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Gaudio G, Martino E, Pellizzari G, Cavallone M, Castellano G, Omar A, Katselashvili L, Trapani D, Curigliano G. Developing combination therapies with biologics in triple-negative breast cancer. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2024:1-20. [PMID: 39360776 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2024.2408756] [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: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/22/2024] [Indexed: 10/11/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Novel compounds have entered the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment algorithm, namely immune checkpoints inhibitors (ICIs), PARP inhibitors and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). The optimization of treatment efficacy can be enhanced with the use of combination treatments, and the incorporation of novel compounds. In this review, we discuss the combination treatments under development for the treatment of TNBC. AREAS COVERED The development of new drugs occurring in recent years has boosted the research for novel combinations to target TNBC heterogeneity and improve outcomes. ICIs, ADCs, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and PARP inhibitors have emerged as leading players in this new landscape, while other compounds like novel intracellular pathways inhibitors or cancer vaccines are drawing more and more interest. The future of TNBC is outlined in combination approaches, and based on new cancer targets, including many chemotherapy-free treatments. EXPERT OPINION A large number of TNBC therapies have either proved clinically ineffective or weighted by unacceptable safety profiles. Others, however, have provided promising results and are currently in late-stage clinical trials, while a few have actually changed clinical practice in recent years. As novel, more and more selective drugs come up, combination strategies focusing the concept of synergy are fully warranted for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Gaudio
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Enzo Martino
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Gloria Pellizzari
- Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology (DIPO), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Cavallone
- Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology (DIPO), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Grazia Castellano
- Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology (DIPO), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Abeid Omar
- Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lika Katselashvili
- Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology, Caucasus Medical Centre, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Dario Trapani
- Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology (DIPO), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology (DIPO), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Li J, Jia Z, Dong L, Cao H, Huang Y, Xu H, Xie Z, Jiang Y, Wang X, Liu J. DNA damage response in breast cancer and its significant role in guiding novel precise therapies. Biomark Res 2024; 12:111. [PMID: 39334297 PMCID: PMC11437670 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00653-2] [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: 09/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA damage response (DDR) deficiency has been one of the emerging targets in treating breast cancer in recent years. On the one hand, DDR coordinates cell cycle and signal transduction, whose dysfunction may lead to cell apoptosis, genomic instability, and tumor development. Conversely, DDR deficiency is an intrinsic feature of tumors that underlies their response to treatments that inflict DNA damage. In this review, we systematically explore various mechanisms of DDR, the rationale and research advances in DDR-targeted drugs in breast cancer, and discuss the challenges in its clinical applications. Notably, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have demonstrated favorable efficacy and safety in breast cancer with high homogenous recombination deficiency (HRD) status in a series of clinical trials. Moreover, several studies on novel DDR-related molecules are actively exploring to target tumors that become resistant to PARP inhibition. Before further clinical application of new regimens or drugs, novel and standardized biomarkers are needed to develop for accurately characterizing the benefit population and predicting efficacy. Despite the promising efficacy of DDR-related treatments, challenges of off-target toxicity and drug resistance need to be addressed. Strategies to overcome drug resistance await further exploration on DDR mechanisms, and combined targeted drugs or immunotherapy will hopefully provide more precise or combined strategies and expand potential responsive populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Ziqi Jia
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Lin Dong
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Heng Cao
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yansong Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Hengyi Xu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Zhixuan Xie
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Yiwen Jiang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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Acharya G, Mani C, Sah N, Saamarthy K, Young R, Reedy MB, Sobol RW, Palle K. CHK1 inhibitor induced PARylation by targeting PARG causes excessive replication and metabolic stress and overcomes chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:278. [PMID: 38862485 PMCID: PMC11166985 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02040-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance contributes to the majority of deaths in women with ovarian cancer (OC). Altered DNA repair and metabolic signaling is implicated in mediating therapeutic resistance. DNA damage checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) integrates cell cycle and DNA repair in replicating cells, and its inhibition causes replication stress, repair deficiency and cell cycle dysregulation. We observed elevated Poly-ADP-ribosylation (PAR) of proteins (PARylation) and subsequent decrease in cellular NAD+ levels in OC cells treated with the CHK1 inhibitor prexasertib, indicating activation of NAD+ dependent DNA repair enzymes poly-ADP-ribose polymerases (PARP1/2). While multiple PARP inhibitors are in clinical use in treating OC, tumor resistance to these drugs is highly imminent. We reasoned that inhibition of dePARylation by targeting Poly (ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) would disrupt metabolic and DNA repair crosstalk to overcome chemoresistance. Although PARG inhibition (PARGi) trapped PARylation of the proteins and activated CHK1, it did not cause any significant OC cell death. However, OC cells deficient in CHK1 were hypersensitive to PARGi, suggesting a role for metabolic and DNA repair crosstalk in protection of OC cells. Correspondingly, OC cells treated with a combination of CHK1 and PARG inhibitors exhibited excessive replication stress-mediated DNA lesions, cell cycle dysregulation, and mitotic catastrophe compared to individual drugs. Interestingly, increased PARylation observed in combination treatment resulted in depletion of NAD+ levels. These decreased NAD+ levels were also paralleled with reduced aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, which requires NAD+ to maintain cancer stem cells. Furthermore, prexasertib and PARGi combinations exhibited synergistic cell death in OC cells, including an isogenic chemoresistant cell line and 3D organoid models of primary patient-derived OC cell lines. Collectively, our data highlight a novel crosstalk between metabolism and DNA repair involving replication stress and NAD+-dependent PARylation, and suggest a novel combination therapy of CHK1 and PARG inhibitors to overcome chemoresistance in OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Acharya
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Chinnadurai Mani
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Naresh Sah
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Karunakar Saamarthy
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Robert Young
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Mark B Reedy
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Robert W Sobol
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, & Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Komaraiah Palle
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
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Okechukwu CC, Ma X, Sah N, Mani C, Palle K, Gmeiner WH. Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy of the Nanoscale Fluoropyrimidine Polymer CF10 in a Rat Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis Model. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1360. [PMID: 38611037 PMCID: PMC11011147 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Combination chemotherapy regimens that include fluoropyrimidine (FP) drugs, e.g., 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), are central to the treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLMs), a major cause of cancer mortality. We tested a second-generation FP polymer, CF10, in a CC531/WAGRij syngeneic orthotopic rat model of liver metastasis to determine if CF10 improved response relative to 5-FU. CF10 displayed increased potency relative to 5-FU in CC531 rat colorectal cancer cells based on clonogenic assay results and caused increased apoptosis, as shown using a live/dead assay. The increased potency of CF10 to CC531 cells was associated with increased replication stress, as assessed by Western blot for biomarkers of ATR/Chk1 and ATM/Chk2 pathway activation. CF10 dosed to deliver equivalent FP content as an established dose of 5-FU in rats (50 mg/kg) did not cause weight loss in WAGRij rats even when combined with ethynyl uracil (EU), an inhibitor of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, the enzyme primarily responsible for 5-FU degradation in the liver. In contrast, 5-FU caused significant weight loss that was exacerbated in combination with EU. Importantly, CF10 was significantly more effective than 5-FU at inhibiting tumor progression (~90% reduction) in the CC531/WAG/Rij CRLM model. Our results reveal strong potential for CF10 to be used for CRLM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Chidi Okechukwu
- Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology Graduate Program and Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA;
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Xue Ma
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA;
| | - Naresh Sah
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centre, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (N.S.); (C.M.); (K.P.)
| | - Chinnadurai Mani
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centre, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (N.S.); (C.M.); (K.P.)
| | - Komaraiah Palle
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centre, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (N.S.); (C.M.); (K.P.)
| | - William H. Gmeiner
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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Athwal H, Kochiyanil A, Bhat V, Allan AL, Parsyan A. Centrosomes and associated proteins in pathogenesis and treatment of breast cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1370565. [PMID: 38606093 PMCID: PMC11007099 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1370565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide. Despite significant advances in treatment, it remains one of the leading causes of female mortality. The inability to effectively treat advanced and/or treatment-resistant breast cancer demonstrates the need to develop novel treatment strategies and targeted therapies. Centrosomes and their associated proteins have been shown to play key roles in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and thus represent promising targets for drug and biomarker development. Centrosomes are fundamental cellular structures in the mammalian cell that are responsible for error-free execution of cell division. Centrosome amplification and aberrant expression of its associated proteins such as Polo-like kinases (PLKs), Aurora kinases (AURKs) and Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) have been observed in various cancers, including breast cancer. These aberrations in breast cancer are thought to cause improper chromosomal segregation during mitosis, leading to chromosomal instability and uncontrolled cell division, allowing cancer cells to acquire new genetic changes that result in evasion of cell death and the promotion of tumor formation. Various chemical compounds developed against PLKs and AURKs have shown meaningful antitumorigenic effects in breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of action of these inhibitors is likely related to exacerbation of numerical genomic instability, such as aneuploidy or polyploidy. Furthermore, growing evidence demonstrates enhanced antitumorigenic effects when inhibitors specific to centrosome-associated proteins are used in combination with either radiation or chemotherapy drugs in breast cancer. This review focuses on the current knowledge regarding the roles of centrosome and centrosome-associated proteins in breast cancer pathogenesis and their utility as novel targets for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harjot Athwal
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Arpitha Kochiyanil
- Faculty of Science, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Vasudeva Bhat
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Alison L. Allan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Armen Parsyan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Surgery, St. Joseph’s Health Care London and London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada
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Tao L, Xia X, Kong S, Wang T, Fan F, Wang W. Natural pentacyclic triterpenoid from Pristimerin sensitizes p53-deficient tumor to PARP inhibitor by ubiquitination of Chk1. Pharmacol Res 2024; 201:107091. [PMID: 38316371 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Inhibition of checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) has shown to overcome resistance to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and expand the clinical utility of PARP inhibitors in a broad range of human cancers. Pristimerin, a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid, has been the focus of intensive studies for its anticancer potential. However, it is not yet known whether low dose of pristimerin can be combined with PARP inhibitors by targeting Chk1 signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated the efficacy, safety and molecular mechanisms of the synergistic effect produced by the combination olaparib and pristimerin in TP53-deficient and BRCA-proficient cell models. As a result, an increased expression of Chk1 was correlated with TP53 mutation, and pristimerin preferentially sensitized p53-defective cells to olaparib. The combination of olaparib and pristimerin resulted in a more pronounced abrogation of DNA synthesis and induction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Moreover, pristimerin disrupted the constitutional levels of Chk1 and DSB repair activities. Mechanistically, pristimerin promoted K48-linked polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of Chk1 while not affecting its kinase domain and activity. Importantly, combinatorial therapy led to a higher rate of tumor growth inhibition without apparent hematological toxicities. In addition, pristimerin suppressed olaparib-induced upregulation of Chk1 and enhanced olaparib-induced DSB marker γΗ2ΑΧ in vivo. Taken together, inhibition of Chk1 by pristimerin has been observed to induce DNA repair deficiency, which may expand the application of olaparib in BRCA-proficient cancers harboring TP53 mutations. Thus, pristimerin can be combined for PARP inhibitor-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Tao
- The State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Toxic Pathogens-Based Therapeutic Approaches of Gastric Cancer, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China.
| | - Xiangyu Xia
- The State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Toxic Pathogens-Based Therapeutic Approaches of Gastric Cancer, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Shujing Kong
- The State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Toxic Pathogens-Based Therapeutic Approaches of Gastric Cancer, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Tingye Wang
- The State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Toxic Pathogens-Based Therapeutic Approaches of Gastric Cancer, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Fangtian Fan
- Anhui Engineering Technology Research Center of Biochemical Pharmaceuticals, School of Pharmacy, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233003, China
| | - Weimin Wang
- The State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Toxic Pathogens-Based Therapeutic Approaches of Gastric Cancer, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Department of Oncology, Yixing Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, China.
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Ou Y, Wang M, Xu Q, Sun B, Jia Y. Small molecule agents for triple negative breast cancer: Current status and future prospects. Transl Oncol 2024; 41:101893. [PMID: 38290250 PMCID: PMC10840364 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101893] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis. The number of cases increased by 2.26 million in 2020, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer type in the world. TNBCs lack hormone receptor (HR) and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2), which limits treatment options. Currently, paclitaxel-based drugs combined with other chemotherapeutics remain the main treatment for TNBC. There is currently no consensus on the best therapeutic regimen for TNBC. However, there have been successful clinical trials exploring large-molecule monoclonal antibodies, small-molecule targeted drugs, and novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). Although monoclonal antibodies have produced clinical success, their large molecular weight can limit therapeutic benefits. It is worth noting that in the past 30 years, the FDA has approved small molecule drugs for HER2-positive breast cancers. The lack of effective targets and the occurrence of drug resistance pose significant challenges in the treatment of TNBC. To improve the prognosis of TNBC, it is crucial to search for effective targets and to overcome drug resistance. This review examines the clinical efficacy, adverse effects, resistance mechanisms, and potential solutions of targeted small molecule drugs in both monotherapies and combination therapies. New therapeutic targets, including nuclear export protein 1 (XPO1) and hedgehog (Hh), are emerging as potential options for researchers and become integrated into clinical trials for TNBC. Additionally, there is growing interest in the potential of targeted protein degradation chimeras (PROTACs), degraders of rogue proteins, as a future therapy direction. This review provides potentially valuable insights with clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Ou
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengchao Wang
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Qian Xu
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Binxu Sun
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Yingjie Jia
- The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China.
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Bakshi HA, Mkhael M, Faruck HL, Khan AU, Aljabali AAA, Mishra V, El-Tanani M, Charbe NB, Tambuwala MM. Cellular signaling in the hypoxic cancer microenvironment: Implications for drug resistance and therapeutic targeting. Cell Signal 2024; 113:110911. [PMID: 37805102 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The rewiring of cellular metabolism is a defining characteristic of cancer, as tumor cells adapt to acquire essential nutrients from a nutrient-poor environment to sustain their viability and biomass. While hypoxia has been identified as a major factor depriving cancer cells of nutrients, recent studies have revealed that cancer cells distant from supporting blood vessels also face nutrient limitations. To overcome this challenge, hypoxic cancer cells, which heavily rely on glucose as an energy source, employ alternative pathways such as glycogen metabolism and reductive carboxylation of glutamine to meet their energy requirements for survival. Our preliminary studies, alongside others in the field, have shown that under glucose-deficient conditions, hypoxic cells can utilize mannose and maltose as alternative energy sources. This review aims to comprehensively examine the hypoxic cancer microenvironment, its association with drug resistance, and potential therapeutic strategies for targeting this unique niche. Furthermore, we will critically evaluate the current literature on hypoxic cancer microenvironments and explore state-of-the-art techniques used to analyze alternate carbohydrates, specifically mannose and maltose, in complex biological fluids. We will also propose the most effective analytical methods for quantifying mannose and maltose in such biological samples. By gaining a deeper understanding of the hypoxic cancer cell microenvironment and its role in drug resistance, novel therapeutic approaches can be developed to exploit this knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid A Bakshi
- Laboratory of Cancer Therapy Resistance and Drug Target Discovery, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin MN55912, USA; School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, BT521SA, UK.
| | - Michella Mkhael
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, BT521SA, UK
| | - Hakkim L Faruck
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling and Tumorigenesis, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin MN55912, USA
| | - Asad Ullah Khan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Chronic Diseases, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin MN55912, USA
| | - Alaa A A Aljabali
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yarmouk University Irbid, Jordan
| | - Vijay Mishra
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India
| | - Mohamed El-Tanani
- RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nitin B Charbe
- Center for Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutics (Lake Nona), University of Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool Campus, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK.
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Zhang J, Chen X, Chen G, Wang H, Jia L, Hao Y, Yao D. Identification of a novel PAK1/HDAC6 dual inhibitor ZMF-23 that triggers tubulin-stathmin regulated cell death in triple negative breast cancer. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 251:126348. [PMID: 37586623 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most poorly treated subtype of breast cancer, and targeting the heterogeneity of TNBC has emerged as a fascinating therapeutic strategy. In this study, we propose for the first time that dual-targeting PAK1 and HDAC6 is a promising novel strategy for TNBC treatment due to their essential roles in the regulation of energy metabolism and epigenetic modification. We discovered a novel dual-targeting PAK1/HDAC6 inhibitor, 6 - (2-(cyclopropylamino) - 6 - (2,4-dichlorophenyl) - 7 - oxopyrido [2,3-d] pyrimidin - 8 (7H) -yl) - N-hydroxyhexanamide (ZMF-23), which presented profound inhibitory activity against PAK1 and HDAC6 and robust antiproliferative potency in MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, SPR and CETSA assay demonstrated the targeted binding of ZMF-23 with PAK1/HDAC6. Mechanically, ZMF-23 strongly inhibited the cellular PAK1 and HDAC6 activity, impeded PAK1 and HDAC6 regulated aerobic glycolysis and migration. By RNA-seq analysis, ZMF-23 was found to induce TNF-α-regulated necroptosis, which further enhanced apoptosis. Additionally, ZMF-23 triggered PAK1-tubulin/HDAC6-Stathmin regulated microtubule structure changes, which further induced the G2/M cycle arrest. Moreover, prominent anti-proliferative effect of ZMF-23 was confirmed in the TNBC xenograft zebrafish and mouse model via PAK1 and HDAC6 inhibition. Collectively, ZMF-23 is a novel dual PAK1/HDAC6 inhibitor with TNBC treatment potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xiya Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Gang Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Hailing Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Lin Jia
- College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China.
| | - Yue Hao
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Dahong Yao
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China.
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10
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Johnson JA, Moore BJ, Syrnioti G, Eden CM, Wright D, Newman LA. Landmark Series: The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Study of Breast Cancer Disparities. Ann Surg Oncol 2023; 30:6427-6440. [PMID: 37587359 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-13866-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Race-related variation in breast cancer incidence and mortality are well-documented in the United States. The effect of genetic ancestry on disparities in tumor genomics, risk factors, treatment, and outcomes of breast cancer is less understood. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) is a publicly available resource that has allowed for the recent emergence of genome analysis research seeking to characterize tumor DNA and protein expression by ancestry as well as the social construction of race and ethnicity. Results from TCGA based studies support previous clinical evidence that demonstrates that American women with African ancestry are more likely to be afflicted with breast cancers featuring aggressive biology and poorer outcomes compared with women with other backgrounds. Data from TCGA based studies suggest that Asian women have tumors with favorable immune microenvironments and may experience better disease-free survival compared with white Americans. TCGA contains limited data on Hispanic/Latinx patients due to small sample size. Overall, TCGA provides important opportunities to define the molecular, biologic, and germline genetic factors that contribute to breast cancer disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh A Johnson
- Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Georgia Syrnioti
- Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Claire M Eden
- Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian Queens, Weill Cornell Medicine, Flushing, NY, USA
| | - Drew Wright
- Samuel J. Wood Library, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lisa A Newman
- Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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11
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Saldanha J, Rageul J, Patel JA, Kim H. The Adaptive Mechanisms and Checkpoint Responses to a Stressed DNA Replication Fork. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10488. [PMID: 37445667 PMCID: PMC10341514 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310488] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA replication is a tightly controlled process that ensures the faithful duplication of the genome. However, DNA damage arising from both endogenous and exogenous assaults gives rise to DNA replication stress associated with replication fork slowing or stalling. Therefore, protecting the stressed fork while prompting its recovery to complete DNA replication is critical for safeguarding genomic integrity and cell survival. Specifically, the plasticity of the replication fork in engaging distinct DNA damage tolerance mechanisms, including fork reversal, repriming, and translesion DNA synthesis, enables cells to overcome a variety of replication obstacles. Furthermore, stretches of single-stranded DNA generated upon fork stalling trigger the activation of the ATR kinase, which coordinates the cellular responses to replication stress by stabilizing the replication fork, promoting DNA repair, and controlling cell cycle and replication origin firing. Deregulation of the ATR checkpoint and aberrant levels of chronic replication stress is a common characteristic of cancer and a point of vulnerability being exploited in cancer therapy. Here, we discuss the various adaptive responses of a replication fork to replication stress and the roles of ATR signaling that bring fork stabilization mechanisms together. We also review how this knowledge is being harnessed for the development of checkpoint inhibitors to trigger the replication catastrophe of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Saldanha
- The Graduate Program in Genetics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Julie Rageul
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Jinal A. Patel
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Hyungjin Kim
- The Graduate Program in Genetics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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12
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Hockings H, Miller RE. The role of PARP inhibitor combination therapy in ovarian cancer. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2023; 15:17588359231173183. [PMID: 37215065 PMCID: PMC10196552 DOI: 10.1177/17588359231173183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of PARP inhibitors (PARPi) has transformed the care of advanced high-grade serous/endometrioid ovarian cancer. PARPi are now available to patients in both the first-line and recurrent platinum-sensitive disease settings; therefore, most patients will receive PARPi at some point in their treatment pathway. The majority of this expanding population of patients eventually acquire resistance to PARPi, in addition to those with primary PARPi resistance. We discuss the rationale behind developing combination therapies, to work synergistically with PARPi and overcome mechanisms of resistance to restore drug sensitivity, and clinical evidence of their efficacy to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Hockings
- Department of Medical Oncology, St
Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, UK
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13
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Li Y, Wang X, Hou X, Ma X. Could Inhibiting the DNA Damage Repair Checkpoint Rescue Immune-Checkpoint-Inhibitor-Resistant Endometrial Cancer? J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12083014. [PMID: 37109350 PMCID: PMC10144486 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12083014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is increasingly undermining female health worldwide, with poor survival rates for advanced or recurrent/metastatic diseases. The application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has opened a window of opportunity for patients with first-line therapy failure. However, there is a subset of patients with endometrial cancer who remain insensitive to immunotherapy alone. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new therapeutic agents and further explore reliable combinational strategies to optimize the efficacy of immunotherapy. DNA damage repair (DDR) inhibitors as novel targeted drugs are able to generate genomic toxicity and induce cell death in solid tumors, including EC. Recently, growing evidence has demonstrated the DDR pathway modulates innate and adaptive immunity in tumors. In this review, we concentrate on the exploration of the intrinsic correlation between DDR pathways, especially the ATM-CHK2-P53 pathway and the ATR-CHK1-WEE1 pathway, and oncologic immune response, as well as the feasibility of adding DDR inhibitors to ICIs for the treatment of patients with advanced or recurrent/metastatic EC. We hope that this review will offer some beneficial references to the investigation of immunotherapy and provide a reasonable basis for "double-checkpoint inhibition" in EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinuo Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xin Hou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiangyi Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
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14
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Mani C, Acharya G, Saamarthy K, Ochola D, Mereddy S, Pruitt K, Manne U, Palle K. Racial differences in RAD51 expression are regulated by miRNA-214-5P and its inhibition synergizes with olaparib in triple-negative breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2023; 25:44. [PMID: 37081516 PMCID: PMC10120249 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-023-01615-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) affects young women and is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer (BC). TNBCs disproportionally affect women of African-American (AA) descent compared to other ethnicities. We have identified DNA repair gene RAD51 as a poor prognosis marker in TNBC and its posttranscriptional regulation through microRNAs (miRNAs). This study aims to delineate the mechanisms leading to RAD51 upregulation and develop novel therapeutic combinations to effectively treat TNBCs and reduce disparity in clinical outcomes. METHODS Analysis of TCGA data for BC cohorts using the UALCAN portal and PrognoScan identified the overexpression of RAD51 in TNBCs. miRNA sequencing identified significant downregulation of RAD51-targeting miRNAs miR-214-5P and miR-142-3P. RT-PCR assays were used to validate the levels of miRNAs and RAD51, and immunohistochemical and immunoblotting techniques were used similarly for RAD51 protein levels in TNBC tissues and cell lines. Luciferase assays were performed under the control of RAD51 3'-UTR to confirm that miR-214-5P regulates RAD51 expression. To examine the effect of miR-214-5P-mediated downregulation of RAD51 on homologous recombination (HR) in TNBC cells, Dr-GFP reporter assays were performed. To assess the levels of olaparib-induced DNA damage responses in miR-214-5P, transfected cells, immunoblots, and immunofluorescence assays were used. Furthermore, COMET assays were used to measure DNA lesions and colony assays were performed to assess the sensitivity of BRCA-proficient TNBC cells to olaparib. RESULTS In-silico analysis identified upregulation of RAD51 as a poor prognostic marker in TNBCs. miRNA-seq data showed significant downregulation of miR-214-5P and miR-142-3P in TNBC cell lines derived from AA women compared to Caucasian-American (CA) women. miR-214-5P mimics downregulated RAD51 expression and induces HR deficiency as measured by Dr-GFP assays in these cell lines. Based on these results, we designed a combination treatment of miR-214-5P and olaparib in HR-proficient AA TNBC cell lines using clonogenic survival assays. The combination of miR-214-5P and olaparib showed synergistic lethality compared to individual treatments in these cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Our studies identified a novel epigenetic regulation of RAD51 in TNBCs by miR-214-5P suggesting a novel combination therapies involving miR-214-5P and olaparib to treat HR-proficient TNBCs and to reduce racial disparity in therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinnadurai Mani
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Ganesh Acharya
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Karunakar Saamarthy
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Damieanus Ochola
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Srinidhi Mereddy
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Washington, 1400 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Kevin Pruitt
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Upender Manne
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Komaraiah Palle
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA.
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15
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da Costa AABA, Chowdhury D, Shapiro GI, D'Andrea AD, Konstantinopoulos PA. Targeting replication stress in cancer therapy. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:38-58. [PMID: 36202931 PMCID: PMC11132912 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00558-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 106.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Replication stress is a major cause of genomic instability and a crucial vulnerability of cancer cells. This vulnerability can be therapeutically targeted by inhibiting kinases that coordinate the DNA damage response with cell cycle control, including ATR, CHK1, WEE1 and MYT1 checkpoint kinases. In addition, inhibiting the DNA damage response releases DNA fragments into the cytoplasm, eliciting an innate immune response. Therefore, several ATR, CHK1, WEE1 and MYT1 inhibitors are undergoing clinical evaluation as monotherapies or in combination with chemotherapy, poly[ADP-ribose]polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, or immune checkpoint inhibitors to capitalize on high replication stress, overcome therapeutic resistance and promote effective antitumour immunity. Here, we review current and emerging approaches for targeting replication stress in cancer, from preclinical and biomarker development to clinical trial evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dipanjan Chowdhury
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Geoffrey I Shapiro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alan D D'Andrea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Center for DNA Damage and Repair, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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16
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Zhao Y, Zhou K, Xia X, Guo Y, Tao L. Chk1 inhibition-induced BRCAness synergizes with olaparib in p53-deficient cancer cells. Cell Cycle 2023; 22:200-212. [PMID: 35959961 PMCID: PMC9815235 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2022.2111769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Although targeting DNA-damage repair by inhibition of PARP exhibits weak or modest single-agent activity due to the existence of functional BRCA1/2 alleles, PARP inhibitors have been gradually applicable in BRCA-proficient cancers. Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) inhibition selectively disrupts homologous recombination (HR)-mediated DNA repair and confers synthetic lethality in p53-deficient tumors, we therefore aim at expounding the chemopotentiating effects of Chk1 inhibition on PARPi in BRCA-proficient and p53-deficient cancer cells. Initially, BRCA wild-type, p53-null cells including AsPC-1 and H1299 demonstrated innate resistance to PARP inhibitor olaparib compared to BRCA1-mutant, p53-null MDA-MB-436 cells. We quantified the interaction between olaparib and a selective Chk1 inhibitor MK-8776, which produced synergistic effects under sub-IC50 concentrations in p53-depleted AsPC-1 and H1299 cells. Olaparib in combination with MK-8776 showed enhanced antitumor effects through prohibiting proliferation and secondarily inducing apoptosis in two cell lines. Of note, we observed that MK-8776 significantly sensitized cells to olaparib by broad DNA and chromosomal breaks. Mechanistically, MK-8776 abrogated olaparib-induced BRCA1 intranuclear foci formation, MCM7-mediated replication machineries, and ultimately triggered an accumulation of γH2AX, a well-recognized marker of DNA double-strand breaks. Additionally, we established ectopic expression of hotspot mutant p53 in H1299 cells. Introduction of p53R175 H promoted olaparib resistance as single-agent treatment, but the synergy between olaparib and MK-8776 was still achievable and the region of synergy was produced by lower combination concentrations. These data provide insight into how Chk1 inhibition could be effectively targeted and confer sensitivity to olaparib toward p53-deficient and HR-proficient cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Department of Medicine, Linfen Vocational and Technical College, Linfen, Shanxi, China
| | - Kehui Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xiangyu Xia
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yajie Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Li Tao
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- The State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory of Toxic Pathogens-Based Therapeutic Approaches of Gastric Cancer, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
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17
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Abbotts R, Dellomo AJ, Rassool FV. Pharmacologic Induction of BRCAness in BRCA-Proficient Cancers: Expanding PARP Inhibitor Use. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2640. [PMID: 35681619 PMCID: PMC9179544 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) family of proteins has been implicated in numerous cellular processes, including DNA repair, translation, transcription, telomere maintenance, and chromatin remodeling. Best characterized is PARP1, which plays a central role in the repair of single strand DNA damage, thus prompting the development of small molecule PARP inhibitors (PARPi) with the intent of potentiating the genotoxic effects of DNA damaging agents such as chemo- and radiotherapy. However, preclinical studies rapidly uncovered tumor-specific cytotoxicity of PARPi in a subset of cancers carrying mutations in the BReast CAncer 1 and 2 genes (BRCA1/2), which are defective in the homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair pathway, and several PARPi are now FDA-approved for single agent treatment in BRCA-mutated tumors. This phenomenon, termed synthetic lethality, has now been demonstrated in tumors harboring a number of repair gene mutations that produce a BRCA-like impairment of HR (also known as a 'BRCAness' phenotype). However, BRCA mutations or BRCAness is present in only a small subset of cancers, limiting PARPi therapeutic utility. Fortunately, it is now increasingly recognized that many small molecule agents, targeting a variety of molecular pathways, can induce therapeutic BRCAness as a downstream effect of activity. This review will discuss the potential for targeting a broad range of molecular pathways to therapeutically induce BRCAness and PARPi synthetic lethality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Abbotts
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (A.J.D.); (F.V.R.)
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Anna J. Dellomo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (A.J.D.); (F.V.R.)
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Feyruz V. Rassool
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (A.J.D.); (F.V.R.)
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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18
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Miller RE, El-Shakankery KH, Lee JY. PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer: overcoming resistance with combination strategies. J Gynecol Oncol 2022; 33:e44. [PMID: 35320891 PMCID: PMC9024188 DOI: 10.3802/jgo.2022.33.e44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of PARP inhibitors (PARPi) in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer is expanding, with the transition from use in recurrent disease to the first-line setting. This is accompanied with an increasing population of patients who develop acquired PARPi resistance. Coupled with those patients with primary PARPi resistance, there is an urgent need to better understand mechanisms of resistance and identify means to overcome this resistance. Combination therapy offers the potential to overcome innate and acquired resistance, by either working synergistically with PARPi or by restoring homologous recombination deficiency, targeting the homologous recombination repair pathway through an alternate strategy. We discuss mechanisms of PARPi resistance and data on novel combinations which may restore PARPi sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan E Miller
- Department of Medical Oncology, University College London Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Medical Oncology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK.
| | | | - Jung-Yun Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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19
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Cahuzac M, Langlois P, Péant B, Fleury H, Mes-Masson AM, Saad F. Pre-activation of autophagy impacts response to olaparib in prostate cancer cells. Commun Biol 2022; 5:251. [PMID: 35318456 PMCID: PMC8940895 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03210-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) plays an essential role in DNA repair and is targeted by anticancer therapies using PARP inhibitors (PARPi) such as olaparib. PARPi treatment in prostate cancer (PC) is currently used as a monotherapy or in combination with standard therapies (hormonotherapy) in clinical trials for patients with DNA damage response mutation. Unfortunately, 20% of these patients did not respond to this new treatment. This resistance mechanism in PC is still not well understood. Here, we report that autophagy affects differently the response of PC cell lines to olaparib depending on its activation status. Pre-activation of autophagy before olaparib resulted in an increase of DNA repair activity by homologous recombination (HR) to repair double-strand breaks induced by olaparib and enhanced cell proliferation. When autophagy was activated after olaparib treatment, or completely inhibited, PC cells demonstrated an increased sensitivity to this PARPi. This autophagy-mediated resistance is, in part, regulated by the nuclear localization of sequestrosome 1 (SQSTM1/p62). Decrease of SQSTM1/p62 nuclear localization due to autophagy pre-activation leads to an increase of filamin A (FLNA) protein expression and BRCA1/Rad51 recruitment involved in the HR pathway. Our results reveal that autophagy basal levels may in part determine amenability to PARPi treatment. Pre-activation of autophagy mediates resistance to olaparib by decreasing nuclear SQSTM1/p62, which increases homologous recombination-mediated repair through filamin A expression and BRCA1/Rad51 recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Cahuzac
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Institut du cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Patricia Langlois
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Institut du cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Benjamin Péant
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Institut du cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Hubert Fleury
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Institut du cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anne-Marie Mes-Masson
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Institut du cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Department of Surgery, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Fred Saad
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Institut du cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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20
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Kohaar I, Zhang X, Tan SH, Nousome D, Babcock K, Ravindranath L, Sukumar G, Mcgrath-Martinez E, Rosenberger J, Alba C, Ali A, Young D, Chen Y, Cullen J, Rosner IL, Sesterhenn IA, Dobi A, Chesnut G, Turner C, Dalgard C, Wilkerson MD, Pollard HB, Srivastava S, Petrovics G. Germline mutation landscape of DNA damage repair genes in African Americans with prostate cancer highlights potentially targetable RAD genes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1361. [PMID: 35292633 PMCID: PMC8924169 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28945-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In prostate cancer, emerging data highlight the role of DNA damage repair genes (DDRGs) in aggressive forms of the disease. However, DDRG mutations in African American men are not yet fully defined. Here, we profile germline mutations in all known DDRGs (N = 276) using whole genome sequences from blood DNA of a matched cohort of patients with primary prostate cancer comprising of 300 African American and 300 European Ancestry prostate cancer patients, to determine whether the mutation status can enhance patient stratification for specific targeted therapies. Here, we show that only 13 of the 46 DDRGs identified with pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutations are present in both African American and European ancestry patients. Importantly, RAD family genes (RAD51, RAD54L, RAD54B), which are potentially targetable, as well as PMS2 and BRCA1, are among the most frequently mutated DDRGs in African American, but not in European Ancestry patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indu Kohaar
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA. .,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.
| | - Xijun Zhang
- The American Genome Center, Precision Medicine Initiative for Military Medical Education and Research (PRIMER), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Shyh-Han Tan
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Darryl Nousome
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Kevin Babcock
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Lakshmi Ravindranath
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Gauthaman Sukumar
- The American Genome Center, Precision Medicine Initiative for Military Medical Education and Research (PRIMER), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Elisa Mcgrath-Martinez
- The American Genome Center, Precision Medicine Initiative for Military Medical Education and Research (PRIMER), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - John Rosenberger
- The American Genome Center, Precision Medicine Initiative for Military Medical Education and Research (PRIMER), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Camille Alba
- The American Genome Center, Precision Medicine Initiative for Military Medical Education and Research (PRIMER), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Amina Ali
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.,Urology Service, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Denise Young
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Yongmei Chen
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Jennifer Cullen
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Inger L Rosner
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | | | - Albert Dobi
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Gregory Chesnut
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.,Urology Service, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Clesson Turner
- The American Genome Center, Precision Medicine Initiative for Military Medical Education and Research (PRIMER), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Clifton Dalgard
- The American Genome Center, Precision Medicine Initiative for Military Medical Education and Research (PRIMER), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Matthew D Wilkerson
- The American Genome Center, Precision Medicine Initiative for Military Medical Education and Research (PRIMER), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Harvey B Pollard
- The American Genome Center, Precision Medicine Initiative for Military Medical Education and Research (PRIMER), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Shiv Srivastava
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cell biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Gyorgy Petrovics
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA. .,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA.
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21
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Stefanski CD, Prosperi JR. Combating CHK1 resistance in triple negative breast cancer: EGFR inhibition as potential combinational therapy. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2022; 5:229-232. [PMID: 35582533 PMCID: PMC8992589 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2021.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is marked by a lack of expression of the Estrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Therefore, targeted therapies are being investigated based on the expression profiles of tumors. Due to the potential for acquired and intrinsic resistance, there is a need for combination therapy to overcome resistance. In the article by Lee et al., the authors identify that, while prexasertib (a CHK1 inhibitor) lacks efficacy alone, combination with an EGFR inhibitor provides synergistic anti-tumor effects. Advances in targeted therapy for TNBC will benefit the clinical landscape for this disease, with this study initiating a new avenue of investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey D. Stefanski
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46617, USA
| | - Jenifer R. Prosperi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46617, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine - South Bend, South Bend, IN 46617, USA
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22
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An J, Peng C, Xie X, Peng F. New Advances in Targeted Therapy of HER2-Negative Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:828438. [PMID: 35311116 PMCID: PMC8931202 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.828438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer has an extremely high incidence in women, and its morbidity and mortality rank first among female tumors. With the increasing development of molecular biology and genomics, molecular targeted therapy has become one of the most active areas in breast cancer treatment research and has also achieved remarkable achievements. However, molecular targeted therapy is mainly aimed at HER2-positive breast cancer and has not yet achieved satisfactory curative effect on HER2-negative breast cancer. This article describes the potential targets that may be used for breast cancer treatment from the aspects of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, DDR, angiogenesis, the cell cycle, breast cancer stem cells, etc., and explores possible inhibitors for the treatment of HER2-negative breast cancer, such as PI3K inhibitors, AKT inhibitors and m-TOR inhibitors that inhibit the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors that restrain angiogenesis, CDK inhibitors, aurora kinase inhibitors and HDAC inhibitors that block cell cycle, as well as the drugs targeting breast cancer stem cells which have been a hit, aiming to provide a new idea and strategy for the treatment of HER2-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junsha An
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaofang Xie
- State Key Laboratory Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fu Peng
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- State Key Laboratory Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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23
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Li T, Shi W, Yao J, Hu J, Sun Q, Meng J, Wan J, Song H, Wang H. Combinatorial nanococktails via self-assembling lipid prodrugs for synergistically overcoming drug resistance and effective cancer therapy. Biomater Res 2022; 26:3. [PMID: 35101154 PMCID: PMC8805243 DOI: 10.1186/s40824-022-00249-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Combinatorial systemic chemotherapy is a powerful treatment paradigm against cancer, but it is fraught with problems due to the emergence of chemoresistance and additive systemic toxicity. In addition, coadministration of individual drugs suffers from uncontrollable pharmacokinetics and biodistribution, resulting in suboptimal combination synergy. Methods Toward the goal of addressing these unmet medical issues, we describe a unique strategy to integrate multiple structurally disparate drugs into a self-assembling nanococktail platform. Conjugation of a polyunsaturated fatty acid (e.g., linoleic acid) with two chemotherapies generated prodrug entities that were miscible with tunable drug ratios for aqueous self-assembly. In vitro and in vivo assays were performed to investigate the mechanism of combinatorial nanococktails in mitigating chemoresistance and the efficacy of nanotherapy. Results The coassembled nanoparticle cocktails were feasibly fabricated and further refined with an amphiphilic matrix to form a systemically injectable and PEGylated nanomedicine with minimal excipients. The drug ratio incorporated into the nanococktails was optimized and carefully examined in lung cancer cells to maximize therapeutic synergy. Mechanistically, subjugated resistance by nanococktail therapy was achieved through the altered cellular uptake pathway and compromised DNA repair via the ATM/Chk2/p53 cascade. In mice harboring cisplatin-resistant lung tumor xenografts, administration of the nanococktail outperformed free drug combinations in terms of antitumor efficacy and drug tolerability. Conclusion Overall, our study provides a facile and cost-effective approach for the generation of cytotoxic nanoparticles to synergistically treat chemoresistant cancers. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40824-022-00249-7.
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24
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Curcumin sensitizes carboplatin treatment in triple negative breast cancer through reactive oxygen species induced DNA repair pathway. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:3259-3270. [PMID: 35076853 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07162-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) have a very weak response to hormone inhibition or anti-HER2 therapy, traditional chemotherapy is commonly used in these patients. Recently, carboplatin has been approved for the clinical treatment of TNBC. However, several patients exhibit resistance to carboplatin treatment. Therefore, strategies to enhance the antitumor effect of carboplatin need to be explored. In our study, we investigated the function of curcumin in increasing the response to carboplatin. METHODS AND RESULTS MTT and colony formation assays were used to evaluate cell viability after carboplatin and curcumin treatment. In addition, we conducted flow cytometric and Western blot analyses to examine cellular apoptosis. Subsequently, molecular and biochemical experiments were used to explore the mechanism by which curcumin sensitized TNBC to carboplatin treatment. We demonstrated that different TNBC cells responded differently to carboplatin. Low-dose carboplatin killed CAL-51 cells but barely influenced CAL-51-R and MDA-MB-231 cells. To improve the sensitivity of resistant TNBC cells to carboplatin, combined treatment with curcumin was applied and was found to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis. Mechanistically, curcumin exerted its anticancer effect by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which downregulated the DNA repair protein RAD51, leading to upregulation of γH2AX. As expected, ROS scavenger NAC reversed the inhibitory effect on growth and DNA repair pathway activity mediated by curcumin. CONCLUSION Collectively, our data demonstrate that curcumin sensitizes TNBC to the anticancer effect of carboplatin by increasing ROS-induced DNA damage, thus providing an effective combination treatment strategy for TNBC.
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25
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Guo N, Li MZ, Wang LM, Chen HD, Song SS, Miao ZH, He JX. Repeated treatments of Capan-1 cells with PARP1 and Chk1 inhibitors promote drug resistance, migration and invasion. Cancer Biol Ther 2022; 23:69-82. [PMID: 35000525 PMCID: PMC8812781 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2021.2024414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PARP1 and Chk1 inhibitors have been shown to be synergistic in different cancer models in relatively short time treatment modes. However, the consequences of long-term/repeated treatments with the combinations in cancer models remain unclear. In this study, the synergistic cytotoxicity of their combinations in 8 tumor cell lines was confirmed in a 7-day exposure mode. Then, pancreatic Capan-1 cells were repeatedly treated with the PARP1 inhibitor olaparib, the Chk1 inhibitor rabusertib or their combination for 211–214 days, during which the changes in drug sensitivity were monitored at a 35-day interval. Unexpectedly, among the 3 treatment modes, the combination treatments resulted in the highest-grade resistance to Chk1 (~14.6 fold) and PARP1 (~420.2 fold) inhibitors, respectively. Consistently, G2/M arrest and apoptosis decreased significantly in the resulting resistant variants exposed to olaparib. All 3 resistant variants also unexpectedly obtained enhanced migratory and invasive capabilities. Moreover, the combination treatments resulted in increased migration and invasion than olaparib alone. The expression of 124 genes changed significantly in all the resistant variants. We further demonstrate that activating CXCL3-ERK1/2 signaling might contribute to the enhanced migratory capabilities rather than the acquired drug resistance. Our findings indicate that repeated treatments with the rabusertib/olaparib combination result in increased drug resistance and a more aggressive cell phenotype than those with either single agent, providing new clues for future clinical anticancer tests of PARP1 and Chk1 inhibitor combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ne Guo
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Meng-Zhu Li
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Min Wang
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hua-Dong Chen
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shan-Shan Song
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ze-Hong Miao
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Xue He
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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26
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Wu Y, Wu T, Hu X, Xu S, Xiao D, Wu J, Yan X, Yang X, Li G. Proguanil synergistically sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to olaparib by increasing DNA damage and inducing apoptosis. Int J Med Sci 2022; 19:233-241. [PMID: 35165509 PMCID: PMC8795793 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.67027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, with low five-year survival rates. Therefore, it is essential to seek new treatment options. Olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, has benefited many ovarian cancer patients, but olaparib is much less effective as a single agent in 50% of patients with high grade severe tumors. Proguanil, which was originally developed as an anti-malarial drug, has gained attention due to its anti-tumor effects. Here, we evaluated the anti-tumor effect of the combination of olaparib and proguanil on ovarian cancer cells, aimed to develop a potential medical option for treating ovarian cancer patients. We examined the effect on proliferation by MTT and colony formation assays, while cell migration was measured by the transwell assay. The effect on apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and AO/EB staining assays. Western blotting was used to detect protein expression levels in cells treated with olaparib and/or proguanil. In addition, the synergistic effect of these two drugs is calculated by CompuSyn software. The combination of olaparib and proguanil significantly increased growth suppression and apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells, compared to either single agent alone. Furthermore, results showed that the combination of olaparib and proguanil synergistically increased olaparib-induced apoptosis and DNA damage and reduced the efficiency of DNA homologous recombination repair. Our findings indicate that combination of olaparib with proguanil will be a novel potential administration route for treating ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wu
- Department of Oncology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou 412000, Hunan, China
| | - Tianyu Wu
- Department of Oncology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou 412000, Hunan, China
| | - Xin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Simeng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Di Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Jingtao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Xinjian Yan
- Department of Oncology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou 412000, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Gaofeng Li
- Department of Oncology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou 412000, Hunan, China
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27
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Klomp JE, Lee YS, Goodwin CM, Papke B, Klomp JA, Waters AM, Stalnecker CA, DeLiberty JM, Drizyte-Miller K, Yang R, Diehl JN, Yin HH, Pierobon M, Baldelli E, Ryan MB, Li S, Peterson J, Smith AR, Neal JT, McCormick AK, Kuo CJ, Counter CM, Petricoin EF, Cox AD, Bryant KL, Der CJ. CHK1 protects oncogenic KRAS-expressing cells from DNA damage and is a target for pancreatic cancer treatment. Cell Rep 2021; 37:110060. [PMID: 34852220 PMCID: PMC8665414 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We apply genetic screens to delineate modulators of KRAS mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) sensitivity to ERK inhibitor treatment, and we identify components of the ATR-CHK1 DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway. Pharmacologic inhibition of CHK1 alone causes apoptotic growth suppression of both PDAC cell lines and organoids, which correlates with loss of MYC expression. CHK1 inhibition also activates ERK and AMPK and increases autophagy, providing a mechanistic basis for increased efficacy of concurrent CHK1 and ERK inhibition and/or autophagy inhibition with chloroquine. To assess how CHK1 inhibition-induced ERK activation promotes PDAC survival, we perform a CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screen targeting direct/indirect ERK substrates and identify RIF1. A key component of non-homologous end joining repair, RIF1 suppression sensitizes PDAC cells to CHK1 inhibition-mediated apoptotic growth suppression. Furthermore, ERK inhibition alone decreases RIF1 expression and phenocopies RIF1 depletion. We conclude that concurrent DDR suppression enhances the efficacy of ERK and/or autophagy inhibitors in KRAS mutant PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Klomp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ye S Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Craig M Goodwin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Björn Papke
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jeff A Klomp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Andrew M Waters
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Clint A Stalnecker
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jonathan M DeLiberty
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kristina Drizyte-Miller
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Runying Yang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - J Nathaniel Diehl
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Hongwei H Yin
- Departments of Cancer and Cell Biology, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Mariaelena Pierobon
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Elisa Baldelli
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Meagan B Ryan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Siqi Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Jackson Peterson
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Amber R Smith
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - James T Neal
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aaron K McCormick
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Calvin J Kuo
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Christopher M Counter
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Emanuel F Petricoin
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Adrienne D Cox
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kirsten L Bryant
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Channing J Der
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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28
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Malla R, Marni R, Chakraborty A, Kamal MA. Diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide in garlic as novel therapeutic agents to overcome drug resistance in breast cancer. J Pharm Anal 2021; 12:221-231. [PMID: 35582397 PMCID: PMC9091922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. It is a cancer that originates from the mammary ducts and involves mutations in multiple genes. Recently, the treatment of breast cancer has become increasingly challenging owing to the increase in tumor heterogeneity and aggressiveness, which gives rise to therapeutic resistance. Epidemiological, population-based, and hospital-based case-control studies have demonstrated an association between high intake of certain Allium vegetables and a reduced risk in the development of breast cancer. Diallyl disulfide (DADS) and diallyl trisulfide (DATS) are the main allyl sulfur compounds present in garlic, and are known to exhibit anticancer activity as they interfere with breast cancer cell proliferation, tumor metastasis, and angiogenesis. The present review highlights multidrug resistance mechanisms and their signaling pathways in breast cancer. This review discusses the potential anticancer activities of DADS and DATS, with emphasis on drug resistance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Understanding the anticancer activities of DADS and DATS provides insights into their potential in targeting drug resistance mechanisms of TNBC, especially in clinical studies. The review describes the causes of drug resistance in TNBC. The effects of DADS and DATS on drug resistance mechanisms in TNBC are presented. The impacts of DADS and DATS on metastasis of TNBC are discussed. Antitumor immune activities of DADS and DATS against TNBC are illustrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- RamaRao Malla
- Cancer Biology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Institute of Science, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, Visakhapatnam, 530045, India
- Corresponding author.
| | - Rakshmitha Marni
- Cancer Biology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Institute of Science, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, Visakhapatnam, 530045, India
| | | | - Mohammad Amjad Kamal
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Enzymoics, Hebersham, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, New South Wales, 2770, Australia
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29
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Jo U, Murai Y, Takebe N, Thomas A, Pommier Y. Precision Oncology with Drugs Targeting the Replication Stress, ATR, and Schlafen 11. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4601. [PMID: 34572827 PMCID: PMC8465591 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Precision medicine aims to implement strategies based on the molecular features of tumors and optimized drug delivery to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment. DNA replication is a logical approach because it can be targeted by a broad range of anticancer drugs that are both clinically approved and in development. These drugs increase deleterious replication stress (RepStress); however, how to selectively target and identify the tumors with specific molecular characteristics are unmet clinical needs. Here, we provide background information on the molecular processes of DNA replication and its checkpoints, and discuss how to target replication, checkpoint, and repair pathways with ATR inhibitors and exploit Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) as a predictive biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ukhyun Jo
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch and Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-4264, USA; (Y.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Yasuhisa Murai
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch and Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-4264, USA; (Y.M.); (A.T.)
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hematology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki 036-8562, Japan
| | - Naoko Takebe
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch and Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-4264, USA;
| | - Anish Thomas
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch and Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-4264, USA; (Y.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Yves Pommier
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch and Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-4264, USA; (Y.M.); (A.T.)
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30
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Mohamed RI, Bargal SA, Mekawy AS, El-Shiekh I, Tuncbag N, Ahmed AS, Badr E, Elserafy M. The overexpression of DNA repair genes in invasive ductal and lobular breast carcinomas: Insights on individual variations and precision medicine. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247837. [PMID: 33662042 PMCID: PMC7932549 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In the era of precision medicine, analyzing the transcriptomic profile of patients is essential to tailor the appropriate therapy. In this study, we explored transcriptional differences between two invasive breast cancer subtypes; infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) and lobular carcinoma (LC) using RNA-Seq data deposited in the TCGA-BRCA project. We revealed 3854 differentially expressed genes between normal ductal tissues and IDC. In addition, IDC to LC comparison resulted in 663 differentially expressed genes. We then focused on DNA repair genes because of their known effects on patients' response to therapy and resistance. We here report that 36 DNA repair genes are overexpressed in a significant number of both IDC and LC patients' samples. Despite the upregulation in a significant number of samples, we observed a noticeable variation in the expression levels of the repair genes across patients of the same cancer subtype. The same trend is valid for the expression of miRNAs, where remarkable variations between patients' samples of the same cancer subtype are also observed. These individual variations could lie behind the differential response of patients to treatment. The future of cancer diagnostics and therapy will inevitably depend on high-throughput genomic and transcriptomic data analysis. However, we propose that performing analysis on individual patients rather than a big set of patients' samples will be necessary to ensure that the best treatment is determined, and therapy resistance is reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruwaa I. Mohamed
- Center for Informatics Sciences (CIS), Nile University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Salma A. Bargal
- Center for Genomics, Helmy Institute for Medical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Asmaa S. Mekawy
- Center for Genomics, Helmy Institute for Medical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
- University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Iman El-Shiekh
- Center for Genomics, Helmy Institute for Medical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
- University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nurcan Tuncbag
- Graduate School of Informatics, Department of Health Informatics, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Alaa S. Ahmed
- Center for Genomics, Helmy Institute for Medical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
- University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Eman Badr
- University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
- Faculty of Computers and Artificial Intelligence, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
- * E-mail: (EB); (ME)
| | - Menattallah Elserafy
- Center for Genomics, Helmy Institute for Medical Sciences, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
- University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
- * E-mail: (EB); (ME)
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31
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Liao M, Zhang J, Wang G, Wang L, Liu J, Ouyang L, Liu B. Small-Molecule Drug Discovery in Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Current Situation and Future Directions. J Med Chem 2021; 64:2382-2418. [PMID: 33650861 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, but an effective targeted therapy has not been well-established so far. Considering the lack of effective targets, where do we go next in the current TNBC drug development? A promising intervention for TNBC might lie in de novo small-molecule drugs that precisely target different molecular characteristics of TNBC. However, an ideal single-target drug discovery still faces a huge challenge. Alternatively, other new emerging strategies, such as dual-target drug, drug repurposing, and combination strategies, may provide new insight into the improvement of TNBC therapeutics. In this review, we focus on summarizing the current situation of a series of candidate small-molecule drugs in TNBC therapy, including single-target drugs, dual-target drugs, as well as drug repurposing and combination strategies that will together shed new light on the future directions targeting TNBC vulnerabilities with small-molecule drugs for future therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minru Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Guan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Leiming Wang
- The Institute of Chemical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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32
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DNA damage response inhibitors: An avenue for TNBC treatment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1875:188521. [PMID: 33556453 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The DNA damage response (DDR) is critical for the maintenance of genomic stability by sensing DNA damage, regulating cell cycle and initiating DNA repair. Drugs targeting DDR pathways have been increasingly exploited in treating various tumors. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly heterogeneous and aggressive tumor with constitutive activation of oncogenes, inducing replication stress and DNA damage, which require the DDR for survival. In addition, emerging studies have demonstrated that TNBC harbors aberrant genetic alterations in DDR pathways, such as a high frequency of p53 dysfunction and BRCA1/2 mutations. DDR alterations force TNBC to rely on the existing DDR pathways for survival, and make TNBC particularly sensitive to specific DDR inhibitors, such as high sensitivity of TNBC with BRCA1/2 mutations to PARP inhibitors. This review first and comprehensively covers the current status of the development of DDR inhibitors and discusses the mechanism of targeting the DDR in TNBC. Preclinical and clinical studies on inhibitors of the ATR-CHK1-WEE1 pathway and PARP inhibitors, the most studied inhibitors, and some other DDR inhibitors as monotherapy or combination therapy in TNBC are summarized. We also highlight the possible predictive biomarkers for these DDR inhibitors and their potential combination strategies with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other targeted agents to optimize the efficacy of DDR inhibitors in TNBC treatment. In conclusion, this review discussed the recent considerations related to the use of DDR inhibitors for TNBC and provides a perspective to address future directions and potential therapeutic strategies for patients with TNBC.
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33
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Zhao X, Kim IK, Kallakury B, Chahine JJ, Iwama E, Pierobon M, Petricoin E, McCutcheon JN, Zhang YW, Umemura S, Chen V, Wang C, Giaccone G. Acquired small cell lung cancer resistance to Chk1 inhibitors involves Wee1 up-regulation. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:1130-1145. [PMID: 33320980 PMCID: PMC8024728 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Platinum‐based chemotherapy has been the cornerstone treatment for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) for decades, but no major progress has been made in the past 20 years with regard to overcoming chemoresistance. As the cell cycle checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) plays a key role in DNA damage response to chemotherapeutic drugs, we explored the mechanisms of acquired drug resistance to the Chk1 inhibitor prexasertib in SCLC. We established prexasertib resistance in two SCLC cell lines and found that DNA copy number, messengerRNA (mRNA) and protein levels of the cell cycle regulator Wee1 significantly correlate with the level of acquired resistance. Wee1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) or Wee1 inhibitor reversed prexasertib resistance, whereas Wee1 transfection induced prexasertib resistance in parental cells. Reverse phase protein microarray identified up‐regulated proteins in the resistant cell lines that are involved in apoptosis, cell proliferation and cell cycle. Down‐regulation of CDK1 and CDC25C kinases promoted acquired resistance in parental cells, whereas down‐regulation of p38MAPK reversed the resistance. High Wee1 expression was significantly correlated with better prognosis of resected SCLC patients. Our results indicate that Wee1 overexpression plays an important role in acquired resistance to Chk1 inhibition. We also show that bypass activation of the p38MAPK signaling pathway may contribute to acquired resistance to Chk1 inhibition. The combination of Chk1 and Wee1 inhibitors may provide a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoliang Zhao
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.,Department of Lung Cancer, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, China
| | - In-Kyu Kim
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.,Department of Surgery, Open NBI Convergence Technology Research Laboratory, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bhaskar Kallakury
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Joeffrey J Chahine
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Eiji Iwama
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | - Justine N McCutcheon
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Yu-Wen Zhang
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Shigeki Umemura
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Vincent Chen
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Changli Wang
- Department of Lung Cancer, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, China
| | - Giuseppe Giaccone
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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34
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Hong DS, Moore KN, Bendell JC, Karp DD, Wang JS, Ulahannan SV, Jones S, Wu W, Donoho GP, Ding Y, Capen A, Wang X, Bence Lin A, Patel MR. Preclinical Evaluation and Phase Ib Study of Prexasertib, a CHK1 Inhibitor, and Samotolisib (LY3023414), a Dual PI3K/mTOR Inhibitor. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:1864-1874. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-3242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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35
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Fan Y, Ying H, Wu X, Chen H, Hu Y, Zhang H, Wu L, Yang Y, Mao B, Zheng L. The mutational pattern of homologous recombination (HR)-associated genes and its relevance to the immunotherapeutic response in gastric cancer. Cancer Biol Med 2020; 17:1002-1013. [PMID: 33299649 PMCID: PMC7721103 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Currently, there is an urgent need to identify immunotherapeutic biomarkers to increase the benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for patients with gastric cancer (GC). Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) can modify the tumor immune microenvironment by increasing the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and therefore might serve as a biomarker of immunotherapeutic response. We aimed to analyze the mutational pattern of HR-associated genes in Chinese patients with GC and its relevance to the tumor immune profile and clinical immunotherapeutic response. Methods: A panel of 543 cancer-associated genes was used to analyze genomic profiles in a cohort comprising 484 Chinese patients with GC. Correlations between HR gene mutations and tumor immunity or clinical outcomes were identified via bioinformatic analysis using 2 GC genomic datasets (TCGA and MSK-IMPACT). Results: Fifty-one of the 484 (10.54%) patients carried at least one somatic mutation in an HR gene; ATM (16/484, 3.31%) was among the most frequently mutated HR genes in the Chinese cohort. Mutations in HR genes were associated with elevated tumor mutational burden, enhanced immune activity, and microsatellite instability status. In the MSK-IMPACT cohort comprising 49 patients with stomach adenocarcinoma or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma treated with ICIs, patients with HR-mut GC (n = 12) had significantly better overall survival than those with HR-wt GC (n = 37) (log-rank test, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our data suggest that detection of somatic mutations in HR genes might aid in identifying patients who might benefit from immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Fan
- Department of integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Haifeng Ying
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xueying Wu
- Genecast Precision Medicine Technology Institute, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Huan Chen
- Genecast Precision Medicine Technology Institute, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ying Hu
- Center of Integrative Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Henghui Zhang
- Genecast Precision Medicine Technology Institute, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lijia Wu
- Genecast Precision Medicine Technology Institute, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Genecast Precision Medicine Technology Institute, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Beibei Mao
- Genecast Precision Medicine Technology Institute, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lan Zheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200025, China
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36
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Wengner AM, Scholz A, Haendler B. Targeting DNA Damage Response in Prostate and Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8273. [PMID: 33158305 PMCID: PMC7663807 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Steroid hormone signaling induces vast gene expression programs which necessitate the local formation of transcription factories at regulatory regions and large-scale alterations of the genome architecture to allow communication among distantly related cis-acting regions. This involves major stress at the genomic DNA level. Transcriptionally active regions are generally instable and prone to breakage due to the torsional stress and local depletion of nucleosomes that make DNA more accessible to damaging agents. A dedicated DNA damage response (DDR) is therefore essential to maintain genome integrity at these exposed regions. The DDR is a complex network involving DNA damage sensor proteins, such as the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1), the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), the ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) kinase and the ATM and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase, as central regulators. The tight interplay between the DDR and steroid hormone receptors has been unraveled recently. Several DNA repair factors interact with the androgen and estrogen receptors and support their transcriptional functions. Conversely, both receptors directly control the expression of agents involved in the DDR. Impaired DDR is also exploited by tumors to acquire advantageous mutations. Cancer cells often harbor germline or somatic alterations in DDR genes, and their association with disease outcome and treatment response led to intensive efforts towards identifying selective inhibitors targeting the major players in this process. The PARP-1 inhibitors are now approved for ovarian, breast, and prostate cancer with specific genomic alterations. Additional DDR-targeting agents are being evaluated in clinical studies either as single agents or in combination with treatments eliciting DNA damage (e.g., radiation therapy, including targeted radiotherapy, and chemotherapy) or addressing targets involved in maintenance of genome integrity. Recent preclinical and clinical findings made in addressing DNA repair dysfunction in hormone-dependent and -independent prostate and breast tumors are presented. Importantly, the combination of anti-hormonal therapy with DDR inhibition or with radiation has the potential to enhance efficacy but still needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bernard Haendler
- Preclinical Research, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (A.M.W.); (A.S.)
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37
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Huang TT, Brill E, Nair JR, Zhang X, Wilson KM, Chen L, Thomas CJ, Lee JM. Targeting the PI3K/mTOR Pathway Augments CHK1 Inhibitor-Induced Replication Stress and Antitumor Activity in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Res 2020; 80:5380-5392. [PMID: 32998994 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in industrialized countries and has limited treatment options. Targeting ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3-related/cell-cycle checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1)-mediated S-phase and G2-M-phase cell-cycle checkpoints has been a promising therapeutic strategy in HGSOC. To improve the efficacy of CHK1 inhibitor (CHK1i), we conducted a high-throughput drug combination screening in HGSOC cells. PI3K/mTOR pathway inhibitors (PI3K/mTORi) showed supra-additive cytotoxicity with CHK1i. Combined treatment with CHK1i and PI3K/mTORi significantly attenuated cell viability and increased DNA damage, chromosomal breaks, and mitotic catastrophe compared with monotherapy. PI3K/mTORi decelerated fork speed by promoting new origin firing via increased CDC45, thus potentiating CHK1i-induced replication stress. PI3K/mTORi also augmented CHK1i-induced DNA damage by attenuating DNA homologous recombination repair activity and RAD51 foci formation. High expression of replication stress markers was associated with poor prognosis in patients with HGSOC. Our findings indicate that combined PI3K/mTORi and CHK1i induces greater cell death in HGSOC cells and in vivo models by causing lethal replication stress and DNA damage. This insight can be translated therapeutically by further developing combinations of PI3K and cell-cycle pathway inhibitors in HGSOC. SIGNIFICANCE: Dual inhibition of CHK1 and PI3K/mTOR pathways yields potent synthetic lethality by causing lethal replication stress and DNA damage in HGSOC, warranting further clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Ting Huang
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland.
| | - Ethan Brill
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jayakumar R Nair
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Xiaohu Zhang
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kelli M Wilson
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lu Chen
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Craig J Thomas
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.,Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jung-Min Lee
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
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38
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Neizer-Ashun F, Bhattacharya R. Reality CHEK: Understanding the biology and clinical potential of CHK1. Cancer Lett 2020; 497:202-211. [PMID: 32991949 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The DNA damage response enables cells to cope with various stresses that threaten genomic integrity. A critical component of this response is the serine/threonine kinase CHK1 which is encoded by the CHEK1 gene. Originally identified as a regulator of the G2/M checkpoint, CHK1 has since been shown to play important roles in DNA replication, mitotic progression, DNA repair, and overall cell cycle regulation. However, the potential of CHK1 as a cancer therapy has not been realized clinically. Herein we expound our current understanding of the principal roles of CHK1 and highlight different avenues for CHK1 targeting in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiifi Neizer-Ashun
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, United States
| | - Resham Bhattacharya
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, United States; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, United States; Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, United States.
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39
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Fan Z, Luo H, Zhou J, Wang F, Zhang W, Wang J, Li S, Lai Q, Xu Y, Wang G, Liang A, Xu J. Checkpoint kinase‑1 inhibition and etoposide exhibit a strong synergistic anticancer effect on chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562 by impairing homologous recombination DNA damage repair. Oncol Rep 2020; 44:2152-2164. [PMID: 32901871 PMCID: PMC7551253 DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukemia, a malignant hematological disease, has poor therapeutic outcomes due to chemotherapeutic resistance. Increasing evidence has confirmed that the elevated capacity for DNA damage repair in cancer cells is a major mechanism of acquired chemotherapeutic resistance. Thus, combining chemotherapy with inhibitors of DNA damage repair pathways is potentially an ideal strategy for treating leukemia. Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) is an important component of the DNA damage response (DDR) and is involved in the G2/M DNA damage checkpoint. In the present study, we demonstrated that shRNA-mediated CHK1 silencing suppressed cell proliferation and enhanced the cytotoxic effects of etoposide (VP16) in the chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line K562 through the results of CCK-8, and comet assay. The results demonstrated that shRNA-induced CHK1 silencing can override G2/M arrest and impair homologous recombination (HR) repair by reducing breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) expression. Cells had no time, and thus limited ability, to repair the damage and were thus more sensitive to chemotherapy after CHK1 downregulation. Second, we tested the therapeutic effect of VP16 combined with CCT245737, an orally bioavailable CHK1 inhibitor, and observed strong synergistic anticancer effects in K562 cells. Moreover, we discovered that CCT245737 significantly prevented the G2/M arrest caused by acute exposure to VP16. Interestingly, CCT245737 inhibited both BRCA1 and Rad51, the most important component of the HR repair pathway. In conclusion, these results revealed that CHK1 is potentially an ideal therapeutic target for the treatment of CML and that CCT245737 should be considered a candidate drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoyi Fan
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Huacheng Luo
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Fangce Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Wenjun Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Jian Wang
- East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
| | - Shuo Li
- Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Qian Lai
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Yueshuang Xu
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, P.R. China
| | - Guangming Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Aibin Liang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Jun Xu
- East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
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40
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Hu Y, Guo M. Synthetic lethality strategies: Beyond BRCA1/2 mutations in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:3111-3121. [PMID: 32639661 PMCID: PMC7469842 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are often characterized by abnormalities in DNA damage response including defects in cell cycle checkpoints and/or DNA repair. Synthetic lethality between DNA damage repair (DDR) pathways has provided a paradigm for cancer therapy by targeting DDR. The successful example is that cancer cells with BRCA1/2 mutations are sensitized to poly(adenosine diphosphate [ADP]-ribose)polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. Beyond the narrow scope of defects in the BRCA pathway, "BRCAness" provides more opportunities for synthetic lethality strategy. In human pancreatic cancer, frequent mutations were found in cell cycle and DDR genes, including P16, P73, APC, MLH1, ATM, PALB2, and MGMT. Combined DDR inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents are under preclinical or clinical trials. Promoter region methylation was found frequently in cell cycle and DDR genes. Epigenetics joins the Knudson's "hit" theory and "BRCAness." Aberrant epigenetic changes in cell cycle or DDR regulators may serve as a new avenue for synthetic lethality strategy in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mingzhou Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Henan Key Laboratory for Esophageal Cancer Research, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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41
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Evangelisti G, Barra F, Moioli M, Sala P, Stigliani S, Gustavino C, Costantini S, Ferrero S. Prexasertib: an investigational checkpoint kinase inhibitor for the treatment of high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:779-792. [PMID: 32539469 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1783238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) have a poor prognosis, and current chemotherapy regimens for treating advanced disease are far from satisfactory. Prexasertib (LY2606368) is a novel checkpoint kinase inhibitor (CHK) under investigation for the treatment of HGSOC. Data from a recent phase II trial showed promising efficacy and safety results for treating wild-type BRCA HGSOC. Areas covered This article reviews the available data on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, and safety of prexasertib in the treatment of HGSOC. Expert opinion Until now, prexasertib demonstrated clinical activity in phase I and II clinical trial for treating wild-type BRCA HGSOC, whereas its promising efficacy as monotherapy and combined with olaparib in BRCA-mutated HGSOC has been preliminary evidenced only in phase I studies. Compared to other drugs of the same class, prexasertib showed a better tolerability profile, causing moderate hematological toxicity. Further studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety profiles of prexasertib in combined regimens. New early clinical trials may investigate prexasertib administered with programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and PI3 K inhibitors due to the preclinical evidence of a synergic action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Evangelisti
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino , Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child, Health (Dinogmi), University of Genoa , Italy
| | - Fabio Barra
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino , Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child, Health (Dinogmi), University of Genoa , Italy
| | - Melita Moioli
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino , Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child, Health (Dinogmi), University of Genoa , Italy
| | - Paolo Sala
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino , Genoa, Italy.,LILT - Lega Italiana per la Lotta contro i Tumori, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Stigliani
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino , Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child, Health (Dinogmi), University of Genoa , Italy
| | - Claudio Gustavino
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino , Genoa, Italy
| | - Sergio Costantini
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino , Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child, Health (Dinogmi), University of Genoa , Italy
| | - Simone Ferrero
- Academic Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino , Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child, Health (Dinogmi), University of Genoa , Italy
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Gatti-Mays ME, Karzai FH, Soltani SN, Zimmer A, Green JE, Lee MJ, Trepel JB, Yuno A, Lipkowitz S, Nair J, McCoy A, Lee JM. A Phase II Single Arm Pilot Study of the CHK1 Inhibitor Prexasertib (LY2606368) in BRCA Wild-Type, Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Oncologist 2020; 25:1013-e1824. [PMID: 32510664 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2020-0491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
LESSONS LEARNED Monotherapy with prexasertib demonstrated modest activity in BRCA wild-type, recurrent triple-negative breast cancer, highlighting the unmet need for combination treatment strategies. Neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia are common with the use of prexasertib but are manageable with supportive care measures. Prophylactic use of granulocyte colony stimulating factor should be considered to avoid dose reductions or treatment delays. Pharmacodynamic studies showed prexasertib treatment induced DNA damage in peripheral immune cells. BACKGROUND Cell cycle checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) is a major G2/M cell cycle regulator in tumors with p53 dysfunction, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We hypothesized the second-generation CHK1 inhibitor, prexasertib, would yield clinical activity in sporadic TNBC. METHODS This single arm, phase II trial evaluated prexasertib at 105 mg/m2 IV every 2 weeks in patients with metastatic/recurrent TNBC. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). RESULTS All nine patients enrolled were germline BRCA wild-type (BRCAwt) and had at least one prior treatment. One partial response (PR) was observed (ORR of 11.1%). Four patients experienced stable disease. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 86 days (range 17 to 159 days). Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events included afebrile neutropenia (n = 8; 88.9%), anemia (n = 3; 33.3%), and thrombocytopenia (n = 1; 11.1%). Pharmacodynamic studies showed prexasertib treatment induced DNA damage in peripheral immune cells and demonstrated a decrease in activated/reinvigorated CD8 T cells; however, the one patient with a PR showed evidence of T-cell recovery. CONCLUSION Prexasertib monotherapy had modest clinical efficacy in BRCAwt TNBC. Further studies of prexasertib in combination with other agents are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret E Gatti-Mays
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Women's Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Fatima H Karzai
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sanaz N Soltani
- Women's Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alexandra Zimmer
- Women's Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffrey E Green
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Min-Jung Lee
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jane B Trepel
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Akira Yuno
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Stanley Lipkowitz
- Women's Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jayakumar Nair
- Women's Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ann McCoy
- Women's Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jung-Min Lee
- Women's Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Exploring the Synergy between PARP and CHK1 Inhibition in Matched BRCA2 Mutant and Corrected Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040878. [PMID: 32260355 PMCID: PMC7226483 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PARP inhibition results in the accumulation of DNA SSBs, causing replication stress (RS) and lesions that can only be resolved by homologous recombination repair (HRR). Defects in HRR, e.g., due to BRCA2 mutation, confer profound sensitivity to PARP inhibitor (PARPi) cytotoxicity. In response to RS, CHK1 is activated to signal to S and G2/M cell cycle checkpoints and also to HRR. To determine the relative contribution of these two functions of CHK1 to survival following PARPi exposure, we investigated the effects of rucaparib (a PARPi) and PF-477736 (a CHK1 inhibitor) alone and in combination in cells with mutated and corrected BRCA2. The BRCA2 mutated V-C8 cells were 1000× more sensitive to rucaparib cytotoxicity than their matched BRCA2 corrected V-C8.B2 cells, but no more sensitive to PF-477736 despite having seven-fold higher levels of RS. PF-477736 caused a five-fold enhancement of rucaparib cytotoxicity in the V-C8.B2 cells, but no enhancement in the V-C8 cells. This differential sensitivity was not due to a difference in PARP1 or CHK1 expression or activity. PF-477736 increased rucaparib-induced RS (γH2AX foci) and completely inhibited RAD51 focus formation, indicating a profound suppression of HRR. Our data suggested that inhibition of HRR was the main mechanism of sensitisation to rucaparib, compounded with an inhibition of cell cycle checkpoints by PF-477736.
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Deneka AY, Einarson MB, Bennett J, Nikonova AS, Elmekawy M, Zhou Y, Lee JW, Burtness BA, Golemis EA. Synthetic Lethal Targeting of Mitotic Checkpoints in HPV-Negative Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020306. [PMID: 32012873 PMCID: PMC7072436 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) affect more than 800,000 people annually worldwide, causing over 15,000 deaths in the US. Among HNSCC cancers, human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative HNSCC has the worst outcome, motivating efforts to improve therapy for this disease. The most common mutational events in HPV-negative HNSCC are inactivation of the tumor suppressors TP53 (>85%) and CDKN2A (>57%), which significantly impairs G1/S checkpoints, causing reliance on other cell cycle checkpoints to repair ongoing replication damage. We evaluated a panel of cell cycle-targeting clinical agents in a group of HNSCC cell lines to identify a subset of drugs with single-agent activity in reducing cell viability. Subsequent analyses demonstrated potent combination activity between the CHK1/2 inhibitor LY2606268 (prexasertib), which eliminates a G2 checkpoint, and the WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 (adavosertib), which promotes M-phase entry, in induction of DNA damage, mitotic catastrophe, and apoptosis, and reduction of anchorage independent growth and clonogenic capacity. These phenotypes were accompanied by more significantly reduced activation of CHK1 and its paralog CHK2, and enhanced CDK1 activation, eliminating breaks on the mitotic entry of cells with DNA damage. These data suggest the potential value of dual inhibition of CHK1 and WEE1 in tumors with compromised G1/S checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Y. Deneka
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA; (A.Y.D.); (M.B.E.); (J.B.); (A.S.N.); (M.E.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kazan Federal University, 420000 Kazan, Russia
| | - Margret B. Einarson
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA; (A.Y.D.); (M.B.E.); (J.B.); (A.S.N.); (M.E.)
| | - John Bennett
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA; (A.Y.D.); (M.B.E.); (J.B.); (A.S.N.); (M.E.)
- Department of Biology, Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, PA 19118, USA
| | - Anna S. Nikonova
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA; (A.Y.D.); (M.B.E.); (J.B.); (A.S.N.); (M.E.)
| | - Mohamed Elmekawy
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA; (A.Y.D.); (M.B.E.); (J.B.); (A.S.N.); (M.E.)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Yan Zhou
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA;
| | - Jong Woo Lee
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (J.W.L.); (B.A.B.)
| | - Barbara A. Burtness
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (J.W.L.); (B.A.B.)
| | - Erica A. Golemis
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA; (A.Y.D.); (M.B.E.); (J.B.); (A.S.N.); (M.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-215-728-2860
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Dent P. Investigational CHK1 inhibitors in early phase clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2019; 28:1095-1100. [PMID: 31783714 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2019.1694661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) inhibitors have been in development for two decades. The initial CHK1 inhibitor staurosporine analog, UCN01, entered clinical trials whilst it was still considered to act via PKC inhibition; only later were trials performed in a more focused fashion to determine whether CHK1 inhibition could dysregulate cell cycle checkpoints. Many of the subsequently synthesized more specific CHK1 inhibitors have failed because of poor PK/PD or cumulative normal tissue toxicities in patients. CHK1 inhibitor monotherapy often demonstrates limited efficacy and in general, must be combined with other agents. The combination of CHK1 inhibitors with modern signaling regulators may be a better therapeutic strategy.Areas covered: This review discusses the history of, and translational use of CHK1 inhibitors; the latest generation of CHK1 inhibitors to enter clinic development are also examined.Expert opinion: Some CHK1 inhibitors can be administered safely, but that when they are combined with traditional cytotoxic DNA damaging agents, the normal tissue toxicities outweigh the very modest gains in therapeutic efficacy. Researchers need to think outside of the box and consider how CHK1 inhibitors can be combined with other signal transduction modulators such as MEK1/2 and PARP1 inhibitors to kill tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Dent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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