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Castellani G, Buccarelli M, Arasi MB, Rossi S, Pisanu ME, Bellenghi M, Lintas C, Tabolacci C. BRAF Mutations in Melanoma: Biological Aspects, Therapeutic Implications, and Circulating Biomarkers. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4026. [PMID: 37627054 PMCID: PMC10452867 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer resulting from the malignant transformation of melanocytes. Recent therapeutic approaches, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy, have improved the prognosis and outcome of melanoma patients. BRAF is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes recognised in melanoma. The most frequent oncogenic BRAF mutations consist of a single point mutation at codon 600 (mostly V600E) that leads to constitutive activation of the BRAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) signalling pathway. Therefore, mutated BRAF has become a useful target for molecular therapy and the use of BRAF kinase inhibitors has shown promising results. However, several resistance mechanisms invariably develop leading to therapeutic failure. The aim of this manuscript is to review the role of BRAF mutational status in the pathogenesis of melanoma and its impact on differentiation and inflammation. Moreover, this review focuses on the mechanisms responsible for resistance to targeted therapies in BRAF-mutated melanoma and provides an overview of circulating biomarkers including circulating tumour cells, circulating tumour DNA, and non-coding RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Castellani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Mariachiara Buccarelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Maria Beatrice Arasi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Stefania Rossi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Maria Elena Pisanu
- High Resolution NMR Unit, Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Bellenghi
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Carla Lintas
- Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy;
- Operative Research Unit of Medical Genetics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Tabolacci
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.C.); (M.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.R.)
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2
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Kharouf N, Flanagan TW, Hassan SY, Shalaby H, Khabaz M, Hassan SL, Megahed M, Haikel Y, Santourlidis S, Hassan M. Tumor Microenvironment as a Therapeutic Target in Melanoma Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3147. [PMID: 37370757 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the tumor microenvironment in tumor growth and therapy has recently attracted more attention in research and drug development. The ability of the microenvironment to trigger tumor maintenance, progression, and resistance is the main cause for treatment failure and tumor relapse. Accumulated evidence indicates that the maintenance and progression of tumor cells is determined by components of the microenvironment, which include stromal cells (endothelial cells, fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and immune cells), extracellular matrix (ECM), and soluble molecules (chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles). As a solid tumor, melanoma is not only a tumor mass of monolithic tumor cells, but it also contains supporting stroma, ECM, and soluble molecules. Melanoma cells are continuously in interaction with the components of the microenvironment. In the present review, we focus on the role of the tumor microenvironment components in the modulation of tumor progression and treatment resistance as well as the impact of the tumor microenvironment as a therapeutic target in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naji Kharouf
- Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Strasbourg, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1121, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Department of Endodontics and Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas W Flanagan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Sofie-Yasmin Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Hosam Shalaby
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Marla Khabaz
- Department of Production, Beta Factory for Veterinary Pharmaceutical Industries, Damascus 0100, Syria
| | - Sarah-Lilly Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Mosaad Megahed
- Clinic of Dermatology, University Hospital of Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Youssef Haikel
- Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Strasbourg, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1121, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Department of Endodontics and Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Pôle de Médecine et Chirurgie Bucco-Dentaire, Hôpital Civil, Hôpitaux Universitaire de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Simeon Santourlidis
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Mohamed Hassan
- Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Strasbourg, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1121, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Department of Endodontics and Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Research Laboratory of Surgery-Oncology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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3
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Liu Y, Wang J, Hu X, Pan Z, Xu T, Xu J, Jiang L, Huang P, Zhang Y, Ge M. Radioiodine therapy in advanced differentiated thyroid cancer: Resistance and overcoming strategy. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 68:100939. [PMID: 36806005 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.100939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most prevalent endocrine tumor and its incidence is fast-growing worldwide in recent years. Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the most common pathological subtype which is typically curable with surgery and Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy (approximately 85%). Radioactive iodine is the first-line treatment for patients with metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC). However, 60% of patients with aggressive metastasis DTC developed resistance to RAI treatment and had a poor overall prognosis. The molecular mechanisms of RAI resistance include gene mutation and fusion, failure to transport RAI into the DTC cells, and interference with the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, it is unclear whether the above are the main drivers of the inability of patients with DTC to benefit from iodine therapy. With the development of new biological technologies, strategies that bolster RAI function include TKI-targeted therapy, DTC cell redifferentiation, and improved drug delivery via extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged. Despite some promising data and early success, overall survival was not prolonged in the majority of patients, and the disease continued to progress. It is still necessary to understand the genetic landscape and signaling pathways leading to iodine resistance and enhance the effectiveness and safety of the RAI sensitization approach. This review will summarize the mechanisms of RAI resistance, predictive biomarkers of RAI resistance, and the current RAI sensitization strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Liu
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiafeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiaoping Hu
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zongfu Pan
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Tong Xu
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiajie Xu
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, China; Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liehao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, China; Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ping Huang
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Minghua Ge
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, China; Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Seefried F, Haller L, Fukuda S, Thongmao A, Schneider N, Utikal J, Higashiyama S, Bosserhoff AK, Kuphal S. Nuclear
AREG
affects a low‐proliferative phenotype and contributes to drug resistance of melanoma. Int J Cancer 2022; 151:2244-2264. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Felix Seefried
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen‐Nürnberg, Fahrstrasse17 Erlangen Germany
| | - Lucia Haller
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen‐Nürnberg, Fahrstrasse17 Erlangen Germany
| | - Shinji Fukuda
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Dentistry Aichi Gakuin University Nagoya Japan
| | - Aranya Thongmao
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen‐Nürnberg, Fahrstrasse17 Erlangen Germany
| | - Nadja Schneider
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen‐Nürnberg, Fahrstrasse17 Erlangen Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Department of Dermatology Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg Germany
| | - Shigeki Higashiyama
- Division of Cell Growth and Tumour Regulation, Proteo‐Science Center Ehime University, Toon, 791‐0295, Japan and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Osaka International Cancer Institute Osaka Japan
| | - Anja Katrin Bosserhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen‐Nürnberg, Fahrstrasse17 Erlangen Germany
| | - Silke Kuphal
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen‐Nürnberg, Fahrstrasse17 Erlangen Germany
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Jandova J, Park SL, Corenblum MJ, Madhavan L, Snell JA, Rounds L, Wondrak GT. Mefloquine induces ER stress and apoptosis in BRAFi-resistant A375-BRAF V600E /NRAS Q61K malignant melanoma cells targeting intracranial tumors in a bioluminescent murine model. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:603-614. [PMID: 35417045 PMCID: PMC9133119 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Molecularly targeted therapeutics have revolutionized the treatment of BRAFV600E -driven malignant melanoma, but the rapid development of resistance to BRAF kinase inhibitors (BRAFi) presents a significant obstacle. The use of clinical antimalarials for the investigational treatment of malignant melanoma has shown only moderate promise, attributed mostly to inhibition of lysosomal-autophagic adaptations of cancer cells, but identification of specific antimalarials displaying single-agent antimelanoma activity has remained elusive. Here, we have screened a focused library of clinically used artemisinin-combination therapeutic (ACT) antimalarials for the apoptotic elimination of cultured malignant melanoma cell lines, also examining feasibility of overcoming BRAFi-resistance comparing isogenic melanoma cells that differ only by NRAS mutational status (BRAFi-sensitive A375-BRAFV600E /NRASQ61 vs. BRAFi-resistant A375-BRAFV600E /NRASQ61K ). Among ACT antimalarials tested, mefloquine (MQ) was the only apoptogenic agent causing melanoma cell death at low micromolar concentrations. Comparative gene expression-array analysis (A375-BRAFV600E /NRASQ61 vs. A375-BRAFV600E /NRASQ61K ) revealed that MQ is a dual inducer of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and redox stress responses that precede MQ-induced loss of viability. ER-trackerTM DPX fluorescence imaging and electron microscopy indicated ER swelling, accompanied by rapid induction of ER stress signaling (phospho-eIF2α, XBP-1s, ATF4). Fluo-4 AM-fluorescence indicated the occurrence of cytosolic calcium overload observable within seconds of MQ exposure. In a bioluminescent murine model employing intracranial injection of A375-Luc2 (BRAFV600E /NRASQ61K ) cells, an oral MQ regimen efficiently antagonized brain tumor growth. Taken together, these data suggest that the clinical antimalarial MQ may be a valid candidate for drug repurposing aiming at chemotherapeutic elimination of malignant melanoma cells, even if metastasized to the brain and BRAFi-resistant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Jandova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Sophia L. Park
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Mandi J. Corenblum
- Department of Neurology, Evelyn F McKnight Brain Institute and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Lalitha Madhavan
- Department of Neurology, Evelyn F McKnight Brain Institute and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Jeremy A. Snell
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Liliana Rounds
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Georg T. Wondrak
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, RK Coit College of Pharmacy & UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Zhang Y, Liang S, Xiao B, Hu J, Pang Y, Liu Y, Yang J, Ao J, Wei L, Luo X. MiR-323a regulates ErbB3/EGFR and blocks gefitinib resistance acquisition in colorectal cancer. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:256. [PMID: 35319011 PMCID: PMC8940899 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04709-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The rapid onset of resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) limits its clinical utility in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, and pan-erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase (ErbB) treatment strategy may be the alternative solution. The aim of this study was to develop a possible microRNA multi-ErbB treatment strategy to overcome EGFR-TKI resistance. We detect the receptor tyrosine kinase activity in gefitinib-resistant colorectal cancer cells, ErbB3/EGFR is significantly activated and provides a potential multi-ErbB treatment target. MiR-323a-3p, a tumor suppressor, could target both ErbB3 and EGFR directly. Apoptosis is the miR-323a-3p inducing main biological process by functional enrichment analysis, and The EGFR and ErbB signaling are the miR-323a-3p inducing main pathway by KEGG analysis. MiR-323a-3p promotes CRC cells apoptosis by targeting ErbB3-phosphoinositide 3‐kinases (PI3K)/PKB protein kinase (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β)/EGFR-extracellular regulated MAP kinase (Erk1/2) signaling directly. And miR-323a-3p, as a multi-ErbBs inhibitor, increase gefitinib sensitivity of the primary cell culture from combination miR-323a-3p and gefitinib treated subcutaneous tumors. MiR-323a-3p reverses ErbB3/EGFR signaling activation in gefitinib-resistant CRC cell lines and blocks acquired gefitinib resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanzhou Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Shunshun Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Bowen Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingying Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yechun Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Junpin Ao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoying Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
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Duan S, Moro L, Qu R, Simoneschi D, Cho H, Jiang S, Zhao H, Chang Q, de Stanchina E, Arbini AA, Pagano M. Loss of FBXO31-mediated degradation of DUSP6 dysregulates ERK and PI3K-AKT signaling and promotes prostate tumorigenesis. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109870. [PMID: 34686346 PMCID: PMC8577224 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
FBXO31 is the substrate receptor of one of many CUL1-RING ubiquitin ligase (CRL1) complexes. Here, we show that low FBXO31 mRNA levels are associated with high pre-operative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and Gleason grade in human prostate cancer. Mechanistically, the ubiquitin ligase CRL1FBXO31 promotes the ubiquitylation-mediated degradation of DUSP6, a dual specificity phosphatase that dephosphorylates and inactivates the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 (ERK1/2). Depletion of FBXO31 stabilizes DUSP6, suppresses ERK signaling, and activates the PI3K-AKT signaling cascade. Moreover, deletion of FBXO31 promotes tumor development in a mouse orthotopic model of prostate cancer. Treatment with BCI, a small molecule inhibitor of DUSP6, suppresses AKT activation and prevents tumor formation, suggesting that the FBXO31 tumor suppressor activity is dependent on DUSP6. Taken together, our studies highlight the relevance of the FBXO31-DUSP6 axis in the regulation of ERK- and PI3K-AKT-mediated signaling pathways, as well as its therapeutic potential in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Duan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Loredana Moro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Rui Qu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Daniele Simoneschi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Hyunwoo Cho
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Shaowen Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Huiyong Zhao
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Qing Chang
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Arnaldo A Arbini
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Michele Pagano
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, The Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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HER3-Receptor-Mediated STAT3 Activation Plays a Central Role in Adaptive Resistance toward Vemurafenib in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123761. [PMID: 33327495 PMCID: PMC7764938 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The major obstacle for the long-term success of targeted therapies in melanoma is the occurrence of resistance. Here, we present a new mechanism of targeted therapy resistance in melanoma where the treatment with the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib causes an increased activation of HER3 via shed ligands. This is followed by an activation of STAT3 via HER3 and results in the expression of the STAT3 target gene SOX2. Pharmacological inhibition of HERs sensitizes melanoma cells toward vemurafenib treatment. Thus, blocking HER family members and especially HER3 in addition to targeted therapy treatment might prevent the occurrence of resistance. Abstract Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer that is often characterized by activating mutations in the Mitogen-Activated Protein (MAP) kinase pathway, causing hyperproliferation of the cancer cells. Thus, inhibitors targeting this pathway were developed. These inhibitors are initially very effective, but the occurrence of resistance eventually leads to a failure of the therapy and is the major obstacle for clinical success. Therefore, investigating the mechanisms causing resistance and discovering ways to overcome them is essential for the success of therapy. Here, we observed that treatment of melanoma cells with the B-Raf Proto-Oncogene, Serine/Threonine Kinase (BRAF) inhibitor vemurafenib caused an increased cell surface expression and activation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) by shed ligands. HER3 promoted the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) resulting in upregulation of the STAT3 target gene SRY-Box Transcription Factor 2 (SOX2) and survival of the cancer cells. Pharmacological blocking of HER led to a diminished STAT3 activation and increased sensitivity toward vemurafenib. Moreover, HER blocking sensitized vemurafenib-resistant cells to drug treatment. We conclude that the inhibition of the STAT3 upstream regulator HER might help to overcome melanoma therapy resistance toward targeted therapies.
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Landers SM, Bhalla AD, Ma X, Lusby K, Ingram D, Al Sannaa G, Wang WL, Lazar AJ, Torres KE. AXL Inhibition Enhances MEK Inhibitor Sensitivity in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 4:511-525. [PMID: 33283192 PMCID: PMC7717506 DOI: 10.26502/jcsct.5079091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL is known to promote cancer cell growth and survival in many sarcomas, including the rare subtype, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). MPNSTs are largely chemoresistant and carry a poor prognosis. AXL is an attractive potential therapeutic target, as it is aberrantly expressed, and its activation may be an early event in MPNST. However, the effect of AXL inhibition on MPNST development and progression is not known. Here, we investigated the role of AXL in MPNST development and the effects of AXL and MEK1/2 co-inhibition on MPNSTs. We used western blotting to examine AXL expression and activation in MPNST cell lines. We analyzed the effects of exogenous growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS6) expression on downstream signaling and the proliferation, migration, and invasion of MPNST cells. The effect of AXL knockdown with or without mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibition on downstream signal transduction and tumorigenesis was also examined in vivo and in vitro. We found that AXL knockdown increased MAPK pathway signaling. This compensation, in turn, abrogated the antitumorigenic effects linked to AXL knockdown in vivo. AXL knockdown, combined with pharmacological MEK inhibition, reduced the proliferation and increased the apoptosis of MPNST cells both in vitro and in vivo. The pharmacological co-inhibition of AXL and MEK1/2 reduced MPNST volumes. Together these findings suggest that AXL inhibition enhances the sensitivity of MPNST to other small molecule inhibitors. We conclude that combination therapy with AXL inhibitor may be a therapeutic option for MPNST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon M. Landers
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Angela D. Bhalla
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - XiaoYan Ma
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kristelle Lusby
- Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Indianapolis University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Davis Ingram
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ghadah Al Sannaa
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston TX, USA
| | - Wei-Lien Wang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander J. Lazar
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Keila E. Torres
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Corresponding Author: Dr. Keila E. Torres, Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA, Tel: (713) 792-4242;
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Coordinated dysregulation of cancer progression by the HER family and p21-activated kinases. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2020; 39:583-601. [PMID: 32820388 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-020-09922-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Most epithelial cancer types are polygenic in nature and are driven by coordinated dysregulation of multiple regulatory pathways, genes, and protein modifications. The process of coordinated regulation of cancer promoting pathways in response to extrinsic and intrinsic signals facilitates the dysregulation of several pathways with complementary functions, contributing to the hallmarks of cancer. Dysregulation and hyperactivation of cell surface human epidermal growth factor receptors (HERs) and cytoskeleton remodeling by p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are two prominent interconnected aspects of oncogenesis. We briefly discuss the discoveries and significant advances in the area of coordinated regulation of HERs and PAKs in the development and progression of breast and other epithelial cancers. We also discuss how initial studies involving heregulin signaling via HER3-HER2 axis and HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells not only discovered a mechanistic role of PAK1 in breast cancer pathobiology but also acted as a bridge in generating a broader cancer research interest in other PAK family members and cancer types and catalyzed establishing the role of PAKs in human cancer, at-large. In addition, growth factor stimulation of the PAK pathway also helped to recognize new facets of PAKs, connecting the PAK pathway to oncogenesis, nuclear signaling, gene expression, mitotic progression, DNA damage response, among other phenotypic responses, and shaped the field of PAK cancer research. Finally, we recount some of the current limitations of HER- and PAK-directed therapeutics in counteracting acquired therapeutic resistance and discuss how cancer's as a polygenic disease may be best targeted with a polygenic approach.
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11
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Kumar R, George B, Campbell MR, Verma N, Paul AM, Melo-Alvim C, Ribeiro L, Pillai MR, da Costa LM, Moasser MM. HER family in cancer progression: From discovery to 2020 and beyond. Adv Cancer Res 2020; 147:109-160. [PMID: 32593399 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2020.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are among the first layer of molecules that receive, interpret, and transduce signals leading to distinct cancer cell phenotypes. Since the discovery of the tooth-lid factor-later characterized as the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-and its high-affinity binding EGF receptor, HER kinases have emerged as one of the commonly upregulated or hyperactivated or mutated kinases in epithelial tumors, thus allowing HER1-3 family members to regulate several hallmarks of cancer development and progression. Each member of the HER family exhibits shared and unique structural features to engage multiple receptor activation modes, leading to a range of overlapping and distinct phenotypes. EGFR, the founding HER family member, provided the roadmap for the development of the cell surface RTK-directed targeted cancer therapy by serving as a prototype/precursor for the currently used HER-directed cancer drugs. We herein provide a brief account of the discoveries, defining moments, and historical context of the HER family and guidepost advances in basic, translational, and clinical research that solidified a prominent position of the HER family in cancer research and treatment. We also discuss the significance of HER3 pseudokinase in cancer biology; its unique structural features that drive transregulation among HER1-3, leading to a superior proximal signaling response; and potential role of HER3 as a shared effector of acquired therapeutic resistance against diverse oncology drugs. Finally, we also narrate some of the current drawbacks of HER-directed therapies and provide insights into postulated advances in HER biology with extensive implications of these therapies in cancer research and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Kumar
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States; Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
| | - Bijesh George
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Marcia R Campbell
- Department of Medicine, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Nandini Verma
- Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Mumbai, India
| | - Aswathy Mary Paul
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Cecília Melo-Alvim
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Leonor Ribeiro
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - M Radhakrishna Pillai
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Luis Marques da Costa
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mark M Moasser
- Department of Medicine, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States.
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12
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Fattore L, Campani V, Ruggiero CF, Salvati V, Liguoro D, Scotti L, Botti G, Ascierto PA, Mancini R, De Rosa G, Ciliberto G. In Vitro Biophysical and Biological Characterization of Lipid Nanoparticles Co-Encapsulating Oncosuppressors miR-199b-5p and miR-204-5p as Potentiators of Target Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1930. [PMID: 32178301 PMCID: PMC7139872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21061930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Uncontrolled MAPK signaling is the main oncogenic driver in metastatic melanomas bearing mutations in BRAF kinase. These tumors are currently treated with the combination of BRAF/MEK inhibitors (MAPKi), but this therapy is plagued by drug resistance. In this context we recently discovered that several microRNAs are involved in the development of drug resistance. In particular miR-204-5p and miR-199b-5p were found to function as antagonists of resistance because their enforced overexpression is able to inhibit melanoma cell growth in vitro either alone or in combination with MAPKi. However, the use of miRNAs in therapy is hampered by their rapid degradation in serum and biological fluids, as well as by the poor intracellular uptake. Here, we developed lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) encapsulating miR-204-5p, miR-199b-5p individually or in combination. We obtained LNPs with mean diameters < 200 nm and high miRNA encapsulation efficiency. These formulations were tested in vitro on several melanoma cell lines sensitive to MAPKi or rendered drug resistant. Our results show that LNPs encapsulating combinations of the two oncosuppressor miRNAs are highly efficient in impairing melanoma cell proliferation and viability, affect key signaling pathways involved in melanoma cell survival, and potentiate the efficacy of drugs inhibiting BRAF and MEK. These results warrant further assessment of the anti-tumor efficacy of oncosuppressor miRNAs encapsulating LNPs in in vivo tumor models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Fattore
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS, "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.F.); (G.B.); (P.A.A.)
| | - Virginia Campani
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (L.S.); (G.D.R.)
| | - Ciro Francesco Ruggiero
- IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Regina Elena”, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.F.R.); (V.S.)
| | - Valentina Salvati
- IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Regina Elena”, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.F.R.); (V.S.)
| | - Domenico Liguoro
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Roma “Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.L.); (R.M.)
| | - Lorena Scotti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (L.S.); (G.D.R.)
| | - Gerardo Botti
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS, "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.F.); (G.B.); (P.A.A.)
| | - Paolo Antonio Ascierto
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS, "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.F.); (G.B.); (P.A.A.)
| | - Rita Mancini
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Roma “Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy; (D.L.); (R.M.)
| | - Giuseppe De Rosa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (L.S.); (G.D.R.)
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Regina Elena”, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy; (C.F.R.); (V.S.)
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Kikuchi K, Hoshino D. Sensitization of HT29 colorectal cancer cells to vemurafenib in three-dimensional collagen cultures. Cell Biol Int 2019; 44:621-629. [PMID: 31736196 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix to which cancer cells adhere affects cellular sensitivity to anticancer drugs. We sought to examine the changes in sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells carrying the BRAF V600E mutation to vemurafenib cultured in three-dimensional (3D) collagen-I gels, while also identifying the signaling pathways involved in these changes. HT29 colorectal cancer cells were cultured in conventional tissue culture (TC) plastic plates or in collagen-I gels. The HT29 cells demonstrated approximately 10-fold higher sensitivity to vemurafenib in 3D-collagen-I gels compared with those cultured on conventional TC plastic plates. Furthermore, in cells cultured on TC plastic, vemurafenib was found to augment tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), while 3D-cultured cells expressed lower levels of FAK and vemurafenib did not affect its tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting that FAK contributes to vemurafenib resistance. However, pharmacological inhibition of FAK did not sensitize the cells to vemurafenib. Also, the level of tyrosine-phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/ERBB2 family proteins was found to be lower in cells cultured in 3D-collagen gel compared with those in cells cultured on TC plastic. Afatinib, an inhibitor of the EGFR/ERBB family of kinases, sensitized the cells to higher concentrations of vemurafenib, implying their participation in vemurafenib resistance. Adhesion to collagen-I gel but not to the collagen-I-coated plastic surface sensitized the cells, suggesting that the rigidity of the media rather than adherence to collagen-I may be important for cellular sensitivity to vemurafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiji Kikuchi
- Cancer Therapy Research Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, 2-3-2 Nakao, Asahi-ku, Yokohama, 241-8515, Japan
| | - Daisuke Hoshino
- Cancer Cell Biology Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, 2-3-2 Nakao, Asahi-ku, Yokohama, 241-8515, Japan
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Single cell analysis to dissect molecular heterogeneity and disease evolution in metastatic melanoma. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:827. [PMID: 31672982 PMCID: PMC6823362 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-2048-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Originally described as interpatient variability, tumour heterogeneity has now been demonstrated to occur intrapatiently, within the same lesion, or in different lesions of the same patient. Tumour heterogeneity involves both genetic and epigenetic changes. Intrapatient heterogeneity is responsible for generating subpopulations of cancer cells which undergo clonal evolution with time. Tumour heterogeneity develops also as a consequence of the selective pressure imposed by the immune system. It has been demonstrated that tumour heterogeneity and different spatiotemporal interactions between all the cellular compontents within the tumour microenvironment lead to cancer adaptation and to therapeutic pressure. In this context, the recent advent of single cell analysis approaches which are able to better study tumour heterogeneity from the genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic standpoint represent a major technological breakthrough. In this review, using metastatic melanoma as a prototypical example, we will focus on applying single cell analyses to the study of clonal trajectories which guide the evolution of drug resistance to targeted therapy.
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ErbB3 Phosphorylation as Central Event in Adaptive Resistance to Targeted Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma: Early Detection in CTCs during Therapy and Insights into Regulation by Autocrine Neuregulin. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101425. [PMID: 31557826 PMCID: PMC6826737 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years the introduction of target therapies with BRAF and MEK inhibitors (MAPKi) and of immunotherapy with anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies have dramatically improved survival of metastatic melanoma patients. Despite these changes drug resistance remains a major hurdle. Several mechanisms are at the basis of drug resistance. Particular attention has been devoted over the last years to unravel mechanisms at the basis of adaptive/non genetic resistance occurring in BRAF mutated melanomas upon treatment with to MAPKi. In this paper we focus on the involvement of activation of ErbB3 receptor following early exposure of melanoma cells to BRAF or MEK inhibitors, and the following induction of PI3K/AKT pathway. Although different mechanisms have been invoked in the past at the basis of this activation we show here with a combination of approaches that autocrine production of neuregulin by melanoma cells is a major factor responsible for ErbB3 phosphorylation and downstream AKT activation. Interestingly the kinetic of neuregulin production and of the ensuing ErbB3 phosphorylation is different in different melanoma cell lines which underscores the high degree of tumor heterogeneity. Moreover, heterogeneity is further highlighted by the evidence that in different cell lines neuregulin upregulation can occur at the transcriptional or at the post-transcritpional level. Finally we complement our study by showing with a liquid biopsy assay that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from melanoma patients undergo upregulation of ErbB3 phosphorylation in vivo shortly after initiation of therapy.
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Rossi A, Roberto M, Panebianco M, Botticelli A, Mazzuca F, Marchetti P. Drug resistance of BRAF-mutant melanoma: Review of up-to-date mechanisms of action and promising targeted agents. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 862:172621. [PMID: 31446019 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma onset and progression are associated with a high variety of activating mutations in the MAPK-pathway, most frequently involving BRAF (35-45%) and NRAS (15-25%) genes, but also c-KIT and PTEN. Targeted therapies with BRAF and MEK inhibitors showed promising results over the past years, but it is known that most responses are temporary, and almost all of patients develop a tumor relapse within one year. Different drug-resistance mechanisms underlie the progression of disease and activation of both MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. Therefore, in this article we reviewed the main studies about clinical effects of several target inhibitors, describing properly the most prominent mechanisms of both intrinsic and acquired resistance. Furthermore, suggestive strategies for overcoming drug resistance and the most recent alternative combination therapies to optimize the use of MAPK pathway inhibitors were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Oncology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Roberto
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Oncology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy; Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Translation Medicine, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
| | - Martina Panebianco
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Oncology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Botticelli
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Oncology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Mazzuca
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Oncology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Marchetti
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Oncology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy; Oncology Unit, IDI-IRCCS of Rome, Italy
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Pisanu ME, Maugeri-Saccà M, Fattore L, Bruschini S, De Vitis C, Tabbì E, Bellei B, Migliano E, Kovacs D, Camera E, Picardo M, Jakopin Z, Cippitelli C, Bartolazzi A, Raffa S, Torrisi MR, Fulciniti F, Ascierto PA, Ciliberto G, Mancini R. Inhibition of Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 reverts BRAF and MEK inhibition-induced selection of cancer stem cells in BRAF-mutated melanoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:318. [PMID: 30558661 PMCID: PMC6298024 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0989-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Combination therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitors significantly improves survival in BRAF mutated melanoma patients but is unable to prevent disease recurrence due to the emergence of drug resistance. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been involved in these long-term treatment failures. We previously reported in lung cancer that CSCs maintenance is due to altered lipid metabolism and dependent upon Stearoyl-CoA-desaturase (SCD1)-mediated upregulation of YAP and TAZ. On this ground, we investigated the role of SCD1 in melanoma CSCs. METHODS SCD1 gene expression data of melanoma patients were downloaded from TCGA and correlated with disease progression by bioinformatics analysis and confirmed on patient's tissues by qRT-PCR and IHC analyses. The effects of combination of BRAF/MEKi and the SCD1 inhibitor MF-438 were monitored by spheroid-forming and proliferation assays on a panel of BRAF-mutated melanoma cell lines grown in 3D and 2D conditions, respectively. SCD1, YAP/TAZ and stemness markers were evaluated in melanoma cells and tissues by qRT-PCR, WB and Immunofluorescence. RESULTS We first observed that SCD1 expression increases during melanoma progression. BRAF-mutated melanoma 3D cultures enriched for CSCs overexpressed SCD1 and were more resistant than 2D differentiated cultures to BRAF and MEK inhibitors. We next showed that exposure of BRAF-mutated melanoma cells to MAPK pathway inhibitors enhanced stemness features by upregulating the expression of YAP/TAZ and downstream genes but surprisingly not SCD1. However, SCD1 pharmacological inhibition was able to downregulate YAP/TAZ and to revert at the same time CSC enrichment and resistance to MAPK inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS Our data underscore the role of SCD1 as prognostic marker in melanoma and promote the use of SCD1 inhibitors in combination with MAPK inhibitors for the control of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Pisanu
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Present Address: High Resolution NMR Unit, Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Maugeri-Saccà
- Division of Medical Oncology 2, IRCSS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Fattore
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutics Agents Unit, IRCSS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Bruschini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Claudia De Vitis
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Tabbì
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Bellei
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics research, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, IRCSS, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Emilia Migliano
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, IRCSS, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Kovacs
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics research, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, IRCSS, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Camera
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics research, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, IRCSS, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Picardo
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics research, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, IRCSS, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Ziga Jakopin
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Claudia Cippitelli
- Pathology Research laboratory, Sapienza University, Sant’Andrea Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Armando Bartolazzi
- Pathology Research laboratory, Sapienza University, Sant’Andrea Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Raffa
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Cellular Diagnostics Unit, Sapienza University, Sant’Andrea Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Torrisi
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Cellular Diagnostics Unit, Sapienza University, Sant’Andrea Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Fulciniti
- Istituto Cantonale di Patologia, Servizio di Citologia Clinica, 6600 Locarno, Switzerland
| | - Paolo A. Ascierto
- Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione “G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Scientific Directorate, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCSS Regina Elena, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Mancini
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Fattore L, Mancini R, Ascierto PA, Ciliberto G. The potential of BRAF-associated non-coding RNA as a therapeutic target in melanoma. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2018; 23:53-68. [PMID: 30507327 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2019.1554057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The advent of targeted therapies and immune checkpoints inhibitors has enhanced the treatment of metastatic melanomas. Despite striking improvements of patients' survival, drug resistance continues to limit the efficacy of such treatments. Genetic and nongenetic/adaptive mechanisms of resistance could be involved; in the latter mechanism, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging as key players. Areas covered: This article outlines the current knowledge of ncRNA involvement in BRAF-mutant melanomas and the development of resistance to targeted/immunotherapies. We also discuss how ncRNAs can be exploited for the development of therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. Expert opinion: ncRNAs can be envisaged as powerful diagnostics and therapeutics. Despite progress in our knowledge about their deregulation in cancer, it is still difficult to derive universal and robust ncRNAs unique signatures of malignancy for diagnostic purposes, which need validation in large cohort of patients. Also, ncRNA specific targeting to melanoma cells in vivo requires the development of improved systemic delivery tools. In this regard, the development of stable nanodelivery particles seems to offer renewed hope for success in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Fattore
- a IRCCS , Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , Rome , Italy
| | - Rita Mancini
- b Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine , University of Roma "Sapienza" , Rome , Italy
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Reprogramming miRNAs global expression orchestrates development of drug resistance in BRAF mutated melanoma. Cell Death Differ 2018; 26:1267-1282. [PMID: 30254376 PMCID: PMC6748102 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0205-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance imposes severe limitations to the efficacy of targeted therapy in BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma. Although this issue has been mitigated by the development of combination therapies with BRAF plus MEK inhibitors, drug resistance inevitably occurs with time and results in clinical recurrences and untreatable disease. Hence, there is strong need of developing new combination therapies and non-invasive diagnostics for the early identification of drug-resistant patients. We report here that the development of drug resistance to BRAFi is dominated by a dynamic deregulation of a large population of miRNAs, leading to the alteration of cell intrinsic proliferation and survival pathways, as well as of proinflammatory and proangiogenic cues, where a prominent role is played by the miR-199b-5p/VEGF axis. Significant alterations of miRNA expression levels are detectable in tumor biopsies and plasma from patients after disease recurrence. Targeting these alterations blunts the development of drug resistance.
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Ryabaya OO, Malysheva AA, Khochenkova YA, Solomko ES, Khochenkov DA. Inactivation of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases Overcomes Resistance to Targeted B-RAF Inhibitors in Melanoma Cell Lines. Mol Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893318020115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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21
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Alver TN, Lavelle TJ, Longva AS, Øy GF, Hovig E, Bøe SL. MITF depletion elevates expression levels of ERBB3 receptor and its cognate ligand NRG1-beta in melanoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:55128-55140. [PMID: 27391157 PMCID: PMC5342406 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is frequently hyper-activated upon vemurafenib treatment of melanoma. We have here investigated the relationship between SRY-box 10 (SOX10), forkhead box 3 (FOXD3) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) in the regulation of the receptor tyrosine-protein kinase ERBB3, and its cognate ligand neuregulin 1-beta (NRG1-beta). We found that both NRG1-beta and ERBB3 mRNA levels were elevated as a consequence of MITF depletion, induced by either vemurafenib or MITF small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment. Elevation of ERBB3 receptor expression after MITF depletion caused increased activation of the PI3K pathway in the presence of NRG1-beta ligand. Together, our results suggest that MITF may play a role in the development of acquired drug resistance through hyper-activation of the PI3K pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tine N Alver
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Timothy J Lavelle
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ane S Longva
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Geir F Øy
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eivind Hovig
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sigurd L Bøe
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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22
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Ciardiello C, Roca MS, Noto A, Bruzzese F, Moccia T, Vitagliano C, Di Gennaro E, Ciliberto G, Roscilli G, Aurisicchio L, Marra E, Mancini R, Budillon A, Leone A. Synergistic antitumor activity of histone deacetylase inhibitors and anti-ErbB3 antibody in NSCLC primary cultures via modulation of ErbB receptors expression. Oncotarget 2017; 7:19559-74. [PMID: 26862736 PMCID: PMC4991401 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
ErbB3, a member of the ErbB family receptors, has a key role in the development and progression of several cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and in the establishment of resistance to therapies, leading to the development of anti-ErbB3 therapies. In this study we demonstrated, in a set of malignant pleural effusion-derived cultures of NSCLC, the synergistic antitumor effect of a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), such as vorinostat or valproic acid (VPA), in combination with the anti-ErbB3 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) A3. Synergistic interaction was observed in 2D and in 3D cultures conditions, both in fully epithelial cells expressing all ErbB receptors, and in cells that had undergone epithelial to mesenchymal transition and expressed low levels of ErbB3. We provided evidences suggesting that differential modulation of ErbB receptors by vorinostat or VPA, also at low doses corresponding to plasma levels easily reached in treated patients, is responsible for the observed synergism. In details, we showed in epithelial cells that both vorinostat and VPA induced time- and dose-dependent down-regulation of all three ErbB receptors and of downstream signaling. On the contrary, in A3-resistant mesenchymal cells, we observed time- and dose-dependent increase of mRNA and protein levels as well as surface expression of ErbB3, paralleled by down-regulation of EGFR and ErbB2. Our results suggest that the combination of a HDACi plus an anti-ErbB3 MoAb represents a viable strategy that warrants further evaluation for the treatment of NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Ciardiello
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale - IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Serena Roca
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale - IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Noto
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale - IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Bruzzese
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale - IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Tania Moccia
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale - IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Vitagliano
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale - IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Di Gennaro
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale - IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Scientific Direction, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale - IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Rita Mancini
- Department of Surgery "P.Valdoni" and Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, "La Sapienza" University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Budillon
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale - IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Leone
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale - IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
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23
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Memon AA, Gilliver SC, Borre M, Sundquist J, Sundquist K, Nexo E, Sorensen BS. Soluble HER3 predicts survival in bladder cancer patients. Oncol Lett 2017; 15:1783-1788. [PMID: 29434875 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of soluble human epidermal growth factor receptor (sHER3) in bladder cancer remains unclear. In the present study, an ELISA was developed for the quantification of sHER3 and its role was investigated in patients with bladder cancer (n=82) followed for 10 years. Furthermore, the effects of sHER3 on bladder cancer cell growth and migration were also investigated. The results demonstrated that plasma sHER3 levels were significantly higher in non-invasive tumours (Ta) compared with muscle-invasive tumours (T2-T4). Higher sHER3 levels were associated with a more improved survival rate. However multivariate Cox regression analysis, adjusted for clinical stage, grade, type and size of the tumour, demonstrated that sHER3 was not an independent biomarker of survival. Exogenous sHER3 significantly inhibited bladder cancer cell growth and migration. These results suggest that high sHER3 levels are associated with improved survival rates in patients with bladder cancer, and that sHER3 inhibits bladder cancer cell growth and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashfaque A Memon
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus DK-8200, Denmark.,Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Stephen C Gilliver
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Michael Borre
- Department of Urology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus DK-8200, Denmark
| | - Jan Sundquist
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Kristina Sundquist
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Ebba Nexo
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus DK-8200, Denmark
| | - Boe S Sorensen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus DK-8200, Denmark
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24
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Ascierto PA, Agarwala SS, Ciliberto G, Demaria S, Dummer R, Duong CPM, Ferrone S, Formenti SC, Garbe C, Halaban R, Khleif S, Luke JJ, Mir LM, Overwijk WW, Postow M, Puzanov I, Sondel P, Taube JM, Thor Straten P, Stroncek DF, Wargo JA, Zarour H, Thurin M. Future perspectives in melanoma research "Melanoma Bridge", Napoli, November 30th-3rd December 2016. J Transl Med 2017; 15:236. [PMID: 29145885 PMCID: PMC5691855 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-017-1341-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Major advances have been made in the treatment of cancer with targeted therapy and immunotherapy; several FDA-approved agents with associated improvement of 1-year survival rates became available for stage IV melanoma patients. Before 2010, the 1-year survival were quite low, at 30%; in 2011, the rise to nearly 50% in the setting of treatment with Ipilimumab, and rise to 70% with BRAF inhibitor monotherapy in 2013 was observed. Even more impressive are 1-year survival rates considering combination strategies with both targeted therapy and immunotherapy, now exceeding 80%. Can we improve response rates even further, and bring these therapies to more patients? In fact, despite these advances, responses are heterogeneous and are not always durable. There is a critical need to better understand who will benefit from therapy, as well as proper timing, sequence and combination of different therapeutic agents. How can we better understand responses to therapy and optimize treatment regimens? The key to better understanding therapy and to optimizing responses is with insights gained from responses to targeted therapy and immunotherapy through translational research in human samples. Combination therapies including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, electrochemotherapy with immunotherapy agents such as Immune Checkpoint Blockers are under investigation but there is much room for improvement. Adoptive T cell therapy including tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and chimeric antigen receptor modified T cells therapy is also efficacious in metastatic melanoma and outcome enhancement seem likely by improved homing capacity of chemokine receptor transduced T cells. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes therapy is also efficacious in metastatic melanoma and outcome enhancement seem likely by improved homing capacity of chemokine receptor transduced T cells. Understanding the mechanisms behind the development of acquired resistance and tests for biomarkers for treatment decisions are also under study and will offer new opportunities for more efficient combination therapies. Knowledge of immunologic features of the tumor microenvironment associated with response and resistance will improve the identification of patients who will derive the most benefit from monotherapy and might reveal additional immunologic determinants that could be targeted in combination with checkpoint blockade. The future of advanced melanoma needs to involve education and trials, biobanks with a focus on primary tumors, bioinformatics and empowerment of patients and clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo A. Ascierto
- Unit of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori di Napoli Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sanjiv S. Agarwala
- Oncology & Hematology, St. Luke’s University Hospital and Temple University, Bethlehem, PA USA
| | | | - Sandra Demaria
- Radiation Oncology and Pathology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, NY USA
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Connie P. M. Duong
- INSERM (National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Silvia C. Formenti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, NY USA
| | - Claus Garbe
- Division of Dermatologic Oncology, Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ruth Halaban
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Samir Khleif
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA
| | - Jason J. Luke
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Lluis M. Mir
- CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research, France), University Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Willem W. Overwijk
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology-Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Michael Postow
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY USA
| | - Igor Puzanov
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Paul Sondel
- Pediatrics, Human Oncology and Genetics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
- UW Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI USA
| | - Janis M. Taube
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Per Thor Straten
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Jennifer A. Wargo
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Hassane Zarour
- Medicine, Immunology and Dermatology Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Magdalena Thurin
- Cancer Diagnosis Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, NCI, NIH, Rockville, MD USA
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25
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Fattore L, Costantini S, Malpicci D, Ruggiero CF, Ascierto PA, Croce CM, Mancini R, Ciliberto G. MicroRNAs in melanoma development and resistance to target therapy. Oncotarget 2017; 8:22262-22278. [PMID: 28118616 PMCID: PMC5400662 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
microRNAs constitute a complex class of pleiotropic post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression involved in the control of several physiologic and pathologic processes. Their mechanism of action is primarily based on the imperfect matching of a seed region located at the 5′ end of a 21-23 nt sequence with a partially complementary sequence located in the 3′ untranslated region of target mRNAs. This leads to inhibition of mRNA translation and eventually to its degradation. Individual miRNAs are capable of binding to several mRNAs and several miRNAs are capable of influencing the function of the same mRNAs. In recent years networks of miRNAs are emerging as capable of controlling key signaling pathways responsible for the growth and propagation of cancer cells. Furthermore several examples have been provided which highlight the involvement of miRNAs in the development of resistance to targeted drug therapies. In this review we provide an updated overview of the role of miRNAs in the development of melanoma and the identification of the main downstream pathways controlled by these miRNAs. Furthermore we discuss a group of miRNAs capable to influence through their respective up- or down-modulation the development of resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Fattore
- Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", Napoli, Italia
| | - Susan Costantini
- CROM, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale"-IRCCS, Napoli, Italia
| | - Debora Malpicci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università degli Studi di Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro, Italia
| | - Ciro Francesco Ruggiero
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università degli Studi di Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro, Italia
| | - Paolo Antonio Ascierto
- Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", Napoli, Italia
| | - Carlo M Croce
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Rita Mancini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italia
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", Napoli, Italia.,IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Regina Elena", Roma, Italy
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26
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Abstract
Inhibition of the BRAF/MAPK pathway belongs to the standard therapies for patients with activating BRAFV600E/K mutations. However, even in well-responding tumors, anti-tumorigenic effect and clinical benefit are only transient, and the original tumors often relapse. This demonstrates that there are remaining residual tumors, which have withstood therapy-induced apoptosis and which have the potential to resume growth. Although BRAF mutant melanoma cells seem to depend on BRAF/MAPK signaling, the inhibition of this pathway triggers several events, which modulate the tumor as well as the tumor niche. After a certain adaptation period, this can turn out to be beneficial for tumor growth and metastasis-even in cases of good initial tumor response. This review sheds light on the biology of BRAF/MEK inhibitor-sensitive melanoma cells, which survive targeted therapy and will address the crosstalk signaling events occurring in BRAF mutant melanomas when the BRAF/MAPK pathway is fully blocked. The knowledge of these events is important for potential future drug combinations, which enhance the inhibitory effect of BRAF/MEK inhibition, particularly in patients not eligible for immune therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Meierjohann
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany. .,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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27
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Arozarena I, Wellbrock C. Overcoming resistance to BRAF inhibitors. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2017; 5:387. [PMID: 29114545 PMCID: PMC5653517 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2017.06.09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of activating mutations in the serine/threonine (S/T) kinase BRAF followed by a wave of follow-up research manifested that the MAPK-pathway plays a critical role in melanoma initiation and progression. BRAF and MEK inhibitors produce an unparalleled response rate in melanoma, but it is now clear that most responses are transient, and while some patients show long lasting responses the majority progress within 1 year. In accordance with the key role played by the MAPK-pathway in BRAF mutant melanomas, disease progression is mostly due to the appearance of drug-resistance mechanisms leading to restoration of MAPK-pathway activity. In the present article we will review the development, application and clinical effects of BRAF and MEK inhibitors both, as single agent and in combination in the context of targeted therapy in melanoma. We will then describe the most prominent mechanisms of resistance found in patients progressed on these targeted therapies. Finally we will discuss strategies for further optimizing the use of MAPK inhibitors and will describe the potential of alternative combination therapies to either delay the onset of resistance to MAPK inhibitors or directly target specific mechanisms of resistance to BRAF/MEK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imanol Arozarena
- Navarrabiomed-Fundación Miguel Servet-Idisna, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Claudia Wellbrock
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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28
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Intercellular Resistance to BRAF Inhibition Can Be Mediated by Extracellular Vesicle-Associated PDGFRβ. Neoplasia 2017; 19:932-940. [PMID: 28963969 PMCID: PMC5678363 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of BRAF mutant melanoma with kinase inhibitors has been associated with rapid tumor regression; however, this clinical benefit is short-lived, and most patients relapse. A number of studies suggest that the extracellular environment promotes BRAF inhibitor resistance and tumor progression. Extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes, are functional mediators in the extracellular environment. They are small vesicles known to carry a concentrated group of functional cargo and serve as intercellular communicators not only locally but also systemically. Increasingly, it is reported that extracellular vesicles facilitate the development of drug resistance in cancer; however, their role in BRAF inhibitor resistance in melanoma is unclear. Here we investigated if extracellular vesicles from BRAF inhibitor–resistant melanoma could influence drug sensitivity in recipient melanoma cells. We demonstrate that the resistance driver, PDGFRβ, can be transferred to recipient melanoma cells via extracellular vesicles, resulting in a dose-dependent activation of PI3K/AKT signaling and escape from MAPK pathway BRAF inhibition. These data suggest that the BRAF inhibitor–sensitive phenotype of metastatic melanoma can be altered by delivery of PDGFRβ by extracellular vesicles derived from neighboring drug-resistant melanoma cells.
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29
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Cheng L, Jin Y, Liu M, Ruan M, Chen L. HER inhibitor promotes BRAF/MEK inhibitor-induced redifferentiation in papillary thyroid cancer harboring BRAFV600E. Oncotarget 2017; 8:19843-19854. [PMID: 28423638 PMCID: PMC5386727 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Redifferentiation therapy with BRAF/MEK inhibitors to facilitate treatment with radioiodine represents a good choice for radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma, but recent initial clinical outcomes were modest. MAPK rebound caused by BRAF/MEK inhibitors-induced activation of HER2/HER3 is a resistance mechanism, and combination with HER inhibitor to prevent MAPK rebound may sensitize BRAFV600E-mutant thyroid cancer cells to redifferentiation therapy. To evaluate if inhibiting both BRAF/MEK and HER can produce stronger redifferetiation effect, we tested the effects of BRAF/MEK inhibitor dabrafenib/selumetinib alone or in combination with HER inhibitor lapatinib on the expression and function of iodine- and glucose-handling genes in BRAFV600E-positive BCPAP and K1 cells, using BHP 2-7 cells harboring RET/PTC1 rearrangement as control. Herein, we showed that lapatinib prevented MAPK rebound and sensitized BRAFV600E-positive papillary thyroid cancer cells to BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Dabrafenib/selumetinib alone increased iodine-uptake and toxicity and suppressed glucose-metablism in BRAFV600E-positive papillary thyroid cancer cells. When lapatinib was added, more significant effects on iodine- and glucose-handling gene expression, cell membrane location of sodium/iodine symporter as well as radioiodine uptake and toxicity were observed. Thus, combined therapy using HER inhibitor and BRAF/MEK inhibitor presented more significant redifferentiation effect on papillary thyroid cancer cells harboring BRAFV600E than BRAF/MEK inhibitor alone. In vivo and clinical studies assessing such combined targeted redifferentiation strategy were warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingxiao Cheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yuchen Jin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Maomei Ruan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Libo Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
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30
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Fattore L, Sacconi A, Mancini R, Ciliberto G. MicroRNA-driven deregulation of cytokine expression helps development of drug resistance in metastatic melanoma. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2017; 36:39-48. [PMID: 28551321 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
microRNAs are major components of the eukaryotic post-transcriptional machinery and are frequently deregulated during cancer development. Increasing evidence points to them also as key players in the establishment of drug resistance. In this review, we provide an updated overview of the role of miRNAs in melanoma development and drug resistance and postulate that they are able to drive these processes in concert with deregulation of inflammatory and angiogenic cytokine expression. Notably, we have identified by querying the Cancer Genome Atlas database, a defined set of miRNAs which mostly have an impact on the development of melanoma and have recognized the main downstream pathways controlled by them. Most importantly, these miRNAs, which are down-regulated in metastatic melanomas as compared to primary tumors, are also able to predict prognosis of BRAF-mutated melanoma patients. Finally, we discuss the possibility that a common miRNA signature characterizes not only acquired resistance to MAPKi but also innate resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, since these conditions are both associated with alterations of the same pro-angiogenetic and pro-inflammatory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Fattore
- National Cancer Institute of Naples "Fondazione G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Sacconi
- Translational Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Mancini
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Roma "Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
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31
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A preclinical evaluation of the MEK inhibitor refametinib in HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines including those with acquired resistance to trastuzumab or lapatinib. Oncotarget 2017; 8:85120-85135. [PMID: 29156708 PMCID: PMC5689598 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The MEK/MAPK pathway is commonly activated in HER2-positive breast cancer, but little investigation of targeting this pathway has been undertaken. Here we present the results of an in vitro preclinical evaluation of refametinib, an allosteric MEK1/2 inhibitor, in HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines including models of acquired resistance to trastuzumab or lapatinib. Methods A panel of HER2-positive breast cancer cells were profiled for mutational status and also for anti-proliferative response to refametinib alone and in combination with the PI3K inhibitor (PI3Ki) copanlisib and the HER2-targeted therapies trastuzumab and lapatinib. Reverse phase protein array (RPPA) was used to determine the effect of refametinib alone and in combination with PI3Ki and HER2-inhibitors on expression and phosphorylation of proteins in the PI3K/AKT and MEK/MAPK pathways. We validated our proteomic in vitro findings by utilising RPPA analysis of patients who received either trastuzumab, lapatinib or the combination of both drugs in the NCT00524303/LPT109096 clinical trial. Results Refametinib has anti-proliferative effects when used alone in 2/3 parental HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines (HCC1954, BT474), along with 3 models of these 2 cell lines with acquired trastuzumab or lapatinib resistance (6 cell lines tested). Refametinib treatment led to complete inhibition of MAPK signalling. In HCC1954, the most refametinib-sensitive cell line (IC50= 397 nM), lapatinib treatment inhibits phosphorylation of MEK and MAPK but activates AKT phosphorylation, in contrast to the other 2 parental cell lines tested (BT474-P, SKBR3-P), suggesting that HER2 may directly activate MEK/MAPK and not PI3K/AKT in HCC1954 cells but not in the other 2 cell lines, perhaps explaining the refametinib-sensitivity of this cell line. Using RPPA data from patients who received either trastuzumab, lapatinib or the combination of both drugs together with chemotherapy in the NCT00524303 clinical trial, we found that 18% (n=38) of tumours had decreased MAPK and increased AKT phosphorylation 14 days after treatment with HER2-targeted therapies. The combination of MEK inhibition (MEKi) with refametinib and copanlisib led to synergistic inhibition of growth in 4/6 cell lines tested (CI @ED75 = 0.39-0.75), whilst the combinations of lapatinib and refametinib led to synergistic inhibition of growth in 3/6 cell lines (CI @ED75 = 0.39-0.80). Conclusion Refametinib alone or in combination with copanlisib or lapatinib could represent an improved treatment strategy for some patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, and should be considered for clinical trial evaluation. The direct down-regulation of MEK/MAPK but not AKT signalling by HER2 inhibition (e.g. by lapatinib or trastuzumab), which we demonstrate occurs in 18% of HER2-positive breast cancers may serve as a potential biomarker of responsiveness to the MEK inhibitor refametinib.
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32
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Lake D, Corrêa SAL, Müller J. Negative feedback regulation of the ERK1/2 MAPK pathway. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:4397-4413. [PMID: 27342992 PMCID: PMC5075022 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2297-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 351] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway regulates many cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, and transformation. To reliably convert external stimuli into specific cellular responses and to adapt to environmental circumstances, the pathway must be integrated into the overall signalling activity of the cell. Multiple mechanisms have evolved to perform this role. In this review, we will focus on negative feedback mechanisms and examine how they shape ERK1/2 MAPK signalling. We will first discuss the extensive number of negative feedback loops targeting the different components of the ERK1/2 MAPK cascade, specifically the direct posttranslational modification of pathway components by downstream protein kinases and the induction of de novo gene synthesis of specific pathway inhibitors. We will then evaluate how negative feedback modulates the spatiotemporal signalling dynamics of the ERK1/2 pathway regarding signalling amplitude and duration as well as subcellular localisation. Aberrant ERK1/2 activation results in deregulated proliferation and malignant transformation in model systems and is commonly observed in human tumours. Inhibition of the ERK1/2 pathway thus represents an attractive target for the treatment of malignant tumours with increased ERK1/2 activity. We will, therefore, discuss the effect of ERK1/2 MAPK feedback regulation on cancer treatment and how it contributes to reduced clinical efficacy of therapeutic agents and the development of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lake
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Sonia A L Corrêa
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Jürgen Müller
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
- Aston Medical Research Institute, Aston Medical School, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
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33
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Ascierto PA, Agarwala S, Botti G, Cesano A, Ciliberto G, Davies MA, Demaria S, Dummer R, Eggermont AM, Ferrone S, Fu YX, Gajewski TF, Garbe C, Huber V, Khleif S, Krauthammer M, Lo RS, Masucci G, Palmieri G, Postow M, Puzanov I, Silk A, Spranger S, Stroncek DF, Tarhini A, Taube JM, Testori A, Wang E, Wargo JA, Yee C, Zarour H, Zitvogel L, Fox BA, Mozzillo N, Marincola FM, Thurin M. Future perspectives in melanoma research : Meeting report from the "Melanoma Bridge". Napoli, December 1st-4th 2015. J Transl Med 2016; 14:313. [PMID: 27846884 PMCID: PMC5111349 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-016-1070-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The sixth "Melanoma Bridge Meeting" took place in Naples, Italy, December 1st-4th, 2015. The four sessions at this meeting were focused on: (1) molecular and immune advances; (2) combination therapies; (3) news in immunotherapy; and 4) tumor microenvironment and biomarkers. Recent advances in tumor biology and immunology has led to the development of new targeted and immunotherapeutic agents that prolong progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of cancer patients. Immunotherapies in particular have emerged as highly successful approaches to treat patients with cancer including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), bladder cancer, and Hodgkin's disease. Specifically, many clinical successes have been using checkpoint receptor blockade, including T cell inhibitory receptors such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1. Despite demonstrated successes, responses to immunotherapy interventions occur only in a minority of patients. Attempts are being made to improve responses to immunotherapy by developing biomarkers. Optimizing biomarkers for immunotherapy could help properly select patients for treatment and help to monitor response, progression and resistance that are critical challenges for the immuno-oncology (IO) field. Importantly, biomarkers could help to design rational combination therapies. In addition, biomarkers may help to define mechanism of action of different agents, dose selection and to sequence drug combinations. However, biomarkers and assays development to guide cancer immunotherapy is highly challenging for several reasons: (i) multiplicity of immunotherapy agents with different mechanisms of action including immunotherapies that target activating and inhibitory T cell receptors (e.g., CTLA-4, PD-1, etc.); adoptive T cell therapies that include tissue infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), and T cell receptor (TCR) modified T cells; (ii) tumor heterogeneity including changes in antigenic profiles over time and location in individual patient; and (iii) a variety of immune-suppressive mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment (TME) including T regulatory cells (Treg), myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and immunosuppressive cytokines. In addition, complex interaction of tumor-immune system further increases the level of difficulties in the process of biomarkers development and their validation for clinical use. Recent clinical trial results have highlighted the potential for combination therapies that include immunomodulating agents such as anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4. Agents targeting other immune inhibitory (e.g., Tim-3) or immune stimulating (e.g., CD137) receptors on T cells and other approaches such as adoptive cell transfer are tested for clinical efficacy in melanoma as well. These agents are also being tested in combination with targeted therapies to improve upon shorter-term responses thus far seen with targeted therapy. Various locoregional interventions that demonstrate promising results in treatment of advanced melanoma are also integrated with immunotherapy agents and the combinations with cytotoxic chemotherapy and inhibitors of angiogenesis are changing the evolving landscape of therapeutic options and are being evaluated to prevent or delay resistance and to further improve survival rates for melanoma patients' population. This meeting's specific focus was on advances in immunotherapy and combination therapy for melanoma. The importance of understanding of melanoma genomic background for development of novel therapies and biomarkers for clinical application to predict the treatment response was an integral part of the meeting. The overall emphasis on biomarkers supports novel concepts toward integrating biomarkers into personalized-medicine approach for treatment of patients with melanoma across the entire spectrum of disease stage. Translation of the knowledge gained from the biology of tumor microenvironment across different tumors represents a bridge to impact on prognosis and response to therapy in melanoma. We also discussed the requirements for pre-analytical and analytical as well as clinical validation process as applied to biomarkers for cancer immunotherapy. The concept of the fit-for-purpose marker validation has been introduced to address the challenges and strategies for analytical and clinical validation design for specific assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo A. Ascierto
- IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
- Unit of Medical Oncology and Innovative Therapy, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sanjiv Agarwala
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, St. Luke’s University Hospital and Temple University, Bethlehem, PA USA
| | - Gerardo Botti
- IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | - Michael A. Davies
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Sandra Demaria
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and Pathology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY USA
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Skin Cancer Unit, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zürich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Yang Xin Fu
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX USA
| | - Thomas F. Gajewski
- Departments of Medicine and of Pathology, Immunology and Cancer Program, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Claus Garbe
- Department of Dermatology, Center for Dermato Oncology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Veronica Huber
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Samir Khleif
- Georgia Regents University Cancer Center, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA USA
| | | | - Roger S. Lo
- Departments of Medicine and Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Giuseppe Masucci
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Giuseppe Palmieri
- Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council, Sassari, Italy
| | - Michael Postow
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY USA
| | - Igor Puzanov
- Department of Medicine, Early Phase Clinical Trials Program, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, New York, NY USA
| | - Ann Silk
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | | | - David F. Stroncek
- Cell Processing Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Ahmad Tarhini
- Departments of Medicine, Immunology and Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Janis M. Taube
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University SOM, Baltimore, MD USA
| | | | - Ena Wang
- Division of Translational Medicine, Sidra Medical and Research Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jennifer A. Wargo
- Genomic Medicine and Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Cassian Yee
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Hassane Zarour
- Departments of Medicine, Immunology and Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, U1015 INSERM, Villejuif, France
- University Paris XI, Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Bernard A. Fox
- Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Center, Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland, OR USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR USA
| | - Nicola Mozzillo
- IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Magdalena Thurin
- Cancer Diagnosis Program, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD USA
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Hutchinson KE, Johnson DB, Johnson AS, Sanchez V, Kuba M, Lu P, Chen X, Kelley MC, Wang Q, Zhao Z, Kris M, Berger MF, Sosman JA, Pao W. ERBB activation modulates sensitivity to MEK1/2 inhibition in a subset of driver-negative melanoma. Oncotarget 2016; 6:22348-60. [PMID: 26084293 PMCID: PMC4673168 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanomas are characterized by activating “driver” mutations in BRAF, NRAS, KIT, GNAQ, and GNA11. Resultant mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway signaling makes some melanomas susceptible to BRAF (BRAF V600 mutations), MEK1/2 (BRAF V600, L597, fusions; NRAS mutations), or other kinase inhibitors (KIT), respectively. Among driver-negative (“pan-negative”) patients, an unexplained heterogeneity of response to MEK1/2 inhibitors has been observed. Analysis of 16 pan-negative melanoma cell lines revealed that 8 (50%; termed Class I) are sensitive to the MEK1/2 inhibitor, trametinib, similar to BRAF V600E melanomas. A second set (termed Class II) display reduced trametinib sensitivity, paradoxical activation of MEK1/2 and basal activation of ERBBs 1, 2, and 3 (4 lines, 25%). In 3 of these lines, PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathway signaling is abrogated using the ERBB inhibitor, afatinib, and proliferation is even further reduced upon the addition of trametinib. A potential mechanism of ERBB activation in Class II melanomas is minimal expression of the ERK1/2 phosphatase, DUSP4, as ectopic restoration of DUSP4 attenuated ERBB signaling through potential modulation of the ERBB ligand, amphiregulin (AREG). Consistent with these data, immunohistochemical analysis of patient melanomas revealed a trend towards lower overall DUSP4 expression in pan-negative versus BRAF- and NRAS-mutant tumors. This study is the first to demonstrate that differential ERBB activity in pan-negative melanoma may modulate sensitivity to clinically-available MEK1/2 inhibitors and provides rationale for the use of ERBB inhibitors, potentially in combination with MEK1/2 inhibitors, in subsets of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Hutchinson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Douglas B Johnson
- Department of Medicine/Division of Hematology-Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Adam S Johnson
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Violeta Sanchez
- Department of Medicine/Division of Hematology-Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Maria Kuba
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Pengcheng Lu
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mark C Kelley
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Qingguo Wang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mark Kris
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael F Berger
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Sosman
- Department of Medicine/Division of Hematology-Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - William Pao
- Department of Medicine/Division of Hematology-Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Currently an employee of Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Basel, Switzerland
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35
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miR-579-3p controls melanoma progression and resistance to target therapy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E5005-13. [PMID: 27503895 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1607753113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapy of melanoma patients harboring activating mutations in the BRAF (V-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1) oncogene with a combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors is plagued by the development of drug resistance. Mutational events, as well as adaptive mechanisms, contribute to the development of drug resistance. In this context we uncover here the role of a miRNA, miR-579-3p. We first show that low expression of miR-579-3p is a negative prognostic factor correlating with poor survival. Expression levels of miR-579-3p decrease from nevi to stage III/IV melanoma samples and even further in cell lines resistant to BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that miR-579-3p acts as an oncosuppressor by targeting the 3'UTR of two oncoproteins: BRAF and an E3 ubiquitin protein ligase, MDM2. Moreover miR-579-3p ectopic expression impairs the establishment of drug resistance in human melanoma cells. Finally, miR-579-3p is strongly down-regulated in matched tumor samples from patients before and after the development of resistance to targeted therapies.
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36
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Fattore L, Malpicci D, Marra E, Belleudi F, Noto A, De Vitis C, Pisanu ME, Coluccia P, Camerlingo R, Roscilli G, Ribas A, Di Napoli A, Torrisi MR, Aurisicchio L, Ascierto PA, Mancini R, Ciliberto G. Combination of antibodies directed against different ErbB3 surface epitopes prevents the establishment of resistance to BRAF/MEK inhibitors in melanoma. Oncotarget 2016. [PMID: 26208478 PMCID: PMC4694796 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with metastatic melanoma bearing V600 mutations in BRAF oncogene clinically benefit from the treatment with BRAF inhibitors alone or in combination with MEK inhibitors. However, a limitation to such treatment is the occurrence of resistance. Tackling the adaptive changes helping cells survive from drug treatment may offer new therapeutic opportunities. Very recently the ErbB3 receptor has been shown to act as a central node promoting survival of BRAF mutated melanoma. In this paper we first demonstrate that ErbB3/AKT hyperphosphorylation occurs in BRAF mutated melanoma cell lines following exposure to BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors. This strongly correlates with increased transcriptional activation of its ligand neuregulin. Anti-ErbB3 antibodies impair the establishment of de novo cell resistance to BRAF inhibition in vitro. In order to more potently ablate ErbB3 activity we used a combination of two anti-ErbB3 antibodies directed against distinct epitopes of its extracellular domain. These two antibodies in combo with BRAF/MEK inhibitors potently inhibit in vitro cell growth and tumor regrowth after drug withdrawal in an in vivo xenograft model. Importantly, residual tumor masses from mice treated by the antibodies and BRAF/ERK inhibitors combo are characterized almost exclusively by large necrotic areas with limited residual areas of tumor growth. Taken together, our findings support the concept that triple therapy directed against BRAF/MEK/ErbB3 may be able to provide durable control of BRAF mutated metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Fattore
- Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Chirurgia "P. Valdoni", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Debora Malpicci
- Dipartimento di Chirurgia "P. Valdoni", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università degli Studi di Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Belleudi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Noto
- Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", Naples, Italy.,Dipartimento di Chirurgia "P. Valdoni", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia De Vitis
- Dipartimento di Chirurgia "P. Valdoni", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Pisanu
- Dipartimento di Chirurgia "P. Valdoni", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università degli Studi di Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Coluccia
- Dipartimento di Chirurgia "P. Valdoni", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Camerlingo
- Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Roscilli
- Takis S.r.l., Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Antoni Ribas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Arianna Di Napoli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliera S. Andrea, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Torrisi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliera S. Andrea, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Antonio Ascierto
- Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Mancini
- Dipartimento di Chirurgia "P. Valdoni", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
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37
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Posch C, Vujic I, Monshi B, Sanlorenzo M, Weihsengruber F, Rappersberger K, Ortiz-Urda S. Searching for the Chokehold of NRAS Mutant Melanoma. J Invest Dermatol 2016; 136:1330-1336. [PMID: 27160069 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2016.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Revised: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Up to 18% of melanomas harbor mutations in the neuroblastoma rat-sarcoma homolog (NRAS). Yet, decades of research aimed to interfere with oncogenic RAS signaling have been largely disappointing and have not resulted in meaningful clinical outputs. Recent advances in disease modeling, structural biology, and an improved understanding of RAS cycling as well as RAS signaling networks have renewed hope for developing strategies to selectively block hyperactive RAS function. This review discusses direct and indirect blocking of activated RAS with a focus on current and potential future therapeutic approaches for NRAS mutant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Posch
- Department of Dermatology, Mt. Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Dermatology, The Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Igor Vujic
- Department of Dermatology, Mt. Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Dermatology, The Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Babak Monshi
- Department of Dermatology, The Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martina Sanlorenzo
- Department of Dermatology, Mt. Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Felix Weihsengruber
- Department of Dermatology, The Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klemens Rappersberger
- Department of Dermatology, The Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Academic Teaching Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susana Ortiz-Urda
- Department of Dermatology, Mt. Zion Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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38
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Roller DG, Capaldo B, Bekiranov S, Mackey AJ, Conaway MR, Petricoin EF, Gioeli D, Weber MJ. Combinatorial drug screening and molecular profiling reveal diverse mechanisms of intrinsic and adaptive resistance to BRAF inhibition in V600E BRAF mutant melanomas. Oncotarget 2016; 7:2734-53. [PMID: 26673621 PMCID: PMC4823068 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Over half of BRAFV600E melanomas display intrinsic resistance to BRAF inhibitors, in part due to adaptive signaling responses. In this communication we ask whether BRAFV600E melanomas share common adaptive responses to BRAF inhibition that can provide clinically relevant targets for drug combinations. We screened a panel of 12 treatment-naïve BRAFV600E melanoma cell lines with MAP Kinase pathway inhibitors in pairwise combination with 58 signaling inhibitors, assaying for synergistic cytotoxicity. We found enormous diversity in the drug combinations that showed synergy, with no two cell lines having an identical profile. Although the 6 lines most resistant to BRAF inhibition showed synergistic benefit from combination with lapatinib, the signaling mechanisms by which this combination generated synergistic cytotoxicity differed between the cell lines. We conclude that adaptive responses to inhibition of the primary oncogenic driver (BRAFV600E) are determined not only by the primary oncogenic driver but also by diverse secondary genetic and epigenetic changes ("back-seat drivers") and hence optimal drug combinations will be variable. Because upregulation of receptor tyrosine kinases is a major source of drug resistance arising from diverse adaptive responses, we propose that inhibitors of these receptors may have substantial clinical utility in combination with inhibitors of the MAP Kinase pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin G. Roller
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908 USA
| | - Brian Capaldo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908 USA
| | - Stefan Bekiranov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908 USA
| | - Aaron J. Mackey
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908 USA
| | - Mark R. Conaway
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908 USA
| | - Emanuel F. Petricoin
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, School of Systems Biology, College of Science, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Daniel Gioeli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908 USA
| | - Michael J. Weber
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908 USA
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39
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Wandinger SK, Lahortiga I, Jacobs K, Klammer M, Jordan N, Elschenbroich S, Parade M, Jacoby E, Linders JTM, Brehmer D, Cools J, Daub H. Quantitative Phosphoproteomics Analysis of ERBB3/ERBB4 Signaling. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146100. [PMID: 26745281 PMCID: PMC4706443 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The four members of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ERBB) family form homo- and heterodimers which mediate ligand-specific regulation of many key cellular processes in normal and cancer tissues. While signaling through the EGFR has been extensively studied on the molecular level, signal transduction through ERBB3/ERBB4 heterodimers is less well understood. Here, we generated isogenic mouse Ba/F3 cells that express full-length and functional membrane-integrated ERBB3 and ERBB4 or ERBB4 alone, to serve as a defined cellular model for biological and phosphoproteomics analysis of ERBB3/ERBB4 signaling. ERBB3 co-expression significantly enhanced Ba/F3 cell proliferation upon neuregulin-1 (NRG1) treatment. For comprehensive signaling studies we performed quantitative mass spectrometry (MS) experiments to compare the basal ERBB3/ERBB4 cell phosphoproteome to NRG1 treatment of ERBB3/ERBB4 and ERBB4 cells. We employed a workflow comprising differential isotope labeling with mTRAQ reagents followed by chromatographic peptide separation and final phosphopeptide enrichment prior to MS analysis. Overall, we identified 9686 phosphorylation sites which could be confidently localized to specific residues. Statistical analysis of three replicate experiments revealed 492 phosphorylation sites which were significantly changed in NRG1-treated ERBB3/ERBB4 cells. Bioinformatics data analysis recapitulated regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt pathways, but also indicated signaling links to cytoskeletal functions and nuclear biology. Comparative assessment of NRG1-stimulated ERBB4 Ba/F3 cells revealed that ERBB3 did not trigger defined signaling pathways but more broadly enhanced phosphoproteome regulation in cells expressing both receptors. In conclusion, our data provide the first global picture of ERBB3/ERBB4 signaling and provide numerous potential starting points for further mechanistic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Idoya Lahortiga
- VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Center for Human Genetics, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kris Jacobs
- VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Center for Human Genetics, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Marc Parade
- Oncology Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Edgar Jacoby
- Oncology Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Joannes T. M. Linders
- Oncology Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Dirk Brehmer
- Oncology Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jan Cools
- VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Center for Human Genetics, Leuven, Belgium
- * E-mail: (JC); (HD)
| | - Henrik Daub
- Evotec (München) GmbH, Martinsried, Germany
- * E-mail: (JC); (HD)
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40
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González-Cao M, Rodón J, Karachaliou N, Sánchez J, Santarpia M, Viteri S, Pilotto S, Teixidó C, Riso A, Rosell R. Other targeted drugs in melanoma. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2015; 3:266. [PMID: 26605312 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.08.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Targeted therapy drugs are developed against specific molecular alterations on cancer cells. Because they are "targeted" to the tumor, these therapies are more effective and better tolerated than conventional therapies such as chemotherapy. In the last decade, great advances have been made in understanding of melanoma biology and identification of molecular mechanisms involved in malignant transformation of cells. The identification of oncogenic mutated kinases involved in this process provides an opportunity for development of new target therapies. The dependence of melanoma on BRAF-mutant kinase has provided an opportunity for development of mutation-specific inhibitors with high activity and excellent tolerance that are now being used in clinical practice. This marked a new era in the treatment of metastatic melanoma and much research is now ongoing to identify other "druggable" kinases and transduction signaling networking. It is expected that in the near future the spectrum of target drugs for melanoma treatment will increase. Herein, we review the most relevant potential novel drugs for melanoma treatment based on preclinical data and the results of early clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- María González-Cao
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Rodón
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Niki Karachaliou
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Sánchez
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mariacarmela Santarpia
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Viteri
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Pilotto
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Teixidó
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aldo Riso
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Rosell
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
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Decreased LRIG1 in fulvestrant-treated luminal breast cancer cells permits ErbB3 upregulation and increased growth. Oncogene 2015; 35:1143-52. [PMID: 26148232 PMCID: PMC4703573 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
ErbB3, a member of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases, is a potent activator of phosphatidyl inositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and mTOR signaling, driving tumor cell survival and therapeutic resistance in breast cancers. In luminal breast cancers, ErbB3 upregulation following treatment with the anti-estrogen fulvestrant enhances PI3K/mTOR-mediated cell survival. However, the mechanism by which ErbB3 is upregulated in fulvestrant-treated cells is unknown. We found that ErbB3 protein levels and cell surface presentation were increased following fulvestrant treatment, focusing our attention on proteins that regulate ErbB3 at the cell surface, including Nrdp1, NEDD4, and LRIG1. Among these, only LRIG1 correlated positively with ERα, but inversely with ErbB3 in clinical breast cancer datasets. LRIG1, an estrogen-inducible ErbB down-regulator, was decreased in a panel of fulvestrant-treated luminal breast cancer cells. Ectopic LRIG1 expression from an estrogen-independent promoter uncoupled LRIG1 from estrogen regulation, thus sustaining LRIG1 and maintaining low ErbB3 levels in fulvestrant-treated cells. An LRIG1 mutant lacking the ErbB3 interaction motif was insufficient to down-regulate ErbB3. Importantly, LRIG1 overexpression improved fulvestrant-mediated growth inhibition, while cells expressing the LRIG1 mutant were poorly sensitive to fulvestrant, despite effective ERα down-regulation. Consistent with these results, LRIG1 expression correlated positively with increased disease-free survival in anti-estrogen-treated breast cancer patients. These data suggest that ERα-dependent expression of LRIG1 dampens ErbB3 signaling in luminal breast cancer cells, and by blocking ERα activity with fulvestrant, LRIG1 is decreased thus permitting ErbB3 accumulation, enhanced ErbB3 signaling to cell survival pathways, and blunting therapeutic response to fulvestrant.
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42
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Dahlhoff M, Schäfer M, Muzumdar S, Rose C, Schneider MR. ERBB3 is required for tumor promotion in a mouse model of skin carcinogenesis. Mol Oncol 2015; 9:1825-33. [PMID: 26194695 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2015.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a key role in skin inflammation, wound healing, and carcinogenesis. Less is known about the functions of the structurally related receptor ERBB3 (HER3) in the skin. We assessed the requirement of ERBB3 for skin homeostasis, wound healing, and tumorigenesis by crossing mice carrying a conditional Erbb3 allele with animals expressing cre under the control of the keratin 5 promoter. Erbb3(del) mice, lacking ERBB3 specifically in keratinocytes, showed no obvious abnormalities. The EGFR was upregulated in Erbb3(del) skin, possibly compensating the loss of ERBB3. Nonetheless, healing of full-thickness excisional wounds was negatively affected by ERBB3 deficiency. To analyze the function of ERBB3 during tumorigenesis, we employed the established DMBA/TPA multi-stage chemical carcinogenesis protocol. Erbb3(del) mice remained free of papillomas for a longer time and had significantly reduced tumor burden compared to control littermates. Tumor cell proliferation was considerably reduced in Erbb3(del) mice, and loss of ERBB3 also impaired keratinocyte proliferation after a single application of TPA. In human skin tumor samples, upregulated ERBB3 expression was observed in squamous cell carcinoma, condyloma, and malignant melanoma. Thus, we conclude that ERBB3, while dispensable for the development and the homeostasis of the epidermis and its appendages, is required for proper wound healing and for the progression of skin tumors during multi-stage chemical carcinogenesis in mice. ERBB3 may also be important for human skin cancer progression. The latter effects most probably reflect a key role for ERBB3 in increasing cell proliferation after stimuli as wounding or carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maik Dahlhoff
- Institute of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Schäfer
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sukalp Muzumdar
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Rose
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Marlon R Schneider
- Institute of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
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43
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Lee WR, Shen SC, Shih YH, Chou CL, Tseng JTP, Chin SY, Liu KH, Chen YC, Jiang MC. Early decline in serum phospho-CSE1L levels in vemurafenib/sunitinib-treated melanoma and sorafenib/lapatinib-treated colorectal tumor xenografts. J Transl Med 2015; 13:191. [PMID: 26070816 PMCID: PMC4467675 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0553-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although targeted therapies have improved the clinical outcomes of cancer treatment, tumors resistance to targeted drug are often detected too late and cause mortality. CSE1L is secreted from tumor and its phosphorylation is regulated by ERK1/2. ERK1/2 is located downstream of various growth factor receptors and kinases, the targets of most targeted drugs. Serum phospho-CSE1L may be a marker for monitoring the efficacy of targeted therapy. Methods We used mice tumor xenograft model to study the assay of serum phosphorylated CSE1L for early detecting the efficacy of targeted drugs. The phosphorylation status of CSE1L in vemurafenib and sorafenib treated tumor cells were assayed by immunoblotting with antibody against phosphorylated CSE1L. Results Ras activation increased phospho-CSE1L expression in B16F10 melanoma cells. Vemurafenib and sorafenib treatment did not significantly reduce the total CSE1L levels; however, they inhibited ERK1/2 and CSE1L phosphorylation in A375 melanoma cells and HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. In the melanoma xenograft model, serum phospho-CSE1L level declined 5 days after vemurafenib/sunitinib treatment and 3 days after sorafenib/lapatinib treatment in the HT-29 colon cancer xenograft model. Vemurafenib/sunitinib and sorafenib/lapatinib treatments resulted in tumor regression. Conclusions Our results indicated that serum phospho-CSE1L is useful for early detecting the efficacy of targeted therapy in initial treatment and for monitoring emerging secondary drug resistance to facilitate timely therapeutic decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woan-Ruoh Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan. .,Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 252 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei, 11031, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Shing-Chuan Shen
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Hsien Shih
- Department of Dermatology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan. .,Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 252 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei, 11031, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Chia-Lun Chou
- Department of Dermatology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan. .,Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 252 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Jonathan Te-Peng Tseng
- Department of Dermatology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan. .,Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 252 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei, 11031, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Szu-Ying Chin
- Department of Dermatology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan. .,Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 252 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei, 11031, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Kao-Hui Liu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Yen-Chou Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Chung Jiang
- Department of Dermatology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan. .,Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 252 Wu-Hsing St., Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
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44
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Ruiz-Saenz A, Sandhu M, Carrasco Y, Maglathlin RL, Taunton J, Moasser MM. Targeting HER3 by interfering with its Sec61-mediated cotranslational insertion into the endoplasmic reticulum. Oncogene 2015; 34:5288-94. [PMID: 25619841 PMCID: PMC4515412 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Revised: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence implicating HER3 in several types of cancer. But the development of targeted therapies to inactivate HER3 function has been a challenging endeavor. Its kinase domain functions in allostery not catalysis, and the classical ATP-analog class of tyrosine kinase inhibitors fail to inactivate it. Here we describe a novel approach that eliminates HER3 expression. The small-molecule cotransin CT8 binds the Sec61 translocon and prevents the signal peptide of the nascent HER3 protein from initiating its cotranslational translocation, resulting in the degradation of HER3 but not the other HER proteins. CT8 treatment suppresses the induction of HER3 that accompanies lapatinib treatment of HER2-amplified cancers and synergistically enhances the apoptotic effects of lapatinib. The target selectivities of cotransins are highly dependent on their structure and the signal sequence of targeted proteins and can be narrowed through structure-function studies. Targeting Sec61-dependent processing identifies a novel strategy to eliminate HER3 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ruiz-Saenz
- Department of Medicine, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - M Sandhu
- Department of Medicine, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Y Carrasco
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - R L Maglathlin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - J Taunton
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - M M Moasser
- Department of Medicine, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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45
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McQuade J, Davies MA. Converting biology into clinical benefit: lessons learned from BRAF inhibitors. Melanoma Manag 2015; 2:241-254. [PMID: 26594316 PMCID: PMC4649930 DOI: 10.2217/mmt.15.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification and pharmacological targeting of activating BRAF mutations in melanoma has led to significant improvements in patient outcomes. This perspective paper illustrates the lessons learned from the study of BRAF mutations and the development of BRAF inhibitors. The relevance of these lessons to the development of future targeted therapies is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer McQuade
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael A Davies
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- *Author for correspondence: Tel.: +1 713 792 3454; Fax: +1 713 563 3454;
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Abstract
Until recently, melanoma represented a significant clinical challenge to oncologists. However, the approval in 2011 of ipilimumab, an anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody, and vemurafenib, a BRAF inhibitor, completely changed melanoma management, with both drugs being shown to improve overall survival. The advent of these two drugs, together with the ongoing development of other targeted agents (e.g., MEK inhibitors) and immunotherapeutic compounds (e.g., anti-PD-L1), is providing the opportunity to trial new combination or sequential therapy approaches. Combined approaches of these new agents with surgery, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy are also being assessed. Targeted agents in combination or in sequence with new immunotherapeutic compounds may represent the future, not only for the treatment of melanoma, but also for the treatment of cancer in general.
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47
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Tiwary S, Preziosi M, Rothberg PG, Zeitouni N, Corson N, Xu L. ERBB3 is required for metastasis formation of melanoma cells. Oncogenesis 2014; 3:e110. [PMID: 25000258 PMCID: PMC4150209 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2014.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Revised: 05/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is curable when it is at an early phase but is lethal once it becomes metastatic. The recent development of BRAF(V600E) inhibitors (BIs) showed great promise in treating metastatic melanoma, but resistance developed quickly in the treated patients, and these inhibitors are not effective on melanomas that express wild-type BRAF. Alternative therapeutic strategies for metastatic melanoma are urgently needed. Here we report that ERBB3, a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family, is required for the formation of lung metastasis from both the BI-sensitive melanoma cell line, MA-2, and the BI-resistant melanoma cell line, 451Lu-R. Further analyses revealed that ERBB3 does not affect the initial seeding of melanoma cells in lung but is required for their further development into overt metastases, indicating that ERBB3 might be essential for the survival of melanoma cells after they reach the lung. Consistent with this, the ERBB3 ligand, NRG1, is highly expressed in mouse lungs and induces ERBB3-depdnent phosphorylation of AKT in both MA-2 and 451Lu-R cells in vitro. These findings suggest that ERBB3 may serve as a target for treating metastatic melanomas that are resistant to BIs. In support of this, administration of the pan-ERBB inhibitor, canertinib, significantly suppresses the metastasis formation of BI-resistant melanoma cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tiwary
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - M Preziosi
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - P G Rothberg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - N Zeitouni
- Department of Dermatology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - N Corson
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - L Xu
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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48
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Vella LJ, Andrews MC, Behren A, Cebon J, Woods K. Immune consequences of kinase inhibitors in development, undergoing clinical trials and in current use in melanoma treatment. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2014; 10:1107-23. [PMID: 24939732 DOI: 10.1586/1744666x.2014.929943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic malignant melanoma is a frequently fatal cancer. In recent years substantial therapeutic progress has occurred with the development of targeted kinase inhibitors and immunotherapeutics. Targeted therapies often result in rapid clinical benefit however responses are seldom durable. Immune therapies can result in durable disease control but responses may not be immediate. Optimal cancer therapy requires both rapid and durable cancer control and this can likely best be achieved by combining targeted therapies with immunotherapeutics. To achieve this, a detailed understanding of the immune consequences of the various kinase inhibitors, in development, clinical trial and currently used to treat melanoma is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Vella
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne-Austin Branch, Cancer Immuno-biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
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49
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Grazia G, Penna I, Perotti V, Anichini A, Tassi E. Towards combinatorial targeted therapy in melanoma: from pre-clinical evidence to clinical application (review). Int J Oncol 2014; 45:929-49. [PMID: 24920406 PMCID: PMC4121406 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last few years, clinical trials with BRAF and mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitors have shown significant clinical activity in melanoma, but only a fraction of patients respond to these therapies, and development of resistance is frequent. This has prompted a large set of preclinical studies looking at several new combinatorial approaches of pathway- or target-specific inhibitors. At least five main drug association strategies have been verified in vitro and in preclinical models. The most promising include: i) vertical targeting of either MEK or phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways, or their combined blockade; ii) association of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) inhibitors with other pro-apoptotic strategies; iii) engagement of death receptors in combination with MEK-, mTOR/PI3K-, histone deacetylase (HDAC)-inhibitors, or with anti-apoptotic molecules modulators; iv) strategies aimed at blocking anti-apoptotic proteins belonging to B-cell lymphoma (Bcl-2) or inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP) families associated with MEK/BRAF/p38 inhibition; v) co-inhibition of other molecules important for survival [proteasome, HDAC and Signal transducers and activators of transcription (Stat)3] and the major pathways activated in melanoma; vi) simultaneous targeting of multiple anti-apoptotic molecules. Here we review the anti-melanoma efficacy and mechanism of action of the above-mentioned combinatorial strategies, together with the potential clinical application of the most promising studies that may eventually lead to therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Grazia
- Human Tumors Immunobiology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Penna
- Human Tumors Immunobiology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Perotti
- Human Tumors Immunobiology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Anichini
- Human Tumors Immunobiology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Tassi
- Human Tumors Immunobiology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
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50
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Petris G, Bestagno M, Arnoldi F, Burrone OR. New tags for recombinant protein detection and O-glycosylation reporters. PLoS One 2014; 9:e96700. [PMID: 24802141 PMCID: PMC4011882 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), because of their unique specificity, are irreplaceable tools for scientific research. Precise mapping of the antigenic determinants allows the development of epitope tagging approaches to be used with recombinant proteins for several purposes. Here we describe a new family of tags derived from the epitope recognized by a single highly specific mAb (anti-roTag mAb), which was obtained from a pool of mAbs reacting with the rotavirus nonstructural protein 5 (NSP5). The variable regions of the anti-roTag mAb were identified and their binding capacity verified upon expression as a single-chain/miniAb. The minimal epitope, termed roTag, was identified as a 10 amino acid sequence (SISSSIFKNE). The affinity of the anti-roTag/roTag interaction was found to be comparable to that of the anti-SV5/SV5 tag interaction. roTag was successfully used for detection of several recombinant cytosolic, secretory and membrane proteins. Two additional variants of roTag of 10 and 13 amino acids containing O-glycosylation susceptible sites (termed OG-tag and roTagO) were constructed and characterised. These tags were useful to detect proteins passing through the Golgi apparatus, the site of O-glycosylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Petris
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Bestagno
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Francesca Arnoldi
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Oscar R. Burrone
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
- * E-mail:
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