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Pasquale EB. Eph receptors and ephrins in cancer progression. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:5-27. [PMID: 37996538 PMCID: PMC11015936 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00634-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Evidence implicating Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands (that together make up the 'Eph system') in cancer development and progression has been accumulating since the discovery of the first Eph receptor approximately 35 years ago. Advances in the past decade and a half have considerably increased the understanding of Eph receptor-ephrin signalling mechanisms in cancer and have uncovered intriguing new roles in cancer progression and drug resistance. This Review focuses mainly on these more recent developments. I provide an update on the different mechanisms of Eph receptor-ephrin-mediated cell-cell communication and cell autonomous signalling, as well as on the interplay of the Eph system with other signalling systems. I further discuss recent advances in elucidating how the Eph system controls tumour expansion, invasiveness and metastasis, supports cancer stem cells, and drives therapy resistance. In addition to functioning within cancer cells, the Eph system also mediates the reciprocal communication between cancer cells and cells of the tumour microenvironment. The involvement of the Eph system in tumour angiogenesis is well established, but recent findings also demonstrate roles in immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix. Lastly, I discuss strategies under evaluation for therapeutic targeting of Eph receptors-ephrins in cancer and conclude with an outlook on promising future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena B Pasquale
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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2
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Nanamiya R, Suzuki H, Kaneko MK, Kato Y. Development of an Anti-EphB4 Monoclonal Antibody for Multiple Applications Against Breast Cancers. Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother 2023; 42:166-177. [PMID: 37824755 DOI: 10.1089/mab.2023.0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma (Eph) receptors are the largest receptor tyrosine kinase family. EphB4 is essential for cell adhesion and motility during embryogenesis. Pathologically, EphB4 is overexpressed and contributes to poor prognosis in various tumors. Therefore, specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) should be developed to predict the prognosis for multiple tumors with high EphB4 expression, including breast and gastric cancers. This study aimed to develop specific anti-EphB4 mAbs for multiple applications using the Cell-Based Immunization and Screening method. EphB4-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 (CHO/EphB4) cells were immunized into mice, and we established an anti-EphB4 mAb (clone B4Mab-7), which is applicable for flow cytometry, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). B4Mab-7 reacted with endogenous EphB4-positive breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, but did not react with EphB4-knockout MCF-7 (BINDS-52) in flow cytometry. Dissociation constant (KD) values were determined to be 2.9 × 10-9 M and 1.3 × 10-9 M by flow cytometric analysis for CHO/EphB4 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. B4Mab-7 detected the EphB4 protein bands from breast cancer cells in Western blot, and stained breast cancer tissues in IHC. Altogether, B4Mab-7 is very useful for detecting EphB4 in various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren Nanamiya
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Suzuki
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mika K Kaneko
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yukinari Kato
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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3
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Stergiou IE, Papadakos SP, Karyda A, Tsitsilonis OE, Dimopoulos MA, Theocharis S. EPH/Ephrin Signaling in Normal Hematopoiesis and Hematologic Malignancies: Deciphering Their Intricate Role and Unraveling Possible New Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3963. [PMID: 37568780 PMCID: PMC10417178 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptors (EPHs) represent the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). EPH interaction with ephrins, their membrane-bound ligands, holds a pivotal role in embryonic development, while, though less active, it is also implicated in various physiological functions during adult life. In normal hematopoiesis, different patterns of EPH/ephrin expression have been correlated with hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) maintenance and lineage-committed hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) differentiation, as well as with the functional properties of their mature offspring. Research in the field of hematologic malignancies has unveiled a rather complex involvement of the EPH/ephrinsignaling pathway in the pathophysiology of these neoplasms. Aberrations in genetic, epigenetic, and protein levels have been identified as possible players implicated both in tumor progression and suppression, while correlations have also been highlighted regarding prognosis and response to treatment. Initial efforts to therapeutically target the EPH/ephrin axis have been undertaken in the setting of hematologic neoplasia but are mainly confined to the preclinical level. To this end, deciphering the complexity of this signaling pathway both in normal and malignant hematopoiesis is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna E. Stergiou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Stavros P. Papadakos
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Anna Karyda
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Ourania E. Tsitsilonis
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece;
| | - Meletios-Athanasios Dimopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (A.K.)
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4
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Fan T, Liang B, Nie L, Wang J, Zhang H, Ciechanover A, Xu Y, An J, Huang Z. A synthetic bivalent peptide ligand of EphB4 with potent agonistic activity. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114804. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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5
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Ma W, Zhu M, Wang B, Gong Z, Du X, Yang T, Shi X, Dai B, Zhan Y, Zhang D, Ji Y, Wang Y, Li S, Zhang Y. Vandetanib drives growth arrest and promotes sensitivity to imatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia by targeting ephrin type-B receptor 4. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:2747-2765. [PMID: 35689424 PMCID: PMC9297786 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13270] [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: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The oncogenic role of ephrin type‐B receptor 4 (EPHB4) has been reported in many types of tumors, including chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Here, we found that CML patients have a higher EPHB4 expression level than healthy subjects. EPHB4 knockdown inhibited growth of K562 cells (a human immortalized myelogenous leukemia cell line). In addition, transient transfection of EPHB4 siRNA led to sensitization to imatinib. These growth defects could be fully rescued by EPHB4 transfection. To identify an EPHB4‐specific inhibitor with the potential of rapid translation into the clinic, a pool of clinical compounds was screened and vandetanib was found to be most sensitive to K562 cells, which express a high level of EPHB4. Vandetanib mainly acts on the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain and interacts stably with a hydrophobic pocket. Furthermore, vandetanib downregulated EPHB4 protein via the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway and inhibited PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways in K562 cells. Vandetanib alone significantly inhibited tumor growth in a K562 xenograft model. Furthermore, the combination of vandetanib and imatinib exhibited enhanced and synergistic growth inhibition against imatinib‐resistant K562 cells in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that vandetanib drives growth arrest and overcomes the resistance to imatinib in CML via targeting EPHB4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weina Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Man Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Bo Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhengyan Gong
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Xia Du
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Tianfeng Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Xianpeng Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Bingling Dai
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Yingzhuan Zhan
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Dongdong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
| | - Yanhong Ji
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China
| | - Yang Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China
| | - Song Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Center for Pharmacogenetics, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China.,State Key Laboratory of Shaanxi for Natural Medicines Research and Engineering, Xi'an, China
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6
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He L, Zhong Z, Chen M, Liang Q, Wang Y, Tan W. Current Advances in Coptidis Rhizoma for Gastrointestinal and Other Cancers. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:775084. [PMID: 35046810 PMCID: PMC8762280 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.775084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a serious disease with an increasing number of reported cases and high mortality worldwide. Gastrointestinal cancer defines a group of cancers in the digestive system, e.g., liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer. Coptidis Rhizoma (C. Rhizoma; Huanglian, in Chinese) is a classical Chinese medicinal botanical drug for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and has been shown to have a wide variety of pharmacological activity, including antifungal, antivirus, anticancer, antidiabetic, hypoglycemic, and cardioprotective effects. Recent studies on C. Rhizoma present significant progress on its anticancer effects and the corresponding mechanisms as well as its clinical applications. Herein, keywords related to C. Rhizoma, cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and omics were searched in PubMed and the Web of Science databases, and more than three hundred recent publications were reviewed and discussed. C. Rhizoma extract along with its main components, berberine, palmatine, coptisine, magnoflorine, jatrorrhizine, epiberberine, oxyepiberberine, oxyberberine, dihydroberberine, columbamine, limonin, and derivatives, are reviewed. We describe novel and classic anticancer mechanisms from various perspectives of pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and pharmaceutics. Researchers have transformed the chemical structures and drug delivery systems of these components to obtain better efficacy and bioavailability of C. Rhizoma. Furthermore, C. Rhizoma in combination with other drugs and their clinical application are also summarized. Taken together, C. Rhizoma has broad prospects as a potential adjuvant candidate against cancers, making it reasonable to conduct additional preclinical studies and clinical trials in gastrointestinal cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luying He
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macau Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Zhangfeng Zhong, ; Yitao Wang, ; Wen Tan,
| | - Man Chen
- Oncology Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Qilian Liang
- Oncology Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yitao Wang
- Macau Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Zhangfeng Zhong, ; Yitao Wang, ; Wen Tan,
| | - Wen Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhangfeng Zhong, ; Yitao Wang, ; Wen Tan,
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7
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EphB4 as a Novel Target for the EGFR-Independent Suppressive Effects of Osimertinib on Cell Cycle Progression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168522. [PMID: 34445227 PMCID: PMC8395224 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Osimertinib is the latest generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to explore the novel mechanisms of osimertinib by particularly focusing on EGFR-independent effects, which have not been well characterized. We explored the EGFR-independent effects of osimertinib on cell proliferation using NSCLC cell lines, an antibody array analysis, and the association between the action of osimertinib and the ephrin receptor B4 (EphB4). We also studied the clinicopathological significance of EphB4 in 84 lung adenocarcinoma patients. Osimertinib exerted significant inhibitory effects on cell growth and cell cycle progression by promoting the phosphorylation of p53 and p21 and decreasing cyclin D1 expression independently of EGFR. EphB4 was significantly suppressed by osimertinib and promoted cell growth and sensitivity to osimertinib. The EphB4 status in carcinoma cells was positively correlated with tumor size, T factor, and Ki-67 labeling index in all patients and was associated with poor relapse-free survival in EGFR mutation-positive patients. EphB4 is associated with the EGFR-independent suppressive effects of osimertinib on cell cycle and with a poor clinical outcome. Osimertinib can exert significant growth inhibitory effects in EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients with a high EphB4 status.
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8
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K. Bhanumathy K, Balagopal A, Vizeacoumar FS, Vizeacoumar FJ, Freywald A, Giambra V. Protein Tyrosine Kinases: Their Roles and Their Targeting in Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020184. [PMID: 33430292 PMCID: PMC7825731 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Protein phosphorylation is a key regulatory mechanism that controls a wide variety of cellular responses. This process is catalysed by the members of the protein kinase superfamily that are classified into two main families based on their ability to phosphorylate either tyrosine or serine and threonine residues in their substrates. Massive research efforts have been invested in dissecting the functions of tyrosine kinases, revealing their importance in the initiation and progression of human malignancies. Based on these investigations, numerous tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been included in clinical protocols and proved to be effective in targeted therapies for various haematological malignancies. In this review, we provide insights into the role of tyrosine kinases in leukaemia and discuss their targeting for therapeutic purposes with the currently available inhibitory compounds. Abstract Protein kinases constitute a large group of enzymes catalysing protein phosphorylation and controlling multiple signalling events. The human protein kinase superfamily consists of 518 members and represents a complicated system with intricate internal and external interactions. Protein kinases are classified into two main families based on the ability to phosphorylate either tyrosine or serine and threonine residues. Among the 90 tyrosine kinase genes, 58 are receptor types classified into 20 groups and 32 are of the nonreceptor types distributed into 10 groups. Tyrosine kinases execute their biological functions by controlling a variety of cellular responses, such as cell division, metabolism, migration, cell–cell and cell matrix adhesion, cell survival and apoptosis. Over the last 30 years, a major focus of research has been directed towards cancer-associated tyrosine kinases owing to their critical contributions to the development and aggressiveness of human malignancies through the pathological effects on cell behaviour. Leukaemia represents a heterogeneous group of haematological malignancies, characterised by an uncontrolled proliferation of undifferentiated hematopoietic cells or leukaemia blasts, mostly derived from bone marrow. They are usually classified as chronic or acute, depending on the rates of their progression, as well as myeloid or lymphoblastic, according to the type of blood cells involved. Overall, these malignancies are relatively common amongst both children and adults. In malignant haematopoiesis, multiple tyrosine kinases of both receptor and nonreceptor types, including AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL), Discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1), Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), Mesenchymal–epithelial transition factor (MET), proto-oncogene c-Src (SRC), Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) and pro-oncogenic Abelson tyrosine-protein kinase 1 (ABL1) mutants, are implicated in the pathogenesis and drug resistance of practically all types of leukaemia. The role of ABL1 kinase mutants and their therapeutic inhibitors have been extensively analysed in scientific literature, and therefore, in this review, we provide insights into the impact and mechanism of action of other tyrosine kinases involved in the development and progression of human leukaemia and discuss the currently available and emerging treatment options based on targeting these molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalpana K. Bhanumathy
- Division of Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada; (A.B.); (F.J.V.)
- Correspondence: (K.K.B.); (V.G.); Tel.: +1-(306)-716-7456 (K.K.B.); +39-0882-416574 (V.G.)
| | - Amrutha Balagopal
- Division of Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada; (A.B.); (F.J.V.)
| | - Frederick S. Vizeacoumar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada; (F.S.V.); (A.F.)
| | - Franco J. Vizeacoumar
- Division of Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada; (A.B.); (F.J.V.)
- Cancer Research Department, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Andrew Freywald
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada; (F.S.V.); (A.F.)
| | - Vincenzo Giambra
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
- Correspondence: (K.K.B.); (V.G.); Tel.: +1-(306)-716-7456 (K.K.B.); +39-0882-416574 (V.G.)
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Villatoro A, Konieczny J, Cuminetti V, Arranz L. Leukemia Stem Cell Release From the Stem Cell Niche to Treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:607. [PMID: 32754595 PMCID: PMC7367216 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous, complex, and deadly disease, whose treatment has hardly evolved for decades and grounds on the use of intensive chemotherapy regimens. Chemotherapy helps reduce AML bulk, but promotes relapse in the long-run by selection of chemoresistant leukemia stem cells (LSC). These may diversify and result in progression to more aggressive forms of AML. In vivo models suggest that the bone marrow stem cell niche helps LSC stay dormant and protected from chemotherapy. Here, we summarize relevant changes in stem cell niche homing and adhesion of AML LSC vs. healthy hematopoietic stem cells, and provide an overview of clinical trials aiming at targeting these processes for AML treatment and future directions within this field. Promising results with various non-mutation-targeted novel therapies directed to LSC eradication via interference with their anchoring to the stem cell niche have encouraged on-going or future advanced phase III clinical trials. In the coming years, we may see a shift in the focus of AML treatment to LSC-directed therapies if the prospect of improved cure rates holds true. In the future, AML treatment should lean toward personalized therapies using combinations of these compounds plus mutation-targeted agents and/or targeted delivery of chemotherapy, aiming at LSC eradication with reduced side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Villatoro
- Stem Cell Aging and Cancer Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Joanna Konieczny
- Stem Cell Aging and Cancer Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Vincent Cuminetti
- Stem Cell Aging and Cancer Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Lorena Arranz
- Stem Cell Aging and Cancer Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,Norwegian Center for Molecular Medicine (NCMM), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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10
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London M, Gallo E. Critical role of EphA3 in cancer and current state of EphA3 drug therapeutics. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:5523-5533. [PMID: 32621117 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05571-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular (Eph) receptors are transmembrane glycoprotein members of the tyrosine kinase receptors family. The Ephs may bind to various ephrin ligands resulting in the phosphorylation of their tyrosine kinase domain and the activation of the Eph receptor. In this review we focus on EphA3, one receptor of the 14 different Ephs, as it carries out both redundant and restricted functions in the germline development of mammals and in the maintenance of various adult tissues. The loss of EphA3 regulation is correlated with various human malignancies, the most notable being cancer. This receptor is overexpressed and/or mutated in multiple tumors, and is also associated with poor prognosis and decreased survival in patients. Here we highlight the role of EphA3 in normal and malignant tissues that are specific to cancer; these include hematologic disorders, gastric cancer, glioblastoma multiforme, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and prostate cancer. Moreover, various anticancer agents against EphA3 have been developed to either inhibit its kinase domain activity or to function as agonists. Thus, we examine the most potent small molecule drugs and mAb-based therapeutics against EphA3 that are currently in pre-clinical or clinical stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max London
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Eugenio Gallo
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada.
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11
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Kaur K, Singh N, Dhawan RK. Potential role of EphrinA2 receptors in postconditioning induced cardioprotection in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 883:173231. [PMID: 32589885 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
EphA2 receptor has emerged as a novel cardioprotective target against myocardial infarction by preserving cardiac function, limiting infarct size and inflammation and enhancing cell survival via elevating phosphorylated Akt protein levels. However, the role of Eph receptors in postconditioning remains to be elucidated. Thus, the present study was designed to explore the role of EphA2 receptors in cardioprotective mechanism of postconditioning by employing Doxazosin as EphA2 receptor agonist, Lithocholic acid as antagonist and Wortmannin as specific phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor. In Langendorff perfused isolated rat hearts, exposure of ischemia for 30 min succeeded by reperfusion for 2 h produced cardiac damage as determined by increase in size of infarct, LVDP, liberation of LDH and CK in effluent from coronary arteries. The reperfused hearts were homogenized and tissue concentrations of TBARs, reduced GSH and Catalase were determined. A marked rise in infarct size, liberation of LDH and CK in effluent and TBARs in myocardial tissue was observed in ischemic and reperfused hearts. Ischemic postconditioning comprising of 6 alternate episodes of 10 s ischemia and 10 s reperfusion and pharmacological post-conditioning by Doxazosin infusion for 5 min Before reperfusion confers significant protection against myocardial injury as manifested by remarkably decreased infarct size, levels of LDH, CK and tissue TBARs along with increase in GSH and Catalase activity. Pre-treatment of EphA2 antagonist, Lithocholic acid and PI3K inhibitor, Wortmannin attenuated the cardioprotective effect of postconditioning. Our results suggest that EphA2 receptors may be involved in postconditioning mediated cardioprotection probably through PI3K/Akt pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamaldeep Kaur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, India; Department of Pharmacology, Khalsa College of Pharmacy, Amritsar, India
| | - Nirmal Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, India.
| | - Ravi K Dhawan
- Department of Pharmacology, Khalsa College of Pharmacy, Amritsar, India
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12
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Janes PW, Vail ME, Gan HK, Scott AM. Antibody Targeting of Eph Receptors in Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13050088. [PMID: 32397088 PMCID: PMC7281212 DOI: 10.3390/ph13050088] [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: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Eph subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases mediate cell-cell communication controlling cell and tissue patterning during development. While generally less active in adult tissues, they often re-emerge in cancers, particularly on undifferentiated or progenitor cells in tumors and the tumor microenvironment, associated with tumor initiation, angiogenesis and metastasis. Eph receptors are thus attractive therapeutic targets, and monoclonal antibodies have been commonly developed and tested for anti-cancer activity in preclinical models, and in some cases in the clinic. This review summarizes 20 years of research on various antibody-based approaches to target Eph receptors in tumors and the tumor microenvironment, including their mode of action, tumor specificity, and efficacy in pre-clinical and clinical testing.
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13
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Fratev F, Gutierrez DA, Aguilera RJ, Tyagi A, Damodaran C, Sirimulla S. Discovery of new AKT1 inhibitors by combination of in silico structure based virtual screening approaches and biological evaluations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:368-377. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1715835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Filip Fratev
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
- Micar Innovation (Micar 21) Ltd, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Denisse A. Gutierrez
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Renato J. Aguilera
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Ashish Tyagi
- Department of Urology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Chendil Damodaran
- Department of Urology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Suman Sirimulla
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
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14
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Ding J, Yao Y, Huang G, Wang X, Yi J, Zhang N, Liu C, Wang K, Zhang Y, Wang M, Liu P, Ye M, Li M, Cheng H. Targeting the EphB4 receptor tyrosine kinase sensitizes HER2-positive breast cancer cells to Lapatinib. Cancer Lett 2020; 475:53-64. [PMID: 32006616 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Clinical data analysis reveals that the expression of the EphB4 receptor tyrosine kinase is significantly elevated in HER2-positive breast cancer and high levels of EphB4 strongly correlate with poor disease prognosis. However, the impact of EphB4 activation on HER2-positive breast cancer cells and the potential of EphB4 as a therapeutic target remain to be explored. Here, we show that EphB4 overexpression confers gain-of-function activities to HER2-positive breast cancer cells, rendering resistance to a HER2/EGFR inhibitor Lapatinib. Furthermore, using integrated transcriptomic and tyrosine phosphoproteomic analyses, followed by biochemical confirmation, we establish that EphB4 activation engages the SHP2/GAB1-MEK signaling cascade and downstream c-MYC activation, and thereby limits the overall drug responses to Lapatinib. Finally, we demonstrate that, in HER2-positive breast tumors, inhibition of EphB4 combined with Lapatinib is more effective than either alone. These findings provide new insights into the signaling networks dictating therapeutic response to Lapatinib as well as a rationale for co-targeting EphB4 in HER2-positive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlei Ding
- Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Cancer Therapy, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yating Yao
- Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, National Chromatographic R&A Center, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Dalian, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gena Huang
- Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Cancer Therapy, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaonan Wang
- Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Cancer Therapy, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jingyan Yi
- Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Cancer Therapy, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Cancer Therapy, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Chongya Liu
- Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Cancer Therapy, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Kainan Wang
- Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Cancer Therapy, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Cancer Therapy, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Min Wang
- Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Cancer Therapy, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Pixu Liu
- Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Cancer Therapy, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
| | - Mingliang Ye
- Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, National Chromatographic R&A Center, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Dalian, China.
| | - Man Li
- Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Cancer Therapy, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
| | - Hailing Cheng
- Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Cancer Therapy, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
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15
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Darling TK, Lamb TJ. Emerging Roles for Eph Receptors and Ephrin Ligands in Immunity. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1473. [PMID: 31333644 PMCID: PMC6620610 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Eph receptors are the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases and mediate a myriad of essential processes in humans from embryonic development to adult tissue homeostasis through interactions with membrane-bound ephrin ligands. The ubiquitous expression of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands among the cellular players of the immune system underscores the importance of these molecules in orchestrating an optimal immune response. This review provides an overview of the various roles of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands in immune cell development, activation, and migration. We also discuss the role of Eph receptors in disease pathogenesis as well as the implications of Eph receptors as future immunotherapy targets. Given the diverse and critical roles of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands throughout the immune system during both resting and activated states, this review aims to highlight the critical yet underappreciated roles of this family of signaling molecules in the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thayer K Darling
- Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis Program, Emory University Laney Graduate School, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Tracey J Lamb
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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16
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Comprehensive Molecular Characterization of Adamantinoma and OFD-like Adamantinoma Bone Tumors. Am J Surg Pathol 2019; 43:965-974. [DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000001251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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17
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Kawahara Y, Furuta T, Sabit H, Tamai S, Dong Y, Jiapaer S, Zhang J, Zhang G, Oishi M, Miyashita K, Hayashi Y, Nakada M. Ligand-dependent EphB4 activation serves as an anchoring signal in glioma cells. Cancer Lett 2019; 449:56-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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18
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Zhu M, Cui Y, Yang L, Yang T, Wang H, Zhang D, Ma W, Zhang Y. Ephrin type-B receptor 4 affinity chromatography: An effective and rapid method studying the active compounds targeting Ephrin type-B receptor 4. J Chromatogr A 2019; 1586:82-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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19
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Saha N, Robev D, Mason EO, Himanen JP, Nikolov DB. Therapeutic potential of targeting the Eph/ephrin signaling complex. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2018; 105:123-133. [PMID: 30343150 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The Eph-ephrin signaling pathway mediates developmental processes and the proper functioning of the adult human body. This distinctive bidirectional signaling pathway includes a canonical downstream signal cascade inside the Eph-bearing cells, as well as a reverse signaling in the ephrin-bearing cells. The signaling is terminated by ADAM metalloproteinase cleavage, internalization, and degradation of the Eph/ephrin complexes. Consequently, the Eph-ephrin-ADAM signaling cascade has emerged as a key target with immense therapeutic potential particularly in the context of cancer. An interesting twist was brought forth by the emergence of ephrins as the entry receptors for the pathological Henipaviruses, which has spurred new studies to target the viral entry. The availability of high-resolution structures of the multi-modular Eph receptors in complexes with ephrins and other binding partners, such as peptides, small molecule inhibitors and antibodies, offers a wealth of information for the structure-guided development of therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, genomic data mining of Eph mutants involved in cancer provides information for targeted drug development. In this review we summarize the distinct avenues for targeting the Eph-ephrin signaling pathway, including its termination by ADAM proteinases. We highlight the latest developments in Eph-related pharmacology in the context of Eph-ephrin-ADAM-based antibodies and small molecules. Finally, the future prospects of genomics- and proteomics-based medicine are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayanendu Saha
- Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Structural Biology Program, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Dorothea Robev
- Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Structural Biology Program, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Emilia O Mason
- Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Structural Biology Program, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Juha P Himanen
- Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Structural Biology Program, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States.
| | - Dimitar B Nikolov
- Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Structural Biology Program, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
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