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Alsharoh H, Chiroi P, Isachesku E, Tanasa RA, Pop OL, Pirlog R, Berindan-Neagoe I. Personalizing Therapy Outcomes through Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway Inhibition in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1489. [PMID: 39062063 PMCID: PMC11275062 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer (LC) is a highly invasive malignancy and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as its most prevalent histological subtype. Despite all breakthroughs achieved in drug development, the prognosis of NSCLC remains poor. The mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade (MAPKC) is a complex network of interacting molecules that can drive oncogenesis, cancer progression, and drug resistance when dysregulated. Over the past decades, MAPKC components have been used to design MAPKC inhibitors (MAPKCIs), which have shown varying efficacy in treating NSCLC. Thus, recent studies support the potential clinical use of MAPKCIs, especially in combination with other therapeutic approaches. This article provides an overview of the MAPKC and its inhibitors in the clinical management of NSCLC. It addresses the gaps in the current literature on different combinations of selective inhibitors while suggesting two particular therapy approaches to be researched in NSCLC: parallel and aggregate targeting of the MAPKC. This work also provides suggestions that could serve as a potential guideline to aid future research in MAPKCIs to optimize clinical outcomes in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Alsharoh
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (H.A.); (P.C.); (E.I.); (I.B.-N.)
| | - Paul Chiroi
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (H.A.); (P.C.); (E.I.); (I.B.-N.)
| | - Ekaterina Isachesku
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (H.A.); (P.C.); (E.I.); (I.B.-N.)
| | | | - Ovidiu-Laurean Pop
- Department of Morphology Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania;
| | - Radu Pirlog
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (H.A.); (P.C.); (E.I.); (I.B.-N.)
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (H.A.); (P.C.); (E.I.); (I.B.-N.)
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2
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Németh A, Bányai GL, Dobos NK, Kós T, Gaál A, Varga Z, Buzás EI, Khamari D, Dank M, Takács I, Szász AM, Garay T. Extracellular vesicles promote migration despite BRAF inhibitor treatment in malignant melanoma cells. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:282. [PMID: 38778340 PMCID: PMC11110207 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01660-4] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) constitute a vital component of intercellular communication, exerting significant influence on metastasis formation and drug resistance mechanisms. Malignant melanoma (MM) is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancers, because of its high metastatic potential and often acquired resistance to oncotherapies. The prevalence of BRAF mutations in MM underscores the importance of BRAF-targeted therapies, such as vemurafenib and dabrafenib, alone or in combination with the MEK inhibitor, trametinib. This study aimed to elucidate the involvement of EVs in MM progression and ascertain whether EV-mediated metastasis promotion persists during single agent BRAF (vemurafenib, dabrafenib), or MEK (trametinib) and combined BRAF/MEK (dabrafenib/trametinib) inhibition.Using five pairs of syngeneic melanoma cell lines, we assessed the impact of EVs - isolated from their respective supernatants - on melanoma cell proliferation and migration. Cell viability and spheroid growth assays were employed to evaluate proliferation, while migration was analyzed through mean squared displacement (MSD) and total traveled distance (TTD) measurements derived from video microscopy and single-cell tracking.Our results indicate that while EV treatments had remarkable promoting effect on cell migration, they exerted only a modest effect on cell proliferation and spheroid growth. Notably, EVs demonstrated the ability to mitigate the inhibitory effects of BRAF inhibitors, albeit they were ineffective against a MEK inhibitor and the combination of BRAF/MEK inhibitors. In summary, our findings contribute to the understanding of the intricate role played by EVs in tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afrodité Németh
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gréta L Bányai
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nikolett K Dobos
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Kós
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anikó Gaál
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry; Biological Nanochemistry Research Group, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Varga
- Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry; Biological Nanochemistry Research Group, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Edit I Buzás
- Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-SE Translational Extracellular Vesicle Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- HCEMM-SE Extracellular Vesicle Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Delaram Khamari
- Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Magdolna Dank
- Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Division of Oncology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Takács
- Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Division of Oncology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - A Marcell Szász
- Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Division of Oncology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Garay
- Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Division of Oncology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
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3
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Bahar ME, Kim HJ, Kim DR. Targeting the RAS/RAF/MAPK pathway for cancer therapy: from mechanism to clinical studies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:455. [PMID: 38105263 PMCID: PMC10725898 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01705-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic dissemination of solid tumors, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, underscores the urgent need for enhanced insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying metastasis, chemoresistance, and the mechanistic backgrounds of individuals whose cancers are prone to migration. The most prevalent signaling cascade governed by multi-kinase inhibitors is the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, encompassing the RAS-RAF-MAPK kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) pathway. RAF kinase is a primary mediator of the MAPK pathway, responsible for the sequential activation of downstream targets, such as MEK and the transcription factor ERK, which control numerous cellular and physiological processes, including organism development, cell cycle control, cell proliferation and differentiation, cell survival, and death. Defects in this signaling cascade are associated with diseases such as cancer. RAF inhibitors (RAFi) combined with MEK blockers represent an FDA-approved therapeutic strategy for numerous RAF-mutant cancers, including melanoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, and thyroid cancer. However, the development of therapy resistance by cancer cells remains an important barrier. Autophagy, an intracellular lysosome-dependent catabolic recycling process, plays a critical role in the development of RAFi resistance in cancer. Thus, targeting RAF and autophagy could be novel treatment strategies for RAF-mutant cancers. In this review, we delve deeper into the mechanistic insights surrounding RAF kinase signaling in tumorigenesis and RAFi-resistance. Furthermore, we explore and discuss the ongoing development of next-generation RAF inhibitors with enhanced therapeutic profiles. Additionally, this review sheds light on the functional interplay between RAF-targeted therapies and autophagy in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Entaz Bahar
- Department of Biochemistry and Convergence Medical Sciences and Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, South Korea
| | - Hyun Joon Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Convergence Medical Sciences and Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, South Korea
| | - Deok Ryong Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Convergence Medical Sciences and Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, South Korea.
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4
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Xuan DTM, Yeh IJ, Su CY, Liu HL, Ta HDK, Anuraga G, Chiao CC, Wang CY, Yen MC. Prognostic and Immune Infiltration Value of Proteasome Assembly Chaperone (PSMG) Family Genes in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Int J Med Sci 2023; 20:87-101. [PMID: 36619227 PMCID: PMC9812804 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.78590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The complexity of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) including many interacting biological processes makes it difficult to find therapeutic biomarkers for treatment. Previous studies demonstrated that PSMG (proteasome assembly chaperone) family members regulate the degradation of abnormal proteins. However, transcript expressions of this gene family in LUAD still need to be more fully investigated. Therefore, we used a holistic bioinformatics approach to explore PSMG genes involved in LUAD patients by integrating several high-throughput databases and tools including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and Kaplan-Meier plotter database. These data demonstrated that PSMG3 and PSMG4 were expressed at significantly higher levels in neoplastic cells than in normal lung tissues. Notably, increased expressions of these proteins were correlated with poor prognoses of lung cancer patients, which probably confirmed their fundamental roles in the staging of LUAD tumors. Meanwhile, it was also indicated that there were positive correlations between PSMG family genes and the immune response, metabolism of ubiquinone, cell cycle regulatory pathways, and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Wnt signaling. Experimental data also confirmed that the knockdown of PSMG4 in LUAD cell lines decreased cell proliferation and influenced expressions of downstream molecules. Collectively, this study revealed that PSMG family members are novel prognostic biomarkers for LUAD progression, which also provide new therapeutic targets of LUAD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do Thi Minh Xuan
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - I-Jeng Yeh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Che-Yu Su
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Liang Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Hoang Dang Khoa Ta
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Gangga Anuraga
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.,Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science and Technology, PGRI Adi Buana University, East Java, Surabaya 60234, Indonesia
| | - Chung-Chieh Chiao
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yang Wang
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.,Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.,TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Chi Yen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
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5
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Guerrisi A, Falcone I, Valenti F, Rao M, Gallo E, Ungania S, Maccallini MT, Fanciulli M, Frascione P, Morrone A, Caterino M. Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Melanoma: Treatment Management Implications. Cells 2022; 11:cells11243965. [PMID: 36552729 PMCID: PMC9777238 DOI: 10.3390/cells11243965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI), a field of research in which computers are applied to mimic humans, is continuously expanding and influencing many aspects of our lives. From electric cars to search motors, AI helps us manage our daily lives by simplifying functions and activities that would be more complex otherwise. Even in the medical field, and specifically in oncology, many studies in recent years have highlighted the possible helping role that AI could play in clinical and therapeutic patient management. In specific contexts, clinical decisions are supported by "intelligent" machines and the development of specific softwares that assist the specialist in the management of the oncology patient. Melanoma, a highly heterogeneous disease influenced by several genetic and environmental factors, to date is still difficult to manage clinically in its advanced stages. Therapies often fail, due to the establishment of intrinsic or secondary resistance, making clinical decisions complex. In this sense, although much work still needs to be conducted, numerous evidence shows that AI (through the processing of large available data) could positively influence the management of the patient with advanced melanoma, helping the clinician in the most favorable therapeutic choice and avoiding unnecessary treatments that are sure to fail. In this review, the most recent applications of AI in melanoma will be described, focusing especially on the possible finding of this field in the management of drug treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Guerrisi
- Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Unit, Department of Clinical and Dermatological Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Italia Falcone
- SAFU, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Fabio Valenti
- UOC Oncological Translational Research, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Rao
- Enea-FSN-TECFIS-APAM, C.R. Frascati, via Enrico Fermi, 45, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Gallo
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Ungania
- Medical Physics and Expert Systems Laboratory, Department of Research and Advanced Technologies, IRCCS-Regina Elena Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Maccallini
- Departement of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Università La Sapienza di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Fanciulli
- SAFU, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Frascione
- Oncologic and Preventative Dermatology, IFO-San Gallicano Dermatological Institute-IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Morrone
- Scientific Direction, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Caterino
- Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Unit, Department of Clinical and Dermatological Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy
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6
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Conciatori F, Salvati E, Ciuffreda L, Shirasawa S, Falcone I, Cognetti F, Ferretti G, Zeuli M, Del Bufalo D, Bazzichetto C, Milella M. Fibroblast-Induced Paradoxical PI3K Pathway Activation in PTEN-Competent Colorectal Cancer: Implications for Therapeutic PI3K/mTOR Inhibition. Front Oncol 2022; 12:862806. [PMID: 35719951 PMCID: PMC9203999 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.862806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Tumor-microenvironment interactions are important determinants of drug resistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). We, therefore, set out to understand how interactions between genetically characterized CRC cells and stromal fibroblasts might influence response to molecularly targeted inhibitors. Techniques Sensitivity to PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors of CRC cell lines, with known genetic background, was investigated under different culture conditions [serum-free medium, fibroblasts’ conditioned medium (CM), direct co-culture]. Molecular pathway activation was monitored using Western Blot analysis. Immunoprecipitation was used to detect specific mTOR complex activation. Immunofluorescence was used to analyze cellular PTEN distribution, while different mutant PTEN plasmids were used to map the observed function to specific PTEN protein domains. Results Exposure to fibroblast-CM resulted in increased growth-inhibitory response to double PI3K/mTOR inhibitors in PTEN-competent CRC cell lines harboring KRAS and PI3K mutations. Such functional effect was attributable to fibroblast-CM induced paradoxical PI3K/mTORC1 pathway activation, occurring in the presence of a functional PTEN protein. At a molecular level, fibroblast-CM induced C-tail phosphorylation and cytoplasmic redistribution of the PTEN protein, thereby impairing its lipid phosphatase function and favored the formation of active, RAPTOR-containing, mTORC1 complexes. However, PTEN’s lipid phosphatase function appeared to be dispensable, while complex protein-protein interactions, also involving PTEN/mTOR co-localization and subcellular distribution, were crucial for both mTORC1 activation and sensitivity to double PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. Data Interpretation Microenvironmental cues, in particular soluble factors produced by stromal fibroblasts, profoundly influence PI3K pathway signaling and functional response to specific inhibitors in CRC cells, depending on their mutational background and PTEN status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Conciatori
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Erica Salvati
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology -National Research Council (BPM-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovica Ciuffreda
- Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation (SAFU), Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Senji Shirasawa
- Central Research Institute for Advanced Molecular Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Italia Falcone
- Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation (SAFU), Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Cognetti
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Ferretti
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Zeuli
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Del Bufalo
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Bazzichetto
- Medical Oncology 1, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona School of Medicine and Verona University Hospital Trust, Verona, Italy
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7
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Lundy J, Harris M, Zalcberg J, Zimet A, Goldstein D, Gebski V, Borsaru A, Desmond C, Swan M, Jenkins BJ, Croagh D. EUS-FNA Biopsies to Guide Precision Medicine in Pancreatic Cancer: Results of a Pilot Study to Identify KRAS Wild-Type Tumours for Targeted Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:770022. [PMID: 34956889 PMCID: PMC8696205 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.770022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer death and lacks effective treatment options. Diagnostic endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) biopsies represent an appealing source of material for molecular analysis to inform targeted therapy, as they are often the only available tissue for patients presenting with PDAC irrespective of disease stage. However, EUS-FNA biopsies are typically not used to screen for precision medicine studies due to concerns about low tissue yield and quality. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition has shown promise in clinical trials of unselected patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, but has not been prospectively tested in KRAS wild-type patients. Here, we examine the clinical utility of EUS-FNA biopsies for molecular screening of KRAS wild-type PDAC patients for targeted anti-EGFR therapy to assess the feasibility of this approach. Patients and Methods Fresh frozen EUS-FNA or surgical biopsies from PDAC patient tumours were used to screen for KRAS mutations. Eligible patients with recurrent, locally advanced, or metastatic KRAS wild-type status who had received at least one prior line of chemotherapy were enrolled in a pilot study (ACTRN12617000540314) and treated with panitumumab at 6mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was 4-month progression-free survival (PFS). Results 275 patient biopsies were screened for KRAS mutations, which were detected in 88.3% of patient samples. 8 eligible KRAS wild-type patients were enrolled onto the interventional study between November 2017 and December 2020 and treated with panitumumab. 4-month PFS was 14.3% with no objective tumour responses observed. The only grade 3/4 treatment related toxicity observed was hypomagnesaemia. Conclusions This study demonstrates proof-of-principle feasibility to molecularly screen patients with pancreatic cancer for targeted therapies, and confirms diagnostic EUS-FNA biopsies as a reliable source of tumour material for molecular analysis. Single agent panitumumab was safe and tolerable but led to no objective tumour responses in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Lundy
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Marion Harris
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - John Zalcberg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Allan Zimet
- Department of Medical Oncology, Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David Goldstein
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Val Gebski
- National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Adina Borsaru
- Diagnostic Imaging, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Michael Swan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Brendan J Jenkins
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel Croagh
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Epworth Healthcare, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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8
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Sa R, Liang R, Qiu X, He Z, Liu Z, Chen L. IGF2BP2-dependent activation of ERBB2 signaling contributes to acquired resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor in differentiation therapy of radioiodine-refractory papillary thyroid cancer. Cancer Lett 2021; 527:10-23. [PMID: 34896211 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Acquired drug resistance represents a major obstacle to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-induced differentiation therapy of radioiodine-refractory papillary thyroid cancer (RR-PTC); thus, there is an urgent need to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Here, selumetinib-resistant PTC (PTCSR) cell lines, which were characterized by loss of sodium/iodide symporter expression, enhanced insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2), and activated V-Erb-B2 avian erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (ERBB2) signaling, were initially established using a dose escalation method. Upon knockdown of IGF2BP2 in PTCSR cells, ERBB2 signaling was inhibited, and the acquired drug resistance was partially reversed. Mechanistically, the luciferase activity assay showed that IGF2BP2 bound to the N6-methyladenosine-binding site in the coding sequence of ERBB2 mRNA, yielding an increased ERBB2 translation efficacy revealed by polysome profiling. Inhibition of ERBB2 and IGF2BP2 by lapatinib robustly rescued the PTCSR cells from acquired dedifferentiation. Our study demonstrated that IGF2BP2-dependent ERBB2 signaling activation contributes to acquired resistance to TKI, which may be a promising differentiation strategy for RR-PTC by targeting IGF2BP2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ri Sa
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600# Yishan Rd, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China; Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1# Xinmin St, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China.
| | - Rui Liang
- Department of Geriatrics and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37# Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xian Qiu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600# Yishan Rd, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ziyan He
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600# Yishan Rd, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhiyan Liu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600# Yishan Rd, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Libo Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600# Yishan Rd, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Ortega-Muelas M, Roche O, Fernández-Aroca DM, Encinar JA, Albandea-Rodríguez D, Arconada-Luque E, Pascual-Serra R, Muñoz I, Sánchez-Pérez I, Belandia B, Ruiz-Hidalgo MJ, Sánchez-Prieto R. ERK5 signalling pathway is a novel target of sorafenib: Implication in EGF biology. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:10591-10603. [PMID: 34655447 PMCID: PMC8581332 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor widely used in cancer therapy with an antitumour effect related to biological processes as proliferation, migration or invasion, among others. Initially designed as a Raf inhibitor, Sorafenib was later shown to also block key molecules in tumour progression such as VEGFR and PDGFR. In addition, sorafenib has been connected with key signalling pathways in cancer such as EGFR/EGF. However, no definitive clue about the molecular mechanism linking sorafenib and EGF signalling pathway has been established so far. Our data in HeLa, U2OS, A549 and HEK293T cells, based on in silico, chemical and genetic approaches demonstrate that the MEK5/ERK5 signalling pathway is a novel target of sorafenib. In addition, our data show how sorafenib is able to block MEK5-dependent phosphorylation of ERK5 in the Ser218/Tyr220, affecting the transcriptional activation associated with ERK5. Moreover, we demonstrate that some of the effects of this kinase inhibitor onto EGF biological responses, such as progression through cell cycle or migration, are mediated through the effect exerted onto ERK5 signalling pathway. Therefore, our observations describe a novel target of sorafenib, the ERK5 signalling pathway, and establish new mechanistic insights for the antitumour effect of this multikinase inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Ortega-Muelas
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Albacete, Spain
| | - Olga Roche
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Albacete, Spain.,Departamento de Ciencias Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Diego M Fernández-Aroca
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Albacete, Spain
| | - José A Encinar
- Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnología de Elche (IDiBE) e Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular (IBMC), Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH), Elche, Spain
| | - David Albandea-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Biología del Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas 'Alberto Sols' (CSIC-UAM), Unidad asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Arconada-Luque
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Albacete, Spain
| | - Raquel Pascual-Serra
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Albacete, Spain
| | - Ismael Muñoz
- Departamento de Biología del Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas 'Alberto Sols' (CSIC-UAM), Unidad asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Sánchez-Pérez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas 'Alberto Sols' (CSIC-UAM), Unidad asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Borja Belandia
- Departamento de Biología del Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas 'Alberto Sols' (CSIC-UAM), Unidad asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - María J Ruiz-Hidalgo
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Albacete, Spain.,Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular. Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Ricardo Sánchez-Prieto
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina UCLM, Unidad asociada al CSIC, Albacete, Spain.,Departamento de Ciencias Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas 'Alberto Sols', Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBM-CSIC)-Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Albacete, Spain
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10
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Elsayed M, Abdelrahim M. The Latest Advancement in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Therapy: A Review Article for the Latest Guidelines and Novel Therapies. Biomedicines 2021; 9:389. [PMID: 33917380 PMCID: PMC8067364 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9040389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the US, and it is expected to be the second leading cause of cancer deaths by 2030. The lack of effective early screening tests and alarming symptoms with early undetectable micro-metastasis at the time of presentation play a vital role in the high death rate from pancreatic cancer. In addition to this, the low mutation burden in pancreatic cancer, low immunological profile, dense tumorigenesis stroma, and decreased tumor sensitivity to cytotoxic drugs contribute to the low survival rates in PDAC patients. Despite breakthroughs in chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic drugs, pancreatic cancer remains one of the solid tumors that exhibit meager curative rates. Therefore, researchers must dedicate more effort to understanding the pathology and immunological behavior of PDAC, in addition to properly utilizing more advanced screening modalities and new therapeutic agents. In our review, we focus mainly on the latest updates from clinical guidelines and novel therapies that have been recently investigated or are under investigation for PDAC. We used PubMed as a search tool for finding original research articles addressing the latest developments in diagnosing and treating PDAC. Additionally, we also used the clinical trials published on clinicaltrialsgov as sources for our data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Elsayed
- School of Medicine, University of Missouri Kansas City, 2301 Holmes, St. Kansas City, MO 64018, USA;
| | - Maen Abdelrahim
- Houston Methodist Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6445 Main Street, Outpatient Center, 24th Floor, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Cockrell Center of Advanced Therapeutics Phase I Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Institute of Academic Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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11
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Grover M, Behl T, Sachdeva M, Bungao S, Aleya L, Setia D. Focus on Multi-targeted Role of Curcumin: a Boon in Therapeutic Paradigm. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:18893-18907. [PMID: 33595796 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12809-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound that exhibited good anticancer potential against different types of cancers through its multi-targeted effect like the termination of cell proliferation, inflammation, angiogenesis, and metastasis, thereby acting as antiproliferative and cytotoxic in nature. The present review surveys the various drug combination tried with curcumin or its synthetic analogues and also the mechanism by which curcumin potentiates the effect of almost every drug. In addition, this article also focuses on aromatherapy which is gaining much popularity in cancer patients. After thoroughly studying several articles on combination therapy of curcumin through authenticated book chapters, websites, research, and review articles available at PubMed, ScienceDirect, etc., it has been observed that multi-targeted curcumin possess enormous anticancer potential and, with whatever drug it is given in combination, has always resulted in enhanced effect with reduced dose as well as side effects. It is also capable enough in overcoming the problem of chemoresistance. Besides this, aromatherapy also proved its potency in reducing cancer-related side effects. Combining all the factors together, we can conclude that combination therapy of drugs with curcumin should be explored extensively. In addition, aromatherapy can be used as an adjuvant or supplementary therapy to reduce the cancer complications in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhuri Grover
- B.S. Anangpuria Institute of Pharmacy, Alampur, Haryana, India
| | - Tapan Behl
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India.
| | | | - Simona Bungao
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
| | - Lotfi Aleya
- Chrono-Environment Laboratory, UMR CNRS 6249, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, Besançon, France
| | - Dhruv Setia
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
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12
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Falvo E, Damiani V, Conti G, Boschi F, Messana K, Giacomini P, Milella M, De Laurenzi V, Morea V, Sala G, Fracasso G, Ceci P. High activity and low toxicity of a novel CD71-targeting nanotherapeutic named The-0504 on preclinical models of several human aggressive tumors. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:63. [PMID: 33568214 PMCID: PMC7877078 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01851-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Ferritin receptor (CD71) is an example of a very attractive cancer target, since it is highly expressed in virtually all tumor types, including metastatic loci. However, this target can be considered to be inaccessible to conventional target therapies, due to its presence in many healthy tissues. Here, we describe the preclinical evaluation of a tumor proteases-activatable human ferritin (HFt)-based drug carrier (The-0504) that is able to selectively deliver the wide-spectrum topoisomerase I inhibitor Genz-644282 to CD71-expressing tumors, preventing the limiting toxic effects associated with CD71-targeting therapies. Methods CD71 expression was evaluated using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry techniques. The-0504 antiproliferative activity towards several cancer cell lines was assessed in vitro. The-0504 antitumor efficacy and survival benefit were evaluated in different human tumors, which had been grown either as xenografts or patient-derived xenografts in mice. The-0504 toxicology profile was investigated in multiple-cycle repeat-dose study in rodents. Results In vitro studies indicate that The-0504 is highly specific for CD71 expressing cells, and that there is a relationship between CD71 levels and The-0504 anticancer activity. In vivo treatments with The-0504 showed a remarkable efficacy, eradicating several human tumors of very diverse and aggressive histotypes, such as pancreas, liver and colorectal carcinomas, and triple-negative breast cancer. Conclusions Durable disease-free survival, persistent antitumor responses after discontinuation of treatment and favorable toxicology profile make The-0504 an ideal candidate for clinical development as a novel, CD71-targeted, low-toxicity alternative to chemotherapy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-01851-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Falvo
- CNR - National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Rome, Italy.
| | - Verena Damiani
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Department of Medical Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giamaica Conti
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Boschi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Katia Messana
- IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Oncogenomics and Epigenetics, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizio Giacomini
- IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Oncogenomics and Epigenetics, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata (AOUI), Verona, Italy
| | - Vincenzo De Laurenzi
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Department of Medical Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Veronica Morea
- CNR - National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Sala
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Department of Medical Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giulio Fracasso
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - Pierpaolo Ceci
- CNR - National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Rome, Italy.,Thena Biotech, Latina, Italy
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Ras pathway mutations are one of the most common type of alterations in pediatric hematologic malignancies and are frequently associated with adverse outcomes. Despite ongoing efforts to use targeted treatments, there remain no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications specifically for children with Ras pathway-mutated leukemia. This review will summarize the role of Ras pathway mutations in pediatric leukemia, discuss the current state of Ras pathway inhibitors and highlight the most promising agents currently being evaluated in clinical trials. RECENT FINDINGS Efficacy using RAF and MEK inhibitors has been demonstrated across multiple solid and brain tumors, and these are now considered standard-of-care for certain tumor types in adults and children. Clinical trials are now testing these medications for the first time in pediatric hematologic disorders, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, and histiocytic disorders. Novel inhibitors of the Ras pathway, including direct RAS inhibitors, are also being tested in clinical trials across a spectrum of pediatric and adult malignancies. SUMMARY Activation of the Ras pathway is a common finding in pediatric hematologic neoplasms. Implementation of precision medicine with a goal of improving outcomes for these patients will require testing of Ras pathway inhibitors in combination with other drugs in the context of current and future clinical trials.
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PD-L1 blockade in combination with inhibition of MAPK oncogenic signaling in patients with advanced melanoma. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6262. [PMID: 33288749 PMCID: PMC7721806 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19810-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Combining PD-L1 blockade with inhibition of oncogenic mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling may result in long-lasting responses in patients with advanced melanoma. This phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation and -expansion study (NCT02027961) investigated safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of durvalumab (anti–PD-L1) combined with dabrafenib (BRAF inhibitor) and trametinib (MEK inhibitor) for patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma (cohort A, n = 26), or durvalumab and trametinib given concomitantly (cohort B, n = 20) or sequentially (cohort C, n = 22) for patients with BRAF-wild type melanoma. Adverse events and treatment discontinuation rates were more common than previously reported for these agents given as monotherapy. Objective responses were observed in 69.2% (cohort A), 20.0% (cohort B) and 31.8% (cohort C) of patients, with evidence of improved tumor immune infiltration and durable responses in a subset of patients with available biopsy samples. In conclusion, combined MAPK inhibition and anti–PD-L1 therapy may provide treatment options for patients with advanced melanoma. Immune checkpoints inhibitors or MAPK inhibitors are currently used as standard of care therapies for patients with advanced melanoma. Here the authors report a phase 1 clinical trial testing the anti-PD-L1 antibody durvalumab in combination with the BRAF inhibitor dafrafenib and the MEK inhibitor trametinib in patients with BRAFV600-mutant melanoma.
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15
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Iezzi A, Caiola E, Colombo M, Marabese M, Broggini M. Molecular determinants of response to PI3K/akt/mTOR and KRAS pathways inhibitors in NSCLC cell lines. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:4488-4497. [PMID: 33415013 PMCID: PMC7783749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the impressive results obtained in the preclinical setting, all the inhibitors targeting two central cascades in cancer, the PI3K/akt/mTOR and the KRAS/MEK/ERK pathways, have shown, apart from very few exceptions, disappointing efficacy when translated to the clinic. One of the main reasons of their clinical failure seems to be the lack of a clear molecular determinant of response to these drugs. In this study, we tried to address this point by evaluating the cytotoxic activity of different inhibitors targeting the two pathways at different levels in a panel of ten NSCLC cell lines harboring alterations in PI3K, KRAS or both. We were not able to highlight a correlation between the presence of KRAS and PI3K mutations and a specific sensitivity to the different drugs used. Molecular analyses performed after equimolar treatments showed that, independently from the entity of the response, the drugs are able to modulate the activation of their targets. Interestingly, we found that p53 mutational status separates the cell lines according to their sensitivity to PI3K pathway inhibitors treatments. The alterations considered in the PI3K/akt/mTOR and in the KRAS/MEK/ERK pathways in the different NSCLC cell lines are not sufficient to drive treatment choice but rather p53 status is a potential biomarker for the activity of this class of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Iezzi
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Caiola
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS Milan, Italy
| | - Marika Colombo
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS Milan, Italy
| | - Mirko Marabese
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Broggini
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS Milan, Italy
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16
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Mutation-oriented profiling of autoinhibitory kinase conformations predicts RAF inhibitor efficacies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:31105-31113. [PMID: 33229534 PMCID: PMC7733820 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2012150117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinase-targeted therapies have the potential to improve the survival of patients with cancer. However, the cancer-specific spectrum of kinase alterations exhibits distinct functional properties and requires mutation-oriented drug treatments. Besides post-translational modifications and diverse intermolecular interactions of kinases, it is the distinct disease mutation which reshapes full-length kinase conformations, affecting their activity. Oncokinase mutation profiles differ between cancer types, as it was shown for BRAF in melanoma and non-small-cell lung cancers. Here, we present the target-oriented application of a kinase conformation (KinCon) reporter platform for live-cell measurements of autoinhibitory kinase activity states. The bioluminescence-based KinCon biosensor allows the tracking of conformation dynamics of full-length kinases in intact cells and real time. We show that the most frequent BRAF cancer mutations affect kinase conformations and thus the engagement and efficacy of V600E-specific BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi). We illustrate that the patient mutation harboring KinCon reporters display differences in the effectiveness of the three clinically approved BRAFi vemurafenib, encorafenib, and dabrafenib and the preclinical paradox breaker PLX8394. We confirmed KinCon-based drug efficacy predictions for BRAF mutations other than V600E in proliferation assays using patient-derived lung cancer cell lines and by analyzing downstream kinase signaling. The systematic implementation of such conformation reporters will allow to accelerate the decision process for the mutation-oriented RAF-kinase cancer therapy. Moreover, we illustrate that the presented kinase reporter concept can be extended to other kinases which harbor patient mutations. Overall, KinCon profiling provides additional mechanistic insights into full-length kinase functions by reporting protein-protein interaction (PPI)-dependent, mutation-specific, and drug-driven changes of kinase activity conformations.
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17
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Luchini C, Paolino G, Mattiolo P, Piredda ML, Cavaliere A, Gaule M, Melisi D, Salvia R, Malleo G, Shin JI, Cargnin S, Terrazzino S, Lawlor RT, Milella M, Scarpa A. KRAS wild-type pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: molecular pathology and therapeutic opportunities. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:227. [PMID: 33115526 PMCID: PMC7594413 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01732-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly disease, whose main molecular trait is the MAPK pathway activation due to KRAS mutation, which is present in 90% of cases.The genetic landscape of KRAS wild type PDAC can be divided into three categories. The first is represented by tumors with an activated MAPK pathway due to BRAF mutation that occur in up to 4% of cases. The second includes tumors with microsatellite instability (MSI) due to defective DNA mismatch repair (dMMR), which occurs in about 2% of cases, also featuring a high tumor mutational burden. The third category is represented by tumors with kinase fusion genes, which marks about 4% of cases. While therapeutic molecular targeting of KRAS is an unresolved challenge, KRAS-wild type PDACs have potential options for tailored treatments, including BRAF antagonists and MAPK inhibitors for the first group, immunotherapy with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents for the MSI/dMMR group, and kinase inhibitors for the third group.This calls for a complementation of the histological diagnosis of PDAC with a routine determination of KRAS followed by a comprehensive molecular profiling of KRAS-negative cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Luchini
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Gaetano Paolino
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Paola Mattiolo
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Maria L Piredda
- ARC-Net Research Center, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cavaliere
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, VR, Italy
| | - Marina Gaule
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, VR, Italy
| | - Davide Melisi
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, VR, Italy
| | - Roberto Salvia
- Department of Surgery, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Malleo
- Department of Surgery, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Jae Il Shin
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, 03722, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sarah Cargnin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Interdepartmental Research Center of Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics (CRIFF), University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Salvatore Terrazzino
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Interdepartmental Research Center of Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics (CRIFF), University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Rita T Lawlor
- ARC-Net Research Center, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, VR, Italy.
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
- ARC-Net Research Center, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
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Tumor Microenvironment: Implications in Melanoma Resistance to Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102870. [PMID: 33036192 PMCID: PMC7601592 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The response to pharmacological treatments is deeply influenced by the tight interactions between the tumor cells and the microenvironment. In this review we describe, for melanoma, the most important mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapy and immunotherapy mediated by the components of the microenvironment. In addition, we briefly describe the most recent therapeutic advances for this pathology. The knowledge of molecular mechanisms, which are underlying of drug resistance, is fundamental for the development of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of melanoma patients. Abstract Antitumor therapies have made great strides in recent decades. Chemotherapy, aggressive and unable to discriminate cancer from healthy cells, has given way to personalized treatments that, recognizing and blocking specific molecular targets, have paved the way for targeted and effective therapies. Melanoma was one of the first tumor types to benefit from this new care frontier by introducing specific inhibitors for v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), v-kit Hardy–Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KIT), and, recently, immunotherapy. However, despite the progress made in the melanoma treatment, primary and/or acquired drug resistance remains an unresolved problem. The molecular dynamics that promote this phenomenon are very complex but several studies have shown that the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays, certainly, a key role. In this review, we will describe the new melanoma treatment approaches and we will analyze the mechanisms by which TME promotes resistance to targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
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BRAF status modulates Interelukin-8 expression through a CHOP-dependent mechanism in colorectal cancer. Commun Biol 2020; 3:546. [PMID: 33004975 PMCID: PMC7530707 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01263-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation might substantially contribute to the limited therapeutic success of current systemic therapies in colorectal cancer (CRC). Amongst cytokines involved in CRC biology, the proinflammatory chemokine IL-8 has recently emerged as a potential prognostic/predictive biomarker. Here, we show that BRAF mutations and PTEN-loss are associated with high IL-8 levels in CRC models in vitro and that BRAF/MEK/ERK, but not PI3K/mTOR, targeting controls its production in different genetic contexts. In particular, we identified a BRAF/ERK2/CHOP axis affecting IL-8 transcription, through regulation of CHOP subcellular localization, and response to targeted inhibitors. Moreover, RNA Pol II and an open chromatin status in the CHOP-binding region of the IL-8 gene promoter cooperate towards increased IL-8 expression, after a selective BRAF inhibition. Overall, our data show that IL-8 production is finely and differentially regulated depending on the tumor genetic context and might be targeted for therapeutic purposes in molecularly defined subgroups of CRC patients. Conciatori et al find that BRAF mutations and PTEN-loss promote IL-8 production in colorectal cancer cell (CRC) lines and identify a genetic-context-dependent BRAF/ERK2/CHOP molecular axis that controls IL-8 transcription. These data may assist in the identification of drugs to target CRC.
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Nollmann FI, Ruess DA. Targeting Mutant KRAS in Pancreatic Cancer: Futile or Promising? Biomedicines 2020; 8:E281. [PMID: 32796566 PMCID: PMC7459579 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8080281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal cancers with a dismal prognosis for the patient. This is due to limited diagnostic options for the early detection of the disease as well as its rather aggressive nature. Despite major advances in oncologic research in general, the treatment options in the clinic for PDAC have only undergone minor changes in the last decades. One major treatment advance would be the successful targeting of the oncogenic driver KRASmut. In the past, the indirect targeting of KRAS has been exploited, e. g., via upstream inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinases or via downstream MEK or PI3K inhibition. However, the experience gained from clinical trials and from the clinic itself in the treatment of KRASmut cancer entities has dampened the initial euphoria. Lately, with the development of KRASG12C-specific inhibitors, not only the direct but also the indirect targeting of KRASmut has gained momentum again. Though preclinical studies and preliminary early clinical studies of monotherapies have shown promising results, they have been overshadowed by the swift development of resistances resulting in inconsistent responses in patient cohorts. Currently, several different combination therapies for KRASmut cancer are being explored. If they hold the promise they have made in preclinical studies, they might also be suitable treatment options for patients suffering from PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dietrich Alexander Ruess
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Center of Surgery, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstrasse 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany;
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21
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Pisarevsky E, Blau R, Epshtein Y, Ben-Shushan D, Eldar-Boock A, Tiram G, Koshrovski-Michael S, Scomparin A, Pozzi S, Krivitsky A, Shenbach-Koltin G, Yeini E, Fridrich L, White R, Satchi-Fainaro R. Rational Design of Polyglutamic Acid Delivering an Optimized Combination of Drugs Targeting Mutated BRAF and MEK in Melanoma. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2020; 3:2000028. [PMID: 35754977 PMCID: PMC9223483 DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202000028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Targeted therapies against cancer can relieve symptoms and induce remission, however, they often present limited duration of disease control, cause side effects and often induce acquired resistance. Therefore, there is a great motivation to develop a unique delivery system, targeted to the tumor, in which we can combine several active entities, increase the therapeutic index by reducing systemic exposure, and enhance their synergistic activity. To meet these goals, we chose the biocompatible and biodegradable poly(α,L-glutamic acid) (PGA) as a nanocarrier that facilitates extravasation-dependent tumor targeting delivery. The RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway when aberrantly activated in melanoma, can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation, induced invasion, and reduced apoptosis. Here, we selected two drugs targeting this pathway; a MEK1/2 inhibitor (selumetinib; SLM) and a modified BRAF inhibitor (modified dabrafenib; mDBF), that exhibited synergism in vitro. We synthesized and characterized our nanomedicine of PGA conjugated to SLM and mDBF (PGA-SLM-mDBF). PGA-SLM-mDBF inhibited the proliferation of melanoma cells and decreased their migratory and sprouting abilities without inducing a hemolytic effect. Moreover, the polymer-2-drugs conjugate exhibited superior anti-tumor activity in comparison with the two separate polymer-drug conjugates in vitro and with free drugs in a mouse model of primary melanoma and prolonged survival at a lower dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeni Pisarevsky
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Rachel Blau
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Yana Epshtein
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Dikla Ben-Shushan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Anat Eldar-Boock
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Galia Tiram
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Shani Koshrovski-Michael
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Anna Scomparin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Sabina Pozzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Adva Krivitsky
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Gal Shenbach-Koltin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Eilam Yeini
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Lidar Fridrich
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Richard White
- Cancer Biology & Genetics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronit Satchi-Fainaro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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22
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D'Aria F, D'Amore VM, Di Leva FS, Amato J, Caterino M, Russomanno P, Salerno S, Barresi E, De Leo M, Marini AM, Taliani S, Da Settimo F, Salgado GF, Pompili L, Zizza P, Shirasawa S, Novellino E, Biroccio A, Marinelli L, Giancola C. Targeting the KRAS oncogene: Synthesis, physicochemical and biological evaluation of novel G-Quadruplex DNA binders. Eur J Pharm Sci 2020; 149:105337. [PMID: 32311457 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The oncogene KRAS is involved in the pathogenesis of many tumors such as pancreatic, lung and colorectal cancers, thereby representing a relevant target for the treatment of these diseases. The KRAS P1 promoter contains a nuclease hypersensitive, guanine-rich sequence able to fold into a G-quadruplex motif (G4). The stabilization of this G4 structure by small molecules is emerging as a feasible approach to downregulate KRAS expression. Here, a set of novel stabilizing molecules was identified through a virtual screening campaign on the NMR structure of the 22-mer KRAS G4. The most promising hits were then submitted to structure-activity relationships studies which allowed improving their binding affinity and selectivity over double helix DNA and different G4 topologies. The best derivative (19) underwent fluorescence titration experiments and further computational studies to disclose its binding mechanism to KRAS G4. Finally, biological assays showed that this compound is capable to reduce the viability of colorectal cancer cells in which mutated KRAS acts as a driver oncogene. Thus, 19 might represent the prototype of a new class of drugs for the treatment of tumors that, expressing mutated forms of KRAS, are refractory to current therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica D'Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Maria D'Amore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Marco Caterino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Pasquale Russomanno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Silvia Salerno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Barresi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marinella De Leo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Marini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sabrina Taliani
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Federico Da Settimo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gilmar F Salgado
- ARNA Laboratory, IECB, University of Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR 5320, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Luca Pompili
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Zizza
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Senji Shirasawa
- Central Research Institute for Advanced Molecular Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Luciana Marinelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
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23
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Braicu C, Buse M, Busuioc C, Drula R, Gulei D, Raduly L, Rusu A, Irimie A, Atanasov AG, Slaby O, Ionescu C, Berindan-Neagoe I. A Comprehensive Review on MAPK: A Promising Therapeutic Target in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101618. [PMID: 31652660 PMCID: PMC6827047 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 496] [Impact Index Per Article: 99.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is an important bridge in the switch from extracellular signals to intracellular responses. Alterations of signaling cascades are found in various diseases, including cancer, as a result of genetic and epigenetic changes. Numerous studies focused on both the homeostatic and the pathologic conduct of MAPK signaling; however, there is still much to be deciphered in terms of regulation and action models in both preclinical and clinical research. MAPK has implications in the response to cancer therapy, particularly the activation of the compensatory pathways in response to experimental MAPK inhibition. The present paper discusses new insights into MAPK as a complex cell signaling pathway with roles in the sustenance of cellular normal conduit, response to cancer therapy, and activation of compensatory pathways. Unfortunately, most MAPK inhibitors trigger resistance due to the activation of compensatory feed-back loops in tumor cells and tumor microenvironment components. Therefore, novel combinatorial therapies have to be implemented for cancer management in order to restrict the possibility of alternative pathway activation, as a perspective for developing novel therapies based on integration in translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Braicu
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Mihail Buse
- MEDFUTURE-Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Constantin Busuioc
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Rares Drula
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Diana Gulei
- MEDFUTURE-Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Lajos Raduly
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | | | - Alexandru Irimie
- Department of Surgery, The Oncology Institute "Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta", 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Department of Surgical Oncology and Gynecological Oncology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Atanas G Atanasov
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland.
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 23 Acad. G. Bonchev str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | - Ondrej Slaby
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 601 77 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Comprehensive Cancer Care, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, 601 77 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Calin Ionescu
- th Surgical Department, Municipal Hospital, 400139, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Department of Surgery, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- MEDFUTURE-Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 23 Marinescu Street, 40015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Department of Functional Genomics and Experimental Pathology, The Oncology Institute Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta, Republicii 34 Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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24
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Yan Z, Ohuchida K, Fei S, Zheng B, Guan W, Feng H, Kibe S, Ando Y, Koikawa K, Abe T, Iwamoto C, Shindo K, Moriyama T, Nakata K, Miyasaka Y, Ohtsuka T, Mizumoto K, Hashizume M, Nakamura M. Inhibition of ERK1/2 in cancer-associated pancreatic stellate cells suppresses cancer-stromal interaction and metastasis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:221. [PMID: 31133044 PMCID: PMC6537367 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1226-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) have been related to multiple cancers, including breast cancer, hepatocellular cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer. ERK1/2 inhibitor can suppress growth of KRAS-mutant pancreatic tumors by targeting cancer cell. However, no studies have shown the expression of ERK1/2 on pancreatic stromal and its effect on pancreatic cancer–stromal interaction. Methods Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were performed to detect the expression of p-ERK1/2 in pancreatic tissues and cells. Cell viability assay was used to study IC50 of ERK inhibitor on pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) and primary cancer-associated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Transwell migration, invasion, cell viability assay, senescence β-galactosidase staining were performed to determine the effect of ERK inhibitor on PCCs and PSCs in vitro and in vivo. The expression of key factors involved in autophagy and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process were evaluated by western blotting. The expression of key factors related to cell invasiveness and malignancy were confirmed by qRT-PCR. Co-transplantation of PCC Organoid and PSC using a splenic xenograft mouse model was used to evaluated combined treatment of ERK inhibitor and autophagy inhibitor. Results Immunohistochemical staining in pancreatic tumor samples and transgenetic mice detected p-ERK1/2 expression in both cancer cells and stromal cells. In pancreatic tissues, p-ERK1/2 was strongly expressed in cancer-associated PSCs compared with cancer cells and normal PSCs. PSCs were also significantly more sensitive to ERK1/2 inhibitor treatment. Inhibition of ERK1/2 suppressed EMT transition in HMPCCs, upregulated cellular senescence markers, activated autophagy in cancer-associated PSCs; and suppressed cancer–stromal interaction, which enhanced invasiveness and viability of cancer cells. We also found that chloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor, suppressed ERK inhibition-induced autophagy and promoted PSC cellular senescence, leading to significantly decreased cell proliferation. The combination of an ERK inhibitor and autophagy inhibitor suppressed liver metastasis in a splenic pancreatic cancer organoid xenograft mouse model. Conclusions These data indicate that inhibition of ERK1/2 in cancer-associated pancreatic stellate cells suppresses cancer–stromal interaction and metastasis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1226-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Yan
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kenoki Ohuchida
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan. .,Department of Advanced Medical Initiatives, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
| | - Shuang Fei
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Biao Zheng
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.,Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weiyu Guan
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Haimin Feng
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Shin Kibe
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yohei Ando
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Koikawa
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Toshiya Abe
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Chika Iwamoto
- Department of Advanced Medical Initiatives, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Koji Shindo
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Taiki Moriyama
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kohei Nakata
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Miyasaka
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Takao Ohtsuka
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | | | - Makoto Hashizume
- Department of Advanced Medical Initiatives, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masafumi Nakamura
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
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25
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Savoia P, Fava P, Casoni F, Cremona O. Targeting the ERK Signaling Pathway in Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061483. [PMID: 30934534 PMCID: PMC6472057 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of the role of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway in melanomagenesis and its progression have opened a new era in the treatment of this tumor. Vemurafenib was the first specific kinase inhibitor approved for therapy of advanced melanomas harboring BRAF-activating mutations, followed by dabrafenib and encorafenib. However, despite the excellent results of first-generation kinase inhibitors in terms of response rate, the average duration of the response was short, due to the onset of genetic and epigenetic resistance mechanisms. The combination therapy with MEK inhibitors is an excellent strategy to circumvent drug resistance, with the additional advantage of reducing side effects due to the paradoxical reactivation of the MAPK pathway. The recent development of RAS and extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK) inhibitors promises to add new players for the ultimate suppression of this signaling pathway and the control of pathway-related drug resistance. In this review, we analyze the pharmacological, preclinical, and clinical trial data of the various MAPK pathway inhibitors, with a keen interest for their clinical applicability in the management of advanced melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Savoia
- Department of Health Science, University of Eastern Piedmont, via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy.
| | - Paolo Fava
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Medical Science, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy.
| | - Filippo Casoni
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milano, Italy.
- Università Vita Salute San Raffaele, via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milano, Italy.
| | - Ottavio Cremona
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milano, Italy.
- Università Vita Salute San Raffaele, via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milano, Italy.
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26
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Srivastava NS, Srivastava RAK. Curcumin and quercetin synergistically inhibit cancer cell proliferation in multiple cancer cells and modulate Wnt/β-catenin signaling and apoptotic pathways in A375 cells. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 52:117-128. [PMID: 30599890 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.09.224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional therapy using natural products, especially flavonoids and alkaloids have been in practice for a long time. Among flavonoids, curcumin, quercetin, berberine, and epigallocatechin have been studied in greater detail in terms of their anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Although many studies focused on the PI3K, MAP kinase and NF-κB pathways, a thorough investigation of modulation of players in the apoptotic and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by curcumin and quercetin has not been done. Also, only few studies have been carried out on curcumin and quercetin co-treatment studies. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE We hypothesized that the combination of natural products will have synergistic effects and the antiproliferative effect will be attenuated via apoptotic as well as Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS To test our hypothesis, we compared potency of natural anticancer agents in four cancer cell lines, A549, HCT116, MCF7, and A375 by MTT and colony proliferation assays and investigated mechanism of anticancer activities by analyzing players in apoptotic and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways in A375 cells treated with test agents individually or in combination. RESULTS Epicatechins, up to 100 μM concentration, did not inhibit cancer cell proliferation, while curcumin inhibited proliferation in A549 and HCT116 cancer cell lines with an IC50 of 3 to 8.5 μM. Quercetin showed stronger inhibition of cell proliferation than berberine. Combination study with two most potent agents, curcumin and quercetin, in 4 cancer cell lines, suggested synergistic effect on cell proliferation with several fold decreases in IC50. Further investigation of the mechanism of action of curcumin and quercetin in melanoma cells, A375, suggested that inhibition of cell proliferation occurred through down-regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway proteins, DVL2, β-catenin, cyclin D1, Cox2, and Axin2. In addition, both curcumin and quercetin induced apoptosis by down-regulating BCL2 and inducing caspase 3/7 through PARP cleavage. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that curcumin and quercetin inhibit cancer cell proliferation synergistically and Wnt/β-catenin signaling and apoptotic pathways are partly responsible for antiproliferative activities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rai Ajit K Srivastava
- Drexel University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Integrated Pharma Solutions, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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27
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Caiola E, Falcetta F, Giordano S, Marabese M, Garassino MC, Broggini M, Pastorelli R, Brunelli L. Co-occurring KRAS mutation/LKB1 loss in non-small cell lung cancer cells results in enhanced metabolic activity susceptible to caloric restriction: an in vitro integrated multilevel approach. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:302. [PMID: 30514331 PMCID: PMC6280460 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0954-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a heterogeneous disease, with multiple different oncogenic mutations. Approximately 25–30% of NSCLC patients present KRAS mutations, which confer poor prognosis and high risk of tumor recurrence. About half of NSCLCs with activating KRAS lesions also have deletions or inactivating mutations in the serine/threonine kinase 11 (LKB1) gene. Loss of LKB1 on a KRAS-mutant background may represent a significant source of heterogeneity contributing to poor response to therapy. Methods Here, we employed an integrated multilevel proteomics, metabolomics and functional in-vitro approach in NSCLC H1299 isogenic cells to define their metabolic state associated with the presence of different genetic background. Protein levels were obtained by label free and single reaction monitoring (SRM)-based proteomics. The metabolic state was studied coupling targeted and untargeted mass spectrometry (MS) strategy. In vitro metabolic dependencies were evaluated using 2-deoxy glucose (2-DG) treatment or glucose/glutamine nutrient limitation. Results Here we demonstrate that co-occurring KRAS mutation/LKB1 loss in NSCLC cells allowed efficient exploitation of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, when compared to cells with each single oncologic genotype. The enhanced metabolic activity rendered the viability of cells with both genetic lesions susceptible towards nutrient limitation. Conclusions Co-occurrence of KRAS mutation and LKB1 loss in NSCLC cells induced an enhanced metabolic activity mirrored by a growth rate vulnerability under limited nutrient conditions relative to cells with the single oncogenetic lesions. Our results hint at the possibility that energy stress induced by calorie restriction regimens may sensitize NSCLCs with these co-occurring lesions to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-018-0954-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Caiola
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Falcetta
- Laboratory of Cancer Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Giordano
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirko Marabese
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina C Garassino
- Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Broggini
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Pastorelli
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Brunelli
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156, Milan, Italy.
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Semaphorin 5A drives melanoma progression: role of Bcl-2, miR-204 and c-Myb. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:278. [PMID: 30454024 PMCID: PMC6245779 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0933-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, is characterized by high rates of metastasis, drug resistance and mortality. Here we investigated the role of Semaphorin 5A (Sema5A) on the properties associated with melanoma progression and the factors involved in Sema5A regulation. Methods Western blotting, qRT-PCR, Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, immunohistochemistry of melanoma patient specimens and xenograft tissues, in vitro Transwell assay for cell migration and invasion evaluation, in vitro capillary-like structure formation analysis. Results A significant correlation of Sema5A mRNA expression and melanoma progression was observed by analyzing GEO profile dataset. Endogenous Sema5A protein was detected in 95% of human melanoma cell lines tested, in 70% of metastatic specimens from patients affected by melanoma, and 16% of in situ melanoma specimens showed a focal positivity. We demonstrated that Sema5A regulates in vitro cell migration and invasion and the formation of vasculogenic structures. We also found an increase of Sema5A at both mRNA and protein level after forced expression of Bcl-2. By use of transcriptional and proteasome inhibitors, we showed that Bcl-2 increases the stability of Sema5A mRNA and protein. Moreover, by ChIP we demonstrated that Sema5A expression is under the control of the transcription factor c-Myb and that c-Myb recruitment on Sema5A promoter is increased after Bcl-2 overexpression. Finally, a concomitant decrease in the expression of Sema5A, Bcl-2 and c-Myb proteins was observed in melanoma cells after miR-204 overexpression. Conclusion Overall our data provide evidences supporting the role of Sema5A in melanoma progression and the involvement of Bcl-2, miR-204 and c-Myb in regulating its expression. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-018-0933-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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