Autotaxin inhibitor IOA-289 reduces gastrointestinal cancer progression in preclinical models

Targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts/tumor cells cross-talk inhibits intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma progression via cell-cycle arrest

BACKGROUND

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), mainly responsible for the desmoplastic reaction hallmark of intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), likely have a role in tumor aggressiveness and resistance to therapy, although the molecular mechanisms involved are unknown. Aim of the study is to investigate how targeting hCAF/iCCA cross-talk with a Notch1 inhibitor, namely Crenigacestat, may affect cancer progression.

METHODS

We used different in vitro models in 2D and established new 3D hetero-spheroids with iCCA cells and human (h)CAFs. The results were confirmed in a xenograft model, and explanted tumoral tissues underwent transcriptomic and bioinformatic analysis.

RESULTS

hCAFs/iCCA cross-talk sustains increased migration of both KKU-M213 and KKU-M156 cells, while Crenigacestat significantly inhibits only the cross-talk stimulated migration. Hetero-spheroids grew larger than homo-spheroids, formed by only iCCA cells. Crenigacestat significantly reduced the invasion and growth of hetero- but not of homo-spheroids. In xenograft models, hCAFs/KKU-M213 tumors grew significantly larger than KKU-M213 tumors, but were significantly reduced in volume by Crenigacestat treatment, which also significantly decreased the fibrotic reaction. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed that genes of hCAFs/KKU-M213 but not of KKU-M213 tumors increased tumor lesions, and that Crenigacestat treatment inhibited the modulated canonical pathways. Cell cycle checkpoints were the most notably modulated pathway and Crenigacestat reduced CCNE2 gene expression, consequently inducing cell cycle arrest. In hetero-spheroids, the number of cells increased in the G2/M cell cycle phase, while Crenigacestat significantly decreased cell numbers in the G2/M phase in hetero but not in homo-spheroids.

CONCLUSIONS

The hCAFs/iCCA cross-talk is a new target for reducing cancer progression with drugs such as Crenigacestat.

Novel Autotaxin Inhibitor ATX-1d Significantly Enhances Potency of Paclitaxel-An In Silico and In Vitro Study

The development of drug resistance in cancer cells poses a significant challenge for treatment, with nearly 90% of cancer-related deaths attributed to it. Over 50% of ovarian cancer patients and 30-40% of breast cancer patients exhibit resistance to therapies such as Taxol. Previous literature has shown that cytotoxic cancer therapies and ionizing radiation damage tumors, prompting cancer cells to exploit the autotaxin (ATX)-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-lysophosphatidic acid receptor (LPAR) signaling axis to enhance survival pathways, thus reducing treatment efficacy. Therefore, targeting this signaling axis has become a crucial strategy to overcome some forms of cancer resistance. Addressing this challenge, we identified and assessed ATX-1d, a novel compound targeting ATX, through computational methods and in vitro assays. ATX-1d exhibited an IC50 of 1.8 ± 0.3 μM for ATX inhibition and demonstrated a significant binding affinity for ATX, as confirmed by MM-GBSA, QM/MM-GBSA, and SAPT in silico methods. ATX-1d significantly amplified the potency of paclitaxel, increasing its effectiveness tenfold in 4T1 murine breast carcinoma cells and fourfold in A375 human melanoma cells without inducing cytotoxic effects as a single agent.

Insights into autotaxin- and lysophosphatidate-mediated signaling in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumor microenvironment: a survey of pathway gene expression

Lysophosphatidate (LPA)-mediated signaling is a vital component of physiological wound healing, but the pathway is subverted to mediate chronic inflammatory signaling in many pathologies, including cancers. LPA, as an extracellular signaling molecule, is produced by the enzyme autotaxin (ATX, gene name ENPP2) and signals through six LPA receptors (LPARs). Its signaling is terminated by turnover via the ecto-activity of three lipid phosphate phosphatases (LPPs, gene names PLPP1-3). Many pharmacological developments against the LPA-signaling axis are underway, primarily against ATX. An ATX inhibitor against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a very aggressive disease with limited systemic therapeutic options, is currently in clinical trials, and represents the first in-class drug against LPA signaling in cancers. In the present study, we surveyed the expression of ATX, LPARs, and LPPs in human PDACs and their clinical outcomes in two large independent cohorts, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GSE21501. Correlation among gene expressions, biological function and the cell composition of the tumor microenvironment were analysed using gene set enrichment analysis and cell cyber-sorting with xCell. ENPP2, LPAR1, LPAR4, LPAR5, LPAR6, PLPP1, and PLPP2 were significantly elevated in PDACs compared to normal pancreatic tissue, whereas LPAR2, LPAR3, and PLPP3 where downregulated (all P≤0.003). Only ENPP2 demonstrated survival differences, with overall survival favoring ENPP2-high patients (hazard ration 0.5-0.9). ENPP2 was also the only gene with enriched gene patterns for inflammatory and tissue repair gene sets. Epithelial (cancer) cells had increased LPAR2, LPAR5 and PLPP2 expression, and decreased ENPP2, LPAR1, PLPP1, and PLPP3 gene expression (all P<0.02). Tumor fibroblasts had increased ENPP2, LPAR2, LPAR4, PLPP1, and PLPP3 expression and decreased LPAR2, LPAR5, and PLPP2 expression in both cohorts (all P≤0.01). Immune cell populations were not well correlated to gene expression in PDACs, but across both cohorts, cytolytic scores were increased in high-expressing ENPP2, LPAR1, LPAR6, PLPP1, and PLPP3 tumors (P<0.01). Overall, in PDACs, ENPP2 may switch from an anti-to-pro tumor promoting gene with disease progression. LPAR2 and PLPP2 inhibition are also predicted to have potential therapeutic utility. Future multi-omics investigations are necessarily to validate which LPA signaling components are high-value candidates for pharmacological manipulation in PDAC treatment.

Autotaxin-Lysophosphatidate Axis: Promoter of Cancer Development and Possible Therapeutic Implications

Autotaxin (ATX) is a member of the ectonucleotide pyrophosphate/phosphodiesterase (ENPP) family; it is encoded by the ENPP2 gene. ATX is a secreted glycoprotein and catalyzes the hydrolysis of lysophosphatidylcholine to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). LPA is responsible for the transduction of various signal pathways through the interaction with at least six G protein-coupled receptors, LPA Receptors 1 to 6 (LPAR1-6). The ATX-LPA axis is involved in various physiological and pathological processes, such as angiogenesis, embryonic development, inflammation, fibrosis, and obesity. However, significant research also reported its connection to carcinogenesis, immune escape, metastasis, tumor microenvironment, cancer stem cells, and therapeutic resistance. Moreover, several studies suggested ATX and LPA as relevant biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets. In this review of the literature, we aimed to deepen knowledge about the role of the ATX-LPA axis as a promoter of cancer development, progression and invasion, and therapeutic resistance. Finally, we explored its potential application as a prognostic/predictive biomarker and therapeutic target for tumor treatment.

The Emerging Role of LPA as an Oncometabolite

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a phospholipid that displays potent signalling activities that are regulated in both an autocrine and paracrine manner. It can be found both extra- and intracellularly, where it interacts with different receptors to activate signalling pathways that regulate a plethora of cellular processes, including mitosis, proliferation and migration. LPA metabolism is complex, and its biosynthesis and catabolism are under tight control to ensure proper LPA levels in the body. In cancer patient specimens, LPA levels are frequently higher compared to those of healthy individuals and often correlate with poor responses and more aggressive disease. Accordingly, LPA, through promoting cancer cell migration and invasion, enhances the metastasis and dissemination of tumour cells. In this review, we summarise the role of LPA in the regulation of critical aspects of tumour biology and further discuss the available pre-clinical and clinical evidence regarding the feasibility and efficacy of targeting LPA metabolism for effective anticancer therapy.

miR-101-3p-mediated role of PDZK1 in hepatocellular carcinoma progression and the underlying PI3K/Akt signaling mechanism

BACKGROUND

The molecular targets and associated mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been widely studied, but the roles of PDZK1 in HCC are unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the role and associated mechanisms of PDZK1 in HCC.

RESULTS

It was found that the expression of PDZK1 in HCC tissues was higher than that in paired paracancerous tissues. High expression of PDZK1 was associated with lymph node metastasis, degree of differentiation, and clinical stage. Upregulation of PDZK1 in HCC cells affected their proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and cell cycle, and also induced PI3K/AKT activation. PDZK1 is a downstream target gene of miR-101-3p. Accordingly, increase in the expression of miR-101-3p reversed the promotive effect of PDZK1 in HCC. Moreover, PDZK1 was found to accelerate cell proliferation and promote the malignant progression of HCC via the PI3K/AKT pathway.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicated that the miR-101-3p/PDZK1 axis plays a role in HCC progression and could be beneficial as a novel biomarker and new therapeutic target for HCC treatment.

Autotaxin and Lysophosphatidate Signaling: Prime Targets for Mitigating Therapy Resistance in Breast Cancer

Overcoming and preventing cancer therapy resistance is the most pressing challenge in modern breast cancer management. Consequently, most modern breast cancer research is aimed at understanding and blocking these therapy resistance mechanisms. One increasingly promising therapeutic target is the autotaxin (ATX)-lysophosphatidate (LPA)-lipid phosphate phosphatase (LPP) axis. Extracellular LPA, produced from albumin-bound lysophosphatidylcholine by ATX and degraded by the ecto-activity of the LPPs, is a potent cell-signaling mediator of tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, immune evasion, and resistance to cancer treatment modalities. LPA signaling in the post-natal organism has central roles in physiological wound healing, but these mechanisms are subverted to fuel pathogenesis in diseases that arise from chronic inflammatory processes, including cancer. Over the last 10 years, our understanding of the role of LPA signaling in the breast tumor microenvironment has begun to mature. Tumor-promoting inflammation in breast cancer leads to increased ATX production within the tumor microenvironment. This results in increased local concentrations of LPA that are maintained in part by decreased overall cancer cell LPP expression that would otherwise more rapidly break it down. LPA signaling through six G-protein-coupled LPA receptors expressed by cancer cells can then activate virtually every known tumorigenic pathway. Consequently, to target therapy resistance and tumor growth mediated by LPA signaling, multiple inhibitors against the LPA signaling axis are entering clinical trials. In this review, we summarize recent developments in LPA breast cancer biology, and illustrate how these novel therapeutics against the LPA signaling pathway may be excellent adjuncts to extend the efficacy of evolving breast cancer treatments.

Autotaxin-lysolipid signaling suppresses a CCL11-eosinophil axis to promote pancreatic cancer progression

Lipids and their modifying enzymes regulate diverse features of the tumor microenvironment and cancer progression. The secreted enzyme autotaxin (ATX) hydrolyzes extracellular lysophosphatidylcholine to generate the multifunctional lipid mediator lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and supports the growth of several tumor types, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here we show that ATX suppresses the accumulation of eosinophils in the PDAC microenvironment. Genetic or pharmacologic ATX inhibition increased the number of intratumor eosinophils, which promote tumor cell apoptosis locally and suppress tumor progression. Mechanistically, ATX suppresses eosinophil accumulation via an autocrine feedback loop, wherein ATX-LPA signaling negatively regulates the activity of the AP-1 transcription factor c-Jun, in turn suppressing the expression of the potent eosinophil chemoattractant CCL11 (eotaxin-1). Eosinophils were identified in human PDAC specimens, and rare individuals with high intratumor eosinophil abundance had the longest overall survival. Together with recent findings, this study reveals the context-dependent, immune-modulatory potential of ATX-LPA signaling in cancer.

Association between plasma lysophosphatidic acid levels and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in extremely preterm infants: A prospective study

BACKGROUND

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is implicated in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) pathogenesis, but clinical evidence is lacking. This study aimed to investigate LPA levels in preterm infants with and without BPD and explore LPA as a biomarker for predicting BPD occurrence.

METHODS

Premature infants with a gestational age of <28 weeks or a birth weight of <1000 g were enrolled. Blood samples were collected at postnatal day (PD) 7, 28, and postmenstrual age (PMA) 36 weeks, and plasma LPA levels were measured using a commercial ELISA kit. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve analysis determined the PD 28 cutoff for LPA, and multivariable regression analyzed LPA's independent contribution to BPD and exploratory outcomes.

RESULT

Among the 91 infants enrolled in this study, 35 were classified into the non-BPD group and 56 into the BPD group. Infants with BPD had higher plasma LPA levels at PD 28 (6.467 vs. 4.226 μg/mL, p = 0.034) and PMA 36 weeks (2.330 vs. 1.636 μg/mL, p = 0.001). PD 28 LPA level of 6.132 μg/mL was the cutoff for predicting BPD development. Higher PD 28 LPA levels (≥6.132 μg/mL) independently associated with BPD occurrence (OR 3.307, 95% CI 1.032-10.597, p = 0.044). Higher LPA levels correlated with longer oxygen therapy durations [regression coefficients (β) 0.147, 95% CI 0.643-16.133, p = .034].

CONCLUSIONS

Infants with BPD had higher plasma LPA levels at PD 28 and PMA 36 weeks. Higher PD 28 LPA levels independently associated with an increased BPD risk.

Diagnostic value of serum autotaxin level in colorectal cancer

Background: Autotaxin (ATX) is a nucleotide enzyme linked to cell growth, differentiation and migration. This study investigated serum levels of ATX in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: The study involved stage I-III CRC diagnosed between December 2020 and 2021, excluding those with neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy, or metastasis. Healthy volunteers were controls. Serum ATX levels were measured by ELISA and compared. Results: This study included 129 patients (91 in the patient group and 38 in the control group). The optimal cutoff value of ATX for CRC was 169.98 ng/ml, and sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 91.2% (95% CI: 89.4-96.2), 78.9% (95% CI: 62.7-90.4), 4.33 and 0.11, respectively. Conclusion: The serum ATX level is a useful biomarker for CRC.

Autotaxin and Lysophosphatidic Acid Signalling: the Pleiotropic Regulatory Network in Cancer

Autotaxin, also known as ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family member 2, is a secreted glycoprotein that plays multiple roles in human physiology and cancer pathology. This protein, by converting lysophosphatidylcholine into lysophosphatidic acid, initiates a complex signalling cascade with significant biological implications. The article outlines the autotaxin gene and protein structure, expression regulation and physiological functions, but focuses mainly on the role of autotaxin in cancer development and progression. Autotaxin and lysophosphatidic acid signalling influence several aspects of cancer, including cell proliferation, migration, metastasis, therapy resistance, and interactions with the immune system. The potential of autotaxin as a diagnostic biomarker and promising drug target is also examined.