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Yang J, Qin L, Zhou S, Li J, Tu Y, Mo M, Liu X, Huang J, Qin X, Jiao A, Wei W, Yang P. Network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental study of CEP in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 323:117667. [PMID: 38159821 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The Stephania cephalantha Hayata is an important traditional medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine to treat cancer. Cepharanthine (CEP) was extracted from the roots of Stephania cephalantha Hayata. It has been found to exhibit anticancer activity in different types of cancer cells. Nevertheless, the activity of CEP against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its underlying mechanism warrant further investigation. AIMS OF THE STUDY NPC is an invasive and highly metastatic malignancy that affects the head and neck region. This research aimed to investigate the pharmacological properties and underlying mechanism of CEP against NPC, aiming to offer novel perspectives on treating NPC using CEP. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vitro, the pharmacological activity of CEP against NPC was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. To predict and elucidate the anticancer mechanism of CEP against NPC, we employed network pharmacology, conducted molecular docking analysis, and performed Western blot experiments. In vivo validation was performed through a nude mice xenograft model of human NPC, Western blot and immunohistochemical (IHC) assays to confirm pharmacological activity and the mechanism. RESULTS In a dose-dependent manner, the proliferation and clonogenic capacity of NPC cells were significantly inhibited by CEP. Additionally, NPC cell migration was suppressed by CEP. The results obtained from network pharmacology experiments revealed that anti-NPC effect of CEP was associated with 8 core targets, including EGFR, AKT1, PIK3CA, and mTOR. By performing molecular docking, the binding capacity of CEP to the candidate core proteins (EGFR, AKT1, PIK3CA, and mTOR) was predicted, resulting in docking energies of -10.0 kcal/mol for EGFR, -12.4 kcal/mol for PIK3CA, -10.8 kcal/mol for AKT1, and -8.6 kcal/mol for mTOR. The Western blot analysis showed that CEP effectively suppressed the expression of EGFR and the phosphorylation levels of downstream signaling proteins, including PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and ERK. After CEP intervention, a noteworthy decrease in tumor size, without inducing any toxicity, was observed in NPC xenograft nude mice undergoing in vivo treatment. Additionally, IHC analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in the expression levels of EGFR and Ki-67 following CEP treatment. CONCLUSION CEP exhibits significant pharmacological effects on NPC, and its mechanistic action involves restraining the activation of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway. CEP represents a promising pharmaceutical agent for addressing and mitigating NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangping Yang
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Liujie Qin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Shouchang Zhou
- Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Jixing Li
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Yu Tu
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Minfeng Mo
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xuenian Liu
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Jinglun Huang
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiumei Qin
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Aijun Jiao
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China; Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
| | - Wei Wei
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
| | - Peilin Yang
- Pharmaceutical College, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
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Asaadi Y, Jouneghani FF, Janani S, Rahbarizadeh F. A comprehensive comparison between camelid nanobodies and single chain variable fragments. Biomark Res 2021; 9:87. [PMID: 34863296 PMCID: PMC8642758 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-021-00332-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
By the emergence of recombinant DNA technology, many antibody fragments have been developed devoid of undesired properties of natural immunoglobulins. Among them, camelid heavy-chain variable domains (VHHs) and single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) are the most favored ones. While scFv is used widely in various applications, camelid antibodies (VHHs) can serve as an alternative because of their superior chemical and physical properties such as higher solubility, stability, smaller size, and lower production cost. Here, these two counterparts are compared in structure and properties to identify which one is more suitable for each of their various therapeutic, diagnosis, and research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Asaadi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Fazlollahi Jouneghani
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Janani
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
- Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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Hypoxia in Lung Cancer Management: A Translational Approach. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143421. [PMID: 34298636 PMCID: PMC8307602 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hypoxia is a common feature of lung cancers. Nonetheless, no guidelines have been established to integrate hypoxia-associated biomarkers in patient management. Here, we discuss the current knowledge and provide translational novel considerations regarding its clinical detection and targeting to improve the outcome of patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma of all stages. Abstract Lung cancer represents the first cause of death by cancer worldwide and remains a challenging public health issue. Hypoxia, as a relevant biomarker, has raised high expectations for clinical practice. Here, we review clinical and pathological features related to hypoxic lung tumours. Secondly, we expound on the main current techniques to evaluate hypoxic status in NSCLC focusing on positive emission tomography. We present existing alternative experimental approaches such as the examination of circulating markers and highlight the interest in non-invasive markers. Finally, we evaluate the relevance of investigating hypoxia in lung cancer management as a companion biomarker at various lung cancer stages. Hypoxia could support the identification of patients with higher risks of NSCLC. Moreover, the presence of hypoxia in treated tumours could help clinicians predict a worse prognosis for patients with resected NSCLC and may help identify patients who would benefit potentially from adjuvant therapies. Globally, the large quantity of translational data incites experimental and clinical studies to implement the characterisation of hypoxia in clinical NSCLC management.
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High expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α related with acquired resistant to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in NSCLC. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1199. [PMID: 33441708 PMCID: PMC7806909 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79801-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The acquired resistance of the first generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) is a main factor leading to poor prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), so we researched whether the high expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in EGFR-TKIs sensitive NSCLC tissue tends to induce the acquired resistance. We detected the HIF-1α in normal lung tissue, EGFR-TKIs sensitive NSCLC tissue, the first generation EGFR-TKIs acquired resistant NSCLC tissue and acquired EGFR T790M mutation NSCLC tissue with the method of immunohistochemistry. Then, we compared the expression of HIF-1α in these tissues, and evaluate the effect of HIF-1α expression to the occurrence of acquired resistance. The expression of HIF-1α was much higher in the EGFR-TKIs sensitive NSCLC tissue than that in normal lung tissue. HIF-1α level became higher after the occurrence acquired resistance. There was negative correlation between HIF-1α level before receiving treatment and the time of acquired resistance occurring as well as the acquired EGFR T790M mutation occurring. As the treatment going on, EGFR-TKIs sensitivity rate of low HIF-1α level group was much higher than that of high level group. The high expression of HIF-1α related with the acquired resistance of the first generation EGFR-TKIs, and HIF-1α can be a biomarker to predict the early occurrence of acquired resistance.
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Patel U, Pandey M, Kannan S, Samant TA, Gera P, Mittal N, Rane S, Patil A, Noronha V, Joshi A, Patil VM, Prabhash K, Mahimkar MB. Prognostic and predictive significance of nuclear HIF1α expression in locally advanced HNSCC patients treated with chemoradiation with or without nimotuzumab. Br J Cancer 2020; 123:1757-1766. [PMID: 32939054 PMCID: PMC7722894 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-01064-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-EGFR-based therapies have limited success in HNSCC patients. Predictive biomarkers are greatly needed to identify the patients likely to be benefited from these targeted therapies. Here, we present the prognostic and predictive association of biomarkers in HPV-negative locally advanced (LA) HNSCC patients. METHODS Treatment-naive tumour tissue samples of 404 patients, a subset of randomised Phase 3 trial comparing cisplatin radiation (CRT) versus nimotuzumab plus cisplatin radiation (NCRT) were analysed to evaluate the expression of HIF1α, EGFR and pEGFR by immunohistochemistry and EGFR gene copy change by FISH. Progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional control (LRC) and overall survival (OS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Hazard ratios were estimated by Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS Baseline characteristics of the patients were balanced between two treatment groups (CRT vs NCRT) and were representative of the trial cohort. The median follow-up was of 39.13 months. Low HIF1α was associated with better PFS [HR (95% CI) = 0.62 (0.42-0.93)], LRC [HR (95% CI) = 0.56 (0.37-0.86)] and OS [HR (95% CI) = 0.63 (0.43-0.93)] in the CRT group. Multivariable analysis revealed HIF1α as an independent negative prognostic biomarker. For patients with high HIF1α, NCRT significantly improved the outcomes [PFS:HR (95% CI) = 0.55 (0.37-0.82), LRC:HR (95% CI) = 0.55 (0.36-0.85) and OS:HR (95% CI) = 0.54 (0.36-0.81)] compared to CRT. While in patients with low HIF1α, no difference in the clinical outcomes was observed between treatments. Interaction test suggested a predictive value of HIF1α for OS (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS High HIF1α expression is a predictor of poor clinical response to CRT in HPV-negative LA-HNSCC patients. These patients with high HIF1α significantly benefited with the addition of nimotuzumab to CRT. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (Trial registration identifier-CTRI/2014/09/004980).
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Affiliation(s)
- Usha Patel
- Mahimkar Lab, Cancer Research Institute, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manish Pandey
- Mahimkar Lab, Cancer Research Institute, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sadhana Kannan
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Biostatistician, Clinical Research Secretariat, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Tanuja A Samant
- Mahimkar Lab, Cancer Research Institute, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Poonam Gera
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Biorepository, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Neha Mittal
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Swapnil Rane
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Asawari Patil
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vanita Noronha
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Amit Joshi
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vijay M Patil
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kumar Prabhash
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.,Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manoj B Mahimkar
- Mahimkar Lab, Cancer Research Institute, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. .,Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
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Meng S, Wang G, Lu Y, Fan Z. Functional cooperation between HIF-1α and c-Jun in mediating primary and acquired resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC cells with activating mutation of EGFR. Lung Cancer 2018; 121:82-90. [PMID: 29858032 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2018.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 04/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) are important transcription factors regulating expression of genes involved in cell survival. HIF-1α and c-Jun are key components of HIF-1 and AP-1, respectively, and are regulated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated cell signaling and tumor microenvironmental cues. The roles of HIF-1α and c-Jun in development of resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating mutation of EGFR have not been explored. In this study, we investigated the roles of HIF-1α and c-Jun in mediating primary and acquired resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC cells with activating mutation of EGFR. MATERIALS AND METHODS Changes in HIF-1α protein and in total and phosphorylated c-Jun levels in relation to changes in total and phosphorylated EGFR levels before and after gefitinib treatment were measured using Western blot analysis in NSCLC cells sensitive or resistant to gefitinib. The impact of overexpression of a constitutively expressed HIF-1α (HIF-1α/ΔODD) or a constitutively active c-Jun upstream regulator (SEK1 S220E/T224D mutant) on cell response to gefitinib was also examined. The effect of pharmacological inhibition of SEK1-JNK-c-Jun pathway on cell response to gefitinib was evaluated. RESULTS Downregulation of HIF-1α and total and phosphorylated c-Jun levels correlated with cell inhibitory response to gefitinib better than decrease in phosphorylated EGFR did in NSCLC cells with intrinsic or acquired resistance to gefitinib. Overexpression of HIF-1α/ΔODD or SEK1 S220E/T224D mutant conferred resistance to gefitinib. There exists a positive feed-forward regulation loop between HIF-1 and c-Jun. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 sensitized gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells to gefitinib. CONCLUSIONS HIF-1α and c-Jun functionally cooperate in development of resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC cells. The translational value of inhibiting HIF-1α/c-Jun cooperation in overcoming resistance to EGFR TKI treatment of NSCLC cells with activating mutation of EGFR deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyan Meng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China; Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Guorui Wang
- Department of Surgery, Jiangyuan Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Province, 214063, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Lu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhen Fan
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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7
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Hu Y, Liu C, Muyldermans S. Nanobody-Based Delivery Systems for Diagnosis and Targeted Tumor Therapy. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1442. [PMID: 29163515 PMCID: PMC5673844 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of innovative targeted therapeutic approaches are expected to surpass the efficacy of current forms of treatments and cause less damage to healthy cells surrounding the tumor site. Since the first development of targeting agents from hybridoma’s, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been employed to inhibit tumor growth and proliferation directly or to deliver effector molecules to tumor cells. However, the full potential of such a delivery strategy is hampered by the size of mAbs, which will obstruct the targeted delivery system to access the tumor tissue. By serendipity, a new kind of functional homodimeric antibody format was discovered in camelidae, known as heavy-chain antibodies (HCAbs). The cloning of the variable domain of HCAbs produces an attractive minimal-sized alternative for mAbs, referred to as VHH or nanobodies (Nbs). Apart from their dimensions in the single digit nanometer range, the unique characteristics of Nbs combine a high stability and solubility, low immunogenicity and excellent affinity and specificity against all possible targets including tumor markers. This stimulated the development of tumor-targeted therapeutic strategies. Some autonomous Nbs have been shown to act as antagonistic drugs, but more importantly, the targeting capacity of Nbs has been exploited to create drug delivery systems. Obviously, Nb-based targeted cancer therapy is mainly focused toward extracellular tumor markers, since the membrane barrier prevents antibodies to reach the most promising intracellular tumor markers. Potential strategies, such as lentiviral vectors and bacterial type 3 secretion system, are proposed to deliver target-specific Nbs into tumor cells and to block tumor markers intracellularly. Simultaneously, Nbs have also been employed for in vivo molecular imaging to diagnose diseased tissues and to monitor the treatment effects. Here, we review the state of the art and focus on recent developments with Nbs as targeting moieties for drug delivery systems in cancer therapy and cancer imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaozhong Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,State Key Laboratory of Drug Delivery Technology and Pharmacokinetics, Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Tianjin, China
| | - Changxiao Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,State Key Laboratory of Drug Delivery Technology and Pharmacokinetics, Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Tianjin, China
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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Chronic sun exposure-related fusion oncogenes EGFR-PPARGC1A in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12654. [PMID: 28978917 PMCID: PMC5627299 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12836-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) differs from SCC of other organs in its strong association with chronic sun exposure. However, the specific driver mutations in cSCC remain unknown. Fusion genes in established cSCC cell lines (A431 and DJM-1) were predicted by transcriptome sequence, and validated by Sanger sequence, fluorescence in situ hybridization and G-banding. By transcriptome sequencing, we identified fusion gene EGFR-PPARGC1A in A431, which were expressed in 31 of 102 cSCCs. The lesions harboring the fusion gene tended to be located in sun-exposed areas. In vivo cutaneous implantation of EGFR-PPARGC1A-expressing NIH3T3 induced tumors resembling human cSCC, indicating its potent tumorigenicity. NIH3T3 transfected with EGFR-PPARGC1A as well as A431 showed increased cell proliferation activity. With regard to underlying mechanism, EGFR-PPARGC1A protein causes constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation, and induces the phosphorylation of wild-type full-length epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by dimerization. Conversely, the RNAi-mediated attenuation of EGFR or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockdown of the fusion gene in A431 led to a decrease in the cell number, and may have therapeutic value. Our findings advance the knowledge concerning genetic causes of cSCC and the function of EGFR, with potential implications for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
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Li F, Mei H, Gao Y, Xie X, Nie H, Li T, Zhang H, Jia L. Co-delivery of oxygen and erlotinib by aptamer-modified liposomal complexes to reverse hypoxia-induced drug resistance in lung cancer. Biomaterials 2017; 145:56-71. [PMID: 28843733 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2017] [Revised: 08/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Tumor hypoxia is a common feature of the tumor microenvironment and has been regarded as one of the key factors in driving the emergence of drug resistance in solid tumors. To surmount the hypoxia-associated drug resistance, we fabricated the novel multifunctional liposomal complexes (ACLEP) that could co-deliver oxygen and molecular targeted drug to overcome the hypoxia-induced drug resistance in lung cancer. The ACLEP were fabricated with liposomes anchored with anti-EGFR aptamer-conjugated chitosan to co-administrate erlotinib and PFOB to EGFR-overexpressing non-small-cell lung cancer. Our results showed that the ACLEP possessed desired physicochemistry, good biostability and controlled drug release. The entrapped PFOB in nanoparticle facilitated the uptake of ACLEP in either normoxia or hypoxic condition. Comparing to those nanoparticles loading erlotinib alone, our innovative oxygen/therapeutic co-delivery system showed a promising outcome in fighting against hypoxia-evoked erotinib resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Hence, this work presents a potent drug delivery platform to overcome hypoxia-induced chemotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengqiao Li
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Biopharmaceutical Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Hao Mei
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Biopharmaceutical Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Biopharmaceutical Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China.
| | - Xiaodong Xie
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Biopharmaceutical Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Huifang Nie
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Biopharmaceutical Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Tao Li
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Biopharmaceutical Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Huijuan Zhang
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Biopharmaceutical Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Lee Jia
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, and Biopharmaceutical Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China.
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Martinho O, Silva-Oliveira R, Cury FP, Barbosa AM, Granja S, Evangelista AF, Marques F, Miranda-Gonçalves V, Cardoso-Carneiro D, de Paula FE, Zanon M, Scapulatempo-Neto C, Moreira MA, Baltazar F, Longatto-Filho A, Reis RM. HER Family Receptors are Important Theranostic Biomarkers for Cervical Cancer: Blocking Glucose Metabolism Enhances the Therapeutic Effect of HER Inhibitors. Theranostics 2017; 7:717-732. [PMID: 28255362 PMCID: PMC5327645 DOI: 10.7150/thno.17154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent HPV infection alone is not sufficient for cervical cancer development, which requires additional molecular alterations for tumor progression and metastasis ultimately leading to a lethal disease. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of HER family receptor alterations in cervical adenocarcinoma. We detected overexpression of HER protein, mainly HER2, which was an independent prognostic marker for these patients. By using in vitro and in vivo approaches, we provided evidence that HER inhibitors, allitinib and lapatinib, were effective in reducing cervical cancer aggressiveness. Furthermore, combination of these drugs with glucose uptake blockers could overcome the putative HIF1-α-mediated resistance to HER-targeted therapies. Thus, we propose that the use of HER inhibitors in association with glycolysis blockers can be a potentially effective treatment option for HER-positive cervical cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Martinho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Molecular Oncology Research Center (CPOM), Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato Silva-Oliveira
- Molecular Oncology Research Center (CPOM), Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda P. Cury
- Molecular Oncology Research Center (CPOM), Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Martins Barbosa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Sara Granja
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | | | - Fábio Marques
- Department of Pathology of the School of Medicine of the Federal University of Goiás, Brazil
| | - Vera Miranda-Gonçalves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Diana Cardoso-Carneiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Flávia E. de Paula
- Molecular Oncology Research Center (CPOM), Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maicon Zanon
- Molecular Oncology Research Center (CPOM), Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Marise A.R. Moreira
- Department of Pathology of the School of Medicine of the Federal University of Goiás, Brazil
| | - Fátima Baltazar
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Adhemar Longatto-Filho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Molecular Oncology Research Center (CPOM), Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM) 14, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo State University, Brazil
| | - Rui Manuel Reis
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Molecular Oncology Research Center (CPOM), Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
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FOXO3a and the MAPK p38 are activated by cetuximab to induce cell death and inhibit cell proliferation and their expression predicts cetuximab efficacy in colorectal cancer. Br J Cancer 2016; 115:1223-1233. [PMID: 27685445 PMCID: PMC5104890 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2016.313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody against EGFR used for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), is ineffective in many patients. The aim of this study was to identify the signalling pathways activated by cetuximab in CRC cells and define new biomarker of response. METHODS We used in vitro, in vivo models and clinical CRC samples to assess the role of p38 and FOXO3a in cetuximab mechanism of action. RESULTS We show that cetuximab activates the MAPK p38. Specifically, p38 inhibition reduced cetuximab efficacy on cell growth and cell death. At the molecular level, cetuximab activates the transcription factor FOXO3a and promotes its nuclear translocation via p38-mediated phosphorylation, leading to the upregulation of its target genes p27 and BIM and the subsequent induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation. Finally, we found that high FOXO3a and p38 expression levels are associated with better response rate and improved outcome in cetuximab-treated patients with CRC harbouring WT KRAS. CONCLUSIONS We identify FOXO3a as a key mediator of cetuximab mechanism of action in CRC cells and define p38 as its activator in this context. Moreover, high FOXO3a and p38 expression could predict the response to cetuximab in patients with CRC harbouring WT KRAS.
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12
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High co-expression of PD-L1 and HIF-1α correlates with tumour necrosis in pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma. Eur J Cancer 2016; 60:125-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2016.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Revised: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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13
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Kang HN, Kim SH, Yun MR, Kim HR, Lim SM, Kim MS, Hong KW, Kim SM, Kim H, Pyo KH, Park HJ, Han JY, Youn HA, Chang KH, Cho BC. ER2, a novel human anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody inhibit tumor activity in non-small cell lung cancer models. Lung Cancer 2016; 95:57-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2016.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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14
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Ahmed M, Pan DW, Davis ME. Lack of in vivo antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity with antibody containing gold nanoparticles. Bioconjug Chem 2015; 26:812-6. [PMID: 25879583 PMCID: PMC4445771 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.5b00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity
(ADCC) is a cytolytic
mechanism that can elicit in vivo antitumor effects and can play a
significant role in the efficacy of antibody treatments for cancer.
Here, we prepared cetuximab, panitumumab, and rituximab containing
gold nanoparticles and investigated their ability to produce an ADCC
effect in vivo. Cetuximab treatment of EGFR-expressing H1975 tumor
xenografts showed significant tumor regression due to the ADCC activity
of the antibody in vivo, while the control antibody, panitumumab,
did not. However, all three antibody containing nanoparticles are
not able to suppress tumor growth in the same in vivo mouse model.
The antibody containing nanoparticles localized in the tumors and
did not suppress the immune function of the animals, so the lack of
tumor growth suppression of the cetuximab containing nanoparticle
suggests that immobilizing antibodies onto a nanoparticle significantly
decreases the ability of the antibody to promote an ADCC response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marya Ahmed
- Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Dorothy W Pan
- Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Mark E Davis
- Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
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15
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Arvold ND, Heidari P, Kunawudhi A, Sequist LV, Mahmood U. Tumor Hypoxia Response After Targeted Therapy in EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Proof of Concept for FMISO-PET. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2015; 15:234-42. [PMID: 25759424 DOI: 10.1177/1533034615574386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is associated with resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Functional imaging of hypoxia in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) could allow early assessment of tumor response and guide subsequent therapies. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition with erlotinib reduces hypoxia in vivo. [18F]-Fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) is a radiolabeled tracer that selectively accumulates in hypoxic cells. We sought to determine whether FMISO positron emission tomography (FMISO-PET) could detect changes in hypoxia in vivo in response to EGFR-targeted therapy. In a preclinical investigation, nude mice with human EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma xenografts underwent FMISO-PET scans before and 5 days after erlotinib or empty vehicle initiation. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were used to analyze changes in standardized uptake value (SUV), with pooled analyses for the mice in each group (baseline, postvehicle, and posterlotinib). In a small correlative pilot human study, patients with EGFR-mutant metastatic NSCLC underwent FMISO-PET scans before and 10 to 12 days after erlotinib initiation. Changes in SUV were compared to standard chest computed tomography (CT) scans performed 6 weeks after erlotinib initiation. The mean (±standard error of the mean; SUVmean) of the xenografts was 0.17 ± 0.014, 0.14 ± 0.008, and 0.06 ± 0.004 for baseline, postvehicle, and posterlotinib groups, respectively, with lower SUVmean among the posterlotinib group compared to other groups (P < .05). Changes on preclinical PET imaging were striking, with near-complete disappearance of FMISO uptake after erlotinib initiation. Two patients were enrolled on the pilot study. In the first patient, SUVmean increased by 21% after erlotinib, with progression on 6-week chest CT followed by death after 4.8 months. In the second patient, SUVmean decreased by 7% after erlotinib, with regression on 6-week chest CT accompanied by clinical improvement; the patient had stable disease at 14.5 months. In conclusion, we observed that FMISO-PET can detect changes in hypoxia levels after EGFR-directed therapy in EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Further study is warranted to determine its utility as an imaging biomarker of early response to EGFR-directed therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils D Arvold
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham & Women's Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pedram Heidari
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anchisa Kunawudhi
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lecia V Sequist
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Umar Mahmood
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Abstract
Lung adenocarcinomas harboring activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) represent a common molecular subset of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases. EGFR mutations predict sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and thus represent a dependency in NSCLCs harboring these alterations, but the genetic basis of EGFR dependence is not fully understood. Here, we applied an unbiased, ORF-based screen to identify genetic modifiers of EGFR dependence in EGFR-mutant NSCLC cells. This approach identified 18 kinase and kinase-related genes whose overexpression can substitute for EGFR in EGFR-dependent PC9 cells, and these genes include seven of nine Src family kinase genes, FGFR1, FGFR2, ITK, NTRK1, NTRK2, MOS, MST1R, and RAF1. A subset of these genes can complement loss of EGFR activity across multiple EGFR-dependent models. Unbiased gene-expression profiling of cells overexpressing EGFR bypass genes, together with targeted validation studies, reveals EGFR-independent activation of the MEK-ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathways. Combined inhibition of PI3K-mTOR and MEK restores EGFR dependence in cells expressing each of the 18 EGFR bypass genes. Together, these data uncover a broad spectrum of kinases capable of overcoming dependence on EGFR and underscore their convergence on the PI3K-AKT and MEK-ERK signaling axes in sustaining EGFR-independent survival.
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17
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Early prediction of response to cetuximab and radiotherapy by FDG-PET/CT for the treatment of a locoregionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx. MEDICINA-LITHUANIA 2014; 50:245-8. [PMID: 25458962 DOI: 10.1016/j.medici.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Cetuximab (CTX) is used for the concurrent treatment with radiotherapy (RT) in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (HNSCC). There are no reliable clinical predictive markers of effectiveness of CTX at yet. We describe the clinical case of patient who received a CTX/RT to cure locoregionally advanced hypopharyngeal SCC. 2-Deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography ((18)FDG-PET/CT) was performed before the treatment and repeated 10 days after CTX induction dose. A repeated (18)FDG-PET/CT scan showed dramatic decrease of metabolic parameters. Patient had a complete response after treatment and is still alive and cured after 5 years.
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Identifying Determinants of EGFR-Targeted Therapeutic Biochemical Efficacy Using Computational Modeling. CPT-PHARMACOMETRICS & SYSTEMS PHARMACOLOGY 2014; 3:e141. [PMID: 25317724 PMCID: PMC4474171 DOI: 10.1038/psp.2014.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We modeled cellular epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine phosphorylation dynamics in
the presence of receptor-targeting kinase inhibitors (e.g., gefitinib) or antibodies (e.g.,
cetuximab) to identify systematically the factors that contribute most to the ability of the
therapeutics to antagonize EGFR phosphorylation, an effect we define here as biochemical efficacy.
Our model identifies distinct processes as controlling gefitinib or cetuximab biochemical efficacy,
suggests biochemical efficacy is favored in the presence of certain EGFR ligands, and suggests new
drug design principles. For example, the model predicts that gefitinib biochemical efficacy is
preferentially sensitive to perturbations in the activity of tyrosine phosphatases regulating EGFR,
but that cetuximab biochemical efficacy is preferentially sensitive to perturbations in ligand
binding. Our results highlight numerous other considerations that determine biochemical efficacy
beyond those reflected by equilibrium affinities. By integrating these considerations, our model
also predicts minimum therapeutic combination concentrations to maximally reduce receptor
phosphorylation.
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Musiani D, Konda JD, Pavan S, Torchiaro E, Sassi F, Noghero A, Erriquez J, Perera T, Olivero M, Di Renzo MF. Heat-shock protein 27 (HSP27, HSPB1) is up-regulated by MET kinase inhibitors and confers resistance to MET-targeted therapy. FASEB J 2014; 28:4055-67. [PMID: 24903273 PMCID: PMC5395734 DOI: 10.1096/fj.13-247924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The tyrosine kinase encoded by the MET oncogene is activated by gene mutation or amplification in tumors, which in most instances maintain addiction, i.e., dependency, to MET activation. This makes MET an attractive candidate for targeted therapies. Here we show that, in 3/3 MET-addicted human gastric cancer cell lines, MET kinase inhibition resulted in a 3- to 4-fold increased expression of the antiapoptotic small heat-shock protein of 27 kDa (HSP27, HSPB1). HSP27 increase depended on the inhibition of the MEK/ERK pathway and on heat-shock factor 1 (HSF1) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) regulation. Importantly, HSP27-silenced MET-addicted cells underwent 2- and 3-fold more apoptosis following MET inhibition in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Likewise, in human cancer cells susceptible to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition, EGFR inhibitors induced HSP27 expression and were strengthened by HSP27 suppression. In control cell lines that were not affected by drugs targeting MET or EGFR, these drugs did not induce HSP27 increase. Therefore, in cancer therapies targeting the MET pathway, the induction of HSP27 might limit the efficacy of anti-MET agents. As HSP27 increase also impairs the effectiveness of EGFR inhibitors and is known to protect cells from chemotherapeutics, the induction of HSP27 by targeted agents might strongly affect the success of combination treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Musiani
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino School of Medicine, Turin, Italy; Laboratory of Cancer Genetics
| | - John David Konda
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino School of Medicine, Turin, Italy; Laboratory of Cancer Genetics
| | - Simona Pavan
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino School of Medicine, Turin, Italy; Laboratory of Cancer Genetics
| | - Erica Torchiaro
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino School of Medicine, Turin, Italy; Laboratory of Cancer Genetics
| | | | - Alessio Noghero
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino School of Medicine, Turin, Italy; Laboratory of Vascular Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, Fondazione del Piemonte per l'Oncologia (FPO)-Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Candiolo, Italy; and
| | | | | | - Martina Olivero
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino School of Medicine, Turin, Italy; Laboratory of Cancer Genetics
| | - Maria Flavia Di Renzo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino School of Medicine, Turin, Italy; Laboratory of Cancer Genetics
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20
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Secades P, de Santa-María IS, Merlo A, Suarez C, Chiara MD. In vitro study of normoxic epidermal growth factor receptor-induced hypoxia-inducible factor-1-alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor, and BNIP3 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines: Implications for anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy. Head Neck 2014; 37:1150-62. [PMID: 24798801 DOI: 10.1002/hed.23733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Revised: 02/26/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously showed that activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) induces hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells. In this study, we have furthered this by investigating the mechanism of HIF-1α activation by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its association with the sensitivity to gefitinib. METHODS EGFR/HIF-1α signaling was tested by immunoblot, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cell proliferation, and apoptosis assays. RESULTS HIF-1α accumulated in cells overexpressing EGF and phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (pEGFR), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (pPI3K), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (pMAPK). EGF-induced expression of HIF-1α and its targets, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and BNIP3, were blocked by gefitinib and PI3K-inhibitors and MAPK-inhibitors. HIF-1α-siRNAs abrogated EGF-induced BNIP3 but not VEGF expression. Gefitinib inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis more strongly in cells with constitutively active EGFR/HIF-1α signaling than in cells lacking activation of these pathways. HIF-1α-siRNA treatment reduced sensitivity to gefitinib. CONCLUSION The search for molecular predictors of sensitivity to gefitinib in HNSCC should be extended to the activation status of EGFR-downstream pathways, phosphorylated protein kinase B, pMAPK, and HIF-1α.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Secades
- Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Inés Saenz de Santa-María
- Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Anna Merlo
- Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Carlos Suarez
- Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - María-Dolores Chiara
- Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
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Weinandy A, Piroth MD, Goswami A, Nolte K, Sellhaus B, Gerardo-Nava J, Eble M, Weinandy S, Cornelissen C, Clusmann H, Lüscher B, Weis J. Cetuximab induces eme1-mediated DNA repair: a novel mechanism for cetuximab resistance. Neoplasia 2014; 16:207-20, 220.e1-4. [PMID: 24731284 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2014.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is observed in a large number of neoplasms. The monoclonal antibody cetuximab/Erbitux is frequently applied to treat EGFR-expressing tumors. However, the application of cetuximab alone or in combination with radio- and/or chemotherapy often yields only little benefit for patients. In the present study, we describe a mechanism that explains resistance of both tumor cell lines and cultured primary human glioma cells to cetuximab. Treatment of these cells with cetuximab promoted DNA synthesis in the absence of increased proliferation, suggesting that DNA repair pathways were activated. Indeed, we observed that cetuximab promoted the activation of the DNA damage response pathway and prevented the degradation of essential meiotic endonuclease 1 homolog 1 (Eme1), a heterodimeric endonuclease involved in DNA repair. The increased levels of Eme1 were necessary for enhanced DNA repair, and the knockdown of Eme1 was sufficient to prevent efficient DNA repair in response to ultraviolet-C light or megavoltage irradiation. These treatments reduced the survival of tumor cells, an effect that was reversed by cetuximab application. Again, this protection was dependent on Eme1. Taken together, these results suggest that cetuximab initiates pathways that result in the stabilization of Eme1, thereby resulting in enhanced DNA repair. Accordingly, cetuximab enhances DNA repair, reducing the effectiveness of DNA-damaging therapies. This aspect should be considered when using cetuximab as an antitumor agent and suggests that Eme1 is a negative predictive marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Weinandy
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University and JARA-BRAIN (Jülich Aachen Research Alliance Brain) Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany; Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University and JARA-BRAIN Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Marc D Piroth
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University and JARA-BRAIN Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anand Goswami
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University and JARA-BRAIN (Jülich Aachen Research Alliance Brain) Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kay Nolte
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University and JARA-BRAIN (Jülich Aachen Research Alliance Brain) Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany
| | - Bernd Sellhaus
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University and JARA-BRAIN (Jülich Aachen Research Alliance Brain) Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jose Gerardo-Nava
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University and JARA-BRAIN (Jülich Aachen Research Alliance Brain) Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael Eble
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University and JARA-BRAIN Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Weinandy
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Textile Implants, Applied Medical Engineering-Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University and JARA-BRAIN Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Cornelissen
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University and JARA-BRAIN Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany
| | - Hans Clusmann
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University and JARA-BRAIN Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Lüscher
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University and JARA-BRAIN Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany
| | - Joachim Weis
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University and JARA-BRAIN (Jülich Aachen Research Alliance Brain) Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany
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miR-218 opposes a critical RTK-HIF pathway in mesenchymal glioblastoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 111:291-6. [PMID: 24368849 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1314341111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and the mesenchymal GBM subtype in particular are highly malignant tumors that frequently exhibit regions of severe hypoxia and necrosis. Because these features correlate with poor prognosis, we investigated microRNAs whose expression might regulate hypoxic GBM cell survival and growth. We determined that the expression of microRNA-218 (miR-218) is decreased significantly in highly necrotic mesenchymal GBM, and orthotopic tumor studies revealed that reduced miR-218 levels confer GBM resistance to chemotherapy. Importantly, miR-218 targets multiple components of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling pathways, and miR-218 repression increases the abundance and activity of multiple RTK effectors. This elevated RTK signaling also promotes the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), most notably HIF2α. We further show that RTK-mediated HIF2α regulation is JNK dependent, via jun proto-oncogene. Collectively, our results identify an miR-218-RTK-HIF2α signaling axis that promotes GBM cell survival and tumor angiogenesis, particularly in necrotic mesenchymal tumors.
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Lu H, Li X, Luo Z, Liu J, Fan Z. Cetuximab reverses the Warburg effect by inhibiting HIF-1-regulated LDH-A. Mol Cancer Ther 2013; 12:2187-99. [PMID: 23920275 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-12-1245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) plays a critical role in reprogramming cancer metabolism toward aerobic glycolysis (i.e., the Warburg effect), which is critical to supplying cancer cells with the biomass needed for proliferation. Previous studies have shown that cetuximab, an EGF receptor-blocking monoclonal antibody, downregulates the alpha subunit of HIF-1 (HIF-1α) through the inhibition of EGF receptor downstream cell signaling and that downregulation of HIF-1α is required for cetuximab-induced antiproliferative effects. However, the mechanism underlying these actions has yet to be identified. In this study, we used the Seahorse XF96 extracellular flux analyzer to assess the effect of cetuximab treatment on changes in glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration, the two major energy-producing pathways, in live cells. We found that cetuximab downregulated lactate dehydrogenase A (LDH-A) and inhibited glycolysis in cetuximab-sensitive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells in an HIF-1α downregulation-dependent manner. HNSCC cells with acquired cetuximab resistance expressed a high level of HIF-1α and were highly glycolytic. Overexpression of a HIF-1α mutant (HIF-1α/ΔODD) conferred resistance to cetuximab-induced G1 phase cell-cycle arrest, which could be overcome by knockdown of LDH-A expression. Inhibition of LDH-A activity with oxamate enhanced the response of cetuximab-resistant cells to cetuximab. Cetuximab had no noticeable inhibitory effect on glycolysis in nontransformed cells. These findings provide novel mechanistic insights into cetuximab-induced cell-cycle arrest from the perspective of cancer metabolism and suggest novel strategies for enhancing cetuximab response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiquan Lu
- Corresponding Author: Zhen Fan, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Unit 1950, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030.
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Orlowski K, Rohrer Bley C, Zimmermann M, Vuong V, Hug D, Soltermann A, Broggini-Tenzer A, Pruschy M. Dynamics of tumor hypoxia in response to patupilone and ionizing radiation. PLoS One 2012; 7:e51476. [PMID: 23251549 PMCID: PMC3519688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 11/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor hypoxia is one of the most important parameters that determines treatment sensitivity and is mainly due to insufficient tumor angiogenesis. However, the local oxygen concentration in a tumor can also be shifted in response to different treatment modalities such as cytotoxic agents or ionizing radiation. Thus, combined treatment modalities including microtubule stabilizing agents could create an additional challenge for an effective treatment response due to treatment-induced shifts in tumor oxygenation. Tumor hypoxia was probed over a prolonged observation period in response to treatment with different cytotoxic agents, using a non-invasive bioluminescent ODD-Luc reporter system, in which part of the oxygen-dependent degradation (ODD) domain of HIF-1α is fused to luciferase. As demonstrated in vitro, this system not only detects hypoxia at an ambient oxygen concentration of 1% O2, but also discriminates low oxygen concentrations in the range from 0.2 to 1% O2. Treatment of A549 lung adenocarcinoma-derived tumor xenografts with the microtubule stabilizing agent patupilone resulted in a prolonged increase in tumor hypoxia, which could be used as marker for its antitumoral treatment response, while irradiation did not induce detectable changes in tumor hypoxia. Furthermore, despite patupilone-induced hypoxia, the potency of ionizing radiation (IR) was not reduced as part of a concomitant or adjuvant combined treatment modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Orlowski
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- KFSP Tumor Oxygenation, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carla Rohrer Bley
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martina Zimmermann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Van Vuong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Hug
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alex Soltermann
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Martin Pruschy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- KFSP Tumor Oxygenation, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Nurwidya F, Takahashi F, Minakata K, Murakami A, Takahashi K. From tumor hypoxia to cancer progression: the implications of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 expression in cancers. Anat Cell Biol 2012; 45:73-8. [PMID: 22822460 PMCID: PMC3398177 DOI: 10.5115/acb.2012.45.2.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 05/14/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia, defined as a decrease of tissue oxygen levels, represents a fundamental pathophysiological condition in the microenvironment of solid tumors. Tumor hypoxia is known to be associated with radio/chemo-resistance and metastasis that eventually lead to cancer progression contributing to poor prognosis in cancer patients. Among transcription factors that accumulated under hypoxic conditions, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a master transcription factor that has received the most intense attention in this field of research due to its capacity to modulate several hundred genes. With a clearer understanding of the HIF-1 pathway, efforts are directed at manipulation of this complex genetic process in order to ultimately decrease cellular HIF-1 levels. Some novel agents have been shown to have HIF-1 inhibition activity through a variety of molecular mechanisms and have provided promising results in the preclinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariz Nurwidya
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumiyuki Takahashi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Minakata
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akiko Murakami
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Takahashi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Yu H, Li Q, Kolosov VP, Perelman JM, Zhou X. Regulation of cigarette smoke-mediated mucin expression by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α via epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated signaling pathways. J Appl Toxicol 2012; 32:282-92. [PMID: 21544845 DOI: 10.1002/jat.1679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2010] [Revised: 01/04/2011] [Accepted: 02/04/2011] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Mucus hypersecretion is the key manifestation in patients with COPD and mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) is a major component of airway mucus. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a transcriptional factor which can be stimulated to bind to the MUC5AC promoter and induce MUC5AC promoter activation. Previous studies have reported that activation of HIF-1α pathways by cigarette smoke contributes to the development of COPD. We hypothesize that cigarette smoke up-regulates HIF-1α production and HIF-1 activity through epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-activated signal cascades pathways, leading to mucin production in human airway epithelial cells (16HBE). We show that cigarette smoke increases HIF-1α production, HIF-1 activity and MUC5AC expression. These effects are prevented by small interfering RNA (siRNA) for HIF-1α, indicating that cigarette smoke-induced mucin production is HIF-1α-dependent. Cigarette smoke activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signal pathways, both of which are inhibited by gefitinib (an inhibitor of EGFR), suggesting that cigarette smoke-activated signal pathways are mediated by EGFR in 16HBE cells. Furthermore, pretreatment with gefitinib and the pharmacological inhibitors of PI3K (LY294002) and ERK1/2 (PD98059) prevented cigarette smoke-mediated Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation responses, HIF-1α production, HIF-1 activity and MUC5AC expression. These observations demonstrate an important role for EGFR-mediated signaling pathways in regulating cigarette smoke-induced HIF-1 activation and MUC5AC expression. Our results suggest that cigarette smoke activates EGFR-mediated signaling pathways, leading to HIF-1α production and HIF-1 activation, resulting in mucin expression in human airway epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Yu
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, No. 74, Linjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China
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27
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A common BIM deletion polymorphism mediates intrinsic resistance and inferior responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in cancer. Nat Med 2012; 18:521-8. [PMID: 22426421 DOI: 10.1038/nm.2713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 432] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) elicit high response rates among individuals with kinase-driven malignancies, including chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (EGFR NSCLC). However, the extent and duration of these responses are heterogeneous, suggesting the existence of genetic modifiers affecting an individual's response to TKIs. Using paired-end DNA sequencing, we discovered a common intronic deletion polymorphism in the gene encoding BCL2-like 11 (BIM). BIM is a pro-apoptotic member of the B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL2) family of proteins, and its upregulation is required for TKIs to induce apoptosis in kinase-driven cancers. The polymorphism switched BIM splicing from exon 4 to exon 3, which resulted in expression of BIM isoforms lacking the pro-apoptotic BCL2-homology domain 3 (BH3). The polymorphism was sufficient to confer intrinsic TKI resistance in CML and EGFR NSCLC cell lines, but this resistance could be overcome with BH3-mimetic drugs. Notably, individuals with CML and EGFR NSCLC harboring the polymorphism experienced significantly inferior responses to TKIs than did individuals without the polymorphism (P = 0.02 for CML and P = 0.027 for EGFR NSCLC). Our results offer an explanation for the heterogeneity of TKI responses across individuals and suggest the possibility of personalizing therapy with BH3 mimetics to overcome BIM-polymorphism-associated TKI resistance.
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Lu H, Liang K, Lu Y, Fan Z. The anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab sensitizes human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells to radiation in part through inhibiting radiation-induced upregulation of HIF-1α. Cancer Lett 2012; 322:78-85. [PMID: 22348829 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2011] [Revised: 02/08/2012] [Accepted: 02/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying cetuximab-mediated radiosensitization of HNSCC. Irradiation of HNSCC cells upregulated hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) via a mechanism involving de novo synthesis of HIF-1α protein. Radiation-induced upregulation of HIF-1α was completely abolished by concurrent treatment of HNSCC cells with cetuximab. Experimental elevation of constitutively expressed HIF-1α abolished cetuximab-mediated radiosensitization in HNSCC cells, whereas downregulation of HIF-1α by siRNA or a small molecule inhibitor enhanced responses of cetuximab-resistant HNSCC cells to cetuximab plus radiation. Our data suggest that cetuximab sensitizes cancer cells to ionizing radiation in part through inhibition of radiation-induced upregulation of HIF-1α.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiquan Lu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 77030, USA
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Dragowska WH, Weppler SA, Qadir MA, Wong LY, Franssen Y, Baker JHE, Kapanen AI, Kierkels GJJ, Masin D, Minchinton AI, Gelmon KA, Bally MB. The combination of gefitinib and RAD001 inhibits growth of HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells and tumors irrespective of trastuzumab sensitivity. BMC Cancer 2011; 11:420. [PMID: 21961653 PMCID: PMC3207940 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-11-420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2011] [Accepted: 10/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background HER2-positive breast cancers exhibit high rates of innate and acquired resistance to trastuzumab (TZ), a HER2-directed antibody used as a first line treatment for this disease. TZ resistance may in part be mediated by frequent co-expression of EGFR and by sustained activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Here, we assessed feasibility of combining the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib and the mTOR inhibitor everolimus (RAD001) for treating HER2 overexpressing breast cancers with different sensitivity to TZ. Methods The gefitinib and RAD001 combination was broadly evaluated in TZ sensitive (SKBR3 and MCF7-HER2) and TZ resistant (JIMT-1) breast cancer models. The effects on cell growth were measured in cell based assays using the fixed molar ratio design and the median effect principle. In vivo studies were performed in Rag2M mice bearing established tumors. Analysis of cell cycle, changes in targeted signaling pathways and tumor characteristics were conducted to assess gefitinib and RAD001 interactions. Results The gefitinib and RAD001 combination inhibited cell growth in vitro in a synergistic fashion as defined by the Chou and Talalay median effect principle and increased tumor xenograft growth delay. The improvement in therapeutic efficacy by the combination was associated in vitro with cell line dependent increases in cytotoxicity and cytostasis while treatment in vivo promoted cytostasis. The most striking and consistent therapeutic effect of the combination was increased inhibition of the mTOR pathway (in vitro and in vivo) and EGFR signaling in vivo relative to the single drugs. Conclusions The gefitinib and RAD001 combination provides effective control over growth of HER2 overexpressing cells and tumors irrespective of the TZ sensitivity status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wieslawa H Dragowska
- Experimental Therapeutics, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 675 West 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada.
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El Guerrab A, Zegrour R, Nemlin CC, Vigier F, Cayre A, Penault-Llorca F, Rossignol F, Bignon YJ. Differential impact of EGFR-targeted therapies on hypoxia responses: implications for treatment sensitivity in triple-negative metastatic breast cancer. PLoS One 2011; 6:e25080. [PMID: 21966417 PMCID: PMC3178587 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2011] [Accepted: 08/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In solid tumors, such as breast cancer, cells are exposed to hypoxia. Cancer cells adapt their metabolism by activating hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) that promote the transcription of genes involved in processes such as cell survival, drug resistance and metastasis. HIF-1 is also induced in an oxygen-independent manner through the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK). Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of invasive breast cancer characterized by negative expression of hormonal and HER2 receptors, and this subtype generally overexpresses EGFR. Sensitivity to three EGFR inhibitors (cetuximab, gefitinib and lapatinib, an HER2/EGFR-TK inhibitor) was evaluated in a metastatic TNBC cell model (MDA-MB-231), and the impact of these drugs on the activity and stability of HIF was assessed. Methodology/Principal Findings MDA-MB-231 cells were genetically modified to stably express an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) induced by hypoxia; the Ca9-GFP cell model reports HIF activity, whereas GFP-P564 reports HIF stability. The reporter signal was monitored by flow cytometry. HIF-1 DNA-binding activity, cell migration and viability were also evaluated in response to EGFR inhibitors. Cell fluorescence signals strongly increased under hypoxic conditions (> 30-fold). Cetuximab and lapatinib did not affect the signal induced by hypoxia, whereas gefitinib sharply reduced its intensity in both cell models and also diminished HIF-1 alpha levels and HIF-1 DNA-binding activity in MDA-MB-231 cells. This gefitinib feature was associated with its ability to inhibit MDA-MB-231 cell migration and to induce cell mortality in a dose-dependent manner. Cetuximab and lapatinib had no effect on cell migration or cell viability. Conclusion Resistance to cetuximab and lapatinib and sensitivity to gefitinib were associated with their ability to modulate HIF activity and stability. In conclusion, downregulation of HIF-1 through EGFR signaling seems to be required for the induction of a positive response to EGFR-targeted therapies in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abderrahim El Guerrab
- Department of Oncogenetic, Centre Jean Perrin, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- ADELBIO, Faculty of Medicine, Centre Biomédical de Recherche et Valorisation, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Rabah Zegrour
- ADELBIO, Faculty of Medicine, Centre Biomédical de Recherche et Valorisation, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Carine-Christiane Nemlin
- ADELBIO, Faculty of Medicine, Centre Biomédical de Recherche et Valorisation, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Flavie Vigier
- ADELBIO, Faculty of Medicine, Centre Biomédical de Recherche et Valorisation, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Anne Cayre
- Department of Pathology, Centre Jean Perrin, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Fabrice Rossignol
- ADELBIO, Faculty of Medicine, Centre Biomédical de Recherche et Valorisation, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Yves-Jean Bignon
- Department of Oncogenetic, Centre Jean Perrin, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- * E-mail:
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Lilleby W, Solca F, Røe K. Radiotherapy and inhibition of the EGF family as treatment strategies for prostate cancer: combining theragnostics with theragates. Oncol Rev 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s12156-010-0070-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Luwor RB, Lu Y, Li X, Liang K, Fan Z. Constitutively active Harvey Ras confers resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted therapy with cetuximab and gefitinib. Cancer Lett 2011; 306:85-91. [PMID: 21411223 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2011] [Revised: 02/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Kirsten Ras (K-Ras) mutations have been implicated as a key predictive marker of resistance to therapies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). To determine whether Harvey Ras (H-Ras) mutations also can confer resistance to EGFR-targeted therapy, we expressed a constitutively active H-Ras (Ras G12V) in A431 human vulvar squamous carcinoma cells. Compared with corresponding control cells, A431-Ras cells exhibited marked resistance to the EGFR inhibitors cetuximab and gefitinib, reducing inhibition of Akt and Erk phosphorylation, inhibition of HIF-1α expression and transcriptional activity, and antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo. Our data indicate that constitutively active H-Ras can also confer resistance to anti-EGFR therapy in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodney B Luwor
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 77030, USA
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Li X, Lu Y, Pan T, Fan Z. Roles of autophagy in cetuximab-mediated cancer therapy against EGFR. Autophagy 2011; 6:1066-77. [PMID: 20864811 DOI: 10.4161/auto.6.8.13366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cetuximab is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-blocking antibody that is approved to treat several types of solid cancers in patients. We recently showed that cetuximab can induce autophagy in cancer cells by both inhibiting the class I phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PtdIns3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and activating the class III PtdIns3K (hVps34)/beclin 1 pathway. In the current study, we investigated the relationship between cetuximab-induced autophagy and apoptosis and the biological roles of autophagy in cetuximab-mediated cancer therapy. We found that cetuximab induced autophagy in cancer cells that show strong or weak induction of apoptosis after cetuximab treatment but not in those that show only cytostatic growth inhibition. Inhibition of cetuximab-induced apoptosis by a caspase inhibitor prevented the induction of autophagy. Conversely, inhibition of cetuximab-induced autophagy by silencing the expression of autophagy-related genes (Atg) or treating the cancer cells with lysosomal inhibitors enhanced the cetuximab-induced apoptosis, suggesting that autophagy was a protective cellular response to cetuximab treatment. On the other hand, cotreatment of cancer cells with cetuximab and the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin resulted in an Atg-dependent and lysosomal inhibition-sensitive death of cancer cells that show only growth inhibition or weak apoptosis after cetuximab treatment, indicating that cell death may be achieved by activating the autophagy pathway in these cells. Together, our findings may guide the development of novel clinical strategies for sensitizing cancer cells to EGFR-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinqun Li
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Establishment and characterization of primary lung cancer cell lines from Chinese population. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2011; 32:385-92. [PMID: 21372829 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2010.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To establish and characterize primary lung cancer cell lines from Chinese population. METHODS Lung cancer specimens or pleural effusions were collected from Chinese lung cancer patients and cultured in vitro with ACL4 medium (for non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC)) or HITES medium (for small cell lung carcinomas (SCLC)) supplemented with 5% FBS. All cell lines were maintained in culture for more than 25 passages. Most of these cell lines were further analyzed for oncogenic mutations, karyotype, cell growth kinetics, and tumorigenicity in nude mice. RESULTS Eight primary cell lines from Chinese lung cancer patients were established and characterized, including seven NSCLC cell lines and one SCLC cell line. Five NSCLC cell lines were found to harbor epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase domain mutations. CONCLUSION These well-characterized primary lung cancer cell lines from Chinese population provide a unique platform for future studies of the ethnic differences in lung cancer biology and drug response.
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Löw K, Wacker M, Wagner S, Langer K, von Briesen H. Targeted human serum albumin nanoparticles for specific uptake in EGFR-Expressing colon carcinoma cells. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2011; 7:454-63. [PMID: 21215330 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2010.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2010] [Revised: 12/06/2010] [Accepted: 12/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The specific application and transport of drugs into malignant tissue is a critical point during diagnosis and therapy. Nanoparticles are known as excellent drug carrier systems and offer the possibility of surface modification with targeting ligands, leading to a specific accumulation in the targeted tissue. First, the specificity of such a carrier system has to be proven. In this study, cetuximab-modified nanoparticles based on biodegradable human serum albumin (HSA) are investigated regarding their cellular binding and intracellular accumulation. Different EGFR-expressing colon carcinoma cells were used to test possible cytotoxic potential, specific binding and intracellular accumulation. A specific accumulation targeting the EGFR could be shown. These results emphasize that cetuximab-modified HSA-nanoparticles are a promising carrier system for later drug transport. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the specific accumulation of HSA nanoparticles into different EGFR-expressing colon carcinoma cells. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR In this study, cetuximab-modified nanoparticles based on human serum albumin (HSA) are investigated regarding their cellular binding and intracellular accumulation. The results suggest that these nanoparticles are a promising carrier system for EGFR overexpressing colon carcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Löw
- Department of Cell Biology and Applied Virology, Fraunhofer-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, St. Ingbert, Germany
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Lu Y, Li X, Lu H, Fan Z. 1, 9-Pyrazoloanthrones downregulate HIF-1α and sensitize cancer cells to cetuximab-mediated anti-EGFR therapy. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15823. [PMID: 21209911 PMCID: PMC3012113 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2010] [Accepted: 11/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody that blocks the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), is currently approved for the treatment of several types of solid tumors. We previously showed that cetuximab can inhibit hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) protein synthesis by inhibiting the activation of EGFR downstream signaling pathways including Erk, Akt, and mTOR. 1, 9-pyrazoloanthrone (1, 9 PA) is an anthrapyrazolone compound best known as SP600125 that specifically inhibits c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Here, we report 1, 9 PA can downregulate HIF-1α independently of its inhibition of JNK. This downregulatory effect was abolished when the oxygen-dependent domain (ODD) of HIF-1α (HIF-1α-ΔODD, the domain responsible for HIF-1α degradation) was experimentally deleted or when the activity of HIF-1α prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) or the 26S proteasomal complex was inhibited, indicating that the 1, 9 PA downregulates HIF-1α by promoting PHD-dependent HIF-1α degradation. We found that the combination of 1, 9 PA and cetuximab worked synergistically to induce apoptosis in cancer cells in which cetuximab or 1, 9 PA alone had no or only weak apoptotic activity. This synergistic effect was substantially decreased in cancer cells transfected with HIF-1α-ΔODD, indicating that downregulation of HIF-1α was the mechanism of this synergistic effect. More importantly, 1, 9 PA can downregulate HIF-1α in cancer cells that are insensitive to cetuximab-induced inhibition of HIF-1α expression due to overexpression of oncogenic Ras (RasG12V). Our findings suggest that 1, 9 PA is a lead compound of a novel class of drugs that may be used to enhance the response of cancer cells to cetuximab through a complementary effect on the downregulation of HIF-1α.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Lu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Xinqun Li
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Haiquan Lu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Zhen Fan
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Prognostic implications of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in epidermal growth factor receptor-negative non-small cell lung cancer. Lung Cancer 2010; 72:100-7. [PMID: 20822827 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2010.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2010] [Revised: 07/21/2010] [Accepted: 08/08/2010] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is a regulatory subunit of HIF-1 that is stabilized and activated under hypoxic conditions. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), over-expression of HIF-1α has been associated with poor overall survival. However, there is conflicting data on the role of HIF-1α as a prognostic factor. Some studies have demonstrated close association between the HIF-1α signal pathways and epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs). We evaluated the prognostic significance of HIF-1α expression in 178 NSCLC patients using tissue microarray in the context of EGFR gene copy number and protein expression status. EGFR gene copy number was evaluated using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and EGFR protein expression was determined using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The difference in overall survival (OS) between HIF-1α-positive and HIF-1α-negative groups was statistically significant in patients with low EGFR gene copy number and negative EGFR expression (log-rank test, P = 0.03). In univariate and multivariate analyses, HIF-1α was a significant worse prognostic factor for OS in patients with low EGFR gene copy number and negative EGFR expression (hazard ratio = 2.992; 95% CI, 1.113-8.045; P = 0.03 in univariate analysis and hazard ratio = 8.127; 95% CI, 1.874-35.251; P < 0.01 in multivariate analysis). The results demonstrated that the prognostic significance of HIF-1α should be validated in the context of EGFR status in NSCLC patients, and the gene and protein status of EGFR and HIF-1α will be important to help select patients most likely to derive the greatest clinical benefit from EGFR or HIF-1α targeted therapies.
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Li X, Fan Z. The epidermal growth factor receptor antibody cetuximab induces autophagy in cancer cells by downregulating HIF-1alpha and Bcl-2 and activating the beclin 1/hVps34 complex. Cancer Res 2010; 70:5942-52. [PMID: 20634405 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is a regulated catabolic process triggered in cells deprived of nutrients or growth factors that govern nutrient uptake. Here, we report that autophagy is induced by cetuximab, a therapeutic antibody that blocks epidermal growth factor receptor function. Cancer cell treatment with cetuximab triggered autophagosome formation, conversion of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 from its cytoplasmic to membrane-associated form, and increased acidic vesicular organelle formation. Autophagy occurred when cetuximab inhibited the class I phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, but not when it inhibited only the mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase/Erk pathway, and it was accompanied by decreased levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) and Bcl-2. Stable overexpression of a HIF-1alpha mutant prevented cetuximab-induced autophagy and decrease in Bcl-2 levels. Knockdown of autophagy regulator beclin 1 or cell treatment with autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine, a class III PI3K (hVps34) inhibitor, also inhibited cetuximab-induced autophagy. Furthermore, knockdown of beclin 1 or Atg7 or treatment with the lysosome inhibitor chloroquine sensitized cancer cells to cetuximab-induced apoptosis. Mechanistic analysis argued that cetuximab acted by promoting an association between beclin 1 and hVps34, which was inhibited by overexpression of Bcl-2. Our findings suggest that the autophagy protects cancer cells from the proapoptotic effects of cetuximab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinqun Li
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Demory ML, Boerner JL, Davidson R, Faust W, Miyake T, Lee I, Hüttemann M, Douglas R, Haddad G, Parsons SJ. Epidermal growth factor receptor translocation to the mitochondria: regulation and effect. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:36592-36604. [PMID: 19840943 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.000760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Co-overexpression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) and c-Src frequently occurs in human tumors and is linked to enhanced tumor growth. In experimental systems this synergistic growth requires EGF-dependent association of c-Src with the EGFR and phosphorylation of Tyr-845 of the receptor by c-Src. A search for signaling mediators of Tyr(P)-845 revealed that mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (CoxII) binds EGFR in a Tyr(P)-845- and EGF-dependent manner. In cells this association involves translocation of EGFR to the mitochondria, but regulation of this process is ill-defined. The current study demonstrates that c-Src translocates to the mitochondria with similar kinetics as EGFR and that the catalytic activity of EGFR and c-Src as well as endocytosis and a mitochondrial localization signal are required for these events. CoxII can be phosphorylated by EGFR and c-Src, and EGF stimulation reduces Cox activity and cellular ATP, an event that is dependent in large part on EGFR localized to the mitochondria. These findings suggest EGFR plays a novel role in modulating mitochondrial function via its association with, and modification of CoxII.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Demory
- Department of Microbiology and the Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
| | - Julie L Boerner
- Department of Microbiology and the Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908; Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201; Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201
| | - Robert Davidson
- Department of Microbiology and the Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
| | - William Faust
- Department of Microbiology and the Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
| | - Tsuyoshi Miyake
- Department of Microbiology and the Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
| | - Icksoo Lee
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201; Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201
| | - Maik Hüttemann
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201; Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201
| | - Robert Douglas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Gabriel Haddad
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Sarah J Parsons
- Department of Microbiology and the Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908.
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Riesterer O, Mason KA, Raju U, Yang Q, Wang L, Hittelman WN, Ang KK, Milas L. Enhanced response to C225 of A431 tumor xenografts growing in irradiated tumor bed. Radiother Oncol 2009; 92:383-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2009.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2009] [Revised: 07/14/2009] [Accepted: 07/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
The central component of hypoxia sensing in the cell is the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) transcriptional complex. HIF activity is deregulated in many human cancers, especially those that are highly hypoxic. Hypoxic tumour cells are usually resistant to radiotherapy and most conventional chemotherapeutic agents, rendering them highly aggressive and metastatic. Overexpression of HIF-alpha, the regulatory subunit of HIF, is associated with increased vascular density, severity of tumour grade, treatment failure and a poor prognostic outcome with conventional therapies. Therefore HIF is an attractive, although challenging, therapeutic target, and several different strategies have been developed to target HIF directly or indirectly in recent years. This review outlines the preclinical and clinical advances in this arena and discusses which cancers may benefit from HIF-targeted therapy.
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Enediyne lidamycin enhances the effect of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib, in epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells and lung carcinoma H460 cells. Anticancer Drugs 2009; 20:41-9. [PMID: 19342999 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0b013e328318292c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Gefitinib, a low-molecular-weight epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is effective in a wide variety of tumor types. Preclinical studies have shown potentiated antitumor efficacies of this agent in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The antitumor antibiotic lidamycin (LDM) showed extremely potent cytotoxicity in vitro and marked therapeutic effect in vivo. In this report, the cytotoxic and biochemical activity of LDM and gefitinib on human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells and human large cell lung cancer H460 cells as a single agent or in combination has been evaluated. In the MTT assay, LDM showed much more potent cytotoxicity than gefitinib to both cell lines. A431 cells with a highly EGFR-expressing level were more sensitive to gefitinib than H460 cells, which expressed EGFR at an intermediate level. LDM plus gefitinib showed potentiation of antiproliferative activity and apoptosis induction, which were associated with downregulation of EGFR signaling pathway and nuclear factor-kappa B expression, and the increase of cleaved poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase in the two cell lines, although to a lesser degree in H460 cells. Combined treatment induced G1 phase arrest similar to that of gefitinib alone in A431 cells and intensified G2/M phase accumulation in H460 cells. The above results indicate that LDM potentiates the effects of gefitinib in both gefitinib sensitive and less sensitive cells in association with enhanced inhibition of EGFR-dependent signaling.
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Choi YJ, Rho JK, Lee SJ, Jang WS, Lee SS, Kim CH, Lee JC. HIF-1alpha modulation by topoisomerase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2009; 135:1047-53. [PMID: 19148680 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-009-0543-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2008] [Accepted: 01/04/2009] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was to investigate whether the topoisomerase (Top) I inhibitor topotecan and the Top II inhibitor etoposide could modulate the hypoxia-induced HIF-1alpha expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. METHODS Hypoxic conditions were maintained in a humidified airtight anaerobic incubator flushed with a mixture of gas consisting of 1% O(2), 5% CO(2) and 94% N(2). The expressions of HIF-1alpha and Akt phosphorylation were measured by Western blotting or quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Small interfering RNA treatment was done to inhibit the expressions of Top I and IIalpha. Constitutively active akt was expressed by transient transfection using pUSEamp(+)/myr Akt. RESULTS The HIF-1alpha was increased and this peaked at 9 h in hypoxic conditions. Both topotecan and etoposide in a dose- and time-dependent manner inhibited the accumulation of hypoxia-induced HIF-1alpha protein. Interestingly, the daily addition of these drugs at a lower concentration could inhibit the HIF-1alpha expression more effectively than a single treatment, which shows that their effects are schedule-dependent. This down-regulation of HIF-1alpha was associated with proteosomal degradation and decreased Akt phosphorylation. Top I and Top IIalpha were required for the inhibitory effect of topotecan and etoposide, respectively. CONCLUSION Both Top I and II inhibitors could suppress the HIF-1alpha expression in a schedule-dependent manner, and this suggests that these drugs might be useful to overcome the therapeutic resistance induced by tumor hypoxia in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Jung Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Science, 215-4, Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706, Korea
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Sirica AE. Role of ErbB family receptor tyrosine kinases in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14:7033-58. [PMID: 19084911 PMCID: PMC2776834 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.7033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2008] [Revised: 10/21/2008] [Accepted: 10/28/2008] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression and signaling of epidermal growth factor receptor (ErbB) family receptor tyrosine kinases, most notably that of ErbB2 and ErbB1, have been implicated in the molecular pathogenesis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Constitutive overexpression of ErbB2 and/or ErbB1 in malignant cholangiocytes has raised interest in the possibility that agents which selectively target these receptors could potentially be effective in cholangiocarcinoma therapy. However, current experience with such ErbB-directed therapies have at best produced only modest responses in patients with biliary tract cancers. This review provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of both preclinical and clinical studies aimed at assessing the role of altered ErbB2 and/or ErbB1 expression, genetic modifications, and dysregulated signaling on cholangiocarcinoma development and progression. Specific limitations in experimental approaches that have been used to assess human cholangiocarcinoma specimens for ErbB2 and/or ErbB1 overexpression and gene amplification are discussed. In addition, current rodent models of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinogenesis associated with constitutive ErbB2 overexpression are reviewed. Select interactive relationships between ErbB2 or ErbB1 with other relevant molecular signaling pathways associated with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma development and progression are also detailed, including those linking ErbB receptors to bile acid, cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6/gp130, transmembrane mucins, hepatocyte growth factor/Met, and vascular endothelial growth factor signaling. Lastly, various factors that can limit therapeutic efficacy of ErbB-targeted agents against cholangiocarcinoma are considered.
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of the combined assessment of multiple molecular markers related to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway in resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Tumour specimens of 178 NSCLC patients were collected and analysed for EGFR and KRAS mutation status by DNA sequencing, and for EGFR copy number by fluorescent in situ hybridisation. Tissue microarrays were generated and used to determine the expression of multiple EGFR pathway-related proteins by immunohistochemistry. We analysed the association between each marker and patient prognosis. Univariate analyses for each clinical variable and each molecular marker were performed using Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank tests. From these results, we selected the variables KRAS mutations and expression of cytoplasmic EGFR, granular pERK, nuclear pSTAT3, cytoplasmic E-cadherin and cytoplasmic pCMET to enter into a Cox proportional hazards model, along with stage as the strongest clinical variable related with prognosis. Of the EGFR-related markers evaluated here, the markers EGFR, pERK, pSTAT3, E-cadherin, pCMET and mutations in KRAS were associated with survival when analysed in combination in our patient cohort, with P=0.00015 as the P-value for a test of the additional impact of markers on prognosis, after taking stage into consideration. Confirmation of the impact of these markers in independent studies will be necessary.
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Abstract
Hypoxia occurs in the majority of tumours, promoting angiogenesis, metastasis and resistance to therapy. Responses to hypoxia are orchestrated in part through activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor family of transcription factors (HIFs). Recently, two additional O(2)-sensitive signalling pathways have also been implicated: signalling through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase and signalling through activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Although they are activated independently, growing evidence suggests that HIF-, mTOR- and UPR-dependent responses to hypoxia act in an integrated way, influencing each other and common downstream pathways that affect gene expression, metabolism, cell survival, tumorigenesis and tumour growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradly G Wouters
- Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Li X, Lu Y, Liang K, Pan T, Mendelsohn J, Fan Z. Requirement of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha down-regulation in mediating the antitumor activity of the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody cetuximab. Mol Cancer Ther 2008; 7:1207-17. [PMID: 18483308 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-07-2187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We tested our novel hypothesis that down-regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), the regulated subunit of HIF-1 transcription factor that controls gene expression involved in key functional properties of cancer cells (including metabolism, survival, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis), contributes to a major antitumor mechanism of cetuximab, an approved therapeutic monoclonal antibody that blocks activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. We showed that cetuximab treatment down-regulates HIF-1alpha levels by inhibiting synthesis of HIF-1alpha rather than by enhancing degradation of the protein. Inhibition of HIF-1alpha protein synthesis was dependent on effective inhibition of the phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway by cetuximab, because the inhibition was prevented in cells transfected with a constitutively active PI3K or a constitutively active Akt but not in cells with a constitutively active MEK. Overexpression of HIF-1alpha conferred cellular resistance to cetuximab-induced apoptosis and inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor production in sensitive cancer cell models, and expression knockdown of HIF-1alpha by RNA interference substantially restored cellular sensitivity to the cetuximab-mediated antitumor activities in experimental resistant cell models created by transfection of an oncogenic Ras gene (G12V) or by concurrent treatment of the cells with insulin-like growth factor-I. In summary, our data show that cetuximab decreases HIF-1alpha protein synthesis through inhibition of a PI3K-dependent pathway and that an effective down-regulation of HIF-1alpha is required for maximal therapeutic effects of cetuximab in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinqun Li
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 036, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Abstract
Tumor hypoxia is a characteristic in many solid tumors. It has been demonstrated that hypoxia in gastric cancer could promote tumor microvessels angiogenesis, affect tumor cell apoptosis, regulate cell cycle, decrease the therapeutic efficacy of radiotherapy, surgery and some forms of chemotherapy, and promote tumor invasion and metastasis. Using oxygen electrodes, radiological and nuclear medical imaging techniques we could assess the tumor oxygenation status. The use of hyperbaric oxygen, carbogen and ARCON and hypoxic cell radiosensitisers can improve the efficacy of radiation and chemotherapy. Hypoxia environment indicates several new methods to treat gastric cancer, and the exogenous markers of tumor hypoxia, HIF-1 inhibitor, and HIF-1 gene therapy will be the focus in the future.
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