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Kallingal A, Krzemieniecki R, Maciejewska N, Brankiewicz-Kopcińska W, Baginski M. TRF1 and TRF2: pioneering targets in telomere-based cancer therapy. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:353. [PMID: 39012375 PMCID: PMC11252209 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05867-3] [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: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
This article presents an in-depth exploration of the roles of Telomere Repeat-binding Factors 1 and 2 (TRF1 and TRF2), and the shelterin complex, in the context of cancer biology. It emphasizes their emerging significance as potential biomarkers and targets for therapeutic intervention. Central to the shelterin complex, TRF1 and TRF2 are crucial in maintaining telomere integrity and genomic stability, their dysregulation often being a hallmark of cancerous cells. The article delves into the diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of TRF1 and TRF2 across various cancer types, highlighting their sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, it reviews current strides in drug discovery targeting the shelterin complex, detailing specific compounds and their modes of action. The review candidly addresses the challenges in developing therapies aimed at the shelterin complex, including drug resistance, off-target effects, and issues in drug delivery. By synthesizing recent research findings, the article sheds light on the intricate relationship between telomere biology and cancer development. It underscores the urgency for continued research to navigate the existing challenges and fully leverage the therapeutic potential of TRF1, TRF2, and the shelterin complex in the realm of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoop Kallingal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, 80-233, Poland.
| | - Radosław Krzemieniecki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, 80-233, Poland
| | - Natalia Maciejewska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, 80-233, Poland
| | | | - Maciej Baginski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, 80-233, Poland
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Waitkus MS, Erman EN, Reitman ZJ, Ashley DM. Mechanisms of telomere maintenance and associated therapeutic vulnerabilities in malignant gliomas. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:1012-1024. [PMID: 38285162 PMCID: PMC11145458 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noae016] [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: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
A majority of cancers (~85%) activate the enzyme telomerase to maintain telomere length over multiple rounds of cellular division. Telomerase-negative cancers activate a distinct, telomerase-independent mechanism of telomere maintenance termed alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). ALT uses homologous recombination to maintain telomere length and exhibits features of break-induced DNA replication. In malignant gliomas, the activation of either telomerase or ALT is nearly ubiquitous in pediatric and adult tumors, and the frequency with which these distinct telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) is activated varies according to genetically defined glioma subtypes. In this review, we summarize the current state of the field of TMMs and their relevance to glioma biology and therapy. We review the genetic alterations and molecular mechanisms leading to telomerase activation or ALT induction in pediatric and adult gliomas. With this background, we review emerging evidence on strategies for targeting TMMs for glioma therapy. Finally, we comment on critical gaps and issues for moving the field forward to translate our improved understanding of glioma telomere maintenance into better therapeutic strategies for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Waitkus
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elise N Erman
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Zachary J Reitman
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - David M Ashley
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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3
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Battaglia MR, Cannova J, Madero-Marroquin R, Patel AA. Treatment of Anemia in Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2024; 25:752-768. [PMID: 38814537 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-024-01217-0] [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] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT A majority of patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) will present with or develop anemia. Anemia in MDS is associated with decreased quality of life and may correlate with decreased progression-free survival and overall survival. In this state of the art review we summarize current risk stratification approaches to identify lower-risk MDS (LR-MDS), the natural history of the disease, and meaningful clinical endpoints. The treatment landscape of LR-MDS with anemia is also rapidly evolving; we review the role of supportive care, erythropoietin stimulating agents, lenalidomide, luspatercept, hypomethylating agents (HMAs), and immunosuppressive therapy (IST) in the management of LR-MDS with anemia. In patients with deletion 5q (del5q) syndrome lenalidomide has both efficacy and durability of response. For patients without del5q who need treatment, the management approach is impacted by serum erythropoietin (EPO) level, SF3B1 mutation status, and ring sideroblast status. Given the data from the Phase III COMMANDS trial, we utilize luspatercept in those with SF3B1 mutation or ring sideroblasts that have an EPO level < 500 U/L; in patients without an SF3B1 mutation or ring sideroblasts there is equipoise between luspatercept and use of an erythropoietin stimulating agent (ESA). For patients who have an EPO level ≥ 500 U/L or have been previously treated there is not a clear standard of care. For those without previous luspatercept exposure it can be considered particularly if there is an SF3B1 mutation or the presence of ring sideroblasts. Other options include HMAs or IST; the Phase III IMERGE trial supports the efficacy of the telomerase inhibitor imetelstat in this setting and this may become a standard option in the future as well.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph Cannova
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Avenue MC 2115, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Rafael Madero-Marroquin
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Avenue MC 2115, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Anand A Patel
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Avenue MC 2115, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
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Lee Y, Park CK, Park SH. Prognostic Impact of TERT Promoter Mutations in Adult-Type Diffuse Gliomas Based on WHO2021 Criteria. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2032. [PMID: 38893152 PMCID: PMC11171308 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112032] [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: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutation in the telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERTp )is commonly observed in various malignancies, such as central nervous system (CNS) tumors, malignant melanoma, bladder cancer, and thyroid carcinoma. These mutations are recognized as significant poor prognostic factors for these tumors. In this investigation, a total of 528 cases of adult-type diffuse gliomas diagnosed at a single institution were reclassified according to the 2021 WHO classifications of CNS tumors, 5th edition (WHO2021). The study analyzed clinicopathological and genetic features, including TERTp mutations in each tumor. The impact of known prognostic factors on patient outcomes was analyzed through Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analysis. TERTp mutations were predominantly identified in 94.1% of oligodendrogliomas (ODG), followed by 66.3% in glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype (GBM-IDHwt), and 9.2% of astrocytomas, IDH-mutant (A-IDHm). When considering A-IDHm and GBM as astrocytic tumors (Group 1) and ODGs (Group 2), TERTp mutations emerged as a significant adverse prognostic factor (p = 0.013) in Group 1. However, within each GBM-IDHwt and A-IDHm, the presence of TERTp mutations did not significantly impact patient prognosis (p = 0.215 and 0.268, respectively). Due to the high frequency of TERTp mutations in Group 2 (ODG) and their consistent prolonged survival, a statistical analysis to evaluate their impact on overall survival was deemed impractical. When considering MGMTp status, the combined TERTp-mutated and MGMTp-unmethylated group exhibited the worst prognosis in OS (p = 0.018) and PFS (p = 0.034) of GBM. This study confirmed that the classification of tumors according to the WHO2021 criteria effectively reflected prognosis. Both uni- and multivariate analyses in GBM, age, MGMTp methylation, and CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion were statistically significant prognostic factors while in univariate analysis in A-IDHm, grade 4, the Ki-67 index and MYCN amplifications were statistically significant prognostic factors. This study suggests that it is important to classify and manage tumors based on their genetic characteristics in adult-type diffuse gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Lee
- Department of Hospital Pathology, St. Vincent’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, 93, Jungbu-daero, Paldal-gu, Suwon 16247, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea;
| | - Chul-Kee Park
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Deahak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hye Park
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Deahak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
- Neuroscience Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Deahak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
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Zhou Y, Tao L, Qiu J, Xu J, Yang X, Zhang Y, Tian X, Guan X, Cen X, Zhao Y. Tumor biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:132. [PMID: 38763973 PMCID: PMC11102923 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01823-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor biomarkers, the substances which are produced by tumors or the body's responses to tumors during tumorigenesis and progression, have been demonstrated to possess critical and encouraging value in screening and early diagnosis, prognosis prediction, recurrence detection, and therapeutic efficacy monitoring of cancers. Over the past decades, continuous progress has been made in exploring and discovering novel, sensitive, specific, and accurate tumor biomarkers, which has significantly promoted personalized medicine and improved the outcomes of cancer patients, especially advances in molecular biology technologies developed for the detection of tumor biomarkers. Herein, we summarize the discovery and development of tumor biomarkers, including the history of tumor biomarkers, the conventional and innovative technologies used for biomarker discovery and detection, the classification of tumor biomarkers based on tissue origins, and the application of tumor biomarkers in clinical cancer management. In particular, we highlight the recent advancements in biomarker-based anticancer-targeted therapies which are emerging as breakthroughs and promising cancer therapeutic strategies. We also discuss limitations and challenges that need to be addressed and provide insights and perspectives to turn challenges into opportunities in this field. Collectively, the discovery and application of multiple tumor biomarkers emphasized in this review may provide guidance on improved precision medicine, broaden horizons in future research directions, and expedite the clinical classification of cancer patients according to their molecular biomarkers rather than organs of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lei Tao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiahao Qiu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- School of Medicine, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China
| | - Xinyu Tian
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinqi Guan
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaobo Cen
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yinglan Zhao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Majidi F, Gattermann N. Imetelstat: Finally a disease-modifying treatment for lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes? MED 2024; 5:184-186. [PMID: 38460498 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Favorable results were achieved in a phase 3 clinical trial (IMerge) with the telomerase inhibitor imetelstat in transfusion-dependent patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) who relapsed or were refractory to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.1 Imetelstat is likely to become a useful addition to our limited therapeutic options for patients with MDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Majidi
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Norbert Gattermann
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Katoueezadeh M, Maleki P, Torabizadeh SA, Farsinejad A, Khalilabadi RM, Valandani HM, Nurain IO, Ashoub MH, Fatemi A. Combinatorial targeting of telomerase and DNA-PK induces synergistic apoptotic effects against Pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:163. [PMID: 38252348 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09087-9] [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: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the high demand for novel approaches for leukemia-targeted therapy, this study investigates the impact of DNA-PK inhibitor NU7441 on the sensitivity of pre-B ALL cells to the telomerase inhibitor MST-312. METHODS The study involved NALM-6 cells treated with MST-312 and NU7441, assessing their viability and metabolic activity using trypan blue and MTT assays. The study also evaluated apoptosis, gene expression changes, and DNA damage using flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, and micronucleus assays. The binding energy of MST-312 in the active site of telomerase was calculated using molecular docking. RESULTS The study's findings revealed a synergistic decline in both cell viability and metabolic activity in NALM-6 cells when exposed to the combined treatment of MST-312 and NU7441, and this decrease occurred without any adverse effects on healthy PBMC cells. Furthermore, the combination treatment exhibited a significantly higher induction of apoptosis than treatment with MST-312 alone, as observed through flow cytometry assay. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that this enhanced apoptosis was associated with a notable downregulation of Bcl-2 expression and an upregulation of Bax gene expression. Moreover, the combination therapy decreased expression levels of hTERT and c-Myc genes. The micronucleus assay indicated that the combination treatment increased DNA damage in NALM-6 cells. Also, a good conformation between MST-312 and the active site of telomerase was revealed by docking data. CONCLUSIONS The study suggests that simultaneous inhibition of telomerase and DNA-PK in pre-B ALL presents a novel targeted therapy approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Katoueezadeh
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Parisa Maleki
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Atekeh Torabizadeh
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Alireza Farsinejad
- Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Comprehensive Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Roohollah Mirzaee Khalilabadi
- Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hajar Mardani Valandani
- Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ismaila Olanrewaju Nurain
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Muhammad Hossein Ashoub
- Department of Hematology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Comprehensive Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ahmad Fatemi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Gerash University of Medical Sciences, Gerash, Iran.
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8
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Telomerase inhibitor imetelstat kills AML cells via lipid ROS and ferroptosis. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:12-13. [PMID: 38291251 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00654-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
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9
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Bruedigam C, Porter AH, Song A, Vroeg In de Wei G, Stoll T, Straube J, Cooper L, Cheng G, Kahl VFS, Sobinoff AP, Ling VY, Jebaraj BMC, Janardhanan Y, Haldar R, Bray LJ, Bullinger L, Heidel FH, Kennedy GA, Hill MM, Pickett HA, Abdel-Wahab O, Hartel G, Lane SW. Imetelstat-mediated alterations in fatty acid metabolism to induce ferroptosis as a therapeutic strategy for acute myeloid leukemia. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:47-65. [PMID: 37904045 PMCID: PMC10824665 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00653-5] [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: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase enables replicative immortality in most cancers including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Imetelstat is a first-in-class telomerase inhibitor with clinical efficacy in myelofibrosis and myelodysplastic syndromes. Here, we develop an AML patient-derived xenograft resource and perform integrated genomics, transcriptomics and lipidomics analyses combined with functional genetics to identify key mediators of imetelstat efficacy. In a randomized phase II-like preclinical trial in patient-derived xenografts, imetelstat effectively diminishes AML burden and preferentially targets subgroups containing mutant NRAS and oxidative stress-associated gene expression signatures. Unbiased, genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 editing identifies ferroptosis regulators as key mediators of imetelstat efficacy. Imetelstat promotes the formation of polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing phospholipids, causing excessive levels of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress. Pharmacological inhibition of ferroptosis diminishes imetelstat efficacy. We leverage these mechanistic insights to develop an optimized therapeutic strategy using oxidative stress-inducing chemotherapy to sensitize patient samples to imetelstat causing substantial disease control in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Bruedigam
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Amy H Porter
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Axia Song
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Thomas Stoll
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jasmin Straube
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Leanne Cooper
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Guidan Cheng
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Vivian F S Kahl
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alexander P Sobinoff
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Victoria Y Ling
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Yashaswini Janardhanan
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rohit Haldar
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Laura J Bray
- Faculty of Engineering, School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lars Bullinger
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Florian H Heidel
- Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Palliative Care, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Jena, Germany
| | - Glen A Kennedy
- Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michelle M Hill
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hilda A Pickett
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Omar Abdel-Wahab
- Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gunter Hartel
- Statistics Unit, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Steven W Lane
- Cancer Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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10
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Valipour B, Davari S, Farahzadi R, Pourrasol S, Mehran N, Dizaji Asl K, Altaha SM, Hojjati Z, Nozad Charoudeh H. Inhibition of mitochondria induces apoptosis and reduces telomere length and activity in acute myeloid leukemia stem cells. Cell Biochem Funct 2023; 41:1477-1487. [PMID: 38014526 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3888] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly lethal hematological malignancy in adults and children. Abnormal proliferation of leukemia stem cells (LSC) with CD34+ and CD38- phenotypes are the main clinical features of AML. Patients with AML face drug resistance and treatment failure due to a default in stem and progenitor cells. Therefore, defining LSC properties is necessary for targeting leukemia-initiating cells. Mitochondrial mass and activity increase in AML initiating cells compared with normal stem cells. This idea has offered the inhibition of the mitochondrial translation machinery to reduce the number of leukemia-initiating cells in patients with AML Tigecycline is an FDA-approved microbial antibiotic that inhibits oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria, resulting in the suppression of leukemia cell proliferation with little toxicity to normal cells. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate whether LSC is influenced by mitochondrial inhibition. We measured the IC50 of tigecycline in KG-1a AML cell lines. KG-1a AML cell lines were separated into CD34+ and CD34- cells by MACS. In the following, these cells were treated with 20 µM (IC50) tigecycline. The expression of Annexin/PI, Caspase 3, apoptotic genes (BCL2, BCLX, BAX, BAD, and P53) and proteins (P53, BAX, BCL2 and Caspase 9) was evaluated in CD34+ , CD34- and KG-1a AML cells. In addition, the telomere length and expression of hTERT were evaluated in this study. The results indicated that BCl2 (gene and protein) and BCLX gene dramatically decreased. In addition, BAD, BAX, and P53 gene and protein expression significantly increased in CD34+ AML cells compared to CD34- AML cells. The results also suggested that tigecycline induced intrinsic (Cleaved-caspase 9/Pro-Caspase 9 ratio) and p53-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, hTERT gene expression and telomere length decreased in the tigecycline-treated groups. Taken together, our findings indicate that inhibition of mitochondrial activity with tigecycline can induce apoptosis in cancer stem cells and can be used as a novel method for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnaz Valipour
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Sarab Faculty of Medical Sciences, Sarab, Iran
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sahar Davari
- Department of Microbiology, Bonab Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bonab, Iran
| | - Raheleh Farahzadi
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Shahram Pourrasol
- Department of Microbiology, Bonab Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bonab, Iran
| | - Niloofar Mehran
- Department of Microbiology, Bonab Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bonab, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Dizaji Asl
- Department of Histopathology and Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tabriz Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Hojjati
- Department of Microbiology, Bonab Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bonab, Iran
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