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Hieber C, Mustafa AHM, Neuroth S, Henninger S, Wollscheid HP, Zabkiewicz J, Lazenby M, Alvares C, Mahboobi S, Butter F, Brenner W, Bros M, Krämer OH. Inhibitors of the tyrosine kinases FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 and WEE1 induce apoptosis and DNA damage synergistically in acute myeloid leukemia cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:117076. [PMID: 38971011 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Hyperactive FMS-like receptor tyrosine kinase-3 mutants with internal tandem duplications (FLT3-ITD) are frequent driver mutations of aggressive acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Inhibitors of FLT3 produce promising results in rationally designed cotreatment schemes. Since FLT3-ITD modulates DNA replication and DNA repair, valid anti-leukemia strategies could rely on a combined inhibition of FLT3-ITD and regulators of cell cycle progression and DNA integrity. These include the WEE1 kinase which controls cell cycle progression, nucleotide synthesis, and DNA replication origin firing. We investigated how pharmacological inhibition of FLT3 and WEE1 affected the survival and genomic integrity of AML cell lines and primary AML cells. We reveal that promising clinical grade and preclinical inhibitors of FLT3 and WEE1 synergistically trigger apoptosis in leukemic cells that express FLT3-ITD. An accumulation of single and double strand DNA damage precedes this process. Mass spectrometry-based proteomic analyses show that FLT3-ITD and WEE1 sustain the expression of the ribonucleotide reductase subunit RRM2, which provides dNTPs for DNA replication. Unlike their strong pro-apoptotic effects on leukemia cells with FLT3-ITD, inhibitors of FLT3 and WEE1 do not damage healthy human blood cells and murine hematopoietic stem cells. Thus, pharmacological inhibition of FLT3-ITD and WEE1 might become an improved, rationally designed therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Hieber
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany; Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany.
| | - Al-Hassan M Mustafa
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt.
| | - Sarah Neuroth
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany.
| | - Sven Henninger
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany.
| | | | - Joanna Zabkiewicz
- Department of Haematology, Cardiff Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, Cardiff University, Wales, UK.
| | - Michelle Lazenby
- Department of Haematology, Cardiff Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, Cardiff University, Wales, UK.
| | - Caroline Alvares
- Department of Haematology, Cardiff Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, Cardiff University, Wales, UK.
| | - Siavosh Mahboobi
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93040, Germany.
| | - Falk Butter
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Ackermannweg 4, Mainz 55128, Germany; Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology (IMVZ), Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Greifswald 17493, Germany.
| | - Walburgis Brenner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center, Mainz 55131, Germany.
| | - Matthias Bros
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany.
| | - Oliver H Krämer
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany.
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2
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Kwok M, Agathanggelou A, Stankovic T. DNA damage response defects in hematologic malignancies: mechanistic insights and therapeutic strategies. Blood 2024; 143:2123-2144. [PMID: 38457665 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023019963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT The DNA damage response (DDR) encompasses the detection and repair of DNA lesions and is fundamental to the maintenance of genome integrity. Germ line DDR alterations underlie hereditary chromosome instability syndromes by promoting the acquisition of pathogenic structural variants in hematopoietic cells, resulting in increased predisposition to hematologic malignancies. Also frequent in hematologic malignancies are somatic mutations of DDR genes, typically arising from replication stress triggered by oncogene activation or deregulated tumor proliferation that provides a selective pressure for DDR loss. These defects impair homology-directed DNA repair or replication stress response, leading to an excessive reliance on error-prone DNA repair mechanisms that results in genomic instability and tumor progression. In hematologic malignancies, loss-of-function DDR alterations confer clonal growth advantage and adverse prognostic impact but may also provide therapeutic opportunities. Selective targeting of functional dependencies arising from these defects could achieve synthetic lethality, a therapeutic concept exemplified by inhibition of poly-(adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribose) polymerase or the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad 3 related-CHK1-WEE1 axis in malignancies harboring the BRCAness phenotype or genetic defects that increase replication stress. Furthermore, the role of DDR defects as a source of tumor immunogenicity, as well as their impact on the cross talk between DDR, inflammation, and tumor immunity are increasingly recognized, thus providing rationale for combining DDR modulation with immune modulation. The nature of the DDR-immune interface and the cellular vulnerabilities conferred by DDR defects may nonetheless be disease-specific and remain incompletely understood in many hematologic malignancies. Their comprehensive elucidation will be critical for optimizing therapeutic strategies to target DDR defects in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwan Kwok
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Angelo Agathanggelou
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Tatjana Stankovic
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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3
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Wang Y, Lin X, Wang Y, Wang G. Synergistic effect of adavosertib and fimepinostat on acute myeloid leukemia cells by enhancing the induction of DNA damage. Invest New Drugs 2024; 42:70-79. [PMID: 38085423 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-023-01415-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, a number of novel pharmaceutical agents have received approval for the management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, there is still ample opportunity for enhancing efficacy. The Wee1 inhibitor adavosertib (ADA) shows promise for the treatment of AML. Based on the effect of drugs on DNA damage, we conducted a combination study involving ADA and fimepinostat (CUDC-907), a dual inhibitor of PI3K and histone deacetylase (HDAC). We observed that the combination of CUDC-907 and ADA exhibited a synergistic effect in enhancing the antileukemic activity in both AML cell lines and primary patient samples, demonstrating through flow cytometry analysis and MTT assay, respectively. Additionally, our study revealed that CUDC-907 has the ability to augment ADA-induced DNA damage, as determined by the measurement of γH2AX levels and the implementation of the alkaline comet assay. Through the utilization of western blotting analyses, targeted inhibitors, and ectopic overexpression, we propose that the downregulation of Wee1, CHK1, RNR, and c-Myc are the potential mechanisms. Our data support the development of ADA in combination with CUDC-907 for the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xingyu Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Guan Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China.
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4
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Bruyer A, Dutrieux L, de Boussac H, Martin T, Chemlal D, Robert N, Requirand G, Cartron G, Vincent L, Herbaux C, Lutzmann M, Bret C, Pasero P, Moreaux J, Ovejero S. Combined inhibition of Wee1 and Chk1 as a therapeutic strategy in multiple myeloma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1271847. [PMID: 38125947 PMCID: PMC10730928 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1271847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy characterized by an abnormal clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells. Despite the introduction of novel agents that have significantly improved clinical outcome, most patients relapse and develop drug resistance. MM is characterized by genomic instability and a high level of replicative stress. In response to replicative and DNA damage stress, MM cells activate various DNA damage signaling pathways. In this study, we reported that high CHK1 and WEE1 expression is associated with poor outcome in independent cohorts of MM patients treated with high dose melphalan chemotherapy or anti-CD38 immunotherapy. Combined targeting of Chk1 and Wee1 demonstrates synergistic toxicities on MM cells and was associated with higher DNA double-strand break induction, as evidenced by an increased percentage of γH2AX positive cells subsequently leading to apoptosis. The therapeutic interest of Chk1/Wee1 inhibitors' combination was validated on primary MM cells of patients. The toxicity was specific of MM cells since normal bone marrow cells were not significantly affected. Using deconvolution approach, MM patients with high CHK1 expression exhibited a significant lower percentage of NK cells whereas patients with high WEE1 expression displayed a significant higher percentage of regulatory T cells in the bone marrow. These data emphasize that MM cell adaptation to replicative stress through Wee1 and Chk1 upregulation may decrease the activation of the cell-intrinsic innate immune response. Our study suggests that association of Chk1 and Wee1 inhibitors may represent a promising therapeutic approach in high-risk MM patients characterized by high CHK1 and WEE1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laure Dutrieux
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR CNRS-UM 9002, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Thibaut Martin
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR CNRS-UM 9002, Montpellier, France
| | - Djamila Chemlal
- Diag2Tec, Montpellier, France
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR CNRS-UM 9002, Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Robert
- Department of Biological Hematology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Guilhem Requirand
- Department of Biological Hematology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Guillaume Cartron
- Department of Clinical Hematology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- University of Montpellier, UFR Medicine, Montpellier, France
| | - Laure Vincent
- Department of Clinical Hematology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Charles Herbaux
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR CNRS-UM 9002, Montpellier, France
- Department of Clinical Hematology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- University of Montpellier, UFR Medicine, Montpellier, France
| | - Malik Lutzmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR CNRS-UM 9002, Montpellier, France
| | - Caroline Bret
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR CNRS-UM 9002, Montpellier, France
- Department of Biological Hematology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- University of Montpellier, UFR Medicine, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Pasero
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR CNRS-UM 9002, Montpellier, France
| | - Jérôme Moreaux
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR CNRS-UM 9002, Montpellier, France
- Department of Biological Hematology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- University of Montpellier, UFR Medicine, Montpellier, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
| | - Sara Ovejero
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR CNRS-UM 9002, Montpellier, France
- Department of Biological Hematology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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5
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Zhang F, Chen L. Molecular Threat of Splicing Factor Mutations to Myeloid Malignancies and Potential Therapeutic Modulations. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081972. [PMID: 36009519 PMCID: PMC9405558 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Splicing factors are frequently mutated in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These mutations are presumed to contribute to oncogenic transformation, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. While no specific treatment option is available for MDS/AML patients with spliceosome mutations, novel targeting strategies are actively explored, leading to clinical trials of small molecule inhibitors that target the spliceosome, DNA damage response pathway, and immune response pathway. Here, we review recent progress in mechanistic understanding of splicing factor mutations promoting disease progression and summarize potential therapeutic strategies, which, if successful, would provide clinical benefit to patients carrying splicing factor mutations.
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Liu S, Qiao X, Wu S, Gai Y, Su Y, Edwards H, Wang Y, Lin H, Taub JW, Wang G, Ge Y. c-Myc plays a critical role in the antileukemic activity of the Mcl-1-selective inhibitor AZD5991 in acute myeloid leukemia. Apoptosis 2022; 27:913-928. [PMID: 35943677 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-022-01756-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive disease with a low 5-year overall survival rate of 29.5%. Thus, more effective therapies are in need to prolong survival of AML patients. Mcl-1 is overexpressed in AML and is associated with poor prognosis, representing a promising therapeutic target. The oncoprotein c-Myc is also overexpressed in AML and is a significant prognostic factor. In addition, Mcl-1 is required for c-Myc induced AML, indicating that c-Myc-driven AML harbors a Mcl-1 dependency and co-targeting of Mcl-1 and c-Myc represents a promising strategy to eradicate AML. In this study, we investigated the role of c-Myc in the antileukemic activity of Mcl-1 selective inhibitor AZD5991 and the antileukemic activity of co-targeting of Mcl-1 and c-Myc in preclinical models of AML. We found that c-Myc protein levels negatively correlated with AZD5991 EC50s in AML cell lines and primary patient samples. AZD5991 combined with inhibition of c-Myc synergistically induced apoptosis in AML cell lines and primary patient samples, and cooperatively targeted leukemia progenitor cells. AML cells with acquired resistance to AZD5991 were resensitized to AZD5991 when c-Myc was inhibited. The combination also showed promising and synergistic antileukemic activity in vitro against AML cell lines with acquired resistance to the main chemotherapeutic drug AraC and primary AML cells derived from a patient at relapse post chemotherapy. The oncoprotein c-Myc represents a potential biomarker of AZD5991 sensitivity and inhibition of c-Myc synergistically enhances the antileukemic activity of AZD5991 against AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Xinan Qiao
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Shuangshuang Wu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, P.R. China.,Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuqinq Gai
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Yongwei Su
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 421 E. Canfield, 48201, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Holly Edwards
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 421 E. Canfield, 48201, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hai Lin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jeffrey W Taub
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA.,Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - Guan Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, P.R. China.
| | - Yubin Ge
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 421 E. Canfield, 48201, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
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7
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Liu F, Zhao Q, Su Y, Lv J, Gai Y, Liu S, Lin H, Wang Y, Wang G. Cotargeting of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 shows promising antileukemic activity against AML cells including those with acquired cytarabine resistance. Exp Hematol 2021; 105:39-49. [PMID: 34767916 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2021.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a clinical challenge. Venetoclax is an effective Bcl-2 selective inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of AML in patients who are 75 years and older or who have comorbidities. However, resistance to venetoclax limits its clinical efficacy. Mcl-1 has been identified as one determinant of resistance to venetoclax treatment. In this study, we investigate the Mcl-1 inhibitor S63845 in combination with venetoclax in AML cells. We found that S63845 synergizes with venetoclax in AML cell lines and primary patient samples. Bak/Bax double knockdown and treatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK revealed that the combination induces intrinsic apoptosis in AML cells. Inhibition of Mcl-1 using another Mcl-1 selective inhibitor, AZD5991, also synergistically enhanced apoptosis induced by venetoclax in a caspase-dependent manner. Importantly, S63845 in combination with venetoclax can effectively combat AML cells with acquired resistance to the standard chemotherapy drug cytarabine. In light of these facts, the combined inhibition of Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 shows promise against AML cells, including relapse/refractory AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangbing Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qiushi Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yongwei Su
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jing Lv
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuqing Gai
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hai Lin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Guan Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China;.
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8
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Programmed cell death, redox imbalance, and cancer therapeutics. Apoptosis 2021; 26:385-414. [PMID: 34236569 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-021-01682-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells are disordered by nature and thus featured by higher internal redox level than healthy cells. Redox imbalance could trigger programmed cell death if exceeded a certain threshold, rendering therapeutic strategies relying on redox control a possible cancer management solution. Yet, various programmed cell death events have been consecutively discovered, complicating our understandings on their associations with redox imbalance and clinical implications especially therapeutic design. Thus, it is imperative to understand differences and similarities among programmed cell death events regarding their associations with redox imbalance for improved control over these events in malignant cells as well as appropriate design on therapeutic approaches relying on redox control. This review addresses these issues and concludes by bringing affront cold atmospheric plasma as an emerging redox controller with translational potential in clinics.
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9
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Chen J, Jia X, Li Z, Song W, Jin C, Zhou M, Xie H, Zheng S, Song P. Targeting WEE1 by adavosertib inhibits the malignant phenotypes of hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 188:114494. [PMID: 33684390 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Targeting the cell cycle checkpoints and DNA damage response are promising therapeutic strategies for cancer. Adavosertib is a potent inhibitor of WEE1 kinase, which plays a critical role in regulating cell cycle checkpoints. However, the effect of adavosertib on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment, including sorafenib-resistant HCC, has not been thoroughly studied. In this study, we comprehensively investigated the efficacy and pharmacology of adavosertib in HCC therapy. Adavosertib effectively inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro and suppressed tumor growth in HCC xenografts and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models in vivo. Additionally, adavosertib treatment effectively inhibited the motility of HCC cells by impairing pseudopodia formation. Further, we revealed that adavosertib induced DNA damage and premature mitosis entrance by disturbing the cell cycle. Thus, HCC cells accumulating DNA damage underwent mitosis without G2/M checkpoint arrest, thereby leading to mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis under adavosertib administration. Given that sorafenib resistance is common in HCC in clinical practice, we also explored the efficacy of adavosertib in sorafenib-resistant HCC. Notably, adavosertib still showed a desirable inhibitory effect on the growth of sorafenib-resistant HCC cells. Adavosertib markedly induced G2/M checkpoint arrest and cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, confirming the similar efficacy of adavosertib in sorafenib-resistant HCC. Collectively, our results highlight the treatment efficacy of adavosertib in HCC regardless of sorafenib resistance, providing insights into exploring novel strategies for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Chen
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Xing Jia
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Zequn Li
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Wenfeng Song
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Cheng Jin
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Mengqiao Zhou
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Haiyang Xie
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China.
| | - Penghong Song
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou 310003, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China.
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10
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Carter JL, Hege K, Yang J, Kalpage HA, Su Y, Edwards H, Hüttemann M, Taub JW, Ge Y. Targeting multiple signaling pathways: the new approach to acute myeloid leukemia therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:288. [PMID: 33335095 PMCID: PMC7746731 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00361-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common form of acute leukemia in adults and the second most common form of acute leukemia in children. Despite this, very little improvement in survival rates has been achieved over the past few decades. This is partially due to the heterogeneity of AML and the need for more targeted therapeutics than the traditional cytotoxic chemotherapies that have been a mainstay in therapy for the past 50 years. In the past 20 years, research has been diversifying the approach to treating AML by investigating molecular pathways uniquely relevant to AML cell proliferation and survival. Here we review the development of novel therapeutics in targeting apoptosis, receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling, hedgehog (HH) pathway, mitochondrial function, DNA repair, and c-Myc signaling. There has been an impressive effort into better understanding the diversity of AML cell characteristics and here we highlight important preclinical studies that have supported therapeutic development and continue to promote new ways to target AML cells. In addition, we describe clinical investigations that have led to FDA approval of new targeted AML therapies and ongoing clinical trials of novel therapies targeting AML survival pathways. We also describe the complexity of targeting leukemia stem cells (LSCs) as an approach to addressing relapse and remission in AML and targetable pathways that are unique to LSC survival. This comprehensive review details what we currently understand about the signaling pathways that support AML cell survival and the exceptional ways in which we disrupt them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna L Carter
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,MD/PhD Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Katie Hege
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jay Yang
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Hasini A Kalpage
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yongwei Su
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, The Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Holly Edwards
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Maik Hüttemann
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Taub
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Yubin Ge
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
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11
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Pharmacological Inhibition of WEE1 Potentiates the Antitumoral Effect of the dl922-947 Oncolytic Virus in Malignant Mesothelioma Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197333. [PMID: 33020398 PMCID: PMC7582744 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a very aggressive asbestos-related cancer, for which no therapy proves to be effective. We have recently shown that the oncolytic adenovirus dl922-947 had antitumor effects in MM cell lines and murine xenografts. Previous studies demonstrated that dl922-947-induced host cell cycle checkpoint deregulation and consequent DNA lesions associated with the virus efficacy. However, the cellular DNA damage response (DDR) can counteract this virus action. Therefore, we assessed whether AZD1775, an inhibitor of the G2/M DNA damage checkpoint kinase WEE1, could enhance MM cell sensitivity to dl922-947. Through cell viability assays, we found that AZD1775 synergized with dl922-947 selectively in MM cell lines and increased dl922-947-induced cell death, which showed hallmarks of apoptosis (annexinV-positivity, caspase-dependency, BCL-XL decrease, chromatin condensation). Predictably, dl922-947 and/or AZD1775 activated the DDR, as indicated by increased levels of three main DDR players: phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX), phospho-replication protein A (RPA)32, phospho-checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1). Dl922-947 also increased inactive Tyr-15-phosphorylated cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), a key WEE1 substrate, which is indicative of G2/M checkpoint activation. This increase in phospho-CDK1 was effectively suppressed by AZD1775, thus suggesting that this compound could, indeed, abrogate the dl922-947-induced DNA damage checkpoint in MM cells. Overall, our data suggest that the dl922-947-AZD1775 combination could be a feasible strategy against MM.
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12
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Ghelli Luserna di Rorà A, Cerchione C, Martinelli G, Simonetti G. A WEE1 family business: regulation of mitosis, cancer progression, and therapeutic target. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:126. [PMID: 32958072 PMCID: PMC7507691 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00959-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The inhibition of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway in the treatment of cancer has recently gained interest, and different DDR inhibitors have been developed. Among them, the most promising ones target the WEE1 kinase family, which has a crucial role in cell cycle regulation and DNA damage identification and repair in both nonmalignant and cancer cells. This review recapitulates and discusses the most recent findings on the biological function of WEE1/PKMYT1 during the cell cycle and in the DNA damage repair, with a focus on their dual role as tumor suppressors in nonmalignant cells and pseudo-oncogenes in cancer cells. We here report the available data on the molecular and functional alterations of WEE1/PKMYT1 kinases in both hematological and solid tumors. Moreover, we summarize the preclinical information on 36 chemo/radiotherapy agents, and in particular their effect on cell cycle checkpoints and on the cellular WEE1/PKMYT1-dependent response. Finally, this review outlines the most important pre-clinical and clinical data available on the efficacy of WEE1/PKMYT1 inhibitors in monotherapy and in combination with chemo/radiotherapy agents or with other selective inhibitors currently used or under evaluation for the treatment of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ghelli Luserna di Rorà
- Biosciences Laboratory (Onco-hematology Unit), Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Claudio Cerchione
- Biosciences Laboratory (Onco-hematology Unit), Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Biosciences Laboratory (Onco-hematology Unit), Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Giorgia Simonetti
- Biosciences Laboratory (Onco-hematology Unit), Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy.
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13
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Liu F, Kalpage HA, Wang D, Edwards H, Hüttemann M, Ma J, Su Y, Carter J, Li X, Polin L, Kushner J, Dzinic SH, White K, Wang G, Taub JW, Ge Y. Cotargeting of Mitochondrial Complex I and Bcl-2 Shows Antileukemic Activity against Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells Reliant on Oxidative Phosphorylation. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092400. [PMID: 32847115 PMCID: PMC7564145 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is a promising strategy to improve treatment outcomes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. IACS-010759 is a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor that has demonstrated preclinical antileukemic activity and is being tested in Phase I clinical trials. However, complex I deficiency has been reported to inhibit apoptotic cell death through prevention of cytochrome c release. Thus, combining IACS-010759 with a BH3 mimetic may overcome this mechanism of resistance leading to synergistic antileukemic activity against AML. In this study, we show that IACS-010759 and venetoclax synergistically induce apoptosis in OXPHOS-reliant AML cell lines and primary patient samples and cooperatively target leukemia progenitor cells. In a relatively OXPHOS-reliant AML cell line derived xenograft mouse model, IACS-010759 treatment significantly prolonged survival, which was further enhanced by treatment with IACS-010759 in combination with venetoclax. Consistent with our hypothesis, IACS-010759 treatment indeed retained cytochrome c in mitochondria, which was completely abolished by venetoclax, resulting in Bak/Bax- and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Our preclinical data provide a rationale for further development of the combination of IACS-010759 and venetoclax for the treatment of patients with AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangbing Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China; (F.L.); (J.M.); (Y.S.); (X.L.)
| | - Hasini A. Kalpage
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (H.A.K.); (M.H.)
| | - Deying Wang
- The Tumor Center of the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China;
| | - Holly Edwards
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (H.E.); (L.P.); (J.K.); (S.H.D.); (K.W.)
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Maik Hüttemann
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (H.A.K.); (M.H.)
| | - Jun Ma
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China; (F.L.); (J.M.); (Y.S.); (X.L.)
| | - Yongwei Su
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China; (F.L.); (J.M.); (Y.S.); (X.L.)
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (H.E.); (L.P.); (J.K.); (S.H.D.); (K.W.)
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Jenna Carter
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA;
| | - Xinyu Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China; (F.L.); (J.M.); (Y.S.); (X.L.)
| | - Lisa Polin
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (H.E.); (L.P.); (J.K.); (S.H.D.); (K.W.)
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Juiwanna Kushner
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (H.E.); (L.P.); (J.K.); (S.H.D.); (K.W.)
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Sijana H. Dzinic
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (H.E.); (L.P.); (J.K.); (S.H.D.); (K.W.)
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Kathryn White
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (H.E.); (L.P.); (J.K.); (S.H.D.); (K.W.)
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Guan Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China; (F.L.); (J.M.); (Y.S.); (X.L.)
- Correspondence: (G.W.); (Y.G.)
| | - Jeffrey W. Taub
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Yubin Ge
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (H.E.); (L.P.); (J.K.); (S.H.D.); (K.W.)
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA;
- Correspondence: (G.W.); (Y.G.)
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14
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ATR-CHK1 pathway as a therapeutic target for acute and chronic leukemias. Cancer Treat Rev 2020; 88:102026. [PMID: 32592909 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2020.102026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Progress in cancer therapy changed the outcome of many patients and moved therapy from chemotherapy agents to targeted drugs. Targeted drugs already changed the clinical practice in treatment of leukemias, such as imatinib (BCR/ABL inhibitor) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), ibrutinib (Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), venetoclax (BCL2 inhibitor) in CLL and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or midostaurin (FLT3 inhibitor) in AML. In this review, we focused on DNA damage response (DDR) inhibition, specifically on inhibition of ATR-CHK1 pathway. Cancer cells harbor often defects in different DDR pathways, which render them vulnerable to DDR inhibition. Some DDR inhibitors showed interesting single-agent activity even in the absence of cytotoxic drug especially in cancers with underlying defects in DDR or DNA replication. Almost no mutations were found in ATR and CHEK1 genes in leukemia patients. Together with the fact that ATR-CHK1 pathway is essential for cell development and survival of leukemia cells, it represents a promising therapeutic target for treatment of leukemia. ATR-CHK1 inhibition showed excellent results in preclinical testing in acute and chronic leukemias. However, results in clinical trials are so far insufficient. Therefore, the ongoing and future clinical trials will decide on the success of ATR/CHK1 inhibitors in clinical practice of leukemia treatment.
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15
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Yu X, Li W, Liu H, Deng Q, Wang X, Hu H, Xu-Monette ZY, Xiong W, Lu Z, Young KH, Wang W, Li Y. Ubiquitination of the DNA-damage checkpoint kinase CHK1 by TRAF4 is required for CHK1 activation. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:40. [PMID: 32357935 PMCID: PMC7193419 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00869-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant activation of DNA damage response (DDR) is a major cause of chemoresistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). CHK1 is upregulated in CRC and contributes to therapeutic resistance. We investigated the upstream signaling pathways governing CHK1 activation in CRC. METHODS We identified CHK1-binding proteins by mass spectrometry analysis. We analyzed the biologic consequences of knockout or overexpression of TRAF4 using immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence. CHK1 and TRAF4 ubiquitination was studied in vitro and in vivo. We tested the functions of TRAF4 in CHK1 phosphorylation and CRC chemoresistance by measuring cell viability and proliferation, anchorage-dependent and -independent cell growth, and mouse xenograft tumorigenesis. We analyzed human CRC specimens by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS TRAF4 catalyzed the ubiquitination of CHK1 in multiple CRC cell lines. Following DNA damage, ubiquitination of CHK1 at K132 by TRAF4 is required for CHK1 phosphorylation and activation mediated by ATR. Notably, TRAF4 was highly expressed in chemotherapy-resistant CRC specimens and positively correlated with phosphorylated CHK1. Furthermore, depletion of TRAF4 impaired CHK1 activity and sensitized CRC cells to fluorouracil and other chemotherapeutic agents in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS These data reveal two novel steps required for CHK1 activation in which TRAF4 serves as a critical intermediary and suggest that inhibition of the ATR-TRAF4-CHK1 signaling may overcome CRC chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinfang Yu
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haidan Liu
- Clinical Center for Gene Diagnosis and Therapy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qipan Deng
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Hui Hu
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zijun Y Xu-Monette
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wei Xiong
- Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhongxin Lu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ken H Young
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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16
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Luedtke DA, Su Y, Ma J, Li X, Buck SA, Edwards H, Polin L, Kushner J, Dzinic SH, White K, Lin H, Taub JW, Ge Y. Inhibition of CDK9 by voruciclib synergistically enhances cell death induced by the Bcl-2 selective inhibitor venetoclax in preclinical models of acute myeloid leukemia. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:17. [PMID: 32296028 PMCID: PMC7042303 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-0112-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Venetoclax, an FDA-approved Bcl-2 selective inhibitor for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), is tolerated well in elderly patients with AML and has good overall response rates; however, resistance remains a concern. In this study, we show that targeting CDK9 with voruciclib in combination with venetoclax results in synergistic antileukemic activity against AML cell lines and primary patient samples. CDK9 inhibition enhances venetoclax activity through downregulation of Mcl-1 and c-Myc. However, downregulation of Mcl-1 is transient, which necessitates an intermittent treatment schedule to allow for repeated downregulation of Mcl-1. Accordingly, an every other day schedule of the CDK9 inhibitor is effective in vitro and in vivo in enhancing the efficacy of venetoclax. Our preclinical data provide a rationale for an intermittent drug administration schedule for the clinical evaluation of the combination treatment for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Luedtke
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Yongwei Su
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 130021, Changchun, China
| | - Jun Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 130021, Changchun, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 130021, Changchun, China
| | - Steven A Buck
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA, 48201.,Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Holly Edwards
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Lisa Polin
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Juiwanna Kushner
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Sijana H Dzinic
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Kathryn White
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Hai Lin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 130021, Changchun, China
| | - Jeffrey W Taub
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA, 48201.,Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Yubin Ge
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA. .,Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA. .,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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17
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Ghelli Luserna di Rorà A, Martinelli G, Simonetti G. The balance between mitotic death and mitotic slippage in acute leukemia: a new therapeutic window? J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:123. [PMID: 31771633 PMCID: PMC6880427 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0808-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitosis is the process whereby an eukaryotic cell divides into two identical copies. Different multiprotein complexes are involved in the fine regulation of cell division, including the mitotic promoting factor and the anaphase promoting complex. Prolonged mitosis can result in cellular division, cell death, or mitotic slippage, the latter leading to a new interphase without cellular division. Mitotic slippage is one of the causes of genomic instability and has an important therapeutic and clinical impact. It has been widely studied in solid tumors but not in hematological malignancies, in particular, in acute leukemia. We review the literature data available on mitotic regulation, alterations in mitotic proteins occurring in acute leukemia, induction of prolonged mitosis and its consequences, focusing in particular on the balance between cell death and mitotic slippage and on its therapeutic potentials. We also present the most recent preclinical and clinical data on the efficacy of second-generation mitotic drugs (CDK1-Cyclin B1, APC/CCDC20, PLK, Aurora kinase inhibitors). Despite the poor clinical activity showed by these drugs as single agents, they offer a potential therapeutic window for synthetic lethal combinations aimed to selectively target leukemic cells at the right time, thus decreasing the risk of mitotic slippage events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ghelli Luserna di Rorà
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Giorgia Simonetti
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via P. Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
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18
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Ghelli Luserna Di Rorà A, Bocconcelli M, Ferrari A, Terragna C, Bruno S, Imbrogno E, Beeharry N, Robustelli V, Ghetti M, Napolitano R, Chirumbolo G, Marconi G, Papayannidis C, Paolini S, Sartor C, Simonetti G, Yen TJ, Martinelli G. Synergism Through WEE1 and CHK1 Inhibition in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11111654. [PMID: 31717700 PMCID: PMC6895917 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Screening for synthetic lethality markers has demonstrated that the inhibition of the cell cycle checkpoint kinases WEE1 together with CHK1 drastically affects stability of the cell cycle and induces cell death in rapidly proliferating cells. Exploiting this finding for a possible therapeutic approach has showed efficacy in various solid and hematologic tumors, though not specifically tested in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Methods: The efficacy of the combination between WEE1 and CHK1 inhibitors in B and T cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B/T-ALL) was evaluated in vitro and ex vivo studies. The efficacy of the therapeutic strategy was tested in terms of cytotoxicity, induction of apoptosis, and changes in cell cycle profile and protein expression using B/T-ALL cell lines. In addition, the efficacy of the drug combination was studied in primary B-ALL blasts using clonogenic assays. Results: This study reports, for the first time, the efficacy of the concomitant inhibition of CHK1/CHK2 and WEE1 in ALL cell lines and primary leukemic B-ALL cells using two selective inhibitors: PF-0047736 (CHK1/CHK2 inhibitor) and AZD-1775 (WEE1 inhibitor). We showed strong synergism in the reduction of cell viability, proliferation and induction of apoptosis. The efficacy of the combination was related to the induction of early S-phase arrest and to the induction of DNA damage, ultimately triggering cell death. We reported evidence that the efficacy of the combination treatment is independent from the activation of the p53-p21 pathway. Moreover, gene expression analysis on B-ALL primary samples showed that Chek1 and Wee1 are significantly co-expressed in samples at diagnosis (Pearson r = 0.5770, p = 0.0001) and relapse (Pearson r= 0.8919; p = 0.0001). Finally, the efficacy of the combination was confirmed by the reduction in clonogenic survival of primary leukemic B-ALL cells. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the combination of CHK1 and WEE1 inhibitors may be a promising therapeutic strategy to be tested in clinical trials for adult ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matteo Bocconcelli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Ferrari
- Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (A.G.L.D.R.)
| | - Carolina Terragna
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Samantha Bruno
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Enrica Imbrogno
- Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (A.G.L.D.R.)
| | | | - Valentina Robustelli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Ghetti
- Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (A.G.L.D.R.)
| | - Roberta Napolitano
- Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (A.G.L.D.R.)
| | - Gabriella Chirumbolo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marconi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristina Papayannidis
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Paolini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Sartor
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgia Simonetti
- Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (A.G.L.D.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Timothy J. Yen
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111-2497, USA
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (A.G.L.D.R.)
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Brattås MK, Reikvam H, Tvedt THA, Bruserud Ø. Precision medicine for TP53-mutated acute myeloid leukemia. EXPERT REVIEW OF PRECISION MEDICINE AND DRUG DEVELOPMENT 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/23808993.2019.1644164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Håkon Reikvam
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Section for Hematology, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Øystein Bruserud
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Section for Hematology, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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20
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Qi W, Xu X, Wang M, Li X, Wang C, Sun L, Zhao D, Sun L. Inhibition of Wee1 sensitizes AML cells to ATR inhibitor VE-822-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 164:273-282. [PMID: 31014753 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Resistance to standard induction therapy and relapse remain the primary challenges for improving therapeutic effects in acute myeloid leukemia (AML); thus, novel therapeutic strategies are urgently required. Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR) is a key regulator of different types of DNA damage, which is crucial for the maintenance of genomic integrity. The ATR-selective inhibitor VE-822 has proper solubility, potency, and pharmacokinetic properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-leukemic effects of VE-822 alone or combined with Wee1-selective inhibitor AZD1775 in AML cells. Our results showed that VE-822 inhibited AML cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. AZD1775 significantly promoted VE-822-induced inhibition of AML cell proliferation and led to a decreased number of cells in the G2/M phase. VE-822 and AZD1775 decreased the protein levels of ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) and M2 (RRM2) subunits, key enzymes in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate, which increased DNA replication stress. VE-822 combined with AZD1775 synergistically induced AML cell apoptosis and led to replication stress and DNA damage in AML cell lines. Our study demonstrated that AZD1775 synergistically promotes VE-822-induced anti-leukemic activity in AML cell lines and provides support for clinical research on VE-822 in combination with AZD1775 for the treatment of AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiu Qi
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of BioMacromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaohao Xu
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Manying Wang
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiangyan Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of BioMacromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chaonan Wang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of BioMacromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Liping Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of BioMacromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Daqing Zhao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of BioMacromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Liwei Sun
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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21
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Luedtke DA, Su Y, Liu S, Edwards H, Wang Y, Lin H, Taub JW, Ge Y. Inhibition of XPO1 enhances cell death induced by ABT-199 in acute myeloid leukaemia via Mcl-1. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:6099-6111. [PMID: 30596398 PMCID: PMC6237582 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins play critical roles in resistance to chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The Bcl-2-selective inhibitor ABT-199 (Venetoclax) shows promising antileukaemic activity against AML, though Mcl-1 limits its antileukaemic activity. XPO1 is a nuclear exporter overexpressed in AML cells and its inhibition decreases Mcl-1 levels in cancer cells. Thus, we hypothesized that the XPO1-selective inhibitor KPT-330 (Selinexor) can synergize with ABT-199 to induce apoptosis in AML cells through down-regulation of Mcl-1. The combination of KPT-330 and ABT-199 was found to synergistically induce apoptosis in AML cell lines and primary patient samples and cooperatively inhibit colony formation capacity of primary AML cells. KPT-330 treatment decreased Mcl-1 protein after apoptosis initiation. However, binding of Bim to Mcl-1 induced by ABT-199 was abrogated by KPT-330 at the same time as apoptosis initiation. KPT-330 treatment increased binding of Bcl-2 to Bim but was overcome by ABT-199 treatment, demonstrating that KPT-330 and ABT-199 reciprocally overcome apoptosis resistance. Mcl-1 knockdown and overexpression confirmed its critical role in the antileukaemic activity of the combination. In summary, KPT-330 treatment, alone and in combination with ABT-199, modulates Mcl-1, which plays an important role in the antileukaemic activity of the combination.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/administration & dosage
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Drug Synergism
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Humans
- Hydrazines/administration & dosage
- Karyopherins/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics
- Sulfonamides/administration & dosage
- Triazoles/administration & dosage
- Exportin 1 Protein
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A. Luedtke
- Cancer Biology Graduate ProgramWayne State University School of MedicineDetroitMIUSA
| | - Yongwei Su
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS VaccineSchool of Life SciencesJilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Shuang Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS VaccineSchool of Life SciencesJilin UniversityChangchunChina
- Department of PediatricsWayne State University School of MedicineDetroitMIUSA
| | - Holly Edwards
- Department of OncologyWayne State University School of MedicineDetroitMIUSA
- Molecular Therapeutics ProgramKarmanos Cancer InstituteWayne State University School of MedicineDetroitMIUSA
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and OncologyThe First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Hai Lin
- Department of Hematology and OncologyThe First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Jeffrey W. Taub
- Department of PediatricsWayne State University School of MedicineDetroitMIUSA
- Molecular Therapeutics ProgramKarmanos Cancer InstituteWayne State University School of MedicineDetroitMIUSA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and OncologyChildren's Hospital of MichiganDetroitMIUSA
| | - Yubin Ge
- Cancer Biology Graduate ProgramWayne State University School of MedicineDetroitMIUSA
- Department of PediatricsWayne State University School of MedicineDetroitMIUSA
- Department of OncologyWayne State University School of MedicineDetroitMIUSA
- Molecular Therapeutics ProgramKarmanos Cancer InstituteWayne State University School of MedicineDetroitMIUSA
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22
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Duan Y, Dong X, Nie J, Li P, Lu F, Ma D, Ji C. Wee1 kinase inhibitor MK-1775 induces apoptosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells and enhances the efficacy of doxorubicin involving downregulation of Notch pathway. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:5473-5481. [PMID: 30250620 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy affecting pediatric and adult populations. Although the outcomes of ALL in children have improved markedly in previous years, limited treatment strategies are available at present for adult patients with ALL. Wee1 is a crucial cell cycle checkpoint kinase of G2/M that regulates cell cycle progression and maintains chromatin integrity. MK-1775, a selective inhibitor of Wee1 has recently been identified to be able to induce apoptosis of tumor cells by abrogating G2/M checkpoint. The present study investigated the anti-leukemic activity of MK-1775 alone and in combination with doxorubicin (Adriamycin®; ADM) in various human ALL cell lines. MK-1775 treatment induced apoptosis of ALL cells, accompanied by unscheduled mitotic entry and downregulation of Notch pathway. The anti-leukemic activity of MK-1775 was in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The data also indicated that it decreased the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of ADM compared with the control group. The combination of MK-1775 and ADM induced an increased apoptotic rate compared with each agent alone. In addition, the human bone marrow stromal cell HS-5 cell line was detected to exhibit an increased IC50 value of MK-1775 treatment in contrast to ALL cell lines. It indicates that the hematopoietic supportive capability may remain intact during the treatment of MK-1775. Taken together, the Wee1 inhibitor MK-1775 may be an attractive agent in the treatment of patients with ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchao Duan
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China.,Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Taishan Medical University, Taian, Shandong 271000, P.R. China
| | - Xin Dong
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Jing Nie
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Central Hospital of Taian, Taian, Shandong 271000, P.R. China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Fei Lu
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Daoxin Ma
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Chunyan Ji
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
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23
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Ghelli Luserna Di Rorà A, Beeharry N, Imbrogno E, Ferrari A, Robustelli V, Righi S, Sabattini E, Verga Falzacappa MV, Ronchini C, Testoni N, Baldazzi C, Papayannidis C, Abbenante MC, Marconi G, Paolini S, Parisi S, Sartor C, Fontana MC, De Matteis S, Iacobucci I, Pelicci PG, Cavo M, Yen TJ, Martinelli G. Targeting WEE1 to enhance conventional therapies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Hematol Oncol 2018; 11:99. [PMID: 30068368 PMCID: PMC6090987 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-018-0641-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the recent progress that has been made in the understanding and treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the outcome is still dismal in adult ALL cases. Several studies in solid tumors identified high expression of WEE1 kinase as a poor prognostic factor and reported its role as a cancer-conserving oncogene that protects cancer cells from DNA damage. Therefore, the targeted inhibition of WEE1 kinase has emerged as a rational strategy to sensitize cancer cells to antineoplastic compounds, which we evaluate in this study. METHODS The effectiveness of the selective WEE1 inhibitor AZD-1775 as a single agent and in combination with different antineoplastic agents in B and T cell precursor ALL (B/T-ALL) was evaluated in vitro and ex vivo studies. The efficacy of the compound in terms of cytotoxicity, induction of apoptosis, and changes in gene and protein expression was assessed using different B/T-ALL cell lines and confirmed in primary ALL blasts. RESULTS We showed that WEE1 was highly expressed in adult primary ALL bone marrow and peripheral blood blasts (n = 58) compared to normal mononuclear cells isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy donors (p = 0.004). Thus, we hypothesized that WEE1 could be a rational target in ALL, and its inhibition could enhance the cytotoxicity of conventional therapies used for ALL. We evaluated the efficacy of AZD-1775 as a single agent and in combination with several antineoplastic agents, and we elucidated its mechanisms of action. AZD-1775 reduced cell viability in B/T-ALL cell lines by disrupting the G2/M checkpoint and inducing apoptosis. These findings were confirmed in human primary ALL bone marrow and peripheral blood blasts (n = 15). In both cell lines and primary leukemic cells, AZD-1775 significantly enhanced the efficacy of several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as bosutinib, imatinib, and ponatinib, and of chemotherapeutic agents (clofarabine and doxorubicin) in terms of the reduction of cell viability, apoptosis induction, and inhibition of proliferation. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that WEE1 plays a role in ALL blast's survival and is a bona fide target for therapeutic intervention. These data support the evaluation of the therapeutic potential of AZD-1775 as chemo-sensitizer agent for the treatment of B/T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ghelli Luserna Di Rorà
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Neil Beeharry
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
- LAM Therapeutics, Guilford, CT USA
| | - Enrica Imbrogno
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Ferrari
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Robustelli
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Simona Righi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Sabattini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Ronchini
- Laboratory of Clinical Genomics, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Testoni
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmen Baldazzi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristina Papayannidis
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Abbenante
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marconi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Paolini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sarah Parisi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Sartor
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Fontana
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Serena De Matteis
- Biosciences Laboratory, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Ilaria Iacobucci
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN USA
| | | | - Michele Cavo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Hematology “L. e A. Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Timothy J. Yen
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
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24
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Zhao J, Niu X, Li X, Edwards H, Wang G, Wang Y, Taub JW, Lin H, Ge Y. Inhibition of CHK1 enhances cell death induced by the Bcl-2-selective inhibitor ABT-199 in acute myeloid leukemia cells. Oncotarget 2017; 7:34785-99. [PMID: 27166183 PMCID: PMC5085189 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to standard chemotherapy agents remains a major obstacle for improving treatment outcomes for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The Bcl-2-selective inhibitor ABT-199 has demonstrated encouraging preclinical results, drug resistance remains a concern. Mcl-1 has been demonstrated to contribute to ABT-199 resistance, thus combining with therapies that target Mcl-1 could overcome such resistance. In this study, we utilized a CHK1 inhibitor, LY2603618, to decrease Mcl-1 and enhance ABT-199 efficacy. We found that LY2603618 treatment resulted in abolishment of the G2/M cell cycle checkpoint and increased DNA damage, which was partially dependent on CDK activity. LY2603618 treatment resulted in decrease of Mcl-1, which coincided with the initiation of apoptosis. Overexpression of Mcl-1 in AML cells significantly attenuated apoptosis induced by LY2603618, confirming the critical role of Mcl-1 in apoptosis induced by the agent. Simultaneous treatment with LY2603618 and ABT-199 resulted in synergistic induction of apoptosis in both AML cell lines and primary patient samples. Our findings provide new insights into overcoming a mechanism of intrinsic ABT-199 resistance in AML cells and support the clinical development of combined ABT-199 and CHK1 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyun Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Xiaojia Niu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Holly Edwards
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Guan Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jeffrey W Taub
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Hai Lin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yubin Ge
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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25
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Su Y, Li X, Ma J, Zhao J, Liu S, Wang G, Edwards H, Taub JW, Lin H, Ge Y. Targeting PI3K, mTOR, ERK, and Bcl-2 signaling network shows superior antileukemic activity against AML ex vivo. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 148:13-26. [PMID: 29208365 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains challenging to treat and needs more effective treatments. The PI3K/mTOR pathway is involved in cell survival and has been shown to be constitutively active in 50-80% of AML patients. However, targeting the PI3K/mTOR pathway results in activation of the ERK pathway, which also plays an important role in cell survival. In addition, AML cells often overexpress antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins (e.g., Bcl-2), preventing cell death. Thus, our strategy here is to target the PI3K, mTOR (by VS-5584, a PI3K and mTOR dual inhibitor), ERK (by SCH772984, an ERK-selective inhibitor), and Bcl-2 (by ABT-199, a Bcl-2-selective inhibitor) signaling network to kill AML cells. In this study, we show that while inhibition of PI3K, mTOR, and ERK showed superior induction of cell death compared to inhibition of PI3K and mTOR, the levels of cell death were modest in some AML cell lines and primary patient samples tested. Although simultaneous inhibition of PI3K, mTOR, and ERK caused downregulation of Mcl-1 and upregulation of Bim, immunoprecipitation of Bcl-2 revealed increased binding of Bim to Bcl-2, which was abolished by the addition of ABT-199, suggesting that Bim was bound to Bcl-2 which prevented cell death. Treatment with combined VS-5584, SCH772984, and ABT-199 showed significant increase in cell death in AML cell lines and primary patient samples and significant reduction in AML colony formation in primary patient samples, while there was no significant effect on colony formation of normal human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells. Taken together, our findings show that inhibition of PI3K, mTOR, and ERK synergistically induces cell death in AML cells, and addition of ABT-199 enhances cell death further. Thus, our data support targeting the PI3K, mTOR, ERK, and Bcl-2 signaling network for the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongwei Su
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Xinyu Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Jun Ma
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Jianyun Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China; Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Shuang Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China; Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Guan Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Holly Edwards
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Taub
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Hai Lin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, PR China.
| | - Yubin Ge
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
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26
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An unexpected protein interaction promotes drug resistance in leukemia. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1547. [PMID: 29146910 PMCID: PMC5691054 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01678-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The overall survival of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is poor and identification of new disease-related therapeutic targets remains a major goal for this disease. Here we show that expression of MPP1, a PDZ-domain-containing protein, highly correlated with ABCC4 in AML, is associated with worse overall survival in AML. Murine hematopoietic progenitor cells overexpressing MPP1 acquired the ability to serially replate in methylcellulose culture, a property crucially dependent upon ABCC4. The highly conserved PDZ-binding motif of ABCC4 is required for ABCC4 and MPP1 to form a protein complex, which increased ABCC4 membrane localization and retention, to enhance drug resistance. Specific disruption of this protein complex, either genetically or chemically, removed ABCC4 from the plasma membrane, increased drug sensitivity, and abrogated MPP1-dependent hematopoietic progenitor cell replating in methylcellulose. High-throughput screening identified Antimycin A as a small molecule that disrupted the ABCC4–MPP1 protein complex and reversed drug resistance in AML cell lines and in primary patient AML cells. In all, targeting the ABCC4–MPP1 protein complex can lead to new therapies to improve treatment outcome of AML, a disease where the long-term prognosis is poor. ABCC4 is a chemotherapeutic drug exporter highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia. Here, the authors demonstrate that MPP1 anchors ABCC4 to the outer cell membrane mediating drug resistance in leukemic cells and identify antimycin A as a chemical probe that disrupts such interaction and restores sensitivity.
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Combined inhibition of Wee1 and Chk1 gives synergistic DNA damage in S-phase due to distinct regulation of CDK activity and CDC45 loading. Oncotarget 2017; 8:10966-10979. [PMID: 28030798 PMCID: PMC5355238 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have shown synergistic cytotoxic effects of simultaneous Chk1- and Wee1-inhibition. However, the mechanisms behind this synergy are not known. Here, we present a flow cytometry-based screen for compounds that cause increased DNA damage in S-phase when combined with the Wee1-inhibitor MK1775. Strikingly, the Chk1-inhibitors AZD7762 and LY2603618 were among the top candidate hits of 1664 tested compounds, suggesting that the synergistic cytotoxic effects are due to increased S-phase DNA damage. Combined Wee1- and Chk1-inhibition caused a strong synergy in induction of S-phase DNA damage and reduction of clonogenic survival. To address the underlying mechanisms, we developed a novel assay measuring CDK-dependent phosphorylations in single S-phase cells. Surprisingly, while Wee1-inhibition alone induced less DNA damage compared to Chk1-inhibition, Wee1-inhibition caused a bigger increase in S-phase CDK-activity. However, the loading of replication initiation factor CDC45 was more increased after Chk1- than Wee1-inhibition and further increased by the combined treatment, and thus correlated well with DNA damage. Therefore, when Wee1 alone is inhibited, Chk1 suppresses CDC45 loading and thereby limits the extent of unscheduled replication initiation and subsequent S-phase DNA damage, despite very high CDK-activity. These results can explain why combined treatment with Wee1- and Chk1-inhibitors gives synergistic anti-cancer effects.
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28
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Inhibition of Mcl-1 enhances cell death induced by the Bcl-2-selective inhibitor ABT-199 in acute myeloid leukemia cells. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2017; 2:17012. [PMID: 29263915 PMCID: PMC5661618 DOI: 10.1038/sigtrans.2017.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a serious disease. The 5-year survival rates remain frustratingly low (65% for children and 26% for adults). Resistance to frontline chemotherapy (usually cytarabine) often develops; therefore a new treatment modality is needed. Bcl-2 family proteins play an important role in balancing cell survival and apoptosis. The antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins have been found to be dysregulated in AML. ABT-199, a BH3 mimetic, was developed to target antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Although ABT-199 has demonstrated promising results, resistance occurs. Previous studies in AML show that ABT-199 alone decreases the association of proapoptotic protein Bim with Bcl-2, but this is compensated by increased association of Bim with prosurvival protein Mcl-1, stabilizing Mcl-1, resulting in resistance to ABT-199. In this study, we investigated the antileukemic activity of the Mcl-1-selective inhibitor A-1210477 in combination with ABT-199 in AML cells. We found that A-1210477 synergistically induced apoptosis with ABT-199 in AML cell lines and primary patient samples. The synergistic induction of apoptosis was decreased upon Bak, Bax and Bim knockdown. While A-1210477 treatment alone also increased Mcl-1 protein levels, combination with ABT-199 reduced binding of Bim to Mcl-1. Our results demonstrate that sequestration of Bim by Mcl-1, a mechanism of ABT-199 resistance, can be abrogated by combined treatment with the Mcl-1 inhibitor A-1201477.
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29
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Ghelli Luserna di Rora’ A, Iacobucci I, Martinelli G. The cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of leukemias. J Hematol Oncol 2017; 10:77. [PMID: 28356161 PMCID: PMC5371185 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0443-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The inhibition of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway in the treatment of cancers has recently reached an exciting stage with several cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors that are now being tested in several clinical trials in cancer patients. Although the great amount of pre-clinical and clinical data are from the solid tumor experience, only few studies have been done on leukemias using specific cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors. This review aims to summarize the most recent data found on the biological mechanisms of the response to DNA damages highlighting the role of the different elements of the DDR pathway in normal and cancer cells and focusing on the main genetic alteration or aberrant gene expression that has been found on acute and chronic leukemias. This review, for the first time, outlines the most important pre-clinical and clinical data available on the efficacy of cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors in single agent and in combination with different agents normally used for the treatment of acute and chronic leukemias.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - I. Iacobucci
- Department of Hematology and Medical Sciences “L. and A. Seràgnoli”, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
- Present: Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN USA
| | - G. Martinelli
- Department of Hematology and Medical Sciences “L. and A. Seràgnoli”, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
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30
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Ebeid K, Ho GN, Salem AK. HPLC-UV method for simultaneous determination of MK-1775 and AZD-7762 in both acetonitrile-aqueous solution and mouse plasma. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2017; 1044-1045:70-76. [PMID: 28088043 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2016.12.031] [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] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A sensitive and precise method is described for the simultaneous determination of two small molecule kinase inhibitors: MK-1775 (MK) and AZD-7762 (AZD), in acetonitrile (ACN)-aqueous solution and in mouse plasma. A Nova-Pak C18 reversed phase column (3.9mm×150mm, 4μm, 60Å) was utilized in the separation using an isocratic mobile phase of 0.1% v/v triethylamine in phosphate buffer (pH=7.4): acetonitrile (ACN) (60:40, v/v), at a flow rate of 0.8mL/min. Detection wavelength was set at 310nm for both MK and AZD, and 431nm for the internal standard sunitinib (SUN). The developed method was validated following the ICH guidelines and it was shown to be accurate, precise and linear in the range of 41ng/mL to 8333ng/mL for both drugs in the ACN-aqueous solution and from 83ng/mL to 8333ng/mL for both drugs in mouse plasma samples. For the first time, the presented data suggest the suitability of this method for the simultaneous separation and quantification of MK and AZD in both ACN aqueous solution as well as in mouse plasma samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kareem Ebeid
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Translational Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 51141, USA
| | - Giang N Ho
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Translational Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 51141, USA
| | - Aliasger K Salem
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Translational Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 51141, USA.
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31
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Ma J, Li X, Su Y, Zhao J, Luedtke DA, Epshteyn V, Edwards H, Wang G, Wang Z, Chu R, Taub JW, Lin H, Wang Y, Ge Y. Mechanisms responsible for the synergistic antileukemic interactions between ATR inhibition and cytarabine in acute myeloid leukemia cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41950. [PMID: 28176818 PMCID: PMC5296912 DOI: 10.1038/srep41950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) continues to be a challenging disease to treat, thus new treatment strategies are needed. In this study, we investigated the antileukemic effects of ATR inhibition alone or combined with cytarabine in AML cells. Treatment with the ATR-selective inhibitor AZ20 caused proliferation inhibition in AML cell lines and primary patient samples. It partially abolished the G2 cell cycle checkpoint and caused DNA replication stress and damage, accompanied by CDK1-independent apoptosis and downregulation of RRM1 and RRM2. AZ20 synergistically enhanced cytarabine-induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis, abolished cytarabine-induced S and G2/M cell cycle arrest, and cooperated with cytarabine in inducing DNA replication stress and damage in AML cell lines. These key findings were confirmed with another ATR-selective inhibitor AZD6738. Therefore, the cooperative induction of DNA replication stress and damage by ATR inhibition and cytarabine, and the ability of ATR inhibition to abrogate the G2 cell cycle checkpoint both contributed to the synergistic induction of apoptosis and proliferation inhibition in AML cell lines. Synergistic antileukemic interactions between AZ20 and cytarabine were confirmed in primary AML patient samples. Our findings provide insight into the mechanism of action underlying the synergistic antileukemic activity of ATR inhibition in combination with cytarabine in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ma
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Xinyu Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Yongwei Su
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Jianyun Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China.,Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Daniel A Luedtke
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Valeria Epshteyn
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Holly Edwards
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Guan Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Zhihong Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Roland Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Taub
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Hai Lin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Yubin Ge
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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32
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Busch CJ, Kröger MS, Jensen J, Kriegs M, Gatzemeier F, Petersen C, Münscher A, Rothkamm K, Rieckmann T. G2-checkpoint targeting and radiosensitization of HPV/p16-positive HNSCC cells through the inhibition of Chk1 and Wee1. Radiother Oncol 2016; 122:260-266. [PMID: 27939202 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2016.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE HPV-positive HNSCC cells are characterized by radiosensitivity, inefficient DNA double-strand break repair and a profound and prolonged arrest in G2. Here we explored the effect of clinically relevant inhibitors of Chk1 and Wee1 to inhibit the radiation-induced G2-arrest in order to achieve further radiosensitization. MATERIAL AND METHODS Assessment of Chk1 activity by Western blot; assessment of cell cycle distribution by propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry; assessment of cell survival by colony formation assay. HPV+ HNSCC cell lines: UD-SCC-2, UM-SCC-47 and UPCI-SCC-154; Chk1 inhibitors: LY2603618, MK8776; Wee1 inhibitor: AZD1775. RESULTS Specific Chk1 inhibitors efficiently abrogated the radiation-induced G2-arrest and caused radiosensitization. Wee-inhibition by AZD1775 resulted in the activation of Chk1. This feedback mechanism is likely to counteract some of the effects of Wee1 inhibition but could be antagonized through the combined inhibition of both kinases. Combined inhibition was effective using profoundly reduced concentrations of both inhibitors and resulted in more efficient radiosensitization of the HPV-positive cell lines compared to p53 proficient normal human fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS Specific Chk1 inhibitors as well as the combined inhibition of Chk1 and Wee1 radiosensitize HPV-positive HNSCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Jung Busch
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Marie Sophie Kröger
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany; Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Jana Jensen
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany; Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Malte Kriegs
- Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Fruzsina Gatzemeier
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany; Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Cordula Petersen
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Adrian Münscher
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Kai Rothkamm
- Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Thorsten Rieckmann
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany; Laboratory of Radiobiology & Experimental Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany.
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33
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Qi W, Zhang W, Edwards H, Chu R, Madlambayan GJ, Taub JW, Wang Z, Wang Y, Li C, Lin H, Ge Y. Synergistic anti-leukemic interactions between panobinostat and MK-1775 in acute myeloid leukemia ex vivo. Cancer Biol Ther 2016; 16:1784-93. [PMID: 26529495 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2015.1095406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
MK-1775 is the first-in-class selective Wee1 inhibitor which has been demonstrated to synergize with CHK1 inhibitors in various malignancies. In this study, we report that the pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI) panobinostat synergizes with MK-1775 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a malignancy which remains a clinical challenge and requires more effective therapies. Using both AML cell line models and primary patient samples, we demonstrated that panobinostat and MK-1775 synergistically induced proliferation arrest and cell death. We also demonstrated that panobinostat had equal anti-leukemic activities against primary AML blasts derived from patients either at initial diagnosis or at relapse. Interestingly, treatment with panobinostat alone or in combination with MK-1775 resulted in decreased Wee1 protein levels as well as downregulation of the CHK1 pathway. shRNA knockdown of CHK1 significantly sensitized AML cells to MK-1775 treatment, while knockdown of Wee1 significantly enhanced both MK-1775- and panobinostat-induced cell death. Our results demonstrate that panobinostat synergizes with MK-1775 in AML cells, at least in part through downregulation of CHK1 and/or Wee1, providing compelling evidence for the clinical development of the combination treatment in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiu Qi
- a National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine; Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering; the Ministry of Education; School of Life Sciences; Jilin University ; Changchun , China
| | - Wenbo Zhang
- a National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine; Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering; the Ministry of Education; School of Life Sciences; Jilin University ; Changchun , China
| | - Holly Edwards
- b Department of Oncology ; Wayne State University School of Medicine ; Detroit , MI USA.,c Molecular Therapeutics Program; Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute; Wayne State University School of Medicine ; Detroit , MI USA
| | - Roland Chu
- d Department of Pediatrics ; Wayne State University School of Medicine ; Detroit , MI USA.,e Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology; Children's Hospital of Michigan ; Detroit , MI USA
| | | | - Jeffrey W Taub
- c Molecular Therapeutics Program; Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute; Wayne State University School of Medicine ; Detroit , MI USA.,d Department of Pediatrics ; Wayne State University School of Medicine ; Detroit , MI USA.,e Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology; Children's Hospital of Michigan ; Detroit , MI USA
| | - Zhihong Wang
- d Department of Pediatrics ; Wayne State University School of Medicine ; Detroit , MI USA.,e Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology; Children's Hospital of Michigan ; Detroit , MI USA
| | - Yue Wang
- f Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology; The First Hospital of Jilin University ; Cangchun , China
| | - Chunhuai Li
- f Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology; The First Hospital of Jilin University ; Cangchun , China
| | - Hai Lin
- g Department of Hematology and Oncology; The First Hospital of Jilin University ; Changchun , China
| | - Yubin Ge
- b Department of Oncology ; Wayne State University School of Medicine ; Detroit , MI USA.,c Molecular Therapeutics Program; Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute; Wayne State University School of Medicine ; Detroit , MI USA
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34
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Schwartz J, Niu X, Walton E, Hurley L, Lin H, Edwards H, Taub JW, Wang Z, Ge Y. Synergistic anti-leukemic interactions between ABT-199 and panobinostat in acute myeloid leukemia ex vivo. Am J Transl Res 2016; 8:3893-3902. [PMID: 27725868 PMCID: PMC5040686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Cure rates for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain suboptimal; thus new treatment strategies are needed for this deadly disease. Poor clinical outcomes have been associated with overexpression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Mcl-1, which have garnered great interest as therapeutic targets. While the Bcl-2-selective inhibitor ABT-199 has demonstrated promising preclinical anti-leukemic activities, intrinsic drug resistance remains a problem. In our most recent study, we identified Mcl-1 sequestration of Bim as a mechanism of intrinsic resistance to ABT-199 in AML cells, thus upregulating Bim could overcome such resistance. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDACI) are a class of agents that have been confirmed to upregulate Bim. This prompted our hypothesis that combining an HDACI with ABT-199 would overcome intrinsic resistance to ABT-199 and result in synergistic anti-leukemic activity against AML. In this study, we investigated the anti-leukemic activity of panobinostat, a pan-HDACI, in combination with ABT-199 in AML cell lines and primary patient samples. We found that the combined drug treatment resulted in synergistic induction of cell death in both AML cell lines and primary patient samples. Panobinostat treatment resulted in upregulation of Bim, which remained elevated in the presence of ABT-199. In addition, shRNA knockdown of Bim in AML cell lines significantly attenuated apoptosis induced by combined panobinostat and ABT-199. Our results provide compelling evidence that Bim plays a key role in the combined anti-leukemic activity of panobinostat and ABT-199 against AML, and support clinical evaluation of combined panobinostat and ABT-199 in the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Schwartz
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital of MichiganDetroit, MI, USA
| | - Xiaojia Niu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology & Engineering, The Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Eric Walton
- MD/PhD Program, School of Medicine, Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI, USA
| | - Laura Hurley
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, School of Medicine, Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI, USA
| | - Hai Lin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, China
| | - Holly Edwards
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI, USA
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Taub
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital of MichiganDetroit, MI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI, USA
| | - Zhihong Wang
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital of MichiganDetroit, MI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI, USA
| | - Yubin Ge
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI, USA
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI, USA
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI, USA
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Niu X, Zhao J, Ma J, Xie C, Edwards H, Wang G, Caldwell JT, Xiang S, Zhang X, Chu R, Wang ZJ, Lin H, Taub JW, Ge Y. Binding of Released Bim to Mcl-1 is a Mechanism of Intrinsic Resistance to ABT-199 which can be Overcome by Combination with Daunorubicin or Cytarabine in AML Cells. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:4440-51. [PMID: 27103402 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-3057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying intrinsic resistance to ABT-199. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Western blots and real-time RT-PCR were used to determine levels of Mcl-1 after ABT-199 treatment alone or in combination with cytarabine or daunorubicin. Immunoprecipitation of Bim and Mcl-1 were used to determine the effect of ABT-199 treatment on their interactions with Bcl-2 family members. Lentiviral short hairpin RNA knockdown of Bim and CRISPR knockdown of Mcl-1 were used to confirm their role in resistance to ABT-199. JC-1 assays and flow cytometry were used to determine drug-induced apoptosis. RESULTS Immunoprecipitation of Bim from ABT-199-treated cell lines and a primary patient sample demonstrated decreased association with Bcl-2, but increased association with Mcl-1 without corresponding change in mitochondrial outer membrane potential. ABT-199 treatment resulted in increased levels of Mcl-1 protein, unchanged or decreased Mcl-1 transcript levels, and increased Mcl-1 protein half-life, suggesting that the association with Bim plays a role in stabilizing Mcl-1 protein. Combining conventional chemotherapeutic agent cytarabine or daunorubicin with ABT-199 resulted in increased DNA damage along with decreased Mcl-1 protein levels, compared with ABT-199 alone, and synergistic induction of cell death in both AML cell lines and primary patient samples obtained from AML patients at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that sequestration of Bim by Mcl-1 is a mechanism of intrinsic ABT-199 resistance and supports the clinical development of ABT-199 in combination with cytarabine or daunorubicin for the treatment of AML. Clin Cancer Res; 22(17); 4440-51. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojia Niu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China. Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Jianyun Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jun Ma
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chengzhi Xie
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Holly Edwards
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Guan Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - J Timothy Caldwell
- MD/PhD Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Shengyan Xiang
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, USF Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, USF Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida. Cancer Biology and Evolution Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Roland Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Zhihong J Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Hai Lin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Jeffrey W Taub
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, Michigan.
| | - Yubin Ge
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.
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Sakurikar N, Eastman A. Critical reanalysis of the methods that discriminate the activity of CDK2 from CDK1. Cell Cycle 2016; 15:1184-8. [PMID: 26986210 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2016.1160983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin dependent kinases 1 and 2 (CDK1 and CDK2) play crucial roles in regulating cell cycle progression from G1 to S, through S, and G2 to M phase. Both inhibition and aberrant activation of CDK1/2 can be detrimental to cancer cell growth. However, the tools routinely employed to discriminate between the activities of these 2 kinases do not have the selectivity commonly attributed to them. Activation of these kinases is often assayed as a decrease of the inhibitory tyrosine-15 phosphorylation, yet the antibodies used cannot discriminate between phosphorylated CDK1 and CDK2. Inhibitors of these kinases, while partially selective against purified kinases, may lack selectivity when applied to intact cells. High levels of cyclin E are often considered a marker of increased CDK2 activity, yet active CDK2 targets cyclin E for degradation, hence high levels usually reflect inactive CDK2. Finally, inhibition of CDK2 does not arrest cells in S phase suggesting CDK2 is not required for S phase progression. Furthermore, activation of CDK2 in S phase can rapidly induce DNA double-strand breaks in some cell lines. The misunderstandings associated with the use of these tools has led to misinterpretation of results. In this review, we highlight these challenges in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandini Sakurikar
- a Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Norris Cotton Cancer Center , Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth , Lebanon , NH , USA
| | - Alan Eastman
- a Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Norris Cotton Cancer Center , Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth , Lebanon , NH , USA
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LIU YANAN, GU JUNLIAN, MA MENGSHI, GUO HUA, LIU LONG, GUO LIRONG, WANG YUE, LI YANG. Diterpenoid B derived from Plectranthus excisus inhibits the melanoma cell cycle in the B16 melanoma cell line. Mol Med Rep 2015; 12:4578-4583. [PMID: 26130189 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Bose P, Grant S. Rational Combinations of Targeted Agents in AML. J Clin Med 2015; 4:634-664. [PMID: 26113989 PMCID: PMC4470160 DOI: 10.3390/jcm4040634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite modest improvements in survival over the last several decades, the treatment of AML continues to present a formidable challenge. Most patients are elderly, and these individuals, as well as those with secondary, therapy-related, or relapsed/refractory AML, are particularly difficult to treat, owing to both aggressive disease biology and the high toxicity of current chemotherapeutic regimens. It has become increasingly apparent in recent years that coordinated interruption of cooperative survival signaling pathways in malignant cells is necessary for optimal therapeutic results. The modest efficacy of monotherapy with both cytotoxic and targeted agents in AML testifies to this. As the complex biology of AML continues to be elucidated, many “synthetic lethal” strategies involving rational combinations of targeted agents have been developed. Unfortunately, relatively few of these have been tested clinically, although there is growing interest in this area. In this article, the preclinical and, where available, clinical data on some of the most promising rational combinations of targeted agents in AML are summarized. While new molecules should continue to be combined with conventional genotoxic drugs of proven efficacy, there is perhaps a need to rethink traditional philosophies of clinical trial development and regulatory approval with a focus on mechanism-based, synergistic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prithviraj Bose
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Massey Cancer Center Center, 1201 E Marshall St, MMEC 11-213, P.O. Box 980070, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Steven Grant
- Departments of Internal Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Human and Molecular Genetics and the Institute for Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Massey Cancer Center, 401 College St, P.O. Box 980035, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +1-804-828-5211; Fax: +1-804-628-5920
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Aleem E, Arceci RJ. Targeting cell cycle regulators in hematologic malignancies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2015; 3:16. [PMID: 25914884 PMCID: PMC4390903 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2015.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematologic malignancies represent the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer in economically developed countries. In hematologic malignancies normal hematopoiesis is interrupted by uncontrolled growth of a genetically altered stem or progenitor cell (HSPC) that maintains its ability of self-renewal. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) not only regulate the mammalian cell cycle, but also influence other vital cellular processes, such as stem cell renewal, differentiation, transcription, epigenetic regulation, apoptosis, and DNA repair. Chromosomal translocations, amplification, overexpression and altered CDK activities have been described in different types of human cancer, which have made them attractive targets for pharmacological inhibition. Mouse models deficient for one or more CDKs have significantly contributed to our current understanding of the physiological functions of CDKs, as well as their roles in human cancer. The present review focuses on selected cell cycle kinases with recent emerging key functions in hematopoiesis and in hematopoietic malignancies, such as CDK6 and its role in MLL-rearranged leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia, CDK1 and its regulator WEE-1 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and cyclin C/CDK8/CDK19 complexes in T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia. The knowledge gained from gene knockout experiments in mice of these kinases is also summarized. An overview of compounds targeting these kinases, which are currently in clinical development in various solid tumors and hematopoietic malignances, is presented. These include the CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors (palbociclib, LEE011, LY2835219), pan-CDK inhibitors that target CDK1 (dinaciclib, flavopiridol, AT7519, TG02, P276-00, terampeprocol and RGB 286638) as well as the WEE-1 kinase inhibitor, MK-1775. The advantage of combination therapy of cell cycle inhibitors with conventional chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of AML, such as cytarabine, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiman Aleem
- Department of Child Health, The Ronald A. Matricaria Institute of Molecular Medicine at Phoenix Children's Hospital, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix Phoenix, AZ, USA ; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Robert J Arceci
- Department of Child Health, The Ronald A. Matricaria Institute of Molecular Medicine at Phoenix Children's Hospital, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix Phoenix, AZ, USA
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WEE1 is a validated target of the microRNA miR-17-92 cluster in leukemia. Cancer Genet 2015; 208:279-87. [PMID: 25732734 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Revised: 01/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs are short single-stranded RNAs that regulate target gene expression by binding to complementary sites in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of their mRNA targets. The polycistronic miR-17-92 cluster, which encodes miR-17, miR-18a, miR-19a, miR-20a, miR-19b, and miR-92a, was previously shown to be overexpressed in multiple types of cancer. In this study, target gene prediction algorithms were used to predict potential targets of the miR-17-92 cluster. WEE1, a kinase that inhibits cell cycle progression, was identified as a possible target of five of the six miRNAs in the cluster. Luciferase reporter assays were used to determine that miR-17, miR-20a, and miR-18a specifically target nucleotides 465-487 of the 3' UTR of WEE1, whereas miR-19a and miR-19b exert control on WEE1 by targeting nucleotides 1069-1091. A negative correlation was determined between endogenous miR-17 or miR-19a expression and endogenous WEE1 protein expression in the same panel of cell lines. We conclude that WEE1 is a valid target of the miR-17-92 cluster in leukemia.
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