571C) Induced Significant Apoptosis of Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) Cells. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102238. [PMID: 36297673 PMCID: PMC9607197 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102238] [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: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is absent in most normal adult tissues but overexpressed in various malignancies and is of importance for tumor cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis. In this study, we evaluated the apoptotic effects of a novel small molecule inhibitor of ROR1 (KAN0441571C) as well as venetoclax (BCL-2 inhibitor), bendamustine, idelalisib (PI3Kδ inhibitor), everolimus (mTOR inhibitor), and ibrutinib (BTK inhibitor) alone or in combination in human MCL primary cells and cell lines. ROR1 expression was evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blot (WB). Cytotoxicity was analyzed by MTT and apoptosis by Annexin V/PI staining as well as signaling and apoptotic proteins (WB). ROR1 was expressed both in patient-derived MCL cells and human MCL cell lines. KAN0441571C alone induced significant time- and dose-dependent apoptosis of MCL cells. Apoptosis was accompanied by decreased expression of MCL-1 and BCL-2 and cleavage of PARP and caspase 3. ROR1 was dephosphorylated as well as ROR1-associated signaling pathway molecules, including the non-canonical WNT signaling pathway (PI3Kδ/AKT/mTOR). The combination of KAN0441571C and ibrutinib, venetoclax, idelalisib, everolimus, or bendamustine had a synergistic apoptotic effect and significantly prevented phosphorylation of ROR1-associated signaling molecules as compared to KAN0441571C alone. Our results suggest that targeting ROR1 by a small molecule inhibitor, KAN0441571C, should be further evaluated particularly in combination with other targeting drugs as a new therapeutic approach for MCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amineh Ghaderi
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wen Zhong
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohammad Ali Okhovat
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johanna Aschan
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ann Svensson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Birgitta Sander
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Schultz
- Kancera AB, Nanna Svartz Väg 4, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Thomas Olin
- Kancera AB, Nanna Svartz Väg 4, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Anders Österborg
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohammad Hojjat-Farsangi
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-735-234-706
| | - Håkan Mellstedt
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital Solna and Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
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26
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Qu C, Zhang H, Cao H, Tang L, Mo H, Liu F, Zhang L, Yi Z, Long L, Yan L, Wang Z, Zhang N, Luo P, Zhang J, Liu Z, Ye W, Liu Z, Cheng Q. Tumor buster - where will the CAR-T cell therapy 'missile' go? Mol Cancer 2022; 21:201. [PMID: 36261831 PMCID: PMC9580202 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01669-8] [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: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell (CAR-T cell) therapy based on gene editing technology represents a significant breakthrough in personalized immunotherapy for human cancer. This strategy uses genetic modification to enable T cells to target tumor-specific antigens, attack specific cancer cells, and bypass tumor cell apoptosis avoidance mechanisms to some extent. This method has been extensively used to treat hematologic diseases, but the therapeutic effect in solid tumors is not ideal. Tumor antigen escape, treatment-related toxicity, and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) limit their use of it. Target selection is the most critical aspect in determining the prognosis of patients receiving this treatment. This review provides a comprehensive summary of all therapeutic targets used in the clinic or shown promising potential. We summarize CAR-T cell therapies’ clinical trials, applications, research frontiers, and limitations in treating different cancers. We also explore coping strategies when encountering sub-optimal tumor-associated antigens (TAA) or TAA loss. Moreover, the importance of CAR-T cell therapy in cancer immunotherapy is emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunrun Qu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,XiangYa School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Cao
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province, The Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China.,The School of Clinical Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lanhua Tang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haoyang Mo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,XiangYa School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fangkun Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Liyang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhenjie Yi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,XiangYa School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lifu Long
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,XiangYa School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Luzhe Yan
- XiangYa School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,One-third Lab, College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Weijie Ye
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhixiong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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27
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Abstract
Since its initial identification in 1992 as a possible class 1 cell-surface receptor without a known parent ligand, receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) has stimulated research, which has made apparent its significance in embryonic development and cancer. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was the first malignancy found to have distinctive expression of ROR1, which can help distinguish leukemia cells from most noncancer cells. Aside from its potential utility as a diagnostic marker or target for therapy, ROR1 also factors in the pathophysiology of CLL. This review is a report of the studies that have elucidated the expression, biology, and evolving strategies for targeting ROR1 that hold promise for improving the therapy of patients with CLL or other ROR1-expressing malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Kipps
- Center for Novel Therapeutics, Moores Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
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28
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Hussein S, Abdelazem AS, Abdelmoneem S, Abdelnabi ALSM, Khamis T, Obaya AA, Ebian HF. Evaluation of miRNA 223/125a and COBLL1 Expressions and ROR-1 Levels as Reliable Markers in B- chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2022; 23:2735-2742. [PMID: 36037128 PMCID: PMC9741902 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2022.23.8.2735] [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: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND miRNA 223 /125a and Cordon-bleu Protein Like 1 (COBLL1) are novel biomarkers that can predict prognosis and guide treatment decisions in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Also, there is a growing interest in CLL monitoring based on flow cytometry of receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor-1 (ROR-1). Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between miRNA 223 /125a and COBLL1 expressions and ROR-1 expression in patients with CLL. Also, the study evaluated the relationship between the expression of these biomarkers with tumor staging and cancer progression. METHODS Our study included 40 patients newly diagnosed with B-CLL. In peripheral blood (PB), miRNA 223/125a and COBLL1 expressions were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) and ROR-1 percentage was detected by flow cytometry before and after treatment. Results: High level of COBLL1 expression was statistically significantly associated with high ROR-1 percentage expression (P= 0.03). However, a high level of miRNA 223/125a expression was statistically significantly associated with low ROR-1 percentage expression (P=0.002). The sensitivity and specificity of ROR-1 as a predictor of high WBCs count after treatment were 96.6 and 81.1%, respectively. There was a statistically significant reduction of ROR-1 percentage after treatment compared to before treatment (P <0.001). CONCLUSION ROR-1 percentage expression can be considered a possible prognostic predictor in CLL along with miRNA 223/125a and COBLL1 expressions. This can be explained by the significant correlation between ROR-1 and the studied molecular biomarkers; miRNA 223/125a and COBLL1. In addition, there was a significantly higher ROR-1 percentage in patients with higher WBC counts. Moreover, there was a significant reduction in ROR-1 percentage after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia Hussein
- Medical Biochemistry& Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt. ,Ibn Sina University for Medical Sciences, Jordan. ,For Correspondence:
| | | | - Shimaa Abdelmoneem
- Hematologyl unit, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
| | | | - Tarek Khamis
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed Ali Obaya
- Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
| | - Huda F Ebian
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
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29
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Bemani P, Moazen S, Nadimi E, Nejatollahi F. Development of Human Recombinant Antibodies Against ROR1 Tumor Antigen. Rep Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 11:282-288. [PMID: 36164620 PMCID: PMC9455193 DOI: 10.52547/rbmb.11.2.282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is an oncofetal antigen expressed on many types of cancer cells, but not normal adult cells. ROR1 antigen contributes to cancer development and progression by several signaling pathways. ROR1 expression has been associated with tumor growth, survival, and metastasis. In this study specific human recombinant antibodies were selected against ROR1 antigen for their use in cancer immunotherapy. METHODS Phage display technology was used to produce phage antibody from a human scFv library. Phage concentration was determined to confirm the phage rescue process. Panning procedure was performed to isolate specific scFv clones against ROR1 epitope. Phage ELISA was done to evaluate the reactivity of the selected scFvs. RESULTS Two specific human scFvs with frequencies of 20% and 25% were selected against ROR1 peptide. The antibodies showed specific reaction to the corresponding epitopes in phage ELISA. DISCUSSION Cancer targeted therapy using human specific antibodies is a new strategy, which is used in cancer therapy. The selected specific scFvs that target ROR1 epitope are human antibodies that originated from a human library and have the potential to be used in clinic in cancer immunotherapy of ROR1 positive tumors without induction of human anti mouse antibody (HAMA) response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyman Bemani
- Recombinant antibody laboratory, Department of Immunology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz Iran.
| | - Setareh Moazen
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada.
| | - Elham Nadimi
- Recombinant antibody laboratory, Department of Immunology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz Iran.
| | - Foroogh Nejatollahi
- Recombinant antibody laboratory, Department of Immunology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz Iran.
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Nayak D, Weadick B, Persaud AK, Raj R, Shakya R, Li J, Campbell MJ, Govindarajan R. EMT alterations in the solute carrier landscape uncover SLC22A10/A15 imposed vulnerabilities in pancreatic cancer. iScience 2022; 25:104193. [PMID: 35479410 PMCID: PMC9036131 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The involvement of membrane-bound solute carriers (SLCs) in neoplastic transdifferentiation processes is poorly defined. Here, we examined changes in the SLC landscape during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of pancreatic cancer cells. We show that two SLCs from the organic anion/cation transporter family, SLC22A10 and SLC22A15, favor EMT via interferon (IFN) α and γ signaling activation of receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) expression. In addition, SLC22A10 and SLC22A15 allow tumor cell accumulation of glutathione to support EMT via the IFNα/γ-ROR1 axis. Moreover, a pan-SLC22A inhibitor lesinurad reduces EMT-induced metastasis and gemcitabine chemoresistance to prolong survival in mouse models of pancreatic cancer, thus identifying new vulnerabilities for human PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debasis Nayak
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Brenna Weadick
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Avinash K. Persaud
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Radhika Raj
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Reena Shakya
- Target Validation Shared Resource, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Junan Li
- The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Moray J. Campbell
- Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Biomedical Informatics Shared Resource, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Rajgopal Govindarajan
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Translational Therapeutics, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Raivola J, Dini A, Salokas K, Karvonen H, Niininen W, Piki E, Varjosalo M, Ungureanu D. New insights into the molecular mechanisms of ROR1, ROR2, and PTK7 signaling from the proteomics and pharmacological modulation of ROR1 interactome. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:276. [PMID: 35504983 PMCID: PMC9064840 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04301-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
ROR1, ROR2, and PTK7 are Wnt ligand-binding members of the receptor tyrosine kinase family. Despite their lack of catalytic activity, these receptors regulate skeletal, cardiorespiratory, and neurological development during embryonic and fetal stages. However, their overexpression in adult tissue is strongly connected to tumor development and metastasis, suggesting a strong pharmacological potential for these molecules. Wnt5a ligand can activate these receptors, but lead to divergent signaling and functional outcomes through mechanisms that remain largely unknown. Here, we developed a cellular model by stably expressing ROR1, ROR2, and PTK7 in BaF3 cells that allowed us to readily investigate side-by-side their signaling capability and functional outcome. We applied proteomic profiling to BaF3 clones and identified distinctive roles for ROR1, ROR2, and PTK7 pseudokinases in modulating the expression of proteins involved in cytoskeleton dynamics, apoptotic, and metabolic signaling. Functionally, we show that ROR1 expression enhances cell survival and Wnt-mediated cell proliferation, while ROR2 and PTK7 expression is linked to cell migration. We also demonstrate that the distal C-terminal regions of ROR1 and ROR2 are required for receptors stability and downstream signaling. To probe the pharmacological modulation of ROR1 oncogenic signaling, we used affinity purification coupled to mass spectrometry (AP-MS) and proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) to map its interactome before and after binding of GZD824, a small molecule inhibitor previously shown to bind to the ROR1 pseudokinase domain. Our findings bring new insight into the molecular mechanisms of ROR1, ROR2, and PTK7, and highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting ROR1 with small molecule inhibitors binding to its vestigial ATP-binding site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juuli Raivola
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alice Dini
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kari Salokas
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLife, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna Karvonen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014, Tampere, Finland
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Wilhelmiina Niininen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014, Tampere, Finland
| | - Emilia Piki
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Markku Varjosalo
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLife, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Daniela Ungureanu
- Applied Tumor Genomics Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33014, Tampere, Finland.
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, 90014, Oulu, Finland.
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Guarino SR, Di Bello A, Palamini M, Capillo MC, Forneris F. Crystal structure of the kringle domain of human receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (hROR1). Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2022; 78:185-192. [PMID: 35506763 PMCID: PMC9067376 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x22003855] [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: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptors (RORs) are monotopic membrane proteins belonging to the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. RTKs play a role in the control of most basic cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and metabolism. New emerging roles for RORs in cancer progression have recently been proposed: RORs have been shown to be overexpressed in various malignancies but not in normal tissues, and moreover an abnormal expression level of RORs on the cellular surface is correlated with high levels of cytotoxicity in primary cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies against the extracellular part of RTKs might be of importance to prevent tumor cell growth: targeting extracellular kringle domain molecules induces the internalization of RORs and decreases cell toxicity. Here, the recombinant production and crystallization of the isolated KRD of ROR1 and its high-resolution X-ray crystal structure in a P3121 crystal form at 1.4 Å resolution are reported. The crystal structure is compared with previously solved three-dimensional structures of kringle domains of human ROR1 and ROR2, their complexes with antibody fragments and structures of other kringle domains from homologous proteins.
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Recent Advances in CAR T-Cell Therapy for Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071715. [PMID: 35406490 PMCID: PMC8996890 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Outcomes for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have significantly improved over the past decade with the introduction of targeted therapies. These medications have improved survival, with good tolerability. However, for patients in need of treatment who are refractory or intolerant to targeted therapies treatment options are limited and survival is poor. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy (CAR T cell) holds great promise as a potential treatment for patients with high-risk CLL who fail conventional treatment; however, its use to date has been limited. Here we summarize the literature and treatment considerations of CAR T cell therapy for patients with CLL. Abstract Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T cells) have resulted in dramatic treatment responses for patients with hematologic malignancies, resulting in improved survival for patients with intractable disease. The first patient treated with CD19 directed CAR T cell therapy had chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and achieved a complete remission. Subsequent clinical trials have focused largely on patients with other B-cell hematologic malignancies, owing to the fact that CAR T cell therapy for patients with CLL has met with challenges. More recent clinical trials have demonstrated CAR T cell therapy can be well tolerated and effective for patients with CLL, making it a potential treatment option for patients with this disease. In this article we review the background on CAR T cells for the treatment of patients with CLL, focusing on the unique obstacles that patients with CLL present for the development of adoptive T cell therapy, and the novel approaches currently under development to overcome these hurdles.
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Poppova L, Pavlova S, Gonzalez B, Kotaskova J, Plevova K, Dumbovic G, Janovska P, Bystry V, Panovska A, Bezdekova L, Maslejova S, Brychtova Y, Doubek M, Krzyzankova M, Borsky M, Mayer J, Bryja V, Alonso S, Pospisilova S. Memory B-cell like chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is associated with specific methylation profile of WNT5A promoter and undetectable expression of WNT5A gene. Epigenetics 2022; 17:1628-1635. [PMID: 35333703 PMCID: PMC9621079 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2050004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome methylation profiles define naïve-like (n-CLL), memory-like (m-CLL), and intermediate (i-CLL) subsets of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The profiles can be easily determined by the analysis of the five-CpG signature. m-CLL, i-CLL, and n-CLL with the good, intermediate, and poor prognoses, respectively, differ by the somatic hypermutation status of the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable gene (IGHV), a widely used prognostic predictor in CLL. We have previously shown that the expression of WNT5A, encoding a ROR1 ligand, distinguishes patients with the worse outcome within the prognostically favourable IGHV-mutated subgroup. To analyse the mechanisms controlling WNT5A expression, we investigated the methylation status of 54 CpG sites within the WNT5A promoter and its relation to the WNT5A gene expression. In a cohort of 59 CLL patients balanced for combinations of IGHV and WNT5A statuses, we identified three promoter CpG sites whose methylation level correlated with the WNT5A expression within the IGHV-mutated subgroup. Further, we complemented our data with the methylation status of the five-CpG signature. IGHV-mutated/WNT5A-negative and IGHV-mutated/WNT5A-positive cases overlapped with m‑CLL and i‑CLL methylation subgroups, respectively, while most IGHV‑unmutated samples were assigned to n-CLL. Median methylation levels of all the three CpG sites in the WNT5A promoter were lowest in i-CLL. Finally, a detailed analysis of m-CLL and i-CLL showed that undetectable WNT5A expression predicts longer treatment-free survival with higher statistical significance than the classification according to the five-CpG signature. To conclude, a favourable m-CLL subgroup is associated with mutated IGHV and undetectable WNT5A expression due to its promoter methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Poppova
- Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sarka Pavlova
- Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Beatriz Gonzalez
- IGTP-PMPPC: Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer, Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institute, Badalona, Spain
| | - Jana Kotaskova
- Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Karla Plevova
- Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Institute of Medical Genetics and Genomics, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Gabrijela Dumbovic
- IGTP-PMPPC: Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer, Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institute, Badalona, Spain.,Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Center for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Pavlina Janovska
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Bystry
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Panovska
- Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Bezdekova
- Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Stanislava Maslejova
- Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Yvona Brychtova
- Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Doubek
- Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Institute of Medical Genetics and Genomics, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marcela Krzyzankova
- Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Borsky
- Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Mayer
- Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vitezslav Bryja
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sergio Alonso
- IGTP-PMPPC: Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer, Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institute, Badalona, Spain
| | - Sarka Pospisilova
- Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Institute of Medical Genetics and Genomics, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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Guo Y, Pei H, Lu B, Zhang D, Zhao Y, Wu F, Sun H, Huang J, Li P, Yi C, Zhu C, Pan Y, Wu S, Chen C, Xu X, Chen Y. Aberrantly expressed Wnt5a in nurse-like cells drives resistance to Venetoclax in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:82. [PMID: 35210425 PMCID: PMC8873424 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00884-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the accumulation of neoplastic B lymphocytes with high levels of Wnt5a in the plasma. Currently, the cell source of Wnt5a remains controversial. The receptor of Wnt5a is ROR1, whose expression is associated with disease progression and resistance to venetoclax, a BCL-2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of CLL. In this study, we found that the levels of Wnt5a in the plasma of CLL patients were positively correlated with absolute monocyte counts, but not lymphocyte counts. We cultured monocyte-derived nurse-like cells (NLCs) from patients with CLL, and detected Wnt5a expressed in NLCs. Flow cytometry and transwell assays showed that the antibody neutralizing Wnt5a inhibited the enhanced survival and migration in CLL cells co-cultured with NLCs. Furthermore, we performed a drug screening with CLL cells cultured with or without NLCs with a library containing 133 FDA-approved oncology drugs by using high-throughput flow cytometry. We observed a significant resistance to venetoclax in CLL cells co-cultured with NLCs. Immunoblot revealed the activation of NF-κB with enhanced expression of MCL-1 and BCL-XL in CLL cells co-cultured with NLCs. Neutralizing Wnt5a or blocking NF-κB pathway significantly decreased the expression of MCL-1 and BCL-XL, which leads to enhanced sensitivity to venetoclax in CLL cells co-cultured with NLCs. In conclusion, our data showed that NLCs could be one of the sources of Wnt5a detected in patients with CLL, and Wnt5a-induced NF-κB activation in the CLL microenvironment results in resistance to venetoclax in CLL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Guo
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Hanzhong Pei
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Bo Lu
- Department of Hematology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Dengyang Zhang
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuming Zhao
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Fuqun Wu
- Clinical laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Honghua Sun
- Clinical laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Junbin Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Peng Li
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Chenju Yi
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Chengming Zhu
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Yihang Pan
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Shunjie Wu
- Department of Hematology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Chun Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xiaojun Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yun Chen
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, China.
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Targeted Drug Delivery and Theranostic Strategies in Malignant Lymphomas. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030626. [PMID: 35158894 PMCID: PMC8833783 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The concept of targeted drug delivery (TDD) represents an innovative and effective treatment approach, which was developed with an attempt to minimize damage toward healthy tissues. Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with radioimmunoconjugates and TDD with antibody–drug conjugates (ADC) both represent drug delivery systems (DDS) based on monoclonal antibody-mediated delivery of toxic payloads toward the lymphoma tissue. Other modalities of TDD are based on new formulations of “old” cytostatic agents and their passive trapping in the tumor bulk by means of enhanced permeability and retention (EPH) effect. These comprise several clinically approved liposomal formulations of anthracyclines and many investigational nanomedicines including pegylated and non-pegylated liposomes, or polymer-based nanoparticles. Currently, the diagnostic and restaging procedures in aggressive lymphomas are based on nuclear imaging, predominantly on 2-[F18] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). On a preclinical level, it has been repeatedly demonstrated that the assessment of response and therapy delivery can be fused. Such a theranostic approach that would combine the diagnostic or restaging imaging procedure with a targeted therapy represents an appealing innovative strategy in personalized medicine in hemato-oncology. Abstract Malignant lymphomas represent the most common type of hematologic malignancies. The first clinically approved TDD modalities in lymphoma patients were anti-CD20 radioimmunoconjugates (RIT) 131I-tositumomab and 90Y-ibritumomab-tiuxetan. The later clinical success of the first approved antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) for the treatment of lymphomas, anti-CD30 brentuximab vedotin, paved the path for the preclinical development and clinical testing of several other ADCs, including polatuzumab vedotin and loncastuximab tesirine. Other modalities of TDD are based on new formulations of “old” cytostatic agents and their passive trapping in the lymphoma tissue by means of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Currently, the diagnostic and restaging procedures in aggressive lymphomas are based on nuclear imaging, namely PET. A theranostic approach that combines diagnostic or restaging lymphoma imaging with targeted treatment represents an appealing innovative strategy in personalized medicine. The future of theranostics will require not only the capability to provide suitable disease-specific molecular probes but also expertise on big data processing and evaluation. Here, we review the concept of targeted drug delivery in malignant lymphomas from RIT and ADC to a wide array of passively and actively targeted nano-sized investigational agents. We also discuss the future of molecular imaging with special focus on monoclonal antibody-based and monoclonal antibody-derived theranostic strategies.
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Wang ML, Barrientos JC, Furman RR, Mei M, Barr PM, Choi MY, de Vos S, Kallam A, Patel K, Kipps TJ, Rule S, Flanders K, Jessen KA, Ren H, Riebling PC, Graham P, King L, Thurston AW, Sun M, Schmidt EM, Lannutti BJ, Johnson DM, Miller LL, Spurgeon SE. Zilovertamab Vedotin Targeting of ROR1 as Therapy for Lymphoid Cancers. NEJM EVIDENCE 2022; 1:EVIDoa2100001. [PMID: 38319241 DOI: 10.1056/evidoa2100001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is an oncofetal protein present on many cancers. Zilovertamab vedotin (ZV) is an antibody–drug conjugate comprising a monoclonal antibody recognizing extracellular ROR1, a cleavable linker, and the anti-microtubule cytotoxin monomethyl auristatin E. METHODS: In this phase 1, first-in-human, dose-escalation study, we accrued patients with previously treated lymphoid cancers to receive ZV every 3 weeks until the occurrence of cancer progression or unacceptable toxicity had occurred. RESULTS: We enrolled 32 patients with tumor histologies of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) (n=15), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n=7), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (n=5), follicular lymphoma (n=3), Richter transformation lymphoma (n=1), or marginal zone lymphoma (n=1). Patients had received a median of four previous drug and/or cellular therapies. Starting dose levels were 0.5 (n=1), 1.0 (n=3), 1.5 (n=3), 2.25 (n=11), and 2.5 (n=14) mg per kg of body weight (mg/kg). Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data documented systemic ZV exposure and exposure-dependent ZV targeting of ROR1 on circulating tumor cells. As expected with an monomethyl auristatin E-containing antibody–drug conjugate, adverse events (AEs) included acute neutropenia and cumulative neuropathy resulting in a recommended ZV dosing regimen of 2.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks. No clinically concerning AEs occurred to suggest ROR1-mediated toxicities or nonspecific ZV binding to normal tissues. ZV induced objective tumor responses in 7 of 15 patients with MCL (47%; 4 partial and 3 complete) and in 3 of 5 patients with DLBCL (60%; 1 partial and 2 complete); objective tumor responses were not observed among patients with other tumor types. CONCLUSIONS: In heavily pretreated patients, ZV demonstrated no unexpected toxicities and showed evidence of antitumor activity, providing clinical proof of concept for selective targeting of ROR1 as a potential new approach to cancer therapy. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03833180.)
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sven de Vos
- University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lydia King
- Catalyst Clinical Research, Wilmington, NC
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High expression level of ROR1 and ROR1-signaling associates with venetoclax resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemia 2022; 36:1609-1618. [PMID: 35418613 PMCID: PMC9162914 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01543-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Although the BH3-mimetic venetoclax is highly cytotoxic for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells, some patients with CLL fail to clear minimal residual disease (MRD). We examined the CLL cells of seven such patients (CLL1-7) and found each had high-level expression of ROR1. By examining the CLL cells from such patients prior to therapy at SC1 and then more than 1 year later (Sample Collection 2 (SC2)), when they had progressive increases in MRD despite continued venetoclax therapy, we found the levels of ROR1 expressed on CLL cells at SC2 were significantly higher than that on CLL cells collected at SC1. At SC2, we also observed upregulation of genes induced by Wnt5a-induced ROR1 signaling, including BCL2L1. Transduction of the CLL-cell-line MEC1 to express ROR1 enhanced expression of target genes induced by ROR1-signaling, increased expression of BCL-XL, and enhanced resistance to venetoclax, even in MEC1 made to express mutant forms of BCL2, which are associated with venetoclax resistance. Treatment of primary CLL cells with Wnt5a also increased their resistance to venetoclax, an effect that could be inhibited by the anti-ROR1 mAb (UC-961, zilovertamab). Collectively, these studies indicate that Wnt5a-induced ROR1-signaling can enhance resistance to venetoclax therapy.
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39
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Stevenson FK, Forconi F, Kipps TJ. Exploring the pathways to chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood 2021; 138:827-835. [PMID: 34075408 PMCID: PMC8432043 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), increasing knowledge of the biology of the tumor cells has led to transformative improvements in our capacity to assess and treat patients. The dependence of tumor cells on surface immunoglobulin receptor signaling, survival pathways, and accessory cells within the microenvironment has led to a successful double-barreled attack with designer drugs. Studies have revealed that CLL should be classified based on the mutational status of the expressed IGHV sequences into 2 diseases, either unmutated (U) or mutated (M) CLL, each with a distinctive cellular origin, biology, epigenetics/genetics, and clinical behavior. The origin of U-CLL lies among the natural antibody repertoire, and dominance of IGHV1-69 reveals a superantigenic driver. In both U-CLL and M-CLL, a calibrated stimulation of tumor cells by self-antigens apparently generates a dynamic reiterative cycle as cells, protected from apoptosis, transit between blood and tissue sites. But there are differences in outcome, with the balance between proliferation and anergy favoring anergy in M-CLL. Responses are modulated by an array of microenvironmental interactions. Availability of T-cell help is a likely determinant of cell fate, the dependency on which varies between U-CLL and M-CLL, reflecting the different cells of origin, and affecting clinical behavior. Despite such advances, cell-escape strategies, Richter transformation, and immunosuppression remain as challenges, which only may be met by continued research into the biology of CLL.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Mutation
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/immunology
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Freda K Stevenson
- School of Cancer Sciences, Cancer Research UK Southampton Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Forconi
- School of Cancer Sciences, Cancer Research UK Southampton Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Haematology Department, Cancer Care Directorate, University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom; and
| | - Thomas J Kipps
- Center for Novel Therapeutics, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
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Jiang VC, Liu Y, Jordan A, McIntosh J, Li Y, Che Y, Jessen KA, Lannutti BJ, Wang M. The antibody drug conjugate VLS-101 targeting ROR1 is effective in CAR T-resistant mantle cell lymphoma. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:132. [PMID: 34454548 PMCID: PMC8400406 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01143-w] [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: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare, aggressive and incurable subtype of non-Hodgkin’s B-cell lymphoma. The principal barrier is frequent clinical relapse to multiple lines of therapies, including new FDA-approved biologics and cell therapy. Brexucabtagene autoleucel, the first and only FDA approved chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T product in MCL, demonstrated unprecedented efficacy in overcoming resistance to Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors. However, relapses have inevitably occurred and once relapsed these patients display a very poor clinical outcome. Currently, there is no optional therapy specifically designed for these patients. The development of tailored and more efficacious therapies is therefore critical and represents a new medical need. We found that while the receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is expressed across most of the MCL cells, it is significantly elevated in CAR T-relapsed MCL tumors. To see whether this aberrant ROR1 expression contributed to CAR T resistance, we targeted ROR1 using VLS-101, a monomethyl auristatin E conjugated anti-ROR1 antibody. VLS-101 showed potent anti-MCL activity in vitro in ROR1-expressing MCL cell lines and ex vivo in primary patient samples. Importantly, VLS-101 safely induced tumor regression in PDX models resistant to CAR T-cell therapy, ibrutinib and/or venetoclax. These data advocate for targeting ROR1 as a viable approach in the treatment of ROR1-positive MCL tumors, especially those with failure to prior therapies. These data also provide strong evidence for future enrollment of post-CD19 CAR T-cell relapsed MCL patients in a first in-human phase 1b VLS-101 trial. The upcoming testing in a clinical setting will provide important insights on this new therapeutic development aiming to overcome the CAR T resistance via targeting ROR1, which is a rising unmet clinical need in MCL. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Changying Jiang
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexa Jordan
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joseph McIntosh
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yijing Li
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yuxuan Che
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Michael Wang
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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Ghaderi A, Okhovat M, Wikanthi LSS, Svensson A, Palma M, Schultz J, Olin T, Österborg A, Mellstedt H, Hojjat‐Farsangi M. A ROR1 small molecule inhibitor (KAN0441571C) induced significant apoptosis of ibrutinib‐resistant ROR1
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CLL cells. EJHAEM 2021; 2:498-502. [PMID: 35844694 PMCID: PMC9176142 DOI: 10.1002/jha2.232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
ROR1 – a receptor tyrosine kinase – is overexpressed in CLL. Ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is clinically effective in CLL but patients may develop resistance. We evaluated the effect of an ROR1 inhibitor, KAN0441571C, in CLL cells from six patients obtained before and after developing resistance to ibrutinib. The ROR1 inhibitor induced apoptosis in ibrutinib‐resistant CLL cells to the same degree as in ibrutinib‐sensitive cells and dephosphorylated ROR1. This was also noted in one patient who became resistant to both ibrutinib and the Bcl‐2 inhibitor venetoclax. The combination of ROR1 inhibitor and venetoclax had a synergistic apoptotic effect on ibrutinib‐resistant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amineh Ghaderi
- Department of Oncology‐PathologyBioClinicum, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Mohammad‐Ali Okhovat
- Department of Oncology‐PathologyBioClinicum, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | | | - Ann Svensson
- Department of Oncology‐PathologyBioClinicum, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Marzia Palma
- Department of Oncology‐PathologyBioClinicum, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Department of HematologyKarolinska University Hospital SolnaStockholmSweden
| | - Johan Schultz
- Kancera AB, Karolinska Institute Science ParkSolnaSweden
| | - Thomas Olin
- Kancera AB, Karolinska Institute Science ParkSolnaSweden
| | - Anders Österborg
- Department of Oncology‐PathologyBioClinicum, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Department of HematologyKarolinska University Hospital SolnaStockholmSweden
| | - Håkan Mellstedt
- Department of Oncology‐PathologyBioClinicum, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
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42
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Nema R, Patel P, Kumar A. Prognostic Role of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-Like Orphan Receptors in Intestinal-Type Gastric Cancer. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2021; 22:2125-2134. [PMID: 34319035 PMCID: PMC8607102 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2021.22.7.2125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC) is diagnosed at advanced stages and has high mortality rates. Surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy are the main therapeutic approaches for GC. Despite curative resection, recurrence and metastasis contribute to a high mortality rate in patients with GC. The receptor-tyrosine-kinase-like orphan receptors 1/2 (ROR1/2) are transmembrane proteins belonging to the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. ROR1 and ROR2 are known to overexpress in the tumor tissues from several types of cancer patients. However, the role of RORs in the prognosis has not been understood. METHODS This study aimed to determine the association of mRNA expression of ROR1, ROR2, and their signaling components WNT5A, NKX2-1, and FOXF1, with the survival outcome of GC patients. We performed Kaplan-Meir survival analysis on publicly available 'The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)' data sets using 'Kaplan-Meir Plotter.' RESULTS High mRNA expression of ROR1, ROR2, NKX2-1, and FOXF1 was significantly correlated with worse overall survival (OS) of GC patients. Interestingly ROR1 and ROR showed a prognostic role in the intestinal subtype, but not in the diffuse subtype of GC. Furthermore, ROR1 was positively correlated with regulatory T cells and M2-type macrophages and negatively correlated with Th17 and natural killer T cells in the tumor stroma of patients with GC. CONCLUSION We conclude that the expression of ROR1, ROR2, and their associated genes correlate with worst prognosis of GC patients, particularly in the intestinal type. .
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ashok Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal, Saket Nagar, Bhopal, India.
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43
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Mining the Microenvironment for Therapeutic Targets in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 27:306-313. [PMID: 34398557 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The leukemia cells of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are highly fastidious, requiring stimulation by soluble factors and interactions with accessory cells within the supportive niches of lymphoid tissue that comprise the leukemia microenvironment. The advent of therapies that can disrupt some of the stimulatory signaling afforded by the microenvironment has ushered in a new era of targeted therapy, which has dramatically improved clinical outcome and patient survival. Future advances are required for patients who develop intolerance or resistance to current targeted therapies. These may be found by investigating novel drugs that can inhibit identified targets, such as the pathways involved in B-cell receptor signaling, or by developing agents that inhibit additional targets of the leukemia microenvironment. This review describes some of the molecules involved in promoting the growth and/or survival of CLL cells and discusses targeting strategies that may become tomorrow's therapy for patients with CLL.
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44
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ROR1 targeting with the antibody-drug conjugate VLS-101 is effective in Richter syndrome patient-derived xenograft mouse models. Blood 2021; 137:3365-3377. [PMID: 33512452 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020008404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Richter syndrome (RS) represents the transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), typically to an aggressive lymphoma. Treatment options for RS are limited and the disease is often fatal. Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is expressed on CLL cells and other cancers but not on healthy adult tissues, making it an attractive, tumor-specific therapeutic target. VLS-101 is being developed as an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) for therapy of ROR1-expressing (ROR1+) cancers. VLS-101 comprises UC-961 (a humanized immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody that binds an extracellular epitope of human ROR1), a maleimidocaproyl-valine-citrulline-para-aminobenzoate linker, and the antimicrotubule cytotoxin monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). VLS-101 binding to ROR1 results in rapid cellular internalization and delivery of MMAE to induce tumor cell death. We studied 4 RS patient-derived xenografts (RS-PDXs) with varying levels of ROR1 expression (11%, 32%, 85%, and 99% of cells). VLS-101 showed no efficacy in the lowest-expressing RS-PDX but induced complete remissions in those with higher levels of ROR1 expression. Responses were maintained during the posttherapy period, particularly after higher VLS-101 doses. In systemic ROR1+ RS-PDXs, VLS-101 dramatically decreased tumor burden in all RS-colonized tissues and significantly prolonged survival. Animals showed no adverse effects or weight loss. Our results confirm ROR1 as a target in RS and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of using an ADC directed toward ROR1 for the treatment of hematological cancers. A phase 1 clinical trial of VLS-101 (NCT03833180) is ongoing in patients with RS and other hematological malignancies.
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45
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Zhao Y, Zhang D, Guo Y, Lu B, Zhao ZJ, Xu X, Chen Y. Tyrosine Kinase ROR1 as a Target for Anti-Cancer Therapies. Front Oncol 2021; 11:680834. [PMID: 34123850 PMCID: PMC8193947 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.680834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinase ROR1 plays an essential role in embryogenesis and is overexpressed in many types of malignant tumors. Studies have demonstrated that it plays an important role in oncogenesis by activating cell survival signaling events, particularly the non-canonical WNT signaling pathway. Antibody-based immunotherapies targeting ROR1 have been developed and evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies with promising outcomes. However, small molecule inhibitors targeting ROR1 are underappreciated because of the initial characterization of ROR1 as a peusdokinase. The function of ROR1 as a tyrosine kinase remains poorly understood, although accumulating evidence have demonstrated its intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. In this review, we analyzed the structural and functional features of ROR1 and discussed therapeutic strategies targeting this kinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuming Zhao
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dengyang Zhang
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yao Guo
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bo Lu
- Department of Hematology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhizhuang Joe Zhao
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Xiaojun Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Edmond H. Fischer Translational Medical Research Laboratory, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
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46
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The future of laboratory testing in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Pathology 2021; 53:377-384. [PMID: 33678426 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2021.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a malignant lymphoproliferative disorder characterised by the accumulation of dysfunctional B-lymphocytes in the blood and lymphoid tissues. It is a clonally complex disease with a high degree of both intra-tumoural and inter-patient heterogeneity. This variability leads to a wide range of clinical outcomes and highlights the critical need for accurate prognostic tests in CLL. With the advent of a range of new targeted agents for CLL in recent years, there is also a clinical need for improved predictive tests to therapy. This review of laboratory testing in CLL focuses on emerging technologies for prognostication including single nucleotide polymorphism microarray for karyotypic analysis, targeted next generation sequencing analysis of the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region gene as well as genes recurrently mutated in the disease such as TP53, and detection of minimal residual disease.
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47
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Abstract
Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia can be divided into three categories: those who are minimally affected by the problem, often never requiring therapy; those that initially follow an indolent course but subsequently progress and require therapy; and those that from the point of diagnosis exhibit an aggressive disease necessitating treatment. Likewise, such patients pass through three phases: development of the disease, diagnosis, and need for therapy. Finally, the leukemic clones of all patients appear to require continuous input from the exterior, most often through membrane receptors, to allow them to survive and grow. This review is presented according to the temporal course that the disease follows, focusing on those external influences from the tissue microenvironment (TME) that support the time lines as well as those internal influences that are inherited or develop as genetic and epigenetic changes occurring over the time line. Regarding the former, special emphasis is placed on the input provided via the B-cell receptor for antigen and the C-X-C-motif chemokine receptor-4 and the therapeutic agents that block these inputs. Regarding the latter, prominence is laid upon inherited susceptibility genes and the genetic and epigenetic abnormalities that lead to the developmental and progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Chiorazzi
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA
| | - Shih-Shih Chen
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA
| | - Kanti R. Rai
- The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York 11549, USA
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48
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Menck K, Heinrichs S, Baden C, Bleckmann A. The WNT/ROR Pathway in Cancer: From Signaling to Therapeutic Intervention. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010142. [PMID: 33445713 PMCID: PMC7828172 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The WNT pathway is one of the major signaling cascades frequently deregulated in human cancer. While research had initially focused on signal transduction centered on β-catenin as a key effector activating a pro-tumorigenic transcriptional response, nowadays it is known that WNT ligands can also induce a multitude of β-catenin-independent cellular pathways. Traditionally, these comprise WNT/planar cell polarity (PCP) and WNT/Ca2+ signaling. In addition, signaling via the receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptors (RORs) has gained increasing attention in cancer research due to their overexpression in a multitude of tumor entities. Active WNT/ROR signaling has been linked to processes driving tumor development and progression, such as cell proliferation, survival, invasion, or therapy resistance. In adult tissue, the RORs are largely absent, which has spiked the interest in them for targeted cancer therapy. Promising results in preclinical and initial clinical studies are beginning to unravel the great potential of such treatment approaches. In this review, we summarize seminal findings on the structure and expression of the RORs in cancer, their downstream signaling, and its output in regard to tumor cell function. Furthermore, we present the current clinical anti-ROR treatment strategies and discuss the state-of-the-art, as well as the challenges of the different approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Menck
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.M.); (S.H.); (C.B.)
- West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Saskia Heinrichs
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.M.); (S.H.); (C.B.)
- West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Cornelia Baden
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.M.); (S.H.); (C.B.)
- West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Annalen Bleckmann
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.M.); (S.H.); (C.B.)
- West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Department of Hematology/Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099 Göttingen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-0251-8352712
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49
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Hojjat-Farsangi M, Moshfegh A, Schultz J, Norin M, Olin T, Österborg A, Mellstedt H. Targeting the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase ROR1 by Small Molecules. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 269:75-99. [PMID: 34490515 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are frequently dysregulated in malignancies and important for the malignant characteristics of tumor cells. RTKs are attractive structures for drug targeting of cancer. The RTK ROR1 is of significance during embryogenesis but downregulated in post-partum tissues. However, ROR1 is overexpressed in several hematological and solid tumors and important for tumor cell proliferation, survival, migration, and metastasis. WNT5a is a main ligand for ROR1. Several clinical trials are ongoing using anti-ROR1 antibody based drugs directed against the external domain (monoclonal antibodies, BiTE, CAR-T). We have produced small molecules (KAN834/1571c) fitting to the ATP pocket of the intracellular tyrosine kinase (TK) domain of ROR1 (TK inhibitor, TKI). These inhibitors of ROR1 prevented ROR1 phosphorylation and inactivated the WNT/β-catenin independent as well as WNT/β-catenin dependent pathways. ROR1-TKI induced apoptosis of ROR1 positive fresh patient derived tumor cells and appropriate cell lines and a dose and time dependent tumor reduction in animal models. In combination with other clinically relevant targeting drugs as venetoclax a synergistic apoptotic effect was seen. Two other small molecules (ARI-1 and strictinin) bound also to ROR1 and inhibited tumor growth. Development of small molecule ROR1 inhibitors is warranted to include this novel therapeutic approach for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ali Moshfegh
- BioClinicum, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Schultz
- Kancera AB, Karolinska Institutet Science Park, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Norin
- Kancera AB, Karolinska Institutet Science Park, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Olin
- Kancera AB, Karolinska Institutet Science Park, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Österborg
- BioClinicum, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Håkan Mellstedt
- BioClinicum, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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50
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Frenquelli M, Tonon G. WNT Signaling in Hematological Malignancies. Front Oncol 2020; 10:615190. [PMID: 33409156 PMCID: PMC7779757 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.615190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the WNT signaling pathway in key cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation and migration is well documented. WNT signaling cascade is initiated by the interaction of WNT ligands with receptors belonging to the Frizzled family, and/or the ROR1/ROR2 and RYK families. The downstream signaling cascade results in the activation of the canonical β-catenin dependent pathway, ultimately leading to transcriptional control of cell proliferation, or the non-canonical pathway, mainly acting on cell migration and cell polarity. The high level of expression of both WNT ligands and WNT receptors in cancer cells and in the surrounding microenvironment suggests that WNT may represent a central conduit of interactions between tumor cells and microenviroment. In this review we will focus on WNT pathways deregulation in hematological cancers, both at the ligand and receptor levels. We will review available literature regarding both the classical β-catenin dependent pathway as well as the non-canonical pathway, with particular emphasis on the possible exploitation of WNT aberrant activation as a therapeutic target, a notion supported by preclinical data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Frenquelli
- B-cell Neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Functional Genomics of Cancer Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tonon
- Functional Genomics of Cancer Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Center for Omics Sciences (COSR), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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