Acetylcholinesterase overexpression mediated by oncolytic adenovirus exhibited potent anti-tumor effect

Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cell and Oncolytic Viral Therapies for Gastric Cancer and Peritoneal Carcinomatosis of Gastric Origin: Path to Improving Combination Strategies

Precision immune oncology capitalizes on identifying and targeting tumor-specific antigens to enhance anti-tumor immunity and improve the treatment outcomes of solid tumors. Gastric cancer (GC) is a molecularly heterogeneous disease where monoclonal antibodies against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) combined with systemic chemotherapy have improved survival in patients with unresectable or metastatic GC. However, intratumoral molecular heterogeneity, variable molecular target expression, and loss of target expression have limited antibody use and the durability of response. Often immunogenically "cold" and diffusely spread throughout the peritoneum, GC peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is a particularly challenging, treatment-refractory entity for current systemic strategies. More adaptable immunotherapeutic approaches, such as oncolytic viruses (OVs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, have emerged as promising GC and GCPC treatments that circumvent these challenges. In this study, we provide an up-to-date review of the pre-clinical and clinical efficacy of CAR T cell therapy for key primary antigen targets and provide a translational overview of the types, modifications, and mechanisms for OVs used against GC and GCPC. Finally, we present a novel, summary-based discussion on the potential synergistic interplay between OVs and CAR T cells to treat GCPC.

Identification of ACHE as the hub gene targeting solasonine associated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using integrated bioinformatics analysis

Background

Solasonine, as a major biological component of Solanum nigrum L., has demonstrated anticancer effects against several malignancies. However, little is understood regarding its biological target and mechanism in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

We conducted an analysis on transcriptomic data to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and employed an artificial intelligence (AI) strategy to predict the target protein for solasonine. Subsequently, genetic dependency analysis and molecular docking were performed, with Acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) selected as a pivotal marker for solasonine. We then employed a range of bioinformatic approaches to explore the relationship between ACHE and solasonine. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of solasonine on A549 cells, a human lung cancer cell line. Cell inhibition of A549 cells following solasonine treatment was analyzed using the CCK8 assay. Additionally, we assessed the protein expression of ACHE, as well as markers associated with apoptosis and inflammation, using western blotting. To investigate their functions, we employed a plasmid-based ACHE overexpression system. Finally, we performed dynamics simulations to simulate the interaction mode between solasonine and ACHE.

Results

The results of the genetic dependency analysis revealed that ACHE could be identified as the pivotal target with the highest docking affinity. The cell experiments yielded significant findings, as evidenced by the negative regulatory effect of solasonine treatment on tumor cells, as demonstrated by the CCK8 assay. Western blotting analysis revealed that solasonine treatment resulted in the downregulation of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and upregulation of cleaved caspase-3 protein expression levels. Moreover, we observed that ACHE overexpression promoted the expression of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and decreased cleaved caspase-3 expression in the OE-ACHE group. Notably, solasonine treatment rescued the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and cleaved caspase-3 expression in OE-ACHE cells compared to OE-ACHE cells without solasonine treatment, suggesting that solasonine induces apoptosis. Besides, solasonine exhibited its anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting P38 MAPK. This was supported by the decline in protein levels of IL-1β and TNF-α, as well as the phosphorylated forms of JNK and P38 MAPK. The results from the molecular docking and dynamics simulations further confirmed the potent binding affinity and effective inhibitory action between solasonine and ACHE.

Conclusions

The findings of the current investigation show that solasonine exerts its pro-apoptosis and anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the expression of ACHE.

Changes in the Acetylcholinesterase Enzymatic Activity in Tumor Development and Progression

Acetylcholinesterase is a well-known protein because of the relevance of its enzymatic activity in the hydrolysis of acetylcholine in nerve transmission. In addition to the catalytic action, it exerts non-catalytic functions; one is associated with apoptosis, in which acetylcholinesterase could significantly impact the survival and aggressiveness observed in cancer. The participation of AChE as part of the apoptosome could explain the role in tumors, since a lower AChE content would increase cell survival due to poor apoptosome assembly. Likewise, the high Ach content caused by the reduction in enzymatic activity could induce cell survival mediated by the overactivation of acetylcholine receptors (AChR) that activate anti-apoptotic pathways. On the other hand, in tumors in which high enzymatic activity has been observed, AChE could be playing a different role in the aggressiveness of cancer; in this review, we propose that AChE could have a pro-inflammatory role, since the high enzyme content would cause a decrease in ACh, which has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, as discussed in this review. In this review, we analyze the changes that the enzyme could display in different tumors and consider the different levels of regulation that the acetylcholinesterase undergoes in the control of epigenetic changes in the mRNA expression and changes in the enzymatic activity and its molecular forms. We focused on explaining the relationship between acetylcholinesterase expression and its activity in the biology of various tumors. We present up-to-date knowledge regarding this fascinating enzyme that is positioned as a remarkable target for cancer treatment.

Serum cholinesterase may independently predict prognosis in non-small-cell lung cancer

Background

Serum cholinesterase (ChE) was found to be involved in cancer initiation and progression. However, the survival association between serum ChE and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been extensively discussed. In the present study, we aim to elevate the role of ChE in overall survival (OS) of NSCLC patients.

Methods

A total of 961 histologically confirmed NSCLC patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2018 in a provincial cancer hospital in southwestern China were retrospectively selected. Relevant information, such as histological type, clinical stage, chemotherapy, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), important serum indicators (albumin, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, ChE), date of death of the patients was extracted from the computerized hospital information system. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association between baseline serum ChE measured at the diagnosis and the OS of NSCLC patients.

Results

The median of baseline ChE (7700 units/liter) was used as a cut-off to dichotomize NSCLC patients. After controlling for possible confounding factors, serum ChE at diagnosis was significantly associated with OS of NSCLC: patients with higher level of ChE were observed a better prognosis (hazard ratio, HR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.67–0.93, p = 0.006). Subgroup analysis revealed significant ChE-OS association for NSCLC patients: with lower systemic inflammation level (baseline NLR < 2.95, HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.56–0.89, p = 0.003), of adenocarcinoma (HR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.54–0.80, p < 0.001), in advanced stage (HR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.66–0.92, p < 0.01), and received chemotherapy (HR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.59–0.96, p < 0.02).

Conclusion

Baseline ChE may have independent prognostic value for NSCLC patients. Longitudinal studies should be performed to corroborate this finding.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09212-0.

Acetylcholinesterase and human cancers

The enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is a serine hydrolase whose primary function is to degrade acetylcholine (ACh) and terminate neurotransmission. Apart from its role in synaptic transmission, AChE has several "non-classical" functions in non-neuronal cells. AChE is involved in cellular growth, apoptosis, drug resistance pathways, response to stress signals and inflammation. The observation that the functional activity of AChE is altered in human tumors (relative to adjacent matched normal tissue) has raised several intriguing questions about its role in the pathophysiology of human cancers. Published reports show that AChE is a vital regulator of oncogenic signaling pathways involving proliferation, differentiation, cell-cell adhesion, migration, invasion and metastasis of primary tumors. The objective of this book chapter is to provide a comprehensive overview of the contributions of the AChE-signaling pathway in the growth of progression of human cancers. The AChE isoforms, AChE-T, AChE-R and AChE-S are robustly expressed in human cancer cell lines as well in human tumors (isolated from patients). Traditionally, AChE-modulators have been used in the clinic for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Emerging studies reveal that these drugs could be repurposed for the treatment of human cancers. The discovery of potent, selective AChE ligands will provide new knowledge about AChE-regulatory pathways in human cancers and foster the hope of novel therapies for this disease.

Toxicity and Antitumor Activity of a Thiophene-Acridine Hybrid

The antitumor effects of thiophene and acridine compounds have been described; however, the clinical usefulness of these compounds is limited due to the risk of high toxicity and drug resistance. The strategy of molecular hybridization presents the opportunity to develop new drugs which may display better target affinity and less serious side effects. Herein, 2-((6-Chloro-2-methoxy-acridin-9-yl)amino)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-cyclohepta[b]-thiophene-3-carbonitrile (ACS03), a hybrid thiophene–acridine compound with antileishmanial activity, was tested for toxicity and antitumor activity. The toxicity was evaluated in vitro (on HaCat and peripheral blood mononuclear cells) and in vivo (zebrafish embryos and acute toxicity in mice). Antitumor activity was also assessed in vitro in HCT-116 (human colon carcinoma cell line), K562 (chronic myeloid leukemic cell line), HL-60 (human promyelocytic leukemia cell line), HeLa (human cervical cancer cell line), and MCF-7 (breast cancer cell line) and in vivo (Ehrlich ascites carcinoma model). ACS03 exhibited selectivity toward HCT-116 cells (Half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50 = 23.11 ± 1.03 µM). In zebrafish embryos, ACS03 induced an increase in lactate dehydrogenase, glutathione S-transferase, and acetylcholinesterase activities. The LD50 (lethal dose 50%) value in mice was estimated to be higher than 5000 mg/kg (intraperitoneally). In vivo, ACS03 (12.5 mg/kg) induced a significant reduction in tumor volume and cell viability. In vivo antitumor activity was associated with the nitric oxide cytotoxic effect. In conclusion, significant antitumor activity and weak toxicity were recorded for this hybrid compound, characterizing it as a potential anticancer compound.

Treatment and Prognosis of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: A Clinical Study of 50 Cases

INTRODUCTION

Although anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is rare, it is one of the most aggressive human cancers. The optimal multimodal therapy policy of ATC is still debated, and a standardized treatment strategy remains to be established. This study aimed to evaluate the management aspect and prognosis of ATC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data were analyzed retrospectively for 50 patients with ATC to evaluate the clinical characters, management and factors influencing survival. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Merier method and log-rank test, and multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

The 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates (OS) were 48.0% and 26.0% respectively in all patients, with the 2-year OS of 40.0% and 31.0% and 6.3% for stage IVA, IVB and IVC respectively (P <0.05). In stage IVA and IVB patients, combined surgery with radiotherapy improved overall survival, and the 2-year OS were 50.0% and 35.7% respectively in the group with combined surgery with radiotherapy and the group with surgery with only (P <0.05). Postoperative radiotherapy improved local control rate in stage IVA and IVB patients (P <0.05). However, surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy could not improve the survival of stage IVC patients. Multivariate analysis showed that distant metastases, surgery, radiotherapy and tumor residue could predict the prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Combined surgery and radiotherapy could improve overall survival in stage IVA and IVB patients. Patients with ATC have a bad prognosis. Distant metastases, surgery, radiotherapy and tumor residue are the most important factors affecting the prognosis.

Oncolytic viruses against cancer stem cells: A promising approach for gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal cancer has been one of the five most commonly diagnosed and leading causes of cancer mortality over the past few decades. Great progress in traditional therapies has been made, which prolonged survival in patients with early cancer, yet tumor relapse and drug resistance still occurred, which is explained by the cancer stem cell (CSC) theory. Oncolytic virotherapy has attracted increasing interest in cancer because of its ability to infect and lyse CSCs. This paper reviews the basic knowledge, CSC markers and therapeutics of gastrointestinal cancer (liver, gastric, colon and pancreatic cancer), as well as research advances and possible molecular mechanisms of various oncolytic viruses against gastrointestinal CSCs. This paper also summarizes the existing obstacles to oncolytic virotherapy and proposes several alternative suggestions to overcome the therapeutic limitations.

RGD-modifided oncolytic adenovirus exhibited potent cytotoxic effect on CAR-negative bladder cancer-initiating cells

Cancer-initiating cell (CIC) is critical in cancer development, maintenance and recurrence. The reverse expression pattern of coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR) and α_ν integrin in bladder cancer decreases the infection efficiency of adenovirus. We constructed Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-modified oncolytic adenovirus, carrying EGFP or TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) gene (Onco^Ad.RGD-hTERT-EGFP/TRAIL), and applied them to CAR-negative bladder cancer T24 cells and cancer-initiating T24 sphere cells. Onco^Ad.RGD-hTERT-EGFP had enhanced infection ability and cytotoxic effect on T24 cells and T24 sphere cells, but little cytoxicity on normal urothelial SV-HUC-1 cells compared with the unmodified virus Onco^Ad.hTERT-EGFP. Notably, Onco^Ad.RGD-hTERT-TRAIL induced apoptosis in T24 cells and T24 sphere cells. Furthermore, it completely inhibited xenograft initiation established by the oncolytic adenovirus-pretreated T24 sphere cells, and significantly suppressed tumor growth by intratumoral injection. These results provided a promising therapeutic strategy for CAR-negative bladder cancer through targeting CICs.

Dysregulated cholinergic network as a novel biomarker of poor prognostic in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

In airways, a proliferative effect is played directly by cholinergic agonists through nicotinic and muscarinic receptors activation. How tumors respond to aberrantly activated cholinergic signalling is a key question in smoking-related cancer. This research was addressed to explore a possible link of cholinergic signalling changes with cancer biology.

METHODS

Fifty-seven paired pieces of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and adjacent non-cancerous tissue (ANCT) were compared for their mRNA levels for ACh-related proteins and ACh-hydrolyzing activity.

RESULTS

The measurement in ANCT of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities (5.416 ± 0.501 mU/mg protein and 6.350 ± 0.599 mU/mg protein, respectively) demonstrated that upper respiratory tract is capable of controlling the availability of ACh. In HNSCC, AChE and BChE activities dropped to 3.584 ± 0.599 mU/mg protein (p = 0.002) and 3.965 ± 0.423 mU/mg protein (p < 0.001). Moreover, tumours with low AChE activity and high BChE activity were associated with shorter patient overall survival. ANCT and HNSCC differed in mRNA levels for AChE-T, α3, α5, α9 and β2 for nAChR subunits. Tobacco exposure had a great impact on the expression of both AChE-H and AChE-T mRNAs. Unaffected and cancerous pieces contained principal AChE dimers and BChE tetramers. The lack of nerve-born PRiMA-linked AChE agreed with pathological findings on nerve terminal remodelling and loss in HNSCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the low AChE activity in HNSCC can be used to predict survival in patients with head and neck cancer. So, the ChE activity level can be used as a reliable prognostic marker.

Acetylcholinesterase is associated with a decrease in cell proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the enzyme that rapidly splits acetylcholine into acetate and choline, presents non-cholinergic functions through which may participate in the control of cell proliferation and apoptosis. These two features are relevant in cancer, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a very aggressive liver tumor with high incidence and poor prognosis in advanced stages. Here we explored the relation between acetylcholinesterase and HCC growth by testing the influence of AChE on proliferation of Huh-7 and HepG2 cell lines, addressed in monolayer cultures, spheroid formation and human liver tumor samples. Results showed a clear relation in AChE expression and cell cycle progression, an effect which depended on cell confluence. Inhibition of AChE activity led to an increase in cell proliferation, which was associated with downregulation of p27 and cyclins. The fact that Huh-7 and HepG2 cell lines provided similar results lent weight to the relationship of AChE expression with cell cycle progression in hepatoma cell lines at least. Human liver tumor samples exhibited a decrease in AChE activity as compared with normal tissue. The evidence presented herein provides additional support for the proposed tumor suppressor role of AChE, which makes it a potential therapeutic target in therapies against hepatocellular carcinoma.

Role of acetylcholinesterase in lung cancer

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) plays a key role in catalytic hydrolysis of cholinergic neurotransmitters. Intensive research has proven the involvement of this protein in novel functions, such as cell adhesion, differentiation, and proliferation. In addition, several recent studies have indicated that acetylcholinesterase is potentially a marker and regulator of apoptosis. Importantly, AChE is also a promising tumor suppressor. In this review, we briefly summarize the involvement of AChE in apoptosis and cancer, focusing on the role of AChE in lung cancer, as well as the therapeutic consideration of AChE for cancer therapy.